Because January is Boring and I Watch Too Much TV

I feel like I've said this 100 times already, but I seriously think January is the most boring month; either that or I've become extremely boring. Either way, there's not been much going on which means I don't have much to tell you about. The majority of my conversations this month have been with my dog. Maybe I'm really going insane.

So, I filed my taxes today and I'm getting back a teeny tiny return from the federal government and just a tiny return from the great state of Alabama which is a heck of a lot better than having to pay a tiny or even a teeny tiny amount. This was the first year I've done my own taxes since I was a teenager. My friend Meri helped me figure out what numbers needed to go where and then I was able to submit and e-file. Who knew it was so easy? I'm sure it's more difficult for others. The funny thing about it is I spent about $67 filing on my own whereas in the past I've only had to pay the accountant $45. Oh well, at least it's done and I don't have to worry about that for another year.

Here's the thing I don't understand about people and taxes - why do some people wait until the very last minute to get this done? I'm guessing it's just procrastination or laziness or the fear of having to pay the government, I just like to go ahead and get it done so I can get my money back as soon as possible. On the occasions when I have had to pay, I always mail the payment close to the deadline, but if I am getting some money back, then send it on back ASAP is what I say.

In other news, I ordered the current season of Downton Abbey a few weeks ago and it was released on Tuesday and arrived at my house on the same day thanks to the magic of Amazon Prime. I thought I might try and refrain from watching the yet unseen in the United States episodes; but, alas, my willpower failed me and I promptly popped the discs in the player and watched three straight episodes. They were awesome and it was hard not to tweet about what I was seeing on my screen. I've got one more episode and the Christmas special to watch this evening and then, sadly, that's another season in the books for me. I can't wait for all my friends to see these next few episodes so I can finally discuss what's happening with someone!


There's a new Masterpiece Mystery that started a couple of weeks ago called Grantchester. It comes on after Downton and I must say I have really enjoyed it. We saw a preview of this show and some other new ones when we went to see Downton at the Space and Rocket Center and they all look really interesting. I'm not sure they will catch on like Downton has, but hopefully PBS will have some success with this new lot of shows.

I'm also really enjoying State of Affairs on NBC. It's like a Homeland for network television. Each week there's another twist and it all revolves around the CIA. I gotta be honest, watching these types of shows makes me think I missed my calling. I'm confident I would have made an outstanding CIA agent. 

This week one of my favorite shows says farewell. Parenthood ends its five year run on Thursday night and I will undoubtedly need a whole box of tissues to make it through the last episode. Considering I have literally cried in every episode of this series, I am quite sure I will cry from start to finish during the one hour show. It's so good and I'm so sad it's ending. 

To be honest, I could probably write on and on and on about television; but, I won't embarrass myself by letting you all know how many shows I watch and love and instead I'll just wrap things up here. What about y'all? Is there any show out there that you absolutely must see every week? 

Don't forget about the giveaway this week! Go here to enter!

I Feel Like I'm In an Olympic Coma

Have you been watching the Olympics this week? Of course you have because who hasn't? I think every single blog I check in on (at least the ones who update on a fairly regular basis) has blogged about the Olympics. So, I figured I might as well too because what else is going on? A whole lot of nothing that's what.

So, a lot of people are mad because NBC is showing all the marquee events on tape delay in prime time. I don't really understand why they are mad about this. Call me crazy, but I doubt there are many working people whose employers would just let them sit around and stream live Olympic coverage instead of doing work. I know my employer wouldn't like it. In fact, live streaming is blocked where I work so I have nothing to complain about because I for one am glad the marquee events are shown in prime time. Now, admittedly, it is hard to stay in a bubble throughout the day such that finding out the winners is a surprise; but, that's the age we live in. I am able to keep all things le Tour de France a secret until I watch at night because not too many people follow cycling. The Olympics however is a completely different story. I have found out numerous spoilers before seeing the event in prime time - but, I expected that would be the case and I am okay with it.

Having said that, however, I think I am a little un-enamored with the Olympics this year. Basically I just kind of stare at the screen and don't even know what's going on half the time. Let's take swimming for example - if I happen to not listen to the announcer say this is a semi-final or qualifier, I have no idea what kind of race it is and have thought a time or two that I was watching a medal race only to find out it was a semi-final. How about some graphics NBC? For the cycling road race, I kept looking at the bottom of the screen to see how many kilometers were left only to discover there was no kilometer countdown like there is during other cycling races - all of which are shown on NBC Sports Network - what gives? Can't NBC put up the same graphics we are accustomed to seeing?

The gymnastics commentators drive me nuts! They have got to be the most dramatic and negative people to ever walk the face of the earth -well, them and the figure skating commentators during the winter Olympics. Seriously, it's as if the gymnasts can do no right. These are 15 and 16 year old kids and the commentators are tearing them down as often as possible. Give me a break, man! I would like to mute these morons but sadly, watching silent gymnastics is just weird and when I do mute them and turn on some music, I have no idea what is going on so I'm forced to listen to their oohs and ahs and gasps of horror when one of the gymnasts takes a misstep. They act as though it is the end of the world. I assure you, it is not. These children will live to see another day... unless maybe they live in North Korea.

Michael Phelps - I'm over it. He was so 2008. His ego wouldn't fit through the front door of my house and he acts like he's got much better things to do than swim in the Olympics - like taking a hit from a bong for example. He just seems like a person with whom I would not want to be friends. I could be wrong, but man he just seems so full of himself and that is beyond annoying.

The prime time coverage should end at 10:00 if you ask me. I'll admit that I am an early to bed, early to rise person, and I cannot stay up until 11:00 to watch Olympic coverage. So, every night about 9:30 I check to see who won and then I go to bed, missing out on the last hour of the coverage which is probably the penultimate Olympic coverage for the night. It would have made more sense to me to start the coverage at 6:00 and go to 10:00. I guess everyone else in America is staying up past their bed time (or maybe I just have an early bed time), but not me because too little sleep makes for a crazy and moody Nat!

USA is doing awesome in the medal count, but seriously, where are all those medals coming from because in the past five days I feel like I've only seen less than 10 medals won. What am I missing? And how about a run down each night in list form of which events the medals were won. I can't even find that online. Maybe I really am in an Olympic coma. For all I know, they are breaking it down in that last hour of Olympic coverage, but I'm already dreaming the night away by then so I couldn't tell you (or me) for sure.

I think this is really all I have to say about the Olympics for now; but, fear not, there is still one more week of coverage to go and I'm sure I'll find something to say about it before it all comes to a screeching halt.

Garrison Keillor Isn't Dead

So, thanks, Mary, for clearing that up. You know, I actually meant to look that up before I posted it but then I failed myself and posted that he was dead. Sorry, Mr. Keillor, for announcing your premature demise. Glad to know you are still around and if you make it to the show in Huntsville (Do you travel with the show that bares your name?) then maybe we can get together for a spot of tea or something - and, yes, I realize he isn't British either. Glad we cleared that up.

I didn't post on Sunday night and I have no good excuse as to why that is. I guess I got caught up in watching the season finale of Survivor and the series finale of Desperate Housewives and the next thing I knew it was 10:30, I had not written anything and wasn't about to delay my bedtime any longer to write a post. Did anyone else watch the series finale of Desperate Housewives? It was okay I guess. They didn't leave any open ends on the existing characters but chose instead to wrap it all up nice and neat which is good for those of us that like endings to actually have an ending but at the same time I found it to be a little too neat for a show that was often so messy. I guess when I really think about it, I never care for the way a series I like ends; probably because I hate to see it go.  Speaking of series that cancelled, tis the season when networks pass out the pink slips and some shows that were not renewed that I liked were A Gifted Man and Harry's Law. I think most of the other shows I watch were renewed, including Smash, which was a shocker because although it started out great, it has kind of tanked and I am surprised NBC renewed it for another season. Apparently network execs and I do not have the same opinion about what shows should stick around and which ones should go.

I had a pretty good weekend and it was a lot more low-key than the past ones have been. I was busy but actually had some down time as well which was a blessing. Friday after work, I mowed the lawn and it was the perfect time to do it because it wasn't terribly hot and it rained most of the remainder of the weekend. Jackie came over Friday night and we just sat around and chatted because believe it or not, it has been since before my vacation that we have had a moment to sit around and chat about what's going on in our lives. Clearly we have both been busy. On Saturday, I did the usual house cleaning and also went to the funeral of a friend's father. After the funeral I made my weekly trip to Publix and then back home to finish up some cleaning and do some Bible studying for the class I taught on Sunday.

Sunday, of course, was Mother's Day. I cooked lunch for my mom, dad and grandparents. Mother picked out the menu of chicken casserole, corn, fried okra and apple dumplings. It all turned out well. After lunch, since I was in the area, I made a run by Mr. Donut and then by Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of things that my Publix doesn't carry. I had The Tide with me and we stopped by PetSmart so she could have her nails trimmed. She was on good behavior yesterday, but mostly I just think she is getting old and tired and that makes me sad.

I made it home right at 3:00 and laid down on the couch to nap for an hour before returning to church; only after I turned off the alarm on my phone, I didn't get up like I should have and instead fell back asleep and didn't wake up until after church had started. Hopefully the good Lord will overlook that absence. Sometimes a girl just needs some rest. The remainder of the evening was spent watching TV and being lazy. Today I start my workouts at D1 which means my fingers may not have the strength they need to type, but I will do my best to recap what is sure to be an interesting afternoon.

Hope all of you moms out there had a good Mother's Day. Don't forget to enterto win the book I'm giving away this week. The giveaway is open through Friday. Have a good week!

A Television List

Yes, I know, there was no post last night. I do apologize. I had not written anything prior to leaving for church and then when I got home from church, I wasn't really up to turning on the computer and writing so I just let it be. I do hope you understand. I'm going to make it up to you by posting tonight (Thursday) and in the morning (Friday).

So, today, I'm going to chat with you a bit about television shows. I don't know about you but it seems like every day I'm a little less impressed with the shows the networks are picking up these days. Glee, for example, was really great during season one, now every storyline is about a gay couple and it's more than a little overdone. The only reason I still watch is because I do really love the songs; but if I couldn't watch it anymore I really wouldn't be crushed.

So, I thought I would share with you the shows that I really do like a lot and hopefully you can let us know in the comments what shows you really love - even those of you without cable!

1. You probably guessed it, Downton Abbey. This is the best show that has been on television maybe ever. I seriously cannot wait until the next episode airs. Set in the early 1900s in Britain, this show is prim and proper and full of intrigue and sometimes scandal. Will Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley end up together? Will Sybil run off with the chauffeur? Will the Countess give up her title of #1 flower grower in the county? Will Lord Grantham have an affair with a maid? There is no foul language, no cleavage in your face, none of the lewdness that is so common among the shows of today. If you haven't seen it yet, you must check it out. Season one is available through Netflix and iTunes and season two can be seen on PBS.com. Both seasons can be purchased from the PBS Store. However you go about it, please try to find a way to watch it - you will be so glad you did!

2. Parenthood - This show comes on NBC and is in the third season I think. I've watched it from the beginning and every season is better than the last. The show is about the Braverman family and they are every bit as dysfunctional as your own. The shows deals with all sorts of problems that are common to you and me and I find it very relate-able - people get laid off, some are dealing with trying to have a baby, some are dealing with adopting, others are surprised by a later in life pregnancy, the patriarch has heart problems, the teenagers dabble in drugs and forbidden relationships, one father is an alcoholic, one child has Asberger's. There is a truly eclectic mix of people and problems. Just like Downton, when this show ends, I cannot wait to see the next episode. It seems like there is a cliffhanger each week. It's well cast, well written and an overall joy.

3. Smash - Another NBC show, this one just started on February 6. It stars Katherine McPhee (you may remember her form American Idol - did you have the McPhever?) as well as Debra Messing (from Will and Grace), Angelica Houston (I will always think of her as Morticia Addams from The Addams Family movie) and a guy that was in Pirates of the Caribbean (too lazy to look that up). Anyway, I watched the first episode and loved it. Best I can tell it's going to go from the beginning to the end of writing, developing, casting and making a Broadway musical. I haven't watched this week's episode yet but I'm sure it is just as lovely as the first. I love a good musical and this show has all the makings of one; so all you fellow Broadway lovers out there take a look. You can catch up on the first two episodes on NBC.com

4. Who Do You Think You Are - Yet another NBC show. I have a love of NBC! This show is GREAT and very interesting! This is the third season for this show which was created and is executive produced by Lisa Kudrow (you know, Phoebe from Friends). Each season a different set of celebrities traces their family roots and researches their family tree and let me tell you, these people have found some very interesting things. I am fascinated by genealogy and would love to do this for my paternal side (someone else already researched my maternal side). If they ever make this show with regular people, I'm going to petition to be on it each year until they finally choose me. If you have any interest in this sort of thing you will find it just as fascinating as I do.

So, if I had to choose only four shows a week to watch those would be the three. Some others I really like are:

Revenge - it's a new show this year and is quite a surprise. Jackie told me about this one and I had also read about it on another blog. I had to catch up on the first seven or so episodes online but am now all caught up and each week brings another vengeful act by the main character. My heart has raced on more than one occasion during this show.

CSI - This one doesn't need any explanation and is always rather interesting. I've been watching this show for about 10 years now and still really like it which says a great deal about the writers and actors.

NCIS and NCIS LA - I've watched NCIS for a long while and NCIS LA since the beginning and love both of them. I think if I had to choose one over the other I would probably choose LA because I do love that Hettie Lang; but Jethro Gibbs is also a great character. Both shows are quite good and well worth the watch.

There are a few others I watch, Blue Bloods, Unforgettable, Person of Interest, Survivor and The Amazing Race. I seriously watch way too much TV which is why I don't get in nearly as much reading as I should or would like. I'm actually looking forward to the summer when the TV schedules dies down and I can have more non-TV time. Well, I guess technically I could have more non-TV time now, but well, that's probably not going to happen.

So, that's my television list - what about you - what are your favorites right now?