Dancing With the Stars

Alright, it's true I watch Dancing With the Stars. The winner only gets a mirror ball trophy but hey, it's entertainment. It's not as if they donate any of their money to charity (which I think they should). But that's for another blog.

Here is something that I have observed from the show through the seasons. The celebrities asked to participate on the show are usually put in the categories of actor/entertainers or athletes.

Here's what this island girl has observed. The actor/entertainers have some serious issues. They're usually crying in the corner complaining about how hard it is for them because they're not dancers. Ummmm, isn't that the whole point?! And really, you're not going to win a career out of it, like say, "American Idol" you're only going to win a disco ball propped on a trophy. So just come out and attempt to dance and give us the entertainment we want to see.

Now on to the athletes. The athletes on the other hand act like athletes. They carry on and work through pain and dancing steps that feel foreign to them. I have yet to see an athlete crying about how much work it takes to 'dance.' Yes, I've heard their frustrations in doing something new and different, but I still haven't seen anyone of them literally crying over the mirror ball trophy. Or abusing their professional trainer.

Also if you watch when the judges give out their criticism, I hate to say it again, but I will, just to be redundant: athletes take criticism in stride. They use it to get better. Maybe, they're just used to their coaches yelling, I mean, helping them with their weak points.

Here's a line I love from one of the participants: I want you to get on my case about my footwork. Everytime, I don't get it right, get on my case, if you have to break another toe, than do it. Three is my lucky number anyway. Yep, an athlete said that, actually the cream of the athletes: an Olympian.

I would love to quote, Kate Gosselin but I can't unless you want me to type out: sobbing.

Athletes are not perfect. But with Dancing With the Stars, they're so much more enjoyable to watch.

Blog Makeover!

It's no secret. This island girl--loves a makeover. LOVE! THEM!

You like it?! I LOVE, HEART and ADORE it! *jumping shamelessly up and down* LOVE! IT!

Imagine if you please my acceptance speech for best blog makeover. *clears throat*

For winning this coveted award for best blog makeover; I want to thank Mel. You'll find her over at mommydoodles.com. She's a mom and Super Heroine both night and day. On her spare time while she's sleeping, she helps out the incompetent and designer challenged people like me. Thank you Mel for making this blog look gorgeous! I really hope that I can do it justice. It's so much fun coming to post on my blog--although most times, I just stare at how beautiful a place it has become.

*blows kisses*

That island girl to the right of the banner looks something like me. Uncanny, really?

Happy Halloween!

Halloween isn't my favorite event; but I will say that I love the whole feel of the party. I love the costumes; the candy; the treats; the lore and the haunts.

Here are a few of the costumes I thought would be great and fun but sadly would never wear. Just as a warning: don't invite me to your Halloween party. Why? Because I will be that ONE friend who will show up, NOT wearing a costume. I know, I'm boring that way.

But here's one I would love to wear, well, as soon as I find the guts to do so.



Why a flapper? *shrugging shoulders* Well, doesn't it look fun?




Another tradition for Halloween are the 'haunting' sites that you pay so much money to attend, for the pure motive of: it's so much fun. Again, I don't like 'haunted' anything. When I was in sixth grade, our Elementary school had a haunted house which I couldn't go through. But I went anyways (peer pressure) and well, that was actually the last time I went to one. I know it's fake but it's really not a thrill for me. I have nephews who have and will laugh through a haunted house. Which also goes for scary Halloween movies. Can't do it.

Here are a few haunts here in Chicago. They actually give tours all year through but the prices for October go up. I'm not surprised.

From their website:

Welcome to Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tours!
Chicago is one of the most haunted cities in the world, boasting a colorful but disturbingly dark and violent past. Many of the sites on our tours are notorious for their ghost sighitngs and paranormal activity. Others are not as well known. The stories behind many of these hauntings range from the truly chilling to the light- of heart. We've found that some spirits of our beloved but haunted Chicago seem to beg loudly for recognition and remembrance, while others remind us of their reality in a more subtle fashion. We think a few wish to teach lessons, while others remain playful. All, we believe, wish not to be forgotten.

We can't guarantee a paranormal experience will occur or be experienced on each and every tour. Nor can we say one won't. We can promise that you'll be haunted by Chicago's very real, often shocking past.

Come find out for yourself!

Our Chicago Hauntings Tours operate year-round from 600 N. Clark St. (at Ontario) in downtown Chicago, across from the Rain Forest & Hard Rock Cafes.
In the mood for a tour contact: chicagohauntings.com

I also found out from this site that the Museum of Science and Industry is a famous sighting for paranormal events. OK, how am I going to tell my children that we're never going to do a 'sleep over' at THAT Museum. Yes, I'm chicken.

Last but my most favorite part of Halloween are the treats. They can come in the scariest looking forms but as long as it tastes good, I'm all over it.

Here's a great Halloween treat, I came across, while shopping at Target. I'm not a soda drinker but I do love Jones Soda and here is their Halloween line for a limited time only.




Interesting flavors. Tonight we tried the 'corn candy' flavor. It will actually leave the same after taste, candy corn leaves in your mouth when you're done eating it. I love the size of the can and the flavors and decorative cover are perfect for Halloween.

For great and healthy Halloween treats, I'm usually over at the Family Fun website. I love the fact that each recipe has a rating.

So pretty much, I've made a confession of my contradictory behavior for loving Halloween. The only thing that I will do is 'eat' the treats. You won't find me wearing a costume; attending a haunted anything but I will be at the desert table trying not to oink out loud.

Happy Halloweeen!

unBEElievable

About a month and half ago, we had a really nasty experience with these yellow jackets. Actually it was rather horrifying. Imagine: Alfred Hitchcocks, "Birds" movie without the birds; replace them with yellow jackets.

We were taking a nice walk up a trail when my children and my friend Kristi's children were attacked by yellow jackets. These yellow jackets followed them for a quarter of a mile and still they persisted.

Altogether there were a total of nine (make that ten, Aaron went back to the nest, don't ask me why) attacked by yellow jackets. Those creatures were aggressive.

The paramedics showed up, each child had their own paramedic and to cut to the chase of the story, each child had about over thirty stings. I stopped counting after 30.

Even after I got home and had them strip down to their underwear so I could make sure they were bee free. I sent them to take cool showers. To my surprise, Yzhak is screaming and calling for me to come down because there were more bees. I had to tried to convince him that they were all gone. However, he was right. I got down stairs and there were still yellow jackets crawling out of their clothes.

I have to tell you, there is no love lost between me and those nasty suckers. I'll squash them first and ask questions later.

My children for a while have been very afraid of any flying objects on first contact: flies, bugs and flying dust. Don't even let me go on about the drive home.

We're safe but we're still--well--PARANOID. Can you blame us?!

Baby Talk

I have about a hundred of these little videos of Naia talking away. Aaron says that it's the sign of the beginning of our little chatter box. Our 'radio' broadcast of baby thoughts started at about two and half months and hasn't stopped since. But it's the sweetest listening music until she becomes displeased.



See, she's still going. Like the little duracell (it is duracell, right?) bunny.