Weekly Playlist #1

Just some random shots from the latest family dinner. I needed some sort of graphic, so here we go.

Random fact about me—each week I make a CD for my car of my favorite songs of the moment. It's shocking how long I've been doing this and I don't repeat songs. I'm amazed I haven't run out of music or ideas yet. Anyways, I thought I'd start sharing my weekly CDs. Here's this upcoming week's CD.

Never Let Me Go by Florence + the Machine

Florence packs in the emotion in her songs, this one is no exception. 

Something Like Olivia by John Mayer

Not his best album, but I still love it. This song is summer perfection.

Stubborn Love by the Lumineers

I finally beat my Ho Hey addiction by finding this song.

Roll Away Your Stone by Mumford + Sons

I cannot believe this is the first mix this song has been on, love it love it love it.

Watching You Watch Him by Eric Hutchinson

C loves this guy, I have to admit his new album is pretty swell.

New York Groove by KISS/Ace Frehley

Yes, AT&T commercial, you win. I'm now addicted to this song. Thanks.

We Found Love by Rihanna and Calvin Harris

Guilty pleasure, check.

Sparks by Coldplay

Old one, but always good for night-time driving.

Jesus, Son of God by Chris Tomlin

Favorite song right now from the Passion CD.

You Can Close Your Eyes by Brooke Fraser (featuring William Fitzsimmons)

Best one from the album, even beats my beloved Something in the Water.

Both of Us by B.o.B (featuring Taylor Swift)

I'm not gonna even pretend I'm not destined to listen to this song at least 897 times this summer.

Dirty Little Secret by Sarah McLachlan

I have a secret shame, and it is Sarah McLachlan songs. Angel slays me, but this is amazing.

Seven Years by Norah Jones

I can't have a mix without her. It's just not possible.

The Trouble With Girls by Scotty McCreeery

I know, I know. I have no idea how to explain this. I blame my love for Randy Travis.

Some Nights by Fun.

Fun. is taking over the world, geez.

Christians + Gay Marriage. Thoughts?

Relevant Magazine featured an article on two arguments—for and against the legalization of gay marriage. I found it utterly fascinating, because I'm always trying to figure out what I believe on the subject. It just happened in North Carolina, it won't be long before Georgia will be voting on the same issue. I wouldn't be surprised if it happened in the next few years, especially after the President voiced his support on this issue.
While barely anyone (except those I bribe) comments on the blog, I'm curious what other people think about this issue.

But it would almost be easier to go up to someone and say "Hey, I'm marrying Kim Jong Un. Thoughts?" than saying "Hey, what do you think of the legalization of gay marriage?" at church. I'm pretty sure the former would be better received, despite the fact that Kim Jong Un's face would be scary on a Christmas card (can you imagine this stare beside my face?).

If you want to comment on your opinion, feel free. If you want to email me your opinion, feel free. Here's my email—hclturner [at] gmail [dot] com. I put it like that so I don't receive 289027 spam messages.

Weekend of Wonders (for real).

Listening to How Will I Know by Whitney Houston. Jam of the week, obviously. 
Woah, y'all. I had a major weekend around these parts, at least it was major in my books.
I was on my first Fist Pump Friday (woah).
I saw This Means War for the second time with Poodle (my baby sister, for those of you new to the fun and games).
I went to two graduation parties for my chickens Amber and Tiffany (it got a little emotional up in here, not gonna lie). FYI—the first picture isn't a good one of me. But it's the least blurry one out of the bunch, and Amber looks fine so whatevs.

And then I met Annie and had La Parilla with her.
WHAT THE GRAVY. 


Oh, and I went to a baby shower for Baby E and that kid fell asleep in my arms. You never want to be that person at the baby shower that makes the baby cry. Thankfully she was just sleepy and passed out quickly because I didn't want it to look like my personality was upsetting her.

So while I spent the first part of Monday chilling/reading/Amazon-book-ordering, enjoy the song that I listened to on repeat as I was getting ready for all these blessed events. I have this list that runs around in my head of names I'd bless my kids with (should I, you know, have kids). Somedays Ella is on that list because of this firecracker of a singer.

Happy Monday! 

xoxo

p.s.

stay turned for a list of my favorite things of the moment!

i'm ordering some books on amazon so i'll have some good reads ready for you. 

(I just wrote that P.S. in lowercase just to challenge my aversion to little letters. Challenge complete—booyah.)

3 Things Friday.

-Dinner consisted of okra + mac-and-cheese. That's right, Motown Friday and Side Dish Dinner Day combined into one supernova of a day.

-I was super-proud of my outfit today, so I took a picture to document the one day this week I didn't wear yoga pants for the majority of the day.

-I finished writing cards to my 3 graduates today. One was excellent, one was decent, and one was so stream-of-consciousness I'm not sure if it's proof that I should copy it and take it to therapy with me.

Post-Grad Party.

Listening to Born and Raised by John Mayer. Free streaming on iTunes and I've gotta admit, it's pretty darn good. Not Continuum, but I now forgive him for Battle Studies.
Today I spent the entire day be lazy (sleeping late, catching up on my recorded TV shows, taking a mid-afternoon nap, etc). It felt so good to just chill.
Last night was perfect. Of course there were a few moments where I considered running away to the nearest Starbucks because it was so stressful, but we finished. And it was perfect.
We had Mexican for dinner, cupcakes for dessert, and lots of laughs and pictures as an encore to the night.

I wrote the best inscription in Amber's card.
I laughed harder than I have in awhile while posing in pictures with my two awesome party planners Mama Joy and Bridget. (By the way, if you're wondering we're doing the boob shimmy, double point to God. Too much? Just be glad I didn't show the picture of my finger-stash pimp limp.)

And I was so aware of how blessed I've been these past two years, having three amazing senior girls that have let me in and changed my life. (Beware, the following pictures don't paint me in the best light).

Wow, I'm a beauty.

I'll show more pictures later, I'm busy getting their actual graduation presents ready to go.

But Amber, T-Nix, and Tiffy. I am so proud of you. Not just because you all looked beautiful last night. Not just because you are all going to amazing schools. But because you three have taught me so much these past two years. Thank you for letting me be a part of your high school journey (and the years to follow, let's be honest—I'm not going anywhere). I love you three!

This Is How We Do It.

So this weekend, J, C, and I saw This Means War and Reese Witherspoon dances to this song. I almost screamed when I watched because I LOVE THIS SONG. I have no idea why, I don't even remember the first time I heard it (1995? 1996?) but I remember dancing to this since I was a little thing.
And yes, if you were in the West Cobb area this past week I've been listening to it on repeat because I've fallen back in love with it. My favorite part—

You see the hoods been good to me

Ever since I was a lower case g

But now I'm a big G. 

Story of my life, right there.

This is your Tuesday jam. Go dance to it and make sure you really sing it loud.

You Belong to Me.

This song came on my John Mayer Pandora and I'm loving it. I love this song in general (tons of people have covered it), but Jason Wade's voice will always instantly bring me back to 8th grade. You and Me by Lifehouse was the jam and I was so obsessed with a guy that I deemed it the song I'd remember that time by. Still, to this day, when You And Me comes on the radio/iTunes/Pandora, I think of him. Creeper much? Oy.
By the way, my other favorite version of this song is by Carla Bruni (the former French Prime Minister's wife, yes). Listen here.