Guess what time I woke up this morning? 4:29 AM. Gross, right? Well, I have a lot of writing and editing to do, which calls for a number of super early mornings.
Writing a book is a lot harder than I ever thought it would be– especially when trying to balance 3 jobs on top of that. Holy stress. 
Anyway, enough whining. I like what I do and I’m happy.
At 4:30 this morning, I made myself a piping-hot mug of Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea with a squirt of agave nectar.
After Mal left for work, I took a much-needed brain break… to dance with Murphy. 
Did you know that pugs love to dance? Murph and I rocked out to George Michael’s “Faith” while dancing around the living room. That song gets me singing along and dancing every time! Most of my favorite feel-good songs are from the 80′s or by Stevie Wonder. How can you not get up and dance when you hear “Sir Duke“?
Breakfast
Even though it was 57 degrees ( ) inside our apartment when I woke up, I still craved something cold and creamy for breakfast. I made myself a bowl of Stonyfield blueberry yogurt, Uncle Sam’s cereal, sliced almonds, apple chunks, and a scoop of Teddie peanut butter.
The mushy mess was delicious!
And, of course, I had a glass of iced coffee.
(It was much warmer in our apartment by 7:00 this morning. 
)
Question of the Day
Do you have a go-to song that always makes you happy? You know, when no one’s around and you dance around the room, singing at the top of your lungs… maybe with your dog in your arms?
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Ha ha… my favorite song is from the movie Labyrinth and is sung by David Bowie. It’s called Magic Dance. My siblings and my boyfriend can break into song with me and we each take turns singing a different line, because we all have the lyrics committed to memory:
You remind me of the babe
What babe?
The babe of the power?
What power?
The power of voodoo
Who do?
You do
Do what?
Remind me of the babe!
I know how you feel about the early wake ups. I only have to do it twice a week, but gosh it is exhausting.
Don’t have any feel good songs off the top of my head, but I really really want to learn the Beyonce Single Lady dance – that song makes me want to dance!!
I had to chuckle when I read the comment about the ‘gross’ early hour of 4:30am. As a mom of a toddler who works east coast hours I am regularly up at that time. It’s the only chance I have to get a workout in so it is something I commit to regularly. Granted, I have to go to bed that much earlier but TV has never really been my thing anyway. What is gross for me is that even on the weeekend, I get up at that time. I can’t sleep in to save my life!
But to answer your questions, I really like “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John. For some reason that song always makes me smile and belt it out. Have a great day!
We recently bought Beatles Rock Band, and I notice that I want to break out into song every time we play (even when I’m not on microphone)! I’ve always loved the Beatles, but now that it’s interactive, forget about it!
4:29 AM? That is gross
I can’t imagine how hard writing a book is–you can do it though!!!!
ohhh gosh, haha. If only people could see me during my solo dance parties…
my absolute FAVORITE is “Your Love” by the Outfield. Best 80′s song ever. Scratch that – best song ever in general!
I’m obsessed with Glee radio on Pandora — all of the showtunes give me so much energy during workouts!
Good luck on writing the book. Hopefully it will get easier as you get closer to finishing. I know that stress (currently under it) can cause you not to sleep a lot.
My go to song has to be “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers. Maybe that’s what can perk me up out of my morning funk today. Thanks for the idea.
Aw, how cute that you and Murphy rocked out! You need to do a video of him and his moves! LOL!
I love all music, so it’s hard to pick a favorite. Seems like every song I have on my mp3 is my favorite cuz I say, “oooh, I love this song”, at the start of each one!
You need to get the Glee sound track. Any song will make you happy and want to dance! My personal favorites are “Don’t Stop Believing’” and “Alone.” Have a great day!
I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston. Works every time! I wish I had a dog to rock out too though. That would definitely up the fun factor!
Good luck on writing!! I’m feeling your stress too!!
I’m a huge fan of music from the 80s and 90s!! Love it!
My “rock out” song would have to be “Take Me Home Tonight” by Eddie Money. It doesn’t matter when it is, where I am, or who I’m with – that song gets me dancing in my seat every time!
And GOOD JOB with writing this book – I’m sure it’s way more work than you realized but it will be incredibly rewarding (and the feeling of accomplishment will be hard to beat) once it’s finished. You CAN do it!
My go to song is “Get into the Groove” my Madonna!! LOVE this song!!!
I love any trashy rap song haha. I know very strange but it always pumps me up. It’s my fave workout music.
I love dancing around with my dogs although I sometimes get the impression they are teenagers cringeing in embarrassment!! I love “I’m Like A Bird” by Nelly Furtado!
My faaavorite song to perk me up is Ruby Blue by Roisin Murphy. Nothing makes me want to strut more than that song.
Safety Dance is my go-to dance song! How can you not want to dance through a field when that song comes on?
I’m generally not a huge fan of country music, but Martina McBride’s “Happy Girl” is an awesome pick-me-up!
I can’t even pick one song. Music can totally turn my mood around – love it all!
My go-to song is “Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson. Not only did it come on at a pivotal point in my marathon, but it also reminds me of the dancing toaster scene in Ghostbusters II, which my husband and I both love watching.
Tina, I can so relate. I need brain breaks often and now that I work at home I can’t just walk over to someone’s desk to chat. Solution? Dancing and singing to music! Mine changes from time to time but definitely all the standard bar tunes get me pumped (like Sweet Caroline)!
really random but “will you be there” by michael jackson (free willy song!) always gets me going
Most Billy Joel or Elton John songs will do that to me. Actually a lot of music will. I love dancing (or well i consider it dancing) around to music when no one’s around. And of course if someone catches me I’ll just pretend it’s normal, or that i was only doing it for a second.
I love that song “I want you back” by the Jackson 5. Always makes me dance!
important question!
by “dancing” – did you pick up his front two paws and make him dance like a doggie? or did you pick him up entirely, and dance around with him like he was a baby? 
(i do the latter with my dogs, because i am, in fact, a crazy dog lady!) give murphy kisses for me!
Yeesh 4:30am! That is earrrllly!
That is adorable that pugs like to dance
My go to happy song is “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles.
dancing with a dog sounds fun! are you starving by waiting 2 1/2 hours after you wake up for breakfast? sounds like a long time to me, but different things work for different people!
Awhh. I wish I had a pug to dance with!
You’re right though! I have a few songs that make me feel the same way, but they’re all classics like….”my girl”, “ain’t no mountain high enough”, and “hit me with your best shot”…
love the yogurt bowl, by the way!
@allijag: Yep, picked him up like a baby and we rocked it!
@Eve: Different things work for different people.
4:29 is early….lol. I can’t pic just one. But I would say anything pop and 80′s can get me out of my chair and dancing or singing at the top of my lungs in my car. I swear I sound like a rock star in my car, but only in my car!
That is freezing! I hope your place warms up:) Good luck with the book writing. I know it is hard, but we are all cheering for you and excited to read it!
I love Brown Eyed Girl-my hubs has that as his ring tone for me when I call. I’ve always loved it, but I am his brown eyed girl. A very upbeat, fun song!
I love to dance around the house singing along with music….when I have the house to myself, which is rare. I don’t necessarily have a go to song, but usually country music, espcially Sugarland, is my go to kind of music. It can be fun to belt out some of Celine Dion’s greatest hits too!
Jack & Diane is the song that always makes me happy, no fail
I break out into War’s “Low Rider” when I’m alone, it’s awesome!
I love to dance around to The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.” So much fun!
“One Night Only” from Dreamgirls is my jam!
I love yogurt with apple chunks! I was craving blueberries today, so I have blueberry oatmeal. I gotta have my oatmeal in the morning! My pump song is “Girls Just a Wanta Have Fun”.
The New Radicals-”You Get What You Give” always gets me singing!
One of my favorite happy songs is Stevie Wonder’s “For Once In My Life.” Love it! My dog likes to dance too
I’m very impressed by how productive you’ve been this morning…especially compared to me
sure do! your love by the outfield. one hit wonder by definition but so fun to sing
When I used to walk 2 miles to work every morning, I’d put on “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend as I walked down my apartment stairs. Got me pepped up and awake every time!
Walking on Broken Glass!!
Love when “Learning To Fly” by Foo Fighters comes up on shuffle when I’m on my walk!!
SOOO many songs. I love American Girl by Tom Petty and Jack and Diane by John Cougar Mellencamp. I guess I have a thing for coming of age type of songs!
Me too on the contradictory breakfast: this morning I was freezing but really, really wanted bran flakes with cold soy milk. Maybe it’s because the air is dry and we get dehydrated, so we crave liquidy meals.
Yogurt messes are the best!
I love that George Michaels song. Especially the “Baaaaabeh” part.
I love the song “Wake the Sun” by The Matches lately. It’s so peppy!
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