Damn TV

The damn TV has got me hooked. I'm mostly referring to two television programs, Prison Break and Lost. These programs give you an exciting story line that never satisfies. It's starting to drive me crazy. I need closure. I can't go an entire week before I get an update on what's going on in the lives of my favorite TV characters. I thought the summer was bad enough - having to wait several months for these programs to come back on, but I realized it was almost better. During the summer it was out-of-sight, out-of-mind. But now, they're not out-of-sight. I see them advertised in commercials and magazine ads. I don't know if I can take it. I've even started to dream about these programs. Now that's going a little too far.

King Ron Turns 50

Today my father (King Ron, as he prefers to be called) turned 50. I wanted to post a nice tribute to him, but he's gone and ruined it all. You see, a few Father's Days ago, I gave him a book that contained really great pictures of him and me in it. I had wanted to copy those pictures and post them on this blog, but he's lost the book. I see how important it was to him. So instead, I'll jot down a few memorable stories about my dad.

With the fall season comes one of Ronnie's best performance pieces. Every Thanksgiving morning for as long as I can remember he graces our family with a musical performance of "There's a Great Big Turkey Down on Grandpa's Farm." Now, my father is quite a musical fella - in fact, he sings all the time. However, this song is only sung once a year. It doesn't matter how much we beg and plead, he will only sing it on Thanksgiving morning. We look forward to it every year.

Another great thing about Ronnie is his use of funny sayings (some of which he's made up). Two come to mind. First, "Cutting the shine." Yes, this is a made up one. Translation = Four-wheeling. Now, we have no idea where it comes from, but instead of asking if we would like to take the four-wheelers out, he would ask, "So, who wants to go cut the shine?" Yea, I know, it's crazy. The second phrase comes from my childhood. I never quite understood it until I got older. Whenever I would do something clumsy, he'd say to me, "Yeah Grace, how's charm school." I did a lot of clumsy things in my childhood so I heard it a lot. Come to think of it, it's not very nice. Well, what do you expect from someone who loses a Father's Day gift with adorable pictures of his daughter.

Finally, a hilarious story. As many of you know, Ronnie is an avid Boy Scouter. He has the uniform and all. Well, he had just changed into his boy scout uniform, when the doorbell rang. It happened to be my friend, Jana. He answered the door, said hello to Jana, and followed it with, "Now Jana, try to control yourself. I know how you women find men in uniforms irresistible." Jana really didn't know what to think. Can you blame her?

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

My First Anniversary

This weekend (October 21st), I celebrated my first anniversary. A year ago, I closed on my house. An entire year married to my mortgage (okay, mortgages - I'm a bit of a polygamist). I was going to include pictures, but since I lost my camera in the move, I haven't taken any. And since I now have to pay on my mortgages, I can't afford a new camera. (Side note: Alina took pictures at The Office Party so you can see some of the house). Since moving in, I've had to repair two showers, multiple dry walling sections, my oven, and my disposal. I have also done a few home improvements, including getting soft water - (best two grand I've ever spent) and getting Dish Network (oh, I love the DVR). I've also done a little yard work where I brought my grass back to life. It was totally dead at the beginning of the summer, but now it looks really good. I've been pretty busy, but there are a few things I have failed to do. I still haven't put a light bulb in my garage door so ever time I open the garage, it's pitch black. Something simple, but I still haven't done it. I also need to get someone to come look at my smoke detectors. I replaced the batteries, but they won't work. I'm just hoping I don't have to need them.

To Appease the Party Goers

So, some of the Office Party goers were upset that their pictures were not featured on the last post. Hopefully, this appeases them. Look, Ali has two pictures all by herself.

The Office Party

So, last week I had a party at my house to celebrate the NBC television series, The Office. It was a huge success. Here are a few pictures from it. For all of those who came, thank you. For those of you who didn't, you missed out.

Wow!! I look fabulous. Here I am making margaritas (non-alcoholic, of course).

Brittney and Sandra enjoying the margaritas.

Me and Lesli enjoying the margaritas. Don't you love the decorations!!

Summer, Alicia, and Alina weren't down with the margaritas - they choose popsicles instead.

Downstairs playing games. I was the official score keeper.

Brittney, Devon, and Sandra enjoying the couch.

Monica, Alina, Summer, and Alicia enjoying the floor.

Autistic Kids Rock

Two reasons for this post:

1. I wanted to inform all of you about a TV event that I'm sure will bring a few laughs - "Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education" airs on Comedy Central this Sunday at 8:00 pm EST. It is hosted by my favorite, Jon Stewart, and will include appearances by Jack Black, Steve Carell, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Colbert, Ricky Gervais, and many more.

2. I wanted to relate one of my favorite stories about one of my autistic students. This student came into class wearing a Darth Vadar helmet. At first I didn't really notice because class hadn't started yet and I was busy getting things ready. When I did notice, I told him that hats were not allowed at school under the dress code policy and that he'd have to take it off. He replied, "Ms. George, I'm wearing a helmet, not a hat, and I checked - the dress code policy does not mention anything about helmets." It was so funny, and because he was technically correct, I let him wear it during class.

In Honor of Halloween

So I stole this from my friend TJ, which is something that I wouldn't normally do . . . because he's usually so lame, but this is actually cool.

It's a painting published by M&M's Dark Chocolate which shows the titles of 50 Dark Movies hidden in picture clues throughout the painting. I was able to get 27 of 50 in about 30 minutes. Try it and let me know how you did. I'd like to know which ones I missed.

http://us.mms.com/us/dark/

My very own

So, I have been posting on a communal blog for the past couple of months, but I decided it was about time to break away and begin my own blog. For those regular readers of "Leonard's Lawn," don't worry. You will still be delighted by the posts I continue to post there as well.