Happy songs

Do you have songs that instantly put you in a good mood? I do. I have a lot of these songs. I am very much about staying positive and upbeat, anyway I can. There's so much bad crap in the world, I don't want to add to it! A good attitude can get you a long way. So sometimes when I'm feeling down, to lighten up a bit and remind myself that life is mostly wonderful I'll jam out to some of my favorite pick me up tunes.

Let's go over a few of my favorites! We'll go with a top 5, although this is an ever evolving list. And yes, I realize the majority are shamelessly girly, but don't hate.

That's Not My Name by the Ting Tings. I love this song. It is my ultimate go to if I need to get pumped and excited about anything. I don't know where I first heard this song, I want to say it was while I was waiting tables... Regardless, I've played it a gazillion times (it's #6 on my top played songs ever on itunes) and it has yet to get old. It's so upbeat and fun and it makes me happy. And things that make me happy are okay in my book.

My Love by the Bird and the Bee. I guess there's something about a good beat and clapping that I just can't resist. This song is so fun, so lighthearted and sweet. And a blast to dance to. In your living room. Alone. In pjs. Not that I've ever done that of course, I've just heard rumors. Side note, I am not at all a fan of either of the previous two videos. Good songs, bad videos.

Dog Days Are Over by Florence + the Machine. Clapping beats? Again? I guess I'm predictable. I love everything about Florence + the Machine. This song was my introduction the them and it's still one of my favorites. Singing to this in my car = happy place (for me, any other living creature present would be in hell and would probably tuck and roll out to save their ears). I like to joke that this is Sophie's theme song, the Dog Days Are Over.... get it? SO CLEVER, I KNOW.

No You Girls by Franz Ferdinand. Whoa a song sung by a male!? Congrats Franz Ferdinand, y'all are the only dudes on this list. I love this whole album, but this song (and Ulysses which is just about tied for this spot) is my favorite. This is gettin' ready to go out and do fun stuff music! Plus also a blast to solo-living-room-dance to.

Countdown by Beyonce. First, I love Beyonce, forever. Second, how freaking adorable is this video? I think there's even clapping. This song is extra cute and so fun. Makes me think of me and my boo and how crazy I about that fool (too corny?). There are so many of her songs that make me happy. Girlfriend's got it goin' on. If only I could dance like B!

Are you happier now? I sure am. Feel free to hate all of these songs, everyone has something different that makes them smile. Upbeat songs that make you want to sing and dance, that's my bread and butter. Making my world a happier place, one clap at a time.

the Fourth

Hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day being all patriotic and such! God bless 'merica, y'all. Brendon and I both had to work (time and a half baby!), but we had the evening off so we headed down to Auditorium Shores, with literally thousands of other people, to watch the fireworks downtown. The weather was phenomenal, the people watching was prime (you never fail to provide the most interesting characters, Austin), and the company was perfect! We had a little patriotic concert from the Austin Symphony and then got to watch some fireworks!

 Because you refuse to make normal faces Mr. Hogan, I must post your weird ones.

The fireworks were awesome. I'm so glad we got enough rain this summer so they weren't all banned! I love fireworks. Growing up we had only done them ourselves (perks of living out in the woods!), so the first time I saw professional fireworks was in college. And I was in love! Fireworks with music? Yes please! I could watch them forever.

It was a seriously good night minus the fact that I was completely exhausted and suffered from a severe allergy attack that evening. I was looking rough by the end of the night. Also traffic was TERRIBLE getting out of the stupid garage we parked in. We spent 45 minutes waiting to get out of our parking spot. So bad. And I had to be at work at 5am! But we survived and it was worth it. Although I don't think we will brave the thousands of spectators again. Not parking in that damn garage anyway, that's FOSHO.

Kennedy's blanket

This blanket took me forever. Like months! It was meant as a birthday present for Kennedy, and her birthday was in April. Life got in the way unfortunately, but better late than never I finished it up and when we visited this weekend I was finally able to give it to her!

Slumber party!

I used the same method (aka, making it up as I go) as I did to make my Weasley style blanket last year. I just picked prettier colors. I forgot how long sewing all those squares together takes. And then hand sewing the all the intersections through the batting and back... phew! I'm happy with it though. I hope Kennedy is too. It's not perfect, but it's got character!

I may or may not have stood on my coffee table to get this shot. 

Sophie was a little attached to this blanket, she thought I was making it for her. She was with it through all it's many stages; she sat on the squares as I cut them and sewed them together, sat on the backing, in the batting, rolled all over the blanket while it was spread out in my living room, and her favorite part was attacking the thread while I hand sewed it at the end. Of course when it was finished, she promptly laid on it. Sorry for all the grey hairs Kennedy, I tried to get most of them off. Sophie sends her love to you and your new blanket.

I'm not sure if Kennedy was really that stoked about it (I mean what kid would be hyped about a blanket?), but I thought it would be a cool thing to grow up with. So she can remember her Auntie Marie who made way too much stuff in her free time.

Back in the painting game

Today I started painting again. And boy did I miss it. It felt so good to be back at work with a brush in my hand. The good news is, I still know how to paint. The bad news is, my apartment smells like a canvas puked up oil paint everywhere, big time. But it's worth it. I painted for almost five hours and loved every minute. It's been too long.

DFW-ed

This weekend we went up north for a semi-impromptu trip to visit friends. We went all over the place. Fort Worth, Denton, Dallas, and pretty much every town in between. You name it, we were there.

For the first leg of our trip we hung out in Fort Worth with our friends Sameer and Inam, who actually attend pharmacy school with Brendon here at UT but were staying up north for the summer. Those boys are trouble when they get together. They had me laughing nonstop!

Next, we headed up to Denton to for a little reunion dinner with more friends at one of our old favorite places to eat, Mr. Chopsticks. The crab wontons were just as delicious as we remember. We got an order each. If you are in Denton, go there and order them.

We stayed the night with the Chasaks and got to hang out with this little lady:

 Is she not the cutest thing ever? Our favorite toddler! She grows so much every time we see her.

The next day we got together with Kristy's daddio and step momma, Greg and Roxanne, who are also dear friends of ours! It was so great to see them. And we went and got my favorite thing, snow cones!

 Obviously I'm a professional creeper winker.

AND THEN, we got to see a couple of the Chisty's! We missed Z and his dad (who were hanging out in Hawaii), but we got to see Sarah and her momma! It had been far to long. They hooked us up with goodies and snacks for the ride home, they are too good to us!

We're kinda tall huh?

Being up there reminded me how lucky we are to have such wonderful friends in our lives. It was so so good to see everyone and they all spoiled us rotten. We love our big North Texas family! And a big thanks to Sameer, his family, and the Chasaks for being awesome hosts. You guys are all the best and we miss you already!