Summer Fun to Come

We've been thinking about a pool for ages, but we just don't have the money for an in ground pool. Lately, we started batting around the idea of an above ground pool.  They've come a long way from my childhood.  Last Friday, Chad and I went to Mr. Pool.  Bottomline, we came home with a 16'x32' new best friend.  That was until we started adding up all the other expenses that went along with this pool.  Since then, we've Chad has been up to his eyeballs in re-designing/building our back porch.  When finished, it will be really nice and what we've wanted for a long time.

Tearing up the old deck boards.

The hose is running non-stop.  I don't even want to see this month's water bill.

View from the back.

Notice the overseer in the window.

Side view.

Thinking about what else has to be done.

Waiting very patiently for the pool to be finished.

The money is worth it because it can be a very long summer when the girls have nothing fun to do outside.  But like every home improvement project, this is opening up the flood gates for more plans.

More photos to come when it is actually finished and the pool is filled.

Fun at Weeki Wachee

We spent several hours at Weeki Wachee today.  We've been to Buccaneer Bay as a family, but I haven't seen the mermaid show since I was a kid.  The girls are obsessed with mermaids, so we decided to make a day of it.  They had a blast!  The show was really cool.  It was good to see the theatre packed for a show that's been around for over 50 years.

It's also been a while since we've taken some decent photos.  Here they are.

Don't hate me for posing for a couple of new profile pics.

After the photo shoot and swimming, Belle got into her "special juice" (a.k.a. Coke) and went ape shit.  Here is evidence as I was attempting to change her in the bathroom stall.

All in all, a fun day!

Happy Birthday, Baby Belle!

My Belle is 4-years-old today!

Then

Now

Tiny Dancers

Last night, the girls had their group dance pictures taken.  It lasted over 3 hours, which was horrible for me.  But as we were leaving they both exclaimed "how much fun" it was and they "loved it!"  So, I guess that made my time away from American Idol worth it.  Here is proof of their happiness.

Yes, this is a ridiculous amount of costumes.  And there are even more that aren't pictured.

How Amazing were 'The Voice' Finals?

The Voice Finals were AMAZING!  Here  is my breakdown:

Last performance excluded, the guys hands down, won the night.  They brought their "A" games.  As it was explained to us (repeatedly), Juliet Simms was sick.   The guys were stellar in all three of their performances.  Juliet only shone in her actual solo.  

Christina Aguilera has got to stop making this show all about her.  She was not nearly as self-congratulatory tonight as in past weeks, however I still counted seven times where she somehow brought the conversation back to her talent or ailments.  The absolute worst, though, was her mini-concert during her duet with Chris Mann.  Admittedly, sick or not, she sounded great. And he was phenomenal.  So my question is this:  Why did the judge have a bigger part in the duet than the contestant?  All the others shared the verses equally, but not Christina.  No, no....she has to be star #1 ALL THE TIME.  It didn't help that the camera was also on her the majority of the song.  For God's sake, the song began with Chris' back to the camera.  But that is a director's choice, so I'll have to forgive her that foul.

What the hell does Christina have against Tony Lucca?  Twice she made a jab at him tonight.  This does not include the countless other slights made throughout the season.  Even The Today Show picked up on this when  the contestants were interviewed this week.  They both were on The Mickey Mouse Club.  She's now a star.  He's a 36-year-old contestant on a reality show.  Why is she threatened?  

Same sex duets are far better for competition purposes.  As mentioned before, The Prayer sung by Christina and Chris was absolutely beautiful.  But the harmonies and placement of voices always allow the female to shine in a duet.  Cee Lo and Juliet's duet was just all right.  It sounded like a throw-away performance where she was trying to preserve her voice.  I loved the honestly and tenderness of Tony's and Adam Levine's duet.  This was an example of harmony and melody blending perfectly.  Jermaine Paul and Blake Shelton's duet was so much fun.  It allowed them to both loosen up and show their fun sides.

Christina slightly redeemed herself when she cried at the end of Chris' performance of You Raise Me Up.  She does seem to truly care about her team and is genuinely moved by their performances.  

Of all the contestants, I would personally buy Chris Mann's album because I like his style of music, and his voice is amazing.  But if I had to guess how America will vote, it is this:

1. Jermaine Paul

2. Juliet Simms

3. Chris Mann

4. Tony Lucca

We'll see if I'm right or wrong on Tuesday night.

Memoirs, Memoirs, and More Memoirs

Check out my latest article where I look at the 'memoir' sensation.

Freddy, My Love

Earlier while flipping through the channels, I came across Nightmare on Elm Street 2.  I should have changed it because the girls were in the room, but I got sucked in. Besides, nothing too gruesome was happening.

Melanie says, "This isn't scary at all."

This from the child who used to run out of the room whenever the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk was on TV.

When at last I turned the channel, Belle freaks out.  "I want to watch the claws!  I love it!"

Melanie begins furiously sketching Freddie Krueger, talking herself through it:  "Head, body, feet, claws..."

"Don't forget the hat, Melanie."

"Oh, yeah."

Next, I had to answer what seemed like a million questions about Freddie Krueger and why he has claws and why was that boy's arm ripping open? and why is he crazy?, etc....

I just wanted to to yell, "Because his mother was raped by 100 maniacs, THAT'S WHY!"

But instead, I sat back and realized that I brought all this on myself and knew that my children would most likely be having nightmares tonight, regardless of how much they think they "love" Freddy.

So, I changed the channel to Dance Moms, because that's so much better for children's viewing.

Just Horsin' Around

In honor of today's running of the Kentucky Derby, the girls got dressed up in their finest and put on a race of their own.

Sadly, "Castle" may have to be put down.

In a miraculous recovery, Castle runs a second race, only to lose again to "Caroline."

The Healing Powers of Venison

Earlier tonight, Melanie hits her nose and is crying.  I tell her to go get an ice pack (notice I do not offer to get it myself....tough love/laziness.)  I hear the freezer door open and shut.  I assume all is well.  A half hour later, I find an abandoned package of frozen deer meat on my couch.

A thousand legitimate ice packs and she chooses this.

Chad went on a hunting trip in the Fall and we have been eating deer meat like its our job.  Mmmmm...delicious!  

Just think this.

And not this.

It feels (and tastes) better that way.

P.S.  What the hell is that all over that doe's back?  The infamous deer flies I hear speak of?  I know the bastards like to bite my legs, and it hurts like hell.  Geez, cut this mom a break, will you?  That's a lot of flies!

The Classic Bait n' Switch

This is such a mindless subject to ponder, but I've often wondered if the celebrities who endorse box hair color really used the product prior to the ad.  Their hair always looks phenomenal.  If they do use it, I'm doing something horribly wrong.  I suspect they don't. Or if they do, they have some master hair colorist doctor the product with subtle highlights.  That and the lighting tech illuminates the hell out of it.

Her hair has never looked better, because her hair is pretty much crap.

My hair would totally have a green tint at this shade.

I'm not buying it.

Hell to the no!

If I could get blonde like that out of a box, I'd never go to a salon again.

A celebrity I would pay NOT to use my product.

Sweet Valley Confidential: Shhh...Don't Tell Anyone I Read This

Preach!

Check out my latest review on Examiner.com where I prove that virtually anything can be critically reviewed.  If you'd have told me I could write 575 words about this nonsense, I'd have called you a liar to your face.

P.S.  Subscribe to me on Examiner.