Conversations

If I hadn't been there myself... Well, you know how it goes.
Actual conversations I've had this week:

1. My friend, J, and I chatted about - two times and at great length - the beauty of Steven Tyler's makeup on American Idol. Missing from the conversation was the fact that men don't wear makeup. On Steven Tyler and on TV, it works. And it looks great. Good job, makeup person. Good job, Steven Tyler.

2. The boy and I discussed Grimace from McDonald's. Old School McDonald's. The boy had a trading card with some big purple dude on it, and I said it looked like Grimace. "Who the heck is Grimace?" he asked. Grimace isn't around anymore. Ronald is sort of the one-man-McDonald's-show. But Grimace was real. And we chatted about him.




3. At dinner, my girlfriends and I talked about Pajama Jeans. You know you've seen them. Late night on TV. "The jeans that are as comfortable as your favorite pair of pajama pants!"



We laughed and laughed and came to the conclusion that we would actually rather see someone in real PJ's than Pajama Jeans. Sorry, Pajama Jeans fans.

4. Dan/Daddy and I had a long talk about the picture he sent me from his phone. It's of him and a dog. Wearing a LL Bean Headlamp. The dog is not wearing the headlamp; he is. He and the dog are looking at one another very affectionately. Just when you think this can't get any weirder, I'll tell you... we don't have a dog.
I may have to post this one later. It's worth it.

In case you were worried about the intellectual levels of my conversations, let me put your mind at ease. I have also talked about the book of Isaiah, our elaborate plans for moving this summer, National Geographic articles, and the turmoil in the Middle East.

I am nothing, if not well rounded.

Have a super duper weekend.

Friday Follies

For lack of a better term, I am calling my thoughts today... "Friday Follies." As if my arbitrary (and often bizarre) ramblings needed a title.

1. The boy has an ear infection. In the doctor's words... A nasty cold that caused "blockage in his Eustachian tubes" and a "cess pool of fluid." Good times. He's on the mend, but I thought it was worth mentioning. He also asked me why he couldn't just shoot the antibiotic into his ear instead of drinking it. I see a medical career in our future.

2. One of my new favorite ways to sleep is with my arms crossed in front of myself. Like a corpse. Freaky, I know. If anyone reading this ever finds me in that position, please don't call the funeral home... I'm just resting.

3. Have you seen the news about the nut job who poisoned the trees at Auburn University? Nut. Job. He poured herbicide in lethal doses into the soil around 100+ year-old trees because he's an Alabama fan.

Dear Mr. Tree-Killer,
You are not a fan. We are fans, and we think our rivals are pretty cool people. You have WAY too much time on your hands. You can be a fan without killing trees. Or hating.

4. Last weekend, I saw a girl wearing booty shorts, a tank top, and flip flops. And it was 59 degrees. Today, it's supposed to be 75. I wonder... Today is she naked?

Dear People, Just because the sun is shining... does not mean we have suddenly shot forward in time to July. Put on some seasonally appropriate clothes. Thank you.

5. While reading an magazine, I saw a writer refer to this season's American Idol as "The Steven Tyler Show." Yes. Yes it is. And I am OK with that.

We have a long weekend ahead of us; Dan/Daddy gets some time off from school. (Thank you, President's Day.) We have family coming in for a visit, the boy has a basketball game, and the weather...
Well. Just be on the lookout for naked people.

And A Thousand Times YES

Well. I loved it.

Before last night, I was a tiny bit concerned. I mean, no more Simon? And we only had Ellen for a season? What was up with Idol? The bread-and-butter of my reality show obsession was changing its recipe, and I was worried.

But I am not worried anymore...



Jennifer Lopez was fun and kind. And is possibly one of the most stunning women on the planet. Steven Tyler? Could he be any cooler? Freaky cool, he is. And I loved how he'd join in on the really bad singing with his trademark high pitched squeaaaaaaaaal. Hysterical.

I appreciate the fact that they are all real musicians. Award winning and with years in the business.
I don't know a hoot about the recording industry, but something tells me they will know what to look for.

I am looking forward to this season. And I may not miss Simon as much as I thought I would.

Hair Idol

Now this is some American Idol I can watch.
All the folks I was feeling a bit "half-hearted" about... They are gone.
Leaving my "fav" 4.

Lee... and his sweet little crooked-y smile.
Big Mike... and the way he looks like he's about to pop out of whatever he is wearing.
Casey... and his hair. The dude can work the curls OR the ponytail.
Crystal... and all her talent.
Can you tell I've chosen my winner? And she comes in first place for me because hair can't win American Idol.

So tonight, for the first time this season, I'll be sad when someone gets sent home.

But there is a ray of hope and sunshine.

When Ryan announced Wednesday night's musical guests, I squealed. Squealed.
Bon Jovi (the pioneer of good hair) and Daughtry (who OWNS the bald look).

Have Mercy.

This Might Seem Shallow...

I'm just gonna go on and say that, because there is absolutely no eternal significance to some of what I am about to post.

I've refrained for months now... refrained from posting about American Idol.

Last year, I think I offended some nice folks and alienated myself with my choice of personal favorite. I didn't dislike the winner... he was great. I just liked the other guy's singing better. See, there I go again. I feel the disapproving stares.

But that is so last year.

Let's see who I can tick off this season.

I'll start abruptly and say good good goody good-bye to Tim. I had been waiting for that moment for weeks.

I love love love Idol Gives Back. It's nice. And encouraging to see the Idol machine doing something good, besides churning out singers.

Tuesday night's episode was especially special to me because a great friend of mine gave me the laugh I'd needed all day. No names here. This person knows who they are and the rest of the story is for you all...

I have a few "texting buddies" during A.I. One of them is my sis-in-law, the other is my friend from college, and the other one is... well.
We all text and comment and chat during the show. Nothing is sacred. We even rate Kara's choice of hair-do for the night.
(I warned you I might seem shallow.)

My phone and fingers get a workout on Idol nights.

On Tuesday night, I waited a few minutes for this un-named friend to text me. To let me know he and his wife were watching. When I didn't hear from him, I wrote...

"You watchin?"

After a few minutes, this is what I got back...

"I wish!!! I am locked out of my house and (my wife) is (45 minutes away)!!!
Stop laughing!"

We are friends because he KNEW I'd be laughing. But we are also friends because of Idol. We bonded over it back in Season 2.
So being the good friend I am, I texted him updates all the way through the show. Inserting my opinions whenever necessary.
Thankfully his wife made it home, let him in the house, and he watched it on DVR.
His wife probably laughed too... and that's part of the reason I love her!
(I warned you I might seem shallow.)

Now my pick for this season? Because I know you all really give a hoot what I think.

Crystal. The girl has a gift. Her singing seems effortless.
And the thing I like and respect most about her is that she comes across so real. Down-to-Earth. And I'm not just referring to the dreadlocks.

I've always had an appreciation for people who were confident in their own skin. The ones who never seem to be trying to be something they're not.
And they're ok with others around them being real, too.
I may not agree with their personal choices, but I respect them and their ability to be "real" (for lack of a better word).

Maybe I could look for ways to be more like them.

Maybe I'll start by not laughing at my friend who locked himself out of his house on Idol night.

Well... maybe I'll find another way to start...

All My Worldly Possessions...

... are back in one place. That's what my mom said to me just a few days ago.

She and my dad came to help us make the move to the "big" house. That's what we call it. And, folks.. it is a big house.

Whoopee!

I (we) worked our booties off for two days straight. Too bad that the booty doesn't ACTUALLY go away.

And if you were wondering. Yep, I got hurt. I got smacked in the face with a piece of the boy's play fort while we were taking it apart. But, I WAS NOT WEARING THE FLIP FLOPS! Ha!

Yesterday, I slowed down a bit. I just unpacked 487,693 boxes.

And guess what! The "big" house has stairs. And 274,874 of those boxes were upstairs when they needed to be downstairs. And 212,819 of those boxes were downstairs when they needed to be upstairs. Good times.

So last night, I sat my tired self down to the finale of a little show we call Idol. And, boo hoo. But, I refuse to be a "hater." Kris Allen is a very talented and humble guy. And his little wife is adorable. I wish him much success.

He was not, as you may have assumed, my personal favorite.



I know... I know. He's wearing eyeliner and black nail polish. I know... I know. There are LOTS of questions about his choice of lifestyle. I have heard it ALL. As we say in the South, "My grand-daddy would be rolling over in his grave if he could see how these kids are looking these days!"

But, I am a fan. A HUGE fan. A sad fan today.

And what about that singing with KISS? Have mercy.

This morning, the news lady said second place is a blessing in disguise for Adam because it keeps him from having to sing that cheesy winner's song - "No Boundaries."

Hee hee.

I have no doubts that Adam will be successful.

Because I'll be the first in line to buy his music.



In the meantime, I'll be unpacking.

A Little Bit of Idol

I feel, somehow, a little happier today.

Did I get good news from a family member?

Did I catch up on all my scrapbooking?

Did someone offer to do all my laundry for the next 10 years?

Did I win the lottery?

Nope. None of the above.

Just got to watch a little American Idol last night.

Ahh.

I knew something had been missing from my scattered little life.

It was condescending judges and bad singing. Why is that entertainment to me?

Random Thoughts

It seems like my head is full of these lately. There is no rhyme or reason to anything going on in my noggin... There is no way to "connect" these ideas or even to see how they all make sense. Part of it is just me and my lunatic self in preparation for a move. I don't know why, but I have this idea that "blogging" will make me feel better. Sort of like an new-fashioned diary. Or like talking to someone without actually burdening them with listening to me. So, here they are (my random thoughts) for anyone who might be interested.
1. I was so sad to hear about the tragic death of Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter. My heart hurts for them and their son, who was the one driving the car. Wow. If you're like me, it feels like you know them. I've listened to his music since high school, and I've followed the stories of his daughters' adoptions. It just makes me sad.
2. My little nephew is feeling bad. He hasn't been himself for a few days now, and I just talked to his mommy. The sweetie woke up when I was on the phone with her, and I could hear him crying. It could be reflux, but they just aren't sure. I want him to feel better. And, I know that would make his parents feel better, too.
3. The boy brought home a TON of stuff from school today... "End-of-Year Cleaning" is what they call it. I am surrounded (already) by piles of stuff that I don't know what to do with. Now, I have more piles. That's OK, though. I still remember what it's like to teach and how good it feels to purge the classroom of all that stuff. Especially because in your heart you know that you are about to purge the classroom of all those little people!
4. I dropped my sewing machine on my foot today. The top part... where the bone rises up. If you are a sewing person, you know how heavy those things are. If you aren't a sewing person, take my word for it... they are heavy. I was attempting to put it up on a shelf (over my head) so the movers could pack it with other sewing-type objects. To put it in simple terms, it HURT. I have a huge bruise and a gigantic knot. Dan says, "It's broken." I say, "I can still walk on it, and I cannot move across the country with a cast." I cried because it probably won't work again (the machine). I cried because I am now trying to get ready for the packers while limping. I cried because I don't know what I was thinking... they were gonna pack that sewing machine with some random items from the garage and a few Legos from Eli's room, and a shoe... not with the sewing things.
5. I didn't eat lunch today... I had a Cappuccino Blast from Baskin Robbins. I deserved it after dropping a sewing machine on my foot.
6. The RIGHT "David" actually won "American Idol" last night. Praise the Lord. Little David was cute and can definitely sing, but big David is the BEST! We (me and the boy) whooped and hollered like a bunch of fools when his name was announced. It's been a bright spot in my day. Is that so sad?
Well there they are... my random thoughts at this moment. And, if anyone wants an update, the mystery hives are gone. Life.