Reba cliff notes

Reba was our guest today...here's what we learned:

She loves to twitter, and makes a point of doing so about four times a day. She twittered about our interview after it ended.

Reba's son recently moved to college, without Reba's help. She told us her momma didn't move her in, and she didn't move her son, nor did she help him pack.

Reba thinks Blake Shelton is 'hysterical,' and would love to see him get his own talk show. 'But not on primetime,' she joked.

Reba may know something we don't, saying that every act needs to 'reinvent themselves' when we asked for her thoughts on Brooks and Dunn calling it quits.

She told us it's hard to sing early in the morning when she performs for shows like Today or Good Morning America. But she won't skip breakfast.

We told her she's pretty down to earth, and she responded with what her sister tells others, 'Reba's just like the rest of us, just sings better.'

She's got that right.

port-o-pottys & hairless legs

Fun times during our broadcast prior to the Oak Ridge Boys concert at the Indiana State Fair.

Kevin was out sick, but my 4-year-old joined us. Some highlights:

Jim's hairless legs, or partially hairless. It stops mid-calf or so and he isn't sure why. Socks, maybe?

My mother, who apparently has no fear of security, walking ON STAGE to look for me an hour before the show. Even better? No one stopped her.

Four-year-old Hayden using the port-o-potty and yelling from inside the door, 'Where's the FLUSHER?'

Same child, saying to me as he opened the portable bathroom's door, 'Let's get out of here.' I asked him if it's because the storm was about to hit, and he replied 'No, it stinks in there.'

Hayden asking Jim if a tornado was coming, and weather-geek Jim responding, 'Well, it is favorable, but don't worry about tornadic activity, because it's certainly not imminent...blah blah blah.' Hayden stared Jim down with a look of complete disinterest. (Note to Jim: He's FOUR.)

Asking a vendor for a hotdog on a stick, not to be confused with a corndog, while explaining that my son doesn't like the breading. Then hearing Hayden tell Jim, 'Look at my weenie!' Oh boy.

After tossing a football with Jim backstage, Hayden ended the night by asking my co-host, 'Can you come over to my house and play?'

Reba stops by this week

Reba joins us on the show, Thursday!

Tune in for our visit, as we talk to Reba about her years in the business, clothing line, and thoughts on the split of her good pals Brooks and Dunn.

And we'll play the Um game with the most famous redhead in country music!

to the anonymous commenter

Here's the deal.

I was discussing what was seen, or NOT seen, behind the scenes, at the Keith Urban show.

After much speculation on whether Keith's famous wife, Nicole Kidman, would be at the show, I mentioned that we did NOT spot the Oscar winner backstage.

No Nicole sightings. In fact, I said she probably wasn't there unless she had a sudden hankering 'for a corn dog or was visiting the swine barn' while we were broadcasting. In other words, it was highly unlikely that a celeb of her status would be partaking in these common fair practices. Not that she shouldn't, but the chaos from others wanting to snap a photo would probably keep Nicole off the Tilt-A-Whirl.

That swine barn comment wasn't meant to be crude, as you stated. Or insulting. Or vicious. You see, it's what people do at the fair.

In fact, Greg and I took the boys to the fair last night and guess what? We ourselves made a visit to the swine barn, and took this very picture.

And that's the story.

Keith's bodyguard earns his pay

Here's a quick recap of the Keith Urban show, or at least what you didn't see on stage.

Keith was not wearing toenail polish, as promised.

Keith's bodyguard did a good job of blocking his view as he left the meet and greet and headed back to the bus. That's Keith just two people to the left of the chick rocking the green skirt.

Keith's wife, Nicole Kidman, was NOT spotted at the fair, unless she made a break for a corn dog or a visit to the swine barn.

Highly unlikely.

Opening act Jason Aldean, on the other hand, wore army shorts to sign autographs prior to his show, before changing into his trademark tight jeans.

Jason is the guy who recently admitted to us that he probably hasn't brushed his hair in at least ten years, not to be confused with washing. That, he has done.

After a busy day prior to the show, I found myself painting my toes in the parking lot of the fairgrounds. (Pink, not Keith Urban black.) There's nothing like the smell of acetone and manure all at the same time. Definitely a first for me...and let's hear it for multi-tasking.

Fun times.

5 new favorite things

I sometimes find myself asking out loud, 'Where've you been all my life?'

Kinda like a new friend you bond with who GETS that sometimes you just want to order dessert all for yourself and NOT split it, I've discovered an appreciation for some new favorites. Some aren't necessarily new things, but for whatever reason, I just caught on.

Now I can't get enough.

It's like finding jeans in your size, and wanting to buy 8 pair in the possible chance that you'll never again have dressing room success. So in no particular order, here are my new faves:

Baseball. America's favorite pasttime, so it's not like I just discovered that the sport exists, however I've grown to love it. I played softball when I was younger, so I've liked it enough. But, now I love it. We've had a summer of baseball, family baseball games in the backyard, many trips to the Indians games, and even a daytrip to the Cincinnati Reds. Fun times.

Cake Boss. The TLC show that follows a bakery dealing with stressful moments, dropped cakes, and mishaps. I love to bake but this takes it to a whole new level. I no longer dread Mondays. Even Greg is hooked.

The bread pudding at Kelties restaurant, in Westfield. Went there with a girlfriend recently, and went back with my mother...just for the dessert. It's that good.

My husband's visors. If he wears a hat, it's usually a baseball hat. But it was a summer of visors, and I think he looks super cute.

Watching Greg and Hayden give each other a kiss. My four-year-old came up with this a couple of months ago, starting with a big pucker, and backing way up for a running start. Usually by the time they reach each other, they're both giggling and have to start over. And over. And over again.

And that's five.

things that matter to a 4-yr-old

The morning show worked a pledge drive on local tv last night, and my sons told me they planned to tune in.

I arrived home late, only to find my 4-year-old still awake, chatting me up as I made my way into my closet to get ready for bed. The conversation was an interesting one:

Hayden: Saw you on tv, Mom.

Me: You did! So, what'd you think?

Hayden: I liked it. And Mom? Does Kevin have a mustache now? I didn't think he had a mustache.

Me: Sort of. It's called a goatee. It's a mustache plus hair on his chin. Pretty cool, huh?

Hayden: Yeah. And Jim? He has a beard.

Me: Yep, Jim has a beard.

Hayden: Well, I don't want a beard when I'm older.

Me: Then you have to shave like Daddy.

Hayden: And Mom, how old is Kevin?

Me: He's 46.

Hayden: 46? What about Jim, how old is he?

Me: Ummm, 52.

Hayden: Oh. So is 52 older than 46?

Me: Yes, 52 is older than 46. So, Jim is the oldest on the show.

Hayden: Oh, so that means Jim's in charge?

Me: In charge of what?

Hayden: In charge of your work stuff. You know, the boss.

Me: No, no, Jim's not in charge.

Hayden: Well, then who is? Are you in charge, Mom?

Me: Yep. You're right, Hayden. I'm in charge. (Laughing at my own joke.)

Hayden: (Running out of the closet) Yayyyyyy, Mommy's the boss!

It's the small things in life.

they would make great salesmen

One more minute?

That's the popular phrase in my home, spoken by two boys who are constantly trying to 'buy' more time for whatever activity going on at the moment. It could be playtime with neighbors in our backyard, watching tv, the Wii, or if it's our youngest, time in the bathtub.

He loves to line up his army men on the side of the tub, prolonging the actual use of soap and water, the entire reason he's in the tub in the first place. And so it's always the same routine, me telling Hayden it's about time to wash and get out, and Hayden asking the usual, 'One more minute?'

I could give him ten minutes, but he still wants one more.

Last night, same story, so I told my little blue-eyed negotiator that he had two minutes, hey, I was feeling generous, but expected no arguments. Not realizing it, Greg walked in and said, 'Five minutes, buddy.'

Hayden immediately went into protest mode, and here's the rest of that discussion:

Hayden: No, Dad, Mom me told I had...(then abruptly got quiet)

Greg: Mom told you WHAT?

Hayden: Ummmmmm, never mind.