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Oh Geez, Another Sneeze, Pass The Kleenex Please!

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There are days when I feel as old as these dinos. Especially when I caught some really pesky, nasty cold somewhere. Miserable but still functioning! Kleenex… Gotta love it!
Since I can’t sing…voice is pretty much gone due to my cold… I worked on songs that I can just play. I recorded them on SoundCloud. Here are the links…
Don’t Leave Me Now- Written by Roger Hodgson
Here is a YouTube Link to Roger Hodgson performing this song live. This is such an awesome performance…just wow!
Don’t Leave Me Now
I wrote a prior blog post about this artist… Still, he is a genius and an incredible artist! I love the genuine emotion and depth of feeling he imparts to his lyrics. In my better daydreams, I long to meet this musical genius! I wonder what it would be like to sit and have a conversation with him. I’d love to understand better how he thinks and what inspires him to write. I would marvel at watching his creative process if, I was ever so fortunate to have the opportunity. For whatever reason, I totally ” get” his music. It speaks to my heart.
Us And Them
This was my Mom’s favorite song that I covered as a kid. She would ask me to play this for her. I have been thinking about/ missing my mother a lot lately… This is for you Mom!
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I miss you Leatrice June Joy Phipps.
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I Find I’m Lost In The Game

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Lost In The Game
What do I have to do to get through here? I want so much to be heard. I have so much that I want to say now. The words are falling into place.
I’m reaching far beyond what’s comfortable. I’m hoping to catch my big break.
I don’t understand why it’s so difficult. To find my niche and stake my place. It’s harder than I thought to impress you. I find I’m lost in the game.
Maybe it’s too late for me. I missed my chance long ago, but I was busy, with life you know, please tell me how to play the game.
Lately, I’ve come to see, dreams must be realized, in your head. I want this so much, I need some help and luck to make it through this maze.
I want to play but I’m lost in the game…
Click ➡️Lost On The Game
I think this pertains to feeling lost in general… Sometimes we all just need to feel as if others can give us a helping hand up. I find myself in a scary, dark and alone place today… My world as I know it is crashing and burning around me today. I will have to regroup and re build…Few days have seemed as dark and unsure… I need some pluck and resolve to get through. Maybe a miracle too…Dark night of the soul…
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Nostalgia Or Showing My Age, Take Your Pick.

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Why is it that cars break down in twos when you have two… My car had issues a few days ago. My husband tried twice to replace the fan assembly unit only to find out it was a plug that goes to the fan that was broken. We finally took it to a shop. I just got it back this evening. Now, my husbands vehicle is over heating, we think it’s the water pump. So looks like a few more days of being car less… Thats what happens when you have old, old cars! Still beats having huge car payments I guess.
Today I was thinking nostalgic thoughts. So in keeping with this I’m posting my cover of a song from Chicago V called Alma Mater. It wasn’t a billboard topper or even released as a hit. It was just a Terry Kath song that I have always loved. Another song that I could just play, Although I think I picked this song up in my 30’s. I loved Terry Kath. His soulful voice and incredible talent as a guitarist made him a gifted artist. A troubled gifted artist…Unfortunately he met his end of life in such a tragic and thoughtless way. Awww! His music lives on in my heart and on my YouTube and SoundCloud channel. Here are two songs that featured Terry Kath that I play.
Till We Meet Again ⬅️click here
Alma Mater ⬅️click here
https
://soundcloud.com/tyna-j-phipps/till-we-meet-again-written-byhttps://soundcloud.com/tyna-j-phipps/alma-mater-written-by-chicago
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Originals Near And Dear To The Heart.

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Something More Than Nothing
(Lyrics)
Why, can’t you see that I’m real and breathing- and I have a wish to fulfill. I want to know that there’s more than nothing. In my heart, I know that there’s something.
I know there’s been times before when I, I should’ve walked out that door but I, I sometimes think
that I want to- but I know, how far can I go, it’s not just me, so I have to be.
I find myself trying to explain things away, but the pain of loving you follows me- So I wait for the day I can feel free to be just me. I can’t wait for the day when I can change, something more than nothing.
If I could do it all again differently, I’d write a better part for me. I’d show the world just who I can be, the Queen of something more than nothing!
I’d take the time to invest in me, to see all that I can be. It’s not enough to settle for nothing- If your heart tells you this than find something and you’ll see, just like me, that you can do- Something more
than nothing.
My original song…
Something More Than Nothing 
Near and dear to my heart. Part of my PhD in life experience… Some lessons you just never master I guess!
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Great Ambassadors For Their Species…

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It’s that time of year again here and we went! The Arizona State Fair started on Thursday. Just in time for Fall break. We had a terrific time even in-spite of the unforgiving, relentless sun! It is still hot here and it was a challenge to spend 4 hours out in that AZ sun! Hot! We are all wanting to be done with the heat, everywhere you go here you hear people talking about how done they are with the heat! Britt picked Zoe and I up early to avoid the sun and the crowd.
We had a lovely picnic lunch that we packed and shared together. As we ate lunch, we listened to a garage band.
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Zoe took Britt’s bigger kids on a few rides. They all had big smiles on their faces and were glad to be able to do some rides!
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We had the best time at the petting zoo! All of the animals there were terrific ambassadors for their species! I greatly appreciate that all of these kids got to experience such gentle and sweet creatures!
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Sweet, kind eyes!
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This small ambassador was hanging in there but was quite overwhelmed and shy.
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We were lucky to find a place to take a
much needed break from all of the walking. Poor kids really were tired!
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This man was so great to the kids! We talked to him for a few minutes and then he pulled out some round wood disks… He had the kids write their names on them. He then engraved their signatures with his wood working tool. He wrote the date, Arizona State Fair and his initials on the back of the disks. A handmade treasure to mark our day! He was great with the kids! Another fine ambassador!
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Zoe enjoyed posing with these humongous pillow pets. Truth be told, I bet she secretly desires to own one! I imagine they are exclusive to the fair? I have never seen them this big.
Of course she couldn’t resist a selfie with a lifelike dinosaur! They had an exhibit of these dinos that were robotic! Scary real animation.
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This is how we finished our “Fair” experience…
The best Funnel Cake we have ever had! One of the most delicious things on the planet!
OMG yum! Zoe and I shared this… Britt’s kid shared another few with Britt.
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Meow Mix Meezer, She’s Packed And Ready For Hollywood.

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Zoe has had this week off for fall break. We are planning a fun filled last few days of this vacation. Yesterday we put together our Meow Mix jingle entry for the annual contest. It had to be a 30 sec. or less submission. It had to include the infamous well known jingle. This is what I came up with lol. I hear from Howard that I should have made it an upbeat jingle. I chose to stick within my genre, whatever that is lol. Oh well, too late, I submitted it to Meow Mix. I hate always second guessing my stuff! It is what it is… If they don’t like it, they won’t chose it! Oh well. For what it’ worth, here it is…
Meow Mix Meezer
Zoe was great with Clarice. We had fun working with the cats. Twink wanted
no part of this. She was camera shy.
Clarice was’t into it either. She did however decide to sit still. I like the annoyed look she has on her face! She was herself…a diva!
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Entertaining, My Christmas Pleasure!

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Today, I’m wearing my Gram hat again. The boys are on fall break. They spent the night with us. Everyone is still sleeping here so I can steal a few minutes to enjoy my coffee and write this post. I’ve been thinking about what I want to focus on next musically. I think that I want to rearrange a few Christmas songs. In my genre…whatever that is. I talked to my Grandkids about working with me on learning a few Christmas songs for us to perform together at our big annual Christmas party. I’m hoping that all 7 can participate in my “Grammy’s choir”. We host a Christmas party for all of our family members and close friends. We decorate the house and yard for weeks lol. Because we live in AZ we are able to set up tables in the yard and eat outside. We have patio heaters and a firepit.
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I know it’s early but I’m starting to plan this years “big” event. Everyone contributes something to the buffet table. The whole table is filled with food. I usually make a few hams or some Prime Rib. I make a few side dishes and bake rolls. What I really enjoy doing is the dessert table. I love to bake and make desserts! Last year I made a bunch of the miniature parfaits.
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We 
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We migrate inside and have dessert and coffee in the living room, around the Christmas trees. We enjoy doing the white elephant gift exchange since we have so many. Everyone that wants to play brings a $10.00 gift. My Uncle Ed’s gifts were really fun and funny! He would crack us up! Sadly, he died suddenly last January. None of knew that would be the last time we would ever see him! He will be greatly missed!
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I leave you with this, but of course…
The Christmas Song…