A Letter To Daytime Talk Show Hosts

Dear Oprah, Ellen Degeneres, Regis & Kelly,

Hi! I am writing this letter because I really love your shows, but never get to watch them but for the occasional day off.

I, unfortunately, have a job working as a nurse for a busy neurosurgeon. Our office does have a TV set that we leave on for the purpose of patient privacy, but it really is pretty hard to actually watch the individual segments with anything but a passing glance and usually a guess as to the topics.

I have thought about taping your shows, but that is just not possible due to time limitations and stress of having so many shows “to watch.” I have been off most of this week due to the flu, and have been able to watch more of your shows.

I got to thinking that it would be a thrill of a lifetime to actually be a member of your audience (especially on Oprah’s favorite things show), or win some of the fabulous prizes that you give away (like when Ellen gave away some fabulous musical instruments), or be able to compete in your contests, or even submit things to your weekly features. I realized that competing in some of the contests requires ability to answer questions from previous shows, so that kinda leaves me out on those.

I also realized that I don’t fall into any category that sometimes seem to be the benefactors of your largess.

I will tell you a little about my life:

I have a great life, get along with my husband of 33 years, have 3 great boys that are now wonderful men, have a beautiful baby grandson (that could have competed in the baby of the year award on Regis & Kelly’s show recently, had I only known about it).
Here are some pictures that I might have submitted:

I very fortunately don’t have any hard-luck tales to share. I wouldn’t qualify for extreme makeover shows. I am not rich, but not poor, have health insurance, fairly good health, have a nice home, transportation to go where I need to, and a job I love. But mainly I have a great family that is close and whom I love very much.

One of “My favorite things” is getting together for Sunday dinner and just family time. We love sitting around watching the “grandson show”, which is where everyone in the household sits around and watches the baby play, or learn to crawl, or pull himself up.

The uncles both enjoy having some baby time, too. .

Along with grandma and grandpa:

The boys also manage to squeeze time into playing their instruments in the basement. I call their “band”: “Wasted Talent in the Basement” but they call themselves the Owens Brothers Band. (They are pretty good, even though I’m their mom, and they never play any of my requests.)

We hold a yearly barbecue that we call the Owens Backyard Bash or OBB that includes a combination of the boy’s friends, our neighbors, and coworkers and we have the Brothers band for entertainment.

We make a pretty wicked hot dog for the OBB!

I have to admit that I am a reality television junkie and have not missed a season of watching survivor , American Idol, or dancing with the stars.

I have thought it might be fun to try to compete on one of those shows, but I probably wouldn’t do that well.
Not from lack of trying on my part.

I don’t feel I’d be a great survivor contestant because:
1. I would end up looking like the anorexic girl they had last season, because I have one of those great metabolisms that lets me eat just about anything I want-(again a blessing for me).
2. I don’t like bugs.
3. My husband would say I am too opinionated and wouldn’t be able to keep my mouth shut when I should.
4. I would work myself to death around camp and be bad at the challenges, due to fatigue, because I am one darned hard worker and love to clean! (Hence the nickname from my middle son of the “terminator cleaner”.)

I don’t think I‘d make a great contestant on dancing with the stars because:
1. I’m not a celebrity.
2. I’m not that great of a dancer, even though I like dancing, can keep a beat, but would probably pass out doing turns!
3. My husband says I like to lead and he vows we will be taking no more dance lessons until I learn that the female does NOT lead!!

As for American Idol:
1. I don’t sing.
2. I’m too old for the competition.
3. I spend way too much time comparing the contestants to my own sons and saying “our boys could compete on that show!!” (I know this is the mother in me, but they definitely would not be in those outtake reels!!)

And even though I don’t watch Amazing Race, I wouldn’t be a great competitor because:
1. My husband and I would end up divorced trying to accomplish the goals. (You just can’t have a person whose internal compass is totally screwed (me) working with a logistics specialist !)

Anyway, the point I would like to make, is that I am just like the millions of people who watch your shows with the hopes and dreams of “wow, wouldn’t that be great to do that” or “win that” or “travel there” or “also help those people.” I sometimes feel slightly jealous about all the free gifts, prizes and such that your shows give away….Why can’t that be me? I feel like I am totally deserving! But you know what? I really wouldn’t trade my life for any of those great perks, especially if it requires some of the adversity that we have seen and heard about on your shows. I guess I'm just one of your average viewers but I don't feel "average".... I feel pretty Blessed!

I will continue to catch glimpses of your shows, continue to religiously sign up for HGTV’s dream home, publishers clearing house sweepstakes, have my husband buy the occasional lottery ticket (you know… when it gets really high and gets a lot of attention), look for my favorite “I’m going to Disney World!” commercial that runs after the Super Bowl and wish that it was me going to Disney, and continue to wish I could see your shows more often. I will probably lament that “ I never win anything.” But that’s ok.

Maybe one day in the future, I’ll be like that stay at home house wife that was surprised that she was chosen to dance with Derek, from dancing with the stars, on Oprah. Maybe I'll win a trip to Disney, or get a chance to travel more, but until then, I know I will continue to dream, be thankful for all I have, and enjoy my life!

Sincerely,
A devoted TV daytime talk show fan that unfortunately has to work during daytime viewing hours.

IT"S Not the Big One!

IT’S NOT THE BIG ONE, so take a deep breath!!!…IT”S JUST ME WRITING A BLOG!!
I almost hate to ruin my family’s running joke about my blog writing absence!
Jeffrey, in particular, may have to come up with a new standard answer to questions from the “this is my question, mom!!”

Most of the conversations go something like this:
Me: “ I need to ____ “- (Here you may insert any appropriate activity such as: clean, read, take bath, go to Walmart, watch TV, etc.)
Family member: “You COULD go write a blog.”
They have been pretty relentless about wanting me to post something.
I’m not sure they were all that interested in my thoughts before when I was blogging on a more regular basis, but I appreciate that they seem to have missed me writing.

I can’t really believe it has been so long since I sat down and wrote anything!
If I think about why I haven’t blogged, I would have to say it probably is because I didn’t feel like I could adequately describe the wonderful experience of waiting on a new grandbaby to make his appearance and then the reality of having a new grandbaby.
I was discussing this problem with Cara, “my blog mentor”and the person that introduced me to the blog world. (Admittedly, this conversation took place about a year ago!) She said that when the subject is emotional, she sometimes just posts pictures. That made perfect sense to me but I still felt like I should be writing something incredible about the baby! .
Teddy is just the most adorable baby and it has been GREAT being grandparents and watching him change so quickly.

It seemed like forever while we were waiting for him to make his appearance but it was so exciting when he arrived. It only took one look and it was all over ….we all fell hard for the little guy!
We can’t seem to get enough of him! It seems like each picture taken of him is cuter than the last! (I know that I am totally biased on this subject…but he really is the cutest baby ever!) Below is a sample of his adorableness!!!!:

You can see his new teeth in this one:




He loves his tongue...that is totally a grandpa and mom trait!


I confess that I show off pictures of him to my co-workers pretty frequently and must admit that they have been pretty good about not groaning when they see me dragging out the new pictures. (BTW-That bragging and picture showing is allowed in the grandmother’s rule book!) The doctor I work for is not as enthused about the baby pictures and sometimes gives me a hard time about all the pictures, stories, etc about the baby. He is a big hunter and loves to show his deer pictures and elk pictures and tell stories about them. I told him that everytime I have to look at dead deer or elk pictures, then he has to look at baby pictures! It seems to be a good balance!!

The mystery Blogger has done a wonderful job posting some adorable pictures of “the-adorable Theodore” in my absence and I really appreciate the “substitute Blogger” stepping in and assisting with the big events going on around here. I hope he will continue to ”Share” this blog. He actually has some good stories in him and I would love for him to write a few more!

There always seems to be a lot of “things to do” and as I’ve mentioned before, writing really isn’t one of my favorite things… I much prefer sitting around reading, watching cooking and decorating shows ( or reality shows, you know). And basically now, TEDDDY TRUMPS ALL Things!!

Having the family over is like a big treat and we really look forward to our weekend get togethers. We love having the “firebug” over.( This would be the daughter-in law that loves to mess with starting a fire and “tending it”. ) There is nothing that beats good food, nice cozy fire on a winter’s day, and all the family over…and of course TEDDY!!!! It usually ends up being the “Teddy show” and we all sit around and watch him play, learn to crawl, eat and do all those baby things that seem like such big deals!!

During the week, it has been a little quiet around here since the youngest went back to college. We really miss having him deciding what’s for dinner!!! (Just kidding, we miss him for other reasons too!!! But if he is reading this: What’s for Dinner?)


Well, I have been composing this little blog for several months ( even though it doesn’t say much), and I really need to post it . I hope I will be inspired to write a few more blogs in a timely fashion, but I’m not promising anything at this point!!

Christmas 2007 A few Pictures

Since the real blogger STILL not blogging, I thought I would put these pictures up for you to view. Maybe the real blogger can post the pictures she wants the world to see.

Notice the mom ( top right picture ) looking for the Size of Teddy's new PJ bottoms (our traditional matching PJ bottoms on Christmas Eve.). Guess what Mom, They are home made and made to fit, there is no size.


Hopefully the real blogger will start participating shortly.

Before the First Christmas

Well, the real blogger did not take her turn to post the Thanksgiving pictures, so the mystery blogger has to post a few before Christmas pictures. Hopefully the real blogger will start with the First Christmas pictures as soon as 12/25/2007 comes and goes.

Guess what Teddy was for Halloween?

That's right , a Teddy Bear. Posted by the mystery blogger. Still looking for the real one.

Hail to the Redskins

The youngest dedicated Redskins fan.

and if the real blogger starts blogging then we might get a few more pictures. But I just had to post this one.

Technology is Great

While sitting down to grab a bite to eat before we take off for the boys to play a little gig, The youngest asks "Can I print form this computer?" I answered "Yes". So he then issues 3 copies to print of the set list and all the words to go along with the list. As we continue to eat lunch and we all hear the printer printing.. I went in to see if the printer needed paper cause the printer stopped. You see what I found. We had somewhat cheap paper in the printer and when it comes out, it curls up. We had this well planned print of 3 copies printed laying all over the table and floor. So much for planning ahead. Yes there is a printer in there somewhere and the mess is not staged. This is how I found the print job.

And now for a new picture of, Well you know who.

Another group of pics

You wanted another, here it is.. taken on 09/29/2007

Although the real blogger should be doing this.

Proud Grandpa (Oops Mystery Blogger)

I this the best or what?

Why not blog?

The real blogger has time to blog tonight, but the excuse this time is "I am spending time watching football with my husband." WHAT!

by the way it is now 08:18 my time and the real blogger is now upstairs taking a bath..

What OBB5 was about

Friends, Family, Music, and Food
ok and maybe a little beer.

Cinco De OBB Chili Recipe

History of OBB Hot Dog Chilli

The West family owned a Drive-In Theater in WVA. They had the best dog chili for miles around. This recipe is handed down from family to family. The only thing difficult about the recipe is that it is for the size of pot for the drive in theater. I have included the actual amounts I put in for the Cinco De OBB chili.

And the only way to eat a hot dog, for those who come from WVA. is chili and slaw.

Real Recipe: as handed down and as written:
10 LBS. Hamburger
4 Tbs. Garlic powder
Onion Salt
4 Tbs. chili powder
½ bottle Tabasco Sauce
3 Cups onions

Brown meat. Cover with water. Cook onions
1 gallon ketchup
Salt and pepper


OBB5 Hot Dog Chili:
6.72 lbs hamburger
3 Tbs garlic powder
2 Tbs Onion Salt
3 Tbs chili powder
1 full bottle of Heinz Ketchup 50.5 ounce, and ½ bottle of same (so 1.5 bottles)
¼ bottle Tabasco Sauce (Small bottle) adjust to your taste.
½ cup real onion chopped fine, and ¼ to ½ cup dried minced onion

Brown meat and chop into small bits.
Put into large stewing pan. (mine is 8 Qt. no stick)

I mixed all ingredients in a big bowl until even, then added to meat.
I also added small amounts of water until I got the thickness I wanted.

Now the rest of the Cinco De OBB will be the next BLOG.. I am goin to press the original blogger to post the story. But I will tell you that is was the best OBB to date.

So what do ya do on a Saturday Night in Manassas?

You have a Toga Party.
Rumor has it that the missing blogger was there.

Notice TiKi Bar ( it was a tropical Toga Party)

Yep I wore a Toga.. but not for long

UUUUHHH!!! yep I be the cook!

Now for my Green Thumb

The previous flower pictures were the flowers that the missing blogger has responcibility.

These new pictures are the responcibility of the Mystery blogger. Note the Orchids are in their second bloomation, and I have two more waiting to bloom

The other two are just my bonsai.

To Re-Butt Neva's Garden

Here are the garden flowers around here.

And my favorites, My Neighbor calls them "The Volunteers"

Ok Cute Babies are cute.

Ok! I had to put these up for viewing. They are a picture of what a cute baby looks like.

Ok! Proud Grandpa talk..

Still have not found the missing blogger. We are planning an intervention for her. She needs help. anyone want to participate?

New member of the Family

Not of the human kind but is a new baby to this family anyway.

Yup! it is a PRS 2oth Year Edition.

And for news on the other baby in our family, All is doing great.

We are still waiting, we found the blogger but.....

NO New blogs from her. So mystery blogger must strike again. Come on folks lets get her back...

Claim it or not?

This is the mystery blogger again.

Ok off the new grandson subject this time.

I had a sweet little girl rear-end me tonight. Fortunately no one was hurt, just the bumpers, and her pride.

So I would like the opinion of people about claiming it on insurance and get it fixed. She is fully covered by the way.

OK she is not back, but here r more pics of Teddy

and one happy family