"The Year of the Beard"

Just got a great late birthday present...Family Ties, Season 2. Oh it is glorious in all its 1983, um, glory. Michael Gross' beard is so full and fluffy. It looks much better on his face than nothing (like he had in Season 1). One of the extras is actually called "The Year of the Beard," and I think I'm more excited to watch that the episodes. Alex is sporting one of his signature APK sweater vests in the first episode. The only thing I can is CLASSIC! I can't wait to spend these chilly nights snuggled up with the Keatons.

Gobble, Gobble!

Hungry Man came out with a new Pilgrim platter. How do you please a hungry man!?! Sing it Rebecca!

Today's to-do List:

1. Watch "Son-in-Law" on Turkey Day. Perhaps the best Thanksgiving movie EVER. I love it so much! It's also one of the most quotable movies ever. ("Ohmygod, it's Bartels or James." "Seduce me, please." "Steven Tyler PJ's! Steven Tyler PJ's!")
2. After watching the 1993 classic, ruminate on the lost career of Patrick Renna. He should be one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, so where is he? Why is he a scientologist? When will he make his comeback?
3. Eat lots of Mimi's dressing.
4. Eat lots of summer sausage, cause this is the one day a year it's legal to eat that sinful stuff.
5. Oh, yeah, spend time with family. Yes, that would be good.
   
6. Plan out your Christmas decorations...which you WILL put up tomorrow.
7. Finish the night with "Uncle Buck." I still get made that they don't have Thanksgiving Day movie marathons with this in the line-up. Intead they show "Law & Order" marathons, cause nothing says family fun like sex crimes, drug addicts, murders, and court scenes.

What You Should do After Turkey

I'm this close to becoming a middle school girl. Last night was "High School Musical" night and tonight is for "Hairspray." And what do they both have in common? If you said Zac Efron you were correct. It was an accident! My favorite part in "Hairspray" has to be James Marsden, though! He's cheesetastic! His face must have hurt from flashing those white choppers so much.

If you have spare time this Thanksgiving weekend, go rent it. I already told you all to go watch it this summer, and if you didn't listen to me then, I hope you do now. It's too much fun! Dancing, singing, desegregation! Yippee!

*smile*

Hey, guys! They're about to take our picture, guys! Hehhehheh! C'mon, Rob! Meryl, where's that toothy grin? C'mon! Hehhehheh! Say "Suri" on three! One-two---no, smile, guys! C'mon! What am I talkin' about? I got enough teeth for all three of us:
You didn't want to smile? That's cool, guys. I still think we look good. So...anyone for coffee? No, that's cool, too. What about a joint interview? No? You got this, Sundance? OK, awesome. I better go help Katie anyway. See you at the premiere. No? Oh, well, um...great shoot, guys!

A Happy Birthday!

Well, put another birthday on the books! I got a couple of awesome cards from the kiddies at school (one thanks to an awesome co-teacher!). I also got some lovely pressies last night: nothin' says lovin' like "Somewhere in Time" and "High School Musical" wrapped up in one package (thanks, mom!). Also got some great gifts from the hubby: a TiVo is on the horizon, so I can finally keep up with "Smallville," and a Net Flix subscription! I'm already having too much fun with that one. :) I love keeping track of my Q! And my chocolate sheet cake was oh so delightful.

Thank you for all of your well wishes; they were much appreciated. I puddled frequently today, because of all the awesome family and friends God has blessed me with. Now, let's get ready for Thanksgiving and then...Christmas!!!

Thanks, Food Network Addict!

After my [first] birthday post, I decided to check my second favorite blog, Food Network Addict. What an idiot I am for not checking in with him everyday, because on Wednesday he posted that Jamie Oliver is coming back to FN! Saints and Pauler be praised!! Oh, I CANNOT wait!!! FNA reports that Jamie at Home will start airing on January 12 at 9:30/8:30 a.m. Looks like there will be something worth getting up for on the weekends (well, besides church obviously).

You can get info about his book, Jamie at Home, if you click the link. His website is also an amazing resource and guide to all things Jamie. I actually use one of his DVD's, Jamie's School Dinners, to teach my 6th graders about the importance of a healthy diet. I must confess, though, I am a little nervous that the show isn't listed on FN's website yet. ??? Hope this isn't a fluke, but then again FNA has never led us wrong when it comes to FN late breaking news. Thanks, Jacob!

P.S. Is there enough links in this post? I don't know...Maybe one more. But where will it lead? That is the question.

What is it About Birfdays???

I'm about to be 28, but there's still something about my birthday that makes me act like a kid again. I've been counting down since November 1, and everyday I get closer to pressies I smile just a little bit bigger. I love cake, I love people singing to me, I love having my family around, and okay, okay: I love getting gifts! I sincerely think the longer I teach the more I act like a kid. I already had a major tendency to act childish (thanks to the Peter Pan syndrome my mom instilled in me--thanks, mom!), so add this to the fact that I spend my days with 11 and 12 year olds, and I'm lucky I can still dress myself in the mornings.

Anyhoo...Monday's my birthday, but because I couldn't wait I'm having a party tomorrow...but thanks to Amazon, some people won't have presents to give me. I guess that just means my birthday will be drawn out longer...YES!!! (Did I use enough ellipses in that sentence?) And, can I just say that even though Amazon isn't doing a stellar job with shipping (and this even a whole month before Christmas) they made making my birthday list really fun? This is the first time I've made an Amazon wish list, and it's awesome! I just keep adding and adding and adding. My fam probably thinks I'm a really selfish soon to be 28 year old, but it also helps me remember what to buy if I ever have a few spare bucks.

Everybody Loves a MANtage!

Flippin' priceless this is! C'mon, you have a minute-nine to spare on this montage. Like you haven't spent hours on youtube already watching junk. I'm not saying anything else, because I don't want to ruin it.

Suck On That, Scarlet & Gray!

Unranked Illini beat #1 Ohio State today, 28-21. What! What! Illini Nation represent! Our quarterback, Juice Williams, threw FOUR TD passes, and the color commentators rejoiced at his performance. (Quote: "It's not Juice on the rocks today; it's Juice straight up!") They also always love when Illini pull out a huge victory against a team we had no chance of beating. (And quote again: "Looks like Champaign will be popping a lot of champagne corks tonight!"--oh, how that one never grows old.) It was a fine day, and the sad faces on that OSU crowd was so lovely. First victory over a #1 since 1956, and Champaign Central alum, J Leman, represented. Go Illini!!!

Doctor Who Season 3

Buy it. Enjoy it. Thank me later. (It's not just for nerds, you know.) "Blink" is 45 of the best minutes of television since Buffy's "Hush." Freema Agyeman, the Doctor's companion, is fantastic. And the Doctor, well, I dare anyone to talk as fast as he does and still make sense. (I try to do this everyday in my class, but I haven't mastered it yet.)

If you're too scared to buy it, come over to BBB! headquarters, have some popcorn, and watch an ep. I don't think you'll be sorry. :)

SETEC ASTRONOMY

I watched "Sneakers" again last night, and I always forget how phenomenal that film is! It's SO good! Have you seen it? If you haven't: 1) slap yourself, 2) go rent it, and 3) skip the renting, just buy it.

It has one of THE best ensemble casts ever assembled: Robert Redford and Sidney Poitier should be enough to get you to see it, then add River Phoenix, Dan Aykroyd, David Strathairn, Ben Kingsley, AND Stephen Tobolowsky! Plus a very young (and svelte) Donal Logue makes an appearance. Are you running to your door to go buy it yet?

It's always forgotten on Top 100 Lists, but I'm sure it would rank in my Top 15 (I'm still working on the actual details, but I'm sure it would be in the top 15). It's quotable ("I've never had a car I could fit comfortably in"), and it's a funny, light, drama, suspense all rolled up into one! HOW COULD YOU NOT HAVE SEEN THIS MOVIE?

P.S. I'll give you extra credit if you can tell me what SETEC ASTORNOMY stands for.