Are you there Vodka,..

Chelsea Handler's book Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelseais hilarious, especially since I am listening to the book narrated by herself. Her story told by her, what a great time. I got this CD from the good ol' library.

I am a huge fan of The Chelsea Lately program on E, starring Chelsea Handler. Its scheduled weeknights at 11:00p beginning on February 16, 2009.

Some of you may remember an older post of mine entitled "In the Motherhood," about the web sitcom of the same name starring Chelsea Handler, Jenny McCarthy, and Leah Remini. Well the exciting thing is that the site will now become a sitcom on ABC starring Cheryl Hines, Megan Mullally and Jessica St. Clair, beginning Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 8p.

Guaranteeing all of us laugh out-loud moments.

Human Weights

The Gymbox chain in London has added a new twist to your usual weight training: human weights. Check out this story here.

Fitness & Yoga Channel

It is a rare moment when I flip through more than a few television channels before I settle with something I have taped already on my DVR. The other night I did just that and came across a Free On Demand Channel that was full of exercise programs.

If you have Time Warner in the City of Erie it's channel 537, the LifeSkool On Demand Channel. You will find here Fitness and Yoga programming; as well as Abs, Cardio, Dance, Pilates, Yoga, Toning and short exercises programming which you can do after the kids go to school.

On the same channel you can toggle right to Hot Cars, Karaoke Challenge, Kids $ Family, Love Life, Magic, Music, and Schirripa Cooks episodes.

Rainbow Around The Sun

Yesterday, while we were at Waldameer, I took these pictures of a Rainbow around the Sun. I have never seen such a thing and was truly thrilled.

I learned that when you see a rainbow around the sun, also known as "sundogs", there are high clouds overhead and that it's usually a sign that rain is on the way, which in yesterdays case was true. Those clouds are made of tiny ice crystals, which will refract the sunlight like a prism will.

I feel very fortunate to even see such a sight, and I also have to note that Waldameers new roller coaster The Ravine Flyer was so much fun, what a great ride.

Spinning Class Revamped

While in your spinning class you can now take a virtual tour of the Wine in California, the Spanish in Mexico, or the French in Guadeloupe Tour.

The 6 disc set features 12 different 45 minute tours. During the Spanish tour you pedal through Mexico while learning the language and traveling through different cities including Puerto Vallarta.

To learn more check out the company who came up with the grand idea, Connect18.

I think it sounds fun and would add a new twist to the same old spin class, treadmill or elliptical machine. I am going to suggest this program to the Downtown YMCA.

Ticks at Presque Isle

Ticks are a common known insect at Presque Isle, but if you are educated about how to protect and identify ticks there is no need to panic.

Presque Isle in Erie Pa, has posted signs where ticks may be an issue. Please follow their advisories and if going into the woods be sure to wear long pants.

This is what a tick looks like and some more information for your safety.

Cinderella at Station Theatre

As a follow-up to the new at the Station Dinner Theatre, we went to see Cinderella Sunday, February 17, and thought the show was fantastic.

Not only did we laugh out loud numerous times, but I also found a lot of adult humor intertwined in the dialogue that was too funny.

The children were equally impressed with the show, and were entertained the whole time, there were numerous audience participations.

The meal was served before the show began, which was served family style with as many helpings as needed. Our meal consisted of real chicken tenders, tator tots, chicken salad croissants and a fruit and vegetable plate which was all served by a cast member, not yet dressed for their role. During intermission the cast served a basket of cookies for the table, which was exciting for the children, because now the wicked-stepmother was serving our table.

Job well done by the cast and crew at the Station Dinner Theatre.

The Station Dinner Theatre

The Station Dinner Theatre has announced its new Children's Theatre troupe.

Your lunch and show includes appetizer, meal, and dessert, water, juice or coffee or tea. You can reserve your tickets by calling the Station box office at 814-864-2022.

The following is a list of upcoming shows:
Doors open at Noon show begins at 12:30.

Cinderella-February 16,17
Peter and the Wolf-March 25,26,29,30
Alice in Wonderland-June 21,22
The Emperor's New Clothes-August 16,17
Henry's Halloween Howlabaloo-November 1,2.

Enjoy.

McDowell Class of 1992 Reunion

McDowell High School
Class of 1992
15 Year Reunion:

Where: Upstairs Lounge of Calamari's Squid Row, 1317 State Street, Erie, Pennsylvania.

When: November 21, 2007, 6-11p.

Cost: $12.00 donation at door.

Not Sure Who To Vote For?

The following is an interesting exercise to see which presidential candidate best fits your belief.
You answer a few questions then click the "find your candidate button" and the program selects the candidate who's position on the issues is most like your own...
You may be surprised at what you find... I was.

Click the link below.

Here

The Balloon Guy

If you have not been to 8 Great Tuesdays down at Liberty Park, if anything take your kids to get a balloon from the Balloon Guy.

The Balloon Guy has a list of balloon art for you to choose from. The list contains an easy sword or airplane, to a one-eyed, one-horned flying purple people eater. He is usually standing just west in the playground area near the fence, he may remind you of that tie-dyed Survivor winner from a couple years ago.

The line may take some time so be sure to get in line as soon as you can. The balloon art is free but donations are appreciated.

Enjoy!

American Girl

My4 year old daughter has been hooked on this web game on and off for some time now.

The background music is tolerable too.

Check it out.

View of Lake Erie!

Have you driven north on Peninsula Drive lately?

You really need to. The view of the lake is great just as you are nearing Tom Ridge Environmental Center. You cannot miss it!

I understand they are clearing the trees for the new Waldameer Park, Ravine Flyer II roller coaster.

Travel Scrabble

My husband and I enjoy playing scrabble, but rarely ever find the time to play.

I have aTravel Scrabble game where the letters snap into place, which is great on a airplane or anywhere where your letters may move off the board.

Well, since we have children our travel scrabble board is great around the house. We usually just start a game and keep our own scores. My husband will play his round before work and leaves it on our table, after he leaves for work I play my round. He then will play a round at some point after work and I before I go to bed, and so on and so on...

I take all the time in the world and have come up with some of my best words yet. There's no scrabble pressure and it keeps us connected. The kids can bump into the board and everything stays in place. The letter display is close able so you don't lose any letters, it's great.

Our next game is going to be Chess. So my secret here is to play a game with your mate, it will add some excitement to your routine.

Scott Park, Erie PA

We recently visited Scott Park, located just 1/2 mile east of 6th and Peninsula Drive. There is a new playground that has been added since last year.

This park also has a picnic shelter,restrooms, sand court volleyball, basketball court, BMX racing course and a baseball field. The park also connects to a bike/walking trail with views of the bay.

The picnic shelter is available Saturday and Sunday by reservation only thru Memorial to Labor Day by calling Millcreek Township at 814-835-4122. Weekdays and all other weekends are available first come first serve.

Last year we rode our bikes thru the trails and my son remembered the BMX track that he never got to ride on, and had asked me to return to Scott Park so he could ride the track. So I am looking into when the BMX track would be available to the public.

My secret here is to remind you that your children remember everything.

Have you rode the loop?

In 2005, Penndot completed the west side bike path that links Frontier Park to the Bayfront walkway.

The Frontier Park Loop connects to Bicycle PA Route Z which begins at Route 20 at the Ohio border and ends at PA 5 at the New York Border. Which is the shortest bike route in Pennsylvania at 46 miles long.

This project has enabled us to completely loop around Frontier Park and continue either west or east on PA Bike Route Z.

The secret is that you are never to far to begin your journey.

For a list of other PA bike routes and complete directions, check out PA Highways.

How happy are you?

This was on Oprah the other day.

How happy are you? Take the test,
answer with 1-7, seven being the highest..

1. In most ways my life is close to ideal.
2. The conditions of my life are excellent.
3. I am satisfied with my life.
4. So far, I have gotten the important things i want in life.
5. If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.

add score up
31-35 --extremely satisfied
15-or below dissatisfied with life
and somewhere in between there's room to become a happier person. Dr. Robert Holden has some advice how to live a more satisfying life.

Looking for somewhere to eat?

I am always in pursuit of a great place to eat that is child friendly .

Hence my next perfect place to eat is Crabby Pats Country Roadhouse, 4646 Buffalo Road, Erie PA. My favorite reason is that although my children are pretty much well behaved when we go out to eat, their voices can carry at times but since the music is a little louder in this restaurant than most, I feel my kids can be kids and I'm not having to tell them to shush all the while.

The kids can color on the white paper table cover as well as on their child's play mat and we can all enjoy shelled peanuts while waiting for our meal. After the meal, next door is Skateway, so if diner doesn't tire your family out, then you could go roller skating and assure the kids will sleep on the way home.

My husband likes Crabby Pat's because the food is great and in large portions!

My secret here is that the sweet potatoes are the biggest in town and no one has the sweet butter like they do.

Erie Planetarium

When was the last time you were in a planetarium?

This is a nice activity to do with the whole family. You will need to call for current show and times at 814-871-5790. The Erie planetarium is located at 356 West 6Th Street, Erie PA, which is inside the Mansion Carriage House.

The secret here is that this is a great activity for adults with or without the children and everyone will enjoy themselves.

YMCA

I have been a member of the YMCA since I moved back to Erie after attending college in Pittsburgh in 1995. The YMCA has so many great programs for individuals, as well as the whole family.

First, and foremost, the Y has four locations in our area. Eastside, Downtown, Glenwood and Edinboro. I have used 3 of the 4, with Edinboro being the one I have not used, but I still have that option.

Second, the Y offers daycare free of charge while you work out! This is a big plus, since I thought after I had children it will be hard to find the time to go and work out, but this is not the case. It's great to go workout and still have time to steam or get in the sauna, then get a shower, and not worry about the children.

Third, having choices of different times and different classes and equipment, which really helps to promote diversity in working out. One day you may want a spinning class, the next day you may want to take a kickboxing class. Some days you may of missed the 9:20 class at Glenwood, but can make the 10:00 class at the Eastside. Our bodies can hit plateaus doing the same workout day after day, and options help to avoid this situation, and keeps your body guessing.

Lastly, the Y provides swimming lessons, tumbling, and other classes geared to children, with the cost included in your annual membership. So if your looking for a change in yourself this year, take a moment and check out your local Y.

I have heard a lot of residents state that they don't go to certain other fitness centers in the area, because they feel they have to "get ready" to sweat, this is not the case at the Y's. Everyone is there to work out and feel great afterwords, and I have never felt like I should have done my hair before I go there. It's a very friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

Living in Erie, these three locations are never far from where you live and have served me well and I will continue to brag what great options I have.

The Glenwood YMCA is due to go under a $2.5 to $3 million, 2 story expansion, which will make the facility larger to accommodate the surge of Erie residents who have already discovered the secret.