It's been a while since I've participated in Friday's Feast...
Appetizer
If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?
I'm choosing next week for celebrity week. And I choose Evangeline Lilly. LOST has resumed filming again, so it would be fun to hang out with all the cast.
Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?
I'd say a 2. It's easier for me to communicate by email because as soon as I'm on the phone, Jacob is right at my side. "Who's that? Can I talk? I want to talk. Who is it?" I've been known to take my phone and hide in the bathroom or the laundry room just for some peace and quiet. Thankfully Caleb has learned to put his hand on my shoulder if he needs me for something while I'm on the phone.
With my business, I have to make calls almost daily. Most of that gets done after 8:30 p.m. and the boys are in bed, but since I don't like to call anyone past 9:00 p.m., I have a relatively short block of time to get my calls done. I have started making a few calls during the day, though, when I know the boys are busy with something and won't be interrupting me.
Salad
Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).
Samaritan's Purse (Operation Christmas Child), Salvation Army, Goodwill, Luke's Closet (DTS clothing ministry for its seminary students), American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, St. Jude's
Of course, I don't donate to all of them all the time. Some I donate to periodically, some I've donated to once or twice in the distant past.
Main Course
What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?
Pizza!!!
Dessert
Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?
Thankfully, no! Ever since missing getting our shots in 2003 - and all having the flu at the same time - we all get our flu shots every year.
What are your answers?
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Idol 12
I'm so glad Danny Noriega is gone! Of all my picks this week, I'm glad I was right on that one! I also picked Luke Menard and Kady Malloy to leave. Asia'h Epperson's exit surprised me, but she was low on my list and I probably would've picked her within the next 2 weeks if Kristy Lee Cook had gone home tonight instead.
Top 6 guys: David Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Castro, Michael Johns, David Hernandez, and Chikezie.
Top 6 girls: Brooke White, Syesha Mercado, Ramiele Malubay, Carly Smithson, Amanda Overmyer, and Kristy Lee Cook.
I think the guys have the best talent this season, but there are some real stand-out girls, too. It'll be interesting to see how things play out.
Top 6 guys: David Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Castro, Michael Johns, David Hernandez, and Chikezie.
Top 6 girls: Brooke White, Syesha Mercado, Ramiele Malubay, Carly Smithson, Amanda Overmyer, and Kristy Lee Cook.
I think the guys have the best talent this season, but there are some real stand-out girls, too. It'll be interesting to see how things play out.
Idol 16: Girls' Round 3
Let's hear it for the girls...
1. Asia'h Epperson - "I Wanna Dance with Somebody"
I was late tuning in so I missed her performance, but I did catch it on the American Idol website. She was lively enough, but she sounded off here and there. I think she's good enough to stay, but not to win.
2. Kady Malloy - "Who Wants to Live Forever"
Not only did I not recognize this song, but her performance was boring and her singing wasn't that great. I hope she's going home this week.
3. Amanda Overmyer - "I Hate Myself for Loving You"
Once again, I'm not impressed with her. She looked better this week, but she didn't sound any better. Her screech toward the end of the song didn't help matters any.
4. Carly Smithson - "I Drove All Night"
She did a great job covering a Celine Dion song, hitting all the notes with not a sour one in the bunch. I've liked her from the start, and that performance shows why.
5. Kristy Lee Cook - "Faithfully"
I love Journey, but I didn't love this. I know I said I wanted her to give country a try, but not on a classic rock song that I love. I wasn't impressed with her twang, and she often couldn't hit or hold the notes. As Bad. Maybe she should go this week instead of next.
6. Ramiele Malubay - "Against All Odds"
She did really well, but I'm not sure she was my favorite of the night. Still, she's got staying power and I bet she'll be in the top 3 or 4.
7. Brooke White - "Love Is a Battlefield"
She's got a great voice! I wasn't sure I would like the toned-down version of this song, but it was really good. She truly made this song her own. She keeps getting better every week.
8. Syesha Mercado - "Saving All My Love for You"
She's back! She did a great job with this song, hitting every note perfectly. She's staying.
My picks: Amanda Overmyer and Kady Malloy. Kristy Lee Cook would be okay to go, too.
1. Asia'h Epperson - "I Wanna Dance with Somebody"
I was late tuning in so I missed her performance, but I did catch it on the American Idol website. She was lively enough, but she sounded off here and there. I think she's good enough to stay, but not to win.
2. Kady Malloy - "Who Wants to Live Forever"
Not only did I not recognize this song, but her performance was boring and her singing wasn't that great. I hope she's going home this week.
3. Amanda Overmyer - "I Hate Myself for Loving You"
Once again, I'm not impressed with her. She looked better this week, but she didn't sound any better. Her screech toward the end of the song didn't help matters any.
4. Carly Smithson - "I Drove All Night"
She did a great job covering a Celine Dion song, hitting all the notes with not a sour one in the bunch. I've liked her from the start, and that performance shows why.
5. Kristy Lee Cook - "Faithfully"
I love Journey, but I didn't love this. I know I said I wanted her to give country a try, but not on a classic rock song that I love. I wasn't impressed with her twang, and she often couldn't hit or hold the notes. As Bad. Maybe she should go this week instead of next.
6. Ramiele Malubay - "Against All Odds"
She did really well, but I'm not sure she was my favorite of the night. Still, she's got staying power and I bet she'll be in the top 3 or 4.
7. Brooke White - "Love Is a Battlefield"
She's got a great voice! I wasn't sure I would like the toned-down version of this song, but it was really good. She truly made this song her own. She keeps getting better every week.
8. Syesha Mercado - "Saving All My Love for You"
She's back! She did a great job with this song, hitting every note perfectly. She's staying.
My picks: Amanda Overmyer and Kady Malloy. Kristy Lee Cook would be okay to go, too.
Weigh-In Wednesday #7
I had my good moments and my bad moments with eating last week. I ate a little more junk food than I should have, but when I was being conscientious about my food choices, I did really well. I think one thing that helped me blow it was all the delicious starches from Baker's Ribs. Billy picked up BBQ Saturday evening, so we feasted on smoked chicken and brisket, creamy macaroni & cheese, and dill potato salad. There was also some mediocre cole slaw, dinner rolls, and "condiments" (sliced jalapenos, onions, and dill pickles), but I didn't have any of those.
I also skipped a few days of morning exercises for various reasons, but I've picked them back up this week. I started doing a trouble-spot program, breaking it into upper and lower body for M/F and core for T/T.
Today's mile was 16:30; my later half-mile was 8:20. Sometime during my walk, one of my toenails ripped and bled into my sock. I remember feeling a quick pain, but it didn't last. Maybe that was because the muscles along my shins and in my calves were crying out.
My upper body workout went really well. I kept to my lighter weights/more repetitions routine, and I like it better than straining my muscles to complete one set of heavier weights. I still feel the burn, but it's different. I skipped the lateral raises this week. It's not one of my favorite exercises, and since my longer sets cut a little more into my time (and I'm paying for the boys' childcare), I needed to drop one of the machines.
When I stood on the scales this time, my weight was back up a little: 159.0. I need to work more on eating healthier (and less) this week. My inches have stayed the same.
I'm planning to up the ante over Spring Break. The boys will be gone for the week, so I'll be able to get to the gym twice that week. I'll be interested to see how that impacts things.
I also skipped a few days of morning exercises for various reasons, but I've picked them back up this week. I started doing a trouble-spot program, breaking it into upper and lower body for M/F and core for T/T.
Today's mile was 16:30; my later half-mile was 8:20. Sometime during my walk, one of my toenails ripped and bled into my sock. I remember feeling a quick pain, but it didn't last. Maybe that was because the muscles along my shins and in my calves were crying out.
My upper body workout went really well. I kept to my lighter weights/more repetitions routine, and I like it better than straining my muscles to complete one set of heavier weights. I still feel the burn, but it's different. I skipped the lateral raises this week. It's not one of my favorite exercises, and since my longer sets cut a little more into my time (and I'm paying for the boys' childcare), I needed to drop one of the machines.
When I stood on the scales this time, my weight was back up a little: 159.0. I need to work more on eating healthier (and less) this week. My inches have stayed the same.
I'm planning to up the ante over Spring Break. The boys will be gone for the week, so I'll be able to get to the gym twice that week. I'll be interested to see how that impacts things.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Idol 16: Guys' Round 3
I love 80s music! Of course, those were high school days...
1. Luke Menard - "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
Okay, I was a Wham fan back in the 80s. I loved this song then. I wasn't so impressed with this performance, though. While Luke has the high-pitched voice for the song, he just couldn't pull it off. Maybe he should've done some Prince (back when he was only known as Prince).
2. David Archuleta - "Another Day in Paradise"
Wow! He did a great job with the piano tonight. I was never a big fan of this song, but he made it enjoyable. Still, I wish he'd sing something in a different style.
3. Danny Noriega - "Tainted Love"
Love the song, couldn't stand the performance. His voice wasn't right for this. Enough said.
4. David Hernandez - "It's All Coming Back to Me Now"
He did a good job, but he's really not making himself stand out. He's got a good voice, but he needs to take a risk.
5. Michael Johns - "Don't You (Forget about Me)"
I love The Breakfast Club, and I love this song! He did a really good job of it.
6. David Cook - "Hello"
Ooohh. Bad start! But - much better as he got past the first few notes. I love the way he put a totally new twist on a Lionel Richie song! I can definitely overlook the beginning for rest of his great performance!
7. Jason Castro - "Hallelujah"
I just like this guy. I didn't recognize the song at all, but I liked it. He cracked at the end, and I loved the way he grinned when it happened. Overall, it was good. I'm glad he didn't play guitar this time around. He seemed comfortable without it.
8. Chikezie - "(S)he Fills Me Up"
He did a pretty good job, even though his voice cracked. I wasn't sure how he'd do with a Whitney Houston song, but I was pleasantly surprised.
My picks for the top 6 guys: David, David, David, Michael, Jason, and Chikezie.
My picks to go home: Danny Noriega and Luke Menard.
I wonder what the girls will sing...
1. Luke Menard - "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
Okay, I was a Wham fan back in the 80s. I loved this song then. I wasn't so impressed with this performance, though. While Luke has the high-pitched voice for the song, he just couldn't pull it off. Maybe he should've done some Prince (back when he was only known as Prince).
2. David Archuleta - "Another Day in Paradise"
Wow! He did a great job with the piano tonight. I was never a big fan of this song, but he made it enjoyable. Still, I wish he'd sing something in a different style.
3. Danny Noriega - "Tainted Love"
Love the song, couldn't stand the performance. His voice wasn't right for this. Enough said.
4. David Hernandez - "It's All Coming Back to Me Now"
He did a good job, but he's really not making himself stand out. He's got a good voice, but he needs to take a risk.
5. Michael Johns - "Don't You (Forget about Me)"
I love The Breakfast Club, and I love this song! He did a really good job of it.
6. David Cook - "Hello"
Ooohh. Bad start! But - much better as he got past the first few notes. I love the way he put a totally new twist on a Lionel Richie song! I can definitely overlook the beginning for rest of his great performance!
7. Jason Castro - "Hallelujah"
I just like this guy. I didn't recognize the song at all, but I liked it. He cracked at the end, and I loved the way he grinned when it happened. Overall, it was good. I'm glad he didn't play guitar this time around. He seemed comfortable without it.
8. Chikezie - "(S)he Fills Me Up"
He did a pretty good job, even though his voice cracked. I wasn't sure how he'd do with a Whitney Houston song, but I was pleasantly surprised.
My picks for the top 6 guys: David, David, David, Michael, Jason, and Chikezie.
My picks to go home: Danny Noriega and Luke Menard.
I wonder what the girls will sing...
Menu Plan Monday #20
I'm late this week, but yesterday was busy with all sorts of things: more than the usual mountain of laundry, preparing for last night's SWIM Board meeting, completing a jewelry project to submit to the retreat committee,... Today should be easier.
On with the menu!
Monday: potluck
(I had a SWIM Board meeting.)
Tuesday: Blackened Tilapia, Herb & Butter Rice (Lipton/Knorr package mix), Steamed Broccoli, and Mini Glazed Pineapple Cakes
The cakes are a variation of a new Pampered Chef recipe that I'd like to make at my shows this spring and summer. The original recipe is lemon, but I don't like lemon very much. We'll see how it goes.
Wednesday: Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
I really want to have gumbo one more time before it gets too warm for it.
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: Biscuit Cups
I had forgotten about this recipe until my friend Stefanie mentioned it a few weeks ago. Someone in our Bible study group a few years ago brought this for our brunch/snack one morning and it was really good. She emailed me the recipe, but I never got around to making it. I'm really looking forward to this!
Saturday: Stuffed Baked Potatoes, salad, and dessert
Our small group from church will be coming over. I'll bake the potatoes and provide the toppings. Everyone else will sign up to bring drinks and the rest.
Sunday: sandwiches
For more menu plan ideas, check out I'm an Organizing Junkie.
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