Something Beautiful – “Per Te”

I’ve loved this song since the first time that I heard it; Josh Groban has such an amazing voice, and “Per Te” (from his multi-platiunum album “Closer“)  is just an amazing song – the soaring violins, piano accompaniment, and tympani undertones just stir my soul:
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Oh my gosh….
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Remind Me Again – Who, Exactly, is Responsible for This “Shutdown”?

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WWII 18.
SD14
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Breitbart has a post up today detailing the things that the Government is doing to make life as difficult as possible for the citizens of this country during this shutdown:

The List: Unnecessarily Shut Down By Obama to Inflict Public Pain

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Posted in A Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy, Elections, I Am Breitbart, Liberal Nonsense, Obama Sucks, Think about it | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

More Stuff That I’ve Been Working On – “The Man With The Bag”

Santa 50a.
As promised, I’m posting yet another Christmas video that I’ve been working on – here is Jaimee Paul’s rendition of “The Man With The Bag”:

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Have a great day!
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Call Your Mother….

Call 19.
Every once in a while, I get an e-mail from my Mom, asking me “Is everything all right?” – usually because I haven’t called or e-mailed or put up a new blog post in a while.

Well, as you all know, life does get in the way sometimes….

My house isn’t ever going to be a candidate for Better Homes and Gardens (especially right now, as we are in the middle of yet another construction project, which is kicking up even more dust than normal), and Paul is lucky if he gets fed when he comes home from work in the evening.

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Posted in Holiday/Patriotic, Humor, Just Because, Messin' with my kids, Music, Rule 5 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sunday Hymn – “How Can I Keep From Singing”

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Oh, my – if this doesn’t get you up off the pew, dancing in the aisles, nothing will….
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(“How Can I Keep From Singing” sung by Eva Cassidy – available on CD or MP3)
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Want To Make Some Kids (and Adults, too) Really Happy?

Class Picture 09-12 - Cropped - 620 x395

Rebecca’s GOS Class Picture, 2012-13

Dear Friends and Family,

I know you are frequently asked for donations or to buy something for a fundraiser. We all know there are LOTS of really good causes. Because I know many of you already give to many community programs, it is likely you do not feel like giving even more to an unfamiliar or distant non-profit. However, I would like you to please just consider my request of you today. For some this request will seem small, while for others this is no small amount.

Green Oaks School and Green Oaks Adult Learning are very specialized, unique programs for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

Those of you who know us are already aware of what a ray of sunshine Rebecca has been in our lives.

Twelve years ago, when Paul and I were still trying to wrap our heads around our “new normal”, one of the first things that we worried about (after her health, of course) was whether or not she would ever be able to learn. We also wondered if she would have friends as she got older.

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Posted in Down syndrome, I Love America, Inspirational, Just Because | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“Over The Rainbow” (Eva Cassidy)

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This is one of my favorite arrangements of this beloved song –

It’s just a beautiful, soothing song, don’t you think?:
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(“Over The Rainbow” by the incomparable Eva Cassidy – available on CD or MP3)
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Oh, BTW – There’s a Little Football Game Happening Today…..

Texas A&M Fans.
There’s a little college football game going on today….

No matter what happens (last year was a wild ride), I guarantee you the Crimson Tide band can’t hold a candle to the crew that has been flawlessly executing this routine (that everyone said was impossible – including a computer) since 1947. NEVER tell a Texas Aggie that something is impossible; we’ll just say, “Challenge accepted”….

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band performs The 4-Way Cross:
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If you’re interested, here’s a short video on the origins of this beloved Aggie tradition:
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Posted in Humor, I Love America, Just Because, Texas, The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Somber Remembrance – Thoughts on the Anniversary of 9/11

I suppose every generation has its share of “Where were you when….?” moments – those “somethings” that happen that are so big, so life-altering, and which affect so many people that the vast majority of them have a memory etched into their mind of where they were when they heard the news, how they felt when they heard the news, and how it changed their life forever.

I can still remember that morning – it started off like any other morning. Rachel had gotten up early and was already dressed and on her way to high school with her friends, Michelle and Sarah were getting ready for school, and Paul was getting ready for work. I was resting in bed, waiting for Rebecca – who had turned 2 months old the day before – to wake up for her morning bottle.

Paul came into the bedroom and said he had just heard on the radio that a plane had hit the World Trade Center and it was on fire.

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Posted in I Love America, Think about it | Tagged , | 2 Comments

For Bev – “Again Someday”

(l to r) Bev and Me, 1964

(l to r) Me and Bev, 2004

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Today would have been my little sister’s 51st birthday.
Miss you like heck, Sis….
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(“Again Someday” by Blackmore’s Night – available on CD or MP3)

Posted in Contemporary, Family, Feelin' Sorry for Myself, Growing Old Sucks, Music, Special Occasions | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments