TV: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

I'm completely going against every peer of mine by saying that I wasn't that much of a fan of Peanuts television specials. I read the comics and my dad used to give me Peanuts' themed birthday cards, but I really didn't like watching the specials. The Thanksgiving dinner made me cringe, I hated the fake adult voice they used (along with the horrible lack of adult supervision) and I felt so bad for Charlie Brown. I thought Lucy and Peppermint Patty were the meanest, Pig Pen made me itch, and while I actually like Snoopy, why is it that the dog gets all the good stuff?

I can actually hear the tirade, people. I understand these are classics. I understand the Schulz and his cartoon were extremely well liked and popular for years, but I don't like the TV specials. I guess if I'm going to be Peanuts, then I'll stick with the short strip.

Miscellaneous: Specs

I just got new glasses (above). They are much different than my usual selection. They are purple (well, the color says mauve, but that's close enough). Okay, I'm rambling.

My eye doctor has asked me about contact lenses the last few times I've gone. The idea is a good one especially since contacts have come a long way since I last wore them. But, there's an ease to slapping on my glasses first thing in the morning knowing I can see (which is extremely accurate - I can't see clearly at about 4 inches from my face without lenses).

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, I needed my contacts when I wanted to look pretty and find a boyfriend. I'm married now...what's the point?

On the third hand, it would be nice to put on sunglasses whenever I needed them and they help keep my vision from changing (as the contact on the eye is more effective than a lens 3/4 of the way from my eye).

And my insurance covers lens...but do I really want to have to buy lens care?

You just got a taste of things that run through my mind. I apologize.

Men: Empire's List

I have no clue who these people are, but they made a list of 100 sexiest movie stars. Fifty of them I'm not interested in because they're women (I already feel inferior, why rub it in?) However, the other 50 are very interesting. Most interesting is #47 (Love. Him.), #44 (I didn't know about him...nice.), #41 (Hmmm.), #23 (One of my favs.), and #4 (I have to admit he's a cutie, but he's too...everything.)

So instead of just one, here's 50. Enjoy :o)

Chocolate: World Classics Chocolate Obsession

...Swiss Dark Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs. 69% cacao.

B bought one for us. Read: FOR ME. 'Cuz that's how chocolate rolls around here.

It has a waxy feel on the outside and crisp bite. After getting it in the mouth it has a creamy feel (the Swiss part I'm sure). Then you chow down on the nibs and get the bitter, which only sticks for a short time and back in the throat. It's decent. I like that it isn't dry and bitter which usually makes me long for something to drink.

If I have B go out and get more of this brand for "us" then I'd like to try their Majestic Mint or the Hazelnut Heaven.

Books: The Halloween Tree

In a couple of weeks we'll have all the ghoulies and monsters, ... well, all the commercialized TV & movie related costumed children out banging down our doors for candy. One show that might air on TV is The Halloween Tree, a cartoon version of the book by Ray Bradbury. When I watched it for the second time (the first was a little confusing and scary for me) I realized what a perfect educational cartoon it was for explaining Halloween. If it comes on I'm going to encourage A and M to watch. For the rest of you, I suggest the book.

(Make sure you read the editorial review at Amazon for a warning/caveat.)

TV: Big Deal

I don't even want to write the words because the whole world is probably Googling them. Maybe I could use the traffic, but I don't want it if it's going to be because of "The Boy." By now you're probably aware of the whole $$$ debacle.

So I'm sitting at lunch and someone comes in apologizing for being on her cell phone. Apparently her mother was sitting on the edge of her chair because a boy was hovering 8000 ft above earth in a balloon made by his parents. Being the tech saavy [okay, that's how I get my news] person that I am, I immediately got streaming video. At that point the balloon had landed and "The Boy" was no where to be found. Many were worried that "The Boy" had fallen out, but not me. I knew "The Boy" was hiding.

Later, reason appeared. I had to go back to work, but everyone had their opinions and some were thinking about the events. How could "The Boy" be in the basket if the balloon was tipping back and forth? Who actually saw "The Boy" get into the balloon? Oh, but I knew. That kid would show up safe and sound at home, costing $$$. At first I thought it was just the kid, but now charges are being brought up. The latest being that the parents had been planning this for at least two weeks.

Now I really feel for "The Boy." You can't pick your parents.

Miscellaneous: Costumes

We finally went to our friend's Halloween party last year dressed as hippies. They were last minute costumes, but functional. We'd like to go again this year, but haven't a clue what to be. I still have to make costumes for the kiddos!

So I did a little surfing. There was one site with some very cool costumes, not so many ideas though. WTF Costumes has some really crappy, but also some really cool costumes (some not safe for little kiddos). One of the costumes shown on the site is to the right. Too cute!

I had the kids dress up as the princess and the pea one year when the youngest couldn't walk. I've seen two other girls a few years apart dress up as Miss Clavel and Madeline. A Google search yielded a baby lobster costume...the cute part was that he was in a bucket. Kids have all the great costumes. Got any ideas for us