Music - What's on Your iTunes?

I got this idea from a friend's blog and tweaked it a bit.

Make a list of all the artist's (not album names) that start with ("A") on your ipod or any MP3 player. Make a short comment about the artist or one of their songs. Then, tag someone to do the next letter ("B") and hotlink their blogspot. Obviously, they then do the next letter...

I'm tagging Jessica because she is the most likely to make it take off! I'm also tagging my friends Thea, and Claire because I know their paths don't intersect... And, if any of you can think of a way to improve this, go for it!

A

Aaron Keyes- I have just a single of this artist, "Psalm 62". It's a really touching rendition.

Aaron Shust- Again, just a single, "My Savior, My God".

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields- A stirring collection of classical Christmas songs.

Adam's Road- this group of ex-Mormon missionaries have surprising talent and equally surprising stories about how they left Mormonism behind and embraced the freedom of Christ. My favorite? Stone Temples, but I couldn't find a good rendition to link to.

Doing My Part!

~~~

If you read the lid of this egg carton, it touts the merits of recycling and gives some factoids about how many cartons the average American household consumes each year.

For those who are truly green-conscious, this egg company offers the option of mailing the carton back to the packaging company.

In an effort to be a globally responsible citizen, I thought I would comply. Being an online merchant, I have the means to easily package and weigh.

When I bring it to the Post Office, I will ask for a Return Receipt Requested to make certain it is received.

I feel so good now.

Oh, but I do wonder one thing. What will they do with the plastic mailing envelope I sent this in? Not toss it in the trash, I hope!

~~~

¿Qué Dijo Sólo Usted?

(Phone rings on a government employee's desk)


Government Employee: "Department of *******, this is *****, how can I help you?"


Juan Q. Public: "¿Dice usted español?" (Do you speak Spanish?)

Government Employee: "No, I don't..."

Juan Q. Public: "¿Puede usted encontrar alguien que dice el español?" (Can you find someone who speaks Spanish?)

Government Employee: "No, YOU find someone who speaks English, and call back."

Cool Geography Games

A friend of ours, Ron Tagliapietra, is an avid mountain hiker, published author, and a professor who has created several on-line geography games. Here is the email he sent us... give his games a try!

"Dear friends,

I now have 22 geography games on the website, http://purposegames.com . Links for games appear below. When you are done playing a game, you can hit the back button to rate the game and/or to post comments on its strengths or weaknesses. My games need players, so I hope you will check them out.


The most popular games on the site are identifying the 50 US states and identifying the countries on 4 continents. I made country games for 2 other continents.

N. America (23 countries, 4 territories):


Oceania (14 countries, 3 territories):



City games are also popular. I have contributed 5 of these.

Capitals of North American countries (23 capitals)


Capitals of Oceania (14 capitals)


Cities in California (18 with populations of 200,000)

Largest city in each state
(question format)



While nowhere near as popular, hikers may be interested in these 8 games.

22 Cascade Mountains

40 Southern Sixers

Highest waterfall in all 50 states

National Parks (all 58)


50 state highpoints

13 Canadian highpoints

5 county highpoints in HI

14 islands in Hawaii

Counties
Every state has a county game except NY, VA, and maybe NC, just search the site for the state. To find WV, you must search for "counties". I stumbled on MS (and maybe NC) and don't know how to find them. The CO and AK games are not up to date (missing newest counties). I made the 7 county games listed below (in order of popularity):

RI (5 cos.)
OR (36 cos.)
VT (14 cos.)
MA (23 cos.)
SC (46 cos.)
MN (87 cos.)
MT (56 cos.)

I am working on a game for the most powerful waterfall in each state. I will probably also eventually do county games for the 3 missing states.

Finally, there is a worldwide prominent mountains game (made by Wentu).


Please try out some of my games!
ron tag (my nickname on purposegames.com)"

Two Government Employees

~~~

Every day, I go to the Post Office, at least once. I've gotten to know a lot of the employees. Some are great, others not. Consider these two:

Employee A:

He finishes weighing my pre-paid packages, preparing to scan them in and give me a receipt. "Uh-oh, this one is an ounce over! You need 11 cents more on the package."

I've already waited 10 minutes in line and am standing there with only my cell phone and my keys. I say, half joking, "Have you got 11 cents in your pocket? I'll give you a quarter next time I see you!"

He smiles, slaps an 11-cent stamp on the package, and waves me on.



Employee B:

She finishes weighing my pre-paid packages, preparing to scan them in and give me a receipt. "Uh-oh, this one is one/hundredth of an ounce over! You need 11 cents more on the package."

I've already waited 10 minutes in line and am standing there with only my cell phone and my keys. I say, "One/hundredth of an ounce over?!?! You're kidding me! You mean .01 of an OUNCE?!"

She plants her feet squarely on her little rubber mat, looks me in the eye and says, "11 cents please! Next time, don't lean so heavily on your pen when you write!"

"I don't have my wallet with me. Are you really going to insist on the next rate for one/hundredth of an ounce?" I ask incredulously.

She slides the package back to me, and just glowers. This is a day I will definitely be making two trips to the Post Office.

My "Life Song"

Jessica posted song lyrics on her blog and suggested others do the same. Rebecca posted on her own blog and I decided to do the same.

This song has been meaningful to me for many years. In fact, in my funeral instructions, I have requested just two things: that I be buried, not cremated, and that this song be sung - joyfully!

Various verses have been especially relevant at different times. During this season of my life, I cling to Verse Two.

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   
   
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
     
     
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
   
   
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
   
   
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
   
   
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
   
   
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

Just For Jessica

8 Things I am Looking Forward to:

1. Seeing Rebecca, Josh, Caleb and Annabelle in about two months.
2. Dinner with Yvette tomorrow at Olive Garden.
3. The Haiti Dinner this Saturday.
   
4. The Living Room Concert (Jon Troast) at the Fletchers next week.
5. Summer, in general (love those long days).
   
6. Feeling better soon (new medication).
   
7. My next long talk with Debbie.
   
8. Sleep - always excited about that!

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Drank coffee and talked with my man.
   
2. Went to church.
   
3. Went for a yummy frozen yogurt at a new place we found.
   
4. Finished listing the rest of the bicycle parts on ebay.
   
5. Talked with Rebecca on skype for her birthday.
   
6. Sniffled a little because I miss Caleb and Annabelle so much.
   
7. Watched "John Adams" (a documentary mini-series)
   
8. Took a hot relaxing bubble bath.
   

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Go to Singapore.
2. Go to Minnesota with my man.
   
3. Sell our house(s).
4. Move to the coast.
   
5. Thoroughly clean my house.
   
6. Figure out how to market Rick's Art Lamps successfully.
   
7. Get a pancreas transplant.
8. Memorize portions of the Bible (I try, but I ain't as sharp as I used to be...)
   

8 Shows I Enjoy on DVD:

1. The Office
   
2. JAG
3. NCIS
4. Law & Order (1990s)
5. Law & Order (CI)
6. Numb3rs
7. Lie to Me
   
8. John Adams
   

I love you Jess!

*SHOCKING* how much things have changed!

This is an

educational book
-mainstream-
that was published
in 1914.
The mention of a creator
and the scriptural references
were apparently
quite normal
and generated
no debate.

Wow.
Things have changed.

I think it's really
important that our
young minds today
realize things have
not always been
so *anti-God*.

We have a rich heritage.
Let's do all we can
to preserve it.

In Honor of My Nap-Loving Niece!

When I saw this car, I looked all around for you, then realized; if you were in California, you probably would have told me you were coming!

New Location, New Name

Now that Hershey's has relocated their operations to Mexico,
they've adopted a new name and a new look.

You Get What You Pay For

This was posted on a blog by my friend, Thea. Take the 45 seconds to head over there... (click on the title of this post)

This Home Could Use a Decorator!

But, at least the occupant is pragmatic.

Or maybe, he likes the all-white look?

Where Will It End?

Wow! How words morph! I received the following alert from my online banking site. Notice the latest technology term.

To help ensure your accounts remain safe and secure, G******** Bank wants to make you aware of a new type of Phishing scam that uses mobile phone text messages to solicit a response via the phone or Internet. This technique is called Smishing, short for SMS Phishing. SMS text messaging is the technology your mobile phone uses to send text messages. In a typical Smishing scam...

An Actual Conversation

First Girl: So, yay! It's raining! That means we'll have powder for snowboarding this weekend! I can't wait to go. Only, I'm feeling kind of conflicted. I was supposed to help my girlfriend move this weekend, but- HELLO!- powder vs. moving?! I mean, what would YOU do?

Second Girl: Well, how close of a friend is she?

First Girl: Pretty close. That's why I'm conflicted. Do you think she'll understand?

Second Girl: Have you already told her you'd help her move? Was she counting on you?

First Girl: Well, yeah, this was planned a month ago, but then I called her this morning and told her there's going to be POWDER! Hello! I mean, she can always get someone else to help her move, you know? But, still, why do I feel so conflicted? Ahh-hhhh! I hope I didn't p*ss her off!

Me: Excuse me, I couldn't help overhearing. There'll always be snow, but a good friend... maybe you should help your friend and snowboard another time?

First Girl: DUH! Global warming! There WON'T always be snow. (rolls eyes)... So, yeah, she'll just have to understand.

They're Here!

Rebecca and her little family got in Sunday about 10 PM to Josh's parents. What a joy to meet Annabelle and reacquaint with Caleb! Bec and Josh said the babies traveled well, although Dad and Mom didn't get much sleep. Caleb was shy for about, oh, 17 seconds, then he seemed to recoognize almost everyone. Thank goodness for Skype!

Uncle Dan holding his first niece.

Elizabeth with her brand-new husband, Paul.

"Auntie Bet" (Aunt Yvette)

Proud Grandma Lucy, holding a happy Annabelle.

Yvette brought El Pollo Loco over for Rebecca and Josh.
Rebecca wasted no time indulging!



Caleb ate some cheese and then Mommy said he could have one of Gram's cookies!
He enjoyed every bite, even sharing some with his baby sister by way of a kiss...



I know the time will go speeding by, but we will enjoy
EVERY MINUTE
we spend with our loved ones...

"Home for the Holidays!"

That has a whole new meaning now.

Do ANYone really use these?

When you buy a good quality sweater, blouse or pair of pants, they always give you an extra button in case you lose one. I've NEVER used one of these.

What are you supposed to do with them? Label them? File them?

I have a jar of them in the laundry room. They're going into the trash can tonight.

Balance!

While it is fun to have a laugh (see Ugly Christmas Sweater post), and be merry, it is also good to remember those who aren't even CLOSE to being as fortunate as we are. Here is a link to our friend's blog. He and his fiance are doing amazing things with the poorest of the poor in Haiti.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest

I DARE you to find one uglier!

Jessica is hosting a contest... the more the MERRIER!

Bring 'em on.

(I was going to photoshop my face into the picture, but I have my limits.)

Comfort Foods

Thanksgiving is NOT the time to be counting calories unless you have taken "higher math"! Potatoes, gravy, yams, dressing, rolls, corn, cranberries, pies... all those yummy foods teeming with carbs. Traditional meals are sometimes called Comfort Foods. I don't know why they are called that; I am always left with an uncomfortably full tummy after Thanksgiving!

Here is a new recipe for an old Comfort Food. We'd never had it until last night at a church dinner, but we loved it! It's an old Betty Crocker classic.

"Scalloped Corn" - 4 servings

1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen whole kernel corn; cooked and drained (or 16 oz. can whole kernel corn; drained)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green and red pepper
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
Dash pepper
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 egg; slightly beaten
1/3 cup cracker crumbs
1 tbsp. butter or margarine; melted

Heat oven to 350* Cook and stir onion and green pepper in 2 tbsp. butter until onion is tender. Remove from heat; stir in flour and seasonings. Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is bubbly. Remove from heat; gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in sour cream, corn and egg; pour into ungreased 1-quart casserole.

Combine cracker crumbs and the 1 tbsp. melted butter; sprinkle evenly over corn mixture. Bake uncovered 30-35 minutes.

"Betty Crocker's Cookbook" - 1974