What have they done to Kellie?

Johnnie and I have thought that Kellie Pickler's year (2005) on American Idol was one of the best - but maybe that's because we watched the whole season. Now the show has lost its fascination and there are so many other (better?) things to watch, like Castle, The Good Wife and Modern Family. We tend to record whatever we want to watch and get to it a couple nights later. With the American Idol-format or Biggest Loser type shows, if you fall behind, you're kind of sunk and eventually it's just not worth it to wade back through weeks worth of shows to catch up.

But I digress.

Anyway, we always thought Kellie was just plain fun with her naivete and unabashed youthfulness. Once the season was over, the changes in Kellie began. Probably it all started with the gangbuster boob job (you can hardly miss them in most of her pictures these days). But compare the pictures below and help me figure out what "they" have done to Kellie and why.

Just as a point of reference, she was 19 when she was on American Idol and she's 25 now.
























It almost doesn't look like the same girl. The lower picture was taken at the Country Music Awards Wednesday evening (November 9, 2011) -- about 10 years worth of hard living and certainly not attractive (according to me). She sure doesn't look 25. So much cuter in the top picture, even though I think this one is relatively recent too.

Go back to your natural beauty, Kellie. You'll look hard like this naturally soon enough!

Memorable signs and pictures

We took the family to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus on Saturday evening. It was Lucy's and Emily's first time at the circus. It was a blast and much more fun watching the little girls eyes widen in amazement throughout the event than even watching it ourselves. My only discontent was the outrageous prices of things (cotton candy - $12, programs - $9, twirly things - $22, lanyards - $14). Since it was the first time and the tickets cost the same as the cotton candy (seriously - is that whacked or what?), I caved in and got them cotton candy and the twirly things as souvenirs.

Anyway, it was an awesome night.

Emily with cotton candy in her mouth. She pounded the whole bag herself!

And finally ... I have been trying to get a picture of this local company's truck and the greatest coincidence happened today: I had the camera on the seat next to me and we were stuck in road construction so I got a GREAT picture!

Above and beyond the call

Yes, I know it's been an eon since I've posted. We've been crazy busy and embarking on a new business venture that (a) gets Johnnie away from driving a school bus permanently and (b) takes me away from writing as I've designated an end date with my primary client. Scary business but one that will prove exciting and lucrative if we maintain our focus. Trust me, we'll maintain our focus!

Anyway, we talked to our friends in Canada last night and the wife of the couple related a story I just had to share. Her father-in-law, Clare, just turned 90 and is in the hospital on palliative (hospice) care. He's so weak that he can't even turn himself onto his side to help the nurses care for him.

Our friend was with Clare yesterday afternoon while her husband went to the office for a short while. Clare is in an isolation room because of susceptibility to infection so everyone is gowned and gloved when they're in with him.

He looked at Pam and said "I hope you're not shy but my testicles are getting pinched and pulled. Can you move them for me?"

Slightly taken aback, Pam paused momentarily and then performed the necessary task for Clare.

As a daughter-in-law, I think she went way above and beyond the call of duty here. That's a task I would not have been interested in performing for anyone other than my husband.

You?