Up until about a month ago I had two dogs.  One of them, my pug MR. TATER TOT KNIGHT, was in my life LOOOONG before all of these people came along.  Seriously he was PRE children and stepchildren, PRE husband.  He was the ALPHA.  Then I met Chad and my steppies.  At first Chad begrudgingly accepted Tate and just learned to deal.  Then when we got married the tension began.  Tater and Chad fought over bed space and attention. Tater peed on his clothes, chewed on his shoes and if he had a middle finger he would’ve flipped it at Chad every chance he got. When I got pregnant…that was the last straw.  Chad dropped the bombshell heard around the world (or just our house):  “NO MORE DOGS IN THE BED EVER.” 

Tater was banished to the floor, then eventually OUT OF THE ROOM.  I was heartbroken.  My husband’s stern belief that dogs should NOT be in the bedroom was just too lame.  But I accepted it and tried my best to accommodate TATER’S needs. I bought him a REALLY REALLY expensive dog bed and put it right outside the bedroom door!  He’s slept there ever since.  Well until recently and I’ll get to that in a minute. First though you need to know about the OTHER dogs.  I always thought that since Tater was alone he’d enjoy a playmate/sibling dog.  A while back I adopted a rescue dog named Bones.  Bones was a stray and it wasn’t long before we realized that he had major issues.  He bit every SINGLE person  except me.  He fought with Tater constantly over turf.  That last  straw was that Bones bit our 5 year old.  It wasn’t a major bite but enough of a red flag to make us have to make the decision to find him a new home.  We did.  He’s fine and happy now that he’s the only dog in his new home with a lovely older lady who enjoys and appreciates his territorial and protective nature. 

So then we were back to just Tater.  Until about February when I discovered MINI.  Mini is a “party Pom” but believe me when I tell you this girl’s party is O-V-E-R.  She was rescued from a puppy mill after having tons of puppies and living in feces/urine filled crate most of her life. I had to bring her home and let’s just say she and TATER are BFF’s.  No drama, no biting, no turf war.  The boy/girl combo is pretty good.  Mini is very much MY DOG, though.  She follows me everywhere and hides behind the bed until I get home.  Occasionally she’ll sneak into my husband’s studio and sit on his couch and wait…until the garage door opens and I come home.  TATER is kind of old at this point and prefers to sleep until I get home.  However when the door opens and I walk in they are BOTH right there.  Loyal, happy and sweet (if not stinky and farty).  I should point out again that this irritated my husband.  Neither of these dogs are particularly fond of him.  They don’t mind him…they just don’t go out of their way on his behalf.
 

Admittedly Chad was jealous of the dogs.  Chad is kind of a baby.
 

So a month ago…I drove  HOURS to the house of a lady named Melissa and got something that has completely changed my husband’s life.  I got him a Yorkie.  A TEACUP YORKIE.  She is all his.  I don’t even play with her because I don’t want my juju on her.  Nope.  She’s all Chad’s.  He named her Maggie (after Margaret Thatcher.. (?)) and she LOVES HIM.  HE LOVES HER.  He now fully and completely understands why Tater slept in my bed all that time.  He sees clearly now, for the first time in his LIFE, how a dog and a man can bond.  Here’s a guy who has never had a puppy!  Seriously how sad is that?He talks about her like she’s his child, little TEARS FILL UP IN HIS EYES…it’s shocking and no man would ever want another man to see him cry over a Teacup Yorkie.  But a man can get emotional over a dog in front of his wife, especially if his wife understands that amazing dog/human bond.  It’s sweet, profound and fun.  AND FUNNY.  To see this guy walk around holding this little bitty baby doggie is…awesome.  You know what’s really awesome?  That my 5 year old daughter sees her dad dote on a tiny dog.  I don’t know why I find that so important but I think it is.
 

Three dogs, four kids (three still at home), one husband and the loudest house on the block.  I now have to bribe my stepson with money to scoop the dog poop.  When the doorbell rings the barking is insane.  The food, the medicine and vet bills (again Tater is getting old), the DOG HAIR (Tater)…did I mention the barking??    But it’s cool.  Thank God my daughter doesn’t sleep in the bed with us anymore otherwise there’d be no room to move!
 

Here’s a video and a couple of pics of Maggie in our backyard.  Enjoy and pet your puppies for me!

Lia

What are  you going to do for your child's birthday party?  Its a question parents have to answer every year.  You could do games, pinata, pizza, or bowling.  The choices are endless. 

One family decided to do something a little different for their son's 10th birthday party... attempt a world record. 

Watch the video to see them attempt to break an usual world record.
 

I have the stomach flu.
 

I think it’s the stomach flu.  Certainly SEEMS like the stomach flu.  Being sick sucks but sometimes you can use it to your advantage.  This is the only time I ever get away with not doing anything around the house.  My husband steps up and does everything.  I can be sick in peace and quiet.  Plus people tend to leave you alone anyway…
 

So I’m in my studio at work…sick…and alone.  I realized I’ve not updated my blog in awhile and, even though I’m sick, I have TONS of stuff I’d like to talk about.  Good, Bad AND Ugly.  I got the Ugly part out of the way already (stomach flu=U.G.LY.) so now I’d like to move to the BAD.  And when I say BAD…I mean Joe Nichols.
 

No Joe is cute and very talented.  Billboard says he’s got the best voice in country music in like the last generation of singers.  He’s real sweet but damn can someone buy that dude a clock?  And a calendar?  And a PHONE?  Three different times they’ve scheduled me to talk with him.  All three times he has bailed on my.  Three times in 3 business days.  Dude seriously I’m so done staring at the phone waiting for YOU to call.  First my feelings were hurt (not really) now I’m just pissed (not really).  You’re song is called “Gimme That Girl” well if you WANT GIRL JOE YOU GOTTA ACTUALLY PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE AND CALL. 
 

In all seriousness I hope he’s ok…
 

Ok Good stuff?  Gary Allan’s new CD “Get Off On The Pain” is so incredibly kick ass I can’t stand it.  There’s a song on there called “We Fly By Night” which will become your new husband/wife make out anthem.  If you and your spouse are anything like me and MY spouse this song will be your theme song.  Your days are crazy, insane and your going in a million different directions and the only time you can connect is when night time rolls around…yowza it’s a great tune.
 

Good stuff #2:  Miranda Lambert will win Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year at the ACM’s.  There.  I called it.

 

Good stuff #3:  I heard today that Big Machine Records is giving Taylor Swift a “rest”.  What that means is…they are taking her off the market and out of the lime light.  You may have noticed she’s been conspicuously absent lately.  Look for more of that through the spring and summer.  Maybe even fall.  The next time you hear from Taylor it will be right before her next album comes out.  Between now and then she needs some serious down time.  And there’s one more thing she needs and please don’t read more into than what’s there.  Taylor needs a vocal coach.  STAT.  Now I’ve heard this girl sing, just her and a guitar, and she was amazing.  When you take away the band, the lights, the thousands of screaming fans and your strip it down to just Taylor and her guitar it’s pretty magical.  However you add all the glitter and pop and the boom and what comes out is not good.  I don’t know if she’s nervous or what.  But before she goes out on another gigantic tour or performs on an awards show AGAIN…she needs to fix that.  She is talented and can sing.  But too many bad live performances have tainted her as a hack and she is not.  Take time, work on your stage performance and come back and blow the haters out of the water, Taylor.  I haven’t heard if she’ll be performing at the ACM’s.
 

Good stuff #4:  The Moyer Foundation.  I’ve been a long time supporter of The Moyers and their mission to help kids in distress.  I got involved 10 years ago, right when Phillies’ Pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen had just started their foundation.  The thing that brought me to the table was something called Camp Erin.  These camps are bereavement camps for kids who have lost a loved one.  Now the Moyers are taking it a step further and opening up camps at Ft Hood and Ft Campbell to help kids who’ve lost a parent during combat.  I’m getting teary eyed just thinking about this because this is so desperately needed.  I was 15 when my dad passed away suddenly and no one talked about it.  No one wanted to hear how I felt.  The Moyers and lots of supporters are making it possible for this kids to be heard.  Children need to talk and need to be around others who know how they feel.  Please PLEASE support The Moyer Foundation.  At least become familiar with them.  Here’s their website:  www.moyerfoundation.org
 

Good Stuff nos. 5 and 6:  Carrie Underwood on the show Thursday, March 25 and Alan Jackson on the show the week of March 30. 

I’ll update my blog after the ACM awards and we’ll dish the dirt.

-Lia

 Russian Magazine called OOPS! (appropriately titled)
 

 
 
 
WHAT IN THE PHOTOSHOP HECK DID THEY DO TO HER???  She's only 20.  Hardly in need of Photoshop.  Please. 
















 

 
I will admit I am NOT watching the Olympics.  I don't have the time to sit down and WATCH anything anymore and if I did...it would not be the Olympics.  I didn't watch the Superbowl, I missed all the Daytona 500 except the end where McMurray spoke to the press and CRIED.  I hardly ever start AND finish a movie in the same sitting.  I can BARELY get through a 30 minute television show.  So the Olympics and me?  Not gonna happen...well at least that was what I thought until I saw a picture of two of the US Men's Figure Skaters. 
 
 
 
U.S.A. Olympic male figure skaters Johnny Weir (left) and Evan Lysacek (right) both glided the night away during the Men's short program on Tuesday (courtesy tmz)
 

 
 
 
Ok so NOW I'm both curious and disturbed.  These guys kind of look like a bad movie parody ("Blades Of Glory" anyone?) starring Will Farrell.  However...I DIG IT.  Some things to notice here just from the pictures alone:
1.  Johhny Weir has nary a chest hair in sight.  Which leads me to make the following revelation to some of the guys reading this blog right now:  Men are manscaping.  Big Time.  Ask your wife or girlfriend.
2.  Hair product companies who decided Jersey Shore was a bad promotional vehicle should consider sponsoring Men's Olympic Figure Skating. And...speaking of HAIR...
3.  Jonny Weir 1984 called and wants the Emo Mullet back PLEASE and again...speaking of hair...
4.  Evan Lysacek's hair reminds me of The Little Rascals' Alfalfa...or school picture day...
 

I cannot comment on their perfomances. Remember I haven't watched one single moment of the Olympics but after staring at this picture for about a half hour to find some video of their 'short program' and I came up empty handed.  I did, however, find numerous articles and blogs devoted to their costumes. They actually refer to Johnny Weir as "The Lady Gaga of the Winter Games".
 

(if the stilleto fits...)
 
Is it bad/unpatriotic of me to NOT watch the Olympics?  Some people take this stuff so seriously.   They even made the Russian dude, Yevgeny Plushenko, "THE BAD GUY.'  By the way, "The Bad Guy's" in the lead for the Gold Medal and Evan "school picture day" Lysacek's in 2nd place.  Johnny Weir...?  I have no idea how he's doing but seriously I'm totally into him.  Plus I think we would've made a GREAT couple...in 1986...or at least our hair styles would've really liked one another:

 
 
(yessssssssssssssssss!  That's ME, 1985!!!  TRAFFIC SAFETY CLASS, LAKES HIGH SCHOOL rockin' the bi level 'do)

 

 
Maybe I'll watch some figure skating tomorrow.  Or not.  Knowing me I'll watch  Ru Paul's Drag race on Tivo. If you think about it that show has a lot in common with Men's Figure Skating...
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

 
For more fun on RuPaul click here:
http://www.rupaul.com/index.html
 

2010 Winter Olympics Mens Figure Skating costume fashion

 
http://www.examiner.com/ExaminerSlideshow.html?entryid=1014401&slide=2

Lia

I like to think I’m on top of all the juice.  I like gossip sites (to the bane of my husband), I like reading the latest trash mags, etc.  I keep up with celeb gossip with the same fervor my husband puts into keeping up with the Olberman vs O’Reilly feud.  I wanna know everything said on every side. 
 

So how in the WORLD did I miss some of the most interesting (to me anyway) stories of 2009?  Seriously did so much stuff happen last year that I just couldn’t keep up with it all?  Yes.  That’s what happened.   I’d hate to the think I dropped the ball on some of the biggest (to me anyway) news events of last year.  So to make up for my indiscretion I’ve decided to write an ENTIRE blog on the really important stuff (to ME anyway…) that slipped past my radar in 2009.
 

Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough broke up. 
 

 WAIT WHAT?  When?  For those of you who are going “who the hell are they?”  Well they were just about the cutest country music couple to never have much more than a cute relationship.  Neither of their country music careers have taken off.  But they were CUTE.  Julianne did her think with DWTS and she’s about to release a ballroom dancing workout DVD and Chuck…well he’s still damn cute.  And single apparently.

Craig Morgan took a NAUGHTY NAUGHTY PHOTO of Blake Shelton and it made the rounds on the internet and I toally MISSED IT.

Here it is…

No wait.  I need to give you PLENTY OF TIME to digest that this picture is NSFW…unless you work at a country radio station or a Bass Pro Shop or at a strip club.  Then you can TOTALLY look at the picture.  But if you’re at school, at church or hanging out with your 90 year old Grandmother PLEASE UNDERSTAND that is is a picture of Blake Shelton’s rear end.  Actually your Grammy might enjoy it. 
Ok.  Are you ready?

Its even too scandalous to post... here is the LINK.  Check it out at your own risk... I warned you. 

Alright remember you could’ve looked away AT ANY TIME.  Seriously HOW did I miss that?  I’ve talked to Blake about three times SINCE THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN.   This is so wrong SO SO SO WRONG.  We gotta move on ok?  I need something to look at that can take my mind OFF THAT PICTURE…

There we go!

Apparently not only did Kenny Chesney NOT break up with Amy whatever her name is but they now have children.  Two.  Keep your knickers on they’re dogs.  I guess they look like that whittle bitty cutie pie above.  But I don’t know.  They might look like this:

Either way he’s got two of them AND he still has the same girlfriend.  But remember Chuck Wicks is single…
 

Some woman actually decided marrying JOHN RICH was a good idea.  Now I knew John got married.  What was a surprise however is that he actually dated a woman long enough to not only convince her to marry him but to also allow him to impregnate her:
.
 

Please note that I’m not at all being mean when I point out the fact that John’s wife Joan has some cankles.  Now they are nowhere near the cankles I had when I was pregnant.  But it pleases me that she has them and was not at all afraid to cram her swollen feet into some cute shoes.  This picture was taken in early December so I don’t know how far along she is.  But soon…very very soon the spawn of JR will be roaming the earth.  I always thought that Big Kenny was the crazy, wild one.  Nope.  It’s John. Not kidding you when I say that guy is TROUBLE!   Here’s proof:
 

http://www.bittenandbound.com/2008/10/18/john-rich-is-a-brawler-on-a-lucky-streak/

one more?  Ok:

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2009/11/20/john-richs-bar-incident-charges-dismissed/

Now it’s entirely possible that I missed other stuff that you, in fact, DIDN’T MISS.  If that’s the case send me an email and I’ll add your story in my next blog. 

lia@radiolia.com

Here’s to a great 2010 and here’s to me hoping I don’t miss any of the good stuff! 

Lia