Day 22 – Ukulele!
We’ve gathered here for the last time today …
Tomorrow is the day of the Christmas live stream at 10 pm GMT, which means there won’t be a video in the morning. We cannot wait and hope that many of you will be able to tune in!
That also means that today we’re announcing the last big Giveaway prize … one of our very own ukuleles, used in many videos and recordings and played on various stages around the world.
All you have to do to enter the Giveaway is leave a comment … no question, no theme, just leave a few lines below and you will enter the owl from which we will draw the winner during the livestream tomorrow.
Day 21 – Our Signed Ukulele
You can talk about anything that is on your mind!
How to enter:
Comment: Anything!
Prize:
Our Lanikai LU-21CE Concert Ukulele (signed)
We can’t wait to see you at the live stream tomorrow!
Mona & Lisa
I just joined and right off, watched day 22. Made me grin! Thank you.
Watched the Livestream again in it’s entirety and you pick up a lot of things you missed in the first two rounds. ???? The send off performance of the Ukelele with “Tonight You Belong To Me” was oh so, so beautiful. Those harmonies are to die for, again wow, what a slice of MLT angelic heaven! ???? Thank you ladies. That Ukelele with all the beautiful music MLT created with it over the years is priceless! Joseph, please take good care of it with the TLC it deserves. ????
I’m so bummed that I don’t get to be a part of the live stream. That would have made my entire month! But duty calls. I know it will be something to remember. Just like the both of you.
I and Sasha would like to get the ukulele, but I’m afraid it’s too late, as the live stream is already going on. 🙂
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from us to Lisa, Mona, Papa Rudi, Lampi-Dampi and everyone!
I’m watching live now!
Can’t wait to see the livestream. And looking forward to the calendar.
I know it’s past the deadline for winning the giveaway.Just wanted to let you both know how much I enjoyed this years Advent Calendar,and getting the chance to see those Beautiful faces everyday.Without a doubt the MLT Club is The Best Fan Club there is.I can’t thank you both enough for all you do for your fans.Oh,by the way,I have unofficially adopted both of you as neices.Thanks again for all the joy you bring our way,and including us in your adventures.LOVE MY MONA!!???? ???? LOVE MY LISA!!???? ????
Merry Christmas!! ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ⛄ To all The MLT Club Nation
And a Happy,Healthy,Fun Filled New Year!! ???? ???? ???? Full of new adventures,and wonderful memories to share.
And of course a Special Thank You to Papa Rudi & Michaela for all they do.
???? ???? ???? ???? ????
Merry Christmas to everyone! Congrats to all the winners. Better luck in the future to the rest of us.
Unfortunately the advent calendar is over now but I am looking forward to your livestream tonight! Merry Christmas to all of you!
Thank you, Mona, Lisa, Michaela and Rudy for organizing this wonderful advent calendar and thank you, fellow club members, for participating! I had a wonderful time hearing and reading all your interesting, funny, touching and inspiring stories from all around the world. 🙂
Thank you for your highly entertaining Advent Calendar videos, and for continuing to make your fans feel so valued and appreciated. I am looking forward to the release of your new album, and I hope we will start to see some live performances again before too long. Wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you. ????
Hallo Mona, hallo Lisa, ich möchte Euch danken für all die schönen Momente, die Ihr mir bereitet habt mit Eurer Musik und Eurem natürlichen Charme! Es war immer lustig Euch zu sehen und zu hören in der Präsentation des Adventskalenders. Ich wünsche Euch auch für das neue Jahr weiterhin viel Erfolg, bleibt gesund und eine schöne Weihnacht im Kreise Eurer Lieben! Liebe Grüße aus Bayern von Frank!
I would love to be able to play that ukelele. Then I could hang out with all the other uke players. I know George Harrison was part of a large group of people from all over who were just into playing that instrument. He and also his son, Dhani.
Hello Mona and Lisa
Since I discovered you on YouTube, I have enjoyed your music. Thank you for your talent and your work.
In Spain the most important moments of these days are Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) and Three Kings Day, when children receive their gifts. The tradition was to put a nativity scene (un Belén) at home, but more and more the Christmas tree is being imposed.
I wish you Merry Christmas
Goodness me, what a prize.
Thank you both for all your lovely and lively Advent calendar streams. It certainly had made this Christmas very special.
Keep on rocking and looking forward to some more great tunes from you both. When are you touring? Soon please.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy and prosperous New Year xx
What a wonderful.give away cant believe you wish to.part with it
Lisa, I just can’t believe you are willing to part with that iconic ukulele! So many of MLT’s great songs include it. I love the way you adapt your playing style to fit each different song. Letting it go can not be easy for you. I trust who ever wins it will greatly value it!
You must have plans for replacing it…maybe you will tell us on the live stream.
Its hard to believe the Advent calendar ends tomorrow. It became the favorite part of my day for the last three weeks. I know it took a lot of effort on your part, but your joy always shone through and was undeniably contagious. Thank you!, Thank you! Thank you!
Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart to the whole Wagner family!
Your Advent calendar was a very creative and fun way for us to get to know you. I would like to wish you a wonderful Christmas.
Hello, Mona and Lisa 🙂
Thank you for doing this, and giving away all these awesome prizes. ^_^
The ukulele is really enticing, isn’t it? :O (Although I, for one, wouldn’t be able to play it, as I can’t play any instruments at all…LOL)
Though, in this case, we should probably hope that you don’t draw my name out of the 100+ names in the “hat” (owl?) – if you do, and I win this amazing prize, and you mail it to me, Royal Mail might yet again steal it from me and from you (or just throw it away)… like they did with those 3 big packages you sent me over the span of 4 years… And in the third of those cases, it was exactly my prizes from the MLT Club quiz 2 years ago (for which you drew my name out of the owl, and that made me so excited… at least for a while), which I never received, because of those evil people. 🙁
(But this only happens to Bulgarians, so none of your other fans from other countries needs to worry about something like this possibly happening to them – it won’t 🙂 I’ve been told that it’s because Royal Mail refuse to work with Bulgarian Posts, so they simply never hand over the packages to them. 😐 I guess they think Bulgarian people are vermin, just like a lot of people in the UK believe… Though that begs the question “Why don’t they at least return the packages to you, then?” Maybe they think that those, who send stuff to Bulgarians, should also be punished… for sending stuff to those vermin? LOL)
Anyways… if you somehow draw my name from the owl, as winner of this awesome prize, I leave it to you to decide whether to risk sending it to me, or to just draw another name then.
If you decide the latter, I will absolutely understand, don’t worry. 🙂 (I expect to be right there, watching the live stream tonight, hopefully) BTW, all of this is also one of the reasons why I have been avoiding participation in your giveaways since then – I just prefer not to put myself and you in this awkward position, to have it almost guaranteed that our stuff will be stolen by the postal services (or thrown away forever in some dark corner of their warehouses)… especially after I have felt the joy of being chosen by Fate as a quiz winner, and after you have prepared and sent out those prizes with so much love and care… <3
But this time I decided to make an exception and take the risk, for once… It’s up to you, whether you want to tempt Fate too – will she point to me with her finger again? 🙂 LOL
So yeah – please, do put my name in the owl, so we can see whether it will be drawn… but, if it does get drawn, then, if you decide that it’s not worth the risk of the beautiful instrument being lost/stolen by the Postal services, just draw another name; I leave that decision to you.
Thank you for some wonderful moments with you, here in December 2021. Even though it was on a distance, it has been like visiting you.
It has been a real pleasure to watch and listen to the daily advent calendar videos. Fun and cozy.
It will be exciting to see, what your doings will be in 2022.
I wish for The whole family to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas to you Mona and Lisa and your family.
Mona & Lisa – Thank you for making a really difficult month much better!! Both my wife and I have had a very difficult month, as my youngest would say, for reasons (mostly work stuff). Your daily messages have really helped me a lot! I look forward to tomorrow and have 5 alarms set on my phone!! Merry Christmas and wishing you a joyous, safe, and healthy 2022!!
Thank you so much. I had a blast!! I think ‘Songbird’ should be in a movie soundtrack.
What will I do without my daily dose of the Mona and Lisa show? You two would turn the act of watching paint dry into “must see” entertainment! Thank you for providing a truly memorable December to end a mostly forgettable year. Merry Christmas to the entire Wagner family and best wishes for a happy 2022!
It was another fun December , Thank you so much for all you do , Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year .Thank you for the new song ,new video . looking forward to the new album,
I’m going to really miss these daily visits from you both…you always make me smile!
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a GREAT New Year!
How something can stir up memories from my early years. The ukelele reminded me that my mother used to own one when I was little. In my hands it looked as big as a guitar. By the time I was in my teens the instrument was gone. Maybe she has given it away or she sold it, because she needed money to make ends meet.
The past three weeks went by so quickly and I am looking forward to what the next year will bring. Lots of success with everything you are going to undertake.
And before I forget, congratulations to all the winners.
Congratulations on your newly released song. It’s one of your best. The drums added a lot to it as well, I thought. I once attended a demonstration locally by a world famous rock drummer whose name escapes me. Amazing. Wowza.
Thanks for making this December a fun time. I looked forward each day to watching you and hearing about your Christmas. Love the new song and video. Thanks so much for the CDs. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family.
What a treat someone is going to win!!! Who wouldn’t want a Uke signed my you guys!!! That is one of the greatest prizes you guys have offered!! I want to tell you how much it means to me, and Im sure others, that you share so much of your time and effort in December for us. I know you realize you mean a lot to us but maybe will never know exactly just exactly how much. Thank you so very much in the most sincere way possible…. I love both of you.
Hello Mona and Lisa, these 21 days that you shared your time with us were the best of the year. Thank you
Mona and Lisa, thank you so much for the gift of yourselves throughout the season of Advent to the MLT club! To you both, and to Michaela and Rudi, and to all MLT club members (and of course your families) I wish you all a blessed and joyous Christmas: “The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
With that prayer, my mother gave me the blessing every time I said goodbye to her, this year the last time I saw her she could no longer give it to me
I am quite confident in saying that your mother would offer you the blessing if she could, so I humbly offer it to you on her behalf: “My dear Refugio, The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.”
Thank you very much Don
Fröhliche Weihnachten! Thank you for bringing such joy to us this year! I am so fortunate to have discovered your music via YouTube and being part of MLT Club has truly been a highlight of my year. You literally have music for every occasion, and I have thoroughly enjoyed everything from your covers to your original work. If I need a laugh, I watch “Bus Stop” (still my favorite) and “I Bought Myself a Politician”. Tonight, wrapping presents, I listened to your “Christmas” album. I always get a bit sentimental when I hear you sing in German (Leise Rieselt Der Schnee) as it reminds me of my family in Germany who I miss very much. If I want to rock out a bit, I love all of your live Cavern Club recordings ( I think “Lazy Sunday Afternoon” is my fave). I have a playlist of my favorites, and when I run food drives for our local food pantry, I always have my bluetooth speaker cranking and manage to get a few more people hooked on your music each time (even Father Patrick, who oversees the pantry). “The Duo Sessions” are just spectacular as well. So many of your covers are better than the originals in my book. Your original work speaks for itself and I really love how “Songbird” turned out. I wish you all the success you deserve in 2022 and hope to be fortunate enough to catch you playing live sometime soon!
Hi Mona, hi Lisa… hello everyone… Congratulations to the winners… The Beatles changed my life with their music and also when in 2016 I was searching YouTube for the song “Two of Us” I stumbled across a video by MonaLisa Twins ..it was a very lucky day for me..so I want to thank you for this wonderful month of December that Mona, Lisa, Michaela and Rudy have given to us all members of this fantastic MLTClub..the dedication you have to your fans is amazing . I wish from the bottom of my heart a Merry Christmas to the wonderful Wagner family and all the Club members. May 2022 be a great year for everyone. And once again, Thanks a lot dear Mona and Lisa, I can’t find words to praise you. I love you guys…may God bless you and everyone…Stay Groovy.
The best thing I did this year was join the MLT club. I am so glad I got to participate in my first Mona and Lisa’s Advent. I got to glimpse the down to earthiness of these two ladies. Each day I anticipated what cleaver way they would light the candle and make the tea. Always a riot. My favorite day was when they were bashing each other with the posters.
Mona and Lisa are two of the most talented singers, musicians, (and along with Pa Rudi) songwriters. Their playlist proves it. And the MLT team really knows how to shoot a video. I look forward with excitement to 2022. From the great state of Oklahoma USA, Stay groovy, LuvYa Dbya, Peace be.
Hello Mona and Lisa, I hope the MLT family has a wonderful Christmas!
Hello girls My son is in a spiring country musician, He plays all Stringed instruments Including the ukuleleAnd it would be awesome to give him a gift such as that.
By the way hair looks great today Mona did you get yours cut?
Generous, Gracious, GROOVY! Just three of the multitude of superlatives we can use to describe Rudolf, Michaela, Mona and Lisa Wagner! What an amazing prize to wrap up this joyous Advent Calendar Adventure! If I were Lisa I don’t know if I could part with something as iconic as her ukulele to so much of MLT’s musical journey! I’ve no doubt whoever is fortunate enough to win it will show it the reverence it deserves. “I Don’t Know Birds That Well” is the first MLT original I watched on YouTube, and a big reason I became so enamored so quickly with the Twin’s artistic talents, and that uke is easily one of the most memorable elements of that vid. These last 22 days of daily vids have been such a source of blissful anticipation for my 84-year-old Mom and me and will be sorely missed! I think my favorite day was #13, when Lisa read and Mona acted out our cooperative fractured fairy tale. They both emoted such genuine joy discovering what we’d all written. That was a brilliant idea for a really fun task! I still remember last year’s livestream as truly joyous, and I know tomorrow’s will be so, too! Merry Christmas, everyone, and here’s to a warm club fellowship tomorrow!
M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S T E A M M L T !
Three cheers for the two MonaLisa Twins !!
M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S M O N A !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXj16uy8qLg
M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S L I S A !
Thank you for the Advent Calendar. The daily contact has been fabulous, and I look forward to seeing you live again in the future. x
I guess the Live Stream is the best I can hope for right now! I so look forward to the day I can see you in the States (Boston?)!!! In the meantime I’ll just keep listening to your phenomenal music and watching your videos and stories!
Well, I guess, of all the giveaways, you know this is one I’d want the most. But I’d be willing to settle for having my own ukulele autographed by the twins someday. Meanwhile, I’m trying hard to get a recording of “I don’t know Birds that Well” finished before Christmas. I’m not adept at editing videos, so I have to get through the entire song without a significant error which is proving to be a challenge.
I just want to thank you ladies for taking time to do the videos and to share with your followers. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time spent each day watching you open the advent calendars. You two are a joy and I wish you the best as your music careers blossom. Thank you very much and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!
Wow! I won! Thank you so very much.
I discovered you early this year. The first video was “Please Mr. Postman/ Wipeout,” and I have been watching ever since.
Keep the music coming!
It is unbelievable but true that we enter into another Christmas with Covid restrictions in Ontario, Canada which I am sure is true around the world.
We are thankful that we have your music to keep us smiling, singing and tapping our toes.
We are wearing out your Christmas CD. Your first song, “Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is my favorite and does bring tears to my eyes. It rings so true with what is happening!
Cheers and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Staying groovy
Tony
Mona and Lisa, I was diagnosed with COVID on 1st of December and been quite poorly with it. I would just like to say thank you for your smiling faces everyday. They have certainly brightened my day. I would love to win the Ukulele to add to my collection of guitars, banjo and mandolin. Regardless I will be trying to join the live stream but may have to watch later as I have to be up at 4.30 a.m. Whatever happens thanks again and I wish you both and Papa Rudi and Michaela a very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year.xx
Prayers and warm wishes headed your way, Paul! Feel better, my friend!
Thank you Jeffery. Feeling better. It just leaves you very tired and without any strength.
All the best! Hope you’ll be better soon!
Thank you. On the mend just got no strength.
I’m so glad I found your YouTube page when you were still teenagers working your butts off to get established and grow your little musical family business. I’ve enjoyed supporting you all these years so that now I don’t consider you “starving artists”. You certainly deserve all the success you’ve achieved. I’m certain a large part of your success is because of how you treat your fans and make sure their experience is so positive and uplifting at all levels of participation.
Wishing you and all of Team MLT a Merry Christmas and hoping and praying that 2022 is a safe and prosperous one. Maybe we’ll be hearing in the not too distant future that Team MLT will be expanding with the next generation of Wagners.
Wow, it’s like Facebook. Facebook always wants to know what’s on my mind. Me, too, because ninety percent of the time I can’t remember.
They say wisdom comes with age, but if you can’t remember what good is it? Besides, I am getting the age part, but still waiting on the wisdom thing to catch up with me.
Thankfully I have the MonaLisa Twins to cheer me up. And, our little Lhasa Apso, Leo! Full name is Le-Obi-Wan Kenobi. But, we just call him Leo. The Force is strong with this one.
I love the way that your smiles, enthusiasm, ability to connect, and general “grooviness” allow all of us to feel that we are part of your celebration. I tuned in for last year’s party, and I’m so glad that you’re holding another one this year! The thing that I remember most about last year was that green towel that made you disappear without you being aware — and how your father was laughing about it (along with the rest of us!) from down the hall in his control room! Merry Christmas, and let’s look forward to a wonderful new year!
Dear MonaLisa Twins, I have been posting a few of your music videos on Facebook over the past few months. I have received many positive comments and likes from friends and family who have been enjoying your singing and instrument playing. I am enjoying the recently released music videos. May you and your family have a Very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a successful New Year.
Here’s my little weird Xmas story: Last year at about the same time I was outside, clearing the snow around my car, when a big white dog came trotting along the street in the middle of the lane. He had some white furry thing hanging out on both sides of his mouth. At first I thought “oh no, maybe a dead puppy – how sad!”, but when he passed by I saw that it was a white rabbit. He laid it down a few metres away on the other side of the car and then paused for a moment. He seemed to be working up the courage to come over to me. After a minute he poked me with his nose. He was shy and didn’t want to be touched. Obviously, he just wanted me to attend to the rabbit, so I did. When he saw that, he was satisfied and trotted away.
That’s awesome! Does the story have a happy ending, or shouldn’t I ask? ????
Not so happy, at least for the rabbit. It was already dead.
Merry Christmas to the Wagner family and I hope 2022 is a fantastic year for you all. Thanks for putting all of the work in to prepare and film these daily videos, it’s been great.
Having discovered you guys only a few months ago your talent and enthusiasm has been a wonderful breath of fresh air during a sad time for me as my father passed away. I’ve looked forward every morning to seeing your smiling faces on the advent calendar posts. Merry Christmas from down under.
I am a grown man, and here I am, religiously watching daily videos of candles, prizes, and silliness from beautiful and talented young women across the sea, who treat me and thousands like me like we’re buds, and the feeling is mutual. I have been around for decades, and I have never seen or done anything remotely like this before unless you count the time I knocked on Kurt Vonnegut’s back door and experienced what he called “that awkward silence.” Anyway, I completely don’t understand this MLT phenomenon, but I like it, and I’ll take it. Thank you! I know it has to be A LOT of work.
Meanwhile, to trouble you further, we know you’re happy as can be when you’re together, but what things do you do when you’re not together?
Mona and Lisa I wanted to say how much I have enjoyed being in the MLT club so far. Not only have I enjoyed the benefits of being a member, I was thrilled to have won a prize (that sort of thing never happens to me)
The daily videos of the Advert calendar are brilliant and I have looked forward to coming home after a long hard day at work and watching them, it helps me unwind and makes me laugh. It also helps to distract me from worries at the moment with my Dear sisters illness.
I hope you all Mona, Lisa, Michaela, papa Rudi and other members of the MLT club have a fantastic and groovy Christmas and best wishes for 2022, let’s hope things improve for us all and this nightmare ends soon. Best wishes and I look forward to more beautiful music from you xxxx
Susie. I’m sure that all MLT members are praying for the best outcome for your sister, we can’t help apart from sending both of you our love and good will.
Think of the good times that you have had with your sister to help you enjoy Christmas as much as possible. However, watching MLT’s livestream tomorrow will take your mind off everything, last year’s was everything you could want and more.
Anything – well I’m fond of funny signs so here is a couple
Hello ladies, I wish you and your family the Happiest of Holidays and a Very Merry Christmas!!! This is my first year of the Advent Calendar and this was so much fun, thank you for sharing your time and talent with us in this Advent of Christmas.
In one of your episodes you were comparing how many people picked who as their favorite twin. Sorry Lisa but I’d have to pick Mona, in one of the Q&A videos earlier this year Mona picked mine, not a big deal, but I can count on one hand how many people have pronounced my last name correctly in my life. I must have rewound that video a dozen times, just to make sure. Yep she nailed it. LOL hahahah.
Again, Thank You for sharing your talent with the world over the internet, you and the rest of the family and all your efforts, really are appreciated.
Mona, Lisa, Rudi, and Michaela, thank you for letting us into your family so that you can share with us your limitless talents and boundless joie de vivre. You truly live the “season of giving” all year round.
And fellow club members, thank you for all the forum discussions over the past year, which are always conducted in a convivial spirit that reflects the MLT ideals.
I don’t have (or otherwise want) a YouTube account, but rest assured I’ll be following the live stream tomorrow!
If you happen to be logged into gmail, I think that is enough to get you into the inner circle for the party. Is that right, anyone? Anyone? Anyone?
Yes. UNLESS…you’re using private browsing mode or are logged into gmail in a private window. And if you don’t know what that means, you’re probably fine.
Thanks, guys. I’ll try entering the stream through g-mail. But even if I can’t, it’s no big deal. Last year I was too mesmerized to type anything anyway!
Merry Christmas to the two of you & your family !! We enjoy your music & talents so very much !! If I should win,I would like for you to auction off the ukulele & donate the money to Doctors Without Borders !! Looking forward to more music & photos in the upcoming New Year !!
To all a very happy Christmas! What a delight it has been, and I can’t wait for the grand finale tomorrow. It has been a warm hearted December here in the MLT Club and I have enjoyed reading the comments and stories from all the members.
Merry Christmas!
???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????
I have “Songbird” running through my head on a continuous loop now. You two ladies are amazing!
Hello, Mona and Lisa. I hope the two of you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. During these difficult times, your daily videos have really added some well need joy and something to look forward to each day. Speak of looking forward, can’t wait for the live stream tomorrow. Listening to the two of you perform a few songs will certain brighten the day.
Should I win the ukulele, as great as it would be to have, I would ask that you donate to one of the musicians in the club or a young musician in your area.
Merry Christmas to all in the club. May everyone have a safe and happy holiday.
Merry Christmas everyone, What wonderful people MLT club members are.
ps thanks for the card girls.
All your videos are great, but today from the first seconds I thought that I liked this video more than others.This feeling was from the first seconds and of course when Lisa read my comment I was even more delighted.
I wish you Mona and Lisa and your family and friends and all members of the club, as well as myself, good mood, health, wealth, a lot of luck, good holidays and success in everything!
Hi everyone, I must say that I have had a lot of fun this month with the Advent. I have enjoyed the entire experience with being a new member from last May. I hope that all of you including everyone connected to the Mona Lisa Club and especially Mona and Lisa. You two are Groovy!!! This last release of Songbird is a wonderful present to all of us!!! Thank you for making my year a great one! Merry Christmas to all and may each of you have a prosperous and healthy New Year!!!!!!!
This has been my first MLT Club Advent Calendar experience and it’s been incredibly joyful. Merry Christmas to everyone and have a wonderful New Year!
I love the MonaLisa Twins. They are as sweet as they are exceedingly professional.
Happy holidays to you and all the best for the new year! It’s been a good December. Thank you.
Also, thank you for the card! It arrived today.
Do I really need yet another ukulele? I do not! But… here I am entering anyway.
Are you really willing to give away this beautiful instrument?
If I win in I will donate it back to you as it would be wasted on me. Whilst it might encourage me to have another go at learning an instrument it would only disturb and annoy my neighbours. No, it is far better that it stays with two of the most talented, gorgeous people that I know of so that it can be used properly to enthrall and entertain everyone who listens to your music. I would be ecstatic to receive one of your bundles that included the towel instead.
My Christmas has already been made but it is a bit of a long story, the background is relevant, so bear with me.
Back in 2009 I had had enough of working for Barclays Bank and left and took a year’s, self funded, course to become a level 3 nursery nurse. I passed with a distinction for each of the 6 assignments and so proved to myself that I can still ‘do it’ with exams. It took a while but I eventually found a job at a nursery in Oxford (it was actually for the children of the staff of the university). Sadly the one thing that I had overlooked was that starting in that trade at 50 years old was very difficult. The staff in their 20s were exhausted by looking after 20 3 year old each week so what chance did a 50 yo old git have. I started to notice that I was missing things and decided that I had to give the job up as I could never have been able to live with myself if a child had been injured (or worse) due to an error by me.
So I was now thinking what else could I do. A few weeks later I had a call from my brother David who is a physiotherapist and runs his own business with his wife. They were moving from a one room clinic to one with two rooms so that they could both work at the same time. It was a big step up and he was already struggling with the invoicing and other paperwork plus they would now have a larger diary to deal with. He offered me the job of, effectively, being his clinic manager. They could only afford for me to work part time but also offered me a room (at very reasonable rent) in their house until I could sort myself out. How could I refuse and we quickly agreed all the nitty gritty details. So on 12th April 2012 his new clinic opened with me doing a lot of the background bits n’ pieces. In the third week he took me aside and said that I was a natural and that they had been very worried about if they had made the right decision in taking a punt on me. Anyway, over nine years later we are still going and one of my proudest things is that I have enabled the business’s turn-over to double in that time. Their skill and quality of care has caused this, not me. and in 2014 they had to take on another physio (part time) as they couldn’t cope with the demand and also a sports masseur who also helps out on reception.
Back to sorting myself out housingwise. I still owned a flat in Birmingham (where I had ended up with Barclays) and let that out for income. Such is the difference in the cost of housing between Birmingham and London that I could not afford to rent anywhere in London until September 2015, when I could take my Barclays pension early as I became 55. It meant that this pension would only ever be 77% of the intended value but by my calculations life would be workable and it would allow my brother’s family to return to normal. I found somewhere to live that was ideally located but a bit of a hovel but I thought that I would be able to see things out until I was 60 when I would be able to buy an over 60s property. These are always a better price than everyday properties and would be in my price range. The letting agency warned me that my new landlord was an awkward so and so and they were so correct. He was a really obnoxious bully but I managed ok by basically telling him what the law was when he tried to do something outrageous (remember I was also a landlord due to my flat in Birmingham). Eventually he got so fed up with me that he refused to renew my tenancy for another year but he couldn’t even do that correctly as one of the documents for the property had expired so I got a bit more time to find somewhere else whilst he sorted that out.
Which is why I live where I do now (since 31st December 2019). It is an over 60 block, I was only 59 when I moved in but as the owner is over 80 it appeared to make it all possible. For the same rent I was now living in a really comfortable flat. From the property websites I realised that I wouldn’t be able to buy such a property as it was out of my price range. So I Iooked for somewhere else and found another over 60s flat that fitted my requirements, not quite so luxourious, but really nice. The plan was to move in around my 60th birthday on 23rd Sept 2020, even the pandemic would not stop this. My tenant in Birmingham had to move out as her father had a huge stroke and needed 24/7 care. I was dreading having to ask her to leave as she had been so loyal but I would much rather have had to do so than with what actually happened. I sold the flat, with a few shenanigans, in June 21 and with my brothers insisting that I take part of my inheritance early to make up the difference I was all set. (The three brothers have power of attorney over my mother’s affairs, due to her Alzheimer’s, and we have ensured that she can live the rest of her life in comfort in the wonderful care home she resides in.)
On hearing that I might be moving out, Jeffrey my current landlord, asked me if I would like to buy the flat from him. I explained that there was no way that I could afford to buy it. He came up with a possible solution but it was still out of my league. Then he did something that I wasn’t expecting and don’t feel that I deserve. He offered me the flat at 80% of the market value. This is still a little more than I planned to pay but removed all the costs of removal etc. I accepted and withdrew from the other flat. This was in June and we have been waiting for the Freeholder to ‘pull their finger out’ as we say here in the UK, basically do what is necessary to proceed with the sale. I have been paying £900 a month rent whereas if I owned the flat (the Leasehold) it would be less that £300 for service charge and ground rent i.e. it has been a drain on my savings since June.
Yesterday all the paperwork came through so I have a lot of reading to do over Christmas. So by this time next month I should be the owner of the 4 walls around me. My uncertain odyssey since 2009 will be over, my ultimate aim achieved and my comfortable future (I hope) secure until I pop my clogs.
Here I have a favour to ask anyone who has made it this far (sorry to have rambled on). My current landlord has been so kind, decent and a delight to deal with since I moved in that I want to do something to show my gratitude. A large bunch of flowers after we have completed the sale just seems so inadequate so do any of you have any suggestions as to what I can do as I just cannot think of anything suitable. Thank you
And finally Esther, any UK members of a similar vintage to me will understand this (I’ll explain if anyone is interested). Whilst I was on one of my daily walks during the covid restrictions before Christmas last year I took the attached photo. It didn’t fit with any of the challenges of last year’s advent merriment but it is too good to miss. It seems that our beloved twins have been moonlighting, girls how do you find the time? At least I know where to go if ever I need a new dentist, as it is less than 1km from my flat.
The photo is in the replies below as it ‘dropped off’.
Oops the photo ‘dropped off’. Here it is.
ROFL. Haven’t seen that movie in a while; it’s probably time to put it in the player. Give your landlord some MLT CD’s and maybe a club membership.
If you like the man and get along well with him, just invite him to dinner in a nice restaurant (as far as your budget allows) Or as soon as your apartment is nicely decorated and you like to cook: prepare a nice dish. Does he like a good wine or is he a whiskey drinker? We have cozy wine bars or whiskey bars. I’m sure there’s something like that in your area, too. Maybe a voucher for something like that. Is he a sports fan? Maybe something in relation to his favorite sport or hobby. Theater or musical fan or music lover? Voucher for anything in this direction (concert, performance or similar).
Anything!
Hi Lisa and Mona, once again thank you for your QaA translation it helped a lot. I felt
like being in a family – amazing. Also I want to say thank you for entertaining us ( your
fans ).Last I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year then maby with a new
calendar 2022 LOL. It will works yet
Stay groovy – we all shine on
Detlef
I had a lot of fun this month, thanks for doing all this, it was quite amazing. I cannot wait for the live stream!
Also a newly member here . And wow it’s totally worth it ! Thanks a lot for this exciting experience.It had been a long time I’d had something to look forward to every day so small yet so joyous. Big thumbs up for your hard work and fun questions to think about and answer. Hope to get to know you all better in 2022 ! My Best wishes to everyone in the club may you all be healthy and surrounded by love and full of plans and dreams
Anything! Ha ha, I really enjoyed the advent calendar videos, especially day 14 when you drew my name! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
It is a unique experience that you communicate often with your fans and supporters. Just wondering if, as you say, most of your fans are in the USA, why you moved to England.
William Hauslein
One reason……Liverpool! They live in a suburb of that great city and as the Beatles are basically their inspiration where better to live than the place that spawned it all!
Yes, and funny that I live in the USA and would like to move to Liverpool too, so I could be closer to Mona and Lisa and maybe actually see them live.
Mona and Lisa with their great music and fun personalities helped make a difficult covid year much better so thank you for your contributions to making the world a better place and Merry Christmas and best holiday wishes to the two of you, Rudi and Michaela.
Thank you Mona and Lisa for sharing this time with us. It has certainly exceeded my expectations! I really appreciate that you set aside this time for us and spent so much time getting ready for the daily videos and giveaways. Your whole family rocks! Remember to have a wonderful Christmas.
Absolutely enjoyed every minute of this years advent calendar with Mona & Lisa and overjoyed to see our little Christmas card with them every day. Can’t wait for the livestream to which both myself and Helen, my wife, will be tuning in. Good luck and Merry Xmas ladies.
Thank you Mona and Lisa for everything this year, the videos, the new songs and the music chats. Your Christmas card was lovely thanks.
I have a question, how many staff do you employ to help run the club? Surely you can’t just do it as a family.
Anyway as my favourite musical group, stay groovy.
I believe that their step mother, Michaela, deals with most of that sort of stuff. They appear to have an agent that deals with any incoming mail and another (or the same one) that deals with their merchandise. Everything else they do, basically it is a family business which they mange by keeping things simple. Not only are they brilliant musicians but very shrewd, hard working and above all intelligent.
This advent calendar with mona n lisa was very fun n i enjoyed it very much merry Christmas kala xristouyena to everyone
Ευχαριστώ Ηλία. Πολλές ευχές σε εσάς και την οικογένειά σας για το 2022.
I started listening to your music when one of my brothers sent me a link to the REO Brothers from the Philippines and there was a suggestion to look at your videos. My wife and I loved your covers, having been born in the early 50’s, and then enjoyed your original music even more so. We have three daughters including identical twins and our grandkids love your music, especially Molly and Josie in Denver. Keep going and we hope that you’re able to eventually tour the U.S.so we can all see you perform live. Merry Christmas and have a happy and, most importantly, a healthy New Year.
I’d like to suggest a What’s On The Table style episode with your thoughts on the Beatles Get Back documentary. Do you think you could show the the process of working out one of your own original songs ?
Merry Christmas, Mona and Lisa. Thank you for the nice Christmas card, and thank you for the new original song release: Songbird. It’s a wonderful Christmas gift! I hope your 2022 is less weird than this year 🙂
— Dave from Vegas
Merry Christmas Wagner Family. I literally never drink tea. I’m having a cup of Honey Vanilla Chamomile right now in your honor. Seattle Bob
Hi Mona and Lisa!
I hope that you have a Very Merry Christmas! Later on, I have to tell you about my 12 hour road trip. It was just me and my complete collection of Mona Lisa Twins cds. LOL! It was a blast! Merry Christmas!
This Is my second Advent calendar with the MLT club and I have to say that it has been the highlight of each year. Nothing gets the Christmas spirit flowing like time spent with my favourite musical family and with all the other club members. So much goodwill and positivity has been shared! If only the whole world could harness our positive energy and live in harmony! Best wishes to you all for a Christmas that is filled with love, laughter, and of course, music!
Mona and Lisa, you two bring the Merry in Merry Christmas! I’ve enjoyed your advent calendar and your videos and can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store for you both! I’ll be watching and listening. Consider me a fan for life! Happy holidays to you and your family!
Thank you Mona and Lisa for another groovy Advent Calendar! Seeing the two of you everyday would brighten even the Grinch’s heart! May you have the Merriest Christmas ever and may 2022 be filled with Blessings and Love for you and your family.
Thank you MLT for a nice advent calendar! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to your whole family. This is my first advent calendar and I have enjoyed every minute of it.
Thank you team MLT for all your efforts in giving us great music and content, I wish you all a great Christmas and a fantastic new year and I will see your tomorrow for your livestream!
Thank you for the beautiful Christmas Card. My wife and I are exploring all your music. It’s been a wonderful journey. Merry Christmas from the suburbs of Chicago.
Thank You Mona and Lisa !! I am new to the MLT Club, sure enjoying everything !!
Merry Christmas
That would be WOWCOOL!
I forgot to add the picture of the guitar case.
Merry Christmas Mona and Lisa!! I am so glad I happened to stumble upon your music one day. You are like a breath of fresh air. Thank you for all you do for us!
This was my first Advent Calendar and I loved every minute of it. Thank you Ladies for taking all the time to put it together, everyday I looked forward to opening it. I also opened the corresponding date on previous calendars so I got 4 times the fun. We are so lucky you think of your fans to take the time to spend with us.
Cute haircut Mona!!!
See you tomorrow afternoon (for me).
This is my second of hopefully many Advent calendars with the MonaLisa twins! I discovered them last year, so I am relatively new here. This club is full of nice people, led by 2 very talented young ladies. We are all spoiled! Looking forward to the live stream tomorrow!!!
I don’t comment much (i’m pretty much an introvert) but I have enjoyed this advent calendar. This is my second one. Looking forward to the live stream. It would be great to have that ukulele. It would look awesome next to my signed Paul McCartney guitar that my neighbor gave me. I built a case and added some extra items in it. We’re all winners to see your smiling faces and bubbly personalities. The MLT Club is so enjoyable. Thank You all for sharing your adventures with us. I forgot to add the picture of the guitar.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and thank you Mona & Lisa for making my December a little more fun with all your great give aways
Mona & Lisa, have a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for having such a wonderful club. You really take care of your members.
This month has been an awful lot of fun with you 2 girls! I love watching you clown around and laugh! Thank you for all the time you put in to do these advent videos. You really go above and beyond for this great club! Can’t wait for the live stream! I’ll be there of course!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to team MLT! And to all the club members too of course!
A merry Christmas to you all, and my comment would just, that i`ve thought about learning to play the ukulele, so having one of yours would be special
My first month in the MLT Club and what a great month it’s been!! Daily videos from the both of you has brightened every day, your entire back catalogue to discover and new music to excite me as well. Many thanks for the warm welcome and a merry Christmas to all the MLT fans out there ????????????
Merry Christmas Mona&Lisa what joy it as been following you daily in the advent calendar, also your latest release songbird and video ????
Mick xx
It has been a lot of fun spending the last 22 days with you both. I look forward to chatting with you next month and I hope that you and your family have the most awesomest groovest Christmas!!!!!????????????????
This is my first year in the MLT Club and watching your Advent Calendar videos. They have cheered me up enormously so thank you for doing them.
Sadly I have not won any of the prizes (so far). But I have to say you both are the gift that keeps on giving.
Hope have wonderful Christmas and maybe get that Gibson under the tree.
There’s not questioning that things going on in today’s world are somewhat sad & unsettling. Watching you girls perform (or just having conversation) always puts a smile on all of our faces. Your whole family seems so pure & dedicated to the good things in life (not the distractions). Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.!!!
Ron McTaggart
I am curious about the tuning of four-string fretted instruments but i’ll wait to ask in the new year. I have very much enjoyed these Advent Calendar posts. I now have some enhanced eggnog ready for the live stream. Cheers.
Thank you for a great December ladies, I have only discovered your music over the last few months and have really enjoyed getting to know more about you and your personalities. You are very positive, fun, bubbly, decent and down to earth, as well as talented, and deserve every success going forward. I have enjoyed your daily videos and look forward to your live stream, and hope we all have many more years of your beautiful music to look forward to. I wish you both a very merry Christmas, and a very happy and successful New year. Let’s hope we all have a better year to look forward to after these last two challenging ones. xx
Thank you to Mona, Lisa and the MLT club. I appreciate you taking the time with the Advent Calendar. Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas holiday season and a happy, healthy and joyous New Year!
Can’t believe it’s almost over. The month just fly by. Looking forward to closing this out with the live stream. Thanks team MLT.
Thank you Mona, Lisa, and the other team members. This was fun. And thank you for your Christmas Card. Hope to see you tomorrow… if I can figure it out. Merry Christmas!
I feel like a winner as well, it has been such a joy to spend a bit of time with you each morning. I must admit that I am a bit sad to know that I will not see your Beautiful smiling faces each day.
However, it has been a blast. Just wondering if they care still calling for a white Christmas where you live?
In Fort Worth Texas where I live, we are in for record breaking warmth, 82 degrees ( 27.7 celsius ).
Anyway, wishing all the Wagner family the most joyful and Merry Christmas ever.
Love And Hugs
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I really enjoyed the advent calendar and reading everyone’s responses.
Mona and Lisa!
Although I was not one of the lucky winners, I feel like a winner because every morning for the last three weeks I woke up energized with anticipation to see the daily videos. Thank you for the hours you two put into this club
Well, this has been quite an experience! My first December with you both and I looked forward to every single day. The give aways are nice, but just seeing your smiling faces lighten the darkness as the winter solstice approached. I may not know birds that well, but I know the joy you both bring to my heart.
Thank you for 22 days of cheer and joy you brought to us! You were very creative with both your topics and gifts to us which are appreciated very much.
On a personal note, I started my musical journey on a ukulele before transitioning to the guitar and finally to the bass guitar.
Just a tip if you’ve ever considered doing it: you have to saw off the base of the guitar neck so that you can break it off during a gig more easily.
Of course, this applies to a guitar, not a ukulele.????
I want to say thank you to Team MLT, and all of my fellow members. Since joining the Club, it has been filled with learning, fun, and always a positive vibe, which has been especially great for me this year. I underwent heart surgery earlier this month, and am now home recovering nicely. These videos and all the comments have helped in that regard, and it’s just great to know that there are so many fantastic people all over the world. My sincere thanks to all of you for helping me through, and I wish you all the best of holidays this year!
Hi Dale.
Hoping you have a speedy recovery and a wonderful Xmas season. MLT always makes one feel better. 🙂
Thanks Dana, same to you, except for the speedy recovery part!
Your Advent Calendar was a great idea. It was fun to communicate with you and read the comments of members.
It’s a good idea to make an advent calendar where you taste tea …
It’s a better idea than an advent calendar (which I’ve seen in the shop) where you have to drink beer and probably there are some for wine or whisky too …
The first day would probably be cool to see you on MLT but certainly not the following days …
????
This has been a super December with looking forward to a vid every day. You sure spoil us in the club! Thank you for all the joy you have spread this year and I wish you and yours only the best, always. 🙂
This has been so much fun and a welcome part of each of the last 22 days! I hate to see it end, and I hope it will continue to be a yearly tradition. Your music has been the best “new find” for me this year, and I look forward to hearing more. And what a wonderful community of some very nice people in the MLT Club — I’m happy to have found my way here! Looking forward to tomorrow’s live stream. Merry Christmas!
I drive over the road big rig. I hit and miss things. So I missed yesterday’s calendar. Got caught up though. My company messed up on my last load so I’m taking the bus back home. Would rather be in my truck. I do plan on seeing the live stream on big screen at 1400 pst. Think it might be a blast. I normally stay in the background mostly. Unless something moves me. You all, community, have moved me. See you all in the live stream. Peace.stay safe. God Speed. Stay Groovy!❤????
It has just been great everyday to hear from you both and join in and win prizes, it is a a shame that it has come to an end and hope you do another one perhaps at Easter maybe. Looking forward to tomorrow night like last year it will be nice to have more time with you. Have a fantastic Christmas xxx
Wow 22 days just flew by us and as they say time flies when your having fun and this has been so much fun for all of us each day. Thank you so much for what you do for us club members and as I mentioned before this feels like family to me. Can’t wait for the live stream and Maddie is very excited as well, we enjoyed it so much last year!!!
Bill and Maddie
Hey Mona and Lisa. Thanks for the great videos – it brings us fans closer to you. Looking forward to the live stream and wishing you both a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year. Oh, and fingers crossed for that lovely Uke!
This has been a lot of fun!
I hope Lynn wins ????
JP
Thank you for a fun 22 days always look forward to what each day brought. Merry Christmas and a safe Happy New Year. Hope Santa brings you both something special!!
Mona and Lisa you have really made all your fans feel like part of the family. The inventiveness and joy you bring to each morning is just amazing, and how do you always look so great so early in the day? Each video is a blast of sunshine on these dark winter days.
Knowing there is a new video every afternoon (especially when watching after coming home from work) was such a pleasure and a totally unexpected gift when joining the MLT Club.
And to finally win a prize on the last day was just awesome as I was sure my luck had run out.
I promise to give the White Owl a happy home as I suspect Mona would have liked to keep it for herself!
Can’t wait for the live stream now, I’ll be counting the hours ……
Merry Christmas to everyone in MLT Clubland and such a pleasure to meet you all!
Another fun and enjoyable advent calendar set with some great comment logs – I thoroughly the sessions. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s broadcast.
A Ukelele signed by you two would be in very good company with my Ovation 1858 and my Mitchell D-100 autographed by Melissa Etheridge!
Wow, the last 22 days have gone so fast, but every video was so wonderful, seeing you both every morning with your beautiful smiles, happy, funny, lovable, just what I needed despite all the gloom and doom in the world. Your Advents have made these recent Christmas’s some of the best ever for me! As the lyrics in an absolutely wonderful song says, “nothing ever lasts forever”, and the wonderful memories made with you both in these videos and all the discussions are so worth it, and looking forward to the livestream tomorrow. And Mona, your bird “Boyley” (hope I didn’t butcher the name too much)looked so adorable. ???? I had a cat, Misty, who sat next to me on my desk as I finished my last years of study, and I can relate to the companionship and support of such a pet. Yes we will love them forever. ???? Lisa, your seagull call is on point. You would do well if you went to a bird sanctuary to summon all the seagulls! ???? ???? Despite all the terrible weather in my neck of the woods this last year, apparently the extreme weather will continue with a forecast for 10 to 30 cm of snow over the weekend (Christmas). I think your “Winterwonderland” is going to ring especially sweet this Christmas! ⛄ ???? ✨ . Thankyou, thankyou for so much joy this Christmas season!
Congrats to the final Morning Giveaway winners, enjoy your Robin Festive Pillow and the Snowy Owl…See everyone at the Livestream tomorrow, hoping All can tune in ????☮????
Hiya, okay best way I can sum up this year’s MLT Advent Calendar …
What a thrill it has been every morning tuning in
#MLTBuzzLuvGroovified Awakening
Prizes Giveaways and Awwesone chit chat and Rated Tea
How I enjoyed ready the comments with glee
Congrats all the winners you’re all fantastic
But winning had certainly made you ecstatic and enthusiastic
May the Spirit of Christmas and of This Season Be Postivity Filled too
I sincerely wish this to Team MLT and the Groovy MLT Clubbers too…
[C.]JackiHopper2021 ~♡
Thankyou for another Awesone Advent Calendar Adventure , thoroughly enjoyed this 2021 edition !! ????????☮
Hello Ladies,
Anything!
This is an event I look forward to every year.
Its so much fun getting to see everyone’s comments. See who the winners are and interacting with you all.
We get to see your sleepy shinny faces everyday ???? ????
You all are so creative with your giveaways this year. Even the shoutouts are so unexpected, but touch or hearts in ways you can’t imagine.
Thank you and your incredible team for all you are and have been doing this year and always.
I hope each of you has an incredibly joyous and happiest Christmas ever. I hope your New Year is bigger and better than ever before.
Much Love and the very best to
Rudi,Michaela, Lisa, and Mona.
Rick
The first photo is My Little Mouse on skis???? .
Be sits at the top of the tree every year ready to ski to the bottom.
The second photo is my Drunk Snowman display. The 3 snow men in front center are drunk and having a wonderful time .
This has been such a blast! And it’s always so sad when it’s done and I don’t get to start my day with the two of you each morning. While I really enjoyed the daily prizes, the one thing I miss from past years is some of the more elaborate “questions” such as posting a craft, or writing a poem, or other things that took a few days to complete and then go back and post.
While I would enjoy playing the snot out of that Uke, I’m afraid it would go on the wall in a very protected way and never risk getting damaged. It would literally be one of my most valued possessions.
I will also miss getting to read everyone’s posts each day. It’s really been fun “spending each day” with everyone. I subscribe to each day’s post so I get emails all day long as people chime in. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.
Thank you Lisa and Mona (thought I’d switch it up just for once) for being so gracious, so kind, so selfless with your time and energies, and for creating such a wonderful community. There are fans, and there are friends. I hope we can all be both.
Liebe Mona und liebe Lisa, I would like to thank you very much for the wonderful Advent calendar and I was very happy to get to know the individual members of the MLT Club much better. A very nice idea: lots of great stories and even more great photos.
Thank you all and have a wonderful Christmas Time !
I just feel so blessed to be a part of such a fantastic family/group as Mona, Lisa, Michaela, and Rudi. Very much looking forward to the livestream – how did the Advent calendar go so fast? Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and happy 2022!
It’s been a lovely month, and merry Christmas to all!
Thank you so much to you for the Advent Calendar and video fun. Hope that all the Wagner family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. X