TV Bliss {AKA the 2010 Fall Television Lineup}

I am a TV junkie. I wouldn't dream of pretending not to be. Ok, it is a little embarrassing sometimes when people are talking about shows they watched and I have seen the ALL, but oh well. I don't always get to watch them when they are on TV but I have managed to stay caught up on some of my faves using the ole' interwebs. I have contemplated getting DVR capabilities in my house but I could sincerely see my life spiraling out of control if that was an option!! Ok, maybe it wouldn't be that serious of a situation, but I would be bad. Trust me on this. I'm out of control. Geez.

So here's a little run down of shows I already love, I'm looking forward to and I wish I could watch. Don't judge me. I know I have a problem. I will get help when I am ready ok people?!?! Moving On.

I have to give them credit ... FOX is bringing it again this year. So many great shows. Someone on the FOX show scouting staff needs a mega-raise for locking down all these amazing shows for one network in the same season. SO EXCITING!!

GLEE - House - Fringe - Lie To Me - Hell's Kitchen - Raising Hope - Running Wilde

          

            

    

           

NBC doesn't have a great lineup in my opinion, but it is home to two of my MOST favorite shows (Parenthood & The Biggest Loser)! 

      

 

ABC is holding on to shows I already love (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Brothers & Sisters, Cougar Town & of course, Modern Family). They are also premiering 2 that I am looking forward to checking out this season (Mr. Sunshine & Secret Millionaire). 

CBS has disappointed me in the past, but I am optimistic for the Fall lineup. 

The Good Wife - The Amazing Race - Undercover Boss - S#*! My Dad Says

     

      

       

      

I don't even know what to say about these two networks. I don't have premium cable. If HBO and Showtime were available to me on a regular basis I could see my life spiraling out of control!! Ok, maybe it wouldn't be that serious of a situation, but I would be bad. Trust me on this. 

True Blood and Big Love. From a world where Vampires walk among us in True Blood to a tale of modern day polygamy in Big Love. How do you love them both?! I don't know. It just works.

  

Showtime brings to the table Weeds, The Big C, The United States of Tara & The Tudors. Delicious. 

Orange Crush

No. Not the drink. The softball team. Our softball team to be exact. Scott & I decided to join a coed softball team in the Spring and they asked us to play again during the Fall with pretty much the same group. Our first game was last night and we pulled out a big win of 16 - 9. Go Team!!

I happen to think our new jerseys did the trick to get us started out on the right foot. We looked a little like the bad news bears last season. Everyone in random shirts and different colored shorts. It was kind of a mess. I opted to create a new logo for us and this season ... the Crush plays in style. You like?

In other news, I hit two triples in the last two innings of the game. I'm pretty proud of myself. Go Me!

Free MP3 Download

As I often do, I grew bored listening to my usual satellite radio stations yesterday so I started flipping around. I stumbled on to this cover of the U2 great "With or Without You".  My gut reaction was who would dare touch this song?! In true nerd fashion ... I hopped on my computer and tried to figure out who this mystery woman was. Her name is Sarah Darling. Looks like she has been trying to break out in the country scene. Such a cutie pie, right?

I listened to a few of her other songs on her website. I'm not entirely sold on her as an artist I would listen to all the time, but there is something I really enjoy about the was she covered this particular song. It sort of has a Jewel vibe going on. I LOVE the original, but the two versions are so different I genuinely enjoy them both. Amazon.com currently has a free MP3 download of her version if you are interested. 

Are you ready for some football?

I know I am!! I can't wait in fact. This year I won't be working any games, which is actually sort of sad, but I do love some good football anyway I can get it. It will be nice to hang out with friends, watch a game from the comfort of a couch, munching on homemade goodies and sporting my UGA lounge pants! Believe it kids. The time has come & I am going to thoroughly enjoy this football season.

Tonight it's the Falcons vs. Jacksonville in FL @ 7:30 pm. Let's go Falcons ... let's go!!

Falling into Fall

September 1. I absolutely love this time of year. The world around us starts to change. The mundane transforms into the wildly colorful. The world just seems to slow down a notch or two. I can just feel that the end is drawing near. As my eyes are transfixed on the calendar, I literally cannot believe it. Knowing that we are on the downhill slide of another year ending leaves me feeling ... expectant. There are so many things I wanted to have done by now. Don't get me wrong, the list of completed home improvements, fun projects, handmade gifts, vacations, fun weekends, spontaneous outings, delicious meals, etc. is LONG and varied. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day, days in the week or weeks in the year to get it ALL done. Blogging, unfortunately, seems to be one of my "to-do"items that far to easily gets pushed to the bottom of the stack every time the priorities in life start to pile up. Sorry little blog. I am sure by now you have serious abandonment issues. My bad.

My little slice of the internet pie is the epitome of all the things in my life that "I'll do tomorrow". Then, just when I are sure that today will be the day that I catch up on everything ... I don't. Before you know it, months have passed, the blog remains post-less and I feel that much more behind. I hate that feeling. The one that feels like no matter how fast you run or how much you do, you still fall just a few inches shy of the goal.

I like keeping this little electronic record of mine. Even if no one else gets anything out of it. Here's to the road ahead. I hope it winds its way to more good times, a heaping helping of fantastic memories and an end to another year that I can look back on with no regrets. Welcome September. I can't wait to see how the 2010 ends.

We Can't Change the Wind ...

I got this from sweet aunt who LOVES to forward emails. I almost never open them (sorry Suzy!!), but today I just felt compelled. I am so glad I did because this absolutely made my day. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. If I am lucky enough to live a long life, I hope to be this kind of amazing & to find a way to love myself this much. 

We can't change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our sails. 

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. 

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Eventually. 

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it). 

Brunch, Books & Birthday Cake!!

I had a packed Sunday, but I loved it.

Brunch @ West Egg Cafe. They moved to a new location on Howell Mill that is delightful. Full of light, simple decor and an easy atmosphere to enjoy your meal in. It was packed on a Sunday morning ... be prepared to wait, but is totally worth it. The graphics nerd in me LOVED the menu layout. The menu options were such a fun twist on typical breakfast & brunch fare. I got the Peachtree Plate and it was scrumptious! I never thought I would enjoy pimento cheese grits ... but oh baby was easily converted. YUM! I was too full to get one but I hear the cupcakes are wonderful. They have a Coca-Cola flavored cupcake - I'm just sayin'.

Chelsea Handler book signing at Outwrite. Katy and I pre-ordered her latest book, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, from there on a whim. As it would happen that got us the number 5 & 6 positions in line for the book signing. Thank goodness because the line was wrapped around the building. She had two sold-out shows at the FOX later the same day so the whole experienced was a little rushed. I did get my book signed and that was my main goal. Be warned - the book is true Chelsea style. It is packed with raunchy, racy, no-limits tales about everything from her wild childhood to her interesting family life.

Compulsory combo birthday celebration with the mother-in-law. Our birthdays are just a few days apart and to save everyone the trouble of squeezing in back-to-back celebrations we combine ours. This year my sweet mom made us each a cake to enjoy. Mine was a tasty chocolate cake with vanilla icing and super fancy decorations. Carol's was a white cake, raspberry filling and cream cheese icing. Slices of heaven for everyone!!

"My little brother paid a buck to see your underwear."

"Do I stutter?"
"Could you describe the ruckus, sir?"
"Hey, how come Andrew gets to get up? If he gets up, we'll all get up, it'll be anarchy."
"Face it. You're a neo maxi zoom dweebie, what would you be doing if you weren't out making yourself a better citizen?"
"That's right, I'm Abe Froman." "... the Sausage King of Chicago?"
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
"By night's end, I predict me and her will interface." 
"Oh God! ... The dog wet on the picnic basket."
"I know I'm old enough to be his mother, but when the Duck laid that kiss on me last night, I swear my thighs just went up in flames. He must practice on melons or something."
Wyatt: "Gary?... By the way, why are we wearing bras on our heads?"'
Gary: "Ceremonial."

Are you feeling nostalgic for the 80's yet??
After his unfortunate passing in August 2009, I blogged about the late John Hughes and my slightly neurotic love for his cinematic legacy. His movies set a precedent. They were life-changers for some. They revealed teenage angst in a way no one had ever done before and no one has been able to replicate since. They played a huge role in my life and so many others in my generation. With the relatable topics, casts of lovable & despicable characters, a library full of unbelievably quotable scripts and just a pure watch-ability that had people hitting the rewind button for decades ... It is just pure 80's gold friends!!

I can't begin to express the excitement I am feeling at this moment. Last month marked the 25th anniversary of The Breakfast Club - um, my favorite movie of all time!! -- and I just stumbled across this gem out in the blog-o-sphere that was released in the same month. 

YOU COULDN'T IGNORE ME IF YOU TRIED. 

The Brat Pack, John Hughes and Their Impact on a Generation. 

Written by Susannah Gora, a former Associate Editor of Premiere magazine, the book is said to be full of behind-the-scenes context and tales from a handful of the most beloved Brat Pack films, present-day interviews with many of the actors, and a comprehensive profiling of John Hughes, the prolific director who brought so many of these generation-defining movies into our lives. Interviewees include a long list of actors including the fabulous Molly Ringwald, Matthew Broderick, Anthony Michael Hall, John Cusack, Jon Cryer & Mary Stuart Masterson.

I. AM. SO. E-X-C-I-T-E-D!!
< insert obnoxious, high-pitched, SQUEAL here >

I will be needing to own this book. ASAP.

OH HOW I LOVE THIS MOVIE.
"Dear Mr. Vernon, We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain ... and an athlete ... and a basket case ... a princess ... and a criminal. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club."

Just my luck.

It's St. Patrick's Day. I don't typically do a lot of "celebrating" on this day, but I decided this year to celebrate my good luck!!  

LUCK: 

Defined as "an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that leads to a favorable outcome". 

My life has certainly been unpredictable. By this definition, it has also been truly lucky. Some of my unpredictable luck:

~ A life that includes my wonderfully generous and patient husband. My very best friend. Who loves me both because of & in spite of me.

~ Our sweet, silly, pound-dog that makes me laugh every day.

~ My strange menagerie of amazing friends. Their differences astound me, but I couldn't imagine life without them all.

~ A large, loving (though sometimes slightly misguided), laughter-filled family. They are always there. Always. 

~ Good health. Which I take for granted far too often. 

~ My little brother who is the funniest person on the planet and reminds me of my dad.

~ Family that I wasn't born in to, but have acquired a place in along the way.

~ The the people I have loved and lost, but never forgotten. 

~ The unrelenting lessons I have learned. Even those that left deep scars.

~ The ability to remember. It has served me well. 

~ For a job and a home. Things that are too often confused as a right, when they are actually a privilege.  

~ For a life filled with so many breath-taking experiences ... that I lost count long ago.

The list could go on - but for now - here's to another year full of favorable outcomes!

Some Irish Blessings for you to enjoy. 

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

May the best day of your past
Be the worst day of your future.

May your neighbors respect you,
Troubles neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

MOO + ETSY = BRILLIANT

If you have an Etsy site and need business cards ... you should check THIS out!! If you are familiar MOO cards then you know they are wonderful. Crisp images, great card quality, unique styles & even fun accessories to hold your little works of art. The MiniCards are my favorite - so tiny and adorable I just can't resist.

The MOO MiniCard holder by moo.com

by MOO_Crew

Well, the good folks at MOO are now partnering with Etsy so you can pull your product photos directly from your shop and add them to your business cards. That way your shop & cards match perfectly.

Don't have an Etsy shop? The Readymade MiniCards also make great personal calling cards. You can even search them by theme or card designer. An easy way to distribute your contact information at a moments notice. It always helps to leave a unique reminder of yourself behind.

Brilliant I say. Anything to make life as a DIY-er easier is simply wonderful in my book. Happy MOO making people!

iMakeMyCase

For those of you who enjoy the never ending wonders associated with the iphone, I share with you this fun site. It's called iMakeMyCase and it provides a blank slate or artist created graphics for you to build your own iphone case. It's also fun to play with just to see what you can make. Enjoy!

Chair Envy

I pretty much love any cozy place that I can curl up under a blanket with a book or just to take a nap. I've had a traditional round papasan chair for years that I love, but it reeeks of college days gone by. I've been on a chair hunt for awhile now. I have a found a few that struck my fancy, but none that I have been willing to throw down major cash for.

On my quest I have run across several things that if I had a bigger wallet and the space to showcase them properly I would own in a heartbeat. Alas these will have to go on the "if I win the lotto list", but they are still pretty to look at.

I have been I do love hammocks. I enjoy them the most in the spring and fall when there is a little chill in the air. Oh sweet heavens that sounds like a marvelous way to spend an afternoon. I ran across these cuties and imagined all the lazy days I could have.

Fatboy® Headdemock: This model comes in 8 amazing colors ranging from this teal to basic black. A luxurious 110" long and wide enough to share. I love it because it isn't made of the rope, which I almost always get a finger or toe caught in - ouch! The price-tag is $399 - not outrageous for something so splendid.

The Outback Cove Chair: I love it. I can't help it. I know it looks like an egg & I love it anyway. At a whopping $1,399 it will remain a distant love.

Rattan Lounge Beds: Lord help me. I was lost in a dream world for a moment. I'm back now. Oh the hours I could waste away in these. Visions of lemonade and wide-brimmed hats are flashing before my very eyes.

That's it. I'm done. This post is officially over. I mean really ... how can you top these?!

Crepe Revolution

Have you heard of this nifty little joint called Crepe Revolution? It is delicious. Double-date night with the Grubbs' on Saturday night landed us here. They were well aware of this treasure, but since we live on the other side of the world it was a first for us. I must say it was more delicious than anticipated.

In addition to the wide variety of choices already available on the brunch, lunch and dinner menus, you can also customize your own crepe in 5 easy steps ...

1: Pick the batter

2: Pick your veggies

3: Pick your meat (or meats if you are so inclined)

4: Pick your cheese (as much as you want!!)

5: Pick your sauce

Done and done.

I would recommend giving Crepe Revolution if you are in the area. The atmosphere is great and the concept is really different. I had the California Turkey and the Katie's Strawberry Blonde. Our sever happened to be the Katie for whom the beverage was named and was a complete spaz. Other than that everything was great. We didn't opt for a dessert crepe on this trip, but I have it on good authority that they are scrumptious. I will be adding this to my growing list of dining options.

Check out their video feature on Atlanta Elite Pass TV.

IT'S 2010!!

The first month of 2010 is over halfway gone and I have yet to do a new year’s update!! Geez – way to start out on the right foot huh? So far this year has been amazing. I, like most people I know, made some goals for 2010. I won’t bore you with the details of listing them all out. Suffice it to say the overarching theme is health and happiness. Doing things that make my life balanced and enjoyable. I know it will be a struggle for me to reach some of my goals but I feel like I am up for the challenge.

2009 ended in style for the Boatmans! We were fortunate enough to be invited by friends to celebrate the New Year in VEGAS BABY!! It was spectacular. This particular group of friends holds a special place in my heart because we all share a love of two things … laughter and delicious food. This trip was full of both. The added bonus for us was actually celebrating together for Scott's Birthday and for New Year's - that is unheard of for the Boatman's! For the past 5 years work has kept us apart at the stroke of midnight. Our kiss to start another year has traditionally taken place closer to 2 a.m. This year was so much different. On a 38^th floor balcony of the Chrysler Tower at New York New York in Las Vegas we watched fireworks sparkle above us and sea of people celebrating below us. It was a magical view and pictures really don’t do it justice.

A huge party on the “Brooklyn Bridge” capped off our evening of merriment. The music was incredible and everyone was having a blast. We threw beads out to the crowd - I can tell you that catching seemed to be a very difficult concept and many a string hurled through the air and subsequently whacked its intended target in the face! Unfortunate for them, funny for everyone else.

There is a beautiful new live, work, play complex in Vegas called The City Center. It is breathtaking. I can’t help it. I am a total nerd when it comes to textiles and décor. I was absolutely blown away at the level of detail that went into designing this place. You have to see it to believe it. And because I am a total nerd about technology too … check out their website. The virtual tour of the condos is enough to make me gasp aloud. Our evening at Aria just didn’t last long enough. A delicious meal at Jean George’s Steakhouse (I had ate a Kobe Beef Burger that was mouth watering!), followed by the new Cirque show VIVA ELVIS! and then a guided tour of some amenities in the hotel. It was a great vacation and a spectacular way to start a new year. VIVA VEGAS!!