It's Not About the Burgers

Today is Memorial Day here in the States.

For kids it's day off of school.

For a lot of grown ups it's a day off of work.

For just about everyone it's the official kick-off day for summer. The perfect day to jump back in the pool, bust out the grill, and make some burgers.

I'm just here to remind everyone, it's not about the burgers.

Today is a day to think about our war veterans. Specifically to remember those who died to give us many of the rights and freedoms we have at the moment. There are plenty of people who don't support war in general. There are plenty of people who don't support our troops. I'm not one of those. I rarely get political/religious/personal on here, but days like today earn it.

I stand behind every one of my family, friends, and acquaintances who are in the military. If someone gets sent overseas, I'm praying for their safe return. If any of their loved ones needed help with something while they were gone, I would offer it up. Isn't that the least anyone can do for someone who is putting their life on the line for the country we live in? For you personally?

So take just a minute today to appreciate what we have, and the men and women who fought to make it this way. Even if you don't know anyone personally, just think about it. I'm not asking you to go to a cemetery, or a memorial, or anything out of the normal day. Just stop and think. And give a silent (or loud) thanks.

Friday Photo - Special Edition!

So you've been getting my photo edits lately. And I've been getting some good feedback. Mostly from my mom, but feedback is feedback!

So today I thought I would show you a before and after edit. Plus something else special to me.

I took this one in my mom's backyard Sunday. It's in her veggie garden.


Here it is brightened up a bit and with a little more color saturation.


Now, my little manlet was also at mom's Sunday. And he LOVES taking pictures, whether it's with my camera or my phone. So he went out and got this one (he actually got this one before I copied his shot).


And here's his brightened up and more saturated.

I think I may be raising a little photographer. :)

Happy Friday!

Boys

They look like they're just riveted by my mad piping skills.


They're totally not. They have other motives for sitting on the counter and watching me.


FROSTING!!!! (yup, straight from the piping bag)


And you know what comes next?


These are the things that boys do at my house.

Wednesday Wish List

Ahh the return of the list. Have I ever told you guys how hard it is to think of something sometimes? Yeah, this was one of those weeks.

Now let's get something straight here. Yes, this list is full of baby things. NO, I am not pregnant. Not planning on getting pregnant either. But I know at least four friends who are pregnant, so it's easy to get baby on the brain around here.

So today, I thought I'd get some of the baby thoughts out of my system and find some cute onesies. Some I wouldn't mind owning (okay, ALL of them) when I have my own. One day. In the far, FAR future.

(In case you couldn't guess, everything today is from Etsy.)


Love this movie. Need this onesie for a child one day. (via HCAMOM1)


I love the saying. Rachel, you might just need this one my dear. (via ToadsnTiaras)


Love this one too. Rachel, are you ordering yet?? (via eggagogo)


Classic. And perfect since Tim and I were children in the 80's. (via HutchMe)


Not gonna lie, I squealed over this. SQUEALED. I'm seriously considering this one for my cousin. We loved NKOTB together and she just so happens to be having a girl later this year. (via babycakesanddecor)


We wants it. 'Nuf said. (via BABYWOOD)


Loooove. I have a thing for Legend of Zelda. (via eagleeyedesigns)


Since boys in general seem to be Star Wars fans, I think almost any dad would like this for his little one. (via BABYWOOD)


I had a t-shirt that said this for Tad. Sadly he's finally outgrown it. But I saved it for later use. Now a onesie would complete the collection. (via StyledStickz)


DYING! I kind of really want this one for my cousin too. We loved this movie growing up and listened to the soundtrack obsessively when I was visiting. (via WeROnsieful)


And I had to throw in a pleasantly geeky one. Because math humor just gets me every time. (via WeROnesieful)

There ya are, Rachel, if you're reading today I have to warn you of something. DON'T START BROWSING BABY ON ETSY! There are entirely too many cute things once you start browsing. You will want them all.

For those of you have care little for baby stuff, sorry. I'll try to shut my ovaries up next week.

American Idol - Final 2

Go Lee!!!!

Just had to get that out of my system. :) We're finally almost done. And I really don't see myself watching without Simon next year, but who knows.

Tonight is three songs. First is the contestant's favorite song, then the executive producer's choice, then the one that they'll sing if they win. Hopefully this year's winner song is better than last year's. I was NOT impressed last year.

So Lee is up first tonight. He picked "The Boxer" for his favorite tonight. Good choice. He won over a lot of people with this one the first time around. And he sounded great again. Randy said it was a great way to start off the night. Ellen said she couldn't be prouder if she birthed him herself. Kara said he needed to "punch harder." Simon said he expected more passion and excitement.

Crystal picked "Me and Bobby McGee." I'm of course pretty "meh" about it. Smart choice for her though, her fans like when she sounds like that. Randy loved it. Ellen said she was compelling. Kara loved it. Simon said it brought him back to when they fell in love with her.

Lee is up again and Simon Fuller picked "Everybody Hurts." Pretty excellent song choice. It totally suits Lee. He didn't disappoint AT ALL. Randy said it was better than the first performance. Ellen said she wanted to see him get into it more. Kara said he was emotionally accessible. Simon said it was a brilliant song choice, but he feels like Lee is nervous.

Crystal got assigned "Black Velvet." Yeah, I can see the reasoning behind picking this one. She's good, but I swear I'm hearing some "off" moments. Hubby is remarking about the "sheeple" that have kept her in. And with that final scream-note, I can say I didn't love it. Randy said she's in it to win it. Ellen said it was fantastic. Kara said she went all out. Simon had an issue with the song because he's heard it done badly so much. But he said she nailed it.

**Okay, so I've been hitting other sites during the commercials. Apparently the skipped the decision to write a song for the winner and the contestants will sing a cover of something. Hmmm...**

Lee will get stuck with "Beautiful Day" if he wins. I'm surprised Bono got over himself enough to let someone cover one of his songs for their first single. Oh wait, my cattiness is coming out... so Lee... he sounds good. I wish they would have changed up the song just a little. Although his voice is definitely different enough from Bono's that it doesn't sound exactly the same. And I like Lee's version better. ;) Randy liked it. Ellen loved him and told him she's proud of him. Kara said he got swallowed up a little in the song. But then threw out that he's grown the most and he deserves to be there. Simon said he made the most of it and that Lee is what the competition was designed for. Yay Simon!

Crystal will sing "Up To The Mountain." Or she would if she won, which she won't. Was that evil? hee hee I don't even know this one, but it's sounding like a typical Crystal song. It's far better than her last two. Because at least she has to slow it down, which lessens the shout-notes. I still wouldn't buy an album of this though. Randy said that that performance is what the show is all about. Ellen said she's in a league of her own. Kara said she was emotionally invested. Um, Crystal is allowed to speak before Simon gives his input???? Lee didn't get a moment. Whatevs. Simon said it was the best performance of the night. And then threw out "outstanding."

Okay, so Crystal sounded the same as always tonight. And I'll fully admit that Lee didn't sound as strong as last week. That said, I still like him better. And I shall be voting for him. Let's hope it all works out.

Now I'm off to watch Glee. And hopefully enjoy it in spite of the Lady Gaga tunes. I'll have to listen to some brain cleansing music after the episode I imagine.

5 Things...

Oops. Kinda forgot to write this one earlier. Guess that's bound to happen when you haven't had to write daily for awhile. Oh well. Here ya go.

5 Things I Wish Would Go Away

1. The funky tan lines on my back/shoulders. I've gone out and tanned a couple times and hubby thinks they're going away. I have two and a half weeks to get rid of them. (Hello strapless bridesmaid dress.)
2. My sniffles. It's allergies, and I take my medicine, but there's still always something there to annoy me.
3. Chuggington. The youngest nephew likes it, so I let him watch. But I don't enjoy it at all. Can't we have more Imagination Movers or something?
4. Stress. I've been doing pretty good. Better than I was a few weeks ago. I'm trying to let things go, but it's hard because I'm a complete control freak. But I'm working on it.
5. The ginormous weeds in my front yard! I don't know what they are, but they're weird. Kind of fuzzy and they get HUGE quickly. And to really get them out you have to dig at them, not just pull. It's really frustrating.

Sorry for the semi-venting. I've been tired. And my brain didn't have anything more exciting to write about.

Tomorrow I get back to wish lists. We're DONE with May birthdays now.

Happy Birthday to...

To my little brother, Nick!!!

This picture is what you get when it's after one in the morning, we're at the same party, and I leave my camera on the table while running to retrieve a Sharpie (yes, we drew on a guy who passed out).

My brother is pretty much awesome. He cracks me up. We enjoy (most of) the same things. Little things like shouting, "Danzig!!!" can give us endless amusement. He's going to be one of the coolest uncles ever once I have kids. He has light saber and Nerf battles with Tad. He lets Tad play his piano. Plus there's the fact that he's been in plenty of bands and I feel insanely proud every time I go watch him.

Maybe it's being so close in age (we're only seventeen months apart) or maybe it's that it was only the two of us growing up, but we're really close. He's always come to my defense (even when I didn't want him to). He's cheered me up when I needed it. He even went so far as to listen (or just pretend to) when I blabbed on and on in high school. He didn't throw a hissy fit when I dated his friends (sorry, brother). He's been a great brother.

So heeeey little brother (yeah, I saying that to you like on Scrubs), have an awesome birthday. Gimme a call and we'll take you up to the range sometime soon. Love you!