What's your reality?

I’ve blogged before about my not-so-secret affection for reality television. And, yes, I’m one of the few people in this world who actually love Big Brother. (My summer would not be complete without that guilty pleasure.) I’ve noticed a lot of crazy reality tv lately…okay, crazier than usual. For example, Scott Baio is 45 and Single and Rock of Love staring Bret Michaels. And while flipping channels the other night, I came across, The Two Coreys. Talk about blasts from the past. These days, seems like everyone either has their own reality show or has been on one. So if you had to pick a reality show to be on what would it be? (I'm always telling Taina that I want her to apply for Wife Swap - I'm half-joking people.)

Introducing Amy Simpson

In honor of The Simpsons Movie coming out today, which I will probably see over the weekend, I've created my very own Simpson's character modeled after me. Go here to do it yourself.

Up, up and away

I spotted eight hot-air balloons in the sky last night as I was making my way home from the store. A few of them even seemed to be landing close to home!

Footloose and fancy free

Saturday night my mom, sister and I went to see Footloose the musical. The show was not spectacular, or even really that great, but it did make me think a lot about the movie. I can remember exactly where I was the first time I watched Footloose. My sister and I loved it. Cathy became wildy obsessed with red boots and I think we both had a crush on Kevin Bacon. And even now you can find Holding on for a Hero and Let’s Hear it for the Boy on my ipod. Looking back, Footloose was also my first Sarah Jessica Parker-experience and we all now know that SJP and I are now quite tight. So fun to relive those memories all over again. I spent the weekend thinking about all the movies that my sister and I both watched over and over while growing up: Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Heathers and The Lost Boys. We loved those movies.

I also went to see Paris, Je T'aime over the weekend. It's getting my must-see stamp of approval. The film consists of 18 shorts all directed by different people set in and around different parts of Paris. The best part was knowing that if there was one I didn't like, it would be over in just a couple of minutes. But how fantastic to have such short stories move you to laughter and to tears in just a matter of minutes.

Grandma Dixie

Tomorrow my grandma is having knee replacement surgery. It's something that she's probably needed for several years now. She's having the surgery here in town so my parents are staying with me for a few days. I'm excited for my grandma to start feeling and walking better. Your prayers are appreciated.

Truck parts

Okay, I've refrained from writing about this for weeks but I simply can't remain silent any longer. What is wrong with people?!? And what's up with this phenomenon? Seriously, people - stop.

Kimmy

Last night was Kim's going away party as she's moving to Kansas. It's amazing how in our lives we meet so many wonderful people who make such a lasting impression on your heart, you know you'll be forever touched and changed. Kim is one of those people. I first met her about 3 1/2 years ago. I was working in Jefferson City and she was the health reporter for the newspaper. She would call me almost every day to get sources for her stories and we had a very good working relationship. It probably wasn't until I left my job that the real friendship began. I changed jobs and, at about the same time, she did, too. Now we've been working together for the past couple of years. I talk to Kim every day but we don't just talk work. We hang out on the weekends and we've been to more concerts together than I care to count. She's also helped me grow up and be the person I want to be. And I've learned a lot about myself through our friendship. The great part of getting older is moving to the next great phase of your life. That's exactly what Kim is doing now. Moving on. And while I'm so sad for me, I'm so happy for her. Good luck in Kansas, Kimmy!

Itching and scratching

It all started about a week and a half ago. I used some body wash that I had never used before and broke out in a rash all over my legs. I couldn't stop itching and my very white legs had very red bumps all over them. Fortunately, the rash was contained to my legs but my arms itched, too. Finally, the rash went away just in time for me to be bombarded with mosquito bites. 32 of them to be exact. I sat on my deck one night (with a citronella candle) and, while that might have caused a few, I seemed to be mysteriously waking up with them. For the past week, my daily routine has consisted of Benadryl, Aveno oatmeal baths and hydrocortisone cream. Tonight I think I found and killed the culprit. A big fat mosquito living comfortably in my apartment. Not anymore. I sure hope this is the end of it. I'm not sure I, or my skin, can take much more.

Fun and rewarding

I bought a chair online that arrived on Tuesday in a large box. I was a bit dismayed to find out that I actually had to assemble it. I spent some time in frustration before calling Kim and pleading with her to come help me assemble my new furniture; this was not a one-man job. What really made me smile was the instructions. "Congratulations - you've purchased a fine furniture item from Target. We have designed our furniture with you, the Target guest in mind. Our clear, easy to follow instructions will guide you through the project from start to finish. Feel confident that this will be a fun and rewarding project." Fun and rewarding? My idea of fun and rewarding is getting a massage, attending a yoga class or finding a really great sale on shoes. Putting together furniture? Not so much. At least the chair is really cute.

Ahh. Vacation.

I rented a condo with five of my girlfriends for a vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks. What we'd envisioned was three days of hanging out by the pool, soaking up the sun. (Of course, I would be well-armed with sunscreen and a straw hat.) What we got was rain - the entire time. Instead of playing in the sun we spent time eating, watching movies, napping, eating, playing board games and eating. And while I wasn't able to put in any time on the miniature golf course we sure did have a lot of fun.

Meggan, Kim, Meera, Breanne, Monica and I

at dinner our last night.

We had some really great meals. Monica made a Mexican soiree on Friday night and Breanne cooked a Cuban meal for us on Saturday.

When Monica couldn't use her noodles in the swimming pool we came up with other creative ideas.

Or maybe we were just bored?

Our favorite pastime.