We are a family with several musicians.  My husband took violin lessons starting at age eight and then taught himself to play guitar in college.  He actually makes money entertaining playing the guitar and singing, he’s that good.  Our son took lessons (and was in school band for eight years) and plays just about any type of percussion instrument but mainly steel drums now.  He did play the marimba in high school (very well, I might add, to the extent that playing his UIL solo at a college try-out earned him a several thousand dollar scholarship).

If someone was interested in taking lessons but didn’t have much time or wanted to learn at their own pace, there are beginner guitar lessons available online.  Violin lessons would need to be in person, though, because how one holds the instrument is very important as well as technique.  I’ve seen online drum lessons but not online marimba lessons.  Before anyone considers music lessons for themselves or their child, though, they need to remember that the desire to play and the commitment it takes are very important aspects of learning to play an instrument.

My husband is talented when it comes to music!  He plays the guitar and has even played a 12 string guitar before.   Right now, he has two guitars and a banjo tucked away in a closet somewhere that he played occasionally years ago.  Actually, he used the banjo mostly for a few music lessons and mainly taught guitar and violin lessons.  Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that he plays the violin.  The violin was his first instrument which he started playing when he was eight years old.  In fact, he is still playing on the same violin (the sound is beautiful) and plays in a local orchestra.

Our son is in college and has played in a school band for nine years, and he’s now playing in a steel drum ensemble group.  He is talented, too, and has won UIL State Music Awards in the past.  When he’s home, our son likes to play the piano in our living room (used to be my piano when I was growing up).  One advantage to having musicians in the family is that I get to listen to great music at home and at concerts!

For those of you who haven’t heard, I’m having a giveaway for the Fireproof movie which was the highest grossing independent movie of 2008, grossing over $33,000,000.  That’s awesome for an independent movie!
The movie revolves around Capt. Caleb Holt and his wife.  Caleb lives by the firefighter’s code:  “Never leave your partner behind,” and his job is to rescue others.  However, at home is a different story.  Caleb must face his toughest job ever…to rescue his wife’s heart.  What a beautiful love story!
This giveaway is open to all U.S. and Canadian residents.  Giveaway ends midnight CST, February 28, 2011. 

Here’s where to enter.

There’s something about books that’s appealing to so many people.  As an educator, I enjoying looking through children’s books and have a small collection from my years of teaching.   I especially look for children’s books with wonderful illustrations.  Being a visual learner myself, I think pictures can capture the imagination of a young child and help them to fully enjoy a story and want to look at books on their own.   And I can’t think of a better gift to give children than a book they will enjoy for a long time!

Have you read any good books or stories this summer?  It’s been so busy that I really haven’t done much reading.  I haven’t read any novels, biographies or weight loss success stories. There always seems to be something else that needs doing or blogging that needs to be done.  Let me know if you’ve read any good books or stories recently.

This book was on the New York Times bestseller list, has sold over five million copies, and has been translated into over 40 languages.  This book has helped good marriages become better, and it has helped heal marriages with the rebirth of love the couple thought was gone for good.

To enter your name in the drawing for this book, just leave a brief comment and your first name.  In the info part, leave your email address which will be confidential.  I will notify the winner by email.

February 28, 2010 is the last day to enter.

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs (and it’s not just for Christmas – I hear it on the radio during the year from time to time because it’s such a beautiful song).  I tried to find just the song, but the best recording I could find has a movie clip with it.  So…

Here is my Christmas card to you for 2009:  (Lyrics are below)

Here With Us Lyrics

Verse 1

It’s still a mystery to me

That the hands of God could be so small,

How tiny fingers reaching in the night

Were the very hands that measured the sky.

Chorus

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world.

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Son of God, Servant King

You’re here with us,

You’re here with us.

Verse 2

It’s still a mystery to me, oh,

How his infant eyes have seen the dawn of time.

How his ears have heard an angel’s symphony

But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep.

Chorus

Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem

A baby born to save, to save the souls of man.

Chorus (2x)

During this time of year, many people are trying to think of the best gift to buy for friends, family, co-workers, etc.  For someone who likes to read, Amazon books might be a good place to look for a gift.  For the person who loves to cook, then a store or website that carries kitchen items would be great places to shop.  Whatever their main interest, it makes it easier to shop if you look for those types of gifts first.

I enjoy listening to awesome Christmas music on KLTY whenever I have a chance.   I listen every day while doing things at home, working on the computer, and when driving somewhere.  One thing I really like about KLTY is not only their great selection of Christmas music by well-known artists,  but also their “Christmas Wish” for families who have found themselves in an economic crisis.  They interview the person online who nominated the family and explain the family’s situation, and then they actually talk to the recipient of the gift (maybe $2,500 to catch up on mortgage payments, or money to make car payments they’re behind on or needed car repairs, or money to pay utilities, and always money to buy Christmas presents for the children).   The recipients are usually overwhelmed and so thankful, and to me, this is a very touching and heart-warming part of the program.

If someone is stuck at a computer all day or working from home on their computer, KLTY has an online radio player that makes their music easily accessible.