Race Report: Team HardBody @ Rebel Race

 

Team Hard Body Outdoor Fitness under the auspicious leadership of Shawn Chavalier gathered together a group of fitness crazies to tackle the 2014 Rebel Race. Erin and I, for grins and giggles joined the team and off we went.

 

I had a blast and I’m sure I can speak for the rest of the team. It was a 5k course full of ‘relatively’ easy obstacles, a bunch of trail running and a good amount of mud. I took it leisurely like on the course because all I could think about was the tongue lashing I would get from my coach, Suzy Serpico, if I injured myself…and while I attempted every obstacle, if I felt like I couldn’t make it or busting my azz was a certainty, then …well…I let it pass.

 

This was a lot of fun – made even better with friends – but I would not do it again. My passion is Triathlon/Endurance Events and the obstacle course races require a different type of training and skill set that I don’t possess. I can use pure strength, determination and perseverance; however, that will get you only so far and brute force and will power will end up getting me hurt. I put too much money, time, effort, sweat & tears into training (suck it up, Princess) that ain’t nobody got time for a “self-inflicted” injury.

 

Thanks for the great time Hard Body Outdoor Fitness! I had a blast with all of you!

Customize a free slideshow

Caption This!

Prince Jordan & Lady Camille Halloween 1995 or 96.

I laugh every time I look at this picture. The relationship dynamics are the same at any age. LOVE THIS!

 

What do you say?

Heath Advice for Women

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. It can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Cabernet Sauvignon almost immediately and, with a regimen of regular doses, you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.

Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living.

Cabernet Sauvignon may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use it. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur,table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister.
               

WARNINGS:
* The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
* The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.            
* The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may cause you to think you can sing.
* The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may make you think you can converse enthusiastically with members of the opposite sex without spitting        
* The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.    
               

Now just imagine what you could achieve with a good Shiraz..............

We Were Ready For Our Close Up

This past Sunday, Ron & I embarked on another TravelDiva Adventure when we got the honor of “acting” (we had a 3 lines each – which may not even make the final cut) in the most recent film short produced by Team Sizzle Worldwide called “When Beautiful People Do Ugly Things.” which tells the twenty-four hours surrounding a wedding…Twelve beautiful hours before, Twelve ugly hours after.

 

Ron and I were in the twelve beautiful hours before. Whew.

Let me tell you the first thing that we learned about movie making…Hurry up and wait. And poor boo-boo kitty FireMarshall

      

was sick as a dog and was trying his darndest to hold it together. About 4 hours in, just before they started to roll camera for the first time, The FireMarshall had an exorcist moment and was pretty much right as rain after that. The funniest moment was when the Casting Director came up to him and said (all friendly & happy go lucky like) “Yeah, boo boo, ummm, I'mma need you to find that bathroom next time…no more blowing chunks in the restaurant sink, mkay?” I ROARED.

 

We arrived for the shoot at 11:30 and didn’t finish filming the dinner scene until almost 5pm. Monica kept telling us to act like we were having a good time…ummm, well, with the real wine they kept pouring, that was NOT a problem. We WERE having a good time. Only drawback was that not everyone at the table was served an entire dinner. The servers and the dinner were kinda like props (except for the wine – YEAH BABY) and when the final take was done and the lights turned off…BABY…it was a free for all for those few plates. There was a buffet that was set up for everyone that was supposed to serve 40 but by time those of us at the table were finished taping…the other extra’s had tore that buffet down. When I got there, all that was left was 3 slices of bread. Could you say STARVING!

 

So then, it was hurry up and wait for it to get dark (and the crew had a hell of a job of breaking down the inside set and setting up lights, camera, action for the outside shots). While we waited, we all ordered some drinks and something to eat. Then it was time for those “money shots” as The FireMarshall called them. This is where we actually got to play actor with some real actors (who were PHENOM!!!) I know Ron and I were getting on Omar & Towanda’s nerves with all of our questions, but they were so gracious & a pleasure to work with. My major take-away was don’t do nothing you weren’t “Directed” to do…and let me tell you, when you have great direction – I actually started to believe I could do this for real real. NOT!

 

 

Now were are lined up to do the opening scene & lines for the film and this is where it got challenging for at least Ron & I. Hit our marks,ad lib & then deliver lines, don’t ad lib – deliver lines, & so on and so on.  Good thing we are accustomed to taking orders & following direction the first time we are told. Good think I’ve spent some time standing out in the cold forever & doing things over & over & over. I think we did our parts about 15 times. After about what felt like a gazzillion takes, it started to rain and all shit hit the fan. The crew started freaking out and the equipment had to be taken down. Problem, the entire outdoor scene was not completed. I really don’t know what was going to happen after that, but that was a wrap and we were released to go home. Since the scene was not completed, I’m not sure that we will make it or end up on the cutting room floor.

 

Nevertheless, while it was one of the longest days ever, my feet hurt up to my kneecaps and I was exhausted beyond all measure. We had a blast. If you haven’t already, you NEED to follow “When Beautiful People Do Ugly Things” on FB (click the link) to find out more and follow the progress of the film. And if you want to learn more about the other projects of Team Sizzle Worldwide (Sisters, Marco Polo, Commitment) check them out at www.teamsizzleworldwide.com.

 

Picture Slideshow of Our Ten Minutes of Fame

Wouldn’t You Just Keep Drinking?

Seriously…If you were around in 1919 and saw this poster, wouldn’t YOU just keep drinking? I would. DAMN!

Fun Shaped Panny-Cakes

We are serious about BIG BREAKFAST over here at True Blessings. SERIOUS BUSINESS. We don't play. The Queen Mum and I find different recipes to try and even introduce a "breakfast" cocktail from time to time.

Well, last year around Halloween I found some Halloween shaped (pumpkin, bat, ghost) Pancake Forms at Williams-Sonoma. They look like giant cookie cutters except you can use them on a skillet to make different shapes. Here's the difficult part - using a spoon or ladle to get just the right amount of batter in the form can be dicey. You will probably ruin just as many panny-cakes as you get right.

Enter this years outing to Williams-Sonoma to pick up my Turkey Brine & Roasting Glaze. Did you think I was going to escape there with just those two items. NOT. The Queen Mum pssst me from across the store to check out her find...A Pancake Pen. WHAT! STOP! NO! PUT IT IN MY BASKET! It specifically says on the tube that you can make precise pancake shapes with or without a form. I was all in.

But that's not all. The Williams-Sonoma lady saw my find and said "You know we have 3 new bags of pancake form shapes. They would go great with your Pancake Pen." Ya Think. I only bought one bag - this time round - and today was BIG BREAKFAST time with The Prince, Heir to the Empire.

And I made panny-cake shapes.

WHAT A HIT!

If you make panny-cakes, You HAVE to have a Pancake Pen.

Best Pancakes - EVER!!!!

Dinner with Friends

This was definitly a action packed, fun filled weekend. It started with a Dinner Party in honor of one our favorite bloggers - ForNot over at Forward Notion. We had such a wonderful time...especially if 6 bottles of wine and a huge bottle of vodka (for the Halloweeni Martini's) was any indication or the fact that we didn't wrap it up until about 2am. Just fun times.

The FireMarshall even got into the action and hooked up Pandora and we used the kitchen floor and our makeshift dance floor - ROCK, SKATE!

Here is a video slide show of the fun times. Enjoy!

MyGetTogether - Any Excuse For A Party

Well, it really doesn't take much to get me to throw a little get together. MsSmart told me recently that I need to have a "Welcome Fall In" Cocktail Party. Juanita & my MIL consipired on FB to throw a party at my house and invite me. The Queen Mom is no better with her "what's on the agenda for this weekend" quips.

...and when the people over at General Mills asked if I would be interested in being a MyGetTogether host for their Chex Mix Snacks "Game Day" get-together where me, my friends and family can sample a trio of flavorful and fun Chex Mix Snacks during the big game (or whatever activity I dream up), I couldn't resist. We are going to mix and mingle with Chex Mix!...and some fall cocktails that I have already started dreaming up.

Ya'll know that I'm "The Mixologist".

A lot of you have already recieved an email invitation - go ahead and pull it out of your spam box or open it up and RSVP so I can have enough cocktails & snacks for the festivities.

If you didn't get an invite and would like to hang with the TravelDiva and Welcome the Fall Season in with a bang, then drop me a note with your email addy and I'll send you an invite.

I look forward to seeing you on Oct 3rd. *click glasses*

DC Confidential - The Reveal

Rember this...DC Confidential...where I told you about something that I did that was HELLA FUN but couldn't say until August. Well, that day arrived tonight when the episode of Top Chef aired. I was invited by MrsTDJ to join her and some of her fabulous friends to be tasters and part of the crowd during an episode of Top Chef - Making Concessions. It was a long day, my feet hurt up to my knee caps by time it was all over, but IT WAS SO DAMN FUN.

Now, I've been watching all season knowing full well who the six were going to be by time they got to this episode. However, I haven't been very successful in predicting who would have to pack up their knives until about the last 3 episodes...and we ladies KNEW and were pretty sure that Amanda was getting the boot. We took one look at the Tuna Tartar and said, "Yep, she's done."

Seriously, WHO makes raw fish as a concession food. Hot Outside. Fishy. Grey. Didn't look fresh. Difficult to eat in a ball park. Didn't go well with the free beer either.

NOW TIFFANY'S MEATBALLS! SLAMMIN' - DELISH - MAKE YOU WANNA SLAP YOUR MAMMA GOOD! or at least fight the people in line trying to get another serving. I was a little disappointed that she didn't win the tonight but Ed's dish was on point too.

Angelo is going downhill fast. Best get it together mister, stop putting an Asian spin on EVERY.SINGLE.DISH and start COOKANG. That's all I got to say about that.

So, I only had a total of about 4-5 seconds of fame in tonights episode. When they were talking to the judges and you see some chick with white St. John (you can't really tell that they are, but I thought I'd just throw that in for showing off effect) pants with her azz all up in the screen...yeah, that was my broadside. Then when the judges all get up to go to judges table...there I am in the background for a hot second. Who cares - nobody but me - yet the food was great, the beers were good till they cut us off, and my Top Chef Mates were a blast.

Here is how confidential this whole thing was...I took pictures of the ladies with Tom and then saved them on one of these computers in this house. Just can't find it now. I did email them out so the parties involved do have their pic - I just don't have it here to share. BUMMER.

Thanks, MrsTDJ, for a wonderful experience.

GO TIFFANY!

Top Chef - Episodes - Making Concessions Bravo TV Official Site

Princess Cara Goes To The Beach

Baby Bangs!

Baby Bangs?! DA HELL! GTFOOH with this crazy mess. I am just DONE! A hair piece for bald babies?! For real doh?!

Don't let me catch not near damn one of you with this mess on you childs head. EVER!

My kidneys hurt from laughing at this mess. Just let me catch one of you...and don't EVEN get mad when I snatch you baby wig off. You know you are wrong.

...and now I know that this whole working in an office with your own big azz computer and the ability to multi-task and do more than one thing at a time is gonna be the my undoing. STOP posting this stuff (Kelly) and GET OUT OF MY INBOX.

Perhaps I should just log off?

I HATE to Brag...

I don't want to brag or make anybody jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in High School.

I'm just sayin'. Don't hate.

...P.S. I need my friends to stay out of my inbox. I work in an office now and people can hear me bust a gut. I still haven't mastered the inside voice. That means you, KS

Mom's Views from Senior Week

I'm back home from being the Kool-Aid Momma for Senior Week. I survived, but I'm tired as hell. The kids were great, well behaved (for the most part) but ya know I had to sleep with one eye open and both ears open to keep things on the up and up.

I only had to Release the Kracken a couple of times and like I said before, the "good" kids snapped to and corrected their ill advised ways while the ones who were looking for trouble scattered like roaches. I really hate saying this, but while managing 15-20 teens as well as the riff raff that came in from locations all around OC, I noticed that there is a significant difference in how black & white kids are raised and their reactions to discipline. You see, for the most part, the black kids are accustomed to getting yelled at, threatened with violence, beat down and respond accordingly with a "Yes, Ma'am" and behavior adjustment. The majority of white kids (except the ones with crazy azz white momma's like mine) look at you like you violated them, they want to talk back, give you the side eye and rebel more. They don't know that kind of bullish will only make a Momma like me INSANE and start crackin' skulls. I thought it was a fluke, but I had to warn way to many white kid that if I got another o_O about my instructions I would poke said eye out of the socket.

Go figure.

The other thing that just sent me over the moon, was these young girls thinking that there are absolutely no consequences to ho'in. That little hookah that decided to stay out all night with her MAN after explicit instructions were given that we were rolling out at 10am and if you ish wasn't packed then you was gonna get left didn't know who she was dealing with. I told them kids to put her shyat in a trash bag and leave it on the deck...if she ain't here, let her momma come pick her up for her MAN's crib somewhere in OC. DA HELL I LOOK LIKE.

Humph. One of the other girls was all sympathetic (yeah, I bet I know why wit your stank azz attitude and behavior too) and begged the Prince to go and pick her up. You BEST be glad he was raised right and showed some mercy cause if I was doing the driving (I was staying for the day with the Queen Mother) that heffa woulda been left 'splaining to her mother why she was not sleeping where she was supposed to be.

HO'ISH BEHAVIOR HAS CONSEQUENCES. I'm gonna need some of you little suziQ play ho's to wise up.

Why are girls just always require HARD AZZ lessons & a beat down. JEEZE.

The boys (Prince Jordan & his crew and Charlee's crew) that were on the trip all achieved their Young Men Badges. I was impressed by their respectful behavior, cleanliness & chivalry. These boys were raised right. They can be rowdy, loud and dabble in a little bit of shenanigans but if I gave any of them the o_O , scolded or asked them to do something - they were on top of it like stink on a dog.

I was so impressed. Why are boys just so much easier?

I got such a kick out of all the kids yelling - "MAAAAAHHHHHHMMMMMM!" in unison whenever I showed up. I'd be walking on the beach to try and take pictures or they'd catch me on the boardwalk and everyone would turn around like - DA HELL? All dem kids hers?. Funny.

All in all, I had a good time. Nobody got hurt. Everybody arrived alive...and they are still talking, telling stories and laughing about Senior Week 2010. I'm glad they had fun and it was my exhausted pleasure to be a chaperon.

Enjoy this video of some of my pictures from the week.

...Socks is NOT the Baby Daddy

Sometimes I just have to get off the phone with The FireMarshall cause he is just a mess. He says things with such a dead pan way and it is so damn funny and ridiculous at the same time. So, The FM is on the highway to Indiana to pick up the Prince (who, btw, had a fabulously successful freshman year...but I digress) and I call him up to tell him about the latest Character Drama unfolding here at True Blessings - we ARE TNT - we KNOW drama.

TravelDiva: You won't believe this, but that stray cat that has been coming around visiting with Socks went and had herself some damn kittens and they are under our sunroom.

FireMarshall: What? Da Hell You Say. Call Animal Control and don't be feedin dem babies, ya here.

TD: Ummm, okay...but they are so KEEEEUTE.

FireMarshall: I don't care how cute them kittens are. Socks ain't they baby daddy so it ain't our 'sponsibility. See. Now I know why that ho been coming round trying to hook up with Socks. Saw his crib; all living in the lap up luxury and whatnot; eating on gourmet cat food and ish - thought she was gonna get in on some of that action. That right there is some kinda gold diggin cat.

TD: I'm done with you.

FM: Uh, Huh. I know the score. Thought she could come over and try to hem Socks up with a litter of babies. HUMPH. But I got her number. Socks is fixed. HE IS NOT THE BABY DADDY to those kittens. We not raising no stray kitty babies. Call Animal Control and don't go all soft on me with it ain't dem babies fault - they gotta eat - business. Get em on the phone.

TD: I'm hanging up now. How you know that cat is a gold diggin ho, anyway? You wrong.

FM: *I can feel him looking over the top of his glasses as he says this* Socks IS NOT the Baby Daddy.

TD: I'm going to introduce you to mister click up. Bye now. Click.

You know The Royal Cat just looked up at me like "He right ya know. Them ain't my kids and I'm not sharing."

Animal Control asked me to leave a message and they would get back to me. Uh Huh. What to do? What to do?

Famous Family Resemblance

There is this thing going on over on FB where you are requested to post a picture of a famous person you look like the most. Some of the pictures have been down right hilarious...if not delusional. Are you serious? Some of them are almost exact replicas. Well, I didn't do it and wasn't planning on it until someone commented on our Christmas photo that we looked like the Huxtable Family from the The Cosby show.

Here is the comparison...what do you think?

When You Catch a Charge with Someone...

...Press Play.

I laughed so damn hard that I couldn't be mad anymore. Bwaaahaaahaaahaaa!!!!!

I Once Was A Girl Scout...

Please don't mess with the Girl Scouts. Just buy a friggin box. Please.

Super Groovalicious!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

The A-B-C's of YOU!

Last week a new blogger friend of mine at The World According 2 Lisa posted a contest asking readers to submit a one-sentance acronym using the ENTIRE alphabet. After pulling out my dictionary & thesaurus and putting in about 45 minutes worth of brain power, I came up with my sentance.

Here it is:

An Astoundingly
Beautiful
Curvaceous &
Decidedly
Elegant
Fashion-wannabe
Gregariously
Handles
Impossible
Jackanapes &
Knuckleheads;
Lovingly lambasting
Mofo's
Nightly
Over
Plentiful
Quantities of
Remy
Sidecars;
Traveling
Universally &
Vaingloriously to
Wondrous
Xeno-places
Yakking
Zestfully

Lisa wrote a lovely piece on the contest and if you want to read the other submission then check it out here. Witty & Wise Women Say It With ABC's

So Just Keep Striding...

Haters are just gonna hate...so just keep "your stride stank."