Cookie

For those who are long time readers of my blog you know my love for David Cook. I blogged all through last season and Chris and I camped out for almost 10 hours to meet him in person. But after watching him perform last night on the American Idol finale I fell in love with him all over again.

I have been lucky enough to find a place online to watch American Idol live each week. Don't worry my Japan friends. I won't ruin who won it last night just in case you want to be surprised in another few weeks. But I will take this time to blog about David Cook singing in the finale.

As all American Idol fans know, David Cook's brother has brain cancer. David has an AC on every guitar he plays in honor of his brother. He wears a bracelet given from a special little girl in honor of his brother. Many watched Adam be able to see David perform live last year on American Idol. But what many of you may not know is that on May 2 Adam Cook lost his battle to brain cancer.

David Cook has a song on his CD called Permanent that was written in honor of his brother. Since the first time I heard this song, it has become a favorite of mine. Last night he performed that song on the American Idol finale. I am sure there wasn't a dry eye in the place. He also announced that for a month the live version was going to be available on itunes and all proceeds will go to Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC2), a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to finding a cure for brain cancer. As soon as it goes on itunes I will be clicking away.

For those who may have missed his performance last night, here you go. Grab your Kleenex.

dave @ Yahoo! Video

American Idol Musings

I know most of you are probably in shock that it has been 8 weeks and I have not blogged about American Idol. One would think that moving to Japan would help cure my addiction for this reality TV show. And while we rarely watch any TV here as our shows are either non-existent or several years behind, Japan also shares in my addiction and we get to watch the current season here.

The show here is actually 4 weeks behind the states, but I have found a place online to watch each person sing, their "clip" and the judges responses almost immediately after the show airs. Then of course I can then vote and also watch it again here 4 weeks later. Matt loves when I spoiler the show before him either at the dinner table or while he is watching.

So my thoughts so far? Season 8 is a train wreck. I have never seen such drama from contestants as this year. From the crying (Nathanial) to the ear-piercing drama (Tatiana) to the fights during Hollywood to the whole Normal Gentle weirdness, I was just not quite sure what to make of things. But I have to say, I am pretty happy with who the final "13" were. I think there were a few mistakes, but overall they were good choices.

Since the auditions I have had a favorite –– 28-year-old Danny Gokey. Wow. He has an amazing voice, has a great personality, has a funky style, is a Godly man, and of course is super yummy.
Last year I loved Cookie from day one, so maybe I can have luck at picking the winners.

There are a few others that are pretty good too. Alexis Grace has a great voice and a cute personality, I like Allison Iraheta's rocker style and give me Matt Giraud on a piano any day.

I think Scott MacIntyre would make a good Jim Brickman and Michael Sarver and Anoop seem like fun guys to hang with. I think Kris Allen has improved alot in the past few weeks, but I think he is not "out there enough" to have a real shot at anything.

I know everyone just loves Adam Lambert, but his mannerisms (especially that weird tongue thing) and his singing style just does nothing for me. He has a killer range and great chops, but everything else just turns me off.

And the others? Meh... they are pretty forgettable to me.

I like the twist to this years show. It would have been wonderful to have had that last year with Michael Johns. Although it still would not have changed the outcome. Cookie earned that claim to fame outright.

So there you go. My American Idol ramblings at 1:30 am. I am curious to see where this season heads and how the contestants improve each week. And now I am off to watch more of David Cook on tour from You Tube. Pathetic I know, but hey. I don't see him coming to Japan anytime soon, so I have to get my fix somehow.

An even bigger countdown...

What is more exciting than Matt coming home for Christmas in 14 days, the packers coming in 15 days and the kids and I leaving for Japan in 47 days?

This:



Only 41 days until the start of American Idol.

Something to Smile about

I think I woke up this morning with an election hangover. So let me share something that happened on election day that did make me smile –– the release of David Cook's first music video.

Enjoy!

Days... Days... Days...

Days until Matt leaves .......... 7
Days until David Cook's Album comes out.............. 33
Days until Matt comes back for Thanksgiving (Just confirmed this morning)................... 35
Days until Ohio State Plays Michigan......... 37
Days until they pack our sea carton ............. 63
Days until Christmas.................... 70
Days until New Years .................. 77
Days until Emily's first meet................... 87
Days until Emily's 13th birthday..................... 89
Days until we leave for Japan....................... 96

Oh Yeah... Time of MY Life

I think I am still floating 6 feet off the ground after Chris and my American Idol Concert experience on Sunday.

It was an awesome experience. I cannot even begin to describe just how awesome. Chris and I got there a little after 8 am and were the third people there, in hopes of meeting the Idols after they got off the tour bus.


After a very long wait of almost 7 hours, the idols got there and started to come out to greet the fans. Unfortunately Cookie, Carly and Brooke had press on that day so they were only outside for about 15 minutes. My hopes of getting a pic with him were dashed, but hey I still met him and got his autograph. Not that it would have mattered because when he said "hi" all I could muster was "T-t-t-thank you". Can I just say he is soooooo much better looking in person than even on tv or in the magazines.


Archie and Jason Castro were out there for well over an hour greeting all their fans. Michael Johns is hilarious and really just a regular guy. Chickeeze is very personable and fun to talk with. Carly is beautiful. Brooke is super sweet and just an itty bitty thing. Everyone but Syesha and Ramile came out.


It was so interesting seeing all the people wearing shirts and other items displaying their favorite Idol. People were holding signs, carrying battery operated radios playing their favorite Idol's music and even brought gifts. It was crazy. One lady, who had to be in her mid-50s, almost passed out when Chickeeze came out. I definitely wasn't the only "Cougar for Cook" out there. My favorite shirt said "I like a guy who wears eyeliner." And my favorite fans had to me the ones of Jason Castro. They were too cute. (As is he!)

Before the concert Chris and I managed to play cornhole for a chance of upgraded tickets. And guess what! We got them. So our nose bleed section seats turned into seats right off the floor. Not as great as if they were front row, but still awesome.




The concert lasted three hours. And it was so different from the other concerts I have been to. Maybe it's because these people were average joes like us who we invited into our living room for 6 months. Maybe its because we saw them transform as the weeks went on? They just seem real, if that makes sense.

I am counting down the days until Cookie's album is released. As well as some of the others. They all were so amazing that I can see myself downloading lots of albums from i-tunes in the coming year.

Now I just have to find a way to goto DCs solo tour. It kick's off in January.

In the meantime, you can see some of my pictures and even a few more videos here.

So what does Chris say about his first concert experience? "When can we go again. Just don't scream so loud next time mom. "

I Must Say Goodbye

Because today I leave for my David Cook American Idol weekend. I have been counting down the days for 2 months and finally its here. And I cannot wait.

Chris and I are leaving today to go to Shannon's house in South Carolina. Chris and her son, David, will get to play and sit and watch the neighbors do some fence installation and Shannon and I will do some girlie bonding and book sale shopping. Then at 6:30 am on Sunday Chris and I will head back north to Charlotte for the big concert day.

No that was not a misprint. I did say am. Why so early? Because Chris and I are going to camp out to watch the tour buses roll in, all in hopes of getting to meet David Cook all the Idols in person. Yes we are lame and yes I am 33. Chris has promised to take my picture with David if I take his with Brooke White. Cute little boy I have.

Obviously I am more than looking forward towards seeing this group of Idols in person. But I am also excited to get to spend some one-on-one time with my son. It's not often we get to do something like this.

I probably won't be back to blogland until Monday. So until then I will leave you with this preview of what I will be seeing in TWO days. I promise I will try not to be one of those screaming ladies you hear in the background.

A Little Bit of This and Some of That

• We went back to Ohio this past weekend for a quick 3 day visit. I'll have a whole separate post on that but here are a few teasers.

• One thing that is just not the same in the South as in the Midwest is the sweet corn. The season down here is much shorter and honestly the corn isn't as good. So while back in Ohio we bought almost 4 dozen of corn and spent last night cooking and freezing it.

• We hosted a BBQ for Matt's team at work last Thursday. His boss's boss was in town from Japan so we offered to have the "gathering" here. It went very well, especially considering we had 25 people and kids here and Matt didn't let me have anything to do with the cooking or planning. As a thank you gift for hosting I was given a beautiful piece of handmade pottery brought from Kobe, Japan (this pic just doesn't do it justice). The wrapping paper was so cool that I had to keep that as well. I hinted to Matt that maybe he can get me a matching piece when he goes next month, but all I got was a look.

• Last night, 32-year old, SAHM of 5 boys, Melissa Lawson won Nashville Star. I have to say it brought a smile to my face, even though I was rooting for Gabe Garcia. Regardless, I think both will do awesome. (Yes I am a reality TV junkie)

• Speaking of reality TV, only 12 days...

• For the first time ever we let Chris stay back in Ohio to spend some extra alone time with the grandparents. I know Chris was very excited to work on FILs farm and go to the movies and hang with my parents, without his sisters are parents hanging around. He will be riding back this way with Shannon on Sunday and I'll meet them somewhere to pick him up. I know he is having a blast, but the house seems so quiet without my boy around.

• Sami mastered swimming alone yesterday at the pool. Matt took some vacation time and we spent the afternoon at the pool. Sami can't wait to show our neighbor Miss Keri her latest milestone when we go today. (Hey need to do something to keep us cool in this heat)
• Life get going to get crazier before it gets calmer, with the start of school coming up, football starting, gymnastics practices, my work and Matt traveling. Good thing we also got 4 bottles of wine at the party last week.
• Only 3 more days until the start of the Olympics. I cannot wait!
• I have finally decided against Lasik surgery and am looking at a new service my eye doctor offers called GVSS. It was founded at Ohio State so it has to be good, right?
  
• Still working on that patience thing. It's not going so good.
  

Tag! I'm it!

CDJ tagged me a few weeks ago, because apparently she thinks I need more to talk about than my man, David Cook.

Yes, I had to fit a picture in here. After all, it has been a few weeks. But, hey I digress. Back to my tag!

Weird Facts About Myself The Rules:

Once you’ve been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random, facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 6 people to be tagged, list their names & why you tagged them. Don’t forget to leave them a comment saying “You’re it!” & to go read your blog. You cannot tag the person that tagged you, so since you’re not allowed to tag me back; let me know when you are done so I can go read YOUR weird/random/odd facts, habits and goals.

1. I took golf lessons one summer when I was about 9 years old. I won some tournament for my age bracket and got my picture in the paper holding a goofy medal.
2. I only applied to one college –– and got in. I am not sure what I would have done if not. Oh and Go Buckeyes!
   
3. I once joined the Rascal Flatts fan club just so I could get presale tickets. Third row was definitely worth the $25 extra dollars. And you better believe I will be joining the David Cook fan club. (Gee two mentions in one post. Guess you failed CDJ)
   
4. I have only ever owned a mac computer. I first learned in 1983/84 on an Apple IIe, and was hooked. It drives my husband nuts, but somehow I always get the computer I want (As I sit typing from my iBook G4).
5. I have never had a cavity. (Note to self –– make cleaning appointment with dentist)
6. I am big on textures and foods. The littlest things gross me out. I do not eat any bean other than a green bean. And drinking yogurt? Never. And non-land bearing animals? Nasty. (Yes, this includes shrimp, crap, lobster and any other sea living creature)
7. I am still friends and keep in contact with the first boy I ever kissed.
   
8. We have had the same cell phone company for 9 years. I bet not too many people can say the same. (Now car insurance is a different story)
   
9. Matt and I graduated college, got married, went on a honeymoon and bought our first house all in 24 days. Then 17 days after that we moved from Ohio to Illinois. By all those "stress" tests, we should be dead.
   
10. My goal from Memorial Day to Labor Day is to read 20 books. So far I have read 4. Better get reading, huh?

Now I get to tag:

Val - I just know she will have some good ones, plus she is one of my best buds.
Erin - I love hearing more about my Canadian friend.
Amy - She is a fellow AI addict.
Liza - Giving my Midwest friend something to do during all that rain.
Bee - I love the name of her blog.
Monkey Giggles - She always have the best ideas.

For Your Weekend Viewing Pleasure

Have a great weekend. I'm off to find me some magazines.

A Next Chapter in Life

Sorry I have been MIA the past few days. I have been busy with kindergarten orientation, preschool graduation and farewell picnic, an urgent care visit and, well, umm joining an online David Cook fan club.

Tuesday night we had kindergarten orientation. The first hour was supposed to be a pizza supper and then the next hour was a visit to the classrooms for the kids and a meeting for the parents. Everything was going well for the first 15 minutes until a tornado decided to come our way and we got to spend 20 minutes in the kitchen storage room. Imagine a group of soon to be kindy kids, stuffed into a dark storage room, in a strange school. Ummm yeah. But at the end of the evening all was well as we made our way home with a cool homemade hat, a nifty bag filled with goodies and a Lincoln Heights Elementary school t-shirt.
Sami before we left for orientation posing for the camera. (Why is she so adamant on putting her hands like that in every picture?)
My girls posing together.
All our goodies.

Wednesday night was preschool graduation. I had told myself this was my 3rd child to graduate preschool and come on it was only preschool. But when they put that little cap and gown on Sami my eyes started to water. And when she sang Jesus Loves Me I couldn't hold back the tears. And she even got a cute little diploma.

My graduate!
Sami getting her diploma.

Thursday morning was the farewell preschool picnic. It was so much fun watching Sami spend some last moments with her friends and with her teachers. It was for the whole preschool so the park was packed with little ones playing, jumping in the bounce houses, blowing bubbles and of course eating.

Sami and Miss Becky and Miss Sandi.
Sami on the playground. Isn't she so modest? Now if I could only get her in pants.

Our time at the picnic was cute short because we had to go pick up Chris from school. He just just finished his EOG (end of grade ) test and I had to take him to the urgent care for an x-ray. That morning he had tripped over a lego box in his room that I had many times told him to pick up. He fell into the foot board and broke his fall with his arm. His arm was all swollen and bruised. The Xray didn't show any big break, but the doctor couldn't rule out a hairline fracture. It was sprained and he had a muscle contusion, so we got this nifty sling. He can try using his arm on Monday and see how it feels. (Can I run off to a vegas hotels now?)

Chris refused to let me take his picture, so this camera phone picture will have to do.

It was such a bittersweet week. You can see more pictures here.

And the winner is...

Send out the celebration party invitations the next American Idol winner has been chosen. This has to be one of my favorite seasons. The overall talent was better than any other season. And to end a great season, the best man won. I guess my 19 votes in 4 hours counted for something.

Here is a great tribute to this year's winner –– David Cook. Enjoy.

It's All About, Well, Progression

I bet my checking account the next American Idol will be... David! Tonight was the American Idol duel-off between David and David. Both are amazingly talented young men.

David Archuletta is a 17 year old kid from Utah, who just happens to be a past winner on Star Search. He came in sounding awesome and ended tonight sounding the exact same –– awesome.

David Cook is a 25 year old bartender. He describes himself as a "word nerd" and is probably the only one in history of American Idol to use the word "trite" on national television. He started off the season almost getting voted off. Each week he has gotten better. Taking the song and spinning it into "him". As he said tonight, this show is all about progression. And I 100 percent agree.

Both will do awesome no matter how the vote goes tomorrow. But if you look at the season as a whole, what this show truly is about, then David Cook is the clear cut winner.

And the winner of American Idol is...

David! Last night three became two as Syesha was voted off. I think next week's finale will be the best one ever. With these two guys I think we are in for some exciting competition. Both David's are extremely talented and have their own style. I know we will all be wondering what will they will do.

So which one am I pulling for? Five years ago I became a "Claymaniac". Now I have become a "Cookie".

Move over Daughtry

Here comes David Cook.

I haven't blogged much about my American Idol obsession this season. But I just have to after last night. For my longtime blog readers, you know I love love love Clay Aiken. (yeah I know, I'm weird) But I have to say, David Cook is about on the same pedestal. (Sorry Val) The guy gives me chills. He is so original, so fresh, so –– wow.

For those who are not American Idol watchers, you may not know the story behind this brilliantly talented man. (Are you a man at 25?) His brother is undergoing chemo for a second diagnosis of brain cancer, which has spread to his spine. This road to stardom is not only filled with the stress of the show, but with stress and anxiety of his brothers illness. Last night's show was a special one. His brother was able to take a break from chemo and come from Indiana to see his David perform in the final 7. No wonder last night he had tears in his eyes when he closed his song.

There is no doubt in my mind that he is a clear cut winner. However we all know that many times the best don't win (look at Clay and Daughtry).

For those who have not seen what this guy can do, grab your laptop computer and youtube his past weeks songs. For those who may have missed last night, here is a review. Enjoy!