<p>All I want for Christmas is more hours in each day for 2011. </p>

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<p>I love, Love, LOVE honoring my passion for writing while living my <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/" target="_blank">365 project</a></strong> and creating this blog.  Naturally, when I'm juggling a soul-scintillating adventure each day along with updating the blog, a 40+ hour a week day job, and a new puppy, some things are going to slip through the cracks.  Like sleep.  And exercise.  And guitar. </p>

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<p>I don't think I have a right to complain, as puppy and blog have brought so much to my life.  I am beyond blessed.  But since I'm exceptionally hormonal today, please allow me a big</p>

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<p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">HUMBUG! </span></span></p>

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<p>Thank you. </p>

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<p>Because I am human after all, and when I pick up the guitar and I can't play as well as a 3rd grader, I'm going to get cranky. </p>

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<p>Every December, I serendade my family with Christmas music when I visit Houston.  (Thank you, Lauren, for always being so gracious in lending me your guitar!) </p>

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<p>Since I haven't had time to play since I started this blog on September 15th, and since World's Most Precious Niece/3rd Grade Guitar Student Extraordinaire is chomping at the bit to play with me, I thought I'd better get on that.  Since there are few activities that are as soul-scintillating for me as guitar and singing, I cleverly scheduled in a practice as a 365 project day. </p>

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<p>Here is what World's Most Precious Niece wants to play with me:</p>

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<ul>
	<li><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Rudolph --</strong> </span>Easy.  Used to play this one in the classroom.  Tonight...don't sound so great.  And I've lost my finger calluses from lack of playing.  Owie.    </li>
	<li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Santa Claus is Coming to Town --</strong></span> Another kiddie song.  Looked up chords and easy to play, but... incorrect chords.  It's 9:30, I have to be up early for work, don't have time to figure this out.  NEXT!</li>
	<li><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Jingle Bell Rock --</strong></span> Can't stand this song, but it's for World's Most Precious niece.  Luckily, don't know those chords.  This will make her feel like she is much better than me.  The way I sound tonight, she probably is.  Can you spell h-u-m-b-l-i-n-g?</li>
	<li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Winter Wonderland --</strong></span> Uh-oh.  I don't know any of these chords.  What the?!?!  </li>
</ul>

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<p>Ho, Ho, Ho!  Merry Self-Esteem Crisis, Everybody!</p>

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<p>To build myself up, I haul out my music from last year and play what I know:  <br class="spacer_" /></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>River -- </strong><span style="color: #000000;">This is my Mom's favorite.  </span></span></li>
	<li><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Blue</span> </strong><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Christmas -- </strong><span style="color: #000000;">Nothing like the Elvis version.  I think I'm much better.  Even when I'm rusty.  ;-) </span></span></li>
	<li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Silent Night -- </strong></span>I play this in 4/4 rather than 3/4 which gives this a folkie sound.  I can tell you right now that my Nana is going to request the "traditional" way.  :-) </li>
	<li><span style="color: #008080;"><strong><span style="color: #008000;">A Baby Just Like You </span></strong></span>and <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>It's In Everyone Of Us -- </strong><span style="color: #000000;">Two John Denver songs from The Muppets Christmas album.  John Denver is the reason I play guitar.  True story.  </span></span></li>
	<li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Last Christmas -- </strong><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Ye</strong>p.  By Wham.  Go ahead and laugh at me.  My self-esteem is back in tact.  </span><br class="spacer_" /></span></li>
</ul>