The Soundtrack of My Life

I've been feeling a bit nostalgic lately.
First the NKOTB and now this...

When I was in college, my good friend, Brooke, and I would sometimes pass the hours of our music classes compiling lists of songs that defined us. Brooke called it "The Soundtrack of My Life." As you can guess, the lists were long and random. Anything from the Sound of Music to G. Love and the Special Sauce sat on the lines of our ever-growing lists. Now, these weren't just songs that we liked, they were songs that meant something to us. A connection, if you will, to memories of all kinds.

At our sewing retreat this past March, my sister recommended that we make a CD with a few of everyone's favorite songs and then to write a couple of lines about why we chose what we did. (By the way....I still need notes from everyone...) It was so fun to see what people chose and to know why they chose it: John Denver, The Carpenters, Wicked, Paolo Conte, Yo-Yo Ma.... An eclectic collection to say the least. A mini soundtrack to the lives of the wonderful ladies in my family.

That being said, the soundtrack of my life these days consists solely of Barbie and Disney Princess songs. They play over and over in my car and on my stereo all day long. Tillie absorbs the music like a sponge and, as sick of the music as I am, nothing makes me smile more than hearing her sing "I'm wishing (I'm wishing) for the one I love, to find me (to find me) today...." It's adorable, really.

This music has become such a part of my life, that I find it playing even when Tillie isn't even with me. And, even worse, I'm always singing along. Pathetic, I know. So, one day this week, I caught myself doing just this, and decided it was time to put on some of MY music. I pulled a random CD out, appropriately titled, "Mary's Music". There was bound to be something lovely here.

Now, just a side note; many of you know that I adore making music mixes. I like to have a theme for them as it helps me not get too carried away. I have great running, resting, love, 80s, dance, etc. mixes that I call on when the occasion requires it. This particular CD had no listed theme so I wasn't sure what to expect, but was positive, all the same, that it would be delightful.

The songs I heard next were such a random mix that I could hardly believe I had put it together. Just to give you an idea, here is what I found:

REO Speedwagon: In my Dreams
Dr. Dre: No Diggity, No Doubt
Sublime: The Rivers of Babylon
Jon Bon Jovi: Livin' on a Prayer
Dee Lite: Groove is in the Heart
Jim Brickman: The Love of My Life
Garth Brooks: The American Honky Tonk Bar Association

And the list randomly goes on from there. Now, I know exactly why I had all of these songs. These could all be included in the list of the Soundtrack of My Life. I like remembering REO and Bon Jovi because I saw my brother perform them MANY times with his college a cappella group (I was quite the fan). And me and my roommates loved dancing to Dr. Dre in front of our apartment window (window dancing) so that we could have a competition with the guys across the way dancing in their apartment window. And Dee Lite will always remind me of my siblings and how we thought this song was SO silly!! (and, frankly, it is!) AND...as embarrassing as it is to admit it, my friend, MaryAnn, and I sang The AHTBA at Disneyland wearing big blue pants, a nasty white bodysuit and a sequined red vest. Is there any end to the shame?!

Since listening to that CD, it seems like I've heard a lot of other random old songs that have brought back so many crazy memories. I think I need to make a new cd.

What songs would be on the soundtrack of YOUR life?

Shabby Baby? Hardly.

So....it's official: Tillie is famous. Here she is on Studio 5 not only modeling a darling dress from shabby apple, but also showing off her apt performing skills. Enjoy!!

http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=58&sid=3034862

BANG-a-rang!!!

Classic post: I cut my hair.

Here it is before:

Here it is after. In all it's fabulous glory!!!!!!!!

Daring? Yes. Foolish? Never.

The Gut from Ipanema

Our latest outing to the great Brazilian Steak house, The Grill from Ipanema, left us a little on the heavy side:

I don't believe it has discouraged us from eating there in the future. It just makes us a little less attractive. Opportunity cost at its finest.

In more post-worthy news, Cindi came to town! yay!!! I know....we're all REALLY excited! Things just got a little bit sunnier....;)

adorable.

The Absence of Spring

Are you missing spring as much as I am? The 3 inches of wet snow that dumped yesterday morning have left me feeling particularly lonesome and in need for some good old sunshine. In lieu of the "rill dill", here are some pictures of the Brauns in better weather to warm your cold, cold hearts...

Ahhh....now doesn't that feel better?
Your cheeks are gaining color already.
We must be good for you. ;)

NKOTB

When I was in the prime of my ugly, early-adolesence, I was introduced to the New Kids on the Block by none other than my highly fashionable Canadian cousin, Micky. I had their tape, "Hangin' Tough", knew all the words to their songs, and, (however unsuccessfully), learned their basic dance moves. I remember they were on Oprah and Micky recorded it for me to watch. We screamed like silly 12 year olds do and cried when the fab 5 came out from behind the curtain singing and dancing. Oh what bliss!

I bought a poster that I hung above my bed, and, even though I hate to admit it, kissed each of their faces when i was feeling especially love sick over them. oh the shame! Jon was my favorite. (Now I see I was practically in love with Wynona Ryder. Very much a strong resemblance...don't you think?)

My brothers destroyed the poster by drawing lame moustaches and tattoos on each face. I think I cried for a week. I never got over it, obviously, because I recently found all my NKOTB memorabilia: posters, tapes, buttons....I was obsessed.

But not for long.

One day I just got over them. I didn't even care that they were coming to SLC for a concert. I didn't want to go and I took the poster down that I had left hanging in all it's grafitti-ed glory. Just like that. hmf. And that was the end of that.

And then, 15 yrs later, I read this? I may just have to tune in.