It's Oscar Time Again

Did you watch the Oscars last night?  I always say that I'm not going to watch, then I end up watching at least part of it anyway.

I have only seen two of the nominees for Best Picture this year:  Midnight in Paris and The Help.  I was completely surprised that Midnight in Paris was nominated because I didn't think it was that great.  I guess it was because Woody Allen's name was on it, not that I think he's great, but apparently, Hollywood does.

Now... The Help was a fabulous movie!  I'm so glad Octavia Spencer won for Best Supporting Actress.  Did you see her acceptance speech?  So cute. I was really rooting for Viola Davis as well, but, you know, Meryl Streep and all.  I think The Help should have won Best Picture.  I haven't seen The Artist, and I don't really want to.  I do want to see Money Ball, The Descendants, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and maybe Hugo.

So, how did you feel about The Oscars?

Aloha Friday

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. On Fridays, An Island Life posts a simple question for you to answer, nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at Kailani's blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My question for today:  What is your favorite way to de-stress?

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Get Organized Online with Clipix

I have just found a great new tool to help me get organized online.  It’s called clipix, and it’s FREE.  You can sign in with your Facebook account, Twitter account, or email account.  It’s so easy… and fun!  Check out this clipix YouTube video to see what it’s all about, or just keep reading.
The first thing I did was add the “clip” tool to my toolbar.  That way, when I am on a website, photo, article, or recipe that Iknow I want to return to, all I do is use the clip tool and choose which clipboard I want to save to.  For example, my first clipboard is “Authors I Love.”  There, all in one place, I have access to the websites of all of my favorite writers so I will be in the know when a new book is published

Another idea I have is a Wish List clipboard.  I am going to put websites and photos of the things I would like to purchase for myself or receive as a gift.  It’s going to be great for bathroom remodeling ideas, too, which is something we are just beginning to research.  I want to create a clipboard for each of my family members where I can keep gift ideas.  It’s going to be great for recipes, vacation ideas, and date-night ideas.  The possibilities are endless.
The best thing about using Clipix is that I can determine my own privacy settings for each individual clipboard.  For example, I don’t want anyone to see my gift ideas except for me.  That way, my gifts will be a surprise.  I want to share my recipes with my family and friends who have joined Clipix.  Perhaps my bathroom ideas will be public so other people can add to my clipboard.  The sky’s the limit!
Clipix is available on the go with the free iPhone app.   Visit Clipix and see what it can do!  I’d love to know what you think.
Promoted Post

Winter Guard

I'm so happy my daughter joined ColorGuard/Winter Guard this year!  It's been challenging at times, but there are some fun times as well.  And she has a great group of girls to hang out with!  I went to their second competition Saturday.  The things these girls can do just amazes me!  I'm so proud of all of them.  And if you're not familiar with what a Color Guard does with the band during field season or what a Winter Guard does, check out the Texas Color Guard Circuit.  Here is the performance I taped Saturday (including a little bit of the lady's big hair who was in front of me-LOL). I actually got the whole show. Last time, my recorder cut off. Hope you enjoy it!

Friday Confessional

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to my Confessions.  Are you linking up with Mamarazzi, too?

I confess...

I haven't been keeping to my eating plan very well this past week or so.  I've limited myself to one coca-cola per day and one half of a diet soda (been doing this for months), and I've cheated a little on the cokes recently.  And I've dipped into some Valentine candy that is around the house.  And instead of cooking a healthy meal last night, we went out for pizza!

I confess....

I have been craving Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream lately.  I resisted last weekend.   It would have been easy to stop at Walgreens and pick some up, but I have a feeling I'm going to cave in and get it this weekend.  It's what I call a pint of ice cream Heaven!

I confess...

I was in a terrible mood all day Wednesday.  I had strange dreams the night before, and I woke up in a bad mood, and it stayed with me all day.  All better now, though.  I think!

And I confess...

I am tired of hearing about Whitney Houston.  Yes, she was beautiful and talented and relatively young.  She did it to herself, though.  And I will scream if I have to hear "I Will Always Love You" one more time.  I don't really like that song, and they are playing it ALL the time!  Besides, it was Dolly Parton's song first, and she has such a sweet voice.   Have you heard?   Whitney's funeral is "by invitation only" and will feature "performances" (their word) by Aretha Franklin, among others.  That doesn't sound like a funeral to me!  Invitations and performances?  Yes, people sing at funerals, but performances?  It's not a concert event!  Well, I guess it is.  Anyway, I'm sad for Whitney, but I wish the TV/media would move on.  She could have prevented her own death, so she's not exactly a great role model anymore.  I really mean no offense.  I'm just tired of turning on the news or TV and hearing nothing but that.  I'll get off my soap box now!

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My Happy List

This is Mamarazzi's weekly link-up!  What are you happy about today?

I'm happy for this...

The hubz and I "celebrated" our Valentine's Day early with dinner at Olive Garden this weekend.  I received these gorgeous flowers today, and we'll be going to lunch togther since I'm taking off half a day to have a medical prodecure done.  I'm thinking there will be bath stuff, candles, or candy to follow!

Trivia:  Parlement of Foules is a poem written by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1318.  This is the first recorded evidence linking Valentine's Day to romantic love. Chaucer wrote:

For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Thursday Thirteen

I am resurrecting a post I wrote two years ago in honor of the upcoming Valentine's Day "holiday" with a few minor changes.

This edition of Thursday 13 is brought to you by Valentine's Day. I'm not necessarily a huge proponent of Valentine's Day, as you can read in this post, but to my male readers (although I think most of my readers are female) you need to know that when a woman says, "Oh, you don't need to get me anything," or "Oh, anything will do," it is a good-natured LIE. Women just don't want to TELL you they expect a gift. They want it to be your idea. So, Men, here are some things a woman might like to receive for Valentine's Day, based, of course, on her personality. Ideally, you'd choose 3 or 4 of these things. If so, you can't go wrong!

1. A card - Not a Hallmark card. A card you have either made yourself, or one that has a super-sweet or sexy sentiment handwritten by you, or perhaps a love poem is tucked inside.

2.Candy - But here's a tip... Skip the Pangburn's and go straight to the really good stuff like Ghiradelli or Godiva.

3. Flowers - This works especially well if you know your lady's favorite flower. For me, it's the Stargazer Lily.  I also love the color pink, carnations, roses, etc.  And I like Cala Lillies, too.  Try to send them to her at work where her friends and co-workers will see them. That'll earn you extra brownie points. And make sure they come in a vase, not a box!

4.Stuffed Animals - Again, I don't mean the ones you get off the shelf at CVS or Walgreens. Get the good stuff! Go to Build-a-Bear workshop, probably in every mall near you, choose a cute bear, record your voice giving her a message, and the Bear-Builders will place the message so she can hear it when she presses a button in the animal's paw. She'll see you as thoughtful.

5. Pajamas or lingerie - Nothing too risque. A pajamagram is a great gift idea, and I've already found the link for you.. I heard about this on the radio.

6. A Restaurant Dinner - Take her out to her favorite restaurant. And don't forget to make reservations so you don't have to wait for hours.
7. Perfume - Find out her favorite fragrance and purchase it for her.

8. Jewelry - Diamonds are nice, but so are earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Ask a salesperson to help you choose something stylish in the costume jewelry section if your budget can't take diamonds right now.  I have fallen in love with Charming Charlie!

9. Bubble Bath - And the time to take a long, hot bath without kids disturbing her! I love the detox rocks from Bath Junkie. And lavendar is a relaxing fragrance.  I also like the "rock-type" lavendar/chamomile bath stuff from Bath and Body Works, but they are usually sold out.

10. Candles - Can you tell that women love fragrance? And again, don't go for the dollar store candles. Choose one at a place such as Yankee Candle Company or Bath and Body Works.

11. Movie Tickets - Take her to see that chick-flik she's dying to see.

12. Theater Tickets - Even better than a movie, buy tickets to the theater. She'll see you have a cultural side.

13. A Professional Massage - Saved the best for less. Massage Envy tends to be an affordable place. Find a day spa near you that gives one hour massages, or better yet, couples massages. She'll be so relaxed! And a relaxed woman is a happy woman!

Ladies, what do you prefer as a Valentine gift?

NOTICE: APPLIANCES ARE NOT ON THIS LIST ANYWHERE!

Happy Valentine's Day!  Visit Thursday Thirteen here.
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My Happy List

Have you joined Mamarazzi for the Happy List link party yet?  If not, you're missing out!  What a great chance to blog about the goodness in our lives.  And after the week I had last week, well, let's just say I did NOT post a happy list last week!  Ha!  Funny how a few days can make everything better.

Happy #1
Dinner with friends and co-workers at Pappasito's last Friday -  with happy hour prices and a free appetizer!  I had such a great time.  Do you have Pappasito's where you live?  GREAT Mexican food!

Happy #2
Getting caught up on my TV shows!  Once Upon a Time, Grey's Anatomy, The Mentalist, and Castle.  I usually don't have time to watch.

Happy #3
My daughter was nominated for National Honor Society.  Woo hoo!

Happy #4 - and my favorite "happy" of the week...
Watching my daughter's first WinterGuard performance.  I was amazed!  I hadn't seen their routine before, and my jaw was on the floor the entire time.  I had no idea the things she could do and how awesome the team looked together!  They are "statues" who come to life.  I recorded the show, but it was a little shaky at first, and my recorder cut off before the end.  But I got most of it!  They got 5th place out of 13 in their class, which isn't bad considering most of them have been doing this for only a few months.  And they're getting better and better.  My daughter is in the middle of the front (not the first one who dances, but just to the left of her).  I wish I had the ending!  Next time!


Here is a picture of the ending.