Carrie does her own catering?

Nooooooo.

Carrie Underwood is filming a scene on the set of her new movie, Soul Surfer, in Hawaii.

Not a bad gig!

don't argue with a 5-year-old

The Olympics.

The games have replaced some of the usual kids tv programming in our home. No more Drake & Josh or America's Funniest Videos. At least for a few more days. Not that I'm complaining.

So, as we watched men's hockey a couple of nights ago, my youngest announced that he was rooting for the 'Red Leafs.'

Huh?

Assuming he was talking about Canada, I tried to tell him their actual team name and this is how that conversation panned out:

Me: You mean Canada?

Him: No, I mean the red leafs.

Me: Yeah, I know, but they are called Canada. They wear the red leaves on their uniforms.

Him: Nuh-uh. Sorry. You're wrong. They're the red leafs.

Me: You're right, sweetie, but they are called Canada. Can you say that? Can-a-da.

Him: I could. But, why would I if they're the Red Leafs?

And as parents, we sometimes pick our battles. Red leafs, it is.

Cool, eh?

how we spend our free time

6 things I remember about high school

High school.

Those interesting days of our past when we darted through the world like the inside of a pinball machine trying to figure out what life is all about.

Don't get me wrong, I've moved on.

I've accepted that I'm nearing 40 and plucking the not-so-occasional gray hair from my head. That being said, I visited my old high school over the weekend for what was sadly the last basketball game ever for the Highland Scots. The Scottish tradition that meant so much to so many is coming to an end, following a decision to close the high school due to budget cuts.

It was bittersweet, but good to see old friends, familiar faces that once passed me in the halls and, amid camera flashes, joined me in moving our tassels from one side of our cap to the other on grad night. I had considered not going to the game, and it wasn't until I was there, seeing former teachers with the same grins, hearing the hum of the traditional bagpipes and the drumroll that begins the school song did I realize how much I missed it.

We all have memories of our high school days. Here are six of my favorite:

Invading my sister's locker in the senior commons as a freshman. They were wider and, let's face it, where the action happened. She was kind enough to let me, though I know she had to quietly roll her eyes as I waved excitedly while walking in her direction.

Scot pops. Suckers shaped like our school mascot, a Scot, that were sold at basketball games. I remember being a young girl and walking with my dad to the upstairs concession stand to pick out my favorite flavor.

Slipping on a wet floor one rainy morning and wiping out in my cream suit the day of my big presentation in speech class. (Some things never change.) I now share this story with my 8-year-old when he gets frustrated over the small things in life. We all screw up. Yet, the sun will still rise tomorrow.

Chili and peanut butter sandwiches. School lunches don't always get a good rap, but I didn't miss on those days. Too bad restaurants don't serve these two things together. And the brownies on spaghetti day took a close second.

White Rain hairspray. And all that hair. And hot rollers. And teasing it to make it even bigger. Enough said.

Not being able to get my locker open one morning of my junior year. It was jammed at the top, but would open at the bottom. Finally, my boyfriend came along, offered to help, and tugged so hard without time to move out of the way. Blood poured from my forehead as I made my way to the nurse's office. It certainly made for an interesting story when the E-R asked what happened: 'I got hit in the head...by a locker.'

And that's six.

fun with Indiana's first lady cheri daniels

Brad and Kimmel, Part 2

Brad Paisley hangs with Kimmel

kellie pickler and ellen cut up

not exactly a compliment, but I'll take it

My 5-year-old say-whatever-comes-to-mind son gave me a compliment this morning, after he bent down to kiss my head. At least I think you can call it that:

Him: Mom, you have pretty hair.

Me: Well, thanks...that's awful nice of you.

Him: Yeah, I mean it's like...yellow...AND gray. That's cool!

And then he went back to watching Spongebob. Meanwhile, I'm counting down the days until my next highlight.

Gotta love their honesty.

I'm weird like that

Got a weird phobia?

We recently asked that on our facebook page. (You can find us at jim deb and kevin.)

Some comments included opening a can of biscuits, and driving over bridges with large bodies of water underneath. I myself have always been creeped out by restaurant booths, something I've shared on here several times. It is what it is. For no other reason than I don't want to sit among food crumbs that may have touched someone's lips and fallen out, not to mention the guh-ross stuffing that can often be seen protruding from the rips in the cushion. Nothing makes me more ill. I'd rather skip lunch or dinner than sit among it. Of course, when I was a young girl I didn't have a choice, so I carried my blanket in a purse and sat on top of it. Cringing with every bite.

Just shivered writing that, in fact.

Sounds weird, I know, but it hasn't prevented me as an adult from asking for a table, hopefully one with chairs that have no ratty-looking cushions. But, I'm not the only one. My co-host, Kev, isn't all too fond of people getting 'in his space,' as he calls it. He has an imaginary perimeter that can't be invaded, or he gets, well, let's just say he's slightly unnerved. Uptight. Nervous. Jittery. You get the idea.

My other co-host won't even consider being above ground more than five feet, making climbing a ladder or roller-coaster thrills nearly impossible. He thinks he's being risky to ride an escalator, though he somehow managed to climb in the basket of a hot air balloon once. Once being the most significant word of that sentence, because he's not itching to do it again.

Ever.

Surely, we can't be alone. What's that one thing you avoid?

We know you're out there.

conversation with an 8-year-old

Him: Hey, Mom...I teased Hayden earlier, asking him if he had 'an accident in the 'bathroom?'

Me: What do you mean, an accident?

Him: He had peed all over the seat! I mean, really. (Rolling his eyes)

Me: Well, did you at least clean it up?

Him: What? Heck, no! I'm not cleanin' up his...business!

I loved the use of that word.

From now on, I'll be sure to tell my 5-year-old to make sure he aims his 'business' in the right direction. My dad used to always complain that living with all women meant getting no time in the bathroom because we were always primping. But, it's no easier living with all boys.

Yet always entertaining.

it's what life is all about

I'm a parent.

Let's face it, we parents can admit to thinking that our own children are top-notch. And though we may be guilty of bragging about that touchdown or that report card of straight A's, that doesn't mean we aren't aware that our offspring has flaws. Like leaving the lid off the milk, saying they washed their hands when they didn't, or tormenting their brothers when they think no one is looking.

Still, yesterday at dinner was one of those heart-melters, one for the books as they say, as we sat at a restaurant watching our boys scoop up spoonfuls of ice cream sundaes into their rarely-quiet mouths. Our oldest, who is eight, was in no hurry and eventually apologized for taking so long to finish. I told him no big thing, after all, it was giving me and Daddy a chance to talk. Soon after, my youngest announced that nature was calling, so Greg took him to the men's room, and Griffin said...

'Now you and I get a chance to talk. So, how's life been?'

I wanted to giggle, but he said it with enough sincerity that I didn't, and instead smiled at him, loving these little things that make him who he is...

My son.

8 moments I call awkward

Playing Scrabble with my son's friend, and he spells the word 'fart.'

Realizing after I arrived home from work yesterday that my zipper was down.

Putting groceries in someone else's cart last Saturday, and having the other person point it out.

Getting busted by my youngest who found his doodles in the trash. (I promise I save 98% of it!)

Texting my boss, only to receive a text that reads, 'Who is this?' Yes, wrong number.

Putting my nephew's diaper on backwards at the Curious George show. (Hey, it's been awhile.)

Being asked by my youngest how mommy goes pee.

Having to tell anyone who visited our home today, through a window, that we can't open our front door. (It's locked and won't budge.)

And that's eight.

Carrie says cheese and invites you to hang

Carrie Underwood and fellow Idol alum Chris Daughtry, in Miami

Carrie scores a touchdown

on meeting a hero

The morning show visited Riley Hospital for Children yesterday, spending time with children who are being treated for various illnesses, some for days, some for weeks, and for one who left a lasting impression, for life.

He was just 18, and fighting a disease that he'd struggled with since infancy. I remember how the day began. Driving down to the hospital, getting lost despite being there a dozen times before, circling the garage repeatedly for a parking spot, and walking a quick trot in order to meet the guys and our contact inside the lobby.

And then we met him.

For privacy's sake, I'll call him Luke. Luke was playing the hospital's X-Box inside a playroom, trying to distract himself from the pain and reality of his life. And he greeted us with a smile, standing up to shake my hand, while attached to tubes that fed him some comfort. I was touched by his spark for life, and noted his good manners when he asked me, 'Do you mind if I sit down?'

I admired his charm and knack for finding the good among a not-so-great situation, as he detailed the various plans he had for the future.

An actor. A director. But, not a singer. 'Never that,' he told us, 'I can't sing.' That makes two of us.

I learned a lot about the strength of a young man in a very short time. He has practically grown up in this hospital, and the staff is like family. His own family can't visit every day, and he has several brothers and sisters. He 'doesn't look 18,' as he told us, and he hoped to go home by Sunday, not for the Super Bowl, but because he has a date. 'This is an important date,' Luke said. One he's looked forward to for a long time. And one that involves a trip to T.G.I. Fridays.

Life for Luke could be better, but he doesn't say that. He's made the most of what he's been given, and despite many setbacks, is thinking ahead to a life outside of the hospital. We thanked him for his time, and not surprisingly, he thanked us, saying our visit made him happy. Yet, we're the ones who gain the most from these visits. One thing that was clear as I left Riley...Luke is a hero and has a great story to share.

He may not look 18, but he's wise beyond his years. I'm crossing my fingers for Sunday. For the Colts...

...and for Luke.

Show guests and Insurance Deductibles

Lady Antebellum will make a return trip to the show in the next few days.

Along with Jimmy Wayne, and Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, who is on hand for the Super Bowl festivities in Miami this week and calling the studio tomorrow morning. And we now have our very own Super Bowl cheer, sort of a response to the Saints 'Who Dat' nonsense, so listen tomorrow morning for its debut.

Meanwhile, as I drove home from work this week, I did the tango with a small tree limb, log, or thingymajig, in the slow lane on 465. Not sure if the debris fell from a truck, but there was no time to swerve, and eventually I was all...brace yourself, Deb, and soon after, I heard a thud and was all...this can't be good. Hearing my car drag the debris down the highway certainly wasn't comforting, so I pulled over at the nearest exit, only to find the log impaled in my grill. I've seen a lot of ridiculous-looking hood ornaments, but this was just silly.

So, I drove home looking like I was leading some kind of tree parade, only to hear my husband who doesn't leave so much as a straw wrapper in his nice, orderly car say, 'What'd you do?'

Of course, I tried the popular, 'I have good news and I have bad news' psychology, but that worked as well as getting my 5-year-old to take a nap, so no dice. And 'a log got stuck in my car' just didn't sound legit.

But, that's my story.