TV I Watched with Dad

In the 70s: Roots (I cried when it was over. I was 5.)

In the 80s: M*A*S*H (Reruns after the news. Every single night.)

In the 90s: The X-Files (But he was humoring me and tried not to snore.)

In the last few months: House, M.D. We loved this show. I borrowed the first few seasons from my friend so I'd have something to watch when newborn Gavin was up in the middle of the night. Dad would watch it with me, even in the middle of the night sometimes. My Dad was Dr. House on his last Halloween.

How I spent my summer stay-cation... at least one afternoon of it.

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Finally!

Big deal here. My favorite TV show has been released on DVD. I was just 15 when thirtysomething debuted on ABC. I have no idea why a teenager living in Utah would find anything in common with people twice her age living in Philadelphia. But I just loved these characters. Keep in mind, this show is a contemporary of such stellar programming (roll the eyes) as Jake and the Fatman. The truly big hits were Dynasty and Dallas. And back then, a real "drama" had to be about doctors, lawyers or cops. That was all there was. I think thirtysomething was tremendously ahead of its time. People dealing with life's real problems. Some TV critics called it self-indulgent. The network censors thought it was vulgar. Academics thought it was propaganda for a backlash against feminism. I didn't care. Still don't. Anybody want to get together for a viewing party?

The First Day

We said we weren't going to do it, but Kathryn is enrolled in preschool. I think we just wanted to keep her close as long as we possibly could. She "made an argument," as she likes to say, that she needed to "learn things about words and science" so she can "be a grown-up soon." Gavin is sad. He misses his morning playmate. Daddy is sad. Mommy is sad. Why do children have to grow up so fast? Kathryn, however, couldn't be happier. She has new friends and really likes her teachers. If you're curious about Kathryn's school, it has an interesting story: http://www.elizabethacademy.com/General/ourhistory.html

Frugal Shopping = Grumpy Family

I’m trying to be smarter about the grocery budget (Aren’t we all?) and frankly, it’s making my family nuts. Kathryn wants her chocolate milk from Winder Dairy, Gavin absolutely will not eat off-brand cereal, and Brian just wants to know where the meat is. So yesterday I broke down and just stocked up: staples, produce, frozen dinners, treats. I squinted when I signed the credit card receipt, so I’m really not sure how much over the budget we are for August. What is a normal amount to be spending on food in this country anyway? A recent story on ksl.com (http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=172&sid=7427998) had comments from people who call $100 a week downright wasteful. Well, what’s wrong with me, because I can’t hit that number to save my life! I mean, there’s a limit to the amount of beans my family will put up with in a given week. Anyone out there have the answer?

Pretty pictures

How lucky that I live in a neighborhood with photographers! Most of the photos you see on my blog were taken by friends who happen to be very, very talented with a camera. If you, too, want your sticky, sweaty, whiny children to look like beautiful darlings, contact Andee here: http://andeesphotos.blogspot.com/