What Ana Does

WAY back in 2013 we got a piano for free from a neighbor. Here's the full story of how we found it is here and there's a bunch more posts here . It has been in a place of honor in our home since ... right by the front door near our living room. The girls took lessons, but, unfortunately, they never really found a passion for it. But I always enjoyed the noise of them practicing. Or just banging on the keys.  This year I decided it was time to find our piano a new home. We never picked up lessons again after we got home from Paris and no one has touched it in all that time. A piano must be played to exist and the soul of this piano was just crying out to me.  I put it up on Facebook Marketplace for free and offered it to a few friends; all they'd need to do, is pay for moving it. And it didn't find any takers for a few months. Then a friend from Dave's gym was over for a Friendsgiving dinner and we mentioned the piano was up for grabs. They just moved into a new (th...

I can't help it. Every time I paint another wall navy blue I fall so in love with it, I start considering what the next wall is that should go blue. This weekend, I tackled the piano wall. It was quick and simple to do. The only difficulty was moving the piano out of the way to do it.  The best part is the carpet in the entryway is navy, so there's a lovely complimentary thing going on. And the piano looks a little fancier done up with a dramatic wall behind it. The Piano Wall - Before. Beige, Of Course! After the First Coat Waiting For the Paint to Dry What will go NAVY next?!

Leah started piano lessons this week. There's a teacher who lives down the block and provides lessons to most of the neighborhood kids. Such a good deal! This is monumental for two reasons: 1) Dave and I have discussed finding piano lessons since the girls were born. We don't play and we agreed learning to read music and play instruments was something important to teach the girls. Promise fulfilled! 2) This was on my list of goals for 2014. Especially after the free piano fell out of the sky and into my lap (or front hall). It always feels good to check a list off that BIG list. Recitals in concert halls filled with Mozart, Beethoven and Bach are sure to follow.

So excited to welcome a new family member! The free piano, who I will name Edith or Henrietta, just got delivered. And though I'm not sold on its placement, I'm so excited it's here. She needs a tuning and some little girls to learn proper fingering and how to read music.  I'm day dreaming of recitals and Beethoven!!

Ever since Leah was born we thought "someday, she's going take piano lessons." It's good for her development, math skills and focus. Plus, the ability to read music is a skill we both wish we studied. Last year, my Mom gave us the electric keyboard my sister learned on when we were growing up. It's a favorite toy for the girls and they often put on impromptu concerts. And we'd be OK with starting lessons on it. But, wouldn't it be COOL to have a REAL piano? Dave's Mom has one that belonged to her mom. We asked repeatedly for it but she's attached to it. She likes to hear the grandkids bang on it when we're over. And when we left the state, it became completely unattainable. And have you SEEN the prices for upright pianos? Thousands for a new one. Hundreds and hundreds for used ones. Even on Craig's List! And you have to tack on moving and tuning expenses. Not in the budget. So, when I saw someone on our neighborhood bulletin board...