Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Look Back and Laugh: At TV

I will never forget the time I heard a news reporter say the “P” word. It was last November and I had the TV going in the background, but I wasn’t paying too much attention. The crew was signing off, you know at the end when they loosen up and just start making small talk amongst each other, then I heard one of the male reporters say, “It’s just not officially the holidays until there is a penis showing.” WHAT!? My jaw dropped and I wished that I had tivo so that I could rewind, but I just stood there thinking about how that comment could be appropriate and what on earth he could be referring to. Of course as it turns out I did here him wrong. I realized what I believe the reporter was saying when good ole Charlie Brown aired on the same network later that evening. ‘Ooooh’, I said a little embarrassed with my misunderstanding “It’s just not officially the holidays until there is a PEANUTS showing.”

Monday, September 22, 2008

TV Challenge: The Emmy's

While the rest of Texas was watching the Cowboy’s game last night I chose the road less traveled and tuned into the 60th annual Emmy awards. So I eagerly plopped down with a glass of milk and Frito pie anticipating the array of formal wear and some of my favorite actors accepting recognition for their work. To sum it all up the show was


Disjointed


Distasteful


Awkward


Boring and LONG

There was the typical Hollywood actor using their platform to talk about political issues as though it had anything to do with the award. Then there were people that are paid millions to be on camera stumbling over reading from a teleprompter. Oh, and let’s not forget one recipient after the other being coursed off the stage with "outro" music. What’s not to love about that?

It was 3 HOURS of pure disappointment, with very little to highlight. I will point out however two moments that were actually entertaining to watch.

First was the dynamic comedic duo of Tiny Fey and a very pregnant Amy Poehler who claimed she was “gaining weight for a role” and second Tina Fey winning 3 Emmy’s. When accepting her second award she thanked her parents “for somehow raising me to have confidence that is disproportionate to my looks and ability. Well done. That is what all parents should do." I am not just biased toward Tina Fey, those actually where the most redeeming moments of the entire awards show.

Oh well. Although I really don’t consider myself a sports fan, maybe next year I will cross over from red carpet to green field and join my husband who actually had a good time watching the Cowboy’s beat the Packer's.



To follow along in this challenge you can see what the fall line up is at TVGuide.com

Sunday, September 21, 2008

TV Challenge

This week begins the new fall line up for many networks, and whether or not you choose to watch it, what is on television plays a big role in our culture today. When I was growing up we didn’t watch TV too often. My mom was a firm believer of minimal TV. We were never allowed to have a television in the bedroom and she freaked when they started installing them in minivans.

I have gone through different stages myself. The first show to really capture my attention was one of quality and substance. That’s right, all you other children of the 80’s know that I am referring to Saved By The Bell.

It had drama, it had humor, and fashion. OH, the fashion!

As a teenager I started getting into ER. I was a part of the “looney for Clooney” fan club. We had about 4 members. It’s hard to believe that he is a mega star now and E.R. is going to be airing it’s 14th and final season this spring, although I stopped watching about the time Clooney left.


There isn’t too much on TV that reels me in these days, but a few years ago I got hooked on ABC’s hit drama LOST. I started by watching the first two seasons on DVD, once I caught up I started watching week to week and listening to Podcasts about all the clues and theories that are out there. Now after 4 seasons I am starting to loose interest. We’ll see how I feel in February when it starts up again.


For this week’s blog I have challenged myself to watch TV and see what's out there. I will flip through the channels at prime time every evening and document my findings of what is on and make a critique according to my personal tastes and convictions. I take this assignment very seriously as a blogournalist. I'd like to consider it a crucial report that could effect any number of television viewers out there. Okay, now stop laughing!

Sunday Poem: Fall

The air feels different
when I breathe it all in
it's like taking in memories
of good times with friends

And family and Turkey
and warm pumpkin pie
Kids waiting for the bus
An early sunrise in the sky

The stars of autumn
red yellow and brown
being tickled by the wind
when they fall to the ground

The bright lights of the football field
the High school king and queen
Buckets full of candy
costumes for halloween

When I remember each moment
I just grin from ear to ear
I know the air feels different
because a new season is here

How could I help, but write about fall today. It is by far my favorite most anticipated season of the year. I love it and everything I wrote just cam spilling out of me this morning because it is exactly how I feel. The air is crisp and different and I am so excited to see what this new season will bring.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

PhotoHunt 128: Road



This is a photo I took on the way to Colorado, it was probably taken some where in New Mexico. I love how this cow doesn't have a care in the world, like it's saying "I know your not going to run me over, so I am going to take my time. Thanks for stopping by." Sorry, I have habit of speaking on behalf of animals and babies, thanks for humoring me.

This Blog is a part of the at

Call of Coupons: Closing Thoughts

This week we compared the act of using coupons to the Call of Duty war game. It has been a lot of fun looking at how to score the best deals and get free stuff. If you want to get caught up you can start by reading The Call of Coupons.


Here are just a couple last things I would like to squeeze in before I close this series.

You are going to accumulate a lot of STUFF if you decide to jump on the free/'money maker" deals that are out there. The possibilities are endless on what to do with the extra items. Here are some of the things that I have done with some of my loot

Give products in exchange for babysitting or as a thank you for other services
Give items to local charities
Ship the items to soldiers or missionaries over seas
Sell your over stock at a yard sale (I made over $100 by doing this)
Use lotions, baby products, candles etc. in gift baskets

I should also mention one of the most important components in all of this is that it works for you personally. You can use coupons at any level. For some people it is a full time job and they catch every deal and save thousands of dollars, while others clip a couple coupons out of the paper and that is their limit. It's like singing, you can sing in the shower, you can do solos at church, or you can have 5 grammy's and make millions as a solo artist. I am in no way the Mariah Carey of coupons, nor do I want to be. However I hope these ideas can help you to achieve whatever level it is you decide you want to take it to.

Lastly, as if this were an awards ceremony, I would like to thank my husband for coming up with the "Call of Coupons" image for the week. He was the inspiration behind this, being that he loves to play Call of Duty. He humbly embraced the parody and took the time to help with this logo that was an alteration of the Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare artwork. Thanks for being a part of the "Call of Coupons" and as for all my fellow comrades out in the trenches, fighting in this war against high prices, I salute you!

the original


the "real" modern warfare

Call of Coupons Deals for the week



WHOA BUDDY! This week I spent $5.19 on $101 worth of stuff at CVS.

I won't go through each of my 4 transactions, but let me break down yesterday's since most of you CVSers will start the same sale tomorrow...

2 Crest Pro Health $2.99 each - 2 $.75 Q (earned $2 ECB's ea.)
1 Nivea Men's body wash- $4.99 -$1 Q (earned $4.99 ECB)
1 Adidas deodorant- $4.99-$1 Q (earned $4 ECB)
1 Ambi Facial wash - $6.99 -$3 Q (earned $3 ECB)
2 Dove Chocolate bars- $2.49 each -$1 Q
6 pack of CVS water- $2.99 -$1 Q
-5 off of $30 purchase (cvs Q)
Total-$34.17
-$13.50 in coupon's
Total after coupon's 20.67
- $16 in ECB's

Total OOP- $4.67

Earned $16 of ECB's

It would have been even better, but they did not have the Loreal product in stock, that would have given me $11 ECB so I improvised with the Ambi cleanser. If your CVS is sold out too, consider subbing in the Ambi products or the Arni Care Pain relief Gel in order to help you get to $30 if you got the $5/$30 Q this weekend.









Curious about the call of coupons? Check out this week's blogs
The Messy Mom: The Call of Coupons
The Messy Mom: Call of Coupons: Rules and Terms
The Messy Mom: The Call of Coupons: Band of Sisters
The Messy Mom: Call of Coupons: Weapons of Warfare
The Messy Mom: Call of Coupons: Gathering Ammunition
The Messy Mom: Froogie Boogie: Low Budget Q Organizer
The Messy Mom: Call of Coupons: The Battle Field
The Messy Mom: call of Coupons: Shell Shock