Coffeecake

Post Beijing Blues/ Inspirational Olympic Mom

I'm kinda bummed that the Olympics are over.  I really enjoyed watching the events this year, and especially loved the opening ceremonies. Like everyone else, I was awestruck by the performances of our gymnastics and swim teams as well as Usain Bolt on the track.  But I think more than anything I loved watching Debbie Phelps, Michael Phelp's mom, cheer on her son.  While Michael's gold-medal performance was truly amazing and has made me feel like  heading down to the somewhat nasty pool at the local Y and start swimming laps I was really impressed by the apparent devotion between Michael and his mom.  It is wonderful to see that kind of support and I hope to be able to provide that to my sons.  I have to admit that I used to fear becoming a mini-van driving soccer mom, but now I realize what a gift it is to your child to show your support for them in whatever they do.  And how wonderful it is to have a child who so clearly recognizes the sacrifices you have made, as Michael so evidently does.  Go Debbie!

Here is a link to an inpiring article in the New York Times that describes how Debbie Phelps helped her son excel following his childhood diagnosis of ADHD.

(stock photo)

Gone Baby Gone

We just rented Gone Baby Gone, directed by Ben Affleck Ben Affleck and starring his brother Casey.  We thought it was excellent. I don't want to give away the plot, but the story is both suspenseful and moving. Not a combination you find often.  The cast is great all around, and I especially liked Amy Ryan and Casey Affleck.  One of the best movies I've seen in awhile. Highly recommended!

Lost--Is the Honeymoon Over?

As I have faithfully done for the last 3 years, I watched Lost last night.  I have never been so devoted to and yet so befuddled by a show. I know that is nothing unusual for the show's fan base, and I have loved puzzling over the show, reading bulletin boards, re-watching episodes, and coming up with my own theories, but after all this time, I fear I am starting to feel that my love for it is wearing thin.  I just fear that there is not going to be any real resolution....And I hate all the new characters. THERE, I said it. I hate the new characters...I want the focus to be on the original castaways, along with Desmond and Juliet. (Spoiler Alert).  AND I am upset that Charlie is dead.  And Jin....I am also annoyed that during the first season, the creators of the show insisted that time travel was not involved, and it clearly is....Last night's episode (as have the others this season have had a lot of shocking twists, but is there any reason for them.  Oh where oh where is this all going?????  I will stay tuned, but I just needed to vent...

Lipstick Jungle

Just in time for the season finale, I am really getting into the new ABC series Lipstick Jungle.  As a Sex In the City Fan, I eagerly sought out this show, based on the book writen by SITC author Candace Bushnell.  I wasn't thrilled with the first few episodes, and for some reason did not really like the casting of Andrew McCarthy as a billionaire...(I kept referring to him as Anthony Michael Hall, and said he did not fit my image of a billionaire...DH reminded me that he played Bill Gates ...but that actually WAS Anthony Michael Hall and not Andrew McCarthy...)

The clothes on the show are fantastic, and I have actually found myself going to the NBC website and seenon.com to look up some of the items, especially the jewelry.  The show seemed a bit forced at first, but I am really getting into the characters, especially Kim Raver's character, Nico Reilly. While the TV promos emphasize Nico's affair, I have found the friendship between the three women to be the most appealing factor of the show  It seems to be showing some of the "realness" that SITC did, especially liked last week's episode "Take the High Road," which featured a conflict between Nico and Brooke Shields' character, Wendy.

If you weren't crazy about the first few shows, I urge you to give the show another chance!

What I'm Watching Now--24 Seasons 1, 2 & 3

Ok, this is so NOT kid-friendly that I hate to put it out as one of my first posts, but DH and I have become seriously addicted to 24.  After the Sopranos ended, we needed something to fill the void.  Neither of us had watched the show at all, but we had heard tales of friends and family members who spent an entire weekend with a boxed set...We rented the first episode of Season One from Netflix, and we were hooked.  It's one of the few shows DH and I agree on, the other is Lost (more about that later).  Each episode ends with a cliff-hanger and before you know it its 3 am and you are trying to tear yourself away from the DVD player and not pop in another episode.  Even better, Kiefer Sutherland is much hotter than your remember him from the 80's (Flatliners, anyone?).  If you haven't yet discovered this fantastic series, go get yourself a copy, and (after the kids go to bed) make yourself some popcorn and curl up with this awesome show.