American Idol's Season 8, Rat Pack Standards, top 5

Tonight's Mystery Mentor is...........Jamie Foxx!

I wasn't quite sure this would be a good mentor for this theme, but I enjoyed him. He even said that he was surprised at how well he liked AI's Top 5.

Kris Allen started off the night (and I hope not to his detriment) with The Way You Look Tonight, a Frank Sinatra tune. Jamie Foxx just loved him. He even said that he'd like to work with him on a song (or was that an album?). Can't recall for sure. Personally, I thought Kris showed a different side of him with this performance.

Randy: "Looking to see who's in it to win it." "This is your best performance to date."

Kara: "Tonight you have set the technical standard so high." "You are truly a dark horse in this competition."

Paula: "Contemporary crooner"

Simon: "It was a little bit wet" (whaaaat?) "I didn't think it was incredible." "It was good." (a few mixed messages, huh Simon?)

Allison Iraheta turned 17 on the 27th. She sang Someone To Watch Over Me, by Ella Fitzgerald and Jamie thought it was "incredible". I thought her vocals were GREAT! I love her. Sounded a bit like Norah Jones in some parts.

Randy: "You sing like Pink but with 9,000 more octaves. I loved it"

Kara: "I ain't nervous for you any more!" "You are not a one-trick pony. Just a rock chick!"

Paula: "I have been waiting so long to hear how you'd do a ballad" "I'm really proud of you"

Simon: "Do you think you can win the competition at this stage?" Simon commented that he doesn't think she has the confidence or believes that she can do it. "A great performance." "I have a horrible feeling you could be in trouble tonight."

Matt Giraud loves jazz and chose to sing My Funny Valentine sung by both Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Jamie said "It's a big song. If he changes the key and sings in his full voice, he might nab #1". I'm personally thinking he could have done a jazzier, more up-tempo tune. It was great vocally though.

Randy: "Probably one of the hardest songs ever" "A little pitchy" "Didn't quite come together"

Kara: "I didn't feel you were emotionally connected to it".

Paula: "Pure, simple and really impressive"

Simon: "I'm going to have to disagree with -----------------Randy." (wow!) "Nat King Cole type of phrasing"

Danny Gokey gave the song Come Rain or Come Shine, another Sinatra tune, a bluesy feel. Jamie Foxx "got all up in his grill" and it was funny to see. He was kinda shocked that Danny sang better when he got into Danny's personal space -- really close! Uhhh! I just love that gruff voice he does! I mean, divorce-my-husband-and-abandon-my-kids kind of love. Okay, not that serious, but it's serious enough! ;-) Excuse my next statement, but that voice just hits my audio G-spot! Wow.

Randy: "You are the only one I heard so far tonight who could have an album"

Kara: "The end of that performance was the most creative"

Paula: "Stellar performance"

Simon: "A swagger and confidence" "What Jamie's brought out, particularly in you tonight, is incredible"

Wow, they liked it too!

Adam, dear Adam. You know no matter what he does, it's going to be good. Always entertaining, but good too. Adam sang Muse's version of Feeling Good, first brought on the scene by Sammy Davis Jr. Jamie said, "The way he's singing the song right now, he's gonna knock everyone's head off". OK. Is that a good thing??? :-) I thought it was an amazing performance, like always. It had a rock edge to it. Wow.

Randy: "I'm sounding like a broken record" "You're in the zone consistently. A little theatrical. A little too drama-filled."

Kara: Regarding the song choice she tells us she was thinking, "Is he really doing that?" "I like you" "You're shocking. In a good way." "Craziness". (she loves him)

Paula: "Words cannot describe......" "You make me feel better than good"

Simon: "I love Randy talking about you being theatrical. It's like complaining that a cow moos." "Winning is important. You want to win. That's why I like your showmanship."

Until tomorrow America!

Friends

I have to say, I am extremely blessed to have the friends that I have in my life. Even though some are not really "friends" (as I think this word is over-used....kinda like the word "love"), they are more like my new word describes, "fraquaintances" . That is, more than an acquaintance, but not quite someone you would consider a friend. You're friendly. Friends are a bit more special.

I have a few special friends that I see regularly and love their company. One of them I can be completely transparent with, and that is rare. Our families do a lot together, our husbands like one another....what more could I ask for? She has helped me with so many things in my life, to make it better, I just couldn't thank her enough. I love her like a sister.

I have another friend, one that I am still getting to know better, and I've known for years. She is so knowledgeable, I am always learning from her. She is passionate, loves debating and discussing topics that I wouldn't dare discuss with some people I know. She allows me to reach beyond the normal bounds in life. She and I color outside the lines regularly! I wouldn't have it any other way. Her kids are sweet, gentle and just all around great kids. Her husband is a diamond in the rough.

Then there are the tried and true friends. I have a friend that I don't see all that often. We just pick up wherever we left off. We don't live too close to one another, but make it a priority to get together once in a while so we cab just talk, talk, talk. Playing catch-up mostly. She's a gem. I learn a lot from this friend. (I'm sensing a theme here) I can be pretty transparent with this friend too...or at least I think I can. I think I'm more inclined to tell the first friend that I mentioned those deep, dark thoughts because we see one another more often, and like the first friend this friend can be trusted to love me no matter what I say. I think that is one of the great things about her. I've been friends with her for about 14 years now. I can't believe it's been that long! We've had dreams of many sorts throughout the years but it wouldn't matter to me if they were to ever come true. I'm glad she's in my life.

I have to tell a little story. The friend of 14 years knew me before I became a born-again Christian. She saw all the ugliness in me and the transformation. I think it was huge. I should ask her one day what she saw. But I digress.... After accepting Jesus into my heart and my life, I prayed and prayed for friends that were Christians to fellowship with. My church had young people, but none that we connected with. We hung out or got together, but it was on a shallow level. Nothing deep or meaningful. I craved people in my life that would pray with me. I craved people in my life that would pray for me and people who would ask me to pray for them. I craved people who no longer had beer and Hooters as their main focus (not that beer, or the food at Hooters is a bad thing!). You know what I mean, right? Well, around the same time, we decided to homeschool. Now, prior to this, I was used to being the outcast or black sheep, if you will, in my circle of friends and family. Homeschooling didn't help! In some ways though, God answered my prayers. I met a whole bunch of "weird" (like me) people in the homeschooling community. Some of those relationships have petered out a bit, but we remain "friendly". I was blessed to have had those during that difficult time. Six years later and I have friends like those I highlighted above, and more. That's why I consider myself extremely blessed!

Friends by Bette Midler

American Idol's Season 8, Top 7 - again. Performance and results.

Those of you who saw American Idol last week already know that Matt Giraud made the "save" and came back this week. That is why we have two weeks in a row of "Top 7" and will have no Top 6. We're going directly to Top 5. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.

This week is Disco week. Ick. I'm not a fan of disco. My mom would have loved this week, if she were still alive. I thought about her a lot. Ahem....anyway....

Lil Rounds started off the night on Tuesday with I'm Every Woman by Chaka Khan. I didn't care for the performance. I felt bad for her because the judges, once again, gave her confusing messages. Oh, except Simon, who told her they wouldn't be seeing her again. What a schmuck. Randy said, "Sounded so wild to me". "You definitely can sing. It still didn't really show, is what kind of artist and what you can do at this point in the competition." Kara said, "All of America has been waiting for you to sing Chaka Khan, and I'm not really sure it was worth the wait". Ouch! "Still didn't tell me who you are as an artist". (I'm sure she's as tired of hearing this as much as I am). Paula talked about how she was on vocal rest the day before and how she gives her credit for being able to sing as well as she did. Simon told her in his most blunt style, when Lil said she had a lot of fun, "I'm glad you had fun because I think this is the last week we're going to see you."

Kris Allen sang "She Works Hard For the Money" by Donna Summer. Okay, I had flash backs of when Jason Castro said he was going to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". I was like, "whaaaaat??? Ewww!" But, like Castro last season, I LOVED it!!! In fact, I'm surprised the judges didn't say something comparing Kris to Jason. It was so Jason Castro-style, which is why I probably loved it. I have to say, Kris Allen had been flying under the radar most of the season. The only thing I can remember about him is that he is in the music ministry at his church and that he is married because Simon told him it was stupid of him to mention that so early in the season. He just didn't impress me, until now! Here is what the judges said: Randy - "You know who you are. You come out every week and this proves the fact that you are ready for the big time dog." "Amazing". Kara said, "You took a real risk with that arrangement and it paid off BIG TIME!" Paula told Kris, "Had a classy Santana feel to it." She spent some time talking about women shopping in the men's department, but how not too many men shop in the women's department, to which Simon widened his eyes and shrugged his shoulders and apologized to Kris for that comment, that Simon just didn't understand. Simon's comments are "It was original. It was well thought out. That was NOT karaoke. It was a fantastic performance."

Danny Gokey sang an Earth Wind and Fire song, September. It was pretty good. Everyone seems to like Danny. Unfortunately, after Kris's amazing performance, it paled in comparison. I did like his own spin on it. Randy told Danny that he was kinda worried when he heard this was his song choice. (Yeah, you too huh?) "You turned this into something that really worked for you tonight." Kara told him, "I was really worried about you in disco night. Sorta like asking Simon to wear a plaid shirt or something. You are an incredible vocalist. Your pitch is so right on - always. Another solid performance for Danny." Paula's was short and sweet. "I think you have one of the sexiest voices ever." Simon said he "agrees with what everybody else said, but as a performance though, I didn't really get any star power." "The performance was a bit awkward and a bit clumsy." (I didn't get that at all)

Dear young, rocker Allison sand "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer. As always, awesome vocals! Rocked it out and made it her own. Great job and very much true to her style. Randy disagrees with me though. He said he "didn't love the arrangement. A little over indulgent for me, but you're one of the best singers in this competition." "You can really sing." Kara said that "making it slower kind of hurt the performance but I gotta say, you picked the right song." (I disagree that the comment that slowing it down hurt the performance.) Kara went on to say that "You're one of the BEST singers. From a singing perspective, that was like a 9/10 for me." Paula told her "the word compromise does not even belong in your musical vocabulary." "That last note, you hit it off the charts." Simon told Hot Stuff, "taking everything into account, that was a brilliant performance."

Adam Lambert sang, "If I Can't Have You" from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. He said he wanted to perform something he could connect to emotionally. Wow, did he! That guy is a performer, for sure! He had his hair in that pompadour style again, showing he's pretty versatile. Randy was like, "Dude! I'm telling you something. You are ready right now." "He is a hot one tonight AMERICA!" Kara told Adam, "Adam. You're brilliant. I don't know what else to say." Paula, with a tremble in her voice, told him, "Tonight, you chose to pick a disco song and not make it cliche and up-tempo. I felt your pain. I felt your vulnerability which was beautiful. It's as if you tore your heart out and left it on the stage. You're fascinating. You're brilliant. You're awesome and you will be in the finals." Simon said, "It was original. You're going to remember it. Your vocals were immaculate." And what Simon says, is true! :-)

Matt Giraud sang Staying Alive by the Bee Gees. Pretty good vocals and performance. I would have picked a different song though. It's a funny thing. Matt is becoming disappointing to me. I had higher hopes for him. But where Matt is lacking, Kris Allen is taking over. I'm shocked at that revelation, but happy at the same time. Randy said he "Didn't love the song choice. Didn't love the arrangement, but -- you can really sing dude." Kara told Matt that he "brought disco back." "I like to see you move." "Solid". Paula told him, "you pick songs like I bowl. Sometimes you throw a gutter ball and sometimes you get strikes. This was a strike." Simon, in his typical Simon style told him, "Sorry to put a damper on this, but I actually didn't like that performance." Wow Simon. Really? Why don't you stop beating around the bush so much.

Anoop Desai sang "Dim All The Lights" by Donna Summer. What, is she the only queen of disco? He looked good in his grey suit and dark pink shirt. As always, his vocals were awesome, but it's my opinion that he is just not star quality. I loved the scruff though. Made him look sexy. Randy told Anoop, "you can sing also. Anoop, nice baby. Nice." Kara said "I thought it was a great song choice. For me it sounded like it could actually be on the radio. Your best performances the last 2 weeks." Paula said, "Real men know how to wear pink". "Good job". Simon was typical Eeyore with, "Mediocre at best. It was a horrible version of that song. Worst performance of yours by a mile". Wow, seems to me that they were ready to get rid of Anoop now and wanted to be sure the viewers knew it. Sheesh. I'm ready too, but I totally disagreed with Simon.

Results:

I had a taped copy to draw on for the performances, so I could get all my quotes right! (hey, if I weren't such a perfectionist about it, this review would have been done days sooner!) I didn't have that luxary for the results night, so that's all from memory. Those of you who know me are cringing now because my memory stinks! But, I'll do my best.

Well, who could forget that cute little David Archuleta from last season's AI? The girls went crazy in the crowd. As for the eliminations, I wasn't sure how they were going to handle that, but surprise, surprise, they sent Lil home right away. I'm glad it was her. Out of the 7, there were only 2 I wanted to go home. She was one of them.

Paula choreographed the group number, which in my opinion was the best group number thus far. Way to go Paula! She should do all of them.

The last two standing were Anoop and Allison. I was really, really hoping it would be Anoop that went home. Two reasons: I like Allison a lot and think she's a great singer and performer. Anoop, even with his awesome vocals, is no performer and is overdue to go home. Thankfully, after all the waiting and Anoop saying something like, "Let's get on with it Ryan", we find out that Anoop is the one going home.

I hear that with Lil gone, it's the first time in Idol history that there is no black person in the top 5. I also heard that if Allison went home, it would have been the first time there wouldn't be a female in the top 5. I could care less about these statistics. Black, female, black female. Who cares really? There's always a first for everything, right? I would have hated to see Allison go. Not because she's female, but because she is just darned cute and good at what she does!!

Besides the bad singing from some disco-era oldies (Freda Payne singing Band of Gold, Thelma Houston singing Don't Leave Me This Way and KC from KC and the Sunshine Band singing Get Down Tonight), there really isn't anything else to blog about this night.

Next week's theme for the top 5 is Rat Pack Standards. This should be interesting. I think Kris Allen, Danny Gokey and Matt Giraud should do well. This is going to be tough for Allison and maybe, even Adam -- nah!

Earth Day

My daughter wakes up and says, "Happy Earth Day!". She's so cheerful, it pains me to be so negative. It's not that I don't support our planet. It's not that I think we shouldn't care about it. It's that the Left has gone so far off the deep end with their attempts to pass laws under the guise of helping our planet, it sickens me. It makes me want to go out and buy a Suburban, just to tick them off. Whooo! Am I getting rebellious in my old(er) age.

What ever could I be talking about? Well, this so-called Global Warming for one thing. I mean, COME ON! Global Warming is nothing more than a trend. Something that will change over time to Global Cooling that someone named Sal Bore will produce a DVD about and tell everyone it's the end of the world because of it if we don't change our ways. (and get more government money) It's nothing more than a theory, like Darwinism....that those who don't bother to think will just believe cuz someone said so. I despise that sort of thing. Oh, and by the way....what do the "experts" on Global Warming say about our unusually cold temps? It's Global Warming, of course! How does that compute? I'd be embarrassed to even utter those words to justify the cold temps.

The idea of the Smart Grid is one such thing that was inspired by environmentalists. I mean, stuff like this makes me want to run screaming in the other direction. It's no wonder there are those of us out there that seemingly want to destroy our planet by mowing on ozone action days and burning our trash. They don't want to do that, it's just that they believe like I do that it's a farce. A scare tactic. I find it funny that because the mainstream media is mostly far-left, people who read or listen to them will believe them. Oh, cuz Katie Couric said so, right? Uhg. I'm so not a fan.

Okay, so I had my Earth Day rant. I say hug a tree, hug a frog, have a campfire and if you want, burn a few plastic bottles, but don't go getting all environmental on me. Using a certain hairspray shouldn't ruin your day. Before we know it, Jesus will come back and make this place perfect. In the meantime, pick up your trash and be happy!

Beagle out!

Swan Song From an Ugly Duckling...

.....or is that "ugly momma duck"?

Anyway, I hate calling people "ugly" or any name for that matter. It got your attention though, huh? This is such a great video. I'm so happy for this lady.

You're going to have to click here, as the embedding was disabled on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Outside the two-party system box

I know - that title is a mouthful. I just heard it on the rerun of Glenn Beck (FNC). It's really, really late, so I'll have to update this later, when I can actually think clearly. It's almost 3am, but I had to blog a bit about this.

Glenn is at The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas where they are having a TEA Party!! Yeah! I wish Jason Castro was there! In case you have no clue what I am talking about, people across the nation have gathered at their federal buildings, capitals, etc. to protest the craziness -- most specifically, the tax craze. TEA is an acronym for Taxed Enough Already.

I wanted to go. There was a rally in Lapeer County and also in Lansing, but I was thinking of going to the Lapeer County one. I never made it. That is why I'm watching the news (the only one who would dare to cover it) - Fox News, to see what happened. So far I caught a bit of Hannity's coverage, Greta's coverage and now Glenn's coverage. I'm here for Glenn though, truth be told.

So, Glenn mentions at this rally that it's not about being a democrat. It's not about the GOP. It's about BOTH George W. Bush and Barack Obama spending, spending, spending. Too much money being spent! We're printing the stuff left and right. Glenn says he can't understand why people want to make this a party issue. Party, as in the elephant and the donkey. Deomcrats and republicans. It's not. It's a people issue. It's a rights issue. It's going back to our Founding Fathers issue. The mainstream media won't cover this. They think it's a GOP rally. Whaaaaat?? (now I sound like Randy Jackson on American Idol)

I say all of you need to stretch your rigid minds and think outside that two-party system box!! I've been saying for a while now, Ron Paul would have been ideal, but heck, no one listened. Perhaps they'll listen now.

American Idol's Season 8, Top 7 Results Show

I have not blogged the past two weeks about Idol. Life just got in the way. Sorry about that! This week, I have watched both the performance night and the results show and I'm here to tell you what I think! Aren'tcha glad???

My notes! My notes! Where are my notes!?

Quentin Tarantino was the guest mentor, even though he has no musical background. This, I found to be very interesting and looked forward to seeing what he would say. I wasn't so sure about some of the advice he gave, as I suspect some of the contestants weren't either, but it was interesting.

Idol just keeps getting weirder and weirder. This time, due to the show running over last week, they are only going to allow two judges to speak, giving the people not being judged by Simon an advantage (I would think).

Allison sang first. She sang "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith, from the Armageddon soundtrack. Paula and Simon critiqued the first performance and they both liked it. Simon told Allison that she was the "girls' only hope". Personally, I didn't care for it.

Anoop sang a Bryan Adams song, "Everything I Do, I Do For You". I thought the vocals were excellent, though I have to be honest, I'm not so crazy about Anoop. I like him okay on a personal level, what I can see, but he just seems boring. Randy thought it would be really rough, but thinks he's found his zone. "Dude, I think you did a really good job. Congrats." Kara thought it was one of his best vocals. She said she felt connected to his singing.

Adam sang the Steppenwolf song "Born To Be WIld" from the film "Easy Rider". As always, Adam rocked it out!!! Wow, what a performance. You can't not like him. Okay, at least his talent. I don't always care for his song choices, but he knows what to do with it when he gets a hold of a song. I sure do appreciate his talent and vocals. The crowd went wild! Paula said "You dare to dance in the path of greatness". "One of the greatest contestants I've ever witnessed". Simon said "Adam, you need to learn to express yourself better". Everyone laughed. He did say that the song/performance reminded him of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Matt Giraud sang the Bryan Adams song "To Really Love a Woman", from Don Juan DeMarco. I have never seen the film, but I really love that song! His performance was okay in my opinion. I love Matt more and more each week, but between this performance and the growth on his forehead, it's getting to me. Randy said his performance was okay. He commented that it was pitchy at the bridge and that it wasn't one of his best. Kara said that she appreciated the changes but that it took away some of the core qualities that makes it a great song.

Danny sang "Endless Love" by Lionel Ritchie from the film "Enless Love". Danny said in his interview before the performance that he bought a guitar and has never played before. I was thinking that he was going to do a Jason Castro and buy an instrument, learn it and use it in the same week (ukelele for Somewhere Over The Rainbow). Danny didn't. He said he bought it for the travel they will be doing over the summer for the tour, so he doesn't get bored on the bus. Danny's performance was sans glasses. Paula's comments were that she wasn't sure that the key shouldn't have been lowered. "But you pulled it together. A beautiful rendition." Simon said, "We know week on week that you're a brilliant singer." He was disappointed that he didn't do more to change it from the original version. Simon notes that he could tell that it meant something to Danny, so he congratulates him for that.

Kris sang "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once. He left the guitar and did a great job. I don't really notice Kris all that much, but really appreciated the way he performed that song, which I have never heard before. He seemed very emotionally connected to the song. Randy said "It never quite caught on." "It was pitchy from note one". Kara wholeheartedly disagreed (as did I) and said, "One of your best moments".


Lil Rounds sang "The Rose" by Bette Midler. I love Bette, but couldn't have thought of a song further from what I would have Lil perform. Midway through the song, Lil gave it a gospel sound that I enjoyed (my husband did not). I thought that the small changes she made to the beginning and the end would have made the middle part sound better if she had kept the beginning and end original. More of a contrast, I think. Anyway, Paula spoke, but said very little about the actual performance. I actually have no clue what she thought of the song. There were a lot of compliments, but I don't think they were referring to the song and her performance. Simon had this to say: "The song is too soft". "You're not the artist we met originally". He thinks Lil is getting it completely wrong.

Hmmm. Well, after the performance night last night, I was really looking forward to the results show tonight. Not sure who will go home. I know who I would like to see stay, but.....

Tonight Anoop got sent over to the bottom three chairs on the left side of the stage. Jennifer Hudson sang (it was beautiful) and Miley Cyrus sang as well. She was pretty darned good too. I like that girl. A lot of confidence, but not haughty and full of herself. Lil Rounds got sent to the bottom three chairs as well. That didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was that Matt Giraud got sent there too. Right away Ryan said he was going to send one of them back to the sofa, where they would be safe. Surprisingly, Anoop was sent back. Drum roll please....... Matt was voted off. I was surprised. So, he sang again. It was without the piano, and I thought a bit better than last night, vocally. The judges talked, the girls (Paula and Kara) danced and we got a decision. They are going to keep him. Matt wept, the Idols hugged him with joy and then there was Simon with the buzzkill. You know, could you wait two full minutes of joy before ruining it??? He says that there are two pieces of bad news and not to congratulate Matt too much. Why? Oh, because number one, two people will be voted off next week and number two, it's disco week. HA! Pretty funny. I hate disco.

See you next week!

Perfection - a good thing or bad??

I'm not referring to the Jesus-kind of perfection, of course.

You see, my mom used to tease me all of the time because I always claimed I was a perfectionist in some ways. She teased me because my house is always a mess and I have trouble keeping things tidy. What a paradox, huh?


I'm not referring to the game either!

Here's the thing. Yesterday at our Financial Peace (Dave Ramsey) class, I discovered something about myself. Something I've long suspected, but didn't really come to full realization until last night. I'm really a perfectionist. Or, as Dave Ramsey would say, a Nerd. My problem is, I'm also someone who doesn't like conflict or stress. So, if my perfectionism gets to the point where I would be freaking out at those around me in order to obtain said perfection, that part of me backs down and I just ignore what my perfectionism causes me to be bothered by.

Here's an example: My house. There are things I would like to do, ways I'd like it to be and places I'd like things to be stored. I live with two children and a husband. Unfortunately, one of those children likes mess and the husband has definite ideas of where some of those things should be stored. So, I ignore it. It's not really their fault. I just don't want the hassle of riding anyone on a daily basis. I don't need my blood pressure up because it's not how I want it. So, I ignore it. It's easier to pretend it's not there than to allow myself to obsess over. I find it very difficult to do "happy medium". I always kick into high gear when someone is coming over. Do you do that too? The thing is (and I'm not sure it's a common thing) I feel like I'm blind and I'm just feeling my way through this thing. I'm so used to ignoring it, that I don't know what it is I should make to appear "clean" for my guests. Oh, but you won't find a lot of germs though, because Jen has watched one too many Oprah shows in her life and sanitizes all surfaces like door knobs and sink faucets - just in case Oprah should show up at her door with Dr. Oz and the crew. (okay, that's not why) - You may see clutter, but when you whip out your handy dandy microscope, you'll find way less of those little guys than in other people's houses.

I'm just weird that way.

I was attempting to cheer up a friend yesterday and I told her this story: I am known to tell the family to take off their shoes at the door, while my three dogs run in and out of the house incessantly (through the dog door), bringing mud and God only knows what else into the house. The dogs jump on the couch, while I'm telling my husband that he should take his shoes off the sofa. My dogs sleep in my bed, under the covers and with their cute little heads on our pillows, but I will tell my daughter to get her dirty feet off my sheets and to not lay her head on my pillow until she's washed her hair. My dogs? They bathe twice a year, not counting the tongue baths they give one another every 3 hours. Perhaps I need therapy. :-) My friend laughed. Mission accomplished. I'm insane and good for a laugh - at least once in a while!


Just thinking out loud....

The Simple Life

No, Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie are not here. I'm talking about living close to how the Amish live. Living like people did when they built my house more than 100 years ago.

I realized today that there are a lot of you out there that know about some of my weird thoughts and ideas. Particularly those that know about our homeschooling adventures. But, did you know the reason we (or was that I?) chose to live out here, north of Imlay City? With a barn and a few acres of grass and fencing? Did you know that I would have lived further out and more remote if I could? Oh yes! I love it! I do wish we had a bigger, higher vehicle for getting through rough terrain and snow so we wouldn't so easily get stuck, like we did today. (What? Snow in APRIL?) Hmf! Perhaps one day.


So, my favorite magazine of all time is Countryside and Small Stock Journal. I LOVE it! I even read the advertisements. There is just so much information for a weirdo like me. The magazine is mainly written by the readers and covers everything from how to butcher a rabbit to building a portable chicken coop, or a "chicken tractor", as in the picture below.


Wheat berries?

I would love to grind my own wheat berries and make my own bread. Yes, I've done these things, but not as a rule. I also need a new hand grinder. Mine no longer works. Not sure it really worked all that well to begin with!

I want to continue to make my own soap, so that we are only using home-made soaps and detergents. I have the recipes for laundry detergents, but have never made them. I love homesteading and frugal living. Speaking of frugal living, my son thinks that the forbidden "b" word in our home is "budget". :-) Well, no son. It's not a bad word. Mom and dad just don't know what the heck we're doing, so it seems like a bad word. If we really knew how to budget, we wouldn't be so poor. But we're learning. We started Financial Peace University this past week. In fact, tonight is our second class. Josh, David and I are taking it, against the testosterone will. Both were not thrilled about it, but I think David's coming around. Josh is still asking, "Do I have to go?". Yes son, you do. Mom and dad don't want you growing up to be like us. Okay, so that's something for another blog someday soon.

I digress....

I knit too. I learned to knit about a year after my mom died. You see, she left a lot of knitting stuff and crochet stuff when she passed. My stepdad, Kit gave it all to me. I never had the desire to learn before, but now I'm thinking that there is no one in the family to pass this art along to. No one else does it. So I learned. From a book. And a little help from my friends and the internet.

I would LOVE to have alpacas someday, learn to sheer them, card their awesome wool and learn to spin. (Aren't they cute???) I would make oh so many nice things and sell them! My kids would make nice things and sell them too! Do you know that alpaca wool is warmer than lamb's wool? Did you know it's a heck of a lot softer too? Some day. Some day. (sigh)

So, until I can afford to "b"udget for those 'pacas, I will have to make do with the little bit of homesteading I can manage.

This year, I have finally vowed to have a real garden. I can grow chickens, I can grow ducks, and can I ever grow barn (shed) cats, but I can't seem to manage growing a garden of anything useful. Just weeds. I'm determined this year. I WILL do it!

So that's my weirdness in a nutshell, albeit a small one. I have so much more to say, but It's 2:30am and I'm dog tired! Today was eventful: I fell down the stairs (icy and wet and it's April), my husband got his car stuck, we both had temper tantrums (so unlike us), the tantrums made Kayla cry (but she now knows how ugly her tantrums are), my car got stuck trying to get David's car unstuck and my body hurts from all of it. So, my sore, bruised body is heading off to bed. If you think this particular blog makes no sense, blame it on the day! I'm pooped!