Meatloaf knows, I won't do that

I am the top post at Mile High Mamas today. It's all about where this mom draws the line with her kids.

When I gave birth to my three children, I went from a being free-wheeling, fun-loving, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-capris kind of gal, who could hop in a car and go at a moment’s notice to a diaper bag-hauling, over-protective, sleep deprived, germaphobe with a Super Woman complex. Sound dramatic? Sound familiar? Click here to read more.

I've learned my lesson...

...and the lesson is... crow tastes like chicken.

I will never bet my blog on anything ever again, until the next season of American Idol. I won't be deceived twice or thrice.

There are some happenings around the blogosphere.

This one is having a birthday!

This one is going through quite a change.

This one was the victim of a crime and is daring enough to post her weight.

This one, 28 years ago, had hair to envy! Don't worry, girl. What goes around comes around and when that style comes back, we are gonna be ready with our hot rollers!

Don't bet on a Mormon

Mitt Romney, Marie Osmond, and now "Archie," have all let me down. I should have known better than to bet my blog that he would win, especially since, being a Mormon myself, gambling is against the tenets of my religion.

I think what hurts the most is that I wrong. Read it again. I was wrong. I'm never wrong when it comes to A.I, except this time. I pride myself on being able to predict who will stay and who will go home. The producers set us up for an upset and I fell for it. I'm humiliated.

That's where I have been for the past few days, wallowing in my own humiliation. I could care less which David won, I just wanted to be right.

Thanks for all the nice comments. It's nice to know that if I actually had the guts to pull the plug, I would be missed. So, all of you who bet I would be back, you are right!

This is one Mormon you can bet on.

The End

Anniethology on Idol: The Final Idol Whooz ur daddy?!

David "Babyface" Archuleta
"Monchichi"

Someone give that kid a barf bag. I felt sorry for him, he looked like he was about to pass out. David Archuleta is going to win. I'll bet my blog on it. If he loses I will shut down Anniethology for good. There ya have it! I'm laying myself down on the line for this prediction, although I think I'm pretty safe.

My new home in "Home and Garden"

My first article for the Home and Garden section debuted in the Saturday edition of the local paper this weekend. My picture was even on the front page with the title, "Annie Payne is back!" Click here to have a read.

Above is the picture that was printed along with my article. I must say, I was having a fabulous hair day! Secret Agent Man took about 20 pictures of me before I finally decided on this one. I kept opening and closing blinds, moving the plant, raising and lowering my chin. My editor offered to have the newspaper's photographer come out and take my picture, but honestly I really don't think they would like all the fluffing and fussing I do to get it just right.

#1 on My Summer Book List

It's nice to be able to read strictly for enjoyment, again. My love for Bollywood as filtered into my choices of literature.

The Sari Shop by Rupa Bajwa

This picture could be a scene from the first few pages of the book.

I don't know what I am going to read next. I am willing to take suggestions. What are you going to read this summer?

An Anniethology Ode to Trains.

Japanese Train Loaders.

Didn't their moms teach them to wait their turn?


Indian Train.

"Woot! We're on a train!"


Train Wreck

...wait for it.


Another kind of train wreck...

Click here

Anniethology on Idol: The Final 3

I shouldn't be here. I should be studying for finals. I'm gonna keep this short.

It's obvious to me who the American Idol producers want to win. They put their money into David Cook! I think, that they think, in order to keep American Idol relevant, David Cook needs to win this whole thing. Another "cute kid," like Jordan Sparks, can't win again or they will lose credibility.

David A. So cute, he is hard to criticize, but I saw something on Oprah yesterday that made it all clear for me. Oprah had on "the worlds smartest, most talented kids." She had on a young Philipino girl who could belt out Whitney Houston songs. Although she did an amazing job mimmicking the sound, it lacked the soul, feeling, magic, and life experience Whitney brings to her music. This girl was just a really good parrot.

Don't throw tomatoes, but I feel that at this point David A. is in parrot mode. When he is older, falls in love, get's his heart broken, pays for his own toilet paper, deals with fame, he will become an artist, not just a good singer. The long and short of it... he needs to mature.

Syesha does not want to be the American Idol. Tonight, she tried out for a Broadway show. That is why she picked the song she did. She doesn't want to be a singer, she wants to be an actress.

We should all give her the chance to do that.

My Mudders Day Gift

The Schwin Windwood, for the mom-on-the-go. Rad rubber boots and protective helmet sold seperately. Thanks Secret Agent Man. Thanks kids. Thanks Mr. Bush. I can't wait to add some way cool decals!

Dubya luv ya!

What are you doing with your "Dubya Luv Ya" money, a.k.a your economic stimulus check? Are you stimulating the economy with it? Are you stashing it away? Perhaps you are buying up rice with it? Check back later and I'll show you what we did with ours.

Anniethology on Idol: An "Anniemation"

More Hawaii pics

King Kamehameha and his golden loin cloth. Must be great to be king!

No matter where you go in the world, you can always find a Vietnamese lady to give you a pedi.

Dole Plantation Pineapple Train

Look! Pineapples!

L.D.S Chapel in Honolulu




Mini Me enjoying the Hawaii Mixed CD Wendy gave me.

Annie's Celebrity Shake Down

I've been told more than a half dozen times that I remind people of the princess from Enchanted. Big hair, check. Pointy nose, check. Sings while cleaning, check!

Don't try to dress him up and make him something he's not. I don't want to see Jim with Mandy
Moore. I don't want to see him play football with George Clooney. I just want Jim to be Jim, be Pam's fiancee, look at the camera and shrug his shoulders. That's it. That's all. No more. Just let Jim be Jim.

If Mariah would just read my e-mails, she would know that I don't think marrying Nick Cannon was a good idea. Girlfriend, I'll be here for ya when it all falls apart. That's what BFF's are for.

"Up your nose with a rubber hose."

Jason Castro's Vinnie Barbarino-esque charm has saved him, again. Although I am a fan, I am surprised that he wasn't even in the Bottom Two this week.

And just like that, it's over.

I couldn't have asked for anything more out of my vacation. Having a Secret Agent Man for a husband really paid off on the trip home.

Our suitcase weighed 15 pounds heavier on return than it did on arrival. Can anyone say "chocolate-covered macadamias?" The airline rep told us that it would cost an extra $80.00 to check the suitcase. S.A.M nicely agreed, I don't think they were asking permission. When the rep tried to apply the charge, the computer wouldn't take it, because the computer knew something she didn't, she asked, "Mr. Secret Agent Man, are you a Gold Medallion?"

He replied, "Why, yes I am."

The rep, "I am sorry, Mr. Secret Agent Man, Gold Medallions don't have to have to pay extra for over-weight bags."

Me, in my head, "I should say not!! Who are you calling an over-weight bag, you snipe?!"

Minutes later when we arrived at Security there was a long line.

Me, in my head again, " Sigh. I hate waiting."

S.A.M then pointed out that there was an express lane through Security for "The Golds." Hooray! I wonder if heaven is like this?

When we arrived at our gate we were called up to the desk, "Mr. and Mrs. Secret Agent Man, we are trying to accomodate some extra passengers. Would you mind if we moved you up to First Class?"

In my head, "Woot! Woot! Righteous livin'! Oh yeah!"

S.A.M said, "That will be fine."


(more pics later, the usb cord ain't a workin')

Guess who I ran Into in Hawaii?

Another one of my "imaginary blog friends" verified as real! Wendy of "Wendy's Tiki Hut!" She is cute, shorter than me, we took off our shoes and measured, and has super sweet kids!

The temple in Oahu

Short video from the Polynesian Cultural Center. My, oh my, those kids are talented!

We spent Thursday beach hopping. I'll spare you my swimsuit pics, but here is one of "Vanilla" on the North Shore.

Today, we will visit Pearl Harbor and the Dole Pineapple Plantation.

Morning walk on Waikiki and hike up Diamond Head

View from the top of Diamond Head.

Near the top of Diamond Head: full hair

At the top: flatter hair

Secret Agent Man

Film crew on the beach, could they be from Lost? Hooray for new episodes!

That is Diamond Head behind me.

Sorry about the short descriptions. I don't like typing on the laptop.

"Annie has landed on the island."

I am still on MOUNTAIN standard time. That's 3:56 a.m.

We arrived in the late afternoon yesterday. Our home for the next few days is the 18th floor of the Embassy Suites.

I know what you are thinking. (see the blog description) "She must like that shirt, she wears it all the time." What can I say? A crisp white shirt is appropriate for many occasions.

The bathroom is nice. I've made myself at home already, notice the two curling irons.

I have nothing amazing to report yet. After dinner, we went back to the hotel,watched American Idol, and fell asleep. Yep! I am in paradise and I still take time to watch Idol. Poor Brooke, I don't think "Mormon vote" is powerful enough to save her this week.

Right after Idol, 8pm Oahu time, we fell asleep.

On the agenda today is a sunrise walk on Waikiki Beach and a hike at Diamond Head!

More pics later!

Hula skirt? Check! Coconut Bra? Check-check!

I leave in exactly 5 hours for my Hawaiian vacation with Secret Agent Man. You won't have to miss me because I am bringing you along! I know that's what makes me so nice. I will be posting travel logs and plenty of pictures. You may even see another blogger we know and love!
See you in a few hours!

While you are waiting for pics of my island getaway, check out my never-been-seen-before post at Mile High Mamas about volunteering!

It's finally happened...

...Clay Aiken is prettier than me!

Anniethology on Idol: "Idol, whooz ur daddy?" & Thanks "Mrs. Know-It"

The guys tonight blew me away. So much so that I am going to confess something right here, right now. The big confession is...

I can't remember the last time I voted. Maybe during the Carrie Underwood season... maybe. I know! Right?! Shocking! I am an American Idol maniac. But, I voted tonight. Boy, oh boy did I vote tonight! I voted over and over and over again for Jason Castro because "I don't want to see him cry."


I'm also impressed enough with David Cook to give him a new DNA match up.

David has graduated from Fraggle Rock to Kevin Bacon!

In other totally unrelated news...

I have a secret weapon in my arsenal of homemaking happiness. I have "Mrs. Know-it." Mrs. Know-It taught me how to replant my potted Peace Lily.

I was so excited, I repotted my Easter Lilies, too. I hope they bloom again. They smell so fragrant.

Mrs. Know-It doesn't like to be a called a "know-it-all" but, she has yet to let me down when I had a question.

Don't worry if you don't have your own "Mrs. Know-It," click here to borrow mine!

Just another one of my mad mom skillz

Third Grade Projects!

A Nile Crocodile made of packing peanuts.

Fighting King Cobras made of paper towel rolls.

How much of the project was completed by me and how much of it was completed by my boys, I'll never tell!

It may be déjà vu to you...

...but show me some "comment love" over at Mile High Mamas anyway.

You may have already heard that Cutie is engaged. Clickety to congratulate her and see her ring!

"I was never happier than the day I married Farmer Brown."

Cutie, may I suggest a vegetable theme for your bridal bouquet? Think about it and get back to me. (The vegetable bridal bouquet can be found at Tai Pan Trading Home Decor.)

Carronin and I had a great weekend in SLC with Elizabeth W and B. They are wonderful ladies with a fantastic sense of humor.

B. rocks at Rock Band and lives in a beautiful home on some amazing property. She is like the queen of world over there in the U.C.

E.dub is so cute you just want to put her box and tie a ribbon around her. She shares my love for all things Indian and swims like a fish!

We ate some great food, laughed a lot and shopped, of course.

I know you may be wondering, "Hey, where's is this week's post about American Idol?"

I know. I know. I tell ya, Inspirational Song week left me really uninspired. I wasn't jazzed about any of their performances. If you put a gun to my head and told me to pick a favorite, I'd close my eyes and pray for a blank.