from Naomi's blog

Empire Magazine has revealed its list of the "50 Greatest TV Shows" ever.

Below is the list and here be the rules:
1. Bold the shows you've watched every episode of
2. Italicize the shows you've seen at least one episode of
3. Post your answers

50. Quantum Leap - though I may have seen almost all of them
49. Prison Break
48. Veronica Mars
47. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
46. Sex & The City
45. Farscape
44. Cracker
43. Star Trek - the original used to scare me
42. Only Fools and Horses
41. Band of Brothers
40. Life on Mars
39. Monty Python's Flying Circus
38. Curb Your Enthusiasm
37. Star Trek: The Next Generation - I've seen a lot of episodes but not all.
36. Father Ted
35. Alias - just watched 1
34. Frasier
33. CSI: Las Vegas
32. Babylon 5
31. Deadwood - watched 2
30. Dexter
29. ER
28. Fawlty Towers
27. Six Feet - watched 2-3
26. Red Dwarf
25. Futurama
24. Twin Peaks
23. The Office UK
22. The Shield
21. Angel
20. Blackadder
19. Scrubs
18. Arrested Development
17. South Park - though I've seen almost all of them
16. Doctor Who
15. Heroes
14. Firefly
13. Battlestar Galactica
12. Family Guy
11. Seinfeld
10. Spaced
09. The X-Files
08. The Wire
07. Friends
06. 24
05. Lost
04. The West Wing
03. The Sopranos
02. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
01. The Simpsons

That's not even counting a lot of my actual favorite shows!

Books read in May 2008

1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Twilight series. Book 2 is New Moon. Book 3 is Eclipse. Book 4 is Breaking Dawn.)
2. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Twilight series. Book 1 is Twilight. Book 3 is Eclipse. Book 4 is Breaking Dawn.)
3. The Hollow by Nora Roberts. (NOTE: This is the second book in the Sign of Seven trilogy. Book 1 is Blood Brothers. Book 3 is The Pagan Stone.)
4. Just a Taste by Deirdre Martin. (NOTE: This is the seventh book in the NY Blades series. The Book 1 is Body Check. Book 2 is Fair Play. Book 3 is Total Rush. Book 4 is The Penalty Box. Book 5 is Hot Ticket. Book 6 is Chasing Stanley. Book 8 is Power Play.)
5. 3rd Degree by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the third book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 1 is 1st to Die. Book 2 is 2nd Chance. Book 4 is 4th of July. Book 5 is The 5th Horseman. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
6. The Perfect Bride by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is the first of a trilogy about the Sterling siblings. Book 2 is The Perfect Groom. Book 3 is The Perfect Hero.)
7. The Perfect Groom by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is the second of a trilogy about the Sterling siblings. Book 1 is The Perfect Bride. Book 3 is The Perfect Hero.)
8. The Perfect Hero by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is the third of a trilogy about the Sterling siblings. Book 1 is The Perfect Bride. Book 2 is The Perfect Groom.)
9. Passion by Lisa Valdez.
10. Dear Santa by Karen Templeton. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Guys and Daughters series about the Vaccaro siblings. Book 2 is Yours, Mine… Ours?. Book 3 is Baby, I’m Yours.)
11. Yours, Mine… Ours? by Karen Templeton. (NOTE: This is the second book in the Guys and Daughters series about the Vaccaro siblings. Book 1 is Dear Santa. Book 3 is Baby, I’m Yours.)
12. Baby, I’m Yours by Karen Templeton. (NOTE: This is the third book in the Guys and Daughters series about the Vaccaro siblings. Book 1 is Dear Santa. Book 2 is Yours, Mine… Ours?.)
13. The Seduction of an Unknown Lady by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is second of a series about the McBride siblings. Book 1 is The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell. Book 3 is Bride of a Wicked Scotman – due out in 2009.)

I am thrilled that I was able to read so much this month. Granted, most of the books were quick reads. Also, I had the flu for what seemed like forever. I don’t think Twilight lived up to its hype, but I still want to finish the series and see the movie this December. I was shocked at a plot development in 3rd Degree and even though the series is very different from the tv show, I liked both and am glad I can continue on with the books even if the show was cancelled. Last, but not least, Samantha James is a new author to me. She mentions that she is a fan of the tortured hero on her website which must be why I enjoy her books. They’re enjoyable if not a little predictable. Still, they make me happy and that’s really the only requirement I have.

Memorial Day Weekend

I love long weekends! I mean, really, what's not to love?
I really wanted to use the weekend to do some much-needed Spring Cleaning. So, on Friday, I tackled my bookshelf. I sell/give away a lot of books, but there are some that no one wants - me included. So, I put those aside to donate. On Saturday, I walked to CVS to pick up a few things and then mostly napped and read. It was a relaxing start to the weekend. Then, Sunday hit.

On Sunday, we woke up early to meet a high school friend for breakfast. His wife and baby were supposed to be there, but they were sick. Their baby is only 6 weeks younger than Baby is. Then, we went to Husband's parents' apartment. Their apartment is across the street, but their pool is outdoor whereas ours is indoor. We were really curious how Baby would take to the pool. She does love her bath. She had her sandals, her hat, her bikini, her cover up, her sunglasses. We got the water diapers and sunscreen. We were all set. We even had a pack-n-play for the outdoors. It has a canopy to keep out the sun. Well, she was overdue for a nap and just fussy all afternoon. She was very clingy and fussy and hated the pool. She screamed and cried the minute any part of her touched the water. Overall, it was a fun day - lots of food, drink, and sun. I got a little sunburned and a couple of bug bites, but that just means it's officially summer! Also, in celebration, I wore my white pants today.

To recover, she spent almost all Monday sleeping off the trauma while I finished Spring Cleaning. I didn't completely finish, but I did the closets, main room, and bathroom. I also switched Baby's clothes in the nursery. I packed away all the 0-6 month clothes and hung up all her new clothes. So, only the 6-9 month clothes are in the closet. It's much easier to pull out clothes when you don't have to pick through 5 different sizes!

I should finish the rest of the Spring Cleaning tonight... even if it kills me. I've been recording movies for months to help the process along. The bedroom is always the room that is done last. No one sees it so it's easiest to forget. Tonight, I will finish it.

My friends are so talented!

This is my friend's website. She's so talented with a needle and thread. It makes me wish she lived closer. As it is, I'll have to be content to shop online... well, once I figure out how to log into the website. The site is now in English. There's an extra step on which I'm stuck - you have to log into the site to move forward with your shopping cart. I did, but my information was sent to my personal account which is at home. I can't access it at work. So, in the meantime, I do the equivalent of window shopping. Sanna asked everyone to post information on his or her own blogs, but it took me awhile because I'm a procrastinator.

I'm wishing you all the success in the world with your new project, Sanna! As soon as I figure out the technical end, I'm totally adding you to the places I spend all my hard-earned money.

Embarrassment!

So, I may have mentioned in the past that Nephew loves Thomas the Tank Engine. For his third birthday, it was a Thomas the Tank Engine party. During the party, I put on a Rosie temporary tattoo. Then, after the party, I forgot all about it. Yesterday, I had an appointment with the doctor (the type of doctor that would notice a Rosie the Tank Engine tattoo on my ankle). He asks me if I'm planning on getting any more tattoos. First, I was embarrassed that I still had Rosie on my ankle. Second, I told him it wasn't real! There is no way I would get a tattoo. I'm too chicken. Even if I did, it wouldn't be of a tank engine. It was funny.

I must remember to take Rosie off before pool weather.

Worst Mama Ever

OK, after reading an article on Dina Lohan, maybe I'm not.

The above photo is from a couple of days ago... before I tortured her. Yesterday, I was in a hurry. I had to run to the Social Security office about which I will not write because it aggravates me. So, I cleaned Baby's ears quickly before I left. Then, I decided to trim her nails before I ran out the door as well. I happened to nick her finger. Then, I realized that I nicked three of her fingers. She kept bleeding. So, I handed her to grandma with a washcloth and ice cube to help stop the bleeding and numb her fingers a little. Baby wasn't crying so I gave her a kiss and left the house.

I came home and went into the bedroom to get Baby ready to leave the house. There was blood all over her crib - on the bumper, on the sheet, all over the doll and soaking through to the mattress pad. She, meanwhile, was laughing at me the whole time. So, Grandma takes her while I strip the crib of the biohazardous mess. I presoak everything and then realize I have no idea how to work the washing machine. I've never done it before so I had to call Husband to walk me through the process.

Such drama! So, Baby had no morning nap. She took a ride to visit friends of mine and fell asleep just long enough for me to eat lunch. Later in the afternoon, she had 3 shots. She was such a good girl. She hardly cried... then. She slept through a brief trip to the store for some new items. Then, she woke up when we got home and wouldn't go back to sleep. She was crying in her sleep. Then, she was crying while awake. Then, she was screaming while awake. Poor thing was so miserable. There was a lot of Mommy cuddling and rocking. She was not feeling Daddy love last night. Quite the opposite. This is always surprising because she's a big Daddy's girl. She loves her daddy. Husband is the one who gets the rare giggles and the big smiles. Last night, no one got smiles. She was very clingy. Later, she finally gave in and slept for 10 hours.

Today, she's not quite herself. She's quiet, but we did get some smiles. My arms, however, are not fine. Between the lifting of the carrier, the baby and the stroller, my teeny little arms are killing me! We'll see if she is still Mommy's girl at home or if she's back loving her Daddy.

I should mention that Baby usually wears clothes. In the above photo, she was just hanging out in there while her bath was being prepared. She's not, as we like to say, ghetto baby - wandering around all dirty in just a diaper.

The best weekends contain...

birthday cake, pizza, and a lot of junk food. I would actually count all of those things as junk food, but junk food deserves to be categorized.

Anyway, on Saturday, we went to Nephew's third birthday party. I think it went well, but then again, it's not my house. The cake was good. He seemed thrilled that the house was all decorated with Thomas the Tank Engine decorations and balloons. Even his cake had Thomas on it!

Later, after all the excitement died down, we stayed and had pizza. We stayed through bath time and storytime. Then, Baby was in Nephew's big boy bed. He thought it was hilarious! It was the cutest thing.

Because there were so many guests (mostly family) and noise and things going on, Baby didn't sleep much all day. She took little cat naps, but she was mostly awake. She was really good though. However, a girl's gotta sleep sometime. At the end of the evening, she was pooped so I had to snap a photo. She slept all the way to the next morning around 9:30AM! She's such a good sleeper which was good because Husband and I were both exhausted, too.

On Sunday, we went to Taste of Arlington. I used to think it was a bit overpriced, but they've changed it slightly. Plus, since the last time I went, a ton of new restaurants opened in the town. So, it was great to try out some new restaurants and grab some menus. It's a cheap way to sample fares without learning you don't like a place after dinner for two. Plus, it all goes to charity. I mean, it is a little pricey because you don't get that much food for your money, but it is great to get outside and walk around and check out places. There was a lot of community booths. It's a shame the weather wasn't a little better, but we managed to avoid most of the rain.

While we were leaving, Sister, Brother-in-Law, Nephew, Baby and I walked over (Husband met us there shortly afterwards). Nephew was instructed that he needed to hold a hand while we were on the sidewalk and crossing streets. We meant he had to hold an adult's hand, but he grabbed Baby's hand. Well, technically, he did hold a hand. So, we couldn't scold him. The cutest thing is that he didn't let that hand go once. He held it so tightly that Baby's fingertips turned white. She didn't pull her hand away once though.

So, good weekend, but I'm definitely looking forward to the long weekend coming up!

I *heart* TV!

I LOVE television. I have tried to cut out some in the last few years, but I love it. I love the shady business-end of it. I love the gossip and spoilers and ratings versus sponsorship game. I may not agree with any of the decisions, but I love following along at home.

So, this week marked the very low-key upfront presentations by the networks. In years past, the networks have paid big bucks to unveil their Fall schedules to reporters and, more importantly, sponsors. This year, because of the Writers' Strike, the networks had subdued releases and did not roll out the traditional red carpet though I did hear NBC had a green carpet. Green is universal, I hear.

This year also marks a milestone. Almost all of my shows were renewed for another season. All of my favorites were. The ones that were not renewed were not a surprise either so, all in all, it was a successful season for me.

I am back off CSI: this Spring. I often am on-again, off-again with this show. Last year was the only year I watched every episode. I enjoy it, but it's not one of my must-see shows. I also gave up on Reaper. It was cute, but I think the quality went downhill. I think the post-strike episodes improved, but I found myself not looking forward to them.

However, I have found myself back on the Grey's Anatomy wagon. This is only hilarious because I know so many people who have bailed on the show. I think my expectations sunk so low that I had to be impressed. During the strike, I also added Criminal Minds to my rotation.

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that Friday Night Lights is coming back or Bones. Bones has become one of my favorite shows. I love that it's a crime drama, but it's funny. Plus, it's characters are quirky and unique. I wish they would film more in D.C. and less green screen, but it's still a great show. Its special effects are usually well done. I just recognize it more when it's somewhere familiar to me being recreated.

I know there are a lot of people who are indifferent to TV (*gasp*) and those who are unhappy with how things played out, but I'm relatively happy. Of course, I really think that the networks will have no patience for shows not performing well next Fall and will have a ton of midseason replacement shows waiting in the wings so I hope my shows survive the Fall. Being picked up was only the first battle...

Happy Mother's Day!

This year was my first Mother's Day (well, the first Mother's Day with an actual baby outside of the body). It was a good one. It was a busy one. I got to sleep in a little bit. Husband came in with Baby and two big, red bags. Both wished me a Happy Mother's Day. Baby and Husband bought me a gift certificate and robe from Elizabeth Arden's Red Door Spa. I can't wait to spend my day there!

After I woke up and Baby went down for her morning nap, we got ready to meet my parents, Sister, Brother-in-Law, Nephew and Brother-in-Law's father for lunch. We had a nice lunch during which Nephew and I took a walk around the mall. He helped me pick out some nice outfits for Baby as she has outgrown much of what she owns. We drove home. I took a brief nap in the car and at home before we turned around and went to Husband's parents' house.

We had a big dinner with the inlaws, Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law. It was a good night. Baby was overly tired and fought the sleep until the very end, but she finally surrendered. We expect she'll sleep well tonight after her big day.

It was a great Mother's Day. It's so amazing to look down into that little face and see it light up with a smile that's just for you and just think, "Look, we did that!"

L is for Little Baby

When Baby came home, Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law gave her a big letter "L". It was just as big as she was. I took a photo of her during that first week home. For a long time, it was my favorite photo of her. I have that photo at my desk at work as a matter of fact.

Today, just for kicks, I took a photo at 6 months old with the same letter "L". It's amazing how big she grew in such a short amount of time. It's even amazing how different she looks. It's hard to believe she's the same baby. She still has a lot of dark hair though.

I almost wish I had taken a photo each month, but as it is, I'm sure she won't like holding the "L" at 17. I can picture her now rolling her eyes with the "L" framing her face.

From Naomi's blog...

What Your Handwriting Says About You

You are highly energetic. You are a passionate, intense, vigorous person. You are somewhat outgoing, but you're not a natural extrovert. You think first before you act. You tend to be independent, rational, and logical. You are very detail oriented and meticulous. You are a careful thinker and a true intellectual. You need a bit of space in your life, but you're not a recluse. You expect people to give you a small amount of privacy, and you respect their privacy as well. You are somewhat traditional, but you are also open to change. You listen to your head and your heart. You are a good communicator. You work hard to get your ideas across effectively.

What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?

Is it better to be correct or like everyone else?

Everyone has his or her own pet peeves about the English language. Some dont' have any at all. I've written about this before, and I'm sure the subject will come up again. Today's pet peeve is something I happened upon while surfing the Internet. This site states the word origin and pronunciation of the word "sherbet". I've never pronounced the "r" to make it "sherbert". I don't know why. It always bothered me when people did it when clearly there is no second "r" in the spelling. Beyond this example, I despise it when it becomes acceptable English when people mangle a language rule long enough that it just becomes the rule. I mean, what's the point of having grammar when, if we wait long enough, the rule will become obsolete if enough people ignore it?

That said, I will continue to create my own words and make words that are commonly nouns into verbs. I will occasionally, if I can't help it, end my sentences with prepositions. However, I will stick to my guns and never use shorthand or slang when text messaging. I will never use a number instead of an actual word. And I will never, never say the word "sherbert".

...And they're off!

Last Saturday was the Kentucky Derby. We had our first annual Kentucky Derby party. The women wore hats. The men drank heavily (well, that wasn't just the men). It was a lot of fun. Husband had his best friend and his family from out of town, and we had a lot of our local friends as well. As I wrote somewhere else, we had 20 people in an apartment that fit 10. There was food and games. Unfortunately, the horse that I supported was the one that had to be put down. I am not a horse person, but it is so sad when a horse has to be put down. It makes me so sad.

The party, of course, would have been loads of fun if I hadn't been so sick. I had the flu most of the week before and was making progress. However, I was still very congested (as you can see from my red nose).

On Sunday, we went to Day out With Thomas. We got to take a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine, see a bunch of trains close up. Of course, I was still sick. Still, I think everyone had fun, and that's all that counts.

While we were out, Baby's grandparents and great-grandparents babysat her. She was an angel though I think she had too much fun. She didn't want to sleep. It even took awhile for her to wind down and get to sleep after we got home... an hour after her bedtime! So, very busy weekend! I'm going to need all week to recover and shake this flu-thing.