Currently

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Loving: The fist-bumping affirmation pictured above. I'm all about feminism and finding my voice as a feminist, as an equalist -which isn't really a word, but I'm doing it, so there- and all around supporter of human rights. I'm not the loudest activist or the biggest voice to rally troops, but I feel like I'm among a wonderful generation of open-minded, loving, compassionate, goal-oriented individuals. And I know I'm raising children who will be full of love and, I hope, an openness to embracing people from all walks of life, from different backgrounds with different views and beliefs, with kind words and love. 

Cooking: The last of the fresh veggies from the farmer's market -- we've really stepped up our game this year and finally took advantage of the small -but abundant- weekly farmer's market. I've made plenty of mistakes along the way, but we've been taste testing new food, and even the kids have been open to trying new things. It's been a very productive summer of eating! :) 

Anticipating: Our trip to DISNEY! We leave on the 18th of this month, and I am so excited, I can barely contain myself -- the only thing Justin and I are dreading is the long haul with all four kids in tow. The girls are excellent travelers; the boys, not so much. I'm hoping by breaking it up over two days time and having Gran and Pops in another car to help swap out and provide relief, it'll be easier than we're expecting.  

Listening to: If Birds Could Fly >> I'm so ashamed of myself for not falling in love with this band sooner (they're local! and amazing!) I have spent countless hours on YouTube just listening to song after song. The one below is a personal favorite :) Even Sidney likes it!

Working on: Potty-training Rhealen (slowly making progress!) is the biggest hurdle right now. I'm also working on myself, which is a deep subject and too lengthy to get into here. Aaand I've started Christmas shopping (I know, who am I?) 

Watching: Like the majority of AHS lovers out there, I'm now completely devoted to Freak Show -- how amazing was last night's premiere? This season is going to be mind blowing, I can feel it! Also, you know what a huge TWD fan I am -- this weekend, all my dreams come true! 

Currently series inspired by Danielle.

New to Me Music

This isn't really "new" to me, because like the majority of y'all out there (I hope) I've been singing along to this for weeks. 

In the car (sans kids) LOUD AS CAN BE. In the shower OFF KEY AS CAN BE. At work AS QUIETLY AS CAN BE. 

It's just that good. 

I GG Y

I GG Y

(So good....)

And in terms of this video: could not be more perfect! Clueless, I die! 

"...and I am young,  yes, but what I have learned is that love, the beauty of it, the joy of it, and yes, even the pain of it, is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being. And we deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise.
There are too many kids out there suffering from bullying, rejection, or simply being mistreated for who they are.
Too many dropouts.
Too much abuse.
Too many homeless and
Too many suicides.
You can change that..."

Aw Naw

I know it was just a couple weeks ago I shared some other country music videos -- but here I am again! Doing the same thing!

I know I've stated it before a million and one times, but I have really ecclectic mood swings when it comes to music. I like a lot of different genres and artists, and I'm really not very discriminatory when it comes to my musical preferences. If I like, I like it. I don't push the thought process too far beyond that.

And it seems to me I go through musical swings -- I'll be into country for awhile, then pop, then rock. And while I'm in the middle of those swings, I still listen to all the other genres out there. I never limit myself! 

And yes, right now I seem to be on a bit of a country upswing at the moment. Some of it, I'm really loving -- and some of it I'm really hating.

Chris Young is one of those artists I've been listening to a lot lately -- particularly this little twang filled ditty:

And while I adore "Aw Naw" I can't stand this one by Luke Bryan (which some people say is rather similar). 

Just, no. I guess there really is no rhyme or reason when it comes to my musical tastes. I just happen to like what I like. 

Any songs on your radar at the moment that you're loving? It doesn't have to be country, believe me, I'll listen to anything...once :)

What Southern girl doesn't relate to this? Our mommas (and especially our grand-mommas) definitely get a little shock and awe from how we handle things now vs then. 

I'm on a bit of a Miranda Lambert kick at the moment -- these two songs make me smile + cry respectively. 

Riding in the car the other evening with my kiddos, we listened to this song -- I found myself crying behind my sunglasses, pretty much yelling at Sidney, "you know it really does take all kinds of kinds, right?!?!" 

Crazy mom award, right here, ladies and gentlemen. 

Just keeping that Southern tradition going, I guess -- but I like to think it's got a little modern twist on it*

Let's Talk About This Lorde Song for a Minute

Show of hands>>who's obsessed with this song?

You there in the back, get on the bandwagon already. It's a sweet song. 

Now, show of hands again>>who the hell knows what she's talking about? 

Yeah, if you're like me, you're coming to the realization right about now that you're no long part of the in crowd -- maybe "in crowd" isn't the right term. What I mean to say is: we're OLD and getting older every second. Further and further away from what's hip and cool and do the kids these days even use those words? Cool beans was a term from my generation, but I'm pretty sure that one died out with our love of hemp shark-tooth necklaces and Tommy Hilfiger overalls. 

I realize I'm a mother and married and with a mortgage -- but none of that meant I felt old. Not until recently. Well, not old -- just older. 

And maybe it's not even that I feel older -- the great divide between me and them is now abundantly clear, however. I'm one day further away from this generation of selfie-loving individuals who text non-stop and IG their lives away and love a lot of things that I don't quite understand. 

And I get that. No judgment, really. I was there -- we all were at one time or another. Sure, the music was different and the phones not so snazzy and we still had pretty basic cable packages without DVR. Different music was played and we all had different faces behind pastel heart-shaped sunglasses with rhinestones around the rim. It was different -- the clothes were different and everything was different -- but the same. 

That's life. I get that more than ever now. 

So thanks, Lorde, I like your beat -- it makes me feel things I didn't quite expect to feel. But that's the point of music, isn't it? To get inside us and bring out emotions we didn't know we had within? 

So.....

....it's Friday. And it's officially the weekend now. And I've managed to sneak a few moments almost every evening and actually blog regularly -- but since I have nothing real to say right now, let's just go with this video.



I have no idea what this is or what it's about -- it's one of those true blue WTF?! things, but I think you just have to roll with it.

Honestly, I can stop watching.

Happy weekending! 

Apropros for today, amIright?

Also: so random.

Sidenote: this isn't a real post. Or much of a real blog anymore.

I think I could watch this movie 1,001 times over and never grow tired of it. Love, love, love.

"If she's so brilliant, how come she's sitting in our neighbor's car?"

RIP George

You don't grow up proper in the South without knowing and loving "The Possum"...

Ahh,YouTube. You know, you can find just about anything on the old tube of you. Music, books, dancing babies, makeup tutorials, previews - you name it, it's on there.

One of my favorite "themes" is the surprise! I'm pregnant! video, and I've rounded up some of my absolute favorites. Do you have any you love?

In honor of the end of the world tomorrow (or is it today?). Might as well, right?

My favorite Christmas song of the moment - maybe it's just the sentimental (read: hormonal) side of me coming out, but I just adore this song.

Let's Have a Good Weekend, Shall We?

It's Friday! And despite the long, stressful, sick week I've had - I'm in a good mood. Happy and (on the road to being) healthy and looking forward to a mostly warm, mild weekend. Family, friends, and lots of food in my future.

Let's enjoy some of my favorite dancing/music scenes, shall we?

Soul, Baby

I wasn't kidding when I said before that this baby digs the R&B, old-school Motown, oldies and goodies. I keep this music on constantly, and he seems to dig it. And I seem to dig it even more than before. Little brother has got soul already...

Some of my (our) favorites:



When my soul was in the lost-and-found
You came along to claim it
I didn't know just what was wrong with me
Till your kiss helped me name it
Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm living for
'Cause if I make you happy I don't need no more



I'm a poorman's son, from across the railroad tracks,
The only shirt I own is hangin' on my back,
But I'm the envy of ev'ry single guy
Since I'm the apple of my girl's eye.

New to Me Music

Anyone else as obsessed with this song as I am? I can't stop playing it.

(And for some reason I can't figure out, Nate Ruess totally reminds me of Andy Warhol. Anyone else see it?)

come here, go there: link love

• Emily shares 10 awesome ways to tie your shoes -- who knew there were so many possibilities?! 
• Siri Pinter (you know, Carson Daly's girlfriend) has the most amazing food blog; simple, easy to navigate and awesome recipes. I want to try out these Zucchini & Parmesan fritters! 
• Rebecca is giving away a pretty sweet high-chair; and can I just say, I feel like a total "mom dork" for getting excited about free highchairs! 
• Alex shares 17 tips to make your life easier; some good stuff in there. I love the one about store-bought icing! 
• Noelle is speaking my language exactly; and I'm months behind her! 
• Kinsey shared some Red Velvet Pancakes on her blog that had my mouth watering! 
• Jess has some great "at home" beauty tips; I can't wait to try them out. 

Other note-worthy stories:

• This concept idea for a "Euthanasia Coaster" may be the most intriguing thing I've read about in a long time; really makes you stop and think. 
• Y'all know I'm terrified of sharks, right? Well, this story about a man on a kayak being trailed by a great white has my skin crawling (even before I saw the pictures)! 
• "Humanae is a chromatic inventory, a project that reflects on the colors beyond the borders of our codes by referencing the PANTONE® color scheme." That's how they say it; I just think it's incredible. 

This video has nothing to do with anything; I just haven't been able to get this song out of my head for two days now, and it's driving me CRAZY. Don't you just hate it when that happens?

New to Me Music

I'm slightly obsessed with this song.

Even though I have no idea what she's singing 75% of the time - the first time I heard the song, I heard it one way and now I can't unhear it to know what she's saying. Know what I mean?

It's hard to unlearn things in my opinion, especially music lyrics. And movie quotes.

But I'm getting off-topic here. This song? It's pretty awesome. 

Don't Bother Telling Me to Grow Up: My First Declaration of Love for Norman Reedus

I don't think I've mentioned this here on the blog yet, so I'm just going to get it out there.

Completely random and pointless, but I feel like you need to be kept abreast of all my current obsessions. Because I know y'all live to read about that sort of thing, right? Right.

I have a deep, unwavering and newfound love for Norman Reedus. There, I said it. I'm obsessed. Just like those teenage girls falling over their feet for One Direction.

Norman Reedus is my One Direction.

It all started with the Walking Dead. Justin got into that show after watching season one on Netflix. I watched a few episodes but didn't really think much of it. Then, it just sort of grew on me. Now, we watch it religiously.

And from that show stemmed my love for Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus' character, obviously) - and now, I spend too many minutes hours days looking through the archives of Tumblr and Google images just staring at this beautiful creature.

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Let's face it, you can't NOT love him. And if you happen to not love him, well then, just move along. You and I can't be friends, sorry.

Night before last, a good buddy let me borrow The Boondock Saints - and now my life is complete.

I want to consume every movie, show, thing he's ever done - the good, bad and ugly. Because as long as Norman Reedus plays a part in it, it can't be all bad.

I think I've watched Lady Gaga's "Judas" video about 10,000 times now. It's not my favorite song, but hey, I'll give you one guess who's in it.

And I'm desperately trying to find some sort of convention within a 500-mile radius of me where NR will be speaking. Just so I can be a total fangirl and *maybe* someday get a picture with/of/near him. Any of him. All of him.

Yes, my husband is aware of my obsession. And while he may not understand, at least I've got his approval. As long as we get to keep watching The Walking Dead non-stop.

Yes, please. This scene here?

My god. I have a secret hope for Daryl + Carol. Justin thinks I'm crazy for seeing anything happening with these two. But I see it. It will happen. Sooner or later.

So, there you have it. My unabashed, completely ridiculous lovefest for Norman Reedus. Yes, I'm a twenty-three year old married mother-of-two. But I can still crush on celebrities like I'm 12 years old.

AND LOVING IT. 

{run away and save your life}

Today, I need music like this just to get me over the "hump" - it's been one heck of a week already and it's only halfway done.

So for today, let's just turn up our favorite 90s dance music and have some fun!!


PS This is my 800th! post -- I'm very proud to be here, still blogging and sharing my journey. Thanks for reading!