The Day I Discovered Coldplay...

I was hanging out in blogland  several years ago and came across a wonderful story of a music teacher named Travis Garland. Travis teaches at PS 22 in Staten Island, NY. His students are from racially diverse backgrounds, mostly low-income, and just love to sing in the PS 22 Choir. The group does not sing the usual songs, however, instead they enthusiastically sing pop songs like Tori Amos' "1000 Oceans" They hooked me on Coldplay's "Viva La Vida." It just ripped my heart out! I called my closest brother to tell him all about it (I thought I had personally discovered Coldplay...what a nerd I can be!) What he and I both liked were the videos of these kids singing this terrific song with their entire bodies, hearts and souls.

Now they have been on Oprah and count Lady Gaga and Anne Hathaway as their fans. This year, they will be singing at the Academy Awards. Though I am sure they are more polished, I imagine they will still look like a group of joyfully singing "real kids" with their hyperactive teacher happily jumping around in front of them as he strums his guitar. I, for one, will be watching them and cheering them on.

I have played this YouTube song a million times, at least, only to find out that I am one of 28 million hits. This has been going on since 2006. I loved them then. I love them now. I am such a sucker for a good success story.

See for yourself!

We have a OWOH winner...

It has been a wonderful opportunity to participate in One World, One Heart. I think I visited a fifth of the list and hope I have a chance to visit all the rest of these unique blogs in the coming weeks. Huge thanks to Lisa for creating and organizing this event that unites bloggers all over the world.

Our prize is this pair of Katsui sterling silver and Swarovski crystal chandelier earrings. The Random Number Generator (whose name is Jud Reaney) selected Number 161. I was so pleased that Melanie won the prize. I hope it will give her a boost/

Sean said.

From the Florida Gulf Coast

I am entering for my daughter Melanie, she had wanted to participate in this year's event, but a fire changed her plans... I thought I would surprise her and do this for her..

Visit the site I set up for her on my blog #579.. and enter her name in the contest, thank You

USA

Melanie's family has already written to me and claimed her prize. I will put it in the mail this weekend. 

Congratulations, Melanie!

Thank you to all of you who visited our blog and participated in this event. I am really looking forward to next year's new and different blog extravaganza!

Happy Valentine's Day, My Friends!

I think of Valentine's Day as a day that I honor my husband, my daughter, my extended family and my friends. It has always been a day that I have loved and I am feeling especially loving and grateful this year. For the kindness you have shown in so many ways...for notes...for little gifts...for meals...for helping us keep ends together in our home...for visits...for cards...for so many things that you have done for us. Thank you for being the friends "who have borne with us and believed in us and loved us."

I hope you know how much I love you!

One World One Heart...

Welcome!!!

We are a mom and daughter jewelry team who have been working together for fifteen years. We named ourselves "Katsui" because the younger one of the duo is Kat and the older one is Suz.

We are so pleased to be participating in One World One Heart, especially since this will be the last time this event will be held. OWOH gives us and others a unique opportunity to meet other bloggers throughout the world. This is the first time we have joined in, as our blog is not yet a year old. We would like to thank Lisa Swifka of A Whimsical Bohemian for creating and organizing this event and giving us this opportunity. 

Our giveaway is a pair of sterling silver filigree earrings. Dangling from the filigree are sparkley hand-wired Swarovski crystals. 

Please throw your name into the hat by leaving a comment below. Be sure to include your email address. The winner will be chosen by Random Generator and will be announced here on February 17.  A list of the many other of OWOH participants can be found here.

Have fun hopping from blog to blog. It is a wonderful event!

It's Spring!

The sun is shining and there are beautiful flowers blooming here in Menlo Park! This is a picture of me and our dear friend, Pam, who has taken such good care of us.

Jud and I are happy because tomorrow is his last day of SBRT radiation. Look at those peach poppies...have you ever seen anything so pretty?

It has been so nice to stay with Pam and Barry. No, this is not their kitchen, but it is a nearby bakery. Isn't that a yummy site?

They have these really interesting gnarly trees here n California. I have always wondered what they were, even when we lived here thirty-five years ago. Today I found out from Barry that they are pistachio trees!

Jud and I took a walk to the "village" today to do some looking and shopping. On our way, we saw this great sign, for a Russian Orthodox Church. 

 Tucked way back in the lot was this teeny tiny little church, covered by the shadows of more gnarly trees! It looks like it is large enough for about ten people! I hear it is pretty inside and has beautiful windows. 

On Saturday, we fly home to St. Paul. There we will again be encountered with the cold and three feet of snow. However, home is home and we are glad to be done with this part of the journey. Jud will start chemotherapy again on Tuesday and we will come back here in four to six weeks to see if Jud's tumor has shrunk to the point that he will qualify for surgery. We are praying. 

I am anxious to go to my craft room and make messes! Hopefully I will have something to show you all soon. 

I want to thank you all for supporting me. You have made a difficult time much more bearable with your words of kindness and support. 

In summary, blogland rocks!