Lifelong learning

I've written before about my attempts at learning to play guitar. 

I haven't visited this topic in quite awhile, simply because I feel that I am a miserable guitar student, at best. That is not to say that I have not thoroughly enjoyed my dive into this pool of opportunity. I love the way that it challenges my brain and lights up a sense of learning that I have never experienced before. 

I attend my weekly guitar lesson, and now it is something that our 8-year-old son does with me. In our hectic schedules, we don't often find the time to have some quiet together. So now we find ourselves, once a week, trekking to lessons together. 

We will often talk about school or the books he's reading, or whether we like a certain song on the radio. Sometimes we drive in comfortable silence, me just enjoying having my not-so-little buddy alone in the car with me for a bit. He's doing a wonderful job learning to play, and far outpacing me as a student. It is rather humbling to have your 8-year-old show you up so handily! 

Lucky for me he doesn't read this blog, so this isn't a fact I'll be sharing with him anytime soon! My husband has taken his new skills to a different level, and has starting jamming with a couple of fellow friends. I played with them not so long ago, and it recharged my enthusiasm for learning to play! There is something energetic about playing with others, even if you are in the wrong key the entire time! But we ended the jam almost sounding, dare I say, mediocre! No, we are not booking any gigs soon, or even ever, but it was a fun way to put into practice all that I've been learning. 

My husband aspires to write his own song soon, this too will enhance his joy that he's found in playing guitar. I'm fortunate to have found this little hobby so enjoyable. It's enhanced my appreciation for music, and will continue to do so for years to come. Now, if I only practiced like I am supposed to, I might be able to play a recognizable tune! One thing at a time.

Transforming a house into a home

While the list varies from person to person, some of the most stressful events in life include moving. 

I can attest to that, especially when you toss in three kids, a dog, and a whole lot of stuff! We made the move, and are on the other side of the difficult part. Whew. 

Now comes the unpacking, sorting, and placing of those things deemed worthy of gracing our space. Pictures that have resided in boxes for the past six years have been unearthed, to keep or not to keep? That has become the major question in our household. But I know we are fortunate and this is a great problem to have! 

We have explored our new neighborhood and the kids are already having a blast. We've been the recipient of several plates of scrumptious cookies and home-made meals, making a move almost worth it! I keep telling people that the house is a work in progress; every time I think I've made progress, there is more work! Ha! But our new place is already feeling like home, and our housing woes are already becoming a fleeting memory. 

I am trying to tell myself to take things one day at a time, one box at a time. There is no deadline for getting things done, and just enjoy the house one step at a time. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, unproductive. But this too shall pass. We have already hung things on the wall! Wow! That doesn't mean that this is where they will stay, but they are out of boxes and giving our walls personality. So as each day passes, and another box is emptied, we are one step closer to transforming our house into a home!