Piano Lessons are going better than expected

Some of you know that I started piano lessons in July.

The local ice cream shop / music store, Licks Music & Sundries, on main street Rice Lake, WI is a owned by a couple of nice folks, Jim & Sherry.
Sherry is my piano instructor.

I am pleased with my progress and am very much enjoying playing the piano everyday for a bit.

Here is one of my songs from this week's lesson.

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪

Alloutte on the piano (from YouTube)

I expect it will be some time before I progress into more difficult pieces, but it is fun to play a song that is recognizable and that I can manage somewhat well.

The piano bench is also a good cat perch, like most of my furniture.

Anders is 3...already

My great nephew Anders, who was born just before I moved back to Wisconsin in 2008, recently celebrated his 3rd birthday.

He was very excited to get a bike from his Mom & Dad.

He wanted to show me his helmet & bike when I stopped in for a visit last week.

Gotta have a helmet.

Lookin's good on the new wheels

No need to overdress.

 ♥b♥b♥b♥b♥b♥b♥

In July, Kris and Anders stopped in Rice Lake to see the folks & I.

We tried for a 3 generation photo, but Anders was not really all that into it.

This was the best of the 10 pictures I snapped before he got off his Dad's lap.

3 years ago

Three years ago my best friends in Colorado helped me pack every single belonging into a big truck for the move to Wisconsin.  I'll never forget the day and the good friends and the good help.

Thanks Boomer, Kent, Steve, Tammy, Roche, Tom, LeAnna, Laila, Jim, and Dave.  

You're the best pals ever.

A visit with Bryce

On Saturday evening I went to Glenn's Lake Cottage for supper with he & Kathy and Kaija and her girls & boy.  Mike was busy at home.

I got some time with little Bryce.  He's a cute little fella and tolerated me quite well.  It seems like babies can tell when an inexperienced holder is on duty, but he hung in there quite a while.

Charli, Milli & Wynni are all growing up so fast too.  It was fun to have a visit with them and Charli gave me many really good hugs.  Good medicine for sure.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Dad & Ev, 23 years of fun.

Can't believe I don't have a current picture, owell, this one is only 3 years old.

My friend, and "Other Mother", Betty

I am reposting this note as today I am heading to Waumandee to say a final goodbye to Betty.
It will be good to see my Colorado friends but a sad day for us all.
We will make the best of our time together though!
***********

Today I heard the sad news that my friend, Betty Rosenow, passed away today.  I was blessed for more than 40 years to call her a friend and also My Other Mother.  Her passing comes after a slow decline in health and I know that she is at peace now.  But selfishly, I wish she would have stayed on this Earth until I could have visited with her one more time.

Lucky for me, I spent last Thanksgiving with her and her family.  

She was in good health and grand spirit that day.

I have known Betty longer than I had my real mom and also longer than I have known my step-mom.

She inspired me to 'be mindful of the needs of others'.

I will miss My Other Mother.

Little Jens and Little Kitties

Today I had my first visit with my new great nephew Jens.

He's pretty popular, I got to hold him for a few minutes and then it was someone else's turn.

What a sweety.

Jens and his cousin Cole
Looks like Jens has something to say

Big sister Stella and Little Jens

A kiss for her little brother

Little mother Stella

Gage and his little brother Jens

Little Jens

Hanging out with big brother Gage

Jens

He won't be a baby long enough, that we know, so sweet.

vv☼ * ☼vv

Gus and Lois have 2 new adopted kitties and today I got to meet them as well.

I always love new kitties.

Tobias

Tobias

Toby & Topaz

Topaz

Topaz

If only they would remain kittens longer, but for now, they are too cute.

A Fresh Baby Boy J

Baby Boy Johansen was born on August 19th, 2011 @ 2:12 a.m.  

He was 9 lb. 4 oz. and 20.5 inches long.  

His Mom & Dad, Kyle & Heather Johansen and his 2 sisters and 2 brothers are glad to celebrate his arrival.  

I can't wait to see my little great nephew as well.  

His Grandma Lois sent me this picture from the hospital.

As soon as I know his name, I will update my blog.

Welcome Jens Henry Valdemar Johansen!
Can't wait to meet him in person.
My grandfather's name was Jens Ansgar and my Dad is Valdemar and my last name is Johansen, so this baby boy is named after me, obviously.

Not to mention that Valdemar I of Denmark (14 January 1131 – 12 May 1182), also known as Valdemar the Great, was King of Denmark from 1157 until 1182.   Valdemar was a chivalrous and popular Danish prince, who was the eldest son of Eric I of Denmark. 

Busy Busy

Our cabin ownership group had a 'work weekend' over the first weekend of August.  We stayed at our rustic Up North cabin and completed many projects.  The weather was good on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Jackson worked on mowing the grass

But by afternoon the outside work had to be suspended.  It rained cats and dogs.  Much to my delight, the group stayed motivated and worked on inside projects until into the evening.

Sun shade turned rain awning.

The completed project list is long, my favorites being a new grocery shelf in the kitchen, which allowed for a more private sleeping area for me.  

The best part was that the shelf was re-purposed wood out of an old shelf that was pretty wobbly.

Also, moving the TV up onto a corner shelf so that we could rearrange furniture made the cabin feel bigger.

We also managed to fit in playing some cards.  Since Alyxis & Jackson were there, I played many games of Crazy Eights as well as a few games of Go Fish.  Some Texas Hold 'Em was also fun with my nephews.

Jackson & Alyxis spent some quality "Angry Birds" time.

The steel cover on the facia board sure dresses up our little Sandcastle.

Work weekend at the Sandcastle

We had a good weekend at our cabin in Gordon, WI. Dana & Jackson, Andy & Alyxis, Kris, Glenn and I accomplished a long list of To-Do's.

The weather was swampy on Saturday but this Sunday weather is perfect.

Life is good!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®