Music Monday: "Dirty Laundry"

It's not secret around here that I love Carrie Underwood!  Before she released her latest album, Storyteller, in October, I had pre-ordered on iTunes.

Then I started listening to Christmas music, and really only had the chance to give her album a quick listen.  Now that the season of merriment has passed, I've caught up on all of my podcasts, and finished two audio books, I headed back to my iTunes library.

I'm currently obsessed with her song "Dirty Laundry" from this album.  I can't get it out of my head, and I don't want to stop listening to it!

What do you think? :)

Music Monday

It's been a long time since I've done a Music Monday!

I think December is a good time for this because it's Christmas Music time.  (Although, who am I kidding?  I started to listen to Christmas Music on October 1st....)

Last year, my friend, Kim, bought the new Pentatonix album That's Christmas to Me.  We played it while we were baking cookies, and I was immediately obsessed.  I ripped it to my computer and added it to my iTunes (and burned a copy for my dad for Christmas, too).

One of my favorite songs from their album is "Winter Wonderland/Don't Worry Be Happy".

Enjoy! :)

Music Monday: Paul McCartney

At the beginning of the month, I started sharing a Paul McCartney/Beatles song each day in preparation for the once in a life time opportunity of going to see Paul McCartney perform live.  Then I got sick, and I gave up.

BUT that doesn't mean that I love Paul McCartney any less.  On October 15, 2015, my cousin and I who have been Paul McCartney fans for most of our lives, got to see Paul McCartney in concert at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State.

Jaime and I waiting in line to get into The Bryce Jordan Center.  It was a chilly evening in PA, but luckily, we didn't wait too long!

Our seats were farther away from the stage than I originally thought.  I think Ticketmaster had the map wrong.  At least we were there!

SO excited!!

The screens began scrolling video and pictures, and the moment had almost arrived!

Animated Beatles in the background

Paul on the piano

Seeing him was easier with the big screens

"Blackbird"

Just a little snippet of the song from a video I took

Paul played "Something" (one of George Harrison's songs) as a special tribute to George.  They showed pictures of George and Paul and the other Beatles in the background.  Cry much?

Here are a few other videos that I took at the concert:

I was so worried that he wasn't going to sing "Yesterday."  It is one of my most favorite Beatles songs!  Luckily, he did it during one of his encores.   This concert was seriously such an amazing experience and opportunity.  I am so glad I got to share it with someone who loves and appreciates Paul McCartney as much as I do!  I am also very proud of myself for not crying through the ENTIRE concert.  I certainly shed some tears, but I was worried that I would sob the whole time.  This was definitely a once in a life time opportunity. Have you ever gotten to see a musical idol in concert??
ALSO, don't forget to mail your Pumpkin Swap packages by tomorrow!! :)

Music Monday: The Night Before...the Night Before...the Night Before Christmas

So I might have gotten carried away with the title, but I couldn't resist.  That's where we are on this Monday night, and I'm blogging in real time for a few reasons:

1) I've been scarce around these parts.  I've been trying my best to read and comment on the blogs I love, but writing my own blog posts has not been a priority for me as of late.

2) Today was my last day of work, and I'm officially on Christmas break.

3) I couldn't let it be the Monday before Christmas and not write some more about Christmas music, and this is a post I thought of a couple of weeks ago.

So I was singing away to the Christmas music on my way to work the other day, and I started to think, "If I ever got to record a Christmas album, what songs would I want to sing?"

Here's what I came up with (and in parentheses, I note my favorite versions, where appropriate):

1. White Christmas (Bing Crosby)

2. Merry Christmas, Darling (Karen Carpenter)

3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

4. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Dean Martin & Doris Day) I would want to sing this with: Blake Shelton or Adam Levine....just to be clear.

5. All I want for Christmas is You (Lady Antebellum)

6. Do You Hear What I Hear (Glee Cast) This version is a gorgeous duet that wasn't featured in the show, and also doesn't seem to actually feature any of the cast members I recognize.  Anyway, I think I'd like to sing it with Lea Michele.

7. Silent Night

8. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

9. Winter Wonderland

10. O, Holy Night

On an impulse, I actually recorded and posted a YouTube video of me singing "O, Holy Night" acapella. 

It is my plan to blog a bit more over the next couple of days, and definitely more over my break from work!

But just in case my plans fall through, I wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! :)

Music Monday: Did I Really Listen to That?

I know some of you think it's too early for Christmas music, but not here in my world!  :)  I know that I usually rave about songs and/or albums that I love at Christmas. 

Today, I talk about one that I wish I hadn't wasted my time listening to.  Luckily, I bought it at a yard sale (from my brother, nonetheless) for $1.  

I'm not a huge Kenny Chesney fan.  In fact, I wouldn't even rank him in my Top 10  20 country artists.  I like some of his songs that they play on country radio.  Because of that, my love for country music, and my love for Christmas music, I decided to give this CD a try.

I hated it.  Even the traditional carols weren't very good.  For me, I think this was because they were slowed down unnecessarily.  I mean, I'm sorry, but "Jingle Bells" is supposed to be a pretty upbeat and peppy song, Kenny.  What were you thinking?

And while I do love Bing Crosby's version of "Mele Kalikimaka," I'm not otherwise a huge song of island-y, tropical Christmas songs.  I know that not everyone lives where there's snow, but doesn't everyone still want a white Christmas?!  ("Mele Kalikimaka" doesn't bother me because it's specifically stating that this is the Hawaiian Christmas greeting.  AND it's Bing Crosby!).  So the title track was just irritating to me.  Not to mention that it's really not the most grammatically correct title.

There are actually two redeeming songs on this album.  "Christmas in Dixie" features Randy Owen.  I'm not sure if it's because it's one I've heard before or if it's because there's less on Kenny Chesney singing in the song, but this one is pretty good.  "Just a Kid" is also a beautiful song with a really good message to it.  I just think it would be a million times better is someone else was actually singing it.


Have you heard this album?  What did you think?

Music Monday: It's that Time of Year!

Somehow, I managed to be so busy that it has been close to a month since I've written a blog post!  Sheesh.  Today, is an in-service day that we don't actually have to attend.  I know.  It makes no sense.  Long story short, we stay after school for a total of 7.25 hours over two days to do parent-teacher conferences so that we actually don't have to go to work today.

Anyway without further adieu...

Every year it gets harder and harder for me to wait to start listening to Christmas music.  I know, I know.  There are some of you out there who just cringed.  But the fact is that I love Christmas music.  It's not that I don't appreciate other holidays.  Scott and I had a great time getting dressed up and going out on Halloween.  And I LOVE Thanksgiving.  In fact, I've come to appreciate Thanksgiving more than Christmas.  There's less stress, less pressure, less disappointment on Thanksgiving.  That being said, as soon as November 1st arrives, I'm ready for my Christmas tunes.  I mean, it's not like they even HAVE Thanksgiving music.

I saw this on Facebook:

This is the truth.  The music stations on DirecTV add a Christmas channel.  Hallmark starts showing Christmas movies, and the season of love, joy, and peace begins!  

Scott is not a huge fan of Christmas music, so unfortunately, I did not get to listen to Christmas music on our way home from our Halloween night out.  

In my family growing up, my dad would start to play Christmas music on November 1st, and that was when we would start watching Christmas movies together.  Last year, I walked into my parents' home, and my brother immediately asked me to name the first Christmas album that each of us would pick to play when the season begins.  

It was pretty easy to do.  Here are my family's go-to first-album-of-the-season Christmas albums.

(Let me also be clear that these are all albums we originally listened to on RECORDS.  :)  A few years ago, my dad transferred all of the albums to CDs so now I can take them anywhere. )

Me: The Beach Boys Christmas Album

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I do actually have this on a CD my dad didn't make.  It includes bonus tracks with songs that were not from this album originally and remakes of some of the original songs.  I will not lie: I usually stop listening after the original album's concluding song: "Auld Lang Syne."

My brother, David: Merry Snoopy's Christmas

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I always tease him and say that this isn't really a Christmas album because there are "unChristmasy" songs on it.  But that doesn't mean I love it any less.  

Mom: Kenny Rogers: Christmas

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This is another one of my favorites.  Hearing the beginning notes of the first song on the album always make my heart leap because it really feels like Christmas!

Dad: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sings Christmas Carols

I certainly can't say that I don't enjoy any of these albums.  I love them all!  They always remind me of Christmases growing up.  We would play them while we decorated for Christmas and on Christmas morning...so many good memories.

This does not mean that I don't look for new music to listen to!  Over the past few years, I've downloaded two Glee Christmas albums and Kelly Clarkson's new album last year.  This year, I added two more albums to my collection.

Idina Menzel- Holiday Wishes

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Because, um, yeah.  Have you heard her sing?!

Michael W. Smith- The Spirit of Christmas

This is a really cool album because Michael collaborates with a bunch of other artists!  Michael W. Smith is a Christian music performer who has been making albums for YEARS.  He has a unique voice that I've always loved, and I've always had a crush on him!  If you haven't heard any of his music before, I suggest starting with his Christmas albums.  :)

So...what's your go-to Christmas album?  Have you added anything new to your collection this year?

Music Monday: Workout Playlist

It hit me this evening that I really have missed everyone here in blog land!  I've been doing my best to keep up with reading and commenting on YOUR blogs, but I've missed interacting with you here, too!  Luckily, this post came to me rather quickly.

I've been doing well with going to the gym after work.  I manage to get there at least three times a week, which is a HUGE improvement from....well....never.  (Or the one time a week that I stayed after school for an hour for Zumba, which isn't all year long.)  I'll be honest, that I'm pretty much sick of the music I have on my iPod right now (and I have approximately 800+ songs)*.  I did make a specific playlist of upbeat and/or motivating songs to listen to at the gym.

*I am so sick of my music, that when I got an offer from Goodreads.com to get a free download of Eat, Pray, Love with a 30-day free trial of Audible, I took the chance.  I was skeptical about listening to a book, but I'm LOVING it!  I started listening on my way to work on Friday, and I was actually sad when I got to work.  That's saying a lot because I hate being in the car.  So the fact that I wanted to keep driving around really says something about this...

I have 78 songs on my Workout playlist.  I won't list them all for you because that would be boring.  I WILL, however, put my playlist on shuffle and share the first 10 songs I get...

1. "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner
2. "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry
3. "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera
4. "Barracuda" by Pat Benetar
5. "The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga
6. "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey
7. "Hey Mickey" by Toni Basil
8. "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson
9. "Good Girl" by Carrie Underwood
10. "Sweet Like Cola" by Lou Bega

As a bonus, I also have "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor (from Rocky).  It's strange how I suddenly pick up speed on the elliptical when that comes on...haha

Do you have a workout playlist?  What songs motivates you?  Anything you're really loving that I should download!?

 Also, swap participants, don't forget to send your packages out by Friday, October 3rd!!  I got my shopping done and packages ready to go out over the weekend!!

Music Monday: Birthday Edition

Happy Labor Day!!

Tomorrow is my birthday!

A couple weeks ago, I shared the Top 5 hits from the year I started Kindergarten.  Today, I thought it would be fun to celebrate my birthday by sharing the Top 5 hits from the year I was born: 1982.

Ugh.  If you're doing your math, that means that I will be 32 tomorrow.

#5 "Centerfold" by J. Geils Band


#4 "Ebony and Ivory" by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder


#3 "I Love Rock N' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts


#2 "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor


# "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John


Those are definitely some good songs from 1982! :)

What song was #1 the year YOU were born??

Music Monday: My First Song

This Music Monday will be short and sweet.  One of the first songs I can remember actually learning from beginning to end, word for word was the song "Red Rubber Ball" by Cyrkle.  Somewhere in Ohio, there exists a video tape of a three-year-old Becky singing this song.  Since I obviously don't have that, here's their version.


The song was released in 1966.  (And as you know, I LOVE the 60s!!!)  My dad used to have this single on a record.

On the flip side, was their song "Turn Down Day"


I also remember really liking this song.  Apparently, video also exists of me reacting to a sound effect in the song, and saying, "I heard that!" (as if it wasn't supposed to be there).

What songs do you remember from when you were little?

Music Monday: Back-to-School Edition

This week, my blog is all about going back to school.  This is my last week of summer vacation, and I thought I'd get you all myself in the right frame of mind.

I promise you that I am not going to talk cheesy school songs like "The Wheels on the Bus" or anything.  Actually, I thought I'd take you on a trip down memory lane to 1988.

I began my school career in the fall of 1988 when I started Kindergarten.  Since then, I have only had ONE year in which I did not have a "back-to-school season."  (That was in 2005.  It was my first year out of college, and I didn't have a teaching job yet.  I started subbing in October of the year.)

In the spirit of my 26th anniversary of starting school, I thought I'd share the Top 5 hits from the year I started Kindergarten.

#5 "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns 'N' Roses

#4 "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley

#3 "Got My Mind Set on You" by George Harrison

(And yes, that's former Beatle, George Harrison.)

#2 "Need You Tonight" by INXS


#1 "Faith" by George Michael

And yes, I know every last one of these songs.  
What year did you start school?  What's the #1 hit from that year??  Please share it with me in the comments! :)

Music Monday: Altoona's Got Talent

Last week, I had the opportunity to compete in a local talent competition.  In July, I auditioned for the opportunity to perform in the main show, and judging from my first sentence, I was lucky enough to make it!

As you probably realize, the name of the talent show is the local version of "America's Got Talent" (which I've never seen, and don't plan to).  There were three categories: dance, Vocal- 18 & under, Vocal- adult.  Out of 82 people, they chose a total of 19 finalists to compete for prizes in each category: 5 dancers, 7 singers under 18, and 7 singers over 18.  First place winners received $200, second place $100, and third place $50.

The show was on Thursday, August 7th (our wedding anniversary), and if you follow me on Instagram, I posted a few shots of me getting ready through out the day.

I woke up insanely early at 8:30 that day, so I had plenty of time to do my nails for the show.

I also had time to toss my dress in the dryer to dry clean it. Did you know they have kits for you to dry clean at home? I had bought a starter kit a while ago. It's just a bag that you toss up to 4 garments in with a dry cleaning sheet (a wet sheet) and run for 30 minutes. I actually wore this dress in my friend Rebecca's wedding (4 years ago on Thursday!!). It was PERFECT for the event and the song I was singing. 

Then I went to the Clinique counter at Macy's to get my make-up done, and did my hair at home. 

Then it was just about show time!

I sang "At Last" by Etta James.  Unfortunately, I didn't place in the competition, but it was so much fun!  I LOVED being on a big stage for an audience of around 400 people!  And everyone was so incredible.  I even made the news!!  (The link will take you to the short segment that aired on our local news.  I'm the first performer they show, and even though you only hear 2 words from the beginning of my song, I'm the only one you get to hear.  :)

Here's the full version of the original song:

Each finalist will be getting a DVD of the performance, and if I can figure out how, I'll try to post my version in an upcoming Music Monday!  

Music Monday: My Wedding Music

Our wedding anniversary is this week!!  Four years ago, on August 7th, Scott and I had our wedding.  In case you're new around here, we have two anniversaries: a marriage anniversary on February 15th, and a wedding anniversary.  You can read about how that came to be here.

I figured that I'd take this Music Monday to share our wedding music with you.  As someone who loves ALL kinds of music--even studied music--I had the hardest time with this!

The first thing I did was put together a playlist (and then burned a CD) of all of the songs for our ceremony.  I didn't have a pianist, so I chose songs for the sound techs to play for the prelude, processional, bridal march, and the recessional, etc..

Here are the highlights:

1. For the lighting of the candles by our mothers: "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley

2. Processional: "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson (sung by my friend and bridesmaid, Kira)

3. Bridal March: "Everything I Do (I Do it for You)" by Bryan Adams

4. Lighting of the Unity Candle: "The Other Side of Me" by Michael W. Smith (sung by my aunt Vickie & uncle Joe)

5. Recessional: "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson

At the reception, Scott and I had our first dance to "Angel Eyes" by The Jeff Healey Band.  This is one of the first songs I remember listening to with Scott when we started dating.

My dad and I danced to "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle.

Married friends, what are some of the special songs from your wedding?  If you're not married, what songs do you WANT to have as part of your wedding day?

Music Monday: Top 25 Most Played

Like my Music Monday graphic??

It's been a long time since I wrote a Music Monday post!  My last one was in April, and I wrote about Blake Shelton.

This weekend, I needed to burn a song onto a CD to sing at a church on Sunday.  While I was editing playlists, and deleted ones I no longer needed, I couldn't resist checking out my Top 25 Most Played.  I thought it would be fun to share it here.

25. "Count on Me" ~Bruno Mars
24. "I Wanna Go" ~Brittney Spears
23. "Hot" ~Avril Lavigne
22. "Baby, Baby" ~Amy Grant
21. "Hey Mickey" ~Toni Basil
20. "Give Me Everything (Tonight)" ~Pittbull feat. Ne-Yo, Nayer, & Afrojack
19. "California Gurlz" ~Katy Perry
18. "Loser Like Me" ~Glee Cast
17. "Valerie" ~Glee Cast
16. "Mercy" ~Glee Cast
15. "Bye, Bye, Bye/I Want it That Way" ~Glee Cast
14. "Poker Face" ~Glee Cast
13. "Make You Feel My Love" ~Glee Cast
12. "Christmas Eve with You" ~Glee Cast
11. "Barracuda" ~Pat Benetar
10. "Little White Church" ~Little Big Town
9. "Don't Stop Believing" ~Journey
8. "Thriller/Heads Will Roll" ~Glee Cast
7. "Fire and Rain" ~Glee Cast
6. "At Last" ~Etta James
5. "Good Girl" ~Carrie Underwood
4. "All That She Wants" ~Ace of Base
3. "At Last" ~karaoke track in the style of Etta James (I'm rehearsing this for something, which I will divulge soon...)
2. "Riff Off Medley" ~Cast of Pitch Perfect
1. "See You Again" ~Carrie Underwood

What songs are on your 25 Most Played??

Music Monday: Blake Shelton

Since I talked about my favorite Miranda Lambert songs last week, I thought it was only fair that I share my favorite songs from her hubby this week!

Even if you don't like country music, you may know Blake from NBC's The Voice, which I'm actually taking a hiatus from watching this season.

Of course, I LOVE country music, so here are some of my favorite Blake Shelton songs!

"God Gave Me You"


"Honey Bee"

"Boys 'Round Here"

"Sure Be Cool if You Did"

"Doin' What She Likes"

The video for this one is pretty humorous.  :)  Make sure you check that one out!

Music Monday: Miranda Lambert

It's no secret around here that I love country music.  Back in January, I posted about one of my favorite country artists: Carrie Underwood.  Today, let's talk about another country gal I love: Miranda Lambert.

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I love this country couple! (And in case you've been living under a rock, that's Miranda with country hubby, Blake Shelton)

Here are some of my favorite Miranda songs (the first two are my karaoke go-tos)!

"Mama's Broken Heart"




"Fastest Girl in Town"

"The House that Built Me"



"Over You"

"Heart Like Mine"

Is Miranda one of your favorite country artists?  What songs would you add to my list??