Good Enough

Well folks, The Office is back and treating us to a 1 hour episode this Thursday night at 9 pm! To celebrate I’ve bought some prizes that any Office fan would be more than delighted to own… or re-gift.

To win the mystery Office Goody Basket, please leave your predictions for Thursday’s episode, and your favorite office quote in the comment section. I will be drawing names from the list, and since I get about 10 comments per post, you have a 1 in 10 chance of winning the prize! Isn’t that cool?

Also, only residents of the United States are going to qualify for the win…sorry, I can’t afford the shipping to places like Australia!

Good Luck! And happy Office viewing!

Oh, it’s REAL…and it happens to all of us that are wrapped up in the semi-real drama and magic that is reality TV.

It happened to me last night. Adrenaline was pumping as I settled down with some girlfriends to watch the series finale of So You Think You Can Dance!

It was all the magic my crowd hoped for…each of us had our favorite dances of the season, they were all numbers that were picked by various judges to be performed again on that final night.

One by one the final four contestants were cut during this 2 hour episode. With each cut I felt more nervous for my little champion. A girl named Sabra. She is lovely and humble and extremely talented. Everything I could want in a dance hero.

So after all the teasers and anticipation it came down to her, and another amazing talent named Danny. Danny is technical perfection. He is tall and gorgeous and possesses the ability to move in a way that is unearthly. I just couldn’t help rooting for Sabra.  There were qualities about her that went beyond dance. I hoped but couldn’t quite imagine her winning over Danny.

My possee felt the same way.

When the host announced the winner at first I wasn’t sure I heard right. But then cheers erupted all around me, and I joined in. You would have thought she was a family member. Amidst the hugs and gasps and cheers my friend yelled out “I’m so bored now!”

It hit me at that moment and I realized what she was saying. What do we do now? We have invested our summer’s emotion on these people. They have been in our living rooms two nights a week for the past 4 months. And that was it? What…there’s no “follow up” show, no recap? NOTHING. I won’t see them again. I’ll have to wait till next season to even see if they let me in on what’s happened to any of my dancers.

I ‘ve come down off my little reality mania and now I’m depressed. I want more! I want to see what’s next for everyone! But there’s nothing there. This may be the new mental illness of our century.

I think I’m going to need therapy.

15 days left…

Heather kindly reminded me that I am not a military wife, and also that I need to wear deodorant. As for the first suggestion…thank you for sobering reminder. I don’t think I have the stamina of the brave men and women with spouses that go through those extended periods of leave. I think that takes a special kind of person. I’ve openly admitted I’m a wimp. Therefore I am not one of them.

As for the deodorant…believe me, I’m trying. The last thing I need right now is to get sick of myself. I’m all I’ve got! In fact, I need to start treating me better! I’ve discovered what a great date I am for myself. Tuesday night I dropped by the local video store and rented myself 5 movies! I didn’t even complain that they were all chick flicks. When I wanted to stay up a little later than usual and watch all the extras on the DVD, and then play the movie back with commentary, I even stayed awake to keep myself company!

I’ve decided this is the perfect time to rent those movies that Mr.Good would appreciate me watching WITHOUT him. You women know what I’m saying. So here’s what I’m watching..

Step Up…yes I know this came out ages ago, but I could NOT bring myself to waste a date night on this one…I watched it through once, ready to hate it, ready to spot the stunt doubles dancing for the actors. The acting wasn’t award winning, but it was pleasant to watch, and when I watched all the extras on the DVD and how they choreographed it and that the dancers were really dancing, I was much more impressed. To be honest. I think I’m going to buy this movie. There are certain parts that I could watch a hundred times. I’m kind of a sucker for dancing movies. Loved it. I think I’ll watch it again before returning it.

The Perfect Man…this is a Hillary Duff movie. You can guess that this is sorely admitted by me. I’m a sucker for Hillary Duff! She’s a cute and seemingly sweet enough young lady, and I did not regret renting this movie. It was simple, predictable, and everyone is happy in the end. Sometimes that’s just what I need. I wouldn’t buy this one though. It’s only good for a one time viewing.

I’m seriously thinking of viewing a movie a night until Mr.Good flies back to rescue me…anymore suggestions? I have three more that I’m going to watch before I return to the video store.

So before I even OPEN this book that is laying on my couch…that half the world is obsessed with, and so I grudgingly admit that I am obsessed as well…as you shall see when MY story unfolds…

We actually had a REAL date tonight. My sweet man turned 30 last week. On his birthday I was puking, along with 2 of our children. He kindly took care of us. So tonight I pleaded with the family to babysit.  We had dinner, a movie, and all night to wait in line for this book.

We went, we ate, we saw a lame movie, and then got in our car and rounded the corner to the book store. We spied the line, we saw the weirdo’s. We decided to try our luck at Safeway. We were about 15 minutes away. We called. They said “we close our doors at 1:00 am” We looked at the cell phone clock…8 minutes. “No problem” said my husband. 

With ninja like reflexes he drove through the heavily wooded forest to the outskirts of town, where the Safeway stood waiting…lights blazing and doors…LOCKED!

“What! IT’s 12:58! 12:58!” I screamed meniacly, pounding on the glass doors. I caught a glimpse of myself in the store monitor. Not pretty. I could see the small town newspaper headline. “Crazed Harry Potter Fan Throws a Fit!” I called the store.

And annoyingly calm voice answered the phone. The very same annoyingly calm voice that told us to hurry because the doors closed promptly at 1am. “You said 1!” I cried, trying to sound as intimidating as possible. “You said to be here before 1 and we were here at 12:58. You closed early.”

“I’m sorry but once the doors close, only the night manager can open them again.”

“Where is the night manager? Let me talk to her.”

“She’s stocking the floor right now. Our tills are closed.”

“I used to work at Safeway. I know she can open the doors. I know she can open the tills.” The bantering went on like this for what seemed like an eternity.

This is what I hear her say in a hushed voice away from the phone…”she’s still outside…she’s very angry.”

“YOU’RE RIGHT I’M ANGRY! THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT! AND YOU CLOSED EARLY!!”

“We are open at 5am and we have plenty of books.”

“We don’t want them at 5 am…we want them now! It’s my husband’s 30 birthday…we have three little kids at home. We RARELY get a babysitter. We rushed here from the other side of town instead of staying at that book store…waiting in line…with the TRUE fans and all because YOU said you closed at 1am. ”

“I’m really sorry.”

“Yeah, not as sorry as I am. I don’t think I will be able to patronize your establishment again. And I shall slander your name ACROSS the blogosphere to my WHOLE 10 READERS! YOU’LL NEVER WORK IN THIS SMALL TOWN AGAIN.  Of course I’ll shop here only if I REALLY need something. Goodbye! Not even GOOD! Just BYE!”

Boy did I let her have it.

Why do I have a book you’re wondering? Because we drove back up through the dense forrest and saw a light shining through the trees in the form of a Quality Food Center. They welcomed me in with open arms, dried my tears, handed me TWO copies of the book so my sweetie and I wouldn’t fight over them, and directed me to the diapers.

I loved them.

HAPPY READING EVERYBODY!

These past few weeks I have been living and breathing for this show!

Wednesday can’t come soon enough and when it’s over I dread the Thursday elimination show.

I’m speaking about So You Think You Can Dance and I say it with this cool hip-hop vibe to my voice. I love this show more than any other reality TV show I’ve encountered! I could blame this on the fact that I was a dancer in my former life, but I don’t think that has anything to do with it. People of all walks of life have fallen in love with this show. I think it’s because there is real talent there. You don’t need to be a dancer to recognize the feelings a good one inspires, and I’m covered in goose pimples when I every time I watch.

12 dancers are left this week…12 extremely talented dancers.

Let me tell you that one of the biggest “wow” indicators to me is how many times I rewind the dance on my DVR. One dance last week I have now seen at least 7 times…but I digress…let’s get down to tonight’s show.

To my surprise and delight the show opened with my favorite couple…Sabra and Dominic…I’ll now pause for dramatic effect. They just do it for me! Every single time! He’s a B-boy, she’s an ex cheerleader turned dancer for the past four years. They make it look so easy and fun, and you want to believe they’re together in real life. That’s how much chemistry they have on stage. Shane Sparks said it in a way only he could…”You take a hot girl, a hot boy, a hot song, and hot choreography, you got a hot show!” They make the show hot. Tonight they pulled the jive. I was a little nervous for them, but like every other week they were adorable and did not disappoint.

Next came Jaimie and Hok. They are not my favorite couple. I can’t deny her skill and grace and beauty on-stage, but she strikes me as an airhead on her candid clips. Hok is another story. He seems like a sweet intelligent guy, but dancing wise, he’s hard for me to watch. I just don’t enjoy him. They performed a Broadway number to Mr. Bojangles…the judges weren’t to favorable in what they had to say. 

Pasha and Sara…Pasha, Pasha, Pasha…every woman I talk to about him swoons. Maybe we can just sense what a terrific dancing partner he would be. He can take Patrick Swayze’s roll on the next Dirty Dancing. To me he’s sexy enough. Sara is an athlete and is so connected with her body, I think she could be any type of athlete she wanted to be. Lucky for us she chose to dance because she is so fun to watch. Their’s was my favorite piece of the night. Mandy Moore choreographed a number to Body Language by Queen. I thought I was watching an 80’s video. I rewound this number a few times.

Neil and Lauren, while they haven’t done anything fantastic I can’t help rooting for them. Maybe it’s because Neil is so darn good looking. Not in a Pasha sort of way, but in a more obvious Brad Pitt All-American type of look. He did blow me away in his hip hop routine, but she didn’t. Maybe it’s their chemistry. I think they’re both talented, they’re just late bloomers. Tonight they had Mia Micheals for they’re choreographer, and in doing so landed the SICKEST song on the show this evening. “Let the drummer kick” by Citizen Cope. I know I’m downloading it off the Internet and I think you should check it out as well. It’s the only song that got my husband off his chair in the office and over to the TV. Yeah, it was that cool. The choreography wasn’t my favorite from Mia, but even at her worst she’s amazing.

I did not want to like Danny and Anya…as cute as she is, and as well as he moves they haven’t connected with me. Tonight they made me smile with their Foxtrot. It was beautiful and fluid, classy and fun. I loved it and thought is was their best number to date.

Lastly, poor Kameron and Lacey did the worst hip-hop number that I have seen so far. Lacey can dance, and so can he but I’m starting to think they started off on to high a note at the beginning of the season. They danced a Mia Micheals number that was mind-blowing! Maybe they had nowhere to go but to slowly start descending to the bottom? The number was good enough that it’s saved them from the bottom three through four shows. I have an inkling they won’t be so lucky tomorrow night.

My predictions for bottom three? Jaimie and Hok…Lacey and Kameron, and because I have to pick a third Neil and Lauren. If I had to pick on to go home from each, I think Hok’s been lucky and had a great run, but I think his luck with the judges is running out. With the girls, it’s really extremely difficult I don’t know if I can even guess? I’ll have to see who can truly dance for their life!
 

I received a call from Kathryn (insert her a link to DaringYoungMom site but my site is unable to do that right now….and she said I have an idea for you…let’s switch you over to Blogspot…I laugh because I follow her like a lamb when it comes to technical stuff…I’m so very green and trust that I’m in good hands, she will not lead me astray. I also laugh because Kymburlee (from Temporary? Insanity) and Melissa (Mejojac’s Memo’s) tol me to make the switch a few days ago. I told them I wouldn’t go to the dark side…but my friends, I don’t know what’s happened to this poor humble little site, but the problems seem to be getting worse and it is not enjoyable for me to blog here anymore. This could be my last blog on Wordpress…by tonight I might join the ranks of blogspotters around the world…to Wordpress I will simply say “goodbye, and thanks for the memories!”

Bubba had PNEUMONIA, which is sad yet liberating. I’m telling you, a mom knows when her child is sick. The Doctor looked surprised when he told me his diagnosis. Probably because Bubba was running around the room acting like a normal 20 month old.

I’m grateful for doctor’s and modern day medicine. But I’d REALLY be grateful if all three kids would stay healthy for our upcoming vacation at the RANCH! So cross your fingers for me.

Other thoughts on my brain today are that Rosie O’Donnell/Elizabeth Hasselback feud.  I can honestly say that I see both sides, but it just reaffirms my belief that I don’t like to discuss politics with friend, co-workers, anyone really. I couldn’t last on a show like that because I would take everything so personally. I have my beliefs, you have yours. I believe people are entitled to their opinion. I enjoy hearing both sides of the story. What I don’t like is an individual being made to fell stupid of ignorant for their opinion.  And you are certainly not going to change how I believe by making me feel that way.

I have had close friends who’s views have been on opposite ends of the spectrum. I’m happy to say we still remain friends, there are just things we don’t talk about. 

The older I get the more I enjoy my little comfort bubble. That scares me to admit. It makes me feel like I’m even older than my 30 years. But when I’m out with a group where I’m completely in the minority, especially when the subject of politics or religion comes up, I just don’t have the fire that I used to. I’m not as willing to throw myself under the train so to speak.

I know it’s because I’ve been sheltered for the last 8 years. I’ve become too comfortable making the same types of friends.  

It’s Memorial Day, my poor Husband is working, my kids are running wild. At least I have managed to feed them two meals thus far.  I knew the day started out poorly when I wanted to sleep till 11 am.

So maybe on Memorial Day I need to say something about people that have past and are dear to me.

To my little brother Derek, I hope some day I have the chance to get to know you. Maybe you were the one sibling in the family that wasn’t as stubborn as an ox. Maybe you would have brought a certain peace into our home of ruffians. I don’t know. But I hope someday I’ll find out.

To my Uncle Bill, you had a really cool collection of vinyl’s. I’m sure we would have jammed together.

Of course my grandparents and great-grandparents that I’ve had the privilege of knowing. Thanks for forging the way. It couldn’t have been easy. But in a way I envy those days. They sound simpler in so many ways. We have too many decisions to make in these times.

So that’s about it for today. There is no structure to be found in this post. But that’s okay. It is Monday afterall. Monday and I have never been friendly with one another.

They said it could never be done, they said it was IMPOSSIBLE!

But not only did I take care of a puking child, rotate two loads of laundry, put a few morsels of clothing away, clean the kitchen, make dinner for a friend with a fresh C-section, and maintain some means of sanity,  but I did the unthinkable…I cleaned the kitchen after dinner as well!

I know, I know! It really is incredible. So now I reward myself with NOT ONE, but TWO chocolate cupcakes, as I sit down to watch a show that always makes me smile.

But I will raise my glass of milk to you who couldn’t accomplish what I did today and say “Don’t give up, there’s always tomorrow.”

In the words of Micheal Scott…”I wish I had prepared something to say to you right now…May God guide you on your quest.”

What a long and strange day for me.

I was whisked back about 15 years as I was forced by State Law to retake my written and driver’s test to obtain a new driver’s license.  I was nervous to the point of nausea…but as I reminded my husband last night, I have never failed any type of licensing test, EVER.  Today was no exception.  I did pass both with a hugePHEW! But because I live in the boonies I spent a couple of hours driving back and forth to the DMV to retrieve the proper documents that I didn’t realize I needed. Should have checked before hand.

I was overly frustrated with my oldest. He’s only five. How can I train him to be more respectful. He’s getting so mouthy. I never expected that from him. He was such an obedient and loving toddler. 

I spent the afternoon with 12 eight year olds.  This became both aggrivating and hilarious. The comments that come out of these girls mouths really make me laugh. I wish I had a memory for quotes so I could share them. There were just too many moments there. 

Then tonight, Hubby left for Scouts and his weekly late night b-ball game. I made sure to put the kidlets to bed earlier than usual.  I enjoy these nights where I really have some time to myself…  

So of course I spent the evening BAWLING. Yes, I’ve been crying my eyes out on my wee pillow. Did you watch American Idol?  Well I did, and although there were many moments of overdone celebrity cheesiness, there were many many moments of humbling. stark reality.  When they showed clips of the African slum…they compared it to the size of central park, and it was packed with houses made out of mud and paper.  Children, so many children without parents. So many people dying of AIDS and Malaria.  I was just sobbing.  Then they showed Louisiana, and still two years later there are so many living in these little trailers, not even full sized trailers. These camping trailers, packed together to house families that lost their homes in the hurricane. There is not a lot of “scope for the imagination” in these places, but there is a lot of crime.  
There were many other disheartening stories. It hurt to watch.  

There was just this feeling of helplessness that came over me. I know I can send money, but I’m so tainted with these big commercial charities. You never know how much of the money really gets there.  When I was growing up, one of my close friends lived next to this family and their huge mansion.  When I asked what the father did for a living I found out that he worked for The United Way.  I’ll never forget that.  Why did this man that worked for a charity foundation make so much money to live in excess as they did.  I didn’t get it, even then when I was young. Since then I have been hesitant to give freely without to charities such as this. If my family sponsors a child I don’t want the money going to Sally Struthers and her T.V. commercials. Show me something legit. Show me something I can send my money to and know that it’s not paying for someones million dollar home.  

Mary, from Owlhaven has adopted 4 children from around the world if I’m correct. She’s in the beginning process of adopting more. This brings some peace to me. I know there are many like her.  They’re helping one child at a time.

I don’t know where this is going. Never blog with PMS, and you can quote me on that one. You’ll regret it in the morning.

I want this world to be a better place. I want to be a good mom and wife, with everything that that entails. I want to be a crusader.  How can I do this?

My cheeks are still wet and I’ve used every inch of my sleeves as a snot rag.  But I feel okay. I had a good reason to cry tonight. Tomorrow I’ll work on that good mom and wife thing. Because I do have some control over that.  

“You know I want to bath in your golden light, submerge in electric waves, I need your injection.” Bad Religion

So for Melissa I must give some favorite Dwight quotes from The Office Thursday, because she missed it. And if you don’t get it I’m sorry. But I was laughing hysterically even as I wrote them down.  

Let me set this up; Dwight has just sprayed Roy in the face with pepper spray, everyone in the office is tearing up and coughing. Tears are streaming down Dwight’s face as he says this:

“Everyday for eight years I have brought pepper spray into this office to protect myself and my fellow employee’s. And everyday for eight years people have laughed at me. Well who’s laughing now?”

When Jim tries to give him a gift for protecting him:

“Citizen’s do not accept prizes for being citizen’s”

And finally, when being interviewed after the incident

“No, don’t call me a hero, do you know who the real hero’s are? The guys who wake up every morning and go into their normal jobs and get a distress call from the commissioner and take off their glasses and change into capes and fly around fighting crime. Those are the real hero’s!”

And my husband insist that I put in the new “Black Man” quote Deryl taught Micheal as he headed in to corporate to ask for a raise…

“Pippity poppity give me the zoppity!”

Love it!

And while my husband was off doing our taxes this evening what did I watch so I didn’t have to be embarrassed for watching it in front of him? The Bachelor, and what quote has made me SWEAR OFF this show and slap myself in the face for watching it? This quote…

“I thought, ‘oh ya know these other women are going to be seeing us dancing over here and they might get jealous but I think that they understand that this other woman needs her time with me as well.”

UGH! Make me want to gag and ARE YOU SERIOUS!