Today's post is dedicated to everything I love currently on television. Here goes:
- I don't know which is more upsetting - that it is close enough to the series finale of LOST that I can cue it up to record on my TiVo, or the fact that I am devastated by this fact. It is too soon! I am not ready to say goodbye! This show premiered when G was just a twinkle in my eye, and now here we are 6 years later! We have watched every episode at least twice and it has been fun to theorize about it. I am so sad for it to be over! There has never been a show like this for me. As a friend says, every time a show goes off the air, she feels like she is saying goodbye to friends. Judge me all you want, but I feel this way too. I just KNOW that I would be BFFs with the LOSTies...... (sigh). And I will so miss that crazy island.
- As a former Glee Club member, Glee is running a close second for my favorite show. Every song they sing (except for a few in the "Home" show) is a favorite of mine. It is like they are sneaking a look at my iPod. I love that they turn geeky into cool and that this mix of high school outcasts is getting their time to shine. The writers do an excellent job of making each character stand out. And how great is it that Matthew Morrison has made out with BOTH stars of Wicked? Kristen and Edina would also be my BFFs by the way. Especially Edina since we had baby boys on the same day. I love the fact that Glee is hurting American Idol's ratings because people are starting to tune out to AI because they are seeing how ensemble songs can really be performed. AI is so last decade. :)
- Have I not cried during any of the last three seasons of Biggest Loser? Nope. Alison Sweeney.....also a BFF. I am sure that perhaps by now you think that I need more friends in real life - I do have many friends, I swear! Anyway, that show gets me every time. A reality show that for the most part shows people at their best - who knew? It is so great to see the transformation through the weeks. And I love Jillian Michaels - she is the brunette doppelganger of a former instructor of mine, complete with the screaming and yelling and also the love and support. Anyway. I am pulling for Daris. He is an Okie like me and I love this guy!
- Amazing Race - I am in a pool with some friends and friends/relatives of friends where we bet on the last team to finish each week and it has been so fun this year. Especially toward the end when we "fixed it" so that we were guaranteed a Colorado win. No, we didn't cheat. We just strategized as a 4some on how to vote to ensure one of us wins. I came in 2nd for the 2nd time in a row. As my friend A (who is in the pool with me) says, "I know how to pick losers". Yes, it isn't Fantasy Football or March Madness, but it keeps it interesting. G and I watch this one together and I now have some ideas of where we can vacation when we win the Powerball! Dubai, anyone?
- Cougar Town - Yes, the title is a bit offputting. But this show, along with Modern Family, is HILARIOUS. Yep, another BFF on this show - Ellie played by Christa Miller. She is genius. I looked her up on imdb to see what else I could watch her in - and did you know she was on Kate and Allie? The ensemble is getting it more and more right every week. I so hope they don't cancel this show. If you aren't watching it, do. And before you do, call Nielsen and ask for a settop box so you can be a TV ratings household. Thank you very much.
- Lastly, I just want to give a shout out to my girl Betty. I am a sucker for the three GGs - Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, but above all else, GOLDEN GIRLS. I not so secretly hope that I get to live with my three besties in a condo in Miami in my golden years, sashaying around in my mumu. Greg can stay there too. ANYWAY, I watch Golden Girls on Hallmark all the time and it makes me think of my grandma. When I heard about the facebook campaign for Betty to come onto SNL, I was so excited! I watched it this weekend and she did great. The one thing I didn't like (which is probably everyone else's favorite bit) was the death metal rendition of Thank You For Being a Friend. Some things are too sacred to parody. Here's to Betty, may the campaign to get you on Dancing with the Stars go as successfully! And if not, I can always catch your new sitcom on TV Land. You go, girl!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother, Mother
Ah, Mother's Day. Gives me a chance to title my post with the name of one of my favorite songs.... or at least a song that brings me back to me early 20's when I had a little bit of angst.
This weekend has been great.
My parents came to Denver Friday afternoon so my mom and I could go to Afternoon Tea at the Brown Palace, my Mother's Day gift to her. We rode the lightrail and I think she enjoyed feeling "cosmopolitan". The tea was great - if you have never been to the Brown Palace for tea before, save your pennies so you can go. The scones are delish, the tea sandwiches are SO yummy (curry egg salad - who knew??), and of course the desserts are out of this world. Oh, and make sure to get the extra tray of tea sandwiches - they are free - and you can always box them up to go. I figure if you are spending an arm and a leg to feel cultured, the least you can do is get a full stomach, right? We got Kir Royales and talked and laughed. It was so great. Definitely something on my bucket list to do for my mom. We decided to have a drink at one of my favorite little bars downtown, Harry's, before heading home on the lightrail.
Saturday was pretty relaxed. G went for a bike ride with two friends, my parents ran a couple errands and had Cullyn time, and I just hung out. At 5, we went over to my sister's for cocktails and then the 4 of us (my parents, G and I) ordered takeout at Tuk Tuk and had a great casual dinner at home. G and I wanted to make them dinner but the cocktail hour wouldn't allow it, and who am I to pass up a cocktail? We watched a little TV before bed and I just felt relaxed and cozy. There is something about watching TV with your parents before bed that makes you feel like a kid again, which I love.
Today, we went to brunch at Park Hill Golf Course. I just have to give a thumbs up to that place - this is where 4 of my friends and I took golf lessons a few years back, and we still love going there to golf or hit balls. I got on the golf course's e-mail list and a couple years ago, we tried their brunch. This place is great. You can make reservations the night before, it is never crowded, and the food is great. And it is a huge room with not a lot of tables which means plenty of space to go back and forth to the buffet 8 times. Don't judge - 4 were for the kids. A breakfast spread, carving stations, great desserts (today they had someone preparing Bananas Foster). It is 9 at night and G and I are just now hungry after gorging ourselves on this buffet for 1 1/2 hours at 10:30a. Anyway, we went back to Linda's to celebrate Evi's 3rd birthday. As chaotic as our family events are, I always feel great after a day with everyone. We came home and Mom and dad left. G and I have been hanging out and relaxing.
G has been wonderful. He bought my mom and I an Edible Arrangement yesterday morning (fruit and chocolate - I have been craving one of these bouquets for awhile), he gave me very nice cards (one from him and one from Landon) and he respected my wish to NOT go out tonight because I am on eating out overload. Plus he has been his usual self which is more than enough of a Mother's Day present. OK, gag. I know.
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in my life. Put your feet up and toast yourself. Or get toasted. Or eat toast. Whatever.
This weekend has been great.
My parents came to Denver Friday afternoon so my mom and I could go to Afternoon Tea at the Brown Palace, my Mother's Day gift to her. We rode the lightrail and I think she enjoyed feeling "cosmopolitan". The tea was great - if you have never been to the Brown Palace for tea before, save your pennies so you can go. The scones are delish, the tea sandwiches are SO yummy (curry egg salad - who knew??), and of course the desserts are out of this world. Oh, and make sure to get the extra tray of tea sandwiches - they are free - and you can always box them up to go. I figure if you are spending an arm and a leg to feel cultured, the least you can do is get a full stomach, right? We got Kir Royales and talked and laughed. It was so great. Definitely something on my bucket list to do for my mom. We decided to have a drink at one of my favorite little bars downtown, Harry's, before heading home on the lightrail.
Saturday was pretty relaxed. G went for a bike ride with two friends, my parents ran a couple errands and had Cullyn time, and I just hung out. At 5, we went over to my sister's for cocktails and then the 4 of us (my parents, G and I) ordered takeout at Tuk Tuk and had a great casual dinner at home. G and I wanted to make them dinner but the cocktail hour wouldn't allow it, and who am I to pass up a cocktail? We watched a little TV before bed and I just felt relaxed and cozy. There is something about watching TV with your parents before bed that makes you feel like a kid again, which I love.
Today, we went to brunch at Park Hill Golf Course. I just have to give a thumbs up to that place - this is where 4 of my friends and I took golf lessons a few years back, and we still love going there to golf or hit balls. I got on the golf course's e-mail list and a couple years ago, we tried their brunch. This place is great. You can make reservations the night before, it is never crowded, and the food is great. And it is a huge room with not a lot of tables which means plenty of space to go back and forth to the buffet 8 times. Don't judge - 4 were for the kids. A breakfast spread, carving stations, great desserts (today they had someone preparing Bananas Foster). It is 9 at night and G and I are just now hungry after gorging ourselves on this buffet for 1 1/2 hours at 10:30a. Anyway, we went back to Linda's to celebrate Evi's 3rd birthday. As chaotic as our family events are, I always feel great after a day with everyone. We came home and Mom and dad left. G and I have been hanging out and relaxing.
G has been wonderful. He bought my mom and I an Edible Arrangement yesterday morning (fruit and chocolate - I have been craving one of these bouquets for awhile), he gave me very nice cards (one from him and one from Landon) and he respected my wish to NOT go out tonight because I am on eating out overload. Plus he has been his usual self which is more than enough of a Mother's Day present. OK, gag. I know.
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in my life. Put your feet up and toast yourself. Or get toasted. Or eat toast. Whatever.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Happiness
I read a lot of parenting books. At some point in a future blog, I will list the books that have really helped me navigate through this journey. Some are probably very familiar and some you have probably never heard of.
One book I am reading right now is "Must Have Mom Manual" by Sara Ellington and Stephanie Triplett. It is an interesting concept - these two women are friends but very different - one chose to breastfeed, one didn't. One returned to work, one didn't. One coslept with her baby, one didn't. Throughout the book they play off each other and sometimes even try to counter the other one's opinions. It is an interesting book - not one of my top five parenting books I have read, but worth my time.
I just finished reading the "You Don't Have to be Perfect" chapter and this chapter resonated with me more than perhaps any other chapter in the book. Here is an excerpt:
"Recent studies show that success and even wealth do not necessarily determine happiness. In fact, research reveals that the happiest people surround themselves with family and friends, don't care about keeping up with the Joneses next door, lose themselves in daily activities and, ost importantly, forgive easily......
The happiest people spend the least time alone. They pursue personal growth and intimacy; they judge themselves by their own yardsticks, never against what others do or have.
Materialism is toxic for happiness. Even rich materialists aren't as happy as those who have lower incomes and care less about getting and spending.....
Another study states, 'Topping the list of needs that appear to bring happiness are autonomy (feeling that your activities are self-chosen and self-endorsed), competence (feeling that you are effective in your activities), relatedness (feeling a sense of closeness with others) and self-esteem.'"
I think this chapter is really interesting. I know I at times want things that I think will make me happier. I want to get the hell out of this condo and move into a house. I want to have a newer this or a better that. But I know that these types of things won't make me truly happy. Sitting on the back steps with my child and watching the world go by make me happy. The three of us singing silly songs and dancing around makes me happy (you should hear some of the stuff G and I make up). Going on walks and reading books and (yes, judge me if you must) watching a really GOOD TV show or movie with my husband makes me happy. And I can do any of this in our condo just as easily as in a new shiny house.
The chapter goes on to discuss an article titled "In Praise of the Average Child", discussing that your child doesn't have to be gifted to be successful, and to be proud of who your child is rather than what he or she earns on tests or how he or she plays a sport. It talks about parents who live vicariously through their child and how wanting your child to have a better life than you is fairly normal, but if your self-worth lies in your children's accomplishments, that borders on psychotic.
This seems like common sense - love who your child is, not what he or she can do. And I am sure it is easy in theory. But in practice? I was a straight A student at the top of my class - I will admit that it is going to be hard for me if Landon struggles in school. I will have to watch myself with this one. But I can't help but think that I will look at my son and be amazed by who he has grown into, regardless of his strengths and weaknesses. And if I don't, I always have G to snap me back in line.
One book I am reading right now is "Must Have Mom Manual" by Sara Ellington and Stephanie Triplett. It is an interesting concept - these two women are friends but very different - one chose to breastfeed, one didn't. One returned to work, one didn't. One coslept with her baby, one didn't. Throughout the book they play off each other and sometimes even try to counter the other one's opinions. It is an interesting book - not one of my top five parenting books I have read, but worth my time.
I just finished reading the "You Don't Have to be Perfect" chapter and this chapter resonated with me more than perhaps any other chapter in the book. Here is an excerpt:
"Recent studies show that success and even wealth do not necessarily determine happiness. In fact, research reveals that the happiest people surround themselves with family and friends, don't care about keeping up with the Joneses next door, lose themselves in daily activities and, ost importantly, forgive easily......
The happiest people spend the least time alone. They pursue personal growth and intimacy; they judge themselves by their own yardsticks, never against what others do or have.
Materialism is toxic for happiness. Even rich materialists aren't as happy as those who have lower incomes and care less about getting and spending.....
Another study states, 'Topping the list of needs that appear to bring happiness are autonomy (feeling that your activities are self-chosen and self-endorsed), competence (feeling that you are effective in your activities), relatedness (feeling a sense of closeness with others) and self-esteem.'"
I think this chapter is really interesting. I know I at times want things that I think will make me happier. I want to get the hell out of this condo and move into a house. I want to have a newer this or a better that. But I know that these types of things won't make me truly happy. Sitting on the back steps with my child and watching the world go by make me happy. The three of us singing silly songs and dancing around makes me happy (you should hear some of the stuff G and I make up). Going on walks and reading books and (yes, judge me if you must) watching a really GOOD TV show or movie with my husband makes me happy. And I can do any of this in our condo just as easily as in a new shiny house.
The chapter goes on to discuss an article titled "In Praise of the Average Child", discussing that your child doesn't have to be gifted to be successful, and to be proud of who your child is rather than what he or she earns on tests or how he or she plays a sport. It talks about parents who live vicariously through their child and how wanting your child to have a better life than you is fairly normal, but if your self-worth lies in your children's accomplishments, that borders on psychotic.
This seems like common sense - love who your child is, not what he or she can do. And I am sure it is easy in theory. But in practice? I was a straight A student at the top of my class - I will admit that it is going to be hard for me if Landon struggles in school. I will have to watch myself with this one. But I can't help but think that I will look at my son and be amazed by who he has grown into, regardless of his strengths and weaknesses. And if I don't, I always have G to snap me back in line.
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