Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya!

I love music.

I really, really love music.

I suppose it all started when I was a little girl and my dad would let me pick out records such as Madonna, Cindy Lauper, Boy George and the like.

Confession:  I had a crush on Boy George.  Is that weird or what?!  What does that say about me?!  Especially now that I look back at pictures of him.  Yikes.  Maybe I mistook my crush for being envious of his make up application skills.  I have no idea.

Now that that's off my chest....yes, my Dad always bought me records...whatever I wished.  And I would put those records on and stand in front of the full length mirror to lip sync and/or sing my little heart out to La Isla Bonita while doing my best Madonna impression.

I just realized I'm talking about RECORDS here people.  When did I get so old!?  Yes, I grew up in the era of records, 8 tracks and tapes.  I really am aging myself here aren't I?

Throughout my tweens I would pop my Paula Abdul tape into my awesome ghetto blaster and bust a move to "Straight Up" in my basement.

On my more somber days as a moody 14 year old I would put on Metallica and rage out to "Enter Sandman".

Upon getting my license I would crank the tunes so loud while driving I actually blasted out the speakers in my Dad's Tempo.  Oops.

On many a road trips my best friend and I would sing along to Madonna's Immaculate Collection so loudly and for so long that we would literally have no voices upon reaching our destination.  God, how I wish we lived closer.

My husband loves music as much as I do and we too, sing boisterously together.  Usually to the Tragically Hip.  How very Canadian of us.

On my wedding day my Dad and I danced to "My Girl" by the Temptations.  This wasn't just any father/daughter dance.  We were twirling and spinning and at one point as requested by my sweet father, I flung off my sandals and danced with my feet on his....just like I did as a little girl.  There I was, a 28 year old married woman dancing on the toes of her Daddy's.  My Dad rocks.

I'm one of those people that sings by myself, at the top of my lungs, entirely unabashedly to Pink's "Raise Your Glass" playing in my truck.  I don't care if I'm at a red light, the Tim Horton's drive through or in the parking lot of my son's school.  No, I don't.

I love music that much.

I, however, will not be one of those people that dances down the street singing at the top of my lungs to the music on my Ipod.  I draw the line there.  I mean, I don't want people to think I'm completely crazy.  However tempting it may be....especially when the song "Walking on Sunshine" comes blasting through my ear phones and makes it way into the very centre of my soul.  I resist.  I do.

Now that I have little ones and I stay home with them I have music playing almost all day in my house.  Not, it's not Raffi or The Wiggles.  No way.  Not in my house.  My kids will listen to the Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna and Usher and they will love it!!!  When they were babies I'd put them in their sling and dance around the room with them.  Sometimes it was the only way to get Adrian to stop fussing.

My Fin is just like me.  He will find the music wherever he goes and shake his little tail feather.  When we were visiting my Mum the other day he wandered around until he found the stereo, pointed at it, did a little babble and a little butt shake.  This meant he wanted me to turn it on so that he could get down.  I granted his request and get down he did!  His little bum was bouncing, arms were waving around, while his head bopped up and down, side to side.  It made me so happy.  I wish I could remember what song it was.

Aidy likes music and although he's not as into it as Finley we have "our songs".  They would be "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz of which he actually knows the words.  "I Gotta Feelin'" by the BEP's and "Hands Up" by Ottawan.  The last one may seem a little out of place but to get him dressed and undressed as a toddler I would have to sing that song.  Now there's a commercial on the radio that plays "Hands Up" and upon hearing it he always yells out "Mummy! It's our song!".  I know.  Too sweet.  I do believe we turned a corner this morning though.  I turned down the radio to have a little chat with him on our drive to school.  After we were done our conversation, he asked me to turn the music up.  That's my boy!

Music is powerful.  It can make a sour mood turn super,  the lyrics can speak to your soul, it can help your heart heal.  Music can have an enormous impact on your day.

So when the going gets tough and the tough gets going I say turn up the tunes, sing like no one's listening and dance like no one's watching.

Actually who cares if anyone is listening or watching?!

Sing at the top of your lungs and dance like a maniac.

I'll totally join you!


"Stifling an urge to dance is bad for your health - it rusts your spirit and your hips."  
~Terri Guillemets


*Please enjoy the sound track of my life and feel free to shake what your Mama gave ya!!!

Karma Chameleon
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
La Isla Bonita
Straight Up
Enter Sandman
Vogue
Ahead By A Century
My Girl
Raise Your Glass
Walking on Sunshine
Only Girl in the World
I Gotta Feelin'
OMG
Dynamite
Hands Up