Theeeeey're heeeeEEEEeere!

Isn't it cool how some phrases, when said correctly, can just take you right back to a certain place in a movie?!




So you're wondering, what, exactly is here. It's not like I've made any announcements here about anything being on its way. But, I tell you Josh will know what I'm talking about. When I tell him, "They're here." He will know exactly what I mean.

You see, this child needed ANOTHER pair of shoes. Yes, he just got some Zigs for Christmas but darn it if his feet won't stop growing! And, since he's playing basketball and wanted some, I got him a pair of hi-tops...and, well, they came today. So, THEY.ARE.HERE.

These are here.

Not that he will be able to wear them for anything OTHER than basketball (until basketball season is over) but, regardless, they're here and he'll be excited.

We had this conversation about hi-tops the other day and why he needed those as opposed to just a traditional sneaker.

"Mom, they make you jump higher."

Me, "No, that power would come from your thighs."

"Well, they make you pivot better."

"Um, no again. That comes from your torso, legs and feet."

"Josh, by your reasoning, if I buy an apron, it makes me a better cook."

"... hmmm... well, they look cool!"

And, THEREIN lies the logic of why THIS basketball player needed hi-tops.

Why I don't watch award shows or 99.9% of reality TV

I have a rant coming on. Just be forewarned.



I'm a firm believer in being a person who does something for the greater good -- be it yourself, your family, society or nature. I believe, too, that you should seek out and then act upon your God given talents. Should your talent be... say... acting or singing. That's great. Good for you and I certainly hope you do it and are not only successful at it but that it opens doors for you.

So, as it stands, I guess it seems that I don't really have a problem with the occupations--it's more the fact that the celebrities IN these professions (not all, but the majority) seem to be not only so completely out of touch with reality but also so ridiculously narcissistic and egocentric.



Enter the award shows.



Those in the acting profession have the Golden Globes, the Oscars, the Tonys, the Emmy's, and the People's Choice Awards. Then you hit the more obscure (but still star-studded) Palm Springs Film Festival Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and the Independent Spirit Awards. Oh but wait, there's more. They have untelevisied award shows too! Gasp! You know the Directors Guild Awards, the Writers Guild Awards, and even the Producers Guild Awards.


Along the same lines -- while I'm on the subject of those with talent -- take singers. Sometimes I think their jobs are actually more strenuous becuase they're exercising fragile vocal muscles sometimes daily and generally are putting on very labor-intensive performance for the better part of any year that they tour. They are as glamorized and idolized just as actors are.



Their ego parties are the American Music Awards, the Grammys, the Latin Grammy Awards, the Latin Billboard Grammy, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (induction), the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, the Dove Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, the CMA Awards, the Teen Choice, the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Ozone Magazine awards, the NAACP Music Awards and the newest – the Hip Hop Awards.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly think that everyone deserves to be recognized for a job well done but the way our society currently functions is BEYOND PATHETIC. People are more concerned with who is screwing whom, what so-and-so DIDN'T wear under her skirt, the latest Mel Gibson rant, or who is in rehab than on how to improve ourselves...



our world....



our education....



our spiritual well-being...



our family...



our economy...



our natural world...

Most people have no clue of what is really going on in their own city... their state... our country... the economy... the Congress... the bail-outs... the corruption... the international laughing stock our "p"resident is (yes, I intentionally left that lowercase. He can have a capital when he ACTS like a real leader. Humph!)


Isn't it ironic that America knows more about reality TV than the REAL world. People are so caught up in the worlds labeled as "reality" but that are so far removed from reality. It is quite sad they think it's synomosus.

So, without further adieu --Enter reality TV.

You know like Jersey Shore... the Bachelor... the Bachelorette... Big Brother... The Biggest Loser... OH my GOSH it's sick...the list of reality tv shows. I found this list HERE:

• The $25 Million Dollar Hoax
• 13: Fear is Real
• 16 & Pregnant
• 19 Kids & Counting
• 30 Days
• 30 Seconds of Fame
• 50 Cent: The Money and the Power
• 8th & Ocean
• 9 by Design
• A Double Shot at Love
• A Model Life with Petra Nemcova
• A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila 1
• A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila 2
• Ace of Cakes
• Addicted
• Adventures in Hollyhood
• Age of Love
• The Agency
• Airline
• Airplane Repo
• All American Girl
• The Amazing Race 1
• The Amazing Race 2
• The Amazing Race 3
• The Amazing Race 4
• The Amazing Race 5
• The Amazing Race 6
• The Amazing Race 7
• The Amazing Race 8
• The Amazing Race 9
• The Amazing Race 10
• The Amazing Race: All-Stars
• The Amazing Race 12
• The Amazing Race 13
• The Amazing Race 14
• The Amazing Race 15
• The Amazing Race 16
• The Amazing Race 17
• America's Best Dance Crew 1
• America's Best Dance Crew 2
• America's Best Dance Crew 3
• America's Best Dance Crew 4
• America's Best Dance Crew 5
• America's Got Talent 1
• America's Got Talent 2
• America's Got Talent 3
• America's Got Talent 4
• America's Got Talent 5
• America's Most Smartest Model
• America's Next Great Restaurant
• America's Next Muppet
• America's Next Producer
• America's Next Top Model 1
• America's Next Top Model 2
• America's Next Top Model 3
• America's Next Top Model 4
• America's Next Top Model 5
• America's Next Top Model 6
• America's Next Top Model 7
• America's Next Top Model 8
• America's Next Top Model 9
• America's Next Top Model 10
• America's Next Top Model 11
• America's Next Top Model 12
• America's Next Top Model 13
• America's Next Top Model 14
• America's Next Top Model 15
• America's Toughest Jobs
• American Chopper
• American Gladiators
• American Hot Rod
• American Idol 1
• American Idol 2
• American Idol 3
• American Idol 4
• American Idol 5
• American Idol 6
• American Idol 7
• American Idol 8
• American Idol 9
• American Idol 10
• American Inventor 1
• American Inventor 2
• American Loggers
• American Pickers
• American Dream Derby
• American Juniors
• Amish In The City
• Amne$ia
• Anchorwoman
• The Anna Nicole Show
• Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
• The Antonio Treatment
• Anything For Love
• The Apprentice 1
• The Apprentice 2
• The Apprentice 3
• The Apprentice 4
• The Apprentice 5
• The Apprentice: Los Angeles
• The Apprentice 7
• The Apprentice: Martha Stewart
• Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
• Are You Hot?
• Armed & Famous
• Arranged Marriage
• The Ashlee Simpson Show
• Ashley Paige: Bikini or Bust
• The Assistant
• Average Joe 1
• Average Joe 2: Hawaii
• Average Joe 3: Adam Returns
• Average Joe 4
• Ax Men
• The Baby Borrowers
• Bachelor Pad
• The Bachelor 1
• The Bachelor 2
• The Bachelor 3
• The Bachelor 4
• The Bachelor 5
• The Bachelor 6
• The Bachelor 7
• The Bachelor: Paris
• The Bachelor: Rome
• The Bachelor 15
• The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman
• The Bachelor 11
• The Bachelor: London Calling
• The Bachelor 13
• The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love
• The Bachelorette 1
• The Bachelorette 2
• The Bachelorette 3
• The Bachelorette 4
• The Bachelorette 5
• The Bachelorette 6
• The Bad Girls Club
• Baldwin Hills
• Bank of Hollywood
• Basketball Wives
• Battleground Earth
• Battle of the Network Reality Stars
• Beauty And The Geek 1
• Beauty And The Geek 2
• Beauty And The Geek 3
• Beauty And The Geek 4
• Beauty And The Geek 5
• Beg, Borrow & Deal 1
• Beg, Borrow & Deal 2
• Being Bobby Brown
• The Benefactor
• Bethenny's Getting Married?
• Better Half
• The Beverly Hillbillies
• Big Brother 1
• Big Brother 2
• Big Brother 3
• Big Brother 4
• Big Brother 5
• Big Brother 6
• Big Brother 7: All-Stars
• Big Brother 8
• Big Brother 9
• Big Brother 10
• Big Brother 11
• Big Brother 12
• Big Brother (International Editions)
• The Biggest Loser 1
• The Biggest Loser 2
• The Biggest Loser 3
• The Biggest Loser 4
• The Biggest Loser: Couples
• The Biggest Loser: Families
• The Biggest Loser: Couples 2
• The Biggest Loser 8
• The Biggest Loser: Couples 3
• The Biggest Loser 10
• The Biggest Loser 11
• The Biggest Loser: Special Edition
• Big Man on Campus
• Bindi: The Jungle Girl
• Black Gold
• The Block
• Blonde Charity Mafia
• Blood Dolphins
• Blow Out
• Blush
• Boarding House: North Shore
• Boot Camp
• Born Country
• Boy Meets Boy
• Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business
• Brat Camp
• Breaking Bonaduce
• Breakthrough with Tony Robbins
• Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It
• Bridal Bootcamp
• Bridalplasty
• Bridezillas
• Bridget's Sexiest Beaches
• Britain's Got Talent
• Britney And Kevin: Chaotic
• Bromance
• The Buried Life
• But The Sex Is So Good
• Cake Boss
• Can You Duet?
• Canadian Idol
• Carnie Wilson: Unstapled
• Cash Cab
• The Casino
• The Celebrity Apprentice 1
• The Celebrity Apprentice 2
• The Celebrity Apprentice 3
• Celebrity Circus
• Celebrity Cooking Showdown
• Celebrity Duets
• Celebrity Fit Club 1
• Celebrity Fit Club 5
• Celebrity Fit Club 6
• Celebrity Fit Club 7
• Celebrity Mole Hawaii
• Celebrity Mole Yucatan
• Celebrity Rap Superstar
• Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House 1
• Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House 2
• Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 1
• Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 2
• Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 3
• Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 4
• CHA$E
• Change of Heart
• Chasing Farrah
• Chef Academy
• Chopped
• The Chopping Block
• The City
• Clash of the Choirs
• The Club
• Coal
• Cold Turkey
• College Life
• College Hill
• The Colony
• Color Splash
• Combat Missions
• The Complex
• Confessions of a Matchmaker
• Confessions of a Teen Idol
• The Contender 1
• The Contender 2
• The Contender 3
• The Contender 4
• Cops
• Craving Comfort
• Criss Angel Mindfreak
• Croc Hunter Challenge
• The Crocodile Hunter
• Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants
• Cupcake Dreams
• Cupid
• The Cut
• Dad Camp
• Daisy of Love
• Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team
• Dance Machine
• Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
• Dance Your Ass Off 1
• Dance Your Ass Off 2
• Dance Fever
• Dancelife
• Dancing with the Stars 1
• Dancing with the Stars 2
• Dancing with the Stars 3
• Dancing with the Stars 4
• Dancing with the Stars 5
• Dancing with the Stars 6
• Dancing with the Stars 7
• Dancing with the Stars 8
• Dancing with the Stars 9
• Dancing with the Stars 10
• Dancing with the Stars 11
• Date My Ex: Jo & Slade
• Date My House
• Dating in the Dark
• The Dating Experiment
• DEA
• Deadliest Catch
• Deal Or No Deal
• Deion & Pilar: Prime Time Love
• Denise Richards: It's Complicated
• Destination Truth
• Destroyed in Seconds
• The Detonators
• Dice Undisputed
• DietTribe
• Dinner: Impossible
• Dirty Jobs
• Dog The Bounty Hunter
• Dog Whisperer
• Dog Eat Dog
• Don't Forget the Lyrics!
• Double Exposure
• Downfall
• Dr. Steve-O
• Dream Job 1
• Dress My Nest
• Driving Force
• Dudesons in America
• Eco-Challenge: Fiji
• Eco-Challenge: New Zealand
• Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke
• ego trip's The (White) Rapper Show
• Engaged and Underage
• Estate of Panic
• Ex-Wives Club
• The Exterminators
• Extreme Makeover
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
• Fake-A-Date
• Fame
• The Family
• Family Foreman
• Family Business
• Family Plots
• Fantasia For Real
• Farmer Wants a Wife
• The Fashion Show 1
• The Fashion Show 2
• The Fashionista Diaries
• Fast Cars & Superstars
• Fat March
• Fear Factor
• Find My Family
• The First 48
• Flavor of Love 1
• Flavor of Love 2
• Flavor of Love 3
• Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School starring Mo'Nique
• Flip This House
• Flipping Out
• Flowers Uncut with Jeff Leatham
• Fly Girls
• Food Detectives
• Football Wives
• For The Love of Ray J 2
• For Better Or For Worse
• Forever Eden
• For Love Or Money 1
• For Love Or Money 2
• For Love Or Money 3
• For Love Or Money 4
• Frank the Entertainer... in a Basement Affair
• From G's to Gents
• Funniest Mom in America
• Gay, Straight or Taken?
• Gene Simmons Family Jewels
• Ghost Hunters
• Ghost Hunters Academy
• Ghost Hunters International
• Ghost Lab
• Gimme My Reality Show!
• The Girls Next Door
• Giuliana & Bill
• Giving Hope
• Gone Country 1
• Gone Country 2
• Gone Country 3
• Gone Too Far
• Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live
• Grease: You're the One That I Want
• Great American Road Trip
• Greatest American Dog
• Growing Up Gotti
• Hair Battle Spectacular
• Hammertime
• Hard Knocks
• Harlem Heights
• Harry Loves Lisa
• The Hasselhoffs
• Have Fork, Will Travel
• Heli-Loggers
• Hell Date
• Hell's Kitchen 1
• Hell's Kitchen 2
• Hell's Kitchen 3
• Hell's Kitchen 4
• Hell's Kitchen 5
• Hell's Kitchen 6
• Hell's Kitchen 7
• Hell's Kitchen 8
• Here Come the Newlyweds
• He's A Lady
• Hey Paula
• HGTV Design Star 1
• HGTV Design Star 2
• HGTV Design Star 3
• HGTV Design Star 4
• HGTV Design Star 5
• High School Musical: Summer Session
• High School Reunion 1
• High School Reunion 4
• High School Reunion 5
• High School Reunion 6
• High Society
• The Hills
• Hit Me Baby One More Time
• Hoarders
• Hoarding: Buried Alive
• Hogan Knows Best
• Hole in the Wall
• Holly's World
• Holmes on Homes
• Homeland Security USA
• Hooked Up
• Hope for Your Home
• Hopkins
• Househusbands of Hollywood
• House Rules
• How to Look Good Naked
• Howie Do It
• Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling
• I Can Make You Thin
• I Get That A Lot
• I Love Money 1
• I Love Money 3
• I Love New York 1
• I Love New York 2
• I Propose
• I Survived a Japanese Game Show
• I Wanna Be a Soap Star 4
• I Want To Be A Hilton
• I Want to Work for Diddy
• I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 1
• I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2
• I'm From Rolling Stone
• I've Got Nothing to Wear
• Ice Road Truckers
• The Imploders
• In Harm's Way
• In Search of the Partridge Family
• Intervention
• Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein
• Invasion Iowa
• Iron Chef America
• The It Factor
• Jackass
• The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty
• Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
• The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency
• Jersey Couture
• Jersey Shore
• Jesse James Is A Dead Man
• Jingles
• Joe Millionaire
• The Joe Schmo Show 1
• The Joe Schmo Show 2
• Jon & Kate Plus 8
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
• Keeping Up with the Kardashians
• Kell on Earth
• Kendra
• Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design
• Kid Nation
• Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane
• King of Cars
• King of the Crown
• Kirstie Alley's Big Life
• Kitchen Nightmares
• Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami
• LA Ink
• Lady or a Tramp
• Laguna Beach
• Last Comic Standing 1
• Last Comic Standing 2
• Last Comic Standing 3
• Last Comic Standing 4
• Last Comic Standing 5
• Last Comic Standing 6
• Last Comic Standing 7
• Last One Standing
• The Last Resort
• Launch My Line
• The Law Firm
• Leave it to Lamas
• Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods
• Let's Dance
• Life of Ryan
• The Little Couple
• Little Miss Perfect
• Little People, Big World
• The Littlest Groom
• Live for the Moment
• Live to Dance
• Living Lohan
• Liza & David
• The Locator
• Looking for Love: Bachelorettes in Alaska
• Losing It With Jillian
• Love Cruise
• Love Shack
• Luke's Parental Advisory
• Mad Mad House
• Make Me a Supermodel 1
• Make Me a Supermodel 2
• Making It Home: Greensburg
• Making Menudo
• Making News: Texas Style
• Making The Band 2
• Mall Cops: Mall of America
• Man vs. Wild
• Manhunt
• Manhunters
• Marcel's Quantum Kitchen
• The Marriage Ref
• Married By America
• Mary Knows Best
• Master of Dance
• MasterChef
• Maui Fever
• Meerkat Manor
• Meet Mister Mom
• Meet My Folks
• Meet The Barkers
• Megan Wants a Millionaire
• Miami Social
• The Michael Vick Project
• Million Dollar Listing
• The Millionaire Matchmaker
• Minute to Win It
• Miracle Workers
• Miss America: Reality Check
• Model Citizens
• Models NYC
• Models of the Runway 1
• Models of the Runway 2
• The Mole 1
• The Mole 2
• The Mole 5
• The Moment of Truth
• Momma's Boys
• Monster Garage
• More to Love
• Moving Up
• Mr. Personality
• Mr. Romance
• Murder
• Murder in Small Town X
• Must Love Kids
• My Antonio
• My Big Friggin' Wedding
• My Big Redneck Wedding
• My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad
• My Super Sweet 16
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance
• My Fair Brady
• My Life Is A Sitcom
• Mythbusters
• Nanny 911
• NASCAR in Primetime
• Nashville
• Nashville Star 1
• Nashville Star 2
• Nashville Star 3
• Nashville Star 4
• Nashville Star 5
• Nashville Star 6
• National Bingo Night
• New York Goes to Hollywood
• Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica
• Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County
• The Next Best Thing
• The Next Food Network Star 3
• The Next Food Network Star 4
• The Next Food Network Star 6
• The Next Great American Band
• The Next Iron Chef 1
• The Next Iron Chef 2
• Next Action Star
• The Next Great Champ
• The Next Joe Millionaire
• No Boundaries
• No Opportunity Wasted
• NYC Prep
• Obsessed
• The OCD Project
• Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch
• Omarosa's Ultimate Merger
• The One: Making a Music Star
• One Big Happy Family
• One Ocean View
• The One Who Got Away
• On The Lot
• Oprah's Big Give
• The Osbournes
• Our Little Genius
• Outback Jack
• Outsider's Inn
• P. Diddy's Starmaker
• Pageant Place
• Pam: Girl on the Loose
• Pantry Raid
• The Paper
• Paradise Hotel 1
• Paradise Hotel 2
• Paranormal Cops
• Paranormal Investigators
• Paranormal State
• Paris Hilton's My New BFF
• Parking Wars
• The Partner
• Party Monsters: Cabo
• The People's Court
• Pepsi Play for a Billion
• Perfect Match: New York
• Performing As...
• Phenomenon
• The Pick-Up Artist
• Pimp My Ride
• Pirate Master
• Pitchmen
• Plain Jane
• The Player
• Playing It Straight
• Police Women of Broward County
• PoweR Girls
• Prankville
• The Price of Beauty
• The Principal's Office
• Private Chefs of Beverly Hills
• Project Greenlight 2
• Project Greenlight 3
• Project Runway 1
• Project Runway 2
• Project Runway 3
• Project Runway 4
• Project Runway 5
• Project Runway 6
• Project Runway 7
• Project Runway 8
• Property Ladder
• Punk'd
• Push, Nevada
• Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll
• Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious
• Queer Eye For The Straight Girl
• Queer Eye For The Straight Guy
• R U The Girl With T-Boz & Chilli
• Race To The Altar
• The Rachel Zoe Project
• Raising Sextuplets
• Raw Nature
• Real Chance of Love: Back in the Saddle
• The Real Gilligan's Island 1
• The Real Gilligan's Island 2
• The Real Housewives of Atlanta
• The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
• The Real Housewives of D.C.
• The Real Housewives of New Jersey
• The Real Housewives of New York City
• The Real Housewives of Orange County
• The Real L World
• The Real Roseanne Show
• The Real Wedding Crashers
• The Real World: Austin
• The Real World: Back to New York
• The Real World: Boston
• The Real World: Brooklyn
• The Real World: Chicago
• The Real World: Hollywood
• The Real World: Key West
• The Real World: Las Vegas
• The Real World: Los Angeles
• The Real World: New Orleans
• The Real World: New York
• The Real World: Paris
• The Real World: Philadelphia
• The Real World: San Diego
• The Real World: San Francisco
• The Real World: Seattle
• The Real World: Sydney
• Reality Racing - The Rookie Challenge
• The Rebel Billionaire
• Recovery
• Renovate My Family
• The Restaurant
• Rich Guy, Poor Guy
• Rich Girls
• Road Rules
• Road Rules: South Pacific
• Road Rules: X-TREME
• The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott
• Rob & Amber: Against the Odds
• Rob and Big
• Rob And Amber Get Married
• Rocco's Dinner Party
• Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels
• Rock of Love Charm School with Sharon Osbourne
• Rock of Love with Bret Michaels 1
• Rock of Love with Bret Michaels 2
• Rock the Cradle
• Rock Star: INXS
• Rock Star: Supernova
• Rookies
• Ruby
• Run's House
• Runaway Squad
• Running in Heels
• Sarah Palin's Alaska
• Say Yes to the Dress
• Scare Tactics
• The Scholar
• Scott Baio is 45... And Single
• Scream Queens 1
• Scream Queens 2
• The Search for the Next Elvira
• The Search For The Most Talented Kid In America
• Second Chance: America's Most Talented Senior
• The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom
• Secret Millionaire
• Secret Talents of the Stars
• Secrets of Aspen
• Seducing Cindy
• Sell This House
• Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew
• Sex in the Itty Bitty City
• Shaq Vs.
• Shaq's Big Challenge
• Shark Tank
• She's Got the Look
• Shear Genius 1
• Shear Genius 2
• Shear Genius 3
• Shipmates
• Shooting Sizemore
• The Simple Life 1
• The Simple Life 2
• The Simple Life 3
• The Simple Life 4
• The Sing-Off
• The Singing Bee
• The Singing Office
• Sister Wives
• Skating with the Stars
• Skating With Celebrities
• Smash Lab
• Snoop Dogg's Father Hood
• So You Think You Can Dance 1
• So You Think You Can Dance 2
• So You Think You Can Dance 3
• So You Think You Can Dance 4
• So You Think You Can Dance 5
• So You Think You Can Dance 6
• So You Think You Can Dance 7
• Solitary
• Sorority Life
• The Spin Crowd
• Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search
• The Springer Hustle
• The Stagers
• The Starlet
• Star Search
• Starting Over
• Step It Up & Dance
• Steven Seagal Lawman
• Storm Chasers
• Street Customs
• Style Her Famous
• Stylista
• Sunday Best
• Sunset Tan
• Super Millionaire
• Supernanny
• The Superstars
• Superstars of Dance
• Superstar USA
• Surf Girls
• The Surreal Life 1
• The Surreal Life 2
• The Surreal Life 3
• The Surreal Life 4
• The Surreal Life 5
• The Surreal Life 6
• The Surreal Life: Fame Games
• Survivor: Borneo
• Survivor: The Australian Outback
• Survivor: Africa
• Survivor: Marquesas
• Survivor: Thailand
• Survivor: The Amazon
• Survivor: Pearl Islands
• Survivor: All Stars
• Survivor: Vanuatu
• Survivor: Palau
• Survivor: Guatemala
• Survivor: Panama
• Survivor: Cook Islands
• Survivor: Fiji
• Survivor: China
• Survivor: Micronesia
• Survivor: Gabon
• Survivor: Tocantins
• Survivor: Samoa
• Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
• Survivor: Nicaragua
• Survivor 22
• Survivorman
• The Swan 1
• Tabatha's Salon Takeover
• Table For 12
• Tacky House
• Take Home Nanny
• Taking on Tyson
• Taquita & Kaui
• Taxicab Confessions
• Teen Mom
• Teen Mom 2
• Temptation Island 1
• Temptation Island 2
• Temptation Island 3
• Thank God You're Here
• That's Amore
• There Goes the Neighborhood
• There's Something About Miriam
• Thintervention with Jackie Warner
• 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave
• Tim Gunn's Guide to Style
• Toddlers and Tiaras
• Todd TV
• Tommy Lee Goes To College
• Tontine
• Tool Academy 1
• Tool Academy 2
• Top Chef 1
• Top Chef 2
• Top Chef 3 Miami
• Top Chef 4
• Top Chef All-Stars
• Top Chef Masters 1
• Top Chef Masters 2
• Top Chef: D.C.
• Top Chef: Just Desserts
• Top Chef: Las Vegas
• Top Chef: New York
• Top Design 1
• Top Design 2
• Top Gear
• Top Shot
• Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood
• Tori & Dean: Inn Love
• Tough as Nails
• Tough Love
• Tough Love: Couples
• Tough Enough
• Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod
• Trading Spaces
• Trading Spouses
• Transform Me
• Treasure Quest
• Treasure Hunters
• Trick It Out
• Trick My Truck
• Trick My Trucker
• Trista & Ryan's Wedding
• True Beauty
• Tuesday Night Book Club
• Twentyfourseven
• The Two Coreys
• Two-A-Days
• Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge
• UFO Hunters
• Ultimate Cake Off
• The Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search 3
• Ultimate Recipe Showdown
• Unan1mous
• Undercover Boss
• Under One Roof
• Varsity Inc.
• Victoria Beckham: Coming to America
• The Victoria?s Secret Fashion Show
• Viva La Bam
• Walk the Lion
• Wanna Bet
• WCG Ultimate Gamer
• The Weakest Link
• Welcome to the Parker
• Welcome To The Neighborhood
• Whale Wars
• What Chilli Wants
• What Not To Wear
• When Women Rule the World
• While You Were Out
• Who Are You Wearing?
• Who's Your Daddy?
• Who Wants to be a Superhero? 2
• Who Wants To Marry My Dad? 1
• Who Wants To Marry My Dad? 2
• Wickedly Perfect
• Wife, Mom, Bounty Hunter
• Wife Swap
• The Will
• Will Work for Food
• Wipeout
• Work of Art: The Next Great Artist
• Work Out
• World Idol
• Worst Case Scenario
• Worst Cooks in America
• Wreckreation Nation
• The X Factor
• You're Cut Off!
• Your Mama Don't Dance

Is that list not MIND NUMBING? And to think, that people will DVR not one, not two but three, four or even more of those shows and watch them religiously. I don't understand that. America is FAT because it sits on its ASS watching crap like "the Situation."

I'll tell you what a "Situation" is... when you know more about a group of NOBODYs than you do about your own CHILDREN -- that's a sad situation.

If you spend more time on your butt watching television than you do doing something HELPFUL for someone... that's a sad situation.

If you spend more time in a day in the "company" of the strangers on reality TV than you do with your own KIDS... that's a PATHETIC situation.

If you are fondling the remote control instead of a dumbell, jump rope handle or dog leash, that's a sad situation.

If you're spending more time WATCHING than DOING ANYTHING beneficial for yourself... you've got a sad "situation" on your hands there my friend!

Get off your butt, turn off the nonsense and LIVE YOUR LIFE! Ugh!

Now, I will say that I don't care if someone watches TV. I have been known to watch a few shows in my day but not at the expense of my health, well-being, family, friends, fun. I am definitely not a slave to the telelvision and if I miss an episode -- WHO CARES?!

WHO CARES?!

I don't mind the shows that actually have a purpose. Some shows actually do provide some sort of entertainment but the reality shows like Jersey Shore... they've made celebrities out of people for being sluts. I don't understand the entertainment value in that. These people are now famous and have no talent.


Society has glamorized nothingness. And those nothings are paid well... for nothingness. How sad. They do nothing. They contribute nothing.

However, take actors... you know, people with a TALENT and a SKILL. They can make $3-20 million a movie. Then, depending on where the movie is being filmed, yes, there could potentially be travel. We understand that it means time away from family.

Let me grab a tissue...

... so they're making at least 3 MILLION per movie... while working 12-14 hour days (which I'm sure is industry standard) for a couple months away from their family.

Now, I'm not in the film industry, obviously, but I wouldn't think that a movie wouldn't take anymore than a couple of months to shoot. So, yes, there are potentially days when you're not at home... you're away from your family but I believe your heavy compensation should count for something. After all, this is your chosen profession. It'd be like a teacher complaining s/he made little. Everyone knows you don't enter that profession to get rich -- you enter it because you have a heart for children.

Further, if you were squeaking by on a mere three MILLION for those three months, I'd still say you were making a great living.


I remember reading somewhere about a celebrity throwing a public fit becuase she didn't make as much as her counterpart (who subsequently had a bigger role and a bigger name).


I just think, you know, you don't feel that your three million (or whatever it was) is enough and you want to complain because someone ELSE makes 15 million? Why don't you complain to those American soldiers who are away from THEIR families...

... while working 12-14 hour days OR LONGER

... while wearing FLACK VESTS

... and living in freakin' TENTS (not some cushy trailer)

... whose family lives on the borderline poverty level

... and are being shot at daily

... eating MREs while digging sand out of their ears


Why don't you whine and complain to THEM about your pathetic little life. Why not ask THEM if THEY'd like to make three million for the YEAR OR MORE that they're away from THEIR families?! Cry me a FREAKIN RIVER!

We are so ready to beat down on those on welfare and public assistance but forget that the "gimme" mentality goes all the way up to the eliteist snobs in Hollywood, too. Because we've let it!


So, in general, it's not the occupations themselves, it's the men and women who have CHOSEN to go these routes then get even more self absorbed with all the award shows... they seriously have to be the most self-conscious, ego centric, group of people lacking in self esteem to have to win trophies to feel validated in life.

I guess when I'm tuning into anything I wonder, is that imporant in the grand scheme of life? Is there anything about these people that I would care to emulate? No. Is there anything I can personally gain from watching this show? If the answer is not... the TV get turned off.

The current idea of what "entertainment" is saddens me.


I miss Seinfeld.

Sunday Stealing

The First 2011 Alphabet Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Neil Turner at the blog Neil Turner from the blog Neil Turner's Blog (duh). Neil is from Yorkshire, England. He said he stole it from Troy. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all of us thieves!

A is for Age: 38

B is for Beer of choice: Shiner Bock

C is for Career: Domestic Diva

D is for favourite Drink: Diet Big Red or sweet tea

E is for Essential item you use everyday: toilet paper

F is for Favourite song at the moment: I honestly don't have one... how sad!

G is for favourite Game: XBox 360 Just Dance (or whatever the name of that Dance one is)

H is for Hometown: Irving, TX

I is for Instruments you play: nada

J is for favourite Juice: pineapple-orange-banana

K is for Kids: three, Josh, Drew, Ben

L is for Last kiss: smack-a-roo from the hubs before he left to take Drew to a b-day party

M is for marriage: Yes, I believe in marriage... and am married.

N is for full Name: April Rene

O is for Overnight hospital stays: Several... at birth since I was a preemie... probably when I had my facial surgery as an infant. With Josh when he had pneumonia at 9 months old and was hospitalized for 5 days and a couple night with the birth of each of my kids.

P is for phobias: eating meat off the bone -- oogies me out. Staying in anything known to be haunted.

Q is for quote: This, too, shall pass. or This is a dictatorship, not a democracy. or Life's not fair.

R is for biggest Regret: Not finishing college out of high school.

S is for sports: ...whatever my kids are playing is my favorite.

T is for Time you wake up: depends on the day... Monday-Friday about 5:30. Saturdays more like...whenever Ben wakes up.

U is for colour of underwear: Why is that necessary? That's not a very nice thing to ask. I'll answer with NUNYA! :) As in... NUNYA business.

V is for Vegetable you love: Cucumbers, lettuce, radishes, onions, squash, asparagus, tomatoes, potatoes, okra, ... I love veggies!

W is for Worst Habit: over-planning things

X is for X-rays you've had: back, neck, foot

Y is for Yummy food you make: EVERYTHING I make is yummy!

Z is for zodiac sign: Sagittarius, baby!

Remember this moment....

cold front moved in...

woke up to rain...

house completely quiet...

early afternoon snow starts to fall...

still in our jammies...

open up my thick, plush red fleece robe and wrap you up inside...

only your little head is visible...

tie it tight...

you're babbling away "da da da" and "baah baah muh mamama"

I step outside...

then, you see it...

you see the huge, puffy, white snowflakes falling from Heaven and you grow completely silent...

you look left, right, up, down and completely take it all in...

the magic of snow has captivated you completely...

and I was given the blessing and gift to be the one with you as you witnessed your first snowfall ever...

magical moments with Ben...

Rock N Roll Friday with KISS!

Today they picked KISS. I had to do it...regardless of HOW "behind" I am on blogging because...well, JOSH likes KISS! Ha!

1. DETROIT ROCK CITY: “You gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City, Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet, Get down, Everybody's gonna leave their seat”
Have you ever been in a line dance or group dance? What was it?
I took dance when I was younger - jazz, tap, ballet at Dana's Dance Academy.

2. BLACK DIAMOND: “Out on the streets for a living, Picture's only begun, Your day is sorrow and madness, Got you under their thumb”
What would be the worst change in your life right now?
Having to adjust to being a single mom or having to adjust to having someone I loved be sick in the hospital. There's almost an infinite possibilities of potential horrors that one would have to adjust to the change of that I really don't care to think about.

3. DEUCE: "Baby, if you're feeling good, Yes, baby, if you're feeling nice, You know your man is workin' hard, He's worth a deuce”
When was the last time you got a tip?
I get tips every day. Today's tip: never eat yellow snow. Ha! I've never worked for tips...

4. STRUTTER: “She wears her satin like a lady, She gets her way just like a child. You take her home and she says, "Maybe, come on, baby", She puts you down and drives you wild”
Do you know someone who easily manipulates others?
Yes, he's running our country, however, I don't personally KNOW him. I only know OF him. But parents, we easily manipulate our children into doing what WE want them to do. Not that that's a bad thing... it's a responsibility of being a parent. Perhaps manipulation is a harsh word. On second, thought, maybe not!

5. I WAS MADE FOR LOVIN YOU: “Tonight I wanna see it in your eyes, Feel the magic, there's something that drives me wild. And tonight we're gonna make it all come true, 'Cause girl, you were made for me, And girl, I was made for you”
What was the last thing you saw in someone’s eyes?
The complete look of amazement as Ben witnessed his first snowfall this afternoon. Precious moments.

6. LICK IT UP: “Don't need to wait for an invitation, You gotta live like you're on vacation. There's something sweet you cant buy with money - lick it up, lick it up, Its all you need, so believe me honey, It ain't a crime to be good to yourself”
When was the last time you treated yourself to something special?
I treated myself to something special a week or so ago when I purchased Project Life and Log Your Memory! I'm so excited to start those projects!

7. LOVE GUN: “I'll be a gambler, Baby, Lay down the bet. We’ll get together, Mama…You'll sweat”
When was the last time you gambled?
About 45 minutes ago when I went out in this snow to get lunch. People in Texas can't drive in ANY kind of precipitation. If you're talking with MONEY, about 8 years ago.

8. HARD LUCK WOMAN: “I keep telling you hard luck woman, You ain't a hard luck woman
You'll be a hard luck woman, Baby, till you find your man”
Do you have hard luck, good luck or no luck lately?
I'd say a good mix of no luck or good luck. I'd be hard pressed to define myself as EVER having "hard luck" because if you feel like your life is that bad, you're not counting your blessings enough.

9. GOD OF THUNDER: “I was born on Olympus, To my father a son, I was raised by the demons (she laughs), Trained to reign as the one”
Who is your favorite super hero?
It'd probably be.... hmm.. Batman. When it was played by Val Kilmer. Mrow! (Mrow THEN... DEFINITELY not now! HA!)

10. BETH: “Just a few more hours, And I'll be right home to you, I think I hear them callin'
Oh, beth what can I do? Beth what can I do?”
What was the last reason you were late or detained?
Probably a dirty diaper or having to feed a hungry baby.

11. CALLIN DOCTOR LOVE: “And even though I'm full of sin, In the end you'll let me in
You'll let me through, there's nothin' you can do, You need my lovin', don't you know it's true”
What can you do that helps other people?
Pay it forward.... not take life for granted... be generous with your time, gifts, money and talents. Be kind. Speak positively. Pray.

12. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF ROCK N ROLL: “I gave my blood and I gave my soul; I stood my ground and I took control, The legend's growin' as the story's told, I pledge allegiance to the state of Rock 'n Roll”
What would you pledge allegiance to if given a choice?
My God, my country, my family, my friends.

13. CRAZY CRAZY NIGHTS: “And they try to tell us that we don't belong, But that's alright, we're millions strong, You are my people, you are my crowd, This is our music, we love it loud”
Are you a member of a group, (church, hobby group, civic group, network)?
I am not an "official" member of Gateway Church but I attend it. I am a member of the Grapevine Colleyville Southlake Mom's League. I'm a member of the Northwood Church MOPS Club. I'm a member of Project Life 2011.

Five Question Friday

1. What is your current favorite book, and why?
Honestly, I don't have a favorite book. I'm boring like that. Depending on what my season in life, there have been all kinds of favorites. When I was in 4th grade, "Little Women" was my favorite book. I've read several parenting books and at the moment those were the favorites of the day. I don't really have "a" favorite. Sorry.

2. Do you go to the dentist regularly?
No. Isn't that horrible? I hate the dentist! Loathe them. I know that when I go I'll need to drop a few couple g's to get my mouth fixed because I had times when I would grit my teeth in my sleep which has caused stress fractures in ALL my molars. Do you KNOW how expensive porcelain crowns are? Yeah, like a grand each! I need six. SIX... at like $1200 each. Yeah, that's crazy freakin expensive.

3. What is your worst memory from High School?
But... that means I'd have to remember it. There are tons. I didn't have the fun, free, "best days of my life" time when I was in high school. I didn't like it that much. I didn't feel prepared for the future when I left. I didn't have a grasp on the whole purpose of it all. I had to work my butt off while I went to school which left no time for all the fun stuff that everyone gets to do while they're IN high school like... Friday night games (no, couldn't do that, had to work) or extra curricular clubs. So, while lots of people like to go down memory lane and reminesce about high school, I'd rather just leave it in the past where it is better suited.

4. What do you hope to be remembered for in your life?
Wow... there are so many things that I'd LIKE to be remembered for. For instance, I'd LIKE to be remembered for curing cancer. But... I mean... that means, I'd have to be all scientifical and... I'm SO not.

So, what I HOPE to be remembered for... hmmmm

... being a humble servant of God

... being a loyal friend

... being a devoted and loving wife

... being a super crafty, amazingly creative, organized supermom

... being an awesome photographer

... being patient

... being kind

... being generous

... being charitable

... being skinny (ha ha.. ok, just had to throw that in there). Ha!


5. Are you superstitious or do you have any superstitions?

No, and no.

Random Drafts

Wouldn't it be nice to think that sometimes are lives are like my blog posts... saved in "Draft" form until they can be submitted for a last edit, perfected and then put out there as a perfect final draft? Well, in theory it would be nice but what about all those great life lessons you learn along the way from the ups and downs? I wouldn't want to surf my way through life having everything be all rainbows and butterflies.... how we react to challenge, adversity, change and struggle is what shapes us as individuals. It's what makes you YOU!

So, while my life is not full of first drafts and final edits, my blog is! Ha! I have about a months' worth of draft posts just sitting there patiently waiting (unlike my children), screaming (more like my children) to be posted! I have a bunch of posts from December. I have my 2010 wrap up post. I have my "looking ahead" post on the beginning of a new year. Heck, I still have days of the Advent Calendar activities just waiting to go up. I was going to add photos to the drafts but have decided not to. (Just in the interest of getting them up on the blog!) I have the pictures and can ultimately match those up with the story when I scrapbook them. After all, that's what my blog really started out to be -- a documentation of the journaling to accompany the photos of my scrapbooks.

Randomness --

Today: Today is the day that the Christmas decorations finally come down! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my house all "done up" for the Big Guy's birthday, but after a while, I really just want my house back! It's beyond impossible to get anything done during the day that I want to do (like blogging, surfing, reading, crafting) when there are so many things that need to be done. Then throw in this little guy who apparently thinks I'm supposed to feed him and change his poopy diapers. The nerve of that kid! LOL

So, I haven't had time to finish anything -- except for right now! I had to sit down to do this so that I didn't forget! Ha!

Today is also the day that I go up to Drew's school and present his teacher with her "half-birthday" gift (a new CD/boom box/cassette player) from the classroom. Yes, among my other duties, I signed up to be room mom for Drew's class. His teacher's birthday is in the summer and I didn't want her to feel left out SO, I thought it'd be fun to throw her a "half-birthday" party.

I got a mom to volunteer to make cupcakes and I sent out a request for donations to get her a classroom gift and told them what it was and that anything over and above the gift would be in a generic gift card that would be placed in a card for her.

While I totally understand the whole "donation" thing -- that you're asking for donations and you can't give a suggested amount since it is a donation which means voluntary... it's just sad to me that when all anyone has to do is send in as little as $5 or $10 to cover a gift for a teacher that loves on and spends more time with our kids in a day than WE do... I only get THREE people submitting donations. It just makes me sad. This woman is really just so wonderful! She's so sweet and loving and prays for our kids and blesses them with patience and understanding and three people submitted donations.

But, at least with my donation, we had enough to purchase the gift for her that is from the entire class... just seems sad (to me) that everyone gets credit when only four of us (out of 15) put in any "work." Hmmm... seems like there's a really big way to tie this into something political... such a perfect parallel, huh? Ok ok ok... I won't even go there.... Ha ha... just kidding. The IMPORTANT thing is that we are glorifying God in blessing His servant and being thankful she was born! That's the important thing... period.

Ultimately, I understand the important part is that she is gifted with something and knows she's loved and appreciated and such... but I still think it's just in bad taste to do nothing at all. If you've got your kid in a private school, you can obviously spare $5 or $10 to put toward a group gift to an amazing person. That's all I'm saying.

Among other randomness... the weather -- it's supposed to get cold and ugly the next couple of days. Cold as in HIGHS in the low 30s and UGLY as in RAIN! Cold and rain are YUCK! Cold, I can deal with (and, by the way, so can Lola now that she's got her fancy new fleece jacket that is GIRLIE color (pink!!))

And what does this woman do when the weather gets ugly? I make CHILI! :) So, tonight it is lasagna, Caesar salad and garlic bread. Tomorrow it's chili and cornbread and Sunday it's STEW and cornbread. I think I'm on a cornbread kick right now! YUM!

So... I'm still here and keeping notes, but not finalizing my blog posts because they're just brainstormed lists so that I don't forget what the heck I'm up to! So, as it stands, right now, all the fun events of life are being lived out, but for the blog, they're still in draft mode. :)

Fun things are coming up for us, however... our Valentine Advent calendar is in full planning mode!

I mean, it's a new year, it's time for new fun! Right? Who's with me?