A day off is like putting your brain on co-pilot. Not having to be anywhere for any particular reason is quite wonderful. So I decided it would be a nice day to visit my Mama. We drove over and my sister Norma was there, she was happy to have a full house.The kids played happily out in the yard, running around, picking peaches, and basically just causing a ruckus. While the kids played we visited with Mom, I invited her to Melissa's birthday dinner and hoped she would say yes.
You know...... I myself have seen my Mama put on her rollers a million times but somehow these become the moments I know I will cherish. Ever since I was a little girl I remember those funny rollers - they caused me much embarrassment in grade school. She would come to the school with her colorful plastic rollers and a brightly colored scarf tied around her head (this kept the rollers in place), it's funny how when your a kid you don't really appreciate those things. But I also remember how proud I would be when she dressed up with her hair beautifully curled.
Oh those rollers brought back so many memories and made it fun while we helped Mama pick out an outfit to wear to dinner. We will be celebrating my daughters 22nd birthday this evening, and I'm really excited to have the family together. I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating LIFE!
<3 Lizzi
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Day Off
Hello, today was a good day! Sometimes it's nice to change it up a bit, and believe me my house and laundry needed me! Started my day dropping Felice off at school, then went and filled up my gas tank and then escorted my truck to a much needed car wash. Oh things are looking good right, until I turned the ignition key on and it wavered, not completely failed, but not strong either. My truck needs help, so I took it to our neighborhood Steve's Repair shop. Steve said he'd look at it after lunch, so back home I go to play the waiting game. Sammy called me and asked if I wanted a couple of days off, since they had an unexpected project to work on. Day Off... All of a sudden I came up with a zillion places I could go, oh but wait I don't have a car. I had enough to keep me busy here at home, and the kids and I had fun in the sprinklers.
I had run into a friend that I hadn't seen in about 20 years at the hair salon about a month ago and of course we became Face Book friends. She mentioned that she was feeling poorly so I told her I was gonna bring her and her hubby dinner. Kinda tough without a vehicle right? Well it worked out okay and although a little late I did make it by with dinner. We had such a lovely visit, seems with old friends it's so natural to be out of touch and than you see each other and it's as if not even a week has passed, Absolutely seamless! So refreshing to see her, she's chock full of positivity. These are the kind of people that I like to surround myself with.
The girls were waiting for me at home to do the dreaded Insanity, but as it turns out not a one of the discs seemed to play. There was some evil preventing us from from the torture of it all ; ) oh well, there's always tomorrow....but of course we don't worry about that because tomorrow has it's own challenges. Have a great day!
<3 Lizzi
I had run into a friend that I hadn't seen in about 20 years at the hair salon about a month ago and of course we became Face Book friends. She mentioned that she was feeling poorly so I told her I was gonna bring her and her hubby dinner. Kinda tough without a vehicle right? Well it worked out okay and although a little late I did make it by with dinner. We had such a lovely visit, seems with old friends it's so natural to be out of touch and than you see each other and it's as if not even a week has passed, Absolutely seamless! So refreshing to see her, she's chock full of positivity. These are the kind of people that I like to surround myself with.
The girls were waiting for me at home to do the dreaded Insanity, but as it turns out not a one of the discs seemed to play. There was some evil preventing us from from the torture of it all ; ) oh well, there's always tomorrow....but of course we don't worry about that because tomorrow has it's own challenges. Have a great day!
<3 Lizzi
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Day 17 in the Studio
I should have known by the title Good Times that this song was going to give me a time. What was supposed to be the funnest song so far was certainly the toughest. We were even talking about doing a video of this song with all of the familia dancing and having a good time. This song sounds super fun, but for some reason has been the most challenging. Remember this is the song that the key was too high and we changed it a few times. I suppose the easy, lighthearted songs are tough, I ask you am I not these things, than why is it so difficult for me to sing as such? Yeah, this song has had it in for me since the beginning.
I knew I was gonna need some moral support so I begged Sissy to come to the studio with me. She had to work so she wasn't available to come in until after two. No problem, I'll take it, two it is. I figured she knew how I wanted the vocal to sound and maybe she could help guide me in the right direction. I am amazed at how much security there is in having your children near brings. I went into the vocal booth, very well rehearsed, but I still held onto my tablet with the words. I sang the first verse, and it seems like the guys looked at me in amazement only NOT because it sounded great, but because it was weird. I wanted to sound like an Australian singer Lenka, but I didn't even accomplish that. As Sammy put it I sounded like I was dumbing down my own vocal. I was so frustrated, I was sweating, I was having trouble differentiating simple notes. Oh I was a mess, and pretty close to tears, I looked through the glass door at Sammy, John, and Melissa for some sort of approval or direction. I knew they were concerned when Sammy asked me if my voice was tired, or if I needed a break. I know he saw that I was becoming more and more frustrated, I felt like I was so out of my element. I came out and sat for awhile and we showed Sissy the three songs we had recorded so far. Wow, she loved them, it was like a shot of adrenaline. Here I have my own voice, unique to me and I was trying to replicate someone else, if that isn't a slap in the God's face, I don't know what is. I went back in the booth with a new perspective and sang my version of Good Times. It was good, I am so thankful for an awesome crew to help steer me, and be sensitive enough to know how to do it. As John said "no pressure, your supposed to be having fun! Well I tried something new, it didn't work out, never let it be said of Lizzi that I am afraid to take chances. It's part of my character, I am always willing to take chances for the greater good.
So today was a bitter sweet day, but my kids (Sammy & Sissy) and John reminded me to be me! With that I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, or hearing from you.
Take Care, <3 Lizzi
I knew I was gonna need some moral support so I begged Sissy to come to the studio with me. She had to work so she wasn't available to come in until after two. No problem, I'll take it, two it is. I figured she knew how I wanted the vocal to sound and maybe she could help guide me in the right direction. I am amazed at how much security there is in having your children near brings. I went into the vocal booth, very well rehearsed, but I still held onto my tablet with the words. I sang the first verse, and it seems like the guys looked at me in amazement only NOT because it sounded great, but because it was weird. I wanted to sound like an Australian singer Lenka, but I didn't even accomplish that. As Sammy put it I sounded like I was dumbing down my own vocal. I was so frustrated, I was sweating, I was having trouble differentiating simple notes. Oh I was a mess, and pretty close to tears, I looked through the glass door at Sammy, John, and Melissa for some sort of approval or direction. I knew they were concerned when Sammy asked me if my voice was tired, or if I needed a break. I know he saw that I was becoming more and more frustrated, I felt like I was so out of my element. I came out and sat for awhile and we showed Sissy the three songs we had recorded so far. Wow, she loved them, it was like a shot of adrenaline. Here I have my own voice, unique to me and I was trying to replicate someone else, if that isn't a slap in the God's face, I don't know what is. I went back in the booth with a new perspective and sang my version of Good Times. It was good, I am so thankful for an awesome crew to help steer me, and be sensitive enough to know how to do it. As John said "no pressure, your supposed to be having fun! Well I tried something new, it didn't work out, never let it be said of Lizzi that I am afraid to take chances. It's part of my character, I am always willing to take chances for the greater good.
So today was a bitter sweet day, but my kids (Sammy & Sissy) and John reminded me to be me! With that I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, or hearing from you.
Take Care, <3 Lizzi
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day 16 in the Studio
My Monday was crazy, mishap after mishap. This is actually the first day my blog was not ready to shoot out by midnight. The day started with two loads of laundry waiting to be folded and put away, so I happily sipped my coffee while folding clothes. It was my nieces 27th birthday so I thought I would bake her a most delicious chocolate cake with decadent chocolate frosting. I set to work measuring out the ingredients for a Devil's Food cake, pretty simple right? I followed the same process I have followed for years, measuring, mixing, prepping the pan, preheating the oven. I was so happy as I put my cake in the oven, I thought okay I can put on my makeup and get ready for the studio while it bakes. I turned on my timer for 25 minutes. My cake came out beautiful and smelled delicious, after cooling I prepped my platter with wax paper strips for frosting. Then turned the cake, but wouldn't you know it Rocky came and started tugging at my leg for his baba (bottle). Crying ba ba ba ba I turned and my cake pretty much broke in two, not even salvagable. I thought okay I made double for a two layer cake, so I went through the process again of prepping the pan, back to the oven. This one was gonna redeem me, you see I had also made the mistake of posting on FB what I was up to. I really needed to deliver a cake! The second cake I was sure would be perfect, the trouble was my husband stopped in unexpectedly for lunch, my timer went off and since I always under time I knew I had about five more minutes to take my cake out. Distracted yes, I began doing other things completely forgot about my cake whoops there went cake number two. By now I needed to leave for the studio
Today was a perfect follow up to yesterdays mishap. The guys had an idea for a new song. John had me do a chant at the end of song three. Good Times still needs a lead vocal. But John felt inspired to start on a new song, as usual he asked if it was okay with that. I thought it's better than ok, I love to just listen and watch them create a new song. They interact so well that they don't need anyone but themselves. John and Sammy are both excellent singers, so again I feel privileged that these songs are for me. The beat for new song is disco all the way, I love it, this is so my era. Woohoo I love it, this songs gonna be my favorite! So sad I had to cut things short because I had to get Felice to work by four. So again until tomorrow, have a great day!
<3 Lizzi
Today was a perfect follow up to yesterdays mishap. The guys had an idea for a new song. John had me do a chant at the end of song three. Good Times still needs a lead vocal. But John felt inspired to start on a new song, as usual he asked if it was okay with that. I thought it's better than ok, I love to just listen and watch them create a new song. They interact so well that they don't need anyone but themselves. John and Sammy are both excellent singers, so again I feel privileged that these songs are for me. The beat for new song is disco all the way, I love it, this is so my era. Woohoo I love it, this songs gonna be my favorite! So sad I had to cut things short because I had to get Felice to work by four. So again until tomorrow, have a great day!
<3 Lizzi
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day 15 in the Studio
Today was a tough day! I had to come to grips with the fact that song number four Good Times! was just too high for me to sing. When the guys were creating the song they asked me is this key ok? I said oh yeah, it's perfect, only to find that the more I practiced it the more I realized that I sounded mousy. This is not the way I wanted my vocal to sound, so I knew that although the song was ready for me to put a lead vocal on it, I needed to tell the guys before we went any further. This put my third week summary to the test, I know I say that the guys are super encouraging, patient, and considerate, so the question was were they gonna be mad at me. I told Sam well I guess they'll want to kill me or fire me! So needless to say I went in with a heavy heart and knew I had to walk the walk of shame. I even wondered if I should tell them off the camera. But oh well I decided that I just had to bite the bullet and do it.
I had posted a comment on Twitter "Nervous to go into the studio, have to tell the guys something important. I hope they won't be mad" so John being the dedicated tweep that he is had read it by the time I arrived. So no sooner did I say hello, hug, hug, kiss, kiss I set up my Ipad and Sammy looked over and read my comment and asked "what's this all about" this was it ,I had to tell them the truth..."well, I've been practicing Good Times and I think it's too high". I searched their faces for any sign of anger, or frustration, but they simply said okay what key feels comfortable? John got on the keyboard and started playing the song, I sang along "oh yeah, that's good" so first the keyboard changes were made, then Sammy laid down the base, wow we're good to go. I started practicing to the new version when I got to the chorus uh-ho still seems a little high. I can't believe I did it again! The guys looked at me as I practiced and said it's still too high isn't it? Uh yeah, John got on the keyboard and started playing the song...sound familiar? Keyboard changes were made, Sammy re-laid down the bass, and yes we're good to go..again. You see the Iklectix are great, not one look, one complaint, business as usual. I was the one who felt bad, like a naughty child who got caught doing something wrong. Well that won't happen again (I hope) I finally did add a scratch lead vocal, Sammy burned me a cd so I could practice and get used to the new key. We'll see what Tuesday brings. Thanks for reading and please feel free to post a comment, I'd love to know what you think.
<3 Lizzi
I had posted a comment on Twitter "Nervous to go into the studio, have to tell the guys something important. I hope they won't be mad" so John being the dedicated tweep that he is had read it by the time I arrived. So no sooner did I say hello, hug, hug, kiss, kiss I set up my Ipad and Sammy looked over and read my comment and asked "what's this all about" this was it ,I had to tell them the truth..."well, I've been practicing Good Times and I think it's too high". I searched their faces for any sign of anger, or frustration, but they simply said okay what key feels comfortable? John got on the keyboard and started playing the song, I sang along "oh yeah, that's good" so first the keyboard changes were made, then Sammy laid down the base, wow we're good to go. I started practicing to the new version when I got to the chorus uh-ho still seems a little high. I can't believe I did it again! The guys looked at me as I practiced and said it's still too high isn't it? Uh yeah, John got on the keyboard and started playing the song...sound familiar? Keyboard changes were made, Sammy re-laid down the bass, and yes we're good to go..again. You see the Iklectix are great, not one look, one complaint, business as usual. I was the one who felt bad, like a naughty child who got caught doing something wrong. Well that won't happen again (I hope) I finally did add a scratch lead vocal, Sammy burned me a cd so I could practice and get used to the new key. We'll see what Tuesday brings. Thanks for reading and please feel free to post a comment, I'd love to know what you think.
<3 Lizzi
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday July 24, 2010
If I haven't said it before I will say it now I LOVE SATURDAYS!
I got so much accomplished today, started out with a nice hot cup of coffee, checked my sites while I listened to Etta James...I want a Sunday kind of love, ooh I love this song. Pretty much everyone I know was going to the Garlic Festival but I, who don't really like crowds totally shy away from these types of events. I used to love it when Sam and I were dating, and even into the first years of our marriage. The turning point for me was when our boys were still young at the Tapestry n' Talent Festival in Downtown San Jose, we were sitting on the lawn watching a Raggae band and a fight broke out just a few people behind us. I felt so trapped, first of all I worried about the safety of my children, then I thought about how difficult it would be to escape a situation like this. I felt unsafe to say the least, so from then on I'm a little weird with crowds. Funny how your perspective of the world changes once you have children. I am not a paranoid worry wart, but I have always taught my kids to be aware of their surroundings, and trust their instincts. You ask what does this have to do with recording music...nothing, sorry.
So, today was a thorough cleaning day. I love to see my kitchen sparkling clean. So Sam got up before I did, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have my coffee first thing in the morning. He started cleaning the stove, the hood, the walls, the refrigerator (even on top), amazing right? My husband is great about trying to keep me happy. While he worked on, I swept, mopped, dusted, changed the bedding, did a couple of loads of laundry...
Sam took the day off from the Studio so after cleaning he decided to repair a few leaky pipes, of course this meant the water had to be off for about 8 hours. I ran over to my son Jeremys' to wash my hands and face. Got ready and went to Cathedral of Faith to hear an excellent author and teacher Bruce Wilkinson. His latest book You Were Born For This, to this iI say you better believe it and a whole lot more. God gives us dreams, and our circumstances either force us to fulfill them, or discourage us completely. I know this firsthand because my dream sat on the shelf for about 20 years, it goes by quickly and then you think well that was a long time ago...booyah it can happen. Look at me I am proof of that, I've still got a song to sing! Speaking of singing, I better practice my song, on Monday I will be singing the Lead Vocal. Please stop in and see us, it's fun!
Great Sunday to you, <3 Lizzi
I got so much accomplished today, started out with a nice hot cup of coffee, checked my sites while I listened to Etta James...I want a Sunday kind of love, ooh I love this song. Pretty much everyone I know was going to the Garlic Festival but I, who don't really like crowds totally shy away from these types of events. I used to love it when Sam and I were dating, and even into the first years of our marriage. The turning point for me was when our boys were still young at the Tapestry n' Talent Festival in Downtown San Jose, we were sitting on the lawn watching a Raggae band and a fight broke out just a few people behind us. I felt so trapped, first of all I worried about the safety of my children, then I thought about how difficult it would be to escape a situation like this. I felt unsafe to say the least, so from then on I'm a little weird with crowds. Funny how your perspective of the world changes once you have children. I am not a paranoid worry wart, but I have always taught my kids to be aware of their surroundings, and trust their instincts. You ask what does this have to do with recording music...nothing, sorry.
So, today was a thorough cleaning day. I love to see my kitchen sparkling clean. So Sam got up before I did, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have my coffee first thing in the morning. He started cleaning the stove, the hood, the walls, the refrigerator (even on top), amazing right? My husband is great about trying to keep me happy. While he worked on, I swept, mopped, dusted, changed the bedding, did a couple of loads of laundry...
Sam took the day off from the Studio so after cleaning he decided to repair a few leaky pipes, of course this meant the water had to be off for about 8 hours. I ran over to my son Jeremys' to wash my hands and face. Got ready and went to Cathedral of Faith to hear an excellent author and teacher Bruce Wilkinson. His latest book You Were Born For This, to this iI say you better believe it and a whole lot more. God gives us dreams, and our circumstances either force us to fulfill them, or discourage us completely. I know this firsthand because my dream sat on the shelf for about 20 years, it goes by quickly and then you think well that was a long time ago...booyah it can happen. Look at me I am proof of that, I've still got a song to sing! Speaking of singing, I better practice my song, on Monday I will be singing the Lead Vocal. Please stop in and see us, it's fun!
Great Sunday to you, <3 Lizzi
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