GMA week in Nashville

So, there are only a couple reasons why I am reminded that it's Gospel Music Week in Nashville. The best reason is that good friends are back in town, and we have it on the books to catch up. The next being that all my old colleagues have updated their myspace/facebook page status with something like "ready for GMA to be over" or "consumed with GMA meetings." I admit that I almost started getting a little bit envious. I kind of enjoyed GMA week over the past seven years because about 90% of my job was always on the computer. It always gave me a break from the norm and meet new people and see artists. But then on this beautiful, BEAUTIFUL Sunday afternoon, I am grateful I am not working. I woke up and spent some time watching TV and playing with the new puppy, then got to be in the kitchen with my husband, which is a rare time together. I made these gourmet hamburgers and he made a great moroccan sauce from scratch. We also made homemade lemon-aid, fresh corn on the cob and vegetable chips. Yum! We had my dad over for a cookout after church and it was a fabulous time. We ended the afternoon by playing a few rounds of badminton and then went and got ice cream for dinner. I would take all this time outside today over being trapped inside the Nashville Convention Center any day. For once, in this whole unemployment phase, I am glad I don't have a job (enter sigh of relief here).

It's just a flip flop

Skye and I have a new 9 week old puppy. We named him Henri (with an "i"), but his name was actually inspired by King Henry. I've actually been reading a lot about English History, so the name just came to me instantly. The spelling we chose just seemed more "puppy-like." We thought we had been doing really well crate training him. He's been a good dog, more than a bad dog, doing his business, but today we had to get a little strict. We had to put him in time-out twice in the bathroom. Once for doing #2 in the corner of the living room and then also for destroying my most favorite flip flop. I know, I know, puppies tear up things and we all know that dogs love to bite on shoes. It's my fault for leaving them out, but it was out of shear laziness because I need quick shoes to let him out all the time. But these flip flops are special. I got those flip flops on one of the last shopping trips my mom and I ever took together. I remember her every time I slip them on because she wanted to buy the matching purse, but thought it was crazy because she knew she had medical bills. I tried urging her to buy it because if it made her feel good...why not? If you have to put yourself through chemotherapy, you deserve a break. Note to self...they are only flip flops, but it just made me miss her today. I admit I shed a small tear, and then went and hugged my puppy. Henri is still a cool pup.

Rising Food Costs

Can you believe this? The Today Show was talking about economic woes this morning and did some comparisons of rising costs of a few items, over just the past few months. It's not just gas costs we should be worried about...it's also those simple grocery items we all need.

Tomatoes are up 19%
Milk is up 26%
Eggs are up 41%

They pointed out that this is outrageous if you ask yourself, "Well, has your salary increased over the past few months?" Over the past year we are seeing a 25% of retail store closures and more and more stores are taking out bankrupt insurance, such as The Sharper Image.

AWW...Bernie!

Last night my husband and I were tucked in on the couch (with a bowl of low-fat popcorn) and watched the season finale of The Biggest Loser. I was excited that we finally got the first female winner on the show, but was even more ecstatic that Bernie won the "At-Home" Challenge prize of $100,000. I loved Bernie's personality and sense of humor throughout the whole show and was so disappointed when he got sent home. I guess there is proof now that he would have been a big threat. I also can't believe Gillian wore a dress! It's going to be hard waiting for the next season again.

Our puppy is famous!

Our new puppy is the featured "Pup of the Week" on the Lucky Pup website. We got Henri about a week and a half ago and he makes me smile continuously. He's actually 8 weeks old, rather than the 12 weeks she mentions in the blurb. You should go check out the store down in Edgehill Village...it's a lot of fun.

Office Spin-Off Show

In just a quick post, I'm pleased to tell you that NBC has announced that they will include a spin-off of The Office for the fall. Click here for more info about the line-up.