In the five plus years I've been blogging, I have managed to successfully avoid a soundtrack of my life post. I've done summer playlists, songs I never turn off, songs I always turn off, a Christmas Playlist, but never any explanation about anything and I think a life anthem or soundtrack of my life post deserves a little explanation. To name an arbitrary number of songs that define me or have spoken to me over the past 39 years has always seemed like an impossible task. Then I started thinking well I don't need to include them all and maybe I could write a little backstory instead of a list and they don't have to be my favorites and it can be more than one post and just fucking try it. I mean the backstory is where it's at, really...because when I think of it, the songs that are my life anthems are not necessarily the ones I love the most - they're the ones that have followed me around through certain moods and memories.
Have You Seen Me Lately by The Counting Crows
This song has gotten me through some things. Driving around singing it as loudly as possible. It appeals to my fuck you all, I can do this by myself mood that I get into after I've been unexpectedly hurt by someone. If my blood is boiling or if I'd rather be defiant than sad, this is a good thing for me to listen to and it starts with the clanging guitar opening it up. Listen here.
Get away from me
This isn't gonna be easy
But I don't need you
Believe me
You got a piece of me
But is't just a little piece of me
And I don't need anyone
And these days I feel like I'm fading away
Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
Not my favorite Bruce song by a longshot, this song has nevertheless been a constant for me for what feels like my whole life. I've shouted it out in hundreds of bars, I've sang it on roads on both coasts of this country and in foreign lands. I've sang it through all of my eras. It's never been left behind as I moved on to another age or way. The harmonica intro pulls at something in me and Clarence's solo taking it on out always gives me the chills.
Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
This song makes me feel cradled and peaceful with just a dash of wistfulness. I walked down the aisle to this at our wedding because I wanted all of those things in my heart at that time.
That's all for now, I'll be back with more in the future.
Dear friends: Sorry I felt the need to use a very crappy video still for the opening graphic of this post. That 80s hair, you guys. It forced my hand. I love Wham, and that I will not apologize for...this song is decidedly not Christmas-y but the title is good for a list of generic gift ideas, no? Have a listen to the song and peruse the list over a cup of coffee.
While I think it's too early for Christmas decor and am puzzled by the eleventy billion Christmas trees in my Instagram feed right now (staunch after Thanksgiving lady here), I like to get the commercialism out of the way so I can enjoy the sights, sounds, and company of framily during the season.
I like to decorate, visit, and bake in December. I do not like to shop for specific items in December, or even go in big stores at all. I do all of my shopping online so I can earn cash back through Ebates. If you haven't signed up for Ebates, you're missing out! Here are some ideas under $30 for the ladies in your life. Some you can see by the photo I already use/own. I always think what brings me joy/is useful/makes life better, and then I tend to gift that around.
Dirty Dancing DVD - Yes, everyone should own it on DVD in case the apocalypse happens and all streaming systems go down. It's $4.99 on Amazon. Stuff it in everyone's stocking. Be my baby. Nobody puts baby in a corner. Etc.
Yes, Please by Amy Poehler - $18.20 hardcover. I haven't read it but I'm picking it up at the library tonight and I can't imagine it will miss the mark. Amy rules.
Muji Acrylic Three Drawer Case - $24.75. Or the two drawer. Or the five drawer. Or any of them. They're sleek and they hold makeup and other small lady things well. I freaking love my Mujis.
Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler - $18.92 hardcover. This book spoke to my soul.
Echo All Over Touch Gloves - $28. I own them in light chartreuse but love all the colors. They're warm too.
Who doesn't love a coffee mug? This one is one I personally own from OnDisplayGraphics on Etsy. She's got a lot of cool mugs. Pop a bag of coffee or a box of K-Cups in the bag and you're good to go.
What are some gifts you're giving aside from peace, love, and your presence this year?
Let's do this. Settle in, it's a whole year in review.
I'm currently reading my 50th book of 2013. These are my top 10:
1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
2. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
3. Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
4. Looking for Alaska by John Green
5. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
6. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
8. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
10. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
1. The Blacklist
2. The Americans
3. Downton Abbey
4. Veep
5. The Killing
6. Sons of Anarchy (I'm up to season five)
7. The Sopranos (I watched all episodes this year)
***Favorite People to hate on TV: Dana on Homeland, the inept FBI on The Following, Elena on The Vampire Diaries, Clay on Sons of Anarchy
Favorite Songs
1. Get Lucky - Daft Punk/Pharrell Williams
2. Royals - Lorde
3. Pompeii - Bastille
4. When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars
5. Ho Hey - Lumineers
6. Suit & Tie - JT
7. Wake Me Up - Avicii
1. Engagements! Kim & Steve, Stephen & Aubrey, Shawn & Maggie. Happy things.
2. Babies! My aunt Dawn and Sergio and cousin Tiffany and Brandon had babies in June. Two of MFD's cousins had babies - Matthew and Laura and Nicole and Patrick. Frank and Amanda found out they're expecting in 2014.
11. Declaring Sundays stay at home days whenever possible
12. Getting a new king bed
13. Expanding the gallery wall going up the stairs
14. Turning the office into a dressing room and rearranging the upstairs
15. Re-doing the front retaining walls and painting the front door yellow
16. Learning how to do a sage smudge on my house to usher out negativity, how to make perfect rice in the crockpot and freeze it, that hard boiled eggs are easier to peel when you make them in the oven, and how to fold a fitted sheet
17. Already started paying for 2014's vacation
18. MFD had a successful year in his business even though he was on crutches for over 12 weeks - not cool when you're a realtor and need to be on the move
19. We got a fake tree! Finally!
20. I did three spending freezes with not too shabby results, and my next one is set for January with a link up planned for February 4 if you're down. More info to come.
(when the link goes to my pin on pinterest, I've noted alterations in the description)
2. Essie nail polish (above L-R) Madison Ave-Hue, Sunday Funday, Cashmere Bathrobe, and It's Genius
3. L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes, the poor lady's Lancome Definicils
4. Erin Condren planner
5. Trader Joe's Face Wash and Moisturizer
6. Palmolive Soft Touch Aloe
7. Lodge Enamel cast iron dutch oven - total kitchen work horse.
8. Coconut oil - Good for face, body, hair...Christ even my dogs eat it to better their skin and coat
9. Muji Makeup Storage
10. Nordic bakewear - that photo is after using it all year and never once spraying it with nonstick spray. It is exceptional. I buy them at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.
In general, 2013 as a year was harder than most for many people I know, me included. I won't be sorry to see it go. I also won't be listing the shit events because who wants to read a wahhhhmbulance list? No one, son.
However, from all bad comes good if you're open to it. The things that were hard for me taught me the most even when the only thing they taught me was that I could persevere. Plus look at this large list I've amassed, all these good things! There is always yin and yang, good and bad. I really think you need some bad to appreciate how good the good is. That's life, and there is beauty in the nuances. Signing off with one of my all-time favorite quotes:
