Silent Monks performing Hallelujah!

If this doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit, I don't know what will. Hallelujah!!!

Stripper pole

Somehow the staff in my office got on the topic of stripper poles last week during a staff meeting (apparently I wasn't in the office during said staff meeting... not sure where I was, but that's a different story). It again came up in yesterday's staff meeting. I'm not sure what it is with stripper poles and our staff, but whatever. So, based on that conversation, one of my staffers sent me the following video. I have two words for you. Hahaha and ouch!

Christmas decor 2010

These pictures don't really do it justice, unfortunately, but it's fun. It was a lot of work. My goal is to at least place (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in the lighting contest. If I don't, watch out. Someone might get hurt!

Patio time!!!!!!!!!!

I've waited, oh, I don't know, three, four, five months for this? Finally, it's here! Our patio and walkway was installed last week, and I could not be happier. It's beautiful! Can't wait for the next step, which is the landscaping. Hopefully that comes in next week or so. Yippee!!!

Things I am thankful for

This week is Thanksgiving, my #1, all-time, most favorite holiday. It's my favorite because it was a time when our family was always together. I remember big feasts at both of my grandparents houses as a child, and as I got older, it was always me, mom, dad, and whatever family was in town visiting. It was always someone - grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles - and that's why I love Thanksgiving. For me, it represents family, and that is the most important thing in my life. My family. So, in honor of my favorite holiday this week, I thought I would post a few things that I am thankful for (in no particular order).

• Family and friends. You know who you are. You all are my rock. I wouldn't have made it through my life, especially these last few years, without you. I love you.
• Jay. The love of my life, my best friend, my soul mate. You know how to make me laugh. You always make me smile. I miss you every second I am away from you. You are my everything. I love you with all my heart.
• Our military and their families. We wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you, and the sacrifices you all have made. You all are my heroes, and I thank God for you each and every day. Thank you.
• My health and my family's health. For the most part, we are good. Except for a few back and knee tweaks here and there... knock on wood... nothing major. And that is a huge relief. I think about those who are sick all the time, and I pray for their recovery.
• A truly rewarding job. I have a great team that I work with. They make my job so easy each and every day, and it is a blessing to have such a strong, diverse, and talented team. I love the PR profession, and telling stories about our students and employees. So rewarding and awe-inspiring.
• Sports. OK, I know this probably sounds corny, but I am thankful for them. Football, baseball, volleyball, basketball, NASCAR... you name it, I'm thankful for it. They bring me a break from the every-day world every now and then, and allow me to just be me. I love talking sports, watching sports, writing about sports. That is me, and I am thankful that something so trivial can allow me to be me.
• All of my "neices" and "nephews." You are a joy to be around. I look forward to watching you grow up to be the amazing people that I know you'll be.

What are you thankful for?

Halloween is gonna suck this year!

I hope this isn't the case for you in your neighborhood!

Makes me giggle EVERY time!

Here I go again with the marketing stuff... sorry... it's kinda what I do for a living these days. I can't get enough of this commercial. It makes me giggle every time I watch it. Leave it to Wal-Mart to have clever marketing. This is totally something a little kid would say! Happy Halloween!!!

Brett Favre

I know some of you who read this blog are Brett Favre fans. I, however, am not. Look, the guy can play football. I'll give him that. But I get so sick and tired of all of the hype every off season as to whether or not he's coming back to play. But really, Brett? Just retire already. You're past the game. And now with all of the recent shenanigans that he's gotten himself into, I'm over him. Over it. So you can imagine my reaction when I saw the Saturday Night Live skit this past weekend for the latest Brett Favre jean commercial. Oh. My. Goodness. I love SNL! Enjoy!

Her daddy taught her good...

WHERE in the world do news media find these people? I mean seriously! First, it's the "hide yo kids, hide yo wife" guy, and now this. I can't stop laughing!

And, of course, as they did with the guy who told you to hide yo wife and kids, some crafty, geeky person had to make a song out of this lady. Priceless

Aggie copy writer?

This was posted for a short time on the Houston Chronicle's website last night. Gotta love it!

Words for women to live by

Got this from a friend of mine (thanks SB)! Enjoy!

Words for Women to Live by

1. Aspire to be Barbie - the bitch has everything.
2. If the shoe fits - buy them in every color.
3. Take life with a pinch of salt... A wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila.
4. In need of a support group? Cocktail hour with the girls!
5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I'm on it and so far I've lost 15 days).
6. When life gets you down - just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.
7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just your personality.
8. I know I'm in my own little world, but it's ok. They know me here.
9. Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.
10. Don't get your knickers in a knot; it solves nothing and makes you walk funny.
11. When life gives you lemons in 2010 - turn it into lemonade then mix it with vodka.
12. Remember where ever there is a good looking, sweet, single or married man there is some woman tired of his bullshit!
13. Keep your chin up, only the first 40 years of parenthood are the hardest.
14. If it has Tires or Testicles it's gonna give you trouble.
15. By the time a women realizes her mother was right, she has a daughter who thinks she's wrong.

Two years ago today

I'm hoping that as each "anniversary" of Hurricane Ike comes and goes, it will get easier. It was two years ago today that Hurricane Ike slammed ashore in Galveston. Nothing like a direct hit by a strong Cat 2 hurricane!

I've used the term "nightmare" before to describe it, and I'll continue to use that word. I don't know how else to tell you what that was like for me. I went to bed last night thinking about it. Remembering what I was doing at what point in time in the day and night, not only when Hurricane Ike hit, but the days before and the many, many days after. The highs and lows. The wondering and worrying. The lack of sleep. Eating breakfast and dinners made on an electric skillet run off of a generator at mom and dad's house (thank God for that skillet!). Driving to and from The Woodlands to our house. And the list goes on and on and on and on.

Look, I know that there are a lot worse things in life than what we went through. I get that. Really, I do, but like I said in my previous post, at that point in my life, it was pretty horrible. I had never been through a hurricane like that. I thought I had prepared myself for what was going to happen to our house and neighborhood, but you can never truly prepare yourself. I still cry every now and then thinking about it. I've been wanting to scrapbook the whole experience, and do some photo collages for the house (before, during, and after), but I haven't quite been able to bring myself to do it just yet. We took over 600 pictures (or maybe even more!) and when I look at them, all those feelings come flooding back (no pun intended).

We had some great support from our family and friends during and after the Hurricane, and that truly helped. You know who you are. Thank you so much for being there for us when we needed you!

September 11

This day has a couple different meanings for me. The first is the obvious. If you don't know what it means when someone says September 11, then I'm convinced you're not American. I remember where I was and what I was doing. I remember it like it was yesterday. I WILL NEVER FORGET. It was probably the most scariest thing I've ever witnessed. It still gives me chills to think about it. I'm not a hateful person, but just thinking about it makes my blood boil and brings about a hatred like nothing I've ever experienced. My heart aches for the families who grieve and mourn for their loved ones that they lost on that dreadful day. My heart aches for our country for what we went through and what we continue to go through.

But I am forever thankful - FOREVER - to the first responders, the police and fire men and women who risked their lives that day, and who continue to suffer. I am forever - FOREVER - thankful to the men and women of our armed forces who went to battle after this horrific incident, and continue to battle, so that we can have the freedoms that we have today. Thank you each and every one of you. You are my heroes!

Two years ago today I walked through my house (one that I had owned for just a week) with a video camera taking what I figured to be the last shots of the house as I knew it. It was on September 11, 2008, that we evacuated to The Woodlands for Hurricane Ike. What an emotional roller coaster that was. Even though the hurricane didn't hit until two days later, by the time we left here, our "Little Slice of Paradise" was already starting to flood. What a mess that was. Literally. But we made it through Hurricane Ike, and in comparison to 9/11, well, it doesn't really compare in reality. But in my world, it was hell.

Please say a prayer for those affected by September 11, 2001, and keep them in your thoughts always and forever. And please support our troops. You don't have to support our President or the wars that are going on overseas, but please, please, PLEASE support our troops. And their families. They've chosen to sacrifice a lot for us, so the least we can do is support them. I'd like to personally thank my friends Chris M., Brandon B., Jared B., Cameron B., and my cousin's husband Kyle for their service to our great country. I am forever in debt to you!

Intruder in bed

I can't believe this! This is a story out of Huntsville, Alabama. A woman woke up one morning to find someone she didn't know had climbed in to her second-story room through a window and was in bed with her. I can't make this stuff up, and I don't know how the anchor and reporter kept a straight face.



How does the media find these people?!?! I don't know about you, but I thought that was pretty funny. But wait. There's more. Watch this:


HIDE YOUR KIDS! HIDE YOUR WIFE! HOMEBOY! You're DUMB!


Oh. My. Goodness. If you don't have a stomach ache and tears in your eyes right now from laughing so hard, then there is something wrong with you. Seriously. That last video was #1 on iTunes after it came out, and to date has more than 19 million hits. True meaning of viral!


Happy Wednesday!

O-H!

(Your response is I-O!!) Now that the 2010 football season is upon us, GO BUCKS! And, the new Ohio State commercial is out. And yes, I had something to do with it. Two somethings, actually. You can't / won't see it in the video, but I know it's there.

Here's the video:



And here's one of the photos that's in it.

Enough said. Go Bucks!

Why parents drink

This is for all of you parents out there, especially those with boys.

A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Dad.' With the worst premonition he opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Dad:

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you.. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it' s not only the passion... Dad she's pregnant.

Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children. Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy.

In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better, she deserves it.

Don't worry Dad. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.

Love, Your Son John

PS. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than a Report card that's in my center desk drawer.

I love you.  

"Call me when it's safe to come home..."

I admit it, I'm a fan... GTL baby!

OK, so I probably shouldn't admit this publicly, but I'm about to put it out there for the world. I. Am. A. Fan. Of. Jersey Shore. There, I said it. What can I say? It's a guilty pleasure of mine, and I'm admitting it. Why, exactly, I'm not sure. Maybe because it's like watching a train wreck happen, and you can' keep your eyes off. Maybe it's because I just can't believe that there are people out there who actually live and act like this. It's very foreign to me. But, the "cast" is making money - a lot of it - off of this, and so much more. All because of people like me, who tune in every Thursday night to see what catastrophe is going to happen next.

Snooki, by far, is my favorite on the show. She says it like it is, and doesn't really care what other people think about her. After the show first came out and became a hit, I posted a Saturday Night Live parody of her. Hilarious. It makes me laugh even now. I found this article in the New York Times about her (yes, you read correctly... the New York Times ran an article on Snooki from Jersey Shore). What in the world has this world come to?

Then, I heard on one of those entertainment shows last night that the new Jersey Shore Halloween costumes are out. W.T.F.??? Jersey Shore Halloween costumes?!?!? Did I hear that right? Surely, that is not true. But, oh, is it ever. I Googled it, and found the website. It's costumecraze.com, and right on their front page they have the link. Wow. All because of a bunch of early 20-somethings who lived in a house on the Jersey Shore together for a summer. It's all the craze!!

So, I'm off to get my Snooki costume. Someone please invite me to a Halloween party this year!

Happy fist-pumping!

MIA

Hello! I'm still alive. I realize I've been MIA from the blogging world lately. I apologize... Personal stuff. But, I'm back (for now), and thought I would share a few of my favorite finds from the last couple of weeks.

The first is one of those "Why the hell didn't I think of that?!?!" Whatever am I talking about, you ask? Check it out. I mean, seriously? What a genius idea!

And then, there's the Wal-Mart pictures. I love these. I seriously can't get enough of them. So enjoy!

I call a new rule at Wal-mart: If the hole in your jeans is big enough for me to slip my hand inside and sneak a little squeeze, then by golly you best be on guard!  The squeezer, however, retains the right to either squeeze or not to squeeze!   Sarasota, Florida     Unfortunately, the only strap working on this entire outfit is the one holding that hideous hair in place.  Is that former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker's wife or is that Paul Volcker?  Los Angeles, California

 

Don't laugh!  Its okay, because Bambi's granddaughter borrowed her skirt.  Plus, today is combination Casual Friday and Crazy Hair Day, all rolled in to one.

College Station,  Texas

 

 

 

 

Where exactly does one buy a short pink outfit like this to beef shop in?

Birmingham, Alabama

 

 

 

So, this is either a cross-dressing nautical Popeye enthusiast OR ….... well, fill in anything.

It really doesn't matter, because nothing we say will make any sense.  Who lets these people

out of the house un-championed?

Destin, Florida 

 

 

Those purple shorts are HOT!!!  I saw those same shorts one time on an elephant in a circus in Belarus .  The house shoes make the outfit!

Columbus, Ohio

 

 

 

Whatever happened to No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service?  Is that a turban on his head or a serving of Jiffy-Pop?  Is the girl in the background taking a picture or teaching the guy in the black wife beater T-shirt to play, "Here is the church and here is the steeple.  Open it up and here are the people!"  Is the chick in the green bikini top putting on makeup?  Honey, you should have saved your money and purchased either a T-shirt or a case of Slim Fast.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

 

 

 

Agerton? ...........  Is that you?  What do you expect me to say?  That's exactly what he looks like from the rear.  True, I've never seen Agerton in heels.  Still, if I told you there is a picture where purple hair is the least weird thing going on, would you believed me?  

Mobile, Alabama

 

 

Britney Spears let herself go again.

Slidell, Louisiana

    

 

Is that a THONG Ollie Hopnoddle is wearing??  I can't look again or I'll go blind.

Mountain Brook, Alabama

 

 

No way, Laquanda, absolutely not!  That outfit does not at all make you look like a Hooker.

Midlothian, Virginia

  

It's like a big pink garbage bag filled with creamed corn and door knobs.

Houston, Texas

  

 

This is perfectly understandable.  Elena Kagan was just on her way to the Country Club when she remembered she need some coffee and a couple of yoga videos.  Besides, she thought to herself, I'll just throw on these gray shorts and I'll be smokin’.

Nashville, Tennessee  

I love talking with Freidagurtz Finkelstein, because she always seems so surprised and interested in what I have to say.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

 

Holy Golden Illusions of Grandeur, I gotta get me that outfit!!!!

Alpharetta, Georgia

  

 

 

Toss in some cat food and Cooter is the loneliest guy in town!

Fort Payne, Alabama

 

 

Someone else can try to figure out what she's doing, because I have to go wash my eyes out with bleach.

Oxford, Mississippi 

I have infinite admiration for the sheer strength of good quality denim.  Moreover, I will be eternally thankful if Honeysuckle's jeans wait until she reaches the truck to explode.  Seriously, they should consider using denim on the next NASA space shuttle.

Spring, Texas 

 

 

For those times when you need fried okra and chicken strips so bad, that you just can't wait for the bleach to set. 

Montgomery, Alabama

 

I warned Ronnie not to wear that shirt out of the house.  Please, someone go provoke him.  I want to see him whack somebody upside the head with a two 2-liter bottle of Squirt!

Brewton, Alabama

O.M.G.

Creamy jalapeno is about to be right around the corner. I can't believe it! Chuy's - the best Tex-Mex food EVER - is coming to Webster. I saw it today with my own two eyes. Jay and I were out running errands, and were sitting in traffic on I-45 at NASA Rd. 1, and I looked to my right and saw the building with the name on the front. Jay tried to distract me, but I know what I saw. I was dancing in the driver's seat of my car. Yes, it's that exciting. Seriously. If you've never had creamy jalapeno, then, well, then I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry. It's so fabulous I can't even begin to tell you. I only used to get it when I lived in Houston. Then, they opened a location in The Woodlands, so that was my treat when we went up there. To think... Once the Webster location opens, I can pretty much have creamy jalapeno whenever I want. That. Could. Be. Dangerous.

Words I don't like this week

tropics
tropical disturbance
Bonnie
Colin (no offense Robyn!!!)
flooding
rain
high tide
uncertainty

Feel free to add to the list. Have a lovely week.

Happy Birthday America!

This holiday and Thanksgiving are my favorite. I absolutely love Independence Day for what it stands for, and will always stand for. It's a time not only for barbecues, picnics, and fireworks (and in our case, golf cart parades), but a time to thank those who have served our country in the past and continue to serve this great country today. It's an absolutely awesome holiday.

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among a people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Happy 4th of July to you and yours. And again, to those military members - past, present, and future - thank you for fighting for our freedoms. I hope you have a safe holiday. Enjoy the fireworks!

God Bless America!

Clear Lake Shores, Texas - "A little slice of paradise"

We love living in this small town. For a variety of reasons. One of them being the term "small town." The other being this weekend. 4th of July weekend. We realized last night that in the (almost) five years we've lived here, we've been around and available for the July 4th activities once.

When we first moved here I worked for the City, so I was always downtown helping to coordinate the Freedom Over Texas event. And we stayed downtown for a couple nights, so we weren't around here. Then the following year we went to our friends house in East Texas. The next we were here, but had a bunch of people over so we didn't partake in the fun activities on the island. And last year we were moving back in after being out of our house thanks the Hurricane Ike.

And man, do I LOVE THIS PLACE! There's a parade on July 4th to help celebrate the birth of our country. Everyone loves a good parade (especially me!), but it's even better when it's a bunch of golf carts led by the police in their golf cart. Then we have a big party at Jarboe Bayou Park for most of the day, complete with hot dogs and all of the good July 4th fare. But what's even better is the camaraderie among islanders - which is evidenced by the HUGE (and I mean HUGE) water war that takes place this weekend.

If you don't know much about the island that we live on, it's about two miles around. There is one main road on and off, and it pretty much splits the island in half - east and west. So, the water war is on - east vs. west. The kids love it (OK, maybe the grown ups love it just as much, if not more), because they get to fire their squirt guns at innocent bystanders. (I'm telling you... if you just happen to be standing in your yard talking to your neighbor, and someone from the opposite side of the island drives by on their golf cart, your hosed... literally. Yes, I am speaking from experience.) The contraptions that some of these people come up with to hold water on their golf carts is amazing. AH-MAZ-ING. But it's so much fun. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else on the planet.

We received a phone call last night from the city (through the automated system), and it was the city administrator and chief of police reminding us of the weekend's activities. He signed off by saying "everyone play nice." Ha! I love that even the chief of police knows what's going on and gets a little jab in.

But, let's not forget what this great holiday is all about. What's even better than living in Clear Lake Shores, Texas, is living in the great country of the United States of America. The home of the free and the brave. The greatest country on this planet. Thank you to all of the men and women who have fought for our freedom, and continue to fight for our freedom. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... y'all are my heroes. It's because of each and every one of you that we get to live the wonderful lives that we do.

So, here's hoping that your "little slice of paradise" wherever you live has just as much fun on a daily basis - and holidays - as ours. Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday America!

Hurricane Alex

It's kind of ironic that Hurricane Alex decided to strike this week. One year ago on Sunday Jay and I moved back in to our house after rebuilding it due to Hurricane Ike. Watching the Alex coverage on TV the last few days brought back a lot of memories. I didn't cry this time (at least not yet... Sunday isn't here yet), but it did make me think back to our experience going through Ike. All I kept thinking about earlier this week when Alex's path was still a bit uncertain was, "Oh no. Not again." But, we were spared this time. Although we are getting a lot of rain and really high tides (part of the island is under water), and the storm ruined our trip to South Texas, I'm glad it hit South of us. I don't know that I could've handled going through another storm so soon, even though it's been almost two years. Hard to believe, but it doesn't seem like it. Probably because we haven't even been living in our "new" house for a year yet, and not to mention the fact that my parent's house is totally tore up... it's weird how things happen and evoke a variety of feelings.

Anyway, thoughts and prayers to those in Mexico and South Texas who were affected by Alex. I can sympathize and empathize with you, having been through it myself.

Say a little prayer

I don't know how I ever found this blog, but I did, and I've been following it for quite some time. I'm warning you, if you're going to read it, get out a box of tissues, and dedicate some time to really reading it. I don't know that I could ever have the strength to do what this family has done, or go through what they've gone through, and I have a feeling it's only just beginning for them now. I don't have any children, so I don't know what it would be like to lose one, and I pray to God that I don't ever have to know what that's like, but my heart just aches for them. ACHES. Like I said, I don't know them, just stumbled upon their blog somehow, and will say a little prayer for them - for Conner Reed Jones and his parents, Brad and Sarah. And I hope you will, too.

Rubber ducky, you're the one!

Sing it with me... you know you want to! :)

OK, so now that I have that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day, I thought I'd share these pictures. We had no idea that this duck (we call her "Beeper" because she makes a beeping noise) was sitting on a nest of eggs somewhere close by. And then last Saturday she showed up in our yard with 17 babies! They are absolutely, positively, adorable! (I probably won't be saying that when I end up with adult ducks that won't leave my yard...)

She's down to 15 (one yellow one that we have nicknamed Sunshine), and we're not sure if the other 2 were eaten by something or just died, but she's had 15 for about a week now. They visit us every day, several times a day. They've gotten pretty used to me and Jay. They used to get spooked when we walked by, but they don't any more. Of course, Jay feeds them and has set out three tubs of water for them. He even went out and bought a special dish with a low rim so they could get in it. But, as we quickly found out, they're pretty smart and found a way in to the big tubs without much of a problem.

UPDATE as of 10 p.m.

Not 10 minutes after I clicked "publish post" on this post, Jay came in and told me that Sunshine fell down the drain across the street. So, we spent the next 30 minutes coaxing him / her out of the drain. The neighbors all came out to watch, and we were able to net him / her and get him / her back to mama. And, mama and babies have not left our driveway (where I reunited them) since. Jay says that she knows it's a safe spot and she'll stay for awhile now. The things we do for little baby duckies...

My new ride

So, I did it. I bought a new vehicle, finally! I've been talking about it for how long now? (Don't answer that.)


Jay and I made the trek (and yes, I do mean trek) up to Joe Myers Ford on Saturday. It's a little over an hour and a half ride from our house. I know what you're thinking... there's not a Ford dealer between your house and Joe Myers Ford? Well, there is. Several, actually. And I've been to a couple of them looking at vehicles (read: I've done my research).

We ended up at Joe Myers because of our insurance company. Joe Myers (man I'm giving them a lot of publicity! Their marketing folks should pay me!) is a preferred dealer of our insurance company... one of three in our area... and the only one to respond to our inquiry. So we had a little backing by going to them. And when I say trek, it was a trek.


After almost three (yes, I said three, as in 3) hours of negotiating, we all settled on a price that we could live with (me more than them, I'm sure... although they claim to have lost money on the sale... I'm not an idiot... no you didn't... I did my research). And then after about another hour up in finance an another 20 minutes waiting while they cleaned the car (why they couldn't get it cleaned in the hour we were up in finance, I have no idea), I rolled out of the lot in a 2010 Ford Escape. I love it!

Tis the season!

No, not the season to be jolly (like the song says), but the season to keep one eye on the Atlantic. Yep, it's the start of the 2010 hurricane season. Yippee! (NOT!!!) It's the reality I live in, and I happily accept that for getting to live where I live.

Forecasters say that this year is trending to be an active year in the Atlantic, calling for 14 to 23 named storms (mind you, there are only 21 storm names because not all letters of the alphabet are used.. I'd rather not run out of letters again this year), with three to seven being major storms. They say this season could possibly ranking among the top-10 most active. Grrrreeeeaaat. Not that it means any of them are going to make it in to the Gulf of Mexico, but still... grrrreeeeaaat.

So why do they think it's going to be an active season? For exactly the opposite reasons that 2009 was so quiet.

• El Nino is supposed to change to La Nina, which apparently ramps up the hurricane activity.
• The waters off the coast of Africa (where a majority of the storms form) is already really warm. Not a good sign.
• The sea level pressure is apparently favorable to storms.

I'm not freaking out (yet). That does me no good at this point in time. But I will tell you that I will always have one eye on NOAA and The Weather Channel, and I will say a prayer every night that Jim Cantore is not in my neighborhood again. Yes, I said again because he was here for Ike, and you know that if he is in your town during a major weather event, you're basically screwed.

In case you're wondering, here are the names for this year's Atlantic hurricanes:
Alex
Bonnie
Colin
Danielle
Earl
Fiona
Gaston
Hermine
Igor
Julia
Karl
Lisa
Matthew
Nicole
Otto
Paula
Richard
Shary
Tomas
Virginie
Walter

So, welcome to the 2010 hurricane season. Here's to an uneventful one.

Memorial Day

Let's not forget the real reason for the Memorial Day holiday. I know everyone enjoys being outdoors, shopping the big sales, and having a day off from work, but the real reason for Memorial Day is all of the men and women, past and present, and their families, who have sacrificed a lot (more than I could ever imagine) for us and our great country. So while you're out on the boat this weekend, or shopping for new furniture or outfit, please take a moment to remember those who this holiday is truly all about. They are all my heroes!

Happy Birthday Pac Man!

Today is Pac Man's 30th birthday. I. LOVE. THIS. GAME. Always have. Always will. It brings back a lot of childhood memories. There was this fish market restaurant in Canada that we always used to go to when we lived in Detroit. We'd go for dinner and take the bridge over and return by tunnel. It was just something we did. And, I'd get to play Pac Man there. Don't ask me how or why I remember these things. I just do.

Anyway, to celebrate Pac Man's 30th birthday, our (yes our) friends at Google put on their thinking caps.

Also, here are 10 random facts about Pac Man.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

The Swagger Wagon

OK, so I'm not a parent (yet), but I am in the marketing business, and this is a pretty great use of viral marketing. So, for all you parents out there, enjoy!

"Paparazzi" (not performed by Lady Gaga)

So, this kid is pretty amazing. I especially love the look on the girls' faces in the background.

Thought for the day

Women are angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly... on a broomstick.

We are flexible like that.

Yippee! Wahoo!!!!

I once said I'd never, ever again complain about the warm weather. And I'm not. It's supposed to get close to or right at 90 degrees this week, and I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Summer is here! This means Friday afternoons off. More boat rides. More time outside. WAHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Monday. Enjoy your week! If there are elections taking place where you live, GET OUT AND VOTE!

Wasted guy vs. the flip flop

So, I love it when people send me links to hilarious videos! It makes blogging SO much easier!! :) This is another great one sent to me by PB (thank you!). I think my favorite part is the "assist" he gets about half way through. Enjoy!

Ellen

No need for a last name. I think you all know who I'm referring to. She's hilarious. I absolutely love her.

A friend sent me a link to the video below, and it's super funny, so I had to share. Have a great weekend!

The "C" word

I hate the "C" word. Nope, not casserole. Or cabbage. Not cadaver, carrots, or the one you're thinking of, either. Cancer. I. Hate.Cancer. I know, I know... you don't like it any more than I do. Unfortunately, I've heard this word a lot this last week, and it's reminded me even more why I hate - yes, hate - cancer.

First of all, a good friend from way back when lost his mom last week to cancer. It absolutely breaks my heart. It reminds me of when Jay's dad passed away from this horrible disease, followed by one of his good friends, both of our grandfathers and most recently his colleague and mentor. Then, to top it off, we found out over the weekend that Jay's best friend's mom has also been diagnosed. Did I say that I hate this disease? I HATE CANCER!!! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why? Why? Why does this happen?

Like I said before, it breaks my heart. I was in a funk today because I couldn't stop thinking about my friends. I hate to see people I love and adore in pain because of their loss. It's so hard and painful to sit on the outside not knowing what to do. But on the flip side... I've also been there before, and for me, just a few words, a laugh, or a hug said a lot. So, that's what I'm here for now (you know who you are). I'm a good listener and give good hugs, too.

Jay and I always make a donation to the American Cancer Society every year in honor of the loved ones we've lost, (and we encourage you to do the same!) and even though we hate that we have to add another name to the list, we're proud to do it. One day - ONE DAY - I just know they'll find a cure for this horrible disease that has affected me more than I ever thought it would. And I'd like to think that maybe, just maybe, I had a little something to do with it.

Rest in peace Jay, Russell, Mr. Parish, Grandpa Bill, Grandpa Jay and Jeanette. We love you and we miss you!

Drag races

If you've never been to the drag races, YOU MUST GO. It's an experience like no other. The first time I went was reluctantly. Jay wanted to go, and I really didn't, but I wanted to spend some time with him, so I went. The rest is history. As he says, "I unleashed a monster."

Those guys - and girls - are certified C-R-A-Z-Y for getting in those race cars (and on the motorcycles). Watch the video below and you'll understand why.



That was Tony Pedregon's car exploding down the drag strip Friday night. And we were there to watch it. It was kinda scary, because he crossed the line and hit both walls before coming to a stop. He was able to get out of the car under his own will, but immediately collapsed in front of the car on the track. Very scary to watch. These cars go down the 1,000 foot track, 0 to 300+ mph in about 4 seconds, with the engine either right in front of them (like in between their legs, in the case of Tony Pedregon) or right behind them. Now do you understand why I say they're crazy?

What I love about going to the drag races is how accessible the drivers are and how you can watch them build the car before the first race of the day, and then tear it down and rebuild it after they run the first session as they get ready for the second session. In between sessions they only have 60 minutes to do it. It's amazing. Talk about teamwork! And what gets me with the drivers is the trust they have to have in their crew. You're literally putting your life in the hands of these guys, trusting that they screw every bolt in tight enough, pack the parachutes appropriately, and lube every inch of that car that needs it.

We sat on the start line this year, and it was pretty cool. When those cars leave the line, you can feel it in your chest. Ear plugs are definitely necessary. I said EAR PLUGS ARE DEFINITELY NECESSARY.

Here are a few pictures from the day. Like I said, if you've never been, you should go.

This is Antron Brown's car coming out of the trailer first thing in the morning.

Ron Capps' car

OMG! In-N-Out Burger sponsors Melanie Troxel! I was salivating!

Me with Brandon Bernstein... I think he's kinda hot. And he's a good driver (although he didn't qualify this weekend).

Ashley Force Hood... she's kinda good, and has it in her genes.

If the parachutes don't release, blame this guy

I managed to get a farmers tan. Nice.

It's all about the marketing!

This is what happens at the start line. Like I said... crazy.