Dreams vs Goals

Many of you know that I played the piano growing up. I LOVED it! It was always my dream to play in Carnegie Hall with my family sitting in the front row. Now, many years later, that dream was just that. A dream.

A little background.

My mom said that when I was little I would always be playing on the piano. Unfortunately, the teacher my sister was seeing only took students when you turned 8. So. I waited. After taking piano lessons from her for a few years (I think), my grandpa took me to a lady in his ward that taught piano lessons when I was in 6th grade. She currently wasn't taking any students, but after playing that piano for her as kind of an audition, she was able to squeeze me in. I can't remember how many years I ended up taking piano lessons from Tina, but I learned as much as I possibly could. And I loved every minute of it. I have so many songs ingrained in my memory thanks to her. After learning everything she could teach me, I moved onto a different teacher. And I learned even more. It took me around 6 months to learn two pages of the song below, which amounts to a measly 45 seconds. Granted, I was never able to play it this fast. And probably never will. After taking lessons from him for a few months, we took a break for the summer. Upon return, my parents decided to take me to a college professor that a friend recommended. I only went to her for a few months because I was still in high school and the demand was too much for me to handle. I mean come on, how am I supposed to have a social life in high school when I am expected to play the piano for at least 5-6 hours a day?? (Total wish I could have changed my mentality there...) Yeah, so that didn't last very long. Unfortunately, after leaving her, I didn't go back to any teacher. I just. Stopped. 

My dream that I wanted so badly to come true ended. If you were to ask me to play any of the songs that I learned so many years ago at the level I was able to play them at, I'd laugh and then go cry quietly to myself in my closet.

I think the kicker in this story is that my grandparents paid for most of my piano lessons. And what do I have to show for it? A lousy version of Claire de Lune and Mary Had a Little Lamb. (I don't think I'll ever let myself go for letting them down.)

Moral of the story. If you have a dream, make it a reality. Make it a goal. And don't ever give up. Because if you stop, you're going to wake up 10 years later and think "What have I done?" It's not worth it to give up on something you love so dearly. 

So dig your feet in a little harder and show the world that you can. And that you will.

Bountiful Baskets

Recently, my Co-worker told me about Bountiful Baskets. And then I read on Facebook more about them from someone who uses it. So I figured I'd give it a try. You never know what you are going to get, aside from pure yumminess. Here is what I got today! And I'm so excited to do it again :)

1 pineapple
1 honeydew
7 bananas
7 tomatoes
1 green onion
6 GIANT potatoes
3 yellow zucchini
1 cucumber
1 head of lettuce
1 head of cauliflower
1 box of mushrooms
2 stalks of celery

Also, this time I opted in for their sourdough add on and got 5 20oz loaves of sourdough bread.

They request that you volunteer every 6-8 weeks since this is a non-profit gig. And to be honest, I'm really excited to go volunteer! I can't wait to use all of this goodness and do it again! You should join in on the fun! Go to their website and see where the closest location is to you. (there are TONS)

My husband

I just wanted to make a quick post about my husband and how grateful I am for his strong testimony in the gospel. Often times when we are sitting in Sunday school, I will follow along and occasionally, I might answer a question or read a scripture. John on the other hand, participates as much as he possibly can. Not only am I grateful I married sometime who isn't afraid to speak in public, but I married someone who has an unshakable testimony of the church. Everyday I learn something new from him, and every Sunday (if not more throughout the week) my testimony is strengthened by him. I like to think it's from going on a mission, but I know it's from how he was raised; to read scriptures, attend church and seminary, have family prayer, and most of all, respect his parents. I'd like to think it also helps that his dad has worked for the church most, if not all, his life. I'm just so glad I have someone (in the flesh) to help me through when I have doubts our questions that need answering and discussion. I'd be lost without him.