GOTTA LOVE HER

WRESTLING WITH ADDICTION

I am here to report that a new addiction has taken over my life. Books are being left half-read on the bed side table, dust is collecting on the mantle, phone calls aren't being returned, dinner has been reduced to grilled cheese (not even w/tomato soup), my running shoes are feeling neglected (ok, that's really nothing new), my sleeping patterns are disrupted, even the dogs are suffering.

What is it, you ask, that has me in a headlock? Why do I feel like I've been body-slammed by the big boot and legdrop?

Hi. I'm Angela. I'm a Hulkaholic.

That's right folks. I'm addicted to Hogan Knows Best.

Let me define addiction: the intense feeling to race home from work and settle into my over-sized chair with a grilled cheese and find out what's happening at the Hogan house; the inability to do anything else while I have access to the DVR; staying up way past my usual bedtime to watch "just one more" episode; Aaron pointing out that I grin cheesily at the television screen as the Hogan's lives are played out.



I've been addicted to TV shows before. There was the Sex and the City run Renee' and I had when we lived together in our tiny one-bedroom apartment with no cable. And also the Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica fix, which was also co-chaired by Renee'. But it's been a while since I've fallen off the wagon. And I never fall for reality shows. (oh, wait, except for that Newlyweds thing.) Usually I just have an intense liking for shows (Grey's Anatomy, House Hunters, Dirty Jobs). Maybe those were just gateway shows. This is beyond intense.

So how did it begin? Where did I get my first taste of Hogan? It all started when Aaron innocently set the DVR to record Hogan Knows Best, just to check it out, see what it was all about. But isn't that how all addictions begin - what's one time gonna hurt? I'll tell you what one time will do! It will hook you faster than you can say Thunder in Paradise!

Although the show is in its third season, and the first taste was a Season 3, our DVR caught a re-run marathon and recorded the first 36 episodes. Yeah baby! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout Brother!

Really, though, Terry "Hulk" Hogan is a surprisingly normal, sensitive guy. Yes, he still sports the handle-bar mustache and yes, he only wears shirts without sleeves, but he is a genuine person and a great dad to his two teenage kids, with a bandanna-clad headful of great advice and sound parenting. "Fight the fight when you know you're right" was his battle cry in the episode where the city of Bellaire was trying to make the family get rid of one of their pets (gasp! can you even imagine?!) so they would be in compliance with city ordinances.



His wife, Linda, is really great too. She is the typical do-everything Mom. She's funny and laid-back, but passionate and loyal. So what if she has platinum hair and a chest as big as the Hulk's? She loves her kids, respects herself and does not overdo it in so many ways she could.

The kids are pretty normal too. Well, except for the whole thing about Brooke trying to break into the music industry. During the episode where the family goes to L.A. so Brooke can record her debut album, Aaron said to me "If she can release an album, you could release an album." Geez, Aaron, have you been drinkin' haterade? (but really, he's right.)

Overall the whole family seems to have a genuine respect and caring for one another. They have their moments, but they are a tight bunch.

This morning I found out that Nick Hogan was in a pretty bad car accident earlier this week. Luckily he's ok. Whew.

I really have to go now. I'm starting to have withdrawal.

I'm going to go tear my shirt off now. Grrr.

IF NOTHING EVER CHANGED, THERE'D BE NO BUTTERFLIES

You know that feeling you get when you are changing, I mean really changing? Not just something in your life, but something deep inside you is fundamentally evolving, when you feel yourself moving into more of who you are; when you have figured out another piece of yourself, how you fit in the world, what is important to you and what you believe in.

It reminds me of getting caught in a storm; how in an instant the sky turns dark and the temperature drops; the smell of impending rain fills the air, you can hear thunder in the distance and the wind begins to swirl madly.

It's exhilarating and scary at the same time. There's a sense of chaos; an impulse to run for cover. It's powerful, an awesome sight to behold. It can make you feel small and vulnerable against the forces of Mother Nature but also defiant in knowing you won't dissolve or be blown away. Proceed with caution; pay attention.

Then the rain pours. Whipping your head around to catch each instance of lightning slicing the atmosphere, bones trembling with thunder, eyes wide with anticipation, every sense on alert, maybe you get soaked; maybe you stand in the downpour and yell at the sky; maybe you huddle under an eave to assess the storm.

Then it passes. The earth is still turning, the sun still hangs in the sky, a rainbow appears. You see the world freshly bathed, bright and shiny, from your new perspective.

be strong and courageous.
do not be terrified, do not be discouraged.
for the lord your God will be with you,
wherever you go.
joshua 1:9

STILL PLAYS SUPERHERO AT THIRTY ONE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BRO!

TOTALLY TUBULAR

Here are some pics from our day at the lake a few weeks ago. We had a lot of fun tubing! Aaron is the best at driving the boat while pulling a person on the tube. We all got some mad air; Scott did some acrobatics. Angela was the brave first tuber; but everyone was too fascinated watching her skillz to take any pictures of her on the water donut.

Floating

Mr. Fancy Pants Scott

Sargent Sass Taylor

Captain Aaron

Proof I WAS there

Miss Pods

Baby Peters

Miss Pods and G

HAPPY THOUGHTS

Rainbows, Pink Cupcakes, Sunshine, Hugs, Lake Travis, Fireworks, Big meals with dessert, Snuggling, Someone saying "I Love You," Frozen drinks on the beach, Cozy fires, Silence, Smores!, A good book, Date night, Being up high looking down, Open windows, Duck Face, A clean house, Lip gloss, Soy Lattes, The Star Spangled Banner, Recently highlighted hair, Changing seasons, Ice Cream, Knowing that people are waiting for me to come home, Long kisses, Daisies, Waxed eyebrows, A clean car, Wagging dog tails, Sunrise, Walks on the beach by myself, Breakfast with friends, Spring Cleaning, Strawberries & bananas, Giggles, Bluebonnets, Butterflies, Warm blankets, Fun-colored pens, Love notes, New shoes, Garage Karaoke, Clever t-shirts, Pancakes. . .

TUESDAY TURNIP

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