Spot's Sunday Entertainment Roundup

After spending almost all of yesterday in bed with a horrible stomach virus, I'm just barely coherent today. So, pardon me if I seem a bit off today. Now, let's talk entertainment!

The Movie Roundup

1. Four Weddings & A Funeral - If you've never seen this classic, well, you're definitely missing out. Hugh Grant is magnificent in this flick. There are actually several wonderful performances here. I also enjoyed Simon Callow as the boisterous Gareth. I give this one 4 stars!

2. The Full Monty - Yes, it's another Brit film. As I told you here, I'm turning into a Brit. This one challenges your ability to understand what the actors are saying more than half the time, because the accents are VERY thick and they use a lot of Brit phrases that Americans aren't familiar with. However, it's hysterical! I give this one 4 stars also!

3. The Bourne Ultimatum - This is the 3rd installment in the Bourne series and it doesn't disappoint. Matt Damon is hot as Jason Bourne. And while there are a LOT of action sequences in these movies, I'm not bored by them. This is definitely a film that can appeal to both guys and gals.

The Book Roundup

1. I finished up both books that I mentioned last week. I recommend both of them, but be mindful that Tempted is not for everyone.

2. Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster - Since I'm now officially obsessed with Jen Lancaster's writing, I picked up her 3rd book this week. It's great also! And I can really relate to this one because it's the story of her attempts to lose weight. And a lot of it. Her writing style includes a lot of profanity, so if you're easily offended, I would bypass her books. However, the zingers that she and her husband throw out there are simply priceless! As my hubby will attest, I usually have tears of laughter streaming down my face almost every time I open up one of her books.

The T.V. Roundup

1. Big Love - I finished up Season 1 this week and started Season 2. (Thank you Netflix) This show is quickly growing on me. So much so, that I'm afraid of the withdrawal that I'll experience when I finish up season 2 this week and have to wait until January for season 3 to premier. It's just not fair. Oh, and hubby can consider this his notification that we will need to add the HBO package to our cable service beginning in January. Love you honey!

So, that wraps it up. I'm off to find something to eat that I can actually keep down. Hope your Sunday is wonderful! Oh, and a quick shout out to my wonderful hubby, as today is his birthday. Happy Birthday Honey!

Angie's Law

Forget Murphy. Here are some sure bets in Angie's house.

1. If you surprise the kids with Fruit Loops for breakfast, they will always want Cocoa Pebbles instead.

2. If you bribe the kids with a favorite t.v. show that's on (according to the onscreen guide), that channel will be broadcasting a Suze Orman special instead. Mutiny from children ensues.

3. If you plan to enjoy a fun weekend with all kinds of social engagements planned, you will catch the stomach bug that your kids have been passing back and forth all week.

I'm off to spend the day in the bathroom. Hope your Saturday is going better than mine so far.

Three Little Letters

I don't consider myself to be a fearful person. (Unless cooling towers are involved) I've come a long way from the girl who was painfully shy in public and afraid of MANY things in life. However, after a rather frightening dream last night, I have to add something to the short list of things that strike fear into the core of my heart. And it's letters are E.P.T. As in Early Pregnancy Test.

Now, before any of you have a stroke, let me ASSURE you that I am in fact NOT PREGNANT. Nor do I ever wish to be again. However, I had this dream last night that I took 3 pregnancy tests and there they all were staring me back in the face saying "You're going to be a mommy again!" Pardon me, I just blacked out there for a moment.

I love my 2 girls, despite the amounts of vomit I've dealt with this week. But I HATED being pregnant. Especially when I was pregnant with Little A. It was misery covered in awful served with a side of putrid. I had horrible morning/noon/night sickness, way past the 1st trimester mark and there were a whole host of new problems during my pregnancy with Little A that landed me at the hospital a couple of times. No fun.

I had always dreamt of being this adorabe little pregnant girl with the tiny figure and the baby bump who coasted through the 9+ months with nary a care in the world aside from picking out nursery colors and furniture. Suffice it to say, the dream was never close to the reality.

I envy women out there who have these glorious pregnancies over and over again. I really would like to have a bigger family, but I'm not willing to use my body as the vehicle to make that happen...again.

So, what about you? Did you (or your significant other) have great or awful pregnancies? Are you finished having kids? Are you afraid of the pee-pee stick too?

Thursday Thirteen

I've mentioned, ad nauseum, how much I love music. My iPod & I are a single being. I've been spending a lot of time with it this week as I've been researching song lyrics for the book I'm writing. Yes, I'm finally jumping on the bandwagon of trying to put something out there that people might actually pay to read. More on that topic later.

Anyway, this music deluge has got me thinking of what some of my favorite songs of all time are. The list is WAY LONGER than 13 songs and pretty diverse. So, with that, I bring you:

Thirteen of Angie's All-Time Favorite Songs

1. Extraordinary by Liz Phair - I stumbled onto this song upon seeing the movie Raising Helen. Cute movie starring the lovely John Corbett. The lyrics remind me of how I've felt about someone before. And I'm definitely your "Average every day sane psycho supergoddess".
2. This is the Time by Billy Joel - This song makes me so nostalgic for my senior year of high school. My school required each senior to give a speech to the entire school before she could graduate and I played this song as part of my speech. I performed the lyrics in sign language while the song played. Geez, I'm getting misty just thinking about it.
3. Electric Blue by Icehouse - This was one of my favorite songs of 1987. It was 7th grade and the era of big hair rockstars. This Aussie band wasn't hugely popular, but this will always be one of my top 10 songs.
4. Blaze of Glory by Jon Bon Jovi - Ok, first of all, how hawt is JBJ?! And the movie that this song went with. Oh my, swoon! Quite possibly one of the best looking casts, EVER.
5. Desert Rose by Sting - Cheb Mami is the featured vocalist on this song and I can only describe it as hauntingly beautiful. It sends chills up my spine every time I hear it.
6. Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode - Another trip down memory lane for my junior high school days. I thought I was so cool to like Depeche Mode. Now, I just like them for being great artists.
7. If You Leave by OMD - Ok, anyone my age who doesn't love this song needs to have their head examined. It conjures up all kinds of John Hughes stunning filmography. Pretty in Pink anyone?
8. Landslide (the Dixie Chicks version) - I think that Stevie Nicks original version of this was great, but the Chicks bring something different to this song. Natalie Maines has got a voice that I just adore.
9. Don't Feel Like Dancing by Scissor Sisters - My brother introduced me to this group on vacation last year and I've been addicted to this song ever since. And for the record, this song ALWAYS makes me feel like dancing.
10. Hey Ya by Outkast - Speaking of songs that make we want to dance. Words can't express how much I LOVE this song. And the video is a riot too.
11. Baby's Coming Back by Jellyfish - Raise your hand if you've ever heard of this group. Yeah, that's what I thought. They were AWESOME back in the early 90's. They had a small bit of popularity, which is a shame. The band pretty well self-imploded, which is also a shame. Their lead guitarist, Jason Falkner, put out a GREAT lullaby cd called Bedtime With the Beatles. My girls still listen to it.
12. When You Say Nothing At All (the Allison Krauss version) - This woman has a voice like an angel. Enough said.
13. The Impression That I Get by Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The horns section in this song just makes me smile. It's definitely a great dancing song!

And there you have it. Just a small peek into my musical brain. This was so much fun, that we just might have a few more installments of this particular Thursday Thirteen theme. Oh, and if you're interested in hearing any of these songs, my music player over on the left has been updated. Enjoy!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Thanks to my new buddy Kelly, I've joined this cool site called OSB. Isn't their widget cute? I was hoping that reading it daily would spur me to get off my fat duff and get back into weight loss mode. The sight is very encouraging and each time I log in, I get a lovely dose of hard-core reality when I see the exact amount I have left to lose, staring me right back in the face. (And for those of you who want to click over there and see my number, I'll save you the time. It's 85 lbs. I know, I'm stunned too.)

So, I've decided that cruising OSB's blog isn't good enough to keep me motivated. I need your help. And your constant nagging. Yes, this is your free license to berate and keep me on track because I CAN'T DO THIS ALONE. Obviously.

Yesterday began my quest to begin fulfilling a dream of mine. The dream is to someday run a marathon. For now, I'm trying to run a 5k by Thanksgiving. You have to start somewhere, right? And so, I began the Couch to 5K program. I did my first workout yesterday and will follow it up with my second one today. My goal is to workout Mon-Fri and take the weekends off.

I'm also re-starting the 100 Pushup Challenge program. That will resume today. I was doing really well with this, when I just totally abandoned it a few weeks back.

And I'm working on getting the food under control. That's going to be (and has always been) my biggest problem. I'm starting with trying to wean myself of the sweets that I consume "en mass".

So, I mark my official weight this morning. No, I'm not sharing it. Way too embarrassing. Hopefully, I'll have some good news to report next week when I weigh in again. Keep me accountable!

I'm turning into a Brit

I've been watching a LOT of British films lately. And I've noticed that my thoughts now have a British accent. Yes, I have a constant narrative in my head. I'm seeking professional help for it. Ahem. Here are some signs that I might be morphing into a Brit.

1. I greet my kids each morning by saying "Allo guv"

2. I've taken to calling idiot drivers "wankers"

3. My new favorite curse word is "sod off"

4. I've started recognizing British topography on t.v. and referring to it as if I was just there yesterday

5. My iPod is stuck on The Cure's "Just Like Heaven"

6. I no longer have to subtitle Brit films. I can understand the accents perfectly. Well, almost perfectly.

7. I had to stifle my urge to hug the barista at Starbucks when she started speaking in a Brit accent. My countrywoman.

Do you ever feel like you identify with another country's people? Or, do you ever wish you could just pick up an accent for a day and be someone else completely? That is, without your friends and family questioning whether or not they should have you committed.

Monday Morning Eye Candy

Happy Monday y'all! Let's cut to the chase here, because we all know what you're here for. And I'm a people pleaser.




Luke Wilson - The cute one of the Wilson brothers. Loved him in Legally Blonde! He's just so adorable.






Benjamin Bratt - MEOW! This guy is twelve kinds of hot. His new show The Closer is pretty good. Julia Roberts was crazy to let this guy go.






Jake Gyllenhaal - Oh, those boyish good looks. And he seems like he would be such a sweetheart in real life.

James Marsden - He's been in several films that I've enjoyed, but I really liked him in Enchanted. Such a hottie.

Josh Lucas - Three Words...Sweet Home Alabama. Rent it. You won't be sorry.

Keanu Reeves - It's the eyes. I'm big on the eyes. It's like they stare into your soul. So cute.

So, I hope you enjoyed this week's batch of cuties! I'm going through the archives and seeing what requests I've missed. Join me next week for more Monday joy.