What the hell is wrong with people - pt2

This one is so gross, yet so funny. (and don't worry D. the only thing hurt on the animals in this clip is their pride)

Not Malvin!!!! Please not Malvin!!!

Project Runway really blew it last night when the cut Malvin from the show. While his pregnancy outfit was a little outthere - okay it was conceptual art and not clothing - I really think he has a lot to say and I am sad that I am not going to get to see anymore of his work on the show.
In just the two short eposides that he has been on, I really got to like this quirky little creature and his balance of ugly/beautiful.
While cut from the show, I am sure we will see more of him in the future.
P.S. I love when he compares the judges to the popular girls in school!

What the Hell is Wrong with People?

And they only got a ticket!

So Funny!!!!

The greatest bumper sticker I have seen in a long while...

Shut Up, Holden!

So Proud to be a Lutheran

Yesterday, it was offically announced that the Lutheran Church will accept and ordain practicing Gay and Lesbian ministers!!!!!
It is about f-ing time. I have been seriously considering leaving the church for a more accepting practice. Before this, the stance was that you could be gay or lesbian, but you had to be celebate. Ummm, since that last part of the words Hetero and Homo is sexual, what kind of sense does that make??? That would make you asexual, not homosexual!
Of course the bigots in my church are already planning "meetings" and my mom is afriad that they will try to convince the church to go "independant" but they better be ready for a fight, because I am totally pumped up for one.
Yeah - progress! Yeah - acceptance! Yeah- Lutherans!

Tim's Back

Project Runway returned last night and I can barely contain my excitement. As a full-time working mother of two, I have little time to do the things that must be done in order to keep the Department of Children Services away from my doorsteps.
The concept of "Mommy" time is almost non existent, except for Project Runway (and True Blood - shut up B. Henry!.) For one or two hours each week for I hide myself away... I covet this time - imagine those little hobbit guys and that ring - that is totally what I am like. I hold the remote in my hand and stroke it gently while calling it "my precious."
PR came just in the nick of time also as True Blood only have three episodes of hot vampire action left (once again Mr. Henry, your comments are not needed here)
The kicked off with the mother of all specials last night - the All Star Challenge! All my favorite designers (and Ulie) were back for another stitch for stitch old fashioned throw down.
I must say, I think the judges totally missed the mark last night. While I usually love Daniel's designs (and he is undeniably likable as a person) I really don't see how he walked away with the gold last night. His red carpet look was fresh and new. I can see young hollywood (thinking Natalie Portman here)but his restaurant challenge was laughable and his athletic shirt and bubble skirt - ick!
I also can not believe that Santino did not make the final cut... His silver lame' was slightly vulgar, but in such a good way. It screamed sex and bad girl. If I was say a zillion pounds lighter and had a perfect body, I would totally rock the catsuit - meow.
I was really happy to see Chris and Korto make the final cut this time (though Korto was a sore loser and I was disappointed in her reaction to Daniel's win) Both chose to make clothes that real woman (read - those with hips, boobs and children) could wear. Thank you for realizing we do not all look like the 16-year-old models strutting on the catwalk.
Okay - so this might be getting a little gay even for me, so I will leave you there (until next week that is)

An Original Though - please?

The Hollywood Rumor mill has it that yet another delightfully cheesy 80s blockbuster is scheduled for a remake - Dirty Dancing may join the ranks of Footloose, the Breakfast Club and other alleged remakes.
This message is just for you Hollywood - Stop it! Just, Stop it!
There are so many reasons not to do this - you are stepping on the toes of a cinematic icon, these movies are not that old yet, and they were made for a different generation in a different world.
Finally - there are so many talented, fresh new voices out there. How about giving them some money and a greenlight to make some new cult classics and leave mine alone?

Ten Things and Thanks to Alfie

My good freind Brian choose me as one of the 10 honest blogs out here in Cyberworld. Part of the deal is that I have to tag 10 other blogs, but I am skipping this because I do not read 10 other blogs just yet.
I will, however, answer the 10 honest facts part because I have nothing to hide - well maybe a little....

1. I am totally a drag queen in a woman's body and if socially acceptable, I would wear tiaras, wigs and ballgowns to work every single day.
2. If I could time travel I would want to relieve a few weeks in 1994 or 1995. The world was good then and I didn't fully understand that.
3. I will not eat strawberries, greenbeans or carrots in any form.
4. I can not remember what life was like before I had kids - seriously, I obviously can remember events, but not the emotions.
5. I don't like my step-father and have come to the conclusion that I never will. I strive simply to remain civil in his presence.
6. I have a very evil streak and it is sometimes hard to contain.
7. I love that the 80s are coming back in fashion - especially boys in eyeliner!
8. I am having a mild mid-life crisis.
9. I am allergic to wine and most alcohols - this only happened after I had children.
10. I honestly think that more money would solve most of my problems - please don't give me that the best things in life are free crap.

Run for your lives - it's boobs!!!!!!

I cannot believe that we even still see stories like this one!
Yes breast are sexuallized in the US. I, myself, will even take partial blame, as I have been known to dust the girls off and hike them up there for a little attention now and again - but breasts are by and large a functional tool with a very specific job - to nourish the young!
Three cheers for God, Mother Nature, intelligent design or whatever that much like those German auto masterminds, someone was able to combine function with style and a little sex appeal.
Hip Hip Hooray!
Boobs rock!!!!!
As a mother of two, I breastfeed both of my children. I did it for both the unselfish reason that it was so much healthier for them and, I admit, the selfish one - this is something that only I could experience with my child.
I was a lot more discreet than this mother - and I wished that I had had her courage and her kick-ass wardrobe (if you missed it, she breastfeed the entire interview and you saw nothing!) I wouldn't breast feed in mixed company and resented that I would often miss out on things while I hide myself away in a spare bedroom or home office. In fact, I probably cut my children off a little sooner than planned because of this is and I regret it.
My one proud moment was when a then four-year-old Baylee was almost breaking her neck trying to get in to witness Ella breastfeeding. I did have the clearance of thought to announce to the family that what I was doing was completely natural and that ANYONE could come with me. They were progressive enough to let Baylee satisfy her curiosity and I am proud to say it was reported to me a week later that the entire four-year-old preschool class (boys too) at St. Pauls were now breastfeeding all the baby dolls and bottles had been all but forgotten :)



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The Fresh Beat Band and other things to make me loose my mind

First, I will admit now that my kids watch way too much tv. Noggin is only pretty much all the time - it is just the way we are. I am very active in their lives. We play games and do arts in crafts, but the TV is unusually on in the background.

Now that's out of the way - I have to step on to me soap box to discuss the newest musically offering to my children by the folks at Nick Jr. - the Fresh Beat Band!

What the hell is this crap???? My kids love music - playing it, singing it and dancing to it - and I am accepting of their preferences. We listen to Kidz Bop on long car trips. I have The Wiggles, Backyardigans and the imagination Movers saved under their favorites lists. Don't even get me started on those crazy chipmunks who seems to duet with every tween star on the planet.... I get it.

Or at least I did until this mess came around -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUyFEWSD0Sk



This "band" originally started invading my home under the name "The Jump-arounds" early this summer. My daughter was immeaditaly taken with them and began singing along with the commercials - mercifully, they just sort of went away one day. I can't say I missed them all that much, but I did notice their absence in the house and was relieved to be free of them, only to have them reappear this past month under a new name "The Fresh Beat Band"

Trust me when I assure you that their is nothing "fresh" about this concept... it is almost insulting to my children.

First we have four music "students" and friends who form a band. Just so happens that they are made up of a very generic, non threatening black guy, Shout, a red-headed girl drummer, Marina, a firey Latina singer, Kiki, and the most annoying white rapper on the planet - wait for it - Twist.

If you are a little slow - Twist and Shout! Get it? Get it? - Ahhhh, what wit.

I can't believe that they are insulting my children with this crap....
Also, while I can recognize the underlying talent in folks like the wiggles and the imagination movers, and am actually impressed with kids' crooners like Lori Berkner, Hot Peas and Butter, and the Dirty Sock Good Time Band - their is not a drop of true musically ability in this collaboration.

Back From Vacation

We got back from a brief vacation in Erie Pa on Wednesday evening.

It was wonderful, if not totally restful for mommy and daddy, time.

The children had a blast.

We arrived on Sunday evening and spent the evening in the hotel pool and then had a yummy, kid-friendly, meal at the Steak-n-Shake. This is a great fast-food alternative for vegetarians because you can get real grilled cheese sandwiches there. Daddy and Ella where thrilled.

On Monday, we spent the afternoon at the beach in Presque Isle.

The water was a little rough, so the kids only went in up to their knees, but had a blast building sand castles (or in Liam's case destroying them) and feeding the sea gulls. Liam did venture into the water with Mommy and loved bobbing on the waves. The water was too cold for Daddy, so he handled beach and concession stand duty.

Our plan for Tuesday was to spend the morning and early afternoon at Water World water park and the evening at Waldameer Amusement Park which is right next door, but when we got up that morning the local news stated that the temp was only supposed to reach 76. We decided that might be too cold for the water park and switch the morning activity to a trip to the Erie Zoo. Unfortunately the weather in Erie changes so fast that by 10:30, the temp at the Zoo had reached 86 and was 90% humidity. The animals in the park were not at their best in the heat, but we still had a wonderful time.

The are from the Outback and still wouldn't move in the heat!

Once again, the Orangutans where as taken with Ella as she was with them. The Erie Zoo has a family of three, Daddy - Joe, Mama - Dasa, and Baby Lealah, who is 6. Last year, Dasa really liked Ella and was kissing the glass and playing with her. This year, it was Joe. He came over to the glass and played peek-a-boo with her and then kissed the glass and made funny faces at her. He really seemed to enjoy Ella's giggles as much as she enjoyed him.

Liam was a little scared of Joe, but he loved the big snakes. I guess that's boys for you.

That evening we went to the amusement park where my fearless daughter had a blast. Liam slept for the most part in his wagon, but woke up at the end.

While Ella is a roller-coaster fiend, Liam will not even ride the merry-go-round. After watching Ella have fun though, he decided to give driving the "Big Rigs" a try with Mommy along for support. He LOVED it! He rode them over and over again trading off with Mommy and Daddy. After that, he was more apt to give other rides a try and discovered that they are not so scary after all.

All and all we had a wonderful time. On Wednesday morning as we packed up, Ella started to cry and told us that she wished we could always live in a hotel :) So does Mommy, baby girl! So does Mommy.

Baby Samantha

I am a great Aunt. My niece Tiffany gave birth to a beautiful little girl on Tuesday. Born by c-section, she was only 5 lbs but very healthy.
Tiffany did well also.
While I am obviously in love with my amazing grand-niece, I cannot say that I am not apprehensive about her future. My niece is only 18-years-old and still has a year left in high school - exactly like her mother when she was born.
I am hoping that this pattern does not continue.
Also much like her mother, I do not believe that Tiffany got pregnant by accident. I think she thought it would be fun to have a baby - boy is she in for a rude awakening.
In the meantime, I am going to love the dickens out of this newest little family member and spoil her rotten.
As I reassured my mother (now a great-grandma) what's done is done - the future is what matters now. Here's to hoping that Baby Samantha Lynn has a great future.

Happy Birthday Audrey!

Today was Audrey Blanchard, aka Princess Bean's, first birthday party! It was a beautiful party in the disney princess theme. Ella was so envious of all the princess things.. .thankfully Audrey's Mommy, Jamie, supplied the kids with a ton of take home goodies and even let Ella have one of the princesses from the top of the cake (after she threw a tanturm, but isn't that what almost four-year-olds are for?)

Everything was wonderful and the kids had a great time.

Audrey having cake

Liam also enjoying the cake

Pinata time - It was a pull string, which is much nicer than little kids with bats! Ella picked the right string and won an extra $1 all for herself!


Mad Dash for the candy

Pin the tale on the donkey - Little Shawn was trying to give Ella some assistance

Mommy and Liam playing beach ball (BTW - I got my hair cut recently)

Ella and the balloons

Ella with the princess from the top of the cake - thank you "Aunt" Jamie

Audrey and Big Brother Shawn, who also happens to be Ella's best friend

The Beautiful Birthday Girl - I LOVE THE HAIR!

RIP John Hughs

I can't believe the mastermind behind Some Kind of Wonderful (my personal fave), Sixteen Candles, the Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Home Alone is gone.
I defy you to find anyone in our generation who did not relate to at least one of his characters.
His movies defined our youth and he will be sadly missed.

Small towns suck

I was at the local mall (and I use the term very loosely) looking for a birthday present for Audrey Blanchard who turns one on Saturday when I discovered that Walden Books is closing as of Aug. 14.
For those of you keeping score, this is the ONLY bookstore left in the Stuebenville area.
Hurry in now, all books are at least 30% off and many are 75%. I purchased $68 worth of items - including a couple of lovely book sets for Audrey - for only $30.
While their loss is our gain in the short term, in the long term Steubenville drops even a little further down the cultural ladder.

Valid Again

I am now, once again, a valid driver in the state of Ohio, after a 90 minute drive to the reinstatement office in Youngstown Ohio.
Please someone explain to me why I could not do this over the Internet. I honestly had to drive 90 minutes up and back to give them one piece of paper and pay a reinstatement fee because they do not accept credit cards.
The state of Ohio is in a financial crisis, yet we can afford to staff an office just to accept money from poor saps like myself.
And I couldn't even get the actual license there... I will be making yet another trip to the local BMV to have that done on Saturday.

Dress Up Fun

It is Moe's last week and then he returns to the drama department of my Alma mater, Steubenville High School, where he will be a senor!
Always full of fun, Moe "borrowed" this wig from his grandma and we played dress up today.
I don't know what I will do without him. Probably have to work :)

Exploring Nature and each other

My Children have been through so much drama in their short lives.





We lost Ryan's younger brother Uncle Chris when Ella was just 5 months old. Last year, we lost Poppa Dick, the man who had been the father figure in my life for the past 21 years.





Ryan's sister has been through so much in her battle with addiction and Ryan himself has been fighting some personal demons.





My mother married a man, that despite my best efforts, I have not been able to accept as part of the family.





Needless to say, that is a lot for someone who has not reached the age of 4 and 2.





This summer, I made the decision that I was going to go out of my way to enjoy the simple things in life with my children.





Here are some photos of our quality time together...

Searching for Lady Bugs... we found a real one, not one of those Japanese beetle things.

Napping together

Cooling off...

Relaxing on the front porch of Papu and Gooney's camper

How did I get here - agian?

Okay - I know, I know... I have tried the blogging thing before and always seem to start off strong, but end up loosing steam pretty fast.
Ever the diligent person, I have decided to give it a try one more time. This time, I am going to try to treat it more as a digital dairy than a soap box.
Alright, don't get me wrong, I will be hoping up on the soap box from time to time, but I also plan to use this blog as a way to keep friends and family up to speed on the Neeley clan.