Safe Place

Let me explain something: Television is my passion. Some of you like gardening, some of you like comic books, others like racing, scrapbooking, photography, and other interests. For me, it's television. I LOVE it. Could talk about it ALL day if anyone would listen. My dream job would be to do PR work in the entertainment industry promoting the shows I watch. Since I can't get paid to do that yet, I do it for free on Facebook and twitter. No one forces me. I do it because I LOVE the shows I talk about.

Some people are getting tired of my constant talking about T.V. and wish that I would stop and talk about other things. For those people, let me explain something else: On Facebook, there is a link on the bottom left hand corner of my page that says "unfriend." Please click it if you are tired of what I have to say. Same goes for twitter, you can simply go to my profile page and "unfollow" me. I'm not into either of these for the numbers and would rather have 10 friends on FB/Twitter that embrace me for my passion than 100 friends that tell me to stop talking about it.

This blog is my safe place. I can talk about anything on here and not worry about having to please any sort of an audience, because, while I love those of you that take time to read, this place is MY outlet. I blog for myself. Nobody else. And now days when it comes to my passion, this is the only place I feel I can go to talk about it in as much (or as little) detail as I please.

That being said, "Rookie Blue" is returning for a second season on June 23rd. I'm BEYOND excited about it and once it starts (probably even before) I will be talking about it here A LOT. And I won't be apologizing for it. You've been given fair warning.

I truly appreciate those of you that take time to read this blog. I appreciate even more those of you that take time to read this blog and leave (respectful) comments. I hope you'll continue to do so.

Grateful

Today, I asked Mom if she would mind helping me clean out my closet. If you'd seen my closet recently, you would know that doing this would be no small feat. It looked as if several department stores had thrown up in there.

My Mom, being the amazing person that she is, said she would help and for the next two hours we went through clothes and shoes, separating them into a "keep" and "give to good will" pile. We hung up, straightened, and coordinated everything. Now, my closet looks SPECTACULAR! I can actually tell what is what, and found a BRAND NEW pair of tennis shoes I thought were lost forever! Once done. Dad took several bags of trash out to the garbage for us.

Once that was over, we cleaned up and I let Mom choose were she wanted to eat, and I treated her and Dad to dinner. On the way home I got a strawberry banana smoothie, and then Mom and I watched tonight's Flashpoint.

It's things like this that make me so grateful for my amazing parents!

State Softball 2011

Another year, another state softball tournament this weekend. This time, in Beaumont, TX. While we didn't have the results we were hoping for, Alexis played great and never fails to make me proud with how she handles herself on and off the field. Austin, ever the supportive little brother was also a trouper throughout the weekend yelling for his big sister (when he didn't have a sucker or ring pop in his mouth).

The hotel was....Different. Upon arriving Friday afternoon we were given our key card and entered the room to find someone's half eaten breakfast on the desk, the bed stripped, and towels all over the bathroom floor. We called the front desk and were told that the situation would be taken care of immediately. Half an hour later we were still waiting and since we had about an hour and a half before the first game, we headed to Wal-Mart to find a shower chair for me to be able to take my shower that night (oh, did I forget to mention the hotel didn't have that either?)

After the first softball game (which we lost) Mom, Dad, Austin, and myself headed to Pizza Hut to have a quick dinner. We got back to the hotel and I attempted to take a quick shower (with my new shower chair). Since our room only had one bed, it was decided that Austin would stay with my parents and I would sleep in my sister's hotel room with Alexis on their fold out couch. So, after my shower, I dressed in shorts and a t-shirt and made my way to the third floor and into my sister and brother-in-law's hotel room (or as I liked to call it...The Freezer).

I pulled my shoes off and went straight for the bed...After a giggles with Lexi, and a few minutes of talking to my sister, all was quiet. Lexi was out like a light in 10 minutes flat. I'm not used to sleeping in a place so cold you could hang meat, nor am I used to having the T.V. on ALL NIGHT, but they are so I kept quiet and tried to sleep...Loving the moments when Alexis would cuddle next to me because it allowed me to be next to a human furnace!

Once the night FINALLY ended (and I thawed out), we were quickly on our way to the next game (which we also lost and since it was double elimination also meant our tournament was over). We headed back to the hotel, quickly packed up. said goodbye to the kiddos (they stayed an extra night) and headed to back home.

We had only been gone for 24 hours and I've never been happier to be HOME! My shower was Heaven! The only downside is that we boarded Tazzie at the vet thinking we'd be gone till today (Sunday) and since we didn't know how late we'd be playing, we didn't want to take a chance on having to be checked out of the hotel with several more games to play and Tazzie having to stay in the heat. So, we left her with the vet. And since the vet is closed on the weekend, we can't get her until tomorrow morning....I feel like I've lost my right arm! Missing her like crazy and can't wait until tomorrow!!!

Yep....Another year, another State tournament....Never a dull moment!

Summer 2011 T.V. Schedule

For those interested, Here is my Summer night T.V. viewing schedule:

Monday:
Nothing--Suggestions welcome!

Tuesday:
America's Got Talent (starts May 31st)

Wednesday:
America's Got Talent results

Thursday :
Rookie Blue (starts June 23rd)

Friday:
Flashpoint (already started)

So, as you can see, everything but Rookie Blue has already started, or will start this week (And of course, that's the one I'm chomping at the bit to see). When new summer shows premiere, it's very likely I'll add to this schedule. these are just ones I KNOW I'll be watching.

Any ideas what YOU'LL be tuning in to see?

2010-2011 Fall/Spring T.V. Wrap-Up

If you look back at my Fall T.V. schedule, you'll see that 97 percent of the shows on were canceled. In fact, with the exception of my Tuesday night T.V and "Blue Bloods" on Friday, my television season kinda (ok, REALLY) stunk.

The good news....All three of my Tuesday night shows were renewed for another season and "Blue Bloods" will see a second season as well come September. While I will miss those shows this summer, the rest I hope of my shows will take advantage of the hiatus and come up with a way to get this once avid viewer back on board....Shemar Moore renewing his contract with "Criminal Minds" is a great start....Thanks Shemar!

As for summer T.V. ROOKIE BLUE IS BACK FOR SEASON TWO!!!!!! Now THIS gets me excited about Thursday nights again...VERY excited and looking forward to June 23rd.

Oh yes, and we can't forget "America's Got Talent".....Personally, I think the only talent on that show is Nick Cannon's commentary backstage as the performers are being judged, the guy is HYSTERICAL.....I laugh for the entire hour! Gonna be great seeing that again!

And of course....FLASHPOINT......Love, love, LOVE my FP!!!!

Here's hoping for some AWESOME summer television!

A Special Delivery!

After the Royal Wedding, People Magazine announced that it would be doing a special issue all about the big event. It was said to hit newsstands this last Monday and since I'm no longer a subscriber, a mad hunt was on whenever anybody I knew was going to any store. Nobody could find it anywhere!

Fast forward to today. Just being me, I posted a status on FB saying, "WANTED" With a picture of the cover of the magazine. Alexis had early release from school today and Austin stayed home sick so after I posted it, I didn't give it much thought.

We were on our way to pick up a pizza after getting Alexis from school when I got a text message from one of the two guys in my life that I consider to be my big brothers (the reason why is for another post, on another day). We hadn't talked in close to a month because life has gotten insane for both of us. His text asked what I was up to and if I had found my People Magazine yet. I responded with a laugh and a "No! I can't find it anywhere!"

Two hours later, Mom's at the store, Austin has been picked up for a doctor's appointment, and Lexi is in the living room watching T.V. when I get another text:

Him: Where are you?

Me: Home. Why?

Him: Stay there.

A few minutes later, my doorbell rings. I open the door to find him standing there with a grin on his face. After a hug, he says,"Here ya go, hotshot!" and presents me with the People Magazine I had been searching for! After stunned thank you's, another round of hugs, he headed back to work!

And I was left with my mouth hanging open and Lexi firing question after question at me about who the guy was and how I knew him, (along with having to explain to her that "No, just because we said "love you" to each other as he left, does not mean we dated." LOL!) About a minute after he left, I got another text:

Him: "That's cause you're awesome...."

There are people in my life that tell me a lot of things, today someone not only told me, but showed me as well, with a very special royal delivery!

Today, Her Prince Has Come!

Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming a Princess. My childhood best friend and I spent hours together pretending to be Royals going to a ball, and I spent more than one Halloween in a fake crown and dress going door to door telling my neighbors,"Trick or Treat! Princess Natalie needs candy!"

This morning, I was up at three a.m. along with two billion other people, and watched as Kate Middleton wed her Prince, and in doing so, became a true Princess!

I drank in every single thing about the ceremony. From Prince William arriving to the abbey in his royal garb, to the absolutely beautiful bride walking in with her father, her incredible gown and train flowing behind her.

I smiled as Prince William whispered, "you look beautiful" to his bride upon her reaching the alter, and my ears drank in the accents as the couple spoke their vows to each other (because you know my love for accents--Especially, British accents).

I took in the glances and smiles they gave each other during the ceremony, and my heart loved the phrases spoken by the archbishop when he said, "Be who God meant you to be, and you can set the world on fire!" Everything in me loved how it was stated that all weddings are Royal because we are all children of the Creator, and I loved how the Creator was deeply woven into the entire service.

The romantic in me loved the way William gently helped his new wife as they kneeled to pray, making sure she was settled before bowing his head, and how he held her hand securely and confidently as they exited the church to throngs of well wishers and helped her in the carriage. Once settled, Kate looked to her husband and appeared to say, "I'm so happy!"

*I* was so happy about an hour later when the new Duke and Duchess appeared on the balcony to wave to the crowd. Upon giving each other the traditional balcony kiss, they seemed to respond to the crowds chants of "Kiss again! Kiss again! Kiss again!" William appeared to be coaxing his wife playfully with a few words as she laughed, and a few seconds later, their lips met again for an unheard of SECOND balcony kiss! The couple laughed at the roaring applause, gave a last wave, joined hands and headed back inside once more.

Yes, I've always dreamed of becoming a princess, and today, my dream, became Kate's reality! I pray for them as they begin this journey together. May they be protected, blessed, and guided by the One who joined them together!

Congratulations, William and Kate!

*Disclaimer: NONE of the images in this entry are mine.*