It's a deep one guys ~ Get ready...

Those who know me know that I am influenced by music. Most of the people in my family are. I have said several times that I could put together a soundtrack of my life based on what was popular at the time. I hear songs now and I can remember where I was living/what was going on in my life at that time.

There are some songs that really speak to me though. Maybe it's just me, but I take the lyrics to heart.

Two of those songs have really been influencing me lately. One is an older song, but one I have loved since it came out in 1990. "Only Here for a Little While" by Billy Dean, and "These are the Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets.

While the genre/music style is different, the message is the same; "Tell people what they mean to you while you are here! Get your business taken care of daily." We've all had those people in our life that we wish we could have spoken to one last time before they passed on. We wish would could have told them how much they meant to us. OR, we wish they would have taught us something; told us more about themselves while they were here.

My Daddy died when I was 15. There are many things I wish I would have said to him. He was a great man, and taught me a lot, but I know there was more he would have taught me as I got older.

I don't have any children, but I do have family and friends. I have two nephews, and an "adopted niece" who I love very much. I try to be a positive influence on their lives and teach them something whenever we are together. Whether it's important to spend quality time with people while baking cookies, or how volcanoes work, or just letting them know how important they are and how much God loves them.

So, today I took both of these songs to heart. I really thought about what I would want to say to each of them if I knew I would not be here tomorrow. I sat down, and I hand wrote each of them a letter. I let them know what a blessing they have been to me and gave them that bit of encouragement, love and advice I would give them if I were here.

They are sealed in envelopes in my drawer and will be given to them after I pass on. None of us are promised the next breath, and I won't stop encouraging, teaching and loving them as long as I am here. Hopefully, by the time they grow up the letters will be obsolete, because I will have said it all myself. But, just in case I want them to have that last bit from me.

I hope this doesn't come across as macabre. Sometimes it is really hard to translate the feelings/intentions I have in words.

Why am I posting all of this here, on a blog? Two reasons. 1) I want to let those family members who actually read this blog (both of you) know about it and know to give the young ones the letters. 2) To encourage you to tell your family and friends how much you love them. How important they are, and how much they have blessed you.

If you wish, here are the two songs that have inspired this post today. Listen to the lyrics, and tell your loved ones just how important they are to you.








Love,
Wendy Darling

Five and Ten - Round Two

Instructions, just in case you forgot:

(1) Turn on your MP3 player/iPod.
(2) Go to SHUFFLE songs mode.
(3) Write down the first TEN songs that come up--song title and artist--NO editing/cheating, please (even if letting the world know you listen to crap "Weekend in New England" will humiliate you).
(4) Choose FIVE people to be tagged. It is generally considered to be in good taste to tag the person who tagged you, since there should be new songs appearing with Shuffle every time.


Ok, I got tagged, again. Cleggy and Phineas tagged me for this meme this time, and since I have over 1000 songs on my player odds are I will get a different ten songs, right? We can only hope.

And odds are at least ONE Eric Dodge song will come up, right? We can hope. SO, without further ado let me turn on the player and lets get started.... :-)

1. The Coloring Song - Petra
2. The Real Thing - Bo Bice
3. Massachusetts - Bee Gees
4. Anymore - Travis Tritt
5. A Few Good Men - Gaither Vocal Band
6. I Can Love You Like That - John Michael Montgomery
7. When You're Smilin' - Louis Prima
8. I Am Changing - Jennifer Hutson
9. Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
10. Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford

OK, Cleggy did not want to be outdone by Princess Ladybug, so he did a bonus 10. Well if he can then I can too. :-) Here is the bonus 10.

Isn't this fun?! :-)

11. Something to Talk About - Bonnie Rait
12. I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton John
13. I'll Be True to You - The Oak Ridge Boys
14, Soul Man - Sam and Dave
15. Song of the South - Alabama
16. Country Club - Travis Tritt
17. Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
18. Rocky Mountain High - John Denver
19. Let's Fall to Pieces Together - George Strait
20. God With Us - Mercy Me

Unbelievable!!! Not even one Eric Dodge song came up. Oh well, maybe next time. :-) OK, since everyone If would tag has already been tagged I'll just open this one up. I you would like to participate, please do. And then leave me a message letting me know you did so I can come and see your post. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Music Tag... Five and Ten

OK, I got tagged by Princess Ladybug over at Fly Away Home. Here's how it works:

Instructions...
(1) Turn on your MP3 player/iPod.
(2) Go to SHUFFLE songs mode.
(3) Write down the first TEN songs that come up--song title and artist--NO editing/cheating, please (even if letting the world know you listen to crap "Weekend in New England" will humiliate you).
(4) Choose FIVE people to be tagged. It is generally considered to be in good taste to tag the person who tagged you, since there should be new songs appearing with Shuffle every time.


1. Indescribable- Chris Tomlin
2. If I Know ME - George Strait
3. Daydream Believer - The Monkees
4. Through the Years - Kenny Rogers
5. If We are the Body - Casting Crowns
6. Sunglasses at Night - Cory Hart
7. California Dreamin' - The Mamas and the Papas
8. The Snowman - Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby
9. How Can I Keep from Singing - Chris Tomlin
10. Common Man - John Conlee

I can't believe not a single Eric Dodge song came up. SO, let me take this opportunity to let you know that you can download a FREE song from www.ericdodge.com. The song is called "Home of the Brave" and is off of his new CD "Home To Me." You will LOVE it. :-)

Don't you like how I plugged that? LOL... :-)

OK, now I have to tag 5 people. Princess Ladybug tagged some of the ones I would have tagged, so I'll pick 5 different ones.

Amanda
Vera
Terry
Julie
LaVon

Even if you don't normally do these things, come on along and play. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Ok, so it's not really, but I'm sure getting in the mood. :-) Don't worry, this will not be a Christmas post, nor is it to make you hyperventilate thinking you need to start getting the decorations out of the closet/garage/attic; and start making lists of the gifts you need to get this year.

I have begun that list because I drew my wonderful BIL's name and I'm poor, which means I have to save and buy early. :-) And, T, you can continue reading because I'm NOT going to put what I'm getting you on here. :-) Fact is I still don't know... but I'm in the mood to make something so anything is possible.

Little Mark has been home from camp for a week and he had a wonderful time. I also enjoyed my time off, and I did everything on my "to do" list except read my camera manual. I was way too busy watching movies and eating massive amounts of salsa. It was a fun time. :-)

Little Mark will be taking one last vacation for the summer in August. He'll be gone for two weeks and I have already begun my "to do" list for while he is away. So far on the list:

1. Watch "North and South" Book 1. Don't ask me why, but I've been in the mood to watch it.
2. Purchase part of BIL's Christmas present and make plans for the rest.
3. EAT LOTS OF SALSA. You knew that one was coming didn't you? :-)

That's the list so far. I would add "listen to Christmas music" to that list, but those of you who know me know I've already been doing that. :-) I just might have to visit a Michael's or Hobby Lobby this weekend to look at he decorations/craft supplies. I need a "Christmas fix."

Love,
Wendy Darling