the sing-off

Truth: I am not much of a TV watcher, at all.
But, there is one show that I absolutely LOVE and will not miss:

the sing-off!  Monday 7-9 PM Central Time on NBC.  Quality Entertainment.

What: Incredibly talented music groups singing acapella (citing wikipedia, uh-oh reliability?).  Below is a clip of all the groups singing together.

Growing up Dad & Mom wanted us kids to be exposed to quality music.  They would take us to Iowa State Concerts (which my two sisters and I actually ended up singing in), musicals,  and piano lessons.  In fact, every Sunday afternoon us girls were allowed to watch one movie, and we always fought over which musical to watch.  There are some good ones out there!  Dad also could be heard belting "Nessun Dorma" or some other song of choice from his office at all hours! ;)

But seriously, boys that can sing...get me every time!  :)

This show is just so great - quality singing, fun choreogaphy, great entertainment.

The judges are also entertaining as well.  Here's my take on them:

Ben Folds: Ok, this guy is just FUNNY!  Funny in the sense kind of like my sister, Carly. My favorite thing is when he smiles this cheesy smile after he says his comments, makes me laugh every time! :)

Sara Bereilles: Potty mouth!  Good to have a girls perspective though.

Shawn Sotckman: He. be. rad!  You can tell when he really liked a group because he can't come up with words to speak.

And, to make things even better, Sam Tsui (whom I posted about earlier on my blog) is the correspondant for the show - lovely!  The only things that could be improved upon, the host, Mr. Nick Lachey ( a bit "fake" at times) in my opinion.

Seriously, next Monday, check out this show with the whole family!  Quality entertainment.  A must see!

...just an insight into how my family is COMPETITIVE and LOVES football!

Rhoads’ brother misses Cyclones’ stunning victory

11:25 AM, Oct 31, 2011 | by Dan Holm | 

Comments

A familiar face was missing from the Iowa State sideline during the Cyclones’ stunning 41-7 victory at Texas Tech on Saturday night.

Tony Rhoads, the brother of Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads, did not make the trip to Lubbock. It was the first game Tony has missed since Paul took over the Cyclones’ program in 2009, ending a streak of 32 straight games he had watched from the sidelines.

Tony attributed his absence to the high cost of airline tickets and his desire to avoid a 15-hour trip by car. He watched the game at his home in Ankeny with his wife Jana and their three kids.

“I was a nervous wreck,” Rhoads said. “I was yelling, high-fiving, pacing, you name it. I stated several times during the game that I would not (miss another game) again. It really didn’t have anything to do with winning or losing, just not being there was too stressful. It would have been great to be down there to help celebrate the win, but when it is family sometimes you feel more like you need to be there after a loss from a supportive standpoint.

“I must add that while I was watching the Vikings game on Sunday I was thinking I was glad I was at home instead of somewhere between Oklahoma City and Wichita,” he added.

Saturday’s win marked the third consecutive year that Iowa State has won a Big 12 road game during Week 8 of the regular season, following victories at Nebraska and Texas. Tony said he would rank the Texas Tech win third on his list of the Cyclones’ biggest victories in the last two-plus seasons.

Here is Tony’s top-five list, along with his comment about each of the wins:

1) ’09 win at Nebraska. “Just because of how banged up we were, all the turnovers and giving credibility to the program they are building.”

2) ’10 win at Texas. “Mostly because I had seen this team get rolled two weeks in a row by Utah and Oklahoma. It was an important win to keep the program moving forward.”

3) ’11 win at Texas Tech. “It was unexpected to see us dominate from start to finish.”

4) ’11 triple-overtime win over Iowa. “This was easily the most exciting of the games on this list. It was important to the program after being manhandled the previous two years.”

5) ’09 Insight Bowl win over Minnesota. “It was impressive from the standpoint that it capped a big turnaround from the previous season in which the team had been 2-10 including 10 straight losses.”

*Article courtesy of the Des Moines Register.

domestication

Yep, that's me, sewing!
Domestication in progress my fine friends! :)
Thanks to my neighbor Kate for hosting "craft night".
I was able to fix my favorite shirt that had missing buttons,
make flower hair pins,
and have my other neighbor hem some pants that were way too long.

side note: I've had these pants for a year and a half now
and never worn.  Oh golly.  

Grandma Huhn

Arlene Huhn

Jan. 6, 1933-Oct. 8, 2011

Published: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 9:24 AM CDT

Arlene Huhn, 78, of Nevada, died Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at Rolling Green Village in Nevada, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Arlene was born Jan. 6, 1933, in Nevada to Isaac “Ike” and Myrtle (Cook) Tudor. She graduated from Fernald High School in 1951, and married her childhood sweetheart, James Daniel Huhn, March 15, 1953. She was a 40-year member of Central Presbyterian Church, most recently attending Family of Faith Church.

She loved good music and influenced many young people, teaching piano lessons. She also enjoyed singing, playing the piano and organ, woodworking, sewing, knitting and gardening. In her younger years, she was active in sports, being a standout forward and softball pitcher. In addition, she was a 4-H leader for more than 20 years. She was a devoted wife and mother, and loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 58 years, Dan, of Nevada; one son, Keith (Marce), of Nevada; one daughter, Holly (Dan) Page, of Lawrence, Kan; her twin sister, Darlene Adkins, of Elkhart, Ind.; her sister-in-law, Thelma Tudor, of Minn; seven grandchildren, Ashley (Ryan), Carly, Haley, Riley, Kyle, Kirby and Brian; one great-grandson, Tucker; along with many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Earl Tudor; and one brother-in-law, George Adkins.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, at Central Presbyterian Church in Nevada. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada.

Memorial contributions may be made to Family of Faith Church, Parkinson’s Foundation or the Rolling Green Resident Activity Fund.

Bacon Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

*Article courtesy of the Ames Tribune.

SG#13

13. As always, try to become more domesticated! ;)

This one is still a work in progress! 

SG#11

12. Visit the "Twister" House, where they filmed the final scene of the movie.  (Little known fun fact - our old house in Story City, a beautiful Victorian, was considered for this scene, but did not make the "cut" as it was too close to a gravel road).



Nope, didn't do.  Actually was talking with a couple from the area who said it wasn't anything special to see...so that makes me feel a little bit better.

SG#10

11. Garage sale it up!



This is something that I ADORE to do with my B-E-A-U-tiful Ma and sisters.  This year I got to go to the Midwest's Largest Flea Market, 2 city-wide garage sale days, as well as some neighborhood ones.  It's always a joy to find something you least expect! :)

Me and some stellar ladies snagging deals at the flea market!