"Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time"

True Story:

Me: Who.... *Girl #1 raises hand* You don't even know the question yet. *Girl #1 lowers hand* Who *Girl #1 raises hand again. I give up* Who can tell me one of the old bible verses we learned a long time ago?

Girl #1: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Deuteronomy 31:6 [give her props. We learned this back in October]

Me: Nice. So I guess you did know the question before I even asked it. Good job!

Girl #2: Booyah.

It was so perfectly timed. Said so deadpanned yet with feeling. It was amazing. And yes shameful* since I have uttered this term in my classroom (five times at the most... okay six) but it's cause I watched a lot of Community in a short period of time.

Another little girl told me she liked my shoes (grey new balances) and asked if they were new. I told her they were approximately seven years old (but apparently are still in good shape) and she said "Wow. Wait. So are you seven years old too?" I wish.

* Whoops. I also then begged her not to repeat it at home or say it to her parents.

"Who are you?/ Who who who who"

A few months ago, my mom got an iPhone and she jumped on my plan so we could do the family plan and save some money. Apparently now when she calls from her phone, my name shows on caller ID since it is in my name. That's your background information.

I was sitting at home playing on my iPhone when the house phone started to ring. We have a phone where it will say the name on the caller ID out loud after two rings. So it started saying (in it's weird automated, accented voice) Call from Petrella Ansley. I looked down at my phone, still words with friends on the screen. I'm not making a call. But I keep hearing my name. HOW IS THIS HAPPENING?!

Mystery solved when my mom called my phone and we realized that my name shows up when she calls. Still, I was a little scared. It was like that Urban Legend where the killer is calling from inside the house. And it's like the killer was ME!

This could also be because I am currently knee deep in watching The Walking Dead. I'm a little paranoid. Zombies! Run!

"I just want somebody/ Need somebody/ Love somebody/ Need somebody/ Want someone/ Need someone/ I need someone to love, darling"

I'm going to try something new on the blog: As opposed to doing lengthy recaps of shows I'm watching, I'm going to do short thoughts about each show at the end of the week (either on Friday or Saturday). Cause I'm sure you want to know what I think!

Amazing Race: The Redheads are unbelievable. If the car crash situation had been reversed, she would have been absolute witch. If some foreigner hit her car and couldn't communicate with her and just kept trying to shove money in her face, she would probably tried to have him arrested for being an illegal immigrant. I can totally see the guy being interviewed with subtitles: "She keeps saying this F-word over and over. Is that the English word for police?" And while I liked Mike and Mel, you knew they weren't going to make it much longer. I loved the Cowboys the first time around but they are sloppy this season. I'm pulling for Zev and Justin and the Globetrotters. The rest are just ehhhh.

Pretty Little Liars: I think the finale is in two weeks. Ahh. I still obsessed even though this show is completely not following the books AT ALL. Loving the Spencer and Toby matchup and praying it isn't because Toby has ulterior motives. Also loved the Hanna/Caleb pairing and hope that comes back. I don't understand why the writers want me to root for the Aria/Ezra teacher/student affair. It's icky. And same goes for the Paige/Emily deal when Paige tried to drown (read: KILL!) Emily like three episodes ago. I honestly have no idea who "A" is but think that it still might be the same as in the book. Won't ruin that for any of you.

Glee: I am clearly in the minority (from what I've read) but I did not like this episode. I just don't buy the Santana thing. She went from being a skank to being in love with her best friend? I... just... don't know. I've heard rumblings that she is sleeping with some bigwig on the show and that is why her scenes and storyline are getting amped up and I am starting to think that might be true (come on. She went from a glorified backup dancer to one of the principal characters and singers. Something ain't right). She is getting more solos than Rachel at this point (and say what you will about Lea Michele but the girl can belt it out). Poor Tina and Mercedes. They got passed over and never even had a chance. But I did ADORE Blaine singing Neon Trees' "Animal" and for the love of all that is good, Darren Criss does NOT need to be autotuned. So stop. Okaythanksbye.

Survivor: Best. Episode. EVER. Russell finally faced the music and he is OUT of there! Second person to go of the season! Ah! That duel was nerve wracking and awesome. I almost felt bad when the little hobbit started to cry. Almost. And Rob finding the idol was awesome, I'm just a little worried he is drifting a little to far to the shady side. And while Rob doesn't really need the money, I'm pulling for him to win it all since he was cheated by a bitter jury (see: Lex and Tom) in the first All Stars season. But other than Rob, I'm liking Grant (his right-hand man which surely means he will be the first throat Rob slits) and Mike and Steven on the purple tribe. I like Sarita too or whatever her name is for the girls. And Phillip is surpassing Coach in the crazy factor. The season has made up for the snoozefest that was last season (Sorry Fabio) is three episodes. Score.

American Idol: I've already shared my thoughts on the performance episode. Still LOVING Casey (like I might be listening to his single as I type this. And I might sing it at the top of my lungs in my car...when the windows are down... and not care who can hear me). And I was on the money with Ashton's elimination. And 2/3 for bottom three ain't bad. Go me! I think Karen is out next week.

And I think that is all. A lot of shows were repeats this week: Gossip Girl, Modern Family, The Office, and The Vampire Diaries. And no I'm not embarrassed at the amount of tv I watch.

"I get by with a little help from my friends"

Okay, I'm trying to get back into this. I know, like you haven't heard that one before. But I'm trying, okay?

So I got sucked into American Idol. Honestly, I was a(n avid) viewer until college and I missed the Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks wins. But then I got a little sucked back in towards the end of the David vs David season and then Kris Allen captured my heart (and Adam Lambert earned my hatred. I already sees this season's finale being a Casey vs James showdown a la Kris vs Adam). Last season was BORING and with Simon's exit, I honestly thought the show wouldn't make it past this season.

But now several episodes in, dare I say, I like it more than previous seasons? I'm actually really liking Steven Tyler and JLo. Who would've thunk? I can't decide if the whole JLo is a diva thing is true because she seems SO nice. Maybe it is all for show but hey, I like it. And Steven won me over with how he treated Chris Medina's girlfriend during the audition round. I sobbed. I mean SOBBED (I was embarrassed). It was so touching. And it forever made my Rewind Moments List (more on that in a later post).

So now we are down to the Top 13. Here is my take on each in reflection of last night:

1. Lauren. What a snoozefest. Considering that is such a high energy song (or at least it was when I rocked out to it in front of my mirror with my hairbrush in the fourth grade), both she and the audience seemed bored the entire time. And I swear when Steven criticized her, she made this look like, Okay, audience you can start booing now...now? How about now? And she was shocked everyone wasn't immediately jumping to her defense. I like her but she failed last night.

2. Casey. I. LOVE. HIM. He is my favorite. He has such a great personality and I like how he sings. Sure he may be overindulgent but at least he is having fun up there and has the charisma to back it up. He was AMAZING last night. And bonus points because he is totally the lovechild of my friends Alec and Drew.

3. Ashthon. I think she is going home tonight unless she is the Vote for the Worst choice. She bombed and I haven't really liked her all along. And add that to the fact, I feel like anyone could sneak up on her because there is no way she would see them coming with that hair encompassing her like a cloud.

4. Paul. LOVE. HIM. His dancing needs work and let's hope he never has seizures on stage because no one will know to help him. And how no one has pointed out how he is the spitting image of Bradley Cooper, I don't understand. But he is the one that I can already hear on the radio. And I like how he is always happy and having a good time. I like him (Sidenote: How does JLo not know who Ryan Adams is? Fail)

5. Pia. She is definitely my favorite girl. Her song last week (I'll Stand by You) was amazing and the girl can belt it out and hold a note but what else can she sing besides ballads? Nonetheless, I definitely want to see more from her.

6. James. I...actually... it pains me to say (write?) this...like him. Even if I have PTSD flashbacks of Adam Lambert every time he squeals (seriously. I could NOT stand him. I voted for Kris Allen an embarrassing number of times just to stop Adam from winning). But I can't help but feel he is going to become a huge douchebag with all the fame going to his head. But the boy can sing/scream. Now if he would just lose the earring and haircut, I think I'd like him more. And thank goodness he got rid of the rooster/peacock tail. Improvement!

7. Haley. Snoozefest. I don't understand 95% of the words she sings. I loved "Blue" by LeAnne Rimes (even if my dad said it sounded like she sat on a thumbtack) and I have no idea what she was saying. She is in the middle for me but if you made me pick hate or love, I hate.

8. Jacob. I like him. Aside from the fact that I cannot figure out if he is gay or not, I like his jovial attitude. And he can sing. I'd like to see him do something other than the gospel/ choir deal but he can stick around a few more rounds.

9. Thia. I didn't care for the second half of "Smile" and barely tolerated the first. I know the producers are shoving a teenage winner down our throats this year but I predict bottom three for this one unless she goes to a mega(megia. pun!)-high school and all her friends are voting for her.

10. Stefano. I thought he did alright. He seems like a nice guy and does well when he gets in his groove but sometimes he has a hard time getting there. Considering America didn't vote for him the first time and he was a wild card, it will be interesting to see where he falls tonight.

11. Karen. I think she is adorable. However, I do not think she can sing. I knew she was going to sing Selena and that's great she has an idol, I just wanted to see something else (like A Bidi Bidi Bom Bom haha just kidding) from her. She might be going home tonight.

12. Scotty. UGH. I can't stand this kid. Besides the fact that I think he has spray on hair (admit it; something funky happened between Vegas and Hollywood. It looks like John Travolta's) I am SO OVER his schtick. I think he is going to be successful in the country world but he's another one I think is getting a big head. He also needs to get over his crooked stance singing. UGH. He just bothers me. I also think he reminds me of a guy I hated at UGA but I actually can't figure out who it is. But I see the skeeze oozing out of him. Now I'm sure he will make it to the top five. And for the love, lose the visor!

13. Naima. I will give the girl credit for dancing. She had some moves and it was entertaining. Sure she missed some notes but let's face it, so does Rihanna when she's not being autotuned (burn). But I hope she sticks around a little bit longer. And that she changes her lopsided hairstyle.

My prediction:

Bottom Three: Karen. Ashthon, and Naima/Thia

Going home: Ashthon

My top three: Casey, Paul, and James.

Pick to win it all: Casey!

ETA: I just downloaded Casey, Paul, and James's singles. Between this and Glee, I might as well just directly deposit my paycheck into iTunes.

"Sometimes it hits like a car crash/ And it's too late to reverse"

Sometimes I really stress out about the things I have to teach my kids every month. For example, teaching them how to call 911 was one of the more stressful days. I was convinced every parents was going to tell me the next day that the police came to their house because Sally and Bobby were practicing calling 911 cause Ms Annie taught them how. Luckily, that didn't happen. But how exactly do you explain to a kid why they might need to call 911? Well sweetie, you might have to call 911 if mommy or daddy is ever unconscious. I don't want to scar these kids for life. Luckily my mom helped me come up with the example of if their mom/dad fell off a ladder and couldn't get to the phone cause they hurt their leg.

And it's funny cause I try to avoid the overall topic of death because I don't want to have nine hysterical children but one of their favorite games to play is pretending someone is dead.

The thing that I worry about is teaching them stuff as a precaution that they shouldn't be worried about in the first place. Don't play with matches. They don't even know what matches are. My worry is when I explain the wooden stick that lights up that they are going to go home and seek them out and then try to make that happen cause it sounds cool. I also didn't want to explain about poison prevention so I just told them to stay out from under the sink in the kitchen and bathroom. All encompassing.

Little did I know the one lesson I was going to hammer home a little too hard was about brushing our teeth and eating healthy foods. We covered all the basics, foods that are good for you, how you should sing Happy Birthday to yourself as you brush , etc. I made the mistake of mentioning that fruit snacks aren't really good for your teeth because even though it does have the word "fruit" in it, they stick to your teeth and might make you get little holes in them (cavities). Well when lunchtime rolled around approximately 4 of my 9 children had horror-stricken faces when they opened their Spiderman and Tinkerbelle lunch boxes and saw they had * gasp * fruit snacks. Oh no! cried one child as he held it away from himself like a dead mouse. So then I had to explain it is okay to have them as a special treat every once in while. Pretty sure he packed them up and took them home unwilling to run the risk. Whoops.

Also a fun story: One of the little girls came out of the bathroom and told me there was pee on the floor. I expected a little trickle on the seat or floor because these kids freak out if one of them forgets to flush. Well I walked into the Yellow River. Literally. It was EVERYWHERE. I asked the ones that I remembered going recently. Then my eyes fell on the Guilty One. He wouldn't explain what happened so I took him out in the hallway under the promise that "I won't get mad".

Me: So what happened? (Never provide them with the potential excuse in your question such as were you sick, was it an accident)

Him: I wanted to see if I could go pee in the dark.

Needless to say I was not happy especially after the 40 paper towels it took to clean it up and the healthy dosing of cleaner the bathroom got. Oh my glorious job and life. Seriously any day I avoid the three Ps: puke, poop, and pee, I am a happy camper.