Music is what feelings sound like. ~Author Unknow

Some days I think I should have a job in music. I love music. I really love music. All kinds...give me rock, rap, beach, classical, country, Christmas, soul, R&B, old school, whatever... I'll listen! The problem with pursuing music is that I can't sing... nor do I play any instruments... and well, that kinda defeats the purpose. I mean, don't get me wrong, I can sing my fanny off in the shower or in the car... and I can play the heck out of an air guitar or air keyboard when I've had a few too many drinks, but I don't think that will help me with my pursuit of a Grammy. So... I listen and I love!

Music, to me, is one of those things that can make or break a day. I can be in the worst of moods and hear a good song on the radio and I'm automatically uplifted. It can also set the mood for a night out... say I'm not looking so forward to an event and I hear a certain song and... uh oh! It's on!! The night has just changed for the better... I love Christmas music and feel that one should start listening as early as possible, say November 1st! None of this after Thanksgiving crap for me, bring it on early... but not until the day after Halloween :) I quit listening to Christmas music on December 26th. Christmas is over - no need to be depressed about having to wait an entire year for it to return. SO... beach music it is! There's nothing I love more than listening to good ol' Carolina Beach Music while I take down Christmas decorations. Music sets the mood to so many aspects of my life. It's really crazy!

I love that music can take you back to a certain place and/or time in your life. I can be riding down the road and hear Dr. Dre's "Ain't Nuthin but a "G" Thang" or Shai's "If I Ever Fall in Love" or definitely Paperboy's "Ditty" and be taken back to 1993 and one of the most fun summers of my life - the summer I didn't think fire would burn. (By the way, it could and DID) Or I could hear just about anything from TLC, R. Kelly (think Down Low) or Weezer and be riding around with a car full of screaming girls deciding whose house we were going to "stalk". Fast forward a few years and I hear Travis Tritt, Hank Jr. or anything by the Dixie Chicks and I'm quickly taken back to another crazy fun time in my life. These are just a "FEW" songs that I hear that take me back to some of the best times of my life. It comes on and you're automatically right there... circa 15 years ago. I love that about music. I also think there's nothing better than hearing a song on the radio that makes your heart stop and takes your breath away for a quick second. You know... like the one song that reminds you of a special time or the song that you had your first dance with your husband at your wedding, or the first time you had your heart broken. While music can bring so many happy memories, sadly it can bring the not-so-happy ones, too.

Another thing about music that makes me a little crazy is that I tend to listen to lyrics carefully and can identify with them. Those that have ever been with me "late night" know that I honestly think that Rascal Flatts' "Movin On" was totally written for me. The writers of that song took my whole experience of "moving on" from my hometown and used it for writing material. I just know it! ;) I have listened to the words of many songs and cried as I identified with them. I can also listen to songs and cuss someone out in my mind as I sing them. Those are the songs that I get really pumped up when I start singing! Watch out cars around-ha! Then, there are the songs that remind me of my sweet husband and my beautiful babies. Sometimes they have nothing to do with the subject matter, but Tee and I have danced to Zac Brown's "Colder Weather" many many times. I do love dancing with my sweet baby boy.

The other day CeCe's Taylor Swift CD was playing in the car as I was riding by myself and I heard a song come on that really made me think. The song is called "Never Grow Up" and a sample of the lyrics are as follows:

Your little hands wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that


Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
No, no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up


This song brought so much into perspective (especially since I tell my CeCe on a regular basis to "STOP GROWING UP" to which she replies with a giggle "I can't, Mommy)... and once again, I was reminded of how much I love music... and my babies.