For Real?

Ahhh, the reality TV season is in full swing. I know some of you don't get it, but I love it. Here are my favorites this year:

Amazing Race: Margie and Luke

American Idol: Adam and Danny

Survivor: J.T.

Hell's Kitchen: Ji -- but she hurt her foot and left the show

Bacon & Chocolate

No, that's not a typo...I think I have just found the best thing since sliced bread (what was the best thing before sliced bread?) -- Mo's Bacon Bar. I am dying to try it! It has to be a taste reminiscent of that piece of bacon on your plate that the syrup from the pancakes overflows onto. Mmmm. You know, if the thought of carrying around masticated, syrup-covered pig in my bottom lip for hours -- like a dip of snuff -- wasn't so gross, I'd probably do it because I love the combo that much.

Just close your eyes -- the taste will come to you.

Rocket City Bound

Remember the field trips you went on as a kid in elementary school? Like, second graders went to the fire station, fourth graders went to the archives building since they were studying Alabama history, etc. For the most part we went on one, maybe two per year because otherwise, we were in class...studying...like we were supposed to be.

Madalyn has gone on no less than one per month this year in school. I don't like it; I don't buy into the argument that it enhances learning. The occasional field trip, yes. One per month, no. But I was determined she was going on the one coming up to the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville (yes, Huntsville, on a chartered bus with DVD player and restroom). Here's why...

A few months ago, the fourth graders went to Tuscumbia, Alabama, to visit Ivy Green, the home of Helen Keller. Yes, it was educational, but not for $60 per person. Rent a video for $5. I explained to Madalyn that she would not be going because it cost too much. So, she went into another teacher's room for the day while the other fourth graders travelled. No big deal. Except, the next day her principal asked her why she wasn't able to go. So, in true form, Madalyn told her we couldn't afford it. And the principal offered to pay her way on the next costly field trip with funds from the PTA.

Needless to say, I was mortified. It costs too much is vastly different from we can't afford it. Financially we could have sent her, but it was on principle that we did not. But, you can bet she's going to Huntsville. Form signed, check sent in, done.

Good Morning, Mr. President

The Montgomery Advertiser has a sidebar column titled "Good Morning Governor." Mostly, it's an opportunity for the editor to support or disagree with something the governor has said or done in recent days.

Here is the first (of many I'm sure) of my good mornings to the president:

"A wise and frugal government...shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government."
Thomas Jefferson, March 4, 1801 (in his first inaugural address)

Congrats ACA Band

Congratulations to the Alabama Christian Academy concert band for scoring all ones at the district assessment yesterday. (For all the non former band members following the blog, the possibilities are 1,2 or 3 -- with 1 being the best). They have the opportunity to move forward to the state assessment, but won't because they are preparing for the Festival Disney in Orlando. Cody is in the marching band, concert band, jazz band and pep band at ACA and we are so proud of him!

Employees of the Month

Kevin and I are fortunate to live near both sets of our parents. I am especially grateful this week for the grandmothers, without whom I would not have been able to operate my taxi service while Kevin is away on business. So, a big thanks to Grams & Grammy, honorary taxi service employees of the month (talk to the grandkids about compensation).

Happy Valentine's Day

Candlelight, soft music, a good meal, a smooth glass of Sauvignon Blanc...another Valentine's Day at home. We've long since given up on a romantic dinner out. One, it's too expensive. Two, restaurants are too crowded. Three, my sweetheart can grill a steak to rival most places in town. And finally, our kids just love to be part of the festivities. Cody is in charge of the music and candlelight, and Madalyn handles dessert. She was quite proud of her first attempt at decorating the two-bite brownies shown above. We all agreed they were a sweet end to a day full of love.

Think About It

Congress does not have as a duty, according to their constitutional assignments, the job to operate a welfare system or be in the business of charity work. They have no right to take my money and give it to someone else. If I reach in my pocket and give the money to someone else, it's charity. But when someone else reaches in my pocket and gives the money to another someone else, it's theft.

Well said, Walter Williams, professor of economics at George Mason University (although I took the liberty to paraphrase his words from this morning's Rick and Bubba show). Read more from his latest column.

Permission to be Nosy

Yes!! Finally, I have permission to be nosy, although that's not exactly what I've called it all these years.

We've had a few break-ins in the neighborhood over the past six months or so, and tonight at the homeowner's association meeting security was the hot topic. Although you should be able to throw away whatever you want without fear of becoming a victim of burglary, I'll never understand why people buy new computers or 57 inch televisions and leave the box by the trash can on garbage day...duh!

So, anyway, the police department's second in command lives around the corner from us and at the meeting tonight he said by all means, in the name of safety and security and neighborhood defense, pull those curtains back and peek at who just pulled up in the neighbor's driveway...and follow that car that looks a bit suspicious...and continue to call the cops on those folks who just don't understand that 'park closes at sundown' means leave when it gets dark outside.

Honestly, I just don't understand why everyone on the block doesn't know that the family in brick two story has their lawn sprayed on the third Thursday of each month and that the retired couple four doors down walks the brown dog in the morning and the black dog in the afternoon. Not nosy at all...

Sunday Afternoon Drives

When I was growing up, on some Sunday afternoons we'd pile in the car and go for a drive. Most times it was to nowhere in particular, just through the winding county roads with the windows down and the radio on. Sometimes we'd have a destination in mind, but more often than not, it was just about the journey.

Today, on our Sunday afternoon drive, we had a destination in mind. We took the kids to Callaway Gardens (free admission through the end of February and you know I'm all about free!) to do some geocaching. For those of you who don't know, geocaching is sort of a high tech scavenger hunt. You load coordinates into a GPSr (global positioning system receiver) and navigate your way to where X marks the spot, so to speak. Many times there is a prize for taking, or an object to move to another cache location. But sometimes, it's all about the journey -- someone has a beautiful place they want to share with you that you probably would never have discovered on your own.

So, take a little time one lazy Sunday afternoon and go find an out of the way place to enjoy!

Go Red for Women

Today is National Wear Red Day to support the fight against heart disease in women. By wearing red, you'll call attention to and help raise awareness of this #1 killer of women. By making a donation, you'll help the American Heart Association support ongoing research and education.

Spice up your day a little - wear red!

Treats for the Sweet

Valentine's Day gift ideas for your special someone...

For the makeup artist - Aerie Mini Make-Up Bag filled with a pretty lip color
For the sweet tooth - Sweetheart Treats
For the cookie connoisseur - Love Letter Cookies
For the handyman - Nuts About You Keyring
For the fashion conscious - Old Navy Amore Tees
For the poker player - Customized Playing Cards
For the charming gal - Stella and Dot Charm Bangle
For the latte lover - Starbucks Red Card
For the grill master - Monogrammed Steak Brand
For the one who melts your heart - The Melting Pot

On Our Front Porch

When we bought our house several years ago, one of the first things we did was put a flag pole holder on the front porch. We collected flags for different holidays, occasions, sports teams, etc., and the flag of the month was born. I let January slip by, but here's what's hanging on our porch this month.

What I'm Listening To

It's almost Valentines Day...here are some of my all time favorite love tunes:

1. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You by Rod Stewart


2. One and Only by Michael O'Brien


3. When A Man Loves A Woman by Percy Sledge


4. In Love by Brooke White


5. Something You Got by Harry Connick Jr.


6. You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker


7. Turn Me On by Norah Jones


8. The Way You Look Tonight by Michael Buble


9. Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye


10. It's Your Love by Tim McGraw with Faith Hill

Wide World of Sports

Anyone remember the old ABC series Wide World of Sports? For you younger folks, this show was a huge hit (it ran from the early 60s to the late 90s) before the rise of cable television's continuous coverage sports channels. It covered well known sports as well as lesser known ones. I don't remember the complete intro, but part of it talked about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

Today was a wide world of sports day for me (I mostly experienced the thrill of victory). Nadal defeated Federer in the Australian Open (yes, I did get up at 2:30 AM to watch live coverage of the match). Big Ben helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl (my favorite commercial was the Mr & Mrs Potato Head Bridgestone ad). And I'm winding down the night watching the Winter X Games (these guys do crazy things on snow mobiles).

You know, about the only sporting event I can't watch on television is soccer...not even if David Beckham was playing in those Armani underwear he models.