Song for Saturday Morning

Chris Isaak is one of my favorite artists. Songwriter, singer, musician, actor...is there anything this guy can't do?

Sad thing is, he's performing at the Ryman in Nashville next month...and I'm not going. I'll just heave a big sigh, watch this video, and pretend I'm there...

I've got the POWER and hey, it's good!

We have electricity! Yay! Although Kenergy has been messin' with us...flickering our lights off and on now that we're home and have a fully stocked fridge once again! Don't even THINK about putting us back in the dark, Kenergy!

I can't say enough how grateful I am to my awesome and most excellent brother for letting us camp out at his house and being the ever gracious host! Despite being displaced for well over a week, it was all good!

But y'all...sleeping in my own bed and padding around my own house can't be beat.

Flashback Friday...How to do the Robot

Pickin' and Sewing

I told myself I wasn't going to get online at all today, but I can't help it...I think I need an intervention.

While on Fall Break this week, my plan is to make some aprons for my currently empty Etsy shop. And while I sew, I always have music playing. Sometimes Brian Setzer or Harry Connick jr., sometimes my beloved 80's music and often, Broadway musicals.

This morning I've strayed from the normal and have been listening to Old Crow Medicine Show.

I think what has really drawn me in about this band is that their voices remind me of the singing I heard as little girl at various Pentecostal and otherwise Un-Baptist revivals. I'm also reminded of the singing that would always occur at family reunions on my Mom's side of the family. And furthermore, I don't think it's possible to be from Kentucky and not at least appreciate bluegrass music. It's not something I listen to alot, but when I do, I usually always enjoy it.

Anyway, I dig these kids...have a listen!

Wagon Wheel


Tear it Down


OK. Back to undistracted sewing. I will not be online again until an apron is finished!

Flashback Friday

OK, so it looks a little cheesy now...but back then, it was awesome! ENJOY!



Does anyone else miss TV theme songs?

Toxic

I walked into the Music/Art room at school yesterday where the lovely and talented Southern Belle was playing a Nickel Creek CD. I was immediately reminded of this song, which I love.



And this video, which makes me giggle.

Flashback Friday

To say I was a fan of Duran Duran when I was a teenager would be an understatement.

I was CRAZY for Duran Duran.

I had every record(make that cassette) they made and listened to them constantly. If I watched the HBO (or was it Showtime?) concert once, I watched it a zillion times. My dad recorded it for me on our gigantic VCR player in 1984. I knew every dance move Simon was going to make, could play air guitar right along with JT, knew every word the guys said between songs and of course every word in every song. BTW, my awesome and most excellent brother bought me the concert CD for my birthday a few years back. I've watched it...ahem...more than once.

One of my favorites...


In 2005 I got the opportunity to see Duran Duran in concert in Indianapolis. I jumped, and I mean jumped, at the chance. My friend Trish and I made the five hour drive to and from Indy in a giddy stupor. It was a night I will never forget and quite possibly the most fun concert I've attended to date.

I'm not kidding y'all...it was like being 14 all over again! I think I actually regressed into my teenage self that night. I screamed and sang loudly and danced and acted like a teenage girl and didn't care who looked at me or if they thought I was an idiot or not. And I don't normally act like that when people are watching. Giddy and goofy doesn't even begin to describe it. It was so. much. fun.

The band was as great as ever. They sang a couple songs from the album Astronaut which was their newest release at the time, but mostly stuck to the oldies. The crowd loved it! I wasn't the only one screaming, just so you know. And yes, the boys were just as striking and handsome as they were 20+ years ago...except Andy Taylor who I always thought was the ugly one. Simon LeBon, swoonworthy as ever. I so wanted to marry him when I was a teenager.

I found this short clip from the Indy concert...not the greatest sound quality, but still. Listen carefully and I'll bet you'll hear me screaming.

Pollywog in a Bog

Oh how I loves me some Barenaked Ladies music! I was tickled to discover that they've made an album of songs for kids(and adults who've not completely grown up).



...the Jamaican flying squirrel kills me!


And another one...BNLs Ed singing "There's a Word" (from the Bathroom Sessions)

Flashback Friday...The Pirate Movie

I remember thinking this was a totally awesome movie back in the day. Not so sure how it would hold up today but I may have to find a copy anyway.

Before the Fake British Accent...

This is how a procrastinator does Friday Flashback...on MONDAY! No school today, I feel lots of goof off time coming on.

SO I was a HUGE fan of Madonna when we were both much younger(OK, I'm still a fan, I admit it). I didn't go to the extreme that the girls in this video did, but I did wear the black rubber bracelets, the headbands/hairbows and the black eyeliner.




My favorite scene in this clip...the wannabes climbing out of the back end of the car! You know they were dying of embarrassment because Dad had to drive them to the Madonna concert in a station wagon!

Two Belated Birthdays

I cannot believe I forgot to mention the birthdays of two people I love most in this world!!!

My Dad...August 24th. Words don't do him justice. He's that great. Happy Belated, Birthday Dad! Love you!

With Mom a couple years ago at the Loveless Cafe.

With me, Shea and Bryan sometime in the early 80's.

With me, 1968.

And Bryan. My little brother would have been 35 on August 25th of this year.

With Shea in the 70's being his normal silly self...dig the HeeHaw overalls!

With Jackie, mid 80's.
On a cruise to the Bahamas several years ago . One of my favorite photos.

When Bryan left us, a light went off in this world that can never be turned back on. But I can still find reason to rejoice...because I know one day we will be together again. Miss you and love you, Bryan!

For Bryan...a song from one of his favorite movies.

We interrupt this bloggy break for some Neil Patrick Harris geekery.

Without meaning to, it seems I've taken a bit of a bloggy break. Hopefully I'll be back to blog reading, responding to your comments and posting Europe photos this weekend. Now that I'm working again, I can't seem to do anything productive when I get home...or non-productive for that matter!

Speaking of non-productive, I DID stumble upon this.

GO.

Watch it.

Now.

While it's still fee to watch.

Neil Patrick Harris is AWESOME! Nathan Fillion is HYSTERICAL.

Best of all...it's a MUSICAL!

Flashback Friday

LOVE this song! Love the nerdy glasses and hair too.

That's Right I'm Not From Texas...

But last night I had the pleasure of seeing Lyle in concert!No, no, not that Lyle!

THIS Lyle...I wasn't really sure what to expect...I was a big fan of Lyle Lovett back in the If I Had a Boat days. Still a fan, but Lyle Lovett's music isn't exactly mainstream so I hadn't heard from him in a while. Don't get me wrong...not being mainstream is a good thing...I'm not really much of a fan of modern country radio. I learned that I COULD'VE been listening to Lovett on public radio, however. It's a shame the only public radio we get reception for is the local Pentacostal church station and a station where people get on the air and talk about all of the crap they have for sale...boat motors, weed eaters, goats, and the like...actually it may be the same station.

So ANYWAY, my brother gets us tickets to see Lyle Lovett and his Large Hair Band in Louisville last night. Folks, I was blown away. Lyle and his band were highly entertaining and the music was fantastic! Country...bluesy...a touch of bluegrass...heavy on the gospel. Amazing, really.

One of my favorite numbers from the concert...



Head to Shea's blog for even more of a rundown AND learn which 80's band now performs with Lyle Lovett! I'll give you a hint...boom boom acka lacka lacka boom...

ONE WEEK

I'm leaving for Eastern Europe one week from today! I'm not ready...I mean I'm ready as in so excited that I can barely stand it, but not ready as far as my house being in order(I don't like to leave home w/a house in disarray!) or having my packing planned.

Thanks to these two (and my dorky self doubt), I am having trouble deciding on what to wear(or what not to wear) on my trip. My sis tells me it will be HOT, so lightweight clothes are a must. Being a size chubby, however, means no shorts for me, only capris and skirts will do. Most of my stuff would likely fit in the "not" category if Stacey & Clinton had anything to say about it, but I have purchased some new tops. I just can't seem to put them together with anything in my closet! Frustrating! If I have time I may post some of my options later and beg for guidance.

I've shared the video of the lovely city of Vienna, Austria with you. Today I want to share Wroclaw, Poland. This is the city that my sister & her hubby call home and where I will be spending most of my time.



Notice all the gnomes in the video? Read about them here. You might also notice many photos of bridges, the city is situated on 12 islands connected by 112 bridges. I'm certain that it will be even more beautiful in person!

Now, I'm off to pick up a new digital camera! I've decided I might be better off to take lots photos than try to stuff all the souvenirs in Eastern Europe in my suitcase. Don't get me wrong...I plan to shop. Oh yes, shopping will be done!

I still CANNOT believe...

that in a little less than two weeks, I will actually be here, taking in many of these sights!

Flashback Friday

Two clips for today's flashback. I read this blog post and was immediately reminded of a Friends episode. I watched that show from the very first episode and loved it till the end. It never got bad, it never got tired, they never jumped the shark.

Gum Would Be Perfection. I remember watching this episode the first time around and nearly falling off the couch from laughing so hard. It still makes me laugh, hard.


"Ah de Foof!" I imagine if my sister were trying to teach me to speak Polish before my trip(which is just 17 days away!)it would go a lot like this.




Besides The Office & Earl, I can't think of another television series that has made me laugh out loud every single episode the way Friends did. Remind me when I'm making out my Christmas lists that I need all seasons on DVD.

I miss you, Friends!

**edit**I've given the episodes my own titles. I'm sure they were probably called something like "The one where Joey Speaks French" or "The one where Chandler Gets Trapped..."

Friday Flashback

The year, 1977. Me, a nine year old girl with a MAJOR crush on this guy.


OK, so after watching this I think I still might have a crush.

Oh the hours I spent scouring Teen Beat and Tiger Beat magazines for anything Shaun Cassidy related! And I'll tell you this, I would have done just about anything for a Shaun Cassidy satin jacket! I did have a fabulous blue satin jacket, but sadly, it was completely devoid of Shaun.

Many of Shaun Cassidy's songs have been posted on youtube and I listened to all of 'em while I was sewing on Wednesday. I must have heard them a thousand times when I was a kid because, amazingly, I still know the lyrics to nearly all of them and it's been 30 years since my Shaun Cassidy phase. On many of the songs, you can hear that distinct sound that only comes from a record playing. Aaaah! To be nine again...

Danger Will Johnson! and other stuff

I'm pretty proud of my robot apron, minus one screw up that I may or may not fix...depending on if I decide to put it up in my Etsy shop. I wanted it to have a bit of a 50's look, hence the pink/black combo of fabrics and all that ric-rac. I may have to try appliqué again. It was fun and not as hard as I imagined. I have enough of this silvery/gray fabric to make at least two more robots and I think another apron may be in order and perhaps an appliquéd bag.

Until I can think of a better name I'm calling it "Danger, Will Johnson!"

Thusly named in honor of Ann who is a longtime friend but new to my blog... "Danger Will Johnson! Danger Will Johnson!" Yeah, we know the kid from lost is space was Will Robinson...ya'll don't have to correct us. (wink) **next day edit** I removed the picture of myself doing the "Danger Will Johnson" arms...it was too dorky, even for me.

And look what I found...a song about robots from They Might Be Giants!

I made a second apron this week...I found this cute sleepy owl fabric at JoAnn's and couldn't resist it. I decided on a cafe apron since this style is simple, flattering and shows off the fabric nicely.
In other crafty news, I finished my MAY block of the month block today(I'm only a month behind). This block is called "ShooFly".

Mr. Jaws & The Fonz

A couple of my bloggy friends do "Flashback Friday" posts. My love all things nostalgic and my lack of sewing projects to share as of late have convinced me to do the same. So, with a nod to Fiona and one to Domestic Chicky, I submit my first Friday Flashback.

My dad brought this record home to my two brothers and me back in the late 70's. We thought it was the most hysterical thing ever known to man and we played it non-stop.


The other one we listened to non-stop...Fonzie Favorites, an album of mostly 50's songs. But the album also had a song called "The Fonzie Slide" that for some strange and unknown reason also had "Sweathogs" from Welcome Back Kotter singing along.