Concerts, life, death and chaos

Hey yall, its been hectic lately and a few weeks since my last post. Its easier to just list the events and happenings of my last few weeks:

Todd is still recovering but returned back to work- his catheter was removed which made him much happier as you can imagine. He’s a stubborn goat but who am I to say anything because I am also a terrible patient!

Todd and I went to see Iron Maiden with 2 friends from church. It was so much fun and Todd did well hanging in there until the end.

The weekend after Todd’s surgery, some very dear friends of our Mark and Debbie, came over to our house and cooked us dinner. I cried . It was the best gesture someone could do. Hindsight, I should have asked for casseroles so that I wouldn’t have to go grocery shopping when Todd was asleep and then prepare dinner when I am totally frazzled.

My boss was in from out of state this week for work .Always added pressure when that happens.

My bestie  ( Kimi) had her 50th birthday and we had party a few weeks ago for her. We didn’t stay long because Todd loses his steam in the evenings but we stayed long enough and had a blast.
About the same time Todd was diagnosed with prostate cancer,his cousin Mark was diagnosed with lung cancer. Mark lives in Utah and his sister Kimberly lives 10 minutes up the road in the next town over from us. Their parents Karen and Larry, live in Houston. Mark has been on a cross country roadtrip with his son Eric and they were supposed to be at Kimberly’s tomorrow and we were going to have lunch with them on Monday.Sadly, Larry passed away last night. He has had some rough years previously with his health but he always seem to manage and pull out of the dire moments.Unfortunately, this means we wont be seeing Mark and that makes Todd sad and disappointed but completely understandable. Mark is a few years younger than Todd and they grew up close friends.

Yesterday , Mom called and said Nanny was back in hospital with congestive heart failure. Apparently,Nanny did not take a single pill from her list of medications in over a week.That’s not good! She is diabetic and has high blood pressure and many other ailments she takes medication for.So far, they have removed 5 liters of fluid off her heart.

Tomorrow, my uncle James is hosting his annual grand party for July 4th. He lives on the lake and there are fireworks, BBQ, and the whole shindig. Specifically, this year we are having a combined July 4th party and a surprise birthday party for Nanny. She will be 90 towards the end
of the month of July but cousins will be in from out of state and it’s a perfect
time to celebrate. The hospital feels that they should be able to get her stabilized and ready to go home tonight or tomorrow morning if all goes well.
For Mother’s Day, I wrote Nanny a letter telling her how much she meant to me and recounted some fun memories I have. My uncle is “stealing”the idea and asked all the family members to do the same and add pictures and we’re putting in a scrap book for her tomorrow. I had to come up with another letter for her and I based it around the food she makes and how there’s nothing else like hers. I was bawling silently at my desk as a I tried to put how much I love her to pen and paper knowing she was in hospital and I was scared to think of it being life or death serious.

My mom’s husband Randy was diagnosed with lung cancer 2weeks ago ( seriously I cant make this up). He went in this week to do biopsy and they went in from his back and punctured his lung in process.The day was much longer as expected but they sent him home with a chest tube and he got it removed today.

A close friend works for Brighton and they do a ginormous shoe drive and they send all to Haiti so she asked me to ask my coworkers forshoes. My backseat looked like Sanford and Son and had over 50 pairs of shoes to hand off to her this past Wednesday. Its always fun to help with a good cause.

The same week Todd had his surgery, my cousin Monya and her family –husband Scott and daughters Mari and Emma moved into a rent house less than a mile from me.I have really enjoyed them being so close. The girls love that I have a swimming pool and have already been over many times which I enjoy.
 Last night was a series of crazy events though. Todd was in Chicago on business meeting and Scott was working late shift at his job . Monya, the girls and I went and ate dinner at Red Robin and on way home the girls dropped me and Monya off at my house and they were going toswing by and pick up their swim suits and then circle around to join us. As Monya and I were sitting in the pool, she happens to look over at our piece of the fence that got damaged and fell during big storm a few months ago.The fence had pulled away again and there was large gap that my dog Lila can get through.We all jumped into action because Lila is a runner. She runs and runs and will not come back until you catch her.Mari picked her up, put her in the house and Monya and I jumped out of pool looking for a solution. I grabbed hammer and nails and she saw a 2x4piece of wood I had in the garage that I use for my junk shows.We hammered that into the middle of the 2pieces of fence that are separated and filled in the gap. It totally looks redneck but it got the job done! Lila isn’t getting out in that area. I literally am so grateful she noticed becauseI would have been besides myself if I let Lila out at 2:30 am ( seems to me the magic hour) and she got out- I would have never known until too late. So then once we got the fence stable, it was time for the all of them to head home. As they went to Mari’s car that was parked in my driveway next to me, they noticed that the tire was flat. Not just a little flat yall but like pancake flat.None of us knew how to change the tire. I happen to live across the street from a large Frisbee golf park so I sent the 2 girls to ask some guys if they could help us. Two nice young men agreed and they walked over, however none of us had a jack so they weren’t able to help us after all. Monya found a can of fix a flat and has an electric tire charger and it took a while but it got aired up enough for them to follow me to the closest tire repair store. We left it overnight and they had it fixed with a replaced used tire by 10 am today.  I mean the night was exhausting !!! Note to self- buy a jack, an electric charger and learn how to change tire.

I am looking forward to a 4-day weekend. We get Monday and Tuesday off so it will be nice to have a short week next week.I bought Willie Nelson tickets for myself and bestie Kimi for her birthday and the concert is this Sunday.So east Texas party tomorrow, Willie on Sunday-laziness the next 2 weeks.HA!

My life is seems to be nothing but chaos mixed with good and bad and really bad.I don’t know what to think of it. I’ve been asking God a lot about his plan for me.

Have a wonderful holiday and be safe yall!

W- Waylon and Willie

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson!!  I grew up listening to their music literally since a toddler.  Everyone in my family loved them and back in the 70's was when "Outlaw" music was created.  I remember buying my own albums of Willie and Waylon with my allowance money.  I saw Willie numerous times in concert starting in high school.  I had a very close friend who's boyfriend (Kyle) was CRAZY about Willie. We saw him anytime and everytime he was near DFW. In fact one time, Willie was a guest performer for some NBA basketball awards ceremony in Ft Worth and somehow Kyle found out about it. We got tickets just to see him and then left. It wasn't a full on concert but it was at least an hour's worth.  I've seen him many times since high school and he NEVER disappoints!!  I am so so happy I got to see him last year with Merle Haggard. It was so awesome.
I got to see Waylon right after I graduated high school at Billy Bob's.  I really just took it for granted that I would see more of him. Waylon was married to singer Jessi Colter and they toured together . It was so sweet to see them perform together.  So many interesting stories about Waylon. Did you know that Waylon was supposed to be on that plane with Buddy Holly the night it crashed? He gave up his seat to the Big Bopper who also perished that night.  If any of you were a fan of Dukes of Hazzard, you might know that it was Waylon who was the narrator on the show.  Honestly, we watched it because we loved Waylon but then my little brother got hooked on the show so we had to watch it.
It was a sad sad day for the family when Waylon passed on February 13, 2002.  He was only 64 and died from complications of diabetes.  I have to admit, I cried.  Sidenote as I type this: My sweet precious Nanny has diabetes and is currently in the hospital from a wound on her leg that wont heal. Her leg got very red and swollen and the Dr admitted her immediately.  Pray for her please if you're the praying kind.
Willie and Waylon both were a part of the Highwaymen group that released 3 albums.  Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson were the other Highwaymen.  Such a great group formed there!

I have to share a meme I posted today on my social media:
I will seriously cry and may have to go home if i'm at work if something happened to Willie.


This album has many fond memories for me.  We played the album constantly and I had my own copy.


Highwaymen...

 

Mama's Don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys- FarmAID Live in Austin

Luckenbach, Texas- (Basics of Love)

Good Hearted woman- Waylon and Wille

So how funny is it that W day also fell on Wednesday!! Have a great day yall.

Missing ol' Johnny Cash and Stevie Ray Vaughn

Happy Thursday y'all!!!   So its no secret i'm obsessed with Johnny Cash. I loved him and i am so bummed i never got to see him in concert.  I have a dozen tshirts with his name on it, my screensaver on laptop is Walk the Line, and i have his CD in constant rotation.
I am also equally obsessed with Willie Nelson.  I have seen him in concert a dozen times and i love every single time.  I recently saw Willie and Merle Haggard in concert a few months ago.   They released an album together called Django and Jimmie earlier this year.  One of the songs on the album is titled Missing Ol' Johnny Cash.  Its such a cute song! The two of them sing about Johnny and share some memories of him.
This is good ol classic country!!  Willie and Merle are country royalty.

25 years ago today , Stevie Ray Vaughn died in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin.   My mom was a HUGE fan of SRV.  He was a Texan and got his stardom playing in bars and clubs in Austin. He was born and raised in Dallas and started playing guitar when he was 7.  I was in college and was a waitress in downtown Dallas when i heard the news he had died.  It was a big deal in Dallas and all the radio stations played his music.  I got to see him in concert at Billy Bobs in Ft Worth the year before he had died.

Have a wonderful day everyone

Willie and Lukas on a Monday-How funny time slips away

Happy Monday y'all!!
Hope everyone had a great weekend.  I 'll have to tell you tomorrow because i'm super busy today for work.  Time is flying by and i cant believe we're already in the second week of August.  Made me think of a song ' Funny How time slips away
Here is a song that Willie Nelson wrote back in the 70's. Its a classic and i love it!

His son Lukas did a cover of it recently and i really like it!!  I think he did his Father proud. Its very laid back and he was hanging out in a friends cabin. He even said apologies to real piano players. It was one of the first times to attempt the song.

Have a WILLIE nice day yall!!

Songs for Thursday: Steven Tyler's new country song and another song with Willie and a family member

So last week's Battle of the Bands i had Willie Nelson and his son Lukas as a contender.  The song received very positive feedback and for the most, everyone liked it. Lukas sounds just like Willie.
Now here is a song that Willie sings with his daughter Paula.  Seems like the whole family is pretty talented. Its a cover of song Have you ever seen the rain

Now , lots of hubbub going on about Steven Tyler from the band Aerosmith switching over to the country side on his new album.  Honestly, i have to tell you that i really like Aerosmith! I've seen them in concert 3 times and have all their cd's.  They were just in concert in Oklahoma last weekend to a sold out show ( i didnt go).  They're not going anywhere.  Steven is just branching out like a lot of singers do.   I am in LOVE with his first country release.  It has his flair and not too country at all.
I also really love the video with the old timey truck and the neat gypsy caravans.....
Tell me what do you think?
Its called Love is your Name

Send your kisses my way
Bring your sweet heart to me
I’ve been waiting for so long

Tell me all your stories
Leave some open for me
Write your name into this song

I’ll walk through the fire
I’ll run through the rain
I’ll wait for forever
If Love is your name
Your name

Catch a wind from heaven
Sail down while I’m sleeping
Wake me with the morning sun
Oh, oh- oh
I’ll dream of you until you come

I’ll walk through the fire
I’ll run through the rain
I’ll Wait for forever
If Love is your name

Valentines keep knocking
My heart keeps on walking
Darling I’ll hold on for you
For You, for you

I’ll walk through the fire
I’ll run through the rain
I’ll wait for forever
If Love is your name

If love is your name
If love is your name

Have a great Thursday Y'all!!

Battle of the Bands

Hey y'all!! Its past my bed time but i made a commitment to participate in the Battle of the bands hosted by Stephen McCarthy at his Blog.

There are a lot of people who play along with these battles so go to Stephen's page and check out all the others.
Here's how it works. I am going to post the same song sung by two different bands or singers.
You comment with your favorite and then i'll let you know later who won the battle.  Fun huh?!
I only know a few that i wanted to enter the link with so it wont be an all the time gig for me.  Or will it? I may have so much fun i want to always play along!  Lets get through the first one.

The song is called Just Breathe.  It was written and released in 2009 by the band Pearl Jam.  I am really a big fan of this band and have always wanted to see them live but never have.  Eddie Vedder is the lead singer of this band and he's very involved in charities, politics, etc.  He uses his force for good and not evil though.  I think he's an awesome song writer as well as other guys in the band.

In 2012 , Willie Nelson and his son Lukas Nelson did their own version. Now this is so hard because i honestly love both versions and have them on my ipod and phone.  The video to me is Willie singing the song to his son and in the end he's preparing his son for when he's gone.  Thats how i interpreted the video when seeing it.  Listen to how much Lukas sounds like his dad. Crazy!

Here are the lyrics to the song:
"Just Breathe"

Yes, I understand that every life must end, uh-huh
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, uh-huh
Oh I'm a lucky man, to count on both hands the ones I love
Some folks just have one, yeah, others, they've got none

Stay with me...
Let's just breathe...

Practiced all my sins, never gonna let me win, uh-huh
Under everything, just another human being, uh-huh
I don't wanna hurt, there's so much in this world to make me bleed

Stay with me
You're all I see...

Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see
No one knows this more than me

As I come clean...
I wonder everyday, as I look upon your face, uh-huh
Everything you gave
And nothing you would save, oh no

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave...

Did I say that I need you?
Oh, did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see
No one knows this more than me
And I come clean, ah...

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me til I die
Meet you on the other side...

Can you believe that July is here? Seriously where did June go? It seems like we went from May to July.   Have a great day!! I go home Thursday night and i'm ready for my own bed, my hubby and my dogs. Not in that order of course.

Tuesday Tunes- Willie Nelson " The Wall"

Good morning y'all!  How is everyone managing during this hectic holiday season.  We've been so crazy busy.   I'm hosting a dinner party tonight with a few of my girlfriends so I've been working hard finishing up cleaning house and decorating. I didn't get everything done I wanted to but with just a few days left until Christmas, I finally realized its just not going to happen and i'm OK.   I'm serving tacos tonight ( i'm fancy like that) and a cake from where I got my wedding cake made. They are the best! My cousins birthday is Saturday and she's the big 50 and my besties birthday is Thursday so I got the cake for them.  I have a candle for both of them to blow out too.

I have so much to do and I such little time to blog about it so I wanted to keep it simple today by posting a song I am really enjoying.  I love love love Willie Nelson and just bought tickets last Friday to see him in April in concert. Woohoo!  He's released 2 albums this year , one being just him and his sister Bobbie (released last week).   I know Willie isn't for everyone but growing up in Dallas - he's a classic that takes me back to good memories.

This is off his new album Band of Brothers and is called The Wall.

Y'all, have a Blessed day.