There are a lot of people talking about Madonna’s half time performance at the Super Bowl on Sunday.  Was it the best show ever?  No.  But I thought it was pretty good as those things go.  Is she the best half-time performer ever?  I don’t think so, but I couldn’t tell you who’s done better.  The best thing about Madonna’s show to me is that she is still rocking it at 53.  Check. it. out.  The woman has worked hard to keep in shape, she looks great–okay, she has to lip-sync now, but let’s be real.  You remember how coaches told you to figure out if you are working your heart too hard?  If you can still talk, great, but you shouldn’t be able to sing.  I think singing and doing anything but standing there is hard.  If she was going to move around, I don’t see how she could do anything but lip-sync.  And move, she did.  Some of those knee-bending moves that just made me hurt.

Whether you’re a fan or not, I think you have to give the girl some props.  It ain’t easy getting old.  Madonna and I are about the same age.  I can’t do those knee bends without hurting something important.  I consider myself in pretty good shape, but I don’t know if I could ever work enough to do some of the stuff she did.  But I can run, and I am running in another half marathon this coming weekend.  So I am driving the Cutest Kindergartner Ever somewhere and I told him I would be gone next weekend to run in a race.  “Are you going to win?” he asked.  I said no.  “Are you going to be last?”  I laughed and said no.  I didn’t tell him I really hope to hell I don’t come in last but it’s not outside the realm of possibility.  I told him I would be somewhere in the middle.  He said, “Are you super super fast?”  Because he’s all about super powers.  I said, “I’m not fast.  I’m slow.  But I can do it for a long time.”  I added that last part more for myself, my justification for not being fast and having no hope of ever being fast.  I’m too big and too old to improve much, and honestly, I’m not Madonna.  Unless there’s a really big prize like a million dollars, I am not inclined to put in all the physical work I’d have to do to gain a few minutes.

But the Cutest Kindergartner Ever said, “That’s okay.  That means you’re super strong!”  It does?  He about cyborg or clydemore or someone who isn’t very fast, but he’s tough and he can pick Superman up with arm.   Hey, I’ll take that.  It made me smile.  It made me think, he’s right.  I AM strong.  I can run 13 miles!  I am a Cyborg! Or a Clydemore!  Not sure which!

When I saw Madonna Sunday night I thought it was pretty darn good.  For a cyborg.

Are you a Cyborg?  How do you keep physically fit?  What did you think of the halftime show?  Who do you consider to be strong?  Who is your getting-older role model? Be sure and ask Kathleen about the hand injury she got while running.

Wish me luck!  I will be in Jacksonville Florida on 2/12 with several thousand other middle-agers trying to prove we are still strong. 

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After Isabella's palate surgery at age 3

Sigh.

It sucks being Mom and not being able to make everything better with a wave of my Magic Mommy Wand.

So what happened?

Well, as some of you probably know, my daughter Isabella was born with a cleft lip and palate. We adopted her at age three, and while they fixed her lip in China, they did nothing with her palate. We had it repaired when she was three and a half. (I blogged about the surgery here, if you’re curious as to the process; there’s also a picture of what her palate looked like both before and after the surgery.) As you may or may not know, you can’t really speak without a palate, and those baby noises that babies make are part of the process of learning to talk. If you don’t have the ability to do that as a baby, you’re going to have a battle later in life.

Isabella is an amazing kid. She’s smart. She’s funny. She has more personality than should be allowed. And she has the My Parents Are Weird eye roll down pat. But she’s still struggling with her speech, although she’s come so, so, so far. She’s eight now, and it’s only been in the last year or so that my mother can understand what she’s saying. I understand probably 97% now. In other words, the kid’s worked hard. She’s not 100% there yet, though, and, in fact, she can’t be, as there’s still a gap in her gum line that we’re fixing this summer with a bone graft surgery, in which we’ll take bone from her hip and put it in her gum line. (And by “we” I mean a doctor.) Even after that, she may never be perfect in her articulation. There’s baggage that comes with such a long wait to repair a palate.

It is what it is, and I think she’s perfect.

She, however, is at an age where she’s self-conscious of everything–and as you might expect, her speech is the biggest. And the other day some neighborhood boys didn’t make it any better.

In their defense, these boys are generally good kids. We’re blessed with a fabulous neighborhood filled with really nice people. But even nice people can say hurtful things.

My girls and a friend were playing in the yard and started talking/shouting/teasing/being teased by the older boys (who are, I believe, in junior high now). I’m inside, not really paying attention, but then in bursts the kids, and Isabella’s in tears. After I get her calmed down, I get the story. They’ve started a “war” with the boys, and somewhere in the playing, the boys get annoyed with the younger girls and at some point (I think when the boys were leaving, and I don’t think it was meant for the girls’ ears, but still) one of the boys says, “And the little one can’t even talk.”

Cue the big crocodile tears.

I hug her and hold her and tell her how proud I am of how hard she works at speech (3X/week) and how far she’s come and remind her how well she’s doing and point out that her friends can understand her, and that wasn’t always the case. And, yeah, it gets better. But still. I don’t want her to have to face those moments at all. But I know she will. And I won’t always get to be Mama Bear.

I want my magic wand.

Have y’all faced a Mama or Papa Bear moment? What did you do? I didn’t say anything to the boys, particularly since I didn’t witness the event. What would you have done?

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No! No! Not a picture!!!!!!

The thing is, I’m not sure I want it to.

I’m having a conversation later today on Skype with a friend. I dutifully downloaded Skype and, yup, there’s that video thing again.

Do I really want folks looking at me? I’m trapped in the house with two small children, either slaving over teaching decimals to the older or spelling to the younger. Can you imagine how often I run my fingers through my hair? And make-up? Seriously? I mean, when do I even have time to shower?

Add to that the fact that I’m working on revisions–more fingers-through-hair, lack of showering, really grungy comfortable clothes action.

And, alas, that’s usually my life. The “normal working hours?” Um, not at my house.

What I want to know is why these video conference thingies weren’t around back when I was practicing law? Back when I trolled the malls looking for cool clothes and tried eyeliner and wore powder. Back in those days I’d be up for an encounter with a web cam. Now…. I just don’t know.

So far, at least, I’m limiting the video conversations to friends!

How about you? Do you like video conferencing? And is it my imagination or all web-cams installed with an “unflattering” lens? What happened to that soft focus from the old movies? It was good enough for the stars of yesteryear, after all….

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Pinterest! Have you heard of it? It’s the new thing. You take things that interest you online and you pin the pictures to boards and basically have a whole bunch of “Boards” (pinboards, bulletin boards, what have you) in different interests, like travel, food and wine, fashion. I have one on Proper Victorian Vampyre Slaying, among other things. Get on board (get it?). You can check it out or follow me here.

I need a board for Awards Shows. Did you catch the SAG awards? Here’s what you need to know. The Help won a lot of awards, like Best Ensemble Cast, Best Actress (for Viola Davis, over Meryl and Glenn!), and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer. This leaves our Oscar race a little more up in the air. But the gowns! That’s what really counts, right? How did they look? Well… Emma Stone hit it out of the park again.

Great dress- fancy, but a little less formal for the SAG. Black, but not boring. Girly, flattering cut. Great shoes! Great bag. Pretty hair. Win, win!

Meryl Streep is improved, but still not there yet.

Did she drape a long formal scarf over a full length jersey dress, and belt it?

Meryl did end up in the big color of the night, a gray, sometimes tinged with blue or purple. A lot of women in gray at the SAGs. Let’s hope they’re all over it by the Oscars. I want to see some color!

Worst dressed: Kristen Wiig does something weird with a choker and a high neckline. Why? Why would you wear a choker with that neckline?

You can catch the rest of the SAG good, great, and ugly here, one of my favorite fashion sites Go Fug Yourself. And we’ll check back again after the Oscars. But for now… more importantly, this weekend is the SUPER BOWL!

That’s right, Kathleen O’Reilly. Your Giants take on my Patriots. Who will reign supreme? Well, we’ve done the trash talk. The big question should be “What will we wear?”

I recommend:

Stretchy Pants! Doesn’t matter if you go sweat pants, yoga pants, or pajama jeans (yes, that’s a real thing, haha– and they also make them for men). Just stick with an elastic waist. The goal here is to be comfortable at home on your couch eating game day food. (All bets are off if you leave the house).

Also, comfy footwear. It’s pretty warm here in the Northeast but I’ll still have comfy slippers. But you could go with socks, flip flops, whatever works for you going back and forth to the kitchen to get more game day snacks, or… ordering the husband to go refill the chip bowl. Yeah, baby.

I recommend these! Happy feet!

And you probably want to top it all off with a snuggly sweatshirt, t-shirt, or jersey.

Like this!

Or this!

And when you’re best dressed on the couch at the Super Bowl home party, you can reward yourself with one of these:

Go Pats!

Happy Super Bowl weekend! What will you wear? Watching at home, going out, not watching at all, or you just like the commercials? What will you eat? Did you catch the SAG Awards? Are you on Pinterest? Happy Groundhog Day! 

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And no, I’m not talking about a certain incident in a red rental car on the way to the NJ conference or a certain orange-tinged group of also-rans.  Instead, I’m thinking about all the great musicians to come out of the state.  The train of thought started when my husband treated me to seeing Jersey Boys for my birthday.  The musical is about the lives of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (having typed that I’m not going to be singing “Grease is the word…is the word…is the word” for the rest of the day.)  And it’s sparkles in part because of the world they came from.

But as we were standing on 8^th Avenue trying to hail a taxi, I found myself segueing off into Jersey music, and who else, besides Frankie and company claimed New Jersey as home.  The obvious choices for me formed a triad, starting with the late great Frank Sinatra, who hailed for Hoboken, although probably got serious flak from the home crowd for singing New York, New York.   

Next up, a clear leader in the ‘New Jersey singers make good’ category, none other than the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.  I’ll admit I’m not huge fan (although Wendy strapped to that motorcycle evokes some pretty vivid images), but the boy from Long Branch along with his E-Street Band certainly knows how to carry a tune and a state right to the top.

And forming the third side of our top NJ triad the hard rocking sounds of Bon Jovi, led by pint sized pretty boy, Jon Bon Jovi.  Hailing from Sayreville, this group has been together since 1983, with only one change in personnel.  With over fifteen albums they even named their fourth after the state—New Jersey spent four consecutive weeks at number one.  Not bad for a state with attitude.

But the list doesn’t stop there.  Looking Glass, the creator of one hit wonder, Brandy, was formed in 1969 at Rutgers University.  And Connie ‘Where the Boys Are’ Francis was from Newark, along with Whitney Houston.  Both women belting the tunes out with the best of them.  East Orange can claim both Queen Latifah and Dionne Warwick.  (Do you know the way to San Jose?—most definitely not in New Jersey).

Debby Harry (of Blondie fame) grew up in Hawthorne, NJ.  And the Jersey Shore brought us not only Snooki (does she sing?) but also the Jonas Brothers.  And Patti Smith hails from South Jersey, which I’m told is practically another country. Never mind that I can drive from one end of Jersey to the other in less time than it takes to drive from San Antonio to Dallas.  (I know, I know, it’s all about perspective).

Anyway, bottom line, over the years New Jersey has produced a pretty impressive list of major musical talent.  And if I were inclined to go for a singing career, I think I’d head for the Garden State.  Anyone up for a road trip?

So can you guys name any other famous NJ musicians?   Can you think of another state that’s produced a list as impressive (Tennessee doesn’t count, Nashville is its own entity!)  Any favorites among the singers listed above?  And mostly….who was Sherry baby? Okay, I actually know the answer…but do you?

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Today, sisters, we’re talking football.  And not just any football.  Not the European football, the average Sunday American football, the backlot pick-up-game football.  No, this is the Big Dog.  This is the Game.  This is the pinnacle of the American football experience.

Superbowl Sunday.

For those non-American sisters, let me take a moment to educate you on the lunacy that is Superbowl Sunday.  Former friends will become bitter rivals.  A massive smorgasbord of way-so-unhealthy food is consumed during the approximately twenty-four hour period that encompasses the pre-pre-game show, the pre-game show, the post-game show, the post-post game show, and then, you know, the actual game itself.

This year, it’s the Pats vs. the Giants.  That’s, those liver-lillied-fashionista, Tom-Ford loving, frou-frou hair cutting Patriots from New England.  Why New England instead of say… Boston??  Possibly because Bah-stun is a tiny, piss-ant stump of a town with a population of four, and oh, sure, they might have Hah-vahd, and MIT, and a few other *minor* institutions of higher learning, but I know the truth.    The Patriots are facing a revolutionary tromping not seen since 1776.

And against the Patriots are the might Giants from New York.  You know, New York, the name of a place so big, that the football team actually encompasses two states: New Jersey and New York.  I predict the Giants will win this game, because I’m rooting for the Giants.  Now, some Cowboy fans might not be happy with the Giants, because there were those games when the Giants killed the Cowboys play-off chances (not any chances they deserved by the way, because this year, the Cowboys were crap).  However, how can anyone want the Pats to win?  I mean, come on!

So, on Sunday, I will be rooted in my recliner, dining on nachos, queso, beer-o, wings-o, and pica de guyo, because it is the day o’food.    I will be watching the Giants beat the ever-living, ever-living, ever-snow-shoveling, ever-weird-talking daylights out of the Patriots, and God help me if the Giants lose.

What about youse guys?  Will you be watching?  Best part, the game, the company, the commercials or the food?  Who is going to win?  And predictions on the score, ladies.  Step right up and place your bets, and although we’re not putting together a pool, all comments are going into the Kindle-Fire pool, so comment and comment often!!

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It was a fun-filled weekend here at Casa D’Alessandro–and I have the photos to prove it.  Things started off with a bang with my neighborhood’s Jeans and Beans night–a county/Western themed party which included a chili cook-off and a dessert contest.  My DH signed up to enter the chili contest, so I decided to enter a dessert.  I asked one of my neighbors if she’d like to enter with me–she said yes, and this was the result:  barnyard cake pops.  We made sheriff’s badges, pigs, and chickens.

I figured my DH would enter the turkey chili we usually make, so I bought three pounds of ground turkey.  I figured wrong.  He wanted to try a new recipe he’d found for white chicken chili.  I added chicken to my shopping list–but I still had those three pounds of ground turkey, so I figured what the heck?  I’d make the turkey chili and enter it.  And guess what?  My turkey chili won first place!  I was really surprised because I thought the DH’s white chicken chili was excellent–we’ll definitely make it again.  The DH was very happy for me–especially since my prize was a bottle of Merlot–his favorite wine

I guess it's good there isn't a horse under that saddle since neither of us knows how to ride!

Our cake pops didn’t win a prize, but the cake that won deserved first place–it was delicious.  The DH and I led the line dancing and we all had a blast doing the Boot Scootin’ Boogie and all our other favorites.  Good food, lots of laughs, great friends, dancing–doesn’t get any better than that.

Better watch yourself, pardner--there's a new sheriff in town

Then on Sunday I shared a lovely dinner with my son.  We ate at an English pub in his college town.  We had chips smothered in blue cheese and bacon, then burgers and fries.  All of which I’m sure were fat-free.  Yup, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.  Then we went to the movies and saw One For the Money which we both enoyed a lot.  I especially wanted to see the movie with my son because he and I went to a Janet Evanovich book signing when  High Five came out.  The Boy was about nine years old at the time and we had a great time chatting with Ms. Evanovich. 

It was a lovely weekend–and I hope yours was lovely as well.

So tell me–what’s going on with you?  What have you been doing?  Got any exciting plans coming up?  Did you watch the SAG awards?   Seen any good movies lately or read any good books?  How about that epic Australian Open final (I felt so bad for Rafael!)!

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I agree with Sherri’s post earlier this week that the most important thing about the Oscars (to me, anyway) is what everyone will wear.  Still, there are movies up for awards and I guess I should give them a bit of attention in between oogling the gowns.   Nine films are nominated for Best Picture.  I’ve only seen one of them–The Help.  So–that gets my vote.  And frees me up to get back to the gowns

I live in a small town, which, for a small town, has a really nice movie theatre.  It has 8 screens, good food, and a concierge level where you can get drinks.  Pretty swanky.  BUT–apparently movies don’t stay in this theatre for very long.  Case in point–on December 27th the DH and I headed there to see the movie New Year’s Eve.  And it was no longer playing.  WHAT?!? It wasn’t even New Year’s Eve yet and it was gone from our swanky theatre.  So now I guess we’ll watch it when it comes out on DVD–probably in July.  Yippee.

There’s a new movie opening today–One For the Money, based on the first Stephanie Plum book by Janet Evanovich.  I’ve seen the trailer and the commercials.  Katherine Heigl plays Stephanie, Debbie Reynolds is Grandma Mazur, I’ve never heard of the dude playing Joe Morelli, and the oh-so-hot Daniel Sunjata from the show Rescue Me is Ranger.   It looks fun and I’d like to see this flick to see how the book translated to the screen.

On Saturday the DH and I are attending our neighborhood’s Jeans and Beans country/Western party.  There’s a chili cook-off (the DH is entering), a dessert cook-off (I’m entering) as well as line dancing (led by me and the DH) and square dancing.  Yee-haw!  Do-si-do your partner then promenade her home!

Me and the DH at last year's country/Western party. Yee-haw!

On Sunday we’ll rest.  Or maybe try to catch one of the other nine films up for the Oscar.  Or yeah, maybe we’ll rest

What are y’all doing this weekend?  Share your thoughts on some the Oscar films you’ve seen (or are you like me and have only seen one?).  Are you planning to see One For the Money?  Did anyone see New Year’s Eve–or did it leave your local theatre before the ball dropped? 

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Yesterday, I shared a buncha covers on my blog for incoming Demon Hunting Soccer Mom books (I hope you guys go take a look! The post is here!)

I’m super excited to be diving into the world of indie/ePublishing, and as I told some commenters to the blog and Facebook page, one of the things that is so exhilarating about the experience is knowing that I can take Kate and the story in directions that might have been frowned upon or denied me in traditional publishing.  Such as, for example, a collection of short stories (the cover to the left is for a short story, actually, and I have a cover on my site for an upcoming anthology) or a spin off YA series for Allie.

Considering we’re giving away a Kindle Fire here, I figured the general topic of eReaders and techie stuff was fair game.

So I’m curious – what’s your favorite thing about eReaders? Least favorite?  Have you got a favorite techie device?  It doesn’t have to do with reading.  Mine would have to be my phone, but it covers soooo many other things–I just like having what I need (email, Kindle, maps, calculator, Netflix) right there at my fingertips.  And, yeah, even a kitchen appliance is a techie thing, at least for purposes of this convo, so if you’re much more excited about your Cuisinart than your iPhone, tell us why!  We’d love to hear…and remember to leave your comment for a chance to win the Kindle Fire!  (Even if you love your Cuisinart, think of the recipe books you could download…..)

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Oscar nominations came out yesterday morning. The main question: What will they wear?

Best Actress Nominations:

Glenn Close, “Albert Nobbs”
Viola Davis, “The Help”
Rooney Mara, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”
Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn”

What, no Charlize Theron? Reese Witherspoon? Sandra Bullock? We know they would all look fabulous.

Charlize at the Golden Globes, snubbed by the Academy for her role in Young Adult

Alas… Let’s take a look at what our nominees have worn and try to guess how they might go for the big show.

Glenn Close and Meryl Streep in the Best actress category? That hasn’t happened since… 1988, when Streep was nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Lindy Chamberlain in A Cry in the Dark and Close was nominated- and won- for Best Actress for her role as the Marquise de Marteuil in Dangerous Liaisons (love that movie! well done!).

Glenn Close:

Glenn Close in 1984, at the Academy Awards.

Glenn Close, Golden Globes 2012

Glenn in Albert Nobbs

Glenn was ultra-feminine in Victorian inspired lace back in the 80s, and she cuts a classic silhouette in black in 2012 at the Golden Globes. For the Oscars, considering her decidedly masculine role, I think she should go for girly glamour, with an understated elegance, and maybe… gold? Can’t you see her in gold?

Like what Diane Lane wore to the Golden Globes- this would be great on Glenn, no?

Or maybe a color. Peach? Purple?

Meryl Streep:

Meryl seems to be a bit challenged at award shows. Someone who looks so great on film in her movies should be able to pull off a stunning awards show look, no?

Meryl at the Emmy Awards, 2004

Meryl at the Golden Globes 2012. Annie, get your gun!

And force Meryl to call Helen Mirren's stylist. This would work on Meryl!

Between Glenn and Meryl, it could be a real diva showdown! But considering they both prefer to let their work speak louder than their personal appearance, I don’t think we’ll see much to excite us from them. So it’s up to the others.

Viola Davis:

Check out Viola, Amy Adams, and yes, even Meryl, all looking fantastic at a previous Academy Awards.

Huh, now check out Viola at the Golden Globes, 2012. Meh.

Maybe she should try something wild, for her, like Nicole Kidman's Globes dress?

Or she could call her costar in The Help for some Help-- Octavia looked great at the Globes.

Rooney Mara:

Rooney seems to be taking her role a little too seriously. She played a badass, yes, but that doesn’t mean she has to go severe at awards shows. She’s almost always in black.

Safe, severe, boring.

She could also look to The Help ladies for help. Like Emma Stone!

Or she could try a pop of color.

Wow, I think this (on Mireille Enos) would look great on Rooney Mara!

Michelle Williams:

Michelle might be our best hope for best dressed. She has looked amazing, and she has looked matronly, and sometimes, surprisingly odd. But I’m hoping for amazing.

In her memorable yellow Vera Wang, with Heath Ledger (aww).

And not her best, at last year's Golden Globes.

At this year's Golden Globes... maybe she's always better at the Oscars.

She might try something like Jessica Alba's lavender Gucci from the 2012 Golden Globes, flowery fun young, and a pretty color.

Who will win (ahem, Meryl Streep), who cares? It’s all about the gowns, right? Who do you think will be the best dressed of our nominees? Or overall? Worst dressed? 

And don’t forget, we’re giving a Kindle Fire to one lucky commenter on Valentine’s Day. Will you be our Valentine? Keep commenting, and good luck!

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