Soundtrack of Me, Part 3

This is the third, and final, installment of my soundtrack...if you've missed the other two, here you go:

Part 1

Part 2

Just remember, no judging allowed around these here parts.

9. My "Rock Me to My Core" Song

Oh this song. I've been listening to it on repeat a lot lately. I think I might have a small crush on it. Not only does it make me want to whip out my guitar and make some serious magic happen, but I just love what it says about choosing to let go. I totally agree that sometimes we have to stand up and say enough is enough. Love, love, love this song.

10. My High School Song

Ok, so funny store. In high school, I had no car. That's not the funny part...Ahem, moving on....So, my brother was my ride...everywhere. And, for almost an entire year, the Shake Your Money Maker tape (yes, tape-- remember those?) by the Black Crowes was stuck in his car. In other words, if the radio was on, we were listening to it. Now I love this album, but a girl can only take so much. So, one day, when the brother wasn't home, I went to his car armed with a pair of tweezers...I was going in after that tape. The results were either gonna be great (no more tape) or very, very bad (walk to school for the rest of my high school career for breaking my brother's radio). It was a struggle, but let's say McCall-1, Radio-0. However, I honestly think I can still sing every word to every song on this album...in order....in my sleep.

11. My Mommy Song

This choice was not the easiest for me to make.

There are so many songs out there that remind me of my two little blessings.

 However, I think this one is my favorite.

12. My "Just the Two of Us" Song

And last but not least, this song reminds me of when I was little. It was just me and my mom, who had rigged a version of surround sound in our kitchen before such a thing really existed. Every time I hear this song I think of her...and of us...me and my mom...back to the days when it was just the two of us.

Hope you enjoyed. :)

And, as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and what songs you feel represent Y-O-U.

And before you head out, don't forget to enter my giveaways here and here.

Hope you've had a fabulous fall weekend full of many fall-like adventures.

Savor every last moment....Monday will be here in the blink of an eye.

Soundtrack of Me- Part 2

If you missed the first edition of this, no problem! You can find it here.

I realize this is long overdue. However, I plead life. You know how sometimes life gets so busy and overwhelming that forget to do things you had really good intentions of doing, like write thank you notes, sew that button back on,  and finish blog posts. So, here is the 'highly anticipated' second installment of the soundtack of me.

5. My "I wanna be loved like that" song

I swear if Jack Johnson could follow me around all day and serenade me, my world would SO be a better place. And here's the song I'd request first.

6. My motto song





I do believe if you could wrap me up and put me in a song, here's how I'd sound. This song is so me. And I happen to love it. I'd say that's a success of sorts. Agreed?

7. My All-Time Favorite Song Ever

I can't help it. I love this song. I love (almost) all of the versions. This, however, happens to be my favorite version of my favorite song. Enjoy. :

8. My "I So Shouldn't Love This Song but I can't Help Myself" Song

Remember folks, this happens to be a judge- free zone. So if you're here to judge, you're in the wrong place. Although this song may be on the most annoying songs of all time list, I happen to love it. It makes me giggle. I especially love the remix you will find when you click right here:

The third and final part of this post will be coming soon...for real this time...it's a promise.

Rockstar by morning

I’ve almost made it. The finish line is in sight, and my engine is rearing to go. Only ONE more day of school, and then the stay-at-home-momness begins.

Although nothing sounds more appealing right now than spending every waking moment with this little face (and I DO MEAN EVERY waking moment, considering ‘nap’ is not a word she is choosing to understand), there are several things I’m truly going to miss once the day job is done.

Other than the smiling teenage faces, fresh pot of coffee made by someone else, and enticing literary discussions I have everyday with a class full of students who are excited about reading book talks, one thing I will miss the most is my ride to school.

I confess. I have a dirty little secret. Once I drop the girls off at “school”, as the Libster likes to call it, I spend the next thirty minutes in a state of total bliss.

I’ve mentioned before that I love music. However, what I meant to say is I ‘absolutely freaking adore cannot possibly live without would shave my head before going musicless’ love music. It’s what I do. It’s who I am. My i-pod contains 436 days worth of music. Yes, I'm completely serious.  Me and music- we’re pretty much BFF 365. So, my morning commute is spent with the radio blaring and one of my 2567 cds (all of which spend their days living in every nook and cranny in my car) blasting from my speakers. I like my music loud. I can’t help it. Something about music played loudly just makes it sound better. It’s my escape. It’s my transition from mommy mode to teacher mode. It’s my “today is gonna be a great day, and you’re off to a great start” breakfast.

And I’m not scared to admit it. I flaunt it shamelessly.

I sing loudly badly to myself, head bobbing included on most days.

I perform what I like to refer to as seat belt dancing like I’m getting paid for it.

I spend my entire way to work singing and changing songs as the mood strikes, which some mornings, I confess, can be labeled as nothing more than musical ADD until I find the exact tune I’m craving.

And to confess even further: in the mornings, I usually crave things that remind me of high school and that I won’t let me daughter listen to for fear of her singing them on the playground. This morning it was Brass Monkey. Yesterday it was The Black Eyed Peas. And at least once a week, it’s something by Pink. I can’t help it. Music is my morning drug of choice.

And last week, I got busted. Normally I do a very good job of returning back to reality and assuming my role as a responsible adult as I pull into the parking lot. However, on that particular day I seem to have forgotten that my car isn’t sound-proof or see proof. People can actually see me strutting my stuff to my morning’s drug of choice. And I am supposed to be the responsible teacher-like kid, but some days it just ain’t happen’ folks.

I was reminded of this when a fellow teacher said, “McCall, I don’t know what you listen to in the mornings, but it must be good because you sure are rocking in your car.” Yeah, that’s me. Teacher by day; rockstar by morning.

But it makes me happy. It puts me in a good mood. And the way I see it is, if all it takes for me to de-stress and prepare myself to mold the youth of America for the next eight hours is some good, loud music, what’s wrong with that? In fact, I’d even go as far as to say I’m one blessed little girl grown, responsible adult. I mean, we can't all wake up feeling like this everyday without a little help.......

can we?

If she wants to rock, she rocks....

Ok, so those who know me well know how much I LOVE music, especially live music. So, when my friend Kristen called and invited me to a free, outdoor Eric Hutchinson concert, I couldn't possibly resist. If you haven't heard of Eric, he's GREAT! I love his newest album....you can check him out here.
So, yesterday, after what felt like the longest teaching day of the year thus far, my friend Erin and I headed down to Clinton. The weather was perfect, and the view was amazing:


We weren't the only ones who enjoyed the concert. Check out this fella, dancing.....alone.....



See, I told you we were close to the stage. :)



Could the night possibly get any better? I didn't think so. And then one of my FAV-O-RITE people EVER, the infamous Megan T., showed up.

me+megan t.= endless hours of giggling and a guaranteed good time



Erin and I enjoyed every minute of Eric's performance.

THe four of us had a fabulouso time.

Erin, me, Megan T., and Kristen

However, it did get a little windy. Good thing the Libster thought to stick this handy hairbrush in my purse, right?

As you can tell, it really helped keep our hair 'in check', so to speak.

Kristen, whom I do believe is Eric's biggest fan, got him to sign her t-shirt.

I thnk she wasn't excited, but I'm not sure...what do you think???

When I said we were close, did I mention that if we'd been any closer we would have been on the stage with him?

I loved his faded pink guitar.....what color was this originally, I wonder....

And his drummer had sparkly blue drums. Too bad Libby wasn't there- she's a sucker for anything that sparkles.

But the highlight of the night was this, when we actually got to MEET him.

Great start to a great Easter weekend?

I think so.