The Music Highlights Of My Life

I received this in an email, but thought it might be a fun blog topic, as well. What was the #1 Song on the Day you were born? I expanded this a bit and looked up the songs that correlated with some of the other important milestones in my life.

Go to http://www.joshhosler.biz and look up the number one song on your birth date or other special days. If you are inclined to play along, leave the answer(s) in my comments.

On the day of my birth, the #1 song was Alley-Oop by The Hollywood Argyles.

On the day of my hubby's birth: Young Love by Tab Hunter.

My entry into the teen years: Will It Go Round In Circles by Billy Preston

On my graduation from high school: With a Little Luck by Paul McCartney and the Wings

On our engagement day: Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes

On our wedding day: Abracadabra by The Steve Miller Band

Child # 1's Birth: Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler

Child # 2's Birth: Walk Like An Egyptian by The Bangles

Child # 3's Birth: Black Velvet by Alannah Myles

This was a great trip back in time! What amazed me most was that I was paying attention to the music through the years, because I remembered all of the songs. I hope to hear a few of yours.

This is me during a technological frustration.

If asked whether I love or hate technology, I'd have to answer: "It depends on the day and the project I'm trying to accomplish."

I use the computer on a fairly regular basis, both for work and personal endeavors. I can set up most basic hardware and software, although when it comes to glitches, I have very little patience. I am far from a techie, although I could be coached through fixing most problems when they spring up.

When I first started my home office job in November, I was given a laptop & printer. It was the start of over two months of struggles getting it to cooperate. I could get the internet, but not get on the company network. I spent many hours with tech assistance on the phone, trying this and trying that. Finally, after many attempts, I was able to access the network, but not synchronize files, etc. I was happy to be able to get into the network, only to find I now couldn't access the internet and my email. While I could get at email through my personal computer, I didn't really want to be saving all my work to my personal laptop. I spent a fair amount of time transferring work from one computer to another - UGHH! About then, I'd say I couldn't stand technology. It took 2 1/2 months before all the problems were finally solved (it would have been sooner if a few people would have listened to me). Now that the computer is mostly cooperating, I'll have to try to get all the features of my printer/fax/scanner working. I'm still trying to save up my patience.;-)

Our newest feature for work is participating in conference calls with Skype, a service which allows us to talk/conference for free. Downloading Skype was piece of cake. The plan was to have a webcam, even though it can be done with just voice. I picked up the webcam, which should have also been a piece of cake, but for some reason, it just won't work with my work laptop. I keep getting a USB error message claiming no driver was installed. I tried it on my own laptop, and got the same message. I let it sit a couple days, and was going to return it today, but thought I'd give it another try. Well today, it works on my personal computer, but still not my work computer. UGGHHH! Again, not good scores for technology.

In the midst of all of this, however, I looked down at the front of my computer and noticed my wireless light was blue, meaning it was on & working. I'll be darned! I have been without that function for a couple months--it just quit working one day, along with my speakers. I downloaded new drivers for both functions but was only able to get my speakers back. Several times I tried to reload the driver over the months, to no avail. The error message was always the same: no driver installed. Today, after several months of getting internet via the ethernet cable, with no rhyme or reason, it just began to work again. I have no idea how or why! HMMM...I wonder how long it will last?

On the bright side of technology, we have access to so much more information and more ways to stay connected to others than we did even a few years ago. For instance, now that I'll be Skyping for work, I plan to expand that practice and send my daughter in Texas a webcam so we can keep in touch a little easier and cheaper. I will also probably start suggesting the practice to other family members. Another way to stay in contact is with Facebook, although sometimes I am a little shocked at what I read...so maybe there is some drawback to that. Instant Messaging also is popular, though I rarely partake. I have so many family members, that it would be hard to keep up with them all by old fashioned means, but through computer contact, I can keep in touch at any hour of the day.

Another great technological advancement has been the wide array of public information available online. As a family historian, it is amazing how much can be tracked online, without having to make dozens of trips to the history museums. It still requires a lot of sleuthing, but that's the fun of it. I have saved thousands of miles on my car, plus, I can search the web at any hour, not just museum hours. Of course, technology can't replace the feel of the ancestral stomping grounds beneath ones feet. That requires a hands on visit. :-) I have crossed paths with numerous relatives online over the years, as I piece together the patchwork quilt that is my family. In fact, a few years back, I was able to contact numerous relatives I'd never met and plan a sesquicentennial of one of my ancestral family's arrival, mostly by tracking via the internet. It was so cool!

Google, or any search engine, for that matter, are lifesavers. The other day, I needed a Hawaiian themed dish for a going away party at work. I typed in a couple words, and I immediately had a recipe for Aloha bread. (It was delicious!) I could have spent an entire afternoon trying to find a suitable recipe in my cookbook collection. On another day, I might want to know an author or a songwriter, so I type in a phrase, and just about everything I ever needed to know is at my fingertips. I may be researching for work or I may want to read about news in locations around the country, or around the world, and its all at my fingertips. Perhaps I have a home improvement question or need to buy a certain item. A quick search, and an answer is at hand. I love the internet.

The availability of classes online are also a technological plus. Whether just for fun, or for academic credit, participating in online classes, webinars, and conferences can save lots of time and money over attendance at brick and mortar institutions. I especially like the abiility to participate on my timeline. It may not be for everyone, but it is nice for some learning.

Finally, the ability to pay bills, complete banking, look for a job, order library books, or complete virtual shopping expeditions, are all technological conveniences I've become accustomed to and those activities raise my love for technology.

So, for most of my activities, I love technology. When it's not working, I have a hard time being patient while trying to find a solution. On a scale of 1-10, I give technology an 8.

Laughing Gas At The Dentist

I'm in the process of getting a crown, after the painful process of a root canal. It is no secret to those who know me that I hate going to the dentist. I think it all stems from having very painful experiences as a kid, and since we were poor, the visits were far & few in between. I was one of the kids in my family that didn't have "good teeth." One of my dentists explained once that my teeth were not as hard as some. I'm not sure if that is genetic or environmental. Thus, when I went to the dentist, there were always lots of cavities to fill, and my childhood dentist was not too gentle. Once I was old enough to pay my own bills, I chose his competitor, to the consternation of my family, as my previous dentist was my dad's friend. He (the new dentist) was gentler and used gas. He also did really good work, albeit a little more expensively.

After I moved to another part of the state, I found another dentist, whom I went to for a number of years. He was nice, and most importantly, he used gas. I needed gas to relax me so that I could handle the novacaine, which I usually need in multiple dosages. Then, for convenience sake when I was doing daycare, plus an insurance/billing snafu and an enormous amount of unexpected dental bills (long story), I switched dentists to one that was located right in my town, so I wouldn't have to take huge amounts of time off to go to the dentist. I like him. He's nice and very open about charges & billing, so I never have surprises at the end. Once, when the work done went over my insured amount, he knocked the extra amount off as a professional courtesy. I've stayed with him ever since, even when he closed his office and moved to a nearby city.

The only issue I have with this dentist is he doesn't routinely use gas. I get so tense when I am being worked on, and absolutely hate the administration of novacaine. The gas would be relaxing. I asked about it recently and found they do have it, they just don't use it much because insurance won't cover it. I'm not sure if that is something more recent, as I used to get it years ago. I probably should have asked what the cost would be if I paid for it out of my pocket, since it takes me almost to the end of the work being done before I can will myself to unclench my fists and relax my rigid body. I sometimes think I just have a low tolerance for pain, but the dental assistant assured me I handle it far better than some. Maybe that is because I restrain myself and I don't lash out at how I'm really feeling.

However, as I was surfing various webs and blogs, I found a video of a child coming down from "laughing gas" after a dental procedure. Perhaps I'll pass on the gas, after all!

Kid on Laughing Gas

THE BEST MOM EVER

Today is my mom's birthday. Like so many other people, I think my mom is the best! She means the world to me. As the mother of 13 children, she made many sacrifices to get through 40+ years of child rearing. There are 24 years between my oldest sister and youngest brother. In honor of my mom's birthday, I am sharing with you the piece I wrote for her 75th birthday two years ago. The morning of her birthday, I woke up and wanted to write her a little message of sentiment, and this is what I came up with:

The Best Mom

When I was growing up, I had the best mom that there was,

I didn’t often tell her, but I loved her just because….

She nurtured me from a small babe, with gentle tenderness,

And being one of thirteen kids didn’t make her love me less.


For somewhere from inside her heart came a fountain overflowing,

With love, faith, strength, and wisdom; seemingly, ever knowing.

She sustained us all through lean times, with sacrifice and thrift,

But gave of herself freely, that was her greatest gift.


She sung her songs so sweetly, the ditties that to this day stick,

Like “A You’re Adorable,” “Mairzy Doats,” and the humorous “Chickory Chick.”

Learning and reading were encouraged, and the time she always took,

To assist me with my school work, or to read from a favorite book.

She cooked, she cleaned, she worked so hard, late into every night,

Yet was busy making breakfast at the crack of the new dawn’s light.

She took the time to listen, and accepted me for who I was,

She expected the best, which I didn’t always give, but she loved me just because.



I wasn’t often well behaved, I broke a lot of rules,

But somehow when I grew up, she’d lent to me her tools.

I learned that hard work wouldn’t hurt you, and often times it pays,

Not always in monetary dividends, but always in fulfilled days.

I passed along the songs and stories, to my children and others too,

And though my voice is not as sweet, a piece of her comes through.

I’ve borrowed her passion for children; I use it every day,

To share the love and nurturing I received along the way.


I’m not as good at sacrifice and my patience sometimes slips,

Sometimes letting unkind words pass between my lips.

As I cuddled my small children, or struggled through their teenage years,

I often thought of my mom’s way of handling troubles, fears, and tears.

And even though I’m all grown up and living far away,

I wonder with every choice I make, what my dear Mom would say.

I pray to God that He will guide me as my Mother always did,

When I was growing up as a baker’s dozen kid.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

To my MOM, on this day, celebrating seventy five years of living,

Thank you for being the Best Mom, and for your years and years of giving.
Since I wrote this on the quick the morning of her big day, I didn't get time to "properly edit," but I left it in its original form for what it meant to her. It is a piece that tells alot about the wonderful person she is and the unconditional love she gave. Though she doesn't read my blog, I'll give a shout out anyway:

Happy 77th Birthday Mom! I love you just because!