Snow, snow, snow . . . and Kate's frilly tee!

Kate's cute little birthday t-shirt came today (you know, the one I spent too much money on)! In fact, the mailman woke me up ringing the doorbell! It's just too precious! I can't wait to see her in it next weekend. It's hard to see, but it has her name embroidered on it, and the icing is a pink frilly tutu! It even came in its own pink cake box! Thanks for the suggestion of Pettiskirtstyle, Anna!

Casey says Kate's favorite thing to do now is throw food off her high chair -- and Cherokee sits right there to catch it! Ha! And they didn't want him begging at the table! It will be wonderful to see them next weekend for the big birthday bash! I only have a few things for her . . .

We got snow yesterday! We didn't get as much as they did just 40 miles above us -- but we did have a gound covering! It was great to see all the pictures of the snowmen everyone posted on Facebook! But the sun came out today; and although it's still cold, the snow is now gone. Maybe that's the best kind to have -- here for a day to enjoy, then gone tomorrow and back to normal. Seeing what they're going through in D.C., I wouldn't trade places with anyone -- even to be able to get snow more than once every 20 years!

Small Crowd . . . Good Show!

Bec and I went to a play Friday night at the Featured Players in Dothan -- Bell, Book and Candle. It's kind of a "laid back" type of place that has open mike night and music during the week. I had been there before with Tammie back in October. Instead of theatre seats, they have sofas and chairs that they've picked up from various places. Kind of cool and bohemian -- eclectic, like me!

I had emailed and made our reservations, and we got there about 15 minutes before the play was to start -- and we were the only ones there! I mean, we had a choice of seats! So, I thought, maybe everyone else is running late, and they'll come in a few minutes. But, no -- no one else -- except one guy . . . who was the boyfriend of one of the girls in the play!

So we took our seats . . . on the front row of course! At least I didn't have to worry about someone with a big head or hair sitting in front of me -- which always happens to me! We got our door prize tickets (good chance we might win)! And it's a really wierd feeling to be the only ones there!

The play was actually really good. All of the actors did an excellent job -- and they must have felt wierd too, playing to only three people -- on opening night! I had seen the movie before (Kim Novak, Jimmy Stewart and Jack Lemmon) and kind of remembered the plot. If Jimmy Stewart was in it, it can't be bad, can it? Here's the movie at Amazon.

It's a love story about a witch Gillian, her suave brother Nicky, her kooky aunt Queenie, a drunk author and, of course, the normal guy Shepard that Gillian falls in love with -- making her a witch no more! It even had a live cat! I was really getting into the story and enjoying the show. We clapped at intermission -- Bec won the door prize (two tickets to a future performance) -- and we gave a standing ovation at the end! It was hilarious!

But it's also really sad that they did all that preparation for just us! We're grateful, of course. I can only hope they had more the next night -- and will have even more as they play out for the month of February. We went because Bec's nickname at work is "Witchy" -- it's a long story for another time! But I look forward to more performances there and will go back. Maybe I should hope for a small crowd next time . . . so we can have those great front row seats again!

What grandparents won't do!

I've always heard that grandparents will do anything for their grandchildren. Well, I've just proven it. Never in a million years would I have bought a t-shirt for one of my children for $50! But I've done just that.

Of course, it's custom embroidered with a tu-tu cupcake on the front -- but really, $50? But Kate will look soooooo cute in it for her first birthday! (This isn't Kate, but it's the t-shirt!) Isn't it cute? From Pettiskirt Style online.

And I've bought plenty of cheaper things from Kohls and Target too! There are just so many cute clothes out there, it's hard to decide -- so I get several!

Casey says Kate took eight steps by herself yesterday and now has a tooth -- finally! The kid's been teething for months! I cannot wait to see her! We're going up the weekend before her birthday for the big bash!

In Style in town is going out of business, and I hate to see them leave. Such cute things in there, and now everything is 25-50% off. I bought so many cute pink bug things for Kate -- which she's too young for now, but I'll hang on to them to give her when she's old enough. And she doesn't just have kid things -- angels, purses, luggage, jewelry, notes -- great way to stock up on baby gifts!

Just like my mind . . . cluttered!

Woah! This month was supposed to be calmer and slower, but as each day goes by, my calendar gets more and more cluttered! Now here it's the end of the month -- and where did it go? Thought it would be a catch-up month, and I just keep getting more and more stuff to do. And when I get home, all I want to do is chill. My Christmas stuff is still sitting in the hall to go up in the attic! At least it's boxed up -- and the tree is down! It was the second week of Jan. before I got that done. But it's going up tonight -- then I won't have to listen to the President talk!

Not even going into politics. I'm convinced no one in Washington DC has any common sense. They need to listen to Dave Ramsey -- budget and don't spend it if you don't have it. Don't make laws if you can't fund it -- from the budget. Every time they make a new law or rule, it results in more paperwork and expense for those of us who have to pay taxes and live by those rules.

Can't believe our baby Kate will soon be one year old! She's trying to learn to walk -- by holding on to people or things! She's so cute -- and determined. I feel a Skype session coming on! I can't wait to see her and hold her again! Casey's video is too cute . . .

100124KatePlayingMov4 from Casey Cooper on Vimeo.

Anna's redesigned her blog site and logo. She recently started designing for paperstyle.com and had her first sale this month -- with great comments from the buyer! It's so exciting for Anna -- and for me, the Mom!!! Paperstyle is an online place to buy custom invitations and stationery. Click here to check out the rest of Anna's designs at PaperStyle! And her photo and bio are on there also in "Meet the designer"! And Casey took the photos of Anna that she used for her photo!

My mom's doctor is closing her practice this week, so she was in search of a new doctor. I talked to her about seeing Dr. Gabrielson, who Stacy and I both have begun using after bouncing from Hartford's sometimes clinic and Slocomb. I really like him, and he's been working on my cholesterol and high blood pressure. So yesterday Mom called to check on moving her medical records, and she told me who she talked to (Amy) and that they had discussed Mom's other doctor. I had to laugh. I told her that I had been there twice and I still didn't know anyone's name except the doctor. She gets to know everyone everywhere she goes -- and their life history, where they grew up, how many kids they have, their favorite food! She's so funny!

So, enough rambling . . . time to pick up my book and read myself to sleep! Night!

TV reality woes

Like the books that I love to read, the shows I love to watch on TV are the ones that are a little quirky and funny. Life is too serious to have to spend my evenings watching serious shows. Keep it light -- that's my motto.

I'm holding my breath for Dancing with the Stars to start back -- plus Design Star. Can't wait for Project Runway which begins a new season this week. I don't like reality shows that feature people's lives and intrusive TVs into those lives. The people on those shows must be really hard up for money or have a really high opinion of themselves.

The Bachelor on ABC started last week, and since I watched last season's Bachelorette and thought Jake was cute and seemed so "guy next door" -- I decided to watch the first show. Plus, Anna's ex-roommate auditioned for the show in Atlanta and almost made it -- so I wanted to see the girls that did make it. Good grief! They were so cheesy and put on -- and some were downright slutty! And the girls Jake picked were the most shallow ones there! That's it for me -- not watching any more.

However . . . immediately after the Bachelor was a show called "The Conveyor Belt of Love." Now how's that for a name? Five women sat before a conveyor belt that and ran about 30 guys through on a conveyor belt. Their job was to convince the women to choose them. It was hilarious! And the goal wasn't everlasting love -- it was just a date! The beautiful blond chose the chubby nice guy with a great sense of humor. The shallow princess chose the shallow buff guy (that I really thought was gay)! Evidently it will be a series -- but it's received bad reviews in the press as a "meat market." No worse than The Bachelor is with women -- and much more entertaining!

HGTV's finally got something new going besides real estate shows. "Design Interns" is okay, but a little dull -- it's not a "Design Star." I like the "Outdoor Room" and the new "Curb Appeal" and "First Time Design." The Antonio Treatment looks interesting -- last season's Design Star winner is different but likeable.

I'm watching "Launch My Line" on Bravo, but it's not Project Runway -- and I liked "The Fashion Show" better. I wish they'd bring back Top Design, but it isn't listed on their website. I love "Shear Genius" though -- a hair style reality show. It's been pretty entertaining the past couple of years and starts back Feb. 3! But I can't stand those "Housewives of every big city in the country" shows. Just a bunch of whiny rich you-know-whats.

Color Splash, Divine Design and Design on a Dime are still my HGTV favorites. I wish any of those shows would come do my house!

They've also had some pretty good shows on the FOOD channel. The Next Iron Chef was good -- now they have a quirky "Worst Cook in America" on Sunday nights! Now that's pretty good for a new twist!

And I love "The Tudors" on Showtime, but it wasn't worth the money for a subscription last year. They didn't have any movies I wanted to watch, and their original shows are only about sex addicts, drug addicts or lesbians. I'll just wait for the DVD to come out on Netflix and skip the regular season this time.

Maybe they'll bring back The Newlyweds on ABC. But until then -- I'll keep watching for those quirky shows and "made for TV" movies on the Hallmark Channel (but not Lifetime TV movies)!

Polish your glasses and get to reading!

I love to read. It relaxes me -- I get to escape my life (which sometimes isn't too exciting) into a pretend life. Nothing's better than curling up in front of the fire or on a rainy day and just reading for hours, though I don't get a chance to do that too often. Usually I read before I go to bed.

Before I got my Kindle, I used to read in the bathtub. Everyone I shared books with said they could tell if it was any good by how wavy the pages were! If it wasn't that interesting, I would fall asleep and drop the book into the tub!

Now that I have my Kindle (which I got last year for Christmas), I won't read in the tub for that very reason -- I don't want to ruin it! A Kindle is an electronic book from Amazon, if you haven't heard about them yet. It's wonderful! I purchase the books from Amazon and they are downloaded within minutes to my Kindle! Like magic! The books are cheaper -- and some are even free -- but I can't share any more, and my mom doesn't like that part!

It's better than paper books because it's not bulky -- you can tote around hundreds of books with something almost as small as a paperback and much thinner. I bought a cover for mine so I wouldn't ruin it -- and I have a clip-on light so I can read at night in the car. You don't have to hold it open to read it. You can't lose your place -- if you turn it off, it automatically goes back to the last page you were reading when you turn it back on. You can change the size of the type to suit your "eyesight" -- and you can move the books to an archive after you've read them so you don't have to wonder if you've read that one yet. The archive is somewhere out there in electronic book land, but you can get the books back if you ever want to read one again.

When I find an author I really like, I'll read everything they've written, then I can't wait until their next book is out. Sometimes they take too long to write a new book, and I get anxious! I don't like books about perfect people -- I like them to be a little crazy or cooky or chubby! I don't like anything too serious. I especially like mysteries that are funny too -- maybe a little romance thrown in! But I don't like those steamy romance novels that have a patent plot -- doesn't matter what time frame they're set in, you already know the plot before it starts! I like a little twist in there!

Anyway, if you're looking for something to read, here are some of the books I've read that I really liked (the others are in my list on the right with links to the authors' websites):

• Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsela. She also wrote the Shopaholic series, and her characters will drive you nuts, but they're so cute and funny you can't help but love them. Twenties Girl is my very favorite that she's written. Anna's a Sophie addict!
  
• Dorothea Benton Frank -- I just love everything she's written. Her latest is Return to Sullivan's Island. There's always some kind of twist -- with strong, wacky women! She can write a great story that keeps you rivited and laughing all the way.
• C.A. Belmond -- I'm anxiously awaiting her next book A Rather Charming Invitation. which is due to come out Feb. 2 this year. The adventures of Penny and Jeremy take you all over Europe, although Penny is from the U.S. Casey and Anna love these books too!
• Jennifer Cruise -- I love anything she's written also! I've gone back and ready everything! I'm so ready for a new one I can't stand it. They're sassy - sometimes naughty - hilarious and always involve some type of mystery.
• Cleo Coyle -- I've finished all her books and I'm ready for more. I love her "Coffee House Mysteries" and can't wait to read more about Claire Cosi and the Village Blend Coffee House in New York. I devoured the latest, Holiday Grind, in two days! It satisfies my love of lattes and sassy mysteries!
• And of course, Ann B. Ross' Miss Julia series. If you haven't met Miss Julia, you must. She tries to be so prim and proper and gives you a good laugh in the process! I can just picture her living in Miss Ludies' house in Hartford. Miss Julia Delivers the Goods is due out in April!
• And last, one of my latest finds -- Rita Lakin's "Getting Old Series." These are several like Miss Julia in a south Florida retirement condo complex -- with a little romance on the side! It gives me hope that getting old isn't so bad!
  

New Year's wishes . . .

I received this today from the Good Clean Funnies List. They're great to subscribe to (free) -- a humorous email every day -- because life has to have a little "funny" each day! This is my wish for everyone this new year:

May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your abs, and your stocks not fall; and may your blood pressure, your triglycerides, your cholesterol, your white blood count, and your mortgage interest not rise.