Why are you Reviewing Me?

5 Tap Dance Greats

2012-02-13T00:36:00.001-07:00

Many young hopefuls have dreamed of donning the dancewear and performing to a live audience on stage or being a star on the silver screen. However, in the early years of television and the movies there were some truly, superb dancing talents and here are five of the top tap dancers who helped shape 20th century dancing through their feet.

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
Born in Virginia in 1878 Bill Robinson was raised by his grandmother after his parents died while he was a baby. By the age of eight he was dancing for pennies and joined the Vaudville circuit. In 1908 he joined up with Marty Forkins, an acting agent, who helped raise his profile.Robinson soon became famous in the 1930s for his soft-shoe and tap routines in various films and starred alongside Shirley Temple in many movies.On top of this, he was renowned for his dancing ingenuity and many of the steps he created have been copied by others since.

Fred Astaire
Astaire was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1899, and became famous for his dance pairings with Ginger Rogers in many motion movies. Although at an early age he partnered his sister Adele and achieved international fame, before she retired in the 1930s. Following this he featured as a dancer in films and when he and Rogers were partnered in “Flying Down to Rio” they over-shadowed the picture’s stars. From then, the public demand for the pair increased and they worked on several movie projects producing intricate tap or ballroom routines. Astaire also became famous for his popular dancing style, which always appeared effortless and improvised despite hours of hard work and practice.

Jimmy Slyde
Was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but soon moved to Boston with his family where he got to see great tap acts like Bill “Bojangles” Robinson as a student at the Stanley Brown Dance studio. This was where he learned his “sliding” interpretation of rhythm tap dancing, and also where he met his dancing partner Jimmy Mitchell with whom he formed the “Slyde Brothers”. He later starred in several movies and continued to perform well into the 1990’s.

The Nicholas Brothers
Fayard and Harold grew up in Philadelphia and were the sons of two musical parents and soon became noticed for their dancing abilities and prowess. The Nicholas Brothers were immediately successful as a pair and astonished audiences in the US and abroad with their tap dancing antics. They soon starred in several Hollywood movies and appeared on the Broadway stage as well. Throughout their careers the duo headlined at shows all over the world and even performed for the American troops in Vietnam in 1965. Their accolades include a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and honours from the Kennedy Center and Harvard University.

Charles “Cholly”Atkins
Last but not least was Cholly Atkins a superb dancer with polished precision in his legendary tap act with partner Honi Coles. He also became an extremely famous choreographer. In 1988, after being away from the world of tap for more than 30 years, he came back to help choreograph the Broadway musical revue “Black and Blue” which ended up winning a Tony award. These are just a few of the names that helped the world of performing arts what it is today.

Tanning - the anti-white meet

2012-02-09T23:32:00.001-07:00

Can we talk about tanning for a minute? I don’t mean tanning in the traditional sense as I personally know it (go out in the sun; forget the sunscreen; burn like a lobster; peel like a snake for a week; remain pasty white all year long). I mean tanning supplies as in there is a whole market of stuff out there for tanning. Who knew? I would love to have one of those booths where you get the spray on tan, in my house. That way I could go get some color at my convenience. But then again, getting that orange/brown color out of a white bra, not so easy. Ha! They don’t tell you about that stuff when you get a spray on tan.

Dr. Pepper 10

2012-02-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

Seriously?

Because zero calories wasn't good enough for some people?

Marketed at men?

Tastes just like Diet Dr. Pepper to me.

I don't get it.

I'll take a new body for $500 Alex

2012-02-09T23:25:00.001-07:00

There are times when I wish I could trade in my used and abused body for a newer, younger, firmer version. A version that doesn’t ache in the morning; One that doesn’t creak at the end of the day. One like I had when I was in my early 20s. My husband, he’s wishing the same thing right now. He is two surgeries in on his knee and still no resolution to the pain he lives with daily. He hasn’t worked since before Thanksgiving and the doctor won’t release him until at least March, if then. I was reading about a new new back surgery that is easier on the patient and less intrusive. I wish someone would propose something like that for my husband’s knee that would actually fix the problem too. Because this is hugely frustrating.

GIfts - they take some real work sometimes

2012-02-06T23:51:00.002-07:00

I have three daughters. And three nieces. And because I’m experienced in all things pink and perfumy, I always know exactly what to buy that will be the hit at birthday parties and Christmas. Girls are so easy. If it smells: buy it. If it’s furry or cute or cuddly: buy it.

Boys on the other hand, they are not so easy. Because it’s not just about video games or musical instruments. It’s about what video game and which musical instrument. It’s about what the other kids are playing with and what sport is in season. Yep, boys are hard. And choosing gifts for boys is something I’m not a pro at. And it takes me a long time. And sometimes, I don’t pick the hit of the party. Except that one time when my nephew was 3 and I bought him a jug of 100 rubber bugs. He loved it. His mom, not so much.

Slushy Magic?

2012-02-02T23:19:00.002-07:00

I know we are supposed to review items on here, but I am writing today to ask if anyone has tried this. I keep seeing the commercial for it and I really want to try it, but I'm a chicken and I don't want to spend that much money if it doesn't work..lol

So, has anyone tried it? Pros, cons, thoughts? I would love to hear reviews!

Music and Stuff

2012-01-31T20:42:00.002-07:00

I do not consider myself a music guru or anything like that. I like music, all kinds. I have CDs ranging from classical to hard core rap; oldies country like George Jones and Conway Twitty to hard rock like Motley Crue and Nirvana. There isn’t a lot of music that I do not like. My only regret is that I do not know how to play an instrument or read sheet music. My youngest daughter can read music and play two different instruments. I am very proud of her. My nephew taught himself to play guitar by ear and his band just won a local battle of the bands in Utah. Now if I could just figure out what exactly a vox ice 9 does, and whether it would help my nephew, I would be set!

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

2012-01-24T22:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite pasta salads.

1 16 oz. Pkg shell pasta
1 8 oz. Pkg sharp cheddar cheese
1 12 oz. Jar Marie's creamy garlic Italian dressing

1 8 oz. Can chopped olives

Cook pasta according to directions. While pasta cools, cut cheese into small cubes. Mix cheese, olives and dressing in bowl. Add pasta and stir well. Refrigerate for one hour before serving. Keeps well refrigerated and covered for up to one week

Floors, they matter.

2012-01-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

When we lived in Utah, our basement had three bedrooms, the laundry room and a bathroom and a huge center space where we kept the computer. The former owners of our house had placed the ugliest black and white twelve inch linoleum tiles on the whole floor, in each room. It was hideous. We wanted to put in carpet but there was a big drain in the center of the room so carpet would never do. We started looking at various basement tile and other flooring options before we ultimately decided on a different linoleum. Tile would have been freezing cold in the winter and we decided since the rooms downstairs were mainly for sleeping, we wanted something easy to keep clean but also allowing for versatility if we decided to use the basement for anything other than bedrooms and a den.

Starbucks New! Skinny Mocha

2012-01-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for years for a lower calorie mocha. Sadly, this one tastes bitter and wrong.

Save your pennies kids, it's not worth it.

wordless wednesday

2012-01-18T11:43:00.001-07:00

Be on Bed Rest

2012-01-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

Written by my friend Lino Brown

Never in my life did I think I’d be on bed rest but here I am 6 months into my pregnancy and the doctor tells me I’ve just got to sit around and can’t do anything productive. Those first few weeks were MISERABLE and I wanted to kill anyone in sight because I was just so darn bored but as time went on I realized I’d be better off if I could just find some way to pass the time and not worry so much about being bored. I went to http://www.direc4u.com/ and got myself satellite tv and man has that helped tremendously. There are a lot of good shows on during the day, actually, so I try to watch what I can to make sure I’m informed but also not wanting to pull my hair out. Who would have thought at this age I’d be pregnant with twins but also ready to go crazy because I had to rest? I love being a mom already but I can’t wait for these babies to get here!

Best Buy = tech junkie

2012-01-17T21:12:00.001-07:00

I buy a lot of stuff at Best Buy and I’m always looking for a good deal. I am a member of their rewards program and I have even been known to search online for best buy coupons that will give me just a little more savings. It is hard to be a technological junkie when technology is constantly changing and pricy as well! Thankfully, I’m also a bargain shopper and that helps stretch the old tech-budget just a little bit more!

wordless wednesday

2012-01-11T19:12:00.001-07:00

Keeping My Options Open

2012-01-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

So, you all know by now that I’m in law school and it sucks. I’m enjoying my break but classes start again in a few weeks and I’m not sure I’m ready yet. Grades come out Monday. To say I’m nervous would be the understatement of the year. And we’re only four days into the new year, so I guess there is that. There is also the thought in the dark recesses of my brain that tells me if the whole law thing doesn’t work out, I could totally go for some kind of Family or General Practitioner Jobs where I sit in a plush office checking in patients or looking plastic surgery before and after photos. So, I guess there is still hope…

Better Safe than Dead

2011-12-29T22:00:00.002-07:00

We are having a pool put in. We’re at the concrete and plumbing phase. Next comes plaster, tile and decking. By the end of February, we will have a full on cement pond. Because we live in a “county island” we are not required to have a pool fence. However, because English Mastiff’s can’t swim, and Boston Terrorists have pencil thin legs which makes swimming without a life jacket very strenuous, and because we have human children and someday might have human grandchildren (we already have a furry grandson who looks suspiciously like a German Shepherd), we opted for the pool fence. Better safe than sorry. So, if you’re in the market for pool fence Dallas then do a little shopping around because the price is well worth what could be lost.

The 80s are making a come back

2011-12-29T21:55:00.002-07:00

It has been a while since I’ve worn a lapel pin but it occurred to me while I was out shopping for Christmas that some things from the 80s, they’re coming back in to style. Like lapel pins, mens hats for women and leg warmers. Only now, instead of just being made of knit material, leg warmers are completely made of fur. AND OMG! Shoulder pads. I saw them in a jacket and actually started to laugh out loud because back in the day, I didn’t own a blazer or sweater that did not have shoulder pads in it. The most shocking of all though, the thing I hoped would never come back into style, the thing I prayed to the fashion gods was gone for good, well, they’re back - in all of their unholy badness. Stretch Pants. Let me just say this, there are some things certain people should not wear. Just saying.

New Cellfire Coupons. Download directly to your participating store card!

2011-12-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

Download these coupons directly to your participating store card. Click HERE

The offers below are available from 12/27 - 1/9 and they expire on 1/23. These offers are currently supported at the following grocers: Kroger and Kroger subsidiaries, Safeway subsidiaries (excluding Dominick's), Shop 'n Save, Lowe's Food, Foodtown, Harps, D'Agostino, Marsh, and MainStreet Market.

ShopRite will also have these offers starting Sunday 1/1 and expiring 1/14.

Totinos Party Pizza Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy FOUR any flavor/variety Totinos Crisp Crust Party Pizza Products.

PB Rolled Pie Crusts Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO packages of Pillsbury Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts.

PB Sweet Rolls Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury Sweet Rolls OR Grands! Sweet Rolls.

Pillsbury Crescents Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls.

PB Italian Meal Brd Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crust, Breadsticks, Loaves or Dinner Rolls.

Totinos Pizza Rolls Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any flavor/variety Totinos Rolls Snacks.

BC Fruit Snacks Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor/variety Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers OR Fruit Roll-Ups fruit flavored snacks.

BC Cookie Mix Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy ONE POUCH any flavor 17.5 OZ. OR LARGER Betty Crocker Cookie Mix.

Honey Nut Cheerios Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy ONE BOX Honey Nut Cheerios cereal.

PB Refrig'd Grands! Save $.30
Save $0.30 when you buy TWO CANS any size/variety Pillsbury Refrigerated Grands! or Grands! Jr. Biscuits.

BC Muffin Mix Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy TWO any flavor/variety Betty Crocker Box Muffin Mix or Fiber One Box Muffin Mix.

Cookie Crisp Cereal Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any ONE BOX Cookie Crisp cereal.

Chex Mix or Snacks Save $.50
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PB Cookie Dough Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

General Mills Cereal Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy any TWO BOXES General Mills cereals listed: Basic 4, Chex® (any), Fiber One (any), Honey Nut Clusters, Oatmeal Crisp (any), Raisin Nut Bran, Total (any), Wheaties (any).

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

I hope you all had a great Christmas and have a wonderfully prosperous New Year!

GUESS WHAT!?!

2011-12-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

I have reviews coming!

I do. I really, really do!

The Marriott, down town Salt Lake City

Room, a novel, by Emma Donoghue (creepy and good at the same time)

Fireplace DVD: Real Wood Burning Fire (I'm so not kidding)

That's all I can commit to between now and when the jolly red fat guy shows up. But hey, I'm in blog mode again! YAY!

Merry Ho Ho!

Education is for everyone

2011-12-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

I completed the last year of my Bachelor’s degree online because I moved from Utah to Arizona and didn’t think about school until after I was unpacking the very last box and then it dawned on me what I’d done. Oops. It worked out well though because I still graduated on time and was far more comfortable going back to school for my Masters in an online program. Obtaining my degree online was an option that fit me, the non-traditional student, and to be honest, without that option, I’m not sure I’d be in law school right now. So, as I sit here thinking about the remaining gifts I need to buy and wrap, and the fact that I still have over 30 days until I start back to school again, I can honestly say I have no regrets. It wasn't easy. But it was fulfilling.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-21T13:27:00.001-07:00

Saving Cash

2011-12-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

Guest post written by Joseph Finch

Saving money is important to us as a family so when we moved in we only got the most necessary stuff. We went for the home security system we wanted and had the back fence fixed up so it was totally enclosed but the things like painting and the new tile backsplash could wait until we were able to save up some more cash. I’ve been Ebaying some of my old clothes since this place doesn’t have huge closets and I’ve even looked into selling my blood (I know, that sounds gross…) but there’s a real market out there for plasma and I am not squeamish at all about stuff like that. I love that there are so many ways to cut back and that it all adds up to a really nice nest egg for my husband and I – I think we’re both still in awe that we own this home and that we finally get to live IN the city like we’ve always wanted to! We both feel lucky.

New Cellfire Coupons! Download to your participating store card!

2011-12-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

Download these coupons directly to your participating store card. Click HERE

The offers below are available from 12/13 - 12/26 and they expire on 1/9/12. These offers are currently supported at the following grocers: Kroger and Kroger subsidiaries, Safeway subsidiaries (excluding Dominick's), Shop 'n Save, Marsh, and MainStreet Market. Totinos Party Pizza Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy FOUR any flavor/variety Totinos Crisp Crust Party Pizza Products.

PB Rolled Pie Crusts Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO packages of Pillsbury Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts.

PB Sweet Rolls Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury Sweet Rolls OR Grands! Sweet Rolls.

Pillsbury Crescents Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls.

PB Italian Meal Brd Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crust, Breadsticks, Loaves or Dinner Rolls.

Totinos Pizza Rolls Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any flavor/variety Totinos Rolls Snacks.

BC Fruit Snacks Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor/variety Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers OR Fruit Roll-Ups fruit flavored snacks.

BC Cookie Mix Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy ONE POUCH any flavor 17.5 OZ. OR LARGER Betty Crocker Cookie Mix.

Honey Nut Cheerios Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy ONE BOX Honey Nut Cheerios cereal.

PB Refrig'd Grands! Save $.30
Save $0.30 when you buy TWO CANS any size/variety Pillsbury Refrigerated Grands! or Grands! Jr. Biscuits.

BC Muffin Mix Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy TWO any flavor/variety Betty Crocker Box Muffin Mix or Fiber One Box Muffin Mix.

Cookie Crisp Cereal Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any ONE BOX Cookie Crisp cereal.

Chex Mix or Snacks Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy ONE any flavor 4.5 OZ. OR LARGER Chex Mix OR Chex 100 Calorie Snack.

PB Cookie Dough Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

General Mills Cereal Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy any TWO BOXES General Mills cereals listed: Basic 4, Chex® (any), Fiber One (any), Honey Nut Clusters, Oatmeal Crisp (any), Raisin Nut Bran, Total (any), Wheaties (any).

Insurance Costs

2011-12-07T22:18:00.001-07:00

I have worked for attorneys for nearly 20 years now and for reasons known best to my subconscious and the heavens, I enrolled in law school and just finished my first semester. So heavy on my mind, in addition to the holidays and what my grades might be, and what I’ll do to fill my time between now and when classes start again on January 30^th, I’ve been thinking about being a lawyer, having my own firm, paying my own insurance and the like. Then I started thinking that it is amazing the difference between what a lawyer pays for malpractice insurance and what a doctor pays. I have a friend who is a doctor in Illinois and he mentioned once that he paid more than a friend of his who paid medical malpractice insurance Ohio.