Monday's Music Moves Me...Freebie Week #MondaysMusicMovesMe #IGiveSparkles

Hey ya all! I am actually getting here on time for the 4M's! I suppose that is a good thing since I am back co-hosting while Callie is out for a bit. Please put in some good vibes for her. After you listen to my musical selections, follow along with the hop down below.
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Before I get to the music though, I started a couple of weeks ago giving out what is called, "sparks" along with McGuffys Reader. Her intent is to start every Monday with an inspirational quote.

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So, now on to the music. This week it is a freebie week which is always fun to do. I think I am going to stick with the inspirational idea though. So, hang on.

First up: Since this past Saturday was St. Patrick's Day, I got a lot of inspiration with postings on Facebook. I love how Peter Hollins uses his voice to put beautiful and inspirational music together.

Next up: I find a lot of inspiration in just the happiness of people. This song alone makes me happy. What about you?

Finally: I think Lindsey Sterling is one of the most diverse violinists and inspirational players of our time. This songs with John Legend speaks to me.

What inspires you?

~Michelle aka Naila Moon

Sunday Sayings: Superbowl

It's Sunday and many people have the Superbowl on their minds. Since Denver is not in it this year, I happen to not be one of them. However, that does not mean I can't give you some great quotes about the Superbowl. Note: I am aware of who is playing but some of these quotes have nothing to do with the two teams.

Monday's Music Moves Me...Freebie Time 3/3/14

Where did my weekend go? Seriously, Monday already?
Monday's Music Moves me hosted by Xmas Dolly, Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, Cathy of Curious Cathy, Callie of Jamerican Spice and me!




The Spotlight Dancer this week is...my hubby, Tamirisc from Chronicles of the Man Cave!

Did you watch the Oscars? I did briefly...yawn...was bored with it...then looked for some inspiration for this post elsewhere. Last week our musical selections were all about inspiration. I thought this week that I would carry on that theme even though it is technically a "freebie week.

As I mentioned last week, I am inspired by many types of music. I don't know if you know or not but I often pin music to my Pinterest board. I thought I would pull some of those songs for this weeks post of inspiration as well as a couple of new.


First up: This is not so much singers as is just the whole piece and video is inspiring. I just found this last week!

Next: This gal I have found to be amazingly inspiring since another blogger here introduced me to her.

Let see...I think I have posted this song before but it is well worth the repeat. The main verse is good to hear especially when you get in the muck of things.

I want to include this song posted originally from another blogger because love can be inspiring. This is a beautiful sentiment.

Finally, even though I was bored with the Oscars, I am not always bored with the music. This was an inspiring piece from the past. It still gives me cold chills!

Inspired on Monday's Music Moves Me 2/23/14

It is Monday already? The days just keep flying by at a dizzying speed. I cannot seem to keep up with it all sometimes. Anyway, Monday is here again and of course that means music time with Xmas Dolly leading the pack along with Colette, Cathy, Becca (who is filling in for Stacy) and me.

This week we have a theme of "songs that inspire us". Leading us on the dance floor this week is our Spotlight Dancer, Create With Joy.




I find this to be an interesting theme because I am always inspired by music in different ways. It seems to be a part of me that taps into something of my cognitive brain to move in such a way. Different music taps into something different. Today I am sharing with you something you do not normally see from me.

First up, this group inspires me but it is this song that I love the most. The singer's words are heartfelt as are the photos presented throughout.

This is yet another song that I find to be so incredible. The song was sung at one of my best friends wedding. It is beautifully sung by this singer with two different males leads. Here she sings with the second of the two whom she first sang with when he was around 12 years old.

Finally, I just want to share this with you. Singing brilliantly for years with her Mother, she took off and her solo career has been amazing. She played on Touch By An Angel years back with an incredible performance. This piece was played as part of the show. This particular video however, was in dedication to one of the actors who passed away.

Coffee Chat...Inspirational Quotes 11/12/13

This week on coffee chat Rory is discussing inspirational quotes. Do you have one or two?
Is there a quote that resonates with you?

I actually had to think a bit on this one because there are many quotes that I have come across that I love or have hit me in such a way that I was moved by them.

Heck, this past April for a writing challenge, I used quotes as part of my thought process. I picked specific ones to reflect on and let them etch into my soul a bit.

Hmm...let me think...

How about this one.

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.
Maya Angelou 

I can relate to this in many ways. I have not kept it a secret that I have suffered from depression. When I was in my deepest darkest places sometimes I would listen to music. Often the music spoke to the way I was feeling or it would draw me out into the light. Either way, it was, as Maya Angelou said, "my refuge".
Music was a calming factor when I felt my world was crashing inward. It still is to this day something I look for.

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C. S. Lewis 

After I lost my hearing, I thought for awhile that I could never do anything again. My dreams were shattered and I was not sure what I was going to do. 
I found out that to dream another dream was ok. When I did that or at the very least hoped in the dream, doors were open to me that I could never have imagined. Wow!

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!
Audrey Hepburn 

When I think about this quote it reminds me of a video I saw about a man who had given up on himself and life but then...

...which brings me to this quote.

Never, never, never give up.
Winston Churchill 

I got inspired...oh yes, I did!

Today I was totally inspired in so many ways. It started out with having an amazing conversation with my cousin this morning over chat.  I do not get to talk with her a ton but when I do, I love it.

Then over on Monday's Music everyone was playing songs that inspired them (including me). Everyone had different tunes from classic rock to country to gospel.  I was enamored by one in particular called "One Sweet Day". It just spoke to my heart.

The day has been an emotional roller coaster for me but the inspiration just kept on coming.

Tonight, I was inspired to do another painted art piece with found elements.  While you are checking that out listen to this from today.

It started out like this. Just some news paper/

I cut out a green advertisement and painted the  Fall tree with falling leaves. Looks like someone carved their initials in it. hee hee

The angels and falling hearts are found address stickers.  The  tire swing is an old medicine bottle cap. The words are more newspaper as well as the medicine man at the bottom.

Totally finished!

What inspires you? Tell me in comments.

The 4M's-Nov. 26, 2012...Inspirational Songs

Welcome to the last Monday in November! Wow! This week in Monday's Music Moves Me, hosted by Xmas Dolly, we have the theme of songs that inspire us.

Now for me, this is an interesting theme because I think all music inspires us depending on the day, the hour, the week, the month, the year....you get me, right?  So, the thing is to narrow it down to what is inspiring me at the moment. (Even that can change quickly.)

Let's see what I can come up with.

First up: (One of my favorites)



Next: (this one makes me tear up-this clip is where I first heard the song)



Finally: (I sang this to my Mother one year in front of a ton of people)



Make sure to join us the whole month of December for Christmas and holiday songs. I have been told the Big Red Guy is hosting this month. Hmmm...

The Little Things/Art inspired

Earlier today I wrote about enjoying the little things in life. A sort of take time out and smell the roses or just enjoy them on your walk or in my case the sunshine. If you didn't read that post, you can go HERE and do that. I'll wait.

So, I told you that my art work for today would be in this post and it will be. However, I want to talk to you about what inspired me.

A man by the name of Pavel Friedmann wrote a poem about a butterfly. It was not just any old butterfly. The sadness of the poem is explained through this butterfly.  I will post the poem at the end of my art work so you can read it. Think about it and tell me your thoughts. Be inspired and be happy with, the little things.

Peace...Naila Moon

Painting inspired by the poem, "The Butterfly"

The Butterfly - Pavel Friedmann

He was the last. Truly the last.

Such yellowness was bitter and blinding

Like the sun’s tear shattered on stone.

That was his true colour.

And how easily he climbed, and how high,

Certainly, climbing, he wanted

To kiss the last of my world.

I have been here seven weeks,

‘Ghettoized’

Who loved me have found me,

Daisies call to me,

And the branches also of the white chestnut in the yard.

But I haven’t seen a butterfly here.

That last one was the last one.

There are no butterflies, here, in the ghetto.

Pavel Friedmann, a young Jewish man from the Theresienstadt Ghetto wrote this poem during his time there. He was later deported to Auschwitz and died on 29 September 1944.

Friday Pinning Party

It's Friday and that means it is "Triple P" day or other wise known at Pinsters Pinning Party. Ok, so it is a goofy title but who cares let's get down to pinning shall we?








This party is hosted by Natasha from Oz. Don't you just love she actually lives in Oz? Anyway, link up with her if you wish to join.


So, it has taken me a bit to get this post going because I keep finding great stuff to add to my existing boards and creating new ones.  This is what I want to share with you this week:


1. I just found this today and just thought it was too cool.

Source: plentyofcolour.com via Naila on Pinterest

2. This next thing reminded me of when I was a kid. I will probably post a story about them at another time.

Source: fintoys.com via Naila on Pinterest

3. I also found this today. The photographer side of me is craving this bad!

Source: weibo.com via Naila on Pinterest

4. I found this and pinned it to my Mardi Gras board. Cute right?

Source: etsy.com via Naila on Pinterest

5. Finally, I want to share this with you. Wouldn't you just feel royal sitting in it?

Source: etsy.com via Naila on Pinterest

Oh and let's not forget the song pick of the week for you:




Happy Pinning...
~Naila Moon

Day 3...this post brought to you by...

All day today I have been taking care of my grand-daughter while my son and daughter-in-law are off on an adventure.

This morning we hung out with my Mother and drove up to St. Louis.  They were having some veteran's thing in conjunction with Labor Day events and we wanted to check it out. 

This was part of a bigger display but I love the shot I took.

The only problem for us was three-fold: we forgot Izabella's stroller, it was hot (again for the 3rd day in a row), and we got there way too early.


At least we got to see this fun hot air balloon and a police horse.  Izabella was not too sure about that but she petted the horse anyway. 

Never forgotten!

The officer told us he rides and trains everyday with his horse.

My mom and Izabella (guy got in my photo shot)

We also saw the beginnings of the National Wheel Chair Tennis Tournament.  I was so amazed at watching this one guy practice.  I'm telling you, I would not play well standing up more less this guy who was in his chair. All I can say is wow!

This guy was good!

Mom then took us over to the Boat House for lunch. As many times that I have been in Forest Park, I had never been there. It was so lovely and right next to the lake...such the name because they have paddle boats to rent. 

To the Boat House

Finally, as it was unbelievably hot, we got in the car and toured around a little bit of the park. This park has been in existence since the 1904 World's Fair that took place there. Many of the buildings and features from then still exist.  It is an exquisite park, well taken care of and well used.


After that most exciting morning and early afternoon, we came home and watched Sesame Street, sang, danced and read books. Finally, Izabella has laid back down for a nap and her grandma gets to blog about the day. :)


How has your Saturday been?


Peace, love, and Elmo...Naila Moon

30 days of September

Thirty days hath September,

April, June, and November;

February has twenty-eight alone,

All the rest have thirty-one,

Excepting leap year, that's the time

When February's days are twenty-nine.

Does anyone remember having to say this little poem when you were a child? I do and I still remember it to this day. Well, sort of. I did not remember the last part until I looked it up.

Anyway, I have a friend by the name of Stephanie that wrote about this poem and about a guy by the name of Morgan Spurlock. He is best known for his movie Super Size Me which takes on the fast food chains. He is also known for his show 30 Days in which he spends 30 days doing or living a lifestyle unfamiliar to himself.

So getting back to Stephanie. She took a cue from Morgan S. and decided to improve her life or do something for 30 days in September. (aka thirty days hath September)

Being inspired I thought I might as well give it a go too. So, I have decided two things.

The first thing is I am going to get up every morning at 6AM and have breakfast with my hubby. Now, this may sound easy but for me, it really isn't. Trust me when I say I have a hate relationship for getting up any time before...oh...10ish. When we were still in Colorado I would get up at 8:30 and have breakfast with him but believe me, that was pushing it. OK, so 6 AM it is...groan. For the record, I did get up that early this morning. It helps my hubby has to be at work at 7AM and I am the only one that drives.

The second thing I am going to do is blog everyday. I generally used to blog about 2-3 days a week and have been way out of the habit. So, why not. I warn you, it may or may not be dribble but I am going to do it! So, for obvious reasons, this is day one. :)

If you would like to join me in my 30 Days Hath September challenge by all means do so. The only thing I ask is you come back and let me know what you are doing so I can go and encourage you. I hope to have a button by the end of the week that you can post on your page.

See you tomorrow!
Peace...Naila Moon

Monday's Music Moves Me

Hello everyone and welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me hosted by the divine, Xmas Dolly. This is one of my favorite days for blogging because I get to move and groove to the tunes.


As you can possibly see (unless you are actually reading this on Monday or after), I have posted a day early. I am not sure exactly why except that I am just excited to dance, dance, DANCE! Whoot!







This week is a free week, which is always fun.  So, I thought what should I do? Hmmm? My hubby and I were out playing at the park near some lovely ponds today and it was very hot. However, all the elements were in play so...let's do a dedication to the elements of earth, wind, fire and water. Let's Start groovin' with this one: (smiles)





Next up is Earth (note, I found this video and never had heard it before today. It is haunting and you can't dance to it but poses good questions):





Let's go with wind next:



Now fire:



And finally, that cool refreshing water:





Keep on rockin' and boog-ing...Naila Moon

Music Moves Me-July 18, 2011

Once again it is Monday, one of my favorite days for blogging.  It seems Java at Never Growing Old is still taking vacation time from Meet Me so, we will just keep dancing to the music until she gets back.

This week at Xmas Dolly's Music Moves Me, it is freebie week.
Since many people are on vacation (and I need one), I thought I would give a nod to those people by starting off with this: 




Next up is a "vacation" song some students wish for:





And finally, let's round out this musical vacation with this one:



Keep on rockin' and boogie-ing. See you next week.
~Naila Moon

Top 10 List...Thursday June 16th

I found a new blogger today (well she is new to me anyway) and every Thursday she post a Top 10 question. Honestly, I could not help to think David Lettermen and his Top 10!

Anyway, I digress.  Her question of the week was: 10 Things you want to do but haven't yet?  Although, I have my on-going Project 52 list which you can see HERE, I will list my 10 anyway (kind of random.

1. Go to the zoo
2. Go to Grant's Farm
3. Make those home made Christmas cards for my family and friends.
4. Buy a couch
5. Get 25 of those pounds of fluffiness off
6. Get back in to college
7. Finish my A-Z Photo Project
8. Go to Las Vegas
9. Have my niece over for a week
10. Go to Hawaii!!! :) (side note: I really want to go bad!!!)


Peace...Naila Moon

Meet Me Monday-May 22nd and Music Moves Me

It's that fun time of the week where the questions get asked of me and I attempt to answer them. Join  the fun with our host Java from Never Growing Old.

Once you are done meeting me there, hop on over to Xmas Dolly's place where the music doesn't stop. I am dancing and rocking out below. 

Questions:

1.  What is your favorite bagel flavor? I think Bread Co.'s asiago cheese is the absolute best. I like them toasted with the walnut cream cheese. Yummy!

 
2.  If you had an extra $100 right now, what would you spend it on? A couch! Since we moved in we have hardly any furniture.
 

3.  What is the last thing that you felt guilt about doing?

Honestly,  I don't know.

 
4.  Soft serve ice cream or hand dipped?

Oh, soft serve hands down. I especially like Dairy Queen!

 
5.  Are you allergic to anything?
In recent months I have become allergic to eggs...although, I still eat them on occasion. I am also allergic to two specific drugs, one being sulfa drugs. 

 

This week is a "freebie" week for Monday's Music, so I am going to go with Alicia Keys. I "found" her a few years ago when she was coming on to the music scene. This is my favorite of her songs. Her voice is smooth and love the soul of it.

Peace...Naila Moon