LOST Playlist

As I was reading about and pondering this week's LOST episode, I realized I hadn't updated my LOST playlist recently.

As the title indicates, this is a list of songs played on LOST episodes. It started like most of my other playlists: I heard a song on the show, liked it, and tracked it down on iTunes. Soon, I had a collection. So I created a separate playlist. It's a fun, eclectic group of songs that we enjoy listening to. Although it's a been a while. I think we overdosed. Time to pull it back out, though. It sounds fun again Plus, I added two songs from the end of Season 3.

Originally, I just wrote down the songs as they played. But then, ML found this site that does the work for me. So, I just check there periodically, look up the songs on iTunes, and download the ones I want. I don't buy all of them. I'm not a purist. I'm not going to listen to a song just because it was on LOST (for example, I chose to bypass Rump Shaker :-l *and I have also have foregone Jack's "Jeep music," a little too heavy even for me*). I have been introduced to some neat songs this way, though.

So, without further ado,

LOST Playlist

1. You All Everybody – Driveshaft
2. Are You Sure – Willie Nelson
3. Wash Away – Joe Purdy
4. I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
5. I Shall Not Walk Alone – The Blind Boys of Alabama
6. Walkin’ After Midnight – Patsy Cline
7. Delicate – Damien Rice
8. Make Your Own Kind of Music – Cass Elliot
9. The End of the World – Skeeter Davis
10. Redemption Song – Bob Marley
11. My Conversation – The Uniques
12. These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
13. Catch a Falling Star – Perry Como
14. The Hard Way – Kasey Chambers
15. Moonlight Serenade – Glenn Miller Orchestra
16. Downtown – Petula Clark
17. I Wonder – Brenda Lee
18. They – Jem (the stand-alone: not on the show, but from a great YouTube video montage)
19. Shambala – Three Dog Night
20. Wonderwall – Oasis
21. Show Me the Way to Go Home – Bing Crosby
*22. Everyday - Buddy Holly

*Added since original posting.

Updated lists

As an ongoing process of finding a system that works for family responsibilities, I've decided that we're going to "pass jobs down" primarily at birthdays and half-birthdays. Well, at least the Big Three's birthdays and half-birthdays, because it's convenient. :-/

MA & MS have birthdays in early February. JW's is in early July. So, they're exactly six months from each other. Thus, we'll "pass jobs down" in February and July.

So, the week of MA & MS's birthdays, I took a good look at the lists and determined what MS could take on new and what he and everyone else could pass down to the next youngest (MA had several empty slots to fill; don't know what I'm going to do with the jobs she "outgrows" in July, since ZL will probably not be ready to take them on).

For example, MA added putting away dishes (which she was excited about) and an allowance deposit, since she's now five, and several other odd jobs. Since JW was taking on the play area (which he does a meticulous, albeit slow, job of) as well as the family area, I dropped putting away dishes from his list and kept it on MS's, instead of passing that on to JW as I'd intended. MS is a very detail-oriented by nature (as is MA), and so, learning the homes for all of the miscellaneous kitchen items that go in the right-hand dish drainer was not a problem for him (mostly). It would be a great challenge for JW, so I chose to wait until he's older to train him in that. Just an example of how I hope to train all of the kids in doing all of the jobs around the house, but I want to take into consideration their giftings and preferences in how soon they learn certain things and how long they're responsible for them.

Bedtimes had been a particular challenge for a while, so we moved the boys from reading in the living areas at bedtime (which had kept them out of the communal bedroom and let the others settle in) to their beds with reading lights. For now, ML and I take turns sitting outside the door to their room (usually doing stuff on a laptop) while they settle in, which they have come to really like. This keeps the popping out of bed and training away from such limited to a shorter period of time, rather than dragging it out over two hours. So, they boys' bedtime lists reflect this. Also, to help with bedtime, we've been more consistent about getting the kids (and ourselves) up earlier in the mornings. So now, MS turns the alarm on each evening and off each morning along with turning off their sound machine and on the light.

So, here are the adjusted lists.
- morning lists
- bedtime lists
- MS daily & weekly
- JW daily & weekly
- MA daily & weekly

Pop Playlist

Eventually, this will probably divide out in to Pop, Rock, and maybe an Alternative playlist, but for now, it's just grouped under Pop. I've been waiting until I had some time to spend on this post, because I wanted to give the "story" behind each song, since most have a story. Since a certain blog-reading friend pointed out recently that I don't post often, I thought I'd take the time to post this list today (just teasing :-).

1. Firefly Main Theme - Sonny Rhodes: fairly obvious
2. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor: from an episode of Medium** (You can all collectively gasp at the fact that we watch that show. Would you believe that my mom recommended it?)
3. Bubbly - Colbie Caillat: On our family vacation this last fall, the pop (meaning, American) radio station that they had on in the restaurant each morning at breakfast played this song. It's catchy, and it reminds me of our vacation (which had its high points, although we will be returning to the Dead Sea this spring and probably not deviating from that tradition again).
4. That’s Not Me - Bianca Ryan: I discovered this song after seeing the Bianca Ryan YouTube video from America's Got Talent. I know it's just a cover she does, but I like the song and the way she sings it.
5. Where is My Mind? - Pixies: from the ending of a 4400 episode (I also heard it in another show, but I can't find anywhere on the internet where that was. Frustrating. ETA: Just figured out where it was. Not another show, but a great LOST fan video montage.)
6. Scarborough Fair - Simon & Garfunkel: After a date night dinner at TGIFriday's in the capital during which we sat next to a wall of record covers, I dug this song up on iTunes. I listened to my parents' record when I was little. I had the tape. I skipped the CD rendition. I have it in digital format.
7. Shiny Happy People - R.E.M: Would you believe it was a Sesame Street short that led me to get this song? I was looking up various Sesame Street shorts from my childhood to put on my iPod, and I came across a bunch of celebrity appearances, too, most of which are very fun, including R.E.M's "Smiling, Happy Monsters." :-P Then, I had to have the original, harkening back to my jr. high/high school days.
8. Lullaby – Dixie Chicks: another Medium episode
9. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen: re-introduced to this song thanks to the amusing "LOST Rhapsody" YouTube video
10. The Rose - Bianca Ryan: Another Bianca Ryan cover that I liked. Reminds me of seeing Beaches at the drive-in with my mom and a friend.
11. I’m Still Here – Johnny Rzeznik: from the sleeper Disney movie, Treasure Planet
12. White Flag – Dido: I heard this in the video store and remembered liking it, so I dug it up.
13. What I Like About You – The Romantics: I have no idea.
14. In The Sun – Joesph Arthur: from the alternate, alternate ending to Bourne Identity (took some digging on the internet to figure that out, if you can imagine)
15. American Pie – Don McLean: Not quite sure on this one either.
16. Eureka End Theme - Eureka: self-explanitory
*17. Who Will Save Your Soul - Jewel: I think I just like it. :-P
*18. Complicated - Avril Lagrine: ditto
*19. Extreme Ways - Moby: Bourne movie credits theme
*20. Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - They Might Be Giants: Just fun. Plus, Micah sings it occasionally. :-)

*Added since original posting
**And in case anyone's worried about how much TV we watch, we will rent a season of a show, download it to our computer, and then watch it over a couple of months (deleting the episodes from the computer as we watch them). We don't have satellite, so this is the only TV we watch. :-)

Grief Playlist

My list of songs to minister to those in a time of grief, all of which have ministered to me over the years as I have processed and dealt with the grief of losing our son, WM, who was 7 weeks old (in 2000).

1. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Michael W. Smith: The ultimate admonition. Hymns touch a special place in my heart, and this one has a significant place in the grieving process.
2. Sun and Shield – J. M. Gulley: Written after the composer's college-age younger brother had suddenly died of heart failure. Powerful, especially given the context.
3. Praise You in This Storm – Casting Crowns: I don't take the opportunity to listen to Christian radio often, although I could use streaming internet to do so. One of the few times I have, this song was playing. Providential, I think.
4. Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman: This song was not debuted until a couple of years after WM's death, but it summarized so perfectly my feelings that it took my breath away when I first heard it. And of course I sobbed.
5. Held – Natalie Grant: There could not be a song more tailored to our loss. I was on the way to meet with a friend for coffee (in the States) when it came on the radio. I lost it. Fortunately, my friend understood.
6. Be Near – Shane & Shane: The cry of every believer in grief.
7. ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus – Carman: It is. 'Nuf said.
8. He’s My Son – Mark Schultz: While the circumstances are different than ours, this song captures the heart of grief and hope.
9. Outstretched Hands – Starfield: A cry from the depths of despair, where those grieving can find themselves
10. Come for Me – Charlie Hall: Patient, hopeful, passionate waiting for the ultimate Comfort of reunion with Him
11. Rock Solid (On Christ the Solid Rock) – Passion Worship Band: When all else is sinking sand
12. You Are My Supply – J. M. Gulley: Written for the composer's friend, who had just lost her one living parent
*13. Word of God Speak - MercyMe: The very essence of what is needed in the depths of grief
*14. We Love You, Jesus - Greg Long: I first fell in love with this song driving to and from my teaching job before MS was born. It is what I constantly strive for my attitude to be. We had it sung at WM's memorial service, as it was fitting.
*15. We Will Dance - David Ruis: A very hopeful song for me in the months after WM's death as I pictured the day I would dance will all of my children.
*16. You Are My Hiding Place - Selah: Our refuge
*17. Bring the Rain - MercyMe: A powerful statement of willingness to endure pain and suffering for his glory
(*18. I Will Carry You - Selah: To be released Fall '08. Written and recorded for Angela and Todd Smith while they were walking through the impending loss of the daughter she was pregnant with, as they learned that she would not survive outside the womb.)

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

*Added since the original posting of the list.

Country Playlist

Sometime in the past year, I started compiling a couple of non-practical playlists. They weren't worship music. They weren't educational. They weren't even compilations of songs that represented a period of time or a theme (more on that later). They were just fun songs that I had been reminded of and wanted to own and be able to listen to.

One of those lists was m "Country Playlist." While I used to listen to country a lot, these days I'm more likely to use my listening time to re-center my day with some worship music (usually in the kitchen while cooking or cleaning), there were some songs that I missed and really wanted the chance to hear when I was in the mood.

And here they are (I'm sometimes reminded of one or two I want to add, so it's in flux):

1. Amarillo By Morning – George Strait
2. I Loved Her First – Heartland
3. Gettin’ By – Jerry Jeff Walker
4. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
5. Song of the South – Alabama
6. Mr. Bojangles – Jerry Jeff Walker
7. Love Without End, Amen – George Strait
8. Leaving on a Jet Plane – John Denver
9. God Blessed Texas – Little Texas
10. On the Road Again – Willie Nelson
11. Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys – Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
12. What I Like About Texas – Jerry Jeff Walker
13. Born Country – Alabama
14. Little Bitty – Alan Jackson
15. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
16. All My Ex’s Live in Texas – George Strait
17. If You’re Gonna Play in Texas – Alabama
18. Chattahoochee – Alan Jackson
19. Deeper Than the Holler – Randy Travis
20. Desperados Waiting for the Train – Jerry Jeff Walker
21. Texas – George Strait
22. Independence Day – Martina McBride

Yes, there's a Texas theme. It's unavoidable: A) it's country and B) it's my list.

still to-be-purchased
The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
Little White Church - Little Big Town: seemed like this was playing *everywhere* when we got to the States this summer ('10); it has such a classic country feel to it, I was surprised to find out it was new

Our produce list

A month or so ago, we finally settled on a base weekly produce list, one that would get us from one big run to our favorite fruit stand to the next with minimal mini-runs in between. It gets tweaked each week based on what's left over from the last and/or what recipes we're planning on preparing, but here it is as it generally stands.

lettuce, 2 heads
red & yellow bell peppers 1-2 each
persimmons 6-8
avocados 3-4
pineapples 2

carrots 2 pkgs (2k?)
cucumbers 3k*
bananas 5k
apples 2-3k
pears 2k
kiwi 1k
oranges 2k
grapefruit 1-2k
Clementines 1-2k
strawberries 1/2-1k
tomatoes 1k
mangoes 2k
plums 1-2k
peaches 1-2k
green beens 1k
(1-2 jalapenos)
(onions 1k)
(potatoes 2k)
(garlic 1pkg)

The items in parentheses are ones that we only need occasionally, but I don't want to forget to check. Our cell phone company offers 30 free text messages/month sent from their website. I keep this list on a "stickie note" (a Mac program) on my computer, and I cut and paste it into a text message sent on-line. I then make any adjustments, and ML, bless him, goes shopping.

A produce run with most of the items on this will cost us around $55. We are so blessed to have such affordable produce.

And if you're wondering at the magnitude of the list, keep in mind that we eat 50-70% raw, depending on the member of the family and the day of the week, and we eat very little meat when we do eat cooked, so we consume a lot of fresh veggies and fruits. 

We sometimes have to re-up on bananas right before another run, and cucumbers can run low, if the kids have been hitting them hard for snacks, but this mostly does us for the week.

*1k=2.2 lbs

Advent

We're almost finished with Advent!

Yeah, I know. It's the middle of January, but December really got away from us this year with the Muslim Eid al Adha falling right before Christmas (we had lots of Eid visits to make to our friends and it took away from our Christmas preparations and celebrations), and we never got to finish up our family Advent services. There are six of them, one for each week of Advent, one for Christmas Eve, and one for Christmas Day, and we're never very particular about doing them on Sundays, since we're not always home the same nights each week. We just try to make sure we get them all done before Christmas. This year, we failed, but we decided to go ahead and do them as we have time, especially since the house is still decorated waiting for one last local friend to visit and see it all decked out. Tonight, we celebrated Christmas Eve. :-/

So, while I was cleaning up the files on the computer, making sure I'd fixed all the typos I'd noticed (which I discovered I'd actually done last year, I think they're finally in their [mostly] final form), I thought I'd put them up here to share. I'll try to remember to link back to them next November at a little more normal time to think about Advent.

But first, a little background.

Both ML's family and my own celebrated Advent as we were growing up, and his mother (MHK) synthesized some resources into an Advent service that they used. I took it and adapted it, because our Advent wreath (kind of different in that it is wrought iron that we've woven silk ivy and poinsettias into) has the candles labeled around the edge, and since that's not standardized, my mother-in-law's service didn't match the labels.

In the process of adapting the service to fit the wreath, I tweaked several things (the original service did not have Christmas Eve or Christmas scripts). The music included has evolved over the years, too. At one point, MHK included choruses with the hymns. We all found that those became dated too quickly, though, so we ended up dropping them and just sticking with hymns. As MHK had done, I included the full text of all of the Scriptures, except for the Luke 2 passage for Christmas morning. This makes it very simple to read through, since there are no Scriptures to look up. We have several sets of the service in (red and green) bradded folders, so the presentation is a little nice and relatively neat. Eventually, I might have them bound into actual books. During the Advent season, we keep the folders under the Advent wreath.

Each family member who is reading fluently takes turns reading the sets of lines (that will make more sense when you look at the actual service) with ML reading the opening and closing sets. The older children take turns lighting the candles and younger children get to blow them out. We sing the songs acapella (primarily because I found it too difficult to manage all of the children while ML played guitar ), but I'm working on a version that will include chords, since we will probably want that at some point, too.

I also eventually developed an all-in-one version to be done in a single sitting. When ML and and his sisters were in boarding school, they would do one candle each night several nights in a row to get them done after they came home for Christmas break. When we were early married, sometimes we wouldn't be together with his family even that many nights, so it got a little cramped. The all-in-one would have be perfect for times like those, since it's abbreviated. I actually put it together, though, because we have friends here who want to be a part of our Christmas celebrations to see what they're all about, and this was one thing we could do with them. To this end, I also re-worked the all-in-one with NIrV (NIV at a 3rd grade reading level) verses to be more easily understood by second language learners.

All that is to say, here are our Advent services, if anyone can use them.

- Complete Advent Service

- All-in-one Advent Service

- All-in-one NIrV Advent Service

Oh, and there's a brief section on the history of Advent included at the end of each one, too.