Sunday, March 25, 2007

Piano


Today I'm grateful to my parents for allowing me to take music lessons growing up. Money wasn't always flowing freely in my parent's home and practicing wasn't always my favorite activity, but for 9 years I took lessons from a woman who I still turn to for musical advice (I will always love & appreciate you, Cathy).
Occasionally I would feel overwhelmed when asked to play the organ at church. I'm just not good at it. I have a hard time figuring out the foot pedals. I've had a few lessons on how to play the organ, but no where near enough to play it with any sort of proficiency. I'm sure to the untrained ear, it sounds just fine, but to my ear, I'm rather embarrassed.
Today, one pianist was gone and the person conducting the meeting was looking around frantically and finally asked aloud, "there wouldn't happen to be a new person that can play?" I offered and realized how much I've missed having a piano in my life.
For a while, while we were in H*, one of Steven's classmates let me borrow her small keyboard (pictured above) which was received graciously because before that, I was using Bradley's toy keyboard (pictured below) to figure out choir music for ward and stake choir.
Steven took these pictures took these pictures when I was trying to figure out which Beethoven piece to use for our Stake's Easter program last year. He thought it was sadly funny.
Let's just say I hope a piano will be one of our first big purchases...right after a house, car, etc, etc....

8 comments:

Leslie said...

oh my gosh! Do you think the stake choir had any idea that's what you were using? that is so funny. you always did such an awesome job. that's how i knew who you were! stake choir performances!

Emma said...

We were so grateful to you for your talents. We miss having an extra pianist and organist. And it did sound great, even if it wasn't perfect. I wish I had stuck with it. I took piano for 3 years, but I can barely play the top hand. I have vowed to have my children take lessons, and I will take them too. Someday we'll have a piano, even if it is a hand-me-down. Love the pictures;)

Anonymous said...

Those pictures are awesome! I can't believe you had to rely on that toy piano when you were stake choir director.

Lori said...

I couldn't live without my piano~ Luckily I bought one before I got married so we haven't had to make the big purchase, just pay the money to move it around! I hope you get one soon and that is great that you play at church! I wish more people in our ward would volunteer! The keyboard is hilarious!!!

Melissa said...

TOO funny! You must be one talented woman if you can play that well with only practicing on a toy!

Angela said...

LOVE those pictures! They are classic! After we moved into our house I walked into a music store, and was shocked at how expensive pianos were, so I started checking Craig's list and doing a local e-bay search. I looked every day, and after three months found a steal at $250.

Jill Halliday said...

Mindy, you sweetheart! Do you remember me? I'm your darling mom-in-law's friend from a hundred years ago in Vacaville. (She gave me your blog address.) I took Steven off her hands when he was small when she needed a little break now and then. We did fun things - he was my little pal. I LOVE Steven! I LOVE you! I already LOVE Bradley and Emmy and your new little one. The last time I saw you and Steven it was at our daughter Valeri's wedding reception at our home in Salt Lake five years ago this coming August. Do you remember?

I love your comments about the piano! I took for 10 years and can never go anywhere near one without stopping to play. I understand. I hope you will have a wonderful big piano in your home someday.

I am excited to be able to write to you. Valeri is going to be writing also.

Please give Steven, Bradley, Emma hugs from us and know we love you!

Jill Halliday said...

Hi Mindy! Do you remember me? Your darling mom-in-law gave me your blog address. It is so wonderful to see your beautiful face and read all about you and your dear family. The first time I saw you was in our Vacaville ward when you were dating Steven. The last time I saw you was at our daughter Valeri's wedding reception in our Salt Lake home in August 2002. Now you and Steven have Bradley and Emma and dear little Unborn Baby Mickelson, coming soon! Sooooo excited for you! Hugs and love to all!

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