Surprises in store for Those Who Dare

Do you have a secret list for Santa? Something you want that your more practical friends won't give you? A life size cut-out of President Bush? (I already have it), a Howard Dean sweatshirt? (don't have), A deck of Hillary Clinton playing cards? (Don't Have - Don't Want) or a Dr Condeleeza Rice for President in 2008 watch (I really, really want)

Maybe you're a normal person and would prefer cashmere socks or a DVD of The Quiet Man (my favorite movie)

Well, if you own a blog, you could be in luck! We want you to join our Secret Santa in Blogland group. I'll be posting more details very shortly.

Intrigued? Want to find out more? Run on over to ebay & check it out. And post a comment for me and you can find out even more. Ho Ho Ho It's going to be fun.

O Holy Night

I was at work today (yeah, I know it's Sunday) so I didn't get a chance to post lesson 7 in our Christmas Carols you should know by heart. Start singing.

O Holy Night

O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pinning
Till he appeared and the soul felt it’s worth

A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
O night divine, o night, o night divine

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from orient land

The king of king’s lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need
Our weakness no stranger
Behold your king
Before him lowly bend
Behold your king before him lowly bend

Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and his gospel is peace
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother
And in his name all oppression cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name
Christ is the lord
Oh praise his name forever
His pow’r and glory
Ever more proclaim
His pow’r and glory ever more proclaim

I'm feeling very Irish today

And I'd like to offer a toast to my friends Assembly Republican Leader Kevin O. McCarthy and Governor Scwarzenegger.

Shrug off yesterday's setback as I raise a glass to you:

May those that love us, love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping.

Thank you Yahoooooooooooooo

They think I'm the #1 Most Beautiful Irish Lass!

I've Hit 5,000

Thanks to the extraordinary tenaciousness of the googler looking for Santa Baby (I was on page 31). Thank you for visiting and welcome!

The Irish support Dan Lungren for Congress








On Day 6 of our Christmas Carols we'll learn one that was always a favorite at my house.

Christmas in Killarney (as recorded by Bing Crosby)
by Cavanaugh, Redmond and Weldon

The door is always open
The neighbors pay a call
And Father John before he's gone
Will bless the house and all

The holly green, the ivy green
The prettiest picture you've ever seen
Is Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home

It's nice, you know, to kiss your beau
While cuddling under the mistletoe
And Santa Claus you know, of course
Is one of the boys from home

The door is always open
The neighbors pay a call
And Father John before he's gone
Will bless the house and all

How grand it feels to click your heels
And join in the fun of the jigs and reels
I'm handing you no blarney
The likes you've never known
Is Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home

Thru All Kinds of Weather

Wizbang has lost his job. There is no good time for this to happen, but Christmas is a particularly lousy one. If you've got a few extra nickels in your paycheck today, stop by and hit his tip jar. After all, we don't know what's coming tomorrow ...

Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money,
Maybe we're ragged and funny,
But we'll travel along,
Singing a song,
Side by side.

Tho' we don't know
What's coming tomorrow,
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow,
But we'll travel the road
Sharin' our load,
Side by side.

Thru all kinds of weather,
What if the sky should fall,
Just as long as we're together,
It really doesn't matter at all,

When they've all had their quarrels and parted,
We'll be the same as we started,
Just travelling along,
Singing a song,
Side by side.

And now for Day 5 in our Christmas Carol Lessons


God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest you merry gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ, our Savior
was born on Christmas day;
To save us all from satan's pow'r,
when we were gone astray.

(Refrain)
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

In Bethlehem, in Jewry,
this blessed Babe was born,
And laid within a manger,
upon this blessed morn;
The which his mother Mary,
did nothing take in scorn.

From God our heav'nly Father,
a blessed angel came;
And unto certain shepherds,
brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born,
the Son of God by name.

The shepherds at those tidings
rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a feeding,
in tempest, storm, and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straight way,
the Son of God to find.

Steve Samuelian will not run again

I received a forward of this e-mail yesterday. I've x'd out the author's identity so I don't get him in any trouble.

As info.... I guess it's true!
-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 4:05 PM
To: Legislative Committee; Field-Service-Representatives
Cc:
Subject: Assemblyman Steve Samuelian (R-Clovis)


I have just received a fax from the Steve Samuelian campaign stating that he will not file for re-election. Although Steve has been a close friend of the industry as a staffer and a legislator, some personal actions have brought significant opposition from opinion leaders in the Fresno area. In his statement he says he will serve out his term and work with the Administration to right California's economy.



xxxx xxxxxx

Director of Legislative Affairs

California xxxxxxxx Association

(916) xxx-xxxx

Day 4 of the Christmas Carols -- Men do not need to learn this one (unless they want to)

Santa Baby

Written by Eartha Kitt

Santa Baby,
Just slip a sable under the tree
For me
Been an awful good girl
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby,
A '54 convertible too
Light blue
I'll wait up for you, dear
Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you'll check off my Christmas list

Santa Baby,
I want a yacht and really that's not
A lot
Been an angel all year
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa honey,
One little thing I really need
The deed
To a platinum mine
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie,
And fill my stocking with a duplex
And checks
Sign your 'x' on the line
Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you
Lets see if you believe in me

Santa Baby,
Forgot to mention one little thing
A ring
I don't mean on the phone
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry...tonight

Thanksgiving Follow-up Bonus

I had Thanksgiving with my pal Stacey and her family. Chloe (the 7 year old diva) and Stace and I played Cranium. When Chloe read the question "What was the day the music died?" we launched into song. Stacey and I know all the words to every good song ever written. That's why we're such a hit at the Mission Ranch Inn Piano Bar.

A long long time ago
I can still remember how
That music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while.

But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step

I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died

So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
And them good old boys
Were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Did you write the Book of Love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so
Do you believe in rock 'n roll
Can music save your mortal soul
And can you teach me how to dance real slow

Well, I know that you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

I started singin'
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
And them good old boys
Were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Now for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin' stone
But that's not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the King and Queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me

Oh, and while the King was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lennon read a book of Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died

We were singing
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
And them good old boys
Were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Helter Skelter in a summer swelter
The Byrds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and falling fast
It landed foul out on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
While the Sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
'Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died

We started singing
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
And them good old boys
Were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation Lost in Space
With no time left to start again
So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
'Cause fire is the Devil's only friend

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in hell
Could break that Satan's spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrifical rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

He was singing
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
And them good old boys
Were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music woudn't play

And in the streets the children screamed
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died

And they were singing
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
And them good old boys
Were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

They were singing bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
Them good old boys
Were drinking whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die

It's Day three of our Christmas Carol class. I must admit, I did not know verse 4. But now I do.

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high,
Singing sweetly through the night,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their brave delight.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tiding did you hear?

Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the new-born King.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

See him in a manger laid
Whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While we raise our hearts in love.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Boots on the Ground, Hearts on Their Sleeves

If anybody is wondering: Where are the young idealists? Where are the people willing to devote themselves to causes larger than themselves? They are in uniform in Iraq, straddling the divide between insanity and order.

Read the rest in the NYTimes.


Another Christmas Carol for your collection of songs you know by heart.

Winter Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring
Are you listening
In the lane
Snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song
As we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow
We can build a snowman
Then pretend
That he is Parson Brown
He'll say: Are you married?
We'll say: No man
But you can do the job
When you're in town

Later on
We'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow
We can build a snowman
And pretend
That he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun
With mister snowman
Until the alligators knock him down

When it snows
Ain't it thrilling
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play
The Eskimo way
Walking in a winter wonderland

Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland

Dick Smith - Felix Bernard

Rain Rain

It's wet and cold and I would love to stay in bed, but off to work I go.

But not before teaching you a Christmas Carol. Stick with me and you'll know by heart 25 carols on Christmas. Learn all the verses and sing with gusto.

O Come, All Ye Faithful
[Tune: Adeste Fideles, English, 1751]

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God
In the highest; Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing; Refrain

[Latin, 18th cent.]