The Joy of Six...

The Boob Tube....my drug of choice

Oh dear God, if Joe introduces me to another tv or HBO series, I think my head will explode.  I've mentioned in previous posts how he loves to show up with a season of 'something' that he knows I'll just love.  "You know you'll like it mom."   Yeah, yeah, yeah..... 

 

The latest….Tremé, a show about life in New Orleans after Katrina; and Game of Thrones, a show where kings, queens, knights and renegades use schemes and swords to battle for the throne....have now  been added.  Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE them; that’s the problem.  Joe seems to know what I would like and loves bringing them over, or finding them On Demand.  Many of them are series that I haven't made time for....on purpose; because I haven't wanted to get addicted to any more than I already am. 

 

It’s not bad enough that I have certain shows on network tv that I watch religiously and that Joe wouldn't be caught dead watching, like:

 

~ Dancing With The Stars (season just ended, thank God)

~ American Idol (season just ended, thank God again)

~ So You Think You Can Dance (season just began, ohhhh)

~ America’s Got Talent (also just began)

~ Grey’s Anatomy (season just ended)

~ America’s Best Dance Crew (tomorrow night is the final show of the season)

~ Celebrity Apprentice (didn’t watch it this season because Donald has irritated the hell out of me with his recent antics.)

 

I think there were more, but I can’t think of them right now....and this doesn't cover the sporting events that I like to watch.  As you can see, I tend to like the entertainment reality shows most.  I use to watch more dramatic series, but either they have since gone off the air….or Joe has made them part of our itinerary that we watch together.

 

Not even counting the shows that are no longer on, here’s a list of what we are in the process of watching or catching up on through the seasons on DVD…..and in no particular order of preference (I love and am addicted to most of these shows):

 

~ Tremé

~ Game of Thrones

~ Criminal Minds

~ Dexter

~ Rescue Me

~ Justified

~ Modern Family

~ Monk

~ Sons of Anarchy

~ CSI (both NY & LV.  We use to watch Miami, but David Caruso is just a little too much lately.)

~ Mad Men

~ House

~ Breaking Bad

~ Castle

~ Southland

~ The Closer

~ The Walking Dead (Wasn’t so sure I’d like this, but it was surprisingly good.)

~ Lie to Me ( We still have the last season to watch, but I think it just got cancelled, so that’s good.)

~ Damages

~ Burn Notice

 

I think that’s everything.  As you can see, Joe has got me pretty booked up.  We lay on my bed and watch several episodes at a time; so the two of us have become ‘bed potatoes’ in every way.  But of course I use these opportunities to multi-task...write out lists and bills, do puzzles, file my nails, read the newspaper.  Hmmm, and I wonder why my body is yelling out to me in defiance.  Between hours spent watching these programs and hours spent at my computer, I’m surprised I can move at all.  Watching me get around the last several months isn’t pretty…especially on the stairs.  I try to do some stretching exercises when I can and get out and run errands as much as possible.

 

Honestly, there are times when I think I could kill Joe for getting me hooked on these shows….and times when I could kiss him.  Are you as bad as me?  Come on, make me feel better….   ~Joy  xo

Let Them Eat Cake....

For as long as I can remember I've had a love affair with sweets....candy, pies, cookies, ice cream, you name it..... and especially cake.  You put a gooey frosted cake in front of me and leave a fork anywhere in the vacinity....and I'm in trouble.   I don't necessarily need a knife.   Hell, on a good day...I may not even need that fork.

My son, Joe and I often watch those cake decorating shows on the Food Network...."Last Cake Standing Challenge," "Create A Cake," and "Cool Cake Designing."  I love watching the beautiful and outrageous cakes they come up with on those shows. Many of the shows have themes like weddings or holidays...and that's even better. I just love to see what they come up with for those.  I'm constantly amazed by the artistic and talented minds of those people.

So I'm going to share some cakes with you that are truly amazing pieces of art.  They look so real, it's hard to believe they are just frosting and cakes.  Honestly, if I were given one of them, I don't know if I could even eat it.  NOW THAT WOULD BE A FIRST!!!!  These really do 'take the cake'....... (Click on some pictures to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Aren't these great?  See what I mean?  I don't know if I would have the heart to cut into any of them and ruin their artistry....but that frosting would be calling to me....  Would you be able to devour one of these beautiful creations?

I've been a BAD Blogger.....

I'm feeling guilty AGAIN....

I've been meaning to post, but I just haven't found the time. I haven't been able to visit and comment on other blogs as much as usual either....I'm sorry.  I promise I'll make up for it. 

My daughter, Jory, has been in town since Monday night on business for BlogHer ; and well, I guess I don't have to explain do I?  In between our great chats, running her to the train for business meetings in Chicago, and sleeping....I've managed to squeeze some necessary work in. 

Of course even Jory knows there are some things you just don't 'mess with' mom about.  Like watching American Idol and Dancing With The Stars.  And really she loves watching them too....when she gets the chance.  She actually took a cab home last night from Chicago rather than bother me during my shows to pick her up from the train.  What a kid.  Albeit her day ended up going much later than she planned anyway.  Still....it was a sweetness on her part.

As wonderful as it is to have Jory home, she and I are very disappointed about one thing.  Her Aunt Heidi and Uncle John (my late husband's sister) are coming in town today for Heidi's class reunion on Saturday.  The whole DJ family....all of Jory's uncles, aunts and cousins in the area... are getting together tomorrow night for dinner, conversation and laughs.  Jory's schedule is so busy, that she won't be able to join us.  She comes home late tonight, has a conference in Chicago tomorrow, and flies out of Chicago and back to California later in the day.  She misses everything....and everybody.  What a bummer!  It's not often that we all can get together in the same place at the same time.  But hey, it is what it is....we'll sure miss her.  She brings a lot to the table and adds a whole lot to the conversation. So it will be just Joe, Jenna and I who will be representing our little twig of the DJ tree.

Okay, now that I've explained why I've been such a bad blogging buddy I hope you forgive me.  I really needed to let you know.  I was feeling so guilty.  I miss you, but I'll be coming by very soon.....Love and hugs, Joy

Celebrity Offensive.....

  I made the mistake of watching Celebrity Apprentice last night.  Do I hear snickers?  I even told myself I wasn’t going to bother with Donald and his crazy shenanigans this season; but there I was deciding to ‘just check it out.'                                                                                                                         

Honestly…how lame am I?  And….I was right!  Within ten minutes Andrew Dice Clay (Comedian...and that's debatable.....) had me irritated.  I knew he’d be the one I wanted to leave first.  Cripes, why even bother to join a show when you really don’t want to help out with the first task at hand…..making cupcakes.  CUPCAKES FOR CRIPESSAKE!  Coming from Brooklyn, he’s too MACHO to make a cupcake…..BULLHOCKEY!  He had an attitude and wouldn’t shut up from the beginning.  He found every excuse in the book to sit around and make jokes and get out of helping.  He’s full of himself.  For all I know…he may be a really nice guy outside of the arena of entertaining….but he was a jerk on the show and was actually even trying to quit at the end in the boardroom. After Donald shamed him, he even tried to take that back; but at least Donald had the sense to mercifully end our agony and Andrew was the first to be axed.

Next on the block could be Dennis Rodman (NBA Star) if he doesn’t step his game up.  Of course…that’s assuming I’m going to continue to watch this insanity.  The rest of the men’s team is an interesting and diverse one:

 

Herschel Walker, Football Player

Clint Black, Country Singer

Brian McKnight, R & B Singer

Jesse James, Entrepreneur/TV Star

Scott Hamilton, Figure Skating Champion

Tom Green, Comedian

                                                                        

 

And here’s the women’s team…also and interesting bunch:

 

 

Joan Rivers, Comedienne (I have to be honest with you.  I use to like Joan Rivers years ago when she did stand up comedy.  Over the years her persona has changed into an overbearing, pushy person that I’m not very fond of.  I find her abrasive and not very genuine.  Maybe she was like that all the time and I just never realized it….but I certainly realize it now.  Don’t get me wrong…I do see some nice moments come from her from time to time.  I won’t say she’s always insincere or cold.  Another thing I have trouble with is her face.  I just can’t get past all the plastic surgery.  It’s like looking at a statue in the Wax Museum….only it’s moving.)

 

Melissa Rivers, TV Host/Producer…and Joan’s daughter

Annie Duke, Poker Champion

Brande Roderick, Playboy Playmate

Claudia Jordan, Model, Deal or No Deal

Khloe Kardashian, Reality Star

Natalie Gulbis, Golf Champion

Tionne Watkins, R & B Star, TLC

 

So this is the cast this season.  I think some tempers could really clash.  I think Joan could erupt or melt down at any given time.  Melissa and Annie Duke are total control freaks as well…..BIG  potential for fireworks there.  I cringe when that happens…I really do.  I always say I’ll stop watching when things get ugly…and sometimes I do.  I typically don’t like when people are mean to one another.  I hated Omarosa from last season; and it galls me that she’s getting any kind of fame/notoriety for being a BITCH to everyone. (Excuse the language.)  I guess I’ll never understand that part of the business.

 

Well, at least I feel vindicated that 'Dice' is gone and we won't have to endure his behavior to his team and his 'wimping-out' any longer than the first show.  Good job Donald.  Thanks for at least doing that.  I know, I know...it sounds like I'll be back doesn't it?  Oh Poop...talk about wimping-out!!

Bits and Pieces on a Saturday Morning.....

    Well we finally got that snow they were predicting all week.  It happened overnight and is still coming down on and off today.  If I were to guesstimate, I'd say we have about 2 or 3 inches so far. It's suppose to end sometime this afternoon. Snow always looks so pretty when it first falls, doesn't it?  At least that's how I've always felt about it in the past.  I'm not lovin' it so much these days. It's kind of worn out its welcome frankly.  I'm ready to usher it out the door for good.  Oh here comes the snowplow....Yea, I'm definitely ready.

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Has anyone seen the Showtime drama Brotherhood?  It's a political-crime drama set in an Irish neighborhood in Providence, Rhode Island, known as "The Hill."  The series revolves around the Caffee brothers, who, despite being on opposite sides of the law, are determined to protect the neighborhood and what is theirs by any means necessary.  My son, Joe, decided to get me hooked on yet another series.  I think it's in its third season, but we are only on season two.  I really like it a lot.  Great characters....great acting.  Looks like Joe was right again....

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My daughter Jory is in Florida visiting her Nana this weekend....mixing business with pleasure.  She's on a business trip for BlogHer and decided to take a couple of days to stop and see her Grandmother (Nana)....and I'm so glad she did.  My mother-in-law has been looking forward to Jory's visit so much and has been talking about it for weeks.  I know they're going to have a great time together.  I kind of wish I could peek in on them to see how they're doing.  Nana is such a character, and she just loves to get into what Jory does for a living.   At 92 years old Nana is a sharp cookie, so I know there are bound to be some very interesting conversations between the two of them.  I can't wait to get all the details from Jory when she gets back home.

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Hey American Idol fans....Is this looking to be a really good season or what?  (At least as far as talent goes)  My only problem is that we have already lost some really good people with this new system.  I'm having a problem with that.  I'm not going to name any names.  Now I find out that there is a "Wild Card" that will add three more people... that will make 12 people all together.  I was wondering what happened to the 12 finalists.  Okay...that makes it more interesting.  That could be good...or bad.  This season has been kind of weird.  What do you think?

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Oh my dieting's going just great....  
 

 Have a great weekend...       Love, Joy

From a birthday....to a day of birth....

There were many celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr's birthday all over our nation today...and many televised shows airing autobiographical segments of him and his powerful words.  Tomorrow I'll be glued to the television watching as much of the Inaugural Day as I can possibly watch.  I want to see every piece of this historic day that I can possibly soak up with my eyes.  I want to hear every word our new president has to tell us...listening with a hope and renewal that I haven't felt in a very long time.  I want to see the faces of the people in the crowds that stand and watch looking and listening with that same look of hope on their faces that I have.  And if I should see tears streaming down the cheeks of those faces as I watch....I'll know that I'm not alone.  God Bless Our Country. 

Most Decorated Olympian

I watched every race; and Saturday night Michael Phelps won his record 8th gold medal of the Beijing games when he was part of the winning 400-meter medley relay team... to become the greatest of the Olympian champions.  What a thrill to be able to see it all.

I remember watching 36 years ago in August of 1972 when Mark Spitz won 7 gold medals in swimming in the Munich games and everyone thought there was no way anyone would ever touch that record. 

But here we are....records are meant to be broken.

With 14 gold medals, Michael Phelps has won more golds than any athlete in history.

CONGRATULATIONS......Truly Amazing!!!!!!!

Bejing Olympia Gardens

The Opening Ceremonies of the summer Olympics in Bejing, China a couple of days ago were nothing short of amazing.  Stunning!  Certainly one of the best I've ever seen in all my years of watching the olympics since loving them as a child.  The people of Bejing certainly have prepared for these Olympics in the most beautiful ways....and for all the world to see and enjoy.........THE BEJING OLYMPIA GARDENS......(Click on the pictures to enlarge to really appreciate their beauty.)

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AWESOME.....TRUELY AWESOME!!!! Can you imagine walking through these beautiful gardens...one right after another?  They must go on for miles and miles.