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Nothing...

This post is about nothing in particular. I just wanted to write.

I'm looking forward to my upcoming performances. I'm playing the Mozart Requiem in a couple of weeks with a group close to here. If you've never heard the piece, let me encourage you to take a listen. The Requiem by W. A. Mozart is by far one of the most beautiful pieces of classical music ever composed. If you don't know, a "Requiem" is a mass for the dead. Many composers have composed "Requiems", so don't get the title confused with a different composers requiem.

Mozart composed his requiem in the year 1791. Mozart also died in that year. His requiem was the last piece he ever composed. It was unfinished when he passed. I'm sure you can all look up more facts about the piece. That's not the good part....when you have the opportunity, sit back in a quiet room and just listen. Even if you don't know what the words mean (it's in Latin) you'll be moved by the sounds that you hear.

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Oda Momma and I had a little heart-to-heart tonight. We have to do that every once in a while to make sure that we stay sane (and civil). It's amazing how blind we can be about how the other person feels sometimes.

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My momma loves her new house. She told me a few days ago, though that she was a little jealous of my momma-in-law. She was jealous 'cause they both got to "close" on their respective houses, but the MIL was already living in her house so she didn't have to worry about packing up and moving. Hee, Hee.... :) I have to admit, I'd be a bit jealous about not having to pack up and move as well.

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We got rained on pretty good the last couple of days. I'm very happy. So is my lawn!

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We're trying to figure out how to potty train Oda Mae. The last time I said we were trying...I was just joking. We're really gonna try this time. We've got pull-ups and everything.

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Today would have been Maw's 81st birthday.

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We found this in Oda Mae's room last night before we went to bed....

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That's all.

Dominus Vobiscum (that's Latin too.)

-OD

Easter's-a-comin'

Got this little doohicky courtesy of Total Depravity....

Hee, hee....kind of fun.

-OD

AREA 365-36

Been a long week...

You've probably been wondering where I've been. My mom moved into her new house last Monday. Guess who moved her. Oda Mae and I spent almost all week over there getting stuff done.

On Monday, we actually moved furniture and stuff to the new house. It took longer than expected.

On Tuesday, we went to the new house to hook up important stuff like the washer and dryer, and fridge.

On Wednesday, we went to The Little Gym and then Oda Mae accompanied me to the Dr. where they said I have allergies. Yep, could have told them that. I did get some meds though. I'm feeling better.

On Thursday, we went back over to the old house and set up for the BIG moving sale. We should have called it the "moved sale" everything that was left after the move was to be sold. I kid you not when I say that we had THREE ROOMS + of stuff to be sold. The kitchen, livingroom, and a bedroom plus stuff outside that we wanted to get rid of. I've never seen so much stuff that someone didn't want. I guess we all tend to accumulate stuff after 24 years of living in one place. I just don't know where it all was before the move.

On Friday and Saturday, we were selling stuff dirt cheep just to get rid of it. A room full of clothes ($0.10 each) and we didn't even make a dent in it. Furniture for $5 and $10. All kinds of stuff. By the end of the day Saturday we packed up what was left to send off to an outreach center. We were left with the livingroom FULL of boxes and bags.

Glad my Mom doesn't move very often!

On the upside, I came away with $85.00 from stuff that was mine and six boxes of books that I took to Half Price Books this morning. They gave me $15.00 for everything. I found Smallville Season 5 on DVD for $30.00. I had a 40% off coupon with me and my $15.00 from the books that I sold them and I walked away with about 20 hours of television to watch at my leisure for less than $5.00. COOL!

Oh, yes.....SUNDAY. My little Oda Mae turned two years old. We had a "Dora" party complete with Dora cake and ice cream and lots of family, friends and presents. A big thank you to everyone who came out. We hope you had fun seeing Oda Mae dance and have fun. She played with all of her new stuff this morning. I am personally very proud of everyone for not going too overboard on the gifts. I am also personally very thankful for the cool new little people Oda Mae got as well as the "Horrified B-Movie Victims". Rest assured that a new video is already being planned.

Here are some pics from the event...

I've also updated the AREA 365 from the past few days. I didn't get a chance to take many pics, so they aren't necessarily very good. But it is what I saw during the moving week.

Dominus Vobiscum,

-OD

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The Family Handy"man"

Today I received my monthly issue of The Family Handyman. I've been subscribing to this magazine for about 2 years now. It has really good tips on everyday kind of stuff to do around the house. Occasionally, they will have something outrageous like how to build a 2000 sq/ft underground storm shelter in "just one weekend", but for the most part it's stuff I feel like, as a do-it-yourselfer, I can do.


I'm flipping through this months articles and one of them catches my eye. I've got a bathroom that needs "re-tiled" around the bath. I actually started this bathroom project a couple years ago, but haven't quite "finished" yet. After seeing this article, I think I can have it done before all the peeps come over on Sunday for the big birthday party.





I've taken the liberty to photograph the pictures from the article and provide my own simple, easy-to-follow steps.

Step One: Purchase current issue of The Family Handyman that includes instructions on re-grouting bathroom tile.

Step Two: Turn to section on Regrouting Tile.

Step Three: Convince wife that it would be good for her to learn a trade.

Step Four: Grab a cold one and go watch the big game on your wide screen TV. :)

Yeah, buddy....I'm seeing Oda Momma go finish up that bathroom project this weekend before Oda Mae's big party on Sunday.

Dominus Vobiscum,

-OD

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YOU'RE INVITED!!!!!

It's Oda Mae's SECOND birthday!!!!

DATE: Sunday, March 25, 2007
TIME: 3:00 PM
PLACE: Oda Mae's House

All are invited. Please pass the word and let us know if you can attend. See you there.

-Oda Daddy, Oda Momma, & ODA MAE

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This is "Alice".

"Where foot?" - Oda Mae

Ha Ha Ha...

Hey, do this...

Go to Google...type in "Cheeseburger Smile". Look what comes up.

Here, I'll do it for you...

"Cheeseburger Smile"

-OD

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Collecting Dead Relatives

A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend of mine about genealogy. He had mentioned that his father was interested in their family history, but whenever he started talking about it, his family glazed over. Their response was always, "That's great Dad. We're glad you've got a hobby to keep you busy."

I have to admit that most of our family does the same thing. I find it very interesting that even more people aren't interested in their family history. Genealogy is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the US. I was talking to my friend and telling him about all of the research that I've done. I've found my paternal line back to the mid-1600's here in the US. I've found one maternal line recently that takes me back to the early 1500's in England.

My friend asked me how I was able to find out all of this information. I told him that about 85% of my research had been done online at various local, national, and worldwide internet sites. I've also visited the local branch of the NARA (National Archives and Records Administration). I'm very fortunate that there is a local branch just a few minutes from my house. There are only 14 regional branches in the entire US. I also live in an area where most of my family is from. We haven't traveled much since the early 1800's.

To make a long story short, my friend asked me how he would get started in researching his family. Basically, you have to start with yourself. Get some sort of "Family Tree" computer program and fill in everything you know about yourself. Then find out everything you can from your parents and siblings. Move on to grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. Always start with information that is known or most recent and move backwards.

The one thing that I told him to really remember to do was to cite his sources. Just like you would do in a major research paper. Make sure you know where every little piece of information comes from. You'll need it later!

He seemed very interested in learning more. I hope he does. I know that I wish I had started genealogy sooner than I did. If you still have living grandparents, or great-grandparents, make sure you get all the information you can from them now. They won't be around forever.

Interested in learning about getting started? Watch this...


Dominus Vobiscum,

-OD

Hunker Down!!

"A stam's a comin' Mickal Andasen"

EDIT: Nevermind....it missed us. Just a few sprinkles.

-OD

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Sleeping Well

Yesterday, Oda Momma, Oda Mae and I set out to find Oda Mae the perfect bed. We opted for a toddler bed to transition cause they really aren't that expensive. She'll move to a twin as she gets a little older. We decided on the "Classic White" so we can use it for other possibly male babies too. Oda Mae picked out Dora sheets to go with it.

Here is Oda Mae helping me put it together...

Here she is checking out the underside...

Here she is making sure it works...

and making sure that everyone fits...

I'm proud to say that the bed didn't fall apart when she jumped on it for the first time.

This afternoon she took it out for a test spin. She had a good nap and didn't fall out. (At least not that we know of.)
Tonight, she went to sleep without any problems. Here's hoping that all goes well for the next 8-9 hours.

Dominus Vobiscum,

-OD

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Like I said on the FLICKR description... "It's the little things in life..." :)

Ladies and Gentlemen...

The Beatles!!!!!

Made an extra trip to Abilene this week to play with The "Classical" Mystery Tour. If you ever get the chance to go see these guys, they put on a pretty good show. It also makes you think about what the Beatles did for rock and roll. I listen to their recordings and it's amazing how many GREAT songs came from that group. Make sure you and your kids know about the Beatles!!!!!!!! They are an important part of music history!


Here we are clapping...
Here I am about to play the piccolo trumpet solo from Penny Lane. Coolness! I'd just about rather play this than Mahler 5 or Pictures any day. But, that's just me.

One little thing. While I was playing duets after the rehearsal with my buddy Tim, Oda Momma called me on the phone. She had put Oda Mae down for her nap in her crib this afternoon. When she heard her wake up a couple hours later, she went in to get her and found her lying on the sofa we have in her room. Hmmmm, I guess I knew it would happen eventually. I just thought Oda Mae might tell us she had taken up climbing out of her bed or something. Guess we're going shopping for a big girl bed this weekend.

Dominus Vobiscum,

-OD

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Spring has almost sprung

We got out to smell the beautiful flowers...
...and we noticed that it looks like it's almost time to mow the weeds...

Dominus Vobiscum,

-OD