Guilty Pleasures

There are few definitions of "guilty pleasure":

1. A guilty pleasure is known as something one considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it. Fashion, music and food can be examples of guilty pleasures. - Wikipedia
2. A guilty Pleasure is defined as something that would ruin us if our friends knew about it.

We are not going to discuss the second and more severe definition above. That definition is going places I don't want to enter. If something would ruin me, it's more than a guilty pleasure. It's probably wrong or highly personal. So for this entry we are only going to discuss fun and not so nasty guilty pleasures. The ones I want to discuss are the frivolous type of pleasures.

Once I heard someone say that their guilty pleasure was buying and reading Oprah's O Magazine. Some think a weekly manicure is a guilty pleasure. Another person's may be eating chocolate. I can't count chocolate as one of mine. I don't feel guilty about eating chocolate. And, I eat chocolate at least twice a day. So that may be classified as an addiction or poor eating habits.

A few guilty pleasures fall into the television programs we choose. For some, their guilty pleasure is watching such shows as the "Hills," "E!," "Rock of Love," etc. These people TiVo or save their programs through cable to watch so that they never ever miss an episode. TiVo is way too complicated for me. I just rearrange my schedule to be home for my shows or watch them in their second viewing. My television guilty pleasure is "America's Next Top Model." Next Wednesday evening, I have cleared my evening to watch the two-hour season premier of the show. I can't explain why I love that show, but I just do.

My true guilty pleasure is fashion. When Sweet Potato and I watch a movie, she notices the music. I notice the clothes, shoes and purses. When I was working and had money to spend, my favorite past time was sneaking into stores such as AnnTaylor or Talbots before a meeting. Frankly, I know where just about where every Talbots and AnnTaylor is located within the Chicagoland area. Before scrapbooking, there is a Talbots two doors down from Archivers. Every time, I go scrapbooking, I try to sneak in the store for just a peak at the new clothes. Last week, I went to visit Talbots before meeting my friend, Eight, for scrapbooking. Because of my unemployed status, it had been so long since I had been in the store, Candy, my Talbots person, gave me a hug.

Since I am trying not to spend money, my new fashion fix is watching "What Not To Wear" with Stacy and Clinton. Many people find Stacy mean or annoying. To me, she is a role model and a goddess. Her clothes are fabulous! Her shoes are marvelous! During my time home, I have discovered that the show is on the air three times a day! Yes, when possible, I try to watch the show all three times a day. It has been a learning experience as well. This morning when I was choosing my outfit for the day, I went through my blouses to make sure all of them had the recommended seaming. (Luckily they do.)

After 30 years of avoiding jeans, I finally learned what type of jeans look best on me (medium rise, straight leg). As previously blogged, I am "forever in blue jeans" now. So, this discovery was very important to me and the world.

So what is your guilty pleasure (by the first and only the first definition)?

Enjoy!

MOM

Mardi Gras - Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras literally translated from French means Fat Tuesday. Personally, I can feel fat on any day, not just a Tuesday. (very small joke).

The pictures of New Orleans Mardi Gras are so colorful and festive. There is a small part of me (not the fat part) that would love to be a part of it all. All that makes it inviting, the crowds, alcohol, no sleep, and parties could be extremely overwhelming, but just once I may try it. New Orleans is a wonderful city without Mardi Gras. Back in 2005 before Katrina, Neptune and I vacationed there and had a blast.

Now back to Mardi Gras and another February holiday. New Orleans was settled by many French Catholics. The day after Fat Tuesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. For Catholics, Lent means approximately 40 days until Easter. To prepare for the significant Easter holiday, Catholics would follow a fast during Lent. Being in America and urbanized, modern day Catholics cannot go into the desert and completely fast for 40 days. If I remember correctly from my Catholic school days, there were some very strict fasting rules to abide. One was not allowed to consume meat for 40 days. Now a days, things have loosened up quite a bit.

As a child in Catholic school, we did not have to follow the strict fasting rules. We were children. So, on each and every Ash Wednesday, the nuns would quiz each and everyone of us what we were personally going to give up during Lent. Believe it or not, most of us said we were going to give up candy (big surprise!). That was until lunch hour or after school. On the corner was the neighborhood store owned by the DiMartino's, which we affectionately called Mr. D's. This store had an actually penny candy counter, single bottles of pop in a cooler, donuts, sweets, Italian ice, etc. Everything a 1960's child ate. We had quickly forgotten our vow to fast from candy.

The adults were not much better. Every Sunday and during Lent as well, my grandmother, Blanche, sat near the rear door during Mass. She needed to leave a few seconds early to trot over to Mr. D's to buy two pounds of deli Polish ham sliced thin and other deli products for lunches during the week ahead. Isn't deli ham meat?

So instead of giving something up for Lent, why don't we try to do something special for 40 days? Maybe someone would choose to meditate for five to ten minutes for 40 days. Maybe someone could display one act of kindness each day for 40 days (but you cannot brag about it.). Lent does not need to be so deary, it could be a more thoughtful time. But we will always have a need for Mardi Gras. I just love a good party!

MOM

Better Late Than Never

Thinking of a subject matter for the blog this week has been difficult. At the beginning of the week, I think I was actually depressed. Between the never-ending job search and Buddy's departure, I was feeling numb and lack luster. But life goes on and so do I.

The OSCAR GOES TO.............

........WHO CARES.

Once upon a time, the Oscars were the Superbowl of movies. From all the articles I have been reading, not too many people care about the Oscar show or their picks for the best. Many are predicting the lowest Oscar audience in many, many years. Everyone has their perspective on why the Oscar audience is dwindling. Of course, here are my views.

During my childhood, Oscar night was a big night in our house. The Oscar show was held on a Monday night in late March. We lived with my grandmother, Blanche. She was a night owl. Blanche never ever missed the Johnny Carson Show. So, we could stay up with Blanche and enjoy the Oscars with her. In the old days, there was spontaneity to the show. It was live and anything could happen. Most of you are too young to remember the "Streaker" who interupted David Niven in 1974. That would never ever happen today with security and tape delays.

As audience numbers started to dwindle, Oscar moved the show to the great month of February. (That February is such a popular month.) This move was to better compete with the Golden Globes held in January. Hence, the theme, better late than never (never being March).

A party is only as good as its host. Every year Oscar keeps trying out a new host. Personally, I don't care how much it costs, get Billy Crystal back. Believe me, it will be worth it. Even Billy has his price.

How about the movie choices? This year, I actually saw most of the films nominated. But most of America has not. Point in case, in January 2009 movie revenue was at an all time high. Yes, during tough times, Americans turn to movies for enjoyment. For two weeks straight in January, the number one movie was "Paul Blart - Mall Cop." Guess, since most of us can not afford to go to the mall, we can live vicariously through Paul Blart. I am may be wrong but I don't remember noticing the movie, "The Wrestler" even playing in my outer suburban area.

For me personally, the most important reason to watch the Oscars is the fashion. Thanks to E!, on Monday night, I can watch one of my favorite shows, "Fashion Police" without suffering through the bad jokes and lame acceptance speeches.

Good luck to the nominees and the show. The Oscars is a great tradition and institution. Hopefully, it can rejuvenate itself for the future. This year on Sunday evening, I will be glued to my TV to watch "Confessions of a Teen Idol." It's the season finale. Now that, I don't want to miss.

MOM

Holiday - Madonna

"Holiday! Celebrate!

...Take a day out of life and celebrate. We need a holiday! Some time to celebrate! "

Personally, I try observe all holidays - big or small. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I live by the calendar. What's life without some fun or celebrations?

Now take February - Yes, it a winter month, but it has more holidays than any other month. And, February is the shortest month of the year. With only 28 days, February packs in those holidays:

• Ground Hog Day - marking only 6 more weeks of winter
• Lincoln's Birthday - a day for honesty -
• Valentine's Day - a day for all loved ones
• Washington's Birthday - a good day for enjoying a cherry pie
• Mardi Gras - a floating day that usually falls into February
• Chinese New Year - another floating holiday - January shares this holiday with February
• Leap Year - You give February an extra day and it's a holiday.

Now poor August has 31 days and absolutely no holidays. What's this all about? After thinking this through (yes, I have too much time on my hands), August is in the summer. August has plenty to celebrate without designated holidays on the calendar. We have 31 days of sunshine and warm weather to enjoy. Did you ever notice have many August birthdays there are? Theses Leos and Virgos had parents who were celebrating other holidays in the colder months.

Having outlined all this for everyone, I feel so much better. Being a mother of two, you always want everything to be equal and fair between your children. February and August have balance. Each month worked with the other without any intervention from us. How nice.

Today's blog is dedicated in loving memory of Buddy. A day spent with Buddy was always a special day.

MOM

"Choosy Mothers Choose JIF"

Branding

We are a very brand conscious country. Our brand choices identify who we are and what we represent to the outside world. Here are some examples:

• JIF vs. Skippy
• Coke vs. Pepsi
• Democrat vs. Republican
• Chevy vs. Cadillac
• American car owner vs. Foreign car owner
• Wal-Mart vs. Target vs. Needless Markup (Nieman Marcus)

Even our celebrities have become brands onto themselves. Jennifer Lopez -the JoLo brand which includes her perfume, clothing lines, etc. The same is true for Paris Hilton (probably the best marketing brand), Jessica Simpson and even Brittany. P. Diddy (whatever his name is today) is the best example of a male celebrity becoming his own brand. Many Americans have gone into debt trying identify with certain brands.

We even brand events. It's not just the Super Bowl. It's the Super Bowl with many roman numerals attached. It's the Gator Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl, etc. The moon missions were even branded. They were named Apollo with a number. We all remember Apollo 13. That's the one where Tom Hanks and crew did not make it to the moon because something happened when Kevin Bacon was fixing something. But they had a heroic landing.

Branding creates an image. Hopefully that image is something Americans want in their lives. American moms want to be identified as wanting the best for the children, hence "Choosy Mothers Choose JIF." Everybody wants to be on the winning team. Or, at least, perceived as being part of something with a winning brand/name.

All this brings me to my question. Why didn't the Obama administration brand the "Stimulus Package."? First, the "stimulus package" name is generic and so, George Bush administration. I am not here to discuss anything that is or is not in the package. I think I speak for many when I say, we just want some action to bring us out of this nasty recession. It is also my feeling that if the stimulus package had a snappy brand name, it would have been passed by now.

FDR named his the "New Deal." Now the name of New Deal II could be appealing. If numbering a title is good enough for Apollo and the Super Bowl, it is acceptable. But how about some of these names?

• The No Pork and No Beef Package
• The Cure
• Choosy Republicans and all Democrats choose
• The Recovery Package
• In 2009 things will be fine

Do you have any snappy brand names for the generic stimulus package? Please let me know.

Choosy MOM

Deadlines

Deadlines - We all have them in some shape or form. We can not go on endlessly without an end in sight. When there is no light at the end of the tunnel, most of us become disinterested and/or slight deflated.

Just for a moment, let's go back to the groundhog celebrations. Even in warm climates, winter is dark with much less sunshine. When the groundhog steps out of his/her hole to predict the weather (almost as good as Tom Sklling), we know there is an end in sight. It's only six more weeks of winter and for the most part, winter is dwindling. Spring is on its way. The groundhog sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

In my long illustrious career, I once worked with a gentleman who explained deadlines to me. When you hit the end of the line and you are not prepared with your project, you are dead! It was that simple! I am very proud to say, I met everyone of those deadlines prepared and with a job well done. This gentleman and I understood each other and enjoyed a great working relationship.

Also, during my career, I worked with another gentleman who by nature was a procrastinator. Oh what a procrastinator. He gave the word new meaning. Each and every time we had something due to the client, he would scurry, then in turn, the entire office would scurry to finish the product by the end of the day - usually 6:00 PM. The 6:00PM deadline was set because that was the last Federal Express pickup for the day. (For good reason, we never told him about the 7:00 PM deadline at another office complex. ) At least one day a week, the office played "beat the clock." Each of us in our own way would try to prod him along the path. It was to no avail. It was what is was.

Personally, I live by the clock and the calendar. Alright, I can be anal. When I say I will meet you at 8:00 AM, I am usually there at 7:50 AM. Then I stand there tapping my feet, wondering why someone is so late when they arrive 8:05 AM. Over the years, I have realized my flaw and am always working on patience. I still usually arrive early.

The calendar rules my life as well. When I set a date for completion, I am usually on-time or most likely early. Rarely, do I set a time goal and not accomplish it.

Well, I have failed! When I was downsized in early November, my goal for re-employment was mid-February. Let me correct that. My first optimistic goal for re-employment was December. That came and went very quickly. My friend, Sweet Potato, and I discussed a more realistic date of mid-February. Next week is mid-February and I am no closer to employment than I was in early November.

Believe me, I am disappointed on many levels. While my "martha" activities have been fun and somewhat rewarding, they don't pay the bills. Each and every day, like millions of other Americans, my new job is to find a job. It is that single one thought that we focus on daily. Even the procrastinators are setting up artificial deadlines for re-employment.

It is my guess that the unemployed are asking themselves two questions:

1. Is it me? or the marketplace?
2. Where oh where is the groundhog for unemployment? He could tell us only 6 more weeks of unemployment.

MOM

Happy Groundhog Day

February 2 - Groundhog Day

Many of the holidays on the calendar are attached to the weather. The winter solstice is the one with the most hoopla attached to it. This day has the shortest amount of daylight. It is also surrounded by the Christmas festivities. The winter solstice marks the beginning of winter but the beginning to increased daylight.

Approximately six weeks later, Groundhog Day appears on the calendar. Now this is a holiday to celebrate. In fact, my good friend, Jackie, and I did just that. When we were roommates and young, we hosted grand Groundhog Day parties. Believe me, they were FUN! Personally, I have not hosted a Groundhog Day party for 15 years. I miss them.

Since the movie, "Groundhog Day," much more attention is finally given to this wonderful day on the calendar. Living here in the Midwest, we know there will be six more weeks of winter. Who are we trying to fool? But to me, the proverbial Pollyanna, it means only six more weeks of winter - we are halfway done. The worst is behind us. WOO- HOO! I figure if I get can through January, life will be fine.

Also, you have probably noticed that at 5:00 PM, there is still light. With each and every day, the daylight will last a little longer. Most humans love the daylight so this is a good thing. The chance of sub-zero temperatures usually decreases with the passing of Groundhog Day.

So rejoice, you have made through the worst of winter and spring is on its way. But I do have to hand it to the groundhog. If you could curl up in a ball and sleep away the winter in a warm cozy den/lair, wouldn't you? If I were the groundhog, I would scurry back to the hole and gladly hideout until spring appears.

For fun and giggles, below is a link to test your groundhog knowledge:

http://encarta.msn.com/quiz_296/test_your_groundhog_smarts_quiz.html

MOM