Guys Night #1

You know, if my DVR had not recorded the first half of Idol last night, that would have been just FINE. I didn't like the first six guys AT ALL. UGH. So with the girls, the judges totally wanted them to bring new arrangements to music, show something new, and with the guys, they wanted them to stick closer to the original songs. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS!

Todrick Hall? I think he has potential but that Kelly Clarkson song (song? can you call it that?) was just bad. BAD. At least he held my interest, though, unlike

Aaron Kelly. WHAT do the judges see in him? I don't get it at all. I mean, are they trying to sell him as another Archuleta? Sorry, he's SO not.

Jermaine Sellers - why, oh why, did he pick that song? Same thing for John Park, hello- these are hip, young college-age guys and I can't figure out why they'd pick such old, dull songs!

Tim Urban? STOP trying to be Zac Efron, dude, with the hair. You're so not hot enough. I love that song, but oh, my, you could NOT sing it.

Joe Munez - I kept waiting for him to break into Spanish. The verses were fast, and at times I thought he DID, actually. His eyes are weird and intense for me, and I don't at all like watching him sing.

Tyler Grady - didn't like him in audition, still don't like him. We'll see if he can get out of the 70s next week.

LEE DEWYZE - FINALLY, somebody showed up! Thank you! Love, love love his voice - though he's received almost zero face time on previous shows... what's his story, anyway? I think he's got a bit of a Kurt Cobain-ish mumbling issue, though, I find myself thinking "What did he just say?" I'm really surprised the judges haven't mentioned it yet.

Michael Lynch - I like his personality too, but his nasally voice doesn't do anything for me. Maybe we can get him some kind of sinus surgery to fix it? Hmmm... he's a big, fun teddy bear, isn't he?

Alex Lambert - well, he's no Adam Lambert, is he? His mullet deeply disturbs me. And I'm not terribly fond of his voice. Couldn't wait for it to be over...

CASEY JAMES - oh, wow, finally, thanks again for redeeming this show. He was GREAT. I thought it was totally rude of Kara to be swooning when he came on stage, though - I think it distracted him from his performance.

Andrew Garcia - last night he was only so-so, but I think he has a great act that I'm looking forward to seeing again.

Girls Night #1

Quick recap:

I can't figure out why all the judges like Paige so much. So not impressed. She must have been WAY better in Hollywood week.

Ashley Rodriguez - should so go home. We shall see...

Janell - All American blonde girl next door. I love her look, and thought she was amazing during H.W. I agree, though, that this wasn't her best type of song.

Lilly Scott - I LIKE her, she's odd, I know, but I think she could do some really, really cool things on Idol. Hope she stays.

Katelyn - "Fro" girl has a way better voice than I remembered. I like her too.

Haeley - the black country singer? Ouch. Her song was painful to listen to, I had to look away from that ginormous smile a la Julia Roberts. I predict that she'll stay this week, but won't make it to the top 6 girls.

Redhead, over-made-up Lacey - ugh, could she have been more off pitch on this song? Couldn't wait til it was over. SEE YA! She'll for sure go home this week.

Michelle Delamour - or should I say, Whitney's little sister? (Am I the only one who thinks she looks like her?) Her smile seems too fake, like she's always posing for a camera, versus actually being happy. Her song was very, very good though. I liked it.

Didi - The cryer. This was so, so, so NOT my type of song, but I think she could do well. We'll see if she stays around to prove herself to me.

Siobhan Magnus - Wow, what a name. I think her "Wicked Game" song was quite good (or was I just reminiscing high school days? Sigh...) I'm looking forward to what she'll do next.

Crystal Bittersox, oh, I'm sorry, Bowersox - has never watched Idol before, she just wants a bigger paycheck. I'm having a flashback from Cruella last year. And no matter how good she is, I'm turned off from the very start.

Katie Stevens - I think her voice is amazing, though at 17 I'm not sure she's matured to even know what kind of songs she SHOULD be singing... talk about lots of potential though!

Love month - 15, 16, 17

I love the way J runs when he's on a mission, especially when at the grocery store. If he sees a "car" cart, we absolutely MUST procure it. Today he spotted one just after getting out of the car, and raced with all his might to get in and get behind the wheel. He also jumps out of the cart and bolts to the lobster tank when we near the back of the store - he insists on having me lift him up so he can see them up close and say "hi" to his little friends every time we go.

I love the way J jumps off of things with both feet, and the way he gallops along beside me.

I love when J cruises around on his Big Wheel. He has to really stretch with his toes to get those pedals to turn all the way around, but he's gotten quite good at it, and can go pretty fast. He's actually great at steering and turning corners. He loves to ride down to "Sahyee's hou". I love that he tries to carry his treasures on the back.

Love Month, still?

Am I really ten days behind - sheesh!

Okay, quick list - things I love:

5. Photoshop
6. Fresh clean sheets
7. Blueberry bagels with berry cream cheese
8. Tomato sandwiches
9. Produce Co-op
10. Good school teachers
11. The Olympics!
12. Sleeping in
13. Garage cabinets
14. My delusional dream that our wonderful neighbors won't move away after all...

Hollywood Highlight

My favorite from Hollywood Week. A crappy video, but you'll get the idea of Andrew Garcia taking a song ala Kris Allen and turning it around along with his guitar. GREAT!

Stuff I love, lots of days behind.

4. My middle child. She is such a sweetheart to her little brother. She's made up a behavyur (her spelling, not mine) chart for him, and asks me every day if he was good or bad - then she puts a sticker on the appropriate day. She is a fantastic helper in the kitchen, and with any crafts Mommy is making, and with jobs around the house. "Sure Mom!" can often be heard coming out of her mouth. She has deemed herself the "official taster" in our house, and gets the first bite or drink of whatever Mommy is making to make sure it's good. She is a huge fan of smoothies and of dipping broccoli and carrots and raw spinach in ranch dressing. She is a huge fan of eating most everything, actually. Her eyebrows raise to an impossible height and her eyes get WIDE as can be when she animatedly tells you a story about something that happened at school. Usually accompanied by her voice amplifying hundreds of decibels, as well. She is an excellent student in school, and gets 100% on almost every assignment. We talk about her "smarty pants" that she must be wearing all the time, to get such good grades at school. She is funny and clever and silly and sweet and thoughtful and smart and I LOVE HER!

Stuff I love, days 1, 2 and 3

This LOVE challenge extended by Amberly coincides with my new FITNESS challenge, so all I've been thinking about the first three days of the LOVE challenge have been things I'm not actually partaking of because of the FITNESS challenge - ugh, I will try to dig a little deeper, though, than my Coke Zero and chocolate obsessions.

Anywho - on to the OTHER things I love.

1. My 2-yr-old. Wow, does this kid bring sunshine and joy and fun everywhere he goes. He is quick to grin, loves his blankets, and still takes a nap, thankfully. His latest thing is to answer in mimic anything you ask him, but of course saying "NO" first - like "J come sit at the table and eat your dinner" to which his response is "No sit table eat deer!" in a short, staccato, harsh tone. SIGH. It's almost too cute to get mad at him.

2. American Idol. Obviously! This time of year is always exciting, with the crazy people auditioning, seeing amazing talent for the first time, learning about everyone's backgrounds... I'm ready for Hollywood week to start!

3. Exercise. Yep, it's definitely in the "love" column on any love/hate list I would make. I'm blessed to be able to pretty much do anything I want without any pain, and love to get the endorphins flowing. Whether I've changed my body at all in the last couple of years is a questionable, but I'm okay with that. Love being able to watch my favorite DVR'd shows while I run nowadays, too!

So - your turn! What do you LOVE this month?