THE GUYS

This is unofficial, of course, by any means. I have never claimed to be a music critic, and so this post is just my thoughts about last night's show. (I will say on the front end, however, that we have been David fans from the beginning--just so you know!)

My family gave the guys ratings, 1-10, ten being the best.

Okay, let's get started.

Michael Johns -- Simon told this guy he had no "moment" in his performance. I know that when my dd was doing some music stuff downtown, she heard a music performance coach speak, and one of the things he stressed to all the up-n-comers in that group was that every song needs to have a "moment," something the audience will remember. Since I don't even remember at this point what Michael sang, I'm inclined to agree with SC. Family rating: 5
Jason Castro -- OK, for all you gals out there my age, did you love hearing this classic from Andy Gibb?? Man, I did! I thought he did an okay job with it. I like Jason's stage persona. Great teeth, too. I know Simon didn't think it was a good song choice, but it took me back and I liked it!
Family rating: 5-6

Luke Menard -- Doesn't he look like the guy that was on 90210? Or is that just me? I was not a fan of that show, but I can still see the resemblance. I think this guy has a voice for Broadway. He didn't seem very AI-ish to me. Family rating: 6

Robbie Carrico -- Let's park here for a minute. I think that he is way too much like Bo Bice! They have the same smile and mannerisms! And I like Bo! I don't like the way they keep picking on him about if he is the "real deal" or not. What is up with that? But when he started singing that song, which I, of course, remembered well, I began singing along and then quickly shut my mouth as the impact of the words hit me! I was really shocked by the graphic images/phrases in that song. Funny how I didn't notice (or I guess didn't care) when I was a teenager. Thank you, Jesus, for the work you've done in me. I think he might go this week. I don't think he has the "IT" factor. But my family thought he had a great voice. Family rating: 7

Danny Noriega -- Don't look! Just don't look at him!! If you don't look at Danny, you can really appreciate his voice. He is just a little too... you know...but if you close your eyes, he is great vocally. His song choice was another "take me back" moment for me. My sister had all the Carpenters' albums, and I think he did a great job with this song. (There was no one quite like Karen Carpenter. What a voice, and what a tragic ending to her music.) Family rating: 9

David Hernandez -- This kid looks like Alex Rodriguez. So he's got that going for him. He also had the best vocals of the night so far, and he was the first to receive applause from my crew. He was great. Family rating: 9

Jason Yeager -- I like Jason, but it's almost like his voice doesn't match his pretty-boy looks. Something is not in sync. It was like watching Donny Osmond do rock. (And let me just say, I am TOTALLY a Donny Osmond fan, and have been since I was seven years old!!!) But the smiley-ness just didn't go with his song. He is a "Moon River" kind of guy. Family rating: 7-8

Chikezie -- I loved it when he said his Nigerian name meant "something well-created by God." I thought Chik was outstanding tonight. Glad he got rid of the orange suit, though. (btw, why does Simon think he is a moose? What is the deal with his hand to the side of his head like that?)
Family rating: 8-9

David Cook -- The second round of applause tonight went to the self-professed "Word Nerd." As WN myself, I loved that! I totally disagreed with Simon who thought the bio clip did nothing for him. I thought it totally authenticated him as a true rocker. Rockers are smart, creative, deep thinkers. Was he saying a rocker must be an illiterate punk to be the real deal? Again, why is he a moose? Family rating: 9


David Archuleta -- Sigh. He is absolutely adorable. What a pure voice. What a cute kid! I have heard that he is Mormon, so I wondered what he was going to do with the first verse of "Imagine," which I have never liked, either, and I have to say I was not surprised he just chose to skip it. But what an incredible job he did! We will be pulling for him all the way to the end. Family rating: 10+

Since tonight is church night, I will not be posting a rundown for the girls. If you're doing one on your site, I will be glad to link to it!

Tonight's pre-game show!

I have been looking forward to dinner all day! Since yesterday, really!

We are having Leann Ely's Parmesan fish--this is sooo good. I use tilapia. It's pretty easy. You coat the fish in a mixture that is half flour, half cornmeal. Then you dredge it through EVOO mixed with real butter. Bake it (usually only about 20 minutes will do it) and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over it.
Easy and good. I also made a broccoli salad--the kind with red onion and bacon in it! That's in the fridge right now--the flavors mixing....oh my goodness! And there are sweet potatoes baking in the oven. :)

Then we will do Rotel dip to finish off any last remnants of the munchies while we're watching AI. Something interesting is bound to happen!

Book production is scheduled to begin next week! And my new blog for Totally New Moms (see my beautiful button? That's courtesy of my friend Nancy!) begins next week, too! Sue McRoberts and Arlene Pellicane are tag-teaming with me on this blog, so if you know a new mom who would like some encouragement, please send her our way!

Enjoy the show!

Get a Real Job

You know what? I'm going to blog about American Idol.
My family has been watching together since '05 (Carrie and Bo). With a daughter pursuing a music career, I think we've all really learned a lot from the show.

Last night, when Colton left, the audience went ballistic when Simon told him, basically, that he shouldn't pursue a career in music. He said he should go get a real job and in his free time, enjoy music. What did you think about that? Did you think that Simon had dashed his dreams? Did you think Simon was horrible?

A remark like that can do one of two things. It can make you face reality. It can make you reassess what you're doing, and perhaps, cause you to go in a different direction. OR, it can give you the drive you need to succeed. I don't know what it will do for Colton, and it's not that I'm really a Simon fan, per se, but Simon leveled with him. That's the job of a judge. Those kids are there to get straight answers, not to be petted and pampered. The truth is quite a commodity in today's society. There's so much glitz and glam and hype surrounding us. I personally think that hearing someone tell you what they really think (when you ask them, LOL!) is quite refreshing. If you don't want to know what someone thinks, then don't ask, and definitely don't put yourself in the position of hearing it in front of a nationwide audience. :)

Sporadic blogging

I am the most sporadic blogger ever. I always think of things to blog about when I am nowhere near a computer, and then I can never remember those things when I get a minute to blog!


My son David concluded his basketball season yesterday. It was a great season for him. His game definitely improved--in fact, the entire team experienced a learning curve this year. The boys got a new coach (one of the dads who actually played college ball), and he made a huge difference in the boys' attitudes and passion for the game. Thanks, Coach Mark!

My behavior at the games improved dramatically this year, as well! LOL. I am learning to keep my mouth shut! It's easier watching David's games than it was Danya's. When girls play ball, their game seems to move a little more slowly. I can follow it more easily, and I catch all the personal stuff that is going on between the teams. So, in the past, it was all too easy to get caught up in the drama. (With girls, there is always drama.) When David plays, the game moves really fast, and I don't catch everything! And with boys, they are just playing ball. They are not competitive in a catty way like girls can sometimes be. They are just playing. So I managed to only have to apologize once this season!!! yay!

Be sure to check out my website for my speaking dates this year. We are getting really excited about the upcoming Girls of Integrity conference, which is a mere three weeks away in Evansville, IN!

Excited about the new book!

I am so excited about the new book! I have already received an endorsement from my dear friend, Ginger Plowman. I was thrilled with it:

Rebecca Ingram Powell has hit the ball out of the park with this one! If you desire to truly understand, relate to, and enjoy a fantastic relationship with your middle-schooler, I highly recommend that you read and re-read this power-packed, insightful book. As a result, you and your child will be deeply blessed. ~Ginger Plowman, Author of Don't Make Me Count to Three and Heaven at Home

Ginger and Rich are the two who made it their goal to get this book written! LOL! I've been talking about it for over two years, but it was over the summer that I actually started it. I remember last May, Ginger and I stayed up one night during FPEA to map out the table of contents! Of course, many months later, in the finished product, the table of contents that I ended up with was a far cry with what we discussed that night! But I am so thankful for Ginger's constant encouragement of this project!It is a true blessing to have people who are supporting you when you take on something that seems bigger than you are! My mom-in-law is another one of those people in my life who has the greatest, most positive attitude! She thinks I can do anything! She is always encouraging me and every member of our family. (Yes, I'm blessed!)

By the way, Ginger has a new project of her own that will be released in March! It is called No More Whining! I cannot wait until it is available! Parents everywhere will soon have an actual method for teaching their children how to communicate without whining. :) Isn't that good news?