Sound bite of the Week

When covering local news, especially a story that involves a crime, natural disaster or "The Man" sticking it to the little guy - a news reader always looks for the person who is jockeying to provide commentary or an eyewitness account.

More often than not, these folks are dying to be on TEEvee, no matter what the scenario and believe they were born ready for their close-up.

They usually resemble a "before" in a "before and after" montage for a cosmetic dentistry practice or is the type of person that gets ambushed for a makeover show at an amusement park, while eating a deep-fried turkey leg.

Many times they are without a shirt or the proper underpinnings to support their bosom. Often accompanied by a family member or members, that stand behind them during the interview making faces or shouting, "Hey Granny!"

If you have no idea who this person is - you are this person. So keep on keepin' on, because you make for some stellar local tv moments.

And now to our sound bite of the week.

The News Readin' Husband was covering an inordinate amount of rescues a local fire department had to perform on a swollen river. The recent rains in this neck of the woods has caused an otherwise lazy river to become rapid. A favorite spot for tubing, many have found themselves tossed over and requiring the assistance of the authorities.

This scenario baffled me.

Me: "Why are the companies that rent these tubes not cautioning people or not renting them at all?"
Mr. NR: "It's not their job to play lifeguard and they don't own the river."
Me: "Well, why isn't there some flag system - like on the beach in Mexico. I mean hell...if they can deter spring breakers with a black flag..."
Mr. NR: "There isn't one entry point and it's an ineffective system for this type of body of water."
Me: "Certainly the city or the county should be able to do something...a law, an ordinance...something"
Mr. NR: sliding into his South Georgia accent -"Honey, you can't legislate stupid."

All of a sudden I had a vision of him in his suit without a shirt, chomping down on a deep-fried turkey leg.

Someone has been spending too much time amongst the people.


We now return to our regularly scheduled program.

Love: Nineteenth Century Style

Happiest of Fridays, gang!

Stumbled across the Advertising for Love blog recently and it made my inner historian giddy. Written by a PhD in history candidate (so, she's like wicked smaht...) the blog chronicles nineteenth century personal ads.

Sounds boring? Me thinketh not.

Imagine the romance of opening the morning dispatch to see a message from the man who caught your eye as you were gliding about town or a secret message from the one night stand whom you feared would never contact you again...

Her post today is especially amusing, so do stop by and have a read.

Nineteenth Century love and lust is some good stuff!

Enjoy,

Mrs. News Readin'


Be back in a bit with a full report from my adventure in the Crescent City - Leontine Linens, Hazelnut New Orleans and food - glorious - food!

The Perils of Posting

The interwebs can be a wonderful place where you can find out Bradley Cooper's major at Georgetown, where the best Thai food in Boston can be devoured and keep in touch with your not so nearest and somewhat dearest with Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.

My how small the world has become in just a few years!

We keep things relatively anonymous in the Breaking Newsroom. Mainly because I can't afford to pay Mr. News Readin's agent 4% for using his mug for mass consumption. True story. That guy is a piranha - but gets the job done.

Many of you do share images of you, your family and friends. Well - you may just find yourself emblazoned on outdoor boards in a foreign country if that Kodak moment is commercial print quality.

Check out this Mommy blogger's story.

Needless to say after that tale - the Breaking News Team will remain faceless. And if you can't take the suspense...I've got six spots left on Facebook before I shut 'er down. I'm serious. (Email me: mrs dot newsreadin at gmail dot com)

Not sure how I would feel if that happened to me and my family? What about you?
Inquiring minds would like to know...


Stay tuned. More at 11.

It's Seersucker Thursday Y'all

And you thought it was just another Thursday...pish!

Anyone who has spent a summer moment in D.C. knows how the heat can be downright oppressive. Prior to the God-send of air conditioning, senators hailing from the South shed their wool black frock coats for lighter linen and cotton attire. Northern colleagues took note.

In 1909, New Orleans clothier Joseph Haspel made summer wear more comfortable by designing a light-weight suit in pale blue and white striped rumpled cotton fabric.

He named that fabric "seersucker," a cotton that was based on a silk derivation from India popular during the British colonial period. In Persian it is called "Shir Shakkar," which loosely translates into "milk and sugar." The milk described the smooth parts of the material, while the sugar was a metaphor for the texture commonly referred to as "dimples" or "puckers."

Seersucker suits became widely popular because of their wash and wearability, made very necessary in the humid summer.

In the late 1990s, Mississippi Senator Trent Lott revived the long-forgotten Senate tradition. Selecting a day in June to be designated Seersucker Thursday, Senator Lott along with several other Southern Senators donned their seersucker. Three cheers for Trent!

Trent third from left. Lovin' that pink tie!

Today, senators happily make this annual fashion statement in the spirit of harmony. Imagine that? It is also a gentle reminder to their colleagues of what Senates from days past considered proper (read: required) summer attire. Ahem.

All in favor...?

Yours relishing this fashion/political history moment,

Mrs. News Readin'


We now return to your regularly scheduled program.

Some things I will never understand.

I will never understand why Robin Givens married Mike Tyson. Or why Brad Pitt dated her for a minute, either.

I will also never understand why hamburger and hot dog buns are sold in different quantities than the actual meat products. Conspiracy on the part of commercial bakers? Probably.

I will also never understand why Hollywood starlets (or those that purport themselves to be) - who take extreme measures to maintain youth, beauty and above all - a body to rival that of a (somewhat) lazy anorexic - wear clothing that any normal human being would consider fug.

Yet you, young starlet, are duped to believe it is "fashion forward."

Come, now. Really?

Case in point:



Have you ever played that miserable game at a wedding shower when a team has to make the best wedding dress out of a roll of toilet paper? Looks like sweet Kirsten drew the short straw and Laura and Kate Mulleavy found some sparkly gray tp for this dress from their Rodarte line.

And what can I say about the peep-toe shoe booty business with buckles? I can say U-G-L-Y.

Kirsten, Kirsten, Kirsten...honey. Bright side - the Ferragamo clutch - is perfection.

In closing: call Rachel Zoe. Yeah - she'll make you feel fat - but better looking than this.
You might even achieve bananas.

Big hug,

Mrs. NewsReadin'

Spreading the Love.

This little blog began after move number three in five years. I had hit rock bottom - being without any family or friends in a brand new town - yet again. Hence, the Wanted Good Home...a little place with familiar faces, laughter and a life.

I had no idea that I would find that sense of community amidst the blogosphere. So many incredible people sharing their lives, their finds, their anecdotes and most surprising - their appreciation and enjoyment for what you are putting out in the world. It's amazing how quickly a stranger can turn into a friend - without you ever having met...

So, with that I need to acknowledge two very lovely and favorite bloggers of mine who thought enough of what happens in this neck of the blogging woods to bestow these two awards...


Many, many thanks to THE Preppy Princess for the Queen of ALLL Things Awe-Summm Award!! The Breaking News Team will try desperately to live up to this tremendous honor. We think The Preppy Princess is quite Awe-Summm, as well.

As the newly crowned Queen, I am obligated to do the following:

1. List 7 things that make me Awe-Summm!!!

2. Pass this onto 7 bloggers.

3. Let those bloggers know that they have been tagged.

4. Link to Her Majesty who tagged me.

5. Copy the picture onto my sidebar to let the world know I am the Queen! (Not sure if I can manage this...)

.

Seven things that make me Awe-Summm!!! *

Let's just say these are seven things about myself I'm not embarrassed to share.

1. My Grandmother is 87, still wears heels, drives and goes to the office three days a week.
Having her genes alone makes me awesome.

2. A husband who makes me laugh

3. A best friend that has never judged me

4. Great hair

5. My sarcasm which, along with my great hair, has gotten me through life

6. Being able to recite almost every line from Heathers, Steel Magnolias and 9 to 5 - as if they were the Lord's Prayer.

7. Knowing that life is long distance race - not a sprint

We are also directed to tag 7 people:
(in no particular order)

1. Buford Betty

2. USCEmily
3. Leslie Ruth my favorite Southern Drama Queen
4. Make Mine a Mimosa
5. BLC :0 over at The Company She Keeps
6. Monograms & Mayhem

Second, a very big, "Why, thank you!" to Sara over at This Beautiful Thing. She is such a sweetheart to think that the Breaking News Team exhibits an attitude of gratitude. I know - she's way too generous.



So, how have I come to have an attitude of gratitude?

Not sure if I can claim a consistent attitude of gratitude, but I will say that I have learned to always to appreciate people and places for who and what they are and not enforce my "Well, in New York..." standard. Let me illustrate - Western Nebraska. Not exactly Paris. But while living there, I day tripped it to the Black Hills of South Dakota, left my door unlocked and ate the best steak of my life for $10 in a dingy bar with paper napkins. All great life experiences for which I am grateful.


The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude.
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.
5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.

We are tagging the following bloggers for their attitude of gratitude:

1. Granny Smith Green (Granny, I know you just received this from another blogger - but I had to give you a shout out!)
2. One Fabulous Mom
3. Le Petite Blog
4. Kikibee
5. Abnormally Normal
6. Clemson Girl
7. The Pink Clutch
8. Mes Petit Choux
9. Sippycups
10. Happy Homemaker


I know getting tagged can be sort of a pain, so don't feel obligated to post. Please know that I am just grateful to know all of you fabulous women!

xoxo,

Mrs. News Readin'

Say Cheese.

Mr. News Readin' loves cheese. I mean really loves cheese. One of the highlights of his life was spending time in the cheese cave at Artisanal in NY. True story.

His taste ranges from the stuff that comes wrapped in impossibly difficult to open plastic sleeves to a tangy, mature Manchego.

Since it is National Cheese Day (What! You forgot to send the mass e-greeting?) - we are celebrating with a dinner of Natalie's Tuscan Chevre Salad - with cheese deliciously made in Elkmont, Alabama.



Fromagerie Belle Chevre has received a lot of attention over the past few years - especially under the ownership of the lovely Tasia Malakasis. (You may have caught her story in G&G...)

Image courtesy of Garden & Gun

Is she not just the prettiest (goat) milk maid? So wholesome...


If you are looking for some Belle Chevre of your own click here for retailers.

Yours in cheese-y goodness,

Mrs. NR

I'm putting out an APB...

Where in the world is Papercourt Ponderings?

One minute I was reading about her new kitchen back splash and the next thing I know - she's vanished!

If you have had a sighting, comment or any details regarding this disappearance, you are asked to comment on this post or email me: mrs dot newsreadin at gmail dot com. (Take that Ugandan hackers!)

xoxo,

Mrs. NR

Off the Cuff

It's been a little hectic around the News Readin' Household lately.

From the Wedding Belle's glorious engagement party on the coast, a very relaxing weekend in Cashiers, the premiere of So You Think You Can Dance and work - work and yes, more work - it has even been a struggle to assist the News Readin' Husband with the daily selection o' the tie - let alone think of suitable, witty content for consumption. (There is always plenty that is not suitable...)

Sorry, gang. Just trying to keep it real.


Speaking of helping our favorite news reader maintain a snappy appearance...

Spotted these on Barneys.com.


Hobbs & Kent Inlay Cufflinks - on sale for $149.
FYI...they are also offering free shipping on all Barneys.com orders.

Could make for a very nice Father's Day or graduation gift.

Or in our case -
you're not a father and it took you five years to graduate (without a double major) gift.


Stay tuned.

Up next:
Getting around to return some blogging love
Special Report: Size Denial
and a Last Call for Wedding Belle Bridesmaid Accessory Suggestions