Short and sweet AI commentary...

No surprises here as to who I wish to go...of course, it's Sanjaya. Really, I thought everyone else did a pretty good job tonight. I really liked the song choices tonight. IF, by some cruel joke, Sanjaya makes it through again, the only one that I could see going this week is Haley Scarnato.

Half Acre by Hem

It's not too often that a commercial gets my attention. I mean REALLY gets my attention. Recently, I saw a Liberty Mutual commercial that really stood out to me with a pay-it-forward type theme. Do you recognize it?

The music is what really pulled me in. I just love the piano and the soothing voice of the artist. So, with a small piece of the lyrics that I could make out in the commercial, I went to Google to find the song. It's called "Half Acre" by a group called Hem. I already downloaded it and it's in my playlist. After reading the lyrics, I love that about the song, too! They are so uplifting.

I am holding half an acre
torn from the map of Michigan
and folded in this scrap of paper
is a land I grew in

Think of every town you've lived in
every room you lay your head
and what is it that you remember?

Do you carry every sadness with you
every hour your heart was broken
every night the fear and darkness
lay down with you

A man is walking on the highway
A woman stares out at the sea
and light is only now just breaking

So we carry every sadness with us
every hour our hearts were broken
every night the fear and darkness
lay down with us

But I am holding half an acre
torn from the map of Michigan
I am carrying this scrap of paper
that can crack the darkest sky wide open
every burden taken from me
every night my heart unfolding
my home

Below is a live performance of the full song...enjoy!

Kaitlin starring as 'little lamb'...

Kaitlin had a program at school this morning. It was a collection of Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes put on by the children and it was pretty adorable. My dad happened to be in town for an appointment, so he came to watch, too. Kaitlin was pretty tickled when she saw that Grandpa Joe had come to watch.

Kaitlin was the lamb of "Mary had a little lamb...".

As you can see, Mary's little lamb had followed her to school one day...

Later in the program, all the preschoolers stood on the risers to sing Pat-a-Cake and Star Light, Star Bright complete with actions. Unfortunately, Kaitlin's costume wasn't quite conducive to all the choreography, but she made do.

Here's one tired (and hot) little lamb watching the rest of the program.

American Idol commentary...

It's been a couple weeks since I've commented on the progress of American Idol...but I have been watching. This show really is a guilty pleasure for me, but even that has become a little tainted. I am more than a little frustrated that a certain 'idol' (Sanjaya Malakar) hasn't been kicked off yet. He was one that I felt should have been the first to go out of the top 24 and here he is...in the TOP 10! I just can't believe it!! His performance on Tuesday night was practically painful to watch. It was odd because the judges have always been pretty blunt with him (in that he wasn't very good - or at least not good enough to go any further), but that night Randy and Paula were almost positive...I'm convinced it was pure pity setting in. Simon was that only one that seemed to see his performance as hideous...which it was...

So, I'm thinking...is this kid's family rich or something? Did he buy off a few pacific islands to vote for him? No, I think I found the answer...Vote for the Worst. It's a movement that actually is encouraging people to vote for the WORST singer. It's all making a little more sense now...like how Kevin Covais made it so far in Season 5.

I just feel so bad for the ones that have gone home before they should have...like Stephanie Edwards and Brandon Rogers. Granted, they probably wouldn't have made it to the top 3 or 4, but definitely deserved to stay more than Sanjaya.

Here's my plea...DON'T vote for the worst! DON'T vote for Sanjaya. Vote for you FAVORITE and let the show work the way it supposed to!

DON'T VOTE FOR THE WORST!!

Spring is coming...

Boy, I haven't been posting much lately. Had a couple really crazy weeks and it's just taking more a bit to 'snap back', I think. I've been feeling very unmotivated about everything it seems lately.

But, this morning, Kaitlin and I came outside to leave for school/work and it smelled like spring. It was cool, but not cold, and there was just a hint of rain in the air. I love that smell...first time I've smelled it this year, I think, and it spruced me up a bit. I've been feeling a little better today - definitely ready for spring.

With that said, here's a quote to ponder about spring:

"Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”
Sarah Ban Breathnach

I read this and realized I've been 'down' about a lot of things lately...all the illness and death around us, stresses at home and work...I haven't even felt like scrapping for quite a while. But, really, there is so much to be thankful for and I have to make myself remember that. And for the things that aren't 'perfect'...well, I just have to remind myself that 'dry seasons' don't last forever.

Sunday Spur for Scrapbookers Meme #9 - Using Props in Photography

Using props when taking photos can add so much...it can clue the viewer into the likes (and perhaps dislikes of the subject depending on their facial expression), the time of year the photo was taken, add a pop of color or some symbolic meaning. Props can be very simple things...a favorite blanket, a Santa hat, an Easter egg, or something created on the fly like a heart drawn in the sand.

One thing to be careful of, though, is not to let your props overpower your photo. Be sure that they do not detract from you main photo.

Challenge yourself to look at your household items in new ways and use a simple prop to enhance your next photo shoot.

In honor of St. Patty's Day, my daughter and I went out yesterday for some quick photos using a shamrock lolly pop as a prop, which also worked well as a reward for a cooperative photo subject! :-)

At last...a magazine for married men...

He, he...