American Idol - Our Family's Review Plus JellyBean

American Idol Top Ten!! Woohoooo!!!

It's Tuesday night, once again. We have a guest reviewer tonight. Actually, he isn't a guest to us...He's Jelly..our officially unofficial official family member, officially. Actually, Jelly and the dh made a quick grocery store run. A race against time. See, the dishwasher is full and we have no detergent...and we don't want a repeat of last night's episode of suds all over the kitchen floor bc somebody decided it was a good idea to use regular dish soap in the dishwasher. And...we are out of grits. It's unfathomable to even think of beginning my day without my beloved bowl of grits. So, a quick run to Winn-Dixie was unavoidable.

Hello, Judges! Paula, Doodle said you look pretty tonight! Jelly wants to know if you're going to a prom afterwards? Hello Top 10! It's the first week of spring and we're all wearing drab neutral colors! Why? Why look so sad and gloomy?

Here we go................

Ramiele - "Hearts Alone"

Me - What a darling little baby girl she was! Ramiele sang another ballad. She seems to have a sweet disposition, a big voice. We want to see her sing something more upbeat. Yes, she was pitchy but she's also sick...

The Daddy - I like that song. It was a bit karaoke for me. She's gone.

Jellybean - Is that Randy playing the keyboard? I'm not digging her, dawg. Yep, she's gone.

Rayray - A little pitchy but she did fine.

Jason Castro - "Fragile"

Me - Happy Birthday, Jason!! Looks more comfortable on stage with his guitar.

The Daddy - He seems like a fun guy to know. I liked him and I'd buy his album before the others. What I like is that he isn't getting caught up in it all.

JellyBean - It wasn't overwhelming, but I liked it. I would buy that album.

RayRay - Pretty good but not his best performance.

Sayesha - "If I Were Your Woman"

Me - She did a beautiful job...I really like her.

The Daddy - She did good. (Is that all?? Yep.)

JellyBean - She's pretty! If it was a vocal contest, she's won. She didn't miss a note. I'd go out with her. (The Jell is single.)

Rayray loved it!

Chikezie - "If Only For One Night"

All - First of all, we've agreed that we are tired of the girls gathered around the stage screaming and waving and reaching and grabbing. It's distracting. Second of all, Chikezie has the same smile as our favorite pediatrician. Third, we all agree that he did pretty good. None of us were blown away, though. Did he get a little upset with Simon there at the end? Made me a little uncomfy. Don't talk back to the judges, people.

Brooke - "Every Breath You Take"

Me - Brooke, you're the family favorite. Win or lose, I'd buy your cd first. I feel your pain with the little restart at the beginning of the song. I did that once in a piano competition...but not as gracefully as you!

The Daddy - She did great. She'll be here next week. All the old people will like her. Wait a minute, I am "the old people." harhar.

JellyBean - I didn't think it was wow-ing. She wasn't strong tonight but she's good enough to carry. I love her hair straight.

Rayray - I liked it! Better than last week.

Michael Johns - "We Will Rock You & We Are The Champions"

Me - QUEEN! Woohoo! Loveloveloved it! Reminds me of high school pep rallies....

The Daddy - It was good, I guess. (He and Michael share a birthday. Awww.)

JellyBean - It was fun.... When you are singing Queen, it's ok to show your stomach...(that was in response to me saying..."Is that his stomach I see?")

Rayray - I liked it.

Karlie - "Total Eclipse of The Heart"

Me - Ok. I. love. this. song. This is totally one of my all time favorite 80s songs to sing. No, not in public. I even blogged it here. Carlie, you did the song justice, girl.

The Daddy - I didn't like the way she pushed the ending. She still did really good. It's prob one one my favorite songs from the 80s.

JellyBean - It was the perfect song for her. She's fine, I don't care what anybody says. Tattoos and all. She's beautiful.

David Archuleta - "You're The Voice"

Me - Awkward moment during the unscripted chat before the video. I didn't know the song but thought he sounded great and was his normal adorable self.

The Daddy - I think he did really good. I like that his songs have a message. He entertained me.

Jelly Bean - Was on the phone...no comment.

Rayray - ....thought he did good.

Kristy Lee Cook - "God Bless The USA"

Me - Ahem. Her hair looked so pretty tonight...how'd they get those little twisty things to stay...? Ok.....About that song. when it came out, everysinglebody and their grandmaw sang that song at every single patriotic ceremony, every single 4th of July church picnic, every single country festival south of the Mason Dixon line. I'm still not over being sick and tired of hearing that song. Simon was obviously NOT in the country when these events were taking place or he wouldn't have called the song choice brilliant. I'm not bashing God's blessings, now. Nooooo. I'm not. It's just that I've heard that song enough times to last me three lifetimes.

The Daddy - I thought it was her best performance.

Jelly Bean - I thought it was cheesy. Don't like her at all.

Rayray - Better than last week...

David Cook - "Billie Jean"

Me - Wow. That was just incredible! He and Brooke are my top two.

The Daddy - I think he's gonna be big. He's comfortable with a mic. I'm thinking he's the most talented person in this competition.

JellyBean - I think he's really talented. I'm wondering if that whole rock thing has played itself out, though.

Rayray - He reminds me of Chris Daughtry. He's one of my favorites.

Well, that was SO much better than last week's fiasco-ish 2nd week of Beatles music. I think we're all in agreement that Kristy Lee or Rami will be saying ttfn this week. Check out BooMama's blog for more fun Idol reviews!

Doodle and Butter were unavailable for comment this evening.

My loves....

"He who fears the Lord

has a secure fortress,

and for his children,

it will be a refuge."

Prov 14:26

He Made All Things New Again

American Idol - Our Family's Review

Since American Idol is the only show our family watches together weekly, I thought it'd be fun to post our family's reviews....for what it's worth.

We're down to the Top 11. It appears we are doing Beatles' songs...for the second week in a row??? What's up with that?

Amanda Overmeyer- "Back In The USSR"

Mama - I totally didn't know that song. I thought she did ok. She looked like she had a blast,that's for sure! Beautiful smile...I loved how she worked the audience at the end of her song. Boring she is NOT.

Daddy - I agree with Simon.

RayRay (age 12) - I think that she could have chosen a better song. It was pitchy.

Appledoodle (age 4 )- I think I liked it.

Butter (age 8) - I liked her...(from the ktichen, playing with kitties new birthday toys.)

Kristy Lee Cook - "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"

Mama - The low notes got her. She was off key on most of the song. It was definitely better than last week's mess.

Rusty - She hit the high note at the end...

Rayray - It was pitchy. I'm mad at her for selling her horse just so she could have the money to go to American Idol.

Appledoodle - I think I liked her.

Butter - Still playing with kitties and their birthday toys....

David Archuletta - "The Long and Winding Road"

Mama - He makes me smile. He's adorable...is he even shaving yet? Awesome job.

Daddy - It seems effortless when he sings.

Rayray - If I were in American Idol, David Archuletta would still be Daddy's favorite! (NOT true)

Butter - (who has joined us) I think he sounded good.

Appledoodle - did ballet through his whole song "I loved it!"

Michael Johns - "A Day In The Life"

Mama - I've been a fan since the beginning. I actually thought he did fine. I think his wife is pretty, too.

Daddy - I think he did alright. (I might add that last week Daddy commented that Michael Johns was too good for Idol.)

RayRay - I got a little bit bored but it was still good.

Butter - Awesome! He looks like Jelly! (Jelly is a nickname of our 6th unofficial family member, officially.)

Appledoodle - I don't think so. No.

Brooke White - "Here Comes the Sun"

Mama - She's is my favorite. Hands down. And not just because she's a believer.I love that her sweet husband is always there. Her song sounded wonderful to me. I agree that her movements were awkward. But she's just so lovable!

Daddy - She sang well, but shouldn't try to dance anymore. She dances like me. (No, you don't want to see him dancing...trust me. heehee)

Rayray - I like that she put her own twist to it and thought she did well.

Butter - (from another room) I didn't hear her but if I had, I would have liked her. (He's sweet that way. He likes everybody.)

Appledoodle - I loved it....as she wanders out of the room singing, "Here comes the sun doodoodoodooooooo."

David Cook - "Day Tripper"

Mama - He reminds me of my cousin whose name is David. Was that a harmonica?? No...a voice box thingy. I'm a fan. Yep, I am. He has a sweet countenance and a great voice.

Daddy - He sounded really good. I liked him.

Rayray - He chose the right song and did well on it.

Butter and Appledoodle aren't exactly available for comment......but I have a feeling they would say they liked it.

Carly Smithson - "Blackbird"

Mama - She has an awesome voice. But, she's from Ireland. This is American Idol. Her husband..he has lots of tattoos. I'm thinking he practices on himself? Can she sing? Oh yes. I agree with Paula...she has a gift.

Daddy - I don't understand that song...Blackbird fly into the night? What does that mean? She sang fine.

Rayray - I liked it. (She still doesn't feel good.)

Butter and Appledoodle are still unavailable for comment. So much for our family night of tv. It's past their bedtime.

Jason Castro - "Michelle"

Mama - Ok. He makes me smile, too...even though the dreds kinda look like long fur ball gifts from a kitty. He reminds me of Jack Johnson every so often. I agree with Paula...he is charming...and he can sing.

Daddy - He's hilarious. I thought he did good...he was himself. He's just goofy and I like him.

Rayray - I think he could have chosen a better song but he sang this one well.

Butter - Was not available for comment....again. He was eating his 4th piece of pizza.

Appledoodle - She danced again...

Sayesha Mercado - "Yesterday"

Mama - Chill bumps. The only song tonight that I got chill bumps from. Absolutely beautiful...the song, her voice, herself, her dress.

Daddy - Best so far tonight.

Rayray - I loved it.

Butter - I liked it.

Appledoodle - I loved it.

Chikezie - "I've Just Seen a Face"

Mama - Last week, this dude was amazing! We didn't even recognize him. This week, I didn't much like the arrangement and thought he was off pitch the entire song. But his smile is so contagious...and his parents seem just awesome. I can't help but like him.

Daddy - No comment....was getting the coffee ready and loading the dishwasher. Yes, you read correctly. He's from some other planet....one that manufactures extremely sweet and loving husbands.

Rayray - Not as good as last week. (Today's her first day with no fever since Saturday...until tonight. She's still trying to recover from the bug....is very worn out.)

Butter - Was getting an ice pack for his foot that he thinks is hurt

Appledoodle - Is in bed!

Ramiele Malubay - "I Should Have Known Better"

Mama - I love this song. Such a big voice for a tiny little thing.

Rayray - Too sick to care.

Everybody else is on the way or in their beds. And that's where I'm headed, too. Good night!!!

Happy First Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to Our Kitties!

Today is Chunji's first official birthday.

You can't tell by the picture that he's cross-eyed.

You can tell he's a chub.

He's our serious, proper, mannerly kitty.

I think he thinks he's a full-bred Siamese.

We won't tell him any different.

You wouldn't believe how he tolerates Appledoodle.

She hauls him around like a baby,

pushes him around in the doll stroller,

puts him in the babydoll bed and covers him with a blanket,

hugs and kisses all over him,

and he never fights her, never scratches, always gentle.

Althouth he looks terribly annoyed,

he puts up with it.

Sweet, sweet, kitty.

Happy Birthday to Punkin, too.

We don't know his actual date of birth, so he's sharing with Chunji.
He's our dingbat cat.
He knows he's not full-bred and
likes to prove his alley-catness to Chunji
by chasing and pouncing.......at 11:00 p.m....when I'm just dozing off.
He's scared of everything, especially loud noises and Papa.
He has odd habits.
He lays down in my sweep trash while I'm sweeping.
If we don't put the bread in the microwave at night,
we will find the entire loaf of bread the next morning,
two rooms away, under Ray's school desk...
every time.
He sniffs EVERYTHING.
He's nosy. Very nosy.
He tries to talk by making chirping sounds
and we've seen him scooping up food and water with his fuzzy paw
to eat/drink. No kidding!

I could do without the cat hair and fuzz all over the house and our clothes,
could do without the litter boxes...
but these two kitties are so special and fun for our family.
I grew up with kitties...
FeO grew up with kitties....
He and I had kitties as newlyweds - pre-kid days.
We're both "cat people"
raising "kitty people".

I'll put up with the cat fuzz, I guess.
Besides, didn't I see somewhere that
no outfit is complete without a little cat hair?

Make It a Double...

Who opened my front door and let the germs in my house? Three weeks. It's been three weeks of coughing, sore throats, high and low fevers, and snotty noses. We are on our second round of germs.

My fruity little stiff drink of choice for three weeks has been Airborne and/or its generic equal. I prefer orange flavored over lemon and not a lot of water....and a pink umbrella. (heehee) There's a huge lawsuit and the Airborne people are going to have to pay out millions of dollars to consumers who were supposedly scammed into believing that Airborne would cure their cold. Well, we never thought it would CURE our colds. Everyone knows there is NO earthly cure for a cold virus. But, Airborne works for the dh and me by boosting our immune system. I wish they had asked me to testify on behalf of Airborne! I start taking it as soon as a Little starts with a runny nose and I either don't get the cold at all, or I get an abbreviated version. Last week, however, I was beginning to wonder about my Wonder Drink. But, after three days, my cold was over. Completely over and done with.

There. That's my testimony/commercial for Airborne and their generic equals. I'm sure we're eligible for some of that 23.3 million dollars bc we've bought plenty of the product. But we will NOT be requesting a refund for something that actually works for us. I have no spiritual application today although I'm sure there are plenty. I'm still somewhat sleep deprived from battling the Doodle's 104 fever through the night. (She's better...)

Carrie Underwood Concert

The big day finally arrived.....

The highly anticipated Daddy/Daughter Date

to the Carrie Underwood Concert in Tallahassee!

Daddy took the afternoon off to make sure they arrived in plenty of time

and so they could eat pizza at The Loop.

Daughter's favorite moment of the concert was Carrie's opening.

It was very dramatic, complete with a countdown and video.

Then the place went dark, and Carrie rose up from the stage floor.

Daughter said she was trying to video the opening,

but was shaking so much from sheer excitement.

Daddy's favorite moment of the concert was when

Carrie sang "Jesus Take the Wheel" and "So Small"

and the entire civic center full of people was singing with her.

Carrie paused and said, "I love that...."

Carrie

Daddy and Daughter on their way