Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Jeff and I saw Mary Poppins at Zach last night. I've never seen Mary Poppins as a stage show before, but this was one of the best shows I've EVER seen, here or anywhere. It is chock-full of amazing singers and dancers, and an exceptionally uplifting performance- colorful, audience participatory, just a joyful experience, leaving you smiling at the end. It is such a great time! If you haven't seen it yet, it runs through September 4. Get your buns to Zach! These days, we all need a little lifting up!

Saturday 9: Jamming (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In Jamaica, "jamming" means to celebrate. What's going on in your life today that's worth celebrating?

We purchased our first iMac. Jeff is setting it up right now, next to our ailing PC. I will use the PC to run my paper crafting website until July 31, 2017 or when the computer dies, whichever comes first! Then, no more PC and no more website. (Do you know how much Dreamweaver is for Mac?! Dude.)

2) The group that became famous as "The Wailers" originally called themselves "The Teenagers." What was trendy when you were a teenager (clothes, music, etc.)?

the original Madonna, The Go-Go's, Duran Duran, Prince, shoulder pads, big hair and high bangs, lots of big costume jewelry in bright colored plastic, stilettos with girly little socks, high side pony

3) Bunny Wailer and Bob Marley were very close. In addition to being bandmates, they were friends in elementary school and later became family (Bunny's dad and Bob's mom had a daughter together). Who has known you the longest?

Lori, since third grade

4) Does the person you named in #3, the one who's known you longest, know you best?

Lori and I were best friends back in the day, but Laura and Cathy know me best today.

5) Bandmate Peter Tosh became an avid unicycle rider. What's your favorite form of exercise? 

dancing and kickboxing

6) Bob Marley was known for his signature dreadlocks. When were you last in a stylist’s chair?

It's been a few months. I need to get back to the chair very soon.

7) Marley's charisma is credited for popularizing reggae music the world over. Are you a fan? 

I'm not really into it, but I like it now and then, with a tropical adult beverage.

8) Mr. Marley is one of the highest-earning dead celebrities, and manufacturers pay his estate to use his likeness to sell their merchandise. What dead celebrity have you seen recently on a t-shirt, mug, poster, etc.?

Stevie Ray Vaughn, who is very popular in Austin

9) Random question: Have you ever had your palm read?

Nope.

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Chemical Safety 101

Laura and I went on a factory tour earlier this week. Fun day! We had been told prior to taking the tour that there would be fumes in some areas, and they advised that if you thought it would bother you (asthma, etc.), you probably shouldn't take the tour.

When the fumes were really noticeable at one point, one of our tour-mates asked the guide, "Shouldn't they (the factory employees) be wearing masks?"

The guide said that we were only smelling the chemicals because we just came into the area. After a few minutes, you don't even notice the smell.

Mmmkay.

Later, we encountered another fume-filled area when we were accompanied by another guide. Our tour-mate asked about masks again and received the same answer. The tour-mate went on to explain that she meant she assumed they would wear masks for health reasons.

No, no, no. It was perfectly fine. The employee we were talking with at the time added that there were vent hoods taking most of the fumes away from her work area. They "can" wear masks if they want to, but no one does...

...because they can't smell the fumes.

*forehead smack* Comical conversation. Also, scary.

It was a very interesting tour though! I've never been that close to the action inside a factory before. Most factory tours are behind glass.

While we were shopping a little later, Laura spotted a young lady with breast cancer with her boyfriend/hubby and some friends, all in matching t-shirts. Laura grabbed me and we went over. She told her, "We're both breast cancer survivors. I just wanted to tell you that you've got this!" The girl hugged us. It was a really neat moment. One of the reasons Laura is one of my favorite people!

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Museum Hopping

We went to the Elisabet Ney Museum and LBJ Library yesterday. The Ney Museum is a neat little place, with some of her sculptures and a lot of Austin history. LBJ has a Vietnam exhibit right now, which was interesting and presents the war from the points of view of the soldiers and of the media.

While we were at the LBJ Library, we went upstairs to the exhibit with information about US presidents and first ladies. There is a painting of a woman identified in the display as Thomas Jefferson's daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, who was the White House "hostess," since his wife had died prior to his presidency. The very same photo is identified on a computer-based display within the same exhibit as his wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson.

We chatted with the folks up front about it before we left. We didn't determine who was in the photo, but it was an entertaining discussion! They said there is evidently an error about the Clintons which has been reported as well. They'd never been told of the Jefferson error. In case you were wondering, there isn't a prize for identifying an error. Darn!

I researched it on the Google later, and the painting is of his daughter. No image of his wife actually exists. The incorrect identification as his wife is the one on the computer display, which had been the guess of the museum employees.

I am obsessed with Patricia Heaton's necklace on "Patricia Heaton Parties" right now. She wears it a lot. I have no idea what to call the design of the pendant, to search for it.

So pretty, right?? I want one!


Sunday Stealing: The Beach Boys' Meme

1. SURFER GIRL : “I have watched you on the shore, standing by the ocean drawer, do you love me do you surfer girl” Were you ever interested in someone (other than a celebrity) who did not return your interest? 

Of course! More than once.

2. BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL : “So be true to your school now, just like you would for your girl or guy…” Looking back, how do you feel about your high school days? 

I had an awesome high school experience. It wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, but the vast majority of my high school time was very happy and fun. I always think it's interesting that Kimberly, one of my very best friends, feels like high school sucked big time, while I have such a good feeling about those days.

3. FUN FUN FUN : “…and she’ll have fun fun fun till her daddy takes the T-Bird away…” What was the worst punishment you received as a teenager? 

Not being allowed to use the phone. When my parents got sick of me talking for hours, blocking the phone for any other calls, they would make me limit my calls to five minutes, or stay off of it altogether.

4. I GET AROUND : “Round round get around, I get around” Where did you go on your last long trip? 

Berlin, for work.

5. HELP ME RHONDA : “You gotta help me Rhonda, help me get her off of my mind” What do you do to cheer up after a personal tragedy such as a lost job, power outage or broken relationship? 

Ahahaa. Power outage. So true. Um, I listen to music and vent to friends.

6. CALIFORNIA GIRLS : “I wish they all could be California girls. The west coast has the sunshine and the girls there get so tan, I dig a French bikini on Hawaiian island dolls, by a palm tree in the sand” Where are the best boys found? 

Texas!

7. SLOOP JOHN B : “I wanna go home, please let me go home, ya ya. Well this is the worst trip, I’ve ever been on…” What is the worst trip you’ve ever been on? 

I have hated parts of trips, but haven't ever been on a "bad" trip. The worst trip was one I WASN'T on- When my mom was very ill and had been given just a few weeks to live, we had a Caribbean cruise planned with my in-laws. Lauren and Jeff went on the cruise, while I stayed home to be with Mom. While they were on the cruise, Lauren came down with the flu, the ship had a sewage issue and smelled like poop the whole week, their Belize day was rained out, and my mom died. :(

8. WOULDN’T IT BE NICE : “I guess the more we talk about it, it makes it harder just to live without it, but let’s talk about it…” What is your biggest wish? 

World peace.

9. IN MY ROOM : “There’s a place where I can go and tell my secrets to. In my room. In my room.” What is your favorite thing about your own personal room or space in your home/office? 

My musician autographs and photos with a few of my favorite musicians.

10. GOD ONLY KNOWS : “You never need to doubt it, I’ll make you so sure about it. God only knows what I feel about you” When was the last time you told a significant other or close relative that you loved them? 

Yesterday.

11. GOOD VIBRATIONS : “My baby has good vibrations, she’s giving me excitations…” When do you get good vibrations? 

Right at the end of an amazing Broadway finale song- that very last note with all its power and harmonies and the emotion of that moment.

12. KOKOMO : “We’ll go to Kokomo. We’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow. That’s where I wanna go…” What is your favorite warm weather destination? 

Hawaii

13. DO IT AGAIN : “Let’s get back together and do it again…” If you could go back in time and gather up your school friends, what would you do again?

Yes!!

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Kitchen Remodel Before and After Photos

Ta daaaaaa!!

Here we go. The "before" was 90's orange oak cabinets and forest green Corian countertops. The "after" is white cabs and black quartz countertops. Click on photos to see the full size images.

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Wood-look tile flooring: Daltile Forest Park, color Timberland, 3x36, grout Mapei Cocoa 

We LOVE the wood-look tile. This one is a smooth, modern choice. There are also several out there with a more rustic look, if that's what you like. To get a more wood-floor appearance, go with tiles longer than 24". The rule of thumb is to place tiles running from the front of the house towards the back, but you can do what you prefer, of course. There is another "rule" that you lay them inwards from the entrance to the room, to welcome people into the space. In our case, the two rules suggested two different directions. I chose front to back for two reasons: 1) We also tiled our foyer with this tile and it runs front to back. 2) The longer dimension of the kitchen space was front to back and I think it makes the space look larger, with the longer runs.

Lay long tiles in a staggered pattern, with no tiles meeting at the 1/2 mark, because long tiles tend to bow in the middle just a bit and that would create an uneven floor.

As a side note, we have a red washer and dryer in the utility room and they look FABULOUS with this color floor!

Quartz counters: Cambria Edinborough (black on perimeter), Viatera Minuet (white on island)

The Cambria reads black, but is actually a mix of black, brown and gray. It has a small number of those shiny bits, not a ton of them, but just enough in addition to the gray flecks to give some interest and prevent visual blending when placing black objects on the surface. 

Yep, that is a problem with solid black quartz. Who knew? 

The gorgeous white Viatera Minuet is only available in slabs, like granite. Be aware of this if it applies to any quartz countertop you are considering, because if you have a little bitty island (or bathroom counter, etc.) you should buy a scrap (if you're lucky enough) or you'll have to purchase an entire slab, even though you're only using a sliver of it. 

You have to ask whether or not the brand of quartz you're looking at comes in slabs or is custom produced to your dimensions. It is not obvious in the store. The slab quartz is priced per square foot PER SLAB. The price looks the same as the other quartz that is made to custom dimensions, but it definitely is not. Say it's $70 per square foot. Your island is 10 square feet. You think it's going to be $700 (it would with the regular quartz), but instead it's $3500, because you have to pay for a 10'x5' slab. Go with a regular, non-slab quartz for a small countertop. I think Caesarstone quartz is available in half slabs, which would have helped in our case as well.

I say the island has a gold bar countertop, because it cost a fortune. I love it, but I would never have purchased it, had I known how much it would cost. OR I would have arranged to have my upstairs bathroom counter replaced at the same time at literally no additional cost, using the rest of my slab. (Incidentally, your slab isn't yours. The unused portion stays with the vendor and is re-sold as a scrap.) The crazy cost was an omission by the contractor that wasn't presented to me until it would have caused a project delay and a lot of heartache to make a new selection. It took me weeks to get over. 

I'm over it. 

And not bitter at all. 

GOLD. BAR. COUNTERTOP. Y'ALL. 

Backsplash: SOHO Surface Tech Hex River Bed, grout Mapei Sahara Beige 

The individual tiles are all variations of texture and color, from glass to stone to granite to etched surface. The sheets are 11 1/4"x 10 7/8", a little smaller than the standard 12x12, so take this into account in your budget calculations. It was exactly what we were looking for to blend the white and black and gray.

Walls: Benjamin Moore Stone Harbor

Perimeter cabinets: existing oak cabs sanded, primed, painted with Benjamin Moore Frostine

Island: existing oak island sanded, primed, painted with Benjamin Moore Eternity

 The cabinetry is where things got crazy. We wanted to get new doors and stain the cabinets darker. We were told we could stain or paint, that there were no limitations. Once the project started, we were told that we couldn't stain new doors, because the color of the existing boxes would never match the new doors exactly. Then we were told we couldn't paint new paint-grade doors, because you can see the oak grain on the boxes through the paint and the doors would have no grain. We would have had to buy expensive oak doors and then paint them, which is ridiculous.

It was suggested that we stain the boxes gray and then paint the new doors a matching paint color. Just... no. Once we decided to keep the existing cabinets, we thought we could stain them, but they informed us that the additional sanding and prep of the old doors would cost $10,000. 

Good gawd.

So in the end, we kept the existing cabinets and had them painted. I have always hated painted cabinets, especially white. It was the last thing I wanted. I do like the brightness in the new kitchen, but I still would have preferred to have the darker stain. Also, painted cabinets chip when things hit them in a certain way, unlike the stained cabs we had for twenty years with no visible color issues, even in spots where there were minor dents or dings. I recommend staining cabinets whenever possible. Just my two cents there.

The wall paint was a pleasant surprise. It's a true gray, like cement. It's bright and blends well with just about any other color.

Cabinet/drawer pulls: Richelieu BP85820128195

I think adding modern hardware made all the difference in updating the cabinets.

Towel bar: Kohler Elliston 18"

This is a nice, non-obtrusive, contemporary towel bar only available at Lowes.

Island Lighting: Kichler Silver Coral Pendants

I am so glad I found these! Love them. The kitchen lighting is on three separate switches: ceiling can lights, island pendants and under cabinet lighting. The pendants are on a dimmer.

Over-Range Microwave Height Issue: RESOLVED

So. The whole kitchen remodel discussion began many years ago, when we were dealing with the issue I later described in detail here on the ol' blog. We had replaced our original microwave which was 12 inches tall, only to find that manufacturers no longer make microwaves under about 15.5" tall. There are codes requiring minimum overall height, minimum distance from stovetop to microwave, etc. (Check your local code.) If your manufacturer requires a greater distance, you need to go with that. There was and is no new microwave made to meet these requirements with the way that cabinet was made in 1995. 

We considered replacing the double oven with an oven/microwave combo, but I really like having two ovens. (See this post for more details on our decision process.)

To finally fix this problem, we had the team raise the bottom of the cabinet to fit a microwave that would be even with the bottom of the cabinetry (the original installation height, most common placement, and about as tall as I can use at 5'4.). We were able to keep the middle shelf of the cabinet where it was, and they just rerouted the venting a bit. We ordered two new oak cabinet doors to fit the smaller cabinet size. The new microwave is in code compliance, a safe distance from the stovetop, and gives us the space to be able to see into pots and cook without setting off the vent fan.

So glad the remodel is complete!

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What the What?!

With emotions running at an all-time high this political season, I see on social media that some of my friends have temporarily lost their critical thinking skills.

I say that with love. :D


Saturday 9: Sara Smile (1976)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This was Hall & Oates' first #1 hit. Can you name another of their popular songs? 

"Rich Girl"

2) Darryl Hall and Sara Allen were a couple for 30 years, and he wrote this at the beginning of their long relationship. That makes this a very public love letter. Are you good at writing love letters? Would you rather tell the person how you feel, face to face? Or do you let your actions speak louder than your words?

I can write a fantastic love letter! I like being able to think about what you want to say and exactly how you want to word it, so it will convey perfectly what you want to communicate, but there are also times to just let it flow in the moment. And actions always speak louder than words.

3) In the song, Darryl and Sara are waiting for the sunrise. Did you see the sunrise this morning? Or did you sleep in? 

As on most mornings, I saw the sunrise and went back to sleep.

4) Both Hall & Oates hail from the Philadelphia area. Hall is a native of suburban Pottstown, which was a stop on the Reading/Philadelphia rail line made famous in Monopoly. Do you like playing board games?

Love board games.

5) John Oates grew up a few miles away from Pottstown in North Wales. Decades ago, North Wales' biggest employer was a cigar factory. Do you like the smell of a cigar?

I do!

6) Daryl Hall now hosts a music show, Live from Daryl's House, that you catch free online. Do you typically watch shows from your computer, pad, phone or TV set?
TV

7) Hall & Oates are currently on tour. Are you seeing/have you seen a concert this summer?
Ugh. No. Gavin DeGraw and Andy Grammer will be at ACL this fall though. I wanna be there.

8) Daryl and John have been friends for 50 years, even living together at the beginning of their careers when money was tight. Another successful duo of the rock era, Simon & Garfunkel, also met as teens, but they forever seem to be feuding. What do you think makes for a lasting friendship/partnership?

You have either similar or complimentary personalities and share the same sense of humor. That is true of all my lasting friendships.

9) Random question: Are you quick to try new things?

Yep. If something new sounds interesting, I'm all in!

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Float Like a Feather in a Beautiful World

WOW. I didn't see it, so thanks for the link, Donna!

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Deep Thoughts

I've just been sick over all this racial tension lately. One cannot hold all individual members of any group (police, blacks, whites, males, females, Muslims, Catholics, vegetarians ;) , or anyone else) accountable for the actions of a few, unless that entire group has declared that whatever is done/said is that group's policy/belief (Westboro Baptists, terrorist groups, etc.).

I'm so disappointed and saddened to hear racist hate speech from a loud few- on both sides. To simply distill incredibly complicated issues down to "cops vs. blacks" or "black vs. white" leaves many issues that need improvement to be ignored.

Relieved to see the majority of people expressing their thoughts peacefully and avoiding further violence. I see people reaching out to each other in day-to-day life as well.

Switching to another topic du jour... Melania Trump's speech. Obviously several sentences were lifted from Michelle Obama's speech. Also obvious- it couldn't have been done intentionally, unless there's a traitor in the campaign, with a plan to make them all look foolish. The source wasn't some obscure book they figured no one would ever realize had been plagiarized. It was a very public speech, so well liked that someone simply remembered it from years ago and immediately pointed out the error.

Important speeches like Mrs. Trump's are written by a team and analyzed over and over for accuracy, grammar and also specifically for unintentional copying from other speeches/text. My high school journalism teacher posted a link on Facebook to this TIME article that explains this very point.

How Melania Trump's Plagiarism Happened

They keep saying no one will be fired, but that person should absolutely be out today. If an epic blunder like this isn't punishable by firing, what is? If your job is speech writer, this should be the biggest learning moment of your speech writing life.

Bright side- maybe you'll get a funny nickname out of it for the rest of your career. In insurance sales.

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Weekend Update

Jeff and I saw Buyer and Cellar Friday night at Zach. Barbra Streisand's real-life basement is set up like a mall, with stores including a doll shop, a dress shop, etc. The fictional comedy is about a guy who takes a job working in the shops for his only customer, Barbra. It was really great! J. Robert Moore was fantastic in the one-man show. How he remembers all that quick dialog between the various characters he plays, I'll never know.

Last night we went to a party at Jen's. They're mostly moved into their new house, so we finally got to take the tour! My whole body hurts this morning from playing ping pong with Crystal in the garage. Well, it was more like extreme ping pong, where anything is playable, no matter how many times the ball has bounced or where it ends up, as long as you can hit it back to your opponent or onto the table.

There was a moment where Crystal was hunting a lost ball under some shelves and a box of toys almost fell on her head, but Jen saved her. Scary! Later, C was standing on a bar stool in 5-inch heels, so I think she may just have blatant disregard for her own safety. ;)

Sunday Stealing

1. What are your current obsessions?

yellow kitchen decor items, "Making a Murderer" on Netflix (we have three episodes left)

2. What are you listening to?

Giada's party cooking show on Food Network

3. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

cream and blue patterned, linen peasant top

4. What are you reading?

cookbooks

5. What’s for dinner?

honey-lime chicken and Mexican street corn salad

6. What was the last thing you bought?

Wine- a random rosé that looked interesting from the label, Chateau St. Michelle Riesling for the next Scott-n-Julie get-together and Fall Creek Vineyard merlot for the party last night

7. Guilty pleasure?
The Bachelor/Bachelorette

8. What training did you get and how do you make a living?
degree in radiation safety engineering, work in pharmaceutical research

9. If you could go back in time, knowing what you know now, and choose a different career path, what would you train to do?
I wouldn't change anything.

10. What’s your best time of day?
morning

11. Do you like being on a team or are you a solo player?
I prefer being a solo player, but I can work on a team as well.

12. What’s your favorite way to create art?
any way that doesn't involve freehand drawing

13. Name three items in your refrigerator:
spicy ketchup, Chobani yogurt, eggs

14. Tell us about your first crush:
This question is coming up a lot lately! It was BobbyM in seventh grade. He had brown hair and a fantastic smile. He was on the football team, always goofing around in class.

15. The first time that I became a boyfriend/girlfriend was with who, when?
with JohnH the summer after my freshman year of high school

16. Do you remember what you did on your first date?
We went to the dollar theater in Alvin to see Young Frankenstein. He was a year older than me, so he drove, which was supercool!

17. How did you meet your current (or most recent) girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife?
We were in Calculus and Physics together the fall of my sophomore year of college.

18. How did your first romantic relationship end?
In a highly dramatic night at the Putt Putt course in Webster. We were with friends, but didn't have a great night with each other, because he and I were arguing about something I can't even remember. On our way out, a group of guys called him a nasty name and were all up in his face. Everett and Shane told the girls to go to the car, so we did. There was a physical altercation, but the guys split everyone up and they came to the car pretty quickly. Afterwards, he was angry that I hadn't stayed. I was angry that he didn't just leave with the group.

19. Do you remember your first kiss?
With JohnH on my front porch, late night. I'm pretty sure it was our second date. 

20. What do we still not know about you?

Hmm. At Bonfire one year when I was underage, the TABC caught us with beer. We were asked to dump out the beers in our hands. I dumped my open beer and then pulled out the unopened ones I had in my jacket and dumped them, too. Jeff still harasses me to this day about it. Ha!

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Cameras Everywhere

So, there's this Dani Mathers thing, where she posted a photo on the web of a naked woman in her gym shower, with the comment "If I can't unsee this, you can't either." I'm pretty sure it's a felony to photograph someone naked without their permission and then post it on the net. Mathers has been fired from her job and lost her gym membership. I hope the victim also files criminal charges and sues every last dime out of her.

Mathers says "this isn't the type of person I am," but obviously... it is exactly the type of person she is! Sad!

And I'm never showering or dressing in an open area again. Creepy.

I spent yesterday doing medical coding for one of our studies with sites in Russia and Ukraine. It's a fun challenge to use the web to figure out the identities of some of the medications they use there. Many of them are homeopathic, which requires even more detective work, trying to locate a list of specific ingredients. One of them stumped me all day, until one form very luckily included the name of that product followed by (probiotic). Ahhhhh THANK YOU!

Sunday Stealing: The Movie Nut's Meme

What was your first movie-going experience without your parents?

I don't remember! Darn!!

Do you still buy DVDs or Blu Rays (or do you just stream them)?

Nope, we just stream. We were never big purchasers of DVDs. We only ever bought the really spectacular ones.

What is your guilty pleasure movie? What about it works for you?

Grease II. It has some good music, young Michelle Pfeiffer in one of her first movies, the supercute Adrian Zmed, total silliness. My friends and I were obsessed with it in high school, so it brings back fun high school memories.

You have compiled a list of your top 100 movies. Which movies do you like, but would not make the list?

Probably several of the superhero movies. I like them, but the only one that would make my Top 100 list would be Iron Man.

Which movie(s) do you compulsively watch over and over again? What makes it so great?

Love Actually because it examines love in its many forms, is funny, makes you feel every emotion there is, and then has a happy ending.

Classic(s) you're embarrassed to admit you haven't seen yet?

Animal House, The Godfather, Dazed and Confused

Do you have any movie posters hanging on your wall? If yes, which ones and why?

I don't.

Tell us about a movie that you are passionate about.
Moulin Rouge- I just fell hook, line and sinker for the love story, which is SO funny, because I almost literally walked out of the theater during the opening number. It was so loud and weird, I thought I would never make it through two hours of that. I did stay and became completely absorbed into the crazy, funny, vibrant world Baz Luhrmann created. Ewan McGregor's voice is amazing. Who knew? Love the music. Love the story. I laughed, I cried. It's just one of the best movies ever made.

What is a movie you vow to never watch? Why?
Anything by Michael Moore. They are all so incredibly single-sided.

Tell us about a movie that literally left you speechless.
The Human Centipede. Just. No. (A mad scientist kidnaps and mutilates a trio of tourists in order to reassemble them into a human centipede, created by stitching their mouths to each others' rectums.)

I had thought Boxing Helena was disturbing. (A surgeon becomes obsessed with the woman with whom he once had an affair. Refusing to accept that she has moved on, he amputates her limbs and holds her captive in his mansion.) Oh man. Centipede beat that by a mile.

What’s a movie that you always recommend?
The Hangover

Who is an actor you always watch, no matter how crappy the movie?
George Clooney. Yep. Every one. Even Solaris.

Who is an actor you don't get the appeal for? Why don’t you like them?
Nicholas Cage. I like him, but he always plays the same character, no matter the role.

Who is an actor, living or dead, you'd love to meet? Why do they intrigue you?
Tom Hanks. He's such a great actor and seems to be a great human being as well.

Sexiest actor/actress you've seen. (Picture required!)
Joe Manganiello

OK, you are casting a movie, pick four or five actors you’d hire to be in it and why we’d love them together.
Morgan Freeman, George Clooney, Steve Buschemi and Angelina Jolie. I don't know why you wouldn't love them together!

Who is your favorite actor pairing of all time?
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. So funny!

Have you ever watched movies from a decade that was before you were born? If so, which decade is your favorite?
I am sorry to say I never really acquired a taste for old movies. I have seen very few from the decades before I was born.

If you were to be in a movie would you rather play the hero, villain or anti-hero? Why?

Villain! I'm a rules follower, so it would be a blast to play the bad girl!

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Saturday 9

Hee!

Spent this whole week putting the kitchen back together after the crew left Tuesday. It's almost done. Just some pending decor items and I'll post some pics!

Saturday 9: Hotel California (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Composer Don Henley says this song is about the "journey from innocence to experience." Where do find yourself on that journey? Are you more innocent, or experienced? 

Definitely experienced.

2) The lyrics refers to the "warm smell of colitas." Do you know what it is that the Eagles noticed in the air?

Hmm. Little Cokes? Heh. I never knew what that line said, but now I do. Thanks, Google.

3) The girl in the song had her head turned by luxury, including jewelry from Tiffany's and Mercedes Benz autos. Do you consider yourself materialistic?

No

4) This recording has been lauded by music publications for for its long guitar solo. Are you good on the guitar?

Not at all. It hurts my delicate fingers.

5) There's an error in the lyrics and Don Henley can get a bit testy when interviewers bring it to his attention. Here's the lyric: So I called up the captain and said, 'Please bring me your wine.' He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here since 1969.' Do you know what's wrong with it?
Wine isn't a spirit. Yes? Yes! One for two.

6) Known as the Eagles' drummer, Henley now spends less time at his drum kit. Sitting at that angle for an extended period of time hurts his back. Sam believes this proves all those warnings she heard from her parents about good posture are true. Do you pay attention to your posture?
Not enough. I think I spend a lot of time in chairs that are too deep, which makes me tend to slouch, so my feet touch the floor.

7) Joe Walsh is considered the wild man of the Eagles. Think of your circle of friends. Who is the most unpredictable?

Cathy! In the best way.

8) In 1977, Star Wars premiered. How many Star Wars movies have you seen? 

All seven of them.

9) Random question: "Nosocomephobia" is the fear of hospitals. Are you nosocomephobic?

Nah.

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Happy Independence Day!

Saturday 9: Battle Hymn of the Republic (1968)
... because it's 4th of July
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. This performance of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is from Robert Kennedy's funeral. So this week, we focus on him.

1) During WWII, when he was just 17, Robert Kennedy enlisted in the Navy. He was disappointed he was never involved in combat. Tell us about a time when you felt fate/circumstances kept you from something you wanted. 

I missed a lot of my senior year of college, because I was in Houston for cancer treatments. When I was able to be at school, I was very sick. I did complete my coursework and attended Ring Dance and graduation though!

2) Bobby was trained as an altar boy and throughout his life regularly attended early morning mass. When is the last time you attended a worship service?

It's been a few years. Probably a Christmas service with the in-laws.

3) He may have been an altar boy, but he was no angel. During junior high he was suspended for punching a classmate. Who is the last person who made you very, very mad?
Our kitchen contractor.

4) He had his first date when he was a senior in high school. Looking back, Mary Bailey Gimble told Kennedy biographers that she knew he had a crush on her and wondered why it took him so long to ask her out. Tell us about one of your early crushes.
BobbyM was my first real crush. He was the cutest boy in my middle school. Cathy likes to remind me that he didn't turn out so great, so I can be glad I dodged that bullet. Ha!

5) Bobby's wife Ethel is as bubbly and talkative as he was introspective and shy. He was organized, she's messy. While opposites may attract, do you believe the happiest marriages are between partners who are more similar than different?

Yes, I think the more successful relationships are those where a couple is more similar than different. Differences are important though. You don't want to be completely similar.

6) By November 1960, when he was 35 years old, Bobby already had served as legal counsel to two Senate committees and run his brother's successful Presidential campaign. He was looking forward to a quieter life teaching law, but gave in to family pressure to become President Kennedy's Attorney General. Tell us about a time when you were at a crossroads. Who influenced your decision?

At the beginning of this year, I was deciding between making a jump to a new company or quitting work altogether to go back to taking care of things at home and helping out more with my daughter's healthcare. No one really influenced my choice to stay home, but I really appreciate the support of my family and friends during and after the process. It's been a big change for the better!

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Kitchen Finished!

Ohmigosh, y'all. They have completed the kitchen!! Big cleaning going on today and then all that's left is to seal the backsplash next Tuesday. And! It's just occurred to me that they always leave at 3:30 on Fridays (lucky them!), so it's less than two hours to completion. Whee!!!!!!!!

It took a total of four weeks, which is fabulous, considering the scope of the project-  an extra-large kitchen, tiling the foyer, and painting/tiling the breakfast/utility/dining rooms. Of course we'll have the walkthrough items, but those can hopefully be taken care of while we're using the kitchen. Best of all, I don't have to get up early anymore to move the cars out of the driveway and unlock the back door and the garage, etc.

The poor cats won't be stuck hiding out in the bedroom either. They have food and water and a box in there, so they aren't suffering of anything but cabin fever, but still. Kiptyn was doing one of those "cats gone wild" moments in the condensed space of the master bedroom the other day and jumped right into his water bowl. 'Twas hilarity.

So YAY!! Kitchen!!

Well, I finally watched the new Match Game. First question on the new show (one of my very favorite TV shows as a kid) was "Costco opened a new adult section. They're giving out free samples of blank."

The contestant's answer was "lotion," which no one matched; however, the show's judges allowed "lube" as a match (what the...????), so she got 4 matches!

I feel compelled to let the judges and people everywhere know that lotion and lube are not the same.

Alec Baldwin has a wireless mic, but also carries around the old style hand microphone. Very strange. Otherwise though, I love that it's back, and pretty much the same as it was. I am reminded of the great Gene Rayburn and all the hilarious celebs from the 70s. There were far too many to list, but remember Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Dawson and Brett Somers? Fun.

Also watched the fabulous $100,000 Pyramid! Remember Dick Clark hosting (back when it was 10 or 20 thousand)? If I were to compete on a game show, that would be IT.

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