RH of NJ: Finale!

Madness! Absolute Madness! Nothing was resolved. Crazy Danielle denied, denied, denied, and denied everything, including items caught on film!!! CRAZY AZZ BIOTCH! At least it's official, she is G.O.N.E.!!!!!! GONE!!!!! Whoo-hoo!!! Next season will be Danielle free! I hope Dina returns, but I bet she won't. It's rumored that Teresa's sister-in-law, whom she allegedly hates, will be joining the show as the new "villain". hmmm Thankfully, Caroline was herself and stood her ground, calling out all of Danielle's bullshit. Teresa was too Teresa and over the top, while Jacqueline was fake. I wish Andy Cohen had pushed a bit harder with Danielle and called out her lies, but I guess he already knew that she was a goner from the series and didn't see the point in rocking the boat. So much for the closure.

Plant VS Zombies

I was recently introduced to a new video game called Plants VS Zombies, a puzzle/strategy game for the xbox. I really, really enjoy playing it. It has been a very long time since I could really get into a video game. I can decide which is the best part, the actual different zombie characters or the piranha zombie eating plants. I must say though, that the zombie wearing the orange traffic cone for a hat is high-larious!

Confessions of a Rebel Debutante

I'm reading Confessions of a Rebel Debutante by Anna Fields. So far, it's really cute and funny. I'm only about a third of the way through, but it has been very amusing. I'm excited to get to the juicer parts where she talks about her time in NY working for one of the cast members of RH of NY, who was evidently fake, fake, fake. That could be almost any of them. I'm also curious about her chapters on her time in LA working for different production companies. She is still a screen writer working out of NY. Evidently, she has written several hit plays and use to write for As the World Turns.

RH of DC/RH of NJ

I watched the premier of RH of DC the other night and it was boring. I'm still on the fence about any of the cast members except the Salahis, a.k.a. The White House Dinner Crashers. They suck. Bad, bad, bad casting choice, Bravo! That one choice almost kills the entire show. At least the fellow cast members are being real about their feelings and mostly excluding that train wreck couple from their events. We'll see how it goes after the second episode.

I just finished watching the latest episode of RH of NJ. FINALLY A GREAT ALMOST DANIELLE FREE EPISODE!!!! This was the best episode ever of NJ. I loved watching the two huge families head out to Italy for impromptu vacation. Thank you, Bravo, for not wasting anymore screen time with the grinch lookalike. I wish NJ had more episodes showing the families interacting and doing normal, cool things together. Drama filled episodes do not always make for better tv. Sometimes the viewers get burnt out and want a break. This whole season has been the same topic stuck on repeat. It was very refreshing to see something different. Now if Bravo would only drop the crazy biatch for good and continue making NJ episodes like these I would be more of a fan.

The Godfather

After watching lots of Becoming Jane I jumped tracks and watched my favorite movie of all time, The Godfather! I love, love, love that movie. I also really love Part II, but I have never loved Part III, only tolerated it since it was an installment to the saga. I watched Part I and II, then Part I again with Francis Ford Coppola's director's commentary. It was kinda interesting at moments, but he wouldn't stop harping on how the studio wanted desperately to fire him. I felt it really took away from the point of a commentary. Oh, well. Maybe his commentary on Part II will be more about the actual footage being shown.

DC Comics

I have been watching Justice League and getting to know the DC characters. I have always been a Marvel girl and only really loved Batman and his cast of foes from DC. Now I have more appreciation for DC characters and enjoying learning their origins. I must admit though, Batman and his characters are still my favorites. It would be hard to find characters that could outdo them in my book. Even when I throw Marvel characters into the mix, I still like Batman and his dark world more. On that note, Michael Keaton will always be THE Batman and Christan Bale an acceptable stand in. Forget the stupidity surrounding casting George Clooney and Val Kilmer. Crap. Also, WTF is all I can say to Hale Berry playing Catwoman. I refuse to watch that nonsense. Michelle Pfeiffer was and is the best Catwoman.

Jane Austen

I've been watching Becoming Jane repeatedly lately. The more I watch it, the more my heart breaks for Jane Austen. For all the novels with happy endings she wrote, she was refused her own by fate, culture, and society. If anything, she did get part of a happy ending by being able to "Live by her pen" as she wished for so long. I also feel bad for her real sister, Cassandra, whose fiance died at sea. Neither she or Jane ever married. Jane was so in love with Tom Lefroy, but had to let him go so he could support his family back in Limerick. Watching her story makes me long for a romantic evening or two myself. Jane was a very strong woman and I admire her resilience to do what she wanted her own way. She pushed against the tide of tradition, made her own life, and was a very successful woman. She is awarded with being called the "most influential and successful woman on British literature of all time." I'm glad Jane was able to see the fruits of her labor while she still lived, to know how loved and admired she was for her writing, but I wish she could really see it now. A true literature icon. What would she think?

Inception!

I saw Inception this past Sunday. INCREDIBLE MOVIE!!!! A MUST SEE!!!! It is now one of my favorite mind-fuck movies of all time! The plot twists, the layers of fantasy and reality, the complete structure of it's understanding and storyline are just AMAZING! I cannot say more than this. It's too good to spoil. Go see for yourselves!

Disney Puzzle

I finished a Disney Panoramic puzzle last night. It only took a few hours the night before and a few last night to complete it. I bought puzzle glue to preserve it. I'm excited to see the finished product. I wonder if I'll be able to find a frame that will fit though because it is 37 inches long and 12 inches wide. That's a very odd shape for a picture frame. The Disney puzzle features all villains, my favorite characters most of the time. Maleficent, Ursula, Scar, Chesire Cat (although I never saw him as a villain of Alice, just another nut running loose), The Evil Queen, The Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook, Hades, Cruella, and some guy from Mulan. It's rare for me to do a puzzle so I'm not sure if I'll do another one anytime soon.

What I Want

What I want from life has outwardly changed over the years, but deep down I have always known what I really want. I'm so glad to have finally found someone that I can reveal it to that actually wants the exact same thing. I want to see the world, no kids in tow, watch the sunrises over hot cups of gourmet coffee, and see the sun set over a glass of wine each day. I want to be close enough to the ocean to be able to walk from my house and put my toes in the sand and enjoy the gentle crashing of the waves and the cawing of the seagulls any time I want. I want to surround myself in a community with knowledge, insight, and progressive movement. I want to have every foreign and American food possible at my fingertips. I want theaters that display all kinds of entertainment from classical ballets to contemporary musicals to witty, underground plays. I want green, luscious parks to have picnics or to enjoy a good book. I don't need a fancy, large mansion. I just need a small, cozy cottage house for us and any visiting family. I have had enough turmoil to last my lifetime and just want peace, love, fun, and happiness for the rest of it. I believe I will find this pot of dreams at the end of the rainbow in California. I believe it is attainable and I will be blogging one day from the beach.

Awesome Trip!!

Just got back from Charleston!! We had an awesome trip! We went to the aquarium, rode a carriage tour, ate at A.W. Shucks, had Discovery Ice Cream from a robot, and rode in a pedicab. It was a relaxing, laid back vacation. The most relaxing one I have ever taken. I can't even pick a favorite part, it was all just so incredible. I picked up two more shot glasses for my collection. I've been looking at display cases on ebay this afternoon. I really need to display my large collection. At the end of the first night, we went right next door to the hotel to Toast, a very comfortable neighborhood restaurant and bar, and picked out a slice of homemade pecan pie with two cups of milk to go. It was soooo good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. mmm.... The second night, we went back to Toast, this time for dinner and dessert. A local one man show was playing live. He was entertaining. I really hope he makes it one day, but he needs some original songs. He played only covers while we were there, but he took all requests so that was impressive to play anything on the spot. This time for dessert, we had the chocolate cream pie with a mocha. The pie was delicious, but I wish I had taken a slice of pecan pie again as well. mmm... I'm going to have to make some myself. What a great time. I love that city. It's like going home for me. I feel like I belong and that's something I don't feel anywhere else. Thanks for the memories, Charleston. xoxox

CHARLESTON TRIP IS ALMOST HERE!!

YEAH!!!!!! ALMOST TIME!!!! After do laundry in a few days, I will begin my packing!!!!! I am soooo excited. I have my hotel confirmation printed out and directions bookmarked. I have narrowed down my choices for a really nice dinner while in town. It's between a modern experience and a paranormal one. Poogan's Porch is high on my list and one of the previous owners of the old house haunts the building which is now a restaurant. The woman was one of two spinster sisters who were school marms. Unfortunately, the one that is still hanging around was the nasty one of the two. She evidently loves to scare women in the small bathroom so I won't be using that while I'm there if I can help it. That is, if we choose to go there. Woo-hoo!!! Charleston!!! It's been a decade since I visited!

Shame on Mel Gibson

I use to love Mel Gibson and his movies in the 80s and 90s. Now, I am disgusted by him, his actions, and his beliefs. Another icon bites the dust. After the latest fall outs in his ridiculous life, his career is over. Nobody will pay to see him and nobody will pay to have him in their film. His own representatives dumped him from their agency. Either the alcohol has really messed him up over the years or he used to be very good at hiding his true personality from the public for several decades. By the way, the media is so concerned about the Russian Gold Digger, but nobody is talking about what kind of life his wife must have had for the almost 20 years she was married to this scumbag. Also, I wonder what Danny Glover's thoughts are on Mel after starring with him in all those Lethal Weapon movies and now hearing how racist he is. I wonder what their relationship was like on set for all those years? Go back to Australia, Mate.

Reading In Unfamiliar Territory

I am reading a mystery novel which I normally don't. Romances and mysteries are too obvious or boring and repetitive. I am reading the latest book in a southern mystery series though, so it still falls into my southern fiction niche. It's Bone Appetit by Carolyn Haines. Not only is it funny and interesting, but it's filled with paranormal touches, another favorite topic of mine. These two best friends have formed a P.I. service and one of the women can see and speak to a ghost that haunts her family's plantation home. The ghost, Tinkie, was her great grandmother's nanny when she lived. Funny name. It is set in the Mississippi Delta, but they are currently supposed to be on vacation where unbeknown to them, a beauty pageant was being held. Just think of the movie, Drop Dead Gorgeous. Very, very similar murder and attacks are going on and I haven't figured it out yet like I normally do so that's good. I'm considering going back and reading the earlier books in this series, especially if this one ends up being a great read.

Bethenny Frankel (Hoppy)

Bravo finally posted some episodes of Bethenny Getting Married?. It took long enough. I had given up hope and stopped checking Bravo.com everyday. It has actually been a few weeks since I checked their site. Danielle on RHoNJ completely turned me off from that show, but I still want to see Bethenny. The two episodes were great! The second was the ceremony. What an amazing simple, yet elegant wedding! My heart really felt for her when she had a mini breakdown at the officiant's home when asked who from her family will be attending and she had to say "No one." Poor Bethenny. Jason is awesome though. He told her she has a family now, him and their child. I wouldn't have chosen her wedding dress for myself, but it looked amazing on her. It was a perfect choice to minimize her belly. Congrats, Bethenny and Jason Hoppy!

Food Stamp Program Needs More Rules! and Other Related Rants

I was in line at Wal-mart purchasing a handful of items, staring at the pile of items on the belt in front of mine when I realized it was all junk food; two 24 packs of Coke, five different flavors of Lays fried potato chips, a bag of assorted mini candy bars, one gallon of whole milk, and about 10 assorted frozen Banquet meals. It was all piled high and being slowly scanned by the cashier when the girl purchasing it all reached into her designer, not a knockoff, handbag to retrieve what I thought would be her debit card, but nope, it was a FOOD STAMP CARD! I became completely pissed off and annoyed that I as a working late 20s girl with my own place, have to scrimp and save to buy myself "extras" after paying all of my bills, and pay taxes just so this girl in front of me, who could not be older than 23, could buy CRAP for herself and her toddler who was running wild at the front of the store unsupervised. Just as I begin to internally calm myself, she pulls out two crisp $20s and demands a carton of cigs, not asks, but barks out the name AND IT'S EXACT LOCATION ON THE SHELF BEHIND THE CASHIER! Obviously, she's an old hand at purchasing this particular item. The government needs to set strict, real rules for purchasing food with those cards. And I don't want to hear the "single mom" excuse. She should have thought about that before she opened her legs. Food stamps should be used to feed real meals to herself and her child, NOT crap, snacks, and soda. Imagine my surprise to come home and find a top story on Yahoo about possible changes to the system. I say, "HELL, YEAH!! WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?! PASS THE DAMN LAW!!!" Assistance programs need to be used for those that truly need assistance, not lazy morons abusing the system. Yes, the economy is bad and people are struggling to find jobs, but there are jobs out there still. They just happen to be the jobs "nobody wants". Well, if you're in a unemployment state and really want to get out of it, sometimes you have to accept jobs below "your standards". Better yet, advocate that our government quit giving away jobs to overseas companies, especially on the basis that "Americans won't work for what they want to pay". Make the companies pay decent wages to Americans. The company heads can afford yachts, summer houses in The Hamptons, and Caribbean vacations during Christmas, so they can afford to pay decent wages here at home! Greedy S.O.Bs. Also, don't give bail outs to the same greedy company heads! DUH!

Finished Lowcountry Summer

I finished Dorothea Benton Frank's Lowcountry Summer. It did not disappoint. I absolutely loved it! It had a very sad twist towards the end, but it was honest and tied up all the characters nicely. I have a renewed interest in Frank's writing and hope for another good read from her soon.

Fond of the Culkins

I went onto IMDB to check out a bit of trivia I heard about Macaulay Culkin once being married to Evan Rachel Wood. That trivia bit is wrong just as I thought. He was once married to a girl named Rachel Miner, not Evan Rachel Wood. While reading his trivia page, I began to remember how much I love his films. I have been a fan of his since the very beginning of his career. The first time I saw him was his first major film, Uncle Buck. Many people think Home Alone was his first film, but it's not. It's the film that made him a household name, the highest paid child actor in history, and #2 on VH1s Greatest Child Stars of All Time list. I'm curious to see who is #1. I'll have to research that later. I still get choked up when he first enters the film of My Girl, knowing his character will meets his end before the film. Looking at his IMDB page I did discover a tidbit I didn't know about him. He is Paris Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson's Godfather, Michael Jackson's first two kids. Odd. I also viewed Rory and Kieran Culkin's pages. I also really enjoy their films. Those three really have star power. All three have frequently guest popped in and out of each others films over the years usually portraying relatives or younger versions of each other. Kieran was cousin Fuller who wet the bed in Home Alone 1 and 2 and Rory was the younger version of Kieran's character in Igby Goes Down, just to name a few. I'm glad they survived child stardom and their greedy, crazy parents' antics. I'll be watching all of their new films that are currently filming or in post production.

Learning to Sew

I'm learning to sew. With help, I made Gizzy a cat bed. She loves it. It's a cute pink and brown plaid flannel on one side with brown fleece on the other so I can flip it during the different seasons. It also has the cutest pink zipper so I can wash it. I'm proud my first project came out so nicely.

Dorothea Benton Frank

Dorothea Benton Franks writes fiction set in Charleston and the lowcountry. I love most of her early books, but for a while, they were boring or just not something I want to read. Her first, Plantation, was amazing and is my favorite and she just released a sequel, Lowcountry Summer! I have it and can't wait to dive in! I'll blog a review as soon as I finish.

Charleston, Here I Come!!!

I'm soooooooo excited!!! I am finally going "home"! I have my hotel reservations exactly where I wanted for an incredible price! Yeah!!!! I am already planning like a nut. I keep telling myself, play it by ear, but I want to be prepared as well. I am making sure I have well informed options of things to do. I'm sure I'll be blogging more about my excitement as I count down to the trip.

RH of NJ

OMG! I'm so tired of crazy Danielle. I don't even want to watch the show anymore. I don't care if I miss any of the episodes. I like the Manzo family and wish the show would show more of them just being a family and doing things together instead of engaging Danielle in drama or speaking to/with Danielle or with other people about Danielle. I wish they would join Caroline's own choice to NEVER SPEAK OF HER OR HER NAME AGAIN. So far, she has done an amazing job staying out of it unless forced. Even when she is discussed in her presence, she finds a way to avoid or disengage from it. Bravo to Caroline. I will really miss Dina. As a fellow cat lover, I really love seeing Dina with her cats, especially Grandma Wrinkles. Too cute for words. I do understand her choice to leave the show. It has become all about Danielle and her crazy world. This version of Housewives isn't like any of the others. The dynamics are more family than friends, but then Bravo threw in a complete hostile nut into the mix. It's too sad and not fun or "housewivey" at all. Nothing like what us fans expect from the Housewives series. I thought the OC became awful and too ridiculous to watch, but now I have to say that title belongs to NJ now. I also feel it's time for some new blood in the series with a new location. OC has run it's course and although the leader of the series, it's outdated now. NY will never be the same with Bethenny gone, Jill showing her true colors, and crazy Kelly still around. NY will be unwatchable. I love Bethenny's new show and hope for more cameos of Alex and Simon and hopefully some of Ramona. That's all I need for my NY fix. Atlanta was ghetto and boring from the start. There is no need to ever do another season there. NJ is the insane Danielle show. Either get rid of her or end that show as well so the Manzo's can have peace. I bet now that Dina quit, her family will slowly follow suite and there won't be a show. Nobody will tune in just for Danielle and as much as Teresa makes me laugh, she can't carry the show on her own either. So there is supposed to be a DC cast coming soon. I will withhold judgment until I see it, but I'm not sure about how "real" it will be. Those women are married to men who hold office and need good PR, not catty wives in arguments so they may watch their Ps&Qs so much that it may be boring. How about a Boston cast? Charleston? Florida, like Miami, Tampa, or Orlando? How about Dallas or Houston, TX? Chicago? Las Vegas? Bring us something fresh, Andy Cohen!

RH of NYC: The End & Bethenny Getting Married

RH of NYC is over. Bravo put the very last episode online and the first part of 3 for the reunion special. I feel like I finally got some closure for the show. Bethenny is permanently leaving since she has her own show now. I'm glad for her. It was hard to watch this season. It was a huge train wreck and not the kind that is normally fun to watch.


I watched the first episode of Bethenny Getting Married. Thank you, Bravo, for putting it online! It was AWESOME!!!! I will continue to follow her on her own show and say goodbye to Housewives. Alex and Simon even guest spotted on it for her house warming party. It was real, funny, and entertaining!

Food Network Challenge

I miss Food Network Challenges like the ones in Stadium Kitchen for cakes, sugar sculpting, or chocolatair designs. I have trouble finding the full episodes online with decent video. My favorites are the secret cake customer and the themed ones. I recently saw one themed around Classic Novels. That was cool and different. I wish the competitors had chosen some better titles, but it was still fun to watch. A father and son team won. The son was the head chef and his dad was his assistant. They worked incredibly well together and truly appreciated that experience. It was very storybook, but not in a cheesy way. I would love to learn those skills, but I don't think I could do it as a career, only for fun.

RH of NYC: Kelly Bensimon Nuts Up!!

Kelly finally let ALL THE CRAZY out! I have seen every snippet and clip I can find online about last Thursday's episode. I am dying to watch it in its entirety, but Bravo has not released the full episode yet! I have checked Bravo and Hulu multiple times a day since it aired! For THE MOST WATCHED EPISODE EVER they sure are dragging their feet getting it available for even more people to watch. Bethany was right from the beginning that Kelly was nuts. I saw it just watching the shows since she joined the cast. TEAM BETHANY!!! That bag of nuts, or should I say jelly beans, really lost her shit on the trip. I am honestly astounded that Ramona didn't snap back at her when Kelly told her to "zip it". Ramona was either too drunk already or she realized that Kelly was mentally unstable and made the wise decision not to react to it. I was proud of Ramona. My two favorite clips are Kelly nutting up and Bethany screaming "You're crazy! You're crazy! Go to bed!" and when Bethany quoted Jack Nicholson and Kelly's dumb ass started pointing and yelling "Al Sharpton! Al Sharpton!" WTF???!!! Kelly is even dumber than I ever realized. I am really dying to see it!!!!! COME ON BRAVO!!!! POST IT ALREADY!!!!! By the way, RH of NJ is on tonight. I'll have to wait to see that online as well. I hope Bravo doesn't drag their feet with that episode as well.

Dark Shadows "Whaa Haa Haa"

I'm watching Dark Shadows from the first episode that introduces Barnabas Collins into the soup opera. It's just over 200 episodes into the soap. It's before technicolor so it's a grimy black & white picture, but it's not very creepy. I'm actually a bit disappointed so far. It drags and drags much like a typical soap opera and half of the actors, especially the female leads, are terrible! I remember as a child, watching it was exciting, but I also remember those episodes all being in color so hopefully the show gets its kinks out soon. I really love, love, love netflix.

Sexist Sitcoms

While I was at my parents house visiting recently, I watched what my mom and brother watch most week days on tv. They watch old reruns of Yes, Dear and According to Jim. I hated both of the shows. They both have the same theme, asshole husband who thinks he's too cool to treat his wife with any respect or dignity and stupid wife who puts of with dumb asshole husbands ridiculous ideas and schemes to get out of doing anything the wife wants or asks. Selfish pigs. I was extremely offended by both of the shows. Of course my mom thinks they are funny because they are just like her own marriage. Bullshit.

Visited the 'Rents

I just came home from traveling to see my parents. It's still the same-o same-o there. I don't visit much because they make my blood pressure rise. They are just too small minded and sheltered thinking for me. I hate the way my mom waits hand and foot on my father. Dumb old mentality. Also, my dad is just as selfish as he always was. The one thing that ticks me off more than anything about him is how he fakes that he cares what anyone else thinks by asking, "Where do you wanna go?" "What do you want to eat?" "Oh, you want to not go in Wal-Mart? Ok." Fifteen minutes later... "Let's pile in the truck and go to Wal-Mart." Then pretend to be surprised when we all state that we just said we didn't want to do that. That statement receives a sideways, half-hearted, "Oh." and continues to go outside to get in the truck, honks the horn after maybe two minutes later hollering what's taking so long for the rest of us to get in the truck. Selfish. They are also extremely paranoid about everything. They freaked out because I wanted to go for a walk through the subdivision they live in. It's a very nice middle-class to upper-middle-class neighborhood. Ridiculous. I was so irritated there. I couldn't wait to leave. Nothing's changed since I left home. Nothing ever will. I'm so glad I got out as soon as I turned 18.

RH of NYC: Alex Finally Delcares a Voice!

Alex finally lost it on Jill!!! It was incredible! Jill needed to be put in her place. I was so mad and irritated when Jill attacked Romona and claimed Romona didn't tell her Bethany's Dad died. Alex tried to tell her several episodes ago! Jill wouldn't listen! Jill knew all along that Bethany's Dad was very ill. She even stated so herself in that earlier episode with Alex. Jill is a "mean girl" and "in highschool". Way to go, Alex!!!! BRAVO!!!!! Team Alexany!!!! I'm so sick of the whole classless countess, Jill "it's only about me" ZAAAAArin, and special ed sidekick, Kelley Been-no-one. Ugh.

TN Floods

The TN flooding in Nashville, Clarksville, and the surrounding counties has been devastating. Luckily, my parents are in just the right area of Clarksville, unaffected, high and dry. My co-worker's family is in Nashville and Mt. Juliet. She is heading home to TN this afternoon with her fiance toting tons of bottled water and can goods. I intended to head that way myself before the flooding happened so I'm waiting on her verdict of the roads and ease of travel before committing myself to actually going up there. Hope they get there safely.

Welcome to My Digital Age

I canceled my cable tv this week, bought a new awesome router, acquired netflix, and saved money. After realizing I was wasting $50 on a tv subscription for 66 channels when I only watched about 5 of them on a regular basis and that all of those channels or shows I could get for free online, I called it quits. I upgraded my internet service to a faster connection as well so my instant que on netflix wouldn't lag. I LOVE the new router. My old one was several years old and I couldn't get a connection more than 4 feet from the damn thing. Now I have a strong full connection throughout my entire apartment. I'm taking advantage of this new perk as I type....lounging in the bed.

Since getting netflix, I have discovered an incredible show that I missed when it aired in reality called Cashmere Mafia. It is so good. It's like SITC, but with women that have power jobs and some families. I'm so disappointed that it didn't last longer than the one season. I don't miss the tv channels at all.

By the way, I also now have a wii in the house. I've been playing Mario again. I sorta feel like I'm in a mini time warp when I play. A good time warp. I'm considering downloading Dr. Mario, but I'm afraid I'll become an addict again! Nobody could beat me at Dr. Mario. I could make it rain like no other. Fans of the game know what I'm talking about!

I'm still following my RH of NYC. I am so impatient for Bravo to add the last episode to their play list online. I watched most of it during it's air date, but I missed the first 4 minutes or so and I want to rewatch it to see what some of the bloggers are dishing about. I don't remember seeing some of the things mentioned in the blogs about the episode. Either I missed something or maybe they say extra content online, like web exclusives for something.

I am obsessed with Who Do You Think You Are? It's a show following celebs researching their family trees featuring Ancestry.com. I was most moved by Lisa Kudrow's story because it dealt with the Holocaust. Sarah Jessica Parker's was the most interesting because an ancestor of hers was convicted of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials, but survived due to timing of her sentencing and King George demanding a halt to the trials. Matthew Broderick's was all-american. Family members in every single battle since pre-revolutionary war. Brooke Shields was the most annoying. Surprise, surprise, she's related to King George and Kings of France and blah blah. She just acted so entitled and uppity during her episode.

I'm enjoying my digital age.

I Had a Moment

I watched Christian Siriano's new show Having a Moment. I wasn't expecting much since I was never a fan of his personality on Project Runway, but I am a fan of his work. I love his style when it is less au vanguard and more wearable pieces. His collection this year at Bryant Park was incredible. I can honestly say I loved every piece, except the shoes. The shoes were hideous and poorly made since the Zipper Fronts all busted and the models had to be sewn into them. He was much tamer than his reality days. Maybe the real business and three years of separating himself from the Project Runway brand has made him humble. I will continue tuning it just to see his beautiful designs.

RH of NYC

OMG! Poor Bethany. She was ripped to shreds on the latest episode. I cringed watching it. I cannot even rewatch the episodes like I normally do. The blogs were relentless on Jill and Luanne for being such mean girl bitches! Romana is very blunt and nuts, but I enjoy her. Thank goodness for Alex and Simon this season. They are the adults holding the show together right now. I wish Kelly would get hit by a bus. Twit!

My Latest Reads

I've finished a few books lately.

I finished North and South by John Jakes after returning from my trip to the OC. I loved the book, but at times, I wished it would move faster. I'm still undecided if I will read the rest of the series. I do want to watch the miniseries starring Patrick Swayze. It's so expensive. I'm deciding whether to chance ordering from Amazon or not. I found it on there for under $30, but everywhere else averages $60 and up. Makes me a bit leery. Plus, I've read that several key story elements are missing in the miniseries such as Patrick's character never loses an arm in the Mexican War and his navy obsessed brother is non-existent. Also, some key character's time lines are skewed. I wonder if I'll enjoy the miniseries if it's that much altered.

After reading Kelly Cutrone's book, I went back to my southern fiction table and selected Tragic Magic by Laura Childs. Laura Childs is a mystery author most known for her two bestselling series. One is the Tea Shop Mysteries set in Charleston, SC. The Jessica Fletcher-esk character starring in the series owns a Tea Shop so all over her books include mini tea recipes and facts. The other series is set in New Orleans and stars a woman that owns a Scrapbook Store called Memory Mine. Thus, it's titled the Scrapbook Mysteries. I normally do not read mysteries because I feel like I normally figure them out too early to enjoy them. I was also concerned about reading a book that was in the middle of a very long successful series, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I loved it. I actually was taken off guard when the killer was revealed and I enjoyed the banter between the characters. The book gave enough background throughout for me to easily piece together the character's histories without going backwards to read the previous stories. I did not mind the little Scrapbook comments and influence being a Scapper myself, but I am not so sure about reading the Tea Mysteries. I may talk myself into it just because they are set in Charleston.

Today, I finished a very quick, light, silly read, Poor Little Bitch Girl by the glamorous Jackie Collins. It was all that a Jackie Collins novels characters usually are... rich, sexy, famous, scandalous, and infamous! I delightful read.

Tomorrow, I'll have to find another book. I think I'll step back out of my southern fiction box again.

I HATE THE SOUTH!!!

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THIS GOD FORSAKEN, BACKWOODS, RACIST, REVERSE RACIST, REDNECK, AND THUG-LIFE BULL SHIT TOWN!!! I AM SICK OF BEING ACCUSED OF BEING RACIST JUST FUCKING BECAUSE I MAKE EVERY-FUCKING-ONE FOLLOW THE FUCKING RULES THAT ARE SET BY THOSE ABOVE ME IN THAT FUCKING STORE!!!!!!!!! IT'S MUTHAFUCKIN' CLOSING TIME SAYS THE MUTHAFUCKIN' HOURS POSTED ON ALL THE MUTHAFUCKIN' DOORS!!!!!!! IT'S NOT A "WHITE BITCH" ASKING THE "BLACK FOLKS" TO FUCKING LEAVE!!!!!! IT'S THE MIXED RACED, POLITE, FEMALE MANAGER ASKING EVERY-MUTHAFUCKING-ONE TO FUCKING LEAVE!!!!!!!! THAT MEANS THE OLD WHITE FARTS IN THE COMPUTER AREA, THE LATINO TEENS IN THE MAGAZINES, THE YOUNG MIXED COUPLE IN THE DVDS, AND THE TWO SINGLE BLACK LADIES TO ALL MUTHAFUCKIN' LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHO'S THE FUCKIN' RACIST IN THIS SITUATION???!?!?!?!?!?!?! MAYBE IT'S THE TWO SINGLE BLACK LADIES GIVING THE POLITE MANAGER DIRTY ASS LOOKS AND SAYING TO EACH OTHER "THAT WHITE BITCH BE TRYIN' TO KICK US OUT. SAYING DE'S LOCKIN' DA DOORS. GUESS BLACK FOLK CAN'T BEEEES IN STO'S AFTER DARK 'ROUND HERE." WHAAAAAAAT?!?!?! AGAIN I ASK, WHO IS THE FUCKING RACIST? ALL I SAID WITH A SMILE IS "HAVE A GOOD NIGHT, LADIES. WE ARE LOCKING UP." CAUSE THEY WERE THE ONLY MUTHAFUCKIN' PEOPLE LEFT THAT WERE NOT HEADING TO THE DOOR AND STILL SITTING IN THE CAFE WITH LAPTOPS ON AND TEXT BOOKS EVERY-FUCKING-WHERE LIKE THEY INTENDED TO FUCKING STAY UNTIL MORNING!!!!!!! BY THE WAY, IT WAS 10 MINUTES AFTER CLOSING ALREADY WHEN I APPROACHED. FUCK ALL YOU RACIST, IGNORANT BITCHES AND BASTARDS! I HOPE THE FUCKING SOUTH CATCHES FIRE AND BURNS TO THE GROUND LIKE SHERMAN TRIED TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE SOUTH BREEDS IGNORANCE AND PROMOTES INBREEDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M ASHAMED THAT I WAS BORN IN THE SOUTH, BUT AT LEAST IT WAS A RESPECTABLE COASTAL CITY IN ANOTHER STATE! GIVE THE HILLBILLY AND REDNECK BASTARDS WHAT THEY WANT... ANOTHER CIVIL WAR!!!!!!!!! FUCK THEM ALL!!!!!

Kelly Cutrone

I just finished Kelly Cutrone's self improvement book, If You Have To Cry, Go Outside, And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You. It was a great, quick read for any business woman and just women in general. All of her advice can be applied to work, relationships, and just everyday life. Kelly Cutrone has built her own PR firm empire called People's Revolution from the ground up over the last 13 years after insane life set backs. She became a household name after guest starring in the MTV reality hit, The City. She was Whitney Port's boss in NYC. Now she has her own hit show on Bravo called Kell On Earth. I like the show. It's very real and not a bunch of cattiness like The City. Of course, it's a different concept reality program geared at a totally different audience. She can count me as a fan and she is an inspiration to women everywhere trying to live our own versions of "The American Dream" on our terms.

Battling My Own Demons Again

I've been battling my own demons again. I'm having trouble sleeping at night. My brain just won't shut off so I can rest. Even if I do get to sleep, I just continue to have nightmares where all my fears merge and attack me in odd ways. The last few days have been especially out of sorts. I was planning to come home today and crash in a pile of blankets in bed, but things turned around. I still feel exhausted, but a much needed visit to the hairdresser has relaxed me and brightened my mood. I LOVE the new short haircut. I went to a new salon in town today and finally found a hairdresser that I love. I will be visiting her for my upkeep from now on. I think I'll munch on my favorite Easter candy, Robin Eggs, and curl up with my latest read for the rest of the night.

Ghost Whisperer

I have caught a few episodes lately and wish I had watched the show sooner. It is really captivating. On one hand, I want to go back and watch the entire show from the beginning, on the other hand, I have seen too much of the more current episodes to be surprised or have to solve a mystery in the earlier ones. I am not a fan of Jennifer Love Hewitt, but this show's character suits her. It has it's chilling moments without being terrifying like a Stephen King movie. I think the episode I just found on is from much earlier in the show's run than what I have previously seen. Her husband is still alive. I saw an episode where he was killed and his soul inhabited another man's body that was dying and he eventually took over that man's body. Odd, but interesting.

Alice

I loved Alice in Wonderland. I finally got to see it yesterday. There has been a lot of crappy press and reviews about the movie, but those reviews are garbage written by unimaginative adults. This movie is meant for kids/families and those that can still tap into their inner child. It's rated PG! I thought it was well done. As an adult, I do wish the story was a tad meatier, but for a child it was probably just right. Johnny Depp's eyes were really creepy and odd even for Tim Burton. I was unnerved. My favorite scenes were the first one introducing the Cheshire Cat and the Tea Party with the March Hare and Door Mouse throwing food and tea at each other. That was hysterical. The striped gray/blue dress The Mad Hatter made for her after she shrinks is awesome. I would love to own one just like it. I'm seriously considering dressing like her for Halloween this year, but I bet there will be dozens of Alices this year. The Cheshire Cat was the most perfect portrayal of all the different characters. Spot on! Or should I say Stripe on! I will be buying this one when it releases on blu-ray for sure.

Awww -sigh- So. Cal.

I just came home from a week long trip to Orange County. All I can really say is... AMAZING! I would love to live there. There is so much to see and do. The people are actually really nice and educated. The entire day to day life is a completely different culture and mindset. An amazing and refreshing one. I saw San Diego, The Zoo's Animal Park and Safari, Laguna Beach, Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Camp Pendleton to an extent. I arrived OSCAR NIGHT!! I wish I could have seen Hollywood BLVD and the Chinese Theater, but it was all blocked off for security for all the stars. It was still a rush to actually be there. I've always wanted to see LA. I can't wait to go back, hopefully, for good.

Wench

I finished the book Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. It was good, but not completely what I expected. I'm glad I read it. It had moments where the story lagged, but for the most part it was well written enough to make me want to find out what happened next. I wish the ending was better. It just seemed end abruptly and did not complete everyone's stories. Worth a look if you have a day to kick back. The book is less than 300 pages.

Today I'm going to start the John Jakes' North and South, the first in a civil war historical fiction trilogy. It should be really good since movies have been made based on it.

Bravo Real Housewives

So The Orange County season came to a close and New York City started yesterday. New York has been my favorite for a while. I especially love Bethany and Jill. It's sad to see they are no longer BFFs. Maybe we will see a reconciliation by the end of the season. Orange County this time around was the worst yet of any of the shows. It was so ridiculous. Cat fights over the same tired, boring crap. It was like every episode was the same exact show, like Groundhog Day. I really hope they retire Orange County permanently or start all over with a new cast. I think the only remaining original member, Vicki, hinted that she was done during her send off recap at the end of the finale. I hope so. I use to hate her, but now I think she has more sense than any of the rest of them left. Last night, New York kicked off with cat fights galore! Ramona is up to something. Very odd behavior right from the get go. The Countless Countess is being a huge "better than everyone" biach. I think Luann is bitter and just out to fight with anyone that will spar with her about anything at all. She was pulling all kinds of crap out of her azz to attack Bethany when all Bethany was trying to do was have a drink with her and see how she was doing after all the divorce stuff. When she was first introduced, she was wonderful and one of my favorites, but her classy ways have declined with her title. Bethany is still Bethany, but she does seem to have grown up some and have her focus on productive projects instead of gossiping all over the place. I can't believe Jill and Countless Luann were lunching with that stupid crackhead Kelly! Talk about two-face. Those two were right behind Bethany last season on the reunion show. What the hell happened? The Unforgettable, wacky Aussie, Simon, did not show his face yet, but his demure beard, Alex, did. I was surprised she was alone. As usual she just sat in the background and watched the others cat fight, kinda smart on her part. Ramona's husband is already in the cat fight and he wasn't even on the show yet! I'm glad Bethany is getting her own show. I may actually not watch NY if Bethany has her own show soon.

Cheaters

People are so ridiculous. If you don't want to be with someone anymore, tell them! Deal with it! Breakup, divorce, move out, whatever you need to do to end it with one person before beginning something with another! I have a co-worker that I thought I knew morally pretty well. Man was I wrong! Talk about truths coming out! One co-worker who is in a tumultuous relationship with his now estranged wife pending divorce was let go. The crazy wife is now calling work and pointing fingers at some girls that work there as reasons for the divorce. Those of us in the know, totally thought it was BS. No way. Not these girls....man were we wrong. The truth slowly emerged today as "friends" of those concerned began to throw them under the bus secret by secret. One in particular swore up and down it was totally crap. I always viewed her as sweet and quiet until today. No more. She is a very good actress. A fellow co-worker in the know lives near this girl and saw the guy's truck parked around the corner from her place. Wow. So the crazy ex is right. There was and still is an affair in full force. Good thing the divorce papers are in the mail for all those concerned. I'm still a tad shocked at how much crap unfolded. That guy worked with us for 2 years and evidently had numerous indiscretions going on around the work place. Wow. It was well played on the down low.
People that are cowards and choose to cheat to get out of relationships make me sick. I will never be able to look at that girl in particular ever again the same way. Since I have been the victim of a very nasty cheating situation I cannot find it in me to not look at her differently. It will be quite a challenge to rock the fa sad, but somehow, I will have to tap into some acting skills of my own to work with her.

The Help and Roses

I read The Help by Kathryne Stockett not too long ago and LOVED IT. If you haven't discovered this southern gem, you must read it. It is a historical fiction set in Jackson, MS during the 1960s told by several characters, three black maids and one white woman from a local rich family. The white woman meets in secret to interview the maids about life and working for their white employers. The stories mix humor, love, loss, tragedy, and disbelief at the various treatments and experiences. It took the author over 20 years to perfect and publish it based on real interviews and her personal life growing up in MS in those times.

Roses by Leila Meacham, is a Texas Gone With The Wind. A divine 600 page saga interweaving three families across several generations in a small town. The actions of the original town founders affect all of those around them and those that come after them for several generations until one has enough courage to set things right and lift a curse plaguing the land and it's owners. Starting with the founding in the late 1800s, it ends in the mid 1980s. Heart wrenching tragedy upon tragedy is soothed by miracles and everlasting love between several characters. The book is told in parts by three of the biggest characters. It is by far one of the best books I have ever read, even better than The Help.

Next, I plan to read Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Another historical fiction spanning several decades with multiple main characters telling their own stories. The stories are told by female slaves taken away from the South each summer by their masters/lovers to a resort in Ohio built specifically to accommodate these unusual relationships. Ohio is at the time a Free State. Each of the women make their own decision whether to run away for their freedom, or stay with the white men/owners for their families and/or forbidden love. It should be another heart breaker.

Court TV?! LOL

Wow. Court TV has changed a lot. I normally never watch them because they are so boring, but this new woman on tv has total nut jobs on her show. Both sides of the fence are certifiable. LOL One girl admits to being charged with falsifying a bank robbery report, stealing eyeglass frames, stealing sneakers, gambling at a church, and claims to have a brain tumor that she takes zanax for. WTF? Her cousin who is suing her for not repaying cash loans and claims the defendant is a compulsive liar. Um.. I believe the plaintiff. LOL Now another case is on where this defendant is drunk in court and admits to being a crackhead. LOL Completely insane. I guess court tv is just another "reality tv machine". A bunch of "personalities" and nuts looking for their 15 minutes.

Need a Vaca!

I'm ready for a vacation. I'm overdue for one. Mmm.... warm sun, salty breeze, crashing waves...sign me up! I want to get out of BFE!

My mom is bugging me about visiting. Ugh. I hate going up there. One minute it's boring and the next it's stressful. I hate that place. I feel sorta bad for not visiting, but she could just as easily come down here. It's less than 5 hours drive! It's a two-way street last time I checked. I don't consider going there a vacation by any means. Not one bit.

Fail

I am not feeling like myself. I'm letting fears and stress build up inside of me instead of talking about it. I don't know why. I don't if I am scared more of upsetting the other person if they don't understand my side or if I try too hard to make everything perfect and happy. Maybe I'm being selfish and not feeling like I'm getting much attention or feedback when I need to talk. Maybe I talk too much as it is so I eventually get tuned out. I don't know. I wish I had all the answers...

Lost in Thought

I went to work today and finally made some solid progress on my latest "major project". I was already confident in the success of it, but now I'm really sure it will run smooth. The staff this morning didn't need tons of "babysitting" like some do so that made it much easier.
When I got home, I immediately went to the gym. I went yesterday and finally kick started my gym routine again. I'm really proud of myself. It's been too long since I stayed on a routine. I'm trying to find a good weight sculpting DVD to use at home. I love jogging on the treadmill or hoping on the elliptical machine. It lets me clear my head and relax. My goal is to get back in shape before my trip to CA in a few months. I have to get back in that bikini shape. It's ORANGE COUNTY! I have to hold my own against those beach bunnies.

Nervous...Decisions

I'm really nervous. I'm trying to plan my move away from here. Presently, CA is on the radar, but I'm terrified to get out all the way to the west coast and discover I either cannot afford to live decently on my salary or I end up homesick for my native eastern coast. I guess if I was truly honest with myself, I still really, really want to go home...to Charleston. I have a massive list of pros and cons, but no matter what happens in my life, I always look back to that city. I am taking a trip soon out to CA. I guess I'll see what my heart says when I get there. Maybe I'll fall in love. I've only been to CA once before in my life and it was to San Jose. I didn't get to really see much since it was a wedding. I'm excited to see CA. I'm really hoping to lay eyes on LA since I'll be in the OC area. I'm also planning a trip to Charleston a few months afterward. Maybe a visit after a 7 year hiatus will open my eyes and heart to see what will truly make me happy. Bottom line, I want to make a decision that will finally keep me happy and not put myself in another forced situation that may cause resentment or sadness again.

Martin Scorsese

FINALLY! A lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes! OVERDUE! I have been a fan of his work since I saw Goodfellas. I then viewed my way through his filmography. His firsts and his latests. I'm dying to see Shutter Island. His work is incredible. The stories riveting, real, and large. It was so overdue when he finally won an Oscar for Best Director for The Departed. The Departed is good, but by no means, his greatest achievement. I think they just knew...he should've already won. I believe it was Jack Nicholson who announced his win. Watching Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert Dinero present him with the Cece Demille Award was perfect. He totally launched both their careers through his films just as Tim Burton, another favorite of mine, launched Johnny Depp's, top notch in my book. The montage of his work during the presentation really made me realize how many of my favorite films were brought to life under his watch. Thank you, Marty.

The Golden Globes

A great year! One of the most entertaining ones in a very, very, very long time. Ricky was hilarious, absolutely hilarious. My two favorite moments from him... 1. Introducing Colin Farrell with the stereotype cracks at Irish men who swear, drink too much, and misbehave. 2. Introducing Mel Gibson with the beer glass and commenting how much he loves his liquor, but here's someone who loves it a bit more. AWESOME!! All of the presenters took the ribbing in stride and even contributed to their own mini roasts. Robert Downey Jr.'s anti-thank you acceptance speech was great. It was really good to see Sandra Bullock and Drew Barrymore win their awards after several nominations each over the years without any wins. Meryl was a shoe-in with two nods in one catagory, but well deserved. I don't follow tv scripted programs anymore, so all the tv awards were beyond me. I haven't seen Avatar or Up In The Air yet, but I evidently need to. I really wanted to see Grey Gardens and Young Victoria...come on DVD!!! All in all, a very entertaining year.

DON'T WEAR FUR!!

PLEASE DON'T WEAR FUR! I have always been against fur as fashion. I think it's unnecessary. I always knew the process was extremely cruel to animals, but to actually watch undercover footage of it is heart breaking, disgusting, and soul wrenching. Those poor, poor animals. I can't even describe what they do without feeling vomit rise in my throat. If you don't know or have been like me and were afraid to actually see it, try. Try to actually watch it. As I said, I was always against it, but I feel my conviction is even stronger. I need to do more than not wear it, I need to voice why I don't. It's awful...no awful doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. If you wouldn't torture your pets, skin them alive, and put their pelts on your back, then please, please don't do it to other animals. It needs to stop. Faux Fur is now being reported as having bits of DOG and WOLF fur mixed in. Don't even wear Faux Fur or Animal Print Cotton! It just perpetuates animals as fashion! Sadly, the fur mills are not just overseas, they are also right here in our own country. Americans torturing these poor creatures right here in FL, CA, and many other states. I cannot get the images out of my head. I look at my sweet cat sleeping at my feet and can't help but cry for all the other cats...YES CATS AND DOGS.. that are brutally murdered each day for some rich hag's purse, coat, hat, or boots. Please say NO TO FUR!

Mona Lisa Smile

I'm watching Mona Lisa Smile. It's one of my favorite films, not only because it's cast with some of my favorite actresses, but because it tackles what the 50s were really like for a young woman. All the oppression and basically brain washing. After WWII, women were sent back to their kitchens and told not to work, but instead to marry and raise a family. Let their husbands rule the nest. During WWII, women were making the decisions and running the stores, factories, and farms. Now they are being told they are not smart enough to do so. Thank goodness the entire generation did not fully buy into it. They pushed back a bit, but their daughters in the 60s and 70s really pushed the women's movements. Without that fight, women today would still not be able to choose to have a career versus a family. The women of the 80s saw some equal pay and pushed women being executives, but they still mostly had to choose career over family. The 90s and today's women are now fighting to prove that they can have the career AND the family. We no longer have to choose.
Unfortunately, down here in the south, culture is still run by 50s thinking...men in charge and women at home pregnant and barefoot. It disgusts me. I am the first woman in my family to break this pattern. I will also be the first to leave the south permanently. I truly love the beauty of the city I was raised in, but cannot love the "values". I am ready to embark on a journey where I can live in a city surrounded with new ideas, free thinking, and most of all...education. Goodbye, Dixie. I'll still visit once in a while, but I will not stay and stand by while more generations of ignorance are raised.

Retail Hell

I have 4 days off from retail hell. I cannot wait to kick back and finally unwind from the Christmas mayhem. I'm sick and tired of needy customers and employees. Whine, whine, whine, whine!! Tired of hearing it! I'm ignoring ALL incoming calls from that place. Instead, I'll be diving into some crafting with my scrapbook projects and cards. I'll also be planning my upcoming vacations this half of the year. Most of all, I'll kick back and do NOTHING. Cheers to a much needed mini vacation!

Life... My Way

My parents met as teens working at McDonalds. My father was a star jock of his backwoods high school in the swamps of SC. My mother was an overachiever from an old blue-blood family, minus the money, at a Catholic School in the big city. Two completely different worlds. They followed what was "expected" of them. "Old south mentality". Get married at 20 and 18. Have first child within 2 years of marriage. Have second child 5 years later. I was later than planned because my brother has a slew of medical issues and they were afraid of another child following suit. Luckily, I'm healthy as a horse...too healthy. I've never broken a bone or sprained anything. No allergies...nothing.

As for me following the "expected" rules of a southern girl...not so much. BIG fail in that department. I did marry as my mother did, at age 18, to my "high school sweetheart", but it ended in divorce a short 4 years later while serving active duty in the AF along side my then husband. After 9/11 and one too many bad calls in my book by the military/government, I left when my contract ended. It took a few years to adjust to civilian life. I ended up rooming with a very good friend until life took him on a new adventure. I met someone soon after. I thought I had it figured out then, but I was wrong. He ended up being a very bad seed. My only regret is that I didn't notice it sooner. After that experience, I took a lot of time for myself. No more thinking of anyone else first. I did what people tend to describe as "soul searching", but I call it "finding and loving myself". I am not the "typical southern girl" longing for husband, kids, and picket fences. I don't have a clock ticking away inside. I never have. Kids do not appeal to me in any fashion. I love my cat. She's my child and the only one I ever want. During my time alone, I discovered that I love to cook, travel, write, and most of all be INDEPENDENT. I love having my own opinions and being able to fully voice them without guilt or rebuke. I even began to enjoy truly being all alone with just my cat. I use to fear eating alone at a restaurant or sitting alone in a movie theater, but now I enjoy the peace and quiet. I take a book or my writing and enjoy a nice meal or go see whatever movie I want, even if it's a chick flick. While enjoying my new lease on life I met someone unexpected. He came out of nowhere and completely changed my view of men. He is like nothing I have ever experienced. He LOVES my independence. It's been over a year and that hasn't diminished like I expected, ya know, the honeymoon phase. He ENCOURAGES me to enjoy life and the things I want to do. He is also a traveler who doesn't want children. How lucky am I? I get to enjoy my life on my terms WITH someone by my side. I'm throwing the expectations and southern rule book out the window! As Frank would say... I'm doing life MY WAY!

Real Housewives of OC

I'm really disappointed with this season of Real Housewives OC. I know they are the original zip code, but they have become very boring and ridiculous after all the years and constant cast changing. The current cast only has one original member, Vicki, who is a fugly biach. The rest of the latest cast is boring or obviously over-acting for the cameras. I'm so done. I'm ready for NY to come back, hopefully minus that model. She was a complete mess. I miss Bethany and Jill. I think Bravo should end the OC series with this season and let them leave before they finally hit the bottom. I'm a bit intrigued by the upcoming DC edition. I wonder how they will be portrayed... stereotype political wives watching their public images or come off as supportive down-to-earth wives. It remains to be seen.
They have editions for Orange Co., CA; Atlanta, GA; NY, NY; and now DC. I wonder what city they should introduce next. Maybe Miami, FL; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL.