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Our annual holiday debate is ON!!!! The greatest holiday tv show/movie. Got a favorite, tell us right here on the blog. J.R. and I also caught up with WPXI meteoroligist Scott Harbaugh. The guy is a holiday tv junkie. Every year, he puts together a list of all the shows...over 2,300 ENTRIES! Look at them HERE

The other topic often hit on the show is the underappreciated, 'Nestor, The Long Ear Christmas Donkey'. This live action holiday special captures all the great elements of a classic story. Mom dies (Disney does it in every movie). Lead character is ridiculed and becomes an outcast (hello, Rudolph). Main character finds 'special purpose' (NOT like Navin Johnson in 'The Jerk), and goes on to save the day.

Here's just an excerpt of my beloved Nestor...

Watch the whole thing on ABC Family Channel on December 13 at 11:30 a.m./et

Kate

BLACK FRIDAY STORE TIMES

Happy Shopping!

11/27Grove City Outlets. 11/27 @ midnight
Tanger Outlets 11/27 @ Midnight

11/28
Century III Mall 5:00 a.m.
Westmoreland Mall 6:00 a.m.
Monroeville mall 6 a.m.
Mall At Robinson 7 a.m. Friday
Beaver Valley Mall 6:00 a.m.


Ace Hardware - 7:00 AM
Babies R Us - 5:00 AM
Banana Republic - 12:01 AM
Bass Pro Shops - 6:00 AM 11:00 AM
Bath and Body Works 12:01 AM
Best Buy - 5:00 AM
Burlington Coat Factory - 6:00 AM
Circuit City - 5:00 AM
Costco - 9:00 AM
CVS Pharmacy - 6:00 AM
Dick's Sporting - 5:00 AM
GameStop - 7:00 AM
Gander Mountain 6:00 AM
Half Price Books - 7:00 AM
Harbor Freight - 7:00 AM
Home Depot - 6:00 AM
Ikea - 6:00 AM
JCPenney 4:00 AM
Jos. A. Bank - 2008 6:00 AM
Kmart - 6:00 AM
Kohl's - 4:00 AM
Lowe's - 6:00 AM
OfficeMax - 7:00 AM
Old Navy - 5:00 AM 11:00 PM
RadioShack - 6:00 AM
Rite Aid - 12:00 AM
Sam's Club - 5:00 AM
Sears 5:00 AM
Staples - 6:00
Target - 6:00 AM
Tommy Hilfiger - 12:00 AM
Toys R Us - 5:00 AM
Tractor Supply -6:00 AM
Walgreens - 7:00 AM
Walmart - 5:00 AM

Happy Thanksgiving!

Because in 24 hours everyone will be busy with family, shopping, cooking and traveling --- let me take a minute now to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

It's easy to get overwhelmed by family, to-do list, money spent, and more during the holiday season, so let's have little group therapy here, okay.

-You are the only one who really cares if the potatoes are cold by the time they hit the table; the people you're serving are family. If they do care...make sure to cross them from next year's invite list.

-When family members begin to jockey for the 'alpha' position at the Thanksgiving dinner table, giving their sadly misinformed opinions on everything from national politics to American Idol, let them go. You're the keeper of the bird. You win.

-Supreme leftover recipe. The T.O.T. Turkey On Toast. Do it with mustard, leftover gravy or whatever floats your boat---just make sure you have turkey white meat on crusty, crusty toast.

-When Black Friday rolls around and you're contemplating how long you could go without a car payment to buy your kid that animatronic, interactive dinosaur for Christmas, remember this is the same kid that is amused by the paper bag you got at Giant Eagle the other day.

-Visit Santa at the Mall At Robinson. He rocks. Period. Every mom I've ever talked to about this subject says that when you 'visit' Santa at the Mall At Robinson it's a FANTASTIC visit.

-Watch some holiday tv specials. Sing along. Because every child needs to know the words to Heat Miser and Snow Miser...and you're the parent to teach them.

Got any other suggestions or comments on Thanskgiving weekend. Send them along.
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

Thought Starters For The Week...

Did you watch the black n gold on Sunday? Can you explain the last 10 seconds of the game in less than 10 seconds?

I've been off the '24' tv wagon for a few seasons but this week's "prequel" premiere has jump started me for a new season. It starts Sunday 11/23 at 8 p.m.

Light Up Night is Friday ---- What do you do? Visit downtown for the night or wait for your own community light up night?

Where are you on holiday decorations before the holidays? My husband and I had a discussion about stores selling holiday decorations waaaaaaayyyy ahead of the actual holidays. He can't stand it and feels that it ruins the holiday. I said that just because it's out there it doesn't mean that you have to BUY it! I actually could look at wreaths, trees, and Christmas lights all year round. It doesn't mean I'm going to decorate my house with the stuff until that day after Thanksgiving.

For most of us, Thanksgiving means lots of family time...and for some of us...that leads to happy hour. For those of us who would prefer to drink our dessert on Thanksgiving (and you are a responsible non driving adult)...

Pumpkin Pie Cocktail
• 1 oz Malibu rum
• 1 oz Kahlua
• 6 oz milk
• 1/3 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 to 1 tsp pumpkin pie filling (depending on desired taste)
Blend all ingredients together in a blender with a few cubes of ice. Serve in a glass rimmed with very finely crushed graham cracker crumbs. Sprinkle more cinnamon on top for garnish.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ginger Snap
• .75 oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
• .5 oz. ginger brandy
• 4 oz. eggnog
• 1 ginger snap (optional)
• Add Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, ginger brandy, and eggnog in blender. Blend to desired consistency and pour into glass. Garnish with ginger snap for dunking if desired.

Just trying to keep the holidays running smoothly for you ...

Updates

Since last blog, we elected a new president, Jennifer Aniston said Angelina is "very uncool" and we took our son to the movies for the first time.

I'm done with presidential politics ---just don't think that a show that tackles Jessica Simpon's baby bump should get involved with the political process --- next topic.

Jennifer --- the next time a reporter asks, just say "old news ---let's move on to the next question"


Two year old at the movies --- Happy to report that our son loved Madagascar 2...sat like an angel until the last 15 minutes. At that point, he hopped from my lap, turned to my husband and said "All Done". Not wanting to ruin our first movie theater experience, we followed his lead, got up and left.


This morning we read an email from a listener who was seeking advice from YOU! This is a copy of his email. Though he did not protect names in the email ---I'm not giving real names. He will know who he is ... and you know who you are....so just take a second to read his email and post your 'advice' for Johnathan here.

Hi,my name is "Johnathan" and I have a question that I would like your listeners to help me with....I have spent the last 8 years seeing and loving a woman we'll call "Jess". We were both married-I am now single-she just went back to her husband after he threw out after finding out about us for the third time...she said she had to move back home due to financial issues...she was living with a friend but could not get along with her....part of her being allowed back home is the fact that she is not allowed to comunicate with me after 8 years. It has been 14 weeks now and I just don't know what to do....should I give her time to get her financial house in order. She said she needs time to decide what to do....I would marry her in a second and she knows that. She told me when all of this happened that she loved me but was sorry that she needed time to get her life in order....I am a patient person but I would like to know how patient I should be. Thanks in advance

Help Johnathan by putting up a post!

Please Let There Be A Clear Winner...

The polls have been open for a few hours now and I have to say that the one thought in my mind is "please let there be a clear winner". Nothing dangling, dimpled or to be decided in a courtroom. Just a winner ---thanks very much.

Stand in line today. Please. Yes some polling places have long lines BUT if you are a regular voter, isn't a line less frustrating that the EMPTY polling place you are used to visiting?

Will you watch tv coverage tonight? After the many media errors in '04 and networks "calling it" for states seconds after polls physically closed, I think I may have to stay away..then again, the flubs do have a train wreck factor to them that I can't resist.

Some other thoughts...

'SQUISHING' of holidays. I admit, I have become one of the sheep. We are happily munching on Halloween candy, decorating for Thanksgiving and listening to Christmas music....hmmmmm. I'm going to make a real effort to do one holiday at a time.


This weekend we're taking our son to the movies for the first time. He's not quite 2 1/2. Too young? Perhaps. No expectations here---in fact I'm prepared to leave after maybe 20 minutes. Going to take him to the earliest showing on Saturday or Sunday...just a warning for you in case your children actually want to see Madagascar 2.

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and his wife Erin welcomed their first child, a boy, into the world on Halloween. Here's one of the official photos. Hey, how about equal time for the Pens?

Looking To Start An Organization...

Okay need a good name for a group of people who STRONGLY oppose moving trick or treat night to another date other than HALLOWEEN!!!




PAMH - People Against Moving Halloween ----not very catchy

PATOTM - People Against Trick Or Treat Moving --- doesn't make sense

OTOTOH - Only Trick Or Treat On Halloween ---it's got potential, but I think it means something dirty in another language...



Okay, here's the deal...help me come up with something that 1) is easy to say & easy to remember 2) helps get out the message that Trick Or Treat time should not be moved for High School, College, or Pro Football, or any other event, sporting or otherwise, that happens to fall on Halloween. It's Halloween --- the candy doesn't taste as good any other day!

Happy Halloween! IT'S FRIDAY!!!