The View

Of all the shows we attend, The View is probably one of the toughest tickets to get these days. They've been on the air for over 10 years and obviously it was easier in the early days. Now they only allow you to request tickets once a year and if you request more than once, you get disqualified. Harumph! Kathy was able to secure tickets for today's show. We were hoping for some good give-away since it was Cyber-Monday.

Other shows have you line up outside but then at some point when you get indoors, there's a waiting area usually with seating. Not The View. We stood from 7:30am until 10:30 when we were ushered into the studio. On our way in, we were given a bottle of cranberry juice and a package of fudge striped cookies.



All five ladies were in attendance. Barbara Walters, Whoopie Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sherri Sheppard and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. The guests today were Meredith Viera, an original panel member with her husband, Richard Cohen and actress, Nancy Travis.


The ladies with Meredith and Richard

It was a good show...and we did get a gift card...worth $150...for Holiday cards! So it wasn't exactly what we anticipated but a gift is a gift. I will try to make good use of it.

One of the best things about these shows is deciding where to go for lunch afterwards! But today, we had a surprise invitation by Winnie's father who offered to cook for us! We couldn't pass it up. He made a feast...curried beef stew, sauteed napa cabbage, glass noodles with bacon, chai sui and roast duck. WOW! Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Moy!

Turkey Day 2011

The thing I love most about Thanksgiving at my mom's is that the menu is pretty much set. Turkey, stuffing, mash with gravy, sweet potatoes, stringbeans, jellied cranberry sauce and homemade rolls. For as long as I can remember, I am in charge of the turkey and stuffing. My mom, the sweet potatoes. Kathy kneads and bakes the rolls and when Nikki & Kris were old enough, became responsible for the mash. Dessert is the only variance. But it's always a feast. This year did not disappoint. Kris baked a blueberry pie. Kathy made her famous pumpkin roll and a pumpkin pie. Miranda & Evelyn made apple crisp and chocolate bark. Nikki provided sugar cookies with sprinkles. It was all oh-so-lovely!

And as much as the food is a big part of the day...the very best part is having the family all together. I am indeed blessed and very thankful!




Chocolate Bark


An array of riches





Our beautiful kids!

The Chew

I don't really remember when it started but I have been attending tapings of morning shows for awhile. The first one was about 16 years ago and it was Regis & Kathie Lee. Went a couple of times. But it is a live show at 9am so a person needs to be there super early.

Later, started to attend Rosie, Martha Stewart, her daughter's Whatever, The View, Tony Danza and then Mike & Juliet (a local morning show on Fox), Rachel Ray, Wendy Williams, Nate and Anderson Cooper. Yep...has kept me (us) busy! But it's a nice way to spend some time with friends and family. And sometimes...we hit the jackpot...great giveaways! But mostly, it's a show and lunch afterwards. Fun!

The other day, Connie (her tickets), Kathy, Winnie and I went to see a brand new show..The Chew. It was surprisingly better than I expected. I liked that they got their "stuff" down. We have gone to "first time" tapings and oh boy...it becomes a long day as they try to work out the kinks. But this was pretty good but it is a cooking show and I think, as a food show, they should give out at least one sample of something to the whole audience instead of only a chosen few. But it certainly whetted the appetite! The four of us enjoyed a delicious lunch at Big Wong's. A good day all around!




Photos courtesy of Connie

Wreath 2011

Working at Michael's these last 3 weeks have proved interesting. Many ups and downs, pros and cons. But for the most part, I am still enjoying it. I still love the store and all the merchandise. But still haven't seen all of it. Usually at the end of a 6 hour shift, I just want to get out of there. But when I'm home, I wished I stayed to browsed and get more familiar.

In the meantime, I am loving my department - "beads". I can see why it might drive some people crazy. There are literally thousands of products and they are constantly being moved around by customers. It's never ending but when I am able to straighten up and put things in their right places...it satisfies something in me.

Little by little, I am getting to know instantly where something may belong. The first day I was placed there, I felt lost. But quickly turned that around and since I was basically left alone, was able to get a feel of my area. But after 5 hours of getting most of everything back into it's proper places, I felt resentful when customers came in. I didn't want anyone to touch anything! LOL

Being in an environment that promotes creativity is truly fulfilling to my heart. Although I don't feel as if I have the time to make any crafts these days, the ideas are always there.

Christmas is throughout the store. Last year, I decorated a wreath and this year I did the same - in hopes of showing Michael's and maybe I can even sell them. Never know! But even if that doesn't happen....decorating the wreath made me happy.