Tag Archives: Michael Buble

Motivational Music Monday… and stuff

May is a busy month in this house.  This past week we’ve celebrated a birthday and Mother’s Day (and we still have an anniversary coming up).  We also did a happy dance when the child returned home from Hawaii.  AJ is the one buried in the sand (his father did his laundry, 😀 ).

The day before AJ came home was James’s birthday.  I bought him… (notice I said him, not us)… I bought him a nice dinner and dessert on his birthday, and when AJ got home, we celebrated properly.

It’s Sunday night, so I’m on day 12 of The Whole 30.  All of my cravings stopped on day 6.  I wasn’t even tempted with cake or naughtiness even with all the celebrations going on.  I will admit, as I hate cooking, I’m a bit tired of spending time in the kitchen, but again, it’s all in the planning.  I made enough food on Thursday and Friday to last me the weekend, and the boys were on their own.  Mostly.  I’ll always share my veggies and chili.  (#spottedtheGroot)

I also did my long run today.  It went well.  I felt strong and full of energy.  At mile 4, I ate a few too many raisins (portion control matters) and my stomach cramped up; however, as I was doing an out-and-back, I had no choice but to power through.  Sometimes not having a choice is a good thing.  I also had the trail mostly to myself.  Nice.

Although… sometimes being on the trail alone can wreak havoc with the imagination.  I wore my hydration pack, kept hearing the sloshing of water, and thought someone or someTHING was stalking me as it sounded like the bushes rustling.  I don’t have a clue what bedded down in this huge patch of grass the previous night, but I’m glad it was gone (the grass is actually as high as my hips).  The blades were clearly flattened right smack in the middle:

A successful week in eating and a successful week in running (with even some cycling thrown in for good measure), so now on to Motivational Music Monday by 50 in 50 Marathon Quest.

Tonight (Mother’s Day), U2 are here in concert, so James opted to pay tribute to them.  I’m not a big U2 fan, so I’ll pass on playing a U2 song.  I will, however, follow suit with the title. “It’s A Beautiful Day” has helped me pick up my step during many a long run… and it’s Michael Bublé. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Hoping all y’all have a happy week!!

MMM is Back!

With the all the cold weather and busyness of the season, it appears that I’m suffering a bit from writer’s block.  My mind has gone completely blank when it comes to writing pretty much anything, including emails, but hopefully it’s just a short-term condition.

However, it seems that James is working on getting past his bout of writer’s block.  He’s just recently posted an update and even a Motivational Music Monday song over at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest.  Okay… well… as it’s the week before Christmas, it’s actually a Christmas song, but still, he’s getting revved and ready for the New Year.

And you know me… I tend to follow suit with MMM.  As we just watched the fabulous TV special put on by Michael Bublé, I have a need to hear some caroling/serenading from the great MB! First up is a song from his album, Christmas, a classic performed by him and The Puppini Sisters (who sound quite a bit like The Andrews Sisters):

But I can’t stop there!  My favorite song from the Christmas album is actually MB’s version of Santa Baby (Santa Buddy).  Love the way he adjusts the words just a smidge (Santa Buddy, fill my stocking with Canucks tix, for kicks…):

I hope everyone is enjoying a very happy holiday season!

By the way, I was informed by my husband earlier, “You better hurry up and get things done today!  It’s the shortest day of the year you know…”  (Take a minute to process that… I’ll wait.)

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Happy Winter Solstice!  

 

I Can’t Feel My Face

So, I had dental surgery last Tuesday.  One of my wisdom teeth was starting to grow directly into the nerve root of my upper back molar, causing me a significant amount of pain.  I was hoping that the antibiotics the dentist gave me would clear up the pain and that surgery could wait until after the Route 66 Half, but I wasn’t infected, so there was no pain relief from the antibiotics, and something had to give.  Which just so happened to be my back molar.

Now, most people get to be asleep when they have dental surgery.  Not me.  I have been to 3 different oral surgeons, all of whom couldn’t find a vein on me (my veins roll).  One of them even turned me away and said “oh hell no,” he wasn’t doing surgery without me being asleep. Drama, drama, drama.  Anyway, I stayed awake, they eventually got the tooth out, and now no more pain other than regular postop.  Yay!

Moving on…

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AJ had his official birthday party with friends last weekend.  Thankfully my mouth pain behaved so I could deal with 6 very loud boys with no problem.

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3… 2… 1… DAB!

Then this happened:

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Ohhh yeahhhhh!  My wonderful hubby made sure I had the brand new MB CD to relax to that very same evening!  I’m biased, but I give the album two thumbs up!  Not keen on his Beach Boys remake… I think he slowed it down way too much, but hey, you can’t be perfect all the time, can you!

Other than that, I’ve been pretty much recouping!  I missed Motivational Music Monday last week, and apparently so did James!  James was having problems with his site showing up in the reader, so Music Monday turned into Music Happy Hour Friday!  He picked a silly obnoxious song as he was drinking pumpkin beer (that’s just wrong on so many levels), but if you’re curious as to what was making him get down and boogie, go check it out.

As for me, I’m choosing a song and dedicating it to all the dentists and oral surgeons out there. This song has also been on my playlist for my last 4 races. Love it! Enjoy your Weeknd (ha! see what I did there?)!!

It’s almost Halloween!  Are the spiders and ghosts in place??  Are you dressing up to hand out candy?  If so, what’re you going to be?  And stay tuned… now that I’m feeling better, I’m about to go explore a spooky trail with my GoPro to see where it takes me… 

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Happy Birthday To The Child!

The child, otherwise known as AJ, turned a big 12 this week!  So it’s been a week of 12s and celebrations and good times!

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He’s been a “12th man” since the day he was born!

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To this day, he still loves to throw rocks into the water.

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Officially 12!

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Also, speaking of 12s… I have to give a big shout out to Mike at A Little Bit Out of Focus for the screaming great time he got at his marathon this past weekend wearing… you guessed it… bib #12!!  Congratulations Mike!!  You have found the Power of the 12!

On to the music… I had the silly idea to post AJ’s 5 favorite songs for Motivational Music Monday at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest, but once he gave me his list… ummmm… no.  Sorry child.  Ain’t no one got time for that noise!

Did you all know my boy, Michael Bublé, has a new album being released this week?!!  Oh yeah. So in honor of that little gem, I’m sharing with you his first single from said album!  Hope you enjoy just as much as I do!  It’s a snappy little ditty that features Black Thought from The Roots! (And there you go, AJ… a little rap for you anyway, hehe)

Are we having fun yet??!!  What song is making you happy this week?  Go let James know at 50 in 50!!

MMM Number Ten Three Two

Yes, it’s time for Motivational Music Monday once again… it’s #32, to be exact… which also means we’re at week #32 in the year, so that means there’s only about 12 weeks until Christmas, or 87 days, or 8 more paydays!  Holy cow, time flies!  And only 20 more days until the child turns 12!!  OMG!!  (See how my mind works?  No worries… James and AJ are used to it.) Anyway, go let James know which song is making you happy this week!

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But first… Bellingham Bay Marathon was last weekend in which both James and I participated.  I did drop down to a 5K with all things considered, but it was great to get out and race.  I needed it.  Lots and lots of work for me to do before the Tulsa Half in November.

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And super proud of the child for hitting a new PR in his timed mile yesterday!  That is Daddy’s shout-out this week, but I wanted AJ to know how pleased I am with his progress.  You are going to go far, my child… probably even 26.2-miles far one day!!  😀

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Now on to the music…

James has chosen a Maroon 5 song, so I thought I’d follow suit.  With a twist.  If you know me, you know I love all things Michael Bublé when it comes to music.  Sometimes when I’m out on a run, I’ll only listen to his songs.  One may wonder how a crooner can get you through long runs, but trust me, he gets the blood pumping.  All you have to do is lose yourself in the music.

A few years ago, he created a concert DVD called Caught In The Act, and of course I own it.  I own all things Michael Bublé.  A shirt.  I don’t own a shirt.  I think I need a MB shirt… then my collection would be complete.  Anyway… this little clip is him giving pop music a try… he’s such an entertainer.

But hey, if you want the real thing, here you go.  Adam Levine has a tendency to get the blood pumping too.  Enjoy!

In the words of the great Chaka Khan, Tell Me Something Good!  Have you been having a great week?!

Can’t Stop The Feeling

It’s time for a little Motivational Music Monday over at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest!  If you have a particular song this week that’s really getting it done for you, go let James know what it is!  New, old, fast, slow… something’s gotta be making you happy!

James is going with running cadence this time as he’s chosen a fun little tippy-tappy ditty.  I’m following suit, of course.  The song I’ve chosen is supposedly best for a 13:42/mile pace, which I find to be interesting.  I do have it on one of my playlists, so I’m going to have to give it a test to see if that’s really the case.  Regardless, it’s a great little upbeat song to run to and what a great video to boot!  If you woke up this morning, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be dancing… it certainly beats the alternative!

 

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Make it a great one!!

Try A Little Tenderness

It’s time for a little Motivational Music Monday over at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest!  If you have a particular song this week that’s really getting it done for you, go let James know what it is!  New, old, fast, slow… something’s gotta be making you happy!

James is going with a karaoke-inspired song this week from The Commitments.  I love that movie… it’s one I could watch over and over and it would never get old, mostly because the music is just so good.  So while you’ll have to pop on over to 50 in 50 to see what James came up with, I am going to post my favorite song from that movie, Try A Little Tenderness.  This is the best version of the song I’ve ever heard.  While I couldn’t find the actual movie scene, I did find one with lyrics, so you can read along.  Have a listen:

Now, here’s the funny thing… my boy MB also does a version of this song, but I’m sorry to say, The Commitments’ version is still my favorite.  However, one can never go wrong with Michael…

I think the first time I ever heard the song itself was in the movie Pretty In Pink.  Jon Cryer did a bang-up job in this scene… with the original version by Otis.  Go ahead… watch and have a little smile…

Happy Monday my friends!  Hope you have a smashing week!

Motivational Music Monday #14

What time is it??  It’s time for some music motivation, of course, courtesy of James over at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest!  Go check out his music choice for this week, see if it helps get you get out and get moving!  If it doesn’t, then add your own song in the comment section!  Maybe it’ll get him motivated to get up and get out!!

Although… I have to say… this week’s pick from him is totally in honor of our anniversary and one of my all-time favorites (and also my karaoke nemesis because of one particular evil key change).  Do go check it out… you can see which song makes me throw the microphone across the room every single time.  I’ve only nailed it solid once… out of like 500.

So, if you know me, I kinda follow suit… whatever he leads with, I tend to follow.  Not that you have to… I just do as it gives me direction.  And, well, it’s Michael Bublé… need I say more.

Michael Bublé, Everything (right back at ya 50 in 50!)

Have a beautiful week!

 

 

Motivation Monday

Today is Motivation Monday… here, there, and everywhere… so I wanna play too.

First, I’m linking up with James at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest for his Motivational Music Monday theme. He’s posted a classic song from the ’70s, but I’m going to go with something just a bit more modern… well, as modern as you can get with my boy Michael Bublé.  Yeah, that’s right, I said it… he’s my boy.  Everyone who knows me knows it, so you may as well know it too just in case you didn’t already know it.

This song puts a spring in my step every time I’m out on a run and it comes on.  It’s a fun little ditty, a great FU song (perdone mi French), and a great pacer.  And it’s Michael Bublé, so of course it’s great.

As for Twitter and #MotivationMonday, I give you this:

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Be good to yourselves and make it a great one!

Weekend Wrap

As I decided to write whilst partaking of wine on Friday night, I actually only have the weekend to “wrap” about (hehe, I make myself giggle).

20151219_133712.jpgI went Christmas shopping on Saturday because, yes, I AM one of those last-minute shoppers! Holy Checkout Line!!  This was in Target and it stretched at least half the length of the store! However, I was totally impressed with the organization of the mass amount of people.  It was not your typical C.F.  There was no crowding or nastiness, every checkout line was open, and they got us through as quick as they could. Unfortunately, a man got right behind me, was trying to get the attention of someone across the aisle, and made one of those horribly loud whistles with his fingers like he was calling for his dog.  Rude much?!!  THAT did not impress me.  I glared.  One does not need to whistle that loudly when one is on the inside of a building, especially when standing 2 feet away from another person who is not aware that they’re about to get a hole in their eardrum.

Anyway, after a lovely Saturday afternoon nap, Jamesy and I spent a good part of the evening wrapping presents as our youngin’ was staying the night at a friend’s house.  We took complete advantage of him being gone!  We turned on my most favorite Christmas album by Michael Bublé, pulled out the wrapping paper, tape and scissors, and had a good old fashion wrapping party.  I got a great video of James singing and dancing.  He’s not letting me share it… yet… but know that I have it and will probably have it for a long, lonnnnng time (insert evil laugh here… I now own him).

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We even got to watch a movie!  This is not something we usually do as we try to go to bed early in preparation for long-run Sunday.  However, we actually decided to turn a movie on after we’d had enough of the wrapping!  We watched Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. I thought it was wonderful! Neither one of us got tired or wanted to doze during it as it kept us on the edge of our seat.  We like those suspense movies, what can I say!

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The creek overfloweth…

Sunday was a big day.  I hadn’t run for a week thanks to my chest cold, so I had to get out no matter what to see how I was feeling.  I had 10 miles on the schedule. No, 10 miles wasn’t happening.  My legs were nice and rested, but at the same time they felt quite weak.  It’s hard to believe that a week’s worth of down time could cause them to feel like floppy noodles.  I did a nice 5K, the loop around our house, and managed it okay.  It didn’t even take me as long as I thought it would with as much as I was having to walk which kind of tells me my intervals on the stoopid treadmill have paid off, because when I was able to run, I was running much faster than I had before.  Yay.  Guess the treadmill isn’t as stoopid as I made it out to be.

And it was finally perfect weather conditions for a run.  No rain, no wind… just overcast and in the 40s… normal and beautiful.  Good thing, too, because James had his time-trial 20-miler.  His goal was to run 20 miles in 3 hours.  I won’t spoil it for you on how it went… you can visit 50 in 50 Marathon Quest for the final result.  Will he run another sub-4-hour marathon in January… or has he taken his plan too lightly this time around and did he take a whole 4 hours to run the 20 miles?

Oh, and hey!  The Seahawks won again today!  We’re in the playoffs now!  Doesn’t get any better than that!!

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Is anyone else a last-minute holiday shopper?  Who saw Star Wars this weekend? If you’re a runner, how did your long run go?

I’m linking up with Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin for their Weekly Wrap!  Thank you ladies!  All are invited to link up and share!

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