A to Z Challenge - "Z"

So, we've come to the end of the challenge.  I am excited that I actually stuck it out.

I have two songs for "Z".  The first is Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.  I thought I remembered a version by Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme but I think that was Blame it on the Bossa Nova.  Anyway, when I was little, my best friend had to go to a baby sitter after school and sometimes I would go with her, and we would play albums and this was one of those songs .. but then again, it was probably Bossa Nova .. but either way, this song reminds me of Susi.

And the other song is Zoot Suit Riot.  When we moved to California, my kids learned to swing dance and after they learned, they came home from learning, they taught me (not that I actually learned but it was fun).  So, that's what this songs reminds me of.

A to Z Challenge - "Y"

Today's song is an easy one for me.  I'm not even going to google "songs that begin with Y" because I don't want to be swayed and possibly change my mind.  I have seen this song played live three times, once in 1976, once in 2005, and last year.

This song is truly a classic and needs no introduction.

Favorite Things Friday

Okay, I just missed posting this on Friday, but I'll post anyway.  My favorite this week is two fold.
1) crossing something off my list (see item 16, here); and 2) finishes.

I finished reading The Hunger Games today.  I really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading the second one and to seeing the movie (hopefully tomorrow).   I read it on my Kindle (another favorite) and once a month I get to borrow a book for free .. can't wait until May 1.

(Picture from here)

Check out other faves at QIMP.

A to Z Challenge - "X"

My selections are quite limited for X -- and fortunately I knew one of them.  so here it is .. Olivia Newton John and Xanadu.

A to Z Challenge - "W"

My "W" song is What Might Have Been by Little Texas.

Wake up Little Susie, Wait, just Wake me up When September Ends. 

Walk This Way or Walk Like a Man or you can just Walk Away but I'm Walking on Sunshine because We Are Family. After all, We may never pass this way again. What about now? What goes on? What hurts the most? Who let the dogs out? Who are you?

Okay, I'm trying to be funny and it didn't really work, but I find the "w" songs all seem to tell a story. 

A to Z Challenge - "V"

Not too many "v" songs.  I heard this song on the radio going back and forth to work and was intrigued by it.  I think it was song of the year the year it came out.

15 Minute Challenge - Week unknown

I am linking up this week just to touch base.  The only thing I did this past week sewing-wise, other than reading blogs, was to cut some of the fabric for the Byg* Duvet Cover for my YD.  I had good intentions for Friday, but ended up helping my husband all day Friday and then Saturday as well.  Basically I've been avoiding the sewing machine.  

In spite of doing almost nothing this week, I am linking up with Kate at Life In Pieces, in the hopes that this will encourage me to be more productive in the coming week.

*black, yellow and grey

Wordless Wednesday

(Photo by Katie Jones)

A to Z Challenge - "U"

As I was looking for today's song, I came across a bunch that I really like.  Unchained Melody. Under the Boardwalk. Up Up and Away.  Under My Thumb.  Uptown Girl.  Urgent.  My "U" song is Up On The Roof.

 

When we first moved to California, we went as a family and saw him in concert.  I don't think the kids appreciated it as much as we did.  But I'm really glad we had the opportunity.

A to Z Challenge - "T"

Okay, I thought there were a lot of "I" songs but there were over 2900 "T" songs.  A bunch had the first word of "the" -- doesn't seem right.  My T song is from Eric Clapton, "Tears in Heaven".

 

A to Z Challenge - "S"

Today's song reminds me of when my OS was in Iraq and Afghanistan.  That was probably when I first heard it.




Hopefully this one will work for those of you not in the US.

Favorite Things Friday

My favorite thing this week is when I finally get home at the end of the day and can put my feet up and relax.

Some days, weeks, are long like that and this was one of them. There wasn't anything in particular wrong .. but it seemed really long.  Today I was on my feet for most of the day so it seemed longer than most days. 

Head on over to Shay's Favorite Things Friday and see what others have picked as their favorites this week.

A to Z Challenge - "R"

There were a lot of R songs to choose from, but I thought I would go with a Fleetwood Mac song, Rhiannon.  Another of those songs from the 70s that takes me back to high school days.

A to Z Challenge - "Q"

Q is a tough one.  Not a lot to choose from.  I could only find two that I knew.  Que Sera, Sera, Doris Day, which reminds me of The Man Who Knew Too Much an Alfred Hitchcock movie with Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart (because she sings it in the movie), which then reminds me of The Man who Knew Too Little with Bill Murray which is a really funny movie .. but I'm rambling.

The other is Quiet Times by Dido.  Not my favorite of hers, but one of my favorites from the Safe Trip Home album.

 

Wordless Wednesday

A to Z Challenge : "P"

One of my favorite P songs is Puff the Magic Dragon.  (I always thought Jackie Paper grew up and that was why he didn't hang out with Puff anymore, but I've been corrected.  Oh, and according to the author, the song has nothing to do with drugs.) I was going to use this one, until this morning...

my song for today is Paint It Black.  I am not a huge Stones fan, but I really like their early stuff, Ruby Tuesday, Mother's Little Helper, Nineteenth Nervous Breakdown, Let's Spend The Night Together, As Tears Go By, It's All Over Now, Play With Fire, Under My Thumb, You Can't Always Get What You Want, and Wild Horses, that's about it.

A to Z Challenge - "O"

I thought it would be hard to find an "O" song that I liked.  Nope.  I was initially going to go with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Ohio, but when I went through the list there were so many other good ones, Only the Good Die Young, On and On, One Last Bell to Answer, to name a few.  Then there's One Hundred Years by Five for Fighting, a song about life which was used in the final episode of JAG (one of my favorite TV shows).  And then I came across One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack) .. it was the theme song for the Billy Jack movies and I was a huge Billy Jack fan (heaven knows why).

However, I think I'll go with One of These Nights by the Eagles -- I was in high school when this came out.  Gotta love the Eagles.

Due to technical difficulties, I had to go with Ohio....

A to Z Challenge - "N"

The song today is ... Need You Now by Lady Antebellum.

A to Z Challenge "M"

Another Kelly Clarkson song for M. I initially didn't like this song, but that has changed.

 

It reminded me of a rocky relationship of someone very close to me.  However, that relationship didn't last.  That's real life.

A to Z Challenge : "L"

Today's song is one that I had originally picked when I was trying to link up with a sad song blogfest.  I ended up not linking up because I waited too long.  But it did give me my idea for the A to Z Challenge.

Last Kiss (originally by J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers and then covered by Pearl Jam -- my son likes the remake better, my husband the original).

There are probably a bazillion other "L" songs, but I'm sticking with this; oh, and I wanted to do the Stones, Let's Spend the Night Together...

Monsters and Angst

Last Friday, when I came home from work, there was a package waiting for me in my room.  When I saw it was from Australia, I knew it had to be Ernie.  Sara had offered to send him my way and I couldn't say "no".  He is just too cute.

I was so excited for him to arrive at my house. Isn't he the cutest?!  Anywho, what was really amazing was how he was packed and the other goodies she sent along with him.

This is what Ernie came in!  Sara's Angst Bag.  The bag is amazing! The bag is fabulous! I am in awe. When Sara is a world famous designer, I will be thrilled to say that I have an original! 

She also included some stubbie holders*.  

and some Aussie goodies!  I confess that I/we haven't tried the Vegemite yet, but I will, I will.  I had to ask for a recommendation on the best way to eat it.  I will be sure to let y'all know what I think. 

She included TimTams which I had heard of but wasn't even sure what they were.  After having tried them, I now have another reason to go to Australia.  I confess I was rather piggy and ate most of them myself.

Here's a picture of the whole package of goodies!  Thank you so much Sara!  What a wonderful, exciting package!

I took the bag to work today and my co-workers ooh'd and ah'd over it as well.  I didn't realize there was a tag on it until someone asked and we found it.

THANKS SARA!!  


*I had previously referred to these as stubbies, but I was corrected.  They are stubby (or stubbie) holders.  I'll try to get that right next time.  Stubbies are cans/bottles of beer (so I've been told).  The holder keeps your hands from getting wet or cold and the can/bottle from getting warm from your hand.

Favorite Things Friday

My favorite this week is not the new blogger format.

When I was pregnant with my first son, there were many things that would make me gag.  One was the smell of tuna fish.  Another one was the smell of just about any perfume or aftershave.  I wouldn't let my husband wear any and I definitely stayed away from everything.  However, that was many years ago and now I can stomach those smells again.

Anyway, enough of an introduction, my favorite this week is Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey.

I think it's a really funny name for perfume, but I love the way it smells.  Lately, I've been trying to remember to use it.  It's the tall bottles in the back.  

If you want to see some other favorites, check out Favourite Things Friday at QIMP.

A to Z Challenge : "K"

Lots of fun "K" songs.  Karma Chameleon -- gotta love Boy George.  Killing Me Softly, either Roberta Flack or Lauryn Hill's version (okay, that doesn't fall under fun).  Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon.  Key Largo by Bertie Higgins (whoever he is); but I remember loving the song.  Kokomo by the Beach Boys.  Kookaburra.

In honor of my beloved husband, I think I'll go with King of the Road.  This is one of those songs that I didn't realize was a real song; I thought my husband had made it up.

A to Z Challenge : "J"

This song is the one that when it comes on the radio, I just have to dance .. never saw the video before.  After seeing it, I still like the song. Just Dance. Okay, I just changed my mind. I do dance every time I hear the song, but the youtube videos just weren't working out, so I'll have to go with something else.

The following song reminds me of a summer about 40 years ago. sitting on the front porch of the general store in Eagle Harbor, Michigan. This is for Johnny Angel, wherever he may be.

Wordless Wednesday

(Photo by N. Hoang)

Happy Anniversary!

Thirty-two years ago today my hubby and I got married.  It was a sunny Friday morning.  we were married by a justice of the peace in Rockville, Maryland.  After the "wedding", we took our two year old niece to the zoo.  That night, we had dinner at some French restaurant, I don't remember the name.  We then "honeymooned" at the Hyatt in Crystal City, Virginia, for the weekend.  There was a small reception on Saturday afternoon at my SIL's house, also in Virginia.

If anyone took pictures, I've never seen them -- I don't think anyone thought it would last.  I think we've proved them wrong.  I was going to rummage around in the attic to find an older picture of us, but I didn't have the time yesterday, so this one will have to do.

Happy Anniversary Honey!

A to Z Challenge : "I"

The song that first came to mind today was the Beatles "If I Fell", but that was only one of the many Beatles songs that begin with I:

I Am the Walrus
I Call Your Name
I Don't Want to See You Again
I Don't Want to Spoil the Party
I Feel Fine
I Forgot to Remember to Forget
I Got a Woman
I Got to Find My Baby
I Just Don't Understand
I Lost My Little Girl
I Me Mine
I Need You
I Saw Her Standing There
I Should Have Known Better
I Wanna Be Your Man
I Want to Hold Your Hand
I Want to Tell You
I Want You (She's So Heavy)
I Will
If I Fell
If I Needed Someone
If You've Got Trouble
I'll Be Back
I'll Be on My Way
I'll Cry Instead
I'll Follow the Sun
I'll Get You
I'll Keep You Satisfied
I'm a Loser
I'm Down
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)
I'm Happy Just to Dance with You
I'm In Love
I'm Looking Through You
I'm Only Sleeping
I'm So Tired
I'm Talking About You
In My Life
In Spite of All the Danger
It Won't Be Long
It's All Too Much
It's for You
It's Only Love
I've Got a Feeling
I've Just Seen a Face

and then when I searched for "I" songs, one of the websites I found gave me over 1700 songs.  Anyway, this is one of my recent favorites.

A to Z Challenge : "H"

Today's song is from ... I'm having a hard time with this one .. of course if this is giving me a hard time how am I ever going to get through Z or Q or the really tough ones.

I was going to go with the Beatles, Here, There, and Everywhere, but I didn't like the YouTube videos. I decided to go with Help!


p.s. I love the Beatles.

A to Z Challenge : "G"

My "G" song is from the Beach Boys' Endless Summer album and was also in Love, Actually.  Another one of those love songs.



My husband and I have seen the Beach Boys in concert like four times Several times for free in Washington DC on the mall and once with Chicago (not for free). Remembering those concerts reminded me of my first concert which coincidentally was also my first date. The concert was great -- the date .. hmmm. Anyway, Elton John was my first concert. I fell in love, so my second song for today is Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

A to Z Challenge : "F"

My "F" song is a Taylor Swift song about falling in love "Fearless".  I like the image of the rain on the pavement.

A to Z Challenge : "E"

So today's song has been a toss up between Eye of the Tiger and Edelweiss.  Both songs from movies.  Edelweiss, as we all know, is from the Sound of Music.  That was the first movie I ever saw at the drive in theater.  I went with my aunt and uncle, two cousins, and my sister Rachel.  I don't know if I fell in love with the movie then,  but it certainly is one of my favorites now.  And of course, Eye of the Tiger was from one of the Rocky movies, the one with Mister T if I'm not mistaken.  I guess I could just put both of them up here ... or flip a coin.



Btw, we have a visitor from Australia at our house.  I don't know how long she's staying, but she's passed the devil cat test.  He didn't attack her.

And yet another birthday

Yesterday was my MS's birthday  I always seem to remember to post about the YD's birthday but not his.  Anyway, he turned 29.  We had a special dinner, which he ate and then he had plans.  We did cake tonight so the boys could participate.  (It took us three tries to get the angel food cake right.  The first one got dropped on the floor before cooking; the second one didn't get cooked long enough and fell; the third one turned out perfect.)

Anyway .. Happy Birthday!

If I ever get my act together, I'll post some younger pictures of the family so you can see what they looked like 20+ years ago.

A to Z Challenge : "D"

I've been thinking about today's song post a lot.

The first song I thought about was Petula Clark's Downtown.  I remember really liking it when I was very young .. it came out when I was five, but it has no other special significance.

Then I thought about the Beatles Drive My Car or Day Tripper, but again, other than really liking them, there's no special significance (though I confess not all the songs I pick will be significant).

Then there's Donna.  There's the well-known Richie Valens version which is great, but I remember it being a Donny Osmond version.  When I was 12 or so my girlfriends and I were huge Donny fans (yes, this is time for true confessions).  One of these friends' name was Donna .. so, so unfair.  No one ever sings about Thea..

and then there are a ton of "do you" songs: do you know the way to San Jose, Do you really Want to Hurt me?, Do you Believe in Magic? Do you know what I know? Do you know where you're going to? (featured in the Poseidon Adventure).

However, in honor of some of my bloggy friends, I decided to go with Down Under.  



Btw, it wasn't until I read your blogs that I found out about vegemite.  I always though they said "a bite of my sandwich" not vegemite sandwich ..

Wordless Wednesday

15 Minute Challenge - Week 13

Tuesday - zip
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nada
Friday - got the giveaway from our most gracious host -- two quilt books; looked through them
Saturday - zilch
Sunday - went to JoAnn's; organized my project book (the binder where I keep the print outs of the projects I want to do)
Monday - went to another JoAnn's; found the flannel fabric I was looking for (and some other flannel too); made a small 4x10 patch

So yesterday was the only day I actually sewed at all, but I'm getting ready to start. I have a colleague I need to get together with to start her son's quilt and then there's my daughter's duvet cover.

A to Z Challenge : "C"

Today's song is an easy one, California Dreamin'.



This is one of my favorites of The Mamas & the Papas. In the year between when I wanted to move to California and the year we actually did move to California, I loved listening to it. It made me want to come out here even more.

I thought it would make a good name for my blog and so here it is.

A to Z Challenge : "B"

I cheated and looked online for my "B" song.  There are so many great songs out there.  Here are a very few of them ...

Baba O'Reilly
Bennie and the Jets
Beach Baby
Baby I'm a Want You
Bad Day
Big Girls Don't Cry

I've decided to go with Behind these Hazel Eyes. I think it might be the only one out there about hazel eyes ..

April Come She Will

I was thinking of joining the A to Z Challenge this year.  However, not being very confident of my ability to follow through, I think I will just do it on my own.  I was thinking of picking my favorite Beatle songs for each letter, but then as I started to write this post I was reminded of a Simon & Garfunkel song, April Come She Will.  That's my song for "A".


I pulled this from YouTube and hope that I did it right.