This Week on My TV: February 21, 2015

Disclaimer: Consider the fact that there could be spoilers ahead. You read at your own risk!



**(Sleepy Hollow, S2E16 What Lies Beneath) As soon as I saw those construction guys poking around that tunnel, the first thing I thought of was when my Gram would tell me "curiosity killed the cat." -- Why is it that a statement like "whatever attacked these men took them down this trapdoor" is immediately followed by trying to open said trapdoor? I would think "seal that sucker up and beat feet." Good thing I'm not a Witness, huh? -- So...Ichabod just knows how a camera works now? (Also major cringe over that piece of equipment landing on the ground with a thud.) -- LOL: When Ichabod kept waving his hand through the Jefferson hologram and Jefferson asks him "Must you?" But related to that, if Ichabod can wave his hands through Jefferson, how is Jefferson able to pick things up?? -- You would think that if the Fenestella was meant to be protected until Abbie and Ichabod could find it that the reavers would have been programmed to recognize the Witnesses and not attack them as well. -- Uh oh. Henry is collecting souls and apparently Irving isn't enough, because it seems he's got Katrina in his grasp now too.

**(Elementary, S3E14 The Female of the Species) If I ever have to hear Sherlock say zebra (zeh-bruh?) one. more. time... -- Joan [answering a knock at the door]: You really are on your best behavior. It must have killed you not to just pick the lock. Sherlock: Nonsense. I had several more seconds worth of the waiting in me. Your mail. I did pick that lock although I did not steam open any of the correspondence. -- Well then. Joan's coming back to the brownstone. -- Moriarty?? Wow. I didn't think we were hearing from her again, and yet she seems to have quite the reach from whichever place she is being imprisoned. When Joan first started reading that letter, I assumed it was from Mycroft.

**(Scandal, S2E16 What Lies Beneath) OMG. Nobody told Abby about Olivia being kidnapped. -- I find it weird, almost to the point of being uncomfortable, when Mellie and Fitz discuss Olivia in the sense of her romantic relationship with Fitz and it's not in the form of an argument. -- Cyrus: Good morning, powerful people. I come bearing vengeance. -- Cyrus calling Andrew a weasel was worth of an amused snort. -- LOL: When Mellie and Cyrus started listing countries after Fitz said "We're the United States! Who has more money than us?" -- My initial reaction to Gus bucking against Ian's wishes: Ooo, Gus, I might choose my next words carefully; treading lightly might be wise. And after he shot Ian in the head: WTH?? Gus has gone straightup Crazytown. Also, he is creepy gross, coming on to Liv. -- Quinn: Doesn't matter how many times you reinvent your identity, Sallie Mae *will* find you. -- So, all that money B-613 was skimming and hiding has now become Huck's, as reparations for his "time in the hole." Well played, Huck. Enough with the Crazy Eyes, though, hmmm? -- I am over, so so over, the way they keep writing Huck as a horrifying animal. It feels like a crutch at this point. It's not even "shock and awe," anymore. It's just distasteful. I'm also kind of over this entire "kidnap Olivia Pope" arc. Time to wrap it up and move along. -- That was quite an admission by Mellie. Not surprising, but definitely unexpected to hear her verbalize her ambitions to be President. -- The scene with Mellie meeting the plane of the fallen soldiers made me cry. -- Final scene theory: Iran didn't by Olivia. Papa Pope did.

**(Law and Order: SVU, S16E14 Intimidation Game) Rollins: This security footage is like trying to find a geek in a geekstack. -- Well, video-gaming themed episodes rank right up there in the boring category, for me, as boxing themed episodes. -- We kinda thought that Raina woman and her husband were going to turn out to be behind the threats and kidnapping as a publicity stunt.

**(2 Broke Girls, S4E12 And the Knock-Off Knockout) I have news for Max. She couldn't date James Spader if she were the last woman on earth. -- Caroline: Han, I hope you're a better actor than Max. ... Oh. The. Irony. This show is way funnier when it doesn't realize what it's actually saying. -- Speaking of gay wedding planners, whatever happened to the gay waiter at the diner? He vanished as abruptly as he arrived.

**(Mike and Molly, S5E10 Checkpoint Joyce) It was nice having an episode off from Molly's writing. Joyce is funny when she's mad. Nothing was especially noteworthy about the episode, though. Not even anything quotable.

**(CSI, S15E17 Under My Skin) That blonde girl, Cara, was THIRTEEN?? -- This was a pretty run of the mill episode. I felt like they would have/should have spent the final two episodes of the season on the Gig Harbor Killer. -- This was obviously a set up for Nick's exit. I wondered how they were going to write him out. I guess that answers that question.

**(Better Call Saul, S1E3 Nacho) It's so weird to see people using payphones. -- That DA has the easiest lines ever when he's talking to Jimmy: Can't do it. Can't do it. Can't do it. -- I knew Jimmy was going to have to pay for letting himself out of the lot without paying or getting validation stickers. The look on the gate attendants face was hilarious, though. As was the confrontation when Jimmy returned. I think my favorite character is the gate attendant. I wonder how much more we'll get to learn about him, now that he seems to be forging a relationship with Jimmy away from the gate. -- LOL: It takes weeks for the CSI unit to get back DNA results. -- LOL: Jimmy saying "Nacho is nacho man." -- What is up with the abrupt endings to every episode?? You're just sitting there, watching a scene, and then BAM. Credits roll.

**(CSI, S15E18 The End Game) DB's beard: not a fan. -- Arg! We get no resolution on Paul Winthrop. his mother, or his pimp "reverend" father?! And what about Julie? A coma? This Gig Harbor killer has been one of the most frustrating serial killer arcs on CSI. -- I'm not sure how I feel about Nick's exit. It was less unsettling than Brass leaving last year, but it lacked warmth and sentimentality of Catherine's departure, even with the montage.

**(The Mentalist, S7E11 Byzantium) Funny how, after years of working with Patrick's unconventionality, they are all so skeptical of someone who may have psychic abilities. -- Cho is very clearly still dealing with what happened to Vega. -- I startled so hard when Wiley got smacked in the head. -- So, The Mentalist is going to wind things up with a (short) serial killer story, it seems. Interesting way to go out...

**(Marry Me, S1E14 Dead Me) Haaaa. Jake and Annie and "not on the table" because "we're just not those people." -- Annie's now-former boss was...interesting? Especially with that "not a dry seat in the house" remark. (Ew.)

**(About a Boy, S2E14 About a Boyfriend) I have to admit, Fiona and Mr Chris's adventure that ended up with them getting arrested for trespassing to skinny dip in a state park was both hilarious and exactly why I don't have many adventures. I almost never relate to Fiona, but I did to her trepidation this time! -- Awww, Marcus has a girlfriend, took her on a date, and got himself kissed. Maybe under that tough exterior, Shea isn't so bad after all.

**(Chicago Fire, S3E14 Call It Paradise) Finally, something new and different! Arctic temps (LOL, I feel your pain about surviving another winter, Cruz) and an abandoned baby. -- Mills and Brett sure do get into a lot of bad situations. -- Let me get this straight. After all those cozy moments with Dawson and the abandoned baby, Casey's best plan is to go after some random girl? -- Severide's job offer from the investigation division: meh. -- Whoa. I thought Boden would go check on his baby and come out to see what went "thud" because his dad passed out. I didn't expect him to come out and discover his dad had died. That made me cry.

**(The Big Bang Theory, S8E15 The Comic Book Store Regeneration) Bernadette: Your mom having fun in Florida? Howard: She's loving it. She finally found someplace where everyone complains about how much they sweat. -- LOL: Amy was testing Penny to see if she could figure out the puzzles being used on the chimps. -- Yay! The comic book store is back! -- Howard: I didn't marry you for good points. I married you for support no matter how ridiculous I'm being. ... Isn't that pretty much in the fine print of the vows? -- I wondered how they were going to handle the death of the actress who played Howard's mom. Well done, Big Bang Theory. Excellent tribute. -- Sheldon [to Howard]: When I lost my own father, I didn't have any friends to help me through it. You do. ... Big moment for Sheldon. Yeah, I cried.

**(Person of Interest, S4E15 Q&A) At first I thought: it appears Samaritan is not finished playing its recruitment game. More Nautilus clues! Then I though: oh, we're going to revisit Claire. I didn't realize she was a minion of Samaritan, after all, until a split second until it was confirmed. -- So...VAL is like Siri with a mean streak? -- Just when I was wondering if we were ever going to see Root and Shaw again, Root shows up, two guns blazing, and rescues Mr Finch from the clutches of Greer and Samaritan.

**(The Middle, S6E14 The Answer) Mike: Every minute I'm yelling is a minute I'm not killing her boyfriend! -- I want to laugh at Brick's swaddle, but that's kind of how I walk around the house when it's chilly so... -- Axl: Her name is gonna be Sue Sue McGrew. ... Dead. That line killed. me. dead. -- How on earth did they manage to fit three full-sized people in Darrin's tiny house?! -- Sue: Right now, my life has all these questions. Where am I gonna live? What am I gonna do? And I'm not ready to have those questions answered yet. I have so many dreams and things I wanna do... I've never seen California, I've never lived in my own apartment, I've never eaten a truffle...I mean, I've had the chocolate kind, but I think there's another kind. I want to travel and learn to paint and hail a cab. I want to cry when my parents drop me off at college. I want to live in a dorm and have a weird roommate and then meet another girl on my floor that I love and move in with her next semester. There's just this whole list of things...and getting married isn't on that list. I love you, Darrin, I really do...and you might be the person that I'm supposed to be with forever...but I don't want my forever to start right now. --  Oh, I wanna hug poor Darrin. I hope this isn't the end of the story for Sue and Darrin, but even more than that, I hope this isn't the last we see of Darrin on this show. He's one of my favorite characters.

**(Grey's Anatomy, S11E12 The Great Pretender) Mer [opening monologue]: Everybody has something to hide. We can't just expose all our secrets to the world. That's how we get hurt. That's how we risk hurting other people. We have to decide how much we let out. And keep the truth to ourselves. -- Dude. That woman faked fainting to get out of saying no to a marriage proposal?? And I thought *I* hated confrontation. -- LOL: Dr Herman messing with everyone. -- Mer's face when Maggie hugs her after Mer tells her where she really was all weekend. Because Mer doesn't hug. -- I may be on board with the budding friendship between Arizona and Dr Herman (what *is* her first name?!), but while I love Amelia and I love Owen, I don't believe I am on board with that kiss. I do really, really love the way Alex said "I'm gonna marry that girl" about Jo, though. -- Mer [closing monologue]: It's scary to reveal everything about ourselves. Fear makes us hold ourselves back. Is that so wrong? Maybe...probably. But still, it helps to be a little sneaky, a little protected. It's not safe to just blurt out all of our secrets. You can't just lay all the truth out there, expose ourselves to God and everybody. Because once the truth is out, we have to face it ourselves. -- Those monologues? They are why I have always, on some level, identified with Meredith Grey.

**(The Blacklist, S2E12 The Kenyon Family) I always found the story of Lot and his daughters one of more disturbing stories in the Bible. And yet not as disturbing as what was going on in that culty commune where most of the action was this episode. -- The "watchers?" Creepy. Capital C. -- Boy, Ressler sure takes a beating on this show. If someone is going to get dragged, you can pretty much bet it will be him. -- Glen: I have two weeks of vacation I need to use before the end of the year. Red: It's February!! ... My favorite: Red's face, pretty much every time he has to deal with Glen. Although, his reaction when that woman standing behind him while he waited at the DMV sneezed on his head? That ranks right up there. -- I expected it to be Red who pulled the strings to get Cooper into that clinical trial for whatever fatal disease it is he's battling. I haven't reached a conclusion, yet, whether or not I trust the guy that got him in. -- What was with that Presidential limo underneath the floor of the Kenyon church?? I have to admit, Red was pretty entertained by it, which is always a treat to watch, but it seemed so random. -- So. Red collected a phone number from the safe in St Petersburg (which I will confess I understood to be the Florida one, not the Russian one) and now someone he doesn't know has called him. Who is it?? I find it difficult to believe there are very many people in the underbelly of the world that Red isn't acquainted with.

**(Modern Family, S6E15 Fight or Flight) They really need to update the opening. Joe isn't a little baby anymore! -- Speaking of not a baby anymore. Luke is so...big now. -- Other than Phil's glee over sitting between a magician and a masseuse in coach, after Claire snapped up the single upgrade to first (and found herself seated with the most obnoxious human being on the planet), this was a rather 'meh' episode for me. Haley and Alex texting with Luke's ladies. Jay, Gloria, Manny, and the cooking class bully. The baby shower for Sal. It all fell a bit flat for me.

**(Last Man Standing, S4E16 Three Sundays) Kyle: Well, there's a mannequin down. Ed: That's never good. Especially in the hunting department. -- I was holding out hope that maybe they had forgotten about the Outdoor Man restaurant deal between Kristin and Mike. Apparently not. -- I admit that I do not remember Wendy being pregnant, so I was a little confused when Ed glumly admitted she had lost the baby.

**(Law and Order: SVU, S16E15 Undercover Mother) When Carisi was undercover, he looked like Richard Blais. -- When Rollins and Amaro were tailing the delivery driver, it was snowing pretty heavily. When they caught up to him, it was blue skies and sunny, not a single flurry. -- Busted on Super Bowl Sunday. But the episode was aired on February 18. Super Bowl was over two weeks ago. Oops on the timing. Had to work in an underinflated joke though. ::eye roll:: -- Lt Murphy!!! -- I was shocked when Murphy clocked Carisi upside the head for real. And then I remembered Murphy doesn't have any idea who Carisi is! -- Johnny D is Noah's father?! So Noah's murdered mom may have been one of his girls. Nice twist.

**(Blue Bloods, S5E16 In the Box) The way this episode started, I kept wondering if we picked it up in the middle. It was a strange place to start. -- When Garrett handed Frank that letter, I thought for sure he was turning in his resignation. Here's the thing about this story line though. How long has Garrett been Frank's right hand man? Did he honestly think Frank was going to pulls strings for him? Has Frank *ever*?? For *anyone*? He can't even manage to give well-earned commendations to his own kids without doing it begrudgingly. -- Danny is never ever *ever* going to let Baez forget that she "owes him" for saving her from that hostage situation. -- The story with Janko doing a collection to help out the widow of an older man gunned down in a gang shooting to help her pay for her the funeral was a nice story. I wonder if we'll learn more about that gang from the kid who slipped Jamie the twenty dollar bill with the phone number on it? -- LOL: Frank's "absolutely not" in response to Linda's suggestion that they hold hands for grace before Sunday dinner.

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Oh Hey Friday!: February 20, 2015

It's Oh Hey Friday! time, hosted by September FARM. The idea is that you talk about five things -- any five things, themed or random -- and away we go!



The "Brain Dump" Edition!

ONE|
In the seven nights that have occurred since the last Oh Hey Friday! post, five of those nights have included dreams in which I am holding a baby. I know, I know, no one cares about anyone else's dreams on the internet. I'm just weirded out, because I am relatively certain I am not with child, so what gives, brain? Why all the bambinos while I slumber?

TWO|
Nothing reinforces, for me, my utter lack of accessorizing skill like Thursday, when it was Florida-cold (read: high 50, low 29, lots of gusty wind) and I decided to attempt wearing a scarf. I felt like a fraud all day. A cozy fraud though.

THREE|
Two weeks past my original trim-and-highlight appointment date. One more to go. I think I've gone through all the stages of hair growth during this time. The "well, this is awkward" length. The "hey, this isn't half bad, why haven't I powered through sooner!" length. The "oh yeah, now I feel like a shaggy version of Cousin It" length. ::sigh:: Related: I had honestly forgotten how dark my natural hair color is.

FOUR|
I've been thin-skinned lately. That's been a lot of fun. Or not. Soft heart = my blessing and my curse.

FIVE|
I watched Grey's Anatomy last night. Listening to Callie and Amelia discuss having lost the game they used to have, all I could think was thank God I don't have to date anymore, because I have never had game. Ever. OMG. How did I find a husband again??

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Five a Day.

I stumbled across this one and it caught my attention. Decided to play along.

Wordpress Daily Prompt:
You’ve being exiled to a private island, and your captors will only supply you with five foods. What do you pick?

I have to assume some things:
1. My captors must be making deliveries, since even if I choose five foods, they can't just give me a lifetime supply.
2. It doesn't say if my island hut is equipped with electricity, much less whether I have a refrigerator or means of heating my food. I'll imagine they're kind enough to make the delivery in an ice chest, so it doesn't spoil.
3. We're talking tropical island, not Arctic.
4. It doesn't specify that they have to be a single ingredient, so I'm taking that into heavy consideration and using it to my advantage.

I sure hope my captors have a good sense of humor.

Ok, five foods.

1. Fruit salad - That will give me a decent variety of fruit, so I don't have to pick just one.
2. Granola bars - Gotta have a little fiber!
3. Noosa yogurt - Amazing flavors. Dairy intake. Tastes like dessert.
4. Pasta salad - Made with my recipe, which means I will get a good variety of veggies, some meat, and some cheese. Plus, it's good food when it's warm outside.
5. See's chocolates - Mixed boxes equal good variety, and let's be honest, there has to be some chocolate.

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Snapshot from Along the Broken Road: 2015 - Week 6

Since November 2008, I've been documenting the bits of everyday life in a monthly format, through various incarnations. I've loved these "little life snapshots." But for approximately the past six months, I've been craving a change. More than a little tweak, this time, but a different perspective. After taking note of the bloggers I enjoy who do something similar on a weekly basis, I've finally blended my favorite aspects of their weekly posts with some of the framework of my monthly snapshots...and thus was born Snapshot from Along the Broken Road, v. 2.0

Checking in for the week of February 8 through February 14.

WHAT I READ |
Firefly Summer (Maeve Binchy) - Just when I thought I might have to resign myself to nothing happening and simply making my way through 600+ pages, all of a sudden there was some forward progress in the story and I'm able to read a bit more quickly. Finally!

WHAT WE ATE|
I feel like we went "old school comfort food" as a menu theme this week! There was tuna casserole; chicken parmesan over angel hair with broccoli; meatloaf patties, potato salad, and green beans; barbecue ribs, John's mac and cheese, and baked beans. On Valentine's Day, we capped it off with lunch at one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property: Biergarten, in the Germany pavilion at Epcot. That place is ultimate comfort food for me, because so many of the dishes on the buffet are reminiscent of meals my Gram used to make.

WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED|
Scanned in two more old photos (thanks for the motivation, Throwback Thursday!), bringing my 2015 total to six, toward my goal of fifty. Also renewed my WDW Annual Pass (yay!), paid off my car (woohoo!), and brought my rings for their six-month inspection and cleaning (we went to Jared!).

CANDLE SCENTS|
Welcome Christmas (YC) - Finally finished this bad boy up. Ready to move on to something else, but I also kind of miss it. I'm a headcase.
Gingerbread (YC) - It may not be cookie season anymore, but I love a warm, spicy scent on a cool night.
Frosty Air (YC) - This one smells just like a fresh snowfall. I had to, as an homage to all my favorite people currently enduring snowstorm after snowstorm in the northeast.
Peppermint Bark (YC) - I typically dislike candles with any sort of chocolate scent, but this one, with the peppermint, is so lovely. The only problem is now I want all the peppermint bark.
Merry Cookie (BBW) - New jar candle in the bedroom! This one is vanilla bliss. I love vanilla.
White Christmas (YC) - Another "snowy" scent. I love them in the bathroom, because they smell so clean, but with a seasonal angle.
Christmas Eve (YC) - I know, I know. It isn't Christmas anymore and this makes the third scent I'm using with "Christmas" in its name. I group my candle scents by season and this one came up in the rotation.
Creme Brulee (YC) - This was an old scent, long retired, that I've been hoarding, but I had to burn it before it no longer had any scent to give off. It's vanilla with some honey and spice. A nice twist on a classic scent.

WHAT THIS WEEK LOOKED LIKE|
I'm cheating with a screen cap here, but this purchase means there is much joy in Dawnville!


This, my friends, is a zero balance. Those baseball tickets were a celebration of no more car payment!


S.W.A.K.


I have a herd of little solar-powered critters in my work window. It started when my boss left one there one day, after a trip to the Dollar Store. They've multiplied, thanks to anonymous co-worker donations. This one is my favorite. Go ahead, tell me I can have or do something "when pigs fly."


Some days, all I can think about is getting to this part of my daily routine. It recharges me on so many levels.


Lately, we've been obsessed with adding "onion crunchies" to our salads.


These are like clouds for my feet.


MUAHAHAHAHA. (I am deliriously happy. Not Summer is my favorite.)


At first, while reconciling this bill for work, I rolled my eyes. But the more I thought about it, the more it felt like a little mental nudge. It's important to intentionally leave some spaces blank, you know?


My hair hasn't been this long since 1994. (Actually, it was longer then. Almost to the middle of my back. But when I cut it, I cut it just below my chin. So, my initial statement still rings true.)


WHOOOOOO's the cutest little nail file?


Let's talk about this Old Navy fleece. Which I have had since the year 2000. But...but...I love that little zipper pocket on the sleeve! Laugh if you want to, but when I want to travel ultra streamlined at WDW, it doesn't get better than that. Car key, ID, a $20 bill -- all safely zipped up! Phone in my pocket, Magic Band on my wrist, and away we go!


No, *you* stop it!


It's super dark in Biergarten, so these are probably the least technically pretty photos ever (when was the last time I even used a flash?!), but I need you all to see why, after I finished dessert somewhere around 2:15pm, I actually didn't eat again until Sunday morning. And I didn't actually feel hungry until Monday at lunchtime. So worth it though. Like a hug for my soul from my Gram.




Come, fly with me. Let's fly. Let's fly away!


Happiness is...

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This Week on My TV: February 14, 2015

Disclaimer: Consider the fact that there could be spoilers ahead. You read at your own risk!



**(Grey's Anatomy, S11E10 The Bed's Too Big Without You) Is Callie making Owen her new Mark Sloan? -- I kinda crazy loved how excited Mer, Bailey, and Maggie got when they set up the 3D printer to create a model of Mer's patient's tumor, so she could figure out how to attack it. -- Maggie: I might be too good at being alone. ... I came dangerously close to that. Thank God for T. -- Mer: Maybe I could print a Derek. Just for sleeping! -- I feel so badly for April and Jackson, both terrified and coming at how to handle their baby's official diagnosis and prognosis from completely opposing ideologies, that I have to keep reminding myself they're just characters on a tv show. -- Mer [elbow deep in a surgery]: This is where we cut, right here. Maggie: That's my finger. -- I don't now which made me more sad: Owen visiting his "Cristina vent" or Mer with her tumor model in Derek's spot in bed. -- Is this a teeny tiny bond forming between Mer and Maggie?? -- O. M. G. What are the "big gun" results of Baby Avery?! Cruel, Grey's writers, so cruel.

**(The Mentalist, S7E10 Nothing Gold Can Stay) Vega: So...are there any changes you're going to make when you take over? Cho: Yes. Rookie agents will be seen and not heard. -- Well, crap. Cho's first command and they suffer an agent fatality. I knew it was bad news as soon as he started calling her Michelle and not Vega. I hope it doesn't make him change his mind about being the team lead. -- An ultimatum from Patrick: he's done worrying that Lisbon will get killed in the line of duty. He's leaving and she can come with him or stay behind, but he can't go through the death of someone else he loves. There are only three episodes left in the series. Not much time for Lisbon to decide what she wants!

**(Scandal, S4E11 Where's the Black Lady?) Mellie's back in red. Which means she stands a good chance of being my favorite version: shrewish Mellie. -- The second Olivia started guzzling water while filming her "ransom video," I wondered if it was to send a message. Catching Ian in the reflection was brilliant. -- Cyrus: Fitz hates the vice president. Abby: We...all hate the vice president. -- Fitz's man-child antics often irritate me, but what a terrible position to be in: choose the life of the woman you love or sacrifice her to keep the country you lead out of war. -- Finally, someone noticed Olivia's "breadcrumbs!" Thank you, Huck. -- Mellie [to Lizzie Bear]: Awwww, feeling squeamish? I don't blame you. Kidnapping's a felony, after all. ... There she is! -- David: Use your imagination. I'm wearing a ten gallon white hat. ... This show needs more David Rosen. -- At first, I thought Olivia was clever, bargaining with Ian and appealing to a sense of greed. But then she missed being rescued by Jake and *now* what??

**(2 Broke Girls, S4E11 And the Crime Ring) Sophie: I'm wearing my Sunday bra cuz I just came from church! ... Say what?? -- Sophie's bedazzled drink umbrella was an absolutely perfect prop touch. -- Caroline: I sang in prison. I had a one night stand. I'm practically Johnny Cash. -- Caroline is actually improving. Max isn't, but at least that's something.

**(Mike and Molly, S5E9 Hack to the Future) Molly's publisher looks like he could be Satan. -- When Mike laughed because he actually pictured a typing monkey when Molly said her publisher treated her like, I was picturing the same thing! -- Sorry, Mike, but you just can't work the fedora like Raymond Reddington. -- Even the phrase "sexy sci fi" makes me cringe. -- OMG did Satan publisher seriously utter the "word" 'timegasm'?? ::shudder::

**(Reign, S2E13 Sins of the Past) I love that they celebrated such things as "finding the first bloom" near the end of winter. We don't get excited about things like that anymore. Sometimes, much of the time, I think this is where "progress" has failed us. -- Conde: Lady Lola. What are all the decorations for? Lola: Tomorrow night's Winter's Ease. The first blooms have been spotted in the snow. We feast. Dance. Celebrate new beginnings. Conde: But...it's still winter. Lola: The blooms will likely have a short life, but it's the promise that spring will come eventually. -- I feel a little bad for laughing about Catherine's "hauntings" and "visions" potentially being the result of syphilis, a parting gift from Henry. And then I really laughed when she figured out, thanks to Narcisse, that it was actually poisoning. -- I actually think that, despite their current issues, Kenna and Bash have the strongest marriage on this show. Kenna is willing to apologize sincerely. Bash is honest about his feelings and acknowledges that they are married for life and he just needs to do some personal sorting out. -- I had wondered what happened to Narcisse's advances on Lola. I should have known he'd come slinking around again, trying to seduce her. -- I wish I could make myself like Francis more. He's being very sweet to Mary while she finds her way back from her trauma. And then they have that conversation where she basically sends him away, telling him to take a lover because she loves him and at least one of them should be happy. They need to get some marriage counseling from Bash and Kenna.

**(Better Call Saul, S1E1 Uno) A little slow to get going, having to introduce the characters and set the scene. I'm not sure what to make of Chuck. Things picked up when he met the scamming twin skateboarders, though. I can't believe their scam turned into a hit-and-run! And what was with being greeted at gunpoint when he got to the house where the skateboard scammers tailed the driver?!

**(Better Call Saul, S1E2 Mijo) Lesson number one: do NOT call Mijo's Abuelita a biznatch. -- What is the deal with the parking attendant troll and the stickers? -- I know it's still laying groundwork. I can't figure out who half the characters are or what their roles are yet, and I definitely didn't expect the humor aspect, but I believe we'll keep watching to see where this all goes. -- This show ends episodes very...abruptly.

**(Parenthood, S6E2 Happy Birthday, Zeek) OMG, Nora got so big! -- I still do not like that lawyer guy that Julia is sleeping with. So much so that I refuse to even learn his name. -- There sure was a lot of yelling in pretty much every scene involving Adam. -- Things that never change: I'd like to pop Sydney upside her snotty little head. -- Holy downer birthday for Zeek. Sheesh. -- Well, I thought I was going to make it through this episode without crying, and then Amber told Zeek about her pregnancy and asked if she disappointed him. The way he celebrated the magic of a new baby and rejoiced in becoming a great-granddad. Oh, my heart.

**(Person of Interest, S4E14 Guilty) Harold looked about as thrilled to have his fellow juror getting chatty with him as I would. Heh. -- Mr Finch: Well, one can't really call it "government, of the people, by the people," can one? Because we're all being watched by an intelligent super computer that's slowly but surely taking over the world. ... The truth shall set you free, huh, Harold? (Or not.) -- Dr Campbell: That's my way of saying you're not supposed to cancel mandatory sessions. Mr Reese: They didn't give me mandatory sessions 'cause I'm good at following rules. -- Mr Reese: If Emma's there to kill anybody, she must be planning on using her bare hands. I couldn't find any evidence she was trying to buy a weapon. Mr Finch: Perhaps her plan involves a method of attack you haven't considered? Mr Reese: I know a lot of ways to kill people, Harold. -- When Finch said "please don't call me that," after Reese called him Harry, his tone held the same amount of contempt as I feel when people call me Dawny. -- Since when are jurors allowed to have cell phones while in the deliberation room? -- How did Mr Reese get to Emma's room so fast from across the street to save Mr Finch? -- Fusco: Look, I get it. After what happened to Shaw, you and Glasses are worried the same thing's gonna happen to me. And you know what? It might. And I'm fine with that. You don't get to decide what or who I'm willing to die for. I made my choice a long time ago. -- Ugh. Does Mr Reese have a thing for his therapist? One of my favorite things about this show is the lack of romantic clutter. -- It was kind of nice to have a simple case of the week that wasn't neck deep in "mythology." A reference here and there to Root, the still missing Shaw, and the Dominic-Elias faceoff.

**(Marry Me, S1E13 Change Me) Annie and Jake's fridge is pretty much my worst nightmare. -- Can't decide if Jake as Reagan or Dennah as sexy FDR (on roller skates as the wheelchair) was my favorite costume for the Kevins' Presidents Day party. -- Kay was eating raw Bisquick?? That doesn't sound even remotely appealing.-- Oh, Kay. The bag of oranges was definitely your downfall. -- They are not hiding Casey Wilson's pregnancy well at all. -- T looked at me like I was a lunatic but I nearly fell off the couch when Annie said Kaitlin Sedilla...Kay Sedilla...quesadilla. And that was before Jake pointed it out, for the record.

**(About a Boy, S2E13 About a Cat Party) I want Fiona's heart jammies! -- Shay is a brat. -- Why does Will have the drawers in his own gift closet labeled? -- A cat party? Is that a real thing? -- I saw that Will and bartender Liz kiss coming from three scenes away.

**(The Middle, S6E13 Valentine’s Day VI) Darrin!!! I missed Darrin. I was a little worried we wouldn't see him and it's Valentine's Day and all. Sue+Darrin=4ever. -- I'm really liking Axl and Devin Levin as a couple. *Almost* as much as Sue and Darrin. -- Is Brick's school bag an insulated pizza delivery bag?! -- Awwwww! Axl and Devin and the bouncy house. -- Brick: Who schedules a kiss?? You know what else is scheduled? Executions! -- OMG I died laughing at Brick and Cindy's kiss. -- OMG OMG OMG. Darrin proposed to Sue???

**(Modern Family, S6E14 Valentine's Day 4: Twisted Sister) Anders and Cooper? Wah-wahhh. -- The antics were funny. Gloria's sister trying to steal Jay. The back-and-forth switcheroo Cam and Mitchell did with the wedding gift they wanted to keep. Phil and Claire doing their role playing gig. The best part of the whole episode was when Phil pulled Claire into the house at the end.

**(Mom, S2E14 Benito Poppins and a Warm Pumpkin) I'm a bit disappointed that they seem to be writing off Nathan Corrdry's character. It's a shame, but they really did very little with him. I hope he finds somewhere else to land, if that's the case. -- So...is Christy going to manage the restaurant or go to law school? I'm confused. -- ::snort:: Bonnie has dirt on all the apartment complex tenants. I kind of wish they would bring her discoveries up in conversation in a little more often. I think they could have some real fun with that.

**(Grey's Anatomy, S11E11 All I Could Do Was Cry) Silly me, to think that Baby Avery would be given the less severe type of his disease. -- I don't think I'm a fan of Catherine's new hair style. -- Ohhhh. I never thought about how Baby Avery's fatal condition would affect Amelia whose own baby didn't survive as a result of a rare fatal condition. -- Did Mer call Jo a hoodlum?? LOL -- Of course Alex is the one to say "dammit" in the chapel. ::shakes head:: -- Yay for Maggie, stepping up and trying to figure out how to navigate a relationship with Mer! -- Aptly titled episode. That's all I did for the final twenty minutes of it. When April hugged the patient who lost her fiance in an accident, telling her she was strong and would be ok. When the new parents who thought they never could be were marveling over their new baby girl. When Catherine asked Richard to please take her home and just hold her. When April and Jackson held Baby Samuel for his entire little life. When Amelia walked into the chapel to see all the candles lit in a silent prayer. Heartachingly beautifully done. And while I usually hate when anyone but Mer does the opening and closing monologues, April was absolutely perfect for this one.

**(The Blacklist, S2E11 Ruslan Denisov) Oh boy. That harbor master that got killed when Liz was keeping Tom hostage on that ship is about to become a problem. Someone is looking for him. -- The Fulcrum isn't a piece of technology Aram recognizes. Hmmm. -- It seems that the FBI and the CIA aren't done getting on each other's nerves. -- I could watch/listen to Red tell his stories for a full hour every week. James Spader just kills it. The mannerisms, the voice inflections, the tone, the facial expressions. Sheer brilliance. -- Red: Go get cleaned up. We'll have dinner. I know a *wonderful* little hole in the wall. It's actually *in* a hole in the wall. -- Liz, when are you going to learn that when you try to dance with Red, he's going to outdance you? -- Red: Agent Keene, in this world, there are no sides, only players. -- If this doesn't make your blood run cold... Red: Make no mistake, Mr Burke. My friend, here, is still making the bed he'll have to lie in for the rest of his life, but my bed is made and I assure you, my bed accommodates a broad spectrum of behavior. So you tell us what little you know about Javin or I'll put you in the ground myself. -- Red's "vive la France!" when Lizzie figured out that all the strings Red pulled on this case led to his own financial gain was positively incorrigible. Gosh, I love this character. -- Oh crap. That guy who was paid to watch Tom on the ship is going to flip on her. She's going to be forced to bury the hatchet with Red, because she's going to need his help to get out of this one.

**(Blue Bloods, S5E15 Power Players) There are few tv characters I loathe more than Mayor Poole. I wanted to cheer when Frank told him where he could stick "not a bribe" by bringing up police pensions in the same conversation about not so subtly asking One PP to drop some charges as a favor. -- What is the deal with this investigator, Alex McBride, showing up all the time in Erin's office now?-- Why does it seem like everything bad that happens when Jamie is on duty takes place in that same apartment courtyard? -- The smile on Frank's face when Officer Butler shared his feelings about the Mayor. -- I know we're supposed to feel bad for Janko but really all I can do is make snarky "voice overs" for her scenes with Jamie. I can't help it. It's the way the show flirts with their denied romance. -- So when Danny and Baez used the cranky FBI guy as a decoy to lure the hitguys in the opposite direction of the mob witness Erin needed to make her case, how did they know the bad guys wouldn't try to shoot at their car, thinking it was really Rella in the backseat?

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Oh Hey Friday!: February 13, 2015

It's Oh Hey Friday! time, hosted by September FARM. The idea is that you talk about five things -- any five things, themed or random -- and away we go!



The "About Me as Related to TV" Edition!

ONE|
You want just one of the reasons I could never be Olivia Pope? Girlfriend wears way too much white. How does she not get stuff on herself? I'd be a mess before 9am.

TWO|
If you've ever watched The Middle, you would know that I am Sue Heck in so many ways. Goofy. Awkward. Eternally optimistic. Excited by what most people deem insignificant or inconsequential. A deep sense of right and wrong. Tremendous respect for authority. Profoundly affected by disappointing or hurting people I care about. Always ready to smile, help, or be a friend. Take everything a bit more personally than I should. And when I stress, I look like a maniac. I'd like to say it was just when I was in high school, but...no.

THREE|
Monica Geller is my soul mate. Right down to the secret closet.

FOUR|
Back when Grey's Anatomy first came out, I was in a bad place, so I completely identified with Mer's Dark and Twisty -- I'm far more Bright and Shiny, now, but I haven't forgotten how Dark and Twisty feels. I can also be difficult to get to know, though less because I'm prickly and more because I'm quiet until I get comfortable around you. (Once I'm comfortable, I refer you to Item Two.) I also am totally on board with Mer's feelings about hugging: I prefer my personal space until you've worked your way into My Circle.

FIVE|
Watching shows like How I Met Your Mother, Friends, Sex and the City, The Big Bang Theory, and Dawson's Creek makes me miss having my people within close proximity. I love where I live, but gosh darn it, why hasn't someone invented a teleporter yet for when I need some time with my girls? (Related: Making all new friends when you're an adult and quiet by nature is darn near impossible.)

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Some personal mantras.

1. Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you. ("Love Like Crazy," Lee Brice)

2. Not my monkeys, not my circus.

3. Don't ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance, and my kindness for weakness.

4. Having a soft heart in a hard world is courage, not weakness.

5. Just because something is hard, doesn't mean it's not worth doing.

6. Win graciously, lose with dignity.

7. I just like to smile. Smiling's my favorite. (Elf)

8. Three words: Enthusiasm, curiosity, and gratitude. (Jenny Rosenstrach)

9. When you are not feeling particularly friendly…put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are. (C.S. Lewis)

10. We all must suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. (Jim Rohn)

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Snapshot from Along the Broken Road: 2015 - Week 5

Since November 2008, I've been documenting the bits of everyday life in a monthly format, through various incarnations. I've loved these "little life snapshots." But for approximately the past six months, I've been craving a change. More than a little tweak, this time, but a different perspective. After taking note of the bloggers I enjoy who do something similar on a weekly basis, I've finally blended my favorite aspects of their weekly posts with some of the framework of my monthly snapshots...and thus was born Snapshot from Along the Broken Road, v. 2.0

Checking in for the week of February 1 through February 7.

WHAT I READ|
Firefly Summer (Maeve Binchy) - I feel like I'm treading water in this book. Things are happening, but practically at the pace of real life. While I understand that some books are character driven, and not plot driven, and I enjoy both, I cannot seem to get a grasp on what story is trying to be told. I'm not at the point of wanting to give up, but it may take me til March to finish this book if something doesn't make me want to read more five pages at a time.

WHAT WE ATE|
T got a smoker to use in the grill as one of his Christmas gifts, so one night, we smoked pork chops (bone in for him, boneless for me), and rounded out our plates with some wild rice and a new recipe for roasted radishes. We also had scallops with Parmesan angel hair (a recipe we've tweaked from using sea scallops to bay scallops, which we much prefer) another night. And Friday, we went old school comfort food with grilled cheese and tomato soup -- just right for our cooler Florida-winter evenings (which I love!).

WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED|
I got four more old photos scanned in and about half a magazine read, but my grand To Do List cross-off is getting the ceiling fan dusted, and washing the insides of all the windows in the house, then cleaning the blinds, which involved two old socks and a half cup of white vinegar.

CANDLE SCENTS|
Welcome Christmas (Yankee Candle) - I know, I know, it's February, but these large jars last for.ev.er. and anyway, this scent just works well for the winter: some cranberry, a little zing of citrus, and some pine; I'll be sad when this one is gone, even though I'm ready to move on to something new.
Hazelnut Coffee (Yankee Candle) - Smells exactly like a cup of hazelnut coffee...without the need to peel me off the ceiling.
Red Velvet (Yankee Candle) - You would swear there is a cupcake just around the corner, with a generous dollop of cream cheese frosting on it.
Sparkling Snow (Yankee Candle) - I love this one in the bathroom. Smells fresh and clean.
Build a Snowman (Yankee Candle) - After all those foodie scents earlier in the week, I needed to pull out a votive that was a bit lighter. This one is a nice subtle minty scent.

WHAT THIS WEEK LOOKED LIKE|
Had to wear my lucky (read: only) Patriots tee for the Super Bowl. Unless you live under a rock and only come out to read my blog (ha) or don't care about sports at all, you already know that this tactic clearly worked in our favor.


One of my favorite WDW attractions had a limited printing t-shirt, back in January, that I had to have. It arrived in the mail. I love it.


Radishes ready for roasting with a little herbed salt. Yum!


The rain had just stopped. (So had I...at a traffic light.)


Thursday's dinner.


I'm a convert. This stuff is so good, I actually think about it between breakfasts.


Welcoming in February on the vintage travel poster calendar!


I amused myself, making T pose with our Friday dinner groceries. I call this one: Ode to Our Loved Ones Back North. ::snicker::


Golden morning.


We have signs of life!


One of my favorite corners of the house -- winter vignette in our guest bedroom.


Saturday mud mask to combat some especially unhappy skin. (Some girls look adorable when they share photos of themselves sporting a mask. I am not one of them.)


I am powerless to resist a heart-shaped Dunkin Donut.


Happy new week ahead, friends!

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This Week on My TV: February 7, 2015

Disclaimer: Consider the fact that there could be spoilers ahead. You read at your own risk!



**(Grey's Anatomy, S11E9 Where Do We Go From Here?) Nice job with the "shattered glass" credits. -- I have to think that Mer's reaction to caring for the woman responsible for mass injuries, many to children, including her own, by saying "maybe her foot slipped off the pedal, we don't know" when Jo started to act judgmental about providing care, that's a far more mature Mer than we knew, even just a few seasons ago. -- I kind of love Amelia's confidence in her skills. "Your tumor is smart, *brilliant*, but so am I." -- Jack's brother told him to be a brick wall.I find that humorous, since Bailey was the one attempting to get information out of him, If anyone can get through a brick wall, it's Bailey. -- April: I'm fine. Callie: No, you're not. And I know because I'm the queen of taking my personal crap out on other people. -- There is something so satisfying about seeing (what's left of) our little, flailing, baby surgeons from Season One as strong confident doctors now. -- Oh, Jackson and April. Oh, my heart. I hope that they can get the same sliver of hope Arizona is giving Dr Herman through Amelia. -- Speaking of a matured Mer, I was so happy that she called Derek and sent him on his way on better terms. People who love each other (even when they hate each other) find a way to make it work. Hanging their PostIt vows back on the wall over their bed, with the broken glass but still hanging, still in the frame: excellent imagery.

**(The Blacklist, S2E9 Luther Braxton (1)) OMG, this Braxton guy actually assembled a "team" at The Factory to help him execute whatever his plan is?? If Red's made a point to be there too, to warn the warden of all this, I wonder what's in it for him. -- Liz: How are we going to stop Braxton? He has an entire team. Red: Well, sadly, there isn't a prison on earth where I don't know a few guys. -- Braxton: So, tell me, how you gonna stop me, Red? Red: A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. Braxton: Was that Nietzsche? Red: No. Bruce Lee. -- So, is this blonde chick part of "the group" that doesn't want The Fulcrum contents to get out? Because we know that this unnamed "director" guy is. -- I audibly gasped when Braxton nearly hung Samar to prove a point to Harold. -- Red [to Liz]: I didn't want you to come here, follow me here, because the truth is, if I don't stop Braxton, what he'll discover is he can't get The Fulcrum without you. ... WHAT??? -- -- Red being down, Lizzie trying to to perform CPR on him, lacks urgency, because without him, there is no show. -- Red firing a gun, protecting Liz, is one of the single most badass things I have ever seen on tv. He is a man with only one thing to lose: her. -- Braxton: I know all the stories, Red. I know where it was twenty years and I know when it disappeared. I know about the house, the fire, and the girl. ... Whoa. WHOA. Watching all the pieces falling into place for Braxton and the look on Red's face. -- OMG, the missiles hit The Factory!!! With Red, Liz, Ressler, and Samar inside!

**(2 Broke Girls, S4E10 And the Move-In Meltdown) I have no idea what that was. The only thing remotely humorous was when Sophie pulled the carving knife on Oleg. I may need therapy after Oleg's acceptance of when he would be allowed to sit on the white furniture.

**(Mike and Molly, S5E8 Mike Check) Molly: Mike, I'm only a pest because I love you, but know this, I have not yet begun to nag. -- Mike had the fastest doctor ever. The nurse had barely pulled the door closed behind her. -- Playing up the whole "regular doctor visits" thing was both cleverly advocating taking care of yourself and chock full of good comedy material.

**(Reign, S2E12 Banished) I loved all the Snow Festival attire. The whites and blues, silvers and golds. Stunning and perfect. -- I like Lola. I liked her ability to verbally spar with Narcisse (even if I didn't want her *with* him). But I'm not sure I want her with Conde. -- I feel badly for Kenna. I believe she is being honest with Bash and never actually meant him harm. And she's right. Why *would* she tell him how it was for her with Henry? I also believe that she truly loves Bash now and he needs to let go of his anger toward her. -- Diane: I did it for Henry. All of it. Catherine: How perfect! He did it all for Henry too. -- And the truth comes out. It was Diane who killed the infant twins. Not the nanny. Not Claude. But I do wonder what Diane meant, saying it was all for Henry. Did he order her to? Was it her own misguided way of winning him back? -- With her dismissal of Henry and the twins, and killing Diane in a fit of rage, is Catherine back to her senses or has she gone totally off the deep end? -- I wonder if Greer is simply going to be gone, a la Nostradamus. I'll be bummed. I hope they find a way to forgive and reinstate Greer and Castleroy. -- I know we're supposed to be cheering a glimmer of hope between Mary and Francis, and he was very sweet to her, but he just bothers me. He's weak and jealous. -- Based on the episode title, I expected it to be Conde, not Greer, being sent away.

**(Marry Me, S1E12 F Me) Jake: This feels like a "pants on" conversation. -- Speaking of, why do guys on tv all wear tighty whities? No one wears boxers? Boxer briefs? -- This episode was funny but kind of predictable to me: Annie and Jake participate in some shenanigans that get them into trouble, but someone they wiggle out of it and everything's ok in the end. Over the top neighbor, Julie, is just the right amount of annoying that makes her occasional presence worth rolling my eyes through. And then The Kevins announce that there's only one more plus-one slot yet, requiring Dennah, Kay, and Gil to compete, game show style, to see which of them gets to bring a date to the wedding. Kevin-Dan is the host and Kevin-Tim is the camera man...who, of course, fails to record the entire thing.

**(About a Boy, S2E12 About a Prostitute) Andy's pimp voice. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! -- While I thought that Will being accused of prostituting himself out to a single mom who keeps paying for guitar lessons for her daughter and then ends up in bed with him was pretty funny (especially once Will stopped denying it and started worrying it was true), my favorite part was Fiona trying to fit in with the "popular moms," who are all envious that she snagged Mr Chris. When they start being catty, gossiping about the mom Will's involved with, Fiona declares she always wondered what it would have been like to be part of the "in crowd," but now that she knows, she has no interest. She has compassion on the "outcast moms" that get gossiped about because that's how it's always been for her.

**(The Middle, S6E12 Hecks on a Train) In Mike's defense, those train seats really were awkward for him to snuggle up with Frankie after her accusations that Mike never nurtures her. -- Brick: All of these years, I've been repeating myself. Turns out, I should have been repeating other people. -- LOL: The look on Frankie's face when she realized no one noticed she didn't make it back on  the train. -- Oh, Sue. Writing her college application essay on "shooting for the stars" (because colleges *love* that sort of thing!), typo-ing it as "shooting into cars," attempting to correct it just as the train lurched and accidentally sending it out that way. (I would so do that.) -- Thumbs up: After Axl freaked out upon learning that Sue applied to his college, Mike sat down and basically told him that Sue is allowed to do whatever she wants in life without taking everything Axl wants into consideration first, and that Axl can't tell Sue what to do, he can only decide how he's going to act himself. More people need to learn that life lesson. -- I loved the transformation of the Aunt Edie's "tiki paradise," where she honeymooned as a young woman, from tacky to fun as the day turned to night. -- Favorite moment: When Frankie was talking to the man from the funeral home about the details for Aunt Edie, and he keeps telling her that her husband already took care of everything she was asking about. Mike may not be as physically demonstrative as Frankie wishes, but when it comes right down to it, he takes care of her in ways she doesn't even realize, because she never *has* to think about it. I think that's a big key to any successful marriage.

**(Elementary, S3E12 The One That Got Away (2)) I liked getting to see some of the history between Sherlock and Kitty. My favorite part was when he was teaching her how to break in when a security chain was latched on the front door, using a rubber band. My second favorite part was when he told her that she had saved him just as much as he had saved her, at the moment she came into his life, and that no matter what she chose to do with the man who had traumatized her, she would always be his friend. Sherlock has come a long way since we first met him. I wonder of Joan sees that? -- I was wondering if Sherlock would be onto the fact that Kitty only pretended to fly back to London the first time, while really staying behind to exact her revenge on Del Gruner. I was glad he revealed that he had known all along, but disappointed to learn that it was due to the tracking device he'd installed on her phone. For a man of Sherlock's cunning and intellect, that almost feels like cheating. -- I appreciate that Sherlock and Joan can disagree with each other's tactics now, without it causing someone to skulk off and pout. Even better that they can give credit when the other's tactic works and gives them knowledge they didn't have.

**(Person of Interest, S4E13 M.I.A.) Is Mr Reese using Just for Men Touch of Grey? His hair is less salt-and-pepper-y than I recall. -- You groped the wrong girl, Chief Wicker. Not only is Root fiesty, I'm pretty sure she doesn't like dudes. -- Hmmm. The return of Detective Silva, and she's working a number with Fusco (not that she's aware). I wonder if she'll keep being a recurring character? -- Fusco: No need for violence. We're having tea, remember? Silva: Bullets go great with tea. ... Sounds like Silva would get along great with Shaw and Root. -- Reese: When the shooting starts, duck. ... Sound advice, I would say! -- Totally freaky what Samaritan did with the town of Maple, making it a giant living science experiment, in order to study human behavior. -- Oh, boy. The Machine asked them to stop searching for Shaw. Root has bade Finch farewell. There's no way she's stopping. And she's always been a loose cannon. -- Holy crap. Shaw *is* still alive. And Greer has her. I wonder what he has planned for her...

**(The Big Bang Theory, S8E14 The Troll Manifestation) Sheldon: That's not just a sticker. It's a kitty saying Me-Wow. ... LOL!! -- Absolute funniest moment, for me: When Penny and Bernadette were so deeply invested in Amy's "Little House on the Prairie" fan fiction, that they shrieked in unison at Sheldon to "GET OUT!!!" when he interrupted right near the ending. -- My guess for the troll that was tormenting Leonard and Sheldon for "their" (Leonard's) scientific breakthrough was Kwipke Kripke. Having it be Stephen Hawking (which was T's last second theory before the big reveal) was freaking brilliant. Well played, Big Bang Theory.

**(Modern Family, S6E13 Rash Decisions) They did a nice job choreographing all the ways Andy's presence makes Luke feel replaced with Phil. I'm looking forward to Andy being Phil's realtor protege. -- Jay [to Claire regarding a female employee who needs to be reminded how to dress more...professionally]: You were supped to talk to her about keeping those zeppelins in a hangar! -- Jay [peering at a photo text on his phone]: What the hell am I looking at? Cam: What did I send you?? ... I don't think I even want to know what Cam was worried he might have sent. -- Oh, sweet Alex, you had to know channeling Haley -- LOL: Cam openly weeping while Jay was saying goodbye to Stella.

**(Chicago Fire, S3E13 Three Bells (1)) They sure were obsessed with pink lipstick in this episode. Captain Cunningham. Dawson. Brett. Even Shay's sister, who started out with a darker berry shade, ended up pink before link. -- Speaking of Shay's sister, was that the best casting could come up with? There was absolutely zero resemblance. -- I like when shows bring back former characters, but I felt like Hadley was a stretch here. -- How did Herrmann get into his dress uniform that quickly?? One minute, he was sitting in Shay's old bunk area, telling her sister that she wouldn't want to miss the ceremony they were about to do, the next, she's just walking outside and he's managed to completely change his clothes from casual to dress? -- I managed to stay completely tear-free...until they showed Cruz's face as they rang the bell in memorial of Shay. -- I liked the touch of making a monogram and memorial of Shay painted onto the ambulance at 51. -- Thumbs down on that conversation between Casey and Dawson about putting "them" on hold and revisiting it later, once things have settled down. You're either in or out. -- What is the story with Otis' grandmother?? What a weird way to, I guess, try to maintain a thread of levity. -- I am in total protest of all these stupid crossovers with Chicago PD. If I wanted to watch Chicago PD, I would be already. All this made me do was not watch the second half of this two-part story out of pure defiance.

**(The Blacklist, S2E10 Luther Braxton: Conclusion (2)) Red: You're out of your depth, Luther. You don't know the people you're dealing with. You're a fine thief. Meticulous and careful. But this is different. You're improvising. And you and I both know thinking on your feet is not your strong suit, Luther. You will make a mistake, and when you do, I will be there to indulge in the undeniable please and sweet satisfaction of I told you so. ... I love love *love* the way Red speaks. The choice of words. The cadence of his speech. The tone of voice. -- I wonder exactly how many people are in "the group" that wants The Fulcrum. We've seen a few people, heard fewer actually speak, and there are some hazy people in the background, but we've only "met" one of them outside their "meeting room" so far. -- Lizzie's "memory sequences" were seriously weird. Well conceived as being memories trying to surface, but so strange and fragmented and unsettling. -- You know what's really bugging me in all this? Where is Dembe?! He's so rarely far from Red's side. -- I don't think you attempt to negotiate with Red and live to tell about it. And if you *do* manage to live, you're probably not feeling so hot afterward. -- LOL: Red telling Luther "I told you so." -- Some of my favorite scenes are when Red is tender with Liz. He conveys so much without ever saying a single word. Whatever his ulterior motives, I have zero doubts that Red cares very deeply for Lizzie. -- So...the Director is CIA(?) and also a member of "the group" and he orchestrated Braxton and his team of "Level Ten criminals" to get The Fulcrum. So. Much. Information. -- Irony: saying "I'm someone not to be trifled with"...to Red. -- Words you never want to hear come out of Red's mouth: "Try me. Call my bluff. *Please*, call my bluff." -- I wonder what these results were that Harold received, because based on his wife's reaction, they aren't good. -- Dr Orchard: The people and the events may have been there, but in different roles. I know this is difficult to comprehend. Liz: Are you telling me I may never know what really happened that night? Dr Orchard: I'm telling you that the only people who can tell you what really happened are the people who want you to forget. -- T called the final scene, that The Fulcrum was inside Lizzie's stuffed bunny. -- The people in charge of selecting music for this show are absolutely brilliant. -- This like a puzzle answer one question leave you with 5 more -- New theory: Red was there, he saved Lizzie from the fire, which is how his back got burned...none of this has changed. But now we're thinking that, given the new knowledge that Dr Orchard told Lizzie that someone has "been inside" her memories before, we think Red hid the memory of the fire and The Fulcrum, and also possibly tried to access it, when she was a child.

**(Mom, S2E13 Cheeseburger Salad and Jazz) Violet [about Bonnie]: Wow. And I thought I was a good liar. Christy: Oh, honey, you're not even the second best in this house. -- Christy [to Bonnie, who just suggested all the guys would want a piece of her] What monkey doesn't wanna climb that tree? -- LOL: Christy's "feelings" drawing. That enraged face slayed me. -- Kinda meh episode, but I think it's funny Bonnie keeps finding herself attracted to guys who remind her of Alvin.

**(Last Man Standing, S4E15 Big Brother) Mike [to Vanessa, who is sneezing]: You coming down with something? Can I get you anything? Maybe a hotel room? ... LOL! So me!-- Mike's vlog, which I realize is meant tongue-in-cheek, poses a very valid point about the "safe haven" laws that exist: *Should* it really be easier to dispose of a baby than used motor oil? I *do* see its value, in the safety of the child, but gosh, they make you jump through more hoops for far less important acts. -- What on *earth* was going on with Kristin's hair?! It was like several people randomly braided her hair without being able to see what anyone else was doing? -- Regarding Mandy kissing another guy, I have to agree with Mike, not Vanessa. Clearing Mandy's conscience by telling Kyle only makes an innocent party left to feel bad. Mandy and Kyle aren't married. Now she knows she has no interest in being with anyone else. The burden of that lesson should remain hers, to remind her why she won't ever test the waters that way again. And yes, maybe she *should* be the one to feel bad.

**(Sleepy Hollow, S2E15 Spellcaster) LOL: Ichabod and the fake banana at the house he was looking at. ::squeaky squeaky:: -- Henry is back! (I don't think I'm supposed to be this excited about a return that will almost assuredly bring chaos and destruction, but John Noble!) -- I think it's hilarious that Abbie pulls out a handgun, but Ichabod carries around his crossbow. -- Solomon Kent is one creepy, bad news dude. -- I found Katrina's wardrobe much more satisfactory this episode. The bustier bit was feeling awkward. The long flowing sweater feels much more...witch-y, somehow. -- Ichabod: Curb thy foul stench, unholy minion! ... Ichabod smacktalk may have been one of the best things out of his mouth in weeks! LOL! The exploding bloody demon was pretty gross, though, -- Parts of this episode (like the boiling blood) felt rather Fringe-y, but the parts with Kent and Katrina tossing around magic felt downright Once-Upon-a-Time-ish, cheese factor and all. -- "The Witnesses and Company" always "only have a couple of hours." I don't think I could maintain that level of intensity without imploding. -- So, all of that warlock nonsense to reveal that Irving's return is exactly as troublesome as Abbie feared, and that he is indeed still owned by Henry. That can only mean ominous things are afoot. -- Speaking of ominous things. What lasting effect is Kent's...revelation to Katrina going to cause? Will we see more of this or will it simply never be discussed again, not unlike the Kindred?

**(Elementary, S3E13 Hemlock) Was Sherlock using old unsolved murders as pillowtalk while, uh, entertaining two "ladies"?? I don't know whether to laugh or be horrified. -- Sherlock [to the secretary who was covering for the missing lawyer]: You're free to resume your life of tedium and petty deception. -- Sherlock: Oh thank goodness. Joan: For what? Sherlock: I found a way out of this conversation. -- I love the interactions between Sherlock and Joan regarding to relationship with Andrew. She gets so testy and he is barely concealing gleeful amusement. -- This show is at its best when they inject humor into the way Sherlock deals with people. -- Holy crap! What an ending. Clearly, someone tried to kill Joan, but got Andrew instead, since someone got the order backward. But how did they know that she would be at the coffee shop to break things off with Andrew?? And why are they trying to kill her?!

**(Blue Bloods, S5E14 The Poor Door) I don't ever remember Frank taking a political side to an investigation on a member of his force before. He's always been on the side of the uniform, not the suits. Even though Frank was right and Weems was taking advantage of his position for personal gain, gaming the system with loopholes, I've still never seen him at least take pause and *hope* the cop was on the up and up. -- Weems [when Frank asked him what he'd do, if he were a rookie and saw a detective doing what he was]: I make it my business to buy that detective a drink and get to know everything about him. -- What is going on with these Reagans? First, Frank. Then Jamie getting all handsy with a perp that triggered his temper. That's a Danny move, not Jamie! -- Frank tested Sid *hard* this episode. -- Garrett: I could be wrong. Frank: Have you ever said that and actually meant it? 

**(Law and Order: SVU, S16E13 Decaying Morality) Barba was all fancypants, arriving at the squad in his tux! He's finally grown on me. Carisi, however, still bugs me. -- I don't typically care for the ripped from the headlines episodes. Partially because it feels like an agenda, and partially because I feel like it's beating an already dead horse. They did pretty well with this one, though. They took "I can't breathe" and all the women coming forward years after the fact, saying Cosby assaulted them, and wrote a totally different story. I wish they did more of their episodes this way.

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Oh Hey Friday!: February 6, 2015

It's Oh Hey Friday! time, hosted by September FARM. The idea is that you talk about five things -- any five things, themed or random -- and away we go!



The "Things To Do in February" Edition!

ONE|
If I keep reminding myself it's strawberry season here in Florida, we won't forget to buy a big flat (from a roadside vendor or stand, not the grocery store) and freeze 'em up for prime strawberries all year long, right? Because last year, we dropped the ball on this one. By the time we went looking, it was past prime berry season, the prices weren't peak-season super low anymore, and we only picked up a half flat.

TWO|
Must get the stones in my wedding band and engagement ring in for their every-six-months inspection (hafta to maintain that all-important warranty!). That means they get a mini-spa and they will be all shiny clean with extra sparkle. I may have had my diamond for four years now and my wedding band for almost two and a half, but I never get tired of holding them in just the right light to make them dazzle.

THREE|
'Tis Walt Disney World Annual Pass renewal time! Sign. Me. Up. This will be my fourteenth consecutive pass -- it's my one gift to myself out of the tax return every year. I've never allowed it to lapse. This will be the closest I've ever gotten. My current pass expires on February 15. We'll be renewing it on Valentine's Day, because we'll already be there for...

FOUR|
Our Valentine's Day Date! We aren't big gifters for Valentine's Day. A card, a little candy perhaps. Nothing major. I don't actually have anything *against* the day. (As far as I'm concerned, the world can always use a little extra love, and I'm game to celebrate anything, no matter how silly, in some small way.) This year, we have a lunch date at Biergarten in the Germany pavilion of Epcot. We didn't plan it special for Valentine's Day or anything. I've just been wanting to go back there for ages and since I need to renew my pass and the weather is cool enough for T to be in the parks without being capital-M miserable, perfect timing!

FIVE|
I've earned two $5 vouchers from the Yankee Candle rewards program, one of which expires this month. That cannot be allowed. I'm eyeballing the new spring scents that have been released. I'll be getting a couple of each, in the Sampler size, but I'm especially excited about Red Raspberry, Picnic in the Park, and Peach Cobbler. I've been holding out, because I'm due for a new catalog sporting a coupon. Here's hoping it arrives before an expiration date forces me to use my vouchers!

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All sunshine and accessories.

I was thinking about her, especially, today. That lady on the left. My Gram. (The one on the right was my Gramp's sister, Emma.) It would have been her birthday today (my Gram's, that is, not my great aunt's). I pulled out some old photos, sifting through them, smiling and remembering her. Wondering what it would have been like to know her in this current stage of my life.

I would have liked to travel with her, to hear her talk about the things that caught her eye, the memories sparked of other trips, other sights, that surfaced. To sit in a car with her, mile after mile, and gather up her stories, the ones I already know and the ones that I never got to hear.

I would have liked to walk the pathways of Disney World with her. One of my favorite people in one of my favorite places.

I would have liked to show her the home I've built with T, to welcome her into it the way she always, *always* welcomed me into hers. With a smile and an exclamation. And a hug for her Sweetbug.

I would have liked to pick her brain. How she instinctively knew the way to make all the flowers bloom with such joy and exuberance. How to accessorize (because heaven knows I have no clue at all). How she always seemed to have all the answers, the right thing to do, the best advice.

I spent my childhood under her feet, in her home, stuck to her like glue. It was my normal, so I never thought to marvel at it. She was just this lovely lady that I loved a whole bunch. She'd be 98 today, but I have no doubt she'd be just as lovely as ever, all sunshine and accessories.

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Broken Road Confessionals: February 2, 2015

Disclaimer: This started as a Monday morning, get it off my chest edition of Broken Road Confessionals. And then I proofread myself and thought the better of it. You see, it isn't that I think I'm perfect. Far from it. But I can try to be a better person today than I was yesterday. The Confessions, in their original form, would be very authentic...but...that doesn't mean they need to be given voice. So with that, a revised version.

**I've noticed that when I take something too personally (whether or not it's meant as such) or if I feel like my space has been violated in some way (real or imagined, literally or figuratively), my knee-jerk response is either to become chilly or to "get off my lawn"-ish, which leads to some fairly passive-aggressive thoughts. Sometimes, I'm attempting to humor myself out of my present mood with some internal snark, but other times, I am, admittedly, just looking to sulk for a while. I recognize that this is childish and unreasonable. I'm working on it. Some days and some situations are...still a work in progress. I have managed to curb the passive-aggressive *behaviors*, but that doesn't mean I'm not still *thinking* it. I confess I could still use a lot of work here.

**One life lesson I feel fairly confident that I've mastered, to the point that it's no longer a "remind myself" response, but is now a genuine reaction is to "win with grace and lose with dignity." It's important to me that I act this way, because I don't like how it feels to be on the receiving end of poor sportsmanship (fandomship?). I confess that I still don't like how it feels, even when I know I shouldn't take it personally. (It's good lesson reinforcement, though.)

And with that, I'm signing off on this round of Confessionals. Because the remainder of my confessions fly in the face of my first. 

Baby steps, right?

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Snapshot from Along the Broken Road: January 2015

1) A photo of me:


2) Candle scents* this month:
Mistletoe. Holiday Garland. Vanilla Snowflake (Bath and Body Works). Peppermint Bark. Welcome Christmas. Snow Is Glistening. Angel's Wings. Christmas Cookie. Magical Frosted Forest. Red Velvet. In a Winter Wonderland. Holiday Sage. Sleigh Bells Ring (for approximately ten minutes before I had to blow it out and toss it, because YUCK, and this is why I prefer to test out new scents in votive size because I was only out two dollars). Harvest. Balsam and Cedar. Season of Peace. Hazelnut Coffee. Candy Corn.

3) What I am reading this month (you can find me on Goodreads!):
At Wit's End (Erma Bombeck) - Lighthearted, humorous, and with some nuggets of wisdom. Exactly the sort of book I was needing to read.
Promises to Keep (Ann Tatlock) - An easy read, I definitely was drawn to keep turning the pages. It was mildly predictable, but I enjoyed the characters so much, that despite having a good idea where the story was heading, I telling myself "one more chapter." I don't think I could choose a favorite character, there were so many I just genuinely liked. I found the conclusion satisfying, and the epilogue ended up being my favorite part of all, the perfect closure.
These Things Hidden (Heather Gudenkauf) - An easy read, sucked me right in and kept me turning the pages, needing to know what happened next. The story was sad, but good, and came with a twist I should probably have seen coming but never did.
The Imagineering Field Guild to Disney's Hollywood Studios (Alex Wright and the Imagineers) - Considering this is my least favorite of the four Florida parks, I went into this one with a little less enthusiasm than I did the others. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. There was a lot of history about Walt included in this one, which I found interesting. I also learned about some park details that I've never noticed. I'm going to have to grab my camera one day soon and head over for some exploring. I'm so glad I got around to reading this one!
Firefly Summer (Maeve Binchy) - Slowly, slowly getting more invested in this one.

4) Calendar image for the month:
I actually skipped it this month. I'm cooking something up...

5) New recipes tried this month:
Ring of Meat - This was actually really yummy. It was like eating a warmed Italian sub with a fork and knife.

6) Restaurants where I ate:
Five Guys.

7) Five things I am loving this month:
1. Lots of highs in the 60s.
2. The Patriots in the NFL playoffs.

3. My new "vintage travel poster" calendar that I scored for work at 50% off.

4. My new "system" of giving T gift ideas when they occur to me, instead of waiting til he asks as a gift-giving event nears. I don't think well when I'm put on the spot.
5. The new camera lens T got me for Christmas.
 

8) Three goals I had this month and three goals for next month:
1. Finally get my music files sorted and iTunes loaded onto the laptop. (I did not accomplish this. This task intimidates me. I need to suck it up and do just one letter of the alphabet at a time, so it doesn't seem so daunting.)
2. Set up my 2015 planner. (Done! I take enormous dorky pleasure in getting my new planner set up for the year.)
3. Get to WDW at least twice, while the crowds are somewhat lower and the weather is somewhat cooler. (Half success. I went to Animal Kingdom once, but my plans for my second visit were thwarted. Oh well. There's always February!)

Look!! The lion actually had his head up! That is probably the third time, in almost thirteen years of being an Annual Passholder, that I've ever seen him as anything more than a tuft of mane blowing in the breeze, as he naps mostly obscured from the view of the safari trucks.

1. And again with a skip because I'm cooking something up.
2.
3.

9) The best part of this month and the worst part of this month:
The best: Settling back into a relaxed routine, now that the hustle and pressure of the holidays are behind us.
The worst: The solid month of illness we passed back and forth at our house. Good grief. Enough!

10) A photo I took this month:

This photo of the meerkats slays me. They are so comical! You almost never see them all out, either. Score one for being there at feeding time!

*All scents are Yankee Candle, unless otherwise noted.

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