idol chatter

I know that I've been a little down on the contestants so far this year, but I can admit when I'm wrong.

Last night they all did amazing!

It helps that I love music from the Rat Pack era. I think this particular genre helped the contestants slow down a little and really think about how they were performing. So many of these songs require good intonation and deliberate phrasing -- you can't just rush through them in a cloud of notes.

The judges didn't seem as impressed, but I really liked Kris.

It isn't easy to go first and I thought he did a great job with How You Look Tonight.

I also have to give props to Danny.

He usually leaves me feeling a little cool -- he has a good voice, but never seemed to have much star quality. Until last night! He was really working it and sang great, to boot!

My least favorite (and the judges most favorite) has to be Matt. I really thought he should have left 2 weeks ago when the judges saved him. I miss Anoop and think this would have been his week. What better genre for Anoop than the crooners classics?!

Who will get the boot -- I guess we'll see tonight, but I'm hoping for Matt and afraid for Kris.

I also have to mention that, apparently, it's bad for me to let Idol be the last thing I watch before going to bed.

Last night I had a dream that Randy Jackson and I were jamming out in some dressing room. I was trying on jeans (why??) and he was giving me feedback by saying things like, "those are just alright for me" and "you really rocked it with that pair."

In between try-ons he and I were singing together and dancing around.

I think I might be going crazy.

I'll keep you posted.

heat wave

We had a major heat wave this weekend!

Here in Cleveland we get our share of cold, snowy weather -- in fact, for someone like me who loves warm weather, I think we get more than our fair share.

However.

As much as I like warm, sunny days I also love the transitions from season to season.

This week we went straight from 50s-60s on Thursday to 80s on Saturday and Sunday!! Too much! It actually went above 80º inside my house yesterday.

Drew and I went for a walk on Sunday afternoon and were actually a little bit disoriented because it was hot enough to be August, but there are no leaves on the trees yet. Some are starting to get green buds, but there isn't nearly enough shade!

Ok, global warming, you've made your point.

Let's go back to spring now and warm up a little more gradually next time. If I ever turn my A/C on in April again it will be too soon.

she's such a trip

Do any of you read The Amazing Trips?

This blog is written by a woman who has 4 year old triplets and an 18 month old singleton. She cracks me up. I'm really impressed by the way she's able to talk about important issues while throwing in enough humor to take the edge off.

Most of the time I'm a little surprised that she doesn't go over the edge.

You absolutely have to read her post from today.

It's not easy to talk about wanting to deport your 4 year old triplets (without sounding like a terrible person), but she really pulls it off. I can't read her blog at work anymore because I end up laughing too hard.

Today, I was almost 'lizzing'.

Enjoy.

don't judge a book

One of my favorite things about talent contests is when someone completely unexpected shows up and wows everyone.

I'm sure you've heard about her by now, but Susan Boyles did just that on Britain's Got Talent last week.

Click here to see her amazing performance!

I love her attitude -- she clearly knew that she would surprise and impress everyone, but wasn't pretentious or trying to fluff herself up.

I also love that she tried to leave before the judges gave their feedback! :o)

Britain has more people come on and wow the judges than any American show I've seen. Does anyone else remember Paul Potts? I think he impressed me even more than Susan.

Turn your volume up and enjoy!

play ball

My nephew, Owen, just turned 5 in March and is playing T-ball this spring! Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday he was a baby and now he's a real boy (not unlike Pinocchio) and can play T-ball!




Erin was able to be there for one of his practices over the weekend.



I remember many years ago when Erin played T-ball for a season. It wasn't good. She hated it. I have to give her props for sticking it out through the entire season, though. She's definitely not a quitter!


Here's to hoping that Owen has a better experience than Erin did!



I think he will. Look at that grin.

I'm hoping to make it out to Central PA for a game later in the season. You can bet I'll take lots of photos to document the whole thing. I know you're all on the edge of your seats.




Batter's up!




I love, love that the teams are still co-ed at this age. Check out the cutie in the front row with the pink mitt.

favorite thing friday

In the spirit of spring and Easter, this favorite thing friday is something that I absolutely need to welcome the season.

That's right, Marshmallow Peeps

Who else loves them?!

I know you're out there!

There's one qualification I have, though...

Peeps can only be consummed during the spring season.

I really don't approve of this "Valentines Peeps," "Halloween Peeps," "Christmas Peeps" conspiracy that's floating around.

I'm a purist.

I like Peeps in normal spring colors and only in the shapes of chicks or bunnies.

Don't ask me why -- they just taste better that way.

I'm also a big fan of keeping them fresh.

It's good that they come in packs of 3 sleeves because in our house, Drew likes them stale. I can't stand stale Peeps!

Keep my sealed up in a Ziploc and we're all good.

Welcome spring!

easter visitors

And I don't mean a bunny.

Drew and I had a wonderful Easter with a visit from our good friends, Bret and Betsy!

Our friendships go back to our time together at Bucknell. Drew and Bret were roommates during Drew's junior (Bret's sophomore) year and Betsy and I were roommates during our junior year. We all knew each other through Bucknell's chapter of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. I'm so glad that we have been able to maintain our friendship with them even after living far apart for the past 5 years!

We had a relaxing weekend that included several games of Pandemic

in front of the fireplace, thanks Drew

my sweetie is so good at saving the world from deadly illness

We also had a fun dinner at Fatheads (they now have a Cleveland location!)

and, of course, Easter ham. Yum.

We hope they come back again soon!

wordless wednesday

congratulations, meghann & scott!

Of the memories I have from my time at Bucknell there are several that stand out from the rest.

One of these is the time I spent with the people on my Freshmen dorm floor. We all took a class together, so in addition to the trauma joy we experienced as one from starting college, we also had extra time to get to know each other in class/studying/Wednesday night Humanities seminars.



I remember distinctly when I met my friend, Meghann. We were both wandering around the "Welcome Freshmen" academic carnival and met up at the Chemistry station. I recognized her from my hall and we hit it off right away. We were both going to be science majors and at Bucknell this meant Organic Chemistry, 1st semester Freshman year.

We were destined to spend a lot of study time together.

Meghann proved to be an awesome lab partner, study session instigator, and friend.

Eventually Freshmen year ended and we decided to join a bunch of our fellow Humanities friends on a dorm floor during Sophomore year.

HILL was born.

Oh, the times we had there. So fun.

This story isn't just a tribute to Meghann, though.

Like all good stories, this one has a boy.

Hi, Scott.

I first met Scott during my Freshman year as well. Only he was a Senior. And Meghann introduced us.

That's right, Meghann was already hanging out with Seniors. In the gateways.

She's something. :o)

Scott cemented himself in my memory by creating the most intriguing and disgusting (yes, both) project I've ever run across.

Ah, Tu-Now.

That's right, Tu-Now. For when you need Tuna, now!

Scott had to create something that would better society and he made "tuna in a tube."

Think Go Gurt, but with tuna salad in place of the yogurt. My stomach turned over a little just typing that.

It was vile.

If you can get beyond the gross aspects, you'll probably be asking yourself, "how in the world does tuna in a tube better society?"

I think Scott was asking himself that same question as he presented this product to his classmates and professor.

He managed to come up with a short list, including:

1) a good source of protein on the go

2) prevention of Senior citizens from cutting themselves on sharp tuna can lids

Wait, it doesn't end there.

What good is a product without a catchy jingle to sell it??

(to the tune of the Chia pet jingle)

When you're running out the door

And you need some Albacore

Tu-Tu-Tu, Tu-Now!

When I heard the jingle, I was sold. Scott was now one of my favorite people. Nine years later, I still laugh everytime I think about that project.

Scott and Meghann ended up dating after he graduated and maintained a long distance relationship for several years. They finally were able to live in the same town and just got engaged last week!

Congratulations, Scott and Meghann!

I love you both and wish you lots of happiness.

maybe she's who he meant

I make mistakes all of the time.

Call it living in the moment without considering the long term consequences or simply bad judgement, but I've had my fair share of, um what were you thinking, moments.

For instance, the day that I had my wedding hair style 'trial appointment' I was due to meet a friend for ice cream afterwards and cut the schedule a little too close. I hate, hate being late for things, so rather than hold up my friend, I just went to the (very crowded) ice cream place with my hair like this.





Nice, right?

Where I then proceeded to run into some friends of my parents' whom I hadn't seen since I was a girl. I stammered around and eventually explained that I don't usually look like this.

They were very kind about it, but I felt ridiculous.

Or maybe the time that I let Owen fall asleep while holding the remote control.



Have you ever tried to pry something out of the hands of a sleeping child? Sounds easier than it was.

I eventually gave up and decided to nap with him. My good choice of that day.



How about when Drew and I were in Japan and I assumed that the men driving these carts around the fish market would hesitate to hit me.



They didn't.

Maybe my longest reaching 'not thought through' decision was marrying into a family where I am always the shortest person around.



Even when it's just women.





This doesn't do much for my ego.

Maybe that's a good thing.

However...

when Darwin put his theory about survival of the fittest out there, I don't think he meant me with these kinds of bad decisions.

When he proposed that only the animals or people that have the ideal physical attributes (animals) or make the best decisions (people) towards their survival should and would survive to perpetuate the species, I'm pretty sure he had this woman in mind.

In Berlin over the weekend, a woman jumped the fence into the polar bear pool during feeding time.

Why oh why would someone jump into the polar bear enclosure?

During feeding time?

Why?!

Sure, polar bears look like this at first.



But then they grow up and do things like this to their food.



Luckily the zookeepers were able to distract the bears and pull the woman out.

She wasn't badly hurt, but did get a citation for trespassing.

Really? That's the only thing she did wrong?

As a study in contrasts, here's a photo I took of a polar bear during my last trip to the zoo.



I'm pretty sure that for those of us who don't want to be lunch, this is the view we're supposed to have.

This really put my 'fancy hair at the ice cream shop' mistake into perspective.

idol chatter

I didn't get a chance to post about American Idol yet this week and wanted to throw in my thoughts!

In all honesty, I have to admit the Adam Lambert hasn't always been my favorite.

Anyone else remember this?



After that torture performance, I wanted him booted. You shouldn't do that to Johnny.

Since then, though, he's really come around and done some amazing songs! Tuesday night was no exception. I loved, loved his version of Mad World.



I'm going to go ahead and predict Adam as one of the finalists.

I wasn't too sad to see Scott leave last night. Actually, I'm a little surprised that he lasted as long as he did. He seems like a super nice guy, but he just isn't a good enough vocalist for Idol. I definitely think that he could do well as a piano/singer, but not just as a singer.

Turn up your volume and enjoy Adam! Well, maybe just for the second song.

wordless wednesday

April (snow) showers...

emily makes a quilt - epilogue

I think this wraps up my musings about the quilt. I'm very happy with the final result and definitely plan to make another one (someday).



Now that I have a better idea of what's involved I'll be able to take my time and be more precise with the cutting, sewing, and assembly.



In the meantime, I'm getting my snuggle on.



And so is Drew.

emily makes a quilt - part 2

This weekend I finally, finally had some time to keep working on my quilt! I had every intention of keeping at it through the week, but that just didn't happen. We had a few days of beautiful weather last week, so Drew and I hit the road for after work walks almost every day. I just couldn't bear to go down in the basement when the sun was shining and it was 60º outside!

Quilting is definitely a winter hobby around here.

Starting on Thursday night, I managed to get the last border attached.



This was really quite easy after doing the first 2 -- just a different width.

On Saturday I got down to business with the finishing steps. The first thing I had to do was piece together the backing. I decided to use a solid dark blue -- no patterns to match up!

And sew it to the front.



What's a quilt without some softness in the middle? I decided to use a polyester filling (it's lighter than cotton) with a medium loft. This is a quilt, not a comforter.



So far, so good.

My book recommended the "Quick Turn and Tie" method for beginners. That's me.

This basically required me to roll the quilt up and flip it inside out through a hole I left on 1 side.

Drew helped me with this part and we did it with minimal damage.

After we got it turned I had to HANDSTITCH the opening closed.

Oh, crap.

It looks a little bit like Dr. Frankenstein had a go at it, but at least it will hold. (I hope.)

I'm too ashamed to put photos of that part up, sorry.

Finally I just had to take some embroidery floss and tie the 3 layers together every 4 inches.

Oh my.

I was doing this on the floor for at least 3 hours.

I thought I might have permanently damaged my back, but don't worry, a little time on the couch with my new quilt and I'm good as new.



It only took 2 weekends and about 30 episodes of Felicity and I have a new quilt!



What do you think??

I love it!

favorite thing friday

I see a lot of things advertised on TV that look pretty darn intriguing.

Maybe I didn't think about it much beforehand, but once I see the commercial, the realization hits me that I could use killer abs, or hands free plant watering, or a blanket with sleeves, or free money!

Luckily for me, not too long after the initial rush of desire my rational side kicks in and I remember that most of those claims are just too good to be true.

Please don't stage an intervention for me, I've never actually bought anything off an infomercial.

(Does it say something about our culture that we have a word for that type of ad?)

However.

Sometimes a product comes along that actually does live up to (most of) the hype.

I saw this advertised on TV a few times and was intrigued, but skeptical.

I mean, really, can foundation actually go on lightly, but still cover well.

Plus make your skin more healthy.

Plus provide extra SPF (hello, skin cancer's #1 target, right here).

Plus only take 5 minutes to apply.

I don't think so.

Or I guess I should say, I didn't think so.

i.d. Bare Escentuals is the best make-up I've ever used.

I wandered into Sephora one day with the intention of trying it out. The nice ladies there fixed me all up, by showing me how to do it on half my face, then letting me do the other half. I hate it when people who are pros show you how great a product is because I can never repeat it at home. Never.

This was good because I saw that I could get the same results as the pros!

I walked around the mall in the make-up for the rest of the day and was really impressed by how well it held up. I don't usually wear much make-up, so how light it feels was a huge plus to me.

I bought the starter kit that same day and haven't looked back since!



It's a great overall foundation, but I would still recommend using a cream concealer for blemishes -- it's not so great at covering those.

I've also tried the eye shadow, liner, and lip gloss -- all fab!

Some people will be put off by the cost (about $60 for the starter kit), but believe me, it's worth it. I only need to buy a new foundation once or twice a year ($20) and I use it every day.

Let me know what you think!