Photo Share - Halloween

This is my child dressed up for Halloween last year. She was a zombie athlete. She was very funny trying so hard to be scary. The cool thing was that she used a duffel bag for candy, and that thing got very full!

She's nothing like I was when I was a kid. She really likes getting candy, but she never really eats it. So every year, although she eats a few pieces, I end up eating a good portion of it. I have to give most of it away.

-e

In The Spirit

I'm crazy about Halloween. I always have been, and I don't even know why. Maybe it's the idea that, if only for one night of the year, you can completely transform yourself into somebody - or something - else.

So, just to get everyone else into the spirit of things, here's an 80's classic by Rockwell. It's not all that scary, but I always thought the song was kinda creepy funny:

-e

I Just Couldn't Help Myself

I hadn't planned to watch it. Barack Obama's half-hour tv spot was last night, and I was going to take a pass.

'Cause why, right? I was already voting for the guy. And besides, I have had it up to HERE with this election. I want it to just be over already!

And the Pheonix Suns were playing the San Antonio Spurs on ESPN. I wanted to watch that. After all, I've been anxiously awaiting the start of the NBA season since the Boston Celtics won the title last summer.

So there was really no reason to even turn it on, was there?

Then I felt a little guilty. After all, the Obama camp spent quite a bit on that spot, and $20 of that was my money dammit! So I figured I might just have a quick peek, you know, for the sake of tv ratings. Then I'd turn to the game. I find politics pretty boring anyway...usually.

There was an old poem I was forced to read in high school - something about "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men..." I should've paid closer attention.

At the 20-minute mark I found myself wondering when they were going to show a commercial so I could at least turn and check the score of the game. About 2 seconds later it occurred to me that there wouldn't be any commercials because this was, after all, one long political ad.

I had to laugh at myself. 'Cause I just was sitting there, mesmerized, like I hadn't seen nor heard most of this before and like I needed to hear more. And I really needed to pee (note to self: don't drink a giant cup of cinnamon apple tea and expect to sit for half an hour). Still, I forced myself to hold it for the last 10 minutes because, for some inexplicable reason, I had to finish watching.

In the end, I felt it was good spot. It wasn't boring at all (contrary to Elizabeth Hasselbeck's assessment on The View today...of course she'd rather walk through burning flames than to say anything favorable about Obama). The half hour went by pretty quickly. So, good job Senator. But next time please check the NBA schedule before you decide to buy a big ad block in prime time.

-e

Michelle-O Talks With Leno

Michelle Obama made an appearance on The Tonight Show on Monday night, and she showed her usual class, eloquence, and grace during her interview. She even took the high road when Jay prodded her about Sarah Palin's wardrobe.

In case you missed it, I've attached the entire interview below. Enjoy!

-e

My New Addiction

My friend Joe Lewis (yes, just like the boxer) is like a brother to me. Joe is a great guy 99% of the time, but he's got a sadistic streak in him that masquerades as niceness. Like the time he gave me a Costco membership as a Christmas present. A wonderful, thoughtful gift you say? HA! It was all I could do to NOT simply sign over every paycheck to that place. And now, he's being mean yet again.

Let me just say that I'm not a huge YouTube person. Yeah, it's okay for your random video clips. Say I want to see a clip of a cat flushing the toilet or find a music video from back in the day. I'd definitely go straight to YouTube. For example, I could go to YouTube right now and search for the video to Love Is A House by Force MD's, and I would find this:

Anyway, YouTube is good for stuff like that. But what if I missed the last episode of Fringe, Heroes, or The Starter Wife? Where do I go if I'm jonesin' to watch Hollywood Shuffle in its entirety?

Joe Lewis has introduced me to a website called Hulu, and it is the answer. Now I'm spending countless hours watching every episode of Life (from the pilot episode on) and Frank TV.

Joe Lewis is cruel. He had to know this would happen.

-e

My Heart Goes Out to Jennifer Hudson

News from ABC-7:

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The mother and brother of singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson were found shot to death inside a home Friday.

Police have confirmed Hudson's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, is one of the
deceased. The other victim has been identified as Jennifer Hudson's brother, Jason S. Hudson, 29.

The home where the bodies were discovered around 3 p.m. Friday is at 7019 S. Yale in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. Property records indicate the home belongs to Donerson.

A search is underway for a young boy who is missing from the home. Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, has been missing since Friday morning, according to Area 2 Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson.

I feel for Jennifer and can't even imagine what she must be feeling right now. Obviously, my heart goes out to her and her family, and I hope her nephew will be found safe.

-e

p.s. You can read the entire article here.

Checking In, Blog Maintenance, and an SNL Skit

I'd been feeling guilty about not blogging for over a month, so I thought I'd check in and let everyone know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth or anything like that. Football season has come to an end for my daughter (unfortunately her team failed to make it into the playoffs this season...but there's always next year), and now we're gearing up for basketball season. I also got roped into being a "Cookie Mom" for my daughter's Girl Scout troop, so that will be taking up my time also. We're selling Girl Scout cashews, candies, and magazine subscriptions right now, so feel free to email me if you'd like to purchase anything. I'll email you back with a link to G's Girl Scout product sales page. We won't be taking cookie orders until shortly after Thanksgiving. We appreciate any and all support.

You'll notice I changed the appearance of my blog...again. Whaddya think? I created the background and title in PhotoShop. I used a kit called Spontaneous Delight designed by Carrie Stephens. It's the August 2008 freebie kit from Shabby Princess. Also, I've removed the music. I know some of you have said you open my blog at work just to hear the music, but more of you have said that the blast of music is unfortunate when you're browsing at work. Anyway, I'm not quite done tinkering with it yet, so you might see small changes here and there during the next few days. YOU AREN'T LOSING YOUR MIND! You're just getting an unfortunate glimpse into the inner workings of mine. (And for that, I truly apologize.)

On a lighter note, Will Ferrell returned to SNL last night to reprise his role as G-Dub. It made for a very funny opening skit. Here it is, in case you missed it: