Treats.

So, I have been reflecting on my blog and its need for a clear vision and focus this month. So I thought I would continue with my list making. Ranking some of my (Oprah) Favorite Things.

Today's topic: Tasty Treats.
(Hey, I woke up really hungry.)

10. Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups.
I know, many of you were expecting this to be in the top 4, but times they are a-changing. I love these cups. Those Reeses sure have found the perfect balance of chocolate and peanut butter. Which is hard to do. While the Fauf loves to go to "The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory" to get her amazing cookies, I always reflect on the giant peanut butter cups sitting in their displays and scoff at them. How could they ever try to trump the mighty Reeses? Bah! They can't even come close.

9. Rite Aid's Ice Cream Sandwiches: Cookies and Cream.
Now if I could, I would say our friend Caitrin's ICS's are the best, but I have only had the pleasure of having those one two occasions, so until I can have them one more time I will say Rite Aid's takes the cake. The other brands must envy Rite Aid's. Somehow their cookie/cake crusts find the perfect medium between cookie crunch and cakey softness. The ice cream is just right: soft, smooth, and creamy. Perfection when it comes to enjoying an icy treat. These are particularly wonderful paired with a Fauf outing.

8. Sun-Maid Raisins.
I know this is a shocker for many of you, but I am a huge fan of The Sun-Maid's Raisins. They are a perfect after lunch treat (paired best with number 2 and 3 prior to tasting). They are sweet, flavorful, and let's face it, they are the only item on the list that have only two ingredients: grapes and sunshine. In addition to a great treat you also get the pleasure of seeing that nice lady on the box smiling at you. She really is a delightful soul.

7. Keebler's Fudge Striped Cookies.
These phenomenal treat must have been made by elves. They are similar to shortbread cookies (see below), but they have a choclately coating which add an extra layer of delight to the snacker. I enjoy these cookies once a quarter and find they are also fun to wear on your fingers like rings. You know me, always looking for fun things to do with the Doodels.

6. Pirate's Booty.
About three months ago I would have proclaimed Cheeto Cheese Puffs were my favorite, but times they are a-changin'. This past month or so we had our very own Trader Joe's open, and since then I have had Pirate's Booty more frequently. Now, in all honesty we do not get Pirate's Booty, since Trader Joes has ceased carrying the Booty. However we do buy the world's longest named 7 oz. snack: "Buccaneer Joe's Unburried Treasure White Cheddar Corn Puffs".

5. Peanuts, pretty much any brand, but Planters will always be my first love.
As a kid my dad would take me to the Old Town Market in Orcutt and I would get Honey Roasted Peanuts as a treat. Nowadays I lightly salted peanuts as an afternoon treat. Mmm, salty goodness. We tend to get the store brand as opposed to the name brand, because let's face it, peanuts are peanuts unless they are tainted with salmonella.

4. Shortbread Cookies from the Girl Scouts of America.
They are the delightful. I know a lot of people will try to persuade you that Thin Mints take the cake, but there is something special about those Shortbread Cookies. I place these higher on the list only because of their availability. Those Girl Scouts horde them all year and only make them available during the late Winter. Those goons. Butt back to their goodness, I do think they are good with a cup of tea, but if you happen to have a Diet Coke on hand, that's not too bad either. Which brings me to my next snack.

3. Diet Coke.
I know, many of you don't think of a drink as a snack, but when it comes to Diet Coke, I do. It is just one of those satisfying drinks that has a crisp taste and nice after taste. One thing I don't like about regular Coke is the aftertaste. Not nice. Diet Coke is amazing, good aftertaste and good during-taste.

2. Cheeze-Its.
Honestly people. This is a great cracker. Cheesy, salty, bite sized. Fantastic. We should all grab a box today and talk about the cheesy goodness. But interestingly enough no two boxes taste the same. Sometimes the crackers are overly salted, and other times they are over baked. My personal note on the best box is buying the box at a regular grocery store (not Target or WalMart) at full price. For some reason the "odd" boxes that are over-baked or too salty are found in the Targets and WalMarts of America or at a good sale price. But, if you are not as picky as I am, get those bargain boxes.

1. Quaker Granola Bars.
Mmm. As many will tell you (Jason Sullivan, Brian Rickie, Sean Trouger, etc.) as a young man I loved Granola Bars. My mother even accounts them to sustaining me and giving me a belly. Well, there it is. They are perfect desserts, not really a snack. Specifically the chocolate chip variety are the best. Don't be fooled by the chocolate chunk, while these are acceptable in a moment of distress, they are in no way a valid substitution when both options are present.

Well, there it is. My favorite treats. I'm sure if I continue down my path to Trainer Bob's reform I'll be blogging about grapes, kiwi and carrots in the future, but this is what I like today, so deal with it. But, tomorrow I better write about my favorite exercises.

Old Women

So it has come to my attention I find old, bossy women funny. I have been watching some shows lately and all of these older grumpy women make me laugh. There is something refreshing about them. So here are my awards for the best older--well more mature women on TV.

The award for best winker goes to: Lucille 1 from Arrested Development.


The award for best socialite goes to: Mrs. Gilmore of Gilmore Girls.


The award for the "grandest, perfectly grand!" goes to: Lucille 2 from Arrested Development.


The award for most allusive sock stealer (WHAT?) goes to everyone's mom: Mrs. Petrelli.


The award for best foot in the grave goes to: Mrs. Donaghy herself from 30 Rock.


So here's to old, funny women everywhere. I raise a glass to you today! (And no, this has no connection to Fauf growing old this week.)

Change

Oh jeepers! Who am I? Obama?

Well, here I am a few months later. I stand, well sit, here a changed man. Here are my data supporting the change:

1. I am a homeowner. What? I said it. So what? Who cares.

2. I am no longer believing I will be Benjamin Button this year. Honestly $80 and 4 months later and there are little to no results.

3. I eat a bowl of Cherrios daily. 4% in 6 weeks people--I am changed, I guess.

4. I plan to do run in a team triathlon. Obviously I won't do this. Wait, that's old not new. (Reference things I want to do, but probably won't- Riding my bike to work, the regiment, go on Family Feud, going to the moon, etc.)

5. I have only been to one movie in the past two months and it included ample blue body parts that were just weird.

Well, there it is. I said it.

OK People...

So, I know there were doubts there for awhile. But God truly seems to want us to be in the new house. Today is the big day where we exchange our paychecks for little metal keys. I know it is crazy to think, but today I saw a sign that made me believe even if the underwriter, lender, or bank didn't want us to have the house He did. As I drove up to our soon to be property today I saw it! Knocked down by the wind was the For Sale Sign.

Can you believe it? I can. It is meant to be!

Today is the day, or so they tell me. I can hardly wait!

Here's to God and his brute force.

New Hope.

No. This is not about Obama, who apparently is the former Republican President, Lincoln. What? OK. I get it, but still... This is freaky looking:


But enough on Obama--well for now--because this blog is not about Obama. But something bigger than the O-man. Our new hope is not Obi-Won-Kenobi, though that is pretty great...


No, the new hope is February.


I mean, let's face it January was pretty much a bust. We sat in a half packed house waiting for escrow to close. We had vacation only to find school was waiting for us around the corner. We never went to any parties, even though two family members celebrated birthdays. The School District warns me that we will indeed be seeing IOUs instead of pay. See--January was not that great. But February has hope.

We will close on our house. We will move in. We will celebrate at school not one, not two but at least three days off for Mr. Shaw. We will have an Oscar's Party. Rumor has it Orcutt Teachers may get paid (or at least they have banks who will cash our fake money checks). And finally we will decorate the school in shades of cotton candy and bunny noses.

February, a month of hope.

Our Home?

Today we received a phone call saying our loan is almost completed. We have a few things to do before it all is official, but it IS happening. So barring a disaster, and paired with prayer, we will be moving in the next week and a half. So here are some exterior pictures I took of the home about 1 month ago. Enjoy...




Keep up the prayer people! It is not over until we sign the papers, hold the keys and clean the carpets. :-)

Double Feature

Valkyrie



This movie was pretty good, but I think I was distracted during it. I was thinking about being a homeowner, and I found myself wandering in and out of the movie. Let me just say, no matter the circumstance (well, most circumstances) I am able to become engrossed by a great movie. But this one just wasn't great.

Tom Cruise was, well Tom Cruise. Not amazing, just OK. The support cast was a page out of Pirates of the Caribbean. However the most redemptive part of the movie was the last 20 minutes. I thought the ending was interesting, engaging and let's face it somewhat sorrowful.

As I reflect on the movie I wonder if the media is making comparisons to Naziism and the extremists we have in today's society. My guess is they are trying to make some parallels to the extreme perspectives both in the middle east and in the homeland.

Overall, this movie earns a Rice Cake, Peanut Butter and a few sips of a Diet Coke. Good, just not totally satisfying.

Bride Wars

Kind of ridiculous. And a little bit of a disappointment. I know.... How can I expect anything when it is a silly girl movie. But I did, so there. While there were a few funny moments (*all of the moments you caught in the previews), the majority of the movie was 1 demential and bland.

Kate Hudson's demeanor bothered me. And Anne Hathaway as a middle school teacher who is walked all over was just not very convincing. At any rate it was a decent movie.

I give it a Rice Cake with a taste of Peanut Butter, but nothing to drink. Kinda, blah.

*Please note, Farah commented the bedazzled wedding dress does not appear in the movie.

Futurama

What a crazy week we've had. I pretty much spent the week wondering about the future. We've had some silly situations which, Praise God, have all seemed to be working out. But... Nonetheless, I wondered... What if I could make like Doc and turn my Delorean into a time machine. Off to the future I would go... Here are some of the things I perhaps would see. Or would I???



Our own house?


Tracy Jordan with his mind-grapes in order?



Parker reading Harry Potter... geeze this is far in the future?


Farah as a famous author?


Jon and Morgen GIVING us the gift a Vespa?


Will Arnet coming over to dinner to entertain us with his magic?


All these things were possible when I looked in the future. But now that I've seen it, will any of them come true? Tune in over the next few years to find out!

The Honors of 2008

This Blog is dedicated to 2008, yes, that was a time of yesteryear. But it was also a time of important people. Therefore, this blog is dedicated to the men, women and minis who changed our--well my-- world.

First of all I would like to say that each and every one of you deserve an honorable mention here, but I only had time to give a few of you true shout outs and awards. If you are upset that you didn't make the list, well then, be a bigger part of my life this year.

Ahh, Miss Elphaba. She was a big part of this year. Responsible for me annoying my wife with the continual sounds of Broadway, but most of all she taught me everyone deserves a chance to fly.



His mind-grapes are crazy. And well... The picture says enough...


Oh. The Toey. He moved up here and brought his sister, mother and bugger along with him. Hooray for Toey and his toeiness.



Ahem. This picture was TAKEN by me, thank you very much. Whether she is trying to adopt a baby or giving fake awards to her staff, this Lemon isn't sour (though that pun was horrible).


Boo. She never made Washington all mavericky. Oh well, I gave her all the support I could muster up, I guess the Ahlgren's phone bullying outweighed my e-mailing. Here's to Granny Maverick.


Fierce. Well I guess I could talk about Rami and his draping (I'll save that for my last shout out though)


Oh, dearest Katie. How you have grown on us this year. Just stop selling crappy dream homes next to Target.


Hooray, not only did Parker lose the bet (yes, consider this your shout out), but she published a Harry Potterish book with proceeds going to charity. Nice work...


I suppose I should mention the B.O.


America? Muffin Top? Beautiful Me--I mean You? You bet.


Hands down... FUNNIEST man on TV. Period.


THE END

Oh, and just for old time's sake...

Seven Pounds

Despite the bad press for this movie, I thought I would go see it and judge for myself. Well, I guess I will give it more bad press.

This movie almost delivered. Notice the word almost. It would be like expecting a package before Christmas and then not getting it. That is a problem. The overall story is interesting enough, and I see why Will Smith picked it, but still, it fails to deliver. Seven Pounds is (spoiler alert) the story of a guy who has major regrets and seeks to pay a penance for his sins. He does this by giving of himself (literally) to others, specifically 7 others who are truly in need. The audience is left to draw the conclusion that this is what the title means.

The idea itself was intersting, yet you feel little to no sympathy for Smith's character. The entire movie, in fact, the viewer is left to wonder if he is even a good guy. In the end the movie tries to paint a picture of the tragic hero in Smith's character but it falls short. I personally walked away thinking Smith was a doofus and in need of grace, not redemption.

Alas, the film left a dry taste in my mouth and I give the film a dry rice cake with no peanut butter. Boo.

Tis the Season

Well the Winter/Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanza/New Year's Break is upon us! No lie, I am pretty excited about waking up late and dashing off to a few joyous events during the season.

Unfortunately for some (mainly Parker who doesn't like me resos) I will be starting some New Year's Resolutions this year a few days early. Last year I skipped the Resos for the first time in a long while, so this year I thought I better get back on the bike and ride again. I decided this year to start my resos on the 28th of December, because let's face it, if you don't start right away you'll never start.

So without further ado here are my Resos for 2009 (gasp, 2010 is just around the corner):

1. I will become Benjamin Button through a variety of New Year's disciplines:
a. I will reinstate my regiment otherwise known as the hour of me.
b. I will start using mom's tonic.
c. I will eat a new vegetable at least once a month (hey that's a big deal for me and for Farah's joy).

2. I will finish writing my story about Brandon Boxer (which I have just found new love for). I may even self publish it for kicks and giggles.

3. (gasp) I will finish the most long-winded, exhaustingly lame final paper for Chapman. Honestly folks, this year is the year it will finally make a difference on the pay salary so I better finish it pronto!

4. I will blog about (poor Parker) movies once again. I will give my reviews so the public will know what to do. If I see a movie this week, you better believe you are going to hear about it.

5. I will take a little time to be like Joy Behar and enjoy the view.

Alas, these are my resos, though silly, self centered and whimsical they may be, they are indeed mine.

So if you see me, you can ask me about one or two of them. I also emplore you to make comments on your own resos. Perhaps you too can be a Mr., Mrs., or Ms. Button.

Hey, hey...

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it! Hanukkah is over for the year! So here is a breakdown of the AMAZING gifts I got from the Fauf:

(and yes, Parker if you are reading this, I do have your Christmas gifts in the Cottage)

Night 1, Something for the Senses: Hershey's Symphony Bar and A Boomers Gift Card (Deal or No Deal Here I COME!)

Night 2, Something for the Cottage: A Puzzle (Yes, I'm an old man who now wants to do puzzles)

Night 3, Something for the Bed...: Well never mind (Santa).

Night 4, Something Doodle Loopy: These RIDICULOUS Batman Collectibles (A delight)

Night 5, Something for the Hobby: Scrabble Scorekeeper and Pen (Yes, I will triumph again!)

Night 6, Something for the Mind: The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Ah, Harry Potter)

Night 7, Something for the Memories: The Worst Witch Ever on DVD (Mrs. Garret in PINK HAIR!)

Night 8, Something for Vacation: Quiddler (Amazingly fun game)

Alas, I want to tell you what I gave her, but I'll leave that for her blog. Until then...

HEY HEY LIGHT THE MENORAH!

I like it... I don't like it...

Praise God for Panera Bread and the free WiFi...

Things I like about this month:

My class has come a long way, and have done a great job being cute and less annoying.
The cottage is magical and has the spirit of Christmas looming inside of it.
The weather is changing, and with a lot of prayer (and proper temperature regulation), it will snow this year.
The movies we get to watch this month are simply nostalgic and delight the heart.
Cookies abound, especially those sugar/shortbread ones that have green frostings on top.
Parker is going to dress up as a Harry Potter Character for the Yule Ball.
Ahh... The 4th or is it 3rd Annual Yule Ball!

Things I don't like about this month:
The gnome is being forced to join the loud worship team (against his will I might add).
We are halfway through the month and still don't have a date to move into our new house.
We have neighbors who don't give us their passwords to use the internet.
December doesn't have a capital O in it. I love October.
People in Panera Bread are having and I quote, "Dreams about Parker."

Yule Ball

Oh yeah I did.

So now that I have won the bet I feel the burden has finally lifted off of my shoulders. So now I can blog freely and somewhat evil-ly about Parker and his fate.

The Yule Ball. He has to dress up like a character of my choosing. So let's get brainstorming here people. Here are my first ideas. I know I will have a lot more to add to this, but I wanted to get the ball a-rollin'...

Sirus Black- Honestly I just think this one is for the ladies so Parker can show off his manly chest.

Dumbledore all gay-ed out. I'm not sure what this looks like, but we could gay it up.

Lucious Malfoy- honestly, Parker in a long blond wig would be really funny.

Hermione. Pre-hottness--think book 3 and earlier.

Professor Trelawny- this would just be funny. PERIOD. FUNNY.

Ideas?

A Ghoulish Glimpse

Here is a ghoulish glimpse into our divine Halloween Party...

November and its Glory

Hooray for November. I woke up this morning feeling a little achy, but in all honesty I felt rather renewed. I feel like I'm alive again! While traditionally I love October more than any other month, I would have to say this feeling inside me today tells me I am going to love November with all my heart this year. Here are a few reasons why it is going to be the bomb-diggity:

I can finally freely discuss Harry Potter and know I am champion.

I am now (nearly) the same age as my wife.

I have made it through the longest month of teaching (well in the fall at least, there is still March--yuck).

I get three days off this month--correction, 4 days off.

There is no BTSA meeting on the second Tuesday, well there is a tech training just before Thanksgiving but at least it has to do with using our new Report Card system.

The rainy season will be upon us. (though my wife feels like this is a false statement, she doubts the power of prayer)

We get to elect a new president and hear people complain about the voting system in Florida.

Depending on who wins Rosie will be very talkative about her political persuasions.

All in all, especially with my victory over Parker this will be a great month of bountiful blessings. Here's to November, possibly my new favorite month.