Archives for March 2010

American Idol Top 11

March 23, 2010 by Amy 2 Comments

Lee – Thank you for anunciating this week! So much better! I thought his vocals were really strong this week as well. I just wasn’t a fan of him singing that song. Too jazzy and his hand gestures were a little weird for me. Wow, love Ellen’s favorite pen analogy…so true!

Paige – Pitchy. Had to fast forward.

Tim – I think Tim found some confidence this week. Perhaps the fellow teen idol Miley telling him he was good? I don’t know. But he definitely was more comfortable on stage and actually sounded good. Not a fan of it though.

Aaron – That was a perfect song choice for him. Have to give it to him. That was a great job especially considering he was so sick.

Crystal – She’s so awesome. And very beautiful tonight. The end.

Mike – That was my favorite performance of his by a long mile. Really heartfelt and gorgeous.

Andrew – Danny Gokey ruined me for this song. I Heard it Through the Grapevine is the song Danny auditioned with and made me fall in love with him. That just wasn’t nearly as good as Danny. Weird performance of that. Weak vocals.

Katie – Finally she did something modern. I’m still not sold on the tone of her voice but I think this was my favorite performance from her.

Casey – I love Casey but I agree with Simon. Nothing new for me.

Didi – That was boring for me.

Siobhan – I still do not know where she came from but she is a rock star. Talk about a dark horse. Although her scream wasn’t so great tonight.

Favorite: Crystal

In trouble: Paige

Check out boomama.net for more reviews

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite New Moon Scenes

March 23, 2010 by Amy 22 Comments

Hang on folks, I’m going fangirl for this list!

So I kind of already did some lists like this. I did a list when I first saw New Moon of things that I liked and then I did a post of favorite little things. But after seeing the movie, well, several times, these are the moments that stick out to me.

Bella telling Edward it’s gross she’s dating an old man. Only one of few funny moments during New Moon.
Bella cuts her finger. While this didn’t play out exactly how I had it in my head, I felt like Chris did such a good job showing the cut and the blood hitting the floor. It was just kind of a beautiful scene and so pivotal for this book.
Bella misses Edward and they show the 360 scene with the months. I think this is one of those times Chris really hit the nail on the head. I love the song Possibility playing in the background. The showing of season change as well as time change. The loss of pictures on the wall. It’s really a gorgeous set of scenes that came out of nowhere considering all they had to work with is a few words.
Jac0b turns into a wolf for the first time. I remember this is the first scene I saw in previews and it was just as astounding in the movie. Jac0b’s a wolf!!
Bella tells Jac0b he’s sort of beautiful. It’s also the scene Jac0b sheds his shirt but yeah, not going to harp on that too long. But Bella telling Jac0b he’s beautiful..she’s realizing she sees him as more than friends and she’s so right…he’s sort of beautiful!
Jac0b and Mike during the movie scene. From Mike asking if he was old enough, to the guys holding their hands out to be held, to Jac0b calling Mike a marshmallow to Bella fighting her feelings for Jac0b on the stairs…love, love, love.
When Jac0b comes in the cabin on the reservation and leans against the doorframe. This moment is captured in the picture above. You might have to watch back to catch this one but Bella is watching Sam and Emily and then Jac0b walks in. *sigh* So…sigh-worthy.
Jac0b climbs in Bella’s room. Watching the DVD extra, I found out Taylor literally jumped up into her room like that. Can’t believe that wasn’t CGI or a stunt double or something. But once he gets into his room, Taylor puts on a fantastic performance. They’re wanting to leave together and he’s wanting her remember. And he sees the dream-catcher on her bed. It’s all so heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time.
Jac0b speaks Quiluete to Bella and then almost kisses her. Seriously this might be my favorite moment. There’s nothing more attractive than a guy that can speak more than one language and Jac0b throwing out the Quilete saying something sweet right before he kisses her is about my undoing.
Edward and Jac0b showdown at the end. This is at the very, very end when they’re in the woods. Jac0b is hurt and leaves and Edward proposes. It’s the thing that makes this series work. Two loves that you want both to work and yet it can’t. You’re happy when Edward proposes AND you’re sad that Jac0b leaves. I leave this for last as well because I can not wait for Eclipse when we see more of this triangle play out!

Is anyone as surprised as I am how little Edward there is in this list? Jac0b truly owns this movie. I’ve told several people I’ve realized I’m completely Team Jac0b during the movie although I stick with Team Edward through the books. Taylor just really brings Jac0b to life and I really *get* what Bella saw in him.

Make sure to check out more (probably less fangirl and more helpful) Top 10’s at ohamanda.com

Weekend Recap

March 22, 2010 by Amy Leave a Comment

I feel like one of those times where I have so much to say, I get bogged down and don’t say anything at all. You know what that means? Bullet-point time!

Friday I took my girls and my niece on a little nearby trail for a walk (and a little run). We saw a beaver hut/house/thing, some turtles and ducks. It was the first really, really nice day of the year with Spring only one day away. Besides that, there wasn’t anything special to it. It was just really good to get out with the girls and enjoy nature together. One of my favorite moments from the weekend.
Also, on the way to the trail, I let Emma sit in the front seat. Legally, she’s been allowed to for over a year but of course Scott never wanted to. We only went about 2 miles from home but she LOVED sitting in the front. Obvs, I mean, didn’t we all love getting to sit in the front? Even Lexi was really happy for her instead of showing any jealousy at all!
I blogged about most of Saturday spent at the zoo.
New Moon came out on DVD this weekend. For all Twilighters, do not skip the extras. They are fantastic.
When it came time for my segment on Suze Orman Saturday night, I kinda wished I’d never said anything about it at all. To be honest, I was so embarrassed to have our financial status out in the open and felt a little silly talking about a trip to go see celebrities. I was watching New Moon DVD when it came on and I didn’t turn it off. Not because I was so engrossed with it, but I just wanted to ignore Suze altogether! I almost missed seeing it live. I guess there’s no burying your head in the sand when you’ve committed to go on national television. On the other hand, it was fun to do and I’m proud Suze Orman of all people told us we were in a good spot financially. Little did she know we had our taxes done an hour after I talked to her. Ouch!
Sunday afternoon I was able to get the kids some clothes at a consignment sale. I love that my girls can go with me, help me pick out their outfits and then hold them all while we shop! They definitely are getting my love of clothes.
After that, we all went up to the mall to pick up my ring. I finally got my ring back!! I also bought a a cute shirt from Ann Taylor and a new swimsuit for myself I’m pretty excited about. Come on, Summer!

My laundry still needs done but guess what? It waited on me while we had a great weekend!

Sunday Highlights: Love, Sex, God: True Love

March 21, 2010 by Amy 4 Comments

Today finished up this Song of Songs series. Can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed. Today was fantastic and really felt God speaking His love to me today. As always, highly recommend the podcast.

True love doesn’t look for a reason to quit.

You know trouble is coming in your relationship, are you committed to working it out?

Beloved in Song of Songs demands true love.

SoS 8:6 “seal on your arm” is like a wedding band. She wants him to have an inward commitment as strong as the band is outwardly. She wants a love as permanent as death…there is no Plan B.

“jealous as the grave” jealousy is to want something that is rightfully yours. She wants him to be jealous of her and want her.

“fiercest flame of all” speaking of God’s love. It’s unquenchable.

Temporary love loves out of our needs. When our needs aren’t being met, we want to move on.

True love loves out of our abundance. God fills up and we love out of that.

Fairytale love is possible through Him.

Zoo Day 2010

March 20, 2010 by Amy 6 Comments

P.S. Carolyn et al, I didn’t post your pics…wasn’t sure if you wanted it on here!

I was so happy to get to see Carolyn and family today. They were visiting Myrtle Beach from Canada and we decided to meet for a trip at the zoo. This is our second meeting..hopefully 2nd of many more. We visited one of our favorite restaurants from Cola (as the locals call Columbia) Lizard’s Thicket for lunch for some home cooking and then spent the afternoon at the zoo.

I realized this was the first time I had been with Lexi. I went several times with Emma when we lived there but never have made it back in the six years we’ve been back. It was a gorgeous day and apparently everyone else thought a visit to the zoo was the perfect way to spend the day because it was quite crowded. We managed a pretty good time though.

My favorite moment by far though was a visit to the gorillas. I think this shows our fascination with going to the zoos again and again…you just never know what they’re going to do.

Book Review: Plain Pursuit

March 19, 2010 by Amy 7 Comments

Plain Pursuit is an Amish Christian Fiction novel by Beth Wiseman. It’s the second of the Daughters of the Promise series. In the novel, journalist Carley sustains the loss of her mother and extensive injuring of her own and is asked to take a leave of absense from work. She goes to stay with her Amish friend Lillian and takes with her an assignment to write a story on the Amish way of life. While there she meets Lillian’s shunned brother in law and develops a relationship with him will helping pull together a family. In return, she finds a family of her own.

It’s been several books since I’ve picked up fiction, devoting myself to several Christian non-fiction books. I had really hoped to lose myself in this book and enjoy a quick, romantic read. Had it not been for my commitment to finish and review the book, I have to say I may not have finished it. I had a hard time connecting with Carley. The storylines were predictable and sometimes forced. The dialogue at times was out of character. I felt like the story was more about Noah and his brother Samuel more than Carley and Noah. I think Carley’s hang ups about her infertility were unfounded with Noah and her fear from Darlton was not developed enough for the reader to understand the fear. It was difficult to enjoy a book that was almost solely based in a hospital room and when a lot of the conversation dealt with shunning. I felt like Carley and Noah’s story was rushed towards the end of the book and I would have liked to see some more conversations between them throughout. I think mostly the book was lacking in character development. It seemed the author was more concerned with moving the story forward and describing the medical process and procedures than introducing the reader to the characters and seeing substantial development take place. With the beautiful countryside I’m sure they were in, I felt like scene was lacking as well. I had a difficult time trying to picture the locations and getting a sense of what the characters were seeing.

I did enjoy learning about the Amish as this was my first Amish fiction book. I felt like the author did a good job of weaving pieces of the storylines together, especially when ancillary characters were able to move the storyline forward. The writing was the best when Carley stood up for her beliefs or when there was tension between other characters. I felt like the underlying storyline of the clinic gave the reader something to drive towards and enjoyed all of the community’s “emergencies”.

Overall, I’d give this book a 6 out of 10.

This book was provided on behalf of Thomas Nelson publishing in exchange for the review. If you would like to participate in the book review program, please visit BookSneeze.com

Call Right Now!

March 19, 2010 by Amy 9 Comments

I pass by the girls in the living room who are watching TV.

Emma: Mommy, you should get a space bag!
I notice the infomercial on TV
Me: Really, what should I put in it?
Emma: I don’t know.
I walk into the kitchen to fix them breakfast. Emma follows me.
Emma: It keeps dirt, bugs and water away!
Me, pouring milk: It does?
Emma: Yeah, and if you run over it it won’t even get dirty!
Run over it? When in my life am I going to have a space bag in my driveway? Oops! Watch out! There’s a bag of sheets ahead!
Emma: Plus it will save you closet space!
Lexi: You can put it under our bed or the attic…
Emma: Or the garage! Or the basement. Mommy do we have a basement?
Lexi: Mommy, what’s a basement?

Things I learned today:

You don’t have to know what you’re selling to sell it
Infomercials work
Our closets are messy

How To: Find a Picture By Color

March 17, 2010 by Amy 3 Comments

I was going to do a random post of green pictures just because today is St. Patty’s day and I love the color green. I thought I remembered one of the search engines searched by color but I wasn’t having much luck. So then I went on a search and I found this tool that searches Flickr for colors you choose and it’s so smart! I just had fun playing with the whole thing and actually enjoyed the grouping of pictures more than I enjoyed the individual pictures.

So I started with all the shades of green

And then I thought while those were cool, I love red too.

And wow! I lurved that! What about blue?

Or what if I stayed with the green but picked some lighter colors to give it some contrast?

Or what if I just stuck them all in there?

Or, wait, look at all the blue!

It’s all so pretty!

So just in case you’re on the hunt for pictures of a certain color or palette of colors, I think that’s your tool. And looky there, I ended up with a post of green pictures after all!