If you haven’t noticed music is important. Really. Around here it ranks with food, shelter and clothing. We take our vacations chasing it, we pass our time playing it, and in lieu of having a third child we adopted one genetically engineered for bluegrass instead. Weird ain’t it?
Our two boys have adapted to our weirdness by scrounging around and finding something to play. They know when it comes to music, all they have to do is ask, and it will be given. Deputy Barney chose the fiddle and W the electric guitar. (Despite being dyed in the wool bluegrass junkies…we allow electric instruments in our house. You can read the story of how, at eight, W rebelled by putting down the mandolin, picking up the electric guitar and asking for a tattoo ~ all in one day, here.)
I started playing the guitar just over a year ago. Even though Ben is a fairly good rhythm guitarist (and teacher) we I decided it might be better for our relationship if I had a video to learn by instead of lessons from him or someone else. That decision has served me well. Now Ben can just wonder through and give me pointers and other tidbits to build on what I’ve already learned. It’s sweeter that way.
What’s even sweeter is the time we spend together playing. Barney took this picture…
A perfect description of our life… music front and center, sometimes out of focus, shotgun news close, bedroom light on, half a bubble off of plumb, but happy. The connection we make with music is deep, profound and really hard to put into words. It’s no wonder people use music to worship God, the level of connection is deep and wide just like the hymn, truly spiritual.
All that aside. I haven’t played Kate, my guitar, for months. I’m saddened by this. I guess I worry if the house isn’t clean. Ben says he could live with dust bunnies and going commando and even PBJs for supper if I nailed a killer lick. My wifely/motherly duties tug at me frequently though, and derned if dish water isn’t a callus killer when it comes trying to keep your fingers tough. So besides needing a new instructional video I think I need a maid and a cook all in the name of great music. That might be expensive, but think of the money I’ll save in lessons.
Simply,
Sis
PS~ If you are thinking about buying a video to learn to play an instrument, be sure and get one that fits your genre of music. If you like bluegrass don’t be buying a ’learn acid rock licks overnight’ DVD. Another thing. I learned to read music as a kid, but find it a hindrance to my creativity as an adult. So I’m learning to play the guitar by ear. Regardless, I’m loving videos. The only drawback is music instructional DVDs are like exercise DVDs, you have to use them for them to work. *gaw*
Tags: bluegrass guitar, Bluegrass Music, instructional DVDs, learn to play the guitar, music lessons, saving money, simple music
You never hear that, do you? That’s one cocktail, nobody wants. But if you are married and taking in air, it’s a drink you’ll get to taste at some point. No worries though, Mate! All you need is one book. Love and Respect.
It is the relationship book to end all relationship books. It explains the differences between men and women. When I read it a few years ago I was amazed at what I didn’t know. In fact, I have spoken with people who have been married for 35 plus years and they didn’t even know some of the simple facts in this book. Their consensus was the same…I wish I would have read this book years ago.
It teaches women to respect their husbands. Heck, I thought I was. Turns out I didn’t even know what respect really is. On the other hand it teaches guys to speak love to their wives. Typically they understand respect, but not love so much.
This book has allowed us to trade a good marriage for a great one. The kind happily ever after is made of. In the process it has helped me as a mom to understand all guys better. Since we’re raising a couple I think it’s helped me speak to our boys better and feed them the respect they need too.
I’m giving away one of these books for Valentines day. To enter please leave a comment about your plans for the day of love. Entries will end Feburary 13th at 9 pm. Enter now and trade your marriage on the rocks drink for sex on the beach.
Good Luck.
Sis
Tags: free book, free marriage help, giveaway, love and respect, marriage counseling, marriage help book, marriage on the rocks, marriage trouble, relationships
I have a blogging friend who sometimes thinks in bullets.
I sometimes think in bullets too, but I think my bullets are different than hers. Remember my bad hair day when I had to get my passport picture taken?
Anyway.
This time of year I get cagey. It’s cold in Kansas and it’s easy for me to start thinking weird thoughts if I don’t have a few hundred projects. So to keep myself in check, Ben and I organized our walk-in closet. (I smashed my finger during demolition and Ben had to do most of the work without me.) Then I painted an accent wall in my living room. Pictures to follow. Someday. Now I’m sewing more curtains to hang near the new orange brick color. Even more curtains will follow when I move to update our mud room. Porch actually. I live in an old crooked farmhouse where everything is reliably a half bubble off ‘a plumb and ain’t nobody ever heared of a mud room, so it’s a porch….
…about those bullets…
I think my sewing habit is fixin’ to get to me, cause this is what my world looks like through the eye of a needle…
*so glad this camera has a micro function and my readers can’t see all the dishes I haven’t done
*what happened to the make your house over in one day, days
*since when did Khaki come in more than one color
*why does Ben’s stash of chocolate taste better than mine
*why did I just hide the wrapper under everything in the trash when I’ll tell him what I’ve done later anyway
*if I start now…could I be a black belt by morning
*sphnicker sphnicker
*is that the litter box I smell or the my new favorite perfume
*why do I have to dust my sewing machine’s parts along with everything else in this place
*how long has that spider’s web been there
*do these yoga pants make me look fat
*what is it about grandkids that make grandparents try arm-farts before they get into the shower
Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition.
What do your bullets look like?
Simply,
Sis
Tags: bullet thoughts, funny, silliness, Sis's Secrets, thought bullets
(Thanks to BlogHer Pic App for another niffty photo!)
I can’t believe it’s been a year since this strange blog about simple living opened it’s doors. What I really can’t believe is how many people read it. I also can’t believe the people who read it are pretty darn cool and aren’t nearly as nerdy as me. They live anywhere from across the creek to across the big pond and are wonderful each in their own way. I’ve never had so much fun expressing myself or meeting so many. So, thank you for reading!!!
It’s always interesting to compare my favorite posts to yours. What I think is just bang your head awesome and what you think is are certainly two different things. I have a lot to learn about blogging, but then…it will be a while before I’m potty trained by the looks of the lone candle on the cake.
This was the most read post ever “One Money Saving Must“. It’s about the different uses for vinegar. It was supposed to be a fill-in post, but has been read by thousands. If all my post were read this much, Ben could quit his job and play his banjo full time. But, alas…that won’t happen this year.
This was the hardest post I wrote last year and the one of the most read. It is about the night we lost one of my brothers. I’m glad it has brought hope to so many.
Some of my favorite posts are…
Sometimes you gotta get your hands dirty.
and as much as i hate her…anything by SINthia.
One of the most popular phrases used when finding this blog is g-string. I’m sure my mama is proud. Of course it’s not my fault, it’s my damn-it evil twin, SINthia, who says what I’m thinking aloud. Grrrrr. Her posts are always well read and cause me grief when I leave the house.
Other popular phrases are pickled peppers (a great recipe, by the way), Yates banjos (our newest child) and braiding onions (something fun I tried this year).
So here we are over a million hits later, still living simply and a debt free life. Thanks for coming with me on my journey and sharing yours with me along the way.
Simply,
Sandhill Sis
and
SINthia
Tags: happy birthday reclaim simplicity, reclaim simplicity, reclaim simplicity turns one
