I Don't Feel Like Dancing after the scale showcase showdown

I can't believe that I haven't mentioned the fact that this year I actually gave up something for Lent.  I don't remember the last time I did.  I wasn't sure if I was going to do it but at the last minute I decided to accept the challenge. What is it?  Chocolate? Caffeine?  Candy?  Nope!  I am hitting myself where it hurts.  I gave up my love of VH1 Classic and all my new movie channels.  I know that doesn't seem like a lot to some people but you have to understand my love of all things 80's and movies.  Remember back in February when I was so excited that I finally had FIOS installed?  The main reason is because I finally had VH1 Classic.  Yes, that proves what kind of dork I really truly am. About now if  my sister's are reading this, I am sure they are probably saying out loud - seriously, that wasn't the only thing that proves that she is a dork.  Back to my sacrifice.  Yes, I love the 80's and everything involved with it so VH1 Classic is my go to channel when I turn on the TV. And with all my free movie channels, I am missing so many movies and series.  I haven't even tried to watch them On Demand.  Look at me!  I have the will power.  Now if I could just do that with food.

And speaking of food - I can't believe I am going to put this up here but here goes.  Last week I was at my friend's house for a jewelry party. I ran to the bathroom and as I am washing my hands I see that she has a small, scary device on the floor.  Yes, she had a scale.  It's been over a year since I have stepped foot on one of those.  For some stupid reason, I was compelled to check it out.  As you are supposed to do, I took off all the extras: shoes, cardigan and all my jewelry.  I stepped on the scale and waited for the number.  It's not like The Price is Right.  Because as you know, the higher the number is on the scale doesn't mean that you are going to the showcase showdown. Instead, you are going to fall into a heap on the floor and cry like a baby.  As soon as the digital numbers popped up, I just about passed out. The number I saw is a number that I have never seen in my life.  And that number is too scary for me to type much less say out loud.  My number is not what is going to shock you but it's what I did next. 

Standing in my friend's bathroom, I was dazed and confused.  Why and how did this happen? I've been pretty good when it comes to working out. I even started going to the free training sessions my complex offers.  I can see more definition in my arms, legs and my booty is crazy.  Now if I could just get my gut in check.  It will not go away no matter how many times I ask it politely to take a hike.  Then I remembered that I have no will power when it comes to food and desserts.  I have always eaten like a horse but I guess I wasn't really thinking about everything that I was stuffing my mouth. 

Back to me standing in the bathroom.  I decided, well this can't be right.  The next thing I know, I am taking of my pants and my shirt (don't worry, the door was locked).  There I am, in my undies just thinking that I have now taken off 10 pounds of extras.  Did I mention that I gained 10 pounds in one year?  Why the face!!!!!  I am back on the scale and wah, wah, wah.  Game over.  I dropped only 4 pounds by loosing all the goods.  ahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I keep telling myself that some of it is muscle.  And it is but there is no way that I gained 10 pounds of muscles. Is that even possible?  I'm not that good at working out.  I am trying to stay positive and hope that I can find more will power.  No dessert for me for awhile and I am gonna actually watch what I eat, not eat what I watch.  And of course, the workouts will continue.  

There you have it folks. Two looks at my will power: one success and flabby failure standing in her undies in her friend's bathroom.  I know that I will need to make some sacrifices to get to my goal weight and it's going to hurt.  I've been able to sacrifice my love of 80's so I hope that I can also sacrifice all my favs (desserts) in order to fit into my clothes. So today's soundtrack theme is what I how I was feeling standing on the scale. 

Thanks for reading my blog.
Julie

My thoughts are not Connected

Hello!
Just some random thoughts today.
1. I am so over this weather.  Saturday was such a beautiful day and the last two days have been blah.  I was on such a Spring high.

2. Why are they still making following movies:

• Scream
• Anything with Ben Stiller
• Arthur

3. My cat is a faker.  Why?  Usually if he is eating (in the kitchen) and I walk in there or make any kind of noise, he runs out like he stole something.  Tonight, I was making tuna and gave him a little. As he was devouring it, I was in the kitchen running the disposal and making lots of noise.  What did he do?  Not a thing except stuff his face. Faker!!!

4. Reality TV is ruling my life on Sunday and Monday night. Damn you Mr. Reality TV.  How dare you make me more of a couch potato than I all ready am.

5. Rangers opening day is Friday and no one given me tickets yet. Slackers!

6. Why did NBC not announce Carson Daly as the host of The Voice?  Everything I've read just mentioned the judges.  Then bam!  Here come the commercials and low and behold there he is on screen. Is it 1999 again?  Well, those sneaky so and so's.   I will watch, it but I won't like it.  I will just have to mute when he is talking. 

Not a lot going on in my head today. I think it's because of my allergies.  Yeah, that's what why this post is super short.  So I guess my theme for today's soundtrack is another random set of songs since I was so random today.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Julie

It's Been A While since I've seen a good film

The Dallas Film Festival starts next Thursday and I can't wait.  I've signed up for several contests in order to win passes so wish me luck. There some great films (old and new) that I really want to watch.  Everyone cross your fingers because if I win, I get two passes and I get to take a guest.  My list so far is:

• Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
• Poetry
• Slant 45
• More To Live For
• Giant

It's a beautiful Spring day and the day has been great.  Had a great workout (of course I couldn't breath because our gym is 78 degrees and my allergies are horrible), a little house cleaning (I love the smell of Pinesol) and now am I sitting through my 3rd hour of 90210.  No, I do not consider that a confession because I am not embarrassed that I still love that goofy show.  Every time I watch, I still want Brenda and Dylan to stay together.  I remember in college being hooked to this show. Thursday night was my do not call night because I had to get my dose of Brenden, Dylan and David.  OK, maybe I should have put this on yesterday's confession list.

Later I will be heading to my friend's house to celebrate his 41st birthday. 41 will be a great year for both of us.  So in honor of his birthday, it's a special birthday soundtrack to my Will.

Thanks for reading my blog and enjoy this fantastic day!
Julie

I Confess - I am weird.

Happy Friday!!
As you know, one of my obsessions is The Office. So it only makes sense that I blog about it today.  Last night was the Michael G. Scott proposal to one Miss Holly Flax.  I knew it was coming (heck they promoted the dog out of it) and yet I still cried like a baby.  Okay, I cried even before that.  I cried when Michael said he was going to ask Holly and when he called Holly's dad.  It was a big, snotty nose cry too. Not just dainty little tears; huge, snot inducing tears. The proposal was so sweet and to see the joy and love in both Michael and Holly's eyes was amazing. Can we please give this man his well-deserved Emmy all ready?  I mean, come on.  Even today, I am still walking on Cloud 9. Why?  Well because I am geek and because as I mentioned I am obsessed with The Office. I even have a Dwight K. Schrute bobble head, courtesy of my sister, L. I love it! It's even autographed by Dwight himself when I interviewed him a couple of years ago.

Dwight!!

It read's "Julie - Get A Life."

Signed by Rainn Wilson!!!

After my big snot-fest, I was a little embarrassed.  But then I realized that I do a lot of embarrassing things.  So I decided to purge my soul and make a few confessions.

• I love watching The Golden Girls. Yes, I know it's over 20 years old and it's a bunch of old ladies but I love them.  I watch them every night before I go to sleep and wake up to them. 
• I baby talk to my cat.  Weird, I know.  But I can't help it. I never thought I would be that person/woman.
• I have everything my first real boyfriend gave me.  Not a shrine or anything, just a box of stuff. I can't bring myself to throw it away.
• I have every note that my high school buddy, J wrote me during our senior year and I am planning on getting them bound.  Again weird, I know.
• Up until I was about 10 years old I thought my sister, I  was Cher.  Why?  Well, my sister was very glamorous and when she came to visit us, it was a huge deal. She had the long, dark hair, the awesome clothes and cool sunglasses.
• I like to wash dishes while listening to cheesy Top 40 radio (KEOM-FM is greatness!).  The cheesier the better.
• I can't swim and I don't want to learn.
• I listen to the reruns of Casey Kasem's Top 40 countdown.
• I still have my prom dress.

Maybe I am not weird, maybe I am just a pack rat?  Anyway, there is just some of my weirdness/geekiness for all to judge.  Just the tip of the iceberg.  There are plenty more things but I am too lazy to put them in writing and it would take too long to describe.  In honor of my confessions, today's theme is confessions and my geekiness.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

R.I.P. Fire Woman

How weird is it that I mentioned Elizabeth Taylor in my blog yesterday and then I get up this morning to see that she has passed away today? Creepy!!!  Very sad for her family.  It doesn't matter how long a person lives, it's never enough time for their family. 

She was a lovely lady and she was in 2 of my favorite movies; Giant and Father of the Bride.  The first time I saw Giant, I was 12 years old, it was a Sunday morning and I was sick.  I remember stumbling upon it and I was hooked with the drama, the bigness, the hotties.  That was when I fell in love with James Dean.  If you haven't seen this movie, give it a chance.  It tackles the issues of women's rights, prejudice and difference between the social classes.  I do own it on VHS and one day I will buy the DVD (if there is one).  Her character is a tough gal from the East Coast and she doesn't back down to anyone.  So good!!! 

And then there is Father of the Bride and not the vapid, Steve Martin version.  I did not like that one or the sequel.  I saw no reason to remake it in the first place.  This one has Elizabeth and Spencer Tracy.  It's so sweet and light. I wanted Spencer Tracy to be my father. 

There are a few of her movies that I have been interested in watching but never got around to it. TCM will be doing a special programming tribute to her on April 10th.  I've checked out the schedule and all ready know that I will be watching Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  Oh, I love me some Paul Newman.

I will close with today's soundtrack. The theme today is strong and bold because Ms. Liz was a strong, bold woman.  R.I.P. Ms. Taylor.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Julie

My Mom was a great Lady

Today has been 22 years since Mom passed away.  Sometimes I forget what she sounded like.  I hate that.  I wish we would have had video camera back in the day to capture her on film.  Luckily we do have some pics of her.  Not a lot but enough to piece together her life. It's not like today where people take pictures every 2 seconds of themselves.  It seemed like there had to be a special occasion to have a picture taken of yourself, you know like a wedding, baptism, etc.  Honestly, I think we've become just a little vain.  I see people (adults and children) constantly taking pictures of themselves and then looking at themselves to figure out which pose they want to use.  Geesh!  Vain much?  But I digress.

Like I said, we have have some pictures of her growing up and a few as an adult.  Each one of them is really special because we get to see her as the rest of the world saw her.  Not just a mom but as a baby, a teenager and a young lady.   That's the beauty of photography, it continues to give back to generations.  We have this one studio picture of mom where she is posing and looks absolutely beautiful.  When we were younger, she didn't display that picture but I knew where she kept it so once in awhile I would sneak into her room and pull out the picture to look at it.  She would jokingly say that it was her Elizabeth Taylor look.  Since then, that's how we refer to that picture. 

After she passed away that was really the only thing I wanted, that beautiful picture.  It was a bit torn and tattered but it was mine.  A few years ago, my sister, L surprised all our sibling by getting that picture reproduced for them.  Now we all have that one picture proudly hanging in each of our homes.  My momma wasn't a vain person and kind of shy so if she was alive now, she would tell us to take it down immediately. lol!  I know that, that picture isn't what entirely represents my momma but it makes me smile because for a moment in time, my momma was Elizabeth Taylor. 

They remind me of the Little Rascals in the picture.

Doesn't everyone have a picture by a car?

I think she was going to work in the fields.

One thing that I do remember about her was that woman loved her some dancing.  She could waltz, 2-step, cumbia and swing dance.  That is one trait that me and my sisters have, her love of dancing.  I remember dancing with her in the kitchen and living room. We had a family reunion in 1980 and the thing I remember the most was mom on the dance floor. She torn it up that night.  She was so happy.  

Today's soundtrack are based on songs that remind me of my mom.

She would sing this to me to make me mad.  I have no idea why I would get mad but I would.

She was our brown version of Dolly. :)

My cousin Lucy took her momma, my Aunt Lina and my momma to see Eddie Rabbit in Lubbock. They loved it.

What woman in the 70's didn't love them some Kenny Rogers?  And my momma wasn't any different.

I was watching this video and mom was in the living room. She wasn't a big fan of the Rock & Roll but she liked the last 1 minute of the song.  It was her type of music. 

She loved this song and could cut a rug on this one.

Thanks for letting me pour out my feelings about my mom.  Thanks for reading my blog.
Julie

Beautiful Girl, you were too nice

Good news!  My friend's pet is doing so much better today.  She is so happy and I am very happy for her.  Thank you God!

Had a nice calm Sunday, except for my allergies. All this wind from this past week has just about killed me.  Here's the weird thing. I am not deathly allergic to things but I am pretty much allergic to everything except for Elm.  Which is what I grew up with back home.  So no matter what is flying around here, it's gonna be bad for me.  But thank goodness for sinus meds, hot Tazo Green Tea and my Neti pot. If you don't know what a Neti pot is, you are missing out. It's kinda gross but it makes a huge difference.  Dwight on The Office did a demonstration during their first Christmas "Yankee Swap" party. This is greatness!!  Watching the reruns of The Office has made me appreciate Dwight K. Schrute even more.  But I will always love Jim and Pam.

Last night I spend it watching back to back reality shows.  Thanks to my sister, L, she has got me hooked.  She's my reality show pusher/dealer.  We started off with a little Amazing Race and then topped off the night with the train wreck that is actually listed in TV Guide as Celebrity Apprentice. 

I had never given The Amazing Race any of my time until my sister showed me the light.  For all the silly tasks the contestants do, it's really cool to see all the truly awesome destinations they get to visit.  My favorites teams are the Cowboys and Dude BFF's.  The Goths and the cheerleaders kinda get on my nerves.

As Americans we forget that there is a huge world out there that doesn't involve us.  It's amazing how many beautiful places there are in the world that I will never get to see.  I am not being a downer, just realistic.  However, I do have my passport but yet no stamps.  I would love to have at least 3 stamps by the time I am 50.  My top destinations are as follows:

1. Ireland - I want to see where the guys from U2 grew up and maybe stalk them just a little.
2. Italy - I love the thought of being somewhere that is so ancient and has so much history.
3. Greece - Cuz, it's purty.
4. Australia - Oprah has now made me want to go.  Her shows of their trip were amazing.
5. Holland - I want to visit the Anne Frank house.

My list isn't that long but attempting to visit those places will be a challenge.  I can't do it on my current salary (which is currently about $5) so I better start looking for the sugar daddy.  Donnie Wahlberg, I am looking at you buddy.  Step it up man!

Back to my night of TV.  I am not a fan of the egotistical, obnoxious, bloated shell of a man called The Donald.   Watching him makes me want to scrub my skin with Clorox and a steel wool.  Plus this man is so out of touch with the real world.  He claims that he made his fortune because of his smarts and hard work.  Uh, how about the fact the daddy bankrolled him?  I am pretty sure that there are a lot people that would be able to capitalize on that good fortune.  I digress, I am pretty sure everyone in the world knows that fact.  I again was drawn into the realms of craziness, bitchiness, and stupidity.   Oh, Celebrity Apprentice, you make me feel so smart and superior.  I think that is one reason I am drawn to you like a superior moth to a dim witted bulb.  Here is my breakdown so far on the celebrities (I use this term loosely because when was the last time you saw Dionne Warwick?):

• John Rich - Oh, I love him. Funny and down to earth.
• Jose Canseco - Dumber than a box of rocks. Dude,do something, anything.
• Little John - Ye-ah!!!  Loving him!
• Meatloaf - Go Raiders! 
• Gary Busey - You were awesome as Buddy Holly but frankly man, you are giving me the willies.  So happy that you now have your hearing aides.
• Mark McGrath - You're pretty.  Remember that time we met all those years ago?  You 'member.
• Survivor Dude - You're a worm.  Wait, you can't read this anyway because I hear that you're back home in your 9'X9' cell.
• Dionne Warwick - Yikes, that woman is a complete bitch and so condescending.  I am shocked by your behavior. 
• Star Jones - My, we are so full of ourselves aren't we? I guess you have to be that way when no likes you and you alienate everyone around you.  It's sad to see someone that says that she is trying to change the women treat each on these type of shows and does exactly the opposite.  You've come a long way baby!  Yes, that is sarcasm.
• Housewife - Who cares? I will not even type your name on my blog.
• Niki Taylor - You're pretty and way too nice.  I loved you back in the 90's and you still look great!
• Model girl - Have no idea who you are but you rank with Jose "duh" Canseco.
• LaToya Jackson - You are surprising.  Kudos to you for impressing the CEO.  Go girl!
• Marlee Matlin - Why do have a dude interpreter?  That is bugging me.

The night ended with us saying bye to our sweet little super model, Niki. Yes, she is absolutely beautiful but she is so nice and didn't know anything about communicating with her team.  Plus she is still saying it's the 20th century.  Oh you pretty girl, just stand there and look good, no need to talk.  We will love you more if you don't. Sometimes you can be too nice for your own good.  Sad to see her leave but she doesn't need to "work" among some of those vultures.

Wow, I can talk up a storm.  Whew! I am exhausted.  I will end with today's soundtrack.  Today's theme in honor of Niki Taylor, is beauty.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie