Reality "Quote" and "Sayings"

I hate to admit this, but my name is Valerie and I am a Reality TV junkie. (I can hear the chorus of a future suppprt group saying, "hi Valerie") I thought I would share a few of my favs sayings and quotes.

First, I recently became addicted to "Deadliest Catch". I don't know why I am riveted by these fisherman and captains, but I am. One of my favorite vessels, the Time Bandit, is co-captained by Andy and Jonathan Hillstrand. Jonathan's son Scott also works on the ship sometimes. In one episode Andy shouts to Scott, "I don't care if there are 16 dancing girls, just do your job". I still crack a smile at the thought of a boss yelling that at his or her employee.

Another obsession of mine is Project Runway. This year's quote goes to Blayne and his "Holla attcha boy". Can't you hear your grandma now answering the phone like that?? I'm not sure if it makes a better sound byte than "Fierce".

Now it seems another phrase has been heard on two different shows, Top Chef and Hell's Kitchen. It seems chefs like to say "spot on" a lot. Who knew!

This is just a few off the top of my head. Feel free to leave a comment on your favorites. If you are willing to admit you watch this genre.

When it Rains.....

It pours in this house.

Earlier in the year, as soon as my home came out of warranty things started breaking. First the dishwasher....who in the world breaks a 2 year old dishwasher to the point it's more cost effective to buy a new one?? Then my kitchen drawers fall apart. But hey, I have nicer drawers and a nifty new dishwasher, $1500 later.

Well, here we go again. Said dishwasher, the top rack isn't working correctly, GE will be here to fix it (thank goodness for warranty). The pool cleaner stopped working, and my pool has a funny shade of yellow to it. Just in time for 110 degree temps (wow, another warranty item), and the builder is back *again* to try to fix the garage side service door. Go figure, it occasionally rains in Arizona and water comes into my garage. Luckily that began before the house came out of warranty. I'm terrified once these warranty fixes expire what will happen.

Shake, Rattle and Roll

So California had another earthquake. I could not imagine living someplace where the ground frequently shakes, and people act like it's no big deal. That would completely freak me out. I can't figure out the allure of living there, between the shaking, the wildfires, and mudslides.

Now I'm no weather baby. I've lived through hurricanes, nor'easters, blizzards, heatwaves, monsoons. But the big difference I suppose is you *know* they are coming and you can be prepared.

I guess it could be worse, I could be living in Kansas and dealing with tornadoes.

Home Quiet Home

Ahh, the sweet sound of the class bell ringing at school! A new year, and for the first time in 9 years I will have the house all to myself. Well, at least for 2.5 hours...and not on hubby's day off. But hey, time alone is precious.

Just think of all the things I could do....start that novel I've outlined in my head for the past 5 years. Take some refresher courses to update my resume. Catch up on my scrap booking. Volunteer at Meals on Wheels. Tackle all the books on Oprah's book club.

Who am I kidding? I probably will go to the gym. Grocery shop in peace. Maybe drink some coffee at Starbucks. Play on the computer. Have a conversation with a friend uninterrupted. Clean up without any "help".

I guess lofty goals depend upon your point of view.

Dog Days of Summer

When I was a kid, my summer days were filled with beach, pools, friends, riding bicycles, drinking from the hose, no sunblock and many other now "dangerous" behaviors. I can still hear my mom calling me for dinner at 5:30, having not seen me since noon. Having to come in for the night when the streetlights came on. When did I become this old person reminiscing about the "good old days"? It makes me wonder the sharp contrast of how my children will view theirs. Swimming and dance lessons, day camp, organized play dates. It lacks the spontaneity I enjoyed and the safety I took for granted.

An MBA is in His Future, a Future Agent in Hers

Jason and Amanda decided to dump everything they own onto their floors to clean out what they don't want. (Rachel's' room is spotless) Normally, I should be ecstatic they are willing to get organized after all this time of me begging. Well, two days later, this is what it looks like.

Now they both get an allowance for doing chores around the house, and Jason has built up quite a stash. Amanda on the other hand, she's just like mom, she loves to shop.

So, what does Jason decided to do? He has "hired" his little sister Rachel to help him clean up! A whole shiny penny. Smart boy! Why do the work, when you can hire someone else to do the grunt work for you! Mind you, Rachel's attention span to this task is minimal, so I'm not even sure he's getting his penny's worth. Amanda gets wind of this, and decides Rachel is underpaid. She starts negotiating on her little sister's behalf. She manages to get a nickle plus a new pencil for Rachel.

But it's for "Wii"

For Christmas, grandma gave the kids (all three of them) a very generous gift of a Wii with a few games. Since then, both Amanda and Jason have either received or bought their own additional games. This is turning out to be a bad idea. What started out as a fun, family gaming system has turned into a territorial war. Each of them not wanting the other to play "their" game, and poor Rachel is getting shut out of playing at all. To paraphrase the 4 year old, "but it's for we".

Blog Virgin

Yep, I admit it. I am a blog virgin. I figured a couple of people I know can do it, so could I. How hard could this be anyway? It's not like people go around critiquing other peoples blogs.

I will try not to make this a forum for my incessant complaining about those in my life. I don't keep an attorney on retainer, so I will be on my best behavior. Libel cases are easily won here in the west, I hear.

I figure this could be some sort of therapy for me, if nothing else.