Iron & Wine

This is my new favorite these days.  (Pause the music on the side bar, because you'll want to listen to this guy.)  I knew I liked Iron & Wine before, but now I'm kind of obsessed.  I do that with music.  How many times will I hit repeat?  It can be torturous to some.

There's something about his voice...a little haunting...and the acoustic guitar makes me happy.  Plus I think I'm becoming more and more folky.  Whaaaat?  I know!  When I was in Utah, Bryan came over and introduced me to Griffin House -- another new one I'm loving.  That night, we spent some time going through music and he said, "yeah, this sounds like you."  And I realized...what?  I have a genre that people associate with me?!  That was so crazy.  I've become that person.  It's not a bad thing, except that I have always like such a wide array of music.  But people, with age...you gain weight, get wrinkles, and lock yourself into music genres.  I'm just warning you.  So, take some time and enjoy some Iron & Wine, and let me know if you ever hear of him coming to concert in out in California.  It'd make me really happy to go.  And y'all are invited to join me in the happy-fest of Iron & Wine.

Great song:


Who doesn't love this song?


Um, was this on Twilight?  hmmm  Luckily I didn't know that before I fell in love with the song.

Cry Baby

Ok. You can debate all you want about Mr. Cee Lo Green. I mean, we all have our preferences, right? I kind of like him. I'm not sure I'd run out and buy his cd (do people still do that?), but I always turn the radio way up when his songs come on. That's got to count for something, right? He always makes me want to just get up and dance. There's something catchy about his stuff and it makes me happy.

And I'm kind of hooked to his new song Cry Baby. Best break-up song! Makes me laugh. I like "fun" break-up songs...like Meaghan Smith's Heartbroken. (Totally different style, but still...a "fun" break-up song. It makes me want to dance, and Callie often requests it so we can dance. Though, I have to say this video it a little different than the song on my cd...oh well). Back to "Cry Baby" -- And it doesn't hurt that Jaleel White plays Cee Lo. Pretty awesome...the guy's got moves. (And I love how the girl is absolutely confused throughout the entire video. awesome.)

Lame Lyrics

I'm sorry.  This has been on my mind for some time now.  I mean no disrespect who feel connected to these songs -- if they speak to your heart, then that's great.  These songs were obviously written for you.  But, for me, they make me giggle a little bit.  The drama of it all...ooooh.

Jordin Sparks:  Tattoo "You're on my heart, just like a tattoo.  Just like a tattoo, I'll always have you."  Unless you do laser removal.  The ink can only go so deep Jordin.

Jordin Sparks:  No Air  "Tell me how I'm supposed to breath with no air?"  Well, I don't think you can.  "But how do you expect to live alone with just me?  'Cause my world revolves around you, It's so hard for me to breath."  This sounds serious.  "I walk, I ran, I jump, I flew.  Right off the ground to float to you.  With no gravity to hold me down for real."  For real, yo.   

Mars Bruno: Grenade.  "I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)/ Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)/ I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)/ You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)/  Oh, oh/ I would go through all this pain,/ Take a bullet straight through my brain,/ Yes, I would die for ya baby;/ But you won't do the same" This just sounds straight up crazy.  The funny thing about this song, to me, is the sheer drama.  He sings with the intensity of N'Sync or Backstreet Boys (yeah, yeah, yeah).  I mean, listen to him sing it.  He's very very serious about dying for this girl.  Yet all I can do is picture him doing what he says after each stanza -- but coming back to sing the next line.  I can't help it.  I'm insensitive and mean, but this song is just funny to me.  Go through this pain, take a bullet through the brain -- are they just looking for things to rhyme here?

I'm not saying these singers/artists aren't talented.  They have wonderful voices.  I'm not trying to make fun of them personally, or those who really love these songs.  For me, though, they just make me laugh.  Now, if you want to make fun of my music, plenty of people do.  Go ahead.  My playlist there on the side...not a hit with everyone I'm sure.  And that's ok with me.  Still though...if we can't laugh a little, then what have we got?  (yeah, yeah, yeah)

Lisztomania

I am hilarious. I mean, really one funny girl am I...because I'm cracking up over here. ahhhhhh ha ha ha ha

Lisztomania. I currently really like this song. It's just catchy. And it helps that Sammy giggles whenever she hears it. It's cute. I can't embed this youtube video with the song, but it's worth checking out. It's fun, especially if you like some of these old movies.

Now, I know I'm not the only one who makes up their own words. But when I finally remembered to look up the real words, I giggled. I knew I'd be pretty off, because most of my words were just babbles and made up words...but here were my words (in red) with the real words (in blue). (Read it as you listen to the song. You'll see where I'm coming from.)

So sentimental, not sentimental no
So sentimental, not sentimental no
Romantic not disgusting yet
romantic not discussing it
Darling, I'm down and lonely when with the fortunate only
Darling, I'm down and lonely, with the unfortunate only
I've been looking for something else
I've been looking for something else
Do let, do let, do let, jugulate, do let, do let, do
duelette, duelette, duelette, juggle it, duelette, duelette, duelette
(See now, the first verse wasn't too off yet. The "do let" part, I got the sound right, but in my mind it was "duel" ..."duelett" like a little duel. And then naturally, you juggle afterwards. ahhhh)

Let's go slowly discouraged
Let's go slowly discouraged
Distant from other interests on your favorite weekend ending
Distant from mother interest, on your favorite weekend ending
This love's for gentlemen only that's with the fortunate only
This love's for gentlemen only, that's with the fortunate only
No, I gotta be someone else
No I gotta be someone else
These days it comes, it comes, it comes, it comes, it comes and goes
These days it comes, it comes it comes it comes it comes and goes

Lisztomania
Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow like a riot, like a riot, oh
See less but see it grown, like a rhine, like a rhine, like a rhinoooooo
I'm not easily offended
Not easily offended
It's not hard to let it go from a mess to the masses
Nah, I go let it go, from the mess to the masses

Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow like a riot, like a riot, oh
(See above.... yes, again, I thought it was "like a rhino." No, it didn't make sense, but nonetheless...)
I'm not easily offended
It's not hard to let it go from a mess to the masses

Follow, misguide, stand still
Fellow Miss guidance, still
Disgust, discourage on this precious weekend ending
Discour, discourage on this reggis weekend dingding
This love's for gentlemen only, wealthiest gentlemen only
this love's for gentlemen only, welkiest gentlemen only
And now that you're lonely
and now that you're lonely
Do let, do let, do let, jugulate, do let, do let, do
duelette, duelette, duelette, juggle it, duelette, duelette,

Let's go slowly discouraged, we'll burn the pictures instead
let's go slowly discouraged, we'll burn the pictures instead
When it's all over we can barely discuss
when it's all over we can barely discuss
For one minute only, not with the fortunate only
for one minute only, now we're the fortunate only
Thought it could have been something else
Gonna gonna be something else
These days it comes, it comes, it comes, it comes, it comes and goes
these days it comes, it comes, it comes, it comes, it comes and goes

Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow like a riot, like a riot, oh
I'm not easily offended
It's not hard to let it go from a mess to the masses

Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow like a riot, like a riot, oh
I'm not easily offended
It's not hard to let it go from a mess to the masses

This is show time, this is show time, this is show time
this is your time, this is your time, this is your town
This is show time, this is show time, this is show time
this is your town, this is your town, this is your town
Time, time is your love, time is your love, yes time is your
Towwwn, time to show it up time to show it, it's time to show it up
Time, time is your love, time is your love, yes time is your
toooowwwn, time to show it up time to show it up, it's time to show it up

Maybe this isn't that funny to others, but some of these parts are pretty creative, don't you think? I mean, I guess a rhino isn't that easily offended. And come on guys, this is YOUR town and it's time to show it up. Maybe have a duelette, over Miss Guidance, then juggle. I'm just sayin'.

Obsessed Much?

Yeah...I am. I'm obsessed with Meaghan Smith. I can't get enough. Yesterday I had an emotional morning. I wrote a little bit about it on Li'l Samsquatch.

After a rough start to the day, I got a cd in the mail from my deary old friend, Marci. Marse, you're a babe, because listening to this changed my day. I had Ms. Smith's music blaring loud and I was singing along as I made rakott krumpli. My upside down day turned out to be fabulous. Thanks Marse, and thanks Meaghan Smith. I'm a fan!

Below is a video of her singing "Heartbroken" live. I love her. Love this song, and look at how cute she is! Love love love.

Cool video bio she has on her website.

She's With Me

Well, my friend, Maren, had me bawling again. Thanks Maren. The timing couldn't have been more perfect though. It was a rough day for me. I wasn't feeling my usual peppy self -- ha -- and Samantha has just been downright m o o d y the past few days. Today was no exception for her, and I was just...blargh. I put up with it, of course, I mean really, what's my option? But my neck and arms are scratched up from holding her throughout the day -- and though it's not intentional, she really scratches pretty hard.

I'm sure people think that I let my daughter abuse me because she really swings her arms, hitting and scratching...but it's just because she doesn't have the control. Ohhhh How strange we must really look to people. Sometimes I notice it more than others -- people looking at her strangely. Last night at the grocery store, 2 little girls noticed how rosy Sammy's lips are, not the fact that her head was tiny, but that her lips were so red. I was kind of thankful for that because I wasn't sure if I was up to explaining to this 4 and 3 year old why Sammy was so small. And it occurred to me, that this little girl was just about 6 months older than my tiny compact kiddo, and I wondered. What would Sammy look like and be like if she were...different. I can't help those thoughts from coming. Sometimes, I just wonder. I've actually been thinking a lot about her as we've been looking for a minivan. I think about the space we'll need for a wheelchair one day. I think about where the best place for her in the car would be. And then I feel such love for not only her, but for Callie, who I ask so much of. At only 2 years old, I expect her to be more sensitive and tender than most kids her age...but she's that way anyway. I have to remember she's only 2.

Sammy, she seems to perpetually be 2-3 years old in my mind. But my big girl's turning 4 in a couple months! And no matter how old she is, I will proudly carry her wherever she needs to go. And I'll gladly be scratched up. And I'll love that little girl with all my heart...more and more each day (even when she's a little pesky).

Today despite the screaming and crying, we had a few moments of calm. Callie, Samantha, and I were on the back porch, enjoying the sunshine. I was tired and laid down...Samantha just sat on my stomach. Callie was laying down next to me, insisting she was sleeping with a dragon (she's got such an imagination), and I looked up at Sammy. With the sun shining behind her, she gave me the biggest smiles when our eyes met. It seemed so appropriate that my little beam of sunshine (though today for Sammy it was pretty overcast with scattered showers) was enveloped by the sun.

I often wonder what's going through her head. I know she may never be able to tell me, but one day she will. And she'll say "I love you Mommy." That will be pretty great.

Back to Maren...so all these thoughts I had today, and then I read Maren's blog, and I hear this song for the first time. Collin Raye, one of the few country singers that I really do like, has a new song out called "She's With Me" about his little granddaughter who has a neurological disorder. It's not only a beautiful song, but it really hit home. It so perfectly wrapped up my thoughts and feelings about Samantha. And I was a mess as I listened to the song. So, for all of you brave enough to endure....enjoy.

She’s With Me
I proudly tell the maitre de as we arrive
He seems surprised
In a clumsy moment as he looks for room, for her blessed chair
A table stares, and their eyes show only pity
as they try to sympathize
Oh, how difficult that must be, look away
Day after day, they’ll never see, the joy you bring
Only happy at the times I know that she’s with me

I wear it like a badge of honor at the mall
I hear her call, the only way that she is able with a cry
Time to go bye bye, she can’t say why
Maybe tired, maybe hurting, god I wish that I could tell
Do I ever make her happy for awhile
To see her smile, makes my week,
Though she can’t speak,
She let’s me know she feels my love when she’s with me

I know just what heaven looks like when I see that perfect face
For no other mortal heart could be so fair
I myself so weak and weary, so imperfect as a man
How could I be the one you chose to care for our girl
Never done a single deed to earn the right to share her light
Though it’s such a painful road we walk each day
Lord you have your ways, this I pray
On the day I stand before you, she’ll stand right by my side
When you look upon me, head hung down in shame
I’ll feel the blame, she’ll look at me,
And then she’ll speak, in that precious voice
Don’t worry ‘bout him my lord, cuz you see,
He’s with me