American Idol Judges...Who's In and Who's Out???

Randy, J.Lo and Stephen?

I haven't watched American Idol in years. I think I watched the first 2 or 3 seasons and then got bored with it, and that was before Paula got all kooky. I didn't like all the "theme" weeks and wish they would let them sing whatever they wanted to sing to show us who they were.

Anyway, I'm recently fascinated by the shake up of the judges mainly because I think So You Think You Can Dance benefited from changing up their judges. There's been lots of rumors, and this may not be final, but sounds like Randy is staying (boooo) and J.Lo and Stephen Tyler are in to round out the judging panel. No more Ellen or Kara...which I have no comment on because I haven't watched since they were added.

I might actually watch an episode again to see if I like it again. What do you think of these changes?

A Very Special...Locked Up Abroad

I'm a big fan of Locked Up Abroad.  I always root for the person, even though they are doing illegal things, and hope the don't get caught, even though I know they will...since the name of the show is Locked Up Abroad.  I was so excited when I saw a new season was starting a few weeks ago, but the feel of the shows this season are a little different.

First, they spend a lot more time on the story of how they got into the situation and caught and very little time on what it was like to be in the prison.

Second, everybody seems to be learning life lessons, saying they came out of it a better person and learned things they needed to learn, blah blah blah. 

Now it feels like every episode should start with a very special episode...

Wordless Wednesday: One Million Dollars

Only in the South

Over 900 news laws went into effect on July 1 here in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Here are a few I felt the need to comment on.

CONCEALED WEAPONS. People with a concealed weapon permit can carry a concealed weapon into a restaurant or bar but cannot drink. Previously, people who wanted to carry a weapon into a restaurant or bar had to "open carry," keeping the weapon exposed.

Who is going to know if a person with a concealed weapon is drinking unless the weapon is no longer concealed???

ASSISTED LIVING AND ALCOHOL. Assisted living facilities will now be able to serve alcoholic beverages. Residents of assisted living facilities will also be able to keep alcohol in their rooms legally for the first time.

Now this one I agree with.  People shouldn't be denied alcohol just because they are older or need assistance.  They should also be able to serve drinks to their guests!

DRINKING WHILE DRIVING A SCHOOL BUS.  Any person who possesses or consumes an alcoholic beverage while operating a school bus is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Seriously???  This just became a law?  The kids in my neighborhood are not allowed to walk to school and have to take the bus because they have to cross 1 major street, but up until now the driver could have a bloody mary on the way to school?

Wasted Sparkles

My ears are still hurting and a CT scan shows I have a complete blockage in one of my sinuses, which the Dr. recommends having surgery to open and drain it.  Oh and while he's in there he wants to fix my deviated septum.  This was all pretty heart breaking to hear.  I got this news last week and am really mad about it since I truly believe this is all due to the sinus rinse I did (because the Dr. told me to).  Now here I am with ears that constantly hurt and I get dizzy/nauseous all the time. 

I decided to go on the Vegas trip and have a good time since the surgery will not be fun and it will take a little while for me to recover.  The Dr. said I could have pain during the flight, but that there is no risk of bursting an ear drum or doing any damage.  My plan was to go and have a great time, then come home to deal with the surgery.  Well...I made it to Vegas, but came home the next day.  I just wasn't myself the day I arrived.  I had an very early flight and had taken lots of medicine to avoid my ears hurting during the flight.  I was really tired all day, but at least I wasn't dizzy.  I waited until dinner time to have any alcohol since I didn't want it to mix with the medicine, but it appears even this was a bad idea.  As soon as I started drinking, I got dizzy.  At one point I felt as though I was falling back in my bar stool, when in fact I wasn't moving at all.  I didn't let on though since I didn't want anyone to worry about me.  Then we got to dinner and I knew I was in trouble.  Just being in a restaurant made me nauseous and it was even worse when the food came.  I couldn't eat anything.  I got down about two bites of soup and one bite of rice.  I took the nausea medicine to help my stomach, but still couldn't eat and was still dizzy.  I tried my best to fake feeling better, but knew I was bringing down the mood at dinner since I was just sitting there looking and feeling horrible.  After dinner I was still dizzy, but not nauseous.  I did get in some good gambling time in the afternoon and after dinner.  I learned a couple new games too.  I lost money at the new games, but won it all back pretty quickly once I got to the blackjack table.  Once I won my money back it was time for bed.  The next morning I woke up with a horrible headache and was dizzy.  I really didn't want to have another day and night trying to hide how I was really feeling so I decided to go home.  This all just made me really sad because through all the medical problems I've had over the last two years, somehow my body holds it together for me to have fun on vacation...but not this time.  I cried all morning just over being so sad that not only I have not felt well for going on two years, due to one thing after another, but now my favorite thing, traveling, has been taken from me as well. 

I had a great outfit on Friday night...very Vegasy and not something I can wear anywhere else.  Sequin skirt, shoes with rhinestones and a sequin purse.  All wasted sparkles.

Once Again...I Will Follow

All four of my long time readers know the story of the U2 tickets.  Long story short...I have 2 pairs of (quite expensive) U2 tickets for Angel Stadium in California.  I live in Virgina.  The plan was to visit the parents and see the U2 concert.  The original date earlier this year was canceled because Bono had to have emergency back surgery.  I'm happy to hear he has recovered nicely and the tour has been rescheduled...for June 2011.  It actually turned out pretty well because the concert is on a Friday so we could fly out that day and plan to spend the weekend with our parents.  After all my complaining about not getting a refund...now Ticketmaster and StubHub (where I bought the tickets) are both willing to buy back the tickets from me.  At least now I know I can get my money back for one set (although I can't decide which seats I want) rather than trying to sell them.  Now the big question...do I sell the tickets or go???  I only have until August to decide if I want them to buy them back.  Who am I kidding...we all know I'm going to fly my husband and I across the country for a concert.

Ring A Ding Ding

Thursday will mark the 4 week mark that I have been sick.  It started with a really bad cold or flu, then turned into a sinus infection that just won't go away.  I'm also dizzy and nauseous and my ears hurt.  I can take medicine to help with the nausea...not sure if it's caused by all the meds or the pressure on my ears making them hurt and ring.  I've been to the Dr. 4 times now.  I am overall feeling better though where I finally have energy to do things again, but there is still pain/pressure in my face & ears and I still have the dizzy/nauseous thing.  I feel I lost a big part of the summer due to feeling so horrible.  Work has been a struggle since nobody else does my work if I'm sick, I still need to do it all.  I've even been drinking apple cider vinegar because I read on the internet that it is a natural remedy for sinus infections.  Today the doctor declared me "thoroughly sanitized" from all 3 different antibiotics I've taken over the past two weeks and now it is time to move on to a CT scan of my sinuses and then see an ENT.  I'm planning on going on a "tag along" trip to Vegas next Friday (a group of people I know from CA are going and I asked if I could tag along...) and there is no way I can fly with how my ears feel right now.  I need relief otherwise I can't go! Any suggestions (other than a sinus rinse because that is what started my ear problem)???

Doggy Donuts

I've been working on dog treats again and finally made some "donuts" worthy to give the test dogs.  We'll see tomorrow how they liked them.

Mouse Ears

We used to go to Disneyland about once or twice a year when I was a kid.  My parents rarely bought us souvenirs, but one time I did get a pair of mouse ears with my name embroidered on the back.  I was so excited!

My nieces recently spent four days at Disneyland while visiting Grandpa. I love how the two older girls want to be all cute and pretty and the little one has a chipmunk hat...that totally fits her personality!

Who’s the Crazy Lady Yelling for Her Cat???

Oh wait…that’s me.

So we’ve been letting Minky go outside in the daylight when we are home. He’s a much happier cat now, but I do still worry about him. Normally he doesn’t stay out too long and likes to come and go. On Saturday evening he was outside and we wanted to go out to dinner so we couldn’t leave until Minky was back inside because it was going to be dark by the time we got back. I went out on the deck and yelled really loudly, “MINKY MOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Since there are not fences between the houses, my neighbor looks over at me like I’m a crazy lady. I didn’t know he was out there, but too late, I already looked like a fool. So then I yelled over that I was just looking for my cat. His mean dog starting barking and I saw Minky. Oh no! Minky has to go through their yard and by the dog (who was on their deck) to get home. I yelled over to ask neighbor guy if the dog was on a leash and he said he can’t get out. Then Minky comes running full speed with his fur all poofy down the lawn toward me. I’m cheering him on and patting on my legs for him to come to me. I’ve never seen him run full speed for so far. It was the Minky 50 yard dash. I was so proud of him for running to me. All this happened so fast but seemed like it was in slow motion as I was watching Minky run to me and hoping the dog didn’t jump the gate on the neighbor’s deck. Then Minky came in the house and had his attitude back like nothing was wrong. I wonder how long he was out there trying to figure out how to get past the dog.