It's a Boy! (Or it will be anyway)

Kristen had an ultrasound today and the doctor confirmed it was a boy. Regardless, we are thrilled that both 'mommy' and baby are healthy. So now you can call me 'grampy'. Instead of 'grumpy'. Sooooo excited! I feel extremely blessed to be around for my daughter's wedding and now a grandchild. Now, off to the Harley store for some Harley-branded baby clothes...

A summer of fun in the sun, growing stuff.

These are my tomato plants. They have lots of tomatoes on them.

Cole, I heard that you like strawberries. I will have some for you Thanksgiving when you come to see me.

There are cucumber vines behind the sweet corn stalks. I'm holding my first cucumber.

Whack-a-Mole

I keep saying to various relatives that I'm going to upload one of my commercial spots to the blog. Today I have some downtime so hear goes.

This one is for Whack-a-Mole, a children's game. I just landed another spot through the same agency for a toy called Red Rover that should air soon. Maybe making silly kids' songs is my calling... Makes sense since I'm just a goofball.

So, to give you guys an idea of how a job like this works, we got the call for this in the afternoon and the due date was the following morning. I, and a handful of my company's roster of composers, will then go to work to create "demos" and then we submit them all and see if the client buys any. So that is, worst-case scenario, an afternoon to write, record and mix a track. Thankfully they are short (:15, :30 and :60 second increments)! I put "demos" in quotes because these tracks are generally going to run as-is, or with slight revisions, if they get bought, so they have to be good enough quality to air when we turn them in.

All of the instruments in this case were done in a computer using samples of instruments (drums, bass, piano, synth) that I will perform on a keyboard using it as a midi-controller. Whenever possible we try to use real instruments which we can record here in the studio. But in a pinch, I'll just use the computer samples. The vocals were sung by myself and a friend here (we took turns on the parts that sound sped up) and I did some of the more talkier ones like "They surprise, they talk back."

Whack the most in and you win!

Father's Day

I love these pictures that Kirst took of Claire and I yesterday. Claire's missing tooth makes her look like a deranged, but adorable hillbilly. I sometimes forget how much we laugh together until someone shows me a picture of it. Also, handmade cards are the best.

HAPPY 52nd BIRTHDAY TO STEPHEN!!!!

Thanks Dad! Mom too...

To go along with Dad's 80th and Father's Day, these were some of Kristen's favorite photo's...capturing another generation of vows being presided over by Dad. And thanks too--Mom--for helping direct everything. It all turned out perfectly! And now, think, another generation waiting for their turn with Dad doing their weddings.

Happy 80th birthday to Dad/Grandpa/Papa

A few days in the life of Samuel Leroy Thompson.

His favorite position when reading. The army days.

Young and handsome.

School days--about 7 or 8 years old.

Picture taken in 1937.

Before, after

In the end I used the string tied to the tooth, tied to the door handle which is then slammed method. Worked like a charm.

Facing Fear!

Hey...I am posting my first post! I finally figured it out. As you know, I am in the unique position of having Matthew as my boss. On my job review I got dinged for my lack of tech skills.
So...I learned the church system CCB, got on Facebook, I tweet, have my own personal blog for women, can put apps on my Iphone, can text with thumbs now, have a google account, order online now, use NetFlix, and FINALLY I learned how to post on the family blog.

Not bad for a lady who moved to a new town five years ago and didn't even know how to email and was scared to mow her own lawn.

Next I will learn how to post pictures.

In spite of what you may think I do have a life. For instance right now as I post, I am listening to PBS with Patty Paige singing Tennesee Waltz..ha!
I used to babysit and the people I babysat for had Patty Paige albums. I used to look at the covers admire her hair and make-up. I decided "When I grow up I am going to bleach my hair and wear lipstick like her."

Love to all!
Phyllis

See Kristen's Wedding Pics!

http://jgpix.zenfolio.com/p863038800