Barney Kessel

Wish I had studied enough to play like him.

Almost summer

Just some pictures from the past week or so...getting hot in Texas!

No can do

Been playing piano today and mashing up more songs. I really want to get this microkorg I've wanted for over a decade...but I am hesitant because who knows if I'll have enough time to really use it...and if I do get back into playing live music, I'd have to REALLY be comfortable with it to use it live. I was watching the guy from Chromeo demonstrate it and came across this--probably my favorite Hall & Oates tune.
  A song I'd really like to cover or mashup with something similar is "I Remember" by Deadmau5/Kaskade. My voice isn't all breathy/or airy though. I'd have to change it a lot. Pretty progression though. Hopefully I will be able to record something for Youtube soon :) not this week though....I just lost my voice from this cold. I haven't been able to yell all day! :P

Two Hearts

When I was picking up some gifts to put in the kid's baskets, I stopped by the Catholic store called "Two Hearts" in Plano. The lady there is so sweet and gave me a free book last time. I asked her if she carried the new Pope John Paul II book, and she gave me this paperback copy for a $6 donation for shipping!

I also finally got this prayer/grace di that they didn't have last time.

Then I picked up some books for the kids--I was surprised that Brother Francis (dvds they like) company is based in Mckinnney right down the street!
I have lots of books to read nightly...but it's cutting into my sleeptime and I am getting over a cold :(

We also started the Divine Mercy Novena which ends on Divine Mercy sunday. It consists of certain prayers (using a rosary) that are for specific groups each day. I was very affected by St Faustina's diary (took a year to finish!) and I have faith in the prayers Jesus taught her to pray. The biggest change in perspective from reading her diary, was the power of inner suffering (and outer too..) and the invisible power of prayer. Denying yourself, not defending yourself. Which is hard for me, as I am naturally kind of defensive. The invisible power of uniting pain/anguish with Jesus' pain on the cross.
 I have also been trying this new prayer, to consecrate myself to Jesus through Mary, but I know I am not doing it with all my soul. Honestly, having music back after so long, makes me appreciate different things more. I mean, I feel more focused in prayer and in my love and gratitude for all my blessings. It's always frustrating how difficult the devil can make a simple thing like true prayer, but I know I need to work on being more devoted and less distracted.

•    Anyway, I already know I will be as inspired and uplifted learning about (now Saint) John Paul as I was with St Faustina, whose devotion to Divine Mercy was partially facilitated by Pope John Paul. I urge everyone to read both books, and contemplate Jesus crucial message of Divine Mercy.

He is Risen!

Our church was too full, we had mass in the overflow building, so we showed TnT the new church afterward. We will soon be baptizing little Francis Commodore here :)

 I took these pictures while I waited to confess on wed night...took 3 hrs it was so crowded

 The kids baskets--we still did all the "fun" stuff, but they know the bunny thing is a secular ploy to sell moichendise. :P I can't believe how many people are anti-Christian lately--I only had one person say "happy Easter" back to me while running errands this week...no response at all. Feels so hostile. What a shame.

After mass we got right to work--I had rolled about 50 lumpia the night before to freeze and fry fresh on Easter. Teresa brought desserts and Sangria :) John helped me make the mashed red potatoes, cut up some fresh fruit, we heated up honeyhams and turkey John got through his work, croissants, gravy, salad, and candied yams.

 I felt like a real filipino making pork lumpia---there were only 4 left by the end of the night.

 We took some photos in & outside so we could change into more comfortable clothes.

 Then we let them have their baskets--Frankie got this cute singing puppy toy that both L & O had..its a tradition.

 The kids helped TnT open their gifts...

 Frankie had some peaches too :)

 Then it was time for bubbles and the egg hunt...first we did inside (downstairs only) then outside. They LOVED it!

 John was taking photos while I hid the eggs inside the house--he's getting better with taking focused pictures :)

 Our live-in nanny :)

 Ready for eggs!

 Counting their loot:

BTW we found this snake (very small) in our garden last week. After learning it was a harmless brown snake (I researched the pattern lol) we let it go. 

 So cute huh????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Olivia got her favorite blankie back after 40 days...Lucas got his Wii...

And mommy got her MUSIC back!

 John's coworker Justin came over later and had a plate of food, then we talked about music--he plays guitar and heard from John about my live music gigs. I was excited/nervous to plug in..40 says is long enough to forget a lot...but it was awesome. Even therapeutic. Justin enjoyed playing as well---and loves my equipment too. John's gonna have him over for a 'jam session' next week--he's bringing his taylor acoustic. He said, "John already told me you hate Dave  Matthews so I won't play his stuff!" haha...no argument there lol. We had lots of fun and Frankie was trying to sing with Justin!

 Then TnT's son Dillon came over after getting off work (busy day at Olive Garden). Had some food and relaxed, didn't get a chance to play any games--last time they played Acquire.

 

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter!