A New Year's Gift for ALL my Bloggy Friends

Make Time for Small Reflections
(This was a 'Sticky' Post, but it's not one now)
Click for recent posts
Heads or Tails - 'Watch'
Something New & my 2008 Review (Meme)

Wishing Everyone a
Joyous, Prosperous & Peaceful 2009

Clickable Haiku Links
Procrastination
habit I wish I could break ...
perhaps THIS may help?

Entertaining and
thought-provoking musical
clip you'll want to view.

One more gift to share
I hope you will take the time
to view this brief clip

from Mac Anderson
found in Simple Truths email
early Friday morn

guaranteed to put
a smile upon your face
as it does on mine.

If you need a smile
click this 'doggie' video
... delightful surprise!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." Benjamin Franklin

Thursday's Thoughts - Some things to consider ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day20

If you've not yet read Wednesday's 'humble requests' ...
I hope you'll find time to do so and give them a bit of thought.
I appreciate those of you who have added your support & testimony in comments. It's reassuring to know that Cracker-
jacks & I are not the only ones thinking along these lines.

After receiving email from Ivanhoe indicating that she can't leave comments in the 'embedded' format, I checked Site Meter to see whether visits to my blogs have dropped off commensurate with the recent decline in comments. Noting that the visitation rates have remained stable, I'm wondering if others have had similar problems leaving comments ... so I've changed back to 'pop ups' experimentally. Ivanhoe (and perhaps others) should be able to leave comments again.

If you need a chuckle, I shared a few on Tuesday in Live Simply, Laugh Often ...

Finally ... I found this at Lunar Musings and published it at Blog Rolls, Bling, & Blurbs on November 14th. It touches my heart & conscience and wanted to pass it along here ... just because.
I wish I could be so eloquent and clear in sharing my own beliefs. I hope you'll take time to watch & listen ... and perhaps even share on your blog too. Methinks it’s important to encourage ourselves and others to think about this issue and all its implications calmly, rationally … from a loving place, without fear ... remembering the simplicity & blessings of 'the golden rule.' Thanks …
Hugs and blessings,




Thoughts for Today
"You are a human being. You have rights inherent in that reality. You have dignity and worth that exists prior to law."
Lyn Beth Neylon

"The Framers of the Bill of Rights did not purport to "create" rights. Rather, they designed the Bill of Rights to prohibit our Government from infringing rights and liberties presumed to be preexisting."
Justice William J. Brennan, 1982

"Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself." Robert Ingersoll

Morning Musings - The Pink Sisterhood

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day17

See also my Monday Motivator at Sacred Ruminations.
and my 'Giving Thanks Challenge List' in the sidebar to the right.
Scroll down for The Pink Sisterhood Meme.

I found this Quiz at Monique's ... and couldn't resist, though it's been sitting in 'drafts' for a while now. Today seems like a good time to share, just because.

Your Passion is Pink!

You're the type of woman that would never get described as passionate... Oh but you can be passionate at times - you just don't let it show. Your passion most shows through in your sweet and optimistic attitude. And chances are, most people are very passionate about you!

What Type of Passionate Woman Are You?
If you decide to take this quiz
please leave your results in comments
or a link to where I can find them on your blog.

It reminds me of something I've been meaning to share and today seems like a good time. I found this at Hootin' Anni's who was tagged by Antoinette for the Pink Sisterhood Meme. She wrote:

"I’ve lost several friends through Breast Cancer. We can only hope that there will always be funds enough to keep the research going. Some illnesses can never be cured, but there’s been so much progress in Cancer Research that many people have been saved.
One of the most important things is Early Detection. Read more about that here.

* One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.

* Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.

* Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.

* Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50.

* Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54, and the second cause of cancer death in women 55 to 74.

* Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.

* Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival."

Facts taken from Women’s Health

And now here is the tag and the rules:

1. Put the logo in your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Add your link to the list of participants below

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

PINK Sisterhood

1- Fara 2- Massy 3- N.O.Y 4- Mariuca 5- A Great Pleasure 6- LadyJava 7- Kim 8- Pink Thoughts 9- Turn-u-Off 10- Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 11- STAY AT HOME MOM 12- Fida Abbott 13- Also Mommy 14- Janice Ng 15- Juliana’s Site 16- The Painted Veil 17- Heart of Rachel 18- Mga Muni-muni 19-Picture Clusters 20- Scraps of Mind 21- Antoinette 22 - Hootin' Anni 23 - storyteller

I usually 'invite' participation rather that 'tag' and today is no exception ... please join 'the Pink Sisterhood' if you choose and leave me a link when you do.

In addition, today I'd like to tag:
Tammy of A Little Girl Talk and Mom Knows Everything
Ivanhoe at Communique by Ivanhoe
Akelamalu of Everything and Nothing
Grandy of Functional Shmunctional
Karen of Journey to Authenticity
Kitten of Kitten's Homeschool
Mary of Mary's Writing Nook
Joyce of Mom's Musings
Alison of RDH Mom
Yertle at Smile, Play, Dream
Joy of the Joy of Six
Mama Zen at the Zen of Motherhood

Small Reflections ... Smile Back!

If you decide to participate, please leave me a link
so I can visit you & those you 'tag' or invite ;--)

Isn't it time?

Thought for Today
"Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister." Alice Walker

WhimsicalWednesday#10, voting info & more ...

Make Time for Small Reflections
Scroll down for :
Voting info & Election Night Blog Party Info
Thanks from & general update about me
Blog Blast for Peace info & links
Wonderful story link
Jack-o-Lantern Blogthing

I've voted ... have you?

Here in California we had 'early voting' from October 19th-28th ... so I went to the polls at the local City Hall yesterday afternoon to cast my ballot. It feels good to have done this early, and if you have that option where YOU live ... (and you've decided how to cast your votes on all the candidates & ballot measures) ... I encourage you to do so. I feel so relieved on a personal level. Now my only remaining challenge is to remain calm in the face of all that is beyond my control ;--)

If you're still undecided on candidates or ballot measures & need additional information, here are some links to assist.

• League of Women Voters
• Project Vote Smart
• Vote 411.org Election Information

Once you've cast your ballot, go to Mommy Wizdom's and sign the Mr. Linky there to participate in the Election Night Blog Party 2008! Click for details.

To my bloggy friends
who dropped by and left
words of encouragement ...

Thanks again for the well-wishes. The weather is changing so I'm hoping my symptoms will fade with onshore breezes helping to raise humidity levels to a more normal level. I've been listening to foghorns since awakening and can't see the houses across the street yet but I'm not complaining ... in fact I'm hoping the rain will reach us all the way down in Southern California rather than run out of steam north of here as have previous storm systems. We need rain so much!

Unfortunately, in just a few days of 'resting' to recover from what ails me, my 'reader' has 1000+ unread posts once again (even though I had it down to less than 700 over the weekend) and there are 571 unread emails. I'm hoping to make a dent in both today. I posted (almost) Wordless Wednesday #52 at Sacred Ruminations earlier and figure I'll 'ramble' here a bit to see what shows up on the page ... just because.

I made it through my PSE6 class yesterday ... finished my 2nd Caribbean Cruise Video ... converted them both to WMV format ... but didn't get them both transferred to a DVD yet. Hopefully I'll be able to do that on Thursday. We'll be creating DVD 'jackets' and 'labels' during the remaining 3 sessions of this 'Organizer' class ... something I've done previously with my Taos Slideshows/Videos. The 2nd Caribbean video contains a few videoclips of on-board entertainment ... so it's much longer than my previous projects.

Reminder about the upcoming 5th Blog Blast for Peace!
Have you created YOUR Peace Globe yet?
As Mimi Lenox says ...
"If words are powerful ... then this matters."
Clicking on the logo above (or at the top of my sidebar) will take you to information about how to get YOUR Peace Globe to decorate & share between now and November 6th in the 5th Launch of Dona Nobis Pacem. We're counting down ...

My new Peace Globes for November's Blog Blast post (#4, 5, & 6) are in my sidebar along with my first two (previously published in June) and I've sent them to Mimi to publish as well. If you need help adding 'text' to the graphics available from Mimi's blog, I'm willing to assist as time permits. I invite everyone to participate and to visit others too.

Click Peace Globe Gallery graphic below
to see Globes others have created.

And now ... a little Halloween fun. I hope you'll share your results in comments or leave a link if you share them on your blog ;--)

What Your Jack-o-Lantern Says

You are a gleeful, exuberant person. You enjoy a good party, and you even enjoy a good brawl. This Halloween, there is no question what you should be... a pirate! The candy you should give out: peanut butter cups

The Jack-o-Lantern Quiz

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

9:16am Addendum

I just happened on a wonderful story at Sylvia's and wanted to leave a link here ... so if you have time and want to 'be moved' ... take a moment to click & read Sack Lunches ...

Thought for Today
"Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story." Mason Cooley

HF#79 October Surprise for Halloween

Make Time for Small Reflections
SkyWatch#14/HF#78 is at Sacred Ruminations.

Hootin' Anni blessed
me with this 'kewl' Halloween
graphic on Wedn'sday!

I suspect that she
recognizes that I need
'Halloween' decor ...

but it's good to know
she's 'under a spell' cast by
my Small Reflections.
In addition she
offered T-13 'headers'
to her visitors

yesterday. If you
missed her T-13 post click
on this link today,

but before you do
remember to leave me a
comment ... just because ;-)

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week go to A Mommy Story.
Click for SkyWatch/Haiku Friday at Sacred Ruminations.

(To see my previous Haikus, click on the Haiku Friday label below this post or in the sidebar under About Me where you'll find a 'directory' of my Haikus on both blogs).

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"A grandmother pretends she doesn't know who you are on Halloween." Erma Bombeck

Smiley Saturday#3 and other Stuph

It's a beautiful sunny warm day here at the beach in Southern California so it's hard for me to stay indoors for long ... hence this post is being created and published later than usual for a Saturday because Molly & I took a walk and I did some gardening a little while ago. I spent time earlier this morning doing my best to 'catch up' with comments & blog visits from last week (though I still have more that 650 unread posts in Google Reader and fear I'll never figure that out without just 'marking all as read' and moving forward ... something I don't really want to do). That acknowledged, this has been a wonderful week!

Monday was 'Retired Gals' lunch so I caught up with friends!


Tuesday and Thursday were my first two Photoshop Elements sessions and I learned lots ... then shared in my T-13 and my two Haiku Friday posts ... one on this blog (illustrating animal manipulation techniques) and the other at Sacred Ruminations (showing how we changed 'effects' on portraits).

In addition to Fun Monday (with Lois' Favorite Mug Meme) & HoTs and T0Ts, on Wednesday I created and shared (almost wordless) One Single Impression photos & haikus on the theme of 'warm' ... about puppies on this blog and about sunsets on the other.

I've chatted with my sister several times this week ... most recently several times yesterday while they were getting their RV serviced.

My Hydrangea looks BEAUTIFUL with lots of large lavender blossoms even though it's smallish. I posted a photo in my BYBS post last Sunday, but they're even bigger and more gorgeous today.

Each of those things make me SMILE just thinking about them ... and they might bring a smile to your fact too if you have time to check them out.

Finally, here are links to RHD Mom's Friday Funny and to Baby~amore's cleverly conceived, humorous T-13 in which she shares lessons learned from her mom. Both generated laughter in addition to smiles for me.

Click for others participating this week.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(found at the Daily Meme)

Words Ending in ING ~ I Ask, You Answer

1. Avoiding...you answer?

2. Baking...you answer?

3. Camping...you answer?

4. Decorating...you answer?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My responses:

1. Avoiding ... housecleaning activities today.

2. Baking ... something I just don't do any more, ever!

3. Camping ... takes me back to my youth and Big Sur, Lake Havasu, Yosemite, and Big Bear.

4. Decorating ... best left to those who know about such things.

If you'd like to play, copy and paste the clues into the comments box share your responses here ... or on your own blog and leave me a link so I can visit you.

Click for others participating this week.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I found this Quiz at Chuck's. Her 'blogging type' was 'Artistic and Passionate' but look at my results! I admit I'm surprised because this isn't exactly how I perceive my 'blogging' style, but what the hey? I'm certainly 'principled' ... I just don't know how 'logical' I am. However, I'm curious what other results there might be ... so please play along and share ... either in comments or on your own blog, leaving a link here.

Your Blogging Type is Logical and Principled

You like to voice your well thought out opinions on your blog. And if someone doesn't what you write, you really don't care! Serious and blunt, sometimes people take your blog the wrong way. But you're a true and loyal friend to those who truly get you.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

Thought for Today
"A laugh is a smile that bursts." Mary H. Waldrip

Haiku Friday #31 - A Little Linky-Love

Today I will share
information I have found
in the Blogsphere

hoping that some of
it will be of interest
to my visitors ;--)

* * * * *

When you click upon
the graphic below you'll find
poems I've composed

within posts this month
other than Haiku ... these rhyme
with a clear 'meter' ...

April is the month
set aside to acknowledge
poetry ... Haiku

and all other kinds.
Poets dot org suggests ... 'put
poems in pockets'

as a way to bring
attention to poetry.
Click the logo to

find the source and more
ideas you might enjoy ...
several more are here.

* * * * *

Did you know there is
a new malady named BADD?
According to Phyl ...

Blogger Attention
Deficit Disorder may
be affecting YOU

or someone you know.

Then at Mama Zen's I learned
about this new meme.

started by Sheila
who asks others to publish
'green' dreams on their blogs.

* * * * *

Amy of Memoirs
of a Mommy started this
link-love idea!

Visit her and read
all about it ... then share the
button with your friends.

I have more but I'll
save some for another day
because I know you're

eager to move on
and read other's Haiku posts
but before you go

take a moment to
leave a comment and perhaps
you might like to read

Volume 32
'Musings of my Mind' and more
links of interest ;--)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

For a Mr. Linky to other Haiku Fridays
go to A Mommy Story or
Playgroups are no Place for Children.

To see more previous Haikus,
click on the Haiku Friday label below this post
or in the sidebar under About Me.

Thought for Today
"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." Plato

Tuesday - Thanks, Thoughts, Talk, and a Tag on a Wednesday (Guess I had a Senior Moment?)

Thanks
Joy surprised me this morning with this lovely award
and some delightfully kind words at Joy of Six
I am most humbly grateful and
appreciative.

Thoughts
Yesterday at the Dream Life, LoriLyn shared Early Morning Buddhist Inspiration from the Big Happy Buddha, and today I share the following quote with you from the same source.

"All People and things are interdependent. The world has become so small that no nation can solve its problems alone, in isolation from others. That is why I believe we must all cultivate a sense of responsibility based on love and compassion for each other." Tenzin Gyatso

Talk
For a few weeks now, I've found myself rethinking my online activities as I try to balance my life in the real world with the "virtual" one of the Blogosphere. In the last couple of days, I've reorganized my sidebar so that Small Reflections and Sacred Ruminations look more like they did when I started ... before I serendipitously added NaBloPoMo and Blog 365 badges, Holiday Decorations, and my Award collection.

In addition, I've updated the "About Me" section (located in my sidebar just below the "giraffe" in Taos, NM photo) to reflect my current status as a blogger and I've added "links" to posts that provide information for new visitors about who I am and what my blogging is about. Doing this is helping me refocus my priorities and intent, though I suspect things will be in flux for a while and I continue to think things through and experiment with possibilities.

Tag
Yesterday I was tagged by Jientje for a simple book-related meme that's sweeping the Blogosphere like a virus. It reminded me of similar, but slightly different Meme with No Tagging Necessary (definitely MY kind of meme but not necessarily for everyone) that I saw a couple of weeks ago, so I'm taking liberties (as I so often do because following arbitrary rules goes against the grain these days) changing the rules a bit today.

Call me perverse, but I'd rather see your responses in comments here. If you'd like to be "tagged" to do something similar on your blog, consider that done ... and if you let me know with a link back here, I'll be happy to visit and participate on your sites too.

Directions:
1. Go to the current book you're reading.
2. Go to Page 161.
3. Locate 5th sentence, then copy the next 3 sentences into comments below.
4. Tell what book it's from and (if you wish) add whatever information you feel is relevant for context.

So ... here's my excerpt taken from Chapter 9 (on transforming your "personal"story) in THE VOICE OF KNOWLEDGE by Don Miguel Ruiz with Janet Mills:
"And the faith you invested in that belief is stronger than the faith you have available to change that belief. That is why it's important to practice recovering your faith with little beliefs. Then you can go for the stronger beliefs.

I know you've got a book somewhere,
so open it up and share.
It could be fun!

De-lurking and Kindness ... again!

Methinks MPJ is right after all! Not as many people "blog" on weekends as during the week. I hadn't noticed until she "Ku-d" about it yesterday at A Room of Mama's Own. So ... I might be wise to wait and post this on Monday rather than today, but perhaps I'll do it today and Monday? Time will tell.

My post from yesterday, "De-lurking and Kindness" has but two comments since I posted yesterday at 11:14 am ... and the similar (yet different) post at Sacred Ruminations on these two topics (posted yesterday at 6:51pm and amended earlier this morning) has only one comment. I'll not take the time to check other weekend posts now (but may do so later) because I have other things to share today.

First ... while drifting off to sleep last night, I remembered adding another "kindness" reminder to my sidebar at Sacred Ruminations a couple of months ago when I first started my blogs. It's way down near the bottom and looks like this, and when you click on the purple button ... it takes you to a brief video clip worth watching. Maybe you have time today?

Next ... this morning I searched Google for references to Practice Random Kindness and found this in Wikipedia. Apparently there is a Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (founded in 1995) that exists today, and others have taken up this idea promoting a variety of activities. I quote from Wikipedia here:

• Join Me is a group created in 2002 by humorist Danny Wallace; the group's purpose is to encourage members to perform random acts of kindness, particularly on "Good Fridays".
• In 2004, a Free Hugs Campaign was made popular by a music video on YouTube.
• Scott Mills is a British DJ on BBC Radio 1 who used the term as the name of a regular feature of his programme.
• Talk Radio Host David Stein of The Celebration of Life Through Sports has also declared every Monday "Random Act of Kindness Day".
• Radio program Kfm Breakfast ran a Random Act of Kindness Day on the June winter solstice in 2007, collecting ±50,000kgs of tinned food for Cape Town's homeless shelters.
• In the movie Evan Almighty (2007), God tells the main character that the way to change the world is through "one act of random kindness at a time".

Finally ... I found a variety of people and organizations actively pursuing kindness in the world. One I explored briefly is HelpOthers.org with links to Smile Cards, Stories, Groups, and Kindness Ideas, but others are listed if you're seeking ideas for yourself.

So ... BEGIN TODAY with a little kindness for me and LEAVE A COMMENT PLEASE!!!

De-Lurking and Everyday Kindness

This request may be
late, but it is most sincere ...
Won't you share your thoughts?

Comments make us smile
when we find them on our blogs.
We care what you think.

Please don't hesitate
typing a few words below ...
You might find it's fun!

While meandering through the Blogosphere visiting T-13ers on Thursday, I happened upon this Everyday Kindness logo near the end of a excellent illustrated list entitled 13 Rules for Living. After leaving a comment about the post, I clicked on the logo itself and discovered an invitation to join Claudia in making kindness a commitment during 2008. I was sipping coffee from a favorite mug at the time inscribed with the words, "Practice Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty" ... a campaign of a few years back that shifted my awareness at the time. The basic idea was to smile (and perhaps even say hello) to people you encountered, do an unexpected (and perhaps anonymous) thing for someone (whether or not you knew them) like put a quarter in the parking meter when you notice it's expired (especially if you see someone writing tickets approaching). What I remember most about adopting the practice myself at the time was how happy I felt after taking such action.

Since I subscribe to the belief that "coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous," I left a comment indicating my interest ... saved the image on my computer to add to my sidebar later ... and made a note to post about it when time permitted, all the while smiling to myself and thinking what an excellent idea this is to share. So ... I'm offering a bit of link-love and some encouragement to anyone who might want to adopt the practice and spread the word.

Thought or today

"We make a living by what we get,
but we make a life by what we give."
Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

Thursday Thirteen #7 - Music I Enjoy

Eleven Different Straight No Chaser Links
(plus two favorites from last time)

If you missed my 5th T-13 about this group, SNC is an all male a'capella group that creates & shares unique performances. Prepare to be entertained! For slow or choppy online videos, try the tips from Melissa shared previously here.

1. World's Apart - performed by the original group

2. Teen Sensation Medley - also performed by the original group with some funky choreography at their final concert in 1999

3. Straight No Chaser Original Theme Song

4. It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday

5. I'm Coming Home

6. SNC performs This Love

7. Back Home Again in Indiana

8. Silent Night - (with my apologies for missing this one at Christmas time)

9. The Lion Sleeps Tonight

10. Sitcom Medley 2

11. I Believe in a Thing Called Love

Back by popular demand :)

12. Allentown

13. Hi-De-Ho - the original 1996 group

However,
12 Days of Christmas
remains my personal favorite
even out of season.

If you missed it and want more, check out my original Straight No Chaser Thursday Thirteen #5. It's been edited a bit so the glitches should be corrected this time around.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

For easy access, I’ve listed more T-13 links along with the Thursday Thirteen Blogroll to the bottom of my sidebar.

Strange Happenings this Weekend, but a I'm Sharing a Little Link-Love Anyway

I don't know what's going on with these two "logos" from my sidebar. I planned to write about each of them (along with the Haiku Friday one) last night when my sister called. Smiler created the first and provided the code at her blog to let people know of the information she's been sharing there about HTML code. I've learned much of what I know from her and Melissa at Part of Everything.

Clicking on THIS button WILL take you to the section of her blog where these posts can be found, but the code she provided doesn't seem to work in my sidebar yet, so I've removed it for now. She's working on a "fix" and hopefully I'll be able to add it again soon. Currently there are 7 "lessons" ... the first was posted December 15th, with others added periodically. She doesn't claim to be an expert, but I've found the information shared there useful.

For those of you participating in Blog 365, she's created several logos you might enjoy adding to your sidebar if you want something unique. You can find them here.

I added this Creative Everyday logo to my sidebar (without a link) a week or more ago when I learned of this challenge initially. Yesterday I figured out a "cheat" on my own to add a "clickable" link underneath it after trying unsuccessfully to make the logo itself clickable. It was there yesterday at the top of my sidebar.

It was there this morning, but at some point today it vanished. Yes, somehow the logo has disappeared mysteriously, although the title above and link underneath remain. I'm reminded of the 3-day period when my SiteMeter icons disappeared, then reappeared just as mysteriously. Hopefully that will happen again. For now, if you'd like to check this out and join in the creative fun, you CAN click on THIS link and read all about it at the source.

Finally, if you need a laugh ... check out this hilarious post at The Joy of Six. I found it this morning and have been chuckling all day. While you're there, look around because she's got others just as entertaining.

8.:50pm - I'm happy to add this note of personal success. I redid the whole thing from scratch, deleted yesterday's code from the widget, inserted the new code and not only did it reappear, it's CLICKABLE and takes you to the Creative Everyday site the way I wanted it to. So ... I'm a tired (but happy) blogger! I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep until I solved this problem, but now I'm turning off the computer.

Rerun "Snow Fun" and Inspiration All in One

In my wanderings around the Blogosphere at the beginning of December, I happened upon this at Melissa's ... and was very glad she found it several years ago, bookmarked it, and shared it again this year.
I shared it at Sacred Ruminations back then, but think this might be worth posting again here for whoever might not have seen it. Click on the Snowglobe graphic and follow the directions. Warning: It's still addictive, but it will make you laugh!

Earlier today, I shared a couple of personal memories on my other blog along with the inspirational video that triggered them. If you haven't visited there and have a bit of time, you might find these links worth checking out.

Thursday Thirteen #5

Thirteen Links to Videoclips
of Performances by Straight No Chaser
(and a few more for good measure)

If you've not heard this group, you'll want to. As I said in yesterday's post regarding them, SNC is an all male A'capella group that creates & shares unique performances. Enjoy!

For slow or choppy online videos,
try the following tips from Melissa:

• Click the "play" button.
• Once the video starts to load, click the "pause" button and let the rest of the video load.
• If you watch the status bar at the bottom of the video, (the bar with the pointer that tells you how far into the video you are) you can see the bar filling up.
• Once the status bar is full and the video is loaded, click "play" again and the video will usually play through much better.

This will work for most online videos regardless of how old or slow a computer is. The key is to wait until the video has fully loaded before attempting to view it. Try it!

1. 12 Days of Christmas

2. Carol of the Bells

3. Hi-De-Ho (the original 1996 group)

4. Any Dream Will Do

5. Stand By Me

6. Love the One You're With

7. Allentown

8. I Don't Want to Be

9. Insomniac

10. Bless the Broken Road

11. Superhero

12. This is How We Do It

13. Sings Africa

And if you haven't had enough yet, here are 6 more followed by general information about the group!

14. at the Cubs

15. I'm Coming Home

16. Worlds Apart

17. Comedic Concert

18. This Love

19. Don't Stop Believin'

About Straight No Chaser
Official Website with Member Lists by year
Photos and Video Montage of the original members
In the Studio recording Last Call

Facts about Straight No Chaser from their My Space Blog:
"In October 1996, SNC began by performing at charity events and sorority functions on the Indiana University campus. In less than two years, they were touring nationally, opening for acts like Lou Rawls and Aretha Franklin, performing at Chicago Cubs and Sox games, the Brickyard 500, and even New York's Carnegie Hall. They have released seven CDs in their ten years together, and have sold over 40,000 albums. You can read more about them at their website."

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

For
easy
access,
I’ve listed
more T-13 links
along with
the Thursday Thirteen
Blogroll to my
sidebar