Sharp dressed men, and Allison

I do love a man in a suit.

And I got 4 of them tonight! I thought Idol was fantastic. This is undoubtedly the best top 5 ever. Of them all, Matt was the only one that didn't knock my socks off, but it was still a great performance. Was it just me, or did Allison look different? I mean I know she does a different look each week (and this was my favorite so far) but did she get her bottom braces off or something?

Any prediction yet for top 2? Other than that I feel sure Adam will be one of them, I'm undecided.

Patience, padawans, patience

You know how sometimes, you get ready to tell people something, and then you realize you better wait just a coooouuuuple of more days, juuuuuust to be sure that you're not speaking before it's prudent? Well, that's where I'm at now. I reeeeaaallly want to tell you (can't you tell by the way I keep drawing out my words?) but I think I best hold my tongue just a wee bit longer.

I know this will rile several of you up, so I have two ways to attempt to pacify you. One, if you know my phone number, and you want to call me, I'll tell you what it is--it's not SUPER secret, just not internet-sharable yet.

And two, pictures of my weird kids:





See? That's better, isn't it?

Really--I don't even like maple syrup

Matt and I are packing up the car to drive to the Rock for a long overdue weekend with my grandmother. The kids are way excited, and I'm looking forward to it myself.

When I get back, I have some VERY exciting news to blog about. NO, I am not pregnant. NO, we are not moving to Vermont to start a maple syrup factory. (where did I come up with that one?!) Anyway, I can't wait to share it with everyone and see what you think.

In the meanwhile, I'll entertain guesses! If anyone gets it right, they might just get a prize! And I know that there are a few people who read the blog who already know what it is--if you are one of them, do NOT spoil the surprise and do NOT make a guess. You know who you are. I will come after you.

Have a great weekend!

Idol on speed

It's been a loooong day and I'm tired, so you get the uberfast Idol recap. Blink and you'll miss it. Ready? Here goes.

Kris and Adam are amazing. Danny is great. Everyone else is inconsequential. I could go the rest of my life and never hear disco again, and be fulfilled.

I promise not to let another week go by without a post. My bad.

Idol recap

I can't believe we're already down to 7 people! Season 8, you have passed so quickly. Thoughts on movie night:

Allison: She's good, but I just can't get past my vague annoyance with her. I didn't think this one was as good as some of her other songs, plus David Cook tore this song UP last year, so there was no comparison for me.

Anoop: Very good, but again I just can't count him as one of my favorites.

Adam: Dude, I just love him. I think he's so cool. Abby has her doubts. When he finished, she said, "I didn't like it. I mean, I get the fact that we were all born to be wild, but still." Seriously, how old IS she?

Matt: Whoo, rough. Matt's growing on me, but that song was not so good.

Danny: Great as always, tinged with sadness. He's so cheery you forget he's a 20 something widow.

Kris: LOVED it. I had never heard that song, but I thought it was so cool. I'll download it for sure.

Lil: You know, she's not earth shattering, but she's not as bad as Simon makes her out to be either. What is his deal?

Quentin: That dude is a trip. Loved it at the beginning when he said Ryan's line.

Paula: Was I the only one who noticed that her tongue was blue, like she'd just had a lollipop?

Oh, and I think that the "only 2 judges commenting on each contestant" thing was a total cop-out, and not a good solution. How about you cut the commercials and the junk at the beginning? And perhaps can Paula? That would help.

It's a miracle

Saturday we accomplished the long-overdue feat of getting family pictures made. I actually got it together enough to buy the kids real Easter outfits this year, and I wasn't about to waste full price kids' clothes on one day. Armed with sugary bribes and prayers for patience, we arrived at the studio (Picture People in Rogers). I was thrilled, and rather shocked, that both kids performed brilliantly for the camera. We loved so many of the shots that we ended up buying the CD so I could make my own prints. Here are the pictures--which ones do you like the best?

I say what I mean...sort of

I am a grandiose speaker. I know it. I can admit it. I like words, and I use a lot of them. One of the things that I always notice about everyone, even myself, is when people overuse a word or phrase. As soon as I notice it, it becomes like a giant red flag that waves in my face every time the person says it. This is especially annoying with my own overused words and phrases, as I know I am doing it, but I CANNOT STOP.

In an attempt at self-evaluation (and because I couldn't think of anything else to blog about) here is a list of words and phrases I overuse, along with examples of my overuse.

1. Literally (There were literally 500 people in Target today.)
2. Seriously (I am seriously going to give Ethan away if he pours shampoo on the carpet again.)
3. Are you kidding me? (Ethan poured shampoo on the carpet again? Are you KIDDING me?)
4. Like (I voted for Kris like 90 times last night.)
5. {Superlative adjective} {noun} EVER. (This is the best cake EVER. That is the worst song EVER.)

ADDENDUM:
6. Ridiculous (That pasta is ridiculous, it's so good.) Thanks, Michelle, for reminding me!

Have I missed any? Most of you know me pretty well. Go ahead, tell me what I say. I can take the heat! Seriously!

(Yes, I know I just used seriously there. It was an attempt at irony...never mind.)

Idol update

Whoa, dude. I just saw Adam's performance (thanks, Patty!) That was amazing. I had never heard the original version, so I listened to it on iTunes, and Adam put them to shame. I think that will be my first download from this season! Loved it.

No love lost with Scott gone--his facial expressions kinda freaked me out. Anybody know what next week's theme is??

Idol---grrr

I am SO irritated. I watched most of Idol live, but had to pause it around 7:40 because it was a choice between putting the kids to bed and stuffing them under the couch. When I came back, I watched the rest--only to have it cut off right before Adam sang! I am so irritated. Seriously, they know that an hour means 60 minutes. Is it SO hard to keep track? And I think the way they do it seriously gyps (gips?) the last singer.

Anyway, tonight was wierd. I thought the best performance was Matt--that's definitely the type of song he can pull off. And I didn't think Kris was awful, just not quite as spectacular as he has been. Abby was furious with Simon for his comments to Kris. He has made an enemy forever!

What did you think? And how did Adam do? I'm off to see if I can find it out on YouTube yet.

Terrifying

If I ever encounter someone wearing one of these things in public, I think I might have a heart attack on the SPOT.

Meet Denzel

**Note: Idol update at the bottom**

We got our new refrigerator today. I am freakishly excited about it. When did I become this person who got giddy over appliances? Anyway, it is tall, black and beautiful, which is why I have named it Denzel.

Because I am so excited, and because I have nothing better to talk about, and because I feel some strange need to write a post that gives my friends ample mocking material, here are some photos of Denzel.


Isn't he handsome? And shiny?


An in-door ice dispenser. Sigh. I spent the last 10 years of my life without one of these babies. Never again.


Ooh, French doors. Denzel, you are so clever! And yes folks, that is Diet Dr. Pepper and Jello in my vegetable crisper drawers. Don't judge. See that V8 Fusion in the left door? Each glass is a serving of fruit AND vegetables. See? We're healthy. Ish.


I haven't transferred things from our garage freezer to this one yet, but I had to include a picture of it in all its handy glory. Look at the little shelf for frozen vegetables (or waffles)! Look at the pullout drawer for poultry (or ice cream)! Ahhh.

Yes, Denzel makes me happy. The kids seem to like him too. Fortunately, the buttons for the ice dispenser are above Ethan's reach, so until he figures out how to drag over a chair and flood the kitchen, we're in great shape.

But the best thing--the BEST thing--about Denzel? Some quirk of reflective science allows his shiny doors to act as some sort of miracle mirrors. Anyone who stands in front of him and looks at their reflection sees a slim, perfect version of themselves. I'm not dwelling on the irony of a thin me being the last thing I see before I open the fridge to get some cheesecake.

Come on by and meet my new best friend. He'll serve you a drink and tell you look beautiful. Seriously, this is WAY more than a refrigerator.

Idol Update: Justice was served. And Lady Gaga is a FREAK. With a ZIPPER on her EYE.