Wednesday, March 23, 2011

American Idol Pool: Tonight will be the Top 11 competition. 8/7c Fox

Pool members, we are one week away from the deadline to sign up for the American Idol Pool. Your friends are invited to play so forward them this info or the blog spot address . Remember the deadline is Wed. March 30 before the show starts to register to play. For full instructions see the American Idol Pool Template posted on March 21. Start your own pool!

Here is the short version of how it works:
Step 1. Put $5 and your pick (after tonight's show) of whom you think the next idol will be. Give your envelope to Melissa before Wed. March 30. This will not be revealed until after the final results show in about 10 weeks. If you guess correctly you will be rewarded 50 points. This is worth so much because you picked the winner out of 10. That means you can come from behind to win and take all the $$ on the very last day.
Make sure to include your name, email address, cell phone number and the alias you would like to use on the out side of the envelope. I will use your alias to post results right here.
Step 2. Wed March 30 Watch American Idol Top Ten show.
Step 3. Come here to www.askusha.blogspot.com vote on who you think should be voted off. Deadline to vote each week is the start of American Idol Results show which is aired on the following night after the competition. If your pick matches the person that is actually voted off by America, you will score points.
Step 4. For the remainder of the season you will watch American Idol each Wednesdays at 8/7c Fox and Vote here on each Thurs.
Step 5. Look for your results and point totals posted here after each results show and after the finale.

Tune in after Thursday's results show to see who the top ten finalists are.

Below are the Top 11 going into the competition tonight.

11 Contestants Left


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Baseball Problem Solved #1: Afraid of the Ball? Not any more!

We are two games into the Little League baseball season and already as parents we are frustrated. If only we could get in there and play ourselves... after we finish our kids homework for them of course! Ha! We want out kids to be successful at catching, pitching, fielding oh oh and to have fun too. Gavin is 7 now and is in his first year of Coach/Kid Pitch Baseball. He loves the game so far but...

PROBLEM: He is AFRAID OF THE BALL. When he is at bat, he steps back from the plate to avoid getting hit even if the ball isn't close. When he fields the ball, he holds his glove arms length to catch the ball with his head cocked to the side and his eyes squinted.
SOLUTION: My husband was talking to one of his friends, Steve who suggested that Gavin put a hockey mask and then let him practice catching. The idea is to allow Gavin to feel safe while he is learning to catch a hard baseball. Even if he gets popped in the face, it won't hurt because the hockey mask will protect him. This method allows a beginning players to build enough confidence while gaining successful experience catching the ball safely. Eventually they have so much success catching that they don't need the mask any more. Steve, you are a GENIUS!!!!!! It worked like a charm and Gavin is now catching a baseball fearlessly! He is grinning from ear to ear and can't wait to get back out on the field.

Stay Tuned!! For the next 3 months, there will be little in the way of new recipes but a lot about Baseball and American Idol("The Pool") . Hope this tip helped you as much as it did us. See you at the ball park.

Monday, March 21, 2011

American Idol Top Ten Pool Starts In 9 Days

Get ready more information on the American Idol Top Ten Pool is coming. Follow our pool right here to see how it is done. If you have questions leave a message in the comment box below this post.

To my American Idol Pool Group: Our first deadline is fast approaching Wed. March 30th. Everyone must put $5 in an envelope and write down your name and who you think the 2011 American Idol will be but please do not do it until after this weeks show so you get to see the talent one more time and one more person will get voted off. Please give your envelope to Melissa. She will be holding them until I get back from Spring Break. Drop me an email or a text to let me know you have turned in your envelope so I can add you to the Players list below. Those who guess correctly are awarded 50 points. These are SECRET and will not be opened. They will be revealed right here on this blog just after the American Idol final results show airs. Plan on following along and come to http://www.askusha.blogspot.com weekly to vote for who you think will be VOTED OFF.

Pool Group Member Paid or Not Paid Idol Pick as of Mar. 30

Smedium I Wish

Paid

No Envelope Yet

Pool Mama

Paid

No Envelope Yet

Country Girl

Paid

No Envelope Yet



American Idol Pool Instruction Template

This template will give you an idea of how to run your American Idol Top Ten Pool. If you are interested in having some American Idol Fun with co-workers, friends, neighbors or family. This is a template you can use to run your own pool.

2011 American Idol Pool

Wednesdays & Thursdays 8/7c FOX

Deadline to enter is Wed. March 30, 2011

I believe if you find ways to make yourself happy at work, you will love your job!

So, as we begin this fun 9 week journey, let us remember that this is just another way to build bonds with your coworkers and to have a little fun! Keep in mind that we are at work to work and let’s not let this interfere with our daily duties at the Med. or any other work facility.

Rules: If you watch American Idol and think you would be a good judge, join the American Idol Pool. The entry fee is $5. After each results show starting with starting Thursday March 24, I will email you the list of remaining contestants (10 left after March 24th) and you must email me back after each of the next Top 10,9,8 etc show with your choice of who you think will be VOTED OFF. You must email me your pick by the beginning of the next nights results show.

If your guess is correct you will be awarded the corresponding points. The overall winner is the person who has accumulated the MOST POINTS after the Results Finale Show. This person wins all the pool money. In the event of a tie, money will be split evenly among the winners. Anyone (friends, family and co-workers) is aloud to play. You may enter as many times as you want but you must pay each time.

Instructions for Registration:

In an envelope, place the $5 (no checks please) cash entry fee. Cut out the below piece of paper with your choice of whom you thing the 2011 American Idol will be and include this in your envelope. Seal the envelope and do not disclose whom you have picked until the Finale Show. No guess, multiple guesses or missing entry fee results in immediate Disqualification.

Sealed Envelope Guess:

(Guess worth 50 points if correct)

Please do not reveal your sealed guess until after the finale.

My name is ______________I have enclosed my $5 entry fee. I have read and understand the rules to this game. ________________ (signature).

If you want to be listed under an alias on the blog enter your alias here_____________.

I think the 2011 American Idol Winner will be:

(circle one only)

Only do this after Thursday March 24th. Note: There will be one less contestant.

1. Lauren Alaina

2. Casey Abrams

3. Paul McDodonald

4. Pia Toscano

5. James Durbin

6. Haley Reinhart

7. Jacob Lusk

8. Thia Megia

9. Stefano Langone

10. Scotty McCreery

11. Naima Adedapo

On the outside of the envelope, staple the following:

Alias:____________________________________

Email Address: ____________________________

Cell Phone:_____________________

Do you text: Yes or No

Give to Melissa or myself Usha. You can also mail it to me or drop it by the house.

This is your completed registration. I will add you to the email list and you will get your first email after the Thursday Mar 24 results show. If you do not get an email by the weekend, please contact me by email usha2331@cox.net

Points are awarded as follows:

After Thrus. March 24, 10 contestants remain. I will send you an email the names of the top 10.

After watching the Top 10 show on Wed. March 30th , email me back your vote of who you think will get VOTED OFF! If correct you get 25 point.

NOTE: The deadline to respond is 7 PM the following day just before the results show airs. If you do not respond or respond too late you will get 0 points for that week.

This will continue Wednesday, May 26 (8:00-10:00 PM) when the Season Finale airs. Each week you are to email me with your choice of whom you think will be VOTED OFF!

If you guess correctly you will be awarded the corresponding points listed below.

Top 9 week Guess the person who is voted off: 25 points

Top 8 week Guess the person who is voted off: 20 points

Top 7 week Guess the person who is voted off: 20 points

Top 6 week Guess the person who is voted off: 15 points

Top 5 week Guess the person who is voted off: 15 points

Top 4 week Guess the person who is voted off: 10 points

Top 3 week Guess the person who is voted off: 10 points

American Idol Finale Guess the person who is voted off. 10 points.

The sealed Envelopes will be opened during American Idol Finale show. Correct guesses are awarded an additional 50 points.

I will post the point totals as we go and on the evening after the finale.

The person(s) with the highest total points at the end WINS THE MONEY!







Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Did You Know? by Sammy Martin #1 Achilles' Heel

D0 you know where the phrase "Achilles' heel" comes from?
In a Greek mythology Achilles, the greatest warrior of that time, had been dipped in the river Styx as a baby by his mother hoping to make him immortal. Achilles' heel was the only part that did not get dipped because his mother was holding him by his heel. Achilles was considered invincible. During the Trojan war, Achilles was shot in the heel by a poisonous arrow which killed him. So now we refer to a person's weak spot as their Achilles' heel.

By Sammy Martin

Recipe #28: Really Good Macaroni and Cheese

This is a standard easy mac and cheese recipe that is tasty. I want a recipe that is to die for so the next Macaroni and Cheese recipe will be "The best you have ever had!" Look for it soon on www.Askusha.blogspot.com or on www.AskedUsha.com.

2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs flour

1/4 tsp dry ground mustard
1 tsp salt
1 /2 tsp white pepper

2 cups whole milk or half and half (warmed)
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 lb elbow macaroni cooked and drained


Heat butter on medium heat add flour and whisk on med low heat for about 5 minutes (until a nutty aroma is produced) but do not let the mixture turn brown. If this happens throw it out and start over. Add mustard, salt and pepper and continue to whisk for another minute. Add 1/4 cup milk and whisk, continue adding and whisking milk until all of the milk is gone. Turn heat off and stir in the cheese until all is blended. Fold in the cooked macaroni. Add fine ground pepper to taste.

Serveings: 8

Coming soon: Macaroni and Cheese "The Best You Have Ever Had!"