I posted the fireworks video on The Telegraph earlier this week, but for all of you who haven’t seen it check it out. It’s the second year I’ve been to watch the show in Bethalto and let me say it’s a nice one. So if you’ve got plans to go somewhere for the Fourth of July then enjoy the festivities if not check out the show.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Did you know that it’s only 176 days until Christmas? Wow, it will be here before you know it.

So why did I bring up the holy holiday? In nine days Hallmark will premiere its ornaments. If your a collector then you look forward each year to getting your hands on the newest tree decorations.

Many years ago I used to work for a local Gold Crown Store and let me tell you that premiere day for some is the same as someone who finds a designer handbag for half price. There are squeals of excitement and joy if they get their hands on one of the Keepsake pieces. While I worked at the store I collected quite a few, but my favorite are the snowmen.

Every year I used to unpack and repack the ornaments during the holiday season. It took quite a bit of time and to tell you the truth I got tired of it so I stopped. I still have my ornaments and since I moved into a new house this year I just may get them out again. Don’t you think the saying “What’s old is new again?” could count for living in a new location?

During a tough economy many of us will start getting ready for the holiday’s earlier than usual and Hallmark is just there to remind us that Christmas starts in July.

Are you enjoying the heat? I know it’s horrible outside, but most of all my hair knows it.

When the humidity strikes, so does the frizz. Every curly girl knows this. If you have to ask what this means, then obviously you are not a Curly Girl.

On Saturday, I planned to watch the Marching 100 at the Mt. Olive Homecoming parade, however they were rained out. So instead we went to Staunton with my brother and his family. We went to the new Mexican restaurant in town (good food) and then over to my brothers. As we were at dinner I noticed how long my nieces hair has got, but even better it’s so curly.

I looked at her and said “You’re a Curly Girl.” She looked at me and smiled. “Yep,” she said.
She’s 2 1/2 years old. It’s not often that a little girls hair will frizz like that, but hers looked so cute. However, I bet as she gets older she won’t feel the same.

Even though most women (and girls) have plenty of bad hair days, we Curly Girls go to the extreme. If we have the wrong haircut with our curl it can look like we stuck our finger in a light socket or better yet if it’s too short our curl will look like a poodle.

Our hair is one with the weather too. It’s a barometer for any ounce of moisture in the air. When it rains it frizzes. When it’s humid it frizzes. Long walks on the beach are also not the best thing for a Curly Girl, especially if she is trying to go straight. However, the one thing I’ve learned as a Curly Girl is that as I get older my hair has become more manageable or better yet I’ve learned how to manage it. I’ve learned to get it cut dry, wash it less than once a week (that’s when it’s curly) and put the right products in it.

I just want to say to all you Curly Girls even though it’s hot I know you can handle the heat. Tell me what you do to keep your coif looking so good.

It’s been one of those days. I had an interview and was on my way back to the office when a light came on in the dashboard. I may not know much about cars, but at least I know that when lights come on something is wrong.

This one in particular is for the coolant. Well I took it in and had it looked at and found out the water pump had a leak. Needless to say that it cost me $338 to get it fixed.

I guess that’s better than other things that could go wrong. Although my car is 10 years old, I still need it. I plan on driving it until fall and then I will turn it over to my son once I get something different.

Even though I may no longer drive it after October, I still want to make sure it run. The next thing I have to do to it is add tires.

It’s turning out to be a fabulous day and I’m in the office working. I mean when summer fever sets in there are many of us who would rather be outdoors than inside at a desk, but hey we got to make a living. In three weeks though I will be enjoying some “fun in the sun.”

I remember the days of long summer vacations. I looked forward to getting three months off to enjoy time with friends (sometimes family.) I mean hanging out with my girlfriends was always so cool. We didn’t do anything really crazy, we would go to the pool (that is until my family got one and then we just spent to time in my backyard,) go to the movies, go out for ice cream and read.

Us girls loved to get together and read. I mean it was peaceful. We got to “hang,” but do our own thing at the same time. I spent many memorable summers with friends that way. Then again maybe it was the fact that we were in high school and had no worries back then.

So I say to all the young people who are relaxing - enjoy. Soak in everything you can, because one day you will have to sit behind a desk when you would rather be outside.

Last night was a fabulous night. I took my son to see his first musical at the Fox — Rent. Not only was it his first musical, but it was the first time I had seen the Tony and Pulitzer award winning production.

Let me say — Wow. It was a great show with a great cast. Original Broadway and film cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp were in it, plus Lexi Lawson, who recently appeared on American Idol and others well-known in musical theater.

I had a chance to interview Nicolette Hart last week and I told her I was bringing my son to the production and she invited us to come back stage after the show. As we waited her to change we noticed all the signatures on the wall. We were told that the cast of every production at the Fox signs an area and a poster of the show is painted on the wall. There are nine stories, so you can imagine all the signatures there.

Cole thought that was interesting. I mean who wouldn’t, but one name that really caught his eye was Robert Plant. He’s basically been fascinated with him ever since we saw him on the Beale Street in Memphis during our vacation last year. Anyway as we were waiting for Nicolette, Adam came out to talk to a group of people and then he shook all their hands and reached back to shake Coles and when he did he said “I’m not with the group, but it’s nice to meet you.”

Adam signed a poster for one of the women and then he asked if we had anything we wanted signed so I handed him my Playbill. A few minutes later Nicolette finally came out and we had a chance to tell her what a great job she did. She also signed the Playbill as did Lexi.

When we left the Fox we exited through the stage door and when the door opened flashbulbs went off. A large crowd had gathered to take pictures and get autographs from the performers as they left for the night. I jokingly told Cole he would should get used to that because someday that could be a crowd waiting for him. As soon as we passed through the people he tells me, “Some girl just said I looked like Nick Jonas. No way.” You be the judge.

All I can say is that Rent was an experience for the both of us and it’s a memory we will share for a lifetime.

I love having time off. Who doesn’t? I just had four days off and for most of it I didn’t do anything. It felt great too. For the most part I spent time with family and friends.

My son and I spent Sunday together. We went over to West County Center, we looked around and I bought him a few things and then we went into this rather unique store - DiOlivas.

It was fab. It’s a store that sells nothing by flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The best part is that you get to try before you buy too.

I love most anything food related and to be able to go into a place and actually try it out, especially this type of product was really nice. We tried a few and then Cole decided he liked the premium white balsamic so we bought it. It doesn’t look like traditional balsamic vinegar, but the flavors are so much better.

What’s great about this place is that they bottle it for you and once your done with the bottle you can bring it back to get a discount on your next purchase. Let’s say that because of that there is nothing sour in the way they do business. I think it’s a rather sweet deal. You not only get to save some money, but you are being “green” too.

OK, I didn’t see the season premiere of Jon & Kate, but I guess everyone is talking about or rather what’s go on prior to the shows start. I don’t get it.

I’ve seen the show - I’m not a regular by any means - and I get that this couple has allowed cameras into their “reality” and made themselves public figures, but why do so many people care about their extra curricular life outside of what is on TV. I don’t want that to sound bad, but no one knows what truly goes on inside a marriage and none of us should pass judgment on anyone else. I think the worst is how cable news programs designate 30 minutes to talking about this couple’s marital problems, etc.

There is actual news out there that I think is more noteworthy today than what happened on TLC today.
Here are a few headlines:
President Obama picks first Hispanic (and female) Supreme Court Justice
California Couples Await Gay Marriage Ruling
Mother who took boy with cancer to prevent treatment returns home

I believe each one of these stories is more noteworthy to talk about. So if you want to start some dialogue then lets talk. Tell what you think so long as it’s not about Jon & Kate

I want to wish everyone a nice Memorial Day. As you enjoy your holiday and perhaps a BBQ or two, please take some time out to remember all the men and women who’ve sacrificed their lives for your freedoms.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, N. Y., which took place on May 5, 1866. Following the end of the Civil War, many communities set aside a day to mark the end of the war or as a memorial to those who had died.

Decoration Day was declared on May 30, 1868 by Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veteran’s organization. The alternative name of “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II. The majority of Southern states refused to celebrate Decoration Day.

First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or military action.

So remember all those wonderful people out there who sacrificed their freedom so that you can have yours.

I want to say that Alton High School’s Concert and Symphonic Orchestra gave a wonderful performance last night. Senior Abbie Cash gave a wonderful solo performance on the cello as well.

Even though I could not see my son in the brass section of the symphonic orchestra, I could hear him, but moreso I enjoyed the show.

Kudos to the orchestra for another wonderful year.