Ginger sister issued a challenge to come up with you top ten favorite albums asking: What are your top ten?
What do you always return to, no matter what?
I'll do her one better and tell you the reasons why I always return to them.
My top ten are probably (in no particular order):
1. Trumpet Child - Over the Rhine ~ I keep coming back to this album because it's just really good. Lots of well written (both musically and lyrically) songs with a lot of heart. Plus they're really fun to sing along with!
2. Living with Ghosts - Patty Griffin ~ This is the album I listen to when I need to feel empowered. There's no one like Patty to make a girl feel like she can do anything she sets her mind to!
3. Speakeasy - Stavesacre ~ Although I am not as die hard of a fan as a used to be (3 concerts in one weekend), I still continually return to this album. I love the combination of great lyrics with powerful music. Also Gold and Silver is really fun to sing harmony to.
4. Ohio - Over the Rhine ~ I really could probably put every Over the Rhine Album on this list, but these two are definitely the ones I listen to most often. This one I listen to for a lot of the same reasons as the other album, they really are just darn good!
5. America IV - Johnny Cash ~ I love me some Johnny Cash and it doesn't get better then listening to him sing Dirt and Desperado. Love it!
6. Extraordinary Machine - Fiona Apple ~Also a girl power album! Fiona is very creative, in this album especially. I really just love it.
7. Has Been - William Shatner ~ That's right, I have a spoken word album and I listen to it all the time! I am a huge closet Shatner fan, if you've seen the first season of Bosten Legal then you know why. I Think he is a comic genius and this album and he did with Ben Folds Five proves it. He also has a deep and dark side, who knew!
8. Free At Last - DC Talk ~ This was the first album I ever bought with my own money and I still know all the raps. It really takes me back and deep down I still like it.
9. Toxicity - System of the Down ~ I still can't believe anyone can sing like he does, I have to keep listening to make sure, plus the first song helped me to memorize a bunch of facts and statistics about drug addiction and jail time.
10. The Essential Billy Joel Disc 2 - Billy Joel ~ Disc 2 and only disc 2. For some reason I don't like young Billy Joel. The original reason I started listening to this album was because Uptown Girl was the song we heard most often on our (Amanda, Mark and some other people) on our trip to Senegal. Now I also can't live without For the Longest Time and Goodnight Saigon.
This was easier then I thought, mostly because I don't own all that many albums. Most of what I listen to is burned on a mix or on Pandora. If I had any Beatles albums (I just have a mix) it would be up there. Coldplay Rush of Blood to the Head is also a close contender.
I finally finished it and it only took me 6 months (granted I wasn't working on it the whole time). I made this quilt for my neice Stance (Constance) for Christmas (originally it was for her birthday). I am pretty excited about how it turned out. I made a few mistakes, but nothing major and I learned a lot. I enjoyed myself and will probably be making more. Here are some pictures:
January-
-Started at BSU pursuing School counseling
-Got really, really, really sick
February-
-Spent Superbowl weekend with good friends
-Really, really, really sick, again!
-Finally remember how to be a student
-Got a job at Home Health Agency
March-
-Remembered why i had gotten out of nursing
-Found out I was not accepted to BSU
-Started looking at other Grad prograrms
-Matt's Grandma passed away
-Get really, really, really sick, again!
April-
-Breanna visits BSU and LOVES it!
-Watch Matt's play in Ithica, NY
-Best camping experience of my life
-Think that I am covered in a skin fungus and feel discusting
May-
-Find out that it's not a fungus, but a virus...still feel gross
-Join gospel choir, have a blast
-Discover a love for gardening
-Help parents paint kitchen, more fun!
-Matt gets interviewed in local paper
-Start quilting
-Have birthday, but no party :(
-Start at YOC and like it.
June-
-Katie Joy comes into the world for 15 hours
-Attend first funeral for an infant
-Watch flower and garden grow
-Finish applications to grad programs
July-
-Go camping with family
-Breanna comes for a visit
-Get great haircut
-Accepted to IWU
-Matt visits Josh in CA
-Start having serious money shortages
August-
-Matt starts job at Sallie Mae
-Have a few crazy weeks a work!
-Sign up for classes
September-
-Start classes
-Find $500 cash on doorstep!
-Start finance class at church
October-
-Matt starts at AT&T
-Kyle turns 21!
-Take a mini vacation with Abby
-Something very exciting happens!! (no, I'm not pregnant)
-Got off anxiety meds and freaked out for a bit, but got back to normal.
November-
-Cut hair really short, don't really like it
-Start getting very frustrated with IWU (see previous post)
-Host Thanksgiving and almost kill Kyle with cat dander
-Started a yoga class and enjoyed it and the physical benefits
December-
-See the Lion King and love it!
-Finish classes and get 2 A's and 2 A-'s
-Visit Jozette!!
-Work 3 holidays
-Have a great time with family on both sides (even if it wasn't long)
-Get a sewing machine!
Overall, it's been a good year. Althought it started out with a lot of sickness, hopefully this year will not begin that way!
