Can you tell I'm in a Doctor Who mood?

I'm having trouble uploading the amazing video (that contains spoilers), but it is worth seeing.

Wish List: DVD Edition

I never realized how expensive is a season ("series") of Doctor Who. Luckily, Amazon has some good deals, comparitively. Here are just a few things on my Wish List (more to come):

Doctor Who, the Complete First Series, $43.99
Doctor Who, the Complete Second Series, $44.49

Doctor Who, the Complete Third Series , $44.49


Doctor Who, the Complete Fourth Series, $43.99

Community, Season One, $26.99

Interview with a Vampire, $8.99

Harry Potter, Years 1-6 Gift Set, $39.99 (I bought this for Mom's bday and she loves it)

Glee Season 1, $37.99 (maybe...)

Wish List: Unrealistic edition

If you enjoy anything about interior design - I just love the pics for inspiration - then you should be receiving the Houzz newsletter/email. People go in and create Idea Books on a theme of their choosing, and it is a great way to spend time sipping your morning coffee. Lately many people have been making Gift Lists; I'm finding the coolest stuff, but some of it is truly laughably expensive. Oh well, a girl can dream, right?

Here are some of the awesome things I'm finding:

Cardboard Speakers

Update: I found these recycled cardboard speakers for half that price today on the Apartment Therapy blog:

Rules For My Unborn Son


Major League Baseball Bat Bottle Opener


Vine-Tapered Candles


Wine Bottle Candelabra


Tasto Chip and Dip Set (I actually saw this in a Hungry Girl email first...)


RowRow Serving Bowl with Spoons

Map Stars (from theStarcraft on Etsy)

Girl's Pint Out - WALK-OFF

Tell me this doesn't sound like a blast?! I wonder if Brad could get this night off of work...

"Every time I tell a guy about our group, he wants to know how he can attend, despite that the very thing he likes about it is what excludes him. Men.

But it’s Christmas, which is an excuse for a whole host of things. Including our first co-ed holiday mixer at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, at the Alamo Drafthouse in West Oaks. It’s the night of their “Zoolander” quotable (think karaoke for movie lines). In honor of the flick and to allow the co-eds to preen like peacocks, the men are invited to compete in a walk off, Zoolander style. The catch is that they also must wear heels for the second round, because we like our men to display their solidarity with the fairer sex. Winner gets some Alamo Drafthouse swag, free pizza, and the adulation of the female beer-drinking attendees.

If you haven’t been to the Drafthouse in a while, you’re missing out on a pretty good beer selection. Jason Murphy, chef and beer director, has brought in a bunch of great stuff on tap, from Flying Dog to Dogfish. They’ve also started a cool Beer Passport rewards program; get through so many tiers of the listed “bucket list” type beers and you get cool swag. In fact, if you sign up for the passport at the event (which gets you a mug and passport book to fill), you get your first fill free. I suggest the Rahr Winter Warmer, which will be tapped in our honor.

Cost of the event is the regular “quotable” price of $9. Attendees should RSVP to Jennifer@girlspintout.com (seriously). “Zoolander” starts at 8 p.m."

If you enjoy beer (especially you ladies), you need to check out this event with the Girl's Pint Out. Hopefully I will see you there!

A video that makes my heart sing

If you can watch this video without even a tiny smile, you don't watch enough good TV. There, I said it. Thank you Pajiba for sharing this with me. I will never need Prozac.



These are the ones I recognized (feel free to add those I missed in the comments):
Community
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Doctor Who (Doctors 9, 10 and 11, though I would have liked more Tennant)
(500) Days of Summer
Outsourced
School of Rock
Little Miss Sunshine
Dollhouse
Firefly
13 Going on 30
Modern Family
I Love You, Bro
Labyrinth
Love, Actually
Fringe (I think)
Pirate Radio (I think)
Pirates of the Carribean
LOST (only a short clip, but a great one)
Supernatural (I think)

(And by the way, someone please tell me the show/actor winking around the :45 second mark)
(UPDATE: The wink is the new Sherlock Holmes, which was what I thought...)

Like It's Quidditch

You will probably want to hate me for this, but don't. I'm too precious.

(CAUTION: Earworm)

My feelings exactly...

My feelings exactly...

DIY Gifts: Coconut Ganache Bourbon Balls

Holy happy hour, Batman!

These cookies sound so divine, and so simple, that I cannot wait to try them. Vicki, a dear grandmother** of mine, has a Thanksgiving Happy Hour every year in Hank's Bar: her garage was converted to a bar in memory of her late husband, Hank.

**It feels odd to call her a grandmother; she was married to my husband's grandfather, but she never had children. She also happens to be made of awesome, so I'm happy to keep her. ;)

Anyway, the party is always fun - with plenty of flowing booze - so these cookies should be a smash!

Coconut Ganache Bourbon Balls

Yields approximately 30

For the Bourbon Balls

2 cups vanilla wafers or graham crackers crumbs (ground fine)

2 cups chopped pecans (by hand or in food processor)

1 cup confectioners sugar, sifted

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup bourbon or whiskey

6 tablespoons cane syrup or corn syrup

For the Ganache

2 cups sweetened coconut flakes

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

4 tablespoons heavy cream

For the Bourbon Balls

In a large bowl, combine cookie crumbs, pecans, confectioners sugar, and cocoa powder. In another bowl, whisk together bourbon and syrup and then combine thoroughly with dry mixture (I find using my hands works best). Allow to sit for a couple of minutes.
Using a small scoop (I prefer a spring-release ice cream scoop), spoon out rounds of the bourbon ball mixture, mashing flat against the side of the bowl to create a flat bottom. Release onto a sheet pan.

For the Ganache

In a food processor, process coconut flakes into small bits. Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream in a glass bowl and microwave one minute to one minute and twenty seconds. Stir until chocolate is melted and glossy.

Dip bourbon balls in melted chocolate (you don't have to coat the flat bottom surface), reheating chocolate as necessary, and place on a cooling rack set on top of wax paper. Sprinkle coconut on top of balls, using fingers to cover the sides thoroughly. Re-use the leftover coconut that falls through the cooling rack wires, if necessary. Allow to set for at least a couple of hours, or overnight (they taste even better after the flavor has a chance to mellow). If you don't like coconut, feel free to just cover them in ganache and allow to set overnight.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week. (As if they could last that long!)

Edible DIY Gifts: From The Kitchen

I regularly sift through the Apartment Therapy blog, as well as cousin The Kitchn and OhDeeDoh. I find the most interesting articles, from recipes to decor Before and Afters. Today I found this on The Kitchn blog:

Tea, Brittle, Olives & Cake: 10 Delicious Edible Gifts

I am looking forward to working through those recipes for barks and brittles, and I'm interested in their suggested tea blends.

Enjoy - happy gifting!

Wish List: Harry Potter edition

I did a little window-shopping on Etsy this afternoon, and I found some super cute HP inspired products. How fun is this stuff?

Owl Post box


Baby Hat (and no, I don't need one yet, but I find cute baby stuff all the time that I want to secretly stockpile)


Wrock tee shirt (or almost anything from this Etsy shop)
To be fair, I'm not sure I would wear it out of the house much, for the exhaustion of constantly explaining it.


HP Themed Magnets


And finally, one for Grags:

DIY Gifting: Tulle Circles

I found this idea over on Dollar Store Crafts (don't hate), and I love it. My first thought was to make tea bags from your favorite loose teas. I have a diffuser, but the holes are too big so I always get tea leaves floating in there. No thank you. So I have gift one in mind for this year!

~*~

Our local dollar store has a bridal section with plastic champagne flutes, paper decorations, invitations and thank you notes. I also found these pretty white pre-cut tulle circles. Tulle is that white netting they use for bridal veils and ballerina tutus. It's often cut into circles for making birdseed bundles to toss at the bride and groom as they leave a wedding reception. I picked up a package of these little babies and ran home to whip up some super-quick and ultra-cheap holiday gifts.

Make sachet pouches:
Project Estimate:
Package of tulle circles, $1
Ribbon, on hand or $.50 and up
Various spices, on hand or buy in bulk
Cost: Less than $1 each (the bigger your stash of herbs, spices and beads--the cheaper this project gets!)

By simply adding a small handful of herbs, spices or potpourri to the middle of the circle and pulling up the sides to make a bag, you can create a variety of useful sachets for cooking or home decorating. Sew them closed or just tie tightly with a ribbon. If you intend to cook with them, be sure to take the ribbon off beforehand.
The tulle does not melt when simmered, and you can actually wash them out and re-use them after you're done making your mulled cider or soup stock. The package comes with 15 tulle circles, and you can purchase herbs, spices and potpourri in bulk. So you can make a variety of sachets for just a few dollars. Sweet!

Ways to use sachets:
~*~Fill the bags with whole cloves, nutmeg shavings, dried ginger flakes and broken cinnamon sticks for some yummy mulling spices. Simply add the bag of spices to a pot of apple cider and simmer for five to ten minutes, and voila! Hot mulled cider to warm you on a chilly evening. For a more adult beverage, you can add the spice bag to a pot of red wine, add a generous amount of honey and you've got a delicious hot toddy. Toss a few sachets into a beautiful mug and you've got a great gift for cold weather.
~*~Sew two circles together and fill them with sprigs of basil, oregano, rosemary and other savory herbs for creating soup stock. This would make a lovely hostess gift for Thanksgiving along with a recipe for making soup stock from the leftover turkey bones.
~*~Fill small or large pouches with potpourri (also from the dollar store) for a sweet smelling closet sachet. These make your dresser drawers and linen closets smell wonderful! You can decorate the top of the bags with beads, embroidery floss, paint or glitter glue to make them even more festive.
~*~Fill the bags with candy or other small trinkets and use as stocking stuffers or party favors on your holiday table.

Cannonball Read III

I am going to push myself this next year to participate in the third annual Cannoball Read over at Pajiba. I made a long list (quite some time ago) of new books I should read, and even purchased several of them, but I never got around to them. I am a creature of habit, all told. I love reading, but I reeeeally love going back to my favorites over and over again.

Ask me how many times I've read Good Omens or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

A lot.

The Cannonball Read was started 'Alabama Pink', an amazing woman who was a member of the Pajiba online society. She loved reading, and she started this challenge as a push for people to read 52 books in a year. They also had to write reviews on a blog. Quite a weighty task, but many people took it up.

She passed away last year from leukemia, leaving behind husband 'ahamos' and their son Alastair. The yearly read has lived on, and now it is used as a means to raise funds for Lil A's college education.

I am finally taking up the task this year. The rules have become more flexible, allowing for Half Cannonballs or Quarter Cannonballs. I'm signing up for a QC, which means 13 books read and reviewed before winter of 2011. Hopefully I can exceed that expectation, but I've met me, so I'm aiming for 13.

Wish me luck, and read my reviews as I post them!

(Update: I mentioned the Cannonball Read last year, as well as Prisco's 100 Book Challenge. Check it out)

Baking Weekend of DREAMS

The delightful Pioneer Woman has done it again: she is having a getaway weekend giveaway on her blog! This time the winner (and guest) will spend the whole weekend relaxing, making new friends, feeding cows, and... wait for it... BAKING!

Now, I enjoy some time in the kitchen, I really do. I even enjoy making dessert, but "baking" by definition isn't my strong suit. I make cakes from box mixes (which are pretty dang good, thank you very much), and making cookies from scratch is extremely rare, though always worth it.

What I would look forward to most about the baking experience is decorating: I want to learn how to make pretty cookies and fun frosting toppings. I want to focus on DIY gifts this year (and I mentioned in this blog) and many of those ideas will be edible gifts. This weekend would give me a great head start - especially with all of the swag I would be bringing home!!!

Also, I haven't been on a ranch in so very long, and I would love to just see and smell and hear it all. Anyone who has ever stood near a horse and taken a deep breath knows the smell I mean. Yes, there would be unpleasant smells as well, but such is life. Scrape off the boot bottoms and keep walkin'.

If you want to check it out, her blog has all of the details you need.

Rally for Sanity

I don't hold a lot of opinions about politics, generally speaking. In fact, I admit to being an "ignorance is bliss" thinker when I can. I am not completely unaware, I merely don't follow all of the shouting.

That said, I found this link for some of the signs seen at Jon Stewart's Rally for Sanity, and I had to share my favorites, because I'm wheezing at my desk right now from laughing:

Looking to the Future

My decorating life (aka dream world) has come to a complete halt. No, scratch that - I'm moving backwards! We adore our kittens, but they can now officially reach EVERYTHING! This evening my goal is to remove the wine bottles from above our cabinets because it is the newest kitty hang out.

Oy.

But I've decided not to be (too) disheartened. I will find new ways to get out my creative outlet. My first plan: focus on handmade/DIY gifts for Christmas. I will keep you posted. :)

Natasha Wescoat

Last Thursday night I went to the Maple Leaf pub (in Midtown) for a pub quiz. I had a great time. Frankly, I had too much fun, and I had to retrieve my car late the next morning. But that is neither here nor there.

I used the restroom while I was there, and they had the most beautiful print on the wall. It was trees, so automatically you know I loved it. I asked a bartender about it, and he was able to tell me they purchased it from ImageKind, which is a CafePress company. Neato burrito. He didn't know the artist, but the initials looked like MW.

I looked it up and found Natasha Wescoat (close enough), and I am a smitten kitten. She has whole galleries just of these swirly trees, and the are very reasonably priced. Here are some of my faves:

Oktoberfest at Minute Maid Park

This looks like an amazing deal. I wish we could go, but we are taking a trip to Dallas the following weekend and we shouldn't add this on. Too bad.

“Oktoberfest” Details

Friday, October 1, 2010

Come out and enjoy Oktoberfest with the Houston Astros as they take on the Chicago Cubs on Friday, October 1st, 2010. Sample beers from around the world, including special Oktoberfest brews. Your ticket to this event will include admission to the ballgame, six, two ounce beer tastings of your choice and a bratwurst. Full sized servings of the sample beers may be purchased at regular price at the event.

Tickets for the event may be purchased below. For group ticket purchases of 20 or more, contact David Low at 713-259-8382 or tintern2@astros.com.

Location: Conoco Home Run Alley
Time: 5:30 – 7th Inning

Tickets and Pricing: Tickets for the event are being sold on the Heritage Page (www.astros.com/heritage). Tickets will include admission to the game, six 2oz beer tastings and a bratwurst. Tickets are offered in three seating levels:

Field Box : $34
Bullpen: $27
Mezzanine: $24

Happy Friday

Just because it makes me super happy:

Painting in the Park at Minute Maid Park

I received this fun offer from the Astros. I doubt I could go, but I wanted to put the idea out there. Sounds fun!

~*~*~

Join the Houston Astros & Pinot's Palette for "Painting at the Park" on Saturday, September 18th. Local Houston artists will lead you step-by-step to complete the special featured painting "Night Out at the Park," while you sip wine & mingle with other Astros fans!

The event will start at 3:15pm with painting beginning promptly at 3:45pm, and conclude at 5:45pm. The Houston Astros vs Cincinnati Reds game will begin at 6:05pm.

Haven't picked up a paintbrush since grade school? No problem! The artists of Pinot's Palette will break the painting into very simple steps, and you'll have created your very own masterpiece before you know it!

A ticket to this event will include: one mezzanine level seat, admission to the painting class in Champions Pavilion and two glasses of wine, all for $50. Already have a ticket to the game? Choose the $40 option that includes admission to the class and two glasses of wine.

Don’t forget that Robert Earl Keen will be playing a free post-game concert that evening!

For information and tickets, go to www.astros.com/pinot or call Richard Tapia at 713-259-8303

Fresh Start

I took a deep, fresh breath when I woke up this morning. I felt relieved. I felt a modicum of peace. And I thought to myself,

"We're gonna make it."

I attended the introductory class for Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University last night. I didn't learn anything yet, but just being there, just watching the intro video and hearing peoples' testimonies, I felt relief. Brad and I officially start the class next Wednesday, and I am so excited.

I know changing our lifestyles and habits will be difficult, and that at times it will be an emotional strain on us both. Here is the difference: we will be arguing about money, but working towards an agreed-upon solution. We will be slowly fixing the problem. We will be climbing this uphill struggle, but climbing together and leaning more on God.

My parents took this class last year, and I used the opportunity to look through their books. I even spent some time doing the workforms. One downside to that is that now I am impatient to get to that part, and we need to start at the beginning.

We need to look at our emotional connection to money, to food, to STUFF. Thrifty Decor Chick wrote an excellent blog this morning about her attachment to "stuff", and I found it inspiring. We all have those items in life that we buy because "it is only $2.99" or "I will probably use this someday". Those things add up, and a lack of storage space is only one of the negative side effects.

Our generation has this mindset of entitlement. It varies from person to person, but I think we all have it.
*I spent four (or more) years earning a college degree, so I should be making more money.*
*I've worked hard for this paycheck, I should be able to go out and have fun.*
*I've been responsible all week, I can splurge on this new lamp (fill in the blank).*

I want to live a life with less "should" statements. I want to focus on what I actually have. And most importantly, I want a life that isn't so incredibly focused on money.

Ramsey pointed out that the Bible contains more verses about money than it does about love. That's huge, people, because God says love is the most important thing, the most important rule. The point Ramsey made was that God knows where our earthly focus wants to be, so we should strive for financial peace *in order to focus on more important thing, like love, faith and family*.

I am excited to take this step towards God and towards a more spiritually focused life. Please pray for me and Brad as we embark on this challenge.

Wish List

Sometimes I like to make a list of the totally awesome stuff I find online. You know, in case someone wanted to get me a totally awesome gift.


I'm just sayin'...


Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale http://merecal.com/releases/books/serenity-shepherds-tale-joss-whedon/954588/


Punjammies http://www.punjammies.com/


Mother-of-Pearl Leaf necklace https://shop.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?itemId=28416&siteId=220&sourceId=7&sourceClass=Category&index=15


Chaise Lounge with Storage http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Tan-Chaise-Lounge-with-Storage/3545807/product.html


Basically anything from the Molecular Muse shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/molecularmuse

Shows on my To Watch list

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Freaks and Geeks
Doctor Who
Flight of the Concords
Battlestar Galactica (?)

So far I'm in season 2 of Buffy, thanks to Netflix Instant. F&G isn't on Instant, but I think it comes as one bulk set. Yeah, I know I'm lame for watching so much TV. Oh well. ;)

Teenage Nightmare

My sweet husband came home last night and asked me if I had heard the new Katy Perry song about "feeling up my skin tight jeans." I was definitely confused.

ME: Do you mean California Girls?
HUBS: No, this one is about teenagers and feeling up skin tight jeans. Hold on a sec...

Enter YouTube lyric videos. Allow me share with you (in case you don't listen to the radio or just change the station when dreck comes on, like me) the lyrics to the newest release from Katy Perry...

Teenage Dream

You think I’m pretty Without any makeup on
You think I’m funny When I tell the punchline wrong
I know you get me So I let my walls come down, down

Before you met me I was a wreck but things
Were kinda heavy You brought me to life
Now every February You’ll be my Valentine, Valentine

Let’s go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever

You make me feel Like I’m livin’ aTeenage dream
The way you turn me on I can’t sleep
Let’s run away and Don’t ever look back, Don’t ever look back

My heart stops When you look at me
Just one touch Now baby I believe
This is real So take a chance and Don’t ever look back, Don’t ever look back

We drove to Cali And got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and Built a fort out of sheets
I finally found you My missing puzzle piece
I’m complete

Let’s go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever

I’mma get your heart racing In my skin tights jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me In my skin tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight

~*~

Excuse me while I vomit.

Hubs and I tried to decide what was worse: that Perry is encouraging this behavior in teens or that she is singing to adults about the "remember when" feeling. Either way she is discussing teenagers getting drunk and having sex.

Yippee.

Now if you will excuse me, I need to go pray for the future of our world.

DIY Update and a great party

I now have the train case and a handful of records from madre's garage. Gracias! I am debating how to adapt the train case. I don't usually love the vintage look, but this one has an aged olive look that I love. We shall see.

Mom handed me a small stack of records, most of which I had never heard of. The exception was right on top: "Super Trooper" by ABBA. Is it awful that I'm really excited to melt-and-bowl it? I know 200 degrees isn't too hot, but it IS still August in houston, so we shall see when I get around to this.

I'm also really loving paper garlands right now (a bit late, I know). It looks like a fun, super simple project I could tackle while watching my shows. You know, if the kittens were asleep...

On an unrelated note, I saw this party idea on Hostess with the Mostess this morning, and I had to share it: They are having a 10 year wedding anniversary party and vow renewal in the theme of The Hangover - complete with Vegas trip! That sounds like So. Much. FUN!

Go check out her blog. It never fails to amuse and inspire me.

Upcoming DIY

I got some wonderful DIY ideas reading my friend Erin's blog, ezzi.ink. She is in the process of painting a vintage train case. It got me thinking; my mother has an old one in their garage, and it could really use a new coat of paint. Plus some fun additions...

Erin also has a DIY instructional post about making vinyl record bowls. It looks super easy and pretty fun, so I have that on my mental to-do list.

Over lunch, I mentioned to Mom that I want to head to Half Price Books and find some good cheapy records. Long story (kind of) short, I'm getting free records AND the train case from their garage this afternoon! Woohoo! On one hand, I don't want to ruin good records (I know they have The Beatles and some other classics), but if they won't ever play again, it would be nice to make bowls out of records worth remembering. Plus, thanks to the nifty hole in the center, these are really easy to hang from the wall, which is essentially the only space left that is kitten proof.

I talk a big game about Do It Yourself projects, but I rarely complete them unless I have help. Something about ADD... what were we talking about?

Wish me luck on these projects!

Technical Issues

Last night, a breaker popped at our house, and we could not get it to flip back on. So our garage door won't open, trapping my car. Frustrating, but managable - Mom drove to work today.

Then we got to work today, and our water pressure is, basically, off. As long as water will still flow (aka toilets CAN flush), then there is no legal issue, but if your toilets can't flush, health code dictates you HAVE to leave. So far, I don't know what is going on, having not yet visited the bathroom.

On top of that, most people are having serious issues with their computers. Mine is working as smoothly as normal, so far (knock on wood), so at least I have something to do while I wait for the go-ahead to leave.

Oy.

Farmers Market

This Saturday I'm heading to a local farmers market, and I'm pretty pumped about it. Who knows what I will find - and what I'll be able to afford - but I can't wait to find out. I'm hoping to be able to plan a weekly menu from what I find, but that will reuire a) veggie focused meals, and b) food-planning on the fly. Not really sure how either of those will turn out, btu I'm optimistic.

Twit

So I have finally admitted defeat. I have joined Twitter. I had never even been to the site before today, because in my mind, it was basically a bunch of Facebook status updates. Seeing as I'm already on Facebook, it made no sense to double up.

I finally joined because, while I stand by my original analysis, I now get status updates from celebrities. That sounds so shallow and star-gazer-y, but it is fun to know what is on Nathan Fillion's mind (he recently saw Tucker and Dale Vs Evil, and loved it, for example).

I will follow some friends as I find them, but my main goal is to hear updates from performers (and the like) that I enjoy. I feel quite certain it is a waste of my time, but what else is new about the internet?

Not a Coincidence

My father was involved in an on-the-job accident in September that left him unable to do his job (or comfortably count to ten on his fingers). He was on workman's comp until the very beginning of January. When he tried to go back t work, he was told his job was no longer there.

Now, before you get all huffy (like I did), he wasn't fired. He had a contract position, and it was filled while he was out. Which is still a bit crap, but not illegal.

Anyway, he has been unemployed since January. It is a difficult time to find a job (as I'm sure many of you know), and that stress takes a toll. Apparently my father's unemployment will run out soon, so the push is even harder now. And yesterday, their air conditioner died.

That's right. June in Houston, and the AC coughed it's death rattle.

But here is the fascinating part. A month or so ago, my dad was called in for some test on his finger to see how it was healing, and his results said he had a "3% impairment". None of us knew what that meant, and we all cracked a few jokes about it and went along.

Yesterday, maybe a few hours after the devastating loss of their AC, my dad got a phone call. Because of his 3% impairment, he will be receiving another round of checks from workman's comp. For the next 10 weeks. HOURS after a very expensive, very important machine died.

Coincidence? I think not.

Sometimes, even the most faithful of us are blind to blessings. We encounter them every single day; some are obvious to us, some are obvious to others though we are blind to see, and sometimes they don't feel anything like blessings. I am happy to report that we are all aware - and thankful - of this awesome blessing. One more deep breath to keep going.

God never promises us an easy walk. In fact, I'm thinking he promised the opposite when asking us to follow the path of Christ. But he also promises never to give us more than we can handle. Every deep breath we catch as our heads burst above water is a gift from God. Sometimes we even get a raft and stay afloat for a good, long while.

Look around you at your blessings and challenge yourself to find them in the darkness. Hey, the fact that you can even SEE to look around you is a gift. Cherish it, and be grateful for "life's random moments of wonder" that aren't so random after all.

Startling Perspective

I have always told my husband that if we suddenly became stinkin' rich (think lottery), I would be ashamed to wear or drive ridiculously expensive items, even if I would allow myself a few treats occasionally. This article about the wardrobe from Sex and the City 2 explains exactly why I couldn't live with myself, especially as a Christian:

Carrie’s embellished jeans by the Blonds: $4,000

Cost to educate 400 children in Haiti: $4,000

~~~

Carries silver-and-gold Chanel lamé dress: $47,190

Cost to donate 3,775 chickens to third world families: $47,190

~~~

Samantha’s spiky shoulders by the Blonds: $5,000

Cost to assist 142 sexually exploited women in third world countries: $5,000

~~~

Samantha and Miley Cyrus’ Matching Dress by Matthew Williamson: $3500 a piece

Cost to provide job training for 280 women in third world countries: $7,000

~~~

Miranda’s Roland Mouret dress: $1400

Cost to provide safety for 700 exploited third-world women: $1400

~~~

Reported Cost of the Entire Sex and the City 2 Wardrobe: $10 million

Number of schools you can build in third world countries for $10 million: 1,176

(Prices Provided by New York Magazine)

(Snark and Sorrow Borrowed from Pajiba)

All of those figures, excluding the last one, concern ONE SCENE in the film. $64,590 just for singing karaoke, and the staggering majority of that on one dress.

There are no words...

Gleeliscious

I know I'm supposed to write about last night's (AMAZING) Lost, but I feel inspired to brag on Glee. I love this show. Really. I don't care about the hevay-handed "after school special" vibe. I go for the wonderful songs and the snappy one-liners. And last night I got a healthy dose of both.

I found on Pajiba a perfect description of why Glee is so fantastic, given by one miss Tammy:
"I truly don't get Glee haters. It's like bitching about ice cream. Sure it has little to no nutritional value - but I don't buy ice cream for its fiber content. I buy it because its delicious and makes me smile. You might be lactose-intolerant, or simply someone who hates joy and puppies, I don't know. But leave this simple pleasure be.
Is Glee groundbreaking? Of course not. But last week gave me an anger-ballet of Total Eclipse of the Heart, and this week gave me a high-school boy singing the hell out of some Mama Rose. It is the perfect cure to my Lumberg-esque work environment - and as I said on my Facebook tonight - I will cut anyone who gets in my way for NPH's appearance next Tuesday."

Beautiful, isn't it?

Also, another commenter (named That Girl...) had news on Finn's friend:
"The guest star on tonight's Glee is a friend of mine-- his name is Zack Weinstein, and he really does have the same type of spinal cord injury as his character. Everyone in my department at school is so thrilled for him-- he graduated last year, moved to LA, and landed a pretty sweet part within the year!"

That guy, while having the majority of the after school special bits (btw, don't try to abbreviate it), was awesome and believable. Plus he wasn't using auto-tune, so I'm impressed.

Plus, you know, everythign from Brandy and Monica to freakin' Gypsy!!!

Missed Connections

These things are so flippin' cute and hipster and I lurve them. Some beautiful artist (Sophie Blackall) has taken the ads from Missed Connections (presumably on craigslist) and illustrated them. They appear to be a rare treat, but definitely worth a flip through archives.



For some reason this one made me think of my brother and his girlfriend:

The Power of Madonna

Last week's episode of Glee, the season return on the 13th, was disappointing. Sure, I squeed like a crazy fangirl when Jonathan Groff showed up. And I may have startled the neighbors when Idina Menzel appeared. But musically speaking, which is how I always speak of Glee, it was bland.

This week - KAPOW! I would not call myself a huge fan of Madonna, but I have not stopped singing these songs! They have been in my head All. Week. Long. I even downloaded the ep on iTunes so that I could listen to them at my desk. And the dancing, and the "Like a Virgin" mix (HAWT) - all of it. Lurved it!

"Something in the way you love me won't let me be!"

I can even forgive them for having Lea Michelle twirl around that piano non-stop for 3 minutes. From the perspective of standing in that room, say holding a camera, she must look ridiculous.

LOST According to Allison: Everybody Loves Hugo

~That voice-over sounds like Pierre Chang – ah, paleontology…
~Why is Hugo's mother so obnoxious?
~Need a date? Find Libby! Find Libby!
~Oh, I spoke too soon. I meant live Libby… in the AltiVerse.
~Whispers? We haven’t heard those in a while. Wait, what? Michael? I’m sure that is supposed to be awesome, but… I kind of think its lame…

**commercial – btw, a 30 second commercial during the series finale of Lost costs almost as much as a Super Bowl spot**

~LIBBY!!!
~Has she been awakened to the other life? Does this wake him up? Or is she just a crazy person who has seen him on TV? That would break my heart…
~Yeah, Illana, I totally called that explosion. You were being hella reckless with that bag.
~Look at you, captive Des, lookin all fine…

**commercial**

~I love take-charge Hugo. Even if he has something up his sweaty sleeves.
~Desmond! What are you doing at Mr Cluck's? ::bites fingernails::
~Des, you tricky little minx!
~Desmond is officially my favorite now.
~Oh, is he gonna go all Smoke Monster? (RE Smocke taking a walk with Des)
~HUGO! How on Earth did you get to the Black Rock faster than everyone?

**commercial**

~Poor Hugo, getting yelled at by dead folks.
~YES, Connect Four. Where’s Leonard? (Was that his name?)
~Libby, please say you have seen the altverse we know about… YES! So she WAS awakened, not (merely) crazy!
~Why, in TV and film, do people say “You mean a date?” that way? Every. Single. Time?
~Mystery kid? Wait, different one? Oh, I am excited about this… (Mom's input is same kid, but older)
~I think Hurley might be bluffing about Jacob…
~Well hawt mess, Hugo! Way to step up! "I don't gotta prove nuthin to you, yo!"
~Let me guess, the Oceanic Six will all go one way… hmm, and Frank.
~Well they definitely wanted him to look guilty just now. Wonder what THAT is about. Probably him bluffing.


**commercial**

~Sun still can’t speak English?
~Aha! Oh, Jack knew Hurley was lying. Fun times.
~Oh Jack, you’re learning. What a nice moment... ruined by Hugo!
~!!! Hugo suddenly translates the whispers? So, it’s like Purgatory?
~Hurley's speech gave me a really bad feeling. If Hugo dies, I’m gonna be pissed.
~BEACH PICNIC! Epic AW!
~MEMORY MOMENT! Des, you magician!

**commercial**

~The well? For the donkey wheel? What are you doing, Esau?
~Why am I afraid he is going to push Des in?
~See?
~Hurley, ever eloquent…
~Like Smocke needs a weapon, and like Sayid can be trusted right now…
~Oddly poignant moment. OH, black eyes! (edit: I thought he had the blacked out eyes, but I was wrong)
~WHAT THE EVER LOVING HELL?!? I’m sure Ben wrote down the license plate number!
~So, if no one is there to love them, near-death is the other option?

As if that Willy Wonka tunnel song wasn’t creepy already, that just flipped the script!

When Christians don't GET IT

I find myself so confused and angry with the world for their blanket view of Christians. Almost as angry as I am with the "Christians" who give us the bad name. Surely by now you have heard about the father of a fallen marine who is suing over the protests at his son's funeral. I was reading an article about it today, because I didn't know the details, and this paragraph jumped off the screen and punched me in the gut:

"Hundreds of grieving families have been targeted by the Westboro Baptist Church, which believes military deaths are the work of a wrathful God who punishes the United States for tolerating homosexuality."

I don't get it. I truly cannot understand what would drive someone who wears the name of Christ to behave this way. But apparently this mindset is a family tradition:
"Pastor Fred Phelps oversees a congregation of 70 to 80 members — mostly his children and grandchildren. They consider themselves prophets, and they insist the nation is doomed."

It hurts my heart to see these things. I have felt such strong bitterness towards "the world" for their view on Christians, but how can I not understand their perspective? If this is what they see in the media, on their street corners, online - how can they NOT perceive us wrong? How are we ever supposed to show the nature of Christ - a beacon of never-ending, undeserved love - if everyone has learned to cover their eyes and ears?

I ask that you join me in praying for these poor people. I pray that God reach into the hearts of these... misguided people and soften them. I pray that this father and his family can find God's grace and love from other outlets, and that they not be poisoned by this experience. And I pray that hateful people stop wearing the cross as they beat others with it. I'm sick of cringing at Christians in the media...

Making My Day

One of my favorite Monday morning rituals is catching up on IMMD. It is the perfect balance for "a case of the Mondays". Here are some that made me smile today:

Today at the grocery store, the produce guy announced a "sale on asparagus" by singing it to the tune of "Age of Aquarius" over the intercom. He sang the whole chorus and IMMD!

The sign outside of the United Methodist Church said, "God loves ALL people — Get Over It!!" I’m not even Christian and IMMD

My parents regularly watch American Idol on the living room TV on full volume. The other day, I head someone on the show singing and thought to myself how horrible they’re doing tonight and that I’ve never heard someone that bad on the show. I came inside only to see that it was Miley Cyrus singing as a guest star, and IMMD.

WOOHOO! Acting opportunities!

I am so excited about the opportunities that have come up in my life lately for performance!

~I was asked to perform a moving piece at church for Easter Sunday, as Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb.

~I was asked to join the cast of an independent film about vampires - "Renfield" - as Dracula's first victim (shooting end of April).

~And now, I have been cast in a music video! I will be the CPS nurse in the video "SAFE" alongside pop duo Jason and DeMarco. The video is meant to spread awareness about their newest program, S.A.F.E. (Safe Affirming Family Environment), "for fostering and SAFE houses for throw-away gay and lesbian kids living on the street" (shooting end of April, beginning of May).

I am thrilled to be involved in these projects, especially as they require a wide range on my part. (In fact, I should be brushing up on my English accent for Renfield.) Please pray for me as I jump in to these projects; pray that time be well spent, that I grow and learn from these experiences, but also that I can burn bright as a light for God. Honestly, I cannot wait to get to know Jason and DeMarco better, as they are proud Christians. I am eager to learn more about them and their personal mission, which is literally personified as "Be the light".

Parenthood

I watch Parenthood on NBC, and in general I really enjoy it. But tonight, I had an issue. Probably more than one (siblings discussing fake vs real orgasms, orgasms being discussed so openly on cable, etc), but the biggest one was about Julie and Joel.

Someone, a rather hot and extree-hee-heemely obnoxious creature, hit on Joel, Julie's husband. More than once, I'm guessing. She has no sense of what is and is not appropriate. She tried to kiss the husband one night when they were without their spouses, and if I can make an educated guess, I'm saying it happened more than once. So Julie says they will no longer socialize with her. The problem with that is that their daughters are best friends. Julie responds, "She's five, she will make other friends... I will tell her tomorrow."

Well, tomorrow rolls around, and RudeHotCreature is talking to Julie about signing her daughter up for a pottery class. Julie takes one look at her daughter, who looks so happy with the other little girl, and says, "You know, let's sign them up together" or something to that effect.

No. Just no.

Your marriage is more important, for starters. Why waste precious energy worrying about beautiful, rude harlots if you don't have to? Because you're right, the five year old will make other friends. And in less than a year she will have completely forgotten about it.

I'm not sure why, but the whole thing really bugged me. Like a lot.

LOST According to Allison: Happily Ever After

~BUNNY!!
~Clicks? Radioactive?
~WTH WTH WTH??
~Hmm, Des looked chunky in that last shot before LOST
~OK, commercial break – what on Earth? So, they want to try to… duplicate Des? Isn’t that what they did with the bunnies? Or was it more like sending the bunny in to the future, but in the same place? And for what it is worth (what ep was that? Was it a comic-con feature?), even IF the bunny recognized himself, would he really flip out? Because not to sound racist (speciest), but don’t they all look alike?
~Sacrifice? Are we gonna get a The Prestige ending?
~AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! AH! AH! AH! Mirror moment, too!
~Minkowski!
~OK, wow. Pajiba is gonna be ON FIRE for this. So… is he time traveling? Because he doesnt seem conscious of the shift…
~Watch out for that brick, MacCutcheon!
~I literally said, “There’s always a choice, brotha” before Des did…
~!!!!!!!!Charlie! What the hell?!?!? (I hate underwater scenes; I find myself holding my breath for an uncomfortably long time)
~!!!! (This episode needs lots of exclamation points…) Consciousness! He recognized the difference – kind of.
~Oh, there better not be bullet fragment from his other universe self…
~PENNY!
~Almost got a Charlie up-skirt… soooooo, near-death experience shows you your other life? And btw, the LOST-to-commercial ratio is lame.
~“It’s about time.”(Ellie) – I just bet it is!
~“What happened, happened”(Ellie) – suspicious…
~Oh, I see – she is set apart from the rules, too, like when she told Des not to buy the ring!
~Daniel!
~Srsly? Another commercial already?
~UGH! No one cares about "V"!
~(My DVR light isnt on, which makes me super nervous - we shall see...)
~OK, so love is the key to connecting your alternate self?
~I watch too much LOST, becaue Dan's monologue just made absolute, perfect sense.
~The parallels are sometimes fun, sometimes ridiculous, sometimes touching. Count this one as A and C.
~!!!!!!!! Back in Island time?!?
~Kick-A Sayid is scary sometimes. Like now. And Desmond's calm is almost as unsettling.
~"I just need to show them something." EGADS!

OK, apparently Brad stopped the LOST recording, most likely on accident. I'm going to take a few deep breaths, and remember that I can watch it online...

Disappointment

How can so many people in this world not understand the idea of commitment?

People say "I will be there" or "Let's do (fill in the blank)", but they don't actually intend to do so. I have had this issue with many friends, especially in college. Someone would say "Let's do such-and-such", when what they mean is "Let me think about it".

People wait until the last minute to tell you, or when you call them it comes out as "Oh yeah...", and I am sick of it. If you have plans with me, you have plans with me. We don't have a floating maybe, we have a plan.

I understand that things come up, plans change. I know all about extenuating circumstances. And I'm sure I have been that friend at times. But SERIOUSLY people!

It just makes me angry, and it hurts my feelings. When these things happen, it tells me I am not important to that person. Who wants to feel like that?

Argh...

LOST According to Allison: The Package

I didn't take notes as I was watching last night, so I will have to recall as much as I can. I'm sure, once I read the Pajiba post, I will be back with things I forgot. Let us begin:

~Grags told me she and Dee thought the package would be Jin, because they were hoping for a Jin/Sun centric episode... and I ignored their instinct. Shame on Mags...

~MIRROR MOMENT!! Sun got one, and Jin didn't (that I recall) - significance?

~So, they aren't married, but they are in love. And Pappa Paik is pissed.

~MIKHAIL! What a treat! I much prefer this clean-shaven, no eye-patch look.

~KEAMY! Sorry for the all caps expressions, but I love the unexpected visitors. Grags loves her some Keamy hawtness...

~I'm going to call just an ounce of shenanigans on the airport just, you know, keeping the $25,000, or that anyone would just wander out of the airport without a fight for their cash. Obviously, I'm glad it happened that way, because it saved Jin's life. Which makes me very curious about who decided to hold the money.

~The dart scene: at first, I couldn't see anything hitting them, so I was really confused. Then I was scared and nervous. I get so drawn in to story-telling, I almost always feel what the director intends for me to feel...

~OK, another fat dollop of shenanigans. In fact, this is just a mistake (yes, even the creators of LOST make them). When Widmore handed the camera to Jin, the lens was out. And Widmore then tells him to "turn it on". Really? REALLY?!? Whatever, small issue, but it really bugged me.

~I was nervous that "the package" was going to be Ji Yeon, but through the context of the Widmore/Jin convo, that idea disappated.

~When Jin told Sun to move, it felt strange and forced, which made it somewhat obvious that something bad was going to happen to her. I'm betting she is OK, but the incubator might be broken...

~Thanks, guys, for calling him "Mr Hume", because with that lighting and facial hair, I really didn't know. Oh, and BTW, DESMOND?!? A lot of people will say this does not surprise them. That may be true, but they all squeed a bit when it happened.

Off the top of my head, that is really all I have. Here's hoping the Pajiba report blows my mind!

Groupon

Groupon has a new, wonderful deal every day in your email, for many larger cities, and I have already used at least one as a great gift. You get 50-90% off everything from restaurants and spas to classes and clubs.

See this great article from Yahoo all about the fun and savings:
http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgetingk/article/109169/friends-can-help-get-you-deals?mod=bb-budgeting

If you want to give it a try, please go through this link - referrels are fun!
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu711111

LOST According to Allison: Ab Aetrno

Wow... I don't know what I was expecting, but I'm not sure this was it. It was, however, veeeeeery interesting. Some thoughts:
~HELL Island! Pajibans will be on fire! Ugh, accidental pun...
~Is Hurley crazy? Because I thought he was speaking an Asian language at first, but by the end, I got it.
~Canary Islands? Hmm...
~It looks like they were highlighting Luke 4:37 "And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area." Hmm... by the end, that kiiind of seemed relevant.
~Worst priest EVER! That prison priest was horrible. Maybe he should get a job at Gaga's Prison For Bitches!
~How is that NOT guyliner? I heard a few seasons ago that his eyes naturally look like that, which I believed - until that close-up.
~When the Smoke Monster was moving, Brad said, "I hear bugs..." - trust me when I say, it was adorable.
~I have a feeling lots of people will be disappointed in this episode. It was talked up as being History of the Island, but it kind of feels like an hour of "Richard's life SUCKED!"
~OH! THAT'S what happened to the statue!
~There's that knife again. Hmm...
~I realy hate to admit this, but for the very first time, I see an ounce of merit to the "Jacob=Evil, MIB=Good" argument. Not a strong argument, but still...
~I use a lot of ellipses...
~Absolutely wonderful (albeit brutally obvious) Biblical parallels and metaphors.
~Nevermind, Jacob is pretty obviously good. He just isn't playin' around with Job Richard.

Bathroom Art

I have been collecting paper towel (and toilet tissue) tubes for a while now, just waiting for inspiration to strike. I had a picture in mind, but I couldn't muster enough confidence in it to apply it.

Today I found this beauty over on chezerby:

Go check out the blog about their bathroom renovation and this lovely tube art!

Now I have a direction to go - wish me luck!

LOST According to Allison: Recon

It seems strange, but this being the Final Season has made me slightly less urgent to analyze everything to death. I would ahve thought it would increase that urge, but I think it stems from knowing I only get about 8 more episodes. With no end in sight, I could theorize all sorts of things. Now, I have to qualify everything with "do they have time to explain that?"

Some thoughts:
*I do sometimes get the feeling that these sideways stories are irrelevant to the greater picture but it is still lots of fun to see. It feels a bit Etch-a-Sketch, like they took the same characters but started the story over, which is really fun, even if it turns out to mean nothign. And really, does anything on LOST ever mean nothing?

*I didn't hear it last night, but apparently Miles refers to Charlotte as working at the museum with his dad. Hmm... Apparently no daddy issues in this timeline, like Ben.

*Nice to see Liam Pace, especially since he appears clean.

*Sayid was so CREEPY sitting there while Claire attacked Kate! I imagine his indifference startled Kate as much as the attack.

*Man, Smocke is doing some great twisting and manipulating. You almost have to root for the guy.

*The books on James' dresser: Watership Down, A Wrinkle in Time and Lancelot. (Here's your brick back.)

*Aw, the sunflower made me sad, because it reminded me of Juliet. LAFLEULIET!

*James' speach about choices rang true, as that seems to be a major dfference in this timeline. And I loved his mirror moment, even with the cheesy punch. I'm pretty sure all of the main folks have had a mirror moment in their sideways timeline. I remember Jack's, Kate's, Locke's and I'm pretty sure Sayid had one. Oh, and Ben, in the reflection of the microwave.

*Am I the only one who knew Zoe was a plant the second she showed up? And I bet James knew, too, but he let her play her hand a while.

*When James called Kate "Freckles" at the end, I almost got mad. It has been days since you held your love as she died in your arms. Days. No flirty nicknames allowed, Buster!

I will probably think of more later, but this will do for now.

Precious Downloads - FREE!

If you like cute prints and funky, homemade fare, take a few minutes to check out A Print A Day. Yasmine creates the most adorable and interesting prints, available for download. She has a wide variety of fun stuff, from notecards to tags and calendars and the like.


Every once in a while she sets one up for free download, and I have loved finding those little tidbits. Every year, for example, she prints a calendar. This past year it was matroishka dolls. Turns out, she made notecards and tags to match it:

I found a list of some of her sweetest free downloads on Creature Comforts. I absolutely LURVE the "funky bird" print, and I've already printed some for my house. I just decoupaged a cute clipboard yesterday, and now I have the perfect notes to use with it! Check out the list of freebies - enjoy!

Wise Words

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
~Phillipians 4:11

And THAT'S where you lost me...

There are so many arguments for vegetarianism, many of which I can support. I understand that cutting meat out of your diet will help you lose weight (especially the way Americans eat), that it keeps you from absorbing the horrendous additives used in the meat industry. I understand that it will save you, as the individual, lots of money. I understand that it causes you to really think about what you put in your body, which generally leads to better well-being, eating more vegetables and grains, taking supplements where necessary, even encouraging you to exercise more.

Jonathon Safron Foer was on Ellen today, and he was talking about his book Eating Animals. He discusses the effect it has on our planet, on our health and on our economy. All of that I get. Then they had people on who had read the book and changed their lives.

The first woman talked about recovering from breast cancer, and how the foods she had been eating most likely contributed to her disease, and would have caused a recurrence, so she stopped.

I get that. Thank God you were able to make a change in your life, and become happier and healthier.

But then they moved on to the second woman, who said she couldn't look her dog in the face when she sat with a plate of chicken. And I didn't really understand. Then the third guest spoke about how Thanksgiving turkeys are "unloved"...

...and that's where you lose me. There are so many reasons to reduce the meat intake in your diet. I imagine all people could improve their health by analyzing their diet. I am even willing to forgo meat on several meals, for good reasons. But when you try to tell me it is wrong to eat animals, I get very touchy.

Now, do not misunderstand me. I'm not saying the meat industry is not horrendously cruel, because I know that they are. "Oh, this meat will be more tender if we slice it off while the animal is alive" and other such shudder-inducing statements are all over that industry. I am moved by the unnecessary pain and torture that goes on for these creatures. But I have no doubt in my mind that some animals were created by God in order to sustain us. If they were supposed to be our equals, God would have given them souls, and I personally, and strongly, believe that he didn't.

I encourage you to read Jonathon's book, or others like it, because we can all stand to improve our health, and there are many ways to do that. We all have the right to make informed decisions. I'm just saying that "the plight of these animals" is where you lost me.