I did awful!

Sheesh. 9/24. I stank this year. Not even 40% (37.5%, in case you were curious). That's what I get for having a baby, though I'm not sure I would have done much better had I seen more of the nominated films and performances. Ah well, there's always next year....

The Muse makes her picks

As has become annual tradition, I have (finally) made my Oscar predictions for this year. Hey, how can I be the Movie Muse if I don't try? Not that I usually do very well. Last year was a real surprise at 75% correct! I'm usually much closer to 50%, often on the low side, but 60% isn't unheard of. This year, many of the categories don't have a clear favorite, so who knows. Not even sure my guesses this year qualify as SWAGs, as there sure isn't much science or research involved. We'll see how I do. Oh, and if you want to play along at home, just download your own printable Oscar ballot.

Actor - Jamie Foxx for Ray
Supporting Actor - Thomas Haden Church for Sideways
Actress - Annette Bening for Being Julia
Supporting Actress - Laura Linney for Kinsey
Animated Feature - The Incredibles (I will be SOOO mad if it doesn't win!!!)
Art Direction - The Aviator
Cinematography - The Phantom of the Opera
Costume Design - The Aviator
Directing - Million Dollar Baby
Documentary Feature - Super Size Me
Documentary Short - Sister Rose's Passion
Film Editing - The Aviator
Foreign Language Film - The Chorus
Makeup - Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Original Score - Finding Neverland
Original Song - "Believe" from The Polar Express
Short Animated Film - Lorenzo
Short Live Action Film - Little Terrorist
Sound Editing - The Incredibles
Sound Mixing - The Aviator
Visual Effects - I, Robot
Adapted Screenplay - Million Dollar Baby
Original Screenplay - The Incredibles (probably not, but one can hope)
Best Picture - The Aviator

Rank and position, please

Some of you may remember me previously explaining about the KFC and Dragon Ninjas. Well, Cleo has finally earned her Dragon Ninja rank, as has Luke, who has also been crowned figurehead of the KFC (a largely ceremonial role; all real power remains with the KFC President). Announcing Cleo: Kooky Kitty Cohort, and Luke: Center of the Universe, who has earned the rank of Sandman Slayer.

Yeah, we're strange; deal with it! LOL

Sigh

What is it with the collective internet PMS that seems to come around every February or so? Is it the entire web, or just the corners I frequent? On one hand, I'm thankful that I'm not in the middle of things this time (not that I'm usually in the middle, but I'm usually close enough to know what's going on)), but I'm also feeling out of the loop *not* knowing what's going on. And I'm not super-sure I want to know. I learned a very valuable lesson ages ago: Unless you're absolutely sure you want to know the answer, don't ask the question! I hope things simmer down soon without too many hurt feelings and dramatic moments. I'll send out some feelers to find out what's up when I think I'm ready to handle it. You know, sometime in June....

Worth the wait

I have literally been waiting years for this, and it has *finally* happened. I was starting to wonder if this day would ever come. Seriously, it's been at least 5 years, and I'm thinking closer to 7-8, but I'll have to check. After all that build-up, I'm sure you are expecting something lofty, but alas, no. It is something small and simple, but something that I formerly derived great pleasure from, and I was crushed when it disappeared. And now, it's back! Drumroll please...... Cracker Barrel's Peanut Butter Pie!

Okay, admit it, how many of you rolled your eyes? Clearly, those of you who either don't like (or can't eat) peanut butter, or those of you who have never had it. I assure you, those folks who have had it but didn't know it was back and who just read that line are dancing for joy right now. I know I was when I picked up the new dessert menu. We went to Cracker Barrel Saturday night for dinner, and I noticed that the dessert menu had changed. Now, I was excited that they are again featuring their Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake, which is fabulous BTW. Then, I don't know what made me do it, but I flipped the menu over. And I literally squealed with delight; staring right back at me was Peanut Butter Pie. If you haven't had it, go out right this minute and get a piece. I cannot even begin to describe its phenomenal nature to you (but I'll try). It has an Oreo cookie (no filling) crust, it is dense with super-creamy peanut butter filling with chocolate shavings mixed in, and it comes topped with whipped cream. I am literally salivating right now just thinking about it. I was afraid, since it had been so long, that perhaps I had built it up in my mind, remembering it as being better than it really was. I was so afraid I would be disappointed. OMG, nope. It was heaven on a plate! I don't even mind if it is a seasonal item and they take it off the menu periodically. I'm sure that would be significantly better for my waistline. As long as they bring it back again at some point every year, I'll be happy!

Honey, I think we should eat at Cracker Barrel for dinner tomorrow.... ;-)

Happy Valentine's Day

This will have to serve as his 4-month photo as well, seeing as I never got any taken last week at all! Sheesh. Hope everyone is having a Happy Heart Day!

I've been published!

Okay, so I forgot to tell you the week it actually happened, but I was published in a weekly internet column! :-) One of my favorite Disney sites, AllEarsNet.com, has a weekly column where they answer questions that don't seem to be answered on their site. Now, it is *rare* that there is a question their site doesn't answer somewhere, and much of her column is devoted to answering things you can find on the site (please read, folks!). But every once in a while, someone asks something that isn't listed. Like me! DH and I have decided, after much debate, to continue with our annual Disney/Spring Training trip this year, despite having a then-5-month-old child. (Yes, we're nuts.) I knew about the Baby Care Stations at each park, but I couldn't for the life of me remember of the regular bathrooms in the parks had changing tables in them (shows how much non-parents pay attention to such things), and I couldn't find the answer anywhere! So I asked "Anita Answer," and she answered me! Isn't that cool? It's actually the second time I've had a question answered (out of two times I've asked; not bad). Okay, so this is really silly, but I personally read that column every week (you never know what kind of tips you'll pick up), so I thought it was rather nifty.

Four months, and "doing great"

Per the doctor, Luke is doing just fine. His 4-month (EEK!) check-up was today, after his 4-month birthday yesterday (still no official 4-month photo though; bad mommy!). Nothing else really to report, except his current stats. He's getting so big!!!
* Weight: 16 lbs, 11 oz (+3 lb, 3 oz)
* Length: 26 1/8 inches (+2 3/8 in)

I was right all along

How many times have those who know me heard me say that I know *tons* more women than men who watch SpikeTV, so *why* is it so irksomely being billed as a man's station? Here's proof to back me up from IMDb.com News. Told ya!

Viacom Dismisses Spike TV Chief

Citing creative differences, Viacom has fired Spike TV chief Albie Hecht. Broadcasting & Cable magazine said that Viacom was upset with recent figures showing that the channel, originally aimed at attracting male viewers was increasingly attracting a female audience, which, with the decision to run nightly episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, now totals 42 percent of the channel's viewers.