Downton, Better than Real Housewives

Image via The Telegraph

I hurried home from work last night to watch the next episode of Downton Abbey.

Once again, the only disappointment came when the episode was over.  Next week's episode looks like it is going to be a doozy!

Really, why do we need to watch housewives in random cities when we have Downton?  Classless versus Classy.  Is there even a competition?

Throughout the show, I find myself empathizing with the older Lady Grantham and Lady Mary.  I love the tradition that their estate represents.  Could they relax a bit?  Certainly.  However, they are trying to hold on to something beautiful.

I do wish the writers would allow Thomas to be gotten in trouble with Lord Grantham.  He (Thomas) is the most irritating, deceiving, and smug character.  I hate how he is never caught, despite all the nonsense he puts in Daisy's head, the trouble he gets people into, and his complete double-faced personality.

Shirley MacLaine is my favourite.  I love her and wish she would not go back to America.  Her character adds spice to the chemistry among the family that is great fun to watch.  Of course, now that Lady Edith is getting married, her return to America will probably be postponed.

Let's talk about Lady Edith for a moment.  Poor thing really is set on the back burner a bit.  But, she isn't my favourite character.  In fact, she is a bit dull.  Plus, I know you've seen the way she throws herself at Sir Strallan.  He is awfully old.  But, he seems to be the only option the writers decided to write into the script for her.

When the part is about to fall apart, MacLaine just goes right into planning mode.  LOVE IT!  She take charge, makes it all fabulous, and the night is a raging success!

Oh, did anyone else find it awkward and funny when Shirley MacLaine finished the song by practically serenading the older Lady Grantham?

The next episode should be great!  Till next week!

There She Is, Miss America

Before the Pageant

 Watching Miss America is something I hope to do my whole life.

I love the excitement, experiencing the emotion, critiquing the wardrobe choices, and criticizing the changes I don't like.  This year was the first time I watched it physically alone.  However, I was skyping with Marie, talking on the phone with my mother and step-mother, texting multiple people, and keeping track of who I liked on my chart.

As usual, the network (ABC) threw in some twists.  I don't like the decision to allow the public to vote someone in who otherwise might not have made it.  We do not know all that the judges know.  All we see is a pretty face or, in the case of this year's People's Choice winner, a cause we feel sympathy towards (I am not at ALL knocking Miss Montana.  She is beautiful and has conquered great challenges to do what she has done).  However, only the judges can critique the interviews, which counts for a lot.  They see and judge the girls' character to the best of their abilities.  They know who will be a good choice to be a role model to people everywhere.

Anyway, congratulations to Miss New York!  I am sure she will do an excellent job as Miss America 2013.  My step-mom actually helped with the Miss New York 2012 pageant, so she was especially happy.  My first and second choices were Miss Wyoming and Miss South Carolina.  Unfortunately, Miss Wyoming did not place as high as I would have liked.

Also, was anyone else irritated that the Miss America song was not played???

After the Pageant

Who Will Be Crowned?

Last year's chart

Today is the day.

What day, you ask?

Kirsten's Super Bowl, aka, Miss America!

Tonight, I will begin preparing for Miss America 2013.  It begins with a pre-show something or another at 8PM and the pageant begins at 9PM!  So excited.

Yesterday I began thinking about ways to have a more efficient chart to track who I think will win.  Last year I made an improvement on the year before.  I just want to make sure I am organized and keep up with who my choices are.

Unfortunately, this will be my first year watching it by myself........ever???  Oh my word.  This is a tragedy!  If anyone wants to join me, just let me know!

I will, I'm sure, be texting multiple people about it.  And, hopefully my lovely cousin, Nikki, will be my long-distance watching buddy.

Till tonight, my friends!

Just An Average New Years...with Nerf Guns

Family.
New Years Day was full of family.
Most of the cousins were together.
Best time of the day, you ask?
When they brought out a nerf gun and started shooting at the bay window in the living room (you know, the room with the breakable stuff  ;) ).
My cousin, Gabriel, grabbed a couple of dry erase markers and drew a bulls eye on the window.
Then, from ages 3 to 50+ we clamored for a turn at shooting the gun.
**I was the only one to get a straight bulls eye!**

Of course, the usual happened.
We watched the Rose Parade, ate tons of food, drank New Years punch, played games, watched football, laughed, and enjoyed the little ones.

Christmas Favourites!

Blog Challenge:  Favourite Holiday!

"Hi, I'm Kirsten, I listen to Christmas during months that aren't after Thanksgiving and before New Years!"

Yes, Christmas is my favourite holiday.  I've always loved it.

After I was born my mother listened to Christmas carols.  I was born in July.

When I was little I called nativities "festivities."  Can you already tell I was an extrovert?

The whole Christmas season gives off the cozy, warm, aura.  Some foods even taste like Christmas.  They may not even have cinnamon in them.

My best Christmas present memory is when I got all my American Girl Dolls (Kirsten and Felicity), their accessories, and in my stocking was a white little statue that opened at the bottom and held a pretty ring.  It sounds very Elsie Dinsmore, doesn't it?

I love the family gatherings, candle light services, and solos of O Holy Night.

We used to open a present from my Grandma in England on Christmas Eve.

Oh, and Grandma Bush's Coffee Cake on Christmas Morning.  Oh. My. Word.

During the Christmas Eve service my grandfather reads The Visited Planet.  Please go read it!

One of my favourite Christmas songs (that tells me it is Christmas) is Mannheim Steamroller's Hallelujah.  So beautiful.

Then, during my Freshman year at college the Freshman girls decorated the Freshman guys dorm.  It was SO much fun.  AND, this is what happens when you leave a camera to catch their first reactions...the Freshman guys...not those upperclassman.

Do you have any special traditions or memories?