by Sarah | Jul 1, 2014 | All About Home, All About Me, All of Us, Crap, Random, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Just over five years ago we gave up cable. Then, after a year I caved and got it again, only to cancel it again after our discount rate went away.
We sure don’t miss the cost, but there are a few things I miss .
With regular stations, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, we have plenty to watch and shows to catch up on, and other shows we can catch after a year, but some things just aren’t the same.
- DVR. There are so many times I simply forget a show is on, or something comes up and I’m not at the TV when it comes on. Worse, some shows (Hell, SYTYCD) just don’t let me catch it online “next day”. I miss the convenience of in-box DVR.
- Ghost Hunters. Inarguably the one show I miss. It’s also the one that SyFy refuses to stream in any way.
- The Dead Files. Another favorite. (Are we sensing a theme here?)
- My Ghost Story. (Seriously, I need help.)
- Nick at Night. It’s showing MY old favorites now…good shows, great reruns.
- Hell on Wheels. Yes it’s on Netflix, but first run is better.
- American Pickers. Yeah.
- Nat Geo. ‘Nuff said.
- FX.
- 100’s of channels. Always something on. (this is both a blessing and a curse. Harder to turn off the TV and, oh, I dunno…WORK.)
In the end, life is better without cable. But some days I do get waxing poetic over the whole thing.
What about you? What is your favorite thing about having, or not having, cable as the case may be? If you don’t…what do you miss most from cable?
by Sarah | Mar 26, 2014 | All About Kennedy, All About Me, Blogging Life, Pour Your Heart Out, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
I’ve never been a confident person (except on the stage).
I’ve never had that “it” factor that makes people popular, and I’ve never understood it.
I remember all too well the pain of being left out. The last called. The one no one liked. The one called “nerd”. The one told, by the one she thought was her best friend “I don’t like you,” after a bone-deep betrayal.
The pain that cuts deep in the eyes of youth. The pain that lingers long into adulthood and taints memories for years to come.
I remember so clearly the torture of late elementary and middle school. I was terrified to send my boy to middle school because of my experiences (but he survived unscathed).
*~*
Out of all my kids, I never thought I’d have to worry about Kennedy.
Despite her quirks and tendency toward tempers, she’s a bright and shiny, happy girl. One I thought was brimming with confidence and cheer.
I never thought she would look at me with tear-filled eyes and whimper those heart-wrenching words…
“Nobody likes me. They won’t play with me. They said they wouldn’t be my friend anymore.”
A shot to the heart that brought up so much pain for myself.
Worse, because it’s my baby.
And I want to fix it.
But is it fixable? How?
After a few weeks of contemplation, discussion, and talking, I attempted to email the teacher. I explained the situation, what had been told to us, with the full acknowledgment that I knew sometimes K’s temper could be a stepping stone. I asked the teacher for HER insights and observations…if she’d noticed anything. The only response? The guidance counselor calling to suggest Kennedy be placed in “Friendship Group” again…a group she’s been in every year that’s designed to help kids w/ issues making friends for various reasons.
No insights.
No help.
K seems happier now. She’s said that her friends agreed to be her friends again.
But I watch.
And I wait.
Praying that she comes out the other end on the good side of the emotional wall.
Knowing that I’ll be there whatever happens. Either with deep understanding of her pain, or joy that she has a freedom and happiness I never felt.
*~*
Written for Things I can’t Say’s Pour Your Heart Out
by Sarah | Mar 25, 2014 | All About Me, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Story of Me, The Geek, Top Ten Tuesday
I’m a total ghost geek.
I admit it.
Have been for…wow, at least since middle school.
I believe in ghosts, I believe I’ve seen several.
Also, I DREAM of being able to go to a haunted location.
Even my hubby, who doesn’t believe in ghosts, has talked of taking me to one just because I want to go SO.BAD.
So this top ten list – wasn’t easy. Narrowing it down to only 10 locations, but I did. There is no particular order in place here, because there isn’t one I’d want to go to more than another. I want to see them all-fully equipped with cameras, evp recorders, and video. Yeah, totally obsessed.
10. The Bird Cage Theater – Tombstone, Arizona. So much life, and death, passed through here and the tales of hauntings are pretty long standing.
9. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, CO. I wouldn’t be a ghost geek if I didn’t want to go to this one.
8. Myrtles Plantation – Francisville, LA. A ghost that shows up in lots of pictures? Uh, yes please.
7. Whaley House – San Diego, CA. Rumors of a man (Yankee Jim), a woman, a small child, and even a small dog have been reported haunting this home for years. It was declared the most haunted house in the US by the Travel Channel.
6. Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, PA. Gives me the shivers just thinking about going…but that wouldn’t stop me.
5. Villisca Ax Murder House – Villisca, IA. Hundreds of years later the mystery of this house remains. It would be interesting to see what you could find there.
4. Lincoln Square Theater – Decature, IL. Evidence abounds out of this theater. I’d love to add to the stockpile.
3. Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, CA. Another one where I wouldn’t be a ghost geek if I didn’t want to go.
2. Lemp Mansion – St. Louis, MO. I was right near this one a couple of years back. Unfortunately, I was there on a mostly planned weekend and didn’t have time to get to the Lemp Mansion, but next time I go to St. Louis, I AM going to Lemp.
1. Waverly Hills Sanitorium – Louisville, KY. ‘Nuff said.
~The two most likely to happen are the Lemp Mansion and Waverly Hills, because those are within close driving distance. We’ve also talked about doing Waverly Hills since they have a way to sign up and do it. It might yet happen…
~One house is notably absent, and I have many many reasons for it. That’s the Lizzie Borden House. I couldn’t add it to the list for personal reasons.
~Also not on the list are any places from Salem, MA or Gettysburg because…well, there isn’t any ONE place in those towns I could choose over another. I would want to go an experience the whole towns…so it didn’t feel right to add whole towns to the list. 😀
And that’s my list and caveats. 😀
What about you? Are you a ghost geek? Tell me I’m not alone!!
by Sarah | Mar 18, 2014 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
This list was incredibly difficult to come up with. I have a lot of quotes I love, for various reasons, from a wide variety of reasons…including movies I didn’t even like. Actually, as I write this, my list is at 17 quotes (and I know I’ve forgotten some)…and I don’t know how to narrow it down. So I may, um…cheat this week. Forgive me, if I do.
Then again, maybe I won’t. I’ll stick with the comedy quotes. 😀
10. “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” ~ From, of course, the movie [amazon_link id=”B001EBV0RG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Spies Like Us[/amazon_link]. I only vaguely remember watching the movie when I was younger, but this section stuck with me…until I rewatched the movie in adulthood.
9. “Maybe you’re the plucky comic relief.” ~ [amazon_link id=”B00AEFY3DQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Galaxy Quest[/amazon_link]!!! This is one of my favorite go-to movies. As a trek geek, it makes me happy.
8. “A shrubbery!” ~[amazon_link id=”B0016492BW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Monty Python and the Holy Grail[/amazon_link]. Because, of course.
7. “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” ~[amazon_link id=”B008FD36IC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Princess Bride[/amazon_link]. (Well, duh)
6. “The price is wrong, bitch!” ~[amazon_link id=”B001BA9FIG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Happy Gilmore[/amazon_link]. I’m actually on the fence on this movie. It’s not my favorite, but unlike many of the comedies the hubby watches, this one does make me laugh.
5. “We’re on a mission from God.” ~[amazon_link id=”B001AQO446″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Blues Brothers[/amazon_link].
4. “Ohhh, don’t step on broccori.” ~[amazon_link id=”B003GAFA8S” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Police Academy[/amazon_link]. We watched this over and over when I was younger, and my dad is still known to quote this line.
3. “Sometimes I have the feeling I can do crystal meth, but then I think, mmmm…better not.” ~[amazon_link id=”B008JFUUQ2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Pitch Perfect[/amazon_link]. LOVE Fat Amy and this movie, I laughed a lot.
2. “Goonies never say die.” ~[amazon_link id=”B005KQVDH8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Goonies[/amazon_link]…like I would leave this one off!!
1. “Never give up. Never surrender!” ~ [amazon_link id=”B00AEFY3DQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Galaxy Quest[/amazon_link]…yup, again. LOVE THIS MOVIE. Have I mentioned that?
*~*
And those are my top ten in the comedy ranges…because I can’t narrow it down any other way.
I have a feeling a list like this would be tons more challenging for my husband.
What about you? What are some of your favorite movies?
by Sarah | Mar 11, 2014 | All About Family, All of Us, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
At this point in our life, a family vacation is a dream…so this list is appropriate.
I’d love to take my kids on vacation just about anywhere. Some of these are more realistic than others, but they’re al ideas I’ve had.
10. Disney. Of course. I’d be happy with Disney World visits – or a Disney Cruise. I think my kids would get a total kick out of it.
9. Washington D.C. As a former nearly-resident, I’d love to take my kids to see the nations capital.
8. Hawaii. Okay, this is a dream family or no…I just always wanted to go. 🙂
7. California. Yup, the state, not a specific place. My parents took my brother and I when I was in middle school. We drove the coastline, and back up through-started in Fresno, ended in San Fran. It was amazing, and while I’d never want to live there, California is a cool place to visit.
6. Yellowstone. A given, right?
5. Florida – the Gulf beaches. This was Erik’s idea, and I agree. Every time we went to Florida, we always went to the beaches, not just the hot attractions.
4. A drive around the country. I mean the whole country. A friend of mine did a Great American Road Trip last year. I think that’s an awesome idea.
3. Gatlinburg. A “simple” vacation – just renting a cabin in the mountains and enjoying the time away. This is on the docket for “maybe next year”.
2. Colonial Williamsburg/Busch Gardens. I’ve been & LOVE. Plus, we could visit w/ my BFF Jess and her family, and even stay with them for a few days. This is also on the “maybe next year” list.
1. Universal Studios. I mean, what Geek family wouldn’t want to? Especially one with a Harry Potter obsessed little one like Kennedy. She’d kill to see Hogsmeade…and this summer they’re going to open Diagon Alley. I think Kennedy and I would be totally geeked out there.
*
And that’s my list for this week. Many big dreams, a couple of realistic ones. Just need to start those savings jars.
What about you? What are your dream family vacation destinations? I’m always looking for new recommendations!
Feel free to join me for Top Ten Tuesday! If anyone is interested, I can create a linky 😀
by Sarah | Mar 4, 2014 | All About Me, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Books have been my favorite thing for as long as I can remember.
No, really. I’ve often shared the story of how my first nightmare ever was of me destroying my favorite book, [amazon_link id=”B000IYCL4Q” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Bongo[/amazon_link].
So what better way to start my Top Ten Tuesdays then with my favorite books? Trust me, this sucker is going to be a tough list. I have to say this list is “currently” or “for now”. I’m always reading and finding new books, and sometimes forgetting them. So I could come back in a year with a totally different list (or it may stay much the same).
So without further ado…the list.
10. [amazon_link id=”1451657889″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Wicked As They Come (Blud #1)[/amazon_link] ~Delilah S. Dawson — A unique story of vampires in a combination of the modern and a steampunk world. It’s #10 because it took me a little to get through it and get totally caught up, but once I did I was hooked. Loved it!
9. [amazon_link id=”1419709704″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Splintered (Splintered #1)[/amazon_link] ~ A.G. Howard — Wow. I loved this take on Alice in Wonderland!! Totally imaginative and fun. Both the [amazon_link id=”B00FJ7NTP2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]novella[/amazon_link] and [amazon_link id=”1419709712″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]book 2[/amazon_link] are on my wish list.
8. [amazon_link id=”1594744769″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children[/amazon_link] ~ Ransom Riggs — I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this book. It kept me enthralled with the unusual children based on real photographs. I’m looking forward to [amazon_link id=”1594746125″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Hollow City[/amazon_link]!!
7. [amazon_link id=”031257357X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Still Missing[/amazon_link] ~Chevy Stevens — An amazing heartfelt story about life after the abduction. The ripple effect carries throughout Annie’s life after she gets home…and the answers she finds have surprises of their own.
6. [amazon_link id=”1439102813″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Still Alice[/amazon_link] ~Lisa Genova — Painful. Beautiful. (Warning: not a recommended read if you have someone in your life with Alzheimer’s, it might be too painful)
5. [amazon_link id=”0425247449″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]What Alice Forgot[/amazon_link] ~Liane Moriarty — A driven mom falls of an exercise bike and hits her head – losing 10 years of her life. The life she remembers is not the life she’s living.
4. The Demon Tales Series ~Kerrianne Coombes — Kerrianne’s take on the classic fairy tales is amazing (and hot). Starting with [amazon_link id=”B00816NFJ8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Beauty and the Beast[/amazon_link], to [amazon_link id=”B0098M0IYY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Cinderella[/amazon_link], to [amazon_link id=”1618855964″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Snow White[/amazon_link], and [amazon_link id=”1618859056″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Rapunzel[/amazon_link], I’ve loved every story. I have my hot little hands on [amazon_link id=”B00H29N3A6″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Sleeping Beauty[/amazon_link], too & can’t wait to read it!! I know the author has more coming, I follow her on FB 😉
3. [amazon_link id=”0061962155″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Confessions of a Prairie Bitch[/amazon_link] ~Alison Arngram — Confession here, I did NOT like the TV series Little House. I know, it’s a travesty since the books are in my top 10. Mostly because I thought the TV show strayed too far from the books…and to me that was sacrilege. I LOVED the book. That all being said – I liked this book so much it is the ONLY non-fiction book on this list, especially since I’m not a fan of memoirs in most cases. Alison’s recounting of her time on Little House almost made me want to try watching it again (almost). She displayed humor, grace, and a nice dose of snark, just how I like my peeps.
2. [amazon_link id=”0060754281″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Little House Series[/amazon_link] ~Laura Ingalls Wilder — first books I read, and read religiously. I’m now reading them with my girls and they remain my favorites. They mean too much to me not to. (P.S. the only adaptation I like of the books to film of any kind is the miniseries from a few years back done by Disney.)
1. [amazon_link id=”0545162076″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Harry Potter series[/amazon_link] ~J.K. Rowling — This is the first year I can say that this series makes my top 10. My first read-through I was more “eh” over the series. I didn’t “get” the madhouse fandom. After a second read-through in 2013 I’m totally on board. My girls love them, my husband loves them…the teen never got into them, but that’s okay.
*
And that’s my list for this week. I may revisit this in six months and see if it still stands.
What about you? What are your favorite books? I’m always looking for new recommendations?
Feel free to join me for Top Ten Tuesday! If anyone is interested, I can create a linky 😀
Just over five years ago we gave up cable. Then, after a year I caved and got it again, only to cancel it again after our discount rate went away.
