Stuffy And All That Stuff?

The thing about all that “stuff” in our life? Makes us stuffy. We get so closed up & filled up with life that there’s no room for anyone…even our real self. Obviously, obliviously stuffy! Open a window & feel the fresh wind of God! Knock, Knock! Open that door & let someone in. Don’t blow it…err it out. Make room for the right stuff. A fresh start’s 1st step? Get fresh, get started! When? 1-1-11. See you there.  Trace

A Bird In The Hand

Heard that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, right? Mine’s not anymore…while taking down my 3 bird decorations? One broke in my hand. I think the two left in the bush? Are worth more now… TNT LOL...Just remember?  Everything has value...

His Presents to us? Presence and Sacrifice

I try, as you do, to look at difficulties, let downs or disappointments as an opportunity to be the one to step back & not be first…to replace the hurt with humor & hope & humility…let God do the lifting up so He is the One Lifted up.  I found myself this Christmas thinking of His gift to us…His presence…His sacrifice.   I realized that I was worrying about my presence too much & not my sacrifice enough.  His gift to us?  His cup runneth over...with presence and sacrifice!  Nuff said.  Trace.

Christmas Fruit

Decorate someone's life with your fruit...

Gifts And Presence

On stage, we pour out our music & heart...stage presence. Our gift that we share? Is being there...with our whole heart...presence. Celebrate Christmas on the stage of life by giving lots of presence...by being there for someone! Presence? Give some today. Presence is what He gave us…Jesus to dwell among us…what a Gift.... Make your gifts? Your presence. Be there! Gotta wrap this up & make myself presentable.  Presents...give me your presence...wrap it up...I'll take it.

Portraits Of Poor Traits & A Partridge In a Pear Tree! Portrait time? Love it, right? But it can get cheesy. Be sure your portraits? Don’t show your poor traits! Whether poor character traits or facial…cover them up! Let your rich character traits show in your face & heart. Make sure you don’t look & act like you smell... cheese instead of saying cheese. Now, that’s rich! Smile & say cheese. Keep it mild…keep it sharp!

Store Run For Pudding and Cheer...and Carolers

Just got back from a frantic run to the grocery store for pudding & Cheer detergent. Seems our carolers really lost it after Deck The Halls…they stood outside screaming Bring us some friggin’ pudding & a cup of good Cheer…over & over. Apparently the Halls? Still mad about being decked and had ideas of pudding running... through their heads…or on Bob’s head. Guess the Cheer was for after.  Full story?  Caroling in the cold: We began with Deck The Halls. How was I to know their name was Hall & that Bob would actually deck them? He got mad cuz he thought we were telling him to put on Don's clothes cuz his apparel was gay. Mr. Bough hung his wife Holly on the door & called her Wreath-a for saying he’s an ancient troll. ...Yul? Well, he got too close to the fire. See the blazing Yul before us. Give warmth! Keep your cool!

Christmas Gift

Click on the link below to find our how to get our free mp3 download as a gift. 

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=185231928157951&index=1

Giving Myself The Boot!

My boots?  They’ve been all over…from The Gettysburg Battlefields to Life’s Battlefields. Anybody walk a mile there? A swift kick is my reminder to encourage…to keep fighting. We all think…”You try to walk a mile in my boots”.  But, really? We all have those miles & the thing is? Would we walk a mile with someone…like He does? If you give someone the boot? Let it be a swift kick that lifts up! 

And my boots?  Tough as leather, like me! And I have to be polished once in a while like my boots…if I want to shine…and last.  Be preserved and resistant to all the stains.  My boots have a soul underneath all that toughness, too…and some strings attached…that get a little knotted up sometimes.  The thing is?  Sometimes it’s lonely even if we aren’t alone.  So, walk a mile with me…I’ll walk with you.  Trace

Wheels and Boxes (don't be square...be a spare)

Wheels & Boxes! The guy who invented the 1st wheel? Wasn’t that great…maybe a little square….in the box? The guy who invented the other 3? He was a GENIUS…the wheels of his brain were turning round & round! He definitely stepped out of the box. But, come on! Spare me! The guy who invented the 5th wheel? Flat out? He changes lives! Hope your day is out of the box! Change a life…even your own. Don’t be sparing!  Trace

The Wind

Life can get in a whirlwind & seem to go against you. A kite? Can’t soar in the sky without the wind & an airplane takes off against it! Some days we run with the wind…others? Against it. Reminds me of a Bob Seger song, Against The Wind! Want to soar or fly? Remember who makes the Wind! When it blows hard, remember the... Wind Maker! & when it blows softly? Remember the Windmaker! Life? Stay winded…be blown away! TNT LOL

Interpreting Christmas Carols!!!

Neighbors, Caroling & Interpretation: We started with Deck The Halls. How was I to know their names were Hall & that Bob would actually deck them. Bob got mad when he thought we were telling him to put on Don's clothes cuz his apparel was gay. Mr. Bough hung his wife Holly on the door & called her Wreath-a for saying he's an ancient troll. Yul? Well, he got too close to some lights...see the blazing Yul before us?TNT LOL PIMP

Christmas Card Video (share our creation or create your very own)

So, while you are keeping warm and thinking about doing Christmas cards...read on.  Sending out cards?  Has always something dear to me since I was a little girl.  I love sending cards to bring joy and humor and love and encouragement into someones day...and at Christmas I always sent out 100's of cards to anyone that touched my life through all the years.  Well, the past 3 years I haven't been able to due to finances and health.  So, I came up with a Christmas card Video.  We wrote our own original jazzy/blues/rock Christmas song and I scanned through all those cards that everyone wondered why I kept all my life.  They are in an old dresser...still useful.  Anyway, I scanned them and found ones that tell the story of our song and just ones that I cherish for many different and unique reasons...just as I cherish each one that gave them...uniquely.   Doing the video enable us to send cards out and honor even those who are gone.  And include them in the video.  We are offering our song download for free at our website for the whole month.  And our videos are at Facebook and Youtube and can be shared anytime.  You can use our creation as your card share it to all those that have touched your life because you have touched ours.  I would love to share my Christmas Card Video.  Or you can download, for free, the song itself from our website to your computer.  You can import it into your favorite video making program and add your own scanned cards and photos and share your very own Christmas Card Video.  Very easy.  You can send it out to everyone on your card list.  Even burn a copy for those that want CD's.  If you chose to make your own?  Download the free song here:  http://basicband.biz/fr_bandroom.cfm  The song will be playing on our in-house P.A. System.  Whether you creating your own video or use ours, have a wondrous time sending it out to all those who have touched your life.   Cards are such a blessing to give and to receive...really cool stuff.  Be creative!  If you need any help, feel free to send me questions on Trace's Computer Space of this site and the Home Space page.  Talk soon.

Here is the video on Facebook to share or on Youtube to share also...or use as an example.  Much love and shelter ♥&^, Trace

God's Favor by the b.a.s.i.c. band (on YouTube)

God's Favor by the b.a.s.i.c. band (on Facebook)

Or share it from here:  I am downloading the video here...

8 Tracks and Life Tracks

‎8 Tracks/Life Tracks: Been off track. How off track? If I was an 8 track? I'd be found skipping on track 9 & you’d have to take me apart to untangle me. I’ve done that to save old music on 8 Tracks & Cassettes many a time. Sometimes we have to untangle our life tape to get back on the right track..even splice them back together at spots. Even re-master! For that? The Master! Yep! Done that! Have an at”track”tive day.  Check out the photo on my music page...shows 8-track tapes...  Stop by my other pages here.  Trace

Handerpants Girl!

If I were a cartoon superhero? Handerpants Girl! To the rescue! To save your hands from the cold! Holding a mic can get cold...pimp lol.  She's always there to lend a hand...a "Handerpants" hand!!! PIMP LOL TNT I wear them right below the feelings I wear on my sleeves. And the boots to keep me reminded to get out their and kick butt and be encouraged and be encouraging! I'll also give you the shirt off my back, but you would have to roll up those worn out sleeves up...worn out by my feelings... Come walk a mile with me.  With handerpants?  Warm hands and warm heart are a pair!!!  Have a fun, warm day!  Trace

So, I love my Handerpants, right? Underpants for the hands? Well, I was thinking...iif any of you out there are rich and want to invest in an idea? How ‘bout “Fingarees”? Dungarees for the hands. You know how I love jeans! Anyone want to invest? We could have "cut-offs", too. Fingerless dungarees! I thought of jean pull-ups or diapers for kids 15 years ago, but didn't act on the idea. Whose with me?

Grin...and bear it!

With this cold? You feeling like a bear? Growling & all?  Feel like hitting the caves & hibernating from the world? Lift up that growling voice & let it out & be filled with His peace!  Go from Grizzly Bear to Stuffed Bear, a teddy bear! Let the “stuff”ing you’re filled with be peace! You can bear it…with thick skin & a soft furry countenance. A bit of toughness & a bit of softness…that’s the way to bear “it”.  Grin…

Always On A Roll

Always on a roll~~~~~  Even when things look bleak, you can be on a roll…even if you feel like it’s your eyes that are on the rolling.  Getting in trouble as a kid? You can get  smacked with a rolled up magazine. On a roll, right?  Or part of me…pimp lol…  Just depends on how you look at things…  Find humor in all the rolls and punches in life…  What rolls my socks down? Or up?  Laughter, music, seeing God in everything…  Gotta roll now...  Have a day that rolls your socks up and down...TNT LOL PIMP

Lover Of My Soul

Collecting My Thoughts And Leaves

After looking at some photos from my dear friend, Pam, and some old ones from my Grandma up in Pennsylvania, I was also thinking about how useful leaves are even after they turn the beautiful colors and fall to the ground. They are gorgeous to look at and collect and press in our bibles and also good for mulch. They make a great pile of colorful softness for kids (and big kids) to jump in. So, let me "leaf" you with this thought...even when we think we aren't useful...we are...might be different than what it used to be...but, still very useful.

As we say in Pennsylvania or New York...You's guys!

My New York/Pennsylvania You's Guys Status: Ever feel useless? I have. Thing is? The more I thought about it? The more I realized I was thinking about me too much. I hate when that happens. If you feel useless? Think about you less. Use-less or you-less? Ouch! I definitely gotta think less…period! How can I make myself... useful? Be full of you's! You's-ful! Keep my mind on you's guys! PIMP LOL TNT

Batteries, Dolls And Gifts From The Heart

With the PT Cruiser Battery dead and sickness and much other craziness in my life I have been feelin’ like a rag doll lately with rips and tears and stuffing coming out of me everywhere.  And I don’t mean stuffing, as in Turkey stuffing.  PIMP LOL…  Been kind of a loner this past couple of weeks.  Guess I needed some alone time with God to get some mending done on my heart and spirit stuffing, I guess!  Needed a reminder that it’s still there.  You know? The kind of stuffing that we can’t see…like our breath?  You usually can’t see it, unless things get cold…and then?  There it is…to reassure you that it’s there.  God made us cool like that.  Builds our faith.  And, you know that God works in wonderful way to help us when we most need it and even when we don’t deserve it.  Wednesday I was completely surprised and was blessed with a brand new Die-Hard battery for my car!  A gift from my Mom and Dad.  And today?  A new rag doll…a beautiful Snowlady stuffed rag doll…that screams Tracy!   A gift from Vick and Rick!  And if anyone can find the clothes you see on her in the photo? For my size? I would so wear them!!!  TNT LOL.  Hope your day is full of the little gifts that make the big difference.  He is our greatest gift…and when folks share of themselves and their giving hearts and time?  They share Him.  Thanks, for loving me…when I most need it.  Love always…but, loving when someone least deserves it?  That’s when it serves them most…and you.  Serving when it is least deserving is preserving.  Loving without reservation is our preservation.  And forgiving may be undeserving, but just plain conserving to our bodies and souls.  I reserve the right to say that this is tough…PIMP LOL TNT!   My final thought?  Sing always…but, sing when you least feel like you or anyone deserves it.  That’s when it serves you and everyone else most.  Don't forget to look at the photo with this and stop by my other post and new pages I am putting up here.  Humor me?  Follow me?  But, mostly?  Have a fun day and if you don't feel loved?  Love someone.  Trace   (Also...not only reading all the other posts, but clicking on the photo or any of the photos in the blog posts will give you the bigger picture, too...PIMP LOL TNT 

God's Favor (an original Christmas song for all year)

http://www.youtube.com/user/basicband?ob=1

Walking Dead and Black Friday

Walking Dead and Black Friday: The only difference between Zombie shows like Walking Dead and Black Friday? The Zombie’s won’t fight over the last HD TV! Now, the Plasma TV’s? Different story. They might take a bite out of your chances on those…PIMP LOL TNT!

Black Friday

The stores want you to shop & spend with no complaints, so they have deals. I found a great deal in a Godmart ad: “Don’t complain…just plain come! If you must complain, visit Customer Service. He's always open…to suggestions. Will take your suggestions andcomplaints & give you a Reign check. O...n the way out? Make a donation of thanksgiving! Giving thanks will make your complaints seem cheap."  I'm not a shopper on Black Friday...I spend Thanksgiving Day having fun and being thankful.  Then on Black Friday, I stay home, bake my ham and thankfully play some games and music.  Have a "block of rock" Black Friday, everyone!

Cornucopias And Scarecrows

At the supper table, I envied them for being able to eat the delicious comfort foods. Life-changing surgeries had changed that for me. Then I saw the Cornucopia & Scarecrow Centerpiece…reminded me of the endless supply of spiritual comfort food we get by serving. Got busy cleaning up. A stirring reminder sending the “dark crows of envy” flying away! Make yourself scarce crows! I’m comforted by stirring soul food!  So, what is your scarecrow?  What scares away your dark crows?  What is your dark crow?  Trace

Truth And Turkey...Hard To Swallow?

Truth, sometimes? Is unbelievably hard to believe. The truth is? It’s hard to swallow sometimes…but, after you get a taste of it? And digest it? Yes! It’s food for thought…food for life! Sometimes truth IS tough to swallow, but seasoned with faith? Leaves you hungry for more! Anything else? Leaves you fed up! Truth? One of the major food groups. Swallow it daily!   Have a wonderful Thankful day today as we celebrate Thanksgiving.  Hope your turkey and truth is not hard to swallow!  PIMP LOL TNT

Hospitality, hospitals and the Red Carpet Treatment

Our guests get The Treatment: Red Carpet…like a famous guest at a hospital. No matter who they are, making them famously comfortable is our Red Carpet Treatment. We should also treat the “guests” that we live with? With the same hospitable care. It’s healing. Our homes? Wound Care Centers. Us? Dr.’s & nurses of love. Roll out the red carpet & serve up some hospitality! We might need fewer hospitals, I’m guest-ing!  PIMP LOL TNT

Crossroads

Crossroads of Life: I was traveling the back roads & came to one. The sign? High Road this Way…Low Road that way. Low Road looked inviting but seemed to have no end. It was paved with good intentions, but the sands of time showed roots of bitterness, pain, jealousy & unforgiveness growing amongst the rocks. High Road? Steep, narrow & rough, but I could see someone waiting at the end…just One Rock. He was smiling.

Nose out of joint? Don't blow it!!

You guessed it!  Stuffy head and nose got me thinking about blowing noses and that made me think of blowing it when we get our nose out of joint.  You know my mind...PIMP LOL. Always on and little off.   So, my story...ever get your nose out of joint?  Don’t blow it!  You might not like what comes out!  To set your nose back in place you gotta have the right tool for this.  Getting your nose our of joint is an attitude thing.  It happens to all of us and sometimes we really feel justified.  But, praying for a sec for that person?  Will keep you from blowing it.  TNT LOL...and that place you were in momentarily?  That nose bent joint?  Well, NOW, you can blow it....blow this joint, that is, and get to a higher place…a higher attitude altitude!  It’s hard to stay mad at someone or hurt when you pray for them before Someone who forgives YOU for everything!  I know, right?  Very hard.  Making adjustments?  Can blow YOU away!  But, making right choices?  That will blow everyone away!  Do it!  You'll be blown away.  Now, I gotta go blow my nose with the right tool...soft lotion tissues...and that's a whole nother story...a tissue issue!  PIMP LOL...  Trace

Doors, windows and Santa!

So, I went outside to hang up wash & locked myself out. I should tell you I had on my PJ’s with a red velvet housecoat. Only minutes before this, I got the notion to open a window. Just as I was taking out the screen & jumping up through, a cop pulled up. After showing ID & explaining I was practicing my Santa entrance (no chimney), he laughed & I thought: when God closes a door...He REALLY does open a window!

Breathing Room

BREATHING ROOM! What takes my breath away? The very things that give me breath! They give me breathing room…to take more in. My breathing room? In God’s house! Music, serving, life…take everything from me & give me everything back. Gotta catch my breath, now! I always have a breathing room reserved at His house...…and I can be there before I take the next breath.

Wrinkles And Irons!

When I get wrinkles in the fabric of my life? Gotta iron things out. Oh, things might get a little hot under the collar sometimes, but I say roll up your sleeves & press on…don’t get steamed! My iron? You! Iron sharpens iron. Straight from the bible. You help me touch up those daily wrinkles in my life tapestry and coat of many colors. Be a sharp dresser! You know what they say about a sharp dressed man! PIMP LOL

PIMP LOL

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1668094552&notes_tab=app_2347471856#!/note.php?note_id=407851333403

I like to be different, right? Everyone uses lol for "laughing out loud". So, I had to come up with my own acronym like I used to do at the Kennedy Space Center when I worked there. One night I saw this show called "Pimp my Ride".  And my brain, being freaky and all, thought of pimping my "lol"...making it funky and up a notch.  So, I thought if I was going to laugh out loud (lol), it was going to be Peeing In My Pants Laughing Out Loud...hence, pimp lol. So go pimp your lol!!

TNT LOL (my newest acronym)

OK…so, you guys know how I like to make up my own acronyms, right? You know pimp lol is my fav and an explanation is in another note!  Here’s a new one.  For those kinds of situations that just blow you away and you try not to laugh out loud, here’s a new acronym for you: TNT LOL. Try Not To Laugh Out Loud...I’m blown away!   Trying Not To Laugh Out Loud!    You know...It has to be something that blows you away and you just don't want to blurt out laughing...TNT LOL...like...what?


TNT LOL, but PIMP LOL...
  
And, in some cases, I am TNT PIMP...LOL



Interchangeable stuff here, guys!  TNT LOL

This blows me away...TNT LOL

My newest acronym TNT LOLhttp://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1668094552&notes_tab=app_2347471856#!/note.php?note_id=441892513403

Love Lifted Me (song and video by the b.a.s.i.c. band)

One Heart (original song and video by the b.a.s.i.c. band)

One Heart

Thanksgiving & Shopping. The stores want us to shop & spend with no complaints, so they have deals. Here’s a deal! Godmart: His ad reads: “Don’t complain…just plain come!” But, if you must, visit Customer Service. I’m always open…to suggestions…I’ll take your suggestions/complaints & give you peace: Price? Free. ...On the way out? Make a donation of thanksgiving! Giving thanks will make your complaints seem cheap!