Music Linkup week 46 - How Will I Know?

Whitney Houston’s death probably has some effect on all of us, some more than others. I’m definitely in the ‘more’ category. I literally grew up listening to Whitney!  The first time I got up and sang in front of a group was a duet with my sister, singing “Greatest Love of All”.  (Disclaimer: I really can’t sing AT ALL)

My first ever Talent Show dance performance, in 6^th grade, was also to a Whitney song:

(Disclaimer: I also really can’t dance, AT ALL.  Unless there is alcohol involved, which of course there wasn’t in 6^th grade).  I keep checking YouTube every so often to see if anyone who videotaped that Talent Show has posted my pathetic performance, but luckily nothing has shown up yet.  I’m mortified enough just remembering the costumes that my friend Michelle & I wore – we had these little black briefs, white t-shirts, black coat-and-tails, with fluorescent orange bow-ties.  I don’t even remember what shoes we wore….this was like 1986-ish I think? **Ahem. Yes, I know I’m old.**

My first breakup had me in a weeks-long pity party with an all-Whitney soundtrack.  My first real kiss, my first school dance, my first perm (yes, I know you’re laughing now – it’s OK, so am I!).  So many of my firsts are associated with Whitney Houston’s amazing voice. 

I’m so very sad to know we’ll never hear another epic Whitney performance!  I’m grateful for the talent she shared with the world, but still sad knowing she had so much more that was really just wasted.  Tragic.  Another beautiful talented star succumbs to the pressure of fame & fortune.

I need to go do something to cheer up now.  I think I wanna dance with somebody (with somebody who loooooves me).  You should really get your groove on now, too!  Go link up with Amber over at Goodnight Moon - tell her I said Hi, and then go visit some of the other lovely bloggers who linked up this week.

Oh yeah, and don't forget to leave me a little comment love - I'd love to know what YOUR favorite Whitney song is!

Music linkup week 45 - St Elmo's Fire

OK, ready to laugh at me again?  This song definitely dates me, but whatever.

If you've been reading me for awhile, you know that I recently took part in a local weight loss competition, which completely CHANGED MY LIFE.  I have a pending post about this, which I should be able to finish and publish this week sometime.  Anyway, the girl who won the contest is now a very good friend, and she inspires me every day.  Even when she's not trying to inspire me, she does, just by CALING me.....because THIS IS HER RINGTONE ON MY PHONE:

It was especially cool that she called me today while I was out running, because the song (and the great news she was calling me with) gave me an extra burst of energy to finish my run.

You don't even have to know anything about the movie or the story behind it, just listen to the lyrics!  Don't you totally feel like you can 'climb the highest mountain' now?

Or at the very least, don't you feel like posting an inspirational song to share with the rest of us?!  Go ahead, post it, and then be sure to link up over at Goodnight Moon.  Thanks for grooving with me again this week!

music linkup week 44 - Beds Are Burning

When I was a kid I could not understand what this song was about AT ALL, but I liked it.  Now that I know a little more about the world, and about 'green' living, I think of this song any time there is a man-made disaster that effects the environment.

So, naturally, when news broke this week about a possible radiation leak at our friendly neighborhood power plant in San Onofre, CA this song popped into my head - and it won't leave!

Catchy, huh?

For those living on or near Pendleton, I hope and pray that this is all just a false alarm.  And for our children's sake (and our grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc) I truly do hope that we find a way to 'give it back' like the song says :)

OK, stepping off my environmentalist soap box now..... have you linked up your song yet? (and WHY NOT???)  Hurry and go see Amber over at Goodnight Moon, see what all the fuss is about, and then JOIN IN!

(this song is in YOUR head now, too, right?  HA HA HA!)

music linkup week 43 - YOU MIGHT THINK...

We've been watching a lot of Cars 3 this week, and this song is soooooo stuck in my head, everywhere I go.

My kids totally missed the irony that this is a cover song by Weezer, but the original band was, YEP, you got it, THE CARS!  I love Disney/Pixar movies :)  Bonehead of course recognized that it was Weezer, because that's his favorite group right now.  He's teaching himself to play a Weezer song on his guitar right now.  Man, I love that kid, but am seriously counting the days until he moves out.  (Maybe it's time for another Bonehead update post?  If you don't know what I'm talking about, go through my archives, starting like in May of 2010. This kid will be the death of me, I swear!)

Anyway, thanks for stopping by, and make sure you head over to Amber's blog at Goodnight Moon and join in the dance party!  You can link up your own song, or just check out what everyone else is grooving to right now.

Music Linkup Returns! "...and I know it"

Awhile back I posted about my adorable toddler dancing to his favorite song, "I'm Sexy And I Know It" by LMFAO.  The song is pretty ridiculous, and the video is even MORE ridiculous, but it has a great beat for working out.

Last week my FB all but exploded with friends sharing this parody version of the song:

Best part about it? It's kid friendly.

Second best part about it? It's freaking ELMO, man!  ELMO!

Worst part about it?  Um, can't think of one.  :)

Hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did!  Now go say hi to Amber over at Goodnight Moon.  While you're there, link up your song, and check out everyone else's. Let's DANCE!

Music linkup week 41: "Asleep"

WOW, 41 weeks of this linkup?!?  REALLY?  Awesome. :)

My song this week has layered meanings for me - on the surface, I chose this song just because I am SO FREAKING TIRED.  Two nights in a row of NO sleep equals one cranky cranky woman! But who doesn't love The Smiths, no matter how tired you are?

The other reason I chose this song is to have another excuse to brag about my awesome friend, Janice Whaley.  I mentioned her once before - she created "The Smiths Project" last year, singing every Smiths song a cappela all in the course of a year.  Then she used kickstarter to actually make this into an album, which is now available in select record stores and through bandcamp.com.  I actually have known this amazing artist since we were KIDS, and am SO SO SO proud of her recent accomplishments!  She even recorded a duet with Curt Smith (of Tears For Fears) and it was released on his new album last month. 

I'm also floored that Janice has now taken on an even more daunting task: recording a solo album of original music.  I'm bringing this up because I think a lot of you might really 'dig' her voice, and might want to support her latest efforts via kickstarter (and thereby be among the first to get your hands on her new CD when it's all done!)  Her first track is available for FREE download on her website http://www.janicewhaley.com/ and here is HER version of the song I linked above:

Thanks for listening, now go link up YOUR jam this week over at Goodnight Moon!

music linkup week 40: Grow Old With You

I seriously hope I am not posting a duplicate song here.  Since this is one of my favorite songs of all time, from one of my favorite MOVIES of all time, it won't surprise me if it turns out I already posted this song earlier in the year.

If you have not seen The Wedding Singer yet, you are so totally missing out!  I love Adam Sandler AND Drew Barrymore, and even better, I used to live right down the street from the house that was used in the movie as the girls' house (in Sierra Madre, CA).  Awesome 80's music throughout the soundtrack, and a truly adorable story with lovable characters.

OK I'll stop gushing now, you get the point, right?

So, there's a scene where Adam Sandler's character sings this to his love, and it is AWESOME.  Like, TOTALLY, dude! ;)

I'm a sucker for a good romantic comedy. Make sure you watch this clip to the end! It's short, I promise.

Have you linked up your jam yet this week?  If not, go say hello to Amber (check out her awesome giveaways and even more awesome Etsy shop while you're there) and check out what everyone else is dancing to right now.  Then POST your song so we can dance along with you!

This button will get you there:

music linkup week 39: Running To Stand Still

WHOA, almost missed my weekly music linkup with Amber! 

The reason I almost missed it is that I have been going crazy, spinning my wheels, just BUSY BUSY BUSY.  For a taste of what I've been up to, you can check out my weight loss blog http://www.thinit2winit.wordpress.com/  I feel like I am running just to stand still! 

Which brings me to this week's song choice: Running To Stand Still by U2.

I'm honestly not sure what this song is ABOUT (probably drug use/abuse?) but I always liked the sound of it, and sing along to it whenever it comes on my iPod. (which is usually while I am RUNNING, these days!  YEAH!)

Have you linked up yet?  Go say howdy to Amber over at Goodnight Moon and share YOUR song for the week.  I wanna hear what you're grooving to!

music linkup week 38: Paint It Black

Music linkup time again....ALREADY?!?!  Wow this week went by SO FAST.

Last Saturday was our Marine Corps Ball, and check out the guest of honor:

Yes, that's really R. Lee Ermey!  I'll blog about the ball later (SOON, I hope!)  In the meantime, enjoy the song that plays during the credits of the movie that made Gunny Ermey famous, Full Metal Jacket.  The song?  Why, "PAINT IT BLACK", of course!

**WARNING, before you click, you should know that this video contains very graphic violence.  If you are squeamish (like me) then just listen to the music and DON'T watch the screen**

Rock on, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!

Don't forget to go visit Amber over at Goodnight Moon and link up YOUR song this week!

music linkup week 37:Money Honey

My whirlwind schedule is full of working out this week, and I desperately need to squeeze in more sleep somewhere (sleep is a KEY ingredient in weight loss!)

In the interest of stealing some more sleep, this post will have to be short and sweet.  I can't explain why this specific song always makes me push a little harder in a workout, but if it is not in your workout playlist, IT SHOULD BE!

Lady Gaga has saved more workouts than I can count!  I don't care if you love her, hate her, whatever, but just TRY not to have any extra bounce in your step with a Gaga beat in your ear.

Have you linked up yet?  If not, go see Amber over at Goodnight Moon (click the button below) and share YOUR song for this week!

music linkup week 36: Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others

I can't believe another week has flown by, and I almost missed the chance to linkup with Amber over at Goodnight Moon with my song for this week!

My weight loss journey is still going VERY well, and I am Shrinking like crazy.  It's still very hard, but every day I get closer to actually BELIEVING that I will be thin, fit, and healthy - for the REST of my life!

This song from The Smiths used to make me laugh (back when I was thin) and then I used to get mad when I heard it after I got fat.  Now it's just another catchy Smiths song to me.

What did you think?  Catchy? Funny? Offensive?  Leave a comment, I really do wanna know!

And don't forget to go link up YOUR song for the week!  Just visit Amber by clicking the button below, and you can check out everyone else's jams for the week, too.

music linkup week 35: Bubbletoes

This week has been a pretty awesome one. My weight loss competition is going REALLY well (down 5 more pounds last week!) and somehow the dozens of balls I normally juggle are not falling to the ground.  That's not to say I have not DROPPED a few, but there is always someone there to catch it. 

I am so amazed when I look back at the past year of my life, and see how far I have come just in the past few weeks.  I was so incredibly ALONE, even when I wasn't, and now I am simply SURROUNDED with supportive people, everywhere I turn.  I have a LONG way to go, but I can actually really see SUCCESS in my future.  Success in my weight loss journey, success in my marriage, and success in my professional life.

In short, life is GOOD right now.  Hard, but well worth it!

So, for this week's song I chose something that matches my bubbly mood: Bubble Toes by Jack Johnson.  I love this entire album (used to play it as a naptime CD when I taught preschool) and lost my copy for almost five years; it just re-surfaced right about the time I starting this whole "WINNING" thing a few weeks ago. Coincidence?  I think not! 

If you enjoyed that, go check out the other songs linked up this week over on Amber's blog, Goodnight Moon.  While you're there, why not link up with a song YOU'RE feeling this week?

music linkup week 34: My Boyfriend's Back

I wish I had more time to blog about this, because it is kind of a big deal.  If you've followed this blog for awhile, you know that Jarhead and I have had MAJOR marriage problems since he returned from his most recent deployment - stemming primarily from his need to isolate himself from the rest of the world, even me.

I mostly missed the intimacy and connection that we shared *ahem* in private (wink, wink) but I missed all of it.  I missed having a PARTNER.  I felt so very alone, even if he was snoring away in the bed right next to me.  I told him a couple months ago that I wished he would treat me the way he did when we were dating - when he worked VERY hard to impress me.

Now, all of a sudden, I feel like my 'boyfriend' is back!  I don't know what triggered this change, but I do know that I LOOOOOOOVE it.  The last three weekends have been like we're teenagers in love. 

He is so much more attentive, affectionate, and well, HORNY now.  ha ha ha!  Things are not perfect, but have gotten SO MUCH BETTER all of a sudden.  We desperately need a real date night, with no kids and everything, but probably won't get one until the Marine Corps Birthday Ball next month. Which reminds me, PLEASE come back in the next day or two and help me choose a dress to wear! I'll be posting some of the dresses I like and asking you to VOTE for your favorite.

Have you linked up yet?  Its not too late! Click the button below to go see Amber over at Goodnight Moon and tell us all what song YOU'RE feeling this week. ;)

music linkup week 33: I'm Sexy And I Know It

Time for another linkup!  You thought I wasn't doing one this week since it wasn't up here 12 hours ago, right?  WRONG!  I have been waiting ALL WEEK to post this baby, but have been so busy literally working my butt off, that I have had almost NO computer time!  I did find time to write a quick blog post about my amazing disappearing ass over on my weight loss blog though.  In fact, said shrinking ass is the reason I am posting THIS SONG: "I'm Sexy And I Know It" by LMFAO. 

Not something I would normally have heard, but they play it at the gym ALL.THE.TIME.

And I feel like I kinda live at the gym these days.

Have you linked up yet this week?  If not, click the link below to go see Amber and share YOUR groove for this week. (If you wanna leave me some comment love here first, that's OK - but THEN go link up, OK?)

music linkup week 32: "Push It"

Okay, some of you have probably laughed at a few of my song choices before this week, but now I am pretty sure ALL of you are gonna laugh at this week's song!  It's okay, I am laughing, too. 

Remember the last couple weeks I mentioned the weight loss competition I am in? Well this past week my mantra has been to just PUSH THROUGH THE PAIN.  *soooooo muuuuuuch paaaaiiiiiinnnnnnnn* but every moan, groan, and scream is totally worth it.

This week's song, "Push It" by Salt N Pepa, actually came out when I was like 12.  Yeah, I know, that was before many of you were even BORN.

Have you heard this one before? If not, I wanna know what you think of it! It doesn't meet my CURRENT standards as "music", but since it is closely tied to my youthful memories, I like it anyway.  Friday night when I go to my "Last Chance Workout" before my Saturday weigh-in, I know I will have to do some push-ups. And I will be singing this song in my head as I push through THAT pain.

Have you linked up yet?  If not, click on the button below to go see Amber (tell her Hi while you're there) and link up YOUR song for this week.

music linkup week 31: Everybody Hurts

I have REALLY neglected this blog lately, but for good reason: I am focused 24/7 on this weight loss competition, and so far I am doing GREAT!  I lost 6.8 pounds in week one, and now, halfway through week two, I am down 3 more pounds.  I have added a third workout every day, hoping this week's total will get me closer to the 4% or 5% needed to get me in the 'top 12' this Saturday. Working out like this after being SO overweight for SO long seriously hurts.  Like, worse than childbirth.  OK, maybe not THAT bad, but maybe like the recovery from childbirth?

BUT IT HURTS SO GOOD!

So, my song for Goodnight Moon's linkup this week is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the PAIN I am in...."Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.

Please tell me that you HAVE heard of R.E.M.??? ha ha ha They just announced that they are calling it quits, but according to their website, they are happy with the musical career they had as R.E.M. and they are thankful to their fans for listening. *sigh* end of yet another era, I suppose.  Anyone else feeling old now?

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you will understand that this song has also been my 'anthem' when I get depressed...."Just hold on...."

If you have not already linked up, go see Amber at Goodnight Moon and do it NOW! I wanna know what you're grooving to this week.....





Also, if you're interested in following me on my weight loss journey, that blog is HERE.

music linkup week 30: Everything Counts

I've been putting my song title into the blog title for this linkup, so I can easily scan my previous posts to avoid duplication, and I can NOT believe I have not done this song yet...in 30 weeks! 

Most of you know I have just embarked on a pretty amazing weight loss journey - I am in a local competition called "Valley's Biggest Loser" that just started last weekend and runs for 12 weeks.  In the competition my goal is to lose 60 lbs, and then I need to lose the other 65 or so on my own, before my birthday next May. 

I'm doing a lot of power walking so little Bobblehead can come with me in the stroller, and then I do a second workout while he's napping.  Once a week I also get a group workout with 39 of my fellow VBL contestants, with personal trainers pushing us the whole way.  OK, not PERSONAL trainers, since 40 of us share 3 trainers, but they're trainers. 

ANYWAY, Tuesday night was our first weekly group workout and it HURT LIKE HELL.  (Still does!) Somehow I managed to peel my aching body out of bed at 5:30 the next morning for my hour long power walk, and was groaning and dragging until the iPod clicked on this song:

(pardon the guys talking in the first few seconds of this video, but this is the ACTUAL version that I have on my iPod - from the album "Depeche Mode: 101" which is all live recordings, and this one is the actual performance AT THE ROSE BOWL in 1988.  I would have gone, being a so-cal girl, but I was 14 at the time of that concert.)

If you have EVER read my blog before, you know I am a huge fan of Depeche Mode, so they dominate my iPod.  When this song came on, I almost clicked past it, thinking most of DM's stuff is not really workout music.  Then I started to listen to the words, in context of what I am doing now, and I literally stood there laughing on the sidewalk in the pre-dawn haze for almost a full minute.  It's a good thing there aren't many people out at that hour, because I had to have looked completely crazy.  Anyway, that laughter gave me the energy to somehow complete my walk....a mile or so shorter than I usually walk, but still at a brisk pace, still enough to work up a great sweat. Half the walk, I didn't even have the iPod turned on, since I was humming to myself, "everything counts in large amounts" and thinking about the ENORMITY (pun intended) of what I am doing right now.

I am still in a ton of pain, but still found enough humor in this song AND in the final song of my walk today, also from DM: A Pain That I'm Used To.   HA HA HA!

What song are you feeling right now?  Go link up with the lovely Amber over at Goodnight Moon so we can groove with you!

music linkup week 29: FreeFallin

You know that scene in Jerry Maguire where he's feeling all victorious and wants to sing along with the radio, but the song SUCKS, so he changes the station, tries to sing along with another crappy song, then switches again until he finds one he can sing along with?

Well, today that was totally ME in the car, after some serious running around to gather up things for little Bobblehead's upcoming birthday party (yes, you read that right, my baby is turning ONE already!) I got SO MUCH done today, and felt like I could conquer the WORLD. I couldn't find anything to sing along to on the radio, so I switched it to CD and rocked out to a couple of my favorite songs....quietly, of course, because my baby/toddler was sleeping in his carseat at the time.

Here's the song that Jerry Maguire finally lands on in that scene, Free Fallin by Tom Petty

Have you linked up yet?  Go do it now, and check out the other lovely bloggers who are sharing their jams this week!  Don't forget to show a little comment love, especially here, of course.  ;)



Music linkup week 28:Panic

This week I took on a big project: redecorating the master bedroom/bathroom!  It was a surprise for hubby, who left Monday morning for 6 days....or so I thought. Monday afternoon he called to tell me he would be home Wednesday afternoon. If I had not already started the project, I would have postponed it for a few weeks.  Since I HAD already started, I decided to scramble and make the 6 day project a 3 day project. 

After the waves of panic settled, I mentally adjusted my schedule, and amazingly I got it DONE!  Hubby called me at 4:00 PM to tell me he was half an hour away.  I had just finished making the bed, so I hurried and vacuumed, put away some stray painting supplies, and jumped in the shower.  (I was SOOOOO sweaty and gross after running around like crazy).  Hubby walked in the door just minutes after I got out of the shower, and he LOVED his surprise!  Pictures to come soon, I promise.

In the meantime, please enjoy this classic Smiths song, "Panic"

If you've never heard of The Smiths, I think maybe you're an alien from Mars.  I absolutely LOVE this band!  A girl I went to school with, Janice Whaley, had a really cool goal in 2010: to record her version of EVERY Smiths song, by the end of the year.  Her arrangements are pretty phenomenal, especially considering that her only instrument is HER VOICE. Check out her version of Panic:

Pretty cool, huh?  She's actually become famous(ish) for this project, and sells the recorded project as a box set - to people ALL OVER THE WORLD.  I'm so excited for her to have found a way to make money doing what she loves.  And hey, now I know somebody who is FAMOUS! :) You can 'know' her too, if you follow her on twitter @JaniceWhaley. Hey, follow ME too, while you're at it @DeploymentAgain

Have you linked up with the lovely Amber at Goodnight Moon yet?  Go see her, say hi, rock out to some of the other songs linked up on there, and then ADD YOURS!  You know you wanna!

music linkup week 27: Never Tear Us Apart

This song has been in my head for three straight days. I was actually caught SINGING it out loud by the school this afternoon, when I thought no one was around (embarassing!)

If you've never heard of INXS, well first of all, what planet are you from?  And secondly, you have been MISSING OUT.

I know some of you have been worried about me, and checking in via FB, email, etc......THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CARING!  Sometimes I feel so alone, and then I log in and see that I am NOT alone.  Seriously, a little e-love goes a LONG way.  I'm actually doing okay, for now.  Really bummed about the current state of my 'relationship' with my hubby (or lack thereof).  You know how you can be so completely connected to someone, that you complete each other's sentences?  Like, you actually KNOW what the other person is thinking/feeling, all the time? Well Jarhead and I are the OPPOSITE of that right now.  I don't know when we've ever been more DISconnected from one another, and it is so frustrating because all I WANT is that connection again, you know? *sigh*

Anyway, I am moving forward as much as I can, trying hard every day to be patient and loving, no matter what. In less than three weeks I will be starting that weight loss competition that I wrote about recently, "Valley's Biggest Loser".  I can't WAIT!  I'm so psyched about it, I even started a new blog to document my weght loss journey!  You can check it out at ThinIt2WinIt.wordpress.com  It is still under construction, and should look a LOT better as soon as I finish learning about all the cool stuff that wordpress can do.

BTW I am liking wordpress so far, and am considering moving THIS BLOG from blogger to wordpress.  Anyone out there have any tips or hints for me before I start? I've already been told I will have to re-upload all of my pictures after I make the move. It's scary, taking the first step with a big change, isn't it?

I totally did NOT mean to go on for so long, I hope you at least clicked play already and got to rock out to some INXS while you muddled through my ramblings!

By the way, have you linked up with Amber at Goodnight Moon yet?  Make sure you do, and check out her newly redesigned blog while you're at it!