If you enjoy such reality shows such as Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, or the like, you must tune in to Combat Cash tonight on The Discovery Channel at 10PM EST.   As described in Channel Guide Magazine, “Combat Cash follows Bob Chatt and Owen Thornton as they use their knowledge, experience and money to pursue rare military artifacts.  Also referred to militaria, these items include tanks, GI Joe figures, World War II flame throwers, Saddam Hussein propaganda banners and Vietnam war-era helicopters.”

I’ve seen a sneek preview of the show and it provides a balanced blend of historical facts and the good humor you would expect from reality television.  I mean, what kind of collector buys tanks and flame throwers?  Bob and Owen utilize their expertise to track down these wanted collectibles while Danielle Chatt manages the operations at their shop Vintage Productions.

For anybody who enjoys history, collectibles, or the military, this show is right up your alley, so tune in.

The Bachelor… January 2, 2012

Last night was the long-awaited return of The Bachelor, starring our Ashley-rejected suitor, Ben Flajnik. Not much differed from the prior seasons. Groups of gorgeous gals emerged from limos, with the exception of Lindzi C., who rode up on her horse to meet the man of her dreams. A little horse goes a long way as she gains the first impression rose.

The most endearing entrance was Brittney’s Grandma who emerged from the limo professing how she fell madly in love with Ben during the past season.  Brittney got some quality one-on-one time with Ben just because Grandma came along.  (Way to tug at the heart-strings, Brittney).  In actuality, it really did seem like Grandma was more excited about the show and the prospect of Ben than Brittney was. 

As sweet as this all was, nothing could be “sweeter” than the girl-love expressed by Monica to her crush Blakeley (would she be better suited as a potential lover on The Bachelorette?). 

As Monica cooed and cuddled up against her girl-crush, Blakeley, Jenna was in the midst of the beginning stages of her mental breakdown over Monica’s cruelty to her.  Honestly, it appears that the director staged it so that Ben would pick the trio to remain on for at least one more week to gain ratings.  Monica is an evil, potential lesbian.  Blakeley is oblivious to everything.  Jenna is a nut-case promoting her “over-analytical” blog.  In fact, she professes her job as being a “Blogger.”  She does it full-time and makes money at it with her neuroses?  It’s plain crazy if you ask me.  Nonetheless, Jenna is our emotional-break-down, in the bathroom, “this really isn’t like me” nutjob for at least another week.

The promos show that Ben will be spending a considerable amount of time with the professional model, Courtney, who will be called nearly every name in the book during the season including the “black widow.”  Later in the season, she apparently has enough gumption to get Ben to run naked into the surf and cause the women in the house to go crazy with grief.  Courtney appears to be set up as the one girl in the house that all others hate and she’s already made it clear that she is not in this contest to make friends.  Is it possible that this brunette makes it to the end as we were shown in the promos a long-haired brunette makes it to the helicopter at the end of the season?  She’s a physically pretty girl with a reported psued0-celebrity dating past.  It will be interesting to see how her personality shows through or if she is merely in this for the publicity (like Jake Palveka who is, by the way, now an actor who portrays the Forrester Family private jet pilot on the Bold & The Beautiful).  RealtySteve.com pegs her as the winner of the season (it will be interesting to find out).

 And, here’s to a great season of Monday Nights!

We are so blessed this year!  It is such a gift to have such wonderful friends and family in our lives… your impact on our lives this year means more to us than we can possibly say.  More importantly, God has shown his amazing grace to our family through some of our greatest challenges this year.  Like many Americans, we have faced struggles during this economic downturn, however we are so grateful for all of God’s wonderful blessings.  In 2011, I have been fortunate to be working for a dynamic and professional organization which keeps me challenged and quite busy.  I am grateful for the steady employment in a time when so many cannot find good jobs.   The twins have entered Huntington Beach High School and are learning the ropes of high school life.  With honors classes, learning to play guitar, church, and playing soccer, they lead a life with a full schedule.  As always, I am quite proud of their accomplishments.  Always addicted to their music, cell phones, and laptops, it’s a rarity to see them unplugged and just wanting to hang out with good ole’ Mom.  However, we were able to visit Big Bear on vacation this year and get in some good game playing and cooking time.  Living with teenagers is a new and, well, interesting experience!  As we look towards 2012, we are hopeful that we are able to continue to survive in today’s economy and pray that God bless you and your families with his amazing grace. 

Deanna & Nicole at Big Bear Lake

We have enjoyed our vacation this year.  The twins, the dogs, and I have spent the past several days up at Big Bear Lake, CA.  We were hoping to get snow on Thanksgiving, but didn’t luck out.  Although, snow is plentiful on the mountain and we got to see plenty of it (such a treat for beach girls)!  We were able to play games, eat well, visit the zoo, go on walks, hit the shops downtown, and relax in the jacuzzi.  Everybody had a great time.

Here’s a pic of our favorite owl from the zoo:

We’re heading down the mountain on Sunday around noon after a hearty breakfast and all is packed up at the cabin.  After we unpack, I plan on doing a little house cleaning and errand running before returning to work on Tuesday.  It’s been a nice long vacation off from work – nearly 10 days off in a row (I had to go into work one afternoon and have been “on-call” while out).   At the beginning of my vacation from work, I worked on the front of the house.  Deanna and I planted a flower garden.  After my ex-husband and I fixed my gates, the twins and I painted the gates the color of Chianti.  The front of our home is looking nice… and we’re proud. 

I’m planning on starting to read a book tonight called Heaven is For Real.  I heard that it’s a sweet book and am looking forward to it.  I hope that you are enjoying your current read.

On the entertainment side… the twins went and saw Breaking Dawn – Part I.   They said they enjoyed it.  I’m still addicted to Revenge on ABC and Welcome to Sweetie Pies on the OWN Channel.  What are you watching?

I hope that y’all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and that Black Friday didn’t completely swallow you whole!

Warmest wishes from our family to yours…

November Greetings to You…

I hope that all is well with you as we see Thanksgiving creeping around the corner.  It’s already that time of year to start thinking about Christmas presents, cards, and decorating the house.  Where has the time flown?  The twins, pups and I are planning our annual trip up to Big Bear Mountain.  There’s been a dusting of snow and the girls are hoping for a lot more so that they can snowboard while we are there.

I recently celebrated my 42nd birthday with my mom and sister.  We went to this fabulous place called The Melting Pot, which is a fondue restaurant.  I think I ate until I could eat no more.  My mom took me shopping and then a couple of days later surprised me with a copy of Nicholas Sparks’ new one The Best of Me.  So far, so great (but, to be expected from one of favorite authors).

For my birthday, I treated myself to a couple of goodies and also got my hair all chopped off.

(I got 3″ taken off my hair… EEK.  It will be the perfect length by Christmas time, I’m sure.)

In preparation for the Fall/Winter season, I cut back my overgrown garden in the front yard.  It’s nearly bare with the exception of my perineals.  We had some wonderful rains over the past 24 hours and I’m hoping for a bit more.  I’d like to plant some bright, colorful pansies next weekend and fill in the bare spots with fresh bark.

I’ve also been making little home repairs throughout the house.  I’m realizing that I’m falling in love with my house all over again now that I know that the girls and I are safe in our new mortgage.  It’s such a sense of relief after an anxious year of not knowing what the future would hold.

O.K.  time to gush about my favorite new show of the season… REVENGE!   This is the juiciest and most addictive drama since Dynasty!  There is intrigue, love, lust, jealousy, and it is filled with a cast of great characters.  My two favorites are:

 Emily VanCamp portrays Emily Thorne who is the main character who is seeking revenge for the death of her father, who was framed.

Victoria Grayson, played by Madeleine Stowe, is the housewife next door who was involved with Emily’s father, but betrayed him and sent him to jail.

I can’t get enough of this Wednesday night show (ABC).  If you are able to get it on-demand or on the web, I highly recommend it!

Well, here’s to a safe and happy week to my friends and readers!

October has been a busy month for us girls.  The twins and I have enjoyed all of the Halloween festivities and parties which we have attended.  Every year I usually decorate the house to the hilt, but this year I decided to be a minimalist and keep it down to one carved pumpkin.  I’m sure the twins will do some trick-or-treating, but I have full intent on watching Dancing With the Stars and passing out candy in my comfy clothes.

As October comes to a close, I look back at this pivotal month in my life.  As I’ve shared in past posts, my family has come dangerously close to losing our home to foreclosure.  Last week, we were able to finalize a new deal with the lender.  Signed documents and hard-earned dollars were sent off to seal the new deal.  The end result was a permanently modified loan in which we can manage our monthly payment and remain in our home.  All praise be to God for his graciousness and his infinite plan for our lives. 

Looking back at the past 6 months, the underlying stress of not knowing what will happen to my family and I took its toll on us.  Looking forward, I want to focus on gratefulness and how to make my life a more complete one.   I’m turning 42 this week.  42.  I don’t know where the time has gone.  What shall I make of the next 8 years of my life?  What strives can I make in my career, in my personal growth, and with getting my twins through high school and off to college?  What can I do to make the next year a better year…?  I know that I want to start gardening again, start some home improvements, and fall in love with my home life again.  I want to pick up the pen and start writing more… finish those unfinished projects.  Maybe I should take a dance class?  No matter if I choose all directions or pick just one, I look forward to feeling more grounded and forward-thinking.

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  I am looking forward to Daylight Savings occurring next weekend and gaining an extra hour of sleep (at least for a short while).  As we start the new week, I wish you all a Happy Halloween and the beginning of a great Fall season.

Today we’re off for another day of AYSO youth soccer.  This afternoon, the twins will square off against another Girls Level 16 team.  I am hopeful that they will have a great game.  I’m taking my mom with me.  It’s her birthday (Happy Birthday, Mom). 

I’m planning on bringing along (for half-time) this book that I am currently reading and really into called Molokai.  It’s the story of a girl who is taken from her family and sent to live in a leper colony on the Hawaiian Island, Molakoi.  Great book so far.

I recently recommended to a co-worker the book Pride & Prejudice.  She came into the office this week and told me that she loved it.  You know, I was unsure about recommending a classic, but it really made me feel good to know that I shared something that means so much to me to another who was glad that she read it.  It’s not like recommending a popular paperback like The Help (which she also enjoyed)… there’s a risk that somebody might not love a classic as much as you.  Anyway, I just wanted to share how cool it was that book recommendation worked out because I just love that book!   When it was recommended to me, I didn’t want to read it… but was forever changed afterwards.

So… I’m off for a day of cheering and celebrating with my mom and daughters.  It’s what Saturdays are all about… family.