It's My Party, and I'll Sparkle if I Want To

A couple weeks ago, I double checked with my parents that we were on for the weekend: they'd watch Photobaby while I was at Blissdom, then we'd all come over for dinner when I got home. (I knew I'd be exhausted, but Mom said dinner was for Valentine's Day, so hello? That means presents!)

As I got ready to leave for choir practice (Mom and Dad put Annalyn to bed and stay with her while I go to choir on Thursdays), my mom said, "I've been so good, but I have to say..."

And I thought, Great, what am I in trouble for now?

"Even if you're tired, you have to come to the house, Mary."

Umm...okay...?

"Mary, are you listening to me?"

"Yeah. We're coming to dinner."

"Mary. There is a Surprise. Party. Planned. For You." (Yeah, sometimes my mom talks in staccato, too.)

What do I say to that? I mean, my birthday was two months ago! And I'm going to Nashville! And...

"Well, you didn't need to tell me. We were going. To Come. To the House."

"Well, you need to know. In case your flight is delayed or something."

Because I could stop the flight from being delayed, on account of my surprise party that I know about?

Right.

So, I shoved all my belongings into my small suitcase, so I didn't have to check any luggage, and walked straight off the plane into Mark's truck. And we drove straight to my surprise party.

I'm still not sure if my cousins and aunts think I was actually surprised or not. I spent the first half hour of the night just trying not to puke. (I'm not a good flyer...did I mention that?)

But the party really was a good time and such a sweet thing for my mom to do. After all, that birthday a couple months ago was quite a big one. And it did get a tad bit overshadowed by the holiday festivities. And who can argue with junk food (Cherry Coke, pizza, chips and cheese dip, and M&Ms), a chick flick (Mamma Mia) and a manicure from my Nana.

And yes, I picked out the hot pink. And the sparkly glitter paint. It was my belated birthday, after all.

Getting Over The Sick

So many things to tell you! I still haven't processed everything from last weekend, so let me start with something easy.

Last week, Amy asked what our "sick system" is. You know, are you a chicken noodle soup person? Or perhaps a lay on the couch and watch infomercials gal?

I wasn't sure how to answer her question, because I hadn't been sick lately. Then Saturday night hit. And I remembered.

When I get sick, well, let's be honest. I prefer hard-hitting antibiotics from the doctor. But when that's not possible, thank you, virus-diagnosing nurse practitioner, I rely on this method:

Fruity Hall's cough drops + Tylenol cold caplets + plenty of Kleenex

When I'm sick, that's what works for me. Well, that and sleeping in the middle of the bed on a pile of pillows. What makes you feel better?

Out of commission.

Hey all. I haven’t forgotten about you. I came home from Blissdom with a cold…or the flu…or possibly a virus…I don’t know what it’s called, but it’s no fun. And oh yeah, Annalyn has it, too. So, I’ll be back soon. Until then, please pray that I don’t literally cough up a lung. Thanks.

Random Readings

It just so happens that most of my good finds for this week were about nerdy stuff - punctuation, word definitions, etc. So, go ahead and geek out with these random readings.

• Watch Yer Language reports that Birmingham, England is doing away with apostrophes. (I particularly like the AP Story that calls it an apostrophe catastrophe.)
• Brandilyn Collins talks about the Washington Post’s list of alternate definitions from 2008. These are really funny, although I was bummed when I couldn’t find a list for 2009.
• Buzzwhack is a site dedicated to de-mystifying buzzwords. (WARNING: If you can use more than three buzzwords in a single sentence while keeping a straight face, this site is not for you.)

I particularly liked these definitions from the Buzzwhack site:

• buzz.word (buz´wûrd) n. A usually important-sounding word or phrase used primarily to impress laypersons.
• buzz.whack.er (buz´wak er) n. A person who receives some degree of pleasure in bursting the bubbles of the pompous.

Heard any good buzzwords lately? A couple that I hear around my office are "turnkey" and "proprietary" - annoying, empty words that don't mean a thing. And they are used All. The. Time.

Chocolate is good, and other things I learned at Blissdom.

Day one of Blissdom is coming to an end…although I’m supposed to be headed to a cocktail party right about now. I’m a little overwhelmed by everything I’ve seen and heard today, though, so I thought I’d give you an update on what’s been going on.

First of all, in case you don’t know, Blissdom is a conference for women bloggers, hosted by Blissfully Domestic (an online magazine). This is the conference’s second year, and I’d guess there are about 150-200 women here.

So, my day started before the crack of dawn at 4:15. Let me just say this: I do not believe in seeing 4:00 twice in one day. It’s really against my beliefs. But I did it this morning and got myself to the airport and on the plane on time.

I was then thrilled to hear the pilot announce that we would have a brief delay while the plane was being de-iced. Excellent.

Once we were free of ice, the flight was uneventful – just how I like my flights. And as a bonus, the flight wasn’t full, so the sleeping guy by the window and I had a seat between us.

I got into Nashville bright and early, and my plan was to meet up with Brent and Tam, bloggy friends I’ve just started getting to know. I was super excited…and a little nervous, silly as that sounds.

Alas, it was not to be. Our schedules didn’t synch, and we didn’t get to hang out. I am bummed big time. I mean, I spent a lot of time debating the Hello Hug. You know – is it weird to hug someone that you’ve only “met” online when meeting them in real life?

For the record, Hodges, I had decided no, it was not weird. I would have hugged you.

As for the conference itself, I am definitely learning some things, and I hope you’ll see some changes around here in the next couple of months as I integrate all this new knowledge.

Until then, I’ll share with you the most important thing I’ve learned today:

Little Debbie 100 Calorie Snacks (Chocolate Cakes with Chocolate Icing) are ridiculously good. And tiny. But good. I should probably say delicious. Because that’s what they are.

So, if you can handle two bites of chocolatey heaven and be good for the day, well, these are for you. Me? Well, let’s just say I won’t be needing to find room in my bag for the box I got when I signed in this morning.

What’s up with you all today? Anything exciting planned for the weekend?

I'm Not Here Today.

I'm in Nashville at Blissdom, a women's blogging conference. I can't wait to tell you everything I learn!

Why do I wait? Or do I mean "weight"?

Last week, for about half a day, I thought I might be pregnant. (I’m not.) As my goal for losing weight this year is just as much about being healthy and prepared for another possible pregnancy (in the future, people, so don’t get any crazy ideas) as it is about lookin’ good, well, this possibility kind of freaked me out.

I know that the complications during my last pregnancy weren’t my fault and might have happened even if I’d been the picture of good health. But I also know my chances of a repeat performance are higher if I don’t lose weight.

So when I had this little episode last week, one of my first thoughts was, “Oh no! Now I won’t be able to lose weight!”

And then I thought, “Well, that’s okay. I’ll just start immediately walking every day and eating lots of fruits and vegetables. And I’ll be so healthy! Yay! I can do this! I will do this!”

And then…then, I thought, “Hunh. Wonder why I couldn’t be this motivated before? Back when it wasn’t too late?”

I mean, really. Why is it that when the time is perfect for doing the right thing, I don’t do it. It’s only when I’m face to face with the consequences of my laziness, my lack of motivation, my sin – it’s then that I’m finally able to find within me the commitment to doing that right thing.

But sometimes it’s too late. Why don’t I act before it’s too late?

Does anyone else have this problem?

I know for me it doesn’t just apply to healthy eating and exercise. This happens with finances and how I talk to my husband and spending enough time with my family and finishing work projects and sharing my faith with a friend and, well, the list is quite long, now that I think about it.

What about you? What do you find yourself waiting – possibly too long – to do? And if you have mastered this habit, how do you motivate yourself before it’s too late?

So you're saying "squeaky clean" is a bad thing?

In December, I was fortunate enough to get a 30-minute facial at a spa. And by “fortunate enough,” I mean that I told Mark exactly what I wanted for my birthday – a massage and a facial – and he agreed…to let me schedule it for anytime after my birthday.

The facial was nice, especially when the woman working on my face told me I had firm, young-looking skin. That was nice. I’m not sure if I paid more for that or not, but if so, it was worth it.

Anyway – the part of the treatment that wasn’t as nice was when the aesthetician (facial lady) asked me about my skincare routine.

Knowing full and well she wasn’t going to like my answer, I told her the truth nevertheless: I use Clean & Clear to wash and moisturize my face, just like every good 14-year-old.

What? I’m not a teenager anymore? And that’s not healthy for my skin? Really?

Really.

After getting a lecture and a sales pitch for some pricey spa products, I left the spa. My face was very clean and also, I was told, completely protected against the elements. Personally, I was just a little embarrassed to be going out in public without any makeup on.

And wondering if I’m really doing damage to my face by using products designed for teens that I buy at Walmart.

Here’s the thing, though. I realize I should probably upgrade my skincare. I understand that I’m not getting any younger and any day now, my skin is going to realize that and start looking the part of a, ahem, 30-year-old. I should visit the Clinique counter…or my friend’s Mary Kay site…or try one of the bajillions of Oil of Olay products I see commercials for every night…or something.

But Clean & Clear works for me. It makes my face feel clean at night and not so dry in the morning.

So there’s my dilemma: the facial lady says to change, but I don’t want to. What do you think? Am I missing out on some fabulous, affordable skincare line? What do you use?

For more tips on what works today, visit Rocks in My Dryer.

I'm not insightful enough to be a movie critic.

Maybe I could be a food critic. These muffins taste bad. Or an art critic. That painting is bad.
~ Andy Bernard, The Office

I’d like to think I’m a bit more insightful than Andy Bernard. However, just in case I’m not, I won’t call what I’m about to present “criticism.” Besides, “criticism” just sounds so negative, doesn’t it?

No, what I’m offering you today is just a review smorgasbord. Or a review montage. Okay, so it’s just a review of three random things. Ready?

First – the movie. Smitty and I watched Becoming Jane on Friday. As I noted on Facebook, it made me glad to be born in 1978, not 1778. Without getting all spoilery on you, the movie is about Jane Austen and her romance with a poor but charming lawyer before becoming a published author. From what I’ve read, the movie is very loosely based on what may possibly be a true story. I took it for fiction and enjoyed it.

And reminded me that I am likely the only person alive who has not watched Pride and Prejudice. Or read it. How embarrassing.

Second – the book. Several months ago, I started hearing about this Christian vampire book. While I wasn’t interested in reading about vampires (sorry, Twilight fans), I was intrigued by the book’s back story. I learned that the author, John Olson, wrote his first novel only to be told by his future agent, “I wouldn’t touch that with a sixty foot pole.”

Thankfully for Olson and his readers, the Christian fiction market has changed since then. Shade was published last year, and I read it in January. If you like paranormal stuff – think Frank Peretti or Ted Dekker – you’ll like this one. Olson created a believable main character with authentic character quirks, and a creepy situation for her to face. I’m not sure the end was tied up as neatly as I prefer, but maybe that’s the point: life, especially when dealing with the paranormal, has loose ends and unanswered questions.

I recommend this book, as well as reading about the book’s own story here and here.

Third – the TV show. Ed was the first TV show that Mark and I got hooked on together. So it has special meaning for us. So much so that we call Tom Cavanaugh “Ed,” no matter what his character is named in any new show.

When we saw that our beloved “Ed” was starring in a new show on TNT, along with another funny guy who I still call by his TV name, Will (Eric McCormack for those of you who like to call people by their real names), we knew we had to watch it. Even better, it’s about advertising.

Trust Me aired its first episode last Monday; we watched it over the weekend. I laughed a lot, but mainly because I recognized the environment and the situations the characters found themselves in, thanks to my time in an ad agency. I think the show has potential, and I’m going to watch it again. Ed and Will are both talented, quick-witted and fast-talking actors – and I like that sort of thing. One warning, though: apparently, the FCC allows pretty, um, colorful language at 9 p.m. on a Monday night. Even that, though, was a realistic portrayal of the world the characters live and work in.

There you have it. A review for you, no matter what your preferred medium. Unless you prefer radio, and then I’ve got nothing.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a movie critic? Do you think it would be fun to be a food critic? Did you know four-letter words are allowed on cable after 9?

I didn't know Daisy was dating.

Yes, I am aware that the Superbowl is actually a football game, and the main attraction is - or at least, is supposed to be - the competition between two teams.

But come on! You know it's all about the commercials!

My pick for the winner? Bridgestone, who had two funny and original spots, one with Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head and another with astronauts. What do toys and outer space have to do with tires? Umm, nothing, but they were still funny.



Second runner up, in my opinion, goes to the Budweiser horse commercials. Cute, funny and memorable - the perfect combo for a Superbowl campaign. (See them here, here and here.)

And the loser in the big game? Definitely GoDaddy.com. Congratulations to them for continuing their legacy of being crude and juvenile. And way to go, Danica Patrick, for playing along. Two thumbs down.

Just in case you missed a few commercials (loading up on cheese dip maybe...or was that just me?), go HERE to watch all the Superbowl ads.

What were your favorite commercials this year?