Tag Archives: tv

Pregnant.

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32 weeks pregnant

 

Perhaps it’s a gift from God that we sort of forget about this phase, the oh-so-pregnant one.

Right now, my hip has totally bummed out and most of the day I’m finding myself stuck on the couch or in my bed. Which has inevitably led to new distractions.

Distractions? Obsessions?

In the last 10 days or so, I’ve watched the first 13 episodes of Downton Abbey (OBSESSED and realize it. Have to remember they aren’t real people). Less exciting, I’ve picked up Candy Crush Saga on Facebook. Not to mention I’ve read an obscene amount of books in January.

I’m trying to recall if I had these same issues with my other pregnancies. With Libbie, it was Project Runway and Scramble on Facebook (I was GOOD, too, and I’m mad you can only play it as an app now given my smart-phone-less status). I’ve read through some old blogs and I can’t figure out what it was with David … I know we had a new DVR, I sat on my birth ball a ton, and I listened to a lot of Hypnobabies.

I can’t imagine sitting on the couch for the next 7 weeks, but I know it’s going to end up that way. I can’t imagine my belly being stretched any bigger, but I know it will. I can’t imagine being any more tired, but I know I sure will be.

God’s grace to women – He lets us forget a little bit in between these massively pregnant times.

Have you suffered from any pregnancy obsessions?

 

What I’ve Been Into: July

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I love these posts Mary does wrapping up her month, and since I’ve been a little low on writing inspiration lately, I thought I’d chime in for July.

Moving and travel summed up a lot of July for us. I was in Ohio and North Carolina, and moved apartments in the middle.

Here are some the books I read in July. City of Bones is the first in the Mortal Instruments series. It’s a young adult, fantasy series. I liked it enough that I think I’ll read at least a few more, but I wasn’t in love with them.

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar took me a while to get into, but I found it incredible. It’s a retelling of the biblical story of Rahab and really going into what it would have been like for a Canaanite to become part of Israel. There was so much Truth in this book without it being preachy.

I listened to The Crowning Glory of Calla Lilly Ponder in my car during all the travel. It’s by Rebecca Wells, the author of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I keep reading her books, hoping she’ll crank out another Ya-Ya book. No such luck. But it was enjoyable to listen to.

The last week, I’ve delved into my every-so-many-years rereading of the Harry Potter series. It just needs to happen. It makes me happy.

I’ve read a few other books, too, but you can read about them on my Read This Year page … when I get around to writing about all of them.

We’ve been making good use of our new Roku and watching Doctor Who on Netflix and New Girl on Hulu Plus. We’ve been itching to watch New Girl forever after missing it when it was on, and it definitely lives up to the hype. Hilarious. Doctor Who can be pretty amusing, too, and while it’s more Mr. V’s type of show, I really do like it, too.

I’m sort of having a hard time remembering whether it was in June or July, but we did go to see Brave in the theater (sans kids). Definitely loved it.

Other things I’ve loved this month:

  • listening to David try to sing the VeggieTales theme song. It is the CUTEST THING EVER. “Cer-eh-ree!”
  • Seeing my babies on the beach for the first time.
  • Swimming.
  • Wearing my two new maxi dresses to death.
  • Trying to stay up late enough to watching gymnastics on the Olympics.

What have you been into during July?

Favorites of 2011

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You know when you have really bad writer’s block? After you’ve been to three states in nine days and thought about nothing but family and Christmas for weeks.

Since imitation truly is the highest form of flattery, I decided to copy Simple Mom and share my favorite books, movies, TV shows, and music of 2011. (As she said, ones that were new to me, not necessarily new to 2011.)

Sometimes it takes the act of writing to spark further writing, which is why “they” say all the best writers write every day. A practice I’ve fallen out of. I write a lot in my head. Does that count?

So without further ado …

BOOKS (of course)

I read so, so, SO many amazing books in 2011. I don’t know what sparked that, if it was just a streak of luck or coming into contact with great recommendations, but I am certainly glad for it.


You can read my treatise on why I think everyone should read Heaven Is for Real. I zipped through the small book a few short hours and found it very affecting. Read it.

I don’t think there’s much you haven’t heard about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or The Help. Both are wonderful, fast-paced reads that have spurred movies. (The former, movies in both Swedish and English!) There is a reason both are so popular: plots full of detail and excitement, rendering the reader completely unable to put them down. Read when you have the hours to devote to them!

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood was an unexpected favorite from this year. The author created another world … just after the one in which we currently live. (After reading The Hunger Games, fear of the government is starting to get to me!) Atwood is a word artist and I left this book wanting to read everything she’s written.

You can see everything I read in 2011 on this page. A few other favorites: Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks; The Paris Wife by Paula McClain; Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis.

TV

I loved watching Top Chef: All-Stars. I suppose it’s part of the little voice in my head that tells me I could be a chef if I REALLY wanted to (I don’t.) that convinces me to watch the crazy cooking shows. I’d seen most of the prior seasons of Top Chef, though, and enjoyed watching the old favorites. (As I am sure I will love Project Runway All-Stars. Woohoo!) 

I am pretty sure Modern Family is the best show on television. (At least if you vastly prefer sitcoms, as I do. I’m just not a drama girl.) It never fails to crack me up; and mid-week, a girl just needs a good laugh.

Mr. V and I still watch How I Met Your Mother, and we will ’til the end. I won’t say it’s the best show out there … it’s had its ups and downs and maybe peaked at season 2. But in all its ridiculousness, it just makes me smile a lot of the time.

Honorable mentions to Once Upon a Time and Firefly, which Mr. V and I saw for the first time and proceeded to mourn the loss of all the seasons it should have had.

MOVIES

I confess I am not into movies like I used to be. Mr. V and I went with the crowd and changed to just Netflix instant streaming with the price increase, and we mostly use it to watch old TV shows anyway.

The only movies I saw in the theater this year were Something Borrowed (and you know that was a great cinema masterpiece) and two-thirds of Monsters vs. Aliens ($1 summer movie with the kids, who started crying, so we left).

So, as I can remember, the best movies I watched this year (for the first time) were The Social Network, Edward Scissorhands, and Despicable Me.

MUSIC

Thanks to the wonder that is Spotify, we’ve listened to a lot of new music this year. (I am not someone who thinks your music, make-up, exercise, etc, need to be “social,” but we definitely enjoy being able to listen to anything under the sun!)

Here are some new favorites.


Station Wagon: Songs for Parents by Sara Groves – If you are a parent, you MUST give this at least one listen. All of the songs ring true and some crack me up. (The line “Do you have any idea how much it hurts to give birth?” is sung in the background of one song. Love it.)

Kari Jobe by … well, Kari Jobe – A great album of praises to God. Love her voice.

The Band Perry – Another great breakout album. Fills my country fix. (Since when do I need a country fix?? I HATED country music growing up. I’ve been in Tennessee too long!)

Kuhzoo by Bellaruse – The lead singer of this group happens to be my uber-talented cousin, Kay Gillette … but if I didn’t like the music, I still wouldn’t listen to it. And I do. It’s crazy, jazz/folk/something type stuff. Just trying listening to The Kazoo Song and see if you aren’t addicted!

If you’ve made it through this lengthy ordeal, you must tell me: what were your favorites of 2011?


Let’s pretend this is a top ten plus, oh, eight list and link it to Top Ten Tuesday. I think Amanda loves me too much to call me out on it. ;)

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Before You Hit Publish, Week 10: Me, My, and I

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Photobucket

We have a serious problem.

In school, many of us have had “me” bashed out of our brains.

Teachers struggle with teaching young children to use “so-and-so and I” to replace “we.” Which is correct, of course. But I think they stress it so much that many of us have grown up afraid to use the word me.

Every time I watch TV … every time I see someone use the (NOT A REAL) word I’s … every time I see the phrase “between you and I,” I have to cringe a little.

Here is my basic rule: if you were to take out the other person’s name, would you use I or would you use me?

  • Example: Today Caroline and I decided to go to the mall.

 Verdict: CORRECT. Because “Today I decided to go to the mall” is right.

  • Example: Purple is Amanda and I’s favorite color.

 Verdict: Just shoot me. NEVER EVER EVER use I’s. Correction: Purple is Amanda’s and my favorite color. Yes, I realize this sounds a little awkward. But take away the other subject and see how it works. “Purple is Amanda’s favorite color.” “Purple is my favorite color.”

  • Example: I think Susan is trying to attack Fred and I.

 Verdict: WRONG. If we were to take Fred out of the picture, you would know that the correct word there is me, right? [I think Susan is trying to attack me.] Correction: I think Susan is trying to attack Fred and me.


Grammar Girl does point out that following a linking verb, a verb describing a state of being such as is, one generally uses the subject pronoun (I, you, they, he, she) rather than the object pronoun (them, us, her, him). She also confides, though, that even grammarians give you slack on this rule. So don’t worry about it too much. “It is I” or “It is me,” not that big of a deal. Above rules: bigger deal.

Do you struggle with this? Or do you, like me, watch Big Brother and want to throw things at the TV?

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Watching Like a Writer: OK, I know this is silly and perhaps just me. But watch some TV in the next week and come back and tell me one mistake you hear someone make. I know they’re out there!!

Want to know one of my other pet peeves? When, in Project Runway, Heidi says the six contestants being judged “represent” the best and the worst scores. NO. They WERE the best and worst that night. I’m not sure she … or the writers … quite understand the word represent.

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Ten Things I Really Love

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Because it’s Tuesday … and I have nothing much to say … and it’s too late to start a grammar post.

1. Robin Jones Gunn’s books

Sisterchicks Do the Hula (Sisterchicks Series #2)

Amanda and I were chatting today about our shared love for Robin Jones Gunn. I’ve read several of her books this year – as well as the entire Glenbrooke and Sisterchicks series. The Glenbrooke books are some of my favorites, ever. She writes good stuff!

2. Pushing Daisies

Pushing Daisies: The Complete First Season

I didn’t watch this short-lived show when it was on TV, but I’ve recently watched both seasons. And man, it was a good show! Why on earth did they cancel it? If you have Netflix, you can watch all episodes online/on Wii/whatever right now! (We <3 Netflix in our house, too.)

3. This picture

SNV33764

Libbie at her first live baseball game Saturday.

4. Summer peaches. Mmmm.

5. Writing grammar/writing posts. I’ve always wanted to teach creative writing. This fulfills some need for me!

6. Doing Bible study with a group of girls. Ain’t nothing like it. It’s almost therapy! We recently did Beth Moore’s Esther study and now we’re working through Jennifer Rothschild’s Me, Myself, and Lies. GREAT studies!

Me, Myself, & Lies: A Thought-Closet Makeover (Bible Study Workbook)

7. Weelicious.com. Great site with recipes for toddlers! I am trying to be a little more creative with my picky eater. The child will still not put a vegetable near her precious little mouth (unless it’s tomato sauce … and tomatoes have that fruit/veggie thing going on).

8. Tomatoes from the garden. OK, I don’t eat them, technically. At least not raw. But that other adult member of my family does, and I have been making some into salsa and pico de gallo, which I will eat. (Despite the fact the tomatoes are still raw. Yeah, I’m weird.)

Sadly, the intense heat has killed a lot of our garden and our zucchini and yellow squash had some sort of blight. My basil’s still producing, green peppers are working on it, and I have lots of jalapenos … but that’s about it.

9. Harry Potter. 

Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)

The weekend ABC Family marathon, the new movie coming out in November, Sporcle quizzes … we’ve been feeling very Potter in the house lately. So, who’s going to babysit on November 19? I don’t care that I’ll be 8 months pregnant, I’m GOING to see that movie!

10. Ellipses, apparently. This post is full of them. Perhaps I’m just feeling the “pregnant” pause right now. Heh.

Want to read some more interesting top ten lists? Go visit OhAmanda.com!

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Tidbits and Treasures

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I Blame Claire. Oh, how I love to put the blame on someone else. Especially a fictional character.

Need a special Valentine’s Day dessert for your honey? These strawberry ice cream-filled profiteroles look ah-mazing!

Apples and Cracker Barrel extra-sharp white cheddar (use coupon here!)? Lunchtime bliss!

Speaking of lunchtime, I think I’m on the new SAHM diet. Meaning, I’ve lost 10 lbs. since I left Nashville without trying. Too busy unpacking and playing and writing to eat!

Just in time for Blissdom: Hey Jealousy!

Big Bang Theory makes me laugh really hard. Monday night’s episode was quality. 

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The Card Sharks Conundrum*

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Why exactly is it that washed-up actors become game show hosts?

When Mario Lopez was A.C. Slater, do you really think it crossed his mind that some day he would succumb to a job as being the host of Pet Star?

Or that Howie Mandel was just jonesin’ to do fist bumps and say, “We’ll find out…after the break” on Deal or No Deal?

Reality shows only add to the mix. For instance, at this very second I am watching Clean House on Style with none other than Laura from Family Matters (Kellie Williams). Huh?? She’s only done a handful of TV episodes since 1998, when Family Matters ended. How on earth did she end up hosting this show?

Really, I’m puzzled. Is hosting a TV show that appealing, or do they just pay REALLY WELL? Maybe I should ask Laura, who’s worked in reality TV. I just can’t stop thinking about this burning question.

*Lame attempt at imitating the episode titles of The Big Bang Theory.

Things I Love Thursday: Glee

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Mr. V and I have the tendency to get really addicted to TV shows. You need only read this post devoted to How I Met Your Mother to see it’s true. I think it’s probably because we are not huge TV people, and we only watch a show if we think it’s really good.

When I accidentally caught a half-hour of the series premiere of Glee back in the spring, the quick wit and singing caught me immediately. Later in the summer, my sister let me watch the whole episode on her (tiny) iPod, and I knew I’d be keeping an eye out for the show in the fall.

Although there are some things I don’t love about it–I feel like it’s a bit too sexual when it could be very family-friendly and some things are very unrealistic–the incredible music and hilarious one-liners have me completely hooked.

In case you are not completely obsessed and getting Glee updates on Facebook incredibly angry because the World Series has preempted the show for two weeks in a row a slightly obsessive fan, you should know the Glee soundtrack (volume 1) came out this week. It’s a very reasonable $8.99 on Amazon right now and full of great tunes.

I’ve played most all of them through on LaLa this week and while I’m not in love with their version of “Defying Gravity” (which has not been shown yet on TV), the insanely catchy “Don’t Stop Believin’” is worth the 9 bucks itself! I also LOVE “No Air” and “Take a Bow.” The woman who plays Rachel is an incredible Broadway actress and her phenomenal voice really makes this show and the CD.

So, you know, if anyone wanted to get it for me for Christmas, I wouldn’t complain. :)

Read other fun semi-obsessive posts at Things I Love Thursday, over at The Diaper Diaries!

P.S. One of my best bloggy friends Mary, from Giving Up on Perfect, does a recap of Glee each week at Blissfully Domestic. They are funny and great! You can see me comment over there most weeks, ’cause you know I’ve always got something to say about it!

*I was not compensated for this review in any way, no one asked me to do it, I just love the show and the music. If you use one of my links to buy something off Amazon, I do get a minuscule percentage and will be your friend forever.*

Fall TV

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I’m getting a little concerned at the rapidly increasing list of TV shows I’m planning on watching this fall. Especially since I don’t have DVR or TiVo of any kind.

First, there is my old friend How I Met Your Mother. Accompanied on Monday night by her geeky buddy The Big Bang Theory.

On Wednesdays, I’ll be watching Glee followed by Top Chef, assuming I can stay up that late!

And on Thursdays, The Office and Project Runway.

I’ve never had so many shows on the docket. I am kind of embarrassed. I just don’t like to be glued to my TV. And I will take it in stride, knowing that life is way more important than TV.

But if I’m still here at home by myself … it doesn’t seem like such a bad thing to have something to do most nights!

So, what shows are you looking forward to this fall?

Trash Bag Dresses and Drama Queens

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Have I mentioned that I am obsessed with Project Runway? I am so not a TV person and right now it is the only show I watch regularly (How I Met Your Mother and The Office back soon!!). If you don’t watch it, this post may make no sense to you; but I need to rant!

This year is so completely different from last year, which was the first season I watched (although since I have watched most of season 3 in reruns and all of season 1 on DVD). Mr. V and I decided last night that every contestant left is a drama queen except Leigh Anne, who is really just boring and Mr. V says “should not be allowed to dress herself.” She generally makes nice things, but her own clothes stink.

So we have Stella, who speaks in the worst accent ever and refuses to make anything that’s not leather. Come on! Like we need another person who can only do one thing (can we say Rami from last year?). Unfortunately she’s managed not to be the worst so far, although she came close in the first challenge. Watching her just makes me want to scream and pull my hair out.

Korto and her sweet potato coat last night made me laugh, but generally she’s pretty likeable. Terri, Joe, and Jerell are also not too bad. Daniel I could shoot. His stuff is insanely ugly and he keeps talking about how his taste is so “upscale” and “impeccable.” Yo, dude, back it up. Suede needs to stop talking about Suede in third person. It’s getting on Jessie’s nerves. And Blayne…needs a brain transplant. I think all the tanning has zapped it completely.

Then we have Kenley, who has possibly the most annoying laugh in the world and seems to think very highly of herself. Her clothes aren’t bad but she is another I just wish one of the contestants would slap.

There is so much drama going on I feel like they’re not even concentrating on the clothes. I feel like last night was the first night that they actually showed all the outfits being worked on before they were on the runway. I don’t want to watch Big Brother–I want to watch fashion!

OK, sorry for this break from regularly scheduled programming. I’m off to try to stay up and watch some gymnastics. I don’t need to sleep tonight, right? Tomorrow is Friday and I only have to survive work for 8 hours and then run after kids for 2 hours during their first week at school…
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