American Idol - No Yellow Brick Road

Here is my review folks...am I wrong? (My friend is in Italics)

Scotty – Good as usual. Consistency is a great thing but I fear that Scotty is too good at it. What happens several weeks from now when we see the same ol’ Scotty again and again. And I suggest keeping the guitar though, it was a nice touch and stopped him from doing that weird caressing of the mic thing he does. I agree! I think he is very talented…I just always hope he will shock everyone and do something out of his comfort zone…I just don’t see that happening. I don’t think he will win, but he will be successful in the country music world.

Naima – BARF! Why can’t this girl just sing a freaking song!?! I’m sorry honey but your fake accent, your dancing or your rap style ain’t going to save you for long. And am I the only one who found her reggae voice annoying? Why does your voice change? Gwen Stefani has heavy reggae influences in her music but she never sounds like she’s developed that reggae sound, the bitch sings in her own voice. And your shout out to people who are overcoming obstacles in their life doesn’t seem so moving when someone else told you to say it. I think maybe you should have asked them to edit that bit out. Or perhaps they are helping set-up your demise. Cause you need to go…and I vote you’ll be one of the two tonight! Amen! Her look, her sound, her teeth! Ugh. I just cant wait this girl perform. She is terrible!!! I HATE when people change themselves, she talks like she’s ghetto, than she performs like she is from Jamaica born and raised….gross!!! Bye Bye Naima!

Paul – He’s not doing much for me anymore. I like him with his guitar, his awkward swag is definitely at a normal level. But I think these themed weeks are only going to hurt him because he has such a distinct sound. He’s safe tonight…but for how long…depends on the themed weeks I suppose. I do think he is safe this week, but only because I know Naima will be one to go. I don’t see him sticking around much longer, even though I don’t mind looking at his face. But I don’t enjoy his performances anymore….boring.

Pia – For me, this was Pia’s best performance. It may seem simple but her little walk on stage, the lightening and the background chorus gave her usual ballad number a little pep. I don’t think she’s going to make it all the way but if she can keep upping her game, maybe I’ll like her one day. This girl is gorgeous and she has some serious pipes. I just want to see her do something current, something more up beat and exciting….if I recall correctly, I believe she mentioned last night that if she sticks around she will be singing No River, No Mountain, that doesn’t get me excited at all.

Stefano – I hate to say it, but this kid isn’t going anywhere. I’m so sorry Stefano but making eye contact still doesn’t make you connect to the audience. And not only that your singing isn’t phenomenal. Enjoy your run on Idol because this is your fifteen minutes of fame. This is the part in the show when I get so bored, I go to the kitchen to grab a snack….hoping he will be done by the time I get back. Stefano who?

Lauren – Very refreshing last night. I agree with the judges one of her best performances and I like her more subdued like this. She has moments in her past performances that just look too cocky and annoying. But last night she found the right balance. Except did anyone think she was a little Paula Abdul’ish with Ryan Seacrest after her performance? This girl is super safe. I really like her. She has uniqueness to her voice. She is young and keeps it young. She is definitely safe for a while, but once the boring ones get filtered out…I don’t see her sticking around all the way till the end.

James – Oh, James how I love thee. And not always for the right reasons. Only you have the power to make a piano spontaneously combust into flames while doing semi-back bend in skin tight jeans. How I love to laugh at thee…but flaming aside, I still like him. He has moves. He has a voice when he isn’t screeching and he’s just likeable to me. Safe! His stage presence may be a little corny at times, but at least he puts on a show, he performs for the audience. I always look forward to what he will do. He always makes the songs his own and he has a great voice. I have a feeling he will be in the top three, tight pants and bandana tail ‘n all.

Thia – Snoozefest! And I hope and pray this is your last week on Idol because you add absolutely nothing to the show. It’s like having an extended bathroom break when she performs. You aren’t missing anything!!! Why are you still here? Please, please America send her home. GOODBYE! OMG! This poor young girl, she is stuck in a 30 yr olds soul. She can sing, but the songs she chooses are always too old for her, and she never changes them up to make them current. Seriously one of the most boring performers Idol has ever had of all seasons…I would rather watch terrible yet entertaining performers than watch Thia sing.

Casey – He’s safe. Without even considering his performance he’ll be safe. He’ll get lots of his fans voting repeatedly after last weeks near send off. And if you consider his performance last night, he deserves to stay. I agree with the judges that it’s nice that he adds “himself” into the songs but last night those moments he adding “himself” I actually didn’t like those moments. But the best part…his beard looks like a beard last night and not some pubes glued to his face. And the trim of his hair made his full face seem smaller. Keep up the trips to the barber…it did you good. Did anyone else notice that the hip barber was hot? Lol…anyways, he looked 80% better last night, keep up the slight make over’s each week and by the end he will look 100% better. I actually enjoyed his performance. Without his wild body all over the stage as usual, and the growls and weird facial expressions…..I noticed this guy can sing. He is safe, way safe.

. Jacob – DOUBLE BARF! BARF! I hate him. There I said it. I hate him. I do not like him Sam I Am! His performances are just too dramatic. And the faces he was making last night seemed like a rabid animal and I thought at any moment last night he was going to eat his mic with that wide open mouth at all times. You’re not having a dental exam on stage Jacob, we don’t need to see your esophagus. But what really annoys me about him is that I just don’t hear it! His tone of voice says so muffled and off key to me. It’s actually irritating to listen too. I can’t wait for him to go but fear I have some more weeks of torture. OK. Every time I hear his name announced I prepare myself to be grossed out. Why does his mouth go crooked when he sings? Why does he be sure to show all teeth, top and bottom while closing his eyes? And when he sang that last note (that seemed to last forever as I made a grossed out face) did he keep his mouth wide open, and he didn’t move?!?! It was so weird!!! Gross gross gross! Go bask to the gospel and sing there. Please.

Haley – I love her. Yes I realize I’ve always like underdogs but that’s not why I like her. I really honestly like her voice. It’s something I would listen to if she ever puts anything out. And I know I like her voice honestly because I find her very annoying. But regardless, I want her to move on. I could do without the arm wave thing she did last night…it was like watching her do a backstroke with one arm out of water. But I think she’s safe and I’m keeping my fingers she’ll stay safe because I like her. I love her too! Her look, her stage presence, her dirty voice. I love her entire package. She has such a unique sound and she uses it. I never realized how tiny she was until she was standing next to Ryan wearing heels, and still at least 4 inches shorter than him. I know she will stick around for a while, but I would like to see her win. Something fresh.

My bottom 3: Naima, Stefano and Thia…my picks for going home tonight are Naima & Thia! Agreed sister!

Calling Dr. Derby Funk MD

It has been a long and frustrating recovery from my sprained MCL injury. I have been down in the dumps about derby lately. I was overly emotional when I hurt myself four days before my very first bout. I clearly remember waking up the next morning and not being able to leave my bed. My wonderful derby wife even came over around 6:30 in the morning to share some of her prescription strength ibuprofen. I felt like a fool for crying so hard that I had to quickly send her away. I can’t stomach looks of sympathy. Those looks just make me cry harder.

Now I feel like I’m missing my second bout. I had high hopes that on April 2nd I’d be in my first home bout. I even had my family request that night off from work months ago in preparation. The great thing about the Rockford Rage is that if you put in the effort to practice, they will play you. So my guess I would be bouting come April was a pretty safe bet, but my knee just didn’t heal quick enough. So when I got the word I wasn’t skating, I wasn’t surprised. Even though I understand completely why I’m not bouting that still doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed, another chance has slipped through my fingers.

Another piece to my derby funk puzzle is missing the opportunity to skate beside my derby wife, the one and only MariOuchie. We started at the same time and I would say that we had different strengths but overall we were pretty equal in our abilities. After returning from leave I can see how much more she’s learned and improved; I’m a proud derby wife. It’s also clear how much I’ve lost because I’ve digressed. I have trouble keeping up with the pack and really just my overall confidence is gone, but I’m keeping my chin up and I have to believe that we’ll have our day together in a bout. Until then, I’ll be cheering on the sidelines.

What frustrates me most is I can’t decide if I’m truly ready to skate again. I have the doctors note that says I’m cleared for sports activity but it also came with a verbal “do what you feel comfortable with” and on top of that he adds “don’t fall” as I walk out of the office. Are you kidding me? You understand that falling happens A LOT when you play derby right? Now I’m left to decide what I’m comfortable with. I can walk without a limp but only I know that it hurts a little with each step of my left leg. Only I can tell that it feels like I have no padding between my bones and only I can feel the pain when I try to sit back on my heels. Don’t leave it up to me! I want to skate. I want to push myself to get back to where I was before and improve on that. I don’t want to watch practice. I don’t want to take it easy. But what is too much? Is a little pain ok? I don’t like making this call. When did I become Dr. Derby Funk MD?

Huntington’s and Me

I don’t have a lot of regrets in life but one would be not taking the chance to get to know any of my grandparents. I was only 14 when my last grandparent had passed away. During those 14 years, my family was busy raising their girls and always figured there would be more time to get together. At holidays when we celebrated I was young and wanted to play with my cousins. If I only knew then that my time was limited, I could have spent more time on my grandparent’s laps; cherishing their hugs and kisses; telling them about my life and asking about theirs. But you can’t change the past and I just have to believe they knew that happy playful girl loved them.

But today’s blog is about a certain set of grandparents, my paternal side, Grandma & Grandpa Sweitzer. The ugly truth on this side…my family has Huntington’s.

“Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and dementia.”

When I was little I never could grasp what that meant. I always knew my paternal grandfather was different. He was diagnosed in the late 70’s, several years before I was born. So I don’t have any memories of him before the disease. I remember asking what was wrong with him. I was 12 years old when he died and I formed my own thoughts when I was told he died from complications from Huntington’s chorea. What I heard was Huntington’s Korea, like in the country and I really thought he had caught something in Korea. I had no idea this was a genetic disease and I certainly didn’t know that others in my family might one day be affected with it.

And what saddens me more is I remember gathering at my Aunt’s house for holidays and seeing my grandpa sitting in “his chair.” He’d always be in roughly the same spot. His limbs were twitchy and his jerky movements made me nervous as a kid. I remember he had trouble speaking and I couldn’t understand why. I remember being scared to hug him and I can’t ever recall having a conversation with him. Regrets, regrets, regrets.

Now, as an adult I can see how awful our family situation was. My Grandma had the responsibility of caring for her husband full-time when she should have been able to enjoy her golden years. I realize that I never got the opportunity to know my Grandpa. And though I never discussed it with my father, it had to be hard on him as his son and as my dad. Not only did the man he knew change before his very eyes but now his own children would never know the man his father once was.

Now each year my family raises money for HD with Team Hope-Walk for a Cure. I would really appreciate your donation. Any amount could help me, my family and millions of others that are diagnosed with HD. Please check out our family website at:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/teamsweitzer/8th-annual-team-hope-walk-for-a-cure-2012

Facts about Huntington's Disease

• HD is an inherited brain disorder.

• Huntington's Disease typically begins in mid-life, between the ages of 30 and 45, though onset may occur as early as the age of two or as late as the 70s.

• Children who develop the juvenile form of the disease rarely live to adulthood.

• Early symptoms of Huntington's Disease may affect cognitive ability or mobility and include depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, speech impairment, clumsiness, involuntary twitching and lack of coordination. Symptoms of HD can differ from person to person, even for members from the same family.

• HD slowly diminishes the affected individual’s ability to walk, think, talk and reason.

• As the disease progresses, concentration and short term memory diminish and involuntary movements of the head, trunk and limbs increase.

• Walking, speaking and swallowing abilities deteriorate.

• Eventually, a person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care.

• Huntington's Disease usually progresses over a 10-25 year period. Death follows from complications such as choking, infection or heart failure.

• There is, at present, no effective treatment or cure. However, it is possible to treat some of the effects, such as depression and involuntary movements with various medications.

• HD is caused by a dominant gene which causes certain brain cells to deteriorate.

• Each child of a person with Huntington's Disease has a 50% chance of inheriting the HD disease causing gene.

• Everyone who carries the HD disease causing gene will develop HD at some point in their lifetime, unless they die of other causes prior to developing signs and symptoms.

• Huntington's Disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families: emotionally, socially and economically

Have you Checked the Children?

I’ve been on a winning reading streak lately. I will be blogging about a few. There’s nothing I like more than spreading the word of a good book. Even if someone doesn’t like it, it never seizes to stop me from wanting to talk about it and find out why. Why do I love something and yet it means nothing to someone else? Same thing applies with movies. But I’ve digressed…today I read a passage from a book that hit me in just the right spot. It moved me and put in words my feelings about the ever deteriorating relationship between parents and their children now-a-days.

As a parent, I think of so many different things about my son’s life than I ever thought I would at his age. I worry about bullies. Either him being bullied or him being a bully. How will I handle it? I worry about drugs, his grades, and his future; just about everything. But fortunately I’m not crazy enough to over think it and I take it in stride. I often visual predicaments and have a game plan incase I ever need it.

The book I’m reading is Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. It’s about a high school senior that dies and gets the chance to relive her last day 7 times. (Only know the 7 times because of the book jacket.) I’m only about half way through but I can say that it’s a good mix between the movies Groundhog Day and The Butterfly Effect. It’s about the third morning she wakes up on the day of her death that she starts to get angry about her life. She’s starting to see her world differently and the author writes:

“I hate both of my parents right now: for sitting quietly in our house, while out in the darkness my heart was beating away all of the seconds of my life, ticking them off one by one until my time was up; for letting the thread between us stretch so far and so thin that the moment it was severed for good they didn’t even feel it.”

So simple, yet so accurate; it at least feels to me that more and more often parents aren’t talking to their kids. Parents are too busy to be involved in their children’s lives. The character describes a noticeable separation between her and her parents. When did it start? How did it happen? Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m a parent now that I’m finally seeing a problem that has always existed. I also know that one can’t blame the parents entirely. Kids make bad decisions even when they are good kids. But since I’m writing this blog inspired by this book, I can’t help but wonder would this girl still be a mean girl had her parents noticed. Would she be out drinking and driving had her parents followed up on where she was that night? Would talking about teen pressure help the main character say no to a lot of the awful decisions she’s making; maybe yes and maybe not.

But it inspires me to think ahead. Makes me determined that if Desmond ever pushes me away that I won’t give up on being in his life; encouraging him to talk to me. It also makes me think about my teenage years. I want to say thanks to my parents for always caring. For giving me enough freedom to screw up but never enough that it caused permanent harm to myself. Granted, every child is different and I’m sure my parents (who have three daughters) learned that the same technique is not necessarily good for each kid. I hope I can do the same for Desmond.

American Idol's Idols

I promise not to turn this blog into a recap for all things American Idol. But truth be told, I get a lot of feedback when I post my reviews. And I'm a feedback junkie, so they will continue on for now. Plus I'd like to let anyone know who reads and participates in the Apple Vacations Idol Pool, I'm a previous winner and very close finalist on more than one occasion....so I like to think I know what I'm talking about.

So how did they do last night??? Here's my recap: (Dayna's reviews in italic)

Casey Abrams – The Caveman…wowsers! Loved his performance, loved his outfit but hate the thing growing on his face. I think he made an over done Joe Cocker song refreshing. Good job Caveman! – I COMPLETELY agree with you 100% He is somewhat of an eyesore but if I ignore his hairy face and head, he is an amazing performer, he adds style and his own flavor to every song he sings, I am definitely a fan of the Caveman!

Ashton Jones – Wild Afro in the Silver Dress…boring! Girl you weren’t even voted into the top 10. And I have no clue why you were picked to be a wildcard but do you really think it wise to sing a Diana Ross song that not many people are familiar with? You needed to rock the house last night and you didn’t…goodbye, you are likely going home tonight. – She is one of my picks to be voted off this week! Until you described her hair I had no idea who she was by name…and by now, if you make an impression on me, I will remember. She was boring, good bye Ashton.

James Durbin – The Rocker who sang Beatles – I rolled my eyes when I heard is song choice and I have to take it back. For the first time, I see why he moved on and I can say that I really liked his rendition last night. Only bad remarks, George Michael called and wants his earring back. – LOL! I was thinking the same thing, Where the F*** do you even buy a dangly cross earring?! But he is awesome, this guy can sing, that’s for sure! I am confident he will be sticking around for a while….

Lauren Alaina – I’m so over her! She is really good. I mean really good. But last night was so boring. And I’m a little sick of her nice act. And it’s probably not an act but it annoys me. Yes, your cute, your sweet and you can sing but it’s just that…good singing. She has too much of a “america’s sweetheart” and leans too much in country for me. I think she’ll be successful but not something I want to buy. – I missed the full performances of the first 5, so I think I missed her. I did watch the recap of all performances and from the 20 seconds or so, I HAVE NO IDEA WHO SHE IS?!?! SO that tells me……boring!

Scotty McCreery- The country boy…good ol’ country boy. Who knew that I be liking a country boy as much as I do? Thankfully he’s been able to sing and pick country songs. What will really be interesting is if he can make a non-country song sound good. He’s safe and likely go very far. - I agree, I was not a fan at all during Vegas week. I was actually hoping he wouldn’t make it. But I take that back. He can sing country and he can sing country well. He is charming on the stage and has a cute baby face. I hope he stays for a while, but I have a feeling he wont do so well when they do something like “rock n roll” week. But I am anxious to watch him.

Paul McDonald – The Bradly Cooper look-a-like that once wore a rose jacket – I still love him. But last night was not my favorite performance. First, he sounded as if he was whispering, it was awkward and not in his usual good way. Then like Ashton, I think his song choice was too unknown. I’m sure it’s a good band and I’m sure that it’s the kind of music he wants to make but can’t you find something that is known and make it your own? I hope he stays safe cause I know he has a lot more to show us. - I love him! I didn’t see his full performance, but from what I did see/hear, I do agree that it was a little awkward. I didn’t know the song, he didn’t sound amazing…but I’m not worried. His good looks and creepishly white smile will get him through to next week.

Haley Reinhart – I like her but I want to love her. She has a tone to her voice that I would pick up an album for but she just hasn’t brought it home yet. And girl, you better fast cause you’ll be out here soon if you don’t. – I love the ton of her voice and I think she is a pretty girl, but I wasn’t 100% pleased with her performance. I think she over did the yodeling and twang. But when she was singing in between I loved it!

Karen Rodriguez – I love Selena too but that outfit was never meant to leave the 90s. Can you even say you helped designed it? And your vocals were off. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good. Your safe for now. You can thank Selena fan enthusiasts for saving your rear this week. – OMG! Her outfit, her jewelry…then she thanks Selena and J-Lo for inspiring it!! LOL Jennifer was probably like “oh no she didn’t just thank me for that hideous thing..” But She is my number one choice to go home. I thought she did the song NO justice…and the way she looks when she sings….gross! Her facial expressions made me LOL!

Pia Toscano – I agree with the judges that she is one of the few that have pulled off singing one of the “great 3” female artists but I’m just not a fan of her. I think I need more personality from her. Her performances feel very pageantry for me. I hope she can connect with the audience cause she definitely has the looks and the voice. – She is a beautiful girl with a beautiful voice but I feel she was trained to sing like this. She never does anything out of the box….like you said, very pageantry. But I can see her continuing on, and I think the judges will eventually get bored and tell her to do something wild instead of playing it safe.

As for Jacob Lush, Thia Megia, Naima Adedapo and Stefano Leangone…you’ll be safe….unfortunately. - Agreed! I actually liked Naima’s performance, she did something totally unique and I like that. Thia….BORING! Stefano, he is good but plays it safe too. Jacob…..good bye, you wont be missed by me if you get sent home. I am NOT a fan of gospel inspired R. Kelly songs.

My pick to go home is Ashton. Dayna's pick is Karen. Who is right or are we both wrong? What are you thoughts on last nights idol...

Am I a Tough Mudder?

I’ve gone and done it again. I’ve agreed to a challenge that is by far the hardest challenge I’ve ever agreed to. Come July 23rd I will be participating in the Tough Mudder Event in Wisconsin. My mom has excused me recently that I’m going through a “turning 30 crisis” this past year. I don’t feel like that is what’s motivating me but she is correct that I have pushing myself more during my 29th year.

So what is the Tough Mudder Event…its endurance, strength and team work. I almost signed up for a race called Muddy Buddy last year. The Muddy Buddy looks like child’s play compared to this event. And yet, the Muddy Buddy scared me. So you can only imagine I’m very close to pinching off a loaf right as I write this blog. It’s super scary.

The website says the following:

"Tough Mudder is not your average lame-ass mud run or spirit-crushing ‘endurance’ road race. Its Ironman meets Burning Man, and it is coming to a location near you. Our 10-12 mile obstacle courses are designed by British Special Forces to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. Forget finish times. Simply completing a Tough Mudder is a badge of honor. All Tough Mudder sponsorship proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project."

I am not in peak physical fitness and it’s absolutely required of me that I am. So my training began this morning. I have not been released for full exercise yet from the doctor but I have been permitted to use the exercise bike. It’s not a lot but it’s a start. I refuse to let my team mates down. I know that I’m the weakest link at this moment. And if we all start training at the same time, I may remain the weakest link at the event. So I feel the responsibility to be the strongest weakest link possible.

What I love most about this competition is the teamwork. Yes, I’m likely going to be a weaker link, but I have faith in my teammates to help me pull through the challenges that come. For instance, right now the hardest obstacle I foresee is #10, Berlin Walls. I have absolutely no upper body strength right now. I can guarantee that even with four months of training, this obstacle will be done with the help of my team mates.

There’s also going to be challenges that are completely challenging for me mentally. For instance, I’m quite afraid of small spaces so #9, Boa Constrictor, is going to challenge my ability to overcome my fear. This one challenge alone makes me want to lose weight and trim up. How will a pleasantly plump woman like myself fit in that tunnel if the following lean men look like they fill up the entire thing. Hello, I have hips! And breasts! I need to feel as compact as possible if I’m going to make it through this obstacle.

Another obstacle that has filled me with dread is #18, Electroshock Therapy. Yes, you are reading this correctly...electroshock therapy! They plan on sending us through a field of live wires. I can recall putting a battery on my tongue when I was little, but at most we’re probably talking about 9V. I’m in for some much bigger shockers!


So why am I doing this? Because I can, simple as that. I want to challenge myself. I want to know that I can do this. I have my husband on my team and feel the two of us can train together, diet together and gosh darn it, complete this together with our friends.

I’m taking a “nice” before photo tonight. I’m hoping that closer to the event I’ll be brave enough to show you how I looked when I signed up and how I’m looking for the competition. …so stayed tuned for that.

To see more about the Tough Mudder event click on the link below. (Seriously, just looking at the other challenges I’ll be facing is worth looking.)

http://toughmudder.com/

Resolutions Check-In

How many of us create New Year’s resolutions and by the end of the first month they were already forgotten? Mine have not been forgotten; Writing them down tends to make me feel responsible for completing them, but they have been out of sight out of mind lately. So I’ve decided to print them out and post at work. I figure this location is in view for a minimum of eight hours everyday and will give me a purpose and goal when I reach home. So let me do a reality check now…what have I gotten done in two months???

#1 Weight – My first goal was to lose 30 lbs this year. And what have I lost? Only 3.6 lbs., but in reality I’m not that far off the mark. If I keep up 3.6 lbs every two months, that’ll be a total of 21.6 lbs for the year. I just need to make a more conscious effort. I’m actually a little pumped to see that I’m not completely throwing this one out the window like I originally thought.

#2 Food – My goal was to cook at least two meals per week. In reality I think it’s closer to three, a lot of time four! I think my biggest awakening moment here was my attempt at saving money. I’m starting to see how I was using “no time to cook” as an excuse for buying fast food. So not only am I saving money but my family and I are eating healthier food. Sometimes it’s not necessarily low calorie or low fat but just a good ole home cooked meal. I’ve also started eating my dinner on our small salad plates; Makes for a large looking dinner but saves me on the calories. It really does help.

#3 Blog – I really enjoy blogging. I don’t have a lot of followers but I do get a lot of comments from friends and family that they are reading…just gives me a little certain joy that I’m addicted to. So I made it a goal to blog once a week for a year. And I am 100% spot on in this resolution goal. The best part too is that I don’t feel an overwhelming pressure to perform. I just like writing and putting my thoughts out there. Thanks for reading, you are making my day!

#4 Dance Central –This resolution is EPIC FAIL! Now this is not 100% my fault. I wanted to play and beat the game Dance Central. It was a great way I decided to get exercise but have fun. Unfortunately, I have been injured half of the new year with a sprained knee. What I am guilty for is that other half I was uninjured and not once put the game on. I blame television and Desmond. Ok, I can’t really blame Desmond but it is really hard for me to get up and exercise after I put him to bed. By 9:00, I just don’t feel like starting my workout. But I need to get over that as soon as I’m cleared by the doctors I can exercise again. And damn it, I will! I’ve also recently ended my relationship with TV. (I can feel a blog brewing on that topic.) So I only have half the battle to fight now on this one. I will get better.

#5 Running – The goal to start running again is another fail, but I don’t feel too much regret on this one yet. I have committed to a friend to run a 5K with her in the fall. So I did set a deadline for when I need to be in 5K running shape. I also envisioned but did not vocalize that I would begin training as the weather got warmer. I plan on purchasing a used jogging stroller and taking Desmond on these runs. I can’t wait for my knee to heal and to smell spring…because I’m ready baby!

#6 Finances – My goal here is to eliminate some of our debt. Well, it’s on its way. In no way would a miracle happen in only two months. We are subscribing to paying higher than our minimums on two different cards (granted we have six) but we are seeing the balances get lower slowly. It feels really good and as long as we can keep it up, I know we will hit our goal and pay off two cards this year.

I also created the Pancake Challenge a few weeks after my resolutions. I haven’t gotten much done on that list of odd activities but I did accomplish showering in the dark. Before I turned off the lights, I turned on the shower to get the right temperature and took a mental picture of where everything was. I had my two pesky cats in the bathroom with me and soon learned that was a big mistake. My cats like to sit on the tub leg and in doing so would move the shower curtain and it would touch my leg. Not only that, sometimes they try licking my legs and I swear I could randomly feel their whiskers on my legs. Each time I had to hold in my yelp. The worst part of all…my old childhood spooks got to me. I swear I was just waiting for Bloody Mary to show up. I am a full grown adult and not even having my husband in the house could quench my fear and I have to say…I won’t be taking a shower in the dark anytime soon. But I’m glad I attempted it because now I know, I’m officially a scaredy cat.

How are you doing with your resolutions?

American Idol - The Boys Perform

Here's my recap of last nights American Idol. I also added a few colorful comments from my friends/family; Dayna, Therese and Jill…just thought they were too spot on to ignore. Their comments are in bold.

Country Kid - I was actually impressed with the country kid. I thought he sounded great. He had a good stage presence and the performance was just believable. I know he will be a country singer one day even if he isn’t the winner on Idol.

The kid with the ugly ass glasses…I don’t like him! Yes he sounded good. But he’s awkward. I didn’t like his little dance back and forth. I really hate the glasses and I HATED his song choice. So karaoke! Omg, can’t stand him!! And his glasses remind me of when little babies need those glasses that strap around their heads, LOL.

The Usher kid…COME ON! REALLY!!! Awful, awful, awful…you are going home, goodbye! Yeah, and his excuse “well this really isn’t me”??? Then why did YOU choose it??? Loser.

The Shipyard Kid with Abs…what a safe and boring song for him. (I’ll be) He was the first of many that I thought sounded too soft-sung. I think he really should have performed a Latin song. It’s where his passion is and would have made him shine even if the English speaking audience didn't understand the lyrics. For me it's like watching Rocky Balboa, I'm waiting for him to ask where Adrian is.

The Red Head Hippie – Man, I laughed. He is so awkward. Just for entertainment sakes I want him to stick around. I would have thought a Doors song would have been perfect for him but it wasn’t. He definitely exceeds in a more bluesy song. Plus did you not notice how weird he sounded when he sang words that ended in "er"?

“The Rocker” who sang Judas Priest – I hate him! I think he’s a likeable guy. But I hate him. To me his singing is “shriek, shriek, SHRIEK!!!!” I really can’t see America moving him on. He makes Adam Lambert look like an opera singer.

Robbie the kid with the nose – I’ve never been a fan. And he’s acclamaimed by the judges that he’s one of the best. Well honey, the song “Arms of an Angel” was god awful. Let me pretend to be Randy “it was pitchy man.” I wouldn’t miss him, but I think his smile and his young age will keep him around. I don’t like him. Not sure why, I think because he can sing really well, but for me he is so boring on stage. Could have been the depressing song that reminds me of Sarah McLaughlin on that animal abuse commercial…

Stefano the kid in a bad accident with bug eyes and nice smile – It was ok. I don’t think he was awful but I also completely forgot about him until I looked up who sang again last night. His version of “Just the way you are” well was just the way Bruno Mars sang it. But yet, he didn’t get the usual “you didn’t add anything to do.” Playing favorites much judges? And I found it weird/awkward when he sang, like he had no neck.

Paul McDonald aka Rod Stewart – I LOVED him. I don’t like Rod Stewart but his voice was spot on. It was actually a little alarming because I don’t think his voice matches his face. I loved his weird struts along the stage and I can already imagine him in front of a band. I think he’s a dark horse in this competition. His smile gives me goose bumps. I liked his awkward stage presence, the way he strutted all over.

Jacob the black teddy bear lacking the Ruben appeal – I don’t know about this guy. Whatever he sang at Vegas week was amazing. I thought “that deserved an ovation.” But now I’m already sick of him. Yes, he can sing. But will he be singing anything I want to hear, probably not. On top of that I’m overly distracted by is overuse of eye rolls and lash batting. Honey you aren’t performing for the Baton Club, put away the unnecessary drama performance please. Seriously! I am SO over him. He over-sings every song, and I just can’t stand that. Just sing and sing well, you don’t need to do 29,308,129,038 runs per song.

Casey the Caveman – I wouldn’t call him a dark horse. You can tell he’s in it to win it and is already a judge favorite and with all the air time he receives, he is an audience favorite. What the kid needs now is some “sex” appeal. Perhaps a big cut and shave would be too much at once but I’d like to see this ugly swan bloom. I think it would do him good. I think he is trying to have some sex appeal singing these swanky bluesy songs, but it just doesn’t work with that face. It is like Will Ferrel trying to be sexy, come on!

Tim Halperin – Goodbye! Not only do I not remember your performance last night, I can’t even come up with something to describe who you were last night. I thought he was okay, better then some but still forgettable.

What did you think of last nights American Idol?