Weekly Beef

The Uninvited

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:49:00 +0000

I don't want anybody or anything in my house that I didn't invite. That includes anything that flies, crawls or slithers. You getting the idea here.

When I was younger we had a mouse in our house. I remember my mom standing on a chair and yelling for my dad. Years later we had mice. Mice is more than 1 and I remember the first time I saw one I jumped up on the table and yelled for my dad. Dad tried to get rid of them by setting traps but it didn't work too well. For every 1 he caught there were dozens more offspring running around.

After dad had passed away and I was living with my mom and we had a bird in the house, in addition to the mice. No, not one we kept in a cage, this was a Starling and it looked huge. Supposedly they get on the top of the chimney to get warm, pass out from the fumes and fall inside, into the house. That thing was in the house for 2 days with me running around with a jacket over my head until we could get it outside. Hey, don't laugh, didn't you see Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds? I did.

After mom passed away I was still in the same house only this time it was mine (I'd inherited it, mice and all). My bedroom was originally on the second floor until I saw a mouse in there one night. I quickly moved down to the main level and slept with a light and the TV on. If the TV was on I couldn't hear them. One morning I wake to the sight of a squirrel in my house. Yes, a grey squirrel. I remember my mom always telling me they were nothing but rats with bushy tails. I also remember a neighbor getting bit by one when I was little. I borrowed a trap, locked it in the kitchen with the squirrel and left the house for a few days.

I've since moved from Chicago to Southeast Alabama where there are different creatures and the usual ones are BIGGER. I've seen roaches (down here they call them Palmetto Bugs or Water Bugs) as big as a small child and fire ant hills the size of a Volkswagon Bug. Yesterday I walked into the living room to see a huge Gecko or lizard. Did I tell you I HATE them. I put them in the same category as snakes and we all know what the snake is capable of. If not read Genesis. Anyway, as jumped on the sofa I was yelling for Don. Being my hero he came and rescued me from the brink of a heart attack and caught that thing and sent him packing. But being the man that he is he did laugh at me and tell me it was only a little Gecko. I DON'T CARE!!! I didn't invite it into my home.

I'm getting rid of that WELCOME mat at the front door.

Photo Credit: stock.xchng
Photographer: Subliminl

Happy Birthday

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:02:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me. Yup, my birthday's in 2 days. I'm going to be a whopping 52 years old. What!!!! Did I just say that out loud. You didn't hear me did you. I meant to say I'm going to be 29. Yeah, that's right, 29.

Well, Don got me my birthday presents a little early this year. I'd seen a Lenox ring I wanted. Two entwined hearts with our birthstones and our names engraved down each side of the band. It's called . the Two Forever Ring.

Then we saw a loveknot with both birthstones. This is called the Eternal Embrace Pendant.

Now came the difficult decision, which one did I want. I left the decision up to him and guess what? He got me both. Why you ask, because I'm worth it. Hey, those are his words not mine.

Don't I have the most wonderful husband in the whole world?

My Weekly Beef: Facebook is Really Pissing Me Off

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:32:00 +0000

I'm a little upset with Facebook right now. I have a new review blog and I'd read a few days ago that it's a good idea to create a Fan Page for your blog or website. I set out trying to create a page and found out you can't have 2 pages on the same account. That's no problem, I have several email addresses so I'll just use one of my alternates to create that Fan Page.

The first one I created wasn't working right so I decided to start again. I deleted the page but when I tried to create another Fan Page using that same email address it just reactived the page I wanted to delete. On to email address #3. Same problem. Now I'm on my last spare email address and finally got the Fan Page to look the way I wanted it to. It was working and I created the button for my blog and added a couple of updates on the wall.

The next day when I went to log on to the Fan Page the fun began. I couldn't access it. I went to my personal page where I'd linked to the new Fan Page and got to it just fine but then I noticed the problem. My Blog's name is What's That Buzz but I named the page Product Reviews - Contests - Freebies & More and the name on the account was mine, Dee Landry. Now the name on the account is Beth Johnson. Who the heck is Beth Johnson. I went to the Account Settings and it was my email address but someone else's name. I requested to change my password and received the email with the link to do that. I then tried to find out how to contact Facebook.

After much looking and reading through FAQ's I got to a contact form, filled it out and sent it off. I received the generic "we've received your request" response and it did say to change my password which I'd already done. It also said I could respond to that email which I did. I explained the situation and that my account seemed to be linked to someone else's. If I leave the wall at all I can't get back to it unless I log out and back in again. The name on the account isn't mine, the profile page is a generic blank page without my graphics or updates AND there is no way for me to update in any way.

Several days went by and I get no response except for the original computer generated "we received your request" email so yesterday I sent off another one again explaining the problem and still no response. Not a we're working on it or sorry, nothing.

So, as I said I'm a little upset with Facebook right now and if this continues it will evolve into more than a little and erupt into furious. So, I guess this great networking site is OK as long as you have no problems but once you do it's not so great anymore and if this doesn't get resolved soon I may be upset enough to cancel both accounts.

Pink Out The Wiregrass for Breast Cancer Awareness

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:16:00 +0000

October is Breast Cancer Awareness and Don and I were honored to attend the unveiling of the largest pink ribbon at Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) in Dothan, Alabama.

We first heard about the ceremony from the instructor of our cooking class Chef Michael. Michael came to class a few weeks ago wearing a pink apron which he received as part of the Real Men Wear Pink campaign at the hospital where men from the area were invited to come and wear pink in to show their support and encouragement for the women in their lives to have breast exams and mammograms. In addition it was to spread the fact that men can also be victims of breast cancer. It's rare but does happen.

The hospital is also promoting another campaign, Pink Out The Wiregrass or Pink Out Day. Yes, this part of Southeast Alabama is referred to as the Wiregrass. On October 1st men, women and children were encouraged to wear pink to show support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

The ceremony yesterday was attended by breast cancer survivors and we got to hear a few stories where early detection saved lives. Of course, being me I did cry a little. The hospital has 3 ribbon angels of various colors on the side of the building in support of other cancers but the new pink ribbon towers above the rest. I'm not sure if that was intentional but it wasn't meant to diminish the other cancers out there any cancer is serious and of great concern to everybody.

Don informed me before we left that he's a Real Man but he won't wear pink. He did take one of their pins and put that on though.

Before, during and after the ceremony we were reminded of family members who are cancer survivors as well as those who lost the fight. If you haven't yet had your yearly mammogram please take the time to get it done this month. Just because you can't feel a lump doesn't mean you're safe. Early detection is the key. If you don't believe me go to any cancer center and speak to the women and yes men who are going through chemo or radiation, I'm sure they'd tell you the same thing.

Opening Ceremony

Sea of pink, most are cancer survivors

Pink fountain outside Womens Center at SAMC

Finding the Good in the Midst of Tragedy

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:33:00 +0000

Yesterday we had a death in the family, Don's uncle. Today Don and I were talking about how different people impact your life and when they're gone what affect that can have on your emotions. Of course that got me talking about my parents and brother who have all passed away and I got emotional. Later as I was thinking about the loss I felt I started thinking about the positive's that have happened as a result of those deaths.

My brother was 19 years older than I was and he protected me. He also pushed me to do better and even though I miss him terribly I learned a lot when he was alive. He taught me how to get around my parents when they wouldn't allow me to do things I wanted and he gave me the courage to ask questions. My brother was gay and he taught me to look beyond labels, to be more tolerant and accepting of others.

When dad died I realized that I was strong and I could take on the leadership role in the family. My mom was 16 when she married dad and they were married for 54 years so she had no idea how to function without him. I willingly took on the role as head of household. I could tackle anything because of the skills my dad had taught me.

Mom was the last to go. She was from a large family with 10 brothers and sisters. All but 1 had gone before she did so she was the last one left with the old family stories. I have a cousin, Elsetta, 2 years older than I am that's the family geneologist. Elsetta moved from Chicago to Missouri when I was 5 and we never spoke to or saw each other after that. Mom and Elsetta wrote to each other all the time and I'm sure it was the family history that fueled that relationship but I'm sure mom's goal of keeping the family together helped somewhat. Mom's death was the catalyst that brought Elsetta and I into each others lives again. After not talking to her for 31 years I had to answer her last letter to mom and let her know what happened. After that we talked and emailed constantly. Through Elsetta I met Don so I guess you could say if mom hadn't died I never would have met my husband and best friend.

Seven years after Elsetta and I were reunited I did something childish and stupid. Elsetta responded in an equally childish manner and we didn't speak for 7 1/2 years. I'm wrong there, we did speak a couple of times but no relationship mending was going to happen. Elsetta's mom, Aunt Grace, passed away earlier this year and I did something my pride had been keeping me from doing. I called her and that call was the beginning to a new relationship. So, I guess you could say, if Aunt Grace hadn't died we wouldn't have talked as openly as we did and we wouldn't be friends again. Now we can't go a day without AT LEAST 1 email passing between us but usually it's in the double digits.

I guess I've learned that everyone in your life has a purpose when they're alive but they also have a purpose in their passing. It's OK to feel the loss and grieve but in that grieving start to look for the things they continue to do. Look for God's hand in bringing something good out of what you can only think of as a tragedy. God doesn't want us to be sad and unhappy so He'll always bring good into our lives whether we see it immediately or have to wait a while for that cloud around us to fade.

A New Blogging Friend

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:13:00 +0000

I found out a while ago you can make some decent friends if you'll just take a risk and make yourself available. I've met some people in the last few years through the internet and some I'm still in contact with even if it's just a "hi how are you doing" type of email.

I recently met someone named Dee through a blogging forum who asked for help and even though I'm still a novice I offered whatever help I could. Through private messages on the board that merged into emails that eventually went to IM's we decided to start a product review blog together. As we were starting that blog she was getting the finishing touches on her own blog and today she opened it up to everyone.

Cocktails With Mom is the result of her hard work and it's a place for women to hang out and talk or as Dee says, Relax, Relate and Release. On her blog you'll be able to read as well as join in on conversations. So, why don't you go on over and join the party. The doors are open and all are welcome. Even though the name is Cocktails With Mom, I don't think the mom thing is a requirement but having fun is.

P.S. While you're at hop on over to What's That Buzz and check out our new joint venture. It's still in the beginning stage so it's not perfect yet.

The Orphan and The Squeak Toy

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:12:00 +0000

If you've read this blog long enough you've seen me refer to my 2 puppies Stretch and Ellie from time to time. They even have their own blog, The Adventures of Stretch & Ellie. Yes, they're that smart, well one of them is anyway.

If you've read their blog you know that Ellie tends to have more common sense than Stretch and she's, well, smarter. That's not to say Stretch is lacking in the personality department she's just a little, short in the gray matter at times.

Ellie is very lovable and squishy. She even squeaks when you rub her in the right spot or give her a hug. I call her my little Squeak Toy. Stretch is lovable but it seems she yearns love more than anything and no matter how much you give her it doesn't seem to be enough. She acts like the ugly stepsister or the outcast. I call her My Little Orphan. Stretch also has this bug eyed look as if she's getting in trouble for something. For that Don calls it her Barney Fife look. You know the one "nip it, nip it, nip it in the bud."

Stretch is starting to pick up on some of Ellie's habits, maybe it's in hopes that she'll get the love and attention Ellie gets if she acts like her, I'm not sure but it is rather funny and pitiful. One example is, Ellie has an anxiety problem and will run and hide if there's a loud noise and she'll want to be held and shakes if there's a storm. Stretch was never afraid of storms but now she's right there next to Ellie, shaking like a blender on high.

Tonight Don was taking the garbage out and he went through the garage and out the garage door to the front. Ellie is smart enough to know when she sees him go to the garage to run to the front window and watch him. Not Stretch, she's sitting next to Ellie staring at the wall between the living room and garage. I don't know if she's really that dense or if she thought if she' focused hard enough she'd have x-ray vision.

You know thinking about it Stretch is perfect just the way she is. She's got personality plus and we love her to pieces, I just wish we could make her believe it.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:30:00 +0000

A trip to the grocery store today reminded me that courtesy is not a long lost art as most would lead you to believe.

How many times have you gone into a store and been run over by carts? How long have you looked for an item going up and down the aisles feeling like you're on a treasure hunt and the treasure is no where to be found.? How many times have you gotten to the checkout and had a cashier who was busy talking to someone else and not paying any attention to you at all? You can stand there for 5 minutes holding out coupons or cash and she's so preoccupied she's totally oblivious to you.

I must say there's a little store not too far from my house where that doesn't happen. It's the local Piggly Wiggly in Headland, Alabama. I think a pre-requisite to work in that store is a friendly, courteous personality. The manager will greet you as you enter the store remembering you from previous visits. As you're leaving he'll make sure you found everything OK. Walking up and down the aisles it's not uncommon for someone to ask if you need help finding anything. I've been at the checkout when I mentioned to the manager I couldn't find something and the next thing I know there's an employee standing there with said item in hand for me. They have baggers who not only bag your groceries but empty your cart and carry the bags to your car and load them in. All this is done with a smile and kind words.

If any of you think courtesy is a lost art just head to Headland, Alabama and you'll find it alive and flourishing at Piggly Wiggly.

Texting Can be Hazardous to Your Health

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:22:00 +0000

I'm sure you've read or heard bout the Long Island girl who fell in a manhole cover while texting. The city has opened an investigation and her mother is faulting the city because they removed the manhole cover THEN went to get the orange cones rather than have the cones there BEFORE removing the cover. Yeah, I agree that was lax on the part of the city workers but the young girl should be held accountable for her part in this. She admitted she was walking and texting and not paying attention but later said if there was an orange cone there she would have seen it. If you can't see a big hole in the ground what makes you think a warning cone would get your attention.

I'm sorry, I do believe the city workers were wrong in leaving the manhole unattended while the cover was off but if the girl would have been paying attention to where she was walking rather than texting this wouldn't have happened. If she would have tripped over a curb, a crack in the sidewalk or walked into a car would they then blame the city or the car owner for parking where she was walking?

This is another example of people not accepting responsibility for their own carelessness, ignorance and stupidity.

Gotta Love Some People: It's Illegal to Kill Them

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:03:00 +0000

It always amazes me how stupid or maybe it's clueless some people can be. I often wonder who they made it to adulthood much less to be loose in the world.

It's 10:30pm and I'm awake on the computer. The phone rings, it's a long distance wireless number but I'm in a good mood so I answer the phone. The woman on the other end asks "who are you?" I politely ask "who are you looking for?" We go back and forth like this a few times when she says "I'm looking for my sister." I tell her she's got the wrong number. This woman then asks if a Steven something or other is here. I inform her again she has the wrong number. It's at this point the woman calls me a liar and asks why I'm getting involved in this. I very nicely told her I didn't know who she is and I was going to hang up which I did.

Don wanted to know why I was so polite to this woman and why I didn't just hang up in the beginning. I was in a good mood and sometimes it's nice mess with them and see how far they'll go. It's been 30 minutes and she hasn't called back so she either realized I was telling the truth or she dialed again and this time got the number she wanted.

It still amazes me how someone with the IQ lower than one of my dogs can figure out how to use a cell phone and why she's not tied down in the padded room for the night.

Thanking God for Little Annoyances

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:55:00 +0000

Today is my mom's birthday and this year is like last year and the year before. I think about her all day and the things I miss. I don't plan it that way but sometime during the day the date will enter my mind and the thoughts start. Have you ever noticed it's the little things you miss the most. Mom's French Toast, the way she sat in the chair watching TV, bingo on Friday's.

This then brings Don to my mind and all the things I love about him. It also brings the little annoyances to the surface. You know those little things that just bug you and you think you're going to pull your hair out if it happens again. The next time you run across one of those little annoyances stop and think, is this something I'm going to miss if he wasn't here? You'll probably find out the answer is yes and I'm sure there are things that annoy him as well.

I get annoyed when Don puts something on the shelf where I put my soda bottle or when I'm communing with the dogs and he's in another room and calls them. Of course they'll run to him. When that happens and I'm ready to scream I realize those are a couple of those little things I'd miss and soon I'm smiling about it and thanking God he's here to annoy me with it. It's those little things that remind me I'm not alone and there's someone willing to share their life with me, annoyances and all.

Don, I love you and don't want you to change any little thing you do, no matter how much I complain about it. Just keep on bugging me and I'll keep smiling and loving you more.

Where Does it Belong

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:52:00 +0000

I'm rather opinionated and have no problem sharing that opinion with anyone who's willing to listen or read.

I have strong opinions of reality TV and don't usually watch them. With the exception of Dog the Bounty Hunter and Gene Simmons Family Jewels. I like seeing Gene teased by his family and seeing him enjoy making a fool of himself. What can I say, he's good entertainment.

Anyway, with all that's going on with John & Kate Gosselin and after the media about the "news" on last night's show I decided to watch. I now have even strong opinions and wasn't sure where they fit. This blog which is after all, My thought, My opinions, My stories or does it go to my TV blog TV Chat. After much thinking I wrote about it on TV Chat but I'm letting you all know about that post in case you're interested.

Happy Reading.

Oops I Did it Again

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:38:00 +0000

I'm did it again. I created another blog for your enjoyment. This one like a couple of my other ones evolved from this one.

It seems my posts on Ghost Whisperer have been the most popular with visitors finding me through search engine results so I decided it needed it's own home. Well not all it's own, it will have some roommates in the form of other shows I watch, like and feel like commenting on.

I introduce you to TV Chat. The new blog by yours truly, me. This is not going to be your everyday, run of the mill blog on TV shows and Hollywood celebrities. This will be a, let's sit and chat about what we're watching, what we liked or disliked and what direction we think they're going. If you're expecting weekly recaps of the show you may be disappointed but if you're interested in chatting and discussing what we saw this is the place for you.

I hope you join me in my new venture and get as much pleasure from reading it as I know I will in writing it.

Idiots and Computers Don't Mix

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:13:00 +0000

I've written before about Don and computers. He can build them, update them and even repair them within reason. I say within reason because some things are beyond help. Case in point. My nephew called, his girlfriend has a computer that has a virus, could Don take a look at it. Sure, not problem, bring it over. Several hours later the nephew shows up with a backpack. He pulled out a laptop and a plastic bag. Here is what the laptop looked at when it was given to Don complete with the contents of the bag.

Needless to say, this computer is beyond any help anyone can give it. Why, someone felt you had to dismantle the thing to cure it of a virus is beyond me. That's like doing major surgery and removing someone's stomach because they have a cold. That's too aggressive not to mention unnecessary and can or in this case did result in death.

Hopefully when they get their next computer they'll keep all screwdrivers, hammers and crowbars away from it. Or keep their computer out of the hands of idiots who have no idea what they're doing, no matter how smart they try to sound.

It's Alive: PayPerPost 4.0

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:23:00 +0000

There's a lot of talk on the blogging community about PayPerPost. That's where you register a blog and get paid by advertisers to write about their product. You have the option to take or turn down any offer you are qualified for and I've been doing it about a year. I don't usually get too many opportunities since new ones get listed at various times throughout the day and you need to be quick to accept one before it's full and no long available. I must admit I'm also a little bit picky about what I'll promote. I want it to be something I either have first hand knowledge or experience with or something that I'll actually consider trying myself. You won't see me promoting an online dating site since I'm happily married and I wouldn't use one if I was single, I'm too shy. Now don't get me wrong, there are some who can make several thousand $$ a month I'm just not one of them.

PayPerPost or it's nickname PPP has just come out with a new version, PayPerPost v4.0 that is so much easier to use. You register your blog and sit and wait. No more logging in numerous times throughout the day to hopefully get a good opportunity. No, PayPerPost will now match you with the opportunities and email you when there's one available for you. You have a couple of days to sit and think about it before you decide to accept or decline the offer. It's great for someone who's too busy to sit at their computer for hours on end or someone who works outside the home or away from the computer. That email will sit in your inbox just waiting for you to get home and read it.

All in all, I think PayPerPost 4.0 and I are going to get along just fine and guess what. This is a post sponsored by PayPerPost. Yes, that means I'll get paid for writing it. Isn't that neat, less than 5 minutes doing something I love and I get paid for it. Could life get any better.

Royal Pains: Episode 2 - 6-11-09

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Did you watch Royal Pains this week? I'm really liking what they're doing with Hank. He's not a doctor that's in it for the money, he's more about helping people. Jill didn't call him the Robin Hood of Medicine for nothing. He works for and takes money from the rich but he gives back to the poor without asking of payment, even though Jim did pay him in fish.

I now sense that Tucker is going to be a regular on the show. His dad, played by Andrew McCarthy showed up for about 10 minutes only to leave with suitcase in hand on another trip. He was around long enough to thank, pay then fire Hank as his son's doctor. He may have fired him as his doc but as Hanks said, he can't fire him from being his friend. With that I'm sure Tucker's going to be hanging around Hank in future episodes. As Hank told Tucker's dad, Tucker needs daddy time and that's something Hank knows about first hand.

We learned a little more about Jill tonight. She grew up in The Hamptons. When she was young she had an accident and her parents couldn't afford the treatment she needed so the hospital worked it out for her. That's why she's working at the hospital, trying to give back. She's also trying to start a free clinic. I have a feeling Hank's going to end up helping her to make that a reality and volunteer or donate his time as a doc there. Maybe that's how he'll end up staying year round. Get paid during the summer by the rich and famous, work for free during the winter with maybe a few calls from the rich locals.

Last week I got the impression Evan was the slob when their motel room was a mess but this week I found out Evan's the neat one, it's Hank who's sloppy and doesn't like to clean after himself.

We didn't see much of Divya this week. She was only there at Tucker's when Hank came to remove the sutures. I get the feeling Tucker's girlfriend is going to be trying to help Hank with some of his calls, especially after she said she was watching when Tucker had his surgery and was very interested in watching the suture removal.

Someone we didn't see at all this week is Boris. Maybe he'll be like Robin Masters on Magnum PI. Own the estate but never really around. I still think we haven't seen the last of Boris though and I'm still waiting for trouble from Hank's predecessor.

For recent episodes of Royal Pains visit my new blog TV Chat

I Can Own a Taste of Heaven

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:33:00 +0000

When I lived in Chicago my friends and I would plan shopping trips to Oak Brook Mall to shop. One of the places we always stopped was Mrs. Fields Cookies. They had the best cookies I've ever tasted. While my friends would go ga ga over the cookies with the White Chunk Macadamia Nuts and Semi Sweet Chocolate Chip I was the odd one out and loved the Cinnamon Sugar Cookies. Then of course there was always the Double Fudge Brownies. We'd always sit outside on a bench and eat a cookie, OK we binged and ate two cookies but there was always a bag to take home.

I just found out I could buy my own Mrs Fields cookies franchise. Just imagine, I could make money while eating the delicious cookies I've been dreaming about since I left Chicago. Yes, I know there are stores nationwide but the closest to me is about 3 1/2 hours away and no matter how good those cookies are I'm not driving that far for a fix. Of course they do freeze well. Just warm them in microwave or oven and they've got that just baked flavor. My problem is, they never seem to make it as far as the freezer, heck, they hardly ever made it home.

Royal Pains: Great Pilot, Lots of Promise

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 05:12:00 +0000

Since all the good TV shows or should I say decent shows have ended for the season and the rest of the good shows won't start until July USA Network did something no other network has done so far. They've come up with a summer show that I found entertaining, enjoyable and just plain good. That show would be Royal Pains.

Royal Pains is about Hank Lawson a New York doctor who manages to get himself fired from his job as an ER doc and black balled from every other hospital in the city. He settles into a depression that causes him to watch TV all day and night. He looses his furniture, with the exception of the recliner he's sitting in and his TV. He looses is fiancé who was only marrying him to reach her goal of marrying a doctor. He's a mess until his brother and accountant Evan wants him to go away a weekend of partying in The Hampton. Hank is reluctant to go until he realizes he's out of beer and Netflix suspended his account.

Once in The Hamptons they're off to their first party at the estate of Boris. While at the party Hank stumbles across a female guest having a medical crisis. The Concierge Doctor thinks she's OD'd on drugs but Hank notices a few symptoms the doc failed to see and stops him from administering the wrong treatment which would kill her. The girl is having reaction to chemical's she was exposed to while smelling flowers in the garden. Hank administers the antidote and impresses Boris who offers him a job and place to live if he becomes the new Concierge Doc. Hank of course declines. When Hank and Evan are in the car to go back to their motel they discover Boris has left payment for Hank in his car. A case containing a gold brick.

The next morning Hank gets a call from a 16 year old who needs the docs help. Seems news travels fact in The Hamptons and everyone who's anyone knows about the new
Concierge Doc even though Hank denies it. Through the rest of the show Hank's got girls falling over him, patients seeking treatment and Divya who insists she's his new PA. She's so sure of the fact she's already equipped her SUV with all the necessary medical equipment needed to treat and run tests while they make their house calls.

In the end Hank decides he'll stay for the summer and takes Boris up on his offer of the guest house and with Evan he moves in. Of course there is the added bonus of Jill, the local hospital's administrator who manages to sway his decision. It appears they're smitten with each other.

One of the funniest patients was the woman with the "flat tire" Seems she spent the winter getting a, how shall I put this, boob job, and she sprung a leak on one side. She has special order implants that will take time to be obtained and symmetry is everything in fashion Hank does the only thing he can do. He deflates the other side to make her symmetrical again.

I can't wait to see next week. I'm sure there's going to be trouble from the old Concierge Doc. He did make some threat as he was being taken out of the guest quarters that Hank was moving in to. Then there's the matter of Hank and Jill and where that will lead. I just hope they don't rush that one. A little sexual tension is good for a show. Admit it, how many shows were ruined when they bring 2 people together after years of them denying any attraction. That seems to be the death sentence and I'd like this show to be around more than 1 season before they commit suicide. Of course with the way the TV seasons are now, 4-6 or 8 episodes then a break and when they come back the audience has left and gotten interested in other things I wonder if any show has the potential to last more than the first season anymore. At least a lot of what I consider good shows have met their fate that way.

For recent episodes of Royal Pains visit my new blog TV Chat

Our House is Bugged

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:56:00 +0000

We just found out our house is bugged and we're very upset about it. We're being bugged by ants. Little creepy, crawly, climb up your leg and bite you in the butt ants. It started about a month ago when we noticed ants in the dog food dish in the kitchen. We quickly got rid of those with a pet friendly, homemade ant killer. Dish soap and water in a spray bottle. That makes those little buggers curl up and die.

After we got rid of the ones in the kitchen we found them in the closet in the master bathroom. All over the floor and in the laundry hamper. Sprayed those suckers and they met the same death as their friends and relatives.

What's the one thing those two rooms have in common, besides the obvious of being under the same roof? They're both along the same outside wall facing the backyard. Yes, the ants are building condos in our backyard so the dish soap mixture made its way out back and it kills those ants too and the hills just wither up and go away. BUT and this is a big but, they don't stay that way for long. A new family of ants comes along and rebuilds a few inches or feet from the demolition site. As soon as we see them pop up we spray that subdivision but then we know we're going to start seeing them in the kitchen and bathroom again.

This is a vicious, never ending cycle and I'm getting tired of it. I've tried being nice, I've given them their eviction notice but they just won't leave me alone. Tonight as we were in our computer room which is facing the front of the house Don felt something on his leg and saw that there were ants under his desk. They had started taking over another room. As I was watching Don slap his legs and spread calamine lotion all over himself I started itching. There's no ants around me but I think it's a sympathy itch or the power of suggestion.

If anybody has any suggestions or ideas on how to keep these things out of our house I'd really appreciate it. In the mean time I think I'll go soak in a calamine bath, take some Benadryl and go to bed

Who'd A Thought?

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Sun, 24 May 2009 21:41:00 +0000

Who’d a thought this adult who was afraid to make changes would meet her Prince and relocated from her birthplace of Chicago to a small town in Southeast Alabama?

Who’d a thought this person who thought all religions were the same and everyone believed in the same god would accept Christ as her personal Lord and Savior?

Who’d a thought this same person who would not discuss her beliefs in Christ for fear of being laughed at or ridiculed is now sharing those same beliefs in My First Steps with Jesus?

Who’d a thought the once shy kid who would break out in a sweat if the teacher called on her in class and failed college philosophy because she was too afraid to participate in class discussions is writing a her feeling and thoughts for everyone to see?

Don’t label and put yourself in a box saying you can’t do it because one day you may look back and say Who’d A Thought?

The Return of the Cliffhanger

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:09:00 +0000

Has anybody noticed the return of cliffhangers on TV shows this year? I haven’t seen cliffhangers this good since Who Shot JR. In the few shows I watch I have to wait until next year to hear Amita’s response to Charlie’s proposal on Numbers; find out if Izzy and George both die, both live or one lives and one dies on Grey’s Anatomy; does anybody rush in to save Violet before the delusional patient cuts her baby out of her on Private Practice; did Cal give Matt the editor’s job that Daniel gave to Betty on Ugly Betty; will rehab work and will sobriety change House’s personality on House. OK the last 2 really aren’t cliffhangers but it’s still something I’ll be thinking about until the fall season starts.

Two other shows I watch are going through identity crises. I already wrote about Ghost Whisperer who is confused and thinks it’s Charmed. We’ve got the Watchers who resemble the Elders, The Spirits of Light who are all around Melinda resemble the White Lighters and Leo and Melinda’s unborn baby who will be able to do more than she does which resembles Wyatt, Piper’s baby who was destined to have greater powers. Then there’s Medium which is becoming Ghost Whisperer. This show is based on the real Allison DuBois who’s supposedly psychic (I say supposedly because I don’t believe in psychics and ghosts but that’s another post). Allison was getting her visions in her dreams. Last season she started seeing and talking to ghosts who help her out on cases or haunt her and try to thwart her investigations by messing with her dreams. Now her daughter is having visions and seeing ghosts. I guess if something is popular they all want to jump on the bandwagon but just because it works for one show doesn’t mean it will work for others. Some of these changes are changing the initial idea or theme and to me it’s weakening the show. I liked Medium the way it was but to suddenly change the way Allison sees things or gets her vibe is not working for me. Ghost Whisperer is different, even though there are similarities with other shows this one really changed when Jim’s spirit jumped into another man’s body. I guess that’s taking an idea from Invasion of the Body Snatchers but that was a movie. I guess the closest I can come to in a TV show is My Mother the Car with Jerry Van Dyke where his mother’s spirit inhabits his car and he hears her voice (Ann Sothern) through the car radio. Yes, I’m dating myself mentioning that show.

Ghost Whisperer - Season Finale and Future of Season 5

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Sat, 16 May 2009 04:09:00 +0000

I’m beginning to think the TV shows I watch are having identity crisis’ and think they’re other shows. First in Medium Allison started seeing and talking to ghosts, visions of Ghost Whisperer. Now Ghost Whisperer is beginning to look like Charmed.

Tonight we saw Melinda being tormented by dreams which she thinks are about her unborn baby. She’s seeing a little girl without a face telling her she can’t protect her so she thinks she’s having a girl only to be told later by Jim that it’s a boy. He snuck a peak at a note on her latest sonogram. The Watchers are back and they’re trying to hide the Book of Changes. Eli has been given the task of being its protector. The Watchers talk about the other side which could only be the side of darkness and they’re not to interfere in events but can guide people. One Watcher, Carl, tells Melinda she has white light and spirits all around her to protect her. When she asks if her son will be able to do what she does Carl tells her no. He then whispers in her ear, he’ll do much more.

Where do I see the comparison of Charmed in this?

Ghost Whisperer________________Charmed

Book of Changes____________________Book of Shadows
The Watchers_______________________The Elders
White light and spirits around her_______The White Lighters
Melinda’s son being able to do more_____Piper’s son Wyatt more powerful

The high point of the season and this episode was The Wedding. Yes, Melinda and Jim got married. Not the ceremony her mother was planning by hiring a wedding planner with an ice sculptor and orchestra but a quiet ceremony that Jim surprised her with. He drug Melinda and Delia away from the wedding planner to his car with Eli waiting in the back seat. They ended up on the street where Melinda and Jim first met. As they were talking a minister showed up and they got married in the middle of the street. As the camera panned out there were the five of them and a couple dozen ghosts.

Now I’m wondering if next season will start with the birth of the baby or will the baby already be born and a toddler. The reason I’m questioning is because I’d read that the baby will be Melinda’s apprentice.

Future of Season 5:

James Van Praagh who developed Ghost Whisperer gave an interview to ET’s Thea Andrews about Bea Arthur’s passing and talked a little about Ghost Whisperer. He either had a slip of the tongue or is pulling our leg when he talks about Melinda’s baby. To watch the video go to KGET.com

Good news for Ghost Whisperer fans, it looks like it won’t be moving to another network, CBS has renewed it for next season.

Ghost Whisperer Extras:

If you want to win a tour of the Ghost Whisperer’s set in Los Angeles enter the sweepstakes at Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side III. In this series you get to see the world through the eyes of a ghost. Watch the short, less than 5 minutes each, episode for more chances. After the final episode you can participate in the story by helping Melinda look for her and Jim’s missing wedding rings.

I have a question that I don’t think has been answered this season. At the end of last season, Season 3, Melinda, Jim, Delia, Ned and Prof. Payne were standing on a curb. Payne noticed that there were 5 people but only 4 shadows. That seemed to be an omen that one of them wasn’t there or would be gone. That was never addressed this season. Was that completely forgotten about, was it saying that Payne was leaving Grandview or was it foretelling Jim’s death?

For updates on Ghost Whisperer visit my new blog TV Chat

Bossy Doggy

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:12:00 +0000

My puppy Ellie is starting to talk to me. Well she does have a blog with her sister Stretch so I knew it was just a matter of time before she started talking.

Ellie has always been good at letting you know she wanted to be petted, she puts her nose under your hand and flips it so it landed on top of her. She lets you know she wants her chest rubbed by sitting on your lap and pointing her nose to the sky. When she wants a treat she will look in the direction of their treat jar and when she wants out she’ll sit in front of the door.

For the past couple of weeks she’s been talking more and more about different things and she’s getting very bossy about it. If I’m in another room or not paying attention to her she’ll come up and lick my leg then sit and look at me. When I finally ask her to show me what she wants she’ll run in another room and go to whatever it is she wants, whether it’s the door or her treat jar. If I’m in the living room watching TV she’ll run down the hall to the bedroom to say let’s go to bed in the BIG bed or I want you in the computer room with me and Daddy. Today she did her thing and when she ran in the living room she jumped on the arm of the love seat and looked at the closet door. Her leash is in the closet and the arm of the love seat is where she sits while we hook it to her collar. She wanted to go out front and check the mail.

I’m thinking I’ve got the most intelligent puppy in the world but don’t tell her sister Stretch that, she gets jealous easily.

Ghost Whisperer - The Wedding and Possible Changes for Next Season

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Sat, 09 May 2009 18:48:00 +0000

So last night Melinda had to convince a girl being haunted that it was a ghost not a vampire. According to Melinda: "Vampires don’t exist, I should know”. I know a few people who could suck the life out of you and some would refer to them as Vampires so I will argue that yes, vampires do exist.

Back to the show: Time has started moving forward, then back again for Melinda’s baby bump. It was semi there in the beginning then when she was in her living room with Jim and Eli it was so much there Jim had to help her sit, stand and get on the floor to her computer. Then later she was running through the house and streets in a nightgown, and then running through a cemetery looking for the living and the dead. OK, I know it’s a little thing but it does annoy me when there's inconsistency.

Next week is the big day, the wedding and the season finale. Jason Brooks ex Peter Blake from Days of Our Lives will be in this episode. The Watchers will be back. You remember the Watchers, the group of ghosts who have been in several episodes this season and a little last season. I guess they’re able to predict the future by observing the past. They know something about Melinda’s baby who will play a huge role next season, Season 5, as her apprentice. What does that mean, I guess we’ll have to watch next season to find out.

Now for some news about Ghost Whisperer and next season:

There’s a chance that a number of shows may be moving to different networks. Due to tighter renewing contracts for the shows and tighter budgets this year CBS may not want to pay the increase in license fees several shows have been offered to other networks. Yes, Ghost Whisperer was one of them. There’s still a chance they’ll stay on their original networks but don’t be surprised if you see a change.

For updates on Ghost Whisperer visit my new blog TV Chat

The M&M Diet

weeklybeef@gmail.com (Dee) — Sat, 09 May 2009 04:39:00 +0000

While watching TV the other night there was an ad for Alli for weight loss and I got to thinking of all the weight loss products out there. These products cost money and sometimes a lot of it. Alli’s about $60 a month, Dexatrim about $25 a month. Add to this the cost of food, fresh fruit and vegetables can be a little more costly than cookies and chips and pizza. Yeah, weight loss can be expensive but well worth it.

I know of a way to save money while loosing weight though. I call it the M&M Diet. Take 1 M&M each morning and follow the instructions that are included with every weight loss product out there. Follow a sensible diet and add exercise. You can get a 1.69 oz bag of M&M’s for $1 or less and I’m sure there’s enough in each bag for a month or more.