So, here we are in this last night of competition.

I was shocked that Angie Miller went home last week. Not necessarily because Kree isn’t an awesome performer, I just thought Angie’s versatility behind the piano would put her a tad bit ahead of Kree.

But lo, I was wrong.

It’s happened a time or ten.

Tonight, we’ll hear the contestants sing three different songs. The first, chosen by Simon Fuller. The next, the first single the contestants will release if they win. And a third song, their favorite from the season.

ROUND 1

Kree Harrison – (Angel by Sarah McLachlan) – Kree is singing well, but I can think of so many other songs that would have been a better choice for her. WHY, oh why are we singing such a s-l-0-w depressing song? Simon Fuller didn’t do Kree any favors by choosing this song.

Candice Glover - (Chasing Pavements - by Adele) – First of all, it’s hard to beat a good Adele song. But Chasing Pavement, really? Why not, “Someone Like You” or even better, “One and Only“. I think Candice woulda knocked either one of those out-the-park with her big pipes. She is singing this one well, it just isn’t giving her much of an opportunity to shine. Simon didn’t really do Candice any favors, either.

Wait. WHAT?

The Dawg is leaving Idol next year?

Y’all.

I just did what I do when I NEED TO KNOW RIGHT NOW.

I went to Google. Sadly, I confirmed that Randy Jackson will not return next year.

Dang. Idol needs The Dawg.

BUT.

WAIT.

THERE’S.

MORE.

Nicki Friggin’ Minaj IS OUT TOO!

Sweeter words have never been typed.

Ok, back to business.

ROUND 2

Kree Harrison – (All Cried Out) – This song has the makings of a great country song. It’s country, it’s slow, and it involves a breakup. In certain spots, it sounds like Kree is straining to hit the high notes. Maybe it’s me. Or her nerves. Or my ears. But I’ve heard it more than once. Not Kree’s best performance, in my humble opinion.

Candice Glover – (I Am Beautiful) – Y’all. Now that right there? Do you see what Candice just did? SHE SHINED! That song was a great fit for her and her voice. A great vocal. You could almost feel it way down deep in her soul.

ROUND 3

Kree Harrison – (Up To The Mountain) – Kree turned it up a notch this time around. Her best performance of the night BY A MILE. Probably had something to do with the fact that she picked this one herself, but still! She made a great choice. And she sang it very well!

Candice Glover – (I Who Have Nothing) - If the winner was chosen based on tonight’s performances, Candice woulda just won this thing. She was singing’ like she meant it. It was her best performance this season and in my opinion, she just sealed the deal. I’m gonna go ahead and call it right now.

WINNER: Candice

RUNNER UP: Kree

Am I right?

I have sneezed approximately 5,148 times today.

My nose feels like it might explode.

And my eyes?

I came *this close* to poking them out today.

With a fork.

In other words, MY ALLERGIES ARE FRIGGIN KILLING ME.

I’m suspect spending the weekend with the scouts on a campout - IN A MONSOON – didn’t help matters. But, for the sake of the blog, I’m gonna push through the watery eyes and the runny nose and share what I learned this week.

1. When packing for a scout campout - and the weather channel is predicting a 90% chance of rain - it is best to leave your new tennis shoes at home.

2. It is hard to beat an ice-cold Coca Cola straight from a plastic bottle.

3. When the matriarch of the soap-opera that you’ve watched for 25 years passes away IRL, it will feel as though you have lost a member of your family.

Crazy, I know.

4. God answers prayer in ways I could never imagine.

5. An entire week long MONSOON without a ballgame makes for a l-o-n-g-e-r- week.

6. I am the most organized-unorganized person I know.

7. Before rushing into town to make a 3:30 orthodontist appointment, you should probably make sure you’re looking at the “right” Monday on your calendar.

DUH.

8. The new Facebook upgrade is an iPhone battery drainer. Which is unfortunate because, well, it’s not like the iPhone battery needs any help.

9. There are no white Euro size sham pillow cases within a 30-mile radius of my home.

10. It is so easy to get side-tracked when surfing the web. MUST. STAY. FOCUSED.

11. Starting Thursday, the forecast is predicting seven more days of rain.

Heaven help me!

And these stupid allergies!

That’s what I learned this week.

Now, what did YOU learn?

To join in on the What I Learned This Week carnival, simply follow these steps.

1. Any time this week, publish your What I Learned This Week post on your blog and link to this post.

2. Link up with the Mr. Linky form down below. Please put the link to your POST, not the front page of your blog.

3. Then visit the other participants and see what they learned this week.

Alrightythen. Ready, Set, GO!

THIS! Is American Idol.

The Grand finale takes place in one week and the race is tighter than its ever been.

Three ladies.

Three different styles.

Three different voices.

This week, the contestants will perform three songs that they did not choose for themselves. First round will be Jimmy Iovine’s pick. Second round will be chosen by the Judges, and the third round will be chosen by American Idol’s production team – whoever they are.

ROUND 1

Kree Harrison -  Perfect by Pink: Kree is doing a good job on this song, but I think it lacks any sort of POW!!! that she will need to make it into the next round. It was just so-so if you ask me.

OH MY WORD, please SHUT Nikki Friggin’ Minaj UP. She is yammering on about flat boots. THIS IS A SINGING COMPETITION, not America’s next top model.

Candice Glover – One by U2 – I’m not sure what Jimmy Iovine was thinking when he made these song choices, but I will say that Candice’s performance had a lot more excitement than Kree’s did. She sang it well, but I was really hoping for some Adele from Candice. I think she could knock Adele out-the-park.

Angie Miller – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word by Elton John – As always, Angie is singing like a songbird. Still, I’m not necessarily blown away by the performance.

These home visits always make me cry.

ROUND 2

Candice Glover – Next To Me by Emile Sande – I don’t have a point of reference for this song because I’ve never heard of it or even the singer. Still, I think this song suits Candice much better than the first.

Angie Miller – Try by Pink – Maybe I’m just not in the mood tonight, but I have yet to be wowed by any of these performances. Still, I think Angie and Candice will be battling it out in the finale.

Kree Harrison – Here Comes Goodbye by Rascal Flatts – Well, I’ll say it one more time… Good vocal. Not a lot of WOW.

ROUND 3

Angie Miller - Maybe by Emile Sande – Angie made a good choice by being behind the piano, because it sets her apart from the other two.

Kree Harrison – Better Dig Two by The Band Perry – Ugh. I think I’m over this. If you ask me tomorrow which one of these performances stood out, I would say NONE OF EM.

Candice Glover – Somewhere by Barbara Streisand – Ok. So I lied. If you ask me tomorrow which one of these performances stood out, I will tell you IT WAS THIS ONE. Thank you Candice Glover, for WOWING us. Finally. That performance was phenomenal. She just sung her way into the final.

Best of the Night: Candice Glover

Going Home: Kree Harrison

What did YOU think?

Y’all.

It is W-A-Y past time for another edition of letters to crazy people. I was about *thisdarnclose* to getting cold-cocked at the ball field by a crazy redneck mom who needed the you-know-what smacked out of her.

At that very moment, I had a clear understanding of how Little League fights start.

I am not the fighting type. But had ol girl socked me in my jaw, it woulda been ON.

Or, I might have peed down my leg.

Either way, it would not have been pretty.

So, to kick this thing off… we might as well start here….

Dear Crazy Loud Mouth Witch At The Ball-Field,

Last Saturday, I approached you at the ball-field to speak to you privately after you shouted some nastiness at my family. Shame on you for being so insensitive and rude to my handicapped family member. As bad as I wanted to pop you right square in your jaw, I refrained myself because 1. You are not worth going to jail over and 2. There were kids there. With parents like you, it is no wonder kids act the way they do in today’s world.

May you never find yourself in a wheelchair.

But if you do, I hope there’s no one around to push you in it.

Sincerely,

#5′s Mom

—–

Dear Saturn Sky,

What is up with your seatbelt? When your seatbelt decides to lay down and play dead, I have no other choice but to leave your shiny butt sitting in the garage because, um, I can’t stand the thought of being splayed out all over the interstate if by chance I would have a wreck.

Please cooperate so we can play together again.

Yours Truly,

The Gal That Drives You 98% of the Time

—–

Dear McDaddy,

Our 15th Anniversary is right around the corner. Let’s do go somewhere fun!

After all, I’m worth it.

Love,

Your Lovely Wife

—–

Dear Blog Readers,

If you are not watching / have never watched Duck Dynasty, what in the heck is wrong with ya? THAT is one of the funniest shows on television, and you are missing out.

Signed,

A New DD Fan

—–

Dear Kanawha County Board Of Education,

Last week, I attended an open house at our local Middle School. I will never EVER, so long as I live agree with your decision to move our ten-year old, 5th grade babies to the MIDDLE SCHOOL. No amount of statistics, facts, or rhetoric will EVER convince me that this is what is best for our children. It burns me up to think about it.

Still disgusted – even after two years,

An Unhappy Mommy

—–

Dear Guy In McDaddy’s Squadron,

I can never thank you enough for what you are doing for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

One Happy Lady

—–

Dear Circuit Court Clerk,

Thank you for excusing me from jury service. Normally, I would love to do my civic duty and serve on a jury (especially if I could be the foreman), but right now, I am needed on the home front. Maybe next time my number comes up, I’ll be available.

Thanks Again,

Prospective Juror #51084

—–

Dear A & E,

Shame on your for cutting out the words, “In Jesus’ name” from Phil Robertson’s prayer at the end of each episode of Duck Dynasty. If I didn’t enjoy the show so much, I’d boycott your station.

Please reconsider,

A Loyal DD Fan aka Princess Julie

—–

What would your letter to a crazy person say today?

If it weren’t Tuesday, I’d be writing another edition of “Letters To Crazy People” because I’ve had more than my fair share of interaction with crazy people this week. I suppose I’ll quit the whining and save all that for another day. Instead, I’ll share with you, (all eight of you!) what I learned this week.

1. If the seatbelt in the SKY locks and refuses to come out to wrap around you, it will take McDaddy about 45 minutes to fix it.

2. If the weight mechanism in the SKY seatbelt locks up twice, McDaddy will decide to order a new one.

3. A new seatbelt locking mechanism for the SKY will cost you about $150.

4. It’s not as difficult to find parts for a six-year old vehicle that is no longer manufactured as I thought it would be.

5. There is at least one Doctor in the Charleston area who should 1. hire more nurses, or 2. get rid of the two nurses he has and hire two dependable ones.

6. You never know who you might see at the massage place in the mall.

6. Conchata Ferrell (Berta on Two and a Half Men) is from Charleston, West Virginia.

7. Conchata Ferrell is building a new house about 15 miles from my house.

8. Conchata Ferrell no longer talks to Charlie because, in her words, ”when he went off the deep end, he changed all of his phone numbers”.

9. The new massage place in the mall is a great place to get a massage.

10. A seven-year old can have a lot of fun making a scrapbook.

11. An alarm is always best.

12. A dead mouse in a glue trap is 7,514 kinds of nasty.

13. When you accidentally buy cream cheese instead of sour cream for a dessert you are making, you should know there’s a good chance it will taste okay.

14. The word fatuous means silly and/or pointless.

That’s what I learned this week.

Now, what did YOU learn?

To join in on the What I Learned This Week carnival, simply follow these steps.

1. Any time this week, publish your What I Learned This Week post on your blog and link to this post.

2. Link up with the Mr. Linky form down below. Please put the link to your POST, not the front page of your blog.

3. Then visit the other participants and see what they learned this week.

Alrightythen. Ready, Set, GO!

Welcome to a live Wednesday night edition of American Idol. Only it’s not really a live edition because I’ve been on the phone with McDaddy for the past hour and forgot it was American Idol night until just minutes ago.

So… this is really a DVR’d Wednesday edition of American Idol here on my blog. I can assure you it will still be all kinds of awesome.

T0night, the contestants will sing songs from 2013 and standards… whatever that is.

Oh snap, Harry Connick, Jr. is mentoring tonight. Why those Jokers didn’t choose Harry Connick, Jr. when they were looking for a judge instead of Nikki Friggin’ Minaj is beyond me.

Angie Miller – Diamonds (Rhianna) –  I know I sound like a broken record because I say this every week…. I know I’m getting old, because I have never heard most of these songs. Still, Angie is at the piano, and this song sounds like it was written for her voice. Her and that topless grand get along ever so well. I will be shocked if Angie isn’t standing on the stage at the finale.

Hey Nikki, YOU ARE NOT BRITISH – STOP TALKING LIKE THAT!!!!!

Randy needs to tell the two divas to keep it classy. Come on Mariah, don’t stoop to her level.

Amber Holcomb – Just Give Me A Reason (Pink) – There are parts of this song, to me at least, that Amber seems to be straining. And several times throughout the song she seemed as though she was out of breath. This performance was just okay for me.

Dang, Nikki needs a Midol.

Candice Glover – When I Was Your Man (Bruno Mars) – Not sure how this will turn out, since Bruno Mars is a man, and Candice is not. I do KNOW this song though, so there’s that. Y’all. I think Candice is tearing this song up. My favorite of the night so far. I’m thankful she didn’t go home last week. GOOD JOB, GIRLFRIEND. Very nice.

Kree Harrison - See You Again (Carrie Underwood) – Well, Kree is keeping it simple – on a stool – and belting it out. Sounds absolutely wonderful to me.

Angie Miller – Someone To Watch Over Me (Frank Sinatra) – Angie is singing this ballad like a songbird. I think she just sealed her fate. She’ll be back next week.

Mariah and Nikki need to, wait, never mind. Not even worth the effort to type the sentence.

Amber Holcomb – My Funny Valentine (Ella Fitzgerald) – Amber is doing a great job on this song. I never feel like she is as great as Angie or Candice, but she’s singing this one really well. Still not sure if this will be enough to keep her around for another week though.

Candice Glover – You’ve Changed (Billie Holiday) – It’s over for one of these gals, but I don’t think it will be Candice. She is killing this song. And I’ll say it again, Candice. Finale. Night.

Kree Harrison - Stormy Weather (Etta James) – This song is d-r-a-g-g-I-n-g along. She’s singing it like a champ, I just wished the champ worked a little faster. Everyone has an opinion. And that’s mine.

BEST OF THE NIGHT: Candice Glover

GOING HOME: Amber Holcomb

What say you?

I learned a big bunch of stuff this week. And the first thing I learned is that I am the most organized – unorganized person I know.

Like this evening, Alex had a baseball game and I had the next four hours of my evening planned out and it was jam-packed. After the game, we got loaded in the car, and made it to the driveway when my phone rang. It was Stevie’s coach. I am the “team mom” for Stevie’s team which means I keep “the book” and do administrative-type tasks like making sure our team parents cover our concession stand shifts.

I sent out a text yesterday to the three parents who were to work this evening 5:30-7:30. The only problem is, our shift was actually from 7:30-9:30, which means SOMEONE had to cover our ACTUAL shift. And since I live about two minutes from the field, it was easiest for me just to run back down to the field, so that the other parents could go home as scheduled.

Which also means I wasn’t home in time to report our team’s Mission SLIMpossible Biggest Loser points to the competition director. Which means that we will lose points.

It seems that no matter how hard I try, I always FRIG something up. And that frustrates me to no end.

I guess it’s safe to say that I learned I have too many irons in the proverbial fire.

I also learned that an ingrown toenail hurts A LOT.

That’s what I learned this week.

Now, what did YOU learn?

To join in on the What I Learned This Week carnival, simply follow these steps.

1. Any time this week, publish your What I Learned This Week post on your blog and link to this post.

2. Link up with the Mr. Linky form down below. Please put the link to your POST, not the front page of your blog.

3. Then visit the other participants and see what they learned this week.

Alrightythen. Ready, Set, GO!

Spring is in full swing.

And so are my stupid allergies.

They were so bad at the ball field this past week, I was ready to poke my eyeballs out.

With a fork.

Not to mention my nose running like a sugar tree.

Both boys have itchy eyes and runny noses, and I’m dishing out allergy meds like I know what I’m doin’.

Like I said, Spring is in full swing.

Here’s what we’ve been up to the past few weeks (which sadly, hasn’t included a whole lot of blogging!)

BASEBALL

BASEBALL

And MORE baseball!

Alex got the game ball for two BIG hits and scoring two runs! I was screaming like a maniac! (His team is currently undefeated at 7-0, AND he got his first homeroom Thursday night!)

And then MORE baseball – which includes me keeping the book for Stevie’s baseball team (and they are currently on a 5-game winning streak!)

Which I love to do, by the way!

And on really great days, we add in a side of Saturn SKY

 HOT DANG, that is one beautiful car!

And FUN, too!

That’s what I’ve been doing these days, how ’bout you?

THIS! Is your final four America!

Tonight, the contestants will sing two songs each. One song chosen by the contestants and another – chosen from a theme picked by America – ONE HIT WONDERS (which now that I’ve heard their choices, I have to WONDER, how were any of these songs HITS and why did these gals feel compelled to sing them?)

I can think of so many songs that would have made this night so much more interesting.

• Rapper’s Delight – Sugar Hill Gang
• Keep Your Hand’s To Yourself – Georgia Satellites
• (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley
• Casanova – Levert
• Honestly – Stryper
• It Takes Two – Rob Bass and DJ E-Z Rock
• Knockin’ Boots – Candyman
• A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme) – Regina Belle
• Baby I Love Your Way – Big Mountain
• Nobody Knows – The Tony Rich Project
• When I Said I Do – Clint Black

See there? Lots of great options.

And before we get into my commentary about the actual singing competition, I have something to say. Rumors are swirling today about the possibility of American Idol execs looking to replace Mariah Carey, reportedly due to “dwindling ratings”.

IDOL EXECS, if one of you happens across my blog today, I have a message for you. Listen very carefully and trust me when I say this, because I’ve spent many an hour watching Idol. I’ve stuck with you jokers through thick Simon Cowell and thin Ellen DeGeneres, so my opinion should count for something.

Mariah isn’t the problem.

The problem is that Nicki Friggin’ Minaj.

I guarantee ratings would soar if you gave her the boot.

[End rant]

Amber Holcomb – The Power of Love (Celine Dion) First of all, the solid white pant suit thing looks wonderful on her. Secondly, Oh shoot, the back of that thing is black. Very nice. But seriously though, she is singing like a songbird. I haven’t paid much attention to Amber up till now, but tonight? I won’t be forgetting this performance. This one performance just might be enough to put her in the finals.

Candice Glover - Find Your Love (Drake) – HOLY MACANOLI BATMAN, those are some B-I-G earrings. I don’t know this song. And if I’m being honest, I’ve never even heard of Drake. I suppose that’s because I’m old and out of touch. Have I mentioned those earrings are HUGE? Candice is doing what she always does. She is singing the heck out of this song. I don’t think she’s making quite the impression that Amber did, but maybe she’ll do that with her next performance. I like the earrings, but I don’t think I could pull them off.

Kree Harrison - Hurts So Bad (Susan Tedeschi) – I’m probably showing my age here, but I don’t know this song, either. But the difference in this song that I don’t know and the Candice’s song that I don’t know? I would totally purchase Kree’s song on iTunes and blast it while driving topless in the SKY. That bluesy song makes me smile. It showcases her voice and I think it was a smart choice. Love it!

Nicki Minaj is being her usual punk self tonight.

Angie Miller - Who You Are (Jessie J) – Ok. Maybe instead of telling you how many of these songs I don’t know, I should just tell you when I hear one that I’m familiar with. Angie is at the piano (a beautiful white one!) and that could only mean one thing. This is going to be good. I would venture to say the judges will be impressed. As always, she is kicking it up a notch. If you ask me she is heads and shoulders ahead of the rest of these gals. What she’s doing there at that piano tonight? A gift. Pure and simple and wonderful.

Kree & Amber – Rumour Has It  (Adele) – Love, love, love Adele, but somehow I’ve missed this song. I think these two are killin’ it. And by killin’ it, I mean WAY TO GO GIRLS!

Candice & Angie - Stay (Rihanna) – These gals sound great together. They also seem very comfortable together – as if they’ve been singing together for years. They are both so seasoned.

Amber Holcomb – MacArthur’s Park (Richard Harris) – Was this song really a hit? I don’t know MacArthur, nor have I ever been to his park. I think when she listens to this performance, Amber is going to be VERY HAPPY that she sang The Power of Love, because this is NOT SO GREAT. I feel like she had to strain to get to some of the higher notes and I wasn’t impressed with this song at all. She could have killed ‘A Whole New World’.

Candice Glover - Emotion (Samantha Sang) – She’s singing well, but honestly, I’m not at all impressed with this song. Ol girl shoulda sang (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life. *sigh*

Kree Harrison - Whiter Shade of Pale (Procol Harem) – And Kree does it again, folks. She sings a song that makes me think, “Yup, I’d buy that.” I think Kree has had two great performances tonight. Loved this choice and thought her first performance was even better.

Angie Miller (Is she going by Angie now?) - Cry Me A River (Julie London) – OH MY HECK. Angie is on fire tonight. That song just sealed it for me. THIS was HER night. That BIG voice + A BIG ballad = A BIG FREAKIN’ performance. Plus, she is beautiful.

Best of the Night: Angie Miller

Worst of the Night: Amber Holcomb

Headed Home: I’d have to say Amber. I don’t think she’s quite the performer that the other three are.

It’s been another exciting week of learning stuff. Now granted, some of it is inconsequential, but nevertheless,

1. An ingrown toenail REALLY hurts.

2. It is never a good idea to place an unzipped purse in the passenger seat of a convertible when driving. Especially with a purse full of napkins.

3. It is too cold, at 54 degrees, to drive with the top down.

4. My friend Shemar (as in Shemar Moore) was named for his dad, Sherrod and his mom, Marilyn = SheMar.

5. Where there is a [strong] will, there is always a way.

6. 10:30 PM on a Thursday is the ideal time to visit the Mart of Walls.

7. I will never get tired of driving the SKY.

8. My child has asked for Funyuns week after week for snack time. I thought he was on a Funyun kick. As it turns out, his friend Parker will trade “almost anything” for a bag of Funyuns. Stevie’s favorite trade is for a Cosmic Brownie.

9. When you replace contact pictures with Shemar Moore and Maksim Chremkovskiy, you will smile every single time your phone rings.

That’s what I learned this week.

Now, what did YOU learn?

To join in on the What I Learned This Week carnival, simply follow these steps.

1. Any time this week, publish your What I Learned This Week post on your blog and link to this post.

2. Link up with the Mr. Linky form down below. Please put the link to your POST, not the front page of your blog.

3. Then visit the other participants and see what they learned this week.

Alrightythen. Ready, Set, GO!