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!
It, too is a repeater, but so one of my favorites. The guy AND the post!! All the way back, 6 years ago in what was my very first of countdowns...
39 years ago (or so) a star was born..!
Upon learning that I was doing a "Countdown to Christmas" on just jill, TL insisted that he get in on the action somehow. I invited him to possibly do a guest entry if he'd like, or even write a Christmas Jingle to share (he's very good at rhyming jingles, anytime, anywhere, any subject), but after a few days of silence on his part, he finally came to me tonight with this picture in hand and said, "Here, use this." After I wiped the tears from laughing so hard, I'm here to proudly present to you... TL, my little snow-guy.
I heart you so much!
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.
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..."
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!!
