Archive by March, 2009


31
March
2009

Wednesday night recap:

Order has been restored to the universe. Logic, once again, reigns supreme because Megan Joy was eliminated on American Idol Wednesday night. If anyone else but her had been the one to go, I would have wondered what the voting public was smokin’.

Joining her in the bottom three were Allison, who had tragic fashion sense the night before, and Anoop, who not only sounded a bit karaoke Tuesday but also got really snippy and a tad bit bratty with the judges. I think he realized by Wednesday that he was a little too full of himself on Tuesday. I bet he’ll be better next week.

I fast forwarded through that weird Lady Gaga special performance, but I totally loved seeing good ol’ David Cook back on the Idol stage to sing his new song, “Come Back to Me.” He was always the real deal on this show and still is. His mama was in the audience, singing along with her boy and looking as proud as she ought to. David’s first album has gone platinum and sold more than a million copies in three months. Wow.

Next week it’s down to 8 contestants on Idol. The competition just gets tougher from here on out. Stay tuned.

Tuesday night recap:

Okay, I’m going out on a limb but here goes: I predict that Arkansas native Kris Allen will take the title this year. He was brilliant Tuesday night. If things continue on their present trajectory, I think it will come down to a battle between Kris Allen and Danny Gokey. Adam Lambert might hang on to the third spot, but I don’t think he has the mass appeal that Kris and Danny do.

Now that the predictions are out of the way, here’s my quick recap of what happened on Tuesday night, just in case you missed it.

Anoop: He sang “Caught Up” by Usher, but I was not so caught up in it. I like this guy, but he’s just not cool enough to pull off a song by Usher. Sorry. The judges were not impressed. Simon said it gave him a headache.

Megan: She sang some Bob Marley song that I can’t even remember the name of. The very first phrase of the song sounded nice and then it went right into the ditch. Oh, man. It was painful. Randy said it was “like watching paint dry.” He said it was boring and it took forever to listen to it. Wow. If that doesn’t send her home, I’m not sure what will. But she takes the criticism in stride and smiles her way through it.

Danny: He sang “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts, and he sounded great. This guy knows how to pick his songs, and, more than any of his competitors, connects with his music and his audience on a personal, emotional level. That’s what is going to get him into the finals, if you ask me. The judges gave him high marks Tuesday night.

Scott: He finally had a great night because he sang a Billy Joel song, “Just the Way You Are,” with only the piano backing him up. And this guy can really play. His vocals were good, too. I don’t think he is going to get close to the title, but he definitely had a good showing Tuesday night.

Allison: Oh, honey. What evil stylist told you that the rocker outfit would really work for you? That stylist is not your friend. But this is not about clothes, even though the judges all found her appearance to be distracting. She sang “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt, which was a great song for her voice. But it sounded a little forced and uncomfortable. Maybe her nerves got to her a little bit.

Matt: He is still one of my favorites because he’s such a cool mix of Michael Buble and Justin Timberlake. But here’s the problem. He really likes rock music, even though the style of his voice is best suited for R&B. He wants to do both. But ya can’t have everything, Matt. So listen to bands like The Fray on your iPod but only perform the ones that let your vocal talents shine. I hope this performance doesn’t land him in the bottom three again because I think this guy has real talent.

Adam Lambert: I think I’m the only person in America who just doesn’t “get it” when it comes to Adam Lambert. I genuinely liked his performance last week, and this week’s performance wasn’t nearly as irritating as that awful “Ring of Fire” thing he did a few weeks ago. But there is something about that shrieky falsetto that Adam does that I find annoying and indulgent. Maybe it’s just me. He sang “Play That Funky Music” in an unusual arrangement. Paula nearly flipped she was so happy with it. I just don’t see it.

Lil Rounds: Not sure what’s going on with Lil. She was so incredible during the early rounds but seems to have faltered a bit. She has lost some of the originality and edge that made her so appealing. She looked beautiful Tuesday night but sounded more formal or stiff than what I would’ve expected from her. But her vocals were solid, so I think she’ll be safe another week. Her little girl hugged Randy after her mom’s performance, and Lil cried. Aww… I love a mama who loves her kids.

Kris Allen: I’ve already made my bold prediction about Kris. What he did Tuesday night helped inspire that prediction. He sang “Ain’t No Sunshine” in a new arrangement. (Not sure if he arranged it or had some help.) He played keyboards, which he hasn’t done before. He hang a string quartet accompany him. And this really old song sounded brand new and cool again. I’m tellin’ ya. This guy’s song choices remind me of David Cook from last season. Some guys just know what they’re good at and what they can really do. Kris may be one of them. The judges said it was the best performance of the night.

Bottom three prediction? I’d go with Megan, Anoop and Allison.  Tune in on Wednesday to find out for yourself.


30
March
2009

If you just read the headline, I bet you’re saying “NO WAY!” right about now. So let me just say this: “YES WAY!

We’re hosting a huge “Spring Clean Giveaway”, courtesy of our friends metrologo.gifat Metro Builders Supply. And the lucky mama who wins is going to have a brand spankin’ new washer and dryer on pedestal stands delivered to her house! Oh yeah, we almost forgot… IT’S FREE!!

It’s not just any old washer and dryer set. We’re talkin’ about the mac-daddy, high-rollin’ Whirlpool Duet front-loading washer and dryer set perched atop pedestal stands with pull-out drawers. That means you won’t be bending and stooping anymore, and you can finally get all those cluttery bottles of detergent off the top of your dryer. Check out the glamour shot of the washer below. (Click on the photos to go to the Whirlpool website and read more about the product features.)

springcleanwasher.jpg

As we’ve said before, we do our best to hand-pick the advertisers on this website because we believe that part of our job as mama bloggers is to help point our fellow moms to the best places to shop. I’ve personally shopped at Metro for years and have always been happy with the level of service I get when I’m there. It’s the kind of place where the salespeople actually remember your name. (Sorta like Cheers, only without Norm and beer.)

Not only do they remember your name, they know what you bought last time you were in the store. But what I love most about Metro is that these people KNOW their products. They don’t have to look stuff up in product brochures or “get back to you on that.” When you ask a question, they know the answer because they’ve studied what they sell. As a busy mama who needs to understand what she’s buying, I respect and appreciate that. (Here’s an equally impressive photo of the dryer we’re giving away.)

springcleandryer.jpg

HOW TO ENTER: Throwing your name in the hat for this prize is even easier than throwing dirty clothes in a brand new washer. If you’ve shopped at Metro before and have a good experience to share, send us an e-mail or click the “comment” button below and tell us about it. If you haven’t shopped there before, simply tell us why you should buy your next new appliance there, based on what you’ve read in this article or in the posted comments from your fellow moms. 

For extra chances to win, e-mail your friends/family about our Spring Clean giveaway and be sure to put mamas@nwaMotherlode.com in the CC line. We’ll give you an additional chance to win for every friend you tell. (Tell 10 friends, and get 10 extra chances to win. Cool, huh?) We’d also love for you to write about the giveaway on your blog or website and link to this story. Help us spread the word — but don’t forget to send us a note so we’ll know you did!

A winner will be chosen AT RANDOM from the posted comments and e-mails.

Of course, in an economy like this one, we can’t wrap up this article without talking about money. The retail value of the set Metro is giving away is about $2,500!!! Regardless of whether you win this set or not, do yourself a favor and check Metro’s prices before you buy your next new appliance. Because Metro Builders Supply has been around for 30 years and is the largest authorized contract distributor in the Midwest, they have the buying power to offer the lowest possible price on more than 30 different brands of appliances. If you don’t remember that important fact, you’re not doing your wallet any favors.

We can’t resist. Before we close, here’s one more glamour shot. Below is a photo of one of the pedestals that come with the washer and dryer set. The winner will get two of these!

springcleanpedestals.jpg

Nice, huh? This is one of those times when Shannon and I really wish we could enter our names in our own website’s drawing because we would both LOVE to have this washer and dryer set move into our laundry rooms. But we’ll settle for being the ones who get to tell one of you that you’re the lucky mama who has won the Spring Clean Giveaway. We want to say a big “Thank you” to our friends at Metro Builders Supply who truly value good “Word-of-Mom.” If you want to check them out for yourself, they’re located on US 71B between Springdale and Lowell. Click HERE to get directions or call them at 479-750-2200. Tell ‘em the mamas at Motherlode sent ya.

Good luck. Spread the word, and Happy Spring! 


30
March
2009

bumbleb0ct_152x358.jpgGirls, let me tell you, my gray hair was shining through.

I had just gotten a haircut at East Meets West Spa & Salon (atop the hill on Steele Boulevard by the new Shogun in Fayetteville) and Julie couldn’t help but notice my very gray roots. She gently suggested that I use some Bumble and bumble hair powder to hold me over until my next color. She sprayed some on the roots — careful not to get it on my forehead — and I was suddenly less frumpy! Since I’m also prone to oily hair, the hair powder kept my hair from looking the wrong kind of shiny when I didn’t wash it the next day.

My experience with Bumble and bumble hair powder (I have brown hair and I used the blonde version, so experiment) was really positive. I know it’s available at East Meets West Salon.

Bb. is also great for thinning hair in addition to root touch-ups. I also loved the volume it created!


30
March
2009

doctalk31.jpg

morgan2.jpgDoc Talk is a weekly series that lets you go on a virtual visit to the doctor’s office. We ask the questions moms want answers to, and the physicians of Mercy Health System provide the answers via video podcast.

If you have a medical/pediatric question you’d like a video answer for, e-mail it to us and we may include it in an upcoming installment of Doc Talk. Click on the nurse’s photo to get more background info on her training.

Q: What’s the difference between mammogram, breast ultrasound and breast MRI?

video12.jpgA: Click on the video podcast icon on the right to see Megan Morgan discuss these differences and at what age to get a “baseline” mammogram.

Megan Morgan is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas. She practices at Rogers Medical Center, which is located in the Physicians Plaza just off Interstate 540. For more info on Megan, click on her photo to watch her bio podcast or call the office at 479-338-5500.

logo_mercy1.gifNWAMotherlode.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor if you have questions about a medical condition. Don’t delay getting professional medical advice because of something you read online. This website doesn’t necessarily recommend or endorse any specific tests, doctors, products, procedures or opinions discussed on the site.