STRONGER - Learning A Hard Lesson From Life

When life hands you lemons…

When life hands you lemons, the best thing to do is to make lemonade, or a lemon tart, or lemon cupcakes.  But do something constructive and delicious with those lemons.  And then, go Market the HELL out of those tarts, and cupcakes, and show the world that you can turn a negative into a positive.

Today I am grateful for:

A Wonderful Family

A Beautiful & Healthy Niece

A Great Group Of Friends

A Loving & Healthy Dog

A Great Job That Challenges Me Every Day

A Roof Over My Head & Food On My Table

A Life Full Of Wonderful Experiences

Music That Moves Me When I Listen To It

Having The Strength To Ignore People Who Are Negative!!!

So much more…

Today’s Saturday Song Lyrics – Dated 2/8/2014

This Moment Is Mine – Dion Roy

This moment is mine
This moment is mine
And not for you
Gonna lay it on the line
This moment is mine
And not for you

Little Victories – Matt Nathanson

This time I'll be sailing
No more bailing boats for me
I'll be out here on the sea
Just my confidence and me

And I'll be awful sometimes
Weakened to my knees
But I'll learn to get by
On the little victories

This time I'll have no fear
I'll be standing strong and tall
I'll turn my back towards them all

Original – From the Television Show SMASH

A girl so scarred, a pain so real

A life so hard, becomes a song you feel

She wants, she wants, she wants to be original
She will, she will become something remarkable
Who cares, who cares, who cares what stunt she has to pull
She'll be remade as somebody original

You can wipe away everything you are
Wake up tomorrow as a star

There was a girl who blended in
That was the way her life had been
'Til she decided to be someone else

A Thousand Years – Christina Perri

Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone,
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.

One step closer

Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this

One step closer

And for the ones out there in the world that make me stop and think about the changes I want to make in my life, and that I do implement, I thank you.  Every day people like you make me stronger and stronger and stronger.  But it’s taken a lot for me to get here, that is definitely true.  However, here are three of my favorite sayings that inspire me to keep going!...

"Slow and steady wins the race."

"You first must finish a race to win a race." 

"Slow in, fast out. Fast in, backwards out."

All In My Head – Nick Lachey

Satellites blasting through the universe, it's out of sight
It's all in my head
Saw your eyes sending me a message for the last time

Here alone holding on to something that I have never known
It's all in my head
And I've crossed the line, there's no going back and there's no future
Tell me this isn't happening

Stronger – Kelly Clarkson

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in colour
And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me
Think you've had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking about me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end...

I Knew You Were Trouble – Taylor Swift

Once upon a time a few mistakes ago
I was in your sights, you got me alone
You found me, you found me, you found me
I guess you didn't care, and I guess I liked that
And when I fell hard you took a step back
Without me, without me, without me

And I realize the blame is on me

'Cause I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I'd never been
'Til you put me down, oh
I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I'd never been
Now I'm lying on the cold hard ground

Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble

Saturday Morning Song Lyrics

Saturday Morning Is Meant For Listening To Music

I’m starting a new tradition. “Saturday Morning Song Lyrics”.  Whether I actually do this every Saturday is yet to be seen.  And since I don’t have many other posts I don’t want this to become the only thing people see and read, so I really should get back to my Advertising Roots and get some more Consumer Decision blogs up here, Definitely will try to write one about the Super Bowl Commercials.  Anyhow, back on topic….Here is where I am at this Saturday Morning. 

The idea being any one of these lyric excerpts were inspired from a “moment in time” and could have come from any day or moment of my life from the past week (or two), but I won’t say which goes with what experience.  The interesting part of this is depending on the day or the situation, the lyrics from the week could contradict each other, but then again sometimes my mind does tricks on me, so that is the reality.  Bottom Line, the reader has to have something to try to figure out and analyze.

Here goes with today’s “Saturday Morning Lyrics” – Dated 1/25/2014

Original – From the Television Show SMASH

You can wipe away everything you are
Wake up tomorrow as a star
There was a girl who blended in
That was the way her life had been
Til she decided to be someone else

She wants she wants she wants to be original
she will she will become something remarkable

I Have A Dream – ABBA From the Motion Picture Mama Mia

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream

I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream

Reach For Me – From the Television Show SMASH

I can tell you're unprepared
For what will happen next
Nothing now could change my mind
Or make me want you less

Sparks Fly – Taylor Swift From the Album “Speak Now”

Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain
'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile

I Don’t Want To Be – Gavin Degraw From the Album “Chariot”

I don't want to be
Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately
All I have to do
Is think of me and I have peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms
Wondering what I've got to do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I don't want to be anything other than me

Life Is A Show – Cassie Steele

When I hit rock bottom,
And then keep going down,
And I'm talking to the mirror,
With no one else around.
When impossible to maybe,
Is as far as I can see,
I keep hanging in,
'Til the world believes in me.

All this drama drags me down,
And drives me insane,
But nothings gonna keep me out of the game.

I know you gotta dig deep,
And prove it everyday,
Some people leave you feeling,
Used up and tossed away.
I tried and came up empty,
When I gave it everything,
But I never lost the reason why I sing.
Everything that knocks me down,
Is making me strong,

DO FORWARD GIRLS FINISH LAST?

Wow I just realized its been such a long time since I wrote a blog post, It has been close to a year, and I really must get better about this, but what can I say my life is busy.

O.K. so the subject of tonight’s blog is related to dating but mostly online dating. The reason I decided to write this blog post is because I’m tired of being silent about the challenges of dating in your 30’s.  I am 4 days away from turning 34 and since about December of 2011 when I moved back to VA from CO, I’ve struggled to meet “the one”!  Back when I was in college when I met my ex husband I actually asked him out the first time.  Of course he claimed he was going to try to find my number from our mutual friend but in the end, I made the first move.  I guess that’s when it all started with me being forward and going after what I wanted.

Online dating these days is such a challenge, heck dating in general is a challenge and I particularly feel like it’s a challenge for Women in their 30’s but also for a Woman who shall we say, “knows what she wants” and “goes after it”!  There used to be an old saying of, “let the man chase you”.  I don’t know if that still exists today but I am posing the question, “Do Forward Girls Finish Last”?  You could say I am doing a comparison to that good old saying “Nice Guys Finish Last”.  Lets start with the later question before we get into the first one.

DO NICE GUYS FINISH LAST?

My personal opinion on this one is NO.  And of course I will explain why I think that. Nice Guys are the ones that open doors for women, they might offer to pay on a first date, they surprise you on your Birthday or Anniversary or Valentine’s Day with Flowers, they will cancel a night with the guys if your not feeling well so they can stay home and take care of you.  They are the ones that are your friend as well as your partner, they are sensitive, loving, and caring, and will always put you before the “bros”!  In my opinion those men are a CATCH!  And I don’t know many Women who do not want those Men.  So my response is, where are those Nice Guys, because I’m not finding many on the online dating sites!

On to the next question:

DO FORWARD GIRLS FINISH LAST?

Here is what I think, and I will give many reasons why.  I do think that forward Women finish last.  If you are a forward woman, you are:

1.              The one sending the emails to the guys on Match.com who Wink at you. 

2.              You’re the one who is giving that guy who is interesting in your number. 

3.              You’re the one asking the men out on the first date if you are chatting on Tinder or Hinge because you are interested in the guy and you don’t want the moment to pass you bye.

4.              You’re the one sending the first note after a speed-dating event because you really are interested and you are taking the event seriously.

The experiences I have had recently with online dating have been average at best.  And I have had a lot of people not stay engaged in a conversation after I ask them out for coffee or a beer.  I have had some people say we were interested in different things because I was asking a lot of questions.  When really I was trying to get to know the person, which is the whole freaking point of online dating.  I had one person recently tell me I seemed “ice cold confident” and that it was “intimidating”.  Dude, that one threw me for a loop, because he meant it as a compliment but in the end I have never had anyone tell me those things.  And so it made me wonder:

1.              If you are more of a “wallflower” and not “forward” will you get that smokin’ hot guy at the party?

2.              If you give the guy your number will he call you?

3.              If you’re “Forward” will you always “Finish Last” in dating?

I used to think those online dating apps were the best concept.  Now, I am very weary of them, even though I do use them.  I try not to take the whole thing so seriously anymore.  Which one works the best, I can't answer that because they all have positives and negatives, and recently none of them have worked!

However, if you are reading this blog, then one of two things happened, either you found it through my Facebook page, or I gave you my business card with the blog address on it, and you were curious.  But if it’s the later, I will say this, it is probably a good chance that if we were at a social gathering, it was my way of telling you I was interested in going on a date.  So I hope you want to, even after realizing I am pretty forward but apparently now I know that’s a sign of confidence.

Here’s to being 34!

Valentine's Day 2013 - Musical Dedications

Well Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Some people think Valentine’s Day is a “Hallmark Holiday”. Particularly single people when they are single on Valentine’s Day.  Well I’m here to say that it’s a good time for reflection, and self-awareness, and self care.  I have spent the last 3 years with the same person on Valentine’s Day, my best guy friend (YR).  Actually 2 of those 3 years we weren’t even dating, but due to circumstances we spent the actual Valentine’s night having dinner together as friends.  This year he lives in New York, and I’m sad not to spend the night having dinner with him.  However it’s a good night for self-reflection and some self care, and that is how I spent the night.

As someone who is currently Single I often times spend a lot of time listening to music when I am alone.  (I do that when I am in a relationship too). Usually what I do is spend time dissecting the lyrics. I then take those lyrics all of songs I've listened to many times and then create a playlist of the story of my life and relationships through those songs.  Sometimes it happens while I am dating the person and sometimes it happens after the fact, or way after the fact in some cases.

I know it might sound weird but since I do that very often I thought I'd write a blog that encompasses some songs I've listened to many times before and snippets of their lyrics mostly the part that always sticks out to me. 

This Blog is a tribute to those musicians who have made long standing memories for me, and perhaps a farewell to the past relationships with hope for a new day tomorrow and beyond.

(Disclaimer:  These are not all sunshine and loving lyrics)

So here goes and I hope you like it:

Lyrics

“Today Was A Fairytale” By Taylor Swift

Today was a fairytale
You were the prince
I used to be a damsel in distress
You took me by the hand and you picked me up at six
Today was a fairytale

Can you feel this magic in the air?
It must have been the way you kissed me
Fell in love when I saw you standing there
It must have been the way
Today was a fairytale

(Dedication: YR)

“Lucky” By Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

(Dedication: YR)

“When The Stars Go Blue” By Tyler Hilton featuring Bethany Joy Lenz

Dancin' where the stars go blue
Dancin' where the evening fell
Dancin' in my wooden shoes
In a wedding gown

Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely
I'll follow you
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue

Laughing with your pretty mouth
Laughing with your broken eyes
Laughing with your lover's tongue
In a lullaby

(Dedication: MF)

“We Belong” By Everly

Many times I've tried to tell you
Many times I've cried alone
Always I'm surprised how well you
Cut my feelings to the bone

Don't want to leave you really
I've invested too much time
To give you up that easy
To the doubts that complicate your mind

We Belong to the light
We Belong to the thunder
We Belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We Belong, We Belong
We Belong together

Maybe it's a sign of weakness
When I don't know what to say
Maybe I just wouldn't know
What to do with my strength anyway
Have we become a habit
Do we distort the facts
Now there's no looking forward
Now there's no turning back
 (Dedication: YR)

“Words I Couldn’t Say” By Leighton Meester (Orig. Rascal Flatts)

What do I do now that you're gone
No back up plan, no second chance
And no one else to blame
All I can hear in the silence that remains
Are the words I couldn't say

There's a rain that will never stop fallin'
There a wall that I tried to take down
What I should have said just wouldn't pass my lips
So I held back and now we've come to this

(Dedication: MF)

“This Moment Is Mine” By Dion Roy featuring Tyler Hilton

Everything I do
Everything I say I mean it
All the things you touch
turn right into dust, I swear
And you still think that you should be forgiven

This moment is mine
This moment is mine
And not for you
Gonna lay it on the line
This moment is mine
And not for you

Everything you did to everything I love
I feel it
Your second nature shows
A feeling when you start to cry
And you still think that you should be forgiven
And you still think that I could still forget

This moment is mine
This moment is mine
And not for you
Gonna lay it on the line
This moment is mine
And not for you

And all the troubles we went through
There’s not much left for us to do
You know that it’s true…

(Dedication: BW)

“Don't Stop Believin” By Journey

Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night

Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlights, people

 (Dedication: YR & GR)

“This Summer” By SQUEEZE

This summer there won't be a cloud in the sky
I'm so made up I feel I could take off and fly
This summer we've pulled all the sheets off the bed
I'm so happy I can't get you out of my head
This summer I am so in love with you

Mornings pass us by
As curtains hide the sun
Nights we spent out of control
Like two flags wrapped around a pole

I see the helter skelter lights
And hear the music in the breeze
And when we're skimming stones tonight
It feels so good that you're with me 

(Dedication: BF)

“Our Song” By The Spill Canvas

Be kind when you rewind the story of the two of us
Sometimes you wish it was a little more mysterious
When you look at me with your cinematic eyes
I wanna play the part but I forget the lines

One day when you replay the slideshow we know
Pictures won't show villains and heroes
It's just me keeping time with you
Butter knife dull but it still cuts through

We never were
We'll never be

Strangers kissing in the pouring rain
Chasing after your leaving train
But we know that's not how our song goes
Oh
You're a waitress in a cocktail bar
And I'll save you cause I'm a big rock star
But we know that's not how our song goes
It goes like this

You didn't like my friends and your mom didn't trust me
I thought I was slick but my moves were rusty
Bought you a 12 pack promised you sushi
Sorry if I wasn't straight out of a movie

(Dedication: BW)

“Your Love Is My Drug” By KE$HA

What you got boy, is hard to find
I think about it all the time
I'm all strung out my heart is fried
I just cant get you off my mind!

Because your love your love your love is my drug
Your love your love your love
(I said)
Your love your love your love is my drug
Your love your love your love

Won't listen to any advice
Momma's telling me I should think twice
But look into my own devices, I'm addicted it's a crisis
My friends think I've gone crazy
My judgments gettin' kinda hazy
My steeze is gonna be affected if I keep it up like a love sick crack head

(Dedication: BW)

“Not Over You” By Gavin Degraw

If you ask me how I'm doing
I would say I'm doing just fine
I would lie and say that you're not on my mind
But I go out and I sit down at a table set for two
And finally I'm forced to face the truth,
No matter what I say I'm not over you, not over you

"What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" By Kelly Clarkson

You think you got the best of me
Think you've had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

(Dedication: MH)

“Grenade” By Bruno Mars

Easy come, easy go, that's just how you live
Oh take, take, take it all but you never give
Should've known you were trouble from the first kiss

Had your eyes wide open, why were they open?
Gave you all I had and you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, you did

To give me all your love is all I ever asked
'Cause what you don't understand
Is I'd catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on the blade for ya
I'd jump in front of a train for ya
You know I'd do anything for ya

See I would go through all this pain
Take a bullet straight through my brain
Yes I would die for ya, baby
But you won't do the same

Black, black, black and blue
Beat me till I'm numb, tell the devil I said hey
When you get back to where you're from

(Dedication: MF & BW)

“Sweet Silver Lining” By Kate Voegele

Well I'm going home
Downhearted and hoping
I'm close to some new beginning
I know there's a reason for everything
That comes and goes

But so many people are looking to me
To be strong and to fight
But I'm just surviving
And I may be weak but I'm never defeated
And I'll keep believing
In clouds with that sweet silver lining

Most days I try
My best to put on a brave face
But inside
My bones are cold and my heart breaks
But all the while
Something's keeping me safe and alive

But so many people are looking to me
To be strong and to fight
But I'm just surviving
And I may be weak but I'm never defeated
And I'll keep believing
In clouds with that sweet silver lining

And I won't give up like this
I will be given strength
Now that I've found it
Nothing can take that away

(Dedication: YR & DZ)