Gift Scrap Blog

As many of you know, I love television.  Some people love to read, hike, ski, write poetry…I absolutely love TV.

Many of you also know that I love crappy TV. In fact, I’ll give anything a try at least once.

Perhaps some of you can understand where I am coming from and still catch an episode of One Tree Hill from time to time.

Yes, One Tree Hill.

Anyway, last week’s episode was quite the tear jerker. AND it actually made me think about life and…

Love.

Just in case some of you missed the episode (which I’m guessing everyone did except one or two of you…and yes I am talking about a certain best friend of mine from California who I can always count on watching cheesy TV), there were many subplots, but the most prevalent theme was to go after what you want. Don’t hesitate. Life is too short to play games, especially with love.

This is something that many of us have heard before but how many of us really live life like it might be our last day? I don’t want to get too sappy but I will leave you with this:

Smile more, go with your gut, and love like you’ve never been hurt.

Tiger Woods

“I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable.”

Tiger Woods stepped out of his safe sexless hiding place of three months into the jungle today…to announce to the entire world that he’s a scumbag.  He didn’t put the blame on anyone else but himself, and begged the public to leave his family alone.

Well, here’s what we now know about Tiger:
1. Sorry golf fans, he won’t be swinging any clubs anytime soon.  But when he does step out onto the green, TV ratings will definitely skyrocket.
2. His wife didn’t hit him (but I’m sure she wishes she did throw a punch or two).
3. He is definitely no role model. Duh.
4. Even the golf great can appear vulnerable.
5. Everyone went to lunch a half hour later today.

After his apology, what is everyone’s reaction?

The optimistic reaction: The American hero has issues, but at the end of the day, he’s a human being.  Admitting that he was wrong and telling everyone that he is a cheat was probably one of the most difficult things he’s ever had to do. But we all have made mistakes, right? Maybe Tiger really is on course in becoming a better man.

The pessimistic reaction: Please, that speech was coming straight off paper, not from the heart! It was nothing but a staged public relations stunt. Come on people!

So you’re single.

You live alone…or even worse, you live with 6 roommates and you are 30+ years old.

And it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, so you are even more depressed.

Don’t be! Here are some reasons why it’s good to be single on this Hallmark Holiday…

1. Who wants to leave the house on a Sunday? Sundays are days of rest.
2. Save some money.  No need to buy a tacky heart-shaped gift for anyone – instead, invest in something for yourself!
3. You have work on Monday! No one wants to be all hung over on the first day back to work.  You just saved yourself a massive headache.
4. It’s better to be single than stuck in a bad romance (love that song by the way Lady Gaga).  Trust me, I watch a lot of reality TV and there are so many unhappy couples out there – just check out a repeat of “Wife Swap” or even worse, “Tool Academy.” Guaranteed that will make you feel better.
5. Celebrate your friendships. Don’t fall into the mindset that you have to be in a couple to be happy. Be thankful for the true friends in your life and get them a tacky present if you must buy something.

So Happy Valentine’s day everyone and keep your chin up!

Buttah giving a high five

Buttah playing poker

Seven years ago, my friend and I were walking to our local tanning place (how “Jersey Shore” of us) when we noticed a pet store.  It seemed like the dogs in the window were screaming for us… “Come here, come here two NYC girls, come here, roof!”

We felt the gravitation towards the store and couldn’t fight it so we walked in. Immediately, a little smooched up faced Maltese stared at us.  He didn’t bark or jump – he just looked at us with those “puppy dog eyes.” My friend and I looked at each other and thought, oh why not, let’s play with him for a bit.

Yep, as you may have guessed, our “play time” at the store led to a rather expensive purchase, but nevertheless, the best investment ever.

We named him “Buttah.” Similar to “Butter” but with a slight edge.  Say it with an attitude if you will.

Buttah has been in our lives for 7 years now and has brought joy to so many people.  Over the years, I have realized several things about Buttah…

1. I will be a great mom one of these days. Poop and pee will not phase me as I have cleaned up so much of his, nothing grosses me out anymore.

2. I will never get any exercise walking him.  He literally walks half a block and sniffs every 3 seconds.  He’s definitely not a runner.  He just loves to take his sweet time.

3. He is a great girl magnet. I often let my single guy friends walk him to pick up girls – they are always very appreciative.

4. I create awesome themed parties in honor of him.  For instance, for his fifth birthday, I made “Buttah” saying shirts for all guests.  Some of my favorites were “Buttah Believe it,” “Can’t Believe it’s not Buttah,” “Buttah Bing, Buttah Boom,” and “Buttah Fly.”

5. He is a great judge of character.  Whenever I start to date someone, he knows immediately if he’s a good guy or not.  Cuddles and kisses for those he likes; barks and snarls to those he doesn’t.  (There have been more barks than cuddles over the years).

6. He always feels the need to sit on random items – the remote, my scrapbook stuff, my cell phone, poker chips, laptop, etc.

7. He is such a team player…Buttah LOVES to give high fives.

8. He loves to chill and watch TV.  We could watch The Bachelor, Big Brother, American Idol or whatever mindless reality TV show for hours.  I wonder where he gets his love of television from? hmmmm….

So as Buttah stares at me from the couch right now, I want to say thank you to you little guy.  You’ve brought me companionship and given me patience.  Not to mention some great reasons to throw a party.

Snooki dancing on the boardwalk

All good things must come to an end.  Last night was the finale of The Jersey Shore…it will be a long, cold winter without the outlandish fist-pumping, hot tub going, bar fighting, hook-up crazy shore crew. 

Here are some of my favorite highlights from last night’s episode:

1. Part of me really enjoyed watching Vinny, Pauly D, and Mike head out for some male bonding, which turned out to be pretty tame.  Another part of me was like, huh? When did they all of a sudden become guys who enjoy air hockey and darts? Where was “the situation” there?
2. I was pretty bored when Sammi bailed Ronnie out of jail.  He said he’s not sorry he hit some guy, only that he got caught.  Eh, lame.
3. I was definitely NOT bored when Snooki turned the boardwalk into club Karma…in broad daylight.  Her leopard print mini dress made it even better and watching her break it down in front of the entire shore made me laugh.  She was too lazy to climb the stairs to the bar to chat with guys, but she was definitely not too lazy to dance the afternoon away.
4. My good friend loves Sammi and Ronnie, so I am sorry in advance when I say that their little date should have been cut out of the show.  Although, I did enjoy their cheesy toast, “to their future, post-Shore.” Unfortunately, that is now up in the air thanks to the “unseen footage” on the reunion show. 
5. Pauly D had the most enlightening quote of the night, “”We stayed boys throughout this whole thing. This bond that we shared brings us together and no one can ever take that away from us, ever. Like, we take that with us for life, this bond … That was deep.” Yes Pauly, it was.
6. The hot tub scene with Snooki and The Situation took me completely by surprise.  That kiss was um, revolting? It was nasty to watch, but it was cute to see Mike being genuinely nice to her (before and after the make out).

Thank you MTV for another stellar show.  Keepin’ it classy! I can’t wait for “Snooking for Love!”