Month: December 2012

2012 Top Ten Vocal Trance

December 31, 2012

It’s New Year’s Eve and I’ll be celebrating the new year with my kids and husband.  We will be toasting to the new year with bubbly grape juice and making a goal list.

Earlier today, the family took some photos.  Our last photos of the year!  I had my 10-year-old take photos of me and then of me and her sister and then I had her sister take some of her and I.  I’m sure there’s a better to say all that…LOL.  Husband also joined the photo shoot in which we took a really nice family portrait that I’ve yet to do post production on.

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kymom123120120018_600This last one I added a radial blur with Photoshop just because I wanted to have some fun with it.  It was an awesome shot because my 10-year-old captured me talking to my 5-year-old.  Btw, I look pregnant in that photo but I’m not…just wanted to say that before anyone asks. 🙂

It’s the end of the year and I have my 10 favorite vocal trance to share again.  Last year I linked YouTube videos from other people of my favorites.  This evening, I’ve got one that I put together.  I spent time yesterday and today playing with iMovie.  I got frustrated at first but then persevered and got the hang of things.  It wasn’t so bad after that.  I actually enjoyed it a bit.

I know when you think of trance music, you think clubbing.  Loud.  Thumping.  Noise.  Not so.  Well, not my kind of trance.  These are soft and most are slow.  They all just have really cool beats and angelic-like vocals.  Even the guys’ vocals are pretty cool.  I listen to trance (including non-vocals) when I’m designing .

Enjoy.

Btw, all the photos in the video are mine.  You might have seen some of them posted here earlier in the year.

Before I end this post, I wanted to thank you (my readers) for reading my blog.  I truly appreciate it.

Have a wonderful eve, and a cheerful 2013!

Long Awaited Snow & Tree Lights

December 19, 2012

snow12192012_0072_600It finally snowed this month.  We were supposed to get blizzard-like snow but instead, we got lots of wind and a nice dusting of flaky snow.  It’s pretty and peaceful (as always) but extremely cold.  The temperature outside is 17.8°F.

I am pretty happy this morning.  I’ve got all my work done and I can blog freely with no other stress!  It feels amazing!  Of course, this never lasts so I’m going to make the best of it before I have to get busy again.

The Christmas tree went up a week ago.  I have such a hard time decorating it.  It could be that I just don’t have enough ornaments but it always looks as though there’s something missing.

christmastree20120052_500And, it’s lopsided too.  Not sure how to fix that.  Husband and I tried whatever we could to hold it upright but we’ve agreed that it’s just the tree.  That’s the thing that annoy me with real trees + the spiders and maybe other bugs.  Btw, the red and gold baubles were gifts from my friend, Sunflowerslady.

bauble0044_600Here is a bokeh shot of the image above and a couple of others.

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25 Days of Christmas & Holiday Cards for Heroes

December 4, 2012

I’ve been extremely busy lately.  I was supposed to take things slow but there’s so much that has to be done.

Last year, I started a 24 Days of Christmas gift-a-day countdown with my kids.  They really enjoyed getting a gift a day so this year I am doing it again.  But, instead of all gifts I’m also having them do things that don’t cost a thing.  And, it’s going to be 25 days instead of 24.  I’m going to have them take a photo on the 25th day.

25DAYSOFCHRISTMAS_125DAYSOFCHRISTMAS_2The first envelope enclosed a note to draw the Nativity.  I had the family participate.  My oldest threw a big fit initially.  She refused to draw but then eventually gave in and actually enjoyed it.  My youngest threw a fit too.  She was set on drawing 3 angels (besides the drummer boy and the sheep).  She had her colors picked out and everything.  Then, my oldest started to draw an angel and my youngest just screamed and cried.  After the angel was drawn she attempted to erase it and fussed and cried when husband and I didn’t let her.  Then my oldest decided she’d turn her angel into a candle and my youngest was able to get her 3 angels in.  Not the best 1st day of Christmas I  tell ya!

25DAYSOFCHRISTMAS_3I will probably do one long post with pictures about this 25 Days of Christmas after Christmas like I did last year.

Holiday Cards for Heroes

About 6 years ago (wow…that was a long a time ago) when I taught Catechism, I had my students write letters to our military troops.  It was fun and they all enjoyed writing their letters.  This year, via Facebook, someone I follow (sorry, I can’t remember whom!) mentioned something about making cards for our military.  I don’t teach Catechism anymore but my siblings do so I asked if they’d like to have their kids make cards and I’d mail them out for them.  We all had a great time.  Everyone made at least 2 cards and I believe one little girl made 4!

CardsForTroops_0030christmascardsfortroops12_2_2012_600I think I’ll print extras of this collage and give them to the students and their teachers as a thank you for their time.