KATIE STEVENS FAN CLUB!

Lets face it, there is a whole lot more wrong with America than we'll freely admit. The unemployment rate is not so hot. The housing market, not so great. And as I learned from Rachel Zoe, the fashion houses are even cutting back! What, no more fashion!?

At the top of the "What's Wrong with America Now" list at #4 is the untimely departure of Katie Stevens from American Idol. What are you all thinking!? Katie is perhaps the ONLY contestant that can revive the American Idol brand. She's young, cute, can sing, and has crossover appeal. She could be the next Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood. I dare you to name another contestant who would have the longevity and popularity that Katie Stevens could (and will) have.

I think a few people need to be reminded that this is American Idol. This means you pick the person you idolize. The person who America will eventually idolize. This is not You've Got Talent or one of those other shows that focuses on quality. No, A.I. is a show that focuses on appearances and what is marketable to the masses. And unless there is a dreadlock trend that I'm not aware of, or perhaps having a prison record is now in vogue, I have no idea what you are all thinking.

Something must be done to correct the damage. We must do what we can to instill the notion that there are still sensible people in America that care about the direction this country is going in. I am willing to step up to the plate and do what I can to correct this "issue".

I am pleased to announce NH Avenue's first ever fan club, the "NH Avenue Katie Steven's Fan Club". Joining is quite easy. Just tell everyone you know that Katie Stevens was the best contestant on American Idol and that you've joined her fan club. I might make up a fun button to wear that says, "Katie for President". I encourage you to do the same.

Bad Luck

We have been hearing from numerous people that we have bad luck. And we've had such bad luck lately that I believe if there were a medical diagnosis for bad luck, we'd be diagnosis with "chronic bad luck".

I have no idea what we have to do to buy a house. We have offered seller's more money and more time. We've waived contingencies. We've put in escalation clauses. This last offer was the nail in the coffin for "chronic bad luck". I honestly, don't know what more we could have given up or offered. We'll never really understand why we lost the house. It just comes down to, bad luck.

I have about had it with trying to buy a house on Capitol Hill. I don't understand what drives the sellers. (No, it isn't just as simple as money.) And I swear the agents here are agents of the devil. They prey on the vulnerable. They will find ways around the rules. It is all very frustrating.

And this all makes me think maybe we shouldn't be living here. Maybe all this "bad luck" is a sign that we aren't suppose to be getting tied up in anything that will keep us tied down to DC.

If anyone out there does anything in the way of giving people breaks, please put us on your list!

Shorts!

Shorts can be tricky. Not everyone likes to wear them. (FYI-summer legs must be tan, and a little self tanner will do the trick.) And lets face it, shorts can look lazy and messy. They conjure thoughts of all the worst in fashion: hikers, retirees, those who frequent Home Depot, and moms that plan on spending ALL day at the park and have the bug bites to prove it. They just don't look tailored. And unless you have gorgeous legs, they aren't the most flattering. That is, until now!

I am loving the cuffed short trend. The cuff adds enough style and structure to make the short go from frumpy to fashionable. Now I wouldn't wear them to a summer wedding. Hmmm... maybe I would. You could throw on a pretty silk top, wear some fabulous jewelry and heels, and wear your hair up. Some dramatic eye makeup... It might just work!

Anyway, back to the shorts (with the cuffs). You can find them almost anywhere right now. For those of you on Banana Republic's email list, I suggest you look in your inbox today for the 40% discount, good for today ONLY! BR has a really cute pair of cuffed shorts. They are available in different colors, AND in petite and tall sizes!

(Btw, how cute are those shoes!? I am sure they are also for sale at BR.)

Ugh, I HATE Elvis

I HATE Elvis. His music bores me. His voice is annoying. I don't care much for theatrics, and his music was just that.

Usually there's one or two weeks of AI that I'd rather not watch. This week was most definitely one of them. I told Craig we could watch snipets of the performances and fast forward through the most of the program. We ended up watching it all though.

That's enough ranting. Now, who is going? Aaron and Andrew! Yay, I have been wanting Andrew to be kicked off since Day 1. I can't wait to see him go tonight. He was so horrible last night. What was that? It was a Carnival Cruise rendition of that crappy hound dog song. Bleh! Bye, bye Andrew!

And poor little Aaron just can't find his niche. I think it is time for him to go.