I admit, I like...

really good trashy drama's on TV like I like the Kardashian's, Teen Mom, 16 and Pregnant, Jersey Shore... Although I don't watch the Kardashian's anymore due to my ethical beliefs. I know that sounds like a bit of hypocritical joke. I still enjoy good old fashioned drama like MTV, The Bachelor... etc. I even think Jerry Springer or Maury is good for some brain numbing fun! Oh Come ON! Don't roll your eyes at me... I see you. Its not like I watch this crap expecting to be smarter (although sometimes I feel smarter!). If you don't expect anything but entertainment then that's all you get entertainment. Its like dare I say WWF wrestling...  you know the sports "entertainment", parts of it are real but its mostly just fun to watch? I remember watching wrestling in the "old life" and it had plenty of drama too! Its nice to not have to deal with reality on occasion.

Netflix Marathons on TV Tuesdays.

My Friend Danielle decided to get into Grey's Anatomy so she's been catching up through Netflix. I have been a die hard Grey's fan since the beginning and I love when I get my friends hooked. I had an Army wife friend while my husband was deployed and we had Grey's Marathons for days. We would rent Grey's free from the library and I ended up having to buy one season from Best Buy at the time which of course I was happy to do. We enjoyed our Grey's Marathon. So I decided I needed to watch them here too on my Netflix with Danielle. Mainly for research of my Thursday 13 blog to find my 13 favorite episodes. I didn't know it would take me two-three weeks to finish my research. Now we are both done with Grey's Danielle finished up about a week after me. Now we are on to Private Practice. Private Practice is a spin off of Grey's and honestly I don't watch it that often but I am watching it on Netflix. I think I am on Season 3. I don't like Private Practice as much as I have loved Grey's. I liked Shonda Rimes other show Off the Map but I just couldn't find the time to watch it. I love finding shows I missed on Netflix like Secret Life of American Teenager, Dead Like Me, Brothers & Sisters (Danielle and I both LOVE- really tragic that its canceled now), I love the Tudors, and Weeds. Oh and my step son got me into True Blood he doesn't watch it no but his boss and co-workers do. I am hooked on all its hilarity and weirdness. I have tried watching Vampire Diaries but so far I am not sure if I like it or not. I am on a break while I watch Private Practice. Danielle's Iphone out of commission so she has to wait till Friday for a new one. Not sure how much PP she will be watching without it. So after Vamp Diaries and Private Practice should I watch Switched at Birth? I've been told I should. Hubby's been watching marathon's of Bones. I don't want to mess up his cue but I want to watch soon! What things do you like to watch on Netflix? What are your favorite shows you try not to miss?
My weekly show line up is
House & Castle on Mondays
Tuesday/Wednesday is usually a reality show. American Idol is coming up
Thursday is Bones and Grey's Anatomy
I DVR or watch online episodes of MTV shows
Sunday's is Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives and Pan Am. I LOVE Pan Am!

Why I don't like a certain cartoon character.

Special Agent Oso.

If you haven't seen this one (youtube link) This cartoon is annoying because my children can be more intelligent than this stuffed creepy colorful bear that just pops into people's houses. He annoys me because he dumbs everything down. I don't think our kids need things dumbed down for them. 

Boohbah

Luckily I didn't have to endure Boohbah very long. It aired when Skylar was a toddler. People at the time were giving  criticism  to Teletubbies which I kind of didn't mind nor did I mind Barney but Boohbah to me was just ridiculous. Luckily GPB ( Georgia Public Broadcasting) didn't air the show very long. 

Chuggington

I just watched this for the first time this morning. I knew about it, seen the toys, even watched a review on Youtube about it but I really didn't like the cartoon. Nothing in particular just thought it was dumb. Perhaps its just my loyalty to "Thomas".

South Park

South Park I just don't find funny. As I used to say when I was younger rude, crude and socially unacceptable. I mean do we really need cartoon's like this? Funny how growing up I was banned from watching Beavis and Butthead but I still don't think they are near as bad as South Park. I just don't think being rude is funny. My southern class says Hell no Ya'll to this cartoon. Oh and their voices are one of the most annoying noises ever!

Spongebob Squarepants

I've learned to deal with this other rude, crude, cartoon character but I still refuse to buy products associated  with him. Sometimes Skylar watches it and I just ask her to go somewhere else LOL.

Elmo

I love Sesame Street. I can't imagine the world without it but to make whole episodes or segments with Elmo just makes me batty. More than 5 minutes of his voice and I have to turn it off. The only thing I have ever liked of Elmo is the first version of the Tickle Me Elmo. I think he's going to grow up to be on South Park.

Thursday Thirteen

Well after weeks of waiting I decided to do this blog on the night that Greys Anatomy finally has a new episode. Actually I haven't planned it this way but it worked out well.
The following are my thirteen favorite Greys Anatomy Episodes.

1. Season 2, Episode 5: Bring the Pain

   Original Air Date—23 October 2005
   A storm rages in Seattle. Izzie is very disappointed by her date with Alex, and Meredith is upset with Derek. They both complain to George, which drives him crazy. At the hospital, Cristina has a patient that uses porn as a pain killer and Meredith takes care of an Asian girl who needs to see a Shaman before surgery. There is a power shortage and George and Alex are stuck in an elevator with a critical patient. They need to perform heart surgery, but Alex is too freaked out and so George does it. **Meredith is known to say for her famous quote in this episode Pick Me Choose Me Love Me. " Okay, here it is. Your choice, it's simple, her or me. And I'm sure she's really great. But Derek, I love you. In a really, big really big pretend to like your taste in music, let you eat the last piece of cheesecake, hold a radio over my head outside your bedroom window, unfortunate way that makes me hate you... love you. So pick me. Choose me. Love me. I'll be at Joe's tonight so if you do decide to sign the papers, meet me there."

2. Season 2, Episode 16: It's the End of the World

   Original Air Date—5 February 2006
   The lives of everyone in the OR are threatened when a patient enters with a bomb inside of him... and a young paramedic with her arm inside the cavity is the only thing keeping it from going off. **This episode is known for Bailey going into labor, her husband gets into a car accident and nearly dies and no one tells her. She is trying to not have the baby until he gets there and George helps her have the baby at the same time there is a bomb stuck in a man and at first Guest Star Christina Ricci's hand is on the bomb but Meredith replaces her. The guy from Early Edition  Kyle Chandler also guest stars on this episode

3. Season 2, Episode 17: As We Know It

   Original Air Date—12 February 2006
   While the man with the bomb lodged in his chest remains in Burke's OR, Bailey's injured husband remains in Derek's. Meanwhile, Bailey still hasn't delivered her baby.

4. Season 2, Episode 27: Losing My Religion

   Original Air Date—15 May 2006
   The chief tries to determine who's responsible. Callie presses George about his feelings. Derek and Meredith have to make a decision about Doc. The interns are charged with pleasing the chief's niece. **I think season 2 has to be one of the best seasons for Greys. I personally have always always loved this episode and often watch clips of it on youtube lol. I watched it recently in its entirety and its the first time I didn't cry when Denny died. I love Jeffery Dean Morgan. I am a huge fan.

5. Season 3, Episode 6: Let the Angels Commit

   Original Air Date—2 November 2006
   Derek's sister comes to Seattle for a visit, and seems more into the extended family and gossip surrounding his divorce from Addison than into him. Meanwhile, the interns are not the only ones jealous of Cristina's opportunity to scrub in with Preston on a "Humpty Dumpty" procedure, and Bailey takes it personally when she learns she's been scrubbed, herself. George works with Addison on a very unusual case and Alex envies him.  ***Favorite quote:  Dr. Callie Torres: Don't chase me anymore, unless you're ready to catch me. 

6. Season 3, Episode 9: From a Whisper to a Scream

   Original Air Date—23 November 2006
   A traumatic car accident fills the ER; Cristina has a crisis of conscience about her deceptive teamwork with Burke; Izzie pushes the boundaries of probation. *Favorite Quote : Izzie to Callie She's very little and your hurting her!

7. Season 3, Episode 17: Some Kind of Miracle

   Original Air Date—22 February 2007
   Meredith interacts with some memories, all while the Chief, Burke and Bailey devise an unusual resuscitation maneuver. Meanwhile, Cristina has her own therapy and Derek speaks his mind to Ellis. **In this episode Meredith codes and she visits with Denny and the Bomb guy's ghosts as well as her mother who also codes.

8. Season 3, Episode 25: Didn't We Almost Have It All?

   Original Air Date—17 May 2007
   The wedding day arrives, and Cristina desperately needs something to take her mind off it, the fourth climber is found and his condition doesn't match the other climbers' stories, and Adele's condition brings a change for Richard. 

9. Season 4, Episode 9: Crash Into Me: Part 1

   Original Air Date—22 November 2007
   An accident in the ER bay leaves two paramedics fighting for their lives, and a third who refuses Bailey's care. Meanwhile, Alex juggles two women, and Lexie begins to bond with a patient. **Guest Staring Seth Green

10. Season 5, Episode 24

11. Season 6, Episode 10: Holidaze

    Original Air Date—19 November 2009
    As Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's pass, Miranda is visited by her father, William, who disapproves of her choices in life; meanwhile, Mark and Lexie must cope with the shocking arrival of a woman from his past, and Thatcher Grey questions the Chief's recent behavior as Meredith comes to his defense. *

12. Season 6, Episode 15: The Time Warp

    Original Air Date—18 February 2010
    In his new role as Chief, Derek restores the hospital lecture series, and Richard, Bailey and Callie present to the group pivotal surgical cases from their pasts - Bailey reflects on her first days as a shy resident, Callie looks back on a polio case, and Richard recalls a case in which he and Ellis worked on a patient diagnosed with GRID, a virus later called HIV.

13. 
    

Season 7, Episode 18: Song Beneath the Song Original Air Date—31 March 2011 In a series first, the music that has been at the heart of the show and been beloved by fans comes to life for Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event. A cataclysmic event rattles the doctors of Seattle Grace to the core, as Callie, on the verge of an enormous life-changing moment with Arizona, envisions her hospital and friends as it has never-been-seen before. "Chasing Cars" (Snow Patrol), "How to Save a Life" (The Fray) and "The Story" (Brandi Carlile) are among the songs performed by the cast.

The synopsis of each episode is on IMDB.com

Military Monday

So everyone is wondering about the pay getting shut down if the Government gets shut down

The article is here If government shuts down, so would troop pay

I also saw this posted on facebook feeds this morning

1. All Federal Agencies Will Not Shut Down:

Current laws provide exceptions for some federal agencies and parts of federal agencies and their employees. Any agency or personnel tasked with safeguarding public health and safety will not be shut down. A few examples of these types of agencies include:

• The Center For Disease Control (CDC)

• Most (but not all) of The Transportation Security Agency (TSA)

• The Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare providers, hospitals or facilities

Also any federal agency whose primary function is to protect life and property. A few examples of these agencies’ include:

• The department of the Army

• The United States Navy and Marine Corps

• The United States Air force

• The Dept. of Homeland Security (excluding contractors)

• FBI, CIA

• OH YEA, 1 MORE. CONGRESS WILL STILL GET PAID!

Additionally, if an agency that has a continuing source of funding may not be affected. An example of this is the VA’s VHA (Veterans Health Administration). However VBA (Veterans Benefits Administration) and the Social Security Administration, will be impacted since they do have a continuing source of funding. I will discuss the possible impacts of this in greater detail in a second.

HERE IS A LIST OF FEW AGENCIES THAT WILL BE AFFECTED:

• The Social Security Administration

• The Veterans Benefit Administration

These two are especially worrisome to me. I am not saying that everyone who receives disability payments from these two agencies will not get their checks, however it is a possibility depending on the length of a shutdown. However, it is more likely that you will see a delay in receiving your monthly checks.

• All National Parks will be closed

• New VA and Medicare Claims will not be processed

• Non-Exempt DoD personnel, such as administrative positions and research labs would be furloughed (Note- ALL combat would continue and all troops will be paid)

• The National Institutes of Health would not be able to accept new patients or answer hotline calls regarding diseases

• Domestic agencies like the National Archives, DoE, HUD, EPA, and Census Bureau would be largely shut down

2. Many, But Not All Federal Employees Will Not be Placed on Unpaid Leave or “Furlough”

Again any considered “essential personnel”(aka- excepted and non-excepted employees) at an agencies tasked with the above will not be placed on furlough. A furlough places an employee in a temporary non-duty and non-pay status. In the current situation, if Congress fails to pass another CR (Continuing Resolution, what we have been operating under since March 3rd) or God forbid, an actual budget, some federal agencies will be required to shut down and furlough all or some of their employees.

3. What is Considered Essential Personnel?

Every federal agency is required by law to have an emergency plan in place in case of a federal government shutdown. According to guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), an agency's senior leadership determines who is “excepted” or exempt from the furlough and required to work during a shutdown.

Federal employees working on essential activities related to our national security, homeland security, law enforcement, health care, financial management and the Postal Service will most likely be required to continue working. Remember this is only federal employees and agency, not state funded agencies or employees.

4. If You’re a Federal Employee Working for an Agency That is Not Exempt You Can Expect:

If you're furloughed as a result of a government shutdown, you will not be paid as long as the government is closed. Even some excepted employees may be working for "delayed pay" if their paycheck comes from an appropriation. However FOR ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, health care and life insurance benefits, on the other hand, continue for up to a year so you will continue to be covered. In addition, if you are furloughed your contributions--and those of your agency--to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) will stop during a shutdown, and you will not be able to arrange for a loan from your TSP account during a furlough.

If you need to find another job to have a source of income, you will remain as a federal employee (unpaid but still an employee) during a furlough, so you can take another job so long as the job is not subject to any conflict of interest prohibitions.

But here’s the kicker: You may need approval from your agency's Office of General Counsel to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. You can review your agency regulations to determine if they specify what types of employment would not pose a conflict. Make sense???? Might want to get your supervisors home phone number in case you need to ask. (By the way, that was dripping in sarcasm)

5. If You’re a Federal Contractor You Can Expect:

When a shutdown is announced, the Office of Management and Budget will notify the agencies, and each agency must then decide which functions are essential and which functions must be shut down. Contracting Officers should then notify contractors, who are responsible for notifying subcontractors, whether the contract will be funded during the shutdown or whether the contractor should stop or reduce work. A Contracting Officer may issue a stop work order or, more likely, issue broad guidance for contractors to follow. Contracting Officers will not have any authority to enter into new contracts, renew expiring contracts, or exercise options during a shutdown. Existing contracts may be affected if they require the government to obligate new funds during the shutdown.

Again here is the kicker: Without a stop work order, contractors may still be subject to contractual obligations; however, a contractor may not perform work for the government on a voluntary basis. As a result of these issues, it is essential that contractors remain in frequent communication with Contracting Officers, subcontractors, or prime contractors and counsel in order to understand their rights, duties, and obligations.

So basically just stay in close touch with your Contracting Officer!

So that's the beef on that and personally if they are going to stop paying those who are protecting their paychecks then they better have a plan b or get that money back from all the car companies and bank companies they bailed out. Some of us have bills we HAVE to pay.

When the previews started for the new season of Army Wives I thought sadly Jeremy would be killed in action. Now after last nights episode I strongly feel its Chase. Which makes me very sad. I love the actor that plays Chase and the character most of the time.. oooh boy Trevor is on my shit list but I have heard his BS before in my own deployment! UGH. How does Claudia Joy feel about getting reassigned for West Point? I am glad little Molly is okay and the future daughter in law could make up with Denise. I haven't seen Frank barely.. oh wait just those two scenes or something. Joan is still Joan UGH!

Join us at http://armywiveslives.com/category/military-mondays-carnival/

Thursday Thunks

If your wondering what this is about go here 

1. Charlie Sheen is an idiot and will probably end up with his own stupid reality show that will get 40 million viewers the first day and then people will fall asleep and quit watching. What person, celebrity or not, would you watch every eppy of a reality show if they were the center of it all? I am pretty much an off the cuff reality show addict. I used to be in to Survivor (that lasted a season or two), and Big Brother ( a few seasons then it interrupted my other shoes so it had to go bye bye), I have watched both versions of Extreme Makeover. and I still watch :Home Edition, I loved the Swan but it was canceled, Date my Dad, Who wants to marry a Millionaire.. those don't last long. Ok for several years (I guess?) I have heard the talk about Jersey Shore. So while I am here on the computer doing other things and just bsing I will turn it on MTV.com... I enjoy it. I am admitting it here. I don't think sleeping around is smart and drinking until your arrested is either... but they are kids and when I was that age I probably did things just as crazy.. So let them be them.. none of our business or right to judge right? I mean think about this? They take Taxis if they are going clubbing I think that is smart and shows smart smarts lol. Its like when you were in College (most are college age) and you went to Spring Break... meets Girls Gone Wild... meets as an adult you go to Atlantic City or Vegas for you Western shore people... What goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas anyone? I don't make this up so it has to have a story behind the quote LOL. So I've watched Jersey Shore because they can be funny and its just a TV show that I don't have to think about, pay much attention to, etc.. it doesn't EFFECT my life. I watched Teen Mom 1 I don't know why I started but I watched it and loved one couple from the show. Now I watch Teen Mom 2 and the train wreck of some of those teen agers. I've done a few seasons of Real World. On VH1 I watch Celebrity Rehab, Surreal Life, Rock of Love with Bret Michaels, My Fair Brady, Celebrity Fit Club, Breaking Bonaduce, Flavor of Love, Tila Tequila Shot at Love.. other reality shows like the Osbournes, and Bret Michaels Life As I know It, Family Jewels with Gene Simmons.. I love those LOL There are a lot of shows that I don't know if you equate them as being reality shows too. Like Cake Boss, The Duggars, Baby Story, True Life, Snapped, Clean House etc...

 Right now as a family or a mini family We watch Bachelor and American Idol. The rest I dvr, catch when I catch it out of boredom or watch online.

Yup I might be a Celeb Reality/ Reality Show addict.

So what Reality Show would I watch every episode of? I am not sure probably one about Real Life Military unless it was that E Crapu-mentary that came on a few weeks ago

 

2. We all pay bills and wish we didn't have to. We all work and wish we could just lay around all day doing nothing. We all have those grown up responsibilities that we wish we could give to an African Elephant. Besides all the things the African Elephant got from you for the day, what is something from your high school years that you miss most of all? I love to learn. I love going to church (which really is like class isn't it? I have notes and a book, and a pen and a TEACHER of sorts...) So I still love to learn everyday. I love the social aspect of school and the pep rally's etc... 

3. Sometimes we want to grow wings and fly. Whats the farthest you've fallen? Once I fell off the Great American Scream Machine... but emotionally I have hit some rocks luckily not Rock bottom and i hope to never see that point.

4. There is square bread, wheat bread, circle shaped bread, bread with nuts in it, funny named bread. When you open a bread bag, do you twist it when you are done or put the metal tie thingie back on? (And did you know that if you look at that metal tie thingie, it has a day of the week printed on it?) Yes I knew that the colors of the metal tie have a meaning per day of the week when the bread was baked. I generally twist and go... depends on my dedication LOL

5. Some spoiled little brat (hey.. my opinion) called 911 on her teacher because he shook his own desk to get the students attention in the class. (I know, right?) Think back... what clever ways did a teacher of yours use to get the attention of the class or a particular student? Um I don't really recall anything creative or unusual probably just extra assignments?

6. Artwork, pictures, notes, appointments. How many magnets are on your refrigerator? I have 80 not including parts of the alphabet stored on top.. odd how it was an even number? maybe...

7. Cats are fluffy, dogs are soft, snakes are leathery, fish are wet.What is an animal that you have held or petted that you don't think many people have had the chance? Turkey, my mom had a pet Turkey named Tom. 

8. I'm coming to your house to paint your kitchen. I'm bringing the paint. What color should I not have with me? no black its just not right for a kitchen I think LOL.. i might loose my appliances!

9. Snow falls down, sometimes sideways. It still ends up on the ground. If snowflakes came in all different colors, which color snowflake would fall the fastest? They would all fall the same LOL

10. We caved... well at least I did. Are you glad Thursday Thunks is back? YES! I am a Newbie!

Military Monday (Army Wives Spoiler inside)

So did you watch the season premiere of Army Wives last night on Lifetime? If you missed it I am sure you can catch it on http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/army-wives/

Its funny I started thinking about Sister Wives like from this show after watching two women on Coming Home a new TV show on Lifetime after Army Wives.  

How some of us Military Wives certainly become Sister Wives in one sense. I know I spent more time with my battle buddy(s) the first year of our marriage than I did with him. There were many months where Jessica R and I could have put our BAH together because I practically lived there if it weren't for James. I helped her with her daughter and she drove me to places when I couldn't get there on my own. Betty C. and I got extremely close she would help me with my kids and I was there for her emotionally during what was both our first deployment. Yes Military wives cook together, baby sit for each other, clean each other's house, PCS together... We in all but the sexual part of the life style become Sister Wives. At one point my battle buddy's and I decided that instead of cooking just four ourselves we would do a pot luck once a week. Isn't this kind of how Sister Wives work?

I think the characters of Army Wives is a perfect example. When a Soldier isn't home we step in and help.. I would be there for any of my close Military Wife friends even if their Soldier/Marine/Airman was home.. all they had to do was ask.

Do not scroll past the picture of the Cast of Army Wives

What did we all think of Army Wives? Wow! Man I am reluctant to blog about it because of this invention called DVR.. now people "tape" or record things more now to watch later. My first pfft... is the fact that it comes on opposite Desperate Housewives. I have watched Desperate Housewives since the beginning too. So I guess I am going to have to watch Army Wives, record DH, and Coming home and watch DH after Army Wives and find time another night to watch Coming home! Oh boy! I love Brothers and Sisters but Rick doesn't so I can always watch that when he isn't here during the day. That's how I watch most of my VH1/MTV reality shows and House. Anyways. In the previews someone is going to die and I pray its not who I think it is. My guess is Jeremy. Don't worry no one dies during the Season Premiere they are probably waiting till sweeps.. 

Well I warned you and I just can't contain myself and not write a post on Military Monday about Army Wives  that was YESTERDAY..

Roxy and Trevor... I am glad she didn't get seduced by her old friend. Rick thought it was going to happen. I knew Roxy better. Why? Roxy is me in so many ways lmao. They didn't mention her pregnancy again.. well it didn't come up. I can certainly feel the emotions she is having right now after all Meredith from Greys Anatomy would call her a hormone casserole PLUS normal deployment blah's. 

on a side note... I loved when I used to go to the doctor while my husband was deployed (the doctor at the Army Medical Clinic) and they would be like are you depressed? Same question every visit... and I would be like DUH! LOL

back to Roxy... did they change TJ's actor?

Joan and Roland are going through the same path they took season 2? Joan is in it to win it! I mean she is a career oriented woman but like my own life she needs to learn to balance... She has to be there for Roland as much as she is there for the Army in ONE way or another. 

Claudia Joy and General Holden.. I wonder why she is reluctant to move to West Point? She certainly got the  new Army wife attitude of "I should know better than to make plans in the Army"... I wouldn't see that coming from a seasoned wife? Do you think medically she is going to be alright with no one around to keep a close eye on her? I am surprised they didn't bring up the last time she took a daughter to college. You know maybe a PTSD moment? Do you think she is going to get Empty Nest syndrome? 

Frank and Denise Oh my! Denise is older and its so much harder to take care of a newborn when your older and have that sleep deprivation. Why do you think Frank is so lax on Jeremy getting married so fast? Jeremy's fiancée didn't make a good impression on Denise did she? It wasn't her fault or either of their fault.. bless them!  Btw Newborns usually don't have tears so that wouldn't have been a symptom that Denise missed. What's wrong with Molly anyways? Next week might suck a little! What do you think about Jeremy and his Fiancée?

Whoa WHOA! Whoa Pam! No Atlanta? No Chase? You have the hots for HIM? Wow! Didn't see it coming at least not from your side!

Coming Home. I would attend a home coming for any Soldier but since neither of MY Soldiers got one I just have the wtc attitude about homecomings. I think Rick's 24 years, several deployments... and never got any kind of ceremony. OF COURSE he doesn't want one but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve it. No one in the unit even organized anything for his retirement. Yeah golly gee thanks for your 24 years of dedication etc... 

So I have an admittedly sucky attitude about Home Coming Ceremonies. The show was overall pretty good (I fell asleep toward the end) and I think its great Lifetime is bringing so much NEEDED and POSITIVE attention to the Military Life.