I've Got a Crush on the Blue's Clues Guy

I've got a strange crush on the Blue's Clue's guy, Steve Burns. Steve started out on Blue's Clues and is now working on his own music. For some odd reason, I find him attractive. I asked Aaron, "Would a crush on Steve be weird?" He said that he could see how, off the show, without that little boy bowl haircut, Steve might be a good looking guy. I don't think it's all about looks though. I'm not really sure what it is, but I've definitely got a crush.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

After DH (Aaron) and I watched this amazingly brash 80’s musical, last night, I just HAD to do a review on it. Let me just start out by saying that if you’ve never seen it, YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT!! It isn’t that it’s a great piece of cinema. It’s that they just don’t make movies that are so crass, so dirty, so smutty, and so goofy as this anymore. It’s a riot.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was made in 1982 and stars Dolly Parton and Bert Reynolds. It also features Gomer Pyles’ Jim Neighbors (he has a great little scene where he says some REAL nasty words. It’s a hoot.) It’s a wicked little homage to the legendary Chicken Ranch in Texas and is based on a play that was originally produced at the Actors' Studio, New York, on October 20, 1977. It enjoyed over 1500 performances on Broadway. So, of course, they had to make it into a movie that spawned endless beauty salons called “The Best Little Hair House in…”

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/search/40038,0,7377025.venue

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The movie is about a legendary house of ill repute run by Miss Mona (Dolly Parton.) Her lover is the town Sheriff, Ed Earl (Bert Reynolds.) Interestingly enough, no one really seems to mind having the whorehouse around (some of the town’s women even consider it a blessing because it keeps them from having to do-the-deed with their men) until a news reporter(Dom DeLuise) exposes it to the public. It has some great dance number and some really catchy tunes such as the legendary song “I Will Always Love You.” My favorite song of the movies is “Texas has a Whorehouse in it.” Here are a few of the lyrics:
Texas has a whorehouse in it. (Chorus) Lord have mercy on our souls. (Solo) Texas has a whorehouse in it. (Chorus) Lord have mercy on our souls. (Solo) I'll expose the facts although it fills me with disgustPlease excuse the filthy dark details, and carnal lust. Let me warn you. This is not a great work of art, but it’s lewd, campy, and adventurous. If you take movies really seriously, you might want to skip this one. But, if you like musicals and just want to have a little fun, go for it.

IMDB Link:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083642/

- Top 100 names of 2005

- Top 100 names of 2005

My daughter's name is Lauren, which was number 14 when she was born. If we would have had a boy, it would have been Evan which is 24 this year.

Here's a sampling of the names on this years's list:

Girls
1.Emma
2.Emily
3.Madison
4.Kaitlyn
5.Sophia
6.Isabella
7.Olivia
8.Hannah
9.Makayla
10.Ava
11.Abigail
12.Sarah
13.Hailey
14.Kaylee
15.Madeline
16.Ella
17.Grace
18.Mia
19.Riley
20.Samantha
21.Sydney
22.Lauren
23.Mackenzie
24.Chloe
25.Alyssa

Boys
1.Aidan
2.Jacob
3.Ethan
4.Nicholas
5.Matthew
6.Ryan
7.Tyler
8.Jack
9.Joshua
10.Andrew
11.Dylan
12.Michael
13.Connor
14.Caden
15.Jayden
16.Noah
17.Zachary
18.Alexander
19.Logan
20.Caleb
21.Nathan
22.Jackson
23.William
24.Evan
25.Joseph

10 things About Me

10 Things about Me

I’ve noticed that my blogs are different than many other women’s blogs. When I look at posts from blogs like http://boredhousewife.blogspot.com/ I notice that they are a bit more telling of thoughts, feelings, and personal information that allows the reader to get to know the writer. I don’t generally write those types of soul bearing entries. When you look at my blog, it would seem that I don’t reveal much personal information. But if you REALLY look at my entries, you can learn a lot about who I am:

1. I am interested in technology (from posts like “ Palm Life Drive Review” and I Want This!!!-Sony VAIO VGC-V617G Desktop PC) AKA I’m a geeky chick.

2. I Like to cook (from the recipe posts)

3. I like Marilyn Manson (from “What’s the Diva Google-ing”)

4. I think farts are funny

5. I like to write (from my Writer’s Notebook posts and the fact that I have a blog)

6. I have strong opinions (from my Diva Rants)

7. I like to clean (from “The Truth about Dirt, Germs, and Cleaning)

8. I’m into environmentalism, at least slightly (from “The Truth about Dirt, Germs, and Cleaning, and the Alternative Menstrual Products series )

9. I have red hair (everywhere) (from “Yes, I’m a Red-Headed Diva”)

10. I have a three-year-old (from “What Ever Happened to The Cast of Annie” )

The picture above was taken right after I had my daughter. My hair was short then, and I had to Photo Shop in 1/2 an eyebrow b/c I accidentally shaved 1/2 of it off (don't ask.)

Allergy Resource-www.Pollen.com

Since I suffer from terrible allergies, I love this site:

"If you suffer from allergies, you need accurate, reliable, timely information that allows you to consistently manage your symptoms and take control of your life! Pollen.com is the revolutionary new online resource that provides you with essential tools to do just that.

With reliable up-to-the-minute allergy forecasts that show the upcoming airborne allergen conditions in your local environment, Pollen.com prepares you for the day by offering you all the facts - at a glance! This is information that can help you maximize the quality of your life, and perhaps minimize visits to your physician or allergy specialist.

Pollen.com educates you with a complete glossary of information about pollen and periods of peak activity and coverage, arming you with a powerful weapon in your fight against allergies! "

Pollen.com - Local Pollen reports and forecasts

In The News- Study Says Cell Phones Disrupting family Life

BabyCenter News - Cell Phones Disrupt Family Life
"FRIDAY, Dec. 9 (HealthDay News)- Cell phones and pagers, part of the technological revolution that was supposed to liberate everyone, are tethering people to their jobs to an unprecedented degree, to the point where family life is suffering."
-------------------
This article hit close to home for me. I keep two little boys along with my daughter and one of the little boy's moms is always on her cell phone when she comes to the door. Sometimes she'll stand outside on the porch and talk for 5 or 10 minutes while her son stares at her out the window and waits for her to come in and get him. It gives him a message about what's really important to mom :(

On a similar note, I HATE going out with friends who are constantly glued to their phones when we are out. I'm the type who WILL say something. I don't have a problem with an occasional phone call, but some people go overboard with it. Another pet peeve is people at the mall or grocery store who are talking on their cell phones and don't watch where they are going. Ugh. Teenagers at dinner talking on thier cell phones is another biggie. If you can't go to dinner with your family without chatting on the phone, then you have a problem. The parents are really the BIGGEST problem for not stopping this behavior.

How do you make laundry soap?

1/3 bar of Fels Naptha or Zote Laundry bar soap grated. Put in small pan, cover with water, heat until melted.

Dissolve 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of Washing Soda in hot water. Add the melted Fels Naptha, stirring to mix well. (The mixture starts to thicken and gel up almost immediately.)

Divide the soap between 2 gallon laundry jugs saved from l purchased aundry soap; add hot water to fill them to the top; and shake well.

Powdered:

1 box of borax
1 box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 bar of soap, grated (you can use Dial, Ivory, Fels Naptha, or Zote)

Combine all ingredients and store in a container.

To use:
2 tbsp per load of laundry (no that's not a typo)

If the laundry is really dirty, I add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the wash.

These soaps only cost about $.04-.08 per load, depending on what you spend on the products to make them.


I let them sit overnight before using, and I always shake really well before using. I use a capful of laundry soap per load. "

Simple Living Book Recommendation

Since I'm a fan of simple and old-fashioned living, I thought I would recommend a good book on simplifying your holidays. You can order the book, or download it in e-book form.

celebratesimply.com:

"Have you ever dreamed of simpler celebrations that leave you exhilarated rather than exhausted? Overjoyed instead of overwhelmed?
If so, stop dreaming. Celebrate Simply: Your Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions is for you."

Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway Is Awesome

I’m kind of embarrassed to say that I bought the new Kelly Clarkson cd-“Breakaway.” But, frankly, it’s pretty dang good.

I’m not much into pop music, and I definitely DON’T watch American Idol. So, when I kept hearing these uber catchy tunes by American Idol Winner Kelly Clarkson, I was very resistant to admitting that I liked them. One right after another, though, the good songs kept on coming. I finally thought that she may actually be talented, and her popularity wasn’t a fluke. I even decided to buy her new album, Breakaway. I had to go to four different stores to find it. And even then, I picked up the very last one at Super Target. I unwrapped it and put it in the CD player as soon as I got into the car. I was instantly hooked.

Every song is good, and sounds like it could be a radio hit (not that the radio is that fabulous.) I especially like the almost-edgy “Since You been Gone” and the passionate and sad “Addicted.” I actually feel emotion when I hear these songs, which is rare for me when listening to pop music. “Because of You” is another favorite of mine. It almost makes my sappy ass cry. Honestly, the only song I’m not crazy about is the title track “Breakaway.” I find it a bit bland, but it’s still is listen-able.

Pretty much everyone who bought the album on Amazon loved it. When I went to Amazon I was very surprised that people who bought Kelly Clarkson also bought albums from groups like Green Day and Maroon 5. I figured she had the same audience as Celine Dion or something. It turns out, her music isn’t dorky at all. This girl has some real talent and makes great music.

EASY "Homemade" Cinnamon Buns

These are fabulous and very easy. People are very impressed by them. They are a Christmas morning tradition for us.



20-25 frozen dough rolls (the kind that you leave out to rise)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 small pkg vanilla instant pudding powder
1-2 Tbsp Cinnamon
3/4 cup of pecans
1/4 to 1/2 cup melted butter (higher amount= more goo on your rolls)

The night before you need these, grease/spray a 10" Bundt or angel food pan and add frozen rolls. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, pudding powder, and nuts. Pour MELTED butter over all. Do not mix them together, just sprinkle and then pour butter over the top. Cover with a clean, damp cloth. LEAVE OUT AT ROOM TEMP OVERNIGHT.

Overnight, the dough with thaw and rise. When you wake up, bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes and turn over onto plate.

YUMMY!!!!

*** Always put the rolls in first, then sprinkle the stuff, and add the butter