Caught yellow-faced...

Happy summertime (officially)!

I really can't believe June is almost over, and since I've heard many others express similar sentiments about time flying, I won't dwell on the fact that I don't know where the month went.

Instead, I'll share some great happenings from the month, so far...mostly one in particular: My best friend got married a couple weeks ago!!!!  It still hasn't hit me that she is a wife...with a new last name...and a husband!  Talk about time flying - sheesh!  Yes, lots of friends and acquaintances (older and younger than myself) have gotten engaged/married/had children in the recent past, but this one hit closest to home.  I'm so incredibly happy for them and excited to see what the Lord has in store for their lives from here on out.  It's just crazy to think how our paths were basically the same from 2nd-12th grade, then diverged a bit upon choosing different colleges, then even more when I decided to make Lincoln my home, and now she's married...yet our friendship is still the same as it's always been.  I could say the same for other people in my life, but this was just a pretty big deal, and I'm obviously still trying to wrap my mind around it.  Thanks for bearing with me.  ☺

In other news, the end of the private lesson term at the studio has brought some sweet notes and gifts from my students, among which were these beautiful flowers:

They've lasted for over a week, and Charlie has been pretty good about leaving them alone...until tonight, that is.  Apparently, he just couldn't wait till we got home to eat something, so helped himself to the lily leaves.  What he didn't count on, I'm sure, was the dusting of pollen that came with them.

It took me awhile to figure out where the yellow came from, because he didn't knock over the vase ...then, I noticed a bite out of a leaf and put two and two together.

Lastly, I have a couple shameless plugs for work:
Please contact me if you or someone you know would be interested in attending the Nebraska Jazz Camp (middle school-high school aged students).  Registration deadline is July 1, but we can get you in afterward, too, if necessary.

Also, the Lincoln Municipal Band's 2013 season is nearly in full swing!  Mark your calendars on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. starting July 7th through August 18th for some excellent music at the Antelope Park band shell.  "Like" the band on Facebook for more information and updates...and we'll hope to see you there!  ☺

Stay cool,
Kensy

P.S. For those of you who don't already know, my brother has an internship in Pennsylvania this summer (with CNH), and my parents and I are driving out to see him soon!  So, hopefully, my next post will include some pictures and exciting stories from back east.

Favorites of the day:

building new relationships

the color of polish on my toenails

road trip snacks

Levi

Happy July!

The update I have for you today is about my guitar.

Due to the extreme humidity levels last week and the fact that the guitar I bought had been inside (in a controlled environment) for who knows how long, there were a couple kinks that showed themselves once I got it home.  (These "kinks" resulted in a rattling sound when I played the lower 2 strings.)  So, when I took it in to get this checked out, the workers suggested I just return the guitar and look for a different one, rather than pay for repairs.  I decided to go ahead and return it, but not look for another one there, BECAUSE my wonderful aunt and uncle/neighbors happened to have a guitar just laying around, wishing to be played!!  It came complete with a hard case and everything!  Though it's a little bigger than the one I had before, it produces a really nice sound and will definitely serve my guitar-playing purposes!

Meet Levi.
(The brand is "Dean," but I know too many Dean's to name it that.)

Hooray for things working out and family members who always seem to come to the rescue!  Hopefully, I can have a lasting partnership with this instrument and maybe share the fruits of our labors with you all, someday.  I am making some progress - I've learned the four chords necessary for most worship songs and a couple riffs from rock songs (thanks to the help and guidance of a friend).

Also - I got to spend some quality time with my cousins and sweet second cousins (2 precious little boys) this weekend.  AND thanks to the wedding of one of the amazing "office girls" at the studio, we got in some quality "teacher time" outside of work.  I love quality time, no matter who it's with (ok - it may matter who in some situations)!  I can't remember whether or not it's one of my love languages...hmm...  Maybe I should take that survey again and find out.

Lastly, if you're ever looking for something to do on Sunday evenings, and you're on Facebook, you should check out the Lincoln Municipal Band's page!

Happy (almost) Birthday to my super awesome brother, and Happy 4th of July (a few days early) to you all!  

With increasingly calloused fingers,

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

"The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/

rhubarb jam

What a wonderful...weekend

Did anyone else have an above-average weekend?  We sure did here!!  The weather played a large role in making it so wonderful, but so did some great people and end-of-summer activities.  : )


After teaching lessons, Friday night was spent with my Bible study group for desserts and s'mores around the fire pit.  Such a beautiful evening weather-wise, and opportunity for some great conversation...and treats!


On Saturday, I subbed for a teacher at the studio, worked out for a bit at the Y, used coupons for an almost free lunch at Arby's, sat on bus stop benches while enjoying our Jamocha shakes, and went to see "Crazy, Stupid, Love" with my roomie.  If you haven't seen the trailer for the movie, watch it here.  It was sooooo good!  Of course, there may or may not have been an actor that enhanced the goodness of it, but the movie itself really was well done and enjoyable.  : )  Afterward, we came home, made a special housewarming gift for a few friends, and went to deliver it and hang out. 


Today, we went to church, then downtown to RibFest where the church's band was performing.  Got in some good sun time and enjoyed the music and food!  We also found out that there's a single women's Sunday school class starting next week.  Guess who'll be in attendance...these girls!


Now, it's time for some reading and nap, then the last Lincoln Municipal Band concert of the season.  Hope to see you all there!  : )


Thanks for reading,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:

playing fetch with Charlie (yep - it's happening right now)

not using the A/C

fresh tomatoes from the