Who's more confused???

Jason singing the lyrics to song 2 to the tune of song 1 (thank goodness in practice only) OR Paula Abdul who truly appeared to be on another planet last night!



Before I begin my brief analysis last night, I am going to be upfront with you that I did not see the show in it's entirety. Just enough in bits and pieces to tell you that I thought the entire show and all the singers were just average or below average. That's right... everyone! At this stage of the game with only 5 singers left, a show developed around one singer (although I do love me a little Neil Diamond every now and then) is getting silly. I find it to be a bit biased towards the strong ballad singers. At the very least they should have maybe each done ONE Neil song and then a song of their choice for number two. It's time for us to see what kind of recording artists they are truly going to be and start choosing songs from there own genre and style.

Jason, Jason.... You're making it hard for me to defend you week after week - I know Neil Diamond isn't for you. You didn't stink, you didn't soar... boring.

David Cook - I believe you may win this and I will be totally ok with that. Great voice, please choose songs we know - it's boring when you don't!

Brooke - First song was very rocky. Second song better

David Archuleta - Ms C loved your choice in song with Sweet Caroline. She is convinced you were singing it to her. Again, you have a great voice, but Neil Diamond is not for you.

and last but not least... Syesha - boring.

Did I mention I found last night's show boring???;)

I vote we mix it up next week with a Jack Johnson night, or John Mayer night... or any singer that will suit my Jason! I have selected Flake for you (see below) it's one of my favorites and suits you too - don't worry, I've been called one once or twice too ;) Tonight will be a nail biter!!!!!!! xo, Brie

an "I have no willpower" haiku

My sweet Buttercrunch

Why must you be so darn good

Farewell Spinach Shake

Just kidding.... but I have given into temptation with this today in my favorite buttercrunch.

Just workin on my Fitness...

Introducing the latest breakfast of champions! Initially repulsed at the thought of this suggestion by Jules.... rave reviews coupled by curiosity and an opportunity to gross out my kids, off I went to Stop and Shop and to get all the ingredients. Believe it or not - it is GOOD. You can't even taste the spinach!


The constants:

2 cups of raw, cleaned spinach
2 cups of water
1 tbsp of agave (I had never heard of this, but it's right there with the honey)
1 tbsp of almond oil (the fat makes this filling and helps to hold you over... totally optional)


The variables:

really any fruit - I usually do 2 per shake
frozen fruit works great to make a nice consistency and get it really cold.

This is my favorite recipe from the different variations I have tried...
frozen pineapple and a banana



and the best part is one of my son's who is always fighting me to eat veggies was so grossed out and intrigued by the color he tried it, and liked it too! I suggest drinking with a straw b/c a green mustache might not be a good look! Give a try, I promise you will be surprised!

Ebay Monday!

Oh goodness did I love these two! Marie had the coolest hot pink and purple hankerchief hemmed dress and I think Donny may have been my only "boy" barbie so he was quite the Ladies man amongst my large collection!

and to think they could be mine all mine for a cool 200 beans!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mattel-Donny-And-Marie-Osmond-Barbie-Dolls-1976_W0QQitemZ350049554300QQihZ022QQcategoryZ2387QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

I'm a little bit country, and I'm a little bit Rock n Roll

Not even the slightest bit embarrassed to tell you that I freaking loved that show! xo, Brie

PS now Marie makes scary dolls for QVC that look like this...... yipes! Move over Chucky!

Who's Idea was 2 day weekends anyway?

I am ready for a 3 day weekend right about now! 2 days are just too short - we had a fun dinner in town with 2 fun couples, it was a really good time. I had 2 delicious mojitos, I was pressured to have a 3rd and had to politely decline :) such bad influences around me ;). All I can say is Thank GOODNESS b/c my head didn't even like 2 the next morning! We enjoyed a heated American Idol discussion - appears I am in the minority with my love for Jason Castro. My girlfriends used words like "dirty" "gross" and "sucks" to describe him. I know.... shocking! They even went as far as to say they were "surprised" with me and my love for him b/c they thought I had good taste. I took the high road and told them they were completely insane.... they'll see ;) And in case you are wondering - they are both Archuleta fans. I told them my album cover vision but they aren't buying it... again, they'll see.



I am spending the day changing over the kids drawers with their Spring/Summer clothes. It's an overwhelming task to say the least and I really hate it. It is the best feeling when it's all done.



Tonight.... I sew :D - hope your Sunday is a bit more exciting than mine! xo, Brie

Yippee Kiy AY!

Yeah, I am doing the cabbage patch dance b/c Jason was safe ;) Yeah, it's a bit of a popularity contest at this point b/c neither of those gals should have been in the bottom 2 based on Lloyd Webber night.......... but yeah, I am still doing the dance anyway! Poor Karly was SO good with JC Superstar but what can you do? I really didn't see an Irish girl winning American Idol. Still loving Jason and he is going to have to BRING IT and bring it good if he has any hope of going up against either of the Davids.

Ok, I have been slightly neglecting my blog a bit b/c I do have so many things to share with you (I am keeping a list so we'll get there - patience is a virtue!) but time has been incredibly tight. My life is giant Jenga game and I keep adding and adding blocks to the tower. I am still standing though!

So today I want to share with you this SUPER CUTE apron that I won from Misplaced Country Girl! Kayla stole it from me and wore it to a show we did together a couple of weekends ago for Monmouth Junior League. Isn't it great? I love the way she placed the fabric in different directions - it's a great design, really well sewn, and Kay commented the pocket was very handy for the calculator! (which we continually misplace during shows and then fly into a panic when we can't find it to calculate the sales tax). Thank you Toi, we love that apron!! If you would like to see more fabulouso designs, do check out her Etsy shop! These would make a very cute gift for mom for Mother's Day!







Now back to the cabbage patch dance - which btw way NOBODY does better than my college roommate Becca. So funny.... I wish she'd upload a video on you tube b/c she's the BEST at it! Have a feeling we won't be getting that anytime soon! So you'll just have to take my word on it :)Have a great Thur! xo, Brie

I didn't know a CAT was singing it!?!?!

Here is the funniest preinterview I have EVER seen in my life. Who cares... he's cute ;) xo, Brie

Bottom 3 will be Syesha, Jason (sniffle), and Brooke fo shiz! I'm done predicting who will go home b/c I'm always wrong. Off to light a candle for my cute Jason ;)

How I spent my Tuesday night....

Dialing 1-866-IDOLS-02 (and getting through each and every darn time)! My man Jason flubbed it a bit tonight and needs my help ;) It was pretty painful - consider yourself warned! I wish this had the pre interview where he comments he didn't know this song was sung by a cat... LOL!




xo, Brie

Ebay Monday

Hope you all had a great weekend! We did - busy with baseball, dinner with friends Saturday, a full case of insomnia Sat night, followed by the best night of sleep ever last night! I feel soooo much better :) I really need to adjust my hours so I can get more sleep at night. I am 10 times more productive the next day with a good night's rest!


Back in the 70's I had a huge crush on Shaun Cassidy. Who didn't? Looking back I think I must have drinking too much koolaid b/c I do not see now what I did then! No offense of course to Shaun who I am certain has held up well and lost the tight pants and feathers. I loved the Hardy Boys and his lame bubble gum pop music - horrendous!

This takes the cake though.... I BEGGED for this shirt for of all things - my FIRST COMMUNION! Mom and Dad were the best and got it for me!




Thankfully both my taste in men and music have improved ;) xo, Brie

I'll see if I can't rustle up one of his many fantastic hits on you tube later but the site is down..... divine intervention perhaps?

ETA: No such luck folks! I chose this fantastic song "Hey Deanie" accompanied by the most awesome Shaun slideshow I think I've ever seen! Comes complete with fluttering hearts! xoxox

A Little Something to Remember me By

Every time we visit my parents I have taken it upon myself to hide something ridiculous within their very neat, beautifully decorated home. I think at this point they would feel disappointed if I didn't - it's becoming a bit of a tradition!

The Christmas Tree Shop - aka the Christmas Crap Shop according to my dad is a discount store on the Cape (one actually opened near me in NJ recently - but definitely an East Coast thing - I think!) that sells all kinds of things. You can find really neat things there, like fun beachy decor and candles. You can also find insane things there, such as over sized ceramic "planter" boots or a lawn sprinkler shaped like a robust woman in a bikini. It's a weird and very fun place! It's cheap too (used to be even cheaper b/f Bed, Bath, and Beyond bought them) but really the most expensive things in there would be about 12 dollars.

The kids LOVE it there! It's really a hit or miss kind of place. Unfortunately for us, Spring break was a miss. There wasn't really anything fun. Until Ms. C laid her eyes on this Easter candy dispenser in the shape of a weird chicken with bulging out eyes and a trap door in his behind to hold some sour candy eggs for a dollar. She had to have it and I let her. About 3 seconds later she discovers when you squeeze it makes a terrible honking squeak noise. Seriously, the worst looking and sounding invention ever. Whoever gave the green light at the candy factory to produce these was seriously disturbed.

Needless to say, I tucked him away prior to departure cleverly disguised amongst a Christmas cactus plant! Now if that doesn't say, "thanks for having us" I don't know what does! xo, Brie

6 Weird Things....

try 100 weird things but in the interest of time..... I may have to add a few more as I think of them.

I was tagged to list six unimportant things about myself by The Preppy Lizard

RULES
1) You link back to the person who tagged you.
2) Post these rules on your blog.
3) Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4) Tag six random people at the end of your entry.
5) Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs

When I go to eat at a restaurant (fancy or casual) - I am very happy with appetizers over a real entree

Chris Guest is my movie hero. I could seriously watch Best in Show, Spinal Tap, and Waiting for Guffman all day, everyday. I laugh at the same parts everytime too. God loves a terrier... yes he does



A morning without coffee is completely out of the question - ever.

Converse lowtops are my favorites sneakers and I love they way they look with jeans.

I hate beets - loathe, despise, can't look at em, can't smell em without gagging.

Ok, here's the part where I really suck... I am bad at tagging. So - I tag you, you, you, you, and you (stole that from Jules....... cute, right? :) xo, Brie

Deep Thoughts on American Idol

Well, it was another week devoted entirely to one artist. While AI seems to be digging this format, I personally am not. At least it was only for 7 seven songs! Did anybody else find Terri Hatcher sitting directly behind Paula as incredibly distracting as I did? Here's my contestant rundown....

1. David Archuleta - technically this guy is perfect. I believe he may not be human. He has the whole package: great voice, nice personality, and cute looking. My only problem with David is that I am not into his style of music. I imagine his album cover being him with his arms outstretched on the top of a mountain, with some wispy clouds overhead and maybe a dove flying by or something? He's going for inspirational singer, but I'm not feeling inspired. He's really great - just not for me.

2. Carly - she looked great last night. That scolding from Simon on her style really lit a fire under her. The dress was perfect on her! Figure flattering and long sleeved (I am not sure all of America is into the inked sleeve look either, so covering them up may be wise). I think she also has a great voice, very pretty, love that Irish accent. She sang well, the competition is tough and she is not going to win. Your husband's tatooed face is scaring me a little!

3. Syesha - I thought you had an advantage last night since you and Mariah sing similar in a similar genre. Again great voice, super pretty... kind of boring.

4. Brooke - I love Brooke, I think she is real - I don't find her shticky. The radio hosts around here skewered her this morning for being annoying, talking too much, and not singing well. I happen to disagree, I liked her but I love that unplugged acoustic sound. Is she the next American Idol? Probably not, but I still like her. Um, why did she miss her sister's wedding?? That was ridiculous!

5. Kristy Lee - Getting better and better. Now she's giving a Patsy Cline vibe which I really like. Chance on winning this is equal to a snowball in Hades. I have never seen such perfectly straight teeth!

6. David Cook - Judges loved him! I found him a little wedding singerish at the very beginning of the song but then he brought it. I like my Fall Out Boy lead sing look alike. I do believe he may win! Either way he'll be fine.

7. Jason - Oh Jason, I am so biased now it's ridiculous. LOVE him. He's the whole package - even his goofiness is growing on me. Last night wasn't my favorite for him, but I liked it enough. Randy's luau reference made me laugh b/c it was kind of true, but Paula and Simon loved it so I hope he sticks around. The stage was dark, so I couldn't be sure... but was my boy wearing a Jersey Tuxedo? That was definitely him giving me a shout out! :)

Ok, who's going home??? Probably Carly or Syesha. I'll say Syesha for the 4th week a row!!

It's the Best and Worst Day of Week!

It's cleaning lady day :) While I am pleased to tell you that I am not quite in the state of disarray as 2 weeks ago .... there is still a lot of wood to chop around the KB house.


I have lots of things to blog like an awesome new apron I just got, a fun Keeks and Brie show we had this weekend, my 20th high school reunion (that I had to miss), 6 weird things about me (only 6?), some McDonalds happy meal toys and creative fun you can make for yourself with them, hi jinx you can have with a "write in" section on a ballot, a cheeky little sock monkey who is on holiday and will be stopping by here for a stay, along with numerous other tips and tricks on how to completely overextend yourself, paralyze yourself with fear and fret, and get nothing done all at once ;) Stay tuned.... xo, Brie

Crazy Ebay Monday

and in case you are wondering.... I didn't even come close to looking this cute in it!

I know in the great scheme of things, there are WAY more embarrassing moments that happen to people.... but I had the pleasure of being caught by the mailbox and having a full conversation with the neighbor's babysitter with an aquis towel wrapped around my head like a turban this morning! I have met her twice.

I spent my whole morning packing up boxes in the hopes of catching the mailman (click n ship is the greatest thing EVER - I'll sing it's praises from a mountaintop in a future post). I knew he'd be coming along momentarily, took a sneak peek out the side windows, it was all clear - systems go, so I ran out with the towel on head and packages in hand. She came out of nowhere!! I miss my old neighbors who already knew I can be kooky and liked me anyway :)

Ok, on to ebay Monday... here is a little handheld battery operated game that may have ignited my obsession with video and computer games. MERLIN!!! I don't remember the whole jingle but this for some reason has stayed in my brain after all these years.... "Where's Merlin now? He's not there, He's out with Billy playing Magic Square." I ruled at Magic Square!! Have a great Monday! xo, Brie

Official Signs of Spring....

I'm getting lots of bouquets picked for me by my favorite little hands :) xo, Brie

Ryan Seacrest - Mean to the Third Power

Seriously Ryan, that was so uncalled for!!!



I love this clip of Paula dancing along like a crazed groupie (hang in there she turns it up around 1:08 in, so funny).... who am I kidding, I would have been RIGHT there with her :) xo, Brie

This is a JOKE right?

AMERICA, AMERICA.... what on earth were you thinking, hearing and seeing? That right there was half the reason I was tuning in each week! Unreal! boo hoo hoo xo, Brie

Notice no spoilers for our friends in different time zones......but seriously WHAT THE?????????
ok, I'm off to go do the ugly cry ;)

We're Back!

We are home from a wonderful but too quick visit to the Cape! Another smooth ride home (except for too many left lane leisure ride offenders - that is really my biggest pet peeve!) in 4.15 - really can't ask for better than that!

We had a great time and got to do lots on my wish/to do list. Only things we missed were Liam's and Mashpee Commons but I spend plenty of time and money at both stops in the summer so not to worry! Dad if you are reading, please send me some pics you took during our stay (my camera was MIA in the car the whole time and remains unfound) thank you!

So now I'm off to do the not so fun stuff that comes with going away for a few days like... laundry, unpacking the car, and going through mail. Blah blah boring - really hate it!

Can't wait for American Idol tonight :) I think it's bye bye Syesha, but I've been saying that for awhile now! As long as it's not my precious Jason...... xo, Brie



Thanks again Mom and Dad!!! We had a great time xoxoxo B

American Idol Wednesday

We've been enjoying our last beautiful day on the Cape with a trip to my grandparents in Barnstable and a walk on Sandy Neck beach. The weather is mild and definitely feels like Spring.

My man Jason knocked it out of the park tonight on American Idol, don't you think? I love that version of the song. I could not have been prouder of my little Jason!

If I had to choose a bottom 3 - I'd say Kristy Lee, Carly, and Syesha but tonight is Idol gives back so I'm pretty sure everyone is safe, right? Remember last year when they gave poor Jordan Sparks a heart attack and left her thinking that she was the one who would be leaving. That was so mean!

Hope you are having a great Wednesday too :) xo, Brie

Ice cold Chelada anyone?

My parents and one sister made it down to Florida this past March for a little vacation. They stopped into the Publix supermarket for a couple of quick things and laid their eyes on this........

Chelada..... mmmmmmmm............... yes you are reading right Bud Light mixed with Clamato. For those of you unfamiliar with Clamato - it's a blended drink of just what it sounds like... Clam juice and tomato juice - gak!

They of course had to buy it and describe it as "worse than you can possibly imagine!" I suggest you stock up on these for your next party! It makes me want to dry heave just thinking about it! The party will be over before it even begins :) Salud! xo, Brie

Ebay Monday

Our road trip to the Cape was a great success! We picked the perfect time to leave and made it in just over 4 hours! The New England Pest Control Bug is always exciting to see as he is our favorite landmark and lets us know we only have about 75 minutes until we get to Na Na and Monka's! (pic by pdxsurrel on flickr) We had Paul's Pizza for dinner and DQ for dessert - YUM!

Now for ebay Monday! Remember these? Village Lip Lickers!! They are the lip smackers that came in the sliding tin. I really loved the ones that had the 2 strips of lip balm in them like the lemon lime and cherry coke! These go for SERIOUS money on ebay... I knew I should have saved those!

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-VINTAGE-UNUSED-FULL-TINS-VILLAGE-LIP-LICKERS-GLOSS_W0QQitemZ160219520207QQihZ006QQcategoryZ31802QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Happy Monday! xo, Brie

Cape Cod Bound!!

Scrambling to pack up today b/c tomorrow the kiddos and I are going to the Cape for a little R and R. The drive is never fun.... it's actually not too too bad (about 4.5 hours) but with 4 kids in the car, a trip to the local Target can sometimes seem long.

My children think this railroad bridge (a view for the Bourne Bridge) is actually London Bridge. Who am I to dash their illusions that they are travelling internationally?

Although a little bit chilly, I love this time of year at the Cape!! Mostly because it isn't so crowded. Hopefully there will be tons of great pieces of undiscovered sea glass for us so we can add them our jar when we get home! Check out that giant yellow piece in the back - that is a prized possession Kay found last summer!!! Very rare!

Some of my "to do" list includes (in no particular order)

• Paul's Pizza
• Christmas Tree Shop
• Mashpee Commons
• Dairy Queen
• Seafood Sam's
• Liam Maguires

You may have guessed by now I love to eat and shop - sometimes at the same time! You'll be pleased to know I am planning to blog while on location so see ya Monday - I need to pack ;) xo, Brie

In memory of MLK

oh sheesh, have to post this in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a great man and one of my favorite songs - EVER! I saw April 4th this morning and the date was bugging me and I couldn't remember why.....



lovin me some vintage mullet sporting U2!! Best Irish export next to Guinness ;)

Letters to Live By!

Hey has anyone ever read the book A Million Little Pieces by James Frey? He is the author that got into deep trouble with Oprah and kind of opened up a whole controversy r/g memoirs and using a little creative license within them a few years back.

I read that book and loved that book. It kind of made me look at a life a little differently and to me, fabricated or not, that is what a good book will do.

I think James' biggest mistake in this whole mess was the Q and A he held on Oprah regarding some of the incidents which never in fact took place. Whatever - I still loved that book!

While on Oprah, James revealed one tattoo on his hand with the letters - S, P, C, D, H and C. They stand for "simplicity," "patience," "compassion," "discipline," "honesty" and "courage." Great words to remind yourself of in daily life, I think! And with that, I wish you all a wonderful weekend :) xo, Brie

I Know This Much is True

If Brie says "you're out" on American Idol.... that really means "you're safe"!

Oh well, it's bye bye to Ramielle, so much for my theory... but nobody's crying - except for her I guess, but that's par for the course. My favorite moment I think of last night (besides of course the unknown band singing "This Little Light on Mine" - what the????) was when Ryan Seacrest told Ramielle to "stand up and sing us out" - she was standing up Ryan.... she's incredibly short! Way to kick her when she's down!

Once we get rid of Kristy Lee next week and her clairvoyant homemade sign that must have taken her all of 2 seconds to draw - then I do really believe it's game on! Jason I hope you're practicing away right now :)

Have a great one! xo, Brie

PS My title has reminded me of a great Wally Lamb book... if you haven't read it, put it on your summer reading list!

American Idol, Dolly, and Pay It Forward Winners

Quick weigh in on American Idol.

First let me start off with - I love Dolly Parton. I think she is very sweet, talented, and smart with an amazing business sense. I admire so much about her. All this being said, I do hate to say it, I found the show a little S L O W last night. I don't understand why they have to keep devoting an entire show to one particular artist. I like the wider range shows like pick any song from your birth year, or the 60's, 70's etc etc.

Here is the rundown in order of appearance along with my prediction of who will get das boot tonight (if you are reading regularly, you will know this means nada, my track record has been dismal this season)

1. Brooke - Ok. Nothing spectacular... but have a seat, you are safe!

2. David Cook - you have a great voice. Little Sparrow was a snoozefest! I heard you went to the hospital last night after the show for heart palpitations?

3. Ramiele - you were better than last week. I still think you should go - but - I don't think you
will! I do believe you have nabbed your BFF sittin in the audience almost every week Danny's fans and that was huge for you. I have finally cracked the code why you get to stay week after week!

4. Jason - still love you and thought you kicked it up a notch last night! Simon didn't agree, but he was crabby last night. So happy that you got all my postcards! LOL!

5. Carly - you sang one of my favorites, only problem is Dolly does it WAY better. That's the trouble you face when you pick a goody. I felt bad for you last night b/c Simon was mean to you about your wardrobe, but psssst.... he was telling the truth. You look great in black, just get more stylish with it and lose the red knickers!

6. David A - you have a great voice and you did well. Are you seriously going to be the next American Idol though? Do we really want to hear him on the radio all the time? He's just not my style, I guess.

7. Kristy Lee - girl... somebody is lookin out for you. Last week you're "proud to be an American" this week it's country time. Enjoy your last week of safety!

8. Syesha - ok, you picked probably the only song America would really know. Totally worth the risk and you needed to do that. Unfortunately, it was a no go. You had to have nailed that and then some and sadly you didn't. I think you might get your walking papers tonight.

9. Michael Johns - I hate that bluesy kind of music, but you sang awesome and looked awesome. Don't go changin ;)

So in summary - bye bye Syesha!

and now to the pay it forward news...... the lucky 2 winners are.... drum roll please.....

ALL OF 9 YOU! Email me ( bridget at keeksandbrie dot com) with your wishes and addresses :) Now get paying it forward ;) Thanks for playing xoxoxxoxox Brie

PS got MOST of Ms. C's face clean last night. There are still remnants. Had to explain that to the teachers, they of course loved it! Me, not so much :)

Did Somebody say 16 HOURS???

Double nuts, we have school to attend tomorrow! xo, Brie

Nuts

I have dubbed every other Tuesday in this house "the best and worst day of the week". It is the day my cleaning lady arrives... the amount of work I have to do to prepare for her arrival is completely ridiculous. It's my own fault that I find myself in this state every 2 weeks, and every 2 weeks I vow on my own life that I will keep up with the house and not let it get to this state again and every 2 weeks I am in the very same untidy boat.

So after scrambling all morning, I decided to take Ms. C to lunch at Friendlys so weren't getting in the way of the ladies. We were all dressed, just had to do her hair and remembered I had not written the check to the cleaning ladies. Ran downstairs, wrote the check, went back upstairs to find this...... This is the covergirl lasting lipstick, it's basically stain. If you are interested in trying the brown tint over your forehead, that is Benefit Hoola ground into her eyebrows. You don't even want to see the brush she used. Needless to say we are not going to Friendlys now and I am so sad because I was really psyched for an 8000 calorie buffalo chicken salad. Boo hoo hoo xo, Brie