New York On My Mind.....

So, I'm pretty much checked out. We leave for NYC in a week and I'm pretty sure that mentally I left about 4 days ago. Seriously. I scheduled a massage and a facial for myself for this Saturday. As if I'm on vacation already. I haven't done laundry since last Monday. Because I'm on vacation already. I NEED THIS TRIP. I'm stressing about clothing since it is likely to be cold and rainy while we were there. However, I'm not going to walk around NYC in a North Face jacket and tennis shoes everyday. When you're in New York, you need to feel chic and trendy. Perhaps this Saturday I will go on a shopping spree and spend all of my gift cards. Does Home Depot have cute things for New York? In all honesty, I have a ton to do this week. We have crazy stuff going on at work, crazy stuff going on in Kids' Choir, and as stated previously, no laundry = no clothes to wear. I need to get my rear in gear and be productive. But not right now. I'm going to spend the next hour staring at pictures of the hotel we are staying in.

And Now For Something Happier

Okay, I can't stand to leave a depressing post up on the blog too long. It just makes me sad. When I was trying to think of what to write about, I remembered that blog reader Marie sent me a facebook message reminding me that I haven't discussed my Idol predictions for this season! Marie, your wish is my command! :)

I'd like to start by saying that this is a VERY talented group. This season has been really enjoyable to watch because there is so much talent and I am LOVING the judges. They say helpful things, not hurtful things. Let's just get right into it:

Pia Toscano - The One With the Voice

Pia is beautiful, poised, and the girl can sing a song. She is the ultimate power-ballad singer. I'm pretty sure she is going to sing her way to the top if she sticks with Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. When she belts out those high notes, it sounds so effortless. I'm impressed.

Lauren Alaina - The Talented Little Spitfire

I'm not gonna lie, I like Lauren. She has a great voice and a ton of personality. I'm not sure that she'll win, but I think she'll have a career. She is still very young and has some maturing to do, but the voice speaks (sings) for itself. She's good. Really really good.


Thia Megia- The One Who Should've Been A Disney Princess

Okay... THIA IS SEVEN KINDS OF ADORABLE. She is so elegant and poised and I can totally see her on Broadway in a few years. I can also see her with her own show on the Disney channel... and that's not to say that she isn't a contender. She is. She is consistent and powerful and pretty and seems to take direction well. I see a bright future for this sweet girl.

Stefano Langone - The Dark Horse Ladies and gentlemen, this boy blew me away. When he was "singing for his life" a few weeks back and sang "I Need You Lord".... JEN THE NEWLYWED WAS IMPRESSED. I came really close to giving him a standing ovation from my living room but I stopped because I was comfortable and didn't want to come out from under my blanket and get cold. The thing is, the kid has a fantastic set of pipes. When he sings, you can tell that he is doing what he was born to do. He SOARS and I feel like America is just starting to see just how good he is. I would not be surprised if he is in the Top 5.


Scotty McCreery - The One Who Sings Out of the Corner Of His Mouth And Leans to One Side

Take a good look at this photo. This is how Scotty sings every song that he sings. He leans to his right, holds the mic with his right hand (awkwardly) and sings out of the right corner of his mouth. Look, I know he has a low range and that's all well and good, BUT MR. SCOTTY MCCREERY MAKES ME CRAZY. He is clearly a Josh Turner fan and wants to be just like him. But we already have the real Josh Turner and he is fantastic. And really, really, really attractive. I think Scotty is a good singer but he annoys me. Sorry, had to say it. Maybe if he made everything a bit more symmetrical and gave his left side some time I would calm down a bit. Otherwise, I'm ready for him to go.

Paul McDonald - The One Who Needs To Have His Guitar With Him At All Times

If he doesn't have his guitar with him, he hops around on one leg and looks like a weirdo. This happens alot with guys that are used to having a guitar when they perform.... they don't know what to do without it. He is soooo unique and very radio-friendly. He's more of a singer-songwriter and I don't think Idol is his best platform.... but I think it'll get his name out there enough for him to get his own record deal. I like him, he's fun.

Naima Adepado - The One Who Has Dance Solos

In all of my American-Idol-Watching years, I've never seen a contestant who breaks out into all out dance solos. I'm not talking about a step-touch, step-touch, snap your fingers, bend your knees kinda dancing. I'm talking about 20 seconds of jumping, spinning, leg-kicking madness. It's bizarre. She will not win. Her voice isn't that good and she just has too much going on.

James Durbin - The One Who I Think is a Bit Overrated

I think James has a good voice, I've just never been falling off the couch in amazement. He should be the lead singer of a band.... he definitely has alot of power, but I'm never that impressed with his musicality. He won't win.

Jacob Lusk - The One Who Needs to Calm Down

Up until last night, I was irritated with Jacob. I was irritated because I think he is SO GOOD but he always over-did every song he sang and it ruined it. Finally, last night, he sang a song and just sang it straight (without all his crazy antics) and I LOVED IT. If he keeps it a bit smoother, he'll go far. He's got a God-given gift.

Haley Reinhart- The One Who is a Bit Under-Rated

I think Haley is really, really, really talented. Her voice is unique and she has complete control. She would be a fantastic recording artist and I think they've been a little tough on her. I've been really impressed, personally, and think that she is one of the better voices on the show. She doesn't have enough buzz around her, so I don't think she'll win, but I think the judges need to ease up on her a bit. She does really difficult things in her performances and makes them look easy. That is hard to do.

Casey Abrams - The One Who Is a Legitimate Musician
It's been awhile since we've had an honest-to-goodness MUSICIAN on American Idol. This boy is amazing. He plays several instruments and plays them well. He first got my full attention during the Hollywood round where he played an up-right bass. He doesn't really belong on Idol, but I think he is amazing. He COULD win...... Top 5 for sure.


Lauren, Casey, Stefano, Pia, and Thia will go far. Those are my predictions :)

So what do you think? Who are your favorites? And when will Scotty lean to the left?

Sunshine

I'm having an off week.

I'm all anxious and sad and flustered.

There is alot going on right now, especially at work, and I'm very stressed and overwhelmed and full of conflicting emotions.

I've been meaning to come blog but everytime I sit down to write, I feel like I am going to word-vomit on you people and you'll walk away feeling depressed.

I am full of joy and sunshine today, as you can tell.

I don't like to bring my sad stuff to the blog. I'd like to think that you people come here to get happy.... I'm pretty sure no one wants to come read a whole blog post of whining and complaining.

Things are just in an unsettled place right now.

And I really hate feeling unsettled.

Last night I spent a considerable amount of time laying on the couch under my mega-comfy brown blanket while watching "One Born Every Minute" on Lifetime. (Watching shows on Lifetime for hours on end is a good indication that Jen the Newlywed is STRESSED THE HECK OUT)

On a side note, sometimes watching "One Born Every Minute" makes me want to have a baby soon and sometimes it makes me want to have a baby NEVER. I've learned somethings about childbirth that I never knew before and let's just say that I'm known to holler out "WHAT IN SAM HILL IS GOING ON?!? Oh, HECK NO!" while watching the show.

Back to my point: I am melancholy and listening to Enya.

On a positive note, all these frowny feelings have brought me to my knees this week and I have had some wonderful time in prayer. God hasn't really given me any guidance/answers yet... but one thing He has made very clear to me is that I need to continue to involve Him in these decisions and emotions that I'm feeling.... Prayers are appreciated :)

Hi, My Name is Jen, and I Don't Know How to Sew

Oh, friends. Friends, friends, friends.

The tenth commandment says that we are not to covet. In other words, don't be jealous. As the teenagers say it, "DON'T BE JELLY!"

Hi, I'm Jen the Newlywed, and I feel old. I just started a sentence with "As the teenagers say it...". Wow, I might as well start calling them whippersnappers. Those crazy kids! Hooligans!

Back to my point (I have one, I promise) and my point is this:

I AM JEALOUS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CRAFTY.

If you've been a resident of blog world for any period of time, then you know what I'm talking about. These people seem like they can do it all.

I need lessons. I need help. I need a mentor.

I need to be able to start a craft project without having the mindset of "I bet I can get this done in 3 minutes or less". I am Speedy Gonzales when it comes to crafts and they are MESSY. I am creative and artsy..... but more in the musical sense.

I can sing you a song like no one's business. I can sing with Celine-Dion-style hand movements and fist pumps. Especially when I sing "Circle of Life" from the Lion King. THAT IS CREATIVITY LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN IT.

But if you ask me to scrapbook, I will scotch tape 2 photos onto a blue piece of paper and call it a day.

My question is this...

If you are like me and are NOT crafty, do you also feel jelly of the people that are?

If you are the opposite of me and you ARE crafty, how do you do it all? And were you born this way? And also, will you teach me to sew? Even just sewing a button on a shirt?

Cause Grant always wants me to sew some buttons and I'm always like "yeah, that would be neat if I knew how to do that".

Random Random Random

Here are a few random things thrown together for you today, since Jen the Newlywed cannot even begin to form a post that flows together in any way or has any kind of meaning.

** I recently bought a white denim jacket from Ann Taylor Loft. I'm pretty sure I will be wearing it atleast 5 times a week. It is now my spring and summer staple for work and church.

** Ann Taylor Loft should dedicate a wing of their corporate offices to me. They could call it "The Jen Wing". In the last 7 years, I would say that 95% of my clothing purchases have come from there. Honestly, they should start giving me clothes. That is all there is to it.

** I have a friend who is a photographer. She photographs weddings. Sometimes she sees funny things and takes a picture of it. And then she sends it to me. I got this little treasure on Monday.

** Brad chose Emily. I'm thrilled about this. Honestly, in the After the Final Rose taping, I felt like they were the most real couple I've ever seen on the Bachelor. I'm not saying they're going to get married, but I do think that they actually are trying and are going through real-life relationship things and they aren't being naive and acting like they will never ever have a problem (Jake & Vienna) and I think Brad is genuinely and sincerely in love with her.

** I spend alot of time analyzing The Bachelor. Don't judge me.

** I feel like I may not watch the new Bachelorette because I never really liked the dentist girl that they have chosen.

** You people really came through for me with the New York restaurants. Laura sent me an entire email with the motherload. She had it broken down my genre of restaurant and price range.

** I LOVE MY BLOG PEOPLE.

** Let's get something clear, here, folks. I often get comments that say "You don't know me, I'm a blog stalker". THERE ARE NO STALKERS HERE AT JEN THE NEWLYWED. I am writing a blog for the whole world wide web to see and I welcome all readers! I also "blog stalk" and can empathize with the joy of reading blogs of people you don't know. So, please, come forward, blog stalkers. Show yourselves. If you're reading this, say hi! I'm glad to know that I'm not only writing this for my mom and sisters!

** On another note, I'm wearing some pants today that I got from TJ Maxx for $14.00. they are preciousness and that fact that I got them for $14.00 makes them even cuter.

**That new song by Train called "Marry Me" is a new fave. I'm sure in 3 years after everyone plays it on their wedding slideshow I'll start to get tired of it.

** I watched a show last night about mail-order brides. Absolutely fascinating. And a tiny bit creepy.

** On Sunday, I sang on mic in the "traditional" service. Afterwards, my friend Jennifer sent me an email telling me that "you were rockin' that choir robe and black pumps!". I love girlfriends who make you feel better about yourself when you feel mega dorky.

** I pretty much always feel mega dorky.

** And that's pretty much all I have to say today.

More About New York

So, why New York?

Grant and I have been married for over 4 years.

We took a honeymoon to Puerto Rico.

We spent one evening in Biloxi, Mississippi in 2007.

In 2008, we spent one evening in San Antonio.

In 2010, we spent two evenings in Bastrop, Texas.

.....and that's it.

We have been on other trips, but every trip we have taken has been with family.

It's been way too long since we've had a nice, long, vacation... just the two of us. We'll be there 4 nights and 5 days.

We chose New York because:

1. Grant has never been there

2. There is a ton to do

3. There is a ton to eat

4. BROADWAY

5. Shopping

6. Again, food.

7. We found some cheap tickets

8. We don't have to rent a car

WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW EXCITED I AM. All I ever do lately is plan for New York.

So, people, if you have been to New York, where is your favorite place to eat? Give me some good ideas! I have been to New York several times but it has been almost ten years since I've been.

Please, share :)

Start Spreadin' the News....

** TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY IN APRIL **

Tickets are booked!

Hotel is booked!

Just ME and MY HUSBAND!

I AM SO EXCITED I COULD POP!

The Dining Room

My dining room is plain and white.

And I'm feeling like I need to do something in there.

Because I'm not a plain, white person.

Well, that's not true... I am a white person. So very, very, white. Almost translucent, really. But that's neither here nor there.

It all started a few months back when I was flipping through a Pottery Barn catalog and had a reaction to a paint color that I've never had before. I LOVE THIS BLUE. I don't know why but I just love it. It feels cozy and relaxing and I just love it.

I did an embarassing amount of research and learned that this blue is called Newburyport Blue and it is by Benjamin Moore. I must have it. I'm imagining my blue walls with framed family photos covering the walls.

Then I saw these copper trays in a Southern Living catalog and I went ahead and bought them because I thought they would look so pretty hanging on my blue wall...

As for the chairs, I think I might recover them in something similar to what is seen here below? Not exactly that but that's kinda the feel I'm going for...


What do y'all think?