Category Archives: music

YAY Friday.

Posted in books, embroidery, family, grateful, High Five For Friday, Journal, league, me, music, scrapping challenges, Week in the Life by

I’m pretty happy to have got to the end of the week! It’s been fairly chaotic & with the league season kicking off properly for our house (now that Tag has finished) it doesn’t look like Saturday will be a day of rest. I think that for my own wellness, I will need to go back old-school and adopt Sunday as my day of rest. This will mean doing some housework every day during the week to gain a “day off” but long term, I suspect this will be best. What do you think? How do you balance work/home/rest?

My top things for the week include:

  1. It looks like the Screaming Teen has decided his next step & is signing up for an academic course. It’s a combination of sport & management & PT but it’s a step forward.
  2. My new devotional arrived – and thanks to Book Depository, it was postage free & I had a good laugh when it arrived with a wine voucher (I’ve passed that one along already). The devotional is already working for me. I was able to carve out space (even tho I was at work) to shut the door and spend 10 minutes with God. And Pinterest for the last few moments, as visually pretty things are working for me right now. It will be interesting to see where I am at in 40 days.
  3. I re-discovered Ali Edwards and have ordered the kit, an album & some stamps to do Week In The Life. You can go to her blog www.aliedwards.com if you’re curious, but expect some scrapbooking/journalling things mid-May. My parcel shopped from Oregon this morning. Double yay!
  4. I went to Stitch Group on Tuesday & had a really good laugh. Barb & Linda have the best sense of humour. Next month it’s at ours. Eeep. I hope the house elves aren’t on strike.
  5. I’m pretty-much up-to-date at work, after Conference took me out for three days last week. I’ve even passed 39/60 Axonify modules, altho I’m getting very tired of the things. And one more week of my boss being in China equals more time to deep dive into issues.
  6. I love the sounds coming out of this song. Current earworm that I am sharing! Love Spotify. Sorry Elizabeth – you won’t like it but you might have liked the Brene Brown lecture that was on audible instead?

The Hux Part Deux & WIP-yesterday-was-Wednesday # 214

Posted in cross stitch, family, friends, goals, grateful, me, Mirabilia, music, Nora Corbett, stitch from stash, stitching patterns, weight loss by

About this time last year, I climbed the Hux with the BBM crew. This year, as a family we decided to do it again, opening up to whomever wanted to meet us but not letting the lack of “me too” hold us back.

The Hux, or Hakarimata Mountain summit climb, can be divided into two portions. There’s the relatively easy walk to the site of the 1922 dam (nice waterfall is just past this) or the more strenuous climb to the summit. 1K almost straight up, 1349 stairs.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/hakarimata-scenic-reserve/tracks/hakarimata-summit-track/?region=waikato&park=c46c7395-d05d-44ff-b48a-66d228a7e77e&activity=walking-tramping#activitypanel

Because I haven’t been very active, my personal goal was halfway plus two flights. I kind-of bullied Karl into the same (he originally had halfway) but then we just kept on moving. And moving. And after about an hour, we were there (Si & Mase had done it 1.25 times by then & Louise & her friend A were a little behind us). Woot!

On the way up I’d seen part of the Tuakau and some Rewa league boys & on the way down, some of the Hamilton BBM crew. It’s nice to see familiar faces but even more so, nearly 99% of everyone else on the Mountain is also doing it tough, no matter how you measure them from yourself. There’s a lot of encouragement & good vibes.

On the WIP front, my work/travel piece is still Little House Needlework’s Bethelehem. I’ve finished with the lettering as of last night and YAY it well fits into the fabric with plenty of room. And I got some progress in on Fairy Idyll – not visibly much as it is such a big piece, but counting & double-counting has got me to the far right. Sorry for the crinkles – I am also stitching this one in hand.

Music wise I am slow to the party & have just discovered Sam Hunt. Gorgeous voice and a STORY in the song? Yes please. Also Do Right by The Glades – she has a beautiful voice.

Review: We Talk Fiber

Posted in cross stitch, music by

fibertalkSo for something a little different, here’s an audio rec. I recently discovered Fiber Talk, a podcast available thru multiple channels, including their website. Gary & Christine are stitchers and knitters so this podcast is all about needles and threads. The first one I listened to was from Nicola Parkman of Hands Across the Sea Samplers (who has revisited the show, and I intend to listen to that one soon) and there are so many more back into January 2017, including Vonna (The Twisted Stitcher), Mary Corbett and her sister Sarah DeBree, ANG Certified Master Teacher Susan Hoekstra & the team from Nordic Needle, who I know a lot of stitchers use for supplies.

I think I’m going to look for a smaller sampler to add to my rotation…which is the whole point, right? Enable the world!

You can listen thru iTunes, their website, Podcast Addict (the android app I enjoy & recommend) & various other sources.

 

Good Morning!

Posted in grateful, music by

“Good Morning”
Mandisa, feat. TobyMac

Wave away my yesterday
Cause I’m leaving it behind me.
Hello sunshine, come what may.
I feel something new inside me.
I hear the birds singing
Now my alarm’s ringing
Get up, get up, hey!

It’s a good morning!
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I’m stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength,
You give me just what I need
And I can feel the hope that’s rising in me.
It’s a good morning

Slow down, breathe in,
Don’t move ahead
I’m just living in this moment
I’ve got my arms raised, un-phased
Jump out of bed
Gotta get this party going
I went to bed dreaming,
You woke me up singing
Get up, get up, hey!

It’s a good morning!
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I’m stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength,
you give me just what I need
And I can feel the hope that’s rising up in me.
It’s a good morning

Now I’m smiling, and I’m kissing all my worries goodbye
Got the feeling, if I spread my wings I might even fly
You are my truth, my way
Give me the strength to say
Get up, get up, get up
Cause it’s a good morning, hey

Mr. Mac to the mic

[Toby Mac]
Hey, top of the morning to you ‘disa
You smoothie, me ice cold pizza
Cafe au lait, latte dah
You do the zumba, but I do not
Give me like half a marathon,
I’ll give you the gospel of St. John.
Hits me like a wake-up bomb
Cuz’ we both know that His mercy flows,
In the morning.

Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I’m stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength,
you give me just what I need
I can feel the hope that’s rising up in me.
It’s a good morning
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I’m stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength you give me just what I need
I can feel the hope that’s rising up in me.
It’s a good morning

[Toby Mac]
Top of the morning to you ‘disa
Hey, top of the morning to you girl
To-to-top of the morning to you ‘disa
Morning little Miss Sunshine.
[Spoken]
Man, you morning people.
No, I’m serious.

Capital Kings remix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeqfLqPz44c

RIP to the Goblin King

Posted in grateful, me, music by

Not that I want to be jumping on the bandwagon, but David Bowie is a man I’ll miss. His musical gifts were strong, and he could make himself into another character so thoroughly – if you’re a master criminal you should be taking lessons (or maybe not).

I love Labyrinth. I could identify with Sarah (drama much?) especially as my conflicts with my working mother increased and so did my childcare duties. Sorry Rob – it was always you I gave away to Jareth. My own children could probably sing along to several of his songs without even thinking, as his music is so much a part of this generations’ culture too.

as the world falls

I admire too the way in which he conducted himself media-wise. There’s a lot of shock floating around, that his cancer battle was so private but that is exactly what it should have been. As a fan I didn’t have a right to know what was going on in his personal life, and I wish today’s “celebrity” would get on board with that. Kimye, I’m talking to you. And to his family, I thank you for sharing a piece of your David with us.

RIP, David.

Yay, Monday

Posted in music by

I’m a bit buzzy this morning. Si will be home at midnight (yay), I have the OK to work from home tomorrow (which means walking Mase to school, always great conversations) and the option to crash again (probably needed), compliments on my new dress and the boss is away this week, so there isn’t any meetings & therefore extra reports. Given that it is the first week of the new fiscal month & my wrist hurts still after 30 minutes of typing, this is a BIG DEAL.

Anyway, it’s been 20 years since this song was released. TWENTY YEARS.

I freaking love it still.

What will people think
When they hear that I’m a Jesus Freak?
What will people do
When they find that’s it’s true?

Separated, I cut myself clean
From a past that comes back in my darkest of dreams
Been apprehended by a spiritual force
And a grace that replaced all the me I’ve divorced

I saw a man with tat on his big fat belly
It wiggled around like marmalade jelly
It took me a while to catch what it said
‘Cause I had to match the rhythm
Of his belly with my head
“Jesus Saves” is what it raved in a typical tattoo green
He stood on a box in the middle of the city
And claimed he had a dream

[Chorus]
What will people think
When they hear that I’m a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it’s true
I don’t really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain’t no disguising the truth

Kamikaze, my death is gain
I’ve been marked by my maker
A peculiar display
The high and lofty, they see me as weak
‘Cause I won’t live and die for the power they seek

There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn’t too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak

[Chorus: x2]

People say I’m strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
People say I’m strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger

[Chorus: x2]

What will people think
What will people think
What will people do
What will people do
I don’t really care
What else can I say
There ain’t no disguising the truth
Jesus is the way

Songwriters: MARK HEIMERMANN, TOBY MCKEEHAN

Catchy

Posted in grateful, music, Saturday Share by

We’re heading into winter down here, and some days just need that little beat of sunshine added to them.

Then I saw something on Caroline’s blog and oooh light bulb! I’m going to play with this, but even tho Caroline doesn’t know me, this is a Mary Poppins of a play list.

http://carolineteselle.com/live/2015/04/spring-2015-playlist/

Take a listen; then Shut Up & Dance With Me!
image

Or shuffle from side to side. That’s okay too.
Thanks Caroline. Hope you feel blessed today.

I have the hangover

Posted in books, grateful, music, OLW, playlist by

& I’m not just talking the movies or the one you earn by drinking. This is the post-migraine, kids being merciless, lack of true sleep, stressors still present hangover. This is what I wanted to avoid with my OLW.

But I won’t go into too much, as the main stress is a relation; let’s look forward to the new week.

  • The kids go back to school – all 3 of them!!!
  • It’s only four days of work this week – Friday is Waitangi Day, which is our supposed Foundation day (but I won’t go into that too much either).
  • I found Alison Weir’s Elizabeth of York on CD, so have lots of interesting listening to help me thru the mundane stuff at work (and it drowns out Hamish’s radio, which is tuned to the Rock).
  • I spent some time with my gf Emma’s cats this weekend, as she is away. Kitty cuddles can be lovely.
  • I had a good walk this morning with Z. I think we are listening to a Michael Morpolgo novel to/fro from work this week; review from Z later on (first kid post on the blog; be afraid as he uses longer words than I do!).
  • The Joan Elliot Spirit of the Orient SAL starts Tuesday, NZ time.
  • The February prompt for One Little Word should be up later today. Homework!
  • I won a download of the new Edge Kingsland CD, Seven Days. It’s an interesting piece of work, as each track is based upon the 7 Days of Creation. I love Day 5, Crash & Collide. Thanks, Dan @ LifeFM.Edge Kingsland Seven Days

The album is a whopping ten bucks – great value for money. Lydia Cole’s is the shortest at 3:22 and that’s still a minute longer than most radio plays.

Fiat lux. Let there be light.

With one phrase, the existence of our sphere began.
The creation poem of Genesis illustrates the magnum opus of God’s artistry.
From the void our world is crafted, in explosions of colour and seismic shifts.
The blank canvas of the universe is traced with stars and a vast roadmap of planets.

But creation is not just a moment in time. It is an endless cycle.
The artist joins the arc of creation when he stares down a blank canvas.
The musician tackles the void with every note and verse.
Seven Days is our attempt to join the creation story. It’s a journey that sees songwriters collaborating with writers and visual artists, creating their interpretations of each of the days of creation.

www.lettherebelight.co.nz

Feeling – what?

Posted in music, OLW, Saturday Share, Smalls SAL, Uncategorized by

Monday morning & I’m feeling a little off. Today is the day R came back to work & according to the boss, she’s a little unhappy that I am still here & have taken some of her roll. But then the work focus has changed, and it’s def more than one person can handle. A lot more. I’ve just seen her and she seems OK – so maybe I allowed myself to be caught in someone else’s drama. Bad, bad Paula. Don’t think I’ll include that little bit in my first card to my new OLW penpal – I haven’t had an old-fashioned snail mail penpal in how long? – I must stop fluffing around with blogging and working and WRITE. I’m on a deadline – it’s nearly time for my lunchtime walk with Sarah. Yay for having stamps in my folder.

Yesterday was so slow in the household & not what I expected it to be. My rhythm & routine disappeared right from that moment I slept in & I didn’t get my groove back until late afternoon. Finished another ornie (will share on Saturday) and got rid of the mending pile that B created. So domestic. Then to blow out the cobwebs I went for a drive up to the SIL’s to drop her back off at hers with the toy car’s top down & on the way back, blasting music. Sorry Swanson peeps. Hope you liked some Ministry of Sound. If not, well, at least it wasn’t One Direction, right?

Tonight I plan a binge watch of Nashville & some stitching. Or maybe a swim and an early night. I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready for the school term routine to start. Only two more weeks to go! That noise you just heard? My wonderful MIL sighing in relief.

school