Running to the rhythym

SO, once again I am trying to get in shape. SO to do that I am walking/jogging daily. It is a very sad start, but hey….it’s a start. I am trying to compile the ultimate running setlist on the Ipod for this………I cant seem to get past the Jr. High urge to put all metal and hip hop to “pump me up”. And sometimes, this is a good idea……these songs are perfect after all. But there is MUCH more out there made for this as well. I like a song that “soars” or takes on a pulse of its’ own….driving you to the end. So, I NEED YOUR HELP. Can you suggest some tunes for this purpose?
Here is what I have so far:
Ashes- Embrace
Stronger- Kanye West
Wolf Like me- TV on the Radio
Numb/Encore- Linkin Park and Jay-Z
The Beautiful People- Marilyn Manson
Intergalactic- The Beastie Boys
Magnificent- U2
Rearview Mirror- Pearl Jam
Lose Yourself- Eminem
Clocks- Coldplay
Shamrocks & Shenanigans- House of Pain
Hypnotize- Notorious BIG
Idioteque- Radiohead
Heaven- Jars of Clay

Please….help me get some new stuff…..

Sunny Saturday

It was a BEAUTIFUL day in Southern Oregon today! This winter has been insanely mild and nice. It was fun, but we'll be paying for the dryness this summer!

But....today was perfect. I captured these of the girls playing together in the back yard. it was adorable. Check out the pics and then PLEASE do yourself a favor and watch the video. Haddie was singing her soul out and we captured some of it the camera!

What does PRO LIFE really Mean?

It is a common combination on cars around this part of the country: some blend of Christian stickers (usually a fish and/or some sort of ProLife statement) combined with some sort of Patriotic support of the Wars in the Middle East (often accompanied by Anti-Obama propaganda as well).

I too am pro-life, but my stance is much different than most of these folks I imagine. To me, ProLife is not as black and white and simple as it's often made out to be. To me, ProLife does NOT just cover the unborn, but also those who are currently living as well!

So I wonder how these other folks reconcile a story like this.....

STORY

Any thoughts?

Proof in the walls

According to a recent archaeological find, there may be solid proff supporting King David's reign in the Bible. Hmmmm....these stories may actually be historical record. Who'd have thought? :)

here

Ipod Shuffle

When in my office, I throw Itunes on shuffle and let the chips fall where they may. Sometimes it is just weird. Other times alot of my guilty garbage comes out. But every now and then, it is magic. Today's mix so far has been one of those days. Check these tunes out:

Memphis Exorcism- Squirrel Nut Zippers
American baby- Dave Matthews band
So Long- Guster
That Girl Has Love- Rooney
Old man- Love
Present Tense- Pearl jam
Going to the Moon- Smashing Pumpkins
Diamond Ring- Pedro the Lion
High Head Blues- The Black Crowes
Shattered- Rolling Stones
You Can make Him Like You- The Hold Steady
I Wanna Hold Your Hand- TV Carpio
Running to Stand Still- U2
monday- Wilco
Legend of Vertigo- Waterdeep
Your Long Journey- Allison Krauss & Robert Plant
Daria- Cake
If Ever You Should fall- Material issue
Brass Monkey- Beastie Boys
Talk on Indolence- The Avett Brothers

Glenn Beck...please use your brain

WOW! I have long been disgusted by the garbage that rolls out of the mouth of Glenn beck, but i think this takes the cake! Scary thing...many friends and faamily really like him and read his trash books! What kind of person would talk like this:

here

Movie, Hit, No-No

So this is pretty much the cutest thing I have EVER seen! Haddie is discussing in great lengths that turning on a movie at that time and hitting her sister (aka "sissy") was a serious "no-no". She's a beauty. Enjoy

Happy Birthday to Jude

Jude turned 7 this weekend! We had a big party. It began at the Chinese New Years Parade in Jacksonville, continued to lunch at Red Robin, and concluded at our house with presents, cake and ice cream and a rowdy game of basketball! A good time was had by all! Please enjoy these pics from the big party:

New Cutler Jersey

Van full of boys

partying at the parade

a Chinese treat

DRAGON!

Ducks in the creek!

Red Robin staff beware

fave gift of the day!

future NBA'ers

Jude's new fave"Mom's gourmet carrot cake!

Free Music Friday

Somehow the years are flying by! Our baby, our first born child, my son Jude turns 7 this weekend!!!! OH MY! I still remember his birth like it was yesterday. So....for today's song, this one is for Jude! It is currently his favorite song. Enjoy:

Sarah Sarah Sarah

I don't care what party you are loyal to....THIS is funny!

American Family Dreams

The biggest TV show on the planet is back! Despite its’ unfortunate title, I do have to admit that American Idol is quite addictive to watch. It is fun to see talent bloom. It is fun to root for the underdogs. It is great to watch the “All-American” dream story unfold before our eyes. And maybe these are part of the reasons that millions tune in every week.

This year there seems to be a trend of folks with young children trying out with big dreams. And it never fails; each one gets emotional in their post song interview. Their comment is ALWAYS the same: “This will change everything. I am doing this for my family. This is to make a better life for my family.” Or, something to that effect.

I find this sad. We have somehow convinced ourselves today that MONEY and RICHES are all we need for good families. I find these statements so ironic, in the context of American Idol. I find it hard to swallow that winning this show would be good for any family. How could becoming a rock star, and traveling 10 months a year, being away from home EVER be good for a family? But we look over that, and say “but I could buy them and provide them with anything they’d ever want”. I truly believe this is backwards thinking.

When I look at the alarming number of families in our country that are falling apart and splitting up, I ask myself “what do they need”? The answer is NEVER “more money!”. What the families need is time together, love, structure, family time, and the grace of God!

I pray that we NEVER listen to the world’s lie that riches will make our families better. I pray we’d value a game night playing Monopoly with our family MUCH more than landing a record deal! I pray we’d rather take a walk with our loved ones than tour the world on a fancy jet plane! I would take a family that loves the Lord and follows him, and loves one another without fail, over one full of fat trust accounts and bank accounts, any day!

I believe that God values families. And I believe that he wants the best for them. May we commit to them more than ever. In an age when the world is doing everything it can to tear us apart, may we gird ourselves with the strength of God! May we teach our children what is important. May our families be grounded in the truth of God! And may we never look to earthly riches to solve worldly problems. May God bless our families, as we in turn bless God!

Friday Fun

What a wonderful and blessed day it was. Since I worked Monday, today was my off day. So, Merrick was very excited to get some attention and have a "Daddy Day". We had a blast! The morning started off with a trip with me and the 2 girls to Target where we met Aunt Amber and her two boys. From there we hit the mall to walk around and eat lunch. After that we took Haddie home for a nap, and the BIG fun started!

Merrick and I hit our fave snack place...Mama Mia Gelatto! We then played in the Jacksonville Park in the rare and wonderful sun! It was a GREAT day. I am so thankful for my kiddos.

Ipod Shuffle

I am not sure why I like posting these, but I do. And a few of you have said you like them, even claiming that it has helped some of you find new tunes to listen to. So, I press on. Here was my latest 20 song shuffle on Itunes...quite eclectic:

Laughing With- Regina Spektor
Power of 2- Indigo Girls
Baby Brother- White Stripes
Forever- Edison Glass
Bullet the Blue Sky- U2
Wait in vain- Bob Marley
Playing Along- Keane
Where Eagles Have Been- Wolfmother
Nothing Compares- Third Day
Wait- The Beatles
Four Thieves Gone- the Avett Brothers
God Only Knows- The Beach Boys
Mahogany- Snow Patrol
Stars- Hum
Off He Goes- Pearl Jam
She Likes the Dead- Love Seed Mama Jump
I'm Above- Mad Season
Paper Cuts- Nirvana
Passing the Hat- Cold War Kids
Beth- Kiss
Hours- TV on the Radio

We are the world.....

Do you guys remember when “We are the World” came out? Remember hearing it the first time? Remember the video? I remember them all. It was the biggest record in the world at that time! It was epic. Michael Jackson was on it, and every other star at the time: Lionel Ritchie, Huey Lewis, Stevie Wonder, ray Charles, Cyndi Lauper….. For many of my generation it was the 1st time we’d ever heard Bob Dylan. I remember being confused at the strange gravely voice and my dad explaining who he was and why he was significant. It is a moment in entertainment that will last forever. It is frozen in time.

Well, it seems that a new generation will get to experience it. Originally planned once again to be a relief effort for Africa, the funds generated from this new version will now be used for Haiti, and will debut at the Winter Olympics.

The stars participating this go round include: Usher, Celine Dion, Vince Vaughan, Wyclef, Pink, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Nick Jonas, LL Cool J, Robin Thicke, Akon, Rob Thomas, Jeff Bridges, Barbra Streisand, Jordin Sparks, Good Charlotte's Madden brothers, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson, Jamie Foxx, Tyrese, Katharine McPhee, Sean Garrett, Will.I.Am, Carlos Santana, Melanie Fiona, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton, Jason Mraz, Miley Cyrus, Busta Rhymes, Nicole Scherzinger, Nicole Richie, Usher, Julianne Hough, Raphael Saadiq, Zac Brown, India.Arie, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, Musiq Soulchild, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Fonzworth Bentley, Kid Cudi, Iyaz, Bizzy Bone, Nipsey Hussle, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, Trey Songz, Faith Evans, Mya and Gladys Knight.
INTERESTING choice

So…it will be interesting to see how it sounds compared to the original. I fear we will hear the modern day curse of AUTO-TUNE and other tech wizardry. Tune in to see…and let me know what you think!

Diazolidinyl Urea

Ever seen this word before? Last week when showering, I decided to try out my wife's organic, all natural face wash and exfoliate. Sounds nice huh? J Anyway after using it, I was reading the label when I noticed a product that made me panic. It was called Diazolidinyl Urea. My mind immediately went into action. Every other product was instantly recognizable: oatmeal, lemons, ginger etc.....but WHAT was this one????

So I tried to think. Suddenly it became glaringly obvious. It was DISGUSTING! My most hated UFC fighter, Nate Diaz had donated his urine for this product. Think about it...UREA..........and DIAZolidinyl. I became nauseous at the thought. What if Queen Helene had gone down to the dirty streets of Stockton, CA, found the dingiest bar and pulled Nate out to have him give samples?

I was quite upset. In fact I could not sleep that night. I kept envisioning Nate smiling at me with a crooked, cauliflowered ear grin, holding bottle after bottle and filling it with his toxic blend.......UGH.

Anyway..........for those of you who also had this exact same, logical line of thinking, you can relax. Turns out is only a simple fine white powder and has nothing to do with Nate Diaz or urine. So you can all continue using the product. In fact...my skin did feel really nice.