My favorite Christmas commercial of the season:

Old habits die hard...

Ok, when I did my little experiment in November, it was not with the intention of flaking out on all of December...but it is beginning to appear that way, isn't it?! I'm blaming it on the SEASON! Nights that I would be home blogging 'til my heart's content, I have been at Church sitting through Sunday AM Christmas show production practices (We're doing a three-part thing on three consecutive Sundays) OR fuming in stupid Lafayette holiday traffic in an effort to find interesting and novel Christmas presents without spending exorbitant amounts of money OR at Mom's house wrapping her presents and trying to help out as best I can since she bears the lion's load of the holiday fanfare OR serving as a personal shopping assistant to dear ones who need someone along who'll say "oh yeah, she'll love that!" at the moment of indecision and frustration. I've had things that I wanted to blog about...but they occur to me at inopportune moments and then vanish like twilight dreams. And so this is a rambling apology and a promise to do better for the last 10 days of the year, or so!

Oh, and I am celebrating as today is my LAST day of Substitute Teaching--Hooray!!! I'll post more on the details later...

Oh #2, yesterday was Grayson's 2nd birthday. We had a party for him on Sunday at mom's house, and I took some pictures but Erica has confiscated my digital camera indefinitely (get your OWN camera, Trahan family!) so I don't really have any to post. I'll post a pic of him from just after he was born. It's hard to believe we started with such a fragile little creature now that we're in the throes of toddlerhood!

Just after he came home.

At Josh and Ashley's wedding this summer (all of my more recent pics of him are on film or in my camera, both of which are in Erica's posession!)

92.67%

That's my blogging average for the month of November. I missed two days (11/24 & 11/30) and I'm only giving myself half-credit for the one day I posted late (11/19)...so 27.5/30=92.67%. Not so bad...I've always been ok with B's and, in honors classes, that would be an A! (Notice I'm still working off of the ole' 94%-A, 87%-B, 78%-C, 70%-D, grading scale...they've gotten a little more lax since my day, but I'm going old school! Or old school as I remember it, anyway.)

The experiment was interesting. I can't say that it's been my best work, but it forced me to be a little more aware of my thoughts and surroundings...which is a good thing, I guess?! My next experiment needs to go in the direction of exercising everyday! Ugh! That one might be a little more challenging!!

I think my leg is gonna fall off!

Well, not really. But it is doing something weird and I thought I'd write about it here in the hope that some arm chair doctor would know what's going on! I have a spot on my left shin that will suddenly feel warm for a few seconds...and then it goes away. At first I thought I'd had my legs crossed and my nerves were just readjusting to the room temperature or something like that, but it does it randomly when nothing has been touching that spot. It doesn't hurt...although now I think I can feel the spot even when it's not warm (but I think that's just a psychosomatic symptom.) So? Anybody have any idea what it might be? I thought blood clot, but it comes and goes and the skin is not unusually feverish or swollen in any way. Maybe a nerve is just freaking out on me?! Stranger things have happened, I'm sure! Alright amateur Gregory House, MDs!! Get to work! Diagnose me!!

But what I really want to know is...

I live on the red line. Not the red zone, the red line. Ya know, that fun little gauge often accompanied by a little light-up gas pump. I hate getting gas! For years my dream has been that someone would develop some little pill that I could just drop into the gas tank and PRESTO: A full tank! I hate tanking up! I've considered purchasing a hybrid vehicle, not because my heart bleeds for the environment (of which I support in all it's green glory!), but in the hope that better gas mileage would mean less trips to the gas station. Did I mention that I hate getting gas?

So tonight I saw a commercial for Honda's new fuel cell vehicle (FCX Clarity) and my first thought was not, cool! near-zero emissions! but hmmmm...I wonder if that would eliminate trips to the gas station?! Selfish and insensitive, I know, but if I can't be selfish and insensitive on my own blog, where else can I be?! And of course I would be delighted that the car helped the environment while simultaneously helping me! I'm not oblivious to the plight of the planet! Anyway, I digress. In case you're curious about this vehicle of the future, you can check it out on the Honda site. I also found this article explaining how you might tank up this wonder vehicle: a "Home Energy Station unit, which sits outside your house and reforms natural gas to produce enough Hydrogen to power both the car and the home's energy needs at around 50% of the normal cost and with a 30% emissions reduction." Isn't that GREAT?! I mean, if I still have to tank up, I'd much rather do it at home...assuming that, by the time these vehicles are available for the mass market, I would, indeed, own my own home! Well, lots of things to dream about...

Ah-hah!

It's funny how sometimes the things I say--to others and to myself--will cause a song to stick. And it's rarely really great, powerful songs that get stuck. No, more often it's nonsense--some song that drives me nuts or a single line that repeats over and over. Grayson is a big fan of The Backyardigans so, needless to say, I've seen several episodes multiple times!

Earlier tonight I was looking for something in my kitchen and, when I found it, I said, "Ah-hah!" which is a very natural response...but now I've got this Backyardigans diddy running through my head. And it's not the whole song. Oh no! It's simply Pablo singing the, "Ah-hah!" part and it's driving me crazy!

Grayson knows many of the songs and he's been singing them lately. It's really funny because he'll just burst out singing something about Sherman and we know he's referring to Sherman the Worman (in Polka Party Palace) Or, if you tell him something that is actually a line in a song--like "Hold on tight!" he'll respond with a hearty "YAH!" ...it's a viking yell!? And it never fails that I keep singing the song he sings long after he's moved on to something else! Alright, I've gotta "go, go, go...I can't go fast if I go too slow..." Uggghhhh!! ;)

quantity vs. quality

I'm afraid that it's quite evident that quantity does not guarantee quality when it comes to me and blogging! I wish I had more interesting stuff to write about. I'm finding that I write much more eloquently when I wait for inspiration to strike rather than forcing it as I've been doing...but this has been a fun and interesting experience. I am now more inclined to blog. I was definitely out of practice! And I have had some interesting ideas. I just haven't spent the time that it takes to sit down and compose my more thought-required posts. Believe it or not, if I want to write something of substance, it does take a little dedicated time and focus. So, on that note, I'll sign off and perhaps inspiration will strike tomorrow! :)

Oh, and for those of you who are keeping up with my job drama, I am back to general subbing for now. (That's enough to suck the inspiration right out of anybody!) I am supposed to start a full-time at OCHS in January...that's been confirmed twice by the principal, but I am not trusting anything until I have contract in hand! So, remember to be kind to your sub!!

Hallelujah!

Relegated to the back roads no more: The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge reopened as of 7:00pm tonight! They've capped the blown well, escaping gases are being burned off, and official sniffers are checking the air quality, so all is good! Anybody wanna go to New Orleans?! I'm game!! :)

Striken

Alright, this writers strike seems to be lingering on, threatening to change life as we know it!!! Well, maybe that's a little over-stated, but I found this listing on TVguide.com outlining when the strike will begin to effect original programming. I'm pretty interested, so I figured I'd bring the information to those of you who are probably more busy with the more important things of life than I tend to be! I'm not familiar with many of these shows (See, I don't just sit around watching TV every night!) and I've noticed that the list is not comprehensive, but it's a start. The article was posted on 11/23, so I'm guessing it's relatively current. Hope it helps!

Strike Chart

30 Rock: Ten episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Aliens in America: Seventeen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are 9 left.
Back to You: Nine episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are two left.
The Big Bang Theory: Eight episodes were produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are zero left.
Bionic Woman: Roughly nine episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are two left.
Bones: Twelve episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Boston Legal: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are eight left.
Brothers & Sisters: Twelve episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Carpoolers: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are seven left.
Cavemen: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are seven left.
Chuck: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Criminal Minds: Roughly twelve episodes will be produced. Ten episodes have aired, so there are roughly two left.
CSI: Eleven episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are three left.
CSI: NY: Fourteen episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Desperate Housewives: Ten episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are three left.
Dirty Sexy Money: Eleven episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are three left.
ER: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Friday Night Lights: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are eight left.
Gossip Girl: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Greek: Eight new episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are eight left.
Grey's Anatomy: Eleven episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are two left.
Heroes: Eleven episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are two left.
House: Twelve episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Jericho: Seven episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are seven episodes left.
Las Vegas: Nineteen episodes will be produced. Nine have aired, so there are 10 left.
Law & Order: SVU: Fourteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are six left.
Life is Wild: Twelve episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Lost: Eight episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are eight episodes left.
Medium: Nine episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are nine episodes left.
Men in Trees: Nineteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are 13 left.
My Name is Earl: Thirteen episodes will be produced (that includes two one-hour eps, which count double). Ten episodes have aired, so there are three left.
The New Adventures of Old Christine: Eight episodes have been produced. No episodes have aired, so there are eight left.
Numbers: Twelve episodes will be produced. Eight have aired, so there are four left.
The Office: Twelve half-hour episodes will be produced. Twelve half-hour episodes have aired, so there are zero half-hour episode left.
One Tree Hill: Twelve episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are twelve episodes left.
Prison Break: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are five left. (On hiatus 'til Jan. 14)
Private Practice: Ten episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are two left.
Pushing Daisies: Nine episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are two left.
Reaper: Ten to 12 episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are two to four left.
Samantha Who?: Twelve episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are six left.
Scrubs: Eleven episodes will be produced. Four episodes have aired, so there are seven left.
Shark: Eleven episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are two left.The
Shield: All 13 season-seven episodes will be completed. None have aired (the final season gets underway in '08), so there are 13 left.
Smallville: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are seven left.
Supernatural: Ten to 12 episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are three to five left.
Ugly Betty: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are four left.

Just Say No To Turkey!

That's right dear reader! This year our family just said NO to turkey on Thanksgiving! How sick and twisted is that?! Instead, we had barbecue ribs and chicken, roasted corn grits (which I've recently become kinda obsessed with) and rice dressing along with the more traditional green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie. I must say that the meal was quite delightful! A wonderful time was had by all! Happy Thanksgiving, dear reader!! And if you're hitting all of those great Black Friday sales starting at 4am tomorrow, ...lemme know how that goes for ya! But wait until a little later to call because you won't catch me up and shopping at such a psychotic hour!

gotta love the small print!

So I received a "pre-approved" credit card offer in the mail and, just for fun, I perused the fine print. This card is one that offers a 0% APR for 15 months which then switches to a fixed APR of 9.99%. If one is observant, one would notice a little 'a' at the end of that sentence indicating that you need to read on. When you find the little 'a' at the bottom of the page, you see this:

Rates, fees, and terms may change: We reserve the right to change the account terms (including the APRs) at any time for any reason, in addition to APR increases that may occur for failure to comply with the terms of your account. . .The APRs for this offer are not guaranteed; APRs may change to higher APRs, fixed APRs may change to variable APRs, or variable APRs may change to fixed APRs.

Now, is it just me, or is the concept of 'fixed' a little hazy to these people?! So it's fixed until they arbitrarily decide to change it? . . .by definition, wouldn't that be variable--which means subject to change?! (fixed--to make set or rigid; to put into permanent form. variable--apt or liable to vary or change; changeable; capable of being varied or changed; alterable.)

Perhaps I'm just old fashioned, but if I found this idea in a paper I was grading, I would FILL UP the margins explaining to the writer why he/she could not call something fixed if that thing can be altered at any time. . .apparently the writers of the Chase Visa Platinum Card mail-outs see have a slightly more modern twist on the terms?!

Happy Birthday to ME! Happy Birthday to ME!! Happy Birthday dear ME-EE! Happy Birthday to ME!

So, you might have noticed that today is my birthday?! ;) I just wanted to be sure I'd posted since who knows where the day may lead!! ha! That would be a joke! And in case you were wondering, I turn 25 today! Isn't that great! I love being 25, and plan to keep being 25 for a while!! ha!

oops!

I missed posting on the 19th...I didn't mean to miss it! I just forgot! How could I?! I've worked so hard!! I've dragged myself out of bed a few times so that something would be posted...and one simple slip of the mind and my record is shot! ugh! ...well, I'm dating this post for the 19th! It was there in spirit! Ok, here it is:

Have you seen this? (would have been my title if I were not readily admitting my indiscretion)

I have gmail and it often has random little website advertisements at the top of the page. I usually ignore them, but one will catch my eye from time to time. The particular line that caught me today was: Ben Stein is EXPELLED. I've been a fan of Ben Stein since the days of Ferris Bueller, so my interest was piqued and I clicked the link. This is what I found:

Ben Stein is EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed

It's a documentary of sorts by Ben Stein on the ways that "Big Science" has ostracized those who might believe in Intelligent Design. Here is the site's overview of the film that I found on the site:

Who: Ben Stein, in the new film EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed

What: His heroic and, at times, shocking journey confronting the world’s top scientists, educators and philosophers, regarding the persecution of the many by an elite few.

When: In theatres near you, starting February 2008

Where: Ben travels the world on his quest, and learns an awe-inspiring truth…that bewilders him, then angers him…and then spurs him to action!

Why: Ben realizes that he has been “Expelled,” and that educators and scientists are being ridiculed, denied tenure and even fired – for the “crime” of merely believing that there might be evidence of “design” in nature, and that perhaps life is not just the result of accidental, random chance.

To which Ben Says: "Enough!" And then gets busy. NOBODY messes with Ben.

The site is funny (Ben Stein in a prep school uniform is kinda funny to me) and the premise seems interesting! I'm curious to see this...which, I guess, is why gmail has the little advertisement ticker over the top of my inbox! Clever people!!

Still a place like no other!

Earlier tonight a friend and I were talking about going to New Orleans around the Christmas holidays which reminded me of the really cool tradition of Reveillon and Papa Noel hotel rates. If you've never heard of these really neat New Orleans traditions, here is a brief explanation taken directly from the neworleansonline.com site:

Revellion--A French Dining Tradition

During the mid-1800s, New Orleans' Creole families celebrated the "Reveillon" (French for "awakening") twice during the holidays. The first Reveillon came after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, when families returned from St. Louis Cathedral to break a daylong fast with an elaborate meal. The meal consisted of egg dishes, sweetbreads, and Creole specialties such as daube glace. It often ended with a cake filled with fruit confection, dripping with wine or rum, and topped with whipped cream.
New Year's Eve brought another Reveillon, usually shared among several families. This more festive meal featured eggnog, fancy pastries, meringues, sugar sculptures, and crystallized fruits. By late afternoon, families would return home to a light supper followed by a night of singing and dancing, with wine and whiskey for the gentlemen and cordials and liqueurs for the ladies.
Today's Reveillon is celebrated nightly during the Christmas season in restaurants throughout the city. Menus combine ageless Creole cuisine with more contemporary New Orleans dishes, but the spirit of the past remains. In fact, three of our Reveillon restaurants–Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, and Tujague's–are more than 100 years old! So revel in nostalgia. Join us for the Reveillon–the authentic taste of Christmas New Orleans Style. (Taken directly from http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/seasonal/christmas/reveillonmenus.html)


Papa Noel Hotel Rates

December 1-31, 2007 based on availability
Linger longer with lower rates created just for the holidays!
Hotels throughout the city welcome you to Christmas New Orleans Style with discounted Papa Noël room rates. These special rates make it easier for you to spend more time enjoying the great food, music and events of the season.
This page details the offerings of the wide variety of participating hotels, bed & breakfasts and guesthouses. From historic homes along Esplanade Avenue to the courtyard classics of the French Quarter, from full-service, modern downtown hotels to luxurious inns in the heart of the Garden District—you choose the corner of New Orleans you want to experience this December.
Thanks to Papa Noël, your New Orleans holiday vacation will be more affordable than ever! (Taken directly from http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/seasonal/christmas/papanoel.html)

redecorating...

I am bored with my blog template (not to mention all of the other blog templates that blogger has available). I have a few friends who've recently redecorated using pyzam.com templates, but I haven't found any of there that really grab me. Anyone have any bright ideas on interesting blog templates? Perhaps I should design my own...but that sounds like alot of work! Anyone want to design one for me?! yeah, I didn't think so! ;)

Yeah, go ahead and laugh!

Alright, in a desperate attempt to find something to post, I am making myself a little vulnerable by admitting this: I watch (and quite enjoy) Moonlight. It plays on CBS on Fridays at 8:00pm. Other than my love for Smallville which has brought me ridicule on this blog before, I typically don't like shows of a supernatural vein. I've never been interested in shows like Ghost Whisperer, much preferring the copious who-did-it crime dramas that tend to dominate prime time television these days, but Moonlight has captured my fancy for the time being. I do need to say that the main drawing factor for me would be Alex O'Loughlin who plays Mic St. John, the main character. Oh, he's a cute one alright! I will not defend the writing or the story lines because I'm not immune from judging them myself, but I don't care! Mic is a cutie and that's why I watch! ...that and I LOVE the criss-cross built-in bookshelves that are in Mic's apartment! They are beautiful! I'm trying to find a picture but have had no luck as yet.

Reflections on what never was

On a random Tuesday night while driving to my small-group, I had a phone conversation that I thought had the potential to seriously alter life as I knew it. The call came because of a well-intentioned and well-timed reference from a close friend regarding an open editing position at a Christian publishing company which primarily produces student Bible study materials. The call was exciting and all-the-more surprising because I had decided only the week before to not renew my contract with the school I'd been with for three years. My plans were to apply for a position with the Lafayette Parish School System unless something more interesting came along, and this call seemed serendipitous...God-ordained, even!

The call lead to a job interview which, after a couple of nail-biting days, lead to a tentative job offer and an opportunity to do some contract work for the organization. The contract work--something I have had no experience with before then--gradually turned from a simple, straight-forward lesson update sort of situation to an overwhelming, disorganized mess. I was in way over my head while still teaching full-time and tutoring 3 hours a day! After being shuffled around between editors, I landed with my third and final editor and pressure was mounting.

I trudged through as best I could while also dealing with all of the end-of-the-school-year hoo-rah. Once summer started, I felt that I would have the time to devote to this time-devouring contract work. I worked 10-12 hours a day in an effort to catch-up because I was not working at the pace they wanted. Some reorganization started happening in the office and, as I heard more and more, I began to have an impending feeling of doom.

Eventually, the call came--they decided to go with someone who had more experience and had been working with them on a contract basis for a while. I can't say that I was surprised. I think I knew it was coming. Suffering from a strong case of wounded pride, I struggled with understanding what had happened. What was this all about? Why did God bring this amazing opportunity before me and wave it under my nose only to snatch it back? It just seemed so mean.

I would never call this an unanswered prayer--oh, no! This was a clear and definite, "NO!" But I still couldn't understand why. Mom always said that my favorite question as a child was, "Why?" and almost 30 years later, that doesn't seem to have changed much! Once the pain and tears subsided, I realized that I was actually relieve that it had not worked out. I was so overwhelmed and, had I been hired, I don't know that I would have enjoyed life in that particular field!

I may never know how that small piece of fabric will be woven into the tapestry of my life, but I do recognized so many reasons that I'm glad it didn't happen. Most specifically, I am glad that I have been here through Erica's recent medical situation and near my family in the wake of Brandon's death. Had the job become a reality and I had really moved, I would have felt so isolated and alone as I watched from afar. I am not saying that I would never move away from home, but I can see God's hand in keeping me here for this time and these events.

I will probably go on asking why, but I continue to do so with the understanding that my life is in God's hands and He ordains my path. Some people prefer to think that we determine our own paths, but I see no comfort in that way of thinking. I would never want to think that I might be stumbling around blindly trying to find my own way to oblivion. I am comforted by the fact that I have a relationship with a personal God who created me and has a plan for my life. I live a life of faith and hope. I may doubt at times and question often, but I continue to follow by faith.

FYI

Well, I have nothing to post today...but in an effort to follow through on my commitment to post everyday for the month of November, I'm writing a post to tell you that I have nothing to post...it's been a long--and not particularly fun--day. For those of you who are familiar with my extended family, my Aunt Sussie's 22-year-old son Brandon died Friday from complications following an epileptic seizure. His wake was today and his funeral is tomorrow. Please keep his parents and older sister Kristen in your prayers in the days and weeks ahead. He was a sweetheart, and I still don't think I've realized that he's really gone. I will miss him.

Help! Help!

Ok, I need your help! I don't often ask anything of you, dear reader, so in this you MUST indulge me!! Alright, now that I've declared my need in glaringly dramatic fashion, I shall humbly present my request. What novels do you remember reading (and liking) in high school and why? I will finally be teaching full-time starting in January and the unit I start with is "the novel." I'll be teaching regular freshman English classes and the kids in there are predominantly 1) male, and 2) completely uninterested in literature. As I am an almost 32-year-old woman who loves literature, I'm having a little difficulty coming up with novels that they might possibly be interested in reading. I doubt that we'll have time to read more than one novel (I may do a class novel and have them pick their own for a second novel if time allows) and I have a few ideas that would be both convenient and obvious picks for a 9th grade novel assignment, but I thought I'd throw it out to you just in case you had some great ideas! So, let's hear it!! Thanks for your help!!

If 24 were filmed in 1994...

I don't watch 24, but I thought that this was pretty entertaining!

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1788161

So, is the whole world going on strike?!

...ok, perhaps it's just MY world! Ha! Now Broadway stagehands are on strike:

Theatres turn away thousands as Broadway stagehands strike

The entertainment world has surely gone amuck! What's next?! The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon holders?!?! When will it end?! Where is the justice, people?!?! ...ok, I really don't know what I'm talking about. I'm just glad I didn't have Broadway tix! Those suckers are expensive! I wish someone would form a picket line in support for cheaper tickets! Now, that's a picket line I could get behind!

The Mysteries of TVland

A random collection of observations and curiosities...

• In TVland, people always drive with their windows down. I only ever roll my window down to engage in some drive-thru transaction, but people in TVland always ride with their windows down all of the time...and their hair never gets messed up...and they're usually not listening to the radio, either.
• No one ever goes to the bathroom (unless it progresses the storyline, that is.)
• It would be really cool (and convenient) to have background music--it lets you know when you should be concerned, it enhances the romance and drama of significant moments, it sets the mood...background music would be SO neat in real life!
• If my car ever becomes a crime scene, I could only hope that it would be as clean as the crime scene cars in TVland! Seriously, they would never find significant fibers or scene-stealing clues in MY car...but they would find lots of random junk and a dashboard in serious need of some detail work!
• The plethora of beautiful people always amazes me. I realize that TVland does not represent reality, in part, because the whole idea of TV is to escape reality, but seriously, there are no ugly people...and if they are ugly, it's bizarro ugliness that is intended to set the character off as an odd-ball or quirky. (i.e., I have NEVER been on a plane with as many beautiful people as those that populate the cast of LOST!)
• And, while fat leading men can be found--usually with stick-insects for wives--you rarely, if ever, see fat women in leading roles unless they are the mother-figure of the show.
• No one ever runs out of anything--like bread or toothpaste or clean underwear--unless it progresses the storyline and you never see anyone going grocery shopping or doing laundry.
• No one pays bills.
• Broke people still manage to have amazing apartments and great furniture.
• Children are only rolled out when it advances the storyline...and then the rest of the time they seem to only be in the living areas of the house when it's time for meals or bed.
• No one in TVland seems to have a living room lay-out designed around the location of the TV--ironically, most TVland homes don't seem to have TV's in their living rooms at all!

Alright, I could go on-and-on, but I'm sure you get the gist. And I know that having these things would take away that which makes TVland special and fun...but it's just stuff I've noticed in my wide range of TV viewing! Anyone have their own observations...other than the fact that I watch and/or think about TV too much?!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my sweet momma's birthday! I'm quite sure that she will never see this unless I show her myself, but I just thought I'd write the post anyway. Happy 55th birthday, Mom! I love you!!

Someday...

I've wanted a Mini for a while now (go ahead and laugh Phillip!) ...it may just happen one of these days. But i don't think it will be blue...not sure what color I want, but I do want a convertible. This much I know!

A thought to ponder...

Topic: Plastic...what would life be like without it?! Talk amongst yourselves.

Wise words from Currier Bell

As I am an English teacher on occasion, I do enjoy a good literary classic every now and again. I spent my summer reading, for the most part, pure junk. Since school started and I wasn't doing any thing other than babysitting semi-functioning middle schoolers, I thought I'd delve into something challenging; something that I've always wanted to read but was never assigned. I had a fine at the public library, so I decided to search my own shelves for this heretofore undiscovered (by me) literary classic. I eventually decided on Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. With my copy coming in at just over 500 pages, it's always seemed a daunting task, but as I wasn't being daunted by anything else at the moment, I thought I'd give it a try. I won't give a synopsis of the novel, but if you're interested in the storyline, you can check out the Sparknotes for the story here.

I don't typically read novels with a highlighter unless I'm preparing to teach them, but the wisdom of this particular passage really struck me, so I thought I'd post it here:

Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?

Isn't that a good quote?! I'm a fan of good quotes and I'm always excited when I discover one on my own. The book was (surprisingly) really good and not hard to read at all. I highly recommend it!



...and in case you're wondering, Currier Bell was Charlotte Bronte's pen name.



...and in case you're keeping track, I am trying to use the word heretofore in as many posts as I can, just for fun!

strike = STROKE

Having had a natural mistrust of the recording capabilities of VCR's in their heyday, I have--at times--been somewhat metaphorically chained to my TV set because of my love of prime time television programming. With the creation of such wonderful new inventions as the DVR, I've experienced a freedom heretofore unheard of...I could be a die-hard fan AND be away from home between the hours of 7-10pm! This independence has been sweet...but now we face another foe. Soon there will be no new shows for my lovely little DVR player to record! Yikes!!

Perhaps you have discovered by this point that the Writer's Guild has gone on strike over contract disputes with regard to DVD and Internet sales of the TV shows that they write for...I don't quite understand the fine details of this matter, but, based on what I'm hearing, I am beginning to understand how this will effect ME and I'm not so happy!!! Dear reader, you must understand: I am a single woman of limited financial means and no children or small animals to keep me occupied. I must have SOMETHING to fill up my evenings and keep my mind off of my impending spinsterhood!

If you're looking for a little info on this most unfortunate turn of events, check out this short interview and article. I will cut-and-paste a portion of the article that causes the most pain:

Are shows like 24 and Lost in Jeopardy? USA Today runs down the many other ways the one-day-old strike has already impacted the TV season, including the cancellation of NBC’s planned Heroes spin-off, a possible postponement of the new season of 24 and a potentially shortened (to eight episodes!) season of Lost.

Oh my!! What will we do?! This is just too much! The cost is too high!! Give these writers what they want oh present-day money barons of the network conglomerates!! Can't you see what you're doing to us common folk! I might be forced out of my home--bored with re-runs and suffocated by obnoxious reality TV--and forced to interact with actual human beings for evenings on end! This is something I cannot comprehend! Please, for the love of all that is good and pure in this sad little world of ours, don't let this drag on for months as some are predicting! Give us our first-runs back!!! Thank you for your prompt attention in this matter.

PS...I'm with the writers on this one. I realize that this could cause me much pain if it continues, but I do think it's only right that they are fairly compensated for their work in all areas of revenue. That's my two cents, anyway!

Christmas (music) comes early...

Now, I am not one to start the Christmas festivities too early--I'm a fan of my birthday AND Thanksgiving, both of which come before--but I must say that, when I learned that Josh Groban had FINALLY recorded a Christmas CD, I rushed out to buy it! I've been waiting for this for years now!! So, sad as it is, if you happen to see me on the road, suffice it to say that you will probably catch me listening to some Christmas tunes a month too early. . .I mean, it's Josh Groban, people!!

Day 3: pics from Josh and Ashley's wedding

My cousin Josh married this beautiful girl named Ashley--who's WAY out of his league, if you ask me! ;)--this summer and I realized that I never posted any of the pics from our trip. So, here are some pics from the trip!

Grayson and Erica before the service...and right before a very active Grayson went to meet his new cousin Mikey in the back!

Josh (the groom) with his nephew Jackson and Uncle Donald in the background.

I wasn't a shutterbug during the ceremony, so I'm afraid those are all of the pics from the ceremony. The rest are really just us entertaining ourselves at the reception. I've tried to limit those to spare the innocent (which would be you, my dear readers!)

Grayson being his jolly self at the reception.

My Uncle Warren showing his better side...and if you think this pic is weird, I'll spare you from the REALLY interesting ones that he took! My family has a warped sense of humor! ha!

Erica in rare (?) form...with Damon looking on in the background and probably wondering what he's gotten himself into! ha!

Warren teaching Grayson how to play with fire.

More playing with fire while Aunt Frieda looks on.

My Uncle Donald...I really look up to him!

The happy couple! Aren't they cute?!

It was a really fun trip, and I'd like to thank Josh and Ashley for getting married so that we could visit again so soon--that's twice in less than a year, I'd like to point out!

We enjoyed visiting with other people who aren't pictured here like Phillip, Jenny, Mikey, and Aunt Debbie...but I really didn't take very many pictures (and I'm not sure what's ok to post on their end), so I didn't get a very good representation of the fam. Sorry guys! Maybe next visit!

Day 2 and already out of ideas!

Hmmmmm...this posting everyday thing used to be a breeze! What happened?! I guess I'm just out of practice. I did find something the other day that might be of interest to any LOST fans out there!

http://dispatchesfromtheisland.blogspot.com/

It's Jorge Garcia (Hurley)'s blog. He doesn't give away any plot spoilers (by way of contractual obligations, I assume) but it's fun to see what the other side blogs about! Enjoy!

abandon...sweet and otherwise

Ok, so I was chastised today for my lack of blogging. I don't even think anyone (other than Lynette, the said chastiser) even reads this anymore, but I am repenting of my lack of blogging by committing to a full month of blogging fun! That's right, I commit to posting every day in the glorious month of November...so let's see how long THAT will last!

For my November 1st post, I have pictures of Grayson in his Halloween costume! Enjoy!

A cheery pirate, he is!

Arrrrgggghhhhh!

Damon got in on the act!

Damon and Grayson playing around.

An impromptu Shakespearean performance, mayhaps?

Hey, Pirates like to look good!

in my humble opinion...

SOMEONE needs to tell the Jolie-Pitt conglomerate that they need to slow their roll! Now, perhaps you have a different opinion, and you are perfectly entitled to that opinion--so go write about it on your own blog--but I'm kinda tired of hearing these two talk about having children like they're collecting webkinz or something! As reported in an article on people.com, "When asked by Italian state TV if he and partner Angelina Jolie were ready for a fifth child, Pitt replied: 'Yeah, we're ready.'" What?! Can someone please remind Brad that they already have four kids! And has anyone stopped to add up the months in between each of these new additions: Jolie adopted Maddox in March, 2002; three years later, she adopts Zahara in July 2005; 10 months later, Shiloh is born in May, 2006; 10 months later they adopt Pax in March 2007...other than the gap between the first and second, that's only a 10-month stretch! Most mothers I know would have had a stroke by this point! It MUST be nice to have nannies!

Ok, I have no problem with the idea that the Jolie-Pitts are genuine, open-hearted people who want to create a loving environment for international orphans and the like, but they aren't running an orphanage, they're adopting these kids--taking on the responsibility of raising them to become mature, reasonably normal adults. I guess my burning question is how do they give each of these children the nurturing and attention that they need from both their mother and their father? Yes, children often grow up in much less desirable environments, but ole' Brad and Angie are choosing to live and raise these children as a couple--a Hollywood couple, at that. Yes, rich people have been letting other people raise their children for hundreds of years, but those are generally the children that they choose to bring into the world. The J-P's are choosing to create this environment and then hiring other people to make it all happen. I am having trouble seeing their benevolence as anything other than the newest collecting trend among the rich and eccentric.

The report goes on to say, "Brad Pitt says that with four children, 'sleep is non-existent' and some days fatherhood is a roller coaster ride." How in the world do they expect anyone to believe that, if one of the children cries out in the night, Brad is the one who jumps up to calm the tears?! When do you ever see ole' Angie trying to wrestle all four kids into the family mini-van so that she can get Maddox to school on time?! OH, and where in the world is Maddox in school? They're in a different state every other week...and Angie's off in Iraq!

"It's the most fun I have ever had and also the biggest pain in the ass I have ever experienced," [Brad] told reporters at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday. "(But) I love it and I can't recommend it any more highly." Well sure, Brad...I'm sure everyone would love to be a father when they want to...and then hand them off to the nannies when it's time to go play cards with Clooney and the boys! bleh...

[Please note: this is only MY humble, uneducated opinion based on info I'm getting from People.com and Entertainment Tonight! I have not thoroughly researched the effects of stacking up kids like cordwood and hiring a hoard of people to care for them so that you can jet-set off to Venice and Hollywood for glamorous film-festival after glamorous film festival. I'm sure the kids are fine...and living in much better digs than I ever will!]

Summer 2007 in a post

My summer? Somewhat uneventful. These pics (and my next post) pretty much sum it up. We begin with Jen's wedding. The next pics are the highlight of my summer--our trip to Kyle and Katie's house. The pics were mainly taken with a film camera and scanned on my dinky free-with-computer scanner, so sorry about the quality! I'll be posting a few pics from Josh and Ashley's wedding soon...

Jen's wedding party

who doesn't love a wedding cake?!

ABC friends 4 life!

Lynette and Janie...and don't we all wonder what THEY were talking about?!

Patty and Aggie--the twinkies!

Oh, yeah!!

We're goin' to see David and we're SOOOOO excited!!!

Bathtime fun

We're clean and we're LOVIN' it!

David is hilarious!!

David and the giraffes

David and Katie are chillin' in the penguin house.

Erica, Grayson, and Mom

David, Erica, Grayson, and Mom

Erica and David

Grayson and Kyle jammin' out

polka-dot buddies

uhm, I don't even know how to label this one!! :)

...coming soon, pics from Josh and Ashley's wedding!

I'm confused...am I actually supposed to WANT to eat Sour Skittles after watching this?

Yuck!!

growing up!

I realized that it's been a while since I've posted any pics of the 'fam'. I bought a Nikon N80 a few months ago and, since then, I haven't done much with my digital camera (nor have I done a good job of developing the film, but that's a whole 'nother story!) I shot these pictures of Grayson out at Mammy's house (that's what he calls Mom--it's supposed to be Grammy, but he's changed it to Mammy! Now, had any of US suggested that she be called "Mammy," she would have hurt us, but since it's Grayson--he who does no wrong--she's ok with it! I still think it's funny, but I digress...) a few weeks ago and just picked up the film tonight, so I've scanned some of them on my dinky little scanner and posted them here for the delight of my one reader!! We just got back from a trip to Missouri to visit Kyle, Katie, and David, and those pics are off to be developed as I write...so maybe I'll post them soon! Until then, Grayson (age 18 months) at Mammy's:

"CHEEEEEESSSSSEEEEE!!!"

The solemn profile shot

The kid likes to clean...he takes after his aunt! What can I say?! ha!

Get ready GQ!! ;)

NO WAY!!

(I think this is my favorite of the bunch!)