Cherry Blossom Festival

My sister in law sent this photo that they took while strolling through the cherry blossoms. It is so gorgeous, I just had to share!

The Artistic Child

I have a nine year old daughter who loves everything to do with creating things and being artistic. She would take this and have a ball just letting her imagination run wild! This is definitely going to be under the tree this year!

Michael Buble

Yep - I'm gonna say it: HE IS A CLASS A JERK!!!

He comes off as this clean cut and great guy who loves to perform. I am sure he loves performing and there is no denying his talent. However, I just read an article that claims that each time he performs he offends people to the point that they leave and request their money back. His behavior does not match his music or his image.

When asked about it he simply doesn't care if he offends. He says to give the people their money back and basically tells them not to let the doors hit them on the way out. Odd kind of PR for someone who should be more savvy by now. It isn't like he is new at all of this.

If I go to a Kanye West concert I expect things to be full of profanity and crudeness. But, if I go to a Michael Buble (which until today I would have taken my 15 year old who admires his talent) I expect a class act. Someone who knows better and does better. Kanye is talented but he makes his living in part because he is such a well known jerk and is controversial. That just isn't what we expect from some other celebs.

As for Buble's attitude that it isn't his problem - he is so wrong. When you choose to take a path that puts you in the public eye and automatically sets you up as a role model - you have a serious issue. And if he doesn't like that with his fame comes a certain responsibility then he should get out and go sing in a night club for the rest of his days. The celebrities and sports stars (or anyone for the matter) who won't take responsibility for their positions and their affect on others is immature. If you are a star and you have people pay to basically come on your turf and enjoy your talent you had better respect their rights to enjoy an unoffensive evening. Yes, he has the right to be a jerk but I have the right to stop enjoying his talent and eventually he will lose plenty more followers.

The saddest part is that we live in a society where most don't care because to find a class act any more is nearly impossible. Gone are the days of having any decorum. It is just a free for all and if you don't accept everyone's behavior you are considered a snob and a prude (just as Buble called the folks that walked out on his shows). So, if you are a gutter slob I guess he has the right to call you a snob and a prude. Great!

I'm Dreaming of Apples for Christmas

In my dreams I can buy everyone in my life lovely Apple products to make their days merry and bright. I would give my children MacBooks and everyone would use iPhones. In my happy place everything is streamlined and pretty while being productive.

In the meantime, you may be lucky if I make you cookies. :)

Cyber Monday

It is a commandment of mine to NEVER go out and shop on Black Friday. I don't even like to leave the house because of all the mayhem around town. However, I am a huge fan of shopping online when you can - especially if it means free shipping.

There are several items this year that I swear by. I have mentioned a few of them on this site before but like any good point - it is worth repeating!!!

The book I love right now:



The book my son wants for his birthday this week (and I got free shipping on):



My new phone!!! Otherwise known as "My Precious" (yes, I have issues, don't judge me):



As a side note here, I wish I didn't have a contract and mine is actually the 8gb. But, if I could do it again I would probably try to get more memory because I have so much music.

My most wonderful gadget ever:



I had extra memory put in mine because of the kind of work I do, a good thing to consider when you are purchasing the amazing MacBook Pro!!!

Music - my first love:




Yes, I am a fan of all Apple products but I LOVE my Microsoft Zune!!! And look at all that beautiful memory! It is a wonderful little piece of heaven!

Best gift ever to myself:



I bought a larger pan to go with mine as well because I have a larger family. These pans are amazing!!!

Best little item I have found:



This is such a great little stocking stuffer that is so easy on your bank account!

Enjoy your cyber shopping!!!

Awesome! The Dog!

Our family recently got a new dog. I have to say that this is one of the best things that could have happened for all of us.

Awesome! is his name and he is a five year old golden retriever. He was owned by a soldier who lost both legs in Iraq and had to go into assisted living (unfortunately the dog could not go). Awesome! is trained so well that we are all in shock. He is completely wonderful and does not have a flaw that we can find.

We do love to give him baths, take him for walks and we love to take him to the pet store for treats. We have had to go through a few toys because a few were shredded but we now have some great dog toys and accessories.

We could not be more blessed! We are so lucky to have found this sweet dog!!!

Anthony Verdict

Last night while watching fireworks with my children and listening to patriotic music - I have never felt more proud to be American.

Then today I read all the comments on Facebook about the Anthony trial and this mother being found not guilty of first degree murder. Many people made horrible comments about the judge and the jury.

At first I was outraged at the comments. I had talked with my oldest earlier in the morning about the fact that she couldn't be charged due to all the "reasonable doubt". There was simply no hard evidence against her that could stand.

I have no clue if she was guilty or innocent and I am glad I was not asked to decide. However, I think that we should give our children hope in our justice system. I think that they should know that sure, bad things happen to good people at times, but in general we can have faith that our rights our protected and justice is preserved.

The irony here, to me at least, is that I was mad at these people on Facebook when they were just venting and I wasn't appreciating that their ability to express themselves so openly is truly American.

I know I am sappy and that I may even sound sanctimonious but I love this country and what we stand for as a whole. I love it that we can celebrate and we can vent. Yes, bad things happen, it is not a perfect world, and we have all been victim to some injustices but at the end of the day we have it so good here!

Ugly can of worms.

I was just Googling a name this morning when something came up that made me so angry because of it's inherent ugliness that I could hardly stand it.

Right when I Google this individual a list is the top search result and it is a list that the gay community who claims to have "Pride" (ya, right) has put together. Mind you, I don't know which gay community because I am not going to go learn more about idiots.

The point of the list is to blacklist or boycott citizens of a certain state who gave any funding to YES on Prop 8 in California.

Let me be very clear. I am a fan of gay people in general. I don't care if you are gay, and you don't care if I am straight. I don't care if you are purple and you don't care that I am blonde but tan well. Get my drift, I accept you for what you are. But I accept these other people and even their constitutional right to be unaccepting of you as gay people.

Moral of my story is, who are you to point a finger at them for some sort of fault when you are doing the same in kind. If you want to be treated better as a whole, act better as a whole. I have always thought that the gay people I know and love are the most accepting and non judgmental people I know and then to find this list (which I know, only reflects some) just killed me. If I were a gay individual and knew that people like me were sending a message to the world like that and it reflected on me, I would be furious.

There is no need to boycott these businesses just as these businesses would likely not keep you from their places of business.

Okay, done ranting.