Idol - 09

Let me open by saying tomorrow, that here in the sunshine state of Illinois the actual temp is supposed to be 21 below zero. Now, why I ask you would you want to live anywhere else? Like, example where Toot lives? I mean really sunny and 80 every day? Who needs it?!? (Insert here, that I for one need it, want it, gotta have it!) But alas, here I live in beautiful N. Illinois because as I've said before I HAVE to live somewhere with seasons because I LOVE the seasons.

Fast forward to today. My new mantra is I love all seasons except winter. No, change that I love winter for about 1 week. That's it. December 20th - 27th. That's all the winter I need. Is it becoming clearer to you why we are researching a new beach home? I believe I'd be very happy living in a warm climate and visiting N. Illinois for Christmas week only. Yup, definitely fine with me!

Ok, now onto Idol. After my 14 hour day yesterday...I caught about the last 10 minutes and then my big girl had to rewind to the beginning to show me the new Tattoo girl. She evidently thought I'd could look beyond the tattoo's to appreciate her voice. Nope, notta chance. I just can't tolerate it. You see...if you choose to cover your self with Tat's I mean that's your business, I'm just going to choose not to look at them. Yuck! I do love idol. I do love Simon, but mostly I love Sardonic Catholic Dad. Last year, I somehow stumbled on his blog and his Idol reviews. In my opinion, the show is no longer complete without Rob's viewpoint. So...if you haven't checked it out---take a minute today for some enjoyable reading.

Keep warm!

The top 3

OK all you idol fans. The competition is heating up! I'm feeling a but unwilling to name the bottom 3 this week....but I can definitely name the top 3. Brooke, Michael Johns, David Cook. WOW!!!! Weren't they awesome last night? By the time I got home, I sure had a pounding headache. I managed to sit my butt in the recliner though and get through Idol before heading to bed. It was a great night. Kristie Lee was good, but still needs to go...Chikeze, not good at all, in fact Boring... and Syesha...she was great too. David Archiletta was so cute, and I really loved the song he chose and the performance, but the judges....well not so much. So, time will tell. I do think they are all very good this year and can't wait to see the tour. My hubby said last night that he wants to go too this year! That's gonna be so fun and I can't wait!

The bottom 3

Ok, yes, thanks for the accolades...Since I did, in fact, pick the bottom 3 on idol last night!! I was REALLY glad that Amanda went home. Since we are planning to see the idol tour again this year, I surely did NOT want to see her. She is so awful! It also made me happy because Amanda was 'vote for the worst.com's pick. So it's nice to see that they are having little to no impact on the show this year (as it should be!) I truly didn't think that anyone did a great job this week although David Archiletta was a lot better than he has been. And really, could he be any cuter? So, once Kristy and Carly go home, the real competition will begin. I can't wait!

A dose of independence

Yes my 12 year old is now in full blown adolescence. She and her Dad have had a few disagreements lately and she is still a bit angry with him. I suggested to Dad perhaps a session or two with our family therapist would help. OK he said....so I scheduled an appointment for the both of them. As I told Kristina this last night, her usual 12 year old pout came over her face and she replied, "What? You didn't ask me first? Then I'm not going!" OK, I said, that's certainly up to you...(a good dose of Parenting with Love and Logic never hurt anyone you know!) and the pout continued. In case I didn't hear her the first time (and probably wondering why I didn't argue with her), she said it again..."I'm not going!" To which I replied, "OK, love you...see you in the morning" Time will tell on this one, but it's sure nice to know she is exerting her independence right on schedule :)

Hello Dolly, Well hello Dolly...yes, that song is surely stuck in my head. Stephanie has her musical this weekend with the last 3 1/2 hour dress rehearsal tonight (the forth one this week!) She was quite sleepy this morning and it is obvious that it is catching up to her. Of course in addition to the rehearsals, she's had a ton of homework this week, so some nights she's gotten home at 9:45 and still had homework to do. Tomorrow, Grandma will go, then I will go Saturday, and Dad will go Sunday...so she'll have someone at every show. The show is at HHS, if you are interested in going. I think tickets are $5-- Friday and Saturday are at 7:00 and Sunday matinee at 1:00. There productions are really great. Perhaps I'll see you there!

Finally the snow is melting...the foot thick chunk of ice at the end of my driveway is finally gone, but it sure is a time of year when everything looks a bit ugly :( Soon, it will be beautiful...I just need a bit of patience...it sure was a rough winter...I hope that the potholes get filled soon before my suspension is shot!

Yesterday, my daughter had a threat at her school, written on a note found in the bathroom. The note compared the NIU event to what would happen at HHS on 3/27. The only glitch is there is no school on 3/27. It is sad that kids are so disturbed as to write threats such as these. The school was abuzz with police officers and news cameras :( It feels like anywhere you send your child is risky...that is where faith comes in. In church last week, Dr. Bill emphasized the importance of daily prayer. I have had a renewed effort this week to pray for those I love (and the list is long) -- but I've done pretty good with it this week. Sadly, I had gotten out of the habit of praying for my children. Kids today need a lot of support to get through the craziness and parents that love them despite their craziness. So, I pray.

Today, I have a mammogram, 18,000 errands to run, a group to facilitate tonight, and homework to do. If time allows, perhaps working on my scrap space....sounds iffy at best. I was surely going to do it last night, but laid down for a brief [or really a 2 1/2 hour] nap, and that was that...got up in time to see David Hernandez get voted off idol, and really was a bit surprised. Yes he didn't do well this week, but really did people like the square dance version of 8 days a week better? Evidently! I think sometimes the girls' cuteness carries them through when their music isn't so good! The best part of Idol this season is by far...TIVO!!! No commercials, no watching the endless chatter when I don't feel like it, and no watching them sings songs again that weren't good the first time!

Have a great Thursday!

Until next time...

Some must go...

Last night was a defining moment for me with this season's American Idol. Although I have loved Kristy Lee Cook, I do not believe she can be forgiven for that square dancing version of whatever it was she sang last night! There's only one word to describe it....Awful!!!! Bye Bye Kristy Shyesha-- same story....boring! I truly believe that Carly and Amanda BOTH need to go home tonight...they could not be any worse, and I'm sure both of my daughters (and my husband) probably even my dog...can howl out a tune better than they can.

Now for the guys...Chikeze....bye bye...my husband liked him....I did not. David Cook was not impressive last night at all. I had to appreciate David Archuletta forgetting the lyrics multiple times...(perhaps he thought he was on don't forget the lyrics!) But he still must stay....So....these are my picks... I believe the final two should be... Yes, Brooke and Michael...that's my call. I didn't think Michael was particularly great last night, but Brooke...amazing!

OK, now for the funny comment from the Ruchus...After we watched the show, Kristina said, "I didn't really like the boy with the knots. He should go." So, that is our new name for Jason... The boy with the knots! Gotta love it!

Until next time...