This is a video of Addison's latest ISR lesson

The grass

This is my new favorite picture.  I think it encompasses what Summer, childhood and being a girl is all about all rolled into one.

American Idol - Who will it be??

The entire show last night was overall unimpressive. I wasn't nearly as excited about it than last year. However, Crystal and Lee both did their best and it didn't leave me irritated at anyones poor performance. Who do I think will win? Let me start with who I'd like to win which would be Crystal. She is the most talented in my opinion. I also recognize the motions you have to go through afterward can be grueling and I'm not so sure she'd enjoy that part - making all the media rounds, performing at every awards show, etc. Maybe I don't want her to win because of all that. I think that Lee will win it. It seems like my favorite usually gets runner up or kicked off even before the final two.

Tonight should be a good show. Wonder if they'll do something special for Simon. I will miss him as a judge. It will be interesting to see who they pick as a judge.


-- Post From My iPhone

My birthday TEA

My co-workers surprised me for my birthday and took me to a delightful "tea" lunch at Basically British near downtown.  Here are a few pictures I took with my iPhone of the meal.  Each person gets their own pot of tea that you can pick from a menu book about 8 pages long.  This allows for sharing.  The embiance was lovely in a renovated old building.  The setting was fairly intimate with only 6-8 tables more or less, but a huge window floods the room with natural light.  The scents are fantastic with all the different kinds of tea leaves and spices mingling together.  It was - just lovely.

The only thing I didn't eat off that menu was the cheddar onion sandwich because my co-worker said it was very oniony, so I didn't touch it with a 10-foot pole.

Grandma and Addison

This is a picture of Addison with her great-grandma Louise.  She doesn't say her "L"s, so it comes out like Moo-eez.

This is another picture that makes me smile everytime I look at it because I know the sound that accompanies it, and it's delightful.  They were having a giggle.  The only way we could get Addison to smile for these pictures properly was to say "WEEZIE" as goofy as we could.  It finally got to her here.

This was also the day she told great-grandma Louise that she couldn't talk to her because she was too distracting.

Smashburger and blowers

I realized that I haven't recently posted any pictures of my ever-growing preschooler.  At her last doctor's visit she was exactly 36 inches tall and 31 pounds.  That puts her in the 10th percentile for height which basically means she's short.

About a month ago we went to Smashburger for the first time.  I would recommend it.  You can't leave without Smashfries.  I have to say I went back and ate in the restaurant recently and the fries are way better fresh and hot.  Rosemary and garlic and a little olive oil...mmm.  Makes a good fry.

Anyway, Addison is a bathroom explorer.  Just about any new place we go, she has to go to the bathroom.  Takes everything I have not to get skeeved out by some of the nasty ones we've seen.  Oddly, one of the worst is at T.W.I.G.S where she has her ISR (swim) lessons.  It's also very hard to hold 30 pounds up to wash her hands.  These places are NOT kid friendly bathrooms most of the time.  I've seen cute little urinals in the boys bathroom for little guys, why can't they put a little toilet in for the girls?  She's holding on to dear life to not fall in while she uses the HUGE potties they have in public bathrooms and since she's terribly independent, she wants to do it on her own which results in her fingers being wrapped around that nasty seat.  I need little seats and step stools or lower sinks.  Come on people!

Along with bathrooms, come hand blowers.  (I swear I'm coming full circle here.)  One of the most powerful hand blowers I've seen so far is the one at Smashburger.  It's a giggle to watch her startle every time you hit the button - even when she's expecting it.  Here's the picture.

AI: top 6 boot off

Well, a little too early Siobhan got voted off. I haven't been as impressed the last few weeks with her, but I certainly didn't think she was at risk for going home. Her farewell was kind of sad too. And yet, we still have Aaron and Lee who I always forget. Ah well.


-- Post From My iPhone

AI: Top 6

Simon ought to be loving this night since he loooves country music so much.

Lee, oh Lee. I really think it's time for you to go home. You're gonna torture me.

Mike - good song choice. I almost didn't recognize it and I think it was wise to pick a song that wasn't so mainstream as some of Shania's other songs. Good job!

Addison recognizes Ellen on the show since we watch the Ellen show. She says "she's not at her other home". Silly girl.

Casey - anyone notice that these interviews with Casey involve a sunny day and breezy winds blowing through his golden locks? Corny. The song wasn't bad, but it wasn't a favorite of mine. I don't think he'll go home for it this week.

Crystal - what a weird song choice for her. Not my favorite, but she'll be okay, I think (I hope). This bordered on trainwreck, but I guess they all have bad weeks.

Aaron - I'm still surprised he's made it this far. This is one of my favorite songs "you've got a way"... But I think it may send him home.

Siobhan - really? That's a Shania only song or at the very least a Karaoke performance. I only liked the end, but the rest was terrible.

New judge thoughts? I think Katie Perry would be a good Simon replacement, but then Randy would be way outnumbered. Any other thoughts?

-- Post From My iPhone

A most disagreeable child

At 3 years old, Addison can be the most disagreeable and argumentative person I've ever met. You could say the grass is green and she will vehemently argue otherwise. Case in point: we were at the grocery store last weekend standing in line with our food on the conveyor when a man joined in line behind us. Addison rather loudly informs me, "there's a lady right there". Of course I have to turn around to see and was faced with a fairly obvious male. I discreetly leaned over and whispered in her ear, "that's a man, not a lady". "NO, THAT'S A LADY BEHIND US. SHE'S IN LINE.". Okay then. End of discussion. I cannot argue with her at this point and cause a scene, so I guess she won.


-- Post From My iPhone

AI boot off

Okay, I am mourning the loss of Andrew, but I guess I knew he wouldn't last much longer. I'm glad to see Katie go --- but WHEN will Tim go? Jeez.


-- Post From My iPhone

Video of Addison playing in the "rain"

She wanted to play in the "rain" so we dressed her up in her rain gear and let her have at it until her teeth were chattering.  She had a blast.

Addison wanted to play in the "rain"

AI Top 9

Aaron - that was the longest song ever. He just doesn't blow me away. Kara says at this point you have to be great and he's not.

Katie - I didn't find it as fabulous as everyone else did. I mean it started out much better, but she brought her Katie sound into it and I lost interest.

Andrew - I LOVED IT!

Mike - not my favorite performance of his, but I like the song, so I could kind of overlook it.

Crystal - great! I actually think her cold made it sound better.

Tim - damn you teethy Tim. I actually liked it. Grr.

Casey - he really seemed to get into that song. It was very impressive.

Siobhan - willl she scream or be mire conservative? Guess she went conservative, but man, that was weak! That was just weird. She might possibly be in the bottom 3 tomorrow. Hopefully it's not time for her to go home yet, but I didn't care for it.

Lee - not bad and I love Hey Jude. What was the point of the bagpiper though?

-- Post From My iPhone

AI: top 10 boot off

Now we have to watch movie promos during the show?!? Brother.

Really? Didi over Tim and Katie? I don't know if I can take another week of Tim.

BTW, the beauty of DVR'ing the show and watching it back is that I'm not subjected to nonsense like PDiddy and his Dirty Money.


-- Post From My iPhone

Top 10: AI

What IS it with Kara and Simon?

Siobhan - oh dear. That was pretty terrible. She's been knocked down a couple notches on my list.

Here's a perfect lesson... Ellen = real tan (she was just in Orlando taping her show)... Kara = spray tan. Just in case you don't know the difference.

Casey - not bad! I thought it was great and one of his best yet even though he seemed a bit nervous at first. I liked it and it was the perfect song for him.

Big Mike - he did a great job too. I worried because it was a slow song and that usually kills the contestant but it was good.

I don't get the celebrities wearing shades inside. How can they see?

Didi - am I the only one not surprised that Didi cries nearly every night? Poor Usher. Looked like he was slowly backing up from the weeping chick. Okay, so that was pretty good though it seemed measured so it was a bit boring near the end, but I think she mixed it up enough to make it alright. Siobhan did worse tonight in my opinion. I'm confused about why she wouldn't say what the song was for. Weird.

Tim - I'm so over you Tim and your goofy faces and too white teeth. Boooooorrrrriiiiiinnnnnnggggg....zzzzz. Huh? What? Sorry, I think I fell asleep. Timmy, go home.

Andrew - I love Andrew and I loved this song. I would totally buy an album of his. Nice.

Katie - I knew before it started that I probably wouldn't like it. When she tries to pull of the girl-power, strong female she comes across as a little girl playing dress-up. I didn't like her outfit either. Nobody is looking good in those shorts jumpers. Trying to look more mature she ended up looking younger.

Lee - not my favorite. He did okay and is probably getting closer to his "sound". This is his genre. He might do well to go the country/rock route.

Crystal - heels? What have they done to you? I still love you. It certainly was a different performance for her. It was good! I was a little worried about the piano - seeing as how the whole point last week was about getting out from behind the instrument, but she got out from behind the piano and surprised us all.

Aaron - it was good, but didn't blow my socks off.

Fun fact: Simon is allergic to lambs wool.

-- Post From My iPhone

Top 11 boot off

Admittedly we are watching both yeaterdays episode and tonights all at once. We got busy and by the time we looked at the clock the whole evening had gone.

Tim and Paige in the bottom 3...sounds appropriate.
How odd that Miley Cyrus is a mentor...but surprisingly I wasn't as annoyed with her as I thought I'd be. She acted like a professional and had valuable criticism.

I thought Didi sounded pissed and frustrated. I'm also surprised that Aaron wasn't in the bottom 3.

What the? I totally disagree with Katie being in the bottom 3. I think this might be a case of people thinking other people are voting for her. Usually when this happens I think it opens the fans eyes and they truly start voting properly.

The Jonas/Demi Lovato song was true to the Disney saccharine of a lot of their Disney kid collaboration songs. Cheesy.

Yay! Paige is gone! I don't even need to hear her sing for redemption. I already know! But what a blow for her to NOT be able to sing it. Yikes.

-- Post From My iPhone

The lady at the bus stop

I saw a homely looking woman waiting for the bus last week. Don't get me wrong, because around here the bus transport does not have a good reputation and those that use it are not looked upon favorably even if it's a choice. Anyway, back to the lonely woman. There she sat on a sunny, clear almost Spring day. Waiting. She was dressed relatively poorly - trousers too short for her tall frame, baggy shirt and jacket and a large bag holding any number of treasures. Even her shoes had seen better days. She wasnt particularly attractive. What struck me most about this woman was the sponge curler smack dab in the middle of her forehead. All I could think of, or wonder about was who was that curler for? She obviously had to have had it in for some special occasion later, right? She could have taken it out before riding the bus, but this seemed purposeful. Some big occasion that she'd patiently wait for her bangs to curl over her forehead. Was she planning on a romantic interlude? Perhaps just meeting with an old friend. Maybe even just visiting with family. So, here I am wondering what she did later and wishing it was worth her efforts to look pretty and hoping that someone else noticed.


-- Post From My iPhone

American Idol Top 12 boot off

Orianthi - she really rips on that electric guitar.

Not surprised about Paige and Tim being in the bottom three, although I was a little surprised about Aaron NOT being there.

Ke$ha - boy, I thought the 90's produced the worst decade of music so far, but with artists like this and Lady Gaga, this decade may take the prize. Whew.

Grrr. Another week with Paige. Alright America, let's get serious here. Sorry to see Lacey go.

-- Post From My iPhone

Top 12: Rolling Stones week

Rolling Stones is kind of a strange choice of musical groups, but whatever I guess.
Michael did okay.
Didi I wasn't so crazy about. Maybe it was the song?
Casey - maybe this was a more appropriate challenge for him. He's done better than the previous two and I liked the guitar. He looked so nervous and soo excited.
Lacey - it was interesting, but I'm not sure it was good enough.
Andrew - I didn't like the song choice. Wasn't impressed, but I still have love for Andrew.
Katie - not bad. I think it might have been one of her best. Not my favorite. She reminds me a teensy of Kathrine McPhee only not vocally as good.
Tim - hmmm. He makes goofy faces. He seemed off a bit. I liked the song and the arrangement, but he was kind of pitchy to me. Maybe I don't know the song.
Siobhan - quirky little Siobhan. She was gorgeous! The song lingered at the beginning but I think it got better toward the end. Not a personal best for her, but she's a strong singer. He always ends well. Is that an Edward Gorey tattoo on her right arm? Sorry mom, but that's cool.
Lee - am I repeating myself every week? Maybe I'm contradicting, I don't know cause I'm not looking back. He's not my favorite. I'm sure I've been pretty consistent about that. That said, he did pretty good. I liked this performance more than any of his past ones.
Paige - if she doesn't go home this week...I'll be disappointed. She just can't sing those lower registered. And it was a stupid song for her. She struggled with her voice this week? She struggles with it every week. Seriously. They'll think differently when they hear it back.
Aaron - oh yeah, I forgot about him. He's got a ways to go. I think with age he'll get better but I don't think he's better than anyone else performing.
Crystal - amazing! And how cute was her dad?!

-- Post From My iPhone

AI Top 16 boot off

Who went -
I can't believe Paige made it through! Not that Kaitlyn did any better, but that means somebody else will have to leave that may not have deserved to go.

Todrick - I'm not surprised. I also realize that when the guys get kicked off and have to sing they usually do the best job ever. The girls - well, not so much. And they are just a blubbering mess!

I would have been very upset if Andrew hadn't made it through I did feel a little bad for Alex. He's just a shy guy. Maybe he'd be a better recording artist and not so much a stage performer.

So back to the girls. Katie and Lilly. I knew this was going to happen when Paige made it through. Neither of these two deserve to leave and I think they both had more to show. When it came down to it though, I'm shocked it ended up being Lilly. Seems like she was surprised too.

Now we have our TOP 12! This will be interesting!


-- Post From My iPhone