Vinyls & Vino

So I'm not putting together a "Birth Plan" for Baby C's arrival... the plan is to get this baby here safely, plain and simple, by whatever means necessary.  I do have a few specific requests for after he/she arrives, but I'll save those for another post.   The one prep "to-do" on my list that I currently obsessed with is my playlist for the big day. Kinda silly, right?  I know.  But if you know me, you know music is extremely important to me- and if you don't know me, Hello.  My name is Jessica and music is extremely important to me. When I sat down to start building the playlist, I envisioned lots of fast-paced hip-hop music, much like my running playlists of days past.  But as I started thinking about it all, I realized I'd like calming, relaxing music.  I don't think I REALLY need Salt N Pepa telling me to "Push It," do I?  So, I decided to opt for more soothing tunes... I started making a list of artists with whom I...

How do you handle your bad days? Generally, I go home, to my mom's or to a friend's and drink wine.  After a couple of glasses and good company (even if that just means me and my iTunes library), things always seem better. Since Baby C entered the picture, wine hasn't been an option, obviously.   One nice thing about pregnancy is that my hormones are SO all over the place, that a bad day doesn't seem to last long anymore.   When I just can't shake one of "those" days, I tend to curl up at home, eat sweets, and sleep.   What can I say- I'm a simple creature. One thing that has ALWAYS helped me with those funky days has been music.   Before wine, during wine, and while wine hasn't been an option, music has always been there to turn things around, or at the least to see me through.  So when I heard this song by a "new-to-me" musician named Ashley McBryde, I instantly connected.  Then, when I heard her tell the story behind the ...

...and just like that, a month has passed and I haven't blogged.  The best of intentions don't always pan out... So, here's a quick look at the last month: Work had me traveling a bit over the past few weeks, and I spent a couple days with my best friend and her family during one of my trips.  It was great to get some time with the Smith family... especially this little love-bug, Garrett.  He's going to be one year old this weekend!  I won't get to celebrate his birthday, though.... ...Because these two are getting married!  We've had lots of wedding showers over the past few weeks, including this one held by Lucas & Lauren's church family in Lawton.  During this photo, their pastor was putting them to the test with a game of "Who knows each other better?"  It's going to be surreal to watch my baby brother become someone's HUSBAND this weekend, but I am so excited for them both and am anxious to help celebrate their big da...

A few of the songs I've been obsessed with this month.... Vice by Miranda Lambert.   I'm usually 'on-the-fence' about Miranda.  I like her well enough.  Saw her at a music festival years ago, and she puts on a great show.  I own a few of her songs, but she isn't exactly a favorite, and her songs usually wear on me after a few plays.  This one, however- AMAZING.  I can't stop listening. Ophelia by The Lumineers. This band can really do NO wrong, in my eyes (ears).   I'm really wanting to add this album to my vinyl collection. In Bloom (Nirvana Cover) by Sturgill Simpson This one took me some time.  When I first heard it, I HATED it.  But after hearing it a few times, I've grown to love Simpson's rendition of this 90's classic.  I love cover songs that really change a well-known song, so I'm not sure why it took awhile for this one to click with me, but I'm glad it finally did! Ain't No Man by the A...