Favorites of 2013

Netflix - Oh how I love thee. Dakota begged and begged and we just wouldn't give in. Until one day... and now I don't know what I ever did without it. It's definitely taken up too much of our time in 2013. Definitely $8 well spent.

Breaking Bad - I'm so glad I finally caught on. And if it weren't for Netflix I probably wouldn't have. What an awesome thing! The acting, the writing, the story. My fav ♥

Downton Abbey - Sigh. Discovering this gem is definitely a highlight of my year.

Kelly Clarkson- Wrapped in Red...Her MOST awesome Christmas special...getting married...getting pregnant. My love for her multiplied times 100 this year!!

Magpie and the Dandelion - What a treat! I should just say the Avett Bros in general because since I first laid ears on them they've been the highlight of my year EVERY year. But this album in particular is wondy and special.

Clockwork Princess - The last book in this series came out at the beginning of 2013 and it's been on my mind since. I always suggest this series to fellow readers. It's probably my favorite young adult series (other than harry of course which is always, always a given).

JustSoWhimsy - I never thought this would actually happen. It's been very interesting and educational to say the least. And a great distraction this year. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to make it a reality!

Dakota - All his performances this year have been so fun. The talent show, the variety show and being asked to sing at the 8th grade graduation in May. He has really improved all around in the last several months. He's turning into a fantastic guitar player. So proud of that kid!

Having hair again! Such a relief and I am honestly thankful every day that it's finally grown out.

Jimmy Fallon - I just LOVE him! I've always loved him but this was a great year for him. Move over Jay Leno!!

Jack White - I realize that Blunderbuss was released in 2012 but I didn't get it until 2013 so it can still be considered a fave of 2013!! :-D He is so fascinating to me. I love the way he perceives music and instruments as such a challenge. Anything he has to say is fascinating. I love all his videos. And I LOVE Blunderbuss. He's such a badass. I just can't resist him! I'm crossing my fingers for Bonnaroo 2014!!

hmm

awww

 

blackfish

I finally got around to watching this last night. I'd heard so much about it and wanted to see for myself altho I knew it would bother me. And I was right. I'm glad Kota watched it with me. Something younger generations need to see. And I think they're right...one day we'll all look back on these parks like Seaworld and be embarrassed and ashamed. Just like slavery. I've never felt right about parks like that. I've been to Seaworld once when I was little. And I've been to the zoo and the aquarium and even wanted to work there at one time. But over the last few years that's all changed and I've been so enlightened on so many things. To see all those birds in cages and the monkeys and elephants. It's just not right. To hear those whales screaming when they took their babies away..that's heartbreaking! Why would anyone thing that's right? And that man crying when he described the tanks they keep the whales in at night, over half their lives. That's disgusting.

Glad I watched it and glad that I'll never be one of those people supporting the captivity of wildlife.

 

i'm ramblin' too ♥

love love love.

love them so damn much.

and i love to hear dakota sing this song. parenting done right :)

Traveling Song

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th!!

WOOT WOOOOOOT!!!


 
 

Wrapped in Red ♥

I am in love. This is one of my most favorite albums she's ever done. It's old Kelly! First listen I was just so excited it didn't really sink in how mind blowingly amazing every single song is but the more I listen to it the more blown away I am. It's spectacular!!! She sounds better than EVER. Is that even possible? And her Christmas special was so amazing I just sat there with my mouth hanging open the entire time. I've missed her! I am so damn excited about this that I had to do a list. Although I seriously love every single song on this album with all my life.

1- Blue Christmas - Which is usually not one of my favorite Christmas songs but D A M N!! It's the way she sings it. There's never been anything more perfect.

2- Please Come Home For Christmas - Again, pure perfection. This sounds like old times.

3- Underneath The Tree - I'm excited that she's gonna have her own 'all i want for Christmas is you' like Mariah Carey does. This is it! Love it!!

4- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - This is my favorite Christmas song so I'm pretty excited she recorded it. It's lovely ♥

5- Winter Dreams - We love this song! I love that she wrote it. It's perfect!

6- I'll Be Home For Christmas - This song is so cozy and her voice is so cozy on this one it makes me warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.

7- Run Run Rudolph - Ohhh Yeahh! Sexy lil thang! My favorite part is when she says... "said santa to a girl child what would you like most to get" Mmmm

8- My Favorite Things - Perfect for her. And I love the way she jazzed it up. And I love the way she says "when the bee stings" hehe

9- White Christmas - Cozy and perfect!

10- Wrapped In Red - Probably not accurate how far down the list this is but this is hard!! lol

11- Silent Night - This is beautiful! I love the end when they sing acapella. Loved it on the Christmas special!

12- Every Christmas - This is old Kelly too! She amazes me! How can anyone actually sing like that?

13- Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel - Lovely

14- Baby It's Cold Outside - I love this song! But I wish so much she would have had Blake or someone else sing it with her. He's absolutely no match for her and I think they just sound weird together.

15- Just For Now - Haven't listened as much as the others so it's number 15 haha

16- 4 Carats - Same for this one.
 

Ohhh Yes

to the tips of your fingers :)

I stole this from TP. I just love it! Vans mom will always correct people when they say 'i love' something. No matter what it is. She'll say 'nooo you LIKE it'. And in my mind i'm screaming nope sorry lady i love it!! I've always, always been a little dramatic and one notch above enthusiasm when it comes to things I really love. I can't help it. Music, books, anything that fits into my this is happy category. And I've always saw that as a negative about myself. My son has definitely gotten that from me. He reminds me so much of myself when I was his age. And dammit I'm not sorry for it anymore!! So thanks Ryan and TP. I WON'T apologize!

my jam

I was letting youtube play thru all the videos in my favorites list and I just happen to be looking at the screen when this one came on. I might have cried a little. And smiled and little. And I got curious and scrolled down thru the comments and there was mine was from 4 years ago. It's the exact same thing I'd say if I were to leave a comment today.

I miss him. Now that my son is so into music and discovering all the wonderful things there are to discover about music he's been asking me questions. The other day he asked me which artist/music has had the most impact on my life and although I have other favorites and have found other music and artists that I love with all my heart, the answer to that question will always be Jason Mraz. He's just in my bones.

My Jam

I saw him that tour. Twice in one week. Best of all the times I've seen him live. Must've been his time to shine. I miss this Jason. I know everyone changes and evolves, lord knows I have. And we may not be as connected on the same lil wavelength we used to ride together, but I still love him so. And all these old songs mean the world to me. ♥

pretty damn good version of halfway home from the music, magic, make peace tour ♥

He's pretty amazing!

d e c e m b e r

love!

14 and holding

In 24 days my Kota will be 15. Which seems totally impossible. I am so proud of that kid I could just combust. He is the sweetest lil guy. I know there will be a time, quickly approaching, when he won't be home much, and he won't follow me around and chat non stop about everything in his head, and he won't want to lay in bed with me and laugh. But today he does. And I'm loving every minute!

 

november blue

I don't like to push good things further down the page. It makes me cringe. And that video of Tear Down The House is one of my absolute favorite videos ever. And Save Part Of Yourself For Me for that matter. I wish I could sticky them at the top, permanently. Ah well... I can just post them over and over when they've gone out of sight. :-D

This month has been a strange one. It's so weird how people adapt and settle into things. How something that used to rattle me so hard now just feels like a bump in the road. I've been haunted this month by those old dreams and songs and the other day I parked right in front of a place I haven't been to or thought of in forever and just burst into tears. There was a time when I would have been so upset about it and obsess over it for weeks and felt guilt ridden to the point of sickness. But the more time that goes by and the more years that pass it's just something I know will stay with me. It's just something that happens to me from time to time. And I don't mean to make it sound like I'm unhappy, because I'm honestly not. I have a great life. Just a different great life.

I believe in karma. I didn't used to. And I know without a doubt that this is the exchange for how I treated people in the past. It's the "comes around" that you always hear about. For all the bad, mean and wrong I've done. Sometimes it seems like a high price to pay. Like maybe my comes around is just a little bit worse than other peoples lol because mines a life sentence. That's alright though. I can handle it. I'll just wear it proudly.

Just think....one day I'll be so used to it I won't even write about it anymore.

** I went back thru this whole blog and I haven't written a single word about this shakey subject since December 2012. Go me!!!!

tear down the house

I'm loving the set they did on Letterman. They're all fantastic. But this one I LOVE. I haven't heard this song in 200 years!! And what a fine lovely job they did!!! How lucky those people are there. Sigh....

And I must say...they are both looking their best. They've both got my favorite looks goin on. I love Seth with long hair and a beard best. And Scott with short-ish hair. So extra love for that! But I wouldnt care if they had NO hair at all. My heart would still melt and my bones would still carry them everywhere!!! ♥

repeat...

LOVE this!!! And the more I hear it, the more I love it!



He is wondy

22 Days!!

hello my favorite

It's here!!

Mercy!!

happy halloween!!

LETS DO THE TIME WARP AGAAAAIIINNN!! haha love that movie. Just watched it Friday night. I know this will probably be the last trick or treating trip for us. I actually can't believe my son is going this year. But I'll take it! This is a strange time for him. He's in between everything. He's not little anymore but he's barely a teenager. He still plays with his cousins when his friends aren't around. He's got a girlfriend that's quite a bit older than him in teenage years so she's on a totally different path than him and I'm just not a fan. He needs to catch up to her on his own time. That's what freshman sophmore and junior year are for. But did I listen to my mom when I was his age when she tried to talk to me about boys??? N.O.

He's a terrific kid and I am so beyond thankful for that. I pretty much trust that he will make the right decisions, but kids mess up. And he's too young to know what's best for himself. That's why kids have parents. I'm going to try my best not to smother him to death the next couple of years but so help me it'll take a miracle!!

Now roll on November!

 

happy thursday in october

Just wanted to say hello pretty love ♥

 

Magpie and the Dandelion *edited 10/22/13

 

 
















It's nice not having to wait even a year between albums. I've been so excited about this since I heard about it. Especially all the old songs that finally made it on. And the cover art is lovely. I love a birdie!!

 

A list will be hard but it's what I do. Even tho I haven't spent that much time listening yet, I think I can throw something together.

 

1- Morning Song - Number one is always the hardest. And 90% of the time I change my mind. But today, its this one. I've had it bad for this song. And two versions on the same album?? Yes, please and thank you.

 

2- Souls Like The Wheels - I've loved this song for years. But you never hear it. I'm so glad it's finally recorded. Seth's a happy sunny day in my heart and I LOVE this song. LOVE the lyrics. It makes me happy. And smile. I think I smile every time.

3- Bring Your Love To Me - I love every single thing about this song and I just get so excited when Seth sings a song. Any ol song. That pretty voice singing a pretty song like this... cant resist!

 

4- Part From Me - Sad. What's with them? I do love it tho. And *raises hand* I'm in love with you!! *This has quickly become one of my favorites. Love when that happens.

5- Never Been Alive - This is Dakota's favorite and he's wearin it out! :) I love it too. I love the whoa whoa's :) I've listened pretty hard this past week to the lyrics trying to decipher what these songs mean and it's pretty different than their other stuff in my opinion.

6- Skin And Bones - THIS is a sad song. And when Bob said when he hears this song he hears the story of the Avett Brothers??? What? That's a sadness. But dammit if this song isn't amazing.
 

7- Good To You - Even if that was the only lyric in the whole song, my heart just melts when I hear Scott Avett belt out "I wanna be good to you." Lordy.

8- The Clearness Is Gone - This song makes me sad. I love the sound, and he sounds great, but it's sad. But hell I love a good saddy.

 

9- Open-Ended Life - This is one of those songs that makes you think. 

 

10- Vanity - I do love it. I wish none of them were so far down the list, but they gotta go somewhere. I love the lyrics and someone said this reminds them of the Beatles and I agree. Still figuring out what it means in my head tho.

 

11- Another Is Waiting - I like it, I do, and I LOVE the video. But I guess I just connect the least with this song. It sounds great tho. Dakota loves it.

 

All the demos were a great bonus! I love shit like that! I love Magpie! I just hope since we got two so close together that it's not going to be an eternity before we get another. I could definitely go for one every fall :) Now I'm spoiled!



Mr. Teller

*Sigh*

What a pretty human being.

Long hair, short hair, no hair....

No shirt...

Several shirts...

Crying...

Laughing...

Killing us all....

Or killing us all...

He's always beautiful.

Ohhhh Jax Teller.

just so whimsy

i've been busy! there have been good days and bad days just like anything else. overall i think it's going great! there's still soo much to learn and do, but its a start, and i'm getting there! my days are so strange now. i'm trying to get used to a whole different way of life and it's very disorienting. everythings a mess (haha) and things are scattered and i dont really have anything down to a routine yet or set places for anything to go. it's just kind of chaotic. hopefully i'll get the spare room turned into an office one of these days. but right now i'm just kind of taking up the whole house. we don't even have a dining room table anymore for all my stuff covering it. that's okay. i'm learning and it'll take time! i have definitely learned something about myself this past month and that is I need to work on having patience. what happened? i thought I was doin good with learning patience. apparently not so much. so, this'll give me an opportunity to work on it. i have a lot of work to do all the way around.

here are a few of the signs i've made in the past few weeks. and i've made one sale!!! twas very exciting :)

www.etsy.com/shop/justsowhimsy 

happy lovely october

Well hello my lovely.

It's finally October! Woot Wooooot! And it's all dreary and gloomy looking outside which is perfect for the 1st. Give me those October eves!!

So. If we don't count today, which is already in progress so I dont...fourteen days until Magpie and the Dandelion will be in my possession. That's the most exciting of all!! There's tons of stuff lined up for this month. Some I'm looking forward to, some not so much. Busy times round here. I got my mums on the front porch all aglow. I'm ready!

goodbye friends

Aaaand it's over. How sad. But what a perfect ending.

Very well done guys!
♥

♥

I am sooo very utterly excited about this. We'll see if it's anywhere near as good as the book (they rarely are) but damn it sure looks like it could be!!!

 

That little girl is beautiful! How perfect she is! And I can already tell she did an amazing job. Child actors. Why are they so amazing?? They blow my mind! What is it that totally possesses them and makes them able to act so perfectly? Maybe it's cause they're still young and playing pretend is easy for them. But damn...some kids just astound me and blow my mind! Like the boy in Mud. Ty Sheridan. He is the absolute best in that movie. I couldn't believe it! Some of them are just too amazing for their own good.

st st stuuuuck

 

It's such a problem. I just can't stop!

Two. Episodes. Left.

Breaking Bad Season 5 Episode 14 recap|Lainey Gossip Entertainment Update

I couldn't even sleep last night! This shit is breaking my heart! And my balls! And my furniture!! I don't know how I thought it would end, but it wasn't this way. Not with such terribleness. But if you think about everything thats happened, how else could it end really besides terribly. Jesse was right....Walt is the devil. He's so evil I just can't believe it! Since episode one all I've ever wanted was for them to love eachother and be friends. And I got my hopes up so many times! I don't think I took a breath the entire episode last night. What else is there?? Alot can happen in two episodes. And I honestly don't see how it could get any worse. Then again...this is Breaking Bad. My one hope and wish is that Jesse doesn't die or go to jail. I know that's asking a shit ton, but it just wouldn't be right! Two more weeks and it'll all be over. So sad.

tiger lily

i had a random dream about nothing last night but this song was playing in my dream. i havent heard or thought about this song in years. i used to really love it. funny how music has changed over the years. and its also funny how it can put you right back in time.

tiger lily


while i was at it i thought i might as well post this song too. good times.

if all else fails
 

january

i usually don't fancy blonde hair. not on anyone male or female. only a certain few. and she is one of those. what a lovely thing she is. such a natural beauty. i love her scenes in mad men with no make up on because she's just as lovely as when she is wearing it.

such a lovely lady

september!

Which means we're right around the corner from my two most favorite months!!

But lets not jump ahead. September it is! There's lots happening this month to pass the time til October rolls in. Dakota gets his braces off in a few weeks. And he's performing in the Variety Show at the Clayton Center on the 17th. Gooo Kota! He's been working hard rehearsing and looks just dashing in his tuxedo.

 

We've been researching and preparing and making plans for some sort of business plan. So far, so exciting. I think my mind won't really wrap around it so I can't really think about it too deeply. It's always on my mind but it's like I can only think about it a little bit and then my brain shuts off. We'll see....we'll see.

 

So...this is the first step. The first real progress.

 

 

under construction

A lot can happen in a week. I don't even one hundred percent know what direction everything is moving in and i'm okay with that. The Daily Love was just for me today. Love it when that happens.

Todays affirmations:

The patient path is the fastest way

I detach from the outcome and trust the Universes divine timing

Today I choose to savor the waiting.

I am so thankful for all the opportunities and possibilities that are happening right now. Sometimes I get so frustrated when things don't go right and things arent happening fast enough for my liking. That's rubbish. That's not being grateful. Things take time and hard work and dedication. Anything worth having is worth waiting for. I know that, I just get excited and ahead of myself. So today I am slowing my roll and taking a breath and letting things work out the way they're supposed to instead of forcing them my way.

Can't rush the good stuff!

And this little jewel has been making my day two days in a row! who needs shelter

do over



This is what I need most right now. I have to live it and breathe it and be it.

I had one long, crazy, tiring, traumatic week. From last Monday to this Monday was one of the strangest experiences and times of my life. Monday was one of the worst days I've ever had in my life. And I've had some doozies. It was doomed from the start and I know that bad timing did nothing to help the situation but it all built up and I had a inner melt down. And if this was a test, then I definitely failed. Epic fail as Dakota says.

So. As of today, I am unemployed. Totally and completely NOT employed lol. Which of course makes me panicky. BUT... I had my semi melt down and cried about it and moped for a day and now I've pulled up by big girl panties and I'm moving on! Rested and ready bitches!

Everything happens for one reason or another and I know that this just means this wasn't the right path for me. There's another one waiting somewhere I just have to find it. So the search begins. I'm back where I started three years ago. Trying to find that place I belong. Thankfully and gratefully I am able to take my time and not jump into the first thing that comes along. Jobs are few and far between these days, especially the ones I dream of having. That means you just have to work a little harder to sniff them out. No more applying for jobs I know that I won't like. No more settling for whatevers easy and available. This is my life dammit!

the best

this is the best version of this song ive everrrr seen. sigh....

breaking bad

i was late to the party. didnt know what i was missing. but man did i ever show up. i know it's a nerdy thing to say....but.... its just true. this show is special.

it is!! its like..... like.. the hatfields and mccoys. like dawsons creek and harry potter. shows like this are few and far between and when they do come along they're special, so it had to be said.

it's the characters. and the acting. it just doesnt get any better. it's like one of those books that you never ever forget. one of the great ones with all the best lines and characters and settings. it's the characters that make you love it. absolutely the story line grabs you from second one and never lets go for a single second, but it's walt and jessee that make it so fucking awesome. that make you hole up in your house and wither away to one meal a day WHILE watching the show and stay up way later than you should on a work night and gives you SUCH anxiety the second your eyeballs open in the morning because you just HAVE to know what happens. they're just that good, both of them.

i sorta feel like i missed out on not watching it over the years, week to week. but then again, there is NOTHING like binge watching something like that. it's had me in hives!!! especially now that it's down to the last seven episodes ever!! what??? that's just wrong and evil. but....very smart on their part. it's not like any other show ive ever seen where theres a couple slow seasons or boring times and you're like.....eh....it'll probably end soon. it's bite your nails, hold your pee til it hurts, all the way to the end!!! i fucking LOVE this show. with a capital love.

bitch!!!!

 

in with the new

Kota wrote a song last week. His first one since he was little. His first serious one. And it's awesome! It's about being different and being proud of that :) and at the end it says something about 'keep the old and bring in the new'. I like that. Instead of out with the old, you keep it too cause it's part of you! He's so smart that kid.

I have four more days at my current workplace. And I'm not a bit sad. I'll miss a couple gals sure, but I am ready for the new! It's just another step in the right direction. The direction I'm supposed to be goin! It's a step up on the ladder toward my goals. And the only way to go is up, right? I'm nervous and excited about this new. It'll be very different than anything I've ever done or been used to. It'll definitely be hard work. But hard work never killed anyone. And I've heard several times that life begins outside your comfort zone. So bring it on!

Summer is just about over and although I might change my mind when I'm working out in the weather, as of now, I am so excited for fall. Bring that on too!!

And...since I'm feeling just soo lovey this morning, I want to gush about my love. Yes, gush. Cause that's what my insides feel like. Gush. Mush. Its funny how he's been there all along, just waiting around for me to realize what I already knew. That we are meant to be!! That I have loved him all along! That he's just been there waiting! It's been a slow growin love which to me is the best kind.

 

Morning Song

I love this song so damn much. Soo damn much! Its this exactly that makes life exciting and wonderful and amazing and worth living. I am so proud of them. They're all goin thru tough times right now but I am just so damn proud of them. I cannot wait for this record!! This video makes me so happy! They sound better than ever which is REALLY quacking exciting. Now with all that out of the way....

I 

am 

in 

love 

with 

him

I just love this!

 

whoa.

 



GOD YES

 

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Whether you want to or not. Whether it's awesome or not. Whether it's scary or not. Whether it's what you wanted or not.

 

genius

I believe with all my heart that he's one of the smartest people that's ever lived. I just keep loving him more.

crushes

I really, really love her a whole lot. She's an amazing actress. I forget how young she is every time I watch her. I loved her the second I saw her in Winters Bone years ago. I think she is so different and beautiful.

 

for shore

 

weekend in the mountains

i love camping!!

 

finally!

I have hair again!! I'm me again!!

 

♥

Oldies are besties.

winds of change (:

Today I feel a change stirring. And I feel peace. I just know it's going to be okay. What's meant to happen will eventually happen. Thats a great feeling to have. It's such a relief. Cause something I've learned, when you have love inside everything else is second. It just makes everything ok. Makes everything better. And I definitely have been blessed with love in my life. All kinds of it.

Once you learn how to make yourself happy on your own, all by yourself, it's the best secret you'll ever learn. It's hard to stay in that mindset though. And you will get off track and lose sight of that brightness. But once you've found it you can always find your way back. You just have to pay attention the first time. It's a recipe!! There are a few ingredients that make up something perfect. The best thing you've ever had. And you have to experiment a little to get it exactly right. And once you do, you can always have it. And it's yours! Exciting...

Entrepreneur sounds pretty awesome. And it scares me shitless! And that's why I know it's right. It just feels right!! And the more I think about it and the more we talk about it, I just know it's what's going to eventually happen. One day, somewhere down the line it will be a reality.

(:

This makes my insides happy

 

I am love loving this guy!!! And this song!! Hell, AND the video!! Exciting!!

joy of nothing

♥

be the song

I love new happys!! :)