Fabulous Find For A Friday------Black Adder Series

One of my favorite things to do is watch the BBC. I am a BBC junkie. A BBC American, if you will. I have watched their shows for many years.

I love British humor. I know, most folks would say that I am crazy, and they just don't get it....but I will always pick a British flick over American any day. Lets face it, history never quite feels the same when Hollywood gets a hold of it.

But I digress.

I really want to talk about their comedy. My love started with Monty Python. First, the weekly shows, then "The Holy Grail". The first time I saw their comedy, I felt that I had finally found something that I could relate to-----it was great!

Fast forward to several years later.....I saw one of my first Rowan Atkinson films.....I forget if it was the first Mr. Bean series, or what, but one of my favorite series was "The Black Adder".
I watched each week and fell more and more in love with the humor of Rowan and his pals. That was the first time I saw Hugh Laurie, who is magnificent as one of Rowan's side kicks. (He is also so funny in "Jeeves and Wooster"----with Stephen Fry----if you haven't seen it---check it out!)


Well, I got the entire set of Black Adder series for Christmas, and have re-lived each episode with my family, and had quite a few laughs. My little guy, Aydan, is now a big fan, and has watched his favorite ones several times now. (Just a note: There are some innuendos that may not be good for some kids---but my son doesn't get them-----yet...)


So----check them out on Netflix or get them at the video store, and be prepared to have some chuckles....or maybe full-out laughter!

Here are a few examples.....

The Black Adder Part 1 - Watch the best video clips here

Prince Blackadder - Blackadder - BBC - For more funny videos, click here

And if you don't like British humor?


Well, I have nothing to say to you........

Whin-ey Wednesday

I've decided to start using Wed.'s to vent when I need to-----therefore the title of this post. No, it won't be every week. I really don't have time to do that-----sigh.


Today, I am going to whine about the fact that my hubby is out of work.......again. Last Friday, he broke the news to me that he had been laid off, and I sort of......well.......FREAKED!


Perhaps it had to do with the fact that just six months ago, he had a really bad accident at work, where he almost lost the third finger on his right hand. They had to re-build it. You might want to refresh your memory and read about it here.

Well, he was on disability, but of course, that doesn't pay all the bills-----and he was getting a small compensation from his workplace also, but that didn't cover the overtime that is required for us to....well......basically.....pay those darn bills. So, we have been trying to juggle things to get everything covered, and are still, basically, behind.

NOT a good time to be laid off, for sure.....

I work really hard---doing voice lessons, and trying to get the theatre off the ground and making something from that----someday----but it doesn't bring in a lot now, therefore I don't feel that I am prepared to take on any more debt problems.

I guess I am just P---O'd! I am getting so tired of being stressed out about money, and where its going to come from. I am getting older and sometimes wish that I could be like most of the women my age, with great houses, having vacations, re-decorating their houses, going shopping and just worrying about who to go to lunch with----occasionally babysitting the G-babies.

And another down-side to this extreme stress----I don't sleep well. I get panic attacks sometimes waking up at about 4:00 in the morning----not being able to breath, and panic-ing about how to get through all this. I have been working on getting caught up with everything, and I am FREAKING out how this will affect all that I have worked on.


Ok----just writing about this has made me feel like a total whiner. I apologize for going off, but if its only once in awhile-----can't a girl just GET THINGS OFF HER CHEST ONCE IN A WHILE!!


Now----end of the pity party.


I need to go out and do something for someone else. It always manages to take my mind off of my problems....

Fabulous Find For A Friday-----On A Saturday-----An Over The Shoulder Boulder Holder

This phrase is very commonly used to describe one of a womens least favorite article of under clothing----the bra. I have particularly always had troubles with anything in this region of my body. And like me,-----for some reason, most women are not happy with their boobies---they are either too small or too large----too flat, or too droopy.

Then, of course it doesn't help that society and MEN seem obsessed with these annoying appendages. I mean, what the heck? Can't they all just get over them? Ugh.

When I was in eighth grade, I basically, had not reached......ahem......maturity yet, and didn't have much up there to speak of. Well, my mother was ADAMENT that I could not have a bra until I had SOMETHING to fill it with!

Oh, the trauma of trying to dress in the girls locker room before gym class and do it without a bra to cover oneself with! I eventually found a slip that I had that was a bit padded on the top and tried to pretend that it was the new rage----the built-in bra in my slip.

I have always been built a bit smallish on top----even after finally getting to wear a bra. I was at my largest right before I got married-----as I grew up to a small "C" cup. This was the most that I had weighed in my life, and I felt very robust indeed!

Fast forward to several years later, after my first child, (you know how it is----you get huge, blow up like balloons------so its painful when your milk comes in, then you start nursing, and are still quite large-----until you decide to stop nursing....) and I no longer had much there to speak of. I seem to remember size "A" as being my size then.

Then, along came another child a few years later-------same thing--------but this time, I kept losing weight and most of it came out of the upper half of my body. At this time, I numbered at a "AA". It was at this time that I was modeling the most, so it kind of went with my new body and I started to really enjoy being smallish up there.

Fast forward again to many years later-----after having five children----my upper region had----shall we say----rounded out----to a small "B" size. I was happy, this finally felt "just right!" I had gotten down to my original weight and life seemed grand-----I could have even modeled still if I wanted, but just didn't seem to have the time.


Body image was good.

I'm sure that you are on the edge of your seat---wondering how this story ends up, right? Well, if you fast forward just a few years more, you will find me starting to go through that most dreadful of times for a women----the pre-menopausal years----and all of a sudden, your body starts to have a mind of its own.


I remember one day as I was walking past a bank window on a street and caught a reflection of myself----and I had to stop, and stood there with my mouth agape!


Where had my "real" body gone? And what were these things that kept growing?
I guess most women would rejoice to wake up one day and------TA, DAH-----two large boobies!


Well, that's not how I felt. I felt matronly, and stocky, and well, like someone had taken over my body.....


How have I dealt with it? Well, it has been a trial. Trying to find bras that are comfortable that don't make me feel like I am Dolly Parton, and that are supportive, etc.

It has been annoying, to say the least.


I eventually found that if I wore sports bras, I had more support and I was a bit smaller that way. AND they were comfortable!

But they don't last very long, and I do like to have a bit of underwiring, also. So, I have kept searching......and searching......and searching for the right one.

And yes----I think that I may have found it! I kept getting catalogs from the on-line store,
One Hanes Place, as I had gotten several sports bras from there, so I flipped through one a few months ago.

VOILA! There it was. A minimizer bra. Just the ticket to what I needed!


Long story short-----I ordered two----as they had a sale----and I figured if they didn't work out, I could send the one back that was not used.

But I love it! It guarantees that it will minimize your rack from an inch to an inch and a half.
And you feel supported and not totally squished like with a sports bra.....and score!----the back supports you also----don't worry about that back fat anymore....

Here it is---Bali Passion For Comfort Minimizer Underwire
With Comfortable Back
(Yep, a mouthfull-----did I really just say that? Oh, no---I di-ent!)

So, if you feel like I do----and don't want to necessarily be larger-----yes, there are a few of us out there----then try this brassiere-----it is divine!

Re-evaluations, NOT Resolutions

I don't particularly like the idea of resolutions. I don't disagree with them, but I like to make them ongoing.

All through the year.

Monthly.

Weekly.

Daily.

Ok......hourly.


That is pretty much how I roll. I am constantly re-evaluating my life and what I want to do with it. I am still deciding what I want to be when I grow up, you might say. And I envision that I will still be doing it the day that I drop dead.


So, basically, I have thought about some of the most recent things that I have been mulling over in my mind. These are the things that I will share with you.
(And did I mention that I am a woman of lists? One by my bed, one by the bathroom sink---not even kidding, one in my daytimer, on my calendar, and one in my head at ALL times. Is it any wonder that I have insomnia?)


The latest list of re-evaluations:

*Keep my business---i.e. the theatre going---and try to not freak out so much about it.
*Get my next season of plays and musicals picked THIS season-----trust me, its harder than you think!
*Try to get to bed by midnight----and yes, this is hard for me----I am a night owl.
*Keep exercising at least 4 times a week. I already do this, but am expanding to include yoga now once a week.
*Try to get that other 10 lbs. off----seriously----I don't take this lightly---I lost 14 lbs. from Aug. to Nov.----and have gained back about 2 lbs. during the holidays.....aarrgghhh.
*Try to train my pups to not bark when someone comes to the door----we started this about two months ago---but it is hard to find the time to keep working on it!
*Be better about volunteering for helping those in need in my church. I am terrible about doing this, if I know that it is early in the morning, or takes too many hours in the day----I have so much to do, and I wimp out.
*Try to keep my house cleaner----ummm----maybe I should check into a cleaning service once a month? Oh, so tempting.
*Continue reading more. I love to read as much as I love movies (which is my addiction, by the by) and I have stepped it up this year, by TAKING the time to read each day----even if its only 1/2 hour in the morning and a 1/2 hour at night.
*Be a better and more attentive mother.......er......ah.......I asked my young son about this one-----if I needed improvement----and he answered that I could do that by only making him do ONE chore every day instead of two before he can have computer time..... Minx.
Seriously, I should hang out more with him----more quality time----as he is always with me, but I am doing my theatre thing and don't always pay attention to him----did I mention that he is a great kid? I know....you've heard it before.
*Be a better wife. What? Where did that come from? Was that my alter-ego trying to get a word in edgewise? Whateveh.... Although, I guess it wouldn't hurt to send him notes and do mushy things once in a while-----yeah----I can do that. And maybe not nag about money anymore...................(tweet, tweet, tweet)...........NAH-----thats NOT going to happen.
*Write two posts a week in my blog----and get those blasted Memory Mondays back! Geeze! Why can't I seem to get it together?!!
*Get back to reading blogs at least two times a week.....ok....well, shoot for three and see how it goes.....


There you have it.

My re-evaluations.

That's all she wrote.

Been there, done that.


How about you check in with me daily and see how I'm doing?


I'll write you down on one of my lists.

What A Way To End The Year

It was such fun to have all my lovely children around me during this blessed Christmas holiday!

And these are the moments:

*Picking up Maryn from the airport---and a big juicy hug---finally!
*Decorated the cookies and put on final Christmas touches.
*Clayton and Brinna coming in----lots of hugs and gaiety!
*First night of caroling----got lost in Hudson----and boy, was it cold---but we love to do this tradition----so great to harmonize with my kids.
*Fun day for last minute shopping, wrapping, and another night of caroling---this time we got more done and I heard the comment, "Why do we have to go to so many people?" And, "Couldn't we just go to the houses that give us something?" Uh, huh----they are kids.....
*Spent the next day doing last minute shopping and wrapping, got the house all cleaned, the rolls out, the soup made, things set out for guests.
*Some great friends over for Christmas Eve. Both families are moving in 2010----so sad.
*Fun carols, Texas and Cajun Night Before Christmas, Chimes played, and finishing up with the Nativity Scene.
*Christmas jammies from Mrs. Claus----fun to take crazy pictures.
*Up at 7:30 a.m.----finding Santa had come! Still great----as we all become small children again!
*Pictures all around---a couple of disappointed remarks---but that's what Christmas is all about, right?
*Blueberry muffins, omelets and hot chocolate----these are our traditional Christmas breakfast fare.
*Time to open presents----more pictures----a bit of a spat between me and the hubby. (long story...sigh)
*Time for the hubby and the kids to play games, put together mechanical toys, as I go to.......bed.........for a long winters nap. Aaaaaahhhhhh.....
*Get up, still in Christmas jammies, put in the ham----Clayton had put out more rolls----good. Cook the potatoes, sweet potatoes and corn. Go take a shower, and change.
*A Christmas feast. An amazing time with people you love the most....the best.
*Brinna leaves to visit friends----sorry to see her go.
*Dinner is done---we bring out the "Black Adder" DVD collection from Santa----to the family----and start watching.
*Next day---general cleanup for me----well, yeah----I'm still a Mom----and kids and hubby go to the mall. I wouldn't take a step out there the day after Christmas---no sirr--eee!
*Go to a movie with my oldest kids----"Nine"---not the best musical, but it makes me happy---and I ADORE Daniel Day Lewis!
*Sunday----our church Christmas program. (we were snowed out the Sunday before) I am a bit stressed as I am the choir director and wrote the program, but things go well.....ahhh, a sigh of relief from me.....
*We go home, have a delicious dinner----Pad Thai----home-made by Clayton, my chef. Delish!
*Brinna comes back and we prepare for one of our favorite things to do-----TAKE OUR FAMILY PICTURES! Ahhh---remember last year? (They were technically posted the beginning of this year---but who's counting?)
*Go to the Mill Building---where my theatre is---my hubby, Bret, gets his things set up---and we do what we do best---be hams!
Want to hire a great photographer? BBSNAPS.NET---(of course, you have to be in the New England area)

It began pretty normally....

...then we mixed it up a bit.

Yep, we got just a bit more absurd.

Everyone in their own world---uh, huh---that's my family!

Got the kids looking adorable....

....right before we let them go wild!

A big jump!

We took time to take a few of Bret and I---taken by my young son, Aydan.

Individual shots:
Beautiful Brinna.

Handsome Clayton.

My little minx, Maryn.

My little cutie guy, Aydan.


(Of course, we are missing part of the family, as my daughter, Hailey, her hubby Ben, and my G-babies live across the country----be sure to visit them HERE)



What a way to end the year.....with my favorite people in all the world.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas Traditions----Part Four And Five

One of the favorite traditions in our family is to have a baking day on the third Saturday in December. Unfortunately, this year, I had to go to the recital of my son's voice teacher. Well----it wasn't unfortunate in that she has an amazing voice, but it was unfortunate that we had to put off the baking until the next day.

The kids and I have always made several different types of cookies and goodies----and they have changed over the years. We used to make fudge, caramel popcorn, sugar cookies and divinity. Then----I ended up taking out the fudge, because no one would eat it, and when I married the hubby that I have now, I took out the caramel popcorn, as he doesn't like chewy, sticky treats. Then last year, I stopped making the divinity, as it was too sweet and even Aydan didn't eat it anymore. But, I still make the sugar cookies---only I make them with the 50% less sugar mix and use almond extract in them---with a butter cream frosting----so good! Of course, part of Christmas has to be the decorating of the sugar cookies----and the eating, of course....

I also got a few ideas from bloggers----one from Rae over at My Life On The East Coast. She had a great recipe for some Turtle type goodies----except that I don't like nuts, and decided to just make them without nuts. Aydan really got into making these----they were so easy to do----and I only had to help him flatten them after they had warmed up for 5 mi9nutes in the stove. They were super yummy and he gave a bag full of them to his bus driver! (Didn't get a picture of them.)


We also got a great idea for another delicious treat from super blogger, Tiburon, from Shark Bait. She had a great recipe for Peppermint Bark Popcorn----and it sounded delish, so we gave it a try----with a bit of a twist! I used white chocolate instead of almond bark----and put the peppermint directly into the melted white chocolate----then drizzled it over the popcorn. Ohhhhh, how yummy it was! (Notice I say, "was", because its gone now....)
But definitely check out Tiburons recipe to get the real scoop on how to make this delicious treat!
I put this in bags and gave it out to friends when we went caroling this evening.....

Here is the popcorn laid out with the chocolate drizzled on it....

.....and....um.....did I mention that I made some delicious Pumpkin Pie Bars?

Everything in ready for getting the cookies going.

Aydan is hard at work----and his shirt definitely shows it! (Note to self:
NEED to get aprons!)

And success----just look at the chocolate smile!

My daughter, Maryn, helped out with the decorating end of things
when she got into town the next day.

Here we are with my big head stuck in the frame---stylish hat on head----hey--its cold
outside! Love the look on Aydans face----and what the heck are you doing, Maryn?

.....Which brings me to my fifth Christmas tradition! We always go caroling to our friends, some work mates and members of our church. I have been doing this tradition since my children were small, and they still love doing it! It is the highlight of our Christmas, and we usually go to about 15 or so homes, sharing a few carols and some fun harmonies, as well as lots of smiles and good cheer! (and a small bit of goodies) This is really our way of sharing our talents as well as our love for these people at Christmastime.

I hope that you have all been able to do all the traditions that you are used to. I pray that during this festive time of year that there haven't been too many hardships, and that your lives are as blessed as mine. I love this time of year-----the goodness, the peace, worshiping Christ, and feeling the joy of family and good friends. It seems a time when people are trying to be congenial and pleasant, even though there is stress abounding.

Its a time to reflect, and restore oneself---to prepare for the new year.

May you all feel this perfect peace during your Holiday!

Fabulous Find For A Friday-----Two Talented Sons

This past week, I was able to go and experience both of my sons' different activities. First----was Aydan. He started taking Karate about a month ago, and really takes it seriously. He is a smallish boy, so we wanted to give him something to do to give him confidence and lets face it-----it helps with agility and muscle buildup, etc. Its all good.

The guy who owns the place and teaches is really a neat, easygoing man. He goofs around with the students, and speaks in different dialects, so Aydan feels at home---- and he is enjoying himself!

After Aydans class, we went into Boston to see my other son, Claytons' voice recital at his University. He is a senior, and is working up to a Music Education Degree----and his voice is MAH-VE-LOUS!! (Ok, so I admit that he was forced to take voice from me when he was growing up, so I am a bit biased...)

He did some classical songs---not his Broadway numbers, so that was great for me-----as he has a great classical voice. And yes, I am his BIGGEST FAN! He and I have very similar voices---matching vibratos and all----and had also been lucky enough to sing together the day before in church. It was a treat!

All in all.....a great week for me. I am so lucky to have such fantastic boys---they are truly super----and if you can't tell----I love them alot!

Christmas Traditions----Part Two And Three

The second weekend of December, we always go and get a new ornament for the tree----you remember----the one that we put up the first Saturday----or we try to make some. I asked Aydan which he would like to do this year, and since it has been YEARS since we made ornaments, he chose that.


But how do I do that, exactly?


Well, we head to Michaels! I figured that if there was a great place to find ideas for making ornaments, it would be Michaels. And away we went....


It was good and busy, thats for sure, but we managed to get some supplies and headed home to use some of our Christmas creativity!

What did we use? We opted to get some foam pieces in bright Christmas-ey colors, some sparkly, some not, some Snowman and Tree shapes, some glue, several pairs of scissors and we went to town!

Bret and Aydan work on their ornaments (MAN---look at the front
of that refrigerator----it is totally a mess of stuff!)

And here I am with my ornament---while Aydan works hard
in the background.

The final group of ornaments.....and one hand that kept speaking to me.....

.....and then, the next day, while I was taking a much needed rest.....more
cute ornaments appeared! Don't you love Aydans creativity? (LOVE the diaper tree!)
Ours are the two at the top left---the rest?
Yep---Aydans!

Another tradition that we do on the second Saturday of December is host the Christmas Community Concert at our church. All of the churches in my community come together with their congregations and have an evening of music and good food. Since I am the choir director for my church, I always have to pick the music, work with my choir for about two months on it, then direct my choir for the event, as well as direct a combined choir number. It is a wonderful evening that really gets the Christmas season off to a great start!

A very small picture of my choir! I'm somewhere on the right side---
out of the picture----doing my "thang!"

Stay tuned for even more traditions!....

Fabulous Find For A Friday-----The Road

Two years ago, my favorite book was "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. It was horrific, but so real, that it was genuinely disturbing and scary, but the writing was amazing, so I couldn't put it down.

Last weekend, I saw the movie.

Now, may I say that I went-----expecting to be disappointed, as most of the time my most favorite books are not represented very well when moved to the big screen. But, much to my dismay, I loved ita

Of course, it helped that the lead was played by Viggio Mortensen, one of my favorite actors. He did an amazing job, playing "The Man" who lives and is trying to survive in a world post apocalyptic-----its a dreary world, one where no nature nor insect nor animal lives. It is a world that is only inhabited by pitiful humans----a handful of them, scrounging off the land and in the trash for food of any kind.

Then there is "the boy", his son. A child that has grown up in this horrific world, has lost his mother (she decides to give up and 'leave' her family) and has managed to maintain a goodness and innocence despite it all. The actor that played this part was really believable and pretty amazing.


The director, John Hillcoat, and the person that wrote the screenplay, Joe Penhall, did a splendid job recreating the book---staying pretty true to the original story. The production was very well done, and I thought that even the computer generated graphics were even well done. After all, it isn't easy to make the entire world look devoid of trees unless they are burnt out and dead looking. And even though I knew what was going to happen, the movie still kept me on the edge of my seat, as I lived through each tragic moment.

And the best part of all-----it is a love story. Not between a woman and a man---even though the love of the boys mother and his father is brought up through flashbacks-----it is the love that is never ending between the man and his boy. One that we know this father has for his son, as he would even sacrifice his own child rather than leave him for torture and an ultimate grisly death at the hands of cannabalistic humans. And it is a story of good. Yes, good.


My favorite part of the book and then, the movie, is when the young boy keeps asking his father, "We are the good guys, right? No matter what-----we will always be the good guys, right?"


It makes me tear up just thinking about it. It really makes one realize that in the world where there is so much evil, the good will always be there.


Somewhere.

The good will always prevail.

Christmas Traditions----Part One

We, as a family, have many Christmas traditions. Since this is one of my favorite times of the year, I am so all about keeping the traditions going,.....no matter what else I have on my plate-----WHICH IS A TON RIGHT NOW!!!


So, our tradition the first Saturday of the month of December is to get our Christmas tree----not just get it, but find it, choose it, and cut it down ourselves. There are several places that we like to go, but our favorite place is behind someones house. They have a shed where you pick up your saw, and a wagon to carry your tree. You just go out to the field, cut your own and then leave a check through a slot in the shed door.

Yep---totally the honor system. And the trees are all $25.00! No matter what size!


We always pick a "Charlie Brown" type tree---one that isn't perfect, and needs someone to take it and make it special. I don't like fat, perfect trees,-----no, I like those that need some love.


The next day----on Sunday, we spend the evening decorating the tree and get all the Christmas decorations out and ready to put up around the house. It isn't the tradition to get it all up that night, or I would never be able to keep that tradition. We just get the tree done and do a bit each day, slowly but surely....

Bret and Aydan with the chosen one....

....and yes,....it was pouring rain!

Aydan----carrying the tree by himself....

....and there he goes across the field.

Now you can see all the ornaments all over the table----stuff everywhere!

Aydan and Bret decorating after I got the lights on.....

and Aydan and I continue to decorate.....until he gets tired of it.

So, it turned out great.....and even though a lot of people are going over to the fake tree.....I will always keep having a "live" tree----it is just tradition,-----and it makes me smile.


As long as I don't go out of town and leave the watering for my hubby this year.......