Well we're all in the mood for a melody...

Now, I know it's Sunday, but we're not always known for our punctual updates here, so let's jump in the way back machine to a simpler time...specifically last Tuesday.

(insert Wayne's World flashback sound effects here: doodle-ooh, doodle-ooh, doodle-ooh...)

Tuesday nights have become one of my favorite nights of the week because we have a standing "date" with a group of our friends. We get together, eat wings and some dessert (scrumptious delights made by Dustin!) and we watch some trash TV. I could go on about how I love it, and how much fun we have, but I'll save the gushing for another post. (Dustin covered the love fest for the week; I'll stick to the silly ramblings that I do best!)

So Tuesday's current TV show of choice is American Idol. It'd be a safe bet that many of you watch it but for those of you who are too cool for lame-o reality tv, I'll explain: This week's theme was "songs from your birth year". The contestants are all like, 11, but there were still some great songs. I won't bore you with a recap, but I'd like to share some highlights:

It was one of the best episodes so far because they featured TWO of my favorite songs: "Alone" by Heart, and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler.
(Disclaimer- if you've been around me more than 5 minutes, I have probably proclaimed no less that 10 songs to be my "favorite". I like to think of myself as an equal opportunity music lover. Songs are like my children. I love them all equally!)

That Bonnie Tyler masterpiece inspired an over-dramatic group lip-sync complete with air-drumming, and hot backup dancer moves. It was a little like the wedding scene from "Old School", minus the f-word. (Before you judge, just try and watch this video without displaying some over-acted facial emotions, and wild triumphant gestures. I dare you!)

So after we worked our magic, Jay printed out lists of songs from our birth years, and we all tried to choose our "would-be idols" signature song. Here's my list. After INTENSE thought (this is my imaginary career we're talking about here!) I chose #17, "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. I think I'd keep it simple....dim the lights, just me center stage on a stool, acoustic guitar playing in the background. It'd start slow and soft, ramping up to a powerful chorus. Then it would fade out gently at the end, followed by wild adoration from the crowd. I would elegantly bow, and give a small wave as I humbly left the stage. And Idol victory would be mine. (Or something like that....)

So, the Bowdenisms game of the day (and maybe the next 3 days...) is: What "birth year" song would you pick if you were on Tuesday's Idol episode? Go here and scroll down until you see a list of top songs by year. Choose your year and review the musical awesomeness that greets you. Think it over, and then leave your choice in the comments. Bonus points for detailing why your cover version would rock harder than the original.

(P.S. Answers like, "I hate singing" are not accepted. Let's assume you are awesome, love to sing, and are dying to become famous- what little ditty is going to make it happen?)

The stage is yours....

Special bonus!

Did I put you in a retro groove kind of mood?
Check out great posts here and here.

Easter Travels

Aaaannnd... I'm back. Courtney has been posting a go-go. So I tried not to trump any of her posts with my nonsense. Also, I didn't have much to say.

Over Easter, Court and I went to Philly to see my family. It was one of the most enjoyable trips we've had. We stayed with my step-sister Ann, her husband Dave, and their two kids Elizabeth and Jagger. I've always liked Ann and Dave, but I can honestly say this is the first time that I felt like I really bonded with them. We were able to spend a night together just talking, hanging out, drinking and playing Eucre. It was great! It was the first time we weren't rushed with holiday nonsense and shim sham. So we had a great time. And I love the kids. Jagger and Elizabeth were so much fun to be with. They're at that perfect age where you can play games with them and just love them.

One of the most moving moments was on Easter Sunday and Jagger and Elizabeth were watching the Jesus story for kids with Dave. They were really moved by the movie and were asking questions about Jesus. I was able to answer some of their questions and I was just so touched by the love and beauty of Christ and how He put me in Ann and Dave's house so I could see and feel His love. It was an awesome experience.

Here's a pic of me and he kids. Thanks court for taking it!

We also got to spend some time with Matt and Megan DeMontaigne. It was a time I absolutely loved. I realized just how much I miss them in my life. I am doing Young Life again out in Pittsburgh and I often think back to the days of having dinner with Matt and Megan in their tiny little apartment and then going and playing club to a small Great Valley High School crowd. Specifcally, I realized just how fond I am of Matt. He has always been there for me, no matter how long it's been since we've talked. I admire his dedication to God and how he trusts Him so faithfully. Megan is also awesome in that she's always embraced me as good friend and always supported Matt and my friendship. She's also really great to talk to and it's really cool to see her as a mom now. Also, they have two beautiful children in Ella and Catherine. They're very fun girls and it was hard to cut our time short with them as they're so much fun to watch and play. Court took another grat pic of me and the girls.

All in all, it was a great trip. Dinner at my Mom-mom's (my grandmother) was small this year, and I rather enjoyed it. It was a good time to talk and catch up with out the huge crowd we usually have. When everybody is there, you can only talk to a small group, and this was great in that I actually sat with Mom-mom, my mom, my step-dad Joe, my cousin Bobby, Uncle Bob, Aunt Gail and my youngest brother Dillon. (and Court of course.) I don't want to short change any of my family as this part is not as glowing and gushing with praise, but it was a great time and made for a really great Easter.

Happy Easter!

So, we've been a little light on the updates, but it's been a busy week. And now, we're off to Philly for the weekend! Wish we could be with ALL of our family for holidays, but we're excited to have a chance to catch up with the "east coast crowd", especially because our Christmas visits always seem to go so fast!

Hope you all get to spend some time with your loved ones too.
Enjoy your Easter!

Like the Nobel Prize only more prestigious....

We're starting a new feature here, which will be known as the Bowdenisms Shout Out (imagine Michael Buffer saying it...gives it the emphasis that it deserves!) The rules are simple: You do something awesome. We notice and hype it up here. Everyone sees how great you are, and you enjoy life long fame. It's pretty much a Win-Win-Win.

So without further ado, the first honorees are:
.........drumroll.......hype.......build-up......suspense.............

My dad and sister Jamie! (triumphant cymbal noise!)

They earned this prestigious honor for driving 6 hours round trip to come visit us. AND bringing eight boxes of girl scout cookies! Congrats....you earned it.

We had a great trip, and even though we only had a day, we made the most of it! We decided to check out the Carnegie Science Center, which is a great museum/activity center downtown. They are kid oriented, but have all kinds of fun stuff that anyone would enjoy. Jamie's favorite part was the aquarium. I think Dustin preferred SportWorks, where he could test out his golf swing and play virtual volleyball. I loved the Miniature Railroad and Village, which sounds dorky, but it's so cool! It a huge, to-scale model of Western Pennsylvania back in the 1900's.

The "sun" may have gone down, but the carnival action is just getting started.

That acrobat never quits. The caravan could pack up and the snow may fall, but she is committed. True Champion, I say.

I'd like to go back and check out the omnimax...I'm a sucker for large format educational films (seriously!) But I don't think we'll go to The Bodies exhibit...I'm sure it's cool, but it kinda freaks me out!

In addition to all the fun and games, we also checked out some local food favs: Primanti Brothers and Eat 'n Park. I think we'll all be paying for those decisions until tomorrow at least.

Delicious, right? Only the best for my family!

So, what are you waiting for? Come see us! You too could get a Bowdenisms Shout Out! You know you want one!

And for those of you that have previously visited/cooked us meals/paid for my college, I apologize, but BSO's are not given out retroactively (hey- I don't make the rules....oh, wait...) We have too many amazing friends and family to honor them all at once, but there are plenty of awards to go around, so please don't fight!

To my long lost friend...

Dear Daylight Savings Time,

I love you. You have been gone far too long. Was it something I said? Sunshine in the morning is greatly overrated...I assure you I much prefer having my evenings warmed by your presence. Please tell me what I can do to convince you to stay. I will play games with you outside, and grill hamburgers for you. I'll stay up late with you, and happily endure the early morning frost. Consider the next few months a test run. I'll be faithful to you. You'll see.

Forever yours,
Courtney

Calling all Crafty-craftingtons...

Just found out about this fun nesting doll swap from aesthetic outburst! It’s a sweet deal, where you buy and decorate one set of dolls, send them in, and then you receive a set, mixed up from all different artists. I always read blogs like this wishing I could be those fun artsy girls....well now I am going to try! I’m so excited, I already bought my dolls. I’ll have to brainstorm so I can be ready to whip up some pretty when they arrive!

Maybe something classy like this?

You all should totally sign up too....you could end up with some priceless Courtney originals (or some dolls from an artist with actual talent)!

Check here for details.

Found via poppytalk

Ay Caramba!

Just in case you didn't get your fill of hearing about my Mexican vacation, allow me to show you the souvenirs I brought home....

Those are some serious bug bites, friends. This picture doesn't nearly do it justice, so allow me to explain. We went out to dinner one night at a really nice place on the water. The downside? Nighttime bugs love the water. And my sweet fleshy goodness. So I had a nice dinner, and they had a REALLY nice dinner: me.

So, I was mildly concerned the next day, when I woke up and found tons of tiny red dots all over my legs. But, I was still in paradise, so I sucked it up and the show went on.

Fast forward a few days, and it's gotten a bit....um...worse. (The sandal tan line is a bonus!)


After merciless teasing from coworkers (examples range from accusing me of having crabs, to refusing to step in cubicle for fear of catching my malaria) I decided a doctor consult was necessary. She confirmed that it is nothing more than a severe reaction to some sort of run of the mill insect bite. But to help me heal, she gave me a prescription for an oral steroid. That's right....I'm bulking up. So if you see me, and notice I am a bit "beefier" than usual, cut me some slack. And give me your sandwich.

Viva, Viva!

So...how was your week? Mine was alright. A little sun, some food, and oh yeah....the best trip ever.

I can't divulge all the details- ask me in person though, and you'll get more stories than you ever wanted. I will make a suggestion though: go to Cancun. Seriously- just go. And when you do....stay here. (and no- that's not a porn site...it's just a very sexy portrait of a really awesome hotel)

Swim here:

Eat here:

And party here (maybe the craziest place I've ever been!):

You will not regret it. (Speaking of: saw a "no regrets" tatoo on a girl's stomach while I was down there. I told you to go...It's a classy place!)

Free Agency - HUGE update!

In the world of free agency, there were two huge pick-ups!

1.) The Parson's family picked up (literally) Megan Elizabeth Parsons.

In an unprecendented move, baby parsons decided to sign with Brian and Jill six weeks ahead of the May deadline. The Parsons family could not be more thrilled with their selection. Not surprisingly, Megan's jersey number is of course, #1. Megan was unavailable for a quote at this time, but sources say she is thrilled to be with Brian and Jill.

On a more serious side, the baby and Jill are doing quite well. The baby did come 6 weeks early, but the doctors felt ok with it given that Megan was fully developed. I suggest you head over to the baby's blog and read about it. (go here)

BP - if you have the time to read this. Megan is absolutely beautiful. I'm so happy for you two and can't wait to meet her!

NFL Free agency

2.) The Eagles Steal Away Asante Samuel!

I couldn't be more thrilled with this pick-up. I've read a lot of articles and I thought the Eagles were going to make moves during this free agency period, but I did not expect Samuel to come on board. The Eagles usually do a great job in free agency, but they rarely go after the BIG name and BIG money player. I'm super pumped that they did! Samuel is going to add depth to a great secondary provided that Brian Dawkins come back to full form.

At this point, I expect the Eagles to come up big again and either sign Antwan Odom or Chris Clemons. After that, there's chatter that the Eagles could pick up Javon Walker. Cut by the Broncos, Walker needs a new home and has worked out with McNabb in the off season. I think there's a strong possibility of him signing with Eagles soon.

Check back here and I'll keep you posted!