Jen FitzGerald's Blog, page 109

Music Monday

Today I'm going to share a track I recently heard and that I realized I'd loved it as a kid. I'm not sure where I originally heard it. I think my dad had the album. I'd have to say that aside from parades and marching band music, this was probably my first real exposure to classical music. I really enjoyed it then and these days I listen to a lot of classical music.

Anyway, the album is called Hooked on Classics and each track is a conglomeration of some famous classical pieces, usually by theme or composer. Here is the first track, merely named Hooked on Classics, Part 1. Enjoy!

TGIF and Writers Group

Yep, it's writers group weekend and I'm very excited to spend the day with some of my very best pals...








Have a great weekend!

Happy Wednesday!

What more can I add??

Music Monday

I've found this fantastic Internet radio station--it's called CleansingMusic.com. They have a ton of genres available--which I didn't know until I pulled them up on Google. I listen to the classical genre and am never disappointed in what I hear, from favorite soundtracks such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, to classical staples such as the Moonlight Sonata and Fur Elise to fun tunes like Steamboat Willie and the Fantasyland Theme from the amusement park.

Today's song is the theme song from the movie Beetlejuice. I wasn't a big fan of the movie, but the song is just fun.


And who can resist Julie Andrews singing "My Favorite Things" from the movie A Sound of Music? Most of the songs played are instrumental, but we get the singing with this one, because it just wouldn't evoke the same fun and be as uplifting without them!



Enjoy!

Perfect Sleeping Weather

Spring has definitely sprung here in North Texas and while it might get a bit humid during the day sometimes, the overnights are simply perfect. I have my bedroom windows open and it's delightful to snuggle under the covers and feel that cool breeze wafting over you.

It's been hard to drag my butt out of the bed in the morning for the last two mornings (but I've done it) because of that cool air/snuggle factor. Tomorrow is Saturday, however, and I'm gonna sleep like a baby until I wake up on my own.

Hope you have a super weekend!

First Quarter Goal Update

Well, we're a quarter of the way through the year, and I thought it a good time to check in on how I'm doing goal wise...My list is to the left and down...so starting at the top...

1) do more crafts -- um, no, not so much at this point, although I did make some chocolate bath salts for a friends birthday in February...

2) self-publish a book -- not as of yet, although I did get back into the writing groove, original fiction wise (as opposed to fan fiction), and have been cruising along getting words on the page; it feels good...

3) research degree programs --  nope, not yet...

4) work on the yards --  sorta kinda -- that is to say the DH has started mowing and weed whacking on a weekly basis, but nothing extra like trimming the holly or planting flowers or whatever...

5) ramp up the proof reading business -- have had fairly steady jobs since the beginning of the year, so yes, but time to go send out some more ads and notices into the universe for the second quarter...

6) clean up/clean out the house -- I've done a little cleaning out, not too much cleaning up; I was gonna wait till the dog was gone, but she's back for good so time to get off the pot; I did bring the mop and bucket home from the office, so floors will get a mopping very soon...

7) get healthy and well -- trying, but it's slow going; I'm not feeling entirely 100% yet, but making progress...

8) write 2500 words a week -- so we're 14 weeks into the year, which means I should have written 35K words by now; in reality, I've written 27.5K at this point; so I'm a little behind...

9) read 3 million words of fiction -- blew that away by the end of February; I'm interested to see where I'll be by the end of the year...

10) reach the 120LB. mark -- haven't really worked toward this at all yet; things just haven't been conducive to me putting in the effort, although I do walk on the treadmill every weekday morning without fail; I really need to get back to proteins and salads...


And there you have it!

How about you? Have you made progress on your goals?

Music Monday

Today I decided to go back in time a bit, to my youth. Music wasn't a huge influence or enjoyment in my life probably until I reached junior high/middle school. But I do remember Mom having the radio on a lot and a few songs I enjoy even now.

So today's selection is American Pie by Don McLean....


I discovered while looking at a top 100 list of 70s music, that I now enjoy a lot of songs from that decade, but I don't remember them from back then. I know them from more recently, some from my radio station, JACK FM, and some from Glee!!!

Enjoy!!

It's Spring and it's Friday...

So the weather's been lovely and I've had the windows open. Of course, it's spring and the west Texas winds blow heavily across the northern plains, so by the time summer hits, I'll have a fine layer of dust in the house.

But oh how I love hearing the birds chattering and chirping all day, and I enjoy enjoying the weather, it being, as Goldilocks might say, just right. It's such a short window here in Texas, so I try to take advantage of it as long as I can. Or until the family starts complaining that it's too humid or too hot or both. I have a higher tolerance for both than the rest of them.





Have a super weekend!

Home is Where Your Sticks Are...

Dear Rayna is back home with us. She had gone back to her daddy, but due to some technical difficulties, she couldn't stay. DD took her, but that wasn't working out either and so DH decided we'd rather have her back than see her go live with strangers.


 

She's settled back in quite nicely and is enjoying having a yard and sticks to chew up once again.

In other news, my azaleas have started blooming.



Happy Spring!

Music Monday

Music makes me happy, keeps me positive for the most part. So carrying on the theme from last week, I'm starting Monday Music for a while...

This week's song is a hymn actually. I'm not an overly religious person. Not anymore at least, but I believe in God and I can appreciate a beautifully sung song.

Actress Dixie Carter sings How Great Thou Art in an episode of Designing Women. (wish that would come out in full on DVD)

Anyway, for your enjoyment, Dixie Carter...


Have a great week!