Learning

Earlier this week, I had a friend send me a link to an online course catalog. There were offerings for a variety of subjects, from languages to history.

I was not even tempted.

Now, I have always been the professional student. I have attended 3 colleges and hold 4 degrees, two of them Master's degrees. I loved learning about new things.

I can't figure out what has happened. Am I just tired or lazy? About all the learning I am up for these days is watching Discovery Health and HGTV.

I do like learning new art techniques for my cards. I still like to learn about new things to cook. But as far as "formal" stuff, the desire is just not there.

Will it come back?

Stay tuned.

Six Year Old Fun

I am excited today. Our six year old niece is coming to visit (with her parents, of course!) and we are going to have fun.

Little Sarah is a neat kid. She is well, behaved, but not TOO well behaved, if that makes any sense. She does not have so much that she is blase' about small treats and happies. She likes to be read to and loves art projects. In other words, a kid after my own heart! :)

I had a good time at the dollar store today, stocking up on books, puzzles, and art supplies. I have never quite grown up myself, so I get a kick out of looking for things a kid might like. Not to mention things that I will enjoy playing with as well!

So, let the fun and games begin!

Granna and the 'Rents

Today, three of the people I love most in this world are out of pocket.

My dad and sweet stepmom at flying off to Salt Lake City, where they will rent a car and drive to Montana. They both have some health issues, and I am just praying that none of them flare up during this trip! Stepmom is going to see one of her grandbabies for the very first time and is so excited she can hardly stand it. I am praying for uncomplicated flights and easy driving for them.

My sister's MIL, Granna is in Texas having a heart catherization. Granna represents security for me and has been a mama to me since mine died. The thought of losing her brings a level of sadness to me that is scary in its depths. She is one of the only people in my life who takes care of ME.

So many prayers for health and safety are going up this morning.

Many.

A Little More Talk...

Yesterday I went to a "voice therapist." Apparently this is different than a "speech" therapist. This lady's job is to teach me how to use my speaking voice more effectively.

I am allowed to talk for short periods to people who are in close proximity to me, but not on the phone or anywhere where I would have to raise my voice at all. But what gets me is the way I am supposed to talk. I am essentially supposed to talk the way I sing. This means resonant voice, fairly soft, and on a higher pitch than I am accustomed to speaking on.

Of course, my speaking voice has never been anything to write home about. I have a Southern accent and MG has caused my voice to lower and become more nasal. People are usually surprised when I tell them I am a soprano and are usually surprised because my singing voice is nothing like my speaking voice.

But, the aim is to make my speaking voice as efficient as possible to take stress off of my vocal cords and the nodules. I have to think before I speak (no comments from the peanut gallery here!) and place my voice in what singers call "the mask."

To me, I sound like a robot.

Danger, danger Will Robinson...

Week One

Well, I have made it through my first week of silence. I think I accidentally forgot and said about 3 words, but other than that, these lips have been sealed.

It has actually not been that bad. I have the internet and I have the ability to express myself pretty effectively in written words. I also have my trusty Magnadoodle (tm) and three white boards of assorted sizes. I have found low odor markers that look like razors with a squeegee on the end for erasing what I have written.

People I meet tell me I must be just bursting to talk, but this is really not the case. I am wanting very much to sing, but not necessarily to talk.

Week one down.

? weeks to go...

The Vortex

For months, I have seen these captioned cat pictures in my e-mails and on Facebook. But, I never knew where they came from until I read an entry in the blog of a friend's son.

These funny cat pictures come from a place called Lolcats.com After I clicked on the link in Luke's blog I was sucked into an almost all day vortex of looking at sometimes hysterical pictures of not just cats, but dogs, walruses, foxes, and bunnies.

Of course, I had to share the fun, so I started to e-mail pictures to friends. I just could not resist. I was in the grip of the vortex.

I am now on page 151. And the website promises that these pictures go "to infinity and beyond."

Uh oh...

Shhhhhhhhhhh

Went to the doctor today. Not unexpectedly, all the coughing I did during my bout with bronchitis, coupled with reflux, has caused nodules to form on my vocal cords.

"Node" is a word that strikes fear in the heart of any vocalist. In college, no music student even dared speak the word aloud. The word "nodes" would be spoken of in a hushed whisper. As in "Do you remember ______? She has...nodes!

I have been strictly instructed not to utter a word for the next 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. Like a friend suggested, that can actually be a gift of sorts. But, being vocally restricted for up to 3 months is harder to view that way. And not singing till the end of summer or early Fall is even harder to think about. Not when singing has been like breathing for most of my life.

The doc seemed pretty optimistic. I am trying to be optimistic as well.

So, for the moment, the watchword is

shhhhhhhhh

Finished!

I am FINALLY finished cleaning and organizing my office. It has taken over two weeks and involved literal blood, sweat, and tears.

This has been both a physical and a mental challenge. I am extremely sentimental and love to keep cards, memorabilia, pictures that have been drawn for me, etc.

Don't get me wrong. I kept plenty. A lot of the challenge was figuring out how to organize it effectively. But, I got rid of things that were not truly special. And now, I have the space and tools to really ENJOY my room.

And enjoy it I will.