Hey guys and gals, how are all you doing? It has been crazy around here so sorry for not blogging sooner. I don't really have a lot to talk about, but I have a few things so let's get started.

The holiday season is sneaking up on us, and well my shopping places are limited here locally to...yep you guessed it...Walmart. Now we all know I don't like Walmart...as a local retailer I really don't like them. I learned a long time ago that you can't compete with them, so don't bother trying. I always thought there was no way to not have Walmart as a competitor...and now I know for a fact that is true.

Are you ready for this? Check it, you can buy online and have shipped to you a casket or an urn. I about fell over. They truly have everything now, including the people of Walmart. Fair warning some people may be offended, but it is really no different than going to your local store.

So I have started thinking about what I might be getting the kids for Christmas, yes I went there sorry guys. I totally have no idea. Do you guys have any suggestion? Blake is 8 and Piper is 5, I am open to suggestions if you have any.

Ok guys I am gonna jet, I have lots to do. Enjoy!!

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Where to start...where to start...so much to cover so little time...

Of course I don't want to make this like 5 miles long and you all stop reading. I will just pick some topics, and you guys can read what you want to read.

iPhone - I was still using my first generation iPhone and I was ok with that. It had reached its 2 year birthday and I finally decided to upgrade. I went ahead and got the 3GS, I am loving it. I have more room so I have been downloading some new apps from the App Store.

Beer prices - As is about par for the course this time of year, beer took its annual price increase. So far I haven't had too many people complain, but we are only 2 days into it.

Work - The local college and high school both have Homecoming on the same weekend (Oct. 16 & 17). That is going to be one long weekend for sure.

TV - I finally got caught up with NCIS before the premier so I was very happy about that and I am totally stoked about the season so far. NCIS: Los Angeles, that one is kinda iffy with me at this point. I was not at all impressed with the series opener. The second episode was better than the first, maybe tonight will be even better yet. I don't know but it just seems like the cast isn't clicking well at all. I'm still holding out hope though.

Kids - My daughter turned 5 in the middle of September, she is rotten to the core I tell ya. She has started baton/poms/dance. She is such a girl, I honestly think she can't be mine. Blake is totally into his xbox 360, he loves it and we have to keep him away from certain games that aren't really his caliber. He is wanting to do some sort of sport, however our options are limited here so it is a chore to get something lined out.

Books - Patricia Cornwell has a new book coming out, due to ship middle of October I think. I have it pre-ordered, however I need to get started on Scarpetta before I can touch that one. I am kinda hung up on a book about Serial Killers at the moment. Puts me right to sleep and I sleep like a baby!!

Ok, well I think I have babbled on long enough this time. Hope you all enjoyed the read. Until next time...

Later Taters!!

Stu...

July 19, 2006 = Level 41 29.3%
July 19, 2007 = Level 51 66.89%
July 19, 2008 = Level 52 35.48%

Currently
July 19, 2009 = Level 54 53.82%

Contributions:
Accepted: 7707
Pending: 0
Denied: 45
Total: 7752

Blogs: 393
Reviews Total: 136
Forum Posts: 8496

Editor & Trusted User Stats:
Editor Shows: 18
Editor People: 49
Trusted Shows: 1
Trusted People: 2

Yeah, so this is way late since my Tv.com Birthday was on July 19 and clearly it is August 6...what gives? Well you see the site was having "blog issues" so I decided to wait it out to post. I wasn’t sure if everything was going to stay or what...so I chickened out and took the easy road. So anyway...shall we move along...?

Let’s see...oh ok NCIS...I am in Season 6 right now...and I am trying to catch up and see the finale before the new season starts. Since I am a late bloomer to the NCIS thing. I am actually looking forward to the new season to start on September 22. As a mention, I am not sure about my feelings about Director Vance...and I have some questions about this whole Agent Lee situation...maybe those answers are coming as the season goes on.

Registered my kids for school yesterday, school starts here on August 17th. I am past ready...they on the other hand are not so excited about. Weird how that works, eh?

Ummmmmmmmmm, wow...sorry this is so boring but I really have limited crap to talk about. I have an iPhone and I am waiting for Cingular (AT&T) to support the next picture text that is now available with the 3GS. I still have the first generation of the iPhone but I have the new 3.0 OS that was recently introduced. I despise the plastic backs that the 3G and the 3GS have...but I am thinking I am going to have to make the leap and upgrade because my first generation phone is starting to have some issues. This makes me a sad kid.

Well I guess this about sums up what I have going on...a whole lot of nothing. I will blog again soon.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Wow...

Yep that one word about sums it up for me for this week. Hollywood is on the Grim Reeper's hit list and he is plucking them off one at a time. One blow after another to the heavy hitters of Hollywood has to be making fellow hollywoodites wonder who is next. We all know we live, we pay taxes and we die...but holy cow this is getting kinda out of control. Let's recap...

Ed McMahon - March 6, 1923 - June 23, 2009
Farrah Fawcett - February 2, 1947 - June 25, 2009
Michael Jackson - August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009
Gale Storm - April 5, 1922 - June 27, 2009
Billy Mays - July 20, 1958 - June 28, 2009

The tragedy this week is in mass proportions, one shock after another. I guess I am the typical nosey person, waiting for cause of death in Michael Jackson and Billy Mays. Each of these people was known world wide for one thing or another. Their deaths are affecting millions across the globe. Be sure to check out Tv.com's Michael Jackson tribute. Say what you will about the man, but he was amazing at what he did.

Ya know, I could come up with something else to talk about, however it doesn't seem right. For the people who have passed their families are left with grief and sadness for their loved ones. Not only are we as a world mourning the loss of these people, they left behind children and families. My thoughts go to them at this time.

For the rest of us non-famous people that have lost loved ones, my thoughts are with you. While our pain and grief is not all over the news, it hurts us...the family, just the same. With that being said, this year has pretty much blown so far, hopefully it will make a change for the better soon.

Edit - While typing this up preliminary cause of death for Billy Mays is heart disease. Still waiting final cause of death pending toxicology.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Hello my fellow Tv.commers. How the heck are ya? I am present and accounted for, yeah that is about it. Now before all the whispering starts I am fully aware that this is my second blog, in less than a week. I just couldn't help myself.

Now, first up...while so many of us are getting into the House phase or watching NCIS for the first time...others are following Lost and 24 like good little cult followers. I have found myself faced with endless hours of boredom. I mean mind numbing stuff here folks.

In my time of boredom, I have looked to the TV for help in occupying my brain with activity. This is all fine and good. I have managed to set to season 4 of NCIS, in my challenge to follow the story from the beginning. Catching here and there episodes of the most recent season on USA...last night I watched the two part intro to the NCIS: Los Angeles hoop-la. Yeah I am not too sure about it, more on that later. We will see I guess.

Moving on...while in the massive throws of a boredom attack the television made its way to MTV...sigh. Where I found one of the worst shows I think I have ever seen. I think it is actually possible...I could have lost brain cells during my viewing.

I gave the show a quick search on Tv.com and was actually pleased to find an empty guide. Although I am sure someone will submit to it soon enough. So what is this mystery show? I bet the suspense is killing you huh? *drum roll* Is She Really Going Out With Him? Check it out. I am honestly scared of what the world will be like when these kids get older.

Now I have also stumbled upon a new favorite commercial. I love commercials, I don't really know why but I do. Always have according to my mother. This one just cracks me up, so I wanted to share it with ya. Warning this is a YouTube link Volkswagen vs. Hybrid, I love it. I know I am crazy but ya know...it happens.

I think that about does it, I am sure I have more stories but hey...I need to have something else to blog about. I will try to blog more often. So we shall wrap up this blog. Thanks for stopping.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Hello fellow Tv.commers...how's it? Going here, could be better could be worse I guess. Talk about blah blah blah boring. Summer is here but the typical summer weather isn't...yet. The rain has made it feel more like April or May than the middle of June. The jet stream is supposed to shift a bit north today, bringing up some of the record heat from the south. At least my kids can get some use out of the pool finally, if the water isn't still freezing.

On the Tv.com front, are any other editors noticing a massive headache with scheduling of their shows? Maybe I should be more specific, A&E shows editors. I edit several shows for A&E and frankly they are being a huge pain this year. They have changed the way they do things, which is understandable and I can cope...but they keep changing their minds on what they are going to show. It has gotten so bad with a couple shows that I have to wait until the day before it airs to add it to the site. In turn that makes me feel always behind and more rushed to add it in. I don't like that at all. Maybe they have some management changes and things are still ironing out, maybe it will settle down soon...or this is the new normal.

Oh, I have a funny from my son. He is a riot I tell ya. So I was sitting in the living room watching some TV. He comes up the hallway from his room and rubbing his back, in a way that it made me think his back was hurting. So I asked him and he said it was bothering him some. So I asked if he thought he had slept wrong. He said it was possible but he thought it could be his bed. He then proceeded to tell me that he thought he needed a new bed. I was shocked but not really surprised, because in all fairness he might need a new one. I told him ok, then asked what he had in mind. With the straightest face possible, he politely told me he thinks he needs one of those Tempur-Pedic beds. I was in shock and caught off guard, and then I started laughing. He just grinned. There really is no telling what they will come up with.

Do I have anything else...ummmm yeah...but I will wait till next time. So we shall wrap up this blog. Thanks for stopping.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Sooooooooooo, how are my favorite Tv.commers on this Memorial Day? I am doing okay I guess. Busy little Bee I am right now; I am spending this Memorial Day at work. I mean someone has to provide 'entertainment' for those BBQ'ers and pick-nick'ers.

As I have learned to accept here at Tv.com...change is a harsh fact of life. So it seems no better time than now to have the ever dreaded 'change' filter into my work place. At least I have control over this change. Commercial utilities had a 17% increase in electric/water in the town I live in. In the heat of the summer my electric bill hits $1200.00 +/- a month. So in order to try to keep beer and liquor prices where they are, we decided to try to make the inside more energy efficient.

We literally raised the roof over the cooler. We expect this to allow better air circulation around the cooler thus allowing it to not work as hard. If I can keep my electric bill where it was, that will mean we haven't raised our cost which will keep prices stable. So far it seems to be working as we already have the air conditioner running to keep the cooler doors from fogging up.

Since we did the ceiling we thought we could increase our product line also. So I spent today dusting bottles and shelves to make room. Nothing like taking from Peter to pay Paul I tell ya. I did manage to free up an entire 4 foot section of room. HELLO new products.

Do I have anything else...ummmm yeah...but I will wait till next time. So we shall wrap up this blog. Thanks for stopping.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Well the birthday boy has hit the all mighty 8. We only did a few things for his birthday. Some small gifts from us and we took him out to dinner. He wanted Applebee's, so we were more than happy to treat us to dinner. We had a minor surprise he aunt and uncle joined us, and I talked to some of the college girls to get them to sing and clap to him. I think he wanted to crawl under the table but he liked it. He and Piper got free ice cream so they were happy. Then we went home and colored Easter eggs, since the following Sunday would be Easter.

For Easter we went to my grandma's for Easter dinner. We came home and hid the Easter eggs we have decorated, they kids had fun so that is all that mattered.

Now, in my last blog I reported that I have managed to get sucked in to NCIS and House. I am still watching, my sister-in-law is trying to get me to watch the most recent episodes but I am holding off. USA Network is showing the series in reverse...if that makes any sense. USA Network is also jumping all over the seasons with NCIS.

So since my viewing habits have evolved...brace yourselves...I am going to break with tradition. I know I know, calm down everyone...this is a nice change of pace. I had to hit up my friend Newbie. I think she did a great job. She hooked me up with a new avatar, new banner and new signature.

Do I have anything else...ummmm yeah...no...not that I can think of. So we shall wrap up this blog. Thanks for stopping.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Hello fellow tv.commers. It has been a while since I blogged because every single time I get ready to start typing...I get side tracked and run out of time. So we are gonna hit on some funny stuff and some TV viewing.

I have to start with my son. He is fast approaching 8 years old and it seems like just yesterday he was a baby. I swear the kid is 7 going on 25, the other day I am greeted with a history lesson. Apparently he learned about JFK in school. Then he had watched an episode of MythBusters, so he was convinced JFK was shot with an ice bullet.

Then he starts in on D.B. Cooper honestly before you looked at the link...did you know who that was? Then he is trying to convince me that it is possible that he survived the fall. I could not believe my ears. I am still not sure where that came from, guessing from the Discovery Channel or History Channel. Then we got started on the FBI and I was like holy crap. It was a full day...in about 45 minutes.

I did finally finish reading Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell. I enjoyed it, however it did take me a while to finish it. I would get started then have to stop, so it seemed to drag on. I did get her newest book Scarpetta however I haven't managed to start it yet. I had tax crap to do so, reading took a back burner.

I have managed to get sucked into the life of scripted television. Way out of my norm...oh well. So I came home from work one day and was minding my own business and what was on the TV caught my attention. I saw guns, dead people, hot agents, wicked forensic person...then I was like wait a second HOLD THE PHONE...she looks familiar. Then I realized where I had seen it...fellow user's avatar. I was like OH CRAP...I just got sucked into NCIS. *sigh*

Next on the scripted TV list...here I will give you the convo it will be easier...

Little brother: Have you ever watched House?
Me: (searches memory bank) Nope never have. Why what is it?
Little brother: Show about a doctor who is kinda rude and out spoken but saves the day because he is really smart.
Me: Eh...
Little brother: Oh come one just one episode.
Me: Fine, only because it gets me to postpone giving Piper a shower.

I was hooked. *sigh* I should have known better...then as I sit there and watch...I notice an unmistakable reality. Not to mention the fact that everyone in my house also pointed it out...House reminds people of me!! Shocked I tell ya...shocked.

I managed to up a level, I didn't notice right away. With out the constant reminder of upgrades past, I hadn't paid much attention. I am now a prison warden. Woo!!

Do I have anything else...ummmm yeah...no...not that I can think of. So we shall wrap up this blog. Thanks for stopping.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

*sigh*

Hello there fellow tv.commers!! I don't really know about the rest of ya, but I can I hit 'restart' on 2009? It has been a rough start to a new year for this Studog.

Starting the year off we suffered a devastating blow to the immediate family, with an awful and tragic loss. It resulted in a 2 week set back due to being away from the store, not to mention the toll it has taken on the family.

Last week I ordered a case of PoPov Vodka pints. We get the case here and the whole case is 'defective'. Every single label of every single bottle has fallen off and is lying in the box. So I have to invest in double sided tape to repair the labels so that I can sell the product. It has to be labeled or I can't sell it.

Prior to and since the merger of Budweiser and InBev, they are apparently cutting costs...which in this economy is understandable. However their cost cutting is increasing my cost. How is this so? Because they are using less or not as good of glue to hold the boxes of beer closed. So you pick up a 12 pack and beer goes every where. So Stu buys more tape to tape boxes closed.

This is where the title of my blog comes from. While I was home yesterday I hear "oh crap, oh man, this is not good" coming from the kitchen. I am confused and start to get up. Next I hear "OH NO!" I walk into my kitchen to find suds covering the floor. Apparently the dishwasher decided to soak the floor with suds and water.

So off we set out to find what is going on with that. Go to the basement to check the drain line, and the basement is getting water from where the dishwasher made a mess. So now two messes in one, and we need a new dishwasher. *sigh* I can't win.

It just seems like one thing after another recently, "add it to the list" I keep saying.

In some funny news, just as I write this, my mother comes to the store on her way to take Piper to school and my mother is just laughing. I was like ok, what is so funny. My mom points to the passenger seat of her car. At first glance I don't see anything, so I look back at Piper sitting in the back seat with a grin from ear to ear.

I was really confused at this point, and I leaned out the window to see better into the front seat of mom's car. There sit's a purple Care Bear seat belted in, and both my mother and daughter are rolling. It was a much needed laugh from the crazy that has been my life since January 1, 2009.

So that about sums it up for me, the past 22 days of my life in a nut shell. Hope you all are doing well. Thanks for stopping.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Well Christmas is right here about to bite us all in the back side. The big question?? Dom dom dom...are you ready for Christmas?

I am past ready, gifts are under the tree and wrapped with kid fingerprints all over them. The kids have their eyes on their gifts...they have a count on how many they have...I swear they do. They have a plan of who will sort which side of the tree, which will never work because Blake will be up at the crack of dawn and Piper sleeps in.

It is fun to watch them try to figure out what is in it. They touch them...then they shake them. What are you experiences? You are a shaker? Or do ya let it sit?

Me...it can sit there till the end of time...I won't bother it. I might have to move it to clean around it but other than that...nope I won't touch it. I don't care what is inside of it. What about you?

Here is the Christmas picture of the kids that went out in the Christmas cards. Hope you guys enjoy!!



So that about wraps up this blog. Sorry it is boring, but thanks for stopping.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

---

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I would like to take the moment to say Happy Thanksgiving!!

We tried something a bit different this year, we decided that we would deep fry a turkey. I will be honest I was a bit skeptical but thought what they heck, we will make a ham for back up. So we purchased the fryer, the peanut oil, and 8 lb. turkey and set up everything in the back yard.

We have heard the horror stories about people burning their houses down, so I researched and educated myself. From preparation, to plunging the bird, to carving and serving...I was ready. I was really shocked that it was only 3.5 minutes per pound to cook. We had ready to eat turkey in 30 minutes...my kind of turkey.

So we whip up the rest of the meal: mashed potato, corn, green beans, stuffing, dinner rolls, deviled eggs, and home made noodles. Needless to say I was shocked when we got the turkey prepared with no injuries to the cooks. We sat down had our meal, then faced clean up.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!! Have you had deep fried turkey or what is your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner?

Don't have Thanksgiving? That is ok...I hope you had great regular day!!

---

Anheuser-Bush InBev Merger

A few months ago I blogged about the merger of Anheuser-Busch and InBev, in mid November it became official that the two companies had merged. So my curiosity gets the best of me and I start to think...I wonder what the logo looks like and I wondered what they would call it.

I couldn't believe that they would keep the old Budweiser logo or the old InBev logo. So I found the new website with an image of the new logo at Ahneuser-Busch InBev aka: ABInBev. *sigh* Not impressed with the new logo at all.

So that about wraps up this blog. Sorry it is boring, but thanks for stopping.

Later Taters!!

Stu...

Oh yes yes yes...remember the baby shower I was talking about? Well my niece has finally made it into the world. She was born on October 8, 2008. We welcomed Haley Marie into the world at 12:52 pm weighing 8 lbs. 2 ozs. measuring 18 3/4 in. While my sister-in-law was pregnant I made my niece something special. I think she will like it when she is older. My little brother told me that all the doctor's and nurses raved over it.

Christmas is coming and I am trying to decide what to get the kids for Christmas. *sigh* So I have done some looking and thought about this V Smile Cyber Pocket for Piper. Considering this Nintendo DS for Blake. I am not sure about anything else at this point. Have you all started thinking about Christmas? If you have...what are you considering?

After 2 years and 5 months in this liquor store...I finally have a desk!! I know right, hard to believe!! So I am slowly moving things to my "office" (read: last inch of space that beer does not fill)!! It is nice to have the clutter down out here though, I can find my shelf!! I am realizing that I am going to have more shelves and baskets on the wall than most people have socks. I have to have a place for everything. I mean I can't mix my sales tax stuff with my payroll stuff. *sigh*

Oh let's see what else do I have...oh yes...my 7 year old. Kids are a riot I tell ya. I told him to clean his room the other day. Here is our conversation:

Me: Blake, I need you to go clean your room.
Blake: I'm a boy.
Me: I know this already. Why does this make a difference?
Blake: Because boys don't need clean rooms.

I was so caught off guard, it was all I could do not to laugh out loud. Oh the joys of motherhood.

Well I think that is about it for today. Thanks for stopping!!

Deuces!!

Later Taters!!

Stu...

I know right, does not seem like she can possibly be 4 years old. Seem like time has just flown by. So I remembered that I usually blog and the kiddo's birthdays. So I went digging through the Studog Archive...

Her First Birthday

Her Second Birthday

Her Third Birthday (please not this one does not contain a picture because well I guess I was too lazy...wow I am a lame-o)

So anyway after that walk down memory lane, today is her 4th Birthday. And to see the progress...

This was taking before I left for work, she is so big!!



Wow, my baby girl is growing up!!

Oh yeah, did ya see this?

That is about it for this blog I think. Thanks for stopping!!

Deuces!!

Later Taters!!

Stu...

*drum roll please*

It's a new blog!! Holy cow!! Brace yourselves!!

Ok this is gonna be a quick trip over the past few weeks! Let's keep our hands and feet inside the ride at all time!! Keep facing forward and enjoy the ride.

It is kinda long but I had a lot to cover!!

Skinless Pizza

Well my darling daughter for what ever reason has decided that she needs to remove the "skin" from her pizza before she can eat it. Now I am not sure why this has happened, BUT she is a skinless pizza eater. You give the child her plate and she will take her fork and remove the cheese and any other toppings from the pizza. She then removes most of the sauce then will eat the crust.

Funny part of the story, she explained that she wanted cheese pizza. I said nah we will have sausage. She protested, stating that she would only eat cheese. I told her that she was just going to remove the "skin" anyway, I didn't see the big deal with having sausage. She looks me straight in the eyes and says "Because mommy I know it is still there"!! Gotta love the little darling.

InBev & Budweiser

So the whole InBev and Budweiser thing, has customers either really mad or pretty much in a "what ever" state of mind. They all know the big price increase is coming but just a matter of when. Well I got my increase last week and have been working on new pricing. The joys of it all I tell ya. So those of you who drink Budweiser should be seeing a price increase in the near future. I will take my chewing as I usually do and hand out cards to the distributors, they can vent to them because well I had nothing to do with it. Of course once Budweiser goes up so does Miller and Coors. Woo Hoo!! [/sarcasm]

School Starts
The first day of the public schools here started last week, my little man Blake is in first grade and the little darling Piper is in Pre-School. This should be a trip through the candy story.

Blake goes off with no major problems the usual delays forgot this that or the other.

Piper however is another story, we already have had the fits, the tears, the I'm sick, you know the usual. We are into the second week and today went well!! So for this I am excited.

New Pretties

So as you can see had a bit of a profile overhaul!! Sporting a new avatar and a new banner. I have to give kudos to Newbie for hooking me up!! I had the idea...she had the software!! So BIG HUGS!! To Newbie for helping me trick my profile in super stuDOG fashion. Pop quiz...can anyone tell what my favorite show is??

New Drive Thru Window

So most of you know that I own and operate a liquor store. Well in the great state of Missouri in my little college town we are allowed to have drive thru liquor stores...cool right!? Anyway we had to get a new window. Ours kinda broke!! So we had to custom order one to fit and slide the correct way!! Got it all installed and working like a champ. It is getting a great work out for sure!!

College Returns

College started back up today!! Yeah!! Good and bad!! Great for business but bad for the usual minors that have to try. Collecting fakes are my priority this year!! Gotta get em off the streets. We are considering buying an ID scanner, it verifies all the information on a drivers license. I have to find one that I think is a good deal and covers all 50 states!!

Planning a Baby Shower

I am gonna be an Auntie!! My little brother and his wife are expecting!! She is due in October, and having a bit of a hard time keeping the baby in. We know it is going to be a girl!! We are all excited. So my mother and I took on the task of throwing the baby shower!! Wow, talk about a full plate. Anyway, we are getting it done. That is this coming weekend and needless to say I will be glad when it is over!!

That is about it for this blog I think. Thanks for stopping!!

Deuces!!

Later Taters!!

Stu...