I’d Rather Wax My Legs Than Wax My Car
Did everyone have a good weekend? I did! Except for one of my Saturday afternoon tasks. So my car needed to be waxed. Like a few years ago. And two different people I know were like, “WAX your car already.” So. . .I finally did. But I hadn’t waxed my own vehicle since probably college days. And I guess I was a little rusty. Because it didn’t go well. Apparently you CAN leave the stuff on too long. And how do you know if you’ve left it on too long? When it takes a sand blaster and some unholy words to get it off. Seriously, I probably needed to go to the altar Sunday morning over my car waxing attitude.
I’ve kept this car longer than any vehicle I’ve ever owned. I got convicted not to buy a new car when Suzie Orman said “A car’s only purpose is to get you from Point A to Point B. Does yours do that? Then you don’ t need a new one.” (Suzie can be a such a hag!) Then I listened to Dave Ramsey who said the same thing. So…I have kept this car instead of giving into temptation and upgrading every few years like I used to. All that to say when half my car was coated with green wax that had been sitting for a while and refused to budge and I was on like hour 2 with hours left to go, I thought, “I wonder if Honda would take this thing–just like it is. I’d rather buy a new car right now than spend one more second on this.” I seriously was mad enough to hop in the 1/2 green car and go trade the thing in. I don’ t think there’s a dollar amount I wouldn’t have paid to turn the job over to someone else. But I pressed on, drove 20 minutes to the car wash to correct some huge errors in greenness, and went to Braum’s for my favorite ice cream. And for once I didn’t get the junior cone.
So let’s do a giveaway. I’m giving away three copies of Shelley Adina’s Tidings of Great Boys.
Great title, eh? I love the color scheme of the cover. Purple apparently is THE color of the fall season. Thank God it’s not orange. Which makes my complexion look like I just threw up.
Okay, so let’s get a question of the week. How about to get in the running for one of the books, you leave a comment and answer the question: Who is someone famous you’d love to meet? (and why) You don’t have to limit it to one person, but the individual must be living. And it has to be generally accepted that the person is living. (So you can’t pick Elvis, Mom.) Last day to enter the drawing is Sunday. After pot roast lunch. I’ll announce the three winners next Monday.
I would have to say I would saw off my right arm (no my left. let’s not go too crazy–it would be hard to eat cereal with my left) to meet Carol Burnett. She is totally my hero. She is the funniest woman on the planet and totally paved the way for women in sketch comedy. I used to watch the Carol Burnett Show reruns every day when I was growing up. Then my friend Denise and I would act them out. We would usually crack ourselves up. But we normally didn’t crack anyone else up. Audiences can be so tough.
So we had show-n-tell this last week. It’s really just my sneaky way of my kids giving their first speech. I had some really great ones. On Wednesday I had a student show us his guitar. He started to pack it up, and I said, “Aren’t you going to play us something?” Because number one, I want to hear some music and number two, it takes up class time (teachers love distractions too). So he nervously thinks about it, then goes back up in front of the class. And begins to play. And as he plays the intro, I’m thinking I know this song. And then he begins to sing this:
Isn’t that cool? Just a reminder that I teach in a very politically correct public school. So yeah, very cool. I was very proud of that kid just for having the guts to sing in front of his classmates period, not to mention how jazzed I was that he sang THAT song. Gutsy.
And then Thursday I had a student bring his violin. This student caught my attention pretty much on day one because he loves classical music and is very knowledgeable about it. So he tells us about his violin–how his immigrant parents from Mexico bought it for him and it was a big deal because they don’t buy expensive things. I think they made a very wise investment. After my smart ninth grader said he knew the violin was his ticket to college, I asked him to play something. This is what we heard (at the 1:25 marker):
Can you believe that? To say it was amazing would be an understatement. I was in the presence of musical greatness. We know I don’t have a blubbery bone in my body (talking tears here, not fat). But students+art? Gets me every time. I was totally wiping my eyes. Completely teared up. I wish you guys could’ve heard that boy play.
I saw Fame this weekend. It was okay. I’d give it a C minus. I wasn’t bored out of my head, but…I was bored. I liked the singing, the dancing. But about an hour into it, I thought is the plot gonna start any time soon?
I really want to see Bright Star.
“My sister has read his poem book. And she wants to see if he’s an idiot or not.” That’s how I feel about a lot of poetry and the creators. I’m hearing great buzz about this movie, but unfortunately it’s not playing in my area. Hopefully it will. I love period pieces. And big hats–I’m a sucker for big hats. But. . .I don’t see how it can end happy. I’m pretty sure they don’t break out into song and dance like they did on Fame. Which is a pity. Because I think I would enjoy any movie more if that did occur. Have you all ever seen the movie Much Ado About Nothing? (My most favorite story ever, even if it is by Shakespeare.) It ends in singing and dancing. Merry making. Revelry. Lollygaggery.
Speaking of happy things, have you seen this talented dalmatian?
I don’t know whether that’s neato to watch…or wince worthy. Did anyone else wince while watching that? Just seems…wrong. Now if you could show me video of a dalmatian who could walk and vacuum, then I might be impressed. And ready to write a check.
Something else I accomplished this weekend was finding a picture of the leading man for the book I’m working on. I like to print out real pics of my characters. Helps me visualize them. Anyway, what do you think of Dave Annable? I found him on Ellen. He was just there. On stage. Waiting for me to see him and put him in a book. So I did. You’re welcome, Dave Annable. Does anyone have any suggestions for his female love interest? I’ve had red heads and brunettes, so maybe I should branch out and have a blonde leading lady? Pamela Anderson and Jessica Simpson need not apply.
One last thing–Chili’s restaurants are huge supporters of St. Jude, one of the best charities ever created. Many Chili’s restaurants are donating 100 percent of their profits today to St. Jude’s. So if you are looking for a place to eat lunch, dinner, or fourth meal, head to a participating Chili’s.
Have a great week. Don’t forget to let me know what famous person you’d love to meet. You have until Sunday afternoon to comment.
JEN
P.S. If you liked this post, you might also like:
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22 Comments so far
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Julie Andrews!
Oh, Laura, Julie Andrews is awesome. Mary Poppins is one of the best movies ever. She’s just so classy.
I’d like to meet Brooke Fraser because she’s my “personal therapist”. There are no words to describe how her lyrics and music touch me. She’s great!
I would so love to meet Tenth Avenue North! I love their music! By your Side is one of my all time fav songs!!!
Joe McIntyre! I love NKOTB and think he is very talented and HOT! lol
I’d like to meet Laura Bush. She loves books, I love books. Sounds like a good match. And Luci Swindoll. I think she is a stitch. And maybe that Jenny B Jones girl. =)
I would enjoy sitting down with either Patsy Clairmont, Jenny B. Jones or Marylin Meberg. All are very good story tellers in one format or another.
I would love to meet Orlando Bloom. Or Julie Andrews! She seems so classy, and he seems like a nice guy! : )
~Swordgirlforchrist
I would saw off my right arm to meet George Washington. It’d be miraculous that A) I could meet him and B) that I’d saw at my flesh to do that. But, the more I read about him, the more intriguing he becomes. And, any trip to Mount Vernon reveals how unique he was as a leader in our country’s history. Oh, he could write well too….. some guys have all the luck.
That is AWESOME that your students are such great musicians. And that boy playing “By Your Side”… Tenth Avenue North is one of my favorite bands ever, and it rocked that he played their song in school.
A dog riding a bike…um, yeah. Shouldn’t exist. (Though I’d take a dog that washed my bathroom!)
If I could meet someone famous — who’s still alive anyway — I’d want to meet Patsy Clairmont. I love her books, and I would enjoy asking her about her early years of marriage. Now, if the rules applied for dead people, William Wilburforce would be at the top of the list. I loved learning about him in “Amazing Grace”, and I wish I didn’t have to wait till heaven to ask him about his life.
I would like to meet the Duggars from 18 Kids & Couting. Why? First, I’m the oldest of 6 kids so I can sorta relate to the big family thing (6 is definently not 18 though!!!). Second, watching their family on tv is like a breathe of fresh air. Sometimes it seems like “I’m the only one”. The only one saving her first kiss for her wedding day, the only one not dating just to date, the only one dressing modestly (I do not wear skirts all the time though – shorts and pants are fine!). And that’s why I’d like to meet them.
I’m going to go with Taylor Swift because her hair CAN’T look as perfect in real life as it does on TV and CD covers. Plus, maybe we could do a duet or something. She seems like she’d be really nice in person.
I’d also really like to meet Johnny Depp, just because I think we’d really hit it off.
I <3 your Blogs!
so funny. so informative. my husband gets to enjoy all your funny videos too. im excited to show him the bicycling pup. he will chuckle im sure.
i DONT want to be entered! woman…BUT i do want to meet Tracy Morgan, i think he would be hysterical to know.
or Johnny Depp just b/c i would love to meet him and then steal a personal item. like pants…weird?…OR Robin Williams. not for his pants. or Ellen Page.
happy week!
So cool about your musical students!! Not sure who I’d like to meet in person, I’m not a big celebrity stalker, but I want to win this for a couple of my teen friends and because I just saw High School Musical for the umpteenth time and didn’t tire of it, and this is a teen book I’ll say…Corbin Bleu, okay so I probably can’t spell his name and I’m so brain dead right now I’ll probably be kicking myself for not choosing someone else (like it really matters!) but he’s a cutie, and I love his smile and hair! So there!
You are so fun!!! A friend just introduced me to your writing and I am already a fan! First off, Dave Annable is adorable. Good choice. Second, your students sound amazing. And what a fantastic idea to have show and tell for freshman! As for someone I would like to meet… I would have to say Julia Roberts. We both have boy/girl twins and I would love to see if she is truly as endearing in person as she is on screen. And doesn’t she just look like a fun person to laugh with?
Keep up the great work!
oh my, yes dave annable is a cutie!! i definitely think u shud use him but u cant just make him a fuzzy distant outline of a guy like w/ Conner… it shud b a nice close up where we can see those fine features!!
so if i cud meet someone famous i would pick Dick Van Dyke… i have started watching his old black & white TV show & love his goofy (and so clean!) humor! thats probably one of the only shows from 40 years ago that i can sit thru & find entertaining!
Anne Hathaway, cause I love the Cinderella theme, and she does it well.
Clint & Stacy (wntow) would be great too, if they come toting a 5k card for me. Although I would like to think I don’t qualify for ugly dresser, I hope:)
i would want to be mother theresa as funky as she sounds, because ultimately she tried to keep the most important commandments and i think that is one of the most important thing we can do.
And please pray for my little sister who fell out of a tree a broke her right wrist, fimar and nose. She is only 8
Thanks
Liana
Truthfully, I would love to have a girlfriend chat w/ you…I love your writings…and your blog.
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
I want to meet Oprah. I really admire her for the accomplishments that she has been able to reach, coming from where she came from. Love her
OK, I want to see BRIGHT STAR now, too! This is ridiculous. You always get me to watch to read books or watch movies, Jenny B. Jones! I am going to have NO FREE TIME ever again!
Who I want to meet? KRISTIN CHENOWETH (shocker I know!) I want to interview her, but I’d probably pee like an excited puppy. So humiliating.
Jenny,
SO my two famous people.. one would be you..:D It would be fun to pick your brains for fun facts and hear your commentary on the lastest happenings in our bizarre world.
Honestly I have to say you are such an amazing writer! I love your books and can lose myself hours in them!
The second person I would love to meet is eduardo verastegui. He was the main character in the movie bella (which is amazing by the way) and it’s not because he is hot.. well not entirely.. he has an amazing story. An up and coming actor who rediscovered God. Here is a link to the video he talks about it. : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEz_HjMM4XA&feature=related
God bless you and continually use you for His glory! Have a great day/night!