Nov
3
What I’m Watching
by Leslie
Over the summer, we didn’t have television service. We just couldn’t afford it. Who watches T.V. in the summer, anyway? Instead, we played outside and read books. But then, the air grew cold and I knew the chance that I’d go all Jack Torrence was pretty high without it.
All work and no T.V. makes Leslie a moody girl.
All work and no T.V. makes Leslie a moody girl.
All work and no T.V. makes Leslie a moody girl.
All work and no T.V. makes Leslie a moody girl.
We still can’t afford it, but Jack Torrence didn’t make it out of “The Shining” alive and I value my life. You see, I love television. I can admit it. I realize some people couldn’t think less of me after this acknowledgement. I also love fast food and pop, use Splenda and, sometimes, choose not to buy organic. And for some, this is where my post probably ends. But if you love television or maybe just me, you may care to stick around for the ten shows I’ve set my DVR to record. Here they are in no particular order.
1. America’s Next Top Model. Tyra Banks is a genius and not unlike the dudes that came up with World of Warcraft, because this show is addictive. I know this because I’ve lost an afternoon or two after flipping to an ANTM marathon just for something to watch while I fold clothes.
2. Sister Wives. I’m completely intrigued by this show. Polygamy? I just don’t get it. I think I’ll have to watch it until I do.
3. The Big C. This is my new favorite. You’d think a show about cancer would be a big bummer, but it’s not. And you might not think it has anything to do with you, but what parent hasn’t considered how their presence or absence effects the people they love? This show speaks to me. I love Laura Linney and the theme song.
4. Community. If you want to know how funny this show is, consider this: Joel McHale isn’t the funniest part. That’s saying a lot.
5. American Idol. Oh, I know. Most of America is totally over it. But I love American Idol and I will always watch it. And fantasize about how I’d probably be a star if the show existed when I was a kid.
6. The Office. You know a show is good when they can get someone like Kathy Bates to do a sitcom.
7. Hell’s Kitchen. I love Gordon Ramsey, especially when he yells. I’m not sure what that says about me.
8. The Ultimate Fighter. This show records the same night as America’s Next Top Model. Dave likes to believe that I watch it with him as a sacrifice for our relationship. Don’t tell Dave, but the truth is, I’d watch it anyway. And I have a rock hard crush on GSP. I just watch it with Dave so he’ll sit through ANTM with me.
9. United States of Tara. It’s about a crazy family. They might be crazier than mine. There’s not much I can say that about. And, it has a great theme song.
10. The Soup. This is the second time Joel McHale is on my list. Because he’s my boyfriend. And CHICKEN TETRAZZINI!
Dec
31
Revelations
by Leslie
It’s the last day of 2008, so I thought I’d take a moment to share with you some things I’ve learned over the past year.
- Having two children isn’t twice as much work as having one. It’s more than that. Much, much more. And that much more if you have a puppy, too. Particularly if the puppy weighs more than your grandma.
- Having another child doesn’t double the love in your heart. It’s does more than that. And though less than a year may have passed since that child came into your life, it won’t feel like it. It’ll feel like she’s been a part of you forever.
- Being an only child may not be as awesome as you thought it was, because siblings are useful and parents are a handful.
- A good grandpa is impossible to replace.
- So is a good husband.
- Even though you’re trying to save money, there are some things that are still worth paying for. Like fabric softener and lean meat. Also, dog obedience training. Or counseling.
- Forgetting to feed 27 hungry cats is a mistake that’ll make you understand the victims in any zombie movie.
- Four-year-olds are smarter than you thought.
- Fish are ridiculously fragile. You can kill them with a hard stare.
- True friends are easy to discern. They read your blog, adopt your sock monkeys and rave about your buckeyes. They’re willing to invest in anything you put yourself into. And some days, that’s the very reason you choose to get up and live.
Happy New Year, readers. Thank you for being you.
May
16
I’m feeling all out of control, lately. Like there’s just too much I’m responsible for and I can’t quite get my arms around it all. So, while I’m exhausting myself trying to keep up, it appears that I’m doing everything half-assed. And I’m not a half-assed person at all. I’m a big ass person. So, it’s frustrating.
When I feel like this, me no put words together good. But I’ve got stuff to tell you and requests to make. So, it’s bullets. Let’s go!
- I started a Daily Haiku feature for my blogdiggity space, here. Check it out, yo.
- I’m still
begginglooking for This Is Motherhood submissions. Show me love, show me life. Baby, show me what it’s all about. You’re the only one that I ever needed. Show me love and what it’s all about. Alright. (See the italics? That’s me singing to you. Do you see how heartfelt my plea is? Singing!) - My husband has a mega-crush on Kellie Pickler. He is trying to deny it in spite of this incriminating evidence written in response to his friend’s admission that, “I’m secretly in love with Kellie Pickler so it really doesn’t matter what she says. That’s just me, though. I’m such a sucker for incredible looking blondes . . . dumb or not. I will say that my wife has roughly 4 million more brain cells than Pickler but . . . ”
And David writes:
“Pickler is something, isn’t she? The wife is watching me so I had better just leave it at that. LoL.”
Doesn’t that tell you he has thoughts about her that are impure in nature, so much so that he doesn’t want me to know them? If your answer is yes, do me a solid and go let him know. If your answer is no, then move along. Nothing to see here.
- I agreed to make cookies for the reception following Julia’s piano recital this weekend. What kind should I make? I’m looking for a kick ass recipe that will make people want to crown me the Goddess of Cookie Making. Any suggestions?
- It’s been a while since I did a video blog. Is it time for another one?
- My favorite post titles come from songs. Like this one. It’s a spin on Bullet With Butterfly Wings* by Smashing Pumpkins. You know, “Despite all my rage I’m still just a rat in a cage!” My spin on the lyrics would be: “Despite all my whining I’m still just a pregnant woman in a bloated body!!” Which explains why I’m only a rock star in my bathroom.
- Today, my hands are so swollen, I cannot wear my wedding ring. (Sorry fellas! I’m not single, just retaining water.) I think I would feel less naked without a shirt than I do without my ring.
- One week from today, I will no longer be pregnant. And hopefully you will find this space filled with an adorable photo of my just-born baby girl. Because my hospital room comes with Wi-fi and my husband comes with a camera. There’s a laptop involved, too.
- Classmates.com e-mailed me because someone signed my guestbook today. They were real excited to tell me that 11 people have signed my guestbook in the past year. They told me to click to “uncover the mystery” and find out who has signed. I clicked and they didn’t tell me. They said I had to pay them to find out. Stupidheads.
- Julia feels that it’s important for everyone to know that mosquito and burrito are words that rhyme. Also, Love Is A Battlefied is sung by Snow White.
- I feel that it’s important for everyone to know that the only reason Julia is awake at 11:50 p.m. (and eating a popsicle) is because she’s been sick for the past day or so.
- Twenty Five Days To Make A Difference. Wanna be inspired? Just clink that link. This blogger has dedicated a year of service to a variety of different charities. She encourages others to support those causes by running monthly contests her readers may take part in on her blog. AND SHE’S TEN! I’d recommend starting with her About page. Click. Read. Participate!
- Bananas and Toddlers. Mother of three adorable children. Etsy Goddess. This blogger is one creative woman; she can make anything! After cruising her archives, I have to tell you, I’m in awe. I just kept thinking, “How does she do it all!?!?” and “Why didn’t I start reading her sooner?” She’s simply amazing. Check her out!
- This Simple Life. Toni’s place is the Zen Garden of my daily blog walk. This devoted wife and unschooling mom of two offers a gentle reminder of what is important in life. And she does it with the kind of grace I only wish I had. She shares her life through her blog in a way that make me say, “What does she know that I don’t?” It keeps me coming back for more. And any mother-to-be should check out her About Birth series – it’s a priceless resource.
- Dirty Little Secret. I’ll never forget the first time I bought a Cosmopolitan Magazine. I was a pre-teen and had saved my allowance to procure it, then ran home, sprawled out on my bed and dove in, sucking up every juicy nugget of information, from the practical to the racy. It was awesome – like chocolate for my brain. This blog makes me feel the exact same way. Don’t miss this click. Can you really resist brain chocolate, anyway?
- Soccer Mom in Denial. She says of her blog, “While really wanting to call it Fag Hag Hiding in the Suburbs, these are just the musings of a working mom.” I think it’s more than that. If we were playing a word association game and you shouted, “Soccer Mom in Denial,” I’d reply with “Activist.” She’s a woman with a desire to create meaningful change in the world. Whether she’s doing it through her parenting, her work or things like her Day To Read initiative, she writes with a perspective of the world that I admire; she sees beyond the walls of her home and workplace. She also sponsors Music Monday – a brilliant idea I only wish I’d had – and has mad photography skills you can witness at the photoblog she and Jenn in Holland share: Looking Into.
- Jenn in Holland. She’s an American wife and mother of three living and working in The Netherlands. She knows lots of words, some even in Dutch, but the one I’d bet she is not familiar with would be ‘enemy.’ You don’t know warmth until you know Jenn. Go ahead and click over there; you’ll feel it burst out of your computer like a ray of sunshine. Be sure to leave a comment. Think about taking part in her Singular Saturday event. And don’t miss her amazing photo contributions at Looking Into.
- Jen at A2EATWRITE. She’s a wife, mother and guinea pig enthusiast with a heart for teaching, a talent for writing and a flair for cooking. She’s also a discerning reader, which makes me feel like a million bucks every time she visits my blog. Recently, two of her greatest passions – teaching and writing – came together and had a love child she named The Writing Game. It’s brilliant, just like she is. You won’t want to skip a visit to either of them.
- Finally, I’d like to point you in the direction of The Original Haiku Buckaroo Jami from not THAT different. She was generous enough to lend a great deal of her time and talent to select the next Haiku Buckaroo. In addition to being a Haiku Master, she’s the kind of person you want to invite to your dinner party (or add to your feed reader) because she always has something interesting to say. Click on over and say hello.
Alright Cool Kids. That’s it for me. Over and out.
Apr
9
Bullets! With Butterfly Wings*
by Leslie
Feb
24
Well, The Haiku Buckaroo Contest (Second Edition) is almost over. It’s okay to cry. Ah, Haiku Buckaroo. Good times, folks. Good times. But let us not close the book on this poetic chapter in blogdom without paying tribute to the benevolent forces that made it all possible: The Haiku Buckaroo Contest Sponsors.
Here’s how this post is gonna go: I’ll link you up to our sponsors. I’ll write up a little something about them, but I’ll try to keep it brief, because the whole point is for you to go and visit them. That’s right, peeps. I’m sending you away from my blog, because these people deserve your attention more than me today. (But, I do hope you’ll come back tomorrow. I’m guessing you will to see who wins the contest. But then, I hope you come back the day after that. And then again and again. Because I really like you.)
So, let’s get to the linky love.
Thanks everyone for making The Haiku Buckaroo Contest so much fun!
Stuff I Do
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Stuff You Should Do
You know, Stuff.
