A Classic by A Classic - The Essential Nina Simone..
My Mari Pop liked this video with the cats. Good musical introduction at 9 years old, right?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tired but Thankful
I'm thankful that I wasn't hungover this morning.
And because I wasn't:
*I made the kids breakfast before their 2nd day of school this year (even Gabie - she won't eat unless I make her).
*I drank coffee and chatted with them at the table while they ate.
*I made sure they each had their vitamins.
*I made sure they brushed their teeth, put on lotion, cologne and perfume before leaving for the bus.
*I hugged them each goodbye for the morning and I wasn't embarassed of being hungover.
*I listened to the Today Show while getting ready for work, instead of worrying about a disparaging appearance at the office.
*I said my prayers of thanks in the shower, instead of praying for the ability to make it through another day.
*I was conscious of the simple but infinately beautiful blessing I have of being a father and I contemplated this while getting dressed.
It's another beautiful day -
And because I wasn't:
*I made the kids breakfast before their 2nd day of school this year (even Gabie - she won't eat unless I make her).
*I drank coffee and chatted with them at the table while they ate.
*I made sure they each had their vitamins.
*I made sure they brushed their teeth, put on lotion, cologne and perfume before leaving for the bus.
*I hugged them each goodbye for the morning and I wasn't embarassed of being hungover.
*I listened to the Today Show while getting ready for work, instead of worrying about a disparaging appearance at the office.
*I said my prayers of thanks in the shower, instead of praying for the ability to make it through another day.
*I was conscious of the simple but infinately beautiful blessing I have of being a father and I contemplated this while getting dressed.
It's another beautiful day -
Saturday, July 17, 2010
"Hey Brother, Can U Paradigm"
Car trouble again with the 1st and 2nd mortgage due; school clothes yet to buy with one paycheck remaining before the kids’ first day; all of the utilities are due including our family cellular plan at a ridiculous $180/month. It seems as though the hits just keep on coming.
I’m off work for the weekend but without plans, as we hunker down for the foreboding financial storm. I start to feel a little sorry for myself and then I hear my mother’s voice in infinite wisdom and I reflect upon the words she once spoke to me. My heart recognizes the truth in her message and I’ll do my best here to convey her intention.
“Mijo, times are tough these days for most of us, even for those with money. The difficulties people face today range from what might seem the most trivial of frustrations, to the sick and the dying. True pain reveals itself in the fracture of a family due to divorce or in the tragic loss of child. In some homes, there isn’t enough food to eat and the electricity has long been disconnected. In cities throughout this fair country of ours, thousands of people remain homeless. Even the wealthy, with all their “horses and men” are not immune to calamity. All the money in the world won’t guarantee you a healthy child or faithful husband or wife. There are people in this world who are at this moment; dealing with true sorrow.
Now ask yourself this: Is what you’re facing today, as doleful as “what could be”? What I mean is that there are thousands of lost souls within this world that would gladly trade places with you. In our midst of being ‘broke’ and having to forego the new movie release this Friday night, there are plenty of people who would love to have our problems. They would line up to have a family to sit down to dinner with; to have children both safe and healthy who love them; to have a home that’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer; to have a comfortable bed to sleep in; to wake up next to a spouse who supports them; to have food in the fridge and a job to go to… You must thank God each day for your precious life, mijo. "
I remembered these words as I watched the kids swim at the city pool, two blocks down the street. It was $2.00 for them to get in, and they took turns showing off their wares from the low dives and then their more subdued stunts from the high diving board. We sat on the grass and drank Kool-Aid with ice from a water bottle brought from home. Our children were more than content with such a captive audience and the restlessness within my soul was quieted as I looked into the greying sky, with its culmination of heavier clouds and an incoming breeze. My conscience then spoke:
"It's another beautiful day..."
(thanks, Mom)
I’m off work for the weekend but without plans, as we hunker down for the foreboding financial storm. I start to feel a little sorry for myself and then I hear my mother’s voice in infinite wisdom and I reflect upon the words she once spoke to me. My heart recognizes the truth in her message and I’ll do my best here to convey her intention.
“Mijo, times are tough these days for most of us, even for those with money. The difficulties people face today range from what might seem the most trivial of frustrations, to the sick and the dying. True pain reveals itself in the fracture of a family due to divorce or in the tragic loss of child. In some homes, there isn’t enough food to eat and the electricity has long been disconnected. In cities throughout this fair country of ours, thousands of people remain homeless. Even the wealthy, with all their “horses and men” are not immune to calamity. All the money in the world won’t guarantee you a healthy child or faithful husband or wife. There are people in this world who are at this moment; dealing with true sorrow.
Now ask yourself this: Is what you’re facing today, as doleful as “what could be”? What I mean is that there are thousands of lost souls within this world that would gladly trade places with you. In our midst of being ‘broke’ and having to forego the new movie release this Friday night, there are plenty of people who would love to have our problems. They would line up to have a family to sit down to dinner with; to have children both safe and healthy who love them; to have a home that’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer; to have a comfortable bed to sleep in; to wake up next to a spouse who supports them; to have food in the fridge and a job to go to… You must thank God each day for your precious life, mijo. "
I remembered these words as I watched the kids swim at the city pool, two blocks down the street. It was $2.00 for them to get in, and they took turns showing off their wares from the low dives and then their more subdued stunts from the high diving board. We sat on the grass and drank Kool-Aid with ice from a water bottle brought from home. Our children were more than content with such a captive audience and the restlessness within my soul was quieted as I looked into the greying sky, with its culmination of heavier clouds and an incoming breeze. My conscience then spoke:
"It's another beautiful day..."
(thanks, Mom)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Gabie loves this commercial (E-trade baby girlfriend)
Just thinking of you, pumpkin. Hope you're having a good time at grandma's..
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Prayer for Success in Work
Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work with gratitude and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God, without recoiling before weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch St. Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and death.
Amen
Amen
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Gabie Sings
She's gonna kill me for this, but here's a few recordings of Gabie when she was about 4 years old when we lived Farmington. She was absolutely adorable as a child; happy, thoughtful, caring and incredibly cute..
What happened? lol
Anyway, she's 14 now and will be a high school freshman this fall. I'll have to scan and upload some pictures of her during the time of these recordings but for now here's my babygirl in her teenage years.
"Luh you, mija"!
She used to love Britney Spears - lol
[soundcloud width="100%" height="81" params="" url="http://soundcloud.com/deuce-1/gabie-sings-tony-bologna"] Gabie sings Tony Bologna by Deuce&.25
[soundcloud width="100%" height="81" params="" url="http://soundcloud.com/deuce-1/gabie-sings-oops-i-did-it-again"] Gabie sings oops i did it again by Deuce&.25
[soundcloud width="100%" height="81" params="" url="http://soundcloud.com/deuce-1/gabie-sings-lucky"] Gabie sings Lucky by Deuce&.25
What happened? lol
Anyway, she's 14 now and will be a high school freshman this fall. I'll have to scan and upload some pictures of her during the time of these recordings but for now here's my babygirl in her teenage years.
"Luh you, mija"!
She used to love Britney Spears - lol
[soundcloud width="100%" height="81" params="" url="http://soundcloud.com/deuce-1/gabie-sings-tony-bologna"] Gabie sings Tony Bologna by Deuce&.25
[soundcloud width="100%" height="81" params="" url="http://soundcloud.com/deuce-1/gabie-sings-oops-i-did-it-again"] Gabie sings oops i did it again by Deuce&.25
[soundcloud width="100%" height="81" params="" url="http://soundcloud.com/deuce-1/gabie-sings-lucky"] Gabie sings Lucky by Deuce&.25
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Prince Mix
[soundcloud url="http://soundcloud.com/deejaytobygee/princemixx-part-2-deejaytobygee" params="show_comments=true&auto_play=false&color=4c00ff" width="100%" height="81" ]
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