Monthly Archives: March 2012
My 3-year-old inherits my editing skills
Proud mama moments are never lacking in my house, but today my son really impressed me.
Nico is 3 years old, but already knows how to read … and apparently he also knows how to edit and catch mistakes! Today, he mentioned it was Wednesday, specifically, “I still don’t feel better on Wednesday.” He isn’t feeling good, so he made sure to update me first thing this morning.
So, a few minutes later, I was in the kitchen and he turned on PBS Sprout to watch one of his kid shows. He then yells out, “Mom, I thought it was Wednesday!” I told him that it was Wednesday, and he pointed to the TV and said they had “Thursday.”
Sure enough, on the TV screen were Chica and “The Sunny Side Up Show” host with ”Thursday” in big letters above them. They were wrong, and Nico caught it! Their channel is broken into little segments, so I’m sure it was just an oversight, but I thought it was hilarious that Nico pointed it out.
I am a writer/editor and have a habit of correcting grammar, punctuation, unnecessary apostrophes, etc. I’ve caught some pretty funny mistakes on signs and TV, but today I had a whole new perspective on editing when my toddler pointed out a mistake. Proud mama moment for sure!
‘Whoa!’ Joey and Blossom Russo reunite on TV!
“In my opinionation, the sun is gonna surely shine …”
Even though it’s bedtime, the pop-culture sun is shining brightly over my house tonight! Just saw an Old Navy commercial with Blossom and Joey Russo! “Whoa!”
Blossom and Joey Russo, Old Navy
Showing off a Blossom-style hat in the Old Navy ”Be Bots!” commercial, actress Mayim Bialik looked like the sweet teenage girl from the 1990s show, “Blossom.” Bialik played the title character, Blossom, who had a very original style and was known for her quirky hats.
Now it is about 20 years later, and Bialik surprisingly re-appeared as Blossom on-screen. Joining her in an even sweeter surprise at the end of the commercial was on-screen brother Joey Lawrence, who played Joey Russo on the show. “And in my opinionation,” both actors looked great!
And then the cherry on top of the sweet surprise … Lawrence said his infamous line from the show, “Whoa!”
Bialik recently returned to TV in “The Big Bang Theory” on CBS and had guest spots on shows such as “Secret Life of the American Teenager” on ABC Family. “The Big Bang Theory” airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. eastern on CBS.
Lawrence also made a big return to TV starring in ABC Family’s “Melissa and Joey,” after several years of made-for-TV movies and a stint on “Dancing with the Stars.” “Melissa and Joey” returns with new episodes on May 30, 2012.
Even though I’ve been religiously watching both Bialik and Lawrence on their new shows, seeing them both together – in character – on TV was a nice surprise. One that had me leaping off the couch and back in time.
Now, if only I had a piano to dance on!
Check out the Old Navy commercial:
And for those looking to take a moment down memory lane with me … here is the theme song and opening credits to “Blossom” …
My Opinionation
Don’t know about the future, that’s anybody’s guess. Ain’t no good reason for getting all depressed. Buy up your pad and pencil, I’ll give you a piece of my mind. In my opinionation, the sun is gonna surely shine.
Stop all your fussin’. Slap on a smile. Come out and walk in the sun for awhile.
Don’t fight the feeling, you know you want to have a good time. And in my opinionation, the sun is gonna surely shine.
Have any chronic pain sufferers tried muscle manipulation?
Anyone with chronic pain has probably tried just about everything to help ease the pain or eliminate it completely (good for you if you have!) … but I’m wondering what has really worked for you?
My most recent success is muscle manipulation. My doctor (pain specialist) has been doing this to my muscles this past year. It is by far the best treatment I have received for my chronic pain (which I have suffered for more than 20 years).
If you are not familiar with it, here is a description from musclemanipulation.com:
WHAT IS MUSCLE MANIPULATIVE THERAPY?
Muscle Manipulation (Muscle Manipulative Therapy) is the alignment of muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilages, blood vessels, nerves and fibrous tissues to parts of the body that have misaligned for one reason or another. After manipulation, the body can then proceed to heal the area and within a short time a full recovery will result. If the muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilages, blood vessels, nerves and fibrous tissues remain misaligned pain will be sustained and in some instances calcium can form around injured areas making it difficult to manipulate. The Muscle Manipulist will be able to feel the injured area and by using either a Bio Stimulator, their own fingers or both they will be able to perform a correct alignment. This alternative therapy can produce remarkable results seconds after a manipulation and in some instances the patient is completely pain free within minutes.
Muscle Manipulative Therapy invloves a sensitive feel and the Muscle Manipulator must know what they are feeling for and when they have found it they must know where to place the muscle, ligament, tendon, cartilage, blood vessel, nerve and fibrous tissues. This remarkable therapy is new and exciting giving the opportunity for those who have had injuries for years and avoiding expensive operations the chance to be fixed at a fraction of the cost of surgery. This technique is also available for those who have injured dogs or race horses.
My doctor can actually feel some of the crap going on in my body, and tries to move things back to where they belong. I’ve found it to be helpful, but don’t hear too many others talking about it. Maybe I just miss those posts? : )
So if you have tried muscle manipulation, I’d love to hear your feedback!
‘DWTS’ and ‘PLL’ have me glued to TV
Thank goodness for Tivo!
The new season of “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) premiered tonight, but the season finale of “Pretty Little Liars” (PLL) and big reveal of “A” is on ABC Family. I was able to catch my personal faves dance on ”DWTS” … Maria Menounos and Jack Wagner (aka Frisco Jones from “General Hospital“).
Now I have to flip back to “PLL” and catch up on what I missed. And I now have to stay off Twitter so I don’t get the spoilers!
So Tivo is on, but laptop and Smartphone are being turned off now. Well, shortly. OK, signing off now!
Gotta love technology!
‘Pretty Little Liars’ give helpful little clues as to ‘A’s’ identity
Monday is “D-Day” or, “A-Day” … I think the latter is more fitting for this big moment in pop culture.
'Pretty Little Liars,' ABC Family
Pop hit “Pretty Little Liars” (PLL) airs its second season finale Monday night on ABC Family, with the revelation of “A’s” identity … finally! The possibility that it could be more than one person has been on my mind, and when three of the stars appeared on “Good Morning America” (GMA) Monday morning that idea wasn’t exactly shot down.
Troian Bellisario, who plays Spencer Hastings, responded to fan comments about there being more than one person as “A,” the mysterious character taunting the four main characters. Bellisario said she doesn’t think it is possible that “A” could be just one person.
Each of the PLL who appeared on GMA offered up clues to fans as to “A’s” identity:
- Lucy Hale, who plays PLL Aria Montgomery, said that “A” loathes one of the PLLs more than the others.
- Shay Mitchell, who plays PLL Emily Fields, said that “A” has a motive to justify “A’s” evil deeds.
- Bellisario said that “A” admires one of the PLLs more than the others.
- The last clue was that “A” wants a playmate.
Ashley Benson, who plays PLL Hanna Marin, was not on GMA due to filming, but Hale said she was there in spirit. So I assume the fourth clue was given on her behalf.
So who do you think “A” is on PLL? If you read the series of PLL books by Sara Shepard, the girls stated that the TV show may not necessarily have the same outcome. And the girls said they all had their theories, but didn’t know until they received their scripts the day before filming as to who was “A.”
The PLL spring finale airs Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC Family. Track the countdown and learn more about the show by clicking here.
Green smoothies made for a smooth St. Patrick’s Day
You would be green with envy if you hung out at our house on St. Patrick’s Day.
I had planned to make green smoothies for my son and I, since I was not going out to party and drink green beer this year. Really only did that once, it was fun, but I can’t drink that much anymore! Especially being on medication. And my husband had to work, so I was perfectly happy hanging out with my son. Those who did go out and party, hope you had fun! It was a beautiful day!
So back to our day … we started off with Mommy and Me yoga. My son had fun showing off his yoga moves, and I got a “wee bit” of relaxation (that is my Irish accent, which you can’t criticize because you can’t hear it lol!) And then we stopped for mint ice cream and headed home to sit outside and enjoy our ice cream in the sunshine.
I also wanted to make a healthy smoothie, like I do most days, for my son and I. And with it being St. Patrick’s Day, I had to make one that was green!
So I ended up making “Alien Smoothies” from my friend’s web site (Color Wheel Meals):
Alien Smoothie
- one mango
- one banana
- one cup (or less) of frozen spinach
- crushed ice
- half cup of water
So my son and I wrapped up the day with green smoothies that were super yummy and super green!
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a green smoothie
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I won’t be going out for green beer or even a Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s today … instead going to stick to healthy stuff. So, thinking a green smoothie is in order for today!
I like to make mine with fruits such as bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and then of course, something green! Kale and/or spinach are my faves.
What about you? Any good green smoothie recipes to share?
Pain, pain, go away
And please, don’t come again another day!
Anyone who suffers from chronic pain and fatigue like I do are probably feeling the burn today … and not in a good way. The burning sensation in my shoulders is not from working out, it is what some describe as a “flare up” from Fibromyalgia or other myofascial pain issues. Since it is raining today, I seem to be feeling it more than usual.
So the heating pad, yoga stretches, and gentle moves are on my agenda today. And unfortunately, the pain still won’t go away at the end of the day.
But I’ll take any relief I can get, even if it is a small dose.
What works best for you during flare ups? Do you use hot or cold packs? What has your doctor recommended? Have you tried yoga, meditation, acupuncture, or any other methods of relaxation? I would love to hear from others on how they get through the really bad days (I consider there to be bad days and really bad days … as far as pain goes, good days never seem to come my way!)
Children are the best medicine
The other day I was sick with the stomach flu, the same one I had nursed my 3-year-old son through a day before. As I lay in bed, doubled over in pain, I got the sweetest dose of medicine I could possibly receive.
My son, Nico, came into my room (luckily my stomach chose to do flip-flops while my husband was home and my mom was visiting) to check on me. He asked me if I wanted him to sing me a lullaby. Was I dreaming? Those were some of the sweetest words I had ever heard.
He then proceeded to sing an entire verse of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to me. This was his first solo performance of that song to Mama, so I was beyond surprised and so proud. I created this little man who was so thoughtful to check on me and try to make me feel better.
I knew in that moment that despite having the flu, and despite all the crap going on in this crazy world, little things like a lullaby do make you feel better. Especially when sung by your 3-year-old son.
Now I know why I put so much effort into singing lullabies to him at night.
NKOTB fans: Win Danny Wood’s autographed jersey and support Team Betty
New Kids on the Block fans have a chance to win an autographed Boston Red Sox jersey (the guys’ hometown as most of you should know) from member Danny Wood … and help fight breast cancer in honor of his mother.
Danny’s mother, Betty Wood, passed away from breast cancer in 1999. Danny has set up a charity, Team Betty, in her honor to raise awareness and support of breast cancer research and awareness.
Danny and the New Kids on the Block joined forces with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help honor the memory of Betty Wood; the guys and their fans have helped raise more than $300,000 for Komen, according to RememberBetty.com.
To find out how you can win the jersey and help the cause, click here. Visit RememberBetty.com to help Danny in his fight against breast cancer.
I have been a New Kids on the Block fan for more than 20 years. I fondly remember the guys’ mothers being present in TV and magazine interviews and at events with the group back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their families seemed like part of our families (us fans). Betty Wood always seemed so sweet and proud of her son; and now with his cancer fight in her honor, she really would have something to be proud about.
For the latest on the New Kids on the Block, visit NKOTB.com.
