My number 1 music mentor

   As I finish putting together the "retirement book" that my friend Veronica started for me and presented to me,  I see so many pictures of me and my music students and also as a musician.  My whole life has had the touch of this man, Mr. Warren, my number one music mentor.  He was a good, caring man, my music teacher, choral director, marching band teacher, concert band director, stage band director, a Christian man and musician and the leader of his own band until his 80's.  Mr. Warren was the man that placed me in so many opportunities to perform and become self confident doing it.  I accompanied county honors chorus, played in the state, area and county bands, accompanied everything at school, and the stage band went on to get State runner-up the two years that I was in it. 

 

I've always loved music but he was the one who gave me the skills, the confidence, and the passionate heart for music.  I'll always love him.  Rest in peace, my teacher and friend.

Essence of retirement

• On my way to publish my book!  So exciting!
• Changed the cover to make it more appealing as an ebook.  That's my next step.
• Got the chronological Bible in the NLT version on my nook!  Read it in the NIV version a few years ago!
• Just got a brand new book called "Diet Rehab."  It's incredible.  The author explains why I'm having so much trouble with sugar and why it's dangerous to quit "cold turkey."  The book has many ideas as far as "booster" activities and thinking from an experienced phychiatrist who specializes in "cognitive behavioral therapy,"  addiction and especially food addiction.  He lays out a plan for gradually replacing "sugar" with serotonin boosting foods, activities and changes in thinking through cognitive behavior therapy, affirmations, a healthy mantra and other positive thinking skills and activities like prayer and meditation, yoga, exercise, sleep cues and mindfulness.  It's loaded, informative, refers to the brain chemistry research on addiction and is an excellent read. 
• Sun's shining! :)
• Georgie's clean and sweet smelling, even had his teeth cleaned...no more tartar and bad breath.
• Jess, Joel and I are playing at a nursing home this week as a community service.  Fun!  Hope to lift some spirits.  My jokes are so bad that they make you laugh and that's great for your health.
• Found reason for severe headaches...no more "Skinny Peppermint Mocha Lattes."

Still tweaking new book cover.


I know this is taking forever but I want to get it just right and I'm changing the cover for ebook format to be more appealing to children.  My friend and church sister, who's also a teacher and was a staff development teacher, has been editing for me (Mary Benton) and has given me her blessing on both the cover and the latest rewrite.  I'm almost ready to go...just have to get rid of the "paper stretching marks" from my watercolors.  I taped it down but still got the "shrink marks" or whatever you call them.
I'm taking life slowly to get really healthy so it won't be too much longer....prayer, yoga, meditation, stretching, eating healthy, walking, my recumbant (sp?) bike, taking naps, sleeping better, slower pace of mindful living,  less stress, not running myself ragged and being run ragged... retirement is grand!  Thank you God for so many blessings!!!!!