I Hang Out With YouTube Sometimes On The Weekend

So Miley Cyrus. I know right? VMA's and all that drama. But once upon a time, very recently, Miley released a song called Wrecking Ball. Which I hadn't heard. All people talk about is her racy music video (which I haven't seen) and not the actual song itself. But then something beautiful happened. A cover was born. You guys, there is something about a guy and a banjo. I've already told Mike that this will be his new hobby. And we all know me, addict of small YouTube stars and covers alike. So watch. And then watch again and dance.


Oh and if you haven't seen this, you better jump on that hilarious bandwagon. And then go watch the clip of Ellen doing it. I die every time.

December Things

Three days ago, I wrote the largest check of my personal life. Finally. A construction deposit. Projected date of a nice big hole in the ground to represent the beginnings of our new home…mid-January.

And we’re getting a fireplace. Yes, we made that jump, and I am so excited. Red brick. To the ceiling. Fireplace sitting is my happy place.

This is the current song on replay. If you hate Christmas music, this song is for you. If you love Christmas music, this song is for you. I love Christmas. I love Christmas music.

Pandora’s Christmas stations plays at a constant at work. And without even looking, I can tell you when a song from The Christmas Box album is on. You know how I know? Mike and I listened to it over and over and over again while we were dating. Those songs hold such fond memories. A December night wrapped up in a blanket while talking to my favorite person in the world is only complete if done while listening to The Christmas Box.

My baby sister’s wedding is a mere week away. Can I just give that sweet little girl a hug and never let her grow up? Speaking of never growing up, I think now would be a good time to go to Neverland.

Shout out to my folks, that are celebrating their anniversary today. I wish I could say I knew exactly the number of years....but congrats on 30 something years you two love birds!

Do you ever say something out loud before you think about what you are saying? Gosh, I hate that. I think I’m the queen of it.

Sorry guys, I just don’t have much to say these days. However, I do much better on Instagram. @abbys14.

Sometimes Covers Are Better Than Originals

This is one of those times.

(Well minus the fact that he doesn't have a full choir supporting him...but I guess I'll cut him some slack.)

I love this song.

Call it the FridayFreeForAll on Saturday.

Happy Ending
Mika (cover by Daniel Schwartzberg)

If You Really Knew Me: {1st Edition}

You would know that I love to read. But I don't get to do it very often. Not too mention it usually puts me to sleep.

You would know that Diet Coke is a daily ritual for me. And you would know that I am ashamed of it.

You would know that my sole purpose of exercise is so that I can eat good food. Yes, the sole purpose.

You would know that I have an obsession with sweats. I can rarely make it the entire day in real clothes.

You would know that I was overweight in my early teenage years. It was an extremely difficult on me. My friends became insulting and rude and the summer before high school I lost all but one of my friends. Starting high school with no friends sucked.

You would know that I shy away from social situations. You would know that I never go to "girls night" and that if I am around friends, I prefer it to be just the two of us. I have not always been this way. But girls are too dramatic and it stresses me out.

You would know that I love to sing.

You would know that I would rather hang out with Mike than anyone in the world. Every.single.time.

What Today Is: {Friday! and FridayFreeForAll}

Well gosh. It's finally Friday. {10 points if your now singing "Finally Friday" by George Jones. If you're not, well you will be.}

I spent the entire day yesterday moving boxes out of our storage unit into my inlaws basement. Currently the story of my life.

Every part of my body is sore. I think I went up and down those stairs approximately 4,000 times. And only about a third of my storage unit is cleaned out. But we'll get there. Yes, we certainly will.

Between that and Grandma's and Grandpa's house at the beginning of the week,

lunch dates with dear friends,

....oh and Mike finally joining me in Utah.....I've been crazy busy.

Oh and this stupid sudoku that I'm determined to finish. It's gonna happen.

So now, as promised, I leave you with today's FridayFreeForAll.

Finally Friday

George Jones

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

It's been a while, but I think it's about time that I do another FridayFreeForAll!

If you had been a fly on our wall this week, you would have seen us jamming on the couch to this song.
It's true, there was some serious sit-down dancing going on.

Thank you Burger King commercial for reminding me of such a great song!

Walk of Life
Dire Straits

And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll! 
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.} 
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

It's Friday!

Unfortunately I don't find myself in a particularly peppy mood this morning.

But fortunatly, I have a video that may help with that. {Thanks to my sister who introduced this song to me a few years back.}

So like Ben says in The Family Stone, "You have a freak flag. You just don't fly it."

Wavin' Flag
K'NAAN

And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What I Sold: {Piano

Remember my piano?

Well I had to part with it this weekend. It was time, you know, moving and such.

This is how I say goodbye...

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

So, besides the fact that I guess Blogger finally forced this new dashboard format, today is a great day! I love Fridays! I'm looking toward {note the word is toward, not forward to} a weekend full of the husband studying hardcore for finals. Which means guess who's going to be packing? Yep, it's going to officially start this weekend. And when you're excited to move, packing really isn't so bad.

Oh and the husband just seconds ago received 34 pounds of prep material for the bar course. 34 pounds! I swear this studying thing will never end.

In celebration of the weekend, I present you with the FridayFreeForAll. Because what's a weekend without a little music.

And my favorite song of all time?

Yes, OF ALL TIME. {bold statement, I know}

Africa

Toto

Toto - Africa - Music - More Music Videos

And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll! If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.} {Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {Weekend Outlook with a FridayFreeForAll}

When people who have lived in Oklahoma their entire lives start getting nervous about this weekends upcoming weather, I know that things are getting serious.

Here is tomorrow's forecast...

See the arrow? That's about where I live. Notice: red. Red means bad. Severe. Scary. Tornadoes. So this is when you start praying. Pray for the Midwest folk. Because the next 48 hours are bound to be quite the news story.

Hope your weekend is looking a little better than mine.

And here is a song.....because it's FridayFreeForAll! {Hah, you thought I forgot! No way dude.}

A new favorite {but look at him.....is he falling to pieces or just going a little boho on us?}

I Won't Give Up

Jason Mraz

And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!

If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

Good Friday morning all!

Because it is Good Friday after all.

My plans this weekend are: cutting Mike's hair, coloring my hair, and crossing some things off the Oklahoma Bucket List {yes, we do have one of those}.

We are making some exciting decisions up in our house these days, and I can't wait to share them with all of you. Don't worry friends, it'll be very soon.

But until then, I leave you with today's FridayFreeForAll.

Because who doesn't love a little magic for their Friday?

Magic
B.o.B ft Rivers Cuomo


And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

Normally I would start out my Friday post saying something like "Happy Friday" or "TGIF" but I don't really know how to declare this Friday. I mean, it's still Friday, which is great, but it's also the Friday at the end of Spring Break week. Which just simply makes me sad. It has been so fun to have all of Mike's attention.

That's okay. Graduation is only 50 days away. Yep, you read it right. 5-0

So in honor of becoming a full on grown-up in a mere 50 days, we are going to flashback to a simpler time.

Like when we roamed the neighborhood barefoot looking for someones trampoline to jump on.

Like when we went outside in a rainstorm and raced pieces of bark down the overflowing gutter.

Like when we used that pile of sand in your backyard to make a Barbie pool, which turned into a big pile of mud.

Like when the sod hadn't been laid down yet so we turned on the hose just so we could play in the mud.

Like after the sod was laid, we took the grass scraps to our Barbie village, so the Barbies could have grass, and then the bugs invaded our Barbie's houses.

Like how we put on our Summer dresses and road around the block on our bikes and people thought we were twins.

Like how we used to do makeovers.

Like how we used to plan our weddings and decorate our future homes by cutting out pictures from magazines.

Like how we listened to Oldies and every time we heard a song we liked, we recorded it on a tape and then we danced and danced in our room with our pretend boyfriends.

Today's FridayFreeForAll?

Our House
Madness


And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What We Decided: {Brad}

When we go to heaven, we're going to be best friend with Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly.

Oh and Will and Kate.

Yes, its been decided.

Forgive the screaming and the shakiness. Mike and I were pretty excited about having Brad Paisley serenade us with his guitar.

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

Happy Friday!!!
If you can't tell, I'm super excited about it {three exclamation marks, people}.
Mike has a final today, poor guy, but then its on to Spring break.
Unfortunately I have a job and therefore going on some lavish vacation to lay on some beach somewhere is not an option. But I will be soaking up every last bit of my husband.

Oh, and my bracket is still currently beating his bracket. Holla.

This song has been in queue for FridayFreeForAll since the beginning of FridayFreeForAll. It's been pushed to the back burner one to many times.

I first heard this song when it was performed on Glee {which did a spectacular version}. Then I saw it in a commercial. And now it finally plays on the radio. Which works out well for me considering this is my current go-to-blast-in-the-car-sing-at-the-top-of-my-lungs song.

Check out some other songs by these guys. They actually have quite a few that are awesome.

We Are Young
Fun ft. Janelle Monae


And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

Happy Friday!

And happy FridayFreeForAll!

This is one of my favorite days of the week to blog because it's about music! I have a running list of songs in my phone that are awaiting their lucky day to be featured on FridayFreeForAll.

A few years ago I was introduced to this artist, and I have a couple of his songs on my iPod.
At one point, one of his songs was even my ringtone.

Then I just kinda forgot about my reggae rapper friend.

Then last night I hear one of his songs on a commercial!
And such a good song at that!

So here is today's song....

One Day
Matisyahu


And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

Happy Friday everyone!
It is March. {March!!} Which means a couple of things.

We've entered tornado season here in the midwest.

The two worst months of the year {January and February} are officially in the history books.

Spring Break! {Need I say more?}

Oh, and The Hunger Games comes out this month!

The Hunger Games series was another series that I read out loud to Mike.

And now the movie is finally coming out. {I'm sure hoping this doesn't turn in to another Twilight disaster...}

So today's FridayFreeForAll is brought to you by The Hunger Games.
{This song is from the movie.}

Safe & Sound
Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars



And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

It's Friday! You know what that means?
Pizza and Dateline!
{When my sister came and visited me last October, I told her that our Friday night usually consist of Pizza and watching Dateline. And not because we are losers and have nothing better to do {even though its true, we most the time have nothing better to do} but because we love LOVE pizza, and I have a scary obsession with Dateline. Borderline crazy. My sister probably thought Oh what has this state done to you....}

Actually, we may branch out tonight and FINALLY watch Breaking Dawn. While eating pizza.

Whoa. Anyways.

It's also FridayFreeForAll!

And I had it all picked. Until last night when Mike got involved and told me that I should do this song.
Which is fine by me. Because I love this song.

So how do we feel about local high school bands? {following on the theme of yesterday}
Yep, I feel the same way. If they would just turn up the mic so I could actually hear the singer. That's really all I ask.
Oh and talent. I do ask that too.
But let me tell you, there are some high school bands out there that are actually pretty darn awesome.
And when Mike and I were in high school, this band was it.

And of course, just like every band in high school, they fade out. These guys took a little longer than normal, but eventually they stopped writing songs. But not before I snagged a download of one of my favorites!
And let me tell you, this song always finds its way into our road trips. Always. And we sing and sing, and I even kinda taught Mike how to harmonize from this song.

Anyways, long story. So there you have it.

Something You Should Know
Three%Hero


And Mike wanted to get in on today's FridayFreeForAll.

Because in his words, this song is the bomb.

So here is Mike's pick for today...

Home
Mae


And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

I hope to inspire you today. If not by the lyrics of this beautiful song, then hopefully at least by the beautiful harmonies contained within it.

I have had a special place in my heart for Christian music for as long as I can remember. There was no going back after I was first introduced to Michael W. Smith. Since then, my taste has continued to grow and develop. Growing up in Utah, you don't hear much of this kind of music. Let me just say, there is a HUGE difference between Mormon Christian music and other Christian music.

The lyrics are both equally inspiring. But I just prefer a more contemporary feel.

Here in Oklahoma there is a very large Christian population. I was delighted to find out when I moved here that there were many different radio stations devoted to Christian music.

That's when I heard this song for the first time.

When I heard this song, I nearly teared up from the harmonies. I have tried to explain the impact that harmonies and melodies have on me to Mike. It's hard for him to wrap his head around and it's hard for me to put into words. Let's just say, besides those related to me by either blood or marriage, music is my one true love. {Which is why I started FridayFreeForAll in the first place.} {But we can talk about that later.}

So here I give today's FridayFreeForAll...

Follow You
Leeland


I am also super excited to bring to you another feature from one of my best friends in the entire world, Shelly.

She's bringing in a little country with one of my favorites, Tim McGraw! She says, "...this week, I heard this song by good ole' Tim, and I couldn't help but share it. I am not perfect by any means. I have held grudges, I have let people down, I have broke hearts, I have a past just like everyone else does...But I sure hope that I am better than I used to be. For afterall, what is life all about if we stay the same?"

See why she is one of my favorite people in the world?

So, here it is....

Better Than I Used To Be
Tim McGraw


And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

I'm taking a different approach today.

I had been thinking all week about the song that I would post today, but yesterday at about 4:12 PM, that all changed.

So let me just tell you.

Every day, I get off work at 3:30. I head directly to the gym where I run for approximately 55 minutes.
Yep. Every day. {Okay, I lied. Monday-Thursday.}
Every day, the Ellen show starts at 4:00. And how lucky for me that each treadmill has its very own TV.
Every day, me along with many others that are on the treadmills at my gym, watch the Ellen show.
And every day, while we watch, you can hear random bursts of laughter from any of the Ellen watchers.
I myself have nearly fallen off the treadmill from trying to keep from becoming hysterical while watching.
Ellen makes my run.

So, by now, most have you have probably seen this video. But if you haven't, then you should, and even if you have, its definitely worth a second look. Right now, watch. Go.


The original interview with Kristen Bell was a couple of weeks ago. {That's what I meant by saying "Kristen Bell would be so proud" in my Panama post at the beginning of the week....which you can read here.}

Now yesterday, once again, at the gym, once again on the treadmill, and once again watching the Ellen show.
This is where my FridayFreeForAll comes in.


I nearly died laughing. Kristen Bell has been once of my fav's for a while now, but she now may top the list.
And yes, I walked around my house all last night singing My Entire Life....

And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}

What Today Is: {FridayFreeForAll}

It's a rainy day here in the OK. And so what better to do than to put on your fuzzy socks and turn up the music and dance around your kitchen! {Yes, that is what I would do if I was home today instead of stuck in a fluorescent lit office.}
Therefore, I give you another edition of the FridayFreeForAll.

Today's song is brought to you by the warm, sunshiny memories of my honeymoon spent on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

 We stayed at an all-inclusive resort {which is definitely the best way to go if your plans are to lay on the beach all day in Mexico}. All throughout the resort, including poolside and down on the beach, they had speakers with music playing. And they played the same 10 songs, over and over and over again.

{I know, our camera wasn't the greatest at that time, but look at those two babies, just barely old enough to be married.}

About 5 of the songs were traditional Mexican accordion music, another 4 were popular Mexican pop songs, and then there was 1.

Yep. This one song...full fledged American 80's hit.
I couldn't help but look forward to this song each time the CD started over. I loved this song before the honeymoon {I am an 80's junkie to boot} but now I love it even more as it brings back the memories of laying on the beach in Mexico with my groom.

Gloria
Laura Branigan



And don't forget...feel free to leave your own suggestions for the next FridayFreeForAll!
If you give suggestions, I will highlight you/your blog/and your video on next week's FridayFreeForAll...just make sure you give me all the details! {And you must be a follower.}
{Oh and all music videos must be appropriate. We are family friendly on this here blog.}