Monday, March 31, 2008

piano




so when I finally sat down to play it for the first time I felt like I was dreaming...I thought to myself, "is this for real?"

I am not sure really how to describe the feeling I get when it comes to pianos. I feel like I am home whenever I sit at a piano...and now I have a piano in my home!! piano piano I have a piano!!!

I have always been in Joette's shadow when it comes to playing the piano. She is an incredible player with talent going all over the place. Maybe I like it better this way- because for me piano playing is the most meaningful for me when I am alone- with no audience. I have many memories of going into large empty chapels and playing and feeling almost magical and carried away from the world's worries...and of course my imagination goes wild- those who are close to me know about this weird side to me- but I like to imagine my music as a soundtrack to some movie...or that I am Sarah Mclachlan...I know it is silly but oh how fun it is...

So we have a piano now. Thank you Keith and Calie for the most wonderful gift ever! There is nothing better than doing the dishes and hearing Chay play...well maybe him helping me with the dishes is almost better...no but Chay is really good at the piano and so it is just lovely. I feel so blessed!

ok so let me tell you the miracle of this all...for about 3 years now I have been slowly saving for a piano. You see, Chay hates change in his pockets so every day he would empty out his change on the dresser. I told him I am going to get rich off his quarters and nickles...so I would collect his change and then add a little money here and there in this can. Well my mom told me I could have this piano for free but I had to figure out how to get it down to Utah- so I counted up my change and I had $223. Well gas driving up to Spokane and back while splitting with Steve was about $120 and then to get it tuned and buy some stain was about $100. Isn't that crazy??? Perfect!

Here is what the piano looked like before I stained it:


Chay and I rubbed out the big scratches with stain and now it is quite the pretty piano for the price. It has a few little problems- but I'm not complaining.



Here I am staining the piano...so do you think Chay was really taking a picture of just the piano?????I don't think so.

12 comments:

The Wright Stuff said...

You have a sexy butt. Oh, congrats on the piano too!

The Wright Stuff said...

Seriously, I can't believe how awesome it looks with the stain and everything. I can't wait to have a piano someday. I'm so happy that you guys got it. That is a sweet story about how you'd been saving up for one.

The Checks Mix said...

Holy Cow! Your piano looks beautiful! I am not very good at staining. It is hard keeping it looking consistent. I am very impressed--oh, and the behind is looking good too! Are you still on that MS diet? That has got to be so difficult. I remember doing diets for my allergies in jr. high and high school. Everyone looked at me funny as I pulled out my avocado on Rye Crisp sandwhich. My treat was almond butter on a rice cake! Oh, the days! I have been praying for you lately--that your MS outbreak can be alleviated. That would be so hard. You seem to stay so positive amidst it all. Good job! Oh, your girls look ADORABLE in their Easter dresses and bunny ears! So cute!

April said...

Charity, I am feeling a lot better- the diet really seemed to jump start my immune system...and the flare up went away pretty fast...I love almond butter now! I eat it with sprouted wheat tortillas and it is like my special treat...I am on a green drink that I believe in 100%- I want everyone to drink this stuff! Charity thank you for being so understanding- I can talk to you about anything and everything. I miss you...how close are you to downtown Chicago?

EDK said...

The piano looks great! I am so glad you got it home in one piece.

Tara said...

Bum shot. Looks great - so nice you guys have a piano to enjoy. Wonderful!

Tiffani said...

The piano looks great - you did a great job! I am so happy for you!

Marne said...

I was actually just thinking about you and your piano today, and how I wanted to see a picture of it! It looks fabulous, you did a great job on it!

What is in your green drink?

Calie said...

The Lord has a way of helping those that have righteous desires. What a beautiful testimony builder for saving your pennies.
I have always dreamed of being able to play the piano. (one day I will) I sit at my piano and just goof off with notes but one day I will make sense of it all. I will get my brain to work that way. You have an incredible gift April. I envy those that can play with such grace like you. I love to listen and get carried away in the music. Piano and acoustic guitar are my favorite kinds of music to listen to. You are amazing April!

Emily Taylor said...

I think you should write "how to" articles for Martha Stewart on improvement projects on a budget. The piano really does look beautiful. I can't wait until we own a piano. But I suppose we should have a house first, and a living room.

Heather said...

Oh I am so happy for you, your piano looks gorgeous!!! I didn't know that Chay played. How cool for both of you. I loved you post about sitting down to play and letting your imagination run wild, this is the April that I know and love. I still remember you telling me that if I chewed wheat long enough it would turn into gum. I always imagined it magically poofing into a delicious wad of pink bubble gum flavored gum. LOL I think that your imagination rubbed off on me...do you remember how much time we spent playing outside together?? Imagining all sorts of stuff, we were kindred spirits. I will always remember that about you!!!

Marie said...

Hi April. I found your blog through Niki's and Calie's...I'm so glad you have a piano in your home. We got our piano when I found out I was pregnant with our 2nd (Kyle). I just wanted to shout it to the world I was so excited - it was so important for me to have music in my home. I've enjoyed reading about your family- what a beautiful family you have! One of my favorite memories of you is when when we were decorating for the dance and I walked into the gym to find you climbing up on the basket ball hoop to put up a crepe paper 17"...that's how I think of you - as that spunky young woman - now you're all growed up!!!