When I was getting ready this morning (oh, I even took a shower, oh yes I did), I started thinking about a few of the simple, everyday items that make my mornings a little easier and a little bit more pleasant. These things aren’t necessities by any stretch of the imagination, but they’re helpful. Maybe even a tiny bit comforting.

You know, stuff like Eucerin moisturizer. Because it prevents my skin from cracking and falling off of my face. So in that sense the Eucerin performs a vital role in my skin care regimen.

Or Maxwell House French Roast coffee. Because it’s strong without being bitter. Inexpensive. And delicious, too.

Or my beloved Mentholatum, which costs all of $2, soothes my chapped lips and makes my sinuses snap to attention as soon as I remove the top from the jar. I’ve even used it to minister to some deeply resistant under-eye bags, and it did not disappoint. I heart it deeply.

None of these things are fancy. You can buy them at any drugstore (or, as we say in the South, AT THE WALGREENS). But they’re my early morning support network – I use each of them every single day before I snuggle into my spot on the couch and start what Alex calls “Mama’s quiet time Bible study.” They help me to wake up, feel reasonably presentable, and face the day.

So, internets, what are your everyday favorites? What inexpensive treats make your mornings a little easier? And for the sake of clarity, let’s classify “inexpensive” as less than $10, though I think my Eucerin costs $10.99, so CLEARLY I AM DISQUALIFIED.

Comment away, girls (and guys!). Can’t wait to read about your faves.

Have I ever told y’all that I love me some cheese fries?

Well, I do. I love me some cheese fries.

And I especially love the cheese fries from Outback. Because they are some potato-y, bacon-y, cheese-y, dipped in Ranch dressing-y deliciousness.

And since I am a fan of irony, I like to order them with a side salad and a diet Coke.

Plus, I always split the cheese fries with my husband, so hello? PORTION CONTROL.

Well, as it turns out, Outback is celebrating its 20th Anniversary, and because of that, they have made a very special gift available for you, the internets.

So if you’d like to win a $25 gift card to Outback, leave a comment and tell me your favorite thing to order when you eat there. And if you need an Outback menu refresher course, click here to check it out.

I’ll leave this giveaway open until Monday, March 31 – at which point I’ll use random.org to select our lucky (PROVIDENTIAL!) winner.

G’day, y’all!

(Sorry. I couldn’t help it. The whole “G’day” thing was way too tempting. I do apologize.)

This giveaway is now closed.

This is take two of this week’s AI post, and if memory serves the first thing I said in my original post was that the theme of last night’s show – songs from the years the contestants were born – would no doubt make me feel like I was 109.

But you know, in retrospect last night’s show didn’t make me feel like I was 109 at all.

In fact, I didn’t feel a day older than 102.

And if you think I can remember all the song titles from last night, then CLEARLY YOU HAVE OVERESTIMATED MY SHORT-TERM MEMORY.

Ramiele Malubay – “Alone” – Big song. Big voice. But a little pitchy on those big notes. I thought she was leaps and bounds better than last week, and she is definitely talented – but she still hasn’t wowed me performance-wise.

Syesha Mercado – “If I Were Your Woman” – I barely remember this song from when it was released, but I definitely remember her performance from last night. She did really well. And this may sound nit-picky but I really don’t mean it that way, I am merely making an observation: I still don’t feel like I have any sense of who she is. It feels like there’s an emotional distance between her and the audience – and I wonder why that is?

Carly Smithson – “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – There’s no question that she has an incredible voice. But she’s not really doing anything unique with the songs that she sings – which is why this song just felt like a cover of Bonnie Tyler’s version from 1983. And unfortunately, I don’t think that’s good enough to keep her in this deal for more than a couple of weeks.

Jason Castro – “Fragile” – I loved this performance. I think maybe I’m just a sucker for someone who plays the acoustic guitar with a really laid-back vibe. And I mentioned last night that this song reminds me of riding around with my high school friend Ricky and having Very Philosophical Discussions, so there’s definitely an element of nostalgia there that appeals to me. So while Jason needs to step it up a little in terms of showcasing his originality, I think he did well enough to stick around for next week.

Chikezie – Some Luther Song – I like it better when Chikezie sings upbeat stuff because his enthusiasm is contagious. And I am all about some contagious enthusiasm. But still, he has a great voice, and I think that as he gains confidence as a performer, he’ll get stronger in terms of singing ballads. And last night’s song wasn’t nearly as bad as the ballad he tried to sing the first week, so that’s an improvement. Right?

David Archuleta – “You’re The Vision” – This was probably my least favorite performance of the night, and I typically enjoy the young David Archuleta. But the song was wrong, all wrong for him – there was nothing fun or youthful or carefree about it. I told Big Mama earlier today that I wonder if this is when being 17 starts to hurt him a little – because he hasn’t really figured out who he is musically. And the songs he’s choosing – or that someone is choosing for him – reflect that.

Brooke White – “Every Breath You Take” – I thought this song was a huge mistake before I watched the show. Then I saw her performance and realized I was wrong. I did agree with the judges that the whole thing got a little cheesy when the band came in, but regardless, she took a song I’ve never really liked and made it totally interesting. Well done.

Michael Johns – “We Are The Champions” – Hands-down his best performance so far. I was tickled to death for him. And sort of proud. He really took command of the stage, and while his vocals probably weren’t the strongest of the night, he had that audience in the palm of his hand.

Kristy Lee Cook – “God Bless the USA” – I would have never, ever suggested this song, because I think it’s a little tired, but it was absolutely a great choice. She seemed comfortable and confident. Good for her.

David Cook – “Billie Jean” – I thought it was brilliant. TRIPLE LOVED IT. We immediately rewound the DVR and watched his performance again. And loved it even more the second time. Which I guess means that I QUADRUPLE LOVED IT. Oh yes I did.

Should go: Ramiele

Will go: I’ve changed my mind since last night…now I think that either Kristy or Carly will go.

Best of the night: David Cook

If you didn’t get your link added last night, you can do that now…just add your specific URL to the Mr. Linky below. Thanks, y’all!

Edited to add: we had a little Mr. Linky malfunction (my fault, not Mr. Linky’s), so some of you may have to add your links again. I am so sorry. No kidding: this blog has given me a run for my money today. But that is okay. Because I’m totally putting it in time out and it had BETTER NOT talk back to me.

This is the second time today I’ve attempted to update you, the internets, on some terribly exciting behind-the-scenes bloggy info.

And by “terribly exciting,” of course, I mean, “so-boring-it’ll-make-your-eyeballs-roll-back-to-your-tonsils.”

But here’s the deal.

My web hosting people are upgrading their servers. And apparently when one upgrades one’s servers, it takes awhile for all the content to “propagate,” which as far as I know is just a fancy term for “show up,” but you probably shouldn’t look to me to explain anything tech-related. Ever.

So my ham hangover post has disappeared, as has last night’s AI post, and while ideally both of them should show up once all the propagation is said and done, I think the AI post may be done forever because today when I attempted to write the first WE’RE HAVING SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES update, the blog gave that post the same URL as my AI post, because the blog thinks the AI post doesn’t exist right now.

Which means that the AI post has probably been overwritten.

And don’t get me wrong: I know that there was nothing special about that post. I mean, I wrote it WHILE I WAS WATCHING TV, for crying out loud. But a little part of me is sad that it’s gone forever – along with your links in the Mr. Linky – so I’m going to try to reconstruct it or recreate it or rejuvenate it and post it again later today.

I mean, what else do I have to do this afternoon? CLEAN? COOK? OH, I THINK NOT.

And I’m kidding. I’m actually about to start cooking a delicious pot roast for supper, and then I will unload the dishwasher.

BECAUSE I HAVE GOALS, PEOPLE.

So. That’s the latest here.

Good times. Noodle salad.

See y’all later.

So here are the ten lucky (PROVIDENTIAL!) winners of Dave Barnes‘ Me & You & The World:

Comment #6 – Jenny (gmail email)
Comment #19 – Erica
Comment #46 – Tracey
Comment #70 – Christy
Comment #80 – Queen B
Comment #85 – Danielle
Comment #90 – Kelly
Comment #111 – Julia
Comment #181 – Melissa
Comment #190 – Joanna

Congratulations, everybody!