PEZ

I collect PEZ containers. There. I admit it. It is kinda like admitting you like Moon Pies. A bit embarrassing but so much fun when you find other folks who also love the same things, like Lori, who will always enjoy a fine Moon Pie with me. All in all, besides being rather childish (oh, ya'think?), PEZ containers are great collectibles because they are readily available (WalMart and Target always have a plethora of them), they are cheap, and heck, they come with "candy enclosed!"

The hardest part of having a PEZ container collection, besides figuring out a way to display them all and getting a lot of cavities, is dusting them. I solved that dilemma by hanging a PEZ shelf up around the top of my home office, so when looking up at them, no dust is in sight. Of course, I am certain that Tweety's little head is just covered, but as they say, "out of sight, out of mind!"

PEZ also come in Ready-to-Display Collections, like this one for the really obsessed:And, if your collection exceeds the space allocated for the display, you can easily store them in a Target bag on the floor:

So, if you find PEZ containers as you clean out the kids' rooms to make a home office, don't throw them away. Give them to me!

Mom Catharsis

Jillian is a Biggest Loser trainer. Jillian knows that the very obese people on this show have to face the anger, fear, and pain that have led to their over-eating before they can make any permanent change in their health and weight. Many of them have held so much in check for so long that it takes lots of yelling and pushing to get them to finally break down and release all those pent up emotions. Jillian is excellent at breaking folks down to nothing and then helping them build back up with confidence.

On one of the shows this season, Jillian was concerned about one particular contestant, a mother who was on the show with her son. One day in the gym, Jillian walked up to her, yelled relentlessly about how wimpy she was being while lifting weights and then said:

I know all about you. You put everyone else on the planet ahead of you. You don't take care of yourself. You take care of everyone else! Right?!? Who takes care of you? When is it your turn? Look what you've done to yourself? Is this working for you? I don't think so! YOU deserve to be here. YOU matter. Now it is YOUR turn.

As this dear mom stood there taking it all, exhausted from the intense exercise and the harsh but true words she was hearing, she slowly began nodding in agreement and then broke down into uncontrollable sobs. Jillian hugged her tight and as she held her while she cried, Jillian gently whispered in her ear, "Get it out, Mama. Get it all out."

Think Jillian makes house calls?

Tenacious D(og)

You're probably sick of snow pictures, so here's some snow AND dog pictures. As you know, Kilmer the Mutt loves his backyard friend Pepper ... but did you know how much he loves her?

Check these out ...

Ohhhhh, that's so sweeeeeet!

Snow Dish

There's too much snow on the satellite dish.

No basketball. No Super Bowl Previews.

Alas.

The TV goes off.

Lisa celebrates.

Kayti comes back downstairs.

We play Trivial Pursuit at the kitchen table.

Gary wins.

But the withdrawal symptoms are too strong.

UVa plays Wake in 30 minutes.

Necessity breeds invention, and so ...

Gary gathers together 4 long poles out of the garage,

a roll of duct tape, a paint brush and Kayti.

They head to Willie's room ...

Success. We got a signal.

Kayti went back to her room.

UVa lost (Congrats, Ed).

But, not all hope is gone ...

the NCIS marathon is on!

The Blizzard of Twenty Ten

It is Saturday and they've already closed schools for Monday & Tuesday.

Marge Simpson lamp post.

Fire up the grill ... let's have a snow picnic!

Kilmer ventured out first thing.

Poor boy made it about 4 feet, then ...

... gave up and turned around.

Gary made Kilmer a path to the grass.

Makes one appreciate indoor plumbing!

We've watched a few movies. Played Trivial Pursuit twice. (Gary won both times, but Kayti gave him a run for his money. Me? No threat here.) Big thanks to neighbor Tom, the owner of the snow blower that everyone on the street has borrowed at least once today.