T.V. Movies - Those were the days...

Hulu is definitely a treasure-trove of hidden jewels. Sometimes, you can find the most funny, interesting and terrifying clips and movies by just one simple search. I have been unfortunate enough to stumble upon "crap on a stick" too. Thank goodness for the comments people share.

One of the things that I've rediscovered are really well-produced t.v. movies. Remember the late 70s and 80s when you would beg your mother to stay up late so that you could finish that great movie being show on t.v.? I'm not talking about cable, I'm talking your basic, local channels. Okay, maybe that was just me. I remember missing the last part of Lace when I was in Elementary school and everyone was talking about it the next day. I hated not being a part of the discussion, only the person who go to hear what happened because her mother put her to bed too early.

T.V. movies were slowly replaced by reality t.v. and it's not a replacement I was happy to see by any stretch of the imagination. True. Some of the shows are amusing, but many are regurgitated written-behind-the-scenes stories meant to lure us in with whatever will keep us watching (bring on the trash!).

So, if you're looking for old Lifetime favorites or perhaps late-night flicks that came on when you were child (and had to go to bed), check out Hulu. You may very well find what you're looking for.

Feeling Cruddy

We've had the air on for the last two weeks and I think it's been a little too cold in the house. I've adjusted the thermostat, but I think I'm a day too late. The cold air and my exposed chest were not a good combination, dang it!

I drank a hot toddy during work hours...not the wisest idea, but a necessity. That helped for a bit and then I realized a nap was inevitable, so I took a Sudafed a little while ago. That seems to be making more of an impact on my upper respiratory issues and throat drama.

My girls already know that I'm not feeling my best. If I did take a nap after work, I don't think they'd care much. I am happy that things seem to be going well for them, with the occasional argument only lasting a few minutes or so.

The babe had her hair permed yesterday for the first time in 5 years. That child has so much hair! It really is gorgeous. She wants the opportunity to learn how to style and manage her hair and I told her she could do that this summer. Anyway, she seems to be very happy so far and is running around with it down, around her shoulders. My only worry is that the chemicals will do what they did to mine; break down the integrity and cause massive amounts of breakage. Five years of natural hair has made her hair long, healthy and strong. I hope she handles it well.

Further on the hair front, I'll probably take down Indy's, sometime this week and redo her braids. They are looking cat-raggedy! My hair will be done on Friday evening and I am too thrilled. I'm sort of in need of a break.

The Small Adventures of Life

I have several coming up this summer and into the fall. It's important to have something to look forward to...to break the monotony of life and experience something fun, new, and adventurous. For July, we have the holiday (of course) but we're also planning a get together for friends and family during the middle part of the month. A southern-style fish-fry is on tap and I am too excited! My contributions will be the spaghetti (very southern to eat it with fried catfish nuggets) and fried chicken (by request of hubby, who has been hankering for some for months). There will, of course, be the sides and desserts a-plenty. Since we plan on a big group, a lot of food is a good idea anyway. This is a huge deal for us because we haven't entertained at our house in a very long time.

Part of the reason is because of our kitchen. It is, in a nutshell, prehistoric and I am now utterly embarrassed to have people look at it...which leads to another adventure (I hope!); The Reconstruction of the Crappy Kitchen. I'm talking new floors, new cabinets, built-ins, design touches the works! Then, I'll be one entertaining heifer! Meanwhile, we will have our guests cloistered on the deck and in the backyard, rather than milling around in the unappealing kitchen.

For the end of July, hubby and I are getting away together. I am sooooo looking forward to that trip. Any time we can run away from our children for a little while is great for me. We can relax, decharge, and enjoy each others company to the fullest. We use this time to remember why we're a couple and why we're still married.

August is birthday month for the eldest. She is set on having another sleepover but this time, she wants a "pajama party." How is this different from a sleepover, you might ask? Well, the girls will be in their pajamas the entire time. If I take them to the grocery store? Pajamas; To the mall? Pajamas; the skating rink? Pajamas. I'm still trying to determine how many girls can participate because my car is only so big and I have a booster seat still for the youngest (the law says until 80 pounds or 8 years old, in this state). That thing really takes up a lot more room than it should. I've told her that, because she is getting older, we may not have the "staples" for food items. I thought I might have a sandwich or food tray catered by Jason's Deli, Chik-fil-a or Target and, maybe, do an ice-cream bar instead of regular birthday cake. I've got some time to come up with something fun.

The end of August will bring a concert for the entire family (my immediate, along with my mother and sister). We are going up into the mountains for this concert, which should be a ton of fun. Outdoor venue listening is far superior to me than being trapped in an enclosed amphitheater. I would much rather enjoy the beautiful scenery around me while listening to great music than to deal with the foul smells of people sitting too close to me who need a reminder in hygiene. After the concert, well will stay at a rented condo for the night.

Then, of course, September is vacation month. That will be the grand finale to the summer and (hopefully) the best part. September is the month of change and I hope that the changes are positive and forward thinking. I do not want a repeat of some Septembers past. I am grateful that the year, up to this point, has been really fulfilling. Bring on the adventures!

Father's Day and Summer Solstice

Ah...the summer solstice. It's official! The kids are out of school, they're running around the neighborhoods and the ice cream is on flow. To be a kid again! They seem to be having the time of their lives (someone should tell them that they are).

My eldest is participating in drama camp this week. She been so excited to start and, even last night, she's still felt the jitters. This morning she asked me to run lines with her (but, she hadn't really read through the play properly in order to do this). She spent about forty-five minutes doing so then tested her lines on me. So passionate! Maybe there's an actress in the making... a triple-threat, even!

The youngest is still going to preschool two days per week. She begins swim lessons next Saturday and tells anyone who will listen to her. She loves and fears the water equally, so I hope this year's batch of lessons will get her past her fear. My sister keeps taking her to the pool and will bring her into the water so aggressively that I wonder about her success in her classes.

We took my hubby to Father's day dinner on Sunday but before that, he got to open presents. It should be a joyous thing to open gifts but he always acts as if he doesn't deserve them and shouldn't be allowed to open them. I know this comes from his upbringing but it still makes me sad. I want him to know how much we appreciate him and love him. I tell him and shower him with gifts (when I can), but he still seems so ambiguous about them. Oh well, I won't stop trying.

My sister emailed me this morning with the news that she's lost a total of 41lbs. GC mentioned losing a pound and I celebrate successes like these (no matter how big or small). It's so easy to put on weight but it takes major work to get it off. I'm still "working" towards my goal and, despite the stumbling blocks, I know that I'll see my reward. I hope we all do. :)

Couple Gets Away...And Wishes for More Time

Saturday night was wonderful and I could have had 7 more days just like it. We left our home around 4:30pm and drove to the hotel. After we checked in, we headed for the restaurant for dinner. A table in the corner for two including lovely, mellow music and mood lighting? Who could ask for more!

I had the miso soup and curry chicken, while hubby filled up on wonton chips and sauce before his hot and sour soup and General Tao's chicken arrived. Needless to say, he had a lot of leftovers. Green tea and great conversation filled our booth. After wards, we headed to the Ross (hubby spilled sweet and sour sauce oh his rockin' white shirt) where he found a cool, DKNY T-shirt that complimented his style and fabulous physique.

We journeyed to a mall we haven't been too in years, only to find that it has been made-over "trendy" (Aldo, Bebe, Cache', etc...). A dress hubby spotted for me was $98.00 on sale. Yeesh! Obviously, it stayed on the hanger in the store. I tried on some jeans at Charlotte Russe, but they always look so strange on me. Not to mention, they are way too long for a petite legs. I'm 5'2, for heaven's sake!

After the mall, we went back to the hotel to swim. The pool was filled to the brim with kids at 10:00pm. Oh, no! In the room, we decided we were hungry and went back out to pick up some goodies. So-not on my diet. Chicken fajitas with peppers and spices. Glorious! I knew I'd pay for it later. When we checked the pool again at 10:30pm? Still bursting with children. No swimming for us on this trip.

The next morning, we thought about going to the movies but every show started too late. So, more shopping (hubby bought me two, new dresses. One of which resembled the outrageously expensive number we saw at the boutique the night before) and a lovely lunch at the Mongolian grill (too much salt...not good for the diet at all). We had such a great time, we stalled a bit when my sister called to tell us she was ready for us to get the kids.

I told hubby I'm hoping that we'll have a bit of kid-care on our vacation so we can have some couple time like that again, but in much bigger doses. I really do enjoy his company.

Summer and Recitals

The first recital was last night and my eldest performed. Awesome job! Truly! I've watched this dance all spring and I think last night's performance was the best yet. I wasn't thrilled about the makeup job I did, but who cares. It's all about the talent (she did love her falsies, though...batted her eyes to anyone who would look at her).

Tonight is the last night and both of my girls will be on stage. The youngest is currently taking a nap. She needs her stamina for the long night (and boy was it ever long last night). We got to the high school at around 5:15 because that is what the instructors requested of all the dancers. The show didn't start until 6:30pm. My daughter's routine? Number 37 out of forty-two. Sweet! We didn't get home till close to nine. My youngest nearly passed out eating her dinner, so I just put her to bed. Hopefully, with the good nap, it won't be as hard on either of them.

They have been extraordinarily good with each other during the break, so far. I'm surprised but won't look a gift horse in the mouth. Can't say how long it will last, but I am happy that the eldest is trying to show a bit of responsibility. I want that to just blossom this summer and I'm praying she'll be a more mature child by the time fifth grade starts. I need that to alleviate a lot of my stress.

Hubby and I are having a Saturday night away from the kids. We're so excited! I hope we can find something fun to do. I'm still on the strict part of my diet so, we were up one night looking at restaurants that offer items that I may be able to eat. I'll be so glad when this phase is over so that I can incorporate more goodies again. Broccoli sounds good at this point; however, my diminishing figure is great too.