Music is my Therapy

 HEEEEEEYYYYY!!! I just had to jump on here real quick to geek out and fangirl over the MICHAEL MOVIE! 🔥👑🕺🙌 I just got back from seeing the Early Access viewing in IMAX and....I don't have words, it was PHENOMONAL!! I was so nervous before going haha when I'm super excited about something I get anxious! There has been so much build up for me personally leading up to this movie! I have tried to recreate the feeling of "Michael Mania" from the 80's as best I could. My social media algorithms have fed me nothing but Michael biopic content since November (which I have been LOVING but also can't help feeling a little sad and jealous about missing out on all the cool Michael related events around the world and not having someone special I can geek out with...my family is wonderful and I'm so grateful for them but you know what I mean...).  Tonight was everything I could have hoped for and more! Despite getting stuck in crazy traffic and barely making it to o...

FEAR was heavy. I love it, I feel it but it was intense. It's uncomfortably close to what life has been feeling like for me this past year. I've been listening to the song FEAR on repeat especially when some stuff happened this weekend that made me really upset and feeling very alone, overlooked, uncared for and abandoned. It made me think "I have NO ONE. No one who really cares about me. I'm told things to my face and then forgotten about the second they walk out of the room. So, I'm done. I'm done reaching out and sounding super desperate. I'll just do it on my own, like always."  So yeah. Not feeling in the best of spirits. Been making lots of selfish mistakes, binge eating my feelings away and isolating. SO. In an effort to feel a little better, I've decided to do another listening party! It's holiday time and I want to enjoy all the Christmas music while I can because I'm ready for it! I haven't listened to my faves BRAND NEW Chri...

It's been a while... But I had to come back and do a "live listening party reaction" post for NF's *NEW* EP FEAR!!  It just dropped today and I just finished listening to the HOPE album so I'm extremely interested to see where this is going...I spent the last two weeks binge listening to all of Nate's past albums/EP's so I feel like I'm ready to pick up on all the easter eggs and connections that may be present. FEAR: YES! THIS IS WHAT I WANTED!! I probably shouldn't, but I do. First off, this is soooo different and I'm OBSESSED. The singing, the whole vibe. YES.   I haven't been doing well mentally (what's new right?) and it's been affecting me more than ever. I keep telling myself I need to say something, but I won't. Stupid pride. There's also just a lot going on in my family's life right now, I don't want to be another burden to add to the weight of what my parents specifically have been carrying with all year. ...

Song: Christmas Day Artist: Mat & Savanna Shaw MERRY CHRISTMAS ! !   🎄🎅🎁🍬🍪🌟🙏 What a fun day!! I loved getting to spend time with my family. It was traditional, new and different all at the same time, but it was still a beautiful, wonderful holiday. Despite not getting ANY snow 😭 I love my family so much it makes me want to cry! I'm so blessed. Even if now, here at the end of the night I'm feeling depressed and sad for the holiday to end. I'm feeling sad for my single aunt who hosted the past two days and then we all left her alone. It makes me feel bad for her 💔 I already feel sad for myself (always, of course) that all of my siblings got to go home with their significant others, but at least I have my parents and dog. My poor, sweet, over the top, but very loving aunt just had to watch everyone leave and was left alone with somewhat of a mess. We'll be back over there tomorrow to help her clean up but still. She put so much work and effort to make it sp...

Songs: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas & Tonight is Christmas Eve Artists: Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians & Girl Named Tom MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE ! ! 🎄🎅🎁 How did we get here?? This month flew by at a rapid pace, faster than Dasher and Prancer and all Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve night! 😉 I'm excited for tonight! To sing Christmas carols, watch Home Alone and feast, feast, feast, FEAST!! 😋 I'm grateful for my family. 💕 I'm missing many family members this year, as I always will from here on out, but I'm grateful for the one's I do get to be with and for the health and safety of the ones who are apart. And for my angels in heaven who are happy, healthy and waiting for me.  I wish the forecast was showing snow, I've been rather bitter about that, haha. It's been  years since the last true white Christmas I've experienced and I was just really hoping for one this year. But I shouldn't complain. I'm blessed and gra...

Song: Spending Christmas Together Artist: Mat & Savanna Shaw Had a great night celebrating the Christmas season with my family! The night was fun; we ate good food, listened to festive music, played fun games and decorated gingerbread houses. But now, here alone at the end of the night...I feel sad. I miss how Christmas used to be. When siblings teamed up for gingerbread house competitions...not spouses, partners and me and my dad. I miss getting ready for bed with my sisters, chatting and giggling into the early hours of the morning. I miss hearing my brothers sneak out of their rooms to play video games late into the night. I miss how things used to be. Everything is different now. It's hard to see it change. I can't see change as a good thing and I know I need to, I should. I'm grateful I still can celebrate Christmas with most of my family still but...it's just not the same. I miss the Christmases of my past, spent with ALL of my family. Together. Just us. It ...

Song:  The Holly and the Ivy Artist: King College Cambridge  MERRY WEEK OF CHRISTMAS ! ! 🎄🎅🌟 Wow. Christmas will be here so soon! I'm out of time...I have only so many days to wear so many Christmas sweaters, finish watching all the Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, etc. It's a little stressful but I've also been happy with what I've done so far, so I'm going to calm down. And allow these next three days to just be. Live in the moment. Don't stress and rush so much. My shopping is done. Neighbor and friend gifts have been given. It's time to just... be. Let myself relax a little and take in the season. Today was the Christmas service at church. It was nice although I didn't love the remarks of the last speaker, it felt a little condemning and then they just threw in Jesus; I don't know, it was weird. Not exactly the "Christmasy" message I was hoping for. But that doesn't matter. The music was beautiful and I got chok...

Songs: Christmas Wishes, Later Never Came, I'll Begin Again Artist: From, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol Today is "Bah! Humbug!" day on my calendar...something I recalled last night as I was watching A Muppets Christmas Carol. So today, I decided to watch another version of A Christmas Carol on Netflix. As much as I love this classic story of Christmas, hope and change, it also makes me incredibly sad. It's probably because I see so much of myself it Ebenezer Scrooge. Besides the hating Christmas bit, I see myself becoming the lonely, selfish, miserable old miser he was. I've felt that way for years now, as I stay stuck in my selfishness, stubbornness, fear, pride and regret.  I don't know what it was about this particular version of A Christmas Carol, a film I've seen several adaptations of before and have read the book multiple times, I believe it was the music, but I couldn't stop crying! It's kind of embarrassing but after the scene where Scrooge ...

Song: Emmanuel God With Us Artist: Chris Tomlin & Anne Wilson I love a good worship song! 🙌🙏 Go tell it on the mountain The one that we've been waiting for The King of our salvation Born on this day, our savior Christ the Lord Go tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere That we can be forgiven The weight of all our sin He came to bear Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Go tell it on the mountain Humbly in a manger lay Mercy sent from Heaven The angels fill the sky with highest praise Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Go tell it on the mountain This baby born of virgin birth The ruler of all nations The Glory of our God has come to earth Emmanuel, God with us, Emmanuel, King Jesus The Savior of the world is born Emmanuel, God with ...

Song: O Holy Night Artist: Pentatonix Yesterday's song was....actually so weird. 😬 What was I thinking!? Sorry about that...😅 Today I'm sharing O Holy Night by Pentatonix,  TWO ways! Their original version from clear back in 2012 (🤯) and their STUNNING version from just last year. Please enjoy and may it bring you the peace and comfort you may be seeking, something we could all use a little bit more of.  2012 2023 THE PASSION ! 😍😭💓

Song:  I Am The Grinch Artist: Tyler, the Creator Watched the 2018 animated film The Grinch today while making frosting for my Christmas cookie party tonight! So I decided I would share this somewhat odd, but also kinda low-key fire song for today's post 😁😝 Grinch representation forever! 💚 Now I just need to watch the Jim Carrey version and I'll be good! It's too funny! 😂 Well, it's off to the party I go! Dashing through all of the glorious, December, Christmastime sn...oh wait. Never mind. Today was sunny and WARM! 😠 Not a cloud - or snowflake - in the sky! I'm going to be needing some snow real soon or I'll....well. Ya know. I'll be a bit of Grinch if ya know what I mean. As of now, the weather app is teasing me saying there's a 40% chance of snow on Christmas day but with a high of 40 I doubt it. 😭 I JUST WANT A WHITE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR!! 😭🤞 Is that too much to ask?? I can't even remember the last time I experienced one...not the magi...

Song: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Artist: The Goo Goo Dolls This has become one of my favorite Christmas songs over the years so I'll always share whatever cover I find and love...especially if it's by one of my favorite artists 😉 I remember wondering how this song would come across by the Goo Goo Dolls and I was happily surprised! They totally did it respectfully justice. Lyrics in video 👆

Song: Christmas Time Artist: Hanson This song has resonated with me so strongly this year! I'm just blown away by the power behind the lyrics, especially knowing how young Hanson was when it was written. I also knew I wanted to feature Hanson today since their member's Christmas concert livestream was yesterday but I just finished watching it today!! I was planning on watching it live but decided to watch Christmas movies with my parents because there are only 10 days until Christmas and I haven't watched ANYTHING! 😰 The count down is ON! One Christmas movie every day from now until December 25! The concert was OH SO WONDERFUL! 💓🎄💚 I loved every second! It was festive and inspiring and Hanson is just Hanson and they DON'T MISS! EVER! 😍 I just ADORE them! It has been the BEST year of HANSON for me!! 💓💚💙😭 From the fantastic month of May I had re-listening to EVERYTHING Hanson , the new EP being straight 🔥 top to bottom and my 2024 summer JAM , the FA...

Song: White Winter Hymnal Artist: Pentatonix I have a tradition of re-watching ALL of PTX's Christmas music videos throughout the holiday season. And thankfully, I've shared pretty much all of them here on my blog, so they're easy to find and access. Or so I thought. WRONG! I was SHOCKED and ASTOUNDED to discover that I have NEVER in my 10 years of musical blogging, shared this most ICONIC song/video from the legends themselves!! 🤯😱 That's changing this INSTANT! Enjoy one of the first songs that started my PTX Christmas music obsession so many years ago... I was following the [8x] I was following the pack All swallowed in their coats With scarves of red tied 'round their throats To keep their little heads From fallin' in the snow And I turned 'round and there you go And, Michael, you would fall And turn the white snow red as strawberries In the summertime I was following the pack All swallowed in their coats With scarves of red tied 'round their...

Song: Silent Night Artist:  Iam Tongi (feat. Rexburg Children's Choir) Another song I noticed on youtube that I'll give a first time listen/reaction too...I'm sorry. I just don't feel inspired anymore. And that is exactly why this is my final year of musical blogging. It's not the same, I just don't feel it. 😔💔 Thoughts: Well, it doesn't get better than that! This was beautiful! Beautiful vocals, simple arrangement. I needed that. The expressions on those cute kids faces were so sweet and pure. 💗 I want that feeling back. I want to sing from my heart and feel the peace and happiness of Christmas again. Another great find! 

Song:  Angels We Have Heard On High Artist: Claire and the Crosby's Giving this a first time listen!  Thoughts: Wow! She's grown a lot! What an adorable family band! 🥰 And all so talented. I enjoyed this a lot, I've never heard these lyrics before and I love the arrangement. Bravo Crosby family! 👏

Song: Gingerbread House Artist: Anson Seabra Today is "Gingerbread House Day" on my Every Day's A Holiday calendar. Unfortnatley this couldn't line up next week when I will actually be making a gingerbread house, but this song came to mind so wha-lah! Killed a bird with two stones; found a way to acknowledge today's "holiday" and figured out an easy song to share for the day! It's not my favorite song I've ever heard but it's on theme so it works! I fell for you like snow, on the trees On the night we walked alone, at seventeen And my cheeks were colored rose But it wasn't from the cold, it was the way you looked at me But feelings fade, and you eyes don't say "I love you" like the way they did before And the home we made, somehow became Just bits and broken pieces on the floor Cause we build a gingerbread house, four walls, sugar and flour Built up to watch you fall down, gumdrops and tears on the ground So sad it goes so...

Song: Slow Down Christmas Artist: Jim Brickman & Ruben Studdard New song I just listened to for the first time yesterday. I enjoyed it quite a lot. I'm really going to try to be more intentional and really immerse myself in Christmas. I've been way too sad and depressed lately where I'm not even trying anymore. I'm going to try to wake up early each day to read, watch, listen to anything and everything Christmas related! I miss feeling happy and excited about the holidays, especially Christmas! I swear, the past two years I've done more during the Halloween/Fall season then I have at Christmas time! Christmas has just been hard for me since 2021. 🖤🐾💔 It's not the same and never will be again. I've been thinking about that a lot lately....how everything will never be the same again. It hurts my heart. But I need to try and move on like everyone else. I can't stay stuck the way I have for so many years. It's getting worse every day. And I'm...

Song(s): Christmas Time, Every Year & Somewhere in My Memory Artist(s): Hanson, The Hound + The Fox & Darren Criss feat. Evan Rachel Wood  There isn't much to say besides the fact that so far, these three songs have been my go-to's this month. They are songs I've previously shared before but they seem to mean more and hit harder this year. 😞   Christmas Time The lyrics hit harder than ever. Wow. "Everything is different, but  nothing has changed." 👈  THIS. I feel that!  EVERYTHING is different and yet the traditions, decorations, music, food...is all the same. It's different and the same all at once. "Do you really remember how it used to be, s itting under the Christmas tree?" Reflecting on the past and the joy and wonder and excitement I used to feel at this time of year. Especially as a child, when we were all together. No one was married or lived out of state or had passed on and couldn't be here. 💔 Every Year I miss you puppy d...

Song: Christmastime Is Finally Here Artist: Pentatonix & A Great Big World First time listening to a NEW CHRISTMAS DROP COLLAB with PTX & AGBW!! 🎄🎅 Let's get my LIVE first impression/review! Thoughts: OK. That was not what I was expecting but...I LOVE it! That made me happy! 😊 Truly. It makes me want to stop being so negative and enjoy the season, however I see fit. I may be single and that makes me sad, but I'm also surrounded with loved ones, good food and music. I can still enjoy the season despite the things I can't control and the things I wish I could change. I can go take a walk by myself and enjoy the lights in my neighborhood, with Christmas music in my ears. I can bake my favorite holiday goodies and watch whatever festive movie I want! I feel truly inspired to be all in this Christmas! 🎄🎅⭐🙏🎁 MERRY, MERRY, MERRY, MERRY, MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS ! 🎄 Falling The snow is finally falling And suddenly the streets are dressed in white And everyt...