American Idol: the humble

I think I can sing. Yep, I have a nice enough singing voice. The kind that when I am singing along to the radio and my family is seemingly being held captive in the car so that they HAVE to listen, it doesn't bother them to distraction, just enough for eye rolling or at times they join in order to tune me out. But let me just say Holy Cow, this year's Idols could SING! This is the first year I watched Idol from beginning to end and I was so impressed with the last 13. And it was somewhat to do with the singing but, the better part of my impression was made by the commradarie of the last finalists.


They never conveyed an air of "I am the best" or "me, me, me" that usually creates the drama in reality programming. Throughout, the judges seemed to urge the contestants (Simon specifically) into the overall sentiment of "to win this thing you have to claim yourself as the best". And it just never rubbed off on this group.

Even last night, as Kris Allen claimed the title, it was endearing to see he and Adam embracing and bolstering each other up and as if to convey "we've made it on this wild ride." The word I am looking for is "refreshing". Truly talented, deserving, sincere people were in a competition where the person that America voted for wasn't the showiest, obvious star, but a nice, capable, grateful performer. They even showed an early clip of his answer to their typical audition question of "why do you deserve to be the next American Idol?" and Kris's response was that he didn't "have the best voice" but that he knew he had a lot to offer. To which Simon commented that Kris lost his vote for Hollywood by saying so. But I think if you asked Kris or really any of the last few finalists that same question (because honestly the last four were great in such different distinct ways), it was a matter of respect (that they all seemed to have for each other) and simply being humble. And that is truly a lost character trait to be seen or appreciated in reality TV or even our everyday.

Questionnaire

1. Name: Jennifer Kristine

2. Birthday: November 6


3. Birthplace: San Antonio,TX

4. Eye Color: Brown

5. Hair Color: Dark Brown

6. Height: 5'0"

7. Ethnicity: Hispanic

8. Weakness: Pizza, travel, Sophia's toddler voice calling out" hode me" (hold me) as her little arms stretch up reaching for me., coffee,

9. Most missed memory: Summers with my cousins, just me and my mom having breakfast after church

10. Thoughts first waking up: what time is it? (I have no internal clock), did David make coffee?,

11. Last time you cried: Hmm. Now, I cry when I worship the Lord. My stepdaughters stare at me and I have had strangers at church ask me if I needed to be prayer (and yes, I think we all need prayer). I guess because it seems overboard but it is something I can't control and just happens.

12. Song title that currently says how you feel: "Here comes the sun"

13. What is the perfect day for you: Tho' I hate packing, I love a good family road trip. We wake somewhat early, Pick up some donuts for the road as the sun rises to shine brightly in anticipation of fun and time together.

14. Ever been asked for an autograph? Yes actually. I was the Mom (M'Lynn) in our high school's Steel Magnolia play and it was surprising to me that a couple of ladies asked for my autograph and then of course my friends mocked me about it.

15. How do you vent anger? talk, talk , talk

16. Who do you talk to most on the phone? David, mom, sister, and Ale.

17. As a kid, were you a lego builder? No, I was a Fisher Price Little People person myself.

18. Do you chew on your straws? I confess, sometimes it happens.


19. Do you sing in the shower? Yup.

20. Who's the last person you stayed up late talking to on the phone to? Dont really do the phone thing alot. But David is the one person I have stayed up talking the latest to.

21. The last place you went to in a plane? France and Spain

22. Do you cry at weddings? Depends on what tear jerking song is sung, what praise is lifted and then of course whatever gushy romantic stuff the bride and groom may decide to share.

23. Are you afraid of the dark? No.

24. What are you addicted to? hmm. I guess something I am always "compelled" by are Period piece movies and such, especially Jane Austen.

25. Crunchy or creamy peanut butter? Crunchy

26. Who do you fight with the most? David is around the most to be in enough situations with me where conflict may arise ("fight"), but thankfully it is never on a grand or heartbreaking scale and always apologies are exchanged because we talk it to death.

27. Who can you tell anything to? David and my mom.

28. Who can't you get enough of? My family and dear family friends.

29. Who makes you laugh the most? My kids

30. What is the worst feeling ever? Of course, when people I love are hurting. More superficially? When my clothes are tight.

31. How many pillows do you sleep with? Uno. and not a great one at that.

32. How many rings before you answer your phone? Lots. I can never find my phone.

33. How many times do you press the "snooze" button? David is controller of the alarm since I have been an at home mom with Sophia.

34. How do you sleep? Hard and on my back or right side.

35. Last time you laughed: Just last night at Chik-fil-a with David and the girls when David and I were acting out how embarrassing we would be as substitute teachers for one of the girls classes.

36. Ever looked at someone ugly and said "EWWW"? No, thankfully.

37. What is your favorite color? Blue

38. What is your favorite state? Texas!

Now anyone can copy these Questions and answer and share them too but please let me know so I can be nosey and know the random facts too. (Marcia, Steph, Lindsey,Well those are the only three people I know that may actually read my blog)

My Christmas Movies of all time

Ahh. I love movies. Can I officially call that a hobby? If I had to choose between a manicure, seeing a movie, or buying a new shirt I would typically pick seeing a movie (with hubby+snacks). But when it comes to Christmas movies I have mostly seen those at home. Now this list is not super well thought out but I can easily name the holiday movies that, oddly enough, if I miss seeing them this time of year...well I'll just say, I don't usually miss seeing them. I know after I list these I am gonna remember some more so I just might have to update the list, as vital as it is and all. Drum roll please.....................

1. It's a Wonderful Life I was a freshman in college when I first saw this movie and I sat in tears at the end wondering where it had been all my life. I remember thinking how romantic George and Mary's first kiss was and how I just wanted him to get that ol' Mr. Potter. I have loved Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed ever since. My mom and I try each year to find a time when we can sit together (and she usually is not one to sit for a movie at home) and take it all in as George runs through snowy Bedford Falls and calls out to all the old familiar things that have been the backdrop to what he finally realizes has been his Wonderful Life.

2. The Muppets Christmas Carol Oh, how do I love thee o' Muppets. I shall count the ways. Gonzo and Rizzo are hilarious and sweet as the narrators of the tale. I had not thought much of Michael Caine as an actor B4 this movie but his portrayal of Scrooge is spot on and endearing. He was perfect. I have always appreciated Dickens' tone and meaning in this story but the Muppets version is the gold standard of it's retelling and with all the Muppets' flair the old tale gets a nice polish and is new again. Watch it! Yes. I think I will.

3. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation It just plain ol' cracks me up but good. I can still remember seeing this at the theater with my Dad because as a teenager I shrunk into my seat as he howled with laughter (a trait I get from him) so loudly to Clark flying uncontrollably on his sled that he was that person in the audience who continues to make the audience laugh in response to his laughter even after the scene is over. Simply enjoyable.

4. Elf Now I totally enjoyed this movie the first time I saw it and still do. But it most definitely had to grow on my husband and two oldest girls. I can recall taking the girls to see this as a treat after the last day of school before the holidays. Everytime Will Farrell did anything embarrassing (which to them was pretty much everything he did) they actually had to hide their faces in their hands (you know, like people do at horror movies) and they shrunk so low in their seats that I had to pull Sara up for fear she would try to sit on the nastyness that is a movie theater floor. (Or maybe it was my howling laughter that did it?) Anyway, I have made them rewatch it so much that they now sit with silly smiles as they watch Will Farrell in full force as the Elf who delights in all things Christmasy, Santa, sugar! and love.

5. My Cinematic departure: Charlie Brown's Christmas. Who doesn't hear those faint strains of children singing slightly off key to "Christmastime is hereeee" and have a flood of childhood Christmas memories? But what I love best and most is that Charlie Brown's search for the meaning of Christmas is beautifully found in Linus' recitation of Luke 2:8-14.

Well, that's it. For now. I think. What are your Christmas favorites?

Day 5: Castle Chenonceau, back in the Loire

Here is a view of the garden patio out of our room windows/sliding doors. When I woke up this Tuesday morning I was so looking forward to the full breakfast included in the price for the room. Breakfast was listed in our room information booklet as being provided generously from 8am-10:30am. We hustled and packed ourselves up and we readied for the delightful breakfast in the old mill house off the garden. As we walked into the mill house breakfast room, we saw about three other families and I was happy to see it all seemed as sweetly described on the website. So imagine my disappointment when a harried and blustery French woman appeared from the kitchen, with a phone cradled to ear with her shoulder because her arms were flailing and she was telling us, "no, no, no, no!" What had we done? I was thinking. In quick shrieking French she ushered us out. I looked at my watch that showed it was only just before ten. The incident drew the attention of the others in the room who looked as clueless as us. Realizing that we were not exactly understanding her words she paused and told us in broken English that we need to go to the cafe next door. I still stared at her wondering how to ask if it was still included in the room rate when she seemed to read my mind and said, "He knows you no pay more." A-okay.

A little put off by this seeming rejection, but not wanting my disappointment to match the gloomy day and weigh down my troops I said, "Well this should be interesting" And thankfully it was. We walked in the "coffee shop" as it stated in English on the outside sign and were met with a very friendly and welcoming Frenchman who owned the small three table cafe. He already had our table set with breads, spreads, milk, and fresh squeezed orange juice. How encouraging it all was. He spoke a little English to welcome us and set a carafe of hot coffee on the table and asked the girls if they wanted hot chocolate (a staple for breakfast for French children--not so much for our children) Sara said yes, just to try it. He made Sara's day by automatically providing crepes and then topped it off by having Nutella available when we asked for it. Then to top it all off, when the girls pined for the possibility of finally having some eggs for breakfast, he overheard and noted it would cost extra (not offered on the menu even at the B & B) but he would be glad to make us an omelette. We ordered some up and I noticed only paid a fraction of what eggs cost most anywhere else. Sophia, again, refused to eat but enjoyed herself running around the cafe (no one else was there at this late morning hour) feeling freed from the stroller.

Once we were done, I had hoped we could stroll around the nooks and crannies of Honfleur, but the easy rain of the early morning had turned into a constant downpour. If it had been just David and I, this stroll would still have happened, but with three kids who didn't want to see the town in the rain and the possibility of physically getting under the weather we (much to my dismay and one of my few regrets of the trip) left the town of Honfleur hoping to return and enjoy it in the future.

At this point Sophia still had not eaten yet. So we had to find a McDonald's. Chicken nuggets were the order of the day. So I mustered some of my French hoping McDonald's was understood as a name universally. Lo' and behold I hit another language wall, and was corrected. The helpful lady at the B&B pointed out that they didn't call it by it's full name, it had been Frenchified to McDo's (pronounced: Macdough's). So to McDo's we went and stocked up on nuggets for Sophia for the day and headed back South to the Loire ready to tour a castle or two.

I read up on the choices in my Rick Steve's guide and chose Chenonceau. A beautiful castle on the River Cher by the town of Chenonceaux built grandly in the 1400s. Called the "The Ladies Castle" because of it's illustrious history of housing not only the King Henry II's mistress, Diane de Poitiers, but then once he passed on, his powerful Queen kicked out the industrious de Poitiers (moving her to a slightly less grand chateau) and moved in with grand plans of her own extending this castle over the river (quite a marvel). Versailles of course is the most grand castle to be visited in France, but the girls thoroughly enjoyed that they saw every inch of this well displayed castle and took pictures of each of the bedrooms four poster beds dressed with their elaborate draperies.

We toured the pretty grounds and gardens and enjoyed getting around on foot after all our time in the trusty station wagon. There was even a hedge maze that entertained the girls until we all realized our hunger was growing and so the search for food was on. Again I turned to Rick Steves, our intrepid guide, and found our answer in Relais Chenonceaux, located in the town near the castle. Now, I could have just left it out of our tale but it is necessary to mention it as it provided us our second best French eating experience. The restaurant was situated in a very quaint and heavily timbered hotel. The ten or so tables were nearly all full yet, as our crew tromped in I noticed the utter quiet of the full room. We sounded like a herd of goats, girls bickering, me knocking the stroller against the walls of the almost too tight entry, and David carrying our wiped out, sleepy Sophia. Um, we most certainly stood out and I had that moment of, "hey lets just back out and find a McDo's again", as the whispering dining crowd looked up at us.

But I knew we were all too hungry to walk back the car we parked in a lot a block away in this small little village. I just had to suck up the fact that we were about to give all the French folks a tale to tell of the stereotypical rowdy Americans that interrupted their lovely evenings. Our waitress was abrupt and unfriendly (yikes) but, when the co-owner served the drinks and helped us in her near perfect English make out the menu a wave of relief washed over me. Sophia slept through the meal (yes, I wanted her to eat but the quiet was blessing). The girls ordered from the kids menu, a plate of sausage and fries (they deemed it the best of the trip), with an ever so cool short skinny glass of Coke (they longed for refills, but that again is an American convenience), and a dessert of their choice (Sara-B&N crepe, of course, and Anna always ice cream). Then I did a foolish American thing. I dared to ask for the possibility of a sausage meal to go. I had baggies and knew later would have a hungry toddler. I should have just casually ordered an extra plate and left off the "to go" part but the unamused waitress answered me with a "Pffft! Non." Point 1 French Waitress, Point 0 entitled American. So, David and I ordered two different meals and subtly split our tasty baked fish, and chicken. But before I had a chance to dig in I got the opportunity to make a huff with said waitress. I noticed not a smudge, but a hunk of dried food on my fork, and as I satisfactorily brought it to her attention she looked a bit aghast and quickly returned with a perfectly clean fork and a softer attitude. All Points even and done with-yea! We downed it all with a bottle of wine (our splurge for the day) while the girls finished off a bottle of water and shared our desserts (apple tart and ice cream). It seemed on cue that Sophia woke up as we were finishing our desserts. She sat on David's lap staring bleary eyed at the surroundings, silently taking it all in.

As we left the restaurant with a kind adieu from the proprietress, I stole some more glances of the small well situated village. I was, as many times before, so thankful for all our experiences as the distinct privilege they were, to be spending these adventures (however small) together, in some of the most beautiful surroundings France could provide. We chilled at the gite and again enjoyed cookies, leftover pastry, and Gilmore Girls before we headed to bed, ready to sleep in a bit the next morning.

This is Love

David and the girls get up early for work and school, but I woke up this wonderfully chilly December 1st morning to a hot pot of coffee and this sweet fire. We try our hardest not to turn on the heat in our home for as long as possible. And, this woodstove is a gem that efficiently heats the front end of the house (where we spend most of our day, Sophia and I) while the back bedrooms are quite, um, cold.

My husband and I may not exchange love letters or go on enough "date nights" but he does daily thoughtful things such as the fire and coffee that are a constant reminder to me of how well we are loved and how well he loves. Thank you David. Thank you Lord.

Good Words, Good Man

Well, it is a new day and I am hopeful for the resurgence of patriotism I feel all around. I did vote for McCain and was a little disheartened by the the results last night but all the words McCain spoke in his concession speech seem to resonate with me. I share a few of them here now and am still proud of my candidate and as I said hopeful (and very prayerful) for our future.

MCCAIN: I urge all Americans ... I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.

It is natural. It's natural, tonight, to feel some disappointment. But tomorrow, we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again.

We fought — we fought as hard as we could. And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours......


I don't know — I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.

This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life, and my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Sen. Obama and my old friend Sen. Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.

(BOOING)

Please. Please.

I would not — I would not be an American worthy of the name should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century.

Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone, and I thank the people of Arizona for it.

AUDIENCE: USA. USA. USA. USA.

MCCAIN: Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama — whether they supported me or Sen. Obama.

I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Americans never quit. We never surrender.

We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all very much."

Day Four--on the Road, Le Mont St Michel, Honfleur Normandy

This is the bad part of blogging so far after the thing has happened: forgetting details. The waking up on this day was early, the packing easy, and then the drive to Le Mont St Michel long but I hardly remember it. Good for you dear reader as you will not have to be subjected to the long retelling of these occurrences. I do remember that we stopped at the local Preuilly bakery for our pastry breakfast. The delish Chausson aux Pomme became my favorite and our french breakfast staple. I loved seeing the country scenery come to life around us in the morning sun. The dampness of the season rendered everything a fresh lively green and the rolling hills kept the views from any type of lush monotony.

I truly enjoyed the French autoroute (toll highways). They are wide with well marked road signs for sights and stops. Each roadside rest stop was nothing like I have seen in the states. They were always clean, and had at least 2 recycling bins. The roadside gas stops had the coffee and treats that were always a curiosity to peruse for familiar yet unfamiliar edibles. The coffee stands were not the pump and pour we are used to, yet typically, they were the automated affair that though in French, had at least 12 or so picture choices of what coffee you wanted: plain, with cream, cappuccino, hot chocolate, a mocha? And as I said before we never had a bad coffee in France. But best of all these were the cheapest.

Here is a pic of something we saw a couple of times at regular rest stops and gas stops: the pet stop. The French love of their pets, i.e. dogs, is real. The fact that this stop in particular had a bowl of food and water, free for any pooch that came in with it's owner, proves the point and gave me a chuckle and another opportunity to utter "Ah, the French!"

Our day was quite wet and got wetter (if that is possible) as we approached the Normandy region of France. But in the grey rainy backdrop Normandy still stood out. Now, I realize when people (especially Americans) hear about "Normandy" thoughts automatically go to D-Day when the beaches of Normandy were stormed by the allied forces and the Normandy invasion commenced. We have mental pictures from movies such as Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. And that is completely understood and honored by the French in this region. But the history and significance of this northern area goes beyond even those heart wrenching times. William the Conqueror hailed from this area, and the national symbol of Le Mont St Michel sits off the western most coast where Normandy borders Brittany.

And that was where we were headed. Once again the forested greenness of the vistas, the small villages in the thick timbered style had me entranced. Now the cathedral of Le Mont St. Michel has a very long history itself. It was originally built in the 8th century by a bishop who felt led by the Archangel Michael to build a monastery on the rock island that jutted out from the coast and it is still there, cathedral and small (now touristy) village that surrounds the church with its population of 70 or so.

We stopped just before the causeway to the Mont at the well stationed grocery/convenience store to buy a few items for our in station wagon picnic. The girls were so good about making the most of our budgeting situation. I would travel with them anywhere. And our excitement grew as we watched cars stream into the parking lot showing that even on this dreary Monday the Mont was still a sight to be seen and explored.

We so enjoyed this tour. Yes, there was a constant thick dampness in the air (bad, bad, hair day and constant dewy sweating), all the ancient tight, stoned paved, steep walkways were rain slick, but upwards we charged with the girls delighting in the sense of "what's around the bend" and Sophia wanting to troop ahead on her own. This was the sight that had originally, on a poster in my high school French teacher's class, inspired my day dreaming to one day explore "that place" and here I was. I almost let the stresses of toting a 1 and 1/2 year old through steep stairs, and muddy gardens, with a stroller, and diaper bag get to me but the wonder of it all kept hitting home.

We strolled the cathedral and the small village with the girls buying a souvenir or two on our way back down to our station wagon. Our driving for the day was not done. At this point it was about 4pm but we still had a 1 and 1/2 drive along the coast to Honfleur. But I must say that in the parking lot we spotted something that caused us all to pause and chuckle.

See this man: What appears a little off. Yes, he is a very nicely outfitted man but one part of his ensemble quickly reveals his "European" sensibility. Yes, his man capris. And his was not the first or last exhibition of this French fashion trend. I and the girls the whole trip kidded David that when we first visited everyone back home that he should get a pair and wear them to show how fashion forward he had become. Ah, no, was his immediate answer. I knew this would be the response from the man who dislikes capris on women, and states that no man thinks capris are attractive on any woman. But the girls and I wear them gladly anyway. And so apparently do European men. Alrighty then.

We made it to Honfleur in good time and the rain was still looming but at bay. Honfleur is a sweet little port town on the Normandy coast whose thick timbered building of varying colors make the village quite picture pretty. No wonder impressionists like Monet found its views ones to be captured on canvas. David drove us through the oh, so, tight, winding roads to our Rick Steves recommend B & B, La Cour Sainte Catherine. The lady proprietor was so helpful through e-mails that I was sad that we did not get to meet her when we arrived for our room. As David parked I walked through the large old wooden entrance doors (in olden days these were so large as to accommodate horse drawn vehicles as they entered inner courtyards that many old French homes still have), into the cobblestoned paved inner courtyard with its crowded blooming garden, where a 30 something man was running around with his two Sophia-aged girls. He, I found ,was English and kindly directed me to the lobby that was cozily tucked away in a smaller building off the gardens. The kind housekeeper appeared ready for me and immediately showed me our room in the same small building. The room was completely ready and perfect for us. And to me, the amazing part was that no money at this point had exchanged hands at all. Over the e-mail it was simply me asking for a space and her putting our name down. No deposit or credit card numbers were given out. Just the honor system.

My family piled into the room, the girls claimed beds and unloaded, and we knew our first task was to explore a little and definitely find some spot for dinner. I loved this walk. The little homes that lined the tight road each had their own style. I first thought of the possible ages of these original looking row homes, then I tried to imagine if these quaint village images were just the same old same ol' for the locals. I looked at how out of place we seemed in our jeans, tennis, and American athletic wear in the midst of this old village. Then we turned off the small street corner into the center of town port crowded with small boats, restaurants, and people. I then saw plenty of American casual to put me at ease.

We scoured the menus on display by all the restaurants surrounding the port. Seafood was the order of the day and we were ready and willing. Sara was even chomping at the bit for her own bowl of mussels. Yes, you read me correctly--mussels in a brothy tasty sauce accompanied with frites of course. Sara tried them for the first time in London when I ordered a bowl (what a shock to us all) and declared them good and was wanting to be adventurous again. So order them we did and she ate and enjoyed them with gusto, nearly finishing her whole bowl which was generously filled to the brim. Anna ordered shrimp expecting the usual c-shaped delights and instead got the typical French preparation with the head on! David ended up having shrimp and Anna had to look away from the bug-eyed langoustines that seemed to keep staring at her. I also had a delish bowl of fish soup, wonderful mussels, and the always good salad with the perfectly mixed vinaigrette. We had ordered the fixed-price 3 course meal and each got a dessert. Sophia, as her usual, slept for a portion of the meal and once awake, rejected any bits of dinner we tried to feed her off our plates.

As seen in the picture above (finished result of course) Sara scored herself a chocolate crepe and we requested banana be added to it (ended being 4 dollars extra for the one banana--yes, she surely at the whole thing). We all declared this the best meal of our whole trip to this point and it was desperately needed in order for French cuisine to redeem itself in the eyes of my family.

We walked back to our hotel as the sun went down (our whole meal took 3 hours) and I looked forward to touring the sweetness of Honfleur before we traveled back to the Loire the next day. Sophia ran about the room back at the B & B and watched her daily Charlie & Lola. She thankfully ate some yogurt as everyone took turns in the shower to ready for bed. We all fell off to sleep quickly and comfortably. Ah, Normandy.