Music Can Change The World

About a year ago I stumbled across a website called "Playing For Change".  I was inspired by their mission and truly believe that their idea can and will make a difference in the world.  The mission statement on their website states: "Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world".

I got goosebumps the first time I saw this video.  I think you will love it as much as I do.  As they say on their website:   "Together, we will connect the world through music!"

Forward

My Sister-in-law sent this to me today.  I thought it was lovely.  The picture at the end says it all and made me want to share it with you.  I may not be able to "physically" see my blogger friends but, through our posts I feel as if I have bonded with you.  I think of all of you frequently and include you in my prayers.  I pray that: Java settles into her new job and discovers that she truly loves  it.  That Claudia finds a sense of peace through the care and compassion she gives to her patients in hospice.  That Green Monkey finds that same sense of peace through her writing.  That the grief and pain felt by both Green Monkey and Claudia eases a little more each day until their pain is replaced by memories of happy moments they spent with their loved ones. 

To all my blogging friends:  Enjoy this post and pass it on to the ones that you are thinking about.

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This explains why I forward email's.

A man and his dog were walking along a road.

The man was enjoying the scenery,

When it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years.

He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road.

It looked like fine marble..

At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.

He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?

'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.

'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.

Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up.

The man gestured, and the gate began to open. 'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked.

'I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.'

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed.

There was no fence.

 

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book...

'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?'

'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.'

'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog.

'There should be a bowl by the pump,' said the man.

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

'What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.  

'This is Heaven,' he answered. 

'Well, that's confusing,' the traveler said.

'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.'

'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell.'

'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'

'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'

Soooo. Now you see, sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding stuff to us without writing a word. Maybe this will explain it.

When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do? You forward emails.

When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes.

When you have something to say, but don't know what, and don't know how.... You forward stuff.

A 'forward' lets you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still loved, you are still cared for.

So, next time if you get a 'forward', don't think that you've been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you've been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile.

You are welcome at my water bowl anytime

Meet Me on Monday! 7th Edition!

Welcome to the 7th edition of "Meet Me On Monday!

This great blog hop is hosted by Java @

http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/2010/07/meet-me-on-monday_25.html

Here are my answers to this weeks questions:

1. What one food could you eat every single day?

I agree with Java, I absolutely LOVE pizza!  I could not only eat it every day, but EVERY meal!

2. Do you wear glasses or contacts?

Glasses.  I have worn them since I was 8 years old.  I tried contacts but have such bad allergies that my eyes are always itchy.  As such, the contacts did not work out too well.

3. What kind of cell phone do you have?

The kind that makes phone calls (check out my 6/16/10 iPads post and you will read all about my being technologically challenged!). I may not be using the cell phone pictured below, but close to it! :-)

 

4. What did you have for dinner last night?

Whole Wheat Mac and Cheese.  It was not as good as I thought it would be.  Too dry.


5. What is your favorite candy?
 
EVERY candy is my favorite candy.  I am a candy junky (one of the reasons why the scale and I aren't on speaking terms!).

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Six Word Saturday

Feeling grateful for this beautiful day!

I am enjoying a sunny Saturday with my two children.  Sitting in the air conditioning watching Yo Gabba Gabba and snuggling!  The perfect day!

Girly Girl

My ten year old son  was rambling on a mile a minute about every sport under the sun, while I did a good job of faking interest in, and knowledge of, those sports.  I often talk sports with my son and because I know little about them I learned to fake it. I assume my vast knowledge (cough, cough) of sports impressed him because today he kindly informed me that I am not a "girly, girl".  Although my first reaction was to be extremely a little insulted I didn't let on to my son that my feelings were hurt.  Instead, I asked him what he meant by me not being a "girly girl".  "You are are "manly, girl" mom", he said.  He must have realized how that sounded (or maybe he saw the sick look on my face) because he quickly tried to cover it up by saying..."Oh, Mom, I just meant that you aren't like other girls.  You don't care about how you dress or what your hair looks like".   Kids, you gotta love em!

My Savior AND Meet Me on Monday!

Remember the little incident I had with the June Bugs?  Well, it seems as though my prayers have been answered.  After being afraid to venture into my yard all weekend because of the swarm of June Bugs dive bombing my house, God realized what a chicken I am and sent me a solution to my predicament. 

This adorable little guy on the right showed up in my yard and had a grand old time chasing all the June Bugs away.  I assume he was eating them as well because when I sent my son outside to leave food for our feline friend, the dish remained untouched.  Only the flies were enjoying the feast. 

 So, thanks to my feline savior I will once again be able to leave for work in the morning without making a mad dash for the car while screaming my head off  like a lunatic! 

  

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OK, now it's time for the 6th edition of Java's "Meet Me On Monday!" Blog Hop.

Here are the questions for this week:

1. What is your favorite sandwich?

Hmmmmm....  Maybe Grilled Cheese.  I pretty much love ANYTHING with cheese!

2. What is stashed under your bed/mattress?

My supplies from when I made printed ribbons and favor capias.

3. What is your favorite flower?

I love all wildflowers.

4. What is your favorite magazine?

I would have to say Guideposts.  I just love to read the inspirational stories.  If I'm having a bad day, it lifts my spirits when I see it waiting for me in the mailbox.

5. How often do you weigh yourself?

As infrequently as possible!  The scale is my ENEMY!

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June Bugs!

I awoke this morning to the sound of my cats (all five of them) howling.  I was not worried though because they often make this sound when they want praise for killing their latest "prey" which is usually one of my kids' stuffed animals or lately, my daughter's barbie dolls.  So, I went about my business getting ready for work, took a shower and then got my daughter up.  With my daughter in tow I went downstairs to discover the cats hovering by my kitchen windows.  That is when I heard IT!  The sound of something hitting the windows with a loud THUMP!  I just knew that it had to be some type of flying bug.  So, being the chicken that I am when it comes to bugs, I slowly made my way to the windows to investigate.  Just as I was peering out, a huge bug dive bombed the window screen.  Then came more and more.  It seems that a whole colony of June Beetles decided to have a party in my yard and were such clumsy fliers that they kept smacking into the windows.

Have I mentioned how afraid I am of bugs?  Well, I am petrified.  So, as I watched them dive into the screens all I could think about was how would I get out of the house to get to work?  If all my cats weren't "inside only" cats, I would send them out into the yard to catch some real prey instead of Barbie dolls!  They would just love that!  But, since I don't allow them leave the house I was force to come up with an escape plan for getting out of the house without one of those beetles dive bombing me!  Now, since I am not very creative my plan simply included me running out the front door screaming like a lunatic until I made it safely to the car.  Hey, it worked.  I made it to the car in record time and after sitting there for a while as my heart was beating a mile a minute I  managed to start the car and make my way to work.  WOW....I am such a wimp.  But they WERE BIG!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Join Java's Blog Hop...

The RULES to join in are very simple!

1. Grab the button

2. Add your link to the list

3. Visit as many other blogs as you can

4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.
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NIKKO

Soon it will be three years since my beloved Nikko passed away.  He was my buddy, my baby. Nikko and I were together before I married my husband or had kids.  He was my family BEFORE I started a family.  When I brought my newborn son home from the hospital I was worried that Nikko would be jealous and might not like having a new baby around.  He was a large and powerful dog and although he never hurt a fly I new the damage his breed could do.  I worried needlessly.  The day I brought my boy home from the hospital I placed him in his crib as soon as I walked in the door.  Nikko jumped up to investigate, his tail wagging a mile a minute.  From that day on he loved my son.  He never once growled and always had tail wags and doggie kisses for him (even when he pulled his tail when I was not looking)!   Sadly, Nikko passed away while I was pregnant with my daughter.  I am sure he would have loved her just as much as he loved my son.  Nikko was a very big part of my life and in his memorie I gave my little girl the middle name "Nikkole".

My Nikko was the sweetest dog ever.  With Nikko being such a gentle soul it is funny that his original purpose was to be someones guard dog!  An artist had purchased him as a puppy from a breeder with the intention of training him to be a guard dog for his art studio. One night the puppy managed to get out of his cage and proceeded to chew and destroy all of the artist's supplies!  Needless to say, the puppy was no longer welcome in the studio.  So, he came to live with me and I gave him the name "Nikko". 

Nikko gave me 15 years of unconditional love. I am crying right now just looking at his picture. I know he is no longer suffering and is waiting for me over the rainbow bridge. I love you my friend.

Rainbow Bridge
by: Anonymous


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Meet Me on Monday! 5th Edition!

Here are this week's questions posted by Java @ http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/

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1. What do your normally eat for breakfast?

  Does coffee count?  1st thing on my mind in the morning is having my coffee!





2. What kind of car do you drive?

    Blue Dodge Avenger with a pink car seat in the back!.

3. Have you ever met a famous person(s)?
   I met Ricky Schroeder when I was about 12 years old.  We went into the Haunted Mansion together in Long Branch, NJ.  He was very nice. 
   I met Rue McClanahan a few years back at an animals rights rally in Washington, DC.  She was  FABULOUS!
  I met Geraldo Rivera.  He sat on my lap during a taping of his old talk show and gave me a birthday kiss!

4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? 
I just discovered Edy's Slow Churned Yogurt Blends.  I fell in love with the Chocolate/Vanilla Swirl.  It tastes just like ice cream and is soooo smooth and creamy.  I enjoy the taste and texture. 

5. Which TV Channel do you watch the most?
  I don't have one channel that I watch most often.  I pretty much channel surf.  But some of my favorite shows are:  Hell's Kitchen, Lie To Me, Royal Pains, Cougar Town and Modern Family.  I really LOVED Trauma until those bozo's at NBC cancelled it!

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Fabulous Friday!!

Welcome to the 7th edition of the Follow Friday 40 and Over!! This fabulous hop is hosted by Java @ nevergrowingold.blogspot.com.  So, if you are you a blogger over 40 please join in the fun and get to know your fellow bloggers!

The Right Path?

As I've said before, I am blessed to have a good job, wonderful co-workers and a great boss.  Even before the whole mess with the economy I knew how lucky I was to have a job like this.  Now, with so many people out of work I am even more aware about how blessed I am to be where I am.  So, why would I be contemplating leaving?  Well, recently I was glancing through an old newspaper and saw an article about a test being offered for a job within the Courts.  It is a state job which means I can

eventually transfer out of Brooklyn to anywhere in NY State.  Since my sister in law lives near Beacon, NY and one of my best friends lives near Saratoga, NY my heart is Upstate with them and NOT in Brooklyn.  Right now it is a two hour drive to my sister in law and almost a 5 hour drive to my friend RahRah.  I miss their company and desperately want to move closer to them.  In addition to the convenience of being able to work anywhere in the state, the job pays about $15,000 per year more than what I make now.  I already took the first step and paid the filing fee for the test.  Now, all I have to do is pass!  The test is comprised of six sections, one of which is grammar.  As all of you loyal people know from reading my blog, grammar is NOT my strong point!   I am 42 years old and actually thinking about getting a tutor to teach me what I should have grasped in elementary school! It puzzles me how I ever graduated! 

Although I am thrilled at the prospect that this job could get me closer to living upstate, there are also drawbacks to accepting the job.  I would not be as accessible to my children.  Right now I have the luxury of being close to home and could be there in 5 minutes if they ever need me.  I would also have to start taking the bus & train to work which truly grosses me out.  I am a germaphobe and skeeve holding on to those germy handles in the bus and train. YUK!  The next drawback is that I would need to buy a whole new wardrobe.  I work in a very laid back office and dress VERY casual.  I do not own anything that even closely resembles "Professional Attire" (I am sure the judges at the Supreme Court would frown upon me wearing my blue capris and "Super Grover" t-shirt to work). 

I have until October to study for the test and hope by then that I will feel better about this decision.  I do not embrace change very well and pretty much dread starting over.  But, I have to believe that fate led me to read that old newspaper (there was only a few days left before the filing deadline for the exam would expire) and that this will put me on the right path to being closer to the people that I love.

It's Friday!

Happy Friday Everyone!  Thanks for stopping by this blog hop hosted by Java @ Never Growing Old.  Please join the fun. The rules are very simple!


RULES:

1. Grab the button

2. Add your link to the list

3. Visit as many other blogs as you can

4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)

ENJOY!