just jill...

what happens in vegas, stays in vegas...

Old news? I'm sure you're used to it by now.

So, we went to Las Vegas. This would be the 3rd time since we've known each other that we've gone together. The first time was for my cousin, Amy-Lou's wedding back in 1994. Let's just say, there was a wooden chapel, an approximate 5 minute ceremony (in which I of course cried), a lot of champagne, some finger sandwiches, a car ride in the Rio Parking lot, pee on his pants, a lost pearl necklace, 3 hours of sleep over a course of 3 days and a long drive home. The best weekend ever.

The second time was just a few years ago we drug our old butts there for a spontaneous over-nighter for New Year's Eve. It really seemed like a good idea when we came up with it. We left at 4am, were checked into the hotel by 11am, and ready for a rousing night on the strip by 5pm. The only problem was our hotel was not on the strip and this is a tip for all of you ever considering going to Vegas for New Year's; DON'T DO THAT. Unless you're going to get a hotel room right ON the strip, it's not a good idea to even go there. You see, they close down the strip to all vehicles at 5pm. No cars in, no cars out. Luckily we figured out a way to get to where the action was via a cab on the outskirts, and then only had a short walk to get to so called action. We did have a fun night. All TRENTI-MILLION of us. Just us and a few GA-Zillion of our closest friends. Woo Hoo, 2010..! UGH. Once we rang in the new year, the nightmare began. Long story short, no cars in, no cars out, remember? There were so many people roaming the streets and sidewalks that we couldn't get to our "short little walk" to where the cab had dropped us off earlier, so we started walking south towards our hotel. OFF THE STRIP. We walked and walked and walked. 3.5 miles later we had reached a spot where we could catch a cab that took us all of 300 yards to our hotel. At 3am in the morning after being up since 3am the previous day, and just walking all that way, I'm telling you that was the best cab ride of my life. (Well, minus that hilarious cab ride once in Boston when Mark wore his Bill Clinton mask and stuck his head out the window while yelling, "Yeah, I tried marijuana once and I INHALED..." but we'll save that for another time!) Long story longer short; I won't ever do that again. Oh sure, I'll go to Vegas on New Year's, but I'll make reservations way ahead of time and I'll step up and pay for a nice little hotel ON THE STRIP. Oh and I'll fly there like the rich people do.

This time, we had the pleasure of staying at a Time Share (thanks Manheim) and it was very nice. TL went over a day before I got there and handled some work stuff and then I got to fly in to begin our weekend!! We stayed pretty low key actually, but we still had a great time. Our big event was attending the Eagles concert on Saturday night at the MGM Grand. It was amazing. I've been a long time fan of the Eagles ever since I was in attendance of their now very famous "Long Night at Wrong Beach" last concert before their breakup. That was my very first concert I'd been to, and after it, I was hooked. It was the summer of 1980, I'd just gotten my driver license 25 days earlier and I remember packing up my mom's 1977 Silver Vega, with 4 of my friends and up to Long Beach we went. WTF mom..? Anyway... I don't really remember much about that night 33 years ago, and I especially had no idea they were fighting that night and on the verge of a breakup, but I knew I'd be a life long lover of all things Eagles. I like them all, but Joe Walsh has always been my favorite. His attitude, personal story, love affair with Stevie Nicks and immediately identifiable singing voice has always attracted me. Love him. This time seeing them, I can't explain it, but let's just say I was in heaven. Their music is so familiar, so rich in my history and listening to them live is the best way to go. I felt much of the night like I was literally transported back to my youth, I could see my high school friends right there with me, I could hear them all singing along with me and I felt them all dancing around me... Best Concert Ever.

july part ii...

Remember how I was "just" saying how much I love the month of July...? Well here's a few more reasons to share with ya'll...!

On the 4th of july we didn't really do much. In fact this was the highlight of my day...
Well, after the 60 minute massage of course.



The next day being my birthday and all, I had no idea what were going to do...
TL said, "Shh shhhut shhhutt your mouth..." and the next thing I knew, we were here...



It was a very good day. I got muddy.



Right after my birthday, we went to a wedding by the sea... My dear friend Kate and her cutie pie fiancee, Rick got married on 7/7/12 and it was the perfect weekend! I highly suggest you get some friends who own a yacht, because they are really good friends to have. Look how much fun we had over the long weekend in Marina del Rey...















So. Much. Fun.
Ps... I had the cutest dress and the cutest shoes of any other guests there, if I do say so myself.
And, wasn't the bride just beautiful..?
A lot more stuff happened in July also, but now that it's September already, I've sort of forgotten it all. If you want to see all the wedding pics lookee here. (but not from your cell phone, for some reason it doesn't work like that...)

I'll probably be back sometime in November to recap August.

puddle jumpers...

Not quite the same, but I tried...

I saw on the ellen show this first video a few weeks back. She loved it so much she made us watch it twice. I loved it too.



My favorite parts of this video are that slight pause right before she falls, and the guy holding the camera's hystercal laughing afterwards.

I know just how he feels...



"What was that..?"

Even though there was not a fall involved, the little Ballerina Hop completely made up for it...!

203.5...

Well, most of you who even stop by here already know... I did it!! We finished all 203.5 miles of the Running Relay. It's been about 3 weeks since, but I'm still feeling fondly of the whole experience. Actually to be honest with you, I was MISERABLE the entire time, I complained, I cried, I whimpered, and I even snapped a few times. Hey, you go 40+ hours with only 3 hours of sleep (and not in a row, we're talking 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there...) But, after a good 13 hours of sleep the following evening, and a scarfing of a Chili's Chicken Sandwich with a ginormous bowl of chips and salsa, and a salted margarita the size of Texas, I was fine. Well, as fine as one can be in a sleep-deprived/food coma.

Let me just say it was the worst fun I ever had, and I can't wait for next year!
Ragnar Rules..!

Let me introduce The Hot Messes: Van #1:


Dani... Super hot, and our lone wolf.
Traci... Our fearless leader, don't let the smile fool ya, she'll kick your ass and then book it for all to see.


Alexis... Who I like to call Sleeping Beauty. How did she manage to get 6 hours of sleep during the race?
Kate... My Bff, touchstone, and attitude checker..! Oh and you should ask her about how she met Jesus himself during leg 2.


Christine... Our wild card, who can kick any hill's ass.
And me, who now goes by the name of poopy pants. Yep. Literally. Don't ask.

Van #2 (minus two members... see, I'm truly a hot mess!)


Kristine... she loves yogurt. Not.
Sandy... a sweetheart who falls down. Not what you want to do when running 203.5 miles.


Chris... our resident model.
Cheryl... our resident bartender. Both good to have as teammates.

We also had Amy and Lyndsey, both who helped us get to the finish line, but for some reason escaped my camera lens.

It was a long 40+ hours of no sleep, little eats, lots of pain, a few tears, and a while lotta cracking up and almost peeing my pants, but we pulled through. All 12 of us Hot Messes had our ups and downs, but in the end we crossed the finish line, got our medals, free beer and called an end to our experience. For me, it was quite a journey. I went from being a 5 year couch potato to running 14 miles between the 3 legs. (wait... that didn't come out right) I joined a gym, and got my butt moving again after 5 glorious long years of non butt moving. I did it. My life has been changed. You could even say transformed. I also met some fabulous ladies, all whom I admire, and respect for their efforts as well. It was completely worth all the training.

And now I don't ever have to fear that I "can't" do it. Because, I CAN.

Here are all the pics from our Ragnar adventure..!!

11 days and counting..!

I've been MIA (again)... But, trust me it's all been for a good reason. I've been running and running and running some more. Then I've been napping and napping and crying and crying and then napping even more.

You guys... Running is hard. But in 11 days (and counting) I'll be smack dab in the middle of it all and there won't be any turning back..!!



RAGNAR..!!!

guess...

which one I am...

Let me give you a hint just in case you're confused in any way...

I'm the one bringing up the rear...!




Thank you Cheryl for sharing...!!

up a hill, up a hill...

This song is what "pumps up my kicks..!" (on perma rotates)



I cant' remember what day of training this is, but I do know that I went 3.6 miles... #runningwalkingcrying

daily panic attacks...

I am having daily panic attacks over.... SoCalRAGNAR

I'm on Team: The Hot Mess's, and I'm runner #6. If you're interested, check it out, see why I am sleeping, eating and dreaming nightmaring over it all.

Runner #6:
Leg 1 = 2.7 miles,
Leg 2 = 7.4 miles,
Leg 3 = 3.9 miles.

That's a total of 14 miles people. That I will be #runningwalkingcrying. Oh and that Leg #2 up there... just know that it's on a trail, going uphill some of the way and will be AT NIGHT. In the dark. Just me and the coyotes. And the snakes and bears. And probably the boogy man too.

I swear if I make it out of this thing alive, I'll consider giving up vodka.
(I didn't say I would give up Vodka, only that I'd consider it).

PS... Please pray for me.
PSS.. That is NOT me in photo above. But, you already knew that.

spending the day with a teenager will make you feel really old...

Back (way back) in July I spent an entire day with 5 kids under the age of 16. That is 5. (FIVE!) I went from having no kids in my presence to having all FIVE of them at once. Without going into too much detail, let's just say that there is a man out there who goes by the name of "Grandpa" who got it in his (unstable) mind that he wanted to take all 5 of his Grandkids on a cross-country road trip in an RV this summer. 4 weeks of bliss for all 6 of them. He had visions of monuments, state lines, campfires, silence, posed photos in front of the Grand Canyon, neat and orderly RV living, the TP to flow over, not under, etc., etc., etc.

What he got was; 4 girls, 2 of whom wanted nothing more than to be reading their books or their cellphone's, or watching you-tube videos to keep their minds occupied and distracted enough to ease the pain that there was not to be any hot-boys on the RV, (and not much chance to meet any hot boys either seeing as Grandpa had something to say about their wardrobe each and every day when they tried to wear a one shoulder'd little number. oh well) and the other 2 girls who like to wear sunglasses, giggle a lot and not provide the silence he so craved. And there was also the 1 boy who liked to hide things, like the laundry money, and Grandpa's megaphone, not to mention purposely make the TP roll under and not over. Are you getting my drift..? This was not a match made in heaven and by the time I "took over" for the day, these kids had had enough. Enough of the RV, enough of the state line's and especially enough of ole' Grandpa.

But once I "took over" the fun really began!! I mean, that was my job right? To swoop in, fill 'em up with sugar, let them run around the beach, ooogle at hot boys,(well, only the two teen girls, duh.) play video games, eat pizza, and cotton candy, jump for joy, listen to the car radio on full blast and just spazz out to the max. And you know what? That is just what we they did.

Best. Day. Ever.
And even though my face hurt the next day from all the laughing,
I really really really want them to come back again next year!

If you'd like to see the whole set check it out over here...

(but only if you're not a perv. If you're a perv trying to look at bikini's, then you should go elsewhere.
Stupid pervs.)

PS... The Pervs ignored my warning and seemed to come here just to look at all the bikini's, so I had to remove the photos. Ahhhnoying. Pervs are groce.

lapu lapus...

I normally don't believe in reincarnation. But at this moment in time, I am really starting to wonder if in a former life I wasn't a Polynesian Hero who went by the name of Lapu Lapu.
(just take that in for a moment, will ya?)

I'm serious y'all... I think this because when my lips meet the brandy snifter and I'm gulping sipping the famous Lapu Lapu drink while at the Royal Hawaiian, it's as if I'm home. Or at least in my happy place. It's become my number one obsession for the summer of
Oh-eleven... Well, besides Subway sandwiches, snarky Jeff Lewis quotes and a certain 11 year old girl who called a crowd of 7 boys who were waving goodbye to her and her two sisters, "Suckahhs," that is.

Here are some shots of this loverly new passion of mine and possibly the recipe. You see it's a highly guarded secret at the Royal Hawaiian, but a simple clickity click of the internets, I've pretty much surmised that this is possibly the closest thing to the real deal. I'll be making them this weekend, so I'll let you know.



Shaved Ice Full Glass
• 1 oz Simple Syrup
• 1 oz Orgeat Syrup (almond)
• 1 oz Passion Fruit Syrup
• 2 oz Light Rum
• 60% Pineapple 40% Orange Juice
• 1 oz Dark Rum to Float (Jamaican)

Shake all but the dark rum in a cocktail shaker.
Pour into a glass of ice.
Float the dark rum

sluurrrrpppp...

UPDATE...

I got all the supplies, and we made them this weekend. I have to tell ya, this recipe is VERY close to the real deal. Yummee. It might seem like there is a LOT of syrup going into these, but trust me, the RUM will cut right through it. We also found that if you add more than the suggested amount of the Dark Rum, it taste even more like the original.

The best trick I found out about during this whole process, is the CRUSHED ICE. I searched and searched where to purchase this, as this is seriously the key element to this drink that makes it authentic. I couldn't find anything online other than Ice Warehouse type places, and on a Saturday afternoon, that was the last place I wanted to be hunting down and driving to. So I thought of another idea, and on my first try I discovered a gold mine. I popped into an AM/PM and Ka-Poweeeee there it was in all it's glory. At the soda machine, they have both cubed ice and crushed ice pellets all for the taking. I thought I'd have to pay full price ($1.79 each cup) but when I got to the register, they only charged me .50 for each cup. So I ended up with 104oz of ice pellets and that was perfect! SCORE!!!

Try it, you'll like it. Trust me.

more summer fun...

When I was a kid I always hated that my birthday was in the summer, because I never got to celebrate it at school like all the other kids. No cupcakes for jill, no presents from classmates. whaaa...

But as an adult it rocks. Especially since it's the day after the 4th of july..! I mean think about it, everone is up for a bbq, party, gathering, swimming, and there are always fireworks! For moi? How nice!!

This year TL and I took some time off from work and headed down to San Diego to go to a Casino/Resort for a few days. It was pretty darn sweet. Harrah's Rincon treated me like the birthday queen I was!! We gladly accepted the upgrade to a Suite, enjoyed some Pink's Hot Dogs, hung out at the sports bar, lounged around the pool, giggled at the cotton candy machine, and gambled a few of our dollars away. It was a great get away, not quite as Vegasy as Vegas, but we only had to drive 90 minutes to get there instead of 5 hours. I say that is worth it's weight in gold!!

The nephew came to join us one night also, so you can only imagine the laughs we had from there...

See... did I not tell you that I was making the summer of oh-eleven my bitch..? I think I did!

summah summah time...

Okay, so I've been just a bit busy handling my business summer...
I guess you could say, "I'm making the summer of oh-eleven my bitch..!" That's right.

So far......... I've been to the beach, had a visitor, celebrated my 29th, er 47th birthday at a casino, ridden a moped, and eaten enough Subway sandwiches to push them right into having one of their best fiscal year's they've seen in a long time. And all of it has given me more than enough smiles to make up for last year (ugh) and to last me right into next year...

First up, the nephew visits... He came home for a few weeks to celebrate his graduation from college as well as prepare to take on his real life (job) upon his return to NYC. On our first night we made lots of snacks, sangria and kereoke'd out in the backyard...





The next day we headed down to Laguna Beach and hopped on our mopeds for a four hour tour... Can you believe we actually survived? I wore a poise pad, just in case and then we showed them who's boss. As in Boss Hogg...









And now you know why I love the nephew so much and also why I need a permanent poise pad when he's around...

(there's more to come, I promise, but for now I gotsta get back to beating this summer's ass...

backyard dreams...

I cannot stop thinking of our backyard... Spring is (trying to get) here,and soon we'll be able to hang out back there nightly. This year I really want to lush it up, cozy it up and most of all comfortable it up. No more garage sale junk, this year we're going for it!!

Here are some lovely photos from the great people of flickr, all inspiration for me... I'll show you the "results" soon!



1. Patio in May, 2. Backyard 2009, 3. BACKYARD, 4. Backyard, 5. Patio at Mojo cafe., 6. outdoor living space+backyard patio furniture, 7. Beautiful Backyard Patio, 8. Patio Furniture, 9. Patio Furniture

"why... because i want tooooo...!"

This is very difficult post for me to post. In fact by the end I think I'll need a hug. Or a drink.

This past weekend I traveled to El Paso, Texas to meet up with the fam. Don't get me wrong it was all for fun and boy howdeeee, did we ever have some fun, but that is not why this post will be hard. It's going to be hard to post because most of all that fun I just mentioned that we had, was all due to the "private jokes" we created. And private jokes are hard to describe. You know, the whole, "you had to be there..."

Let me start out by saying that the weekend was loaded with lots and lots of estrogen. Everywhere you turned there was a person of the female persuasian. And, they were likely either holding a wine glass or kicking and stretching. Lots and lots of estrogen. Lots and lots of laughs too. The main characters: Cousin Amy-Lou, Aunt Pat and Cousin Dorothy-Joyce (who by the way hates to be called Dorothy-Joyce and would much prefer something like Dotty or Dot or even DJ, but I can't help myself, I've always known her as Dorothy-Joyce, so that is why I call her Dorothy-Joyce. Which now I usually have to follow it with a, "I'm so sorry..." As in, "Hey Dorothy-Joyce, why don't you tell us all about the number 19, since you seem to know it up close and personal... Oh and I'm so sorry for calling you Dorothy-Joyce, but back to that whole 19 times thing..."

Well, when the 4 of us get together, I'm telling you it's like comedy genius is in da house. Maybe if you were there, you'd be rolling your eyes or looking for the nearest exit, but us, we either end up in tears from all the laughter or running to the laundry room to wash all 3 pairs of jeans that we brought because we've pee'd them. All 3 of pair. See, already I've put in 2 inside jokes into this post and you're clueless! You're welcome!!

It's so good to get together with estrogen. A room full of laughing and (peeing)estrogen is my new favorite thing in the whole world. The night of my arrival, we had a room full of it. Well, let's just say there were 9 ladies and 14 bottles of wine. Then we had to go and pull out the nose cups and candy cigarettes and that's when all hell broke loose!! Not to mention Dorothy-Joyce schooled us all on a whole new meaning to the number 19. NINETEEN times ya'll.










There is just something that happens when you get a hold of a candy cigarette; there was all kinds of inhaling and flicking going on..!

The next day... We were just sitting around and decided that these ladies needed to learn a couple of cheers... I mean we were headed to an EstrogenFest - Miss America 2011 Party on Saturday night and these two were going as "Retired OU Cheerleaders." What retired Cheerleaders do you know who don't know a cheer or two? Exactly. So we began coaching them...





Now if only I had thought to grab my video cam sooner... you'd have witnessed many many more out takes. And I would have gladly shared them with you, "Whyyyyy, because I want toooo, no, because I like youuuuu...!" But these are pretty good and if you're not running for your "poise pad" after watching these then something is very wrong with you.

See, this post is killing me, because it really is funny, but since you weren't there, I'm just not sure it has you laughing like we were. It's sort of like when you tell other people about how you've shaved yourself bald and they don't quite understand what you're saying and so you have to do the hand gestures and make the "pshwooo, pshwooo, pshwooo..." sound, so that they can finally get what you mean. Yeah, just like that. Oh well... huuuuuuhhhhhh huuuuuhhhhhhh.....

Speaking of Estrogenfest - Miss America 2011 party, I went to one and it was SO much fun. Everyone who was invited was asked to pick a state, so I picked Alaska. Then we were asked to dress up in our most outrageous outfit to help represent that state, as well as bring a dish that sort of represents our chosen state. I have to confess that even after picking Alaska, I was a bit baffled as to exactly what I was going to dress up as. Last year was easy. Miss Arkansasassy had to wear Long Johns and a Big Tutu right? But what would I do this year? Well, I got a little help from my friend Katie and between the two of us we came up with "Miss Alaskan Queen Crabby..." You know, because I'm the Queen. (Queen of Dorks...) Anyway... The party was a blast as usual, and all of us really out-did ourselves. There was Miss Capital Hill-Billy or as I liked to call her, Barbara's Bush. There were those retired OU Cheerleaders, representing my home state of Oklahoma and then there was one of my personal favorites, Miss New Jersey dressed as a dead ringer for Snookie. And being that she was the hostess of this party, we have to say, Snookie really does know how to party down. (and fall down, apparently!)




For an entire view of my estrogenlaughterpeefilled weekend click here. My only advice would be to maybe prepare yourself with a poise pad, unless you don't mind doing your wash and fold at the laundrymat.

not to be a negative nelly or anything...

Seriously..? It's only the 3rd of the month and already...

I still have the hives.

The landscapers cut our cable cord, and the cable company will come to fix it for $50.00. The HOA, is now telling us that the Board of Directors have to have "a meeting" to discuss what they plan to do (if anything) about it.

Today is payday. I received no check. When I phoned Payroll to find out why, they said they didn't know why. I pushed further to find out that after 10 months of receiving a check instead of direct deposit, they decided to direct deposit it again. To the bank account I closed. Last April.

Mark has a broken tooth.

Our home computer is on the fritz.

And I still have the hives...

day 2 ~ all i want for christmas is colored bubbles...

Check this out...

Colored Bubbles

 


Just think, a warm summer day...
just me and my colored bubbles...

Oh no you di'int...

It turns out that when "the nephew" was here a few weeks ago, he took a poop-load of photos. He not only is months away from turning 21, graduating college, and beginning his career on Wall Street, ("Wha hapon to my baby nephew, Christian..?") but he is quite handy dandy with the camera.

It's all fun and games when there aren't cocktails involved, but unfortunately for me, when we're together there are usualy cocktails involved. He claims over his 4 week vacation he took over 2000 photos and that it will take him quite a bit of time to get them uploaded. But somehow he managed to get this one up and going. Hmmm...

Who is this woman and why is she wearing my clothes?

the 'burgh...

It's been since February 2006 that I've been back to visit Plattsburgh, New York. I have such fond memories of the little town that is located in Upstate. Way Upstate. My favorite time to visit of course is the summer time. I was there for a couple of "falls" also, but summer is definitely when it shines. The temps are warm, the sun is strong, the trees are a golden green and the water is sooo blue.

My favorite memories come from when I visited for 2 whole months back in the summer of 2002. Helping out at Livingston Motors, cooking dinners, traveling all around to see the sights of the northeast, riding the waverunner daily out on Lake Champlain, drinking coffee in the mornings with Tony, having nice long chats with Doris, eatin' Michigans, going out for late night beers with TL and Mitchell, hanging out with the neice and nephew, going to church with Tony and Doris, walking on to the Port Kent ferry to Burlington, Vermont for a lovely aternoon of cocktails and then racing back to the 5pm ferry since it was the very last one going back to the 'burgh and whew, what would we have done if we missed it...? Oh yeah like I said, I have the best memories of this little city. I'm sad that we haven't been back in so long. "Soon," we keep saying, soon...



1. Gus' Red Hots, 2. A Dark Beer, 3. flickr.com/photos/56384104@N00/1459838570/, 4. Lake Champlain & Vermont, 5. Hawkins Pond, 6. Plattsburgh Train Station 3, 7. Plattsburgh Main Street, 8. Townhouse at 30 Hamilton St., Plattsburgh, NY, 9. Ferry to Plattsburgh NY

Thank you to all of you Flickr photogs for sharing your photos...

ryan takes over manhattan...

My little nephew Ryan turned 11 years old, gone to the city
and all of a sudden looks all grown up..!

All photos courtesy of Christian... (my other little nephew who moved to the city and grew up too)

tear...

we came, we saw and we danced... a lot!

No time to post about American Idol this week... But just know that I still like all the key players from last week and even have a few new ones to add to the list. We'll see who "makes it through" tonight and go from there starting next week. But in honor of Ellen being the "newest (prettiest) judge," here's my story about her.

Okay, so this is old news. Like if this was a newspaper article the paper itself would be all yellow and wrinkley like. But, I'm trying to get caught up and this event was worth still talking about...

Raise your hand if you love Ellen... How can you just not love this woman? She is funny as all get out, she's as kind as they come and everyone knows that she can dance. I've been a fan of her show from day one. I tape her show every single day and honestly can't say that I've missed but just a few days since the beginning. I just love her that much. She's a lifter of spirits, and not a mean word ever escapes her mouth. She does so much for others, and especially those in need.

Last month In January, we got to go and see her show taped live... I've been trying to get tickets for 2 years and finally, finally we got ourselves some. TL, the nephew and I loaded up in the car early in the morning to head up to Burbank. Once we scoped out the area, and found out where we needed to park and go to be at our confirmed check in time, we then headed out for some lunch. There was only one place we could go while up in Burbank and that is the famous Bob's Big Boy. This is the "original" and has been there since the early 40's. We even opted to save time and sit at the old fashioned counter. We ordered up our Big Boy's (okay, so the diet was NOT in force that day...) admired all the Big Boy decor and had a great lunch.






Once we got to the studio in time for our check in, we then began the wait. Ohh, the wait. It's just like you hear all the celebrity's say about the tv and movie business, everything was like a big "hurry up and wait." So wait is what we did. For about 3 hours. It could have been a "boring" wait, but instead they had a little talent show of sorts, asking for volunteers from the audience to come up and perform their hidden talents. Oh, and you know MY hand went up immediately. Wait, you didn't know that I have a hidden talent? Yeah, I didn't eiether. But then when I was the first to be called on, I shot Christian a look of horror... "Oh shit, I didn't really think he'd call on me, now what am I going to do..?" Then it came to me... Of course I can perform that thing I do when I rattle off all the United States in Alphabetical Order. Yep, we'll just make that my "hidden talent" and to make it all "talenty" I'll claim that I can do it really really super duper fast. And, that's just what I did. Um, how embarrassing... But the 300 3000 people I performed it for, did clap for me afterwards. Also, Christian informed me afterwards, "At least you were better than the girl who Barked like a Dog." Thanks Christian. I guess.






Once we got into the actual studio the Party began. The music was loud and the dancing commenced. We had great seats, just off the right side in about the 4th row. I got placed right on the isle and that is when it hit me that Ellen herself was going to breeze right by me as she danced up the stairway directly after her opening monologue. I started to get that nervious excited feeling... We were just giddy from all the excitement in the room. And boom, the show began. Ellen came out and the roar of the crowd was defining... these people seriously love her and I was one of them, screaming my head off, so happy to see her in person. As the show progressed, it just seemed to FLY by... I remeber her dancing right by me, I remember Matthew Broderick coming out and saying the Mystery Word, which won us each a $100 gift certificate for some Clark shoes. (Thank you Matthew B) I remember seeing Tony, and Jillian Michaels who came out to teach Ellen some exercise moves that even looked hard for Ellen to do. (Man are those bitches ever T I N Y) And I remember Mary J. Blige coming out for a short interview and then a fantastic performance. Her singing voice IN PERSON blew me away, unbelievable. Then we got to sing her Happy Birthday... And then it was over. So sad. As we exited the studio, I took one last look behind me to take it all in. What a great time we had. We were handed our free MJB cd, our Clark's gift certificates and even a piece of MJB's Birthday cake (chocolate cherry with white icing) and were on our way.

(click to watch video...)


(click to watch video...)

The next day I couldn't wait to watch "our" episode on TV... It was fun to watch it knowing that we were "actually" there!! I couldn't wait to see if "we" got on tv. And to my horror we did. Now, most people would think I would be horrified to see myself on tv because it obviously adds lots of Lb's, but THAT was not my problem this time. This time what I noticed is that the camera caught a glimpse of us just as Ellen was sprinting up those stairs during the "dance" portion of her show. There we were, TL, the nephew and myself all swaying our hips, rocking back and forth, and clapping to the beat... well, TL and the nephew were clapping to the beat, I don't know what I was clapping to... See for yourelf.



Here is a breakdown of the act better known as "I've got NO rhythm, baby..."




...and I thought I had rhythm...

day 23 ~ a little elf for your pleasure... (finally, huh?)

This year's christmas card took on a whole new challenge... well, not really but I'm looking for sympathy points here as I feel completely humiliated for not completing my countdown to christmas on time!!

My first idea for the card this year was to do a Photo Card... it's been 6 years since I started making my cards and back in 2003, that was the last time I did a Photo Card. So my original idea was to "copy" Ellen and Oprah's idea seen here...




My idea was to wrap up TL in the lights and have me be the one to electrocute him "pretend" to light him up... In fact we even had a photo shoot with my 10 year old nephew helping us as the photographer, but unfortunately between TL's complete lack of team playing, and Ryan's questionable photography skills (okay, he's 10, I forgive him) none of the 29 pictures came out good enough for me to make 60 copies to send out to our friends and family.

So I had to come up with plan B. If you'll notice in some of the earlier countdown days you'll see that I had the Christmas Elf on my brain and this is why...

I present to you Christmas Card 09...







Christmas Card 09...

Only a few came back, as the PO didn't take kindly to my Elf's tiny bells on her shoes... Oh well!!

just jill meets the pioneer woman...

I've been a lurker, a peeker, even a stalker of many many blogs in the past 6 years... But with The Pioneer Woman, I've been a fan, a true fan. I mean, there is so much about this woman to adore. Back in 07' when I first found her, I probably spent about 6 days straight (yes, even while I was working) going back and reading each and every post she'd ever posted. I was instantly attracted to the photography, ohhh the photography. It just drips and oozes off the page and is like candy  pecan pie super oohey goohey chocolate cake for your eyes. But as I read about her "punks," her "marlboro man," and the so deeply loved ranch that this adorable family lives on year round in none other than my home state of Oklahoma, a friendship started to form. If not only in my head. This unique story of hers, and her delightful way of telling this story drew me in word by word, photo by photo, recipe by recipe. One minute it's "slap-your-knee-funny," the next minute you're off in "dreamland", wondering what it might be like; this life on a ranch out in the middle of nowhere, so far from the closest town that you have to homeschool your kids, stock up on all kinds of food and supplies (because you can't just "run back" to Target because you forgot toilet paper...), and only have such things as photography, cooking and loads and loads laundry to entertain you. But, trust me they've got so much more than just that to entertain them.

Reading her these last few years feels just like Ree herself has invited me over for breakfast, served me up some yummy waffles, a great cup of coffee with foam and then begged me never to leave. (well, the begging never really happend, but in my head it sort of went that way) There is this "to die for view" as she and I sit on the couch, and the laughs and stories just keep going and going, and every so often we look up from our tears to admire a cowboy or two. Ya gotta love those "Gratuitious Wrangler Butt Shots." (I tell you that photography like bhhuttah!)

When she announced that her Cookbook was coming out last month and that she would be doing a book tour, I was hot on the trail and kept my eye out for an LA visit. It couldn't have worked out any better than it did. Well, other than if she'd packed me up in her suitcase and flew me back home to Okie with her, I mean. I bribed TL to go with me as the signing was at 5:00 pm and these 45 year old eyes are having a harder and harder time with driving at night. Wasn't that sweet of him to say "Sure honey..." Even more sweet that he agreed to go with me 3 (THREE) hours early. Hey, I didn't want to miss out on any part of this chance meeting. Once I got to Borders, I hit the motherload. I found a seat right away, and nestled right in-between the nicest ladies. I met a girl from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and a mother and daughter from right here in California. We all just clicked right away and had many "P-Dub" stories to share, and the time seemed to just fly. Once the event started to get itself organized, we were moved to the official audience seats and what do you know we ended up right in the second row, smack dab in the middle. This is about when my heart started pumping and the sweat started to roll down my turtle-neck wearing back. "Is it warm in here..?" I asked my new BFF"s. But, since they all agreed, I knew I either wasn't the only dork in town and or it was just really warm in there. Whew.

5:00pm and here she came... The energy in the room just heated up, (or was that just me again?) it was truly like seeing a celebrity walk in. Sort of strange to think so, but probably even more strange for her. I mean, she's just Ree. Ree Drummond of the PIONEER WOMAN FAME. I had to just chuck my dorkness right out the window, as this woman walked in and I was instantly put at ease. I'm not kidding you when I say she was the only person in the room who seemed to NOT be nervous. She was so poised and calm and genuine. We had about a 30 minute Q & A session and the whole time I just watched her with amazement at how "in the moment" she was. She took time to truly listen to each question asked of her, didn't just blurt out the first thing that came to mind, her answers were thoughtful and appropriate. You could tell she was very sincere when she said she appreciated us being there, and the chance she's had with this book tour to meet her readers has enriched her life, and her blogging experience. I was just enthralled listening to her take the time to answer each and every question that I hardly noticed that out of nowhere my own hand was raised. At that moment it was as if I was two different people; the "sane one" and the "crazy one." I think the "sane one's" heart was racing so fast, and had gone pretty much numb all over with fear for what the "crazy one" was actually considering doing. "Asking a question, are you nuts..?" But the crazy one, was all "Shut it, I'm going for it..!" And the next thing you know, I got called on and out of my mouth comes flies... "I've got only 1 question for you; "OU or OSU?" (when you're from Oklahoma, that's just what you do...) The words, they just sort of flew out of my mouth. The crazy one's mouth.

Blink. Blink Blink Blink. <---- That right there, that was her inital response. The room fell silent, it started to spin a little, but hot damn, did I see nothing but those Blinks. My face went red, my mouth went dry(er), my heart pretty much stopped beating... But then, then she came up with her answer. She said, "OSU." And when she realized I'm an OU fan, she politely said to me (and I will remember these words for the rest of my life) "That's okay, I still love ya!" That was all it took to bring me back. I'm not sure if she heard me but I said to her, "Yeah, I still love you too!!" (and can I still come over for breakfast tomorrow?)

I was able to get some snapshots of the night. The lighting in that place stunk, and I was so nervous and pre-occupied, I didn't even notice that I wasn't using my flash. (dork) Oh well, it was still a perfect evening. It ended with me getting to sit by her, ask her to autograph my book and let her know that back in the day my grandparents were cattle ranchers from Oklahoma also. She is just the nicest lady and if you are looking for a GREAT gift to give at Christmas, I'm telling you to run don't walk to get this book. It's a lot more than just a cookbook, it also has great pictures of her life on the ranch, as well as the delicious food, and snippets of her story scattered about the entire book. But don't look for a photo of me in there with her, that one is only in my head!!




"Meet Ree, she talks real nice, smells so good, and wears Spanx..."


"I'm pretty much just wondering where I am right about now and don't remember a thing I said to her..."
(hopefully, I only drooled a tiny bit)


See, I told you she wore Spanx...

Can you tell I love her more than Butter...? And those of you who know me, know that's a lot!

halloween 2009...

Well, Halloween 2009 has come and gone. I mostly have great memories of Halloween's past... Well, except for that one year I dressed up as a clown and my mom painted my face. With REAL paint. Acrylic paint. The kind that sticks to your skin and makes it itch and also makes you want to peel it off so that it doesn't hurt anymore and then you lose the contest because your face no longer looks like a clown, but more like a clown who was beat up by those kind of people who hate clowns. Yeah, that year not so much my fave.

TL was way into it this year. This is the guy who usually says very little. The most I usually hear from him is things like; "Shhh, it's quiet time..!" or "Are you still talking..?" or "Shhh, it's quiet time..!" Out of the( almost) 18 years I've known him, I've only known him to dress up on Halloween or any other time, ummm let's see, NEVER! But this year he was determined to win the "Big Prize" at his work. They were giving away $250.00 to the top costume... I present to you: "One Night Stand"


1st Place...!!

Oh, and I had to get in the game also... It's an oldie, but a goodie!!


Millie loves her Milkshakes... and by Milkshakes, I mean Champagne!!