With Praise and Thanksgiving

It's been a while, so I'm going to link up with Kelly at This Ain't The Lyceum  for 7 Quick Takes today! I present to you seven random things I like, and for which I am grateful today. 1. Lent! Time to repent! I do like Lent, and with a weird rib-area cartilage injury and a bad cold to set the pace, it's shaping up to be a really Lenty Lent. I'm using the Blessed is She Lenten journal for my daily prayer time and am trying...t r y i n g this 5-Minute sacrifice. I did fairly well at it Wednesday, and pretty crappy Thursday. So there you go. Onward and upward. I will embarrassingly admit that it took me until my 35th year to realize that I don't have to read all the things on the interwebs, even if they are about a topic of interest to me. The webs are awash with posts about how to Lent, and but thank goodness I resisted the urge to click on all of them and just licked on this one  by Jenny at Mama Needs Coffee. Of course you know I want to share everyth...

My new Out-of-Control Center The blog is still in the midst of an identity crisis, but that won't keep me from using up some of my beloved nap time alone time to pound away all my thoughts onto the interwebs. Pretty random thoughts coming up here.  Above: I was (am?) ever so sick of the mountain of miscellaneous crap that kept getting piled in the middle of the kitchen island, mostly by me. I'm famous for my "I'll deal with that later" piles, and then dealing with them by just making neater piles. I finally got fed up and decided to create a little, for lack of better word, control center. I'm in control of nothing, so the irony does not escape me, but I needed to see a clean island, at least for a few minutes. We had this old box floating around full of more miscellaneous crap, so I cleaned it out and made space for a couple of magazines and fliers I wanted to keep and added the little sorter for mail that needs attention. My planner fits perfectly...

Back when I heard Msgr. Thomas Richter speak on mercy, one of the things that immediately stuck with me was that he said in order to experience God's mercy, we have to believe that God desires to show us mercy in real and tangible ways each day. I thought of that often Tuesday. The snow day didn't go quite as I had planned, because after I published my update with hopes of hitting my to do list, I developed a migraine-like headache - the sensitivity to light and sound, the nausea, and a wicked earache on both sides. So from noon on, I was in my dark bedroom just trying to make the hours pass. I thought several times how merciful it was of God to let this misery befall me on a snow day where I didn't have to shuttle people to and from school and when my husband was home to run the show. I do not know how I'd have made it through the day without him. Even speaking short sentences or sending him a text to bring me something made my head explode. It's only through G...

Hey hey hey! There's a new Garth Brooks album, Gunslinger, and it's available for $5 on Amazon music! Whoop! If you've learned anything about me and my love of music, it should be that I'm nothing if not a loyal fan. There were only about 2 songs on his last album that I really loved, and yet, I simply could not resist $5 to hear what he's got out new. I've only listened 1.5 times through, but I like it so far. Some songs are pretty kitchy but there are a couple that I can see myself getting hooked on. It's been a long time since I had a new album, and I've been listening to a lot of old stuff with my CD Revival, so it was nice to have the comfort of the same old Garth with some new music today while I was trying to recover from Thanksgiving and get our home back in order. I love and hate that I can read the lyrics along with the song. 

The tanksgiving! I brought my trusty old laptop along this weekend with visions of crafting profound daily posts about my Thanksgiving thanksgiving, which I know was a totally adorable goal. I actually spent most of my weekend screen time shopping online and working on photo gifts for people and blogging didn't actually cross my mind more than once. I can't get the blogger app to work for anything except uploading my high quality photos, and so here I sit several days behind. Again. We traveled for Thanksgiving, and Thursday actually went really well. We started the first leg of our journey by listening to a Jimmy Buffett concert on the aforementioned free XM trial. It was actually a fantastic way to start Thanksgiving. Most of us are quick to proclaim gratitude for our family, friends, faith and for the things we need like food, clothing and shelter. And we should! But I don't know if I can say anything that hasn't been said about those things. When I think of my...

It's the time of year when the Sirius XM radio free trial abounds! We're too cheap to actually pay for it, so I love to live it up every Thanksgiving. Can I express pre-gratitude for XM on our 6-7 hour drive this weekend? Because I will. The '90s on 9 and Prime Country channels are my favorite. Obviously. I mean, if you are one of the two people who reads these silly posts and doesn't yet know that '90s music is my jam, then...you've been wasting your time even more than you thought. My sister clued me in to the Garth Brooks channel, which she said was like Prime Country but with a little more variety. AND I love it. It's fun to hear his thoughts on the songs before they play, or to hear more background on his own songs. Sometimes I feel like I should try harder to immerse myself in new music. I follow people's playlists on Spotify and all that, but sometimes I just want my musical comfort food, and it's almost always '90s. I'm in my mi...

One of the CDs we listened to last night was Jonny Lang's Long Time Coming.  It's been quite a while, and I was so pleased when "The One I Got" came on. How could I have forgotten about that gem? I've been thinking about it all day. I also recently purchased some essential oils, so I'm well on my way to becoming a hippie. So far I mostly diffuse them and I'm looking forward to learning more about how to use them. I also made some foaming hand soap with castile soap because it's amazing how fast little boys go through hand soap (and, yet, still manage to do a terrible job washing their hands). Today I took a long, hot bath with some lavender and diffused some frankincense and, I must say, it was very relaxing. I give it a thumb's up.

I had a more serious post brewing but you'll be shocked to find out that I haven't had time to really think it through. So, anyone remember this? I sure do! I pulled it out as part of my Start Listening to All Those CDs Again plan. It's so good! It just makes me smile. I can't pick a favorite right now; there are so many good ones. I could share a specific memory brewed up from at least four or five of the songs, but I think only Callie and Molli will probably appreciate them, so I'll spare you. I think I will share one that I love, though. When I mentioned Steve Earle's voice a few days back on I'll Change For You. Andy Griggs' voice on this one reminds me of that, not quite as "bad ass" but soothing in its own way. I was obsessed with this song during those silly teenage crush days!

I've mentioned before that one of my goals this year was to listen to more music. We've been getting out our CDs more often. The latest is Roseanne Cash's Rules of Travel.  There's a song called "I'll Change for You" which I can't get enough of. I can't find a YouTube video to embed, so click here to listen. Steve Earle sounds so bad ass. I love it. I've always been partial to men's singing voices, and he just kills it here. I read a blog post this morning which struck a chord with me: Small Change, Small Victories . And I'm listening to one of my favorite Catholic Stuff You Should Know episodes ever, Father John's vocation story. It's probably like the seventh time I've listened. All the heart eyes. Listen here!

Can you see my praise hands? This was a most fulfilling and worthy way to spend naptime today. I should have taken a before picture so you could see the true horror that was the spice cabinet of yesterday. Suddenly I want to cook all the things. But we're having tacos for supper. At least I get to open it for the Wildtree Taco Seasoning. Isn't it beautiful? The "As Seen on TV" (but not by me since we get one channel and rarely watch it) Spicy Shelf was an impulse Amazon buy for around $8. Worth it.  Assembly,alphabetizing and gazing lovingly took me the exact length of Alan Jackson's The Bluegrass Album.  Every time I listen to it, I wonder why I don't listen to it more.  Happy feels, and 75 minutes till school pickup! 

Sorry for all the back-to-back music posts. When I was searching for Trip Around the Sun, the little sidebar showing other videos I might like suggested Chances Are, from the Hope Floats soundtrack. I had forgotten how much I loved that song. Yay! Thanks for the reminder YouTube! Now I want to watch Hope Floats.

Yesterday was my birthday, and I meant to post this then, but I didn't have my computer and I can't figure out video embedding in the crappy Blogger app.

Did you notice I was behind a day? I did, but I was trying to keep it a secret. Then last night I watched this video. It made me smile all the smiles. If you don't like it at least a little bit, I'm not sure we can be friends.

Our 250-mile car ride Friday was a comedy of errors. As they always do, things tensed up for the last 80 miles or so. Everyone needed naps and only one person seemed interested. We needed something to keep us from falling apart.  It was this: It looks terrifying, like someone you definitely wouldn't put on for kids, but it's probably my favorite Crowes album. The big boys chimed in after the first few seconds and I was reminded that they like this one! Yay! The oldest kid sometimes even sings "Go Faster" or "Kickin' My Heart Around" while he's rambling around the house.   I thought of the way I feel about the Oak Ridge Boys, the music of my childhood. It reminds me of taking hot meals to the farm during harvest, and long drives to my grandma's on Christmas Eve. I wondered if, maybe, the Black Crowes could be that to my kids. Will "By Your Side" forever remind them of exciting trips to "grandpa's lake"?  Maybe. Maybe not. E...

My mom and dad took the kids yesterday and I wasted no time. I ran all the child-free errands you can run and did all the things! I figured if I had to adult, spending most of the day driving my minivan from one errand to another, I'd at least get some great summer music to accompany me. I don't even apologize for all the music posts. In addition to 2016 being The Year of All The House Crap, it's also The Year in Which Ashley Listens to Lots and Lots of Musics. I started with music that whispers "summer" in my ear, Jimmy Buffett. I'm not the Parrothead I once was, but I can't listen to him without relaxing just a little bit, even if I'm busy doing lameass adult stuff instead of sipping boat drinks. Jimmy Buffett + Alan Jackson = Happy Ashley I moved on to James Taylor's New Moon Shine , which includes one of my all time favorite songs of all time, "The Water is Wide." I may have been part of a music contest starring ensemble that sa...

Back in my cubicle days I instant messaged my work bestie how Pandora was killing it that day and how I was totally patting myself on the back for my most excellent taste in music. She laughed and possibly made a meme to share with the team. I don't even know if people listen to Pandora anymore. I haven't quite figured out Spotify and I always forget about Amazon Prime. I'm old.  Anyway, I heard an ad yesterday on Pandora for thumbprint radio, which is just a station of your "liked" songs. I know some people listen to stations to expose themselves to new music, but sometimes I just need the tried and true favorites. Thumbprint radio nailed it this morning and was just what I needed (along with a ton of coffee) after almost 4 non-cumulative hours of sleep last night. 

It's been a while since I've shared some links. I've read and listened to lots of great stuff and forgotten most of it. Here are a few links I thought were worth sharing. I'm enjoying the #TheAsIsHomeTour on Instagram. Check it out. I would try to link to it, but I don't know my Instagram password so I can't log in on the computer. I'm so old! Ryan Bingham has a new song on Amazon's Songs of Summer Playlist - check out Kindred Mountain High. My heart gets all fluttery over Ryan Bingham music. Growing Up in the Age of Likes - The Washington Post  - terrifying, really. But I'm glad I read it. The Little Lepers in My Living Room - Dierdre Mundy - "As far as I can tell, Jesus is somewhat hysterical, extremely emotional and has unrealistic expectations for how the world should work. And he’s crying again." It's Time to Forget the Idea That We Can 'Get Back' Our Pre-Baby Bodies - Verily Magazine - yup.  Audiobook Recom...

Yes, yes this is  the Rolla High School Class of 2000 John Philip Sousa Band Award. Don't act like you're not impressed.  The James Taylor concert had me wondering as I have a million times before what would have happened if God had given me musical talent. I have loved music for as long as I can remember, and I tagged along for the success of many talented friends in high school. I was a decent alto saxophone player, can muddle through an intermediate piano tune, and I sort of sung alto (and sometimes tenor if I sat by Doug) in choir. But a musician, I am not. I used to think I should have been given more musical talent, because I think I could have been a decent performer despite my strong tendency toward introversion. It wasn't until I was at a talk recently that I heard a story that helped me understand why I am not a famous, talented musician. A speaker relayed a story of a legally blind friend of his, and how he'd asked him if they could pray for healing...

We had the great pleasure last night of seeing a great concert by one of my all time favorites, and also of spending some time with some dear friends. My amazing nieces came to babysit five kids five and under while we went out to eat with two couples, one we see often but rarely without the kids and one we rarely see because they moved south one state a couple of years ago. That in itself would have provided enough gratitude for one day, but then we raced to the FargoDome to see James Taylor . James is nothing if not consistent, and he did not disappoint on my third time seeing him. His voice sounded wonderful, his band was so talented, and the concert flowed beautifully. Like I did at Garth Brooks, I opted not to take a bunch of poor quality, fuzzy, zoomed-in iPhone photos and videos, but rather tried to enjoy the show with my own eyes and ears. I stopped several times to ask myself what I was feeling and I kept coming back to the same word: delight. I felt delighted to be the...

I mentioned one of my favorite albums, Willie Nelson's The Great Divide in Roadtrip Music . It's still in my car and I've been listening to it often. One of the tracks is the classic Cyndi Lauper tune, "Time After Time." I just love that song! I was reminded that one of my burned CD mixes from the old days has a Rob Thomas version on it, which I loved so much. I mostly love all the covers Rob Thomas does, because I so enjoy listening to him sing. I can't see myself ever not totally loving Tabitha's Secret/Matchbox 20 music. His solo stuff doesn't get me quite like the old band material, but I still like it. I'm nothing if not loyal.  So I found it on YouTube on my phone and basically listened to it all day on repeat. It was just like when I had mixed tapes back in the day and I would record my favorites twice in a row so I wouldn't have to waste all that time rewinding! I'm a child of the '80s and '90s and I am not ashamed! ...