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Are These The Best Female Country Singers of All Time?

A new study by Studyfinds.com shows the “Best Female Country Singers of All Time”, and I’m really not gonna argue this one.

 

The List: Best Female Country Singers of All Time, Per Critics and Fans

 

1. Dolly Parton
The top spot on the list goes to perhaps the most influential country singer ever, Dolly Parton. This famous blondie appeared in the top spot across 70 percent of the sites referenced. Dolly isn’t just known for having one of the best amusement parks in the South, but her iconic status as one of the best in country will last long after she’s gone.

2. Loretta Lynn
The Coal Miner’s Daughter was the clear choice for second. Simply put, Loretta Lynn is a country music icon.

3. Reba McEntire
The red-headed country legend appeared on 70 percent of the sites we referenced and for good reason. Reba is recognizable by her first name alone, and that notoriety even helped her land her own TV show. Through it all, Reba has remained true to her country music roots.

4. Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline is responsible for some of the most iconic country music songs of all time and is beyond deserving of her place as one of the best.

Cline recorded these hits before she was lost in a tragic plane crash.

5. Carrie Underwood 
The former ‘American Idol’ winner is one of the most decorated female singers of all time. “… Underwood has maintained her chart-topping success. Her career has gone on for nearly two decades, earning her over a hundred awards from various organizations, which has given Underwood the outstanding title of the most awarded country singer of all time.”

Check the full article here

Honorable Mention: Miranda Lambert.  I just think they should have put her somewhere in there because, well, she’s a badass!

 

Who would you put as the top 5 Female Country Singers? Comment below!

Oh No, It’s Endo!

I normally shy away from getting super personal, but after a lot of thought and years of rolling it around in my mind, I figured I would share my story of dealing with Endometriosis.  Mainly because it’s a terrible condition that 11% of women suffer from, but it’s still not talked about enough- because, you know, periods are still a taboo topic in modern society. This leads to misdiagnosis, shame, and infertility.  I should know, because I got all three.  I figure if I can get even one young woman diagnosed and save her from what I went through, then this overshare is totally worth it!

First off, what is Endometriosis? Here’s the definition via The Mayo Clinic: “Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis.”  So, basically, you have extra gunk growing in your uterus and when it’s that time of the month, it sheds with everything else, often causing extreme pain.  I mean, debilitating “I think my uterus is trying to murder me” pain. It can also cause adhesions, scarring, and is the leading cause of infertility, because all that fun stuff damages your eggs. Fun fact: You are born with the amount of eggs you have for life, so it’s not like you can generate new ones.  Kind of a flaw in the system if you ask me.

I honestly didn’t even know what Endo was until I was 27.  I started having really bad periods in my early twenties, and was a little concerned, because they started out of nowhere. I asked my doctor, and he said “It’s normal- try Midol”. Yeah, that doesn’t work, but ok.  When I was 24, I got really sick one night on my period and my husband took me to the hospital at Fort Stewart, GA.  I was almost delusional with pain, dizzy, had to leave work, etc.  I was told by the doctor there that I had “Dysmenorrhea” AKA “Painful Periods” (No, really? Thanks, doc.) and was told to take a Ibuprofen and get over it.  I felt so ashamed leaving the hospital, because I felt like I was being a drama queen and was making a big deal about nothing.  So I suffered for another three years until one day after my period started, I was in so much pain on my way to work, I literally almost had a wreck on I95 because I couldn’t concentrate on driving- AFTER taking four Ibuprofens that morning.  I also bled right through my pads twice that week within an hour each, staining the chair at work.  Fed up, I went to a different doctor, who told me I may have something called Endometriosis.  The problem is, the only way to diagnose it is with laparoscopic surgery -where they stick a little tube in your abdomen and diagnose and cut out tissue.  So, they did the surgery, and BINGO! Endo everywhere AND my tubes were wrapped up in scar tissue. They cleaned it out, and I got pregnant for the first time the next Spring, only to have a miscarriage three weeks later.  I figured I could easily get pregnant again. HA! Yeah, not so much.  And to make matters worse, Endo comes back. It’s like Kudzu in the South- just grows over EVERYTHING and you can’t kill it.

Uterine Kudzu. I like that.  Maybe that should go in a medical journal?

 

Since Endo comes back, I had four more surgeries to clean out the Endo and adhesions until the doctor said I could have no more.  Because, every time you have a surgery, you get MORE scar tissue. The last Laparoscopy I had, my bowels were glued to my pelvic wall by adhesions, and at this point the only way to cure it all is just have a full hysterectomy- where they take out the uterus. The problem is, I wanted a child.  You kind of need a uterus for that I hear.  And one of the only things you can do to relieve the pain is birth control.  So, I got to be on hella pain medication a few days a month because Ibuprofen and Midol is absolute crap.  Do you know how hard it is to get decent medicine to treat chronic pain?  Oh my gosh, they treat you like you are a drug addict. To be fair, there IS an opioid crisis in our country, but that really puts people like me- who have severe chronic pain- in a terrible position.  The only way to function with Stage 4 Endo is medication or Hysterectomy. This is the choice we get.  And you get shamed for both.  So, yeah, it’s been a super fun 13 years dealing with this!

One of the hardest parts – aside from severe pain- is the absolute shame that comes with it.  I would be working, and the pain would hit, and I couldn’t tell anyone.  Imagine trying to be live on the air while having a knife slice through your abdomen and you have to smile through it, because you don’t want to tell people what is wrong with you. Or be in a meeting with a bunch of men, and trying not to pass out.  It’s an embarrassing condition to have, as menstruation is still such a taboo topic. So many times, I had to cancel plans with friends due to the pain, and let’s not get started on the bloat! I looked like I was pregnant at times, because my stomach would swell so badly! But what do you tell people?  No one wants to hear about it or talk about it because it’s “gross”.  Ok, it is gross, but what the hell are we supposed to do about it?  And then there’s the infertility.  I was unable to conceive again, and it was heartbreaking. We tried everything we could, and kind of kept it to ourselves, save close family and friends.  So this led to the constant question: “When are you having kids?”  Or “Why don’t you want kids?” Or just the speculation- so many friends would tell me I was too skinny, worked out too much, drank too much wine (lies) or was too stressed… and I didn’t want to tell them the truth, because it was embarrassing.  Oh! And then all the friends that sell stuff on Facebook, like essential oils and isometrics or whatever would target me and tell me their stupid product would get me pregnant! I kid you not.  Please, if you have an infertile friend, just…don’t.  The only thing you can do is to feed them wine and tell them they’re pretty.  That always helps!

Thankfully I was able to concieve via IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and have a gorgeous 17 month old boy to show for it.   For me, it was the only way I could ever procreate on my own due to endometriosis damaging my eggs. It’s an extremely expensive and physically/emotionally draining procedure- but it’s worth it!  But I would like to keep other women from having to go through what I went through. I just turned 40, and I am at the end of my reprodcutive years.  We did IVF again last year, and the embryo transfer failed last month.  We will try one more time next month, and then I’m done.  My doctor said I really need a hysterectomy , especially as I had a C-section to deliver Brandon. So, more adhesions! (Yayyyyy).  So I’m in pain 2 weeks out of the month now, and it’s getting to be really frustrating, to say the least. The only thing I can do is take medication and ride it out.

I know this is a long post, but it’s something I’ve been dealing with and finally felt like sharing. Had more been known about this condition when I was younger, or less shame involved with women’s cycles, perhaps I would have been more of an advocate for myself and my reproductive health. Maybe I would have frozen my eggs like so many are doing these days! It was never an option given to me 5-10 years ago.

Here are some symptoms of Endo. I had them all.

If you are a woman, and you are having severe period pain, don’t be ashamed. Get to your doctor NOW and see if you can get a diagnosis.  Don’t be shamed into thinking you’re a wimp.  You’re totally not. The pain is ridiculous, and no woman should ever have to go through it on just Midol.  The medical community needs to step up and do better.  You deserve it!

I’m The Worst Parent EVER

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to take pictures and videos of my adorable family.  And for some reason, a lot of the videos end up on National sites like “Good Morning America”, “People”, and others.  I’m not sure why that is, but I’m not complaining. I’m very proud of my baby and animals, and am happy that other people seem to enjoy their antics.

Well, over the holidays, I was visiting my family in Tennessee, and I was having coffee on the couch with my “Cash” while my then 14-month old son Brandon was rolling around in his Joovy Walker.  He was rolling it into the couch trying to get Cash’s attention, and Cash was totally ignoring him. I started filming it on my phone to send to my husband, who was out hunting at the time.  During the time I was filming, Brandon tugged on Cash’s tail a little bit, and Cash’s reaction – to me at least- was hilarious.  So, I posted it on TikTok, and it went viral.  And then it was posted on “Good Morning America” this past weekend, and the comments are INSANE.

Check out the video link below.


Ok, so I do feel the need to defend myself here.

#1: My dog has never shown a thread of viciousness, or else I would never, EVER let him near Brandon. Ever.

#2: They are NEVER together unsupervised.

#3: Um… that wasn’t exactly a tail pull. Come on, people.

#4: ANIMAL ABUSE??? Are you freaking kidding me?

#5: This was the ONLY time Brandon tugged on his tail.  You would think the way people are acting that he was doing this on the regular.

 

I’ve been online since the dawn of social media. I have seen plenty of things I don’t like or agree with, but for some reason, I never feel triggered to comment.  I guess I have a life, and I don’t have a terrible soul that gets off on putting other people down on a public forum. Thats not a bad thing.

I feel like when people act like that, it says way more about them than it does me.  And yes, I know I do ask for it, being that I am in a public business and post videos that may go viral, but still… I feel like in this case I should be able to throw an explanation in there, as the entire population of Karens seem to be coming at me.

More than anything, I just want to remind people that there is ALWAYS  a backstory, and so please think about that before you slam someone online.

 

And if you do feel the need to be that way, please learn to spell and punctuate correctly, or your comment will be deemed invalid.

Be nice, people!

It’s not that hard.

 

 

 

Mackenzie Carpenter “Hunting Season”

My husband is an avid hunter. When I say avid, I mean completely, unabashadly obsessed.

I can’t tell you how many times I get asked if I’m pissed that he spends so much time in the woods chasing turkey and deer… and you know what? BMLG artist Mackenzie Carpenter hit the nail on the head on how I feel with this song.

Look, my husband is amazing and I love being with him. But I also love my alone time (well, as much alone time as one can have with an almost 1 year old) and doing my own thing. I always have, which is why I’ve been able to easily handle the Army Wife Life for the past 15 years.

I don’t know why people think that in a relationship you have to spend all of your time together.

Why?

That’s kind of ridiculous, don’t you think?

Honestly, I’d rather have my husband chasing Buck Racks than the other kind of rack, you know what I’m saying?

Anyway, shout out to Mackenzie for a fresh take in this song! I can’t wait to hear more from her.

The Best Country Albums of All Time!

 

So, “Rolling Stone” just ranked the Top 100 Best Country Albums of All Time… and they’re really celebrating the old school Country (as they should!).

Here are the Top 15 on the list:

 

 

1.  “Coat of Many Colors”Dolly Parton  (1971)

 

2.  “Dreaming My Dreams”Waylon Jennings  (1975)

 

3.  “Red Headed Stranger”Willie Nelson  (1975)

 

4.  “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music”Ray Charles  (1962)

 

5.  “Fly”The Chicks  (1999)

 

6.  “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road”Lucinda Williams  (1998)

 

7.  “Serving 190 Proof”Merle Haggard  (1979)

 

8.  “Come on Over”Shania Twain  (1997)

 

9.  “Storms of Life”Randy Travis  (1986)

 

10.  “Fearless”Taylor Swift  (2008)

 

11.  “At Folsom Prison”Johnny Cash  (1968)

 

12.  “Why Not Me”The Judds  (1984)

 

13.  “The Weight of These Wings”Miranda Lambert  (2016)

 

14.  “I Am What I Am”George Jones  (1980)

 

15.  “Showcase”Patsy Cline  (1961)

Check out the full list of the Top 100 Country albums of all time here.

 

Who do you think they’re missing?

I’m wondering where Shania Twain “The Woman In Me” and Garth’s “Pieces” is… those surely deserve on the list?

Or maybe I’m just partial as those were some of my favorites growing up, and both albums had a bunch of radio hits.

Elton John and Britney Spears “Hold Me Closer”

Not gonna lie, I’ve been waiting on this since I heard that it was happening.  I LOVE Elton John, and I grew up loving Britney, so of course I had to get excited about a collab.  “Hold Me Closer” is a dance remix of Elton John’s iconic “Tiny Dancer” and I’m kind of digging it. Over-produced? Duh.  Over Auto-tuned? Absofreakinglutely. But will I sing along in the car? You freaking know it.

And that’s all that matters, right?

I think it’s awesome that Elton John doesn’t take himself too seriously, and that he is down with working with newer artists and just having fun with his classics (like he did last year with Dua Lipa and “Cold Heart”). He said he hopes this collab “helps Britney heal, and I think it’s great that someone who is an absolute legend like him is willing to help other artists, and just have fun with his music.

I know there will be some haters saying that Elton ruined his song.

Nah. It’s just a fun re-imagining of it.

Again, who cares? Enjoy the bop.

 

Callista Clark Interview

 

Callista Clark is one of the biggest new voices on the Country music scene! She went viral on YouTube at 13 with her cover of Creedence’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and it’s been onward and upward ever since.  At eighteen, she already has a hit on her hands with “It’s Cause I Am”, and now she’s got a hot new single called “Gave It Back Broken” and all I can say is, girl can SING!

Check out the interview here:

Here’s her new single “Gave it Back Broken”:

 

AND for kicks… the viral YouTube Video that made her famous!

 

Amazing, right?

Yeah, expect to see this young woman a LOT in the future.

 

 

New Song of the Week: 4-15-22

Morgan Wallen, as promised, dropped his new sing;e “Don’t Think Jesus” earlier today, and of course, it’s a banger.

It obviously reflects his own life, recent events, public scorn and judgement… and it’s just one heck of a great Country song.

Guess what? We ALL screw up.  Most of us are just lucky enough to not have it in the public eye. I love how this song addresses that. It’s very human and relateable, which of course, it what Country music SHOULD be.

Definitely adding this one to the playlist.

Fed is BEST!

It’s been an ongoing debate that I really never put much thought into unitl I became a mother myself: Breastfeeding Vs. Formula.  I myself was bottle fed, as was my husband, and a lot of other 80’s babies that I know.  When I became pregnant, I figured I would breastfeed if I could, and was actually looking forward to doing so. However, Mother Nature had other plans, as she usually does.  Not only am I infertile and almost 40 (Baby B was an IVF baby) which can make it harder to produce milk, but I also had a C-section,and my milk didn’t come in for a week. When it did come in, I couldn’t produce the needed amount for my baby, no matter how hard I tried. So I switched to formula and never looked back.  I was fwith my decision, and so was my pediatrican and OB/GYN.  You wouldn’t believe how many of my friends and aquiantances weren’t.  I would get messages on social media from people asking me if I was breastfeeding, and telling me to keep trying because it’s better for the baby.  Or when I would tell someone I had to stop, I would get the response “Oh, that’s a shame”. Really? Is it? Or my favorite, “But you lose so much weight when breastfeeding!” I was lucky to drop weight easy. Had I breastfed, I would probably be emaciated by now!  Honestly, I just made my decision and moved on.  Happy mom = Happy baby, right? Right.

Fast forward a few months, and now there’s a formula shortage. Yes, it sucks. We had to switch brands, and basically take what we can get when it comes to what’s available.  Thankfully, brand switching had zero affect on Brandon so far.  But what is getting me is the “Breast Feeding Mafia” attacking the “Formula Femmes”- yes, I’m giving them team names, and we should really have our own jerseys. Anyhow, while reading the various articles that have been posted to new sites this week regarding the shortage, I have noticed the negative comments towards women who use formula to feed their children. Here’s just a few that I came across:

News flash: NOT EVERYONE CAN BREAST FEED!!!!

Just because you can, doesn’t mean someone else can.  I literally would have starved my baby had I continued to try.  And even if a woman chooses to bottle feed for any reason- health or not- that is HER decision.  As long as that baby is getting fed and cared for and loved, what does it matter? Yes, breastfeeding is very beneficial, but it is not something everyone can do.  And with the stress of a formula shortage, comments like these really don’t help at all.  Whatever happened to a woman’s right to choose? Oh, wait. That only pertains to killing your baby in utero, but not what you feed him or her.  It seems to me that a lot of people who are pro-choice aren’t pro-choice when it comes to how you feed your baby.  Riddle me this, Batman.

The thing is, how one chooses to feed their baby is their choice. And yes, we all have our opinions on what is best, and that’s fantastic. But, when it comes to the Breastfeeding Vs. Formula battle, women can be downright hateful and vicious towards each other, and it really is disheartening to see.

Women say they want to be treated with respect by the opposite sex, but until we can do the same for ourselves and each other, then how can we expect others to do it?

Also, my formula fed baby is 6 months old and rocking it.  So, I made the right decision for us.  I have the right to do that, and so does every other mother.  We should be able to choose how our baby gets nurition without having to deal with the onslaught of motherly scrutiny.

Be kind. Motherhood is hard enough without us making it worse.