Happy Thanksgiving! We made it to Ohio and are looking forward to celebrating the day at Andrew's mom's boyfriend's house. We hope everyone has a very special day. Go Cowboys and Hook 'em Horns!
So I have been horrible this week in my commentary about Dancing With The Stars. Reagan got sick and had to go the doctor during the finale so I missed the final show. Can you believe that? I did watch the freestyle routines on You Tube, but it was not the same. Brooke and Derek were the best as the other two made mistakes, but I thought they were all great. Then we were driving to Chicago Tuesday night so I missed the finale, although Jen TiVoed it for me so we were able to watch once we arrived. (I decided that watching it via TiVo is the way to go as you can fast forward through all of Samatha Harris' speaking parts, not to mention the Miley Cyrus performance.) Derek and Brooke should have won, but I was surprised that Lance and Lacey were third.
Perhaps the best part of the finale was what I am reading afterwards in that Warren and Derek got in a fight and Warren slammed Derek up against the wall. Derek totally annoys me so that makes me happy. :)
On a more serious note, Andrew's dad has his surgery at 8 a.m. on Friday. They told Andrew he would not be able to see his dad until Saturday so Andrew is stuck shopping with Reagan and I tomorrow morning. He will then head up to Cleveland on Saturday, while Reagan and I visit my friend Holly and her family and go the Sesame Street exhibit at the Children's Museum.
I will keep you posted on Andrew's dad's progress.
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Turkey Day
It has been a crazy week for me and I am looking forward to some downtime on Thursday and Friday as I do not have to work. The workshop and the banquet went great. I am still swamped with work, but I need a break. I just hate anything having to do with tennis right now (sorry teammates) and so the time away will be good for me.
I did not have time to blog about Dancing With the Stars this week, but it was pretty obvious that Cody was going to go. I do think Lance and Lacey have been sandbagging this whole season. It was very clear after the first show that they were the best. Then they weren't that good, but they have been amazing the last two weeks. They had to make the show interesting again because it looked like Brooke was running away with it. Other comments from this week: Brooke's fringy pants were interesting to say the least; and Kym looks absolutely amazing this year. The boob job was good, but she has done some other work too I think. She used to have a lazy eye or was cross-eyed, but I have not noticed that this season so she must have had that fixed. She also looks awesome when she just lets her hair be naturally curly. She is HOT. I want to look like her. As Andrew asked, "How many times do you think Warren has tried to sleep with her? A thousand? I think more like a million!
On a serious note, Andrew's dad is having his valve replacement surgery the day after Thanksgiving in Cleveland. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We are headed to Columbus for Thanksgiving and then Andrew will be going to Cleveland for the surgery.
Not much else is happening. Reagan did not do so good at gymnastics this week and wanted to leave halfway through. Last night, we went to the new American Girl store at the Mall of America and she was totally not interested in any of the dolls. She was more excited about eating chicken nuggets at McDonald's. I was sad she was not into the dolls, but my checkbook was happy.
If I do not post again before Thanksgiving, have a happy Turkey Day and safe travels for all of you headed to be with friends and family (at least gas is only $1.79 a gallon if you are driving!). I'll be thinking of you.
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
I did not have time to blog about Dancing With the Stars this week, but it was pretty obvious that Cody was going to go. I do think Lance and Lacey have been sandbagging this whole season. It was very clear after the first show that they were the best. Then they weren't that good, but they have been amazing the last two weeks. They had to make the show interesting again because it looked like Brooke was running away with it. Other comments from this week: Brooke's fringy pants were interesting to say the least; and Kym looks absolutely amazing this year. The boob job was good, but she has done some other work too I think. She used to have a lazy eye or was cross-eyed, but I have not noticed that this season so she must have had that fixed. She also looks awesome when she just lets her hair be naturally curly. She is HOT. I want to look like her. As Andrew asked, "How many times do you think Warren has tried to sleep with her? A thousand? I think more like a million!
On a serious note, Andrew's dad is having his valve replacement surgery the day after Thanksgiving in Cleveland. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We are headed to Columbus for Thanksgiving and then Andrew will be going to Cleveland for the surgery.
Not much else is happening. Reagan did not do so good at gymnastics this week and wanted to leave halfway through. Last night, we went to the new American Girl store at the Mall of America and she was totally not interested in any of the dolls. She was more excited about eating chicken nuggets at McDonald's. I was sad she was not into the dolls, but my checkbook was happy.
If I do not post again before Thanksgiving, have a happy Turkey Day and safe travels for all of you headed to be with friends and family (at least gas is only $1.79 a gallon if you are driving!). I'll be thinking of you.
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Next Nastia!
Reagan took her first step in becoming the next Nastia Liukin last night when she had her opening gymastics class through the Community Ed program. I was a little nervous since she is kind of shy and gets clingy when there are strange kids and adults around, but I shouldn't have worried about it. The minute we walked into the gym, she took her jacket off and ran to play on the beam!
She had a good time and cannot wait to go back next week. Here are a few photos of the future Nastia. Next time, I will have to put her in a leotard and "Nasty" clips!
She did a great job listening and doing all of the things she was supposed to do. There were 26 kids, including 16 three-year olds. She was definitely the smallest and youngest of the group, but she did great. I was really proud of her. She was funny as every time it was her turn on the apparatus, she would make sure I was watching and then either wave or put her arms in the air like gymnasts do.
She had a good time and cannot wait to go back next week. Here are a few photos of the future Nastia. Next time, I will have to put her in a leotard and "Nasty" clips!
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
Warren Was Great; Maurice Has Hit The Finish Line
Last night's episode of Dancing With The Stars was a good one. Each couple did two dances, and in the second dance, the Star had to do a 15-second solo. Let's start with that first since that was the most enjoyable part of the night.
Warren is amazing! I cannot believe that a 300-pound man can move like him. He is so light on his feet and he has "it." There are just some people who instantly light up a room when they enter and he is one of them. When I was in college, we tried to describe what traits indicated that a person had charisma. I think if you put a photo of Warren next to the word, that is all you need. He is just awesome. I am sure that is his TV persona as I heard that he can be a real jerk off camera, but aren't most celebrities like that. His first dance was great too. He is definitely safe tonight.
Brooke and Derek were good again. I really liked her orange rumba costume. She is so gorgeous. They will be in the final two for sure, and probably win, which makes me mad because I dislike Derek so much. How can Derek and Julianne be from the same cloth? She is so awesome and he is such a loser.
Lance and Lacey were fun to watch. I really liked their first dance. Lance's solo was a little weak in my mind, but I thought they did a really good job. Like Len said, he is too popular to go home so I think he is on to next week's semfinals.
That leaves Cody and Edyta/Julianne and Maurice and Cheryl. Both were enjoyable last night although Cody and Edyta struggled with sychronicity on the second dance. Cheryl and Maurice continue to improve, but I am not sure it is enough. They still look awkward out there. I also believe that there is no way the show is going to get rid of Cody before Julianne comes back from her surgery (she is going to sing tonight though). Too many people love Julianne (and Edyta for that matter), plus I think the Hannah Montana crowd is going to save him.
So my pick...Maurice is going home.
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
Warren is amazing! I cannot believe that a 300-pound man can move like him. He is so light on his feet and he has "it." There are just some people who instantly light up a room when they enter and he is one of them. When I was in college, we tried to describe what traits indicated that a person had charisma. I think if you put a photo of Warren next to the word, that is all you need. He is just awesome. I am sure that is his TV persona as I heard that he can be a real jerk off camera, but aren't most celebrities like that. His first dance was great too. He is definitely safe tonight.
Brooke and Derek were good again. I really liked her orange rumba costume. She is so gorgeous. They will be in the final two for sure, and probably win, which makes me mad because I dislike Derek so much. How can Derek and Julianne be from the same cloth? She is so awesome and he is such a loser.
Lance and Lacey were fun to watch. I really liked their first dance. Lance's solo was a little weak in my mind, but I thought they did a really good job. Like Len said, he is too popular to go home so I think he is on to next week's semfinals.
That leaves Cody and Edyta/Julianne and Maurice and Cheryl. Both were enjoyable last night although Cody and Edyta struggled with sychronicity on the second dance. Cheryl and Maurice continue to improve, but I am not sure it is enough. They still look awkward out there. I also believe that there is no way the show is going to get rid of Cody before Julianne comes back from her surgery (she is going to sing tonight though). Too many people love Julianne (and Edyta for that matter), plus I think the Hannah Montana crowd is going to save him.
So my pick...Maurice is going home.
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
Friday, November 7, 2008
Gotta Love Minnesota?
Here is what we woke up to this morning. Isn't it too early for this? Reagan loved it and wanted to go outside and play the minute she saw it. Have a good day.
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Bye, Bye Susan
Finally Susan is gone from Dancing With The Stars. It is a long-time coming. Now we are getting to the good stuff as the final five are pretty good. I think Maurice is the next to go, followed by Cody, Warren, Lance and Brooke will win. We will see.
At least Cody was safe so that means hopefully one more week of Edyta and the HDTV for me. Andrew did enjoy Edyta's dance last night, even though it was with her husband. She is really my only hope of ever getting Andrew to like dancing, although I am sure he would have no problem dancing if got to dance with someone as hot as her.
The highlight of last night though had to be Maks! He danced to Lionel Richie's Dancing On The Ceiling and he was smoking hot! (Kathleen...I was thinking of you!) He shaved his head and looked fantastic. I actually had to do a double take to make sure it was him. Check it out on You Tube if you have a minute.
Gotta "go, go, go'"
Reagan's mom
At least Cody was safe so that means hopefully one more week of Edyta and the HDTV for me. Andrew did enjoy Edyta's dance last night, even though it was with her husband. She is really my only hope of ever getting Andrew to like dancing, although I am sure he would have no problem dancing if got to dance with someone as hot as her.
The highlight of last night though had to be Maks! He danced to Lionel Richie's Dancing On The Ceiling and he was smoking hot! (Kathleen...I was thinking of you!) He shaved his head and looked fantastic. I actually had to do a double take to make sure it was him. Check it out on You Tube if you have a minute.
Gotta "go, go, go'"
Reagan's mom
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Happy Halloween From Tucson!
Happy Halloween from Tucson!
This is the "G" rated photo gallery from the Player's Party. It was a wild night (other teams, not mine) and so much fun. Our team went as "All Things Minnesota," which no one got, but if you are from Minnesota, you will see how cute some of our ideas were! Enjoy!
Paul(a) Bunyan and Babe The Blue Ox! Isn't Babe awesome? Jeanne...you did a great job on this costume.
Team Northern and "All Things Minnesota."
This is the "G" rated photo gallery from the Player's Party. It was a wild night (other teams, not mine) and so much fun. Our team went as "All Things Minnesota," which no one got, but if you are from Minnesota, you will see how cute some of our ideas were! Enjoy!
Paul(a) Bunyan and Babe The Blue Ox! Isn't Babe awesome? Jeanne...you did a great job on this costume.
Paul(a) with Howard Stern!
Indian and Snow Princess...so cute!
Northern Lights! This one was awesome! Good job Luonna (she won best original costume) and Ann.
Team Northern and "All Things Minnesota."
Jolly Green Giant
Mall of America Shopper...this one I think is really funny! Great costume Janie.
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Mall of America Shopper...this one I think is really funny! Great costume Janie.Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Dancing With The Stars Update
It was a good night for Dancing With The Stars since Edyta was back on the show and I was able to watch it on the HD TV. I really like Edyta and I am glad she is back on. They need to pair her with someone awesome each year. Andrew also likes her being back with of course his only comment of the night being, "She really should pose in Playboy." I am sure they have already approached her about it and it is only a matter of time.
Last night was an OK show. Brooke and Derek were really good and definitely are the team to beat. I thought Lacey and Lance were really good again as well and Lacey looked just awesome. Maurice was good. Warren and Kym have been only OK lately. I think Warren has kind of checked out a little and maybe wants it to be over.
I felt bad for Cody and Edyta because they had to do the Waltz which is so hard as it is and then to only have been dancing together for one week, it is hard to know each other and really develop a chemistry. There is no way that they are going home though tonight.
Susan really needs to go. She is just awful and it really showed on the group dance (which was stupid). She is just so far behind the rest of the dancers and it is time....
About the group dance. Why did they put all the good dancers in one group (Warren, Brooke and Maurice)? I guess they think Lance and Lacey are better than Warren and Kym, but the first group dance was a disaster. Carrie Ann was right, although I thought she was a little harsh. Andrew really liked the costumes of the first dance - or lack there of since he got to see a lot of Edyta in that routine.
We will see what happens on Wednesday since Barack and McCain are overriding Dancing With The Stars tonight - when is the US going to get its priorities straight?
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
p.s. - How about Brady Quinn starting for the Browns on Thursday!
Last night was an OK show. Brooke and Derek were really good and definitely are the team to beat. I thought Lacey and Lance were really good again as well and Lacey looked just awesome. Maurice was good. Warren and Kym have been only OK lately. I think Warren has kind of checked out a little and maybe wants it to be over.
I felt bad for Cody and Edyta because they had to do the Waltz which is so hard as it is and then to only have been dancing together for one week, it is hard to know each other and really develop a chemistry. There is no way that they are going home though tonight.
Susan really needs to go. She is just awful and it really showed on the group dance (which was stupid). She is just so far behind the rest of the dancers and it is time....
About the group dance. Why did they put all the good dancers in one group (Warren, Brooke and Maurice)? I guess they think Lance and Lacey are better than Warren and Kym, but the first group dance was a disaster. Carrie Ann was right, although I thought she was a little harsh. Andrew really liked the costumes of the first dance - or lack there of since he got to see a lot of Edyta in that routine.
We will see what happens on Wednesday since Barack and McCain are overriding Dancing With The Stars tonight - when is the US going to get its priorities straight?
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
p.s. - How about Brady Quinn starting for the Browns on Thursday!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Live From Tucson
It is Sunday and I am still in Tucson. Unfortunately, my team is not playing in the finals today. We ended up 0-4 for the weekend, but it was much, much closer than our record indicates. We actually lost 11 of 12 tiebreakers here which was the difference in us being 0-4 and 4-0 and possibly playing on today. Those tiebreakers are so heartbreaking and really killed us this weekend, but I guess it all evened out because we won more of our fair share at areas and sectionals.Our first match was against Southern California. We lost 3-2, losing three third-set tiebreakers. It was so close, but we just couldn't pull it out. The second match we lost 4-1, and once again, lost two third-set tiebreakers. We really didn't know how to feel. On the one hand, we had lost, but on the other hand, we were so close and easily could have been 2-0.
On Saturday morning, we lost to Florida 4-1, losing two third-set tiebreakers, another match 7-6, 7-6 and another 6-4, 6-4. It was so close, and of course today, Florida is playing for the championship as we speak. It could have been us, but I digress (win your tiebreakers and it would have been us). In our final match on Saturday, we lost 4-1 and lost another third-set tiebreaker. It was tough being so close and not being able to win the big match, but then again, we were so close and that was pretty exciting. In my heart, I know that if Shannon and Sharon were here, we would have been playing on Sunday.
As for me...I went 0-2, which I pretty much expected having to play singles. I just wasn't consistent enough or in good enough shape. It was in the 90s and I ran out of gas in both matches. In the first match, I played a pusher, which was my worst nightmare coming here. I could do nothing with the ball as there was no pace on it. It was a disaster from the start. I lost the first set 6-2, but rebounded in the second set and was actually up 5-4 before I fell apart and lost 7-5. Very disappointing to say the least.
On Saturday, I had a much better match and just played my game. I hit some pretty amazing shots, as well as some pretty awful shots. Almost every game went to multiple deuces, but I just could not win the big point and fell 6-4, 6-4. Looking back, I did not embarrass myself which was my goal, but deep down, I probably should have won both matches. I just wasn't mentally tough when I needed to be. That is the big difference between singles and doubles. I need someone out there to talk to and keep me in the match. With singles, I was on an island with myself (I wouldn't wish that on anyone).
It has been a fun experience and I am glad I got to be here with my friends. The weather was great. The Players Party was x-rated (I will have photos to follow when I get home.) and the experience was one I will always have. Honestly though, being here one time is enough and I will be fine if I never make it again.
You can read my politically correct blog (I am a PR person after all and was writing it for the USTA) from the tournament at http://www.usta.com/sitecore/content/USTA/Global/Leagues_and_Tournaments/Adults/News/35/Lisa_Blog.aspx.
Yesterday was Reagan's third birthday. Yes, I am the worst mom in the whole world as I missed it yet again. I did keep up the tradition of not being there for Reagan's birthday - in fact, the only birthday I have been at of hers was when she was born. Someone told me yesterday that kids do not remember anything before the age of 5 so hopefully she is not scarred for life.
Andrew's grandma came to celebrate with them once again which was nice. Andrew had planned on Reagan opening all of her presents with Great Grandma Jan there, but Reagan had her own ideas. With all of her birthday presents on the table, Andrew needed to take the dog out for a bathroom break and left Reagan upstairs in her bed watching Strawberry Shortcake (yet again). I guess when Andrew was gone (not even 5 minutes), Reagan came downstairs and climbed up on the kitchen table and opened all of her presents! When Andrew walked in, Reagan was playing with her new princess video game. Hilarious! I am sorry I missed that.
I need to get back to work, but when I return, I will post a ton of photos of Strawberry from Halloween, as well as my trip to Tucson.
Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom
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