Hi there! I'm just a woman that looks at life as an adventure. I'm a Texas girl trying to find joy in every day. I'm obsessed with Halloween , I love to go junking, I like to drink wine, and I'm a Harley girl! Thank you for letting me share my stories, opinions, etc.
Hey everyone- thanks so much for your stopping by and voting for this battle between Seether and Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright. The winner of the battle is Seether 7-3. I still have never voted for any of my own battles but if I did , it also would have gone to Seether. I just really love their music and it was fun to include one of my favorite bands in a battle. In my opinion, Ben Folds would have received more votes if he would have left Rufus out of that song. I don't doubt that Rufus is a wonderful singer and performer but that exact live performance wasn't strong.
I'm pretty sure I've posted this song before but here's another Seether song that I like. Words as Weapons:
I've hit the ground running at work. I was out all last week and now I have a few projects and training that have to be done this week and next few weeks. I love it! I love staying this busy and I love actually training classes. The busy schedule keeps my in check and I don't have much time to cry. If I do cry its usually in the car on way to work and maybe a few minutes now. Yall that's an improvement. I've had my 4th counseling session this week and I only have 2 left that are provided from EAP. I can tell you that I am glad I made the call and scheduled these. I've been with my company for 20 years and not once used EAP and didn't even know what it was. I'm grateful to have resources when I finally realized and admitted I needed them.
I do believe that 2016 will be a better year for me. Monday was a year that my sweet amazing stepdad passed away. This time last year I was preparing for his funeral. I miss him a lot! Its tough also with Daddy being sick again. Ok I am not going there now sooooo have a great day.
Hey y'all!! Happy New Year. I am 2 days late but I got here as soon as possible. The Battle of the Bands are on the 1st and the 15th. Hey, i'm here now so there.
My battle is with the song Careless Whisper originally performed by George Michaels when he was in the band Wham! The song was released in 1984 when I was just a sophomore in high school. LOL!
Here ya go:
Ok so now for the battle. It is between two very different versions completely. We all have different tastes so it will be interesting which one you choose. I think you'll know which one is my favorite from some of the songs I've posted lately.
The first is a live version of Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright. Ben Folds had band called Ben Folds Five for many years until he went solo. Rufus actually has recorded several tracks for films and movies and has appeared in a few movies as well. Rufus does an amazing version of the popular song "hallelujah". This performance was done in 2004 in NYC.
Next is performed by a rock n roll band Seether. This was released and made the Billboards hot 100 in 2009. Seether is a South African band and did the cover originally as a joke but it backfired and ended up becoming pretty big for them.
Ok so listen to both and tell me which one you prefer. I'm sure you've already been to the other battles but if not, go check them out.
Good morning y'all. I am so grateful for the participation I had in last week's battle of the bands. The battle was between the Deftones and Ziggy Marley doing cover song of Drive originally by The Cars. The winner is the Deftones with score 11 to 5. I didn't vote , I normally never do on my battles but I really like the Deftones. So I am happy with the outcome. Ziggy Marley does some great songs though and I like his touch he adds to songs.
I really like his Love is my religion
One of my favorite Deftones song is old from 2003 but I just really connect to it.
Its called Minerva: This version is the acoustic I found on youtube.
Now to get in Christmas spirit- I don't think I've mentioned Christmas at all on my blog. I'm not feeling it but i'm trying. I decorated a little bit but nothing like I normally do. I didn't even put up my Grinch table that I've done for years and it gives me Joy but I just cant. Especially now that Christmas is this week. Oh well. One of my favorite Christmas songs is Drummer Boy with Bing Crosby and David Bowie. I came across the parody of Will Ferrell being David Bowie and John C Reilly as Bing. They actually sound really good and its so funny at the same time. Have yall seen this?
If I don't blog again this week which is most likely the case- Merry Christmas everyone and God Bless you and the New Year!!
Good morning y'all! Happy Tuesday to all of you. It's that time again for the Battle of the Bands. I've missed the last 3 but I'm back today!! As always I feel the need to always start with my disclaimer , I have no doubt that my battle hasn't already been done .
OK so the song I'm using today is Drive originally sung by The Cars. This single came off the album Heartbeat City in 1984. The whole album is awesome.
Here's the original :
The Battle begins with a band called the Deftones.
I think I may have posted them before a while ago but not in a battle. They're a band from California back in the late 80's. Their music is more alternative metal. The lead singer is Chino and I like his voice.
Here is their version :
The next is the reggae version sung by Ziggy Marley. If you've ever seen the movie 50 First Dates, then you might have heard this song towards the end of movie.
It's a different sound but I like it a lot!
So here's this one:
So the Battle is between Deftones or Ziggy. Which one do you like best?
Go check out the others and vote on their battles.
Top of the morning to ya!! I'm all caught up in the Irish for today's battle. My song is Whiskey in the Jar . This song is a very popular and traditional Irish song and the exact origin of the song is unknown. It was released in the 60's by an Irish folk band The Dubliners and thats when it first got wide exposure. Then in the 70's it was released by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. Fast forward to 1998 and a very popular American rock band Metallica released the song and introduced it to a larger rock audience.
Here is the The Dubliners who are not part of the battle.
I just saw a documentary on Thin Lizzy over the weekend and they had very interesting story. The lead singer got very sick with Hepatitis at the very height of their career and the tour was cancelled.
Here they are:
Here is the version by Metallica. I have always liked their version!!
Now the battle is between a band that formed here in Dallas and have been around since 1996. I have seen them live many times and i should buy their CD/DVD. They were also nominated for a grammy in 2001. The band is The Killdares . This was filmed at The Granada Theater which is also here in Dallas that have great concerts.
The next band is called Celtic Thunder. This band formed in 2007 and have released several albums. This cover was released on their Heritage album.
So now i need you to vote between the Kiddares or Celtic Thunder. I'll have results for you next week. Also please go see the rest of the battles. I always love hearing new songs or old songs done differently.
more Battle of the Bands fun, check out the other BOTB bloggers to vote on their battles:
Good morning everyone. I'm here real quick just to let you know who won my battle between Joe Cocker and David Archuleta. The song was Everybody Hurts originally done by R.E.M.
David started off strong but then it ended up being a blow out when Joe started gaining speed. The winner is Joe 13 to 6.
So maybe you could stand a laugh or two this morning like me so here is the skit from SNL when John Belushi mimicked Joe Cocker. He really does a great job but of course very over-exaggerated.
Have a great day y'all. I'll be back next week i promise. The memorial funeral is Saturday for my friend and i have just been so busy.
I have been MIA. Its not by choice. I have really wanted to blog more but i have too much going on right now. I am busy at work and on a personal note, i've been trying to be there for a dear friend as her husband was in his final stages of life this week. He passed away last night. I'll talk more about it another day because i just cant right now. I do have a battle though and the song is fitting.
Everybody Hurts is originally written and sung by the band R.E.M. I am a big fan of R.E.M and the lead singer Michael Stipe. I have posted their songs more than a few times on my blog.
Here is the original:
My battle begins with Joe Cocker. Joe Cocker has had a list of hits and my favorites were With a Little help from my friends, and You can keep your hat on. He did a cover of this song Everybody Hurts. Rest in Peace Joe. He passed last year in December 2014.
The next in the battle is David Archuleta. He is a very talented singer and got recognized more when he was on the show American Idol.
Here is his version of Everybody hurts :
So pick between Joe or David and at least i have to be back for sure next week for the results right?! I will be back. I havent even shared my trip to Montana with yall yet and its been 2 weeks ago. Please know that i will comment on your blogs when i can and i really do miss yall.
Here are the other battles and please go vote at theirs. I always learn more about music during these battles.
Hello everyone!! How was your long weekend? Did you do anything fun? I'll tell you more about my weekend later but i can barely keep my eyes open right now. I didnt get much sleep at all last night.
My battle last week was between the cast of Glee and the young female vocalist Lorde and the song was Everybody wants to rule the world. This was a very close battle and it was tied up until just a few days ago and a few more people voted. The winner is Glee by 2 votes. There was 10 votes for Glee and 8 votes for Lorde. Thank you to all that stopped by to vote.
Yesterday morning i had breakfast with one of my ol college buddies at the cafe thats down the street from me. We had to meet early because i needed to be on the road to head to east Texas to see my grandma Nanny and its 2 hours one way to get there. Todd was still asleep when i left the house and the dogs always follow me out to the backyard when i leave. I left the back door cracked open so the dogs could come in and out without bothering Todd. We do that all the time.
After breakfast i ran home to brush my teeth real quick and to see Todd . He was sitting in the recliner and said that a bug or something must have crawled under our bed because Lila was going crazy. She is trying to get under the bed and behind the bed to get at it and she's been obsessed. She does that.
Fast forward to several hours later when i got home from the country, Lila was still obsessed with whatever it was under our bed. Todd said he got a flash light but didnt see anything. I may add that Todd needs new eye glasses. Anyway, we were trying to settle down and go to bed around 10:30. Lila was jumping on the bed and then down on the floor and pawing under the bed. Then she started crying and whining and was completely on her side with her legs under the bed. I knew that there was something she was obsessed at and i wanted to see. I got out of bed, walked over to Todd's side of the bed and got completely on my stomach. I stuck my hand under and felt something fuzzy. I thought it was a toy or something and i got the flashlight and LOW AND BEHOLD- we had a squirrel under our bed. I then jumped on the bed and said to Todd- UM we have a live squirrel.
Our bed is a very heavy solid king size bed and its hard to move. We grabbed some plastic bags and i got the laundry basket. LOL!! I had to close Lila in the backyard and she fought me the whole time as i was carrying her. She wanted that squirrel so bad. We shut the bedroom door and pulled the bed back. It actually didnt move. It was alive but barely. All we could think of the squirrel in the movie National Lampoon's Christmas vacation and the squirrel gets on the tree and jumps on everyone.
We took it outside and put it over a small part of our fence so the dogs couldnt get it. Lila still wanted it. The squirrel sat up and chirped and it made me sad. Lila still was crazy last night and we left our bedroom door open so she could go back and forth. She kept standing at the back door and then running into our bedroom. The little stinker got the loaf of bread that i had just brought home and left it on the dining table. She pulled that down while were in bed and then Jax got a few bites of it this morning. I heard this rustling noise and i looked under the chair where Jax was and found the loaf of bread. Thats when you know Lola is obsessed because she never shares anything with Jax but she left it to go outside and look for the squirrel.
This morning the squirrel was still there (it had died) and Todd had to throw it away. I hated that it died but i am very glad it didnt die under our bed and i'm very glad it didnt get caught by Lila in the house. I cant believe it not only got in the house but all the way down our hallway turned left into our master bedroom and got under our bed. Crazy!!
I really hope this day goes by quickly. I have so much to do before i leave on Friday and i am so tired.
It is September y'all!! The battles are also always on the first day of the month. Seriously where did August go?
My battle this week is the song " Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
This song was originally done by Tears for Fears in the wonderful time The 80's.
Here is their version:
A few years ago the song was covered and released for the movie Hunger Games. Its sung by the performer and young lady Lorde. Here is her version:
The very popular singing show that was on for several seasons was GLEE. They also did cover of this song :
I added the same song by Glee with a 2 minute clip from the show to prove that it actually is a different singer than Tears for Fears.
The battle is between Lorde and the cast of Glee. Let me know which one you like the best.
Then make sure you check out the other battles and vote on theirs.
The winner of last week's Battle of the Band goes to Imagine Dragons. They got 11 votes. 311 got 4 votes and if Adele was in the running she had 5 votes where people commented.
The 311 version gets played quite a bit on the radio which reminded me of the battle. Sometimes you have to turn the radio up and listen closely to see if its The Cure or 311. They sound so similar and that was in the comments that they didnt really try to make it their own.
Thanks so much for your comments- votes!! We will have our next battle in a week on September 1.
I will leave you today with the Imagine Dragon song that rose them to stardom. Radioactive. I love this song.
Um Hm, i bet you thought i forgot didnt you! The Battles are always on the 1st and the 15th. I have been out all day long enjoying my weekend. Todd is grilling dinner and i am making my post. Hey, better that late never right?
Anywho, I will say this now- this is only my 3rd time to be in the battle. Its been going on for years and many people are in the battle. I will most likely almost definitely be posting a duplicate of an early battle.
My battle this time is the Love Song originally by The Cure. The Cure was very popular in the 80's and were considered an alternative rock band with goth added in. I love them! I wore their cassettes out when i was in high school and college.
Here is the original:
The battle is between another rock band that was more around in the late 90's and early 2000's. The band is 311 ( pronounced three eleven NOT three one one). They released their cover of this back in 2009.
Another popular band called Imagine Dragons did a cover for a publicity appearance on the Biz.
This song is not part of the battle well unless you insist on voting on it but it was also covered by the popular Adele.
There have been quite a few bands who have done the song but these are the ones that have stood out to me. So vote between 311 and Imagine Dragons. I will post the winner on the 6th or 7th. Hope you're having a great day yall!!!
I have to say that what makes both of the Battle of the Bands that I've participated in so enjoyable is how close they are in votes.
Last weeks battle champion only won by one single vote. I didn't vote in this battle either because I really like both versions equally. Five Finger Death Punch won 10 to 9. I am new to this Bloghop for lack of better words The Battle of the Bands. I will most likely, positively without a doubt , duplicate a battle hosted by someone else. You are more than welcome to vote again on mine or choose not to. I really want to thank you for the sweet words of encouragement from those who asked me to stay with the battles.
Moving on, yesterday was the 2year anniversary of my dads double lung transplant. Last year we had a HUGE party for him but this year we didn't do anything because he and my stepmom just returned from a 10 day trip to Colorado and back in their RV. Dealing with Daddy's illness is what prompted me to begin my blog 4 years ago in August. Dad is doing really good. He still loves pretty slow and has to take breaks along the way if he's walking far distances but we'll take it! I'm so so blessed and lucky to have both my parents and both of my grandmothers.
Here are some pics from last years party:
My friends Wendy, T and Di
My cousins Kerrie, Ashley and Dusty. They're all sisters.
My step sister Rachelle
The hubs and myself
Me and the most interesting man in the world with dads face.
I have a nasty head cold and sinus infection that I got from traveling home last week. Planes are germ tubes and its the second trip I've been in this year where I feel crappy hours after I get off plane. I really should wear a mask like I've seen others do. I need to bedazzle one. Also , be honest , how many of you have shoved a Kleenex up your nose and left it there when no ones looking because you're so tired of your nose dripping! Pretty visual I know. I'm sorry. I went to a CareNow and have 3 prescriptions- Zpac, steroids and cough meds. I have severe sinus infection. I have to get better for my trip next week.
Hey y'all!!! So i'm working this week in Ohio and i've been swamped. Its funny that the BOTB has ended up being both weeks that i've traveled. I almost went to bed when i remembered that tomorrow is the 15th and thats when the battles get posted. Remember how it was raining cats and dogs when i was in St Louis? Well I brought it with me here and its been crazy storming around me. Last night the winds and the thunder woke me up. Stay safe out there if you're in the path of these storms. Its also crazy here with some kind of baseball All Star shindig. Cincinnati is the host of the sport thing and all the hotels here are packed and tons of people are here. Meh! Is how i feel about baseball.
Lets get started on the songs shall we. Its after 11 and i have to get up early. This is my second time to play in the battle and i'm nervous that someone has already done the same battle. I guess i just need to not worry and also know that i have different followers so your vote will be a new one.
My song this week is called Bad Company by the band Bad Company. The song was released in 1974. They were a British band and were considered hard rock back in the 70's. They also have other hits such as Feel Like Makin Love, Running with the Pack, and Cant get Enough. I have their greatest hits CD and its a great road trip CD to listen to!!
Ironically 5 years ago on my birthday May 17th, 2010 a very heavy metal hard rock band called FiveFinger Death Punch released their album that included a cover of this song. I ask you to be open minded because quite frankly, i think they do a FANTASTIC job!! Some of their other songs are pretty heavy but they reined it in on this song. This band started in Las Vegas in 2005 so they've only been around for 10 years. They're doing pretty good and have won a couple of Indie awards, Rock Radio awards, etc. They released a song last year that i like called Wrong side of Heaven. I'll play it for you sometime....
I am excited to hear your vote and i will post the results on the 21st i think. HAHA- i have to check to see when i'm supposed to. There is quite a few battles being hosted and the list is at Stephen'spage. Please Please go there and vote for other songs. You may hear some new songs and artists that you like. Have a great day tomorrow!!
Hi Y'all!! Have you already been nominated for the Creative Blogger Award? It seems to be contagious because so many of my friends and fellow bloggers have been posting about this. Well now its my turn because that sweet crazy lady who I adore over at Cherdo on the Flipside nominated me. She posted HERE last week but I was being held hostage in a training room every day and had no time on the day or evenings to blog.
Its a pretty easy thing to do and you get to meet other bloggers.
The rules: 1. Thank and post the link of the person who nominated you. 2. Share 5 facts about yourself to your readers. 3. Nominate 5-20 blogs and notify them. 4. Pass on the rules
I want to start with Rule no.1 and thank Cherdo for nominating me!!! Anytime someone thinks about me and wants to mention my blog, it is a true honor . You're a gem and a keeper and i'm so very grateful our blogs have crossed paths sweet girl.
Now for 5 facts about me. I am pretty open and at times repetitive so I don't think I have anything new that you don't already know.
1. I own numerous- I mean countless of blank journals and have bought them since I was a teenager with the hopes of journaling. I was given a diary with the heart shaped lock on it when I was around 8. I wrote in it almost everyday. Then for whatever reason I stopped. I envy my friends who have stacks of journals and can see their growth and experiences. I have 2 day planners that I used for similar purposes when I was in college. Those are funny to read some of my daily events. Thank goodness for blogging because this is my journal/diary in many ways.
2. My career path as I grew: I went to Catholic school on and off for 8 years. I wanted to be a Nun and would wear my white tshirts on my head when we played. Then in middle school we moved to Northern California and my stepdads friends worked for Nasa. I was hooked and wanted to do something Nasa related. Then we moved to Southern California where my love for the ocean began. I was going to be a marine biologist and maybe even join the Coast Guard. We moved to Texas just before high school and that's when I got back into dance. It was the 80's so I was going to be jazzercise instructor, dance studio owner and if possible Dallas Cowboy cheerleader and /or Radio City Rockette. I got out of school and was a trainer and restaurant manager for 5 years, then a retail store manager until I got my corporate job where I've been for 20 years this September. There were a handful of jobs I left out when in college like the video store and hosting at restaurants, then waitressing and a photographer sales assistant. I also was an executive admin to a door to door business when I lived a few years in my 20's in Florida. I worked at Walmart on a work program in high school getting school credits for working. I was employed at a dry cleaners and was a Builder coordinator (showing people model homes for the reps on their days off), I was an apartment assistant and rented apartments a few years. I worked in retail for Harley for 4 years. I worked for Dad at his carpet cleaning business during high school summers and I babysat. I'm sure I left out a job here and there and many of these I did at the same time. I always worked 2 jobs up until the time I began traveling with my job.
4. I have had my "15 minutes of fame" when I was in dance in junior college. I danced in the Macy's parade in NYC and the next year I danced in Orange Bowl halftime in Florida. I also danced in the governors inaugural parade in Austin and in Mardi Gras parade.
5. Years ago when I bought my first Harley ( in '97), I bought it using one of those checks that credit cards send you to pay off other cards or to spend it. So essentially I charged my Harley. I paid it off though fast because as mentioned above, I was working 2 jobs.
Now for the Battle of the Bands. I had so much fun being a host of a battle and the participation was awesome. It was neck and neck and tied for a while. However the winner is Willie Nelson and his son Lukas. They won by 2 votes and i didnt vote. It was so hard to choose so i didnt. I guess if i had to, i would choose Willie. I've seen him so many times and he's local. The vote was 10 to 12.
Thanks so much for voting yall!!!
Hey y'all!! Its past my bed time but i made a commitment to participate in the Battle of the bands hosted by Stephen McCarthy at his Blog.
There are a lot of people who play along with these battles so go to Stephen's page and check out all the others.
Here's how it works. I am going to post the same song sung by two different bands or singers.
You comment with your favorite and then i'll let you know later who won the battle. Fun huh?!
I only know a few that i wanted to enter the link with so it wont be an all the time gig for me. Or will it? I may have so much fun i want to always play along! Lets get through the first one.
The song is called Just Breathe. It was written and released in 2009 by the band Pearl Jam. I am really a big fan of this band and have always wanted to see them live but never have. Eddie Vedder is the lead singer of this band and he's very involved in charities, politics, etc. He uses his force for good and not evil though. I think he's an awesome song writer as well as other guys in the band.
In 2012 , Willie Nelson and his son Lukas Nelson did their own version. Now this is so hard because i honestly love both versions and have them on my ipod and phone. The video to me is Willie singing the song to his son and in the end he's preparing his son for when he's gone. Thats how i interpreted the video when seeing it. Listen to how much Lukas sounds like his dad. Crazy!
Here are the lyrics to the song: "Just Breathe"
Yes, I understand that every life must end, uh-huh As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, uh-huh Oh I'm a lucky man, to count on both hands the ones I love Some folks just have one, yeah, others, they've got none
Stay with me... Let's just breathe...
Practiced all my sins, never gonna let me win, uh-huh Under everything, just another human being, uh-huh I don't wanna hurt, there's so much in this world to make me bleed
Stay with me You're all I see...
Did I say that I need you? Did I say that I want you? Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see No one knows this more than me
As I come clean... I wonder everyday, as I look upon your face, uh-huh Everything you gave And nothing you would save, oh no
Nothing you would take Everything you gave...
Did I say that I need you? Oh, did I say that I want you? Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see No one knows this more than me And I come clean, ah...
Nothing you would take Everything you gave Hold me til I die Meet you on the other side...
Can you believe that July is here? Seriously where did June go? It seems like we went from May to July. Have a great day!! I go home Thursday night and i'm ready for my own bed, my hubby and my dogs. Not in that order of course.
