Beth | I Should Be Folding Laundry

Author Archive for Beth – Page 3

Sunday Morning Coffee

April 29th, 2012

I’m sitting on my couch, drinking coffee, Eli is sitting on the floor. He goes from the floor, to his cars to throwing his pacifiers into my coffee in a flash.

Brian and Noah left for a camping trip yesterday morning, Anna’s been gone at her Grandma’s since then, too. It’s just been Eli, Clara and I since then. I’ve had very little adult conversation.

It’s been nice.

I wanted to pop in for a few things:

I added new signs that benefit Team James and Jake to June Afternoons the other day. Only three remain! $30 from each sign goes directly to the March of Dimes.

Also, do you love my new blog design? Oh my goodness, I love it so much. Nicole over at The Pixel Boutique, once again, was a dream to work with. She amazes. This design is so simple, which is exactly what I’m needing these days.

Also, You Capture tomorrow is SPRING. Get your camera out and join us, k? Newcomers are always, always welcome!

Idol Chat with Adam & Beth | Top 6

April 25th, 2012

Adam: Last week, I heard the birds singing as if for the first time. Sunshine seemed purer. Truth became palpable. Love went from being an emotion to an action to a state of being. Last Thursday? Colton went home. I’m sure everyone celebrated in their own ways (J Lo commemorated the moment by dressing like the lovechild of MC Hammer and an Oscar), but mostly I’ve just been smiling ever since. Are you ready for the top 6 in this shiny, happy, Colton-free new world, Beth?

When I first saw J-Lo, I thought C-3PO but I am definitely getting the Oscar vibe, good call. I am totally ready for this new world. I’m excited about it, I’m not going to lie, I was shocked. But it’s about time. I’m also excited that tonight we are celebrating Queen, I love Queen. Brian and I went through a phase where Queen was all we listened to. It was awesome.

Adam: Okay, there are two different worlds going on here. Idol is going completely over the top with the stage production, and Jessica somehow managed to start off in black and white. Then there were three floating Jessica heads in the background. And then she pretty much rocked Bohemian Rhapsody. I agreed with Randy, she sounded really great. I didn’t once try to pull my ears off.

Um, I liked it but most definitely didn’t love it. I thought she did much better once she “rocked out” but yeah. MEH. The black and white screen really annoyed me.

Adam, before we go any further, I need to point out that Ryan’s hair is really tall today. That’s all.

Skylar is up and OHMYGOD THE STAGE IS ON FIRE!! Call 911! Save the violins! Oh, wait. Nope, whew. That was close. Back to Skylar, I liked the performance a lot, I thought the very last note was a scream and off key. But the rest of it was really enjoyable. Well, except for the stage fire, that was just scary.

Adam: The fire was too much. So was Skylar, but in a good way. She’s really growing on me (despite the parting screech . . . totally agree that was off).

Adam: Joshua’s stage had no fire, just a crazy little thing called lasers. Joshua is really good. Really. Good. He sounded great. He looked great. He carried himself like a pro. But . . . I haven’t the slightest desire to listen to that song again. Can’t put my finger on what’s missing. But it’s definitely missing.

I loved that this was entirely different from his usual performances. I love that he sang into a CB (a special shout-out to his truck driver friends, I’m assuming), I thought the band was really good, I just loved seeing this side of him. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Elise Testone sang “I Want It All.” Gosh, Adam. I don’t know, she sounded great, even flawless, but I just can’t figure out where she fits with music today. Does that make sense? Like, are we looking for a female Def Leppard in 2012? I don’t think so but I’m an old lady, what do I know? Anyway, she did really well, I enjoyed the performance.

Adam: I liked Elise so much, but I think the best way to find out where an artist fits into today’s music scene is to see how she answers the question, “Should I sing with a tambourine in my hand?” Elise’s answer tells me her niche will be elusive.

Adam: Phillip Phillips sang Fat-Bottomed Girls. I didn’t see this coming, I really didn’t, but somehow this song fit Phillip perfectly. I can’t explain it, it’s just like the universe brought Phillip and this song together for this moment, and it was oddly beautiful. My favorite PPP (Phillip Phillips Performance) to date.

Okay, in the beginning, he looked like he was in the crowd and someone suddenly pulled him up on stage and said “hey kid, start singing.” He was awkward? And the entire performance was flat and boring. Interesting that it was your favorite PPP.

And you know what? Every time I hear Steven Tyler speak, I think, you know, I don’t think he smokes enough.

Hollie is singing Save Me and once again, she shows up on stage and turns 65. Who is her stylist, Kathie Lee Gifford? Seriously, rewind, squint your eyes and it’s crazy Kathie singing up on stage. Anyway, this is such a good song and when I picture Freddie Mercury singing this and putting his heart and soul into this song, gah, it gives me chills but when Hollie sings it, it just feels so … sterile. I just think she’s missing soul. Boring.

Adam: Totally disagree. Hollie seemed no younger than 90.

Adam: Jessica is singing Dance with my Father, in honor of her father, who is soon to be deployed in Singapore after tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. So I really, really wanted to love the performance. But it’s the type of song that doesn’t need a lot of runs. And Jessica sang 1200 of them.

I actually enjoyed it. I loved her dress. (love yellow) The performance was sweet and she seemed to really feel it. Which is unlike every other performance of hers that I’ve seen.

Skylar is back up with the country and the guitar and the boots and the tuuuhhhwang. I think she’s a great performer and I think she’ll do great in country music.

Adam: I’ve already forgotten what song she sang. Hmm . . . you know who I miss? Casey James. He was so dreamy.

Adam: Hold up. Joshua is singing with a calm, reserved, controlled passion. What’s this? Gasp! That’s what was missing. This song. I’m Ready for Love? Yeah, that. That was what I’ve been waiting to hear from him.

I. LOVE. JOSHUA. TONIGHT. I do. It’s like he grabbed my shoulders and said listen to me sing without doing that. GAH. Yes, Joshua, you are on it.

Elise is back on stage and this time I am just confused. Was this a poetry reading? The blues? Hard rock? Smooth jazz? A scarf twirling concert? I … did not like it, at all.

Adam: I think Randy was right: Elise was trying to outsing the guitar in a guitar song.

Adam: I’m just going to say this about Points of Phillipsis: he needs to let his voice be bright sometimes. Not every note can be dark, not even when he’s singing a Dave Matthews song. Resolve that melody, dude. If you’re gonna pick your nose through the entire song, you gotta pull out a booger at some point.

Okay, Adam, that was really gross. But, yeah, Phillip, I’m not really sure what to think. It was definitely different, the dancing people next to him? I am just confused. Plain and simple. But mostly I’m glad there were no boogers.

Hollie Cavanaugh is wrapping up the night (thank goodness) with a good ol’ Miley Cyrus song. So, Hollie went from Kathie Lee Gifford to a waitress at a strip club. (I know what you’re thinking: Beth, you wear a cardigan every day, STOP WITH THE FASHION TALK.) A standing ovation? Really? That’s it. I want Simon back. This show is seriously lacking in meanness and I miss it, dammit. Oh and the song? MEH.

Adam: True story: as Hollie sang, I was thinking about what to say and . . . I fell asleep. I woke up and the judges were standing. I’m so confused.

Who’s going home?

Beth: Hollie

Adam: Hollie

You guys, we LOOOOVED all of your feedback last week! It was so nice to hear your thoughts and feedback! Keep it coming!

What it’s like

April 25th, 2012

I’ve had a lot of people inquire as to why this year is the last year for Team James and Jake. (I don’t think I’ve announced that on this blog, have I? Well, this is the fifth and final year for Team James and Jake.)

After last year’s walk, or maybe even on the drive to the actual walk, I told Brian what I was thinking “just one more year.” I told him that I’d see how I felt during the year and make my decision once the fundraising push for 2012 began.

2012 rolled around and I knew my decision. It was simple.

This was it.

Things are so busy right now. Four kids, a full-time (totally dreamy) business, a husband who works in a different city entirely and who goes to grad school. It’s obvious that time is an issue. Time should be an issue.

What’s not obvious is how hard it is to handle people forgetting.

I get it. It happens. I’ve forgotten about others, I mean, I remember, on many occasions, the raw heartbreak that I once read about, I remember clutching my chest and tears streaming down my face as I read about someone’s loss, someone other than mine.

And then

it happened

to me.

And there’s no way to properly describe what it feels like. Aside from the pain, the heartbreak, the learning how to take each day and RE-learn how to live having lost something you so desperately loved, there’s another aspect you probably don’t think about.

It’s how others feel.

There’s always an initial outpouring and it’s necessary and beautiful and the best thing for a grieving person, no matter how much they try to deny people (*raises hand*)

And then there’s the people, the people who feel completely vested in you. Whether it’s your mother or your sister or a blog reader, whether they’ve met or not, they are there, holding your hand, whether it’s in person or virtual. It’s there and it’s felt and it’s … again … necessary. (and so, so beautiful.)

And life … moves on … and things being to

trickle.

And that’s how it is. That’s how it’s supposed to be, that’s what helps us become stronger and move on.

I like it that way. I like that my deepest moments of despair are reserved for just me or are intimately shared with someone close to me. It doesn’t have to be tears, it can be a look, a simple nod, but it’s there. And it helps.

After losing James and Jake, I shared something with my sister, I said “I can’t bear the thought of them being forgotten.”

And I couldn’t and I still can’t. But I’m trying to reframe that thought. We, as a family, will never, ever forget. But others, they’ve moved on, they’ve shared their piece of their heart with me and it was so beautiful and some of you still do. Some of you donate or walk or share with me when you saw two birds and it made you think of our sweet babies. And some of you, have picked up your loving hearts and shared them with others who needed it. And I … love that.

And so maybe that’s where I’m at. Maybe I know you haven’t forgotten, I mean, maybe I feel at peace with this decision of this being the final year of Team James and Jake because I BELIEVE that you, as a loving human being have given me all that you could give ME and you’re ready to give to someone else who needs you as much as I did.

And Oh my God, that is completely okay with me.

***

And so, if you feel it, donate. If you can and want to, walk with me. But if not? That’s okay with me. Knowing your heart is doing something good for anyone is the best tribute I could possibly ask for when it comes to James and Jake.

You Capture | Sunshine

April 23rd, 2012

Hi friends.

I always notice when the sun isn’t out. It feels so boring and drab and really tends to get me down. It’s amazing how much better it feels when the sun is out! I hope you guys had a good time capturing sunshine.

I took my camera out today for some sunshine shots, I was hoping to get some good sun flare but the wind whipping around at 430 mph made that task a bit difficult.

But if you look closer, you can see it just a little bit.

Maybe?

Not so much? (also, I was totally lying flat on my front porch for this.) I’m convinced my neighbors think I’m crazy.

And these little flowers? I love how plant life reaches for sunlight, like these little guys. And I love the way the sun is bouncing off of the plant. And see the line the sun created on the tree? I love that, too.

I love my bedroom, I make my bed everyday.

Every morning, I pull back the curtains. I love the way the sun blankets where we were sleeping just moments before.

Now it’s your turn to share!

PLEASE READ THESE GUIDELINES, especially, yes, especially if you have never linked up!
1. Anyone can join in on the challenge at anytime.
2. Please make sure the photos you use were taken for the challenge, meaning do not search your archives for an appropriate photo. The goal of You Capture is to get you out taking photos each week!
3. Use YOUR photos.
4. When linking up, only link to your You Capture blog post, not your main blog URL. (incorrect links will be deleted.)
5. You MUST link back to You Capture in your post. (please do this! don’t link up to promote your blog or even to promote your own photo challenge, k?!)
6. I encourage you to visit other participants and leave comments. This is a great way to meet new friends!
{more You Capture info can be found here.}

Spring!

Happy Capturing!

Idol Chat with Adam & Beth | Top 7

April 18th, 2012

Last week, we opted to not do Idol Chat, which was totally my idea. I based this decision on two things: 1. I had to work and 2. Nobody will ever notice. But you know what? I was wrong. Two people noticed, Adam. TWO. Makes it all seem worth it.

Just seven contestants remain. Now, I’m no mathematician but I believe they must have saved Jessica last week which means last week was a total waste of time for all of America. (except for me because I didn’t watch it. heh.)

Tonight, each contestant will sing two songs. Oh, Idol. You love money.

Adam: They love money and they hate our word count limits. Speaking of word count limits, I can’t describe J-Lo’s outfit without shattering them, so . . . what the what?

Hollie is performing “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele. I can appreciate how difficult this song is to sing, I don’t know if you know this, Adam, but I am a professional shower singer and I often sing this number and lemme tell you, it’s tricky. She did well. I thought it was interesting and I thought she finally didn’t look like a 68 year old woman while performing so that was totally a bonus.

Adam: Hollie started off awesome, but then she kind of crawled down the ladder of emotional intensity (this is a real ladder, they sell it at Menard’s). I thought she sang okay, but I didn’t love it and definitely didn’t believe it.

Adam: Colton cracked me up this week singing Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” He absolutely nailed the bad part. My favorite part was when he tried to hit low notes and made a face like a bullfrog getting kicked in the crotch. Four stars, Colton. That was entertaining.

So, basically, Colton was a mix of Adam Lambert and Marilyn Manson and Lady GaGa. That was one crazy performance. Adam, I didn’t HATE it. I most certainly did not love it but it was interesting. Would I ever buy that crap on iTunes. Of course not, but I’ve heard worse. (see above: me singing in the shower.)

Elise is singing No One by Alicia Keys. I like this song and I really like her outfit. But yeah, Jimmy Iovine can’t figure out why she’s not getting any votes and let me help him out, ahem, “because she’s not good, man.” I’m serious. I mean, she’s got a fine voice but for this? No. She sings completely out of her nose.

And seriously, am I the only one just waiting for J-Lo’s n!pple to pop out of one of those slits?

Adam: Yup. You’re the only one. I did figure out what she’s wearing: one of those plastic folding lounge chairs. You know the kind. Anyway. I love Elise. Her voice is so smooth. And rough somehow. You know. And her dog is dying, Beth! But this song was just alright.

I don’t get Phillip Phillips. I liked his interpretation but I always pretty much yawn at his execution. His voice is bland. It all sounds like the same note. And his face is weird.

Okay, I love LOVED Philly’s performance, everything about it. It was sexy and entertaining and hello? A 12 string guitar? Nice. I’m impressed. Loved it.

Jessica, also known as “she who should be sitting at home in her pajamas right now,” is performing. She performed “Falling” by Alicia Keys and wow, that was pretty safe and boring. The most interesting thing about it was the medicine man pouch she was wearing during the performance. I’m afraid she’s going to cast a spell on me for not praising her. That must be why the judges are pretending to love her.

Adam: If we don’t vote for her, she’ll shrink our heads? Um . . . then Jessica, that was amazing! Hooray! I love overdone runs and flyaway hair! Jessica is hard for me to figure out. She’s good, but not interesting. If this were American Meh, I’d still be dialing.

Skylar’s country GaGa was pretty fun. It hardly even sounded like “Respect Yourself” the way she did it. It wasn’t my favorite performance, but it was definitively hers, and I enjoyed it! I like to see her growing as an artist. Especially now that she’s lost the shoulder pads.

Gosh, I just don’t know. No really. I don’t know. It was hard to hear her over the crunching of my nachos. I heard a lot of twang and saw some fireworks. I’m kidding. *cough* It was most certainly not my style of music but she was entertaining.

Joshua is singing a Fantasia song. I was never a fan of hers (sorry) so I’m already thinking this song is way better than how she can perform it. I like Joshua. I love how he performs. He did well.

Adam: Joshua is probably my favorite, but I’m worried. He has an amazing voice. He has an old-school style I really appreciate. But you know what I’m not sure he has, Beth? It. There’s just something missing from his performances . . . a killer instinct, maybe?

And then there was Hollie, kicking off the second round of songs: soul. And I think that’s what’s missing from Hollie’s arsenal. Soul. She has a soul, she’s not Colton. But she doesn’t have soul in her songs. It’s just notes and and words and old-lady aura. But no soul. I love “Son of a Preacherman,” but Hollie took the life out of it.

Yeah, I completely agree. I just thought she yelled a lot, maybe? Her voice is so amazing but wow, boring. Seems like such a waste to sound so good and be so boring.

Colton Dixon is performing Earth Wind and Fire for his second round. The truth is, he is insanely pitchy. Some songs you don’t really notice it but this one? Seriously pitchy. I don’t think anyone could rewind that performance and argue. Also, don’t rewatch it It wasn’t very good.

Adam: I don’t . . . what was . . . why . . . um. The fact that there exists a certain subset of the American population that watched that performance, picked up the phone, and texted like crazy to make sure similar things happen again makes me want to move to Antarctica.

Elise is singing “Let’s Get It On.” And I’m not sure if this is what she was going for, but it was hilarious! No? That’s . . . not what she was going for? Still, I’ll vote for unintended hilarity.

Alright, this performance by Elise seals the deal – girl needs to go bye-bye. I mean, her boobs being pushed up and her cat screeches and the sexy white couch certainly make me want to vote for her but uh, I think I’ll pass.

Phillip Phillips is performing “Wait Til the Midnight Hour” and within the first few moments I’m thrown back to the moments before tonight’s first performance when I just didn’t like him. The shoulder shrugging, the Cliff Huxtable dancing, GAH. Just. No. He has a good voice and a great sense of style for music but that was not anything that could sell a record these days.

Adam: There were parts of this performance I liked, but none of them involved him dancing or shrugging or making faces. I just feel like Phillip is turning into a caricature. I like his voice, I just don’t like what he does with it. It’s the Phil formula. A Phormula if you will. Add some growls, some modified melody, some looks out of the corner of your eye, and that song done just got Philled.

Jessica is singing one of my all-time favorite soul songs, Try a Little Tenderness. This is a good test. And three seconds in, she failed it. This is a song that has to build gradually from a slow growl to a strained cry of expectation and then, finally, an emotional explosion. She went the oversing then oversing faster and louder. Blech.

The first few lines of this performance I didn’t really care for but I’m telling you, I.LOVE.THIS.SONG so it gets me every time and you know, she SANG this song. I liked it and I liked the little harp hanging from her neck, too. So cute.

Oh wow, so Skylar makes me tired. I’m just going to get that off my chest. She sang “Heard it Through the Grapevine.” Interestingly enough or mayhaps not interesting at all, I do not like this song. Maybe it’s because we sang it for a school music performance in fourth grade and I was like “wha? this makes no sense? what the hell is a grapevine? where are the raisins?” Because I still feel this way about this song. But she did well, she has a good voice, for sure. And now I need a nap.

Adam: I just don’t understand why she’s yelling at me about the grapevine. She seems all happy and excited, and it doesn’t match the song at all. “I hear you’re about to leave me . . . yee haw!” I love the idea of taking soul songs to Nashville, but let’s not take them all the way to Crazytown.

Joshua ends the night (it’s over now, right?) with the Sam Cooke classic that Idol contestants love. And Joshua did kill it a little bit. He did. I liked it. He sang with patience. He sang with feeling. He sang with power. And he sang with furiously glistening eyes. Good heavens.

Joshua just IS soulful, every song he sings, in fact, I wonder if he’d try to not be soulful, if he’d succeed. And this song was no different but you know what? His voice kinda grated on my nerves. Weird. Because I like his voice.

Who’s going home?

Beth: Elise

Adam: Colton

Who do you guys think?

Comments are greatly appreciated. No really. We cry when we don’t get them.

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