Piano/part 2

I think that Marlow is really enjoying working on this piano. I have never seen a piano so torn apart. It is really fun to see that you can take the keys off. Each key is numbered so you know where they go. I'll download some pictures later. Marlow has been using a finish restorer on the wood, and it is very pretty. After the restorer, he rubs tongue oil on the wood, and it really brings out the natural grain of the wood. There is a number on the harp part of the piano, and we did a little research on that number. The piano was made between 1900 and 1910. I was really surprised that it was that old. Because of it's height it is considered an upright. I thought it was rather short, and thought it was a spinet (sp).

Jennifer and Kyle came over last night. She is so excited. She was helping Marlow clean the keys. He wipes each one down individually with Murphy's oil soap. It is a rather tedious task. Did I tell you I'm going to be a tacky mother-in-law and give it to her for Christmas. I told her she can have it as soon as we get it restored/cleaned up. At the current rate, it shouldn't take too long.

Student Launch Initiative workshop

I was part of a workshop for new schools that want to compete in the Student Launch Initiative contest sponsored by NASA. The students have to build a rocket that will go one mile up and carry a payload that does something. The something is their choice. You can see some of our previous projects at http://www.sli.uah.edu/. The workshop help new teams see how it is done and the get their level one certification.

The group form Iowa state made a film of the launches. It is a little long (he was not big on editing out dead space or he liked everything)but shows about 15 launches (20mins. total time). The first rocket was a big one to show the student what their finished products might look like. It also showed what would happen if the main chute came out too soon. It came out at about 4000 ft. and the rocket drifted nearly a mile. They found it later that day. About 11 mins. in is a fast section to the hamster dance song. Kind of entertainment. At the end of this section at about 13 mins. is a drag race between two rockets.


USLI Rocket Workshop Rocket Launch 2008 from Rick Hanton on Vimeo.

Awesome Find

While out for my walk Saturday afternoon, I found a piano that someone had put out on the curb. I made Marlow go up and ask the people if we could take it, and they said "sure". We went straight home and got the truck, and Mark and headed back. There was a pick up by the piano, and I thought oh man, we lost out. I then noticed that the truck was full, and only one person!

It was no easy task getting it in the truck, but we did it. Kyle's wife Jennifer had mentioned recently that she wished she had a piano. She has a keyboard, but it just isn't the same as a piano. The piano looks to be in good shape for a freebie. All the keys have the ivorys, and there is only one string that is broken. Marlow found a great web site that he thinks will be helpful in fixing it up.

I told Jennifer at church what we had found, and I thought she was going to jump for joy. We bribed all the kids to lunch so we had a lot of people to help get it off the truck. Marlow tore it apart this morning, I have never seen a piano dismantled like this, it is really neat. He has started cleaning it up, and it already is coming back to life. Did I mention that it is a Baldwin?

My "Birth" day

I guess Jennie's post on Sunday is misleading. Yes, we celebrated my birthday, but I'm surprised Heather realized my actual birthday is today the 30th. Wow!!!! My kids are doing their best to help me realize how OLD I am. Marlow says I am beginning my "Jubilee" year. All this has led me to reflect upon my mortality. Growing old has never bothered me. I know some have a melt down when they hit 30, but it was just another birthday to me. I still don't feel old, in fact I'm feeling better now than I have for a long time.

I've decided to do a few things in the coming year. In anticipation of the BIG 50 next year, I'm going to write 50 letters to people who have influenced/affected my life. 50 letters of apology/regret to those who I have mistreated (I hope I can get my list down to 50) I also want to make sure I LIVE.

I recently read the book "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. It really got me thinking about my dreams, and goals. I've found that now all my kids are basically out of the nest, I need to identify new goals for my life. I realized that many of my goals up to this point have been children related and driven. I'm grateful for that, but now need to continue forward with worthy goals.
draft

happy birthday mamacita

this is jennie, invading mom's blog so as to wish her a happy birthday and to post pictures i took today... enjoy!

Quilt Project

This is my current quilt project. I bought this kit at my local quilt store. They designed the pieced border around the quilt. I am attempting to hand quilt this. I have gained new appreciation for the many quilts that have been hand quilted. My fingers hurt, and it takes a LONG time. I hope to have it done before Christmas.

Saturday Pickins

This is the produce we picked in our garden this morning. The beans are our second crop, the first crop was the middle of June. We get tired of gardening this time of year, but with the high price of food we are making a real effort to keep it going. Last week we planted cabbage, broccoli, and onions. They do good this time of year. I found a great way to use the jalepeno's. Not a recipe for those with sensitive pallets. Clean the jalepeno's, stuff with cream cheese and wrap in bacon.

I found the recipe on Pioneer Woman website. My family LOVES them. I tried them, as long as I get a mild pepper I like them, but no guarantee of that.

Jennie's Art Exhibit

Jennie at the art show

We had a blast last Saturday at the Monte Sano Art Show. Jennie had a spot selling her paintings. It was fun to hang out with her. She had a lot of traffic viewing her work, lots of great positive feedback, and she did GREAT in the selling part too. I think she sold 8 or 9 paintings, one for $600.00.
I was minding the store for a little while so she could take a break. I felt totally clueless when they'd ask me questions. Give me a piece of fabric, I can answer your questions, art/clueless. But, I am proud as can be about my daughter, and I did sell one of her pieces. The lady remarked that it was my salemanship that did it!

Jennie Manlove (formally Moser) and Jennifer Moser (formally Sedgewick)

It was an awesome festival, 150 artists/vendors. Great assortment of artisans. Painting, jewelry, some fiber arts. photography. I was especially drawn to this guy that uses a chain saw to carve faces in logs, and stumps. He had an AWESOME stump that I would have wanted without a face, but with the red cedar faces it is amazing, and it is sitting in my front garden as I write. There were also some great metal pieces. Next year, I'm going to get one of those for my garden.

The day started out drizzly and chilly. It was on the cool side all day, but the sun peeked out in the afternoon. For those that came to Jennie's wedding, the festival was in the park next to the lodge she was married at. Beautiful location, the leaves are on the verge of change, nice time of year.

Ed and Judy Manlove brought a wonderful lunch up for all of us. I am so grateful that my daughter has such great in-laws that love and support her. Jennie's location was really nice because it had a picnic table right behind her tent. So we had a great place to chill. Jon is working on a web site for Jennie's art work, I'll let you know when he gets it up.

Crazy gas prices

I don't know what gas prices are doing where you live, but it was CRAZY here yesterday. Yesterday morning gas was $3.46 in the morning, and by afternoon there were some stations charging $5.35!!!!! On my way to work I thought about filling up, but I had about 50 miles left before I HAD to fill up, so I thought, I'll do it tomorrow. WELL, that was a bad decision. After waiting in line for about 10 minutes, I paid $3.73. Not as bad as across the street $4.19. Some places had a 10 galloon limit, but Sam's let you pump as much as you needed, or could afford to get. Many stations in our area ran out of gas, and have no idea when they will get their next shipment. They are saying that there could be a disruption in gas supply because of Ike. It shows you how volitale our normal life can be.

I'm glad that I generally go 2-3 weeks between fill-ups. I have really stream lined the trips I take. I try to get my shopping done on my way to work, or on the way home to cut miles.

this & that

I'm glad that Mark took the time to post his pictures. I tried to see how he did it(for my future use) but I'll save learning that for another day.

He said that the area they were assigned to work was very impoverished. I think he came home more appreciative of what he has. He also came home with a good case of poison ivy. I think he must just be a sensitive guy. Both arms from the wrist up to the elbows are pretty much swollen, and starting to blister. He went to the doc yesterday and got a shot, some steroids, and cream. He was still pretty miserable last night. At least the swelling seems to be lessening.

I'm glad that Mark took his camera down with him. His pictures are usually more artsy, he will zoom in and take a picture that you don't recognize for what it is, but looks really cool. My christmas present last year was a picture he printed out then colored over and did all kinds of cool stuff. I'm not describing it well at all. I guess I'll have to take a picture of it.

Mark is going through orientation for his new job this week. He is actually making 40 cents more than what we thought he would. What a blessing.

Mark's hurricane relief pictures

loving this....

Ooohhh, I'm excited that someone has actually visited my blog. As I thought about what I wanted to accomplish with this blog, it is to let my relatives know about my life. I realize that most of you will never have the opportunity to visit me here in Alabama. I also realize that most of you do not know my kids very well. As I have read your blogs, I have had such joy getting to know you, and see what you do in your lives.

So, I want to show you what my life is like. I want to introduce my city to you. It is such an awesome place to live, and if you ever get the hankering to come and visit, it's a great destination. I also want to let you know what is happening in my kids lives.

Jennie has expressed an interest in starting a blog. I know she'd love it, but right now she's got her plate pretty full. She and her husband Jon live not too far from us. She works in the photo lab at Sam's Club, but is preparing for an art show at a local festival up on Monte Sano. You westerners would call Monte Sano a bump, but in the south it's our mountain. Jennie loves to paint, and is working to get established in the local art community. Her husband Jon is developing a web site for her art work, so I'll let you know when he gets that up so you can check out her stuff.

Kyle and his wife Jennifer are both going to school at UAH. That is NOT Utah, rather University of Alabama in Huntsville. Jennifer graduates in December in accounting, and Kyle is working toward a Political Science degree. They keep busy with work and school. We're grateful they are in the same ward as us so we can see them on Sunday.

Josh is serving his mission in the Chicago North Mission. He passed the year mark in June, so we are on the down hill side. He is loving his area in Byron. It's a rural area, and has given him a chance to experience the good life.

As I mentioned earlier, Mark is here at home between semesters. He called earlier today from Louisiana. It was about 1pm central time, and they were heading back to the staging area to wrap up the day. He said it was about a 10 hour drive back, so it will be pretty late before he pulls in. It sounds like he took pictures, and will be sending some back to Louisiana, and sending some to the Huntsville Times. I will post some here also. He said there was a lot of work. I know that in previous trips, they often feel overwhelmed at the amount of work there is. He said there is a lot more to be done. I'm glad he was able to help out.

I had fun playing with some pictures that Jennie sent me. I'll work on getting a family picture up. Well, this has turned into an epistle, but the house is quiet. (Marlow is at stake choir practice). TTFN

Ramblings of a mother

I must admit that I had fun getting everyone put on my list. I have no idea how to let anyone know that I have a blog, I will probably do it the old fashioned way, with a telephone call.

It is quite around our house this week-end. Mark has been home from BYU-I for almost a month now. This week-end our stake is providing hurricane relief down in Baton Rouge. He grabbed a ride with another brother from our ward and will get back late Sunday evening. It has been a few years since they have gone down. I guess Katrina was the last big one to require help. With the price of gas, it adds a new element to the aid. But, we want to help out. It will be interesting to see how much the trip costs. There are three going down together, and they will split the cost of gas. I sent $100.00 for our share of the gas....will we owe more?

Mark was assigned to the winter/summer trac at BYU-I, so he came home to work between semesters. He applied at Sam's Club, and they sent him for drug testing two weeks ago, but he hasn't heard anything back, and is getting restless. We decided that we needed some divine intervention. Marlow told Mark that volunteering to help might help his employment effort. Mark left Friday at 3 pm to go to the gulf. Kyle called about 9 to say that one of the manager's at Sam's told him to let Mark know that he starts full time Monday night. When he applied he was told he'd be part time. What a blessing to get full time at a higher wage because it is third shift. Prayers are heard and answered.

In the beginning...

I tried to start a blog a few months ago, and forgot my info, so I am trying once again. I'll have to learn a few things along the way, but I must say that I enjoy checking my nieces and nephews blogs so much that I thought I'd give it a try. Hopefully there will be more to come.