January Music Notes

Hello and Happy New Year to all you special people!
I know.....it's already past the middle of the month and I'm just now getting around to it.  But hey, it's the thought that counts! 
You all hopefully had a wonderful Christmas Season and a good start to the New Year, and if it wasn't quite what you had hoped for or expected.... things can get better but we must remain in hope!  Never give up hope and always seek the best and follow that which is good, of good report, praiseworthy, pure, lovely, honorable, true and right.   (That's found in Philippians 4:8)

PERSONALLY:
We had a good Christmas, but different this year.  We got to spend Christmas Eve with friends at their house here locally and that was such a GREAT time.  Spending time with people is so important!  I always wish that everyone would have someone to spend time with on the holidays, but I know so many times it's not possible and my heart goes out to those who feel lonely.
It was hard for me on Christmas Day, because hubby and I had planned on going to my daughter's in Chicago together, however with snow in the forecast for the day after Christmas, Warren had to stay behind to take care of his snowplowing accounts.  Since my daughter from South Texas was already in Chicago and I don't get to see her all too often, I headed out by myself on Christmas Day.  Sad to leave hubby, but excited to hang with my two characters and apples that didn't fall far from the tree :D

Tell ya what, driving that day was the BEST driving down I-94 I've EVER done!  Wow!  Hardly any traffic, no trucks (except for two) and making it from Monticello all the way through the Cities in one hour (yes, driving the speed limit)....that was amazing.  I've never done that!  Those of you who live around here know exactly what I'm talking about when it comes to Minneapolis/St. Paul traffic!!!

I had a wonderful time with my daughters and grandkids, missed all the snow around here and enjoyed decent temperatures and a lot of fun.  On the way home after 5 days, I stopped by my favorite bead store and stocked up on supplies for more jewelry creations for NotesNBling. 

Now....it's January....and COLD.  -6 degrees this morning as I headed out to an event.  Yikes!  Y'all, but Spring is only 60 more days away!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Date: 1/19/19  (NotesNBling)
Time:  9a-1p
Event:  Live Your Passion Rally
Place: Jitters Java Cafe
403 Main Street South
Town:  Sauk Centre, MN

---

Date: 1/22/19
Time:  11a to 1-2p
Event:  WOW Women Worship/Music
Place:  Quiet Oaks Hospice House
5537 Galaxy Road
Town:  St. Augusta, MN

This particular Tuesday is going to be our "service to others" day, so we will be leaving from Liquid Assets to go sing at Quiet Oaks for the residents and staff.  They loved us so much last time when we came during Christmas they asked if we could come back and maybe do this every month...

---

Date:  1/29/1
Time:  12:30-2:30
Event:  WOW Bible Meet
Place:  Liquid Assets
1091  2nd Street South
Town:  Sartell, MN

A group of us ladies (all from different churches) meet every Tuesday at Liquid Assets Coffeehouse in Sartell.  The synonym for WOW means Women Of The Word.  We are there at the same time from 12:30 until 2:30.  Occasionally we schedule an activity such as singing at Quiet Oaks Hospice house (see January 22nd), or we may plan some other community outreach/service on a Tuesday.
We start with my guitar and singing or we may end that way.  Currently I'm teaching on "Dividing Of Soul & Spirit", which has been such a good study for me.... it has been refreshing for all of us.  We will be on that subject for a little while, it's so good.
You are welcome to join us.  We have fun, we sing, we learn, we study, we look up scriptures to stay grounded and we grow as we love the Lord and He loves on us.

---

Date: 2/2/19  {NotesNBling)
Time: 10a-1p
Event:  Sartell Winter Market
Place:  Sartell Community Center
850 19th Street S.  (GPS will say St. Cloud)
Town:  Sartell, MN

This little Winter Market has been such a fun time for me.  It was super busy before the holidays and I hope people come back these next few more months (February, March and April) for this market which is on the first Saturday each month and is indoors in Sartell's Community Center.   The vendors currently there are fresh meat (grassfed), honey, popcorn, homemade essential oils and soaps, crafts and myself with the jewelry.  New and different vendors pop up monthly as well besides the dedicated ones.
When basketball is over, Warren will be back with his BBQ sauce, most likely March and April.

---

IN ENDING:
The girls and I have decided to keep each other accountable for some fitness and weight loss goals. Soooo..... I got a Fitbit for Christmas....!!!   Oh boy....the RACE IS ON!! 
So with Fitbit, you can do these weekly or weekend challenges with your friends where you have to get the most steps in to win. So far the girls always get the upper hand.  Then Warren decided he wasn't going to be left out and found himself a Fitbit at a great discount and so now he is a challenger to contend with for all of us, especially on the weekends!!
Last week however, their steps were toast when I took over and won the week with the most steps. That was thanks to decent weather!!  Can't let these youngsters show me up who are half my age! Right?!!  :D   Now at -6 degrees and the high in the single digits, I think I'll let them win next week until the weather gets "warmer"....then watch out!!!

What are your January fitness/health goals?  Let's buckle up and get to working on with keeping up with that and feeling better and getting stronger!

Music/jewelry schedule will have to be a little light these next few weeks since it's "tax season" and paperwork time....  Prayers for my sanity appreciated!  Need to get back to just creativity SOON! 

Wishing everyone a successful and blessed 2019!
Sam