O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

...How freakin' AWESOME are your branches?!

After 3 years of not totally being in love with our Christmas trees and having them die soon after we bring them home, things are finally starting to turn around.

We were in American Fork on Saturday on a hot tip that their Target had Guitar Hero III in stock. We missed getting their last copy by minutes. I was pretty bummed as this is pretty much the only thing I want for Christmas. Then James took me to lunch at Chadder's which is some Utah guy's rip off of In-n-Out. The layout is so similar it's scary. The food wasn't bad, but I'm not sure it was worth the drive to AF and the extra $$ they charge. I'm sure they have to cover some legal fees for so blatantly ripping off In-n-Out (James: "What's the word you use for animal style?" Worker:"Stubby Way")

Anyway, we were headed back when we passed a tree lot that looked fairly decent. And it was. Every tree was gorgeous - full and perfectly shaped - and they cost as much as any other tree lot we'd ever seen. Usually it takes us a while to pick a tree because we have to decide which one is the least hideous and in our price range. This time, we were going from tree to tree saying. "ooh, let's get this one. Wait, I like this one too. And then there's that one." We eventually picked one out and are extremely happy with it.

It was perfect tree-decorating weather as well. It snowed TONS. We got all the lights and decorations up (with the unbreakables on the lower branches). The tree is so full that the lights glitter on it because you can't see all of them all of the time. You can't see through the branches anywhere. I love this tree. Plus, the people on the lot said they were just cut on Wednesday in Oregon. The whole business is family owned and operated. We hope they're around next year! So it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our house now. Finally!

Flashback Friday - Ode to James' Car

Well hello there. Sorry it's been a while. Everyone is well. We are just busy with James' semester at school ending and holiday projects galore. Plus for the last week Zoe has been on a nap strike. So that makes my day not so much fun. Also not so productive. But it is Friday and I wanted to renew Flashback Friday before I forget about it forever.

Ahh, the Prelude. James has had this car for a while. we had a little scare right before Thanksgiving with it, but it is "fixed" again and hopefully will serve us for a long time to come. Sure one of the blinkers is literally hanging off of the car. Maybe the power steering is shot and the AC non-existent. So what if James has replaced the hood twice and underneath that careful spray paint job is oodles of rust? This car is a classic. So it's worth the small bribe and vast amounts of prayers required to pass safety and emissions each year. So here are some pictures from a road trip featuring the Prelude, 6 people (I believe) and a snowboard strapped to the roof.



Also, in a somewhat related matter. I've been so nice. I've put it to a vote, I've tried coercion. Now I resort to nothing less than blackmail. Hi LaDonna. I have a few wonderful pictures of you. They might just work their way onto this blog if you don't start your own. Or if you ask me nicely not to (and start a blog). Here is a sample. You have been warned.

My Music On Amazon.com

Many people have asked how they can buy my music.

I have never really had a good answer for them except to send me a check. I understand that is not always the most convenient way.

Well, now there is an Easier Way.

My 2005 album, Making It Right Again is now available for download on amazon.com, in high-quality (256 kbps) mp3 format. You can buy just your favorite tracks for 89 cents each, or you can get the whole album (14 tracks) for only $7.99.

If you already have this album or have heard it, please go to amazon and leave a nice (but truthful) review.

Thanks for your support.



This album will also be available in coming weeks at other popular online stores including;

• iTunes (U.S., Australia/NZ, Canada, UK/UE, Japan)
  
• Rhapsody
• Napster
  
• eMusic
• GroupieTunes

(Also, if you would still like to buy the old-fashioned disc with artwork and photography (by Desta), contact me at james.gillice@gmail.com. Making It Right Again [2005] is $8 and Let Me In [2003] is $5)

It's the Holiday Season...

So whoop-de-doo, and dickory-dock, and don't forget to hang up your sock
'Cause just exactly at twelve o'clock, he'll be coming down the chimney, yeah!

That is a mere sampling of the AWFUL music James and I were subjected to when we worked at Sears. If they weren't playing the stupidest music ever, than they were playing the same "classic" songs over and over, only different versions which were also varying degrees of terrible. For 3 holiday seasons. How desperate were we? Oh yes, very.

Anyway, a couple items of business this fine first day of December. I am ready to start getting my Christmas on, so I would love to have your addresses (yes even you). I am making a big transition this year from sending cards to family and friends of my family growing up to family and our actual friends. Before now there really hasn't been a good stock of out-of-town friends to compel me to send out cards (no offense to anyone). But now it seems like there are tons of people, especially through our blogging ties, who I would like to send a card to. So, copying so many others, please either e-mail us your address or leave it as a comment on this post if you want to get a card from us. Then don't forget to check your mailbox every day between December 16 and New Years! I'm being realistic, people.

This morning we woke up to the sound of snow shovels! It snowed - a bunch. And continued to snow until just before dark. We ended up with about 5 inches. All day long Zoe would climb up on the coffee table to look out the window. She said "no-een aside" (snowing outside) so many times it almost stopped being cute. We took her out in it and she wasn't quite as excited. She was a little scared to walk in it but then Garth came over to play for a while and she got over it. The snow was super sticky so we got some cool shots of it on our tree. What a great way to kick off December!

If You Make a Missionary a Meal...

You will probably pick something that is easy to make and feeds a lot of people. Of course that means that you'll be making lasagna. But lasagna can be a little messy to eat so of course you'll bring out the cloth napkins.

When the missionaries arrive, they'll compliment your home, the meal, the plates, and of course, the napkins. When he sees the napkins, the missionary will remember how he's always wanted a tie made out of the same material. Being flattered by all the comments, you'll blurt out "I could make you one. I made the napkins and I still have some material left." Then the missionary will jump out of his skin because he is so excited.

As the week drags on and you begin work on the tie, you remember that you haven't sewed for so long because your sewing machine isn't behaving properly. You'll fight with it for weeks until you throw in the towel and use your friend's machine. But sewing in front of others is just a little intimidating so you'll do just enough to get by and finish the rest by hand.
Just when you think you're finished you'll ask your husband what he thinks and he'll remind you that ties need a little loopy thing on the back to tuck the loose end in. So you'll make one by hand and sew it on - twice, because the first time just wasn't right.


Then the missionary will come over nearly past his curfew to pick up the tie so he can wear it to zone conference the next day. And he will call you his "hero." Aww. What a nice story. Enjoy your picnic table tie Elder Hitchins.

But seriously, check out that hand stitching on the back!

Music News

My song "Now I Understand" has been chosen to be featured on an online compilation CD produced by the Carbon Drum website. Go HERE to check it out. It is track number 6 on the "Rock, Indie, Folk" CD.

There is a contest between all of the featured artists to see who can sell the most of these CD's. If you feel so inclined as to help me win the contest and purchase a piece of James Gillice music history, you can pre-order now for $9 on the site. Rest assured that 2/3 of that money goes to yours truly. Just be sure to enter my name where it says "Which band referred you?"

I have listened to some of the other songs on the CD. Some are OK. Some are even really good.

The song, "Now I Understand" is taken from my 2005 CD called "Making It Right Again". This song also did very well in another online contest last year on the GarageBand website. It received many positive reviews from other artists.

Here is a sample of some of those reviews of "Now I Understand":

Cool Pop Tune
This is refreshing stuff, a quirky little pop number complete with instrumentation from a Xylophone?? or is it Vibraphone, maybe even keyboards. Anyway this is the main hook in the song which also has some really cool guitar bits and other hooks galore jumping out at you. It starts off with some very atmospheric slide too which creates a really cool mood. THis is great pop, very original arrangement and heaps of melody. I love the vocals - slightly distorted and the lyrics are original - what a great song, bit 80s sounding but very original still. You gotta love a song with La La La's that work! Well done.

Reviewed by: Stewart777 from Sydney, Australia

Power pop the way it's supposed to be
This song combines a lot of instrument voicings that you wouldn't normally put in the same song, and somehow makes them all work so well together as a whole. From the lounge-sound of the initial bell tone keyboard combined with that sliding guitar sound that gives it a suedo-western flavor in the verse to the retro sounding electric that drives the very, very catchy chorus. I like the vocals a lot, delivered in a nonchallant style in the verse and kicked up a notch in intensity in the chorus, and all with that semi lo-fi effect on them that works so well. Bridge makes for a nice transition followed by that quirky guitar solo. There is a vulnurability and innocence in the vocals that is very appealing. And there are so many melodic hooks in this song that catch the listeners ear, it's hard to keep track of them all. It's like picking your favorite flavor at Baskin-Robbins. This is power pop at it's best, smart melodically and lyrically intelligent. Well-produced with solid musicianship throughout. I loved this song and I'm adding it to my personal playlist.

Reviewed by: bassoone from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania

The Status of James' Beans

Whoo!! 100 Posts! What an accomplishment!

Now that that's out of the way - I believe my EXACT words were, "James also has some exciting music news, but I will let him tell you. I'll just say I am so proud of him." In fact, I know those were my exact words because I just copied and pasted from my old post. Anyway, I thought that this would spur James to share his music news within the next few days. He did not. So I am going to spoil his fun and spill his beans. He can give you more specific details as he gets them.

A couple weeks ago James entered his song "Now I Understand" into a contest run by a new online music company thingy called Carbon Drum (like I said, James knows the actual details). This new company would select the best songs for each genre and create a compilation CD. And, drum roll please.....James' song was picked for one of the CDs! So we don't have the particulars yet, but if James wants to, he can sell the CDs and there's a small reward for whichever artist sells the most. Most importantly, this CD will expose James' music to tons of people. And it's just downright awesome because an impartial third party picked HIS song over who knows how many were entered. So we're really excited. And James will have more information when we know more. And maybe he'll even post it! Go James!

So Apparently, I ROCK!

At Thanksgiving, anyway. Although I'm sure this applies to many other aspects of my life as well. First let me apologize for taking so long to get around to this. We've had company and I haven't been on the computer for nearly a week. But now our house is empty and Zoe is watching a movie so here we go.

James' dad and stepmom got to our house late Wednesday night, just after I'd finished preparing the mashed potatoes. On Thursday, I started cooking at nine in the morning and everything went smoothly from there - Sweet potatoes, turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls (not pictured, they were still in the oven and I forgot I was waiting for them to finish), gravy, and stuffing. I did it all! I was a little nervous to try a few new recipes, especially for Thanksgiving classics that I had never really done before. Everything was all ready right at five, table set and everything. I've been planning everything for weeks so I was really happy that everything went according to plan. It's what I live for!


James said that the sweet potatoes were the best things he had ever tasted in his life. So I guess everything turned out pretty well. I totally kicked some Thanksgiving butt and I can't wait to do it again next year! (if we're finished with all of our leftovers by then). Maybe some day I'll be brave enough to attempt the pies - I DO NOT bake. Just as a rule of thumb. Thank you Coldstone! Pumpkin ice cream pie is awesome.


Sorry to neglect Flashback Friday this week, but we were in Salt Lake all day with the family. We hit Ikea (of course) and then met up with cousin Jessie at the Gateway Mall. You can tell Jessie is great with kids because usually Zoe freaks out about facial hair and she didn't even flinch around Jessie. After wasting as much daylight as we could at the mall, we ventured over to Temple Square where the spectacular Christmas lights were on for the first time of the season. It was crowded and cold, to put it mildly, but we had a great time. Zoe was a trooper and put up very graciously with being bundled, unbundled, and hauled in and out of the car and the stroller.











All in all we had a GREAT time. We played tons of Nintendo and watched the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy - the extended version of course. Bill and Kathleen left this morning and Zoe cried for 10 minutes after they were gone. She's never done that before so I guess that means she likes them.We love you and miss you already. Can't wait to do it again!

James' Highly Scientific Test Results

You Are a Green Crayon

Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors. While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around. Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible - and you try to make others feel at ease. You're very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows! Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you.

What Color Crayon Are You?

This is actually surprisingly accurate. Now it's Desta's turn.

What I'm Most Thankful For...

Happy Thanksgiving all! I'm so grateful for everyone who reads this and especially those who comment, and especially those who keep their own blogs up to date (yes I used especially twice - deal with it).

Today, as I scrubbed my house from top to bottom I started thinking about the things I am thankful for.

I am thankful that I was raised in a home where we scrubbed the house top to bottom before company came. My mom denied that we were doing a special cleaning job, that she always wanted her home this clean, but the timing was just too much of a coincidence. I embrace the "scrubbing for company attitude" and if you come over now and find dirt anywhere it will be because you tracked it in with you. And then I would have to ask you to leave and take your filthy ways with you.

I am thankful for cleaning products that make my skin burn. Because that means it is working. Dry winter skin and scrubbing for hours on end do not mix well. To add insult to injury, I somehow managed to smash my thumb while scrubbing the tub. I'll let your imaginations do what they will with that. I have some mad cleaning skillz.

So after I was through cleaning, the mail came and I got a letter from my old friend Jasmine. And that reminded me that I am, or um, used to be, thankful for hunky celebrities. Enclosed with her letter was a list that we (everyone we hung out with that is) made in high school of "Famous Hotties (in no particular order)." This list spans time, genre, and medium (we included "hot" cartoon characters). The list is three pages, front and back and the whole thing was in my handwriting. Obsessed much? Anyway, it did bring a smile to my face as I realized how far I've come since those days. I have, haven't I?

The Little Sewing Machine that Couldn't

I have had it up to here! I have devoted hours over the past week to a sewing project that should have taken me about 30 minutes. And so now I find myself between a bobbin and a hard place. Do I fix my ANCIENT sewing machine and hope that a $50 tune-up does the trick? Or do I cash in my chips and get a new one? I love my old machine and it has been great - providing us with curtains, table linens, bedding, and clothing over the past few years. But lately it spends more time mutilating my project than is really necessary. And I spend more time fixing the mistakes the machine has caused than I have caused. Basically it is two steps forward and three steps back (does anyone else remember that lame country song? It was my favorite when I was little!) . I would love to have a new machine but that would involve some sort of knowledge about how to buy a machine and what I am looking for (not to mention a large sum of cash floating around).

This is a picture of the model I use (it's not the one in my living room but I really didn't want to take a picture of it so I found this). If you don't know, my machine is THE EXACT machine my mom used when I was growing up (and still uses today). It really is old. 1963 old. It is made out of metal, which is actually one of the problems because the little internal light bulb heats up the casing and I tend to burn myself, since said casing is less than an inch away from my fingers most of the time. But I am so scared to get a new machine since basically I have never sewn on anything but this one. I am such a wuss.

But while I'm ranting - Can you (Erin, Marie and ToVah) believe that after last week's cliffhanger we will have to endure a CLIP SHOW this week? Of all the things to be UN-thankful for. Sheesh.

World Premiere Videos! - "Sneath Clay" 2007

So I tried to post these last week when Travis visited us, but Blogger was having video issues. Here are some videos of James and Travis playing some of their old songs together. They haven't played together in a LONG LONG LONG time. Too long. First is one of their major hits Patiently Waiting. Second is the never-released song Fly Home. Lastly we have the feel good classic Another Sunny Day.

James also has some exciting music news, but I will let him tell you. I'll just say I am so proud of him.

Flashback Friday - Oh those Bernalillo Ward Girls!

Well hello again. Can you believe a week has gone by already? Goodness but time is getting away from me. But I digress. After I promised you all this post last week I realized I don't have that many wonderful pictures of me with my Bernalillo cohorts (holla!). Most of what I have is from various years at girl's camp and a few other exploits. I am lacking in the picture department because I didn't have my own camera way back when. My first years at college are WELL documented, but don't really fit today's category so we'll make do with what I have. Enjoy!


Ah Girl's Camp. It was hard to pick just one picture. This is from our 4th year overnight hike. I love camp because I get to dress like this and blame it on being outdoors. Secretly this was one of my favorite outfits. Tattered t-shirt over a thermal with a plaid flannel button-up thrown in for good measure. The 90s, how I miss thee. Also in the picture - Christie (Chavez) Coombs, Kelly Benson, Miranda Divett, Leslie (Shea) Fortier, and Kiora (Evans) Nield in the front.


Just an innocent night of picking out formal wear? Nope. We were on a scavenger hunt in the mall. We took tons of pictures and video of us doing really stupid things in public. And the video still exists somewhere at my parents' house. In the above picture - Leslie, Danielle Fortier, Kelly, and me. I think it was Danielle's birthday. (Kiora do you remember?) Anyway, we were only like 15 and the hole thing was really just a thinly-veiled rouse to get pictures with cute, much older, guys. Which brings me to the last picture:


Me and Danielle with a bunch of nameless Abercrombie and Fitch guys. They worked in the store and agreed to take a picture with us. If you can't tell by my goofy expression, the red-shirt guy surprised me. I think my exact thoughts were, "He's...touching...ME!" I also think he smelled pretty good. Ah to be young and have no shame!

Where are the baby's shoes?

You ask a toddler a question, be prepared (with a camera) for the answer:


I thought Zoe might just point to the little booties that her babies have stitched on their feet, but instead she decided to put the babies in my shoes. After half an hour of playing with the dolls and my shoes I had to tear her away for bath and bedtime. Otherwise she might still be doing this.

Nursery Reject

Yesterday Zoe was an ANGEL in church. I was sitting on the stand because I had to speak again (that's twice in 6 months) and James had Zoe. She was wonderful. She had a little outbreak in Sunday School, but falling out of a folding chair backwards warrants an outbreak. She was pretty traumatized, so James and I decided we would try chaperoning her in Nursery. Almost everyone we know says they started taking their kid a couple months early and just stayed with them. Well, I don't know if it was because James took her in or because James asked permission when he took her in, but the nursery teachers told him she couldn't be in there, even with parental supervision. I was pretty mad. It seems like everyone in the ward takes advantage of pre-nursery, and yet we can't? I don't understand. Zoe has been ready for nursery since she was walking. I was hoping to acclimate her over the next two months because she does have a problem with sharing and she can be very territorial if she likes something. Now, I'm just going to let her loose on the nursery and say "Good Luck" to the teachers. That'll teach 'em.

Wow, I'm in a vengeful mood. I guess 4 non-consecutive hours of sleep will do that to you. Yes, 4 whopping hours. Zoe was great at church, took a wonderful nap in the afternoon, and was a pleasure all evening. Everything was business as usual in the Gillice home. Then Zoe woke up screaming at 2 am. And at 3 am. And at 4 am. Eventually we brought her in bed with us which is SO crazy because Zoe does not sleep in our bed. We're not opposed to it in any way. In fact it would make my morning if she would come cuddle with me for even 15 minutes. Zoe does not sleep in our bed because SHE does not want to. So it was weird to have her sleeping next to me, if only for a few hours. She woke up right at 7 and wanted out, so that is where our day began today. Tired and cranky. And so was Zoe.

And here are some random pictures from last week when we had a moment of gorgeous weather. Those of you who have ever lived on or near Anne Circle should recognize the location.

Flashback Friday: Oh those Nevada City Boys!

We had a visitor this week - Travis Biggs. He was in town for a computer training thingy. Take a minute, laugh it off, and then come back. OK, so he stayed here a couple nights and James had some great times reminiscing with him. One night his sister came over as well. We laughed until our cheeks hurt. There was a lot of talk about those "Nevada City Boys." If you knew them in high school, then I don't have to say any more. If you didn't know them (like me) then you really missed out. Either way, here are some pictures. James can add the dates in later because I'm not quite sure of them.

Ben, Travis, and James attempting to look studly.

Ben, Travis, and Carter Buck.

Doug, Travis, and James. It was Crazy Hair Day at school. James thought it was crazy shirt day too. Oh wait, it was just the 90s, my bad. This is a scan of a very poor quality print but it had to be included because it is one of our most-prized possessions, photographically speaking. We have it framed in our house. If anyone has a better-quality version, we would love to have a copy!

And coming up next week, just so James and I are even - Oh those Bernalillo Girls!

Who's Your Daddy?

If you buy only one DVD this year...

I AM SO HAPPY!! I am beyond words. And what could have this effect on me? Our favorite family Christmas movie just came out on DVD. The Christmas Card is the sappiest, silliest movie, with more plot holes than believable characters and some of the WORST lines ever! Above all, it was filmed in Nevada City (where James is from). I KNOW! It was on the Hallmark channel last Christmas and James and I taped it and watched it over and over and over. I fell down laughing when I found out it was on DVD. If you are familiar with the Nevada City/Grass Valley area and LOVE making fun of terrible movies, this one is for you. I think I'll watch it every day until Christmas. The only thing I love more than this movie are all the people who give it great reviews for being a witty, classic romance.

Flashback Friday: Dressing Up

So as a family, we've decided to dedicate Fridays on this blog to old pictures of us (and of those we have access to). If you are now thinking, "Wait, whatever happened to that picture where I'm ________ (insert repressed embarrassing moment here)?" The answer is probably that yes, James/Desta still has a copy and you better bet your sweet hiney that it will probably make it's way on to this blog eventually. We are equal opportunity embarrassers here, after all. Today we will start off relatively simple. Here are some great pictures of times we've felt compelled to play dress-up. I think I was inspired by all the costume frenzy from Halloween, although none of these moments had anything to do with that holiday. Enjoy! (and I know today is Saturday, but I started this post on Friday and it just took me that long to finish. I'm still counting it as Friday and next week I'll just get an earlier start.)

In these pictures we have James and Steve Namanny. The occasion - um, I think boredom and some of Pat's old clothes. (Circa 1997)



















And now, me and some of my roomies and a neighbor - Jennie Anderson, Andrea (Paige) Smith, and Erin Herbert. The occasion - again, boredom and ward prayer. Yes, we would dress up for ward prayer. And yes, those are just slips we are wearing over our clothing. (Circa 2002)