Guilty Pleasure Television

TV shows based on teenage experiences are my little guilty pleasure. As I sit here now, I am watching a re-run of Gilmore Girls. I laugh at myself because sometimes I think I'm way too old to be enjoying shows like this. Yet I can't help but get pulled into the lives of these fictious teens.


When I was in highschool I loved 90210. But I was their age (atleast their character's age). Even as I got older I still watched the show until the very last episode. And I adored the short-lived My So Called Life. And then there was Party of Five as well (which is probably one of the few just never got into) Then the WB came along and brought us a string teen programming....Felicity...Dawson's Creek...Seventh Heaven....Gilmore Girls and the summertime spin off Young Americans.


Dawson's Creek was, and still is, one of my all-time favorite shows. Once a week, for about an hour, I was pulled into the lives of Dawson, Joey, Pacey and the gang and my world stopped. I loved watching their awkwardness, their friendships, and their sticky situations (as all teenagers are prone to finding themselves in). I adored the storylines and the music that was features on the show (you'll hear a few songs if you hang around here long enough). I cried during the season finale and was very sad when the show went off the air.


Now these types of shows are becoming more popular again. The controversial teenage lives on Gossip Girl have me completely hooked! Just last week I started watching The Secret Life of The American Teenager. And I can't believe they are reviving 90210 (although I am still doubtful it will be as good as the original). But even now, in my 30's, I'm just as hooked as ever. I haven't quite figured out why. Maybe I'll dive into that part of my pscyhe another night.

Bloggy Give Away Carnival - Summer 2008

Wow - less than a week into having my blog and I get to participate in the Bloggy Carnival Giveaway from http://www.bloggygiveaways.com/. What good timing I have!

So here's how it works....Because I love life and love to laugh and love being in love, I am giving away something to decorate your home with life, love and laughter. It is a set of 3 words - Live, Laugh, Love - each with 3 picture frames that hang below. Fill it with pictures and memories to make you smile! Below is a picture of the "Laugh" - the others are still in their original packaging and I'd like to keep it that way.

To enter my giveaway, leave a comment below and tell me the one thing that makes you smile most!

This giveaway is open to anyone. Be sure you leave your email address so you can be contacted. Giveaway ends August 1st (my birthday!) at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be announced over the weekend.

Thank you for stopping by. Be sure to check out http://www.bloggygiveaways.com/ for more giveaways. Good luck!

A Lazy Sunday

Cause I'm feeling lazy....stole this from Cammy

Hi, my name is: Shelley

When I’m nervous I: I tend to studder

Last night I: spent the night as the bartender at Cyndi's party! The drink of the evening was "The Birthday Girl"
2 parts Vodka
2 parts grapefruit juice
2 parts pineapple juice
splash of lemon juice
splash of sweet lime juice
It's a little tart...but goes down smooth!

PART 1: YOU
Were you a planned baby? Nope...my parents were married in March & I was born in August. Do the math... lol

Were you the first? Yes...and the first grandchild on both sides!

PART 2: YOUR PERSONALITY
Do you have low self esteem? No. There are times I like myself more than others, but overall I'm pretty happy with myself.

Are you happy right now? Yes....tired, but happy!

PART 3: APPEARANCE
Are you comfortable with the way you look? Comfortable is a good way to put it. I wish I was thinner, but not enough to do something about it.

Describe your hair: Well I recently cut 10 inches off and love it!

PART 4: RANDOM
Ever been kicked out of a bar? Only by my friends.

PART 5: THE OUTDOORS
Do you prefer indoors or outdoors? I love being outside, when it's not 95 degrees out and 99% humidity!

How’s the weather? Typical Florida Summer afternoon....thunderstorms are rolling in.

Do you like walking in the rain? No

Do you like thunderstorms? I love a good thunderstorm...which is good since I live in the Lightning Capital of the US!

PART 6: FOOD
Are you a vegetarian? If God didn't want us to eat meat, he wouldn't have invented cows or made bacon taste so good!

Anything you absolutely could eat forever? Pizza

What is your favorite dessert? Key Lime Pie from Bahama Breeze!

PART 7: RELATIONSHIPS AND LOVE
Do you want to get married? I am married

Been married before? Not prior to this one

Are you truly in love? Yes - and it's wonderful!

PART 8: RANDOM QUESTIONS
Where is your cell phone? On the table next to me
Good question....maybe one of the cats is laying on it

Cheesecake? YUM!! Need to make a date with the Cheesecake Factory.

Your dream last night? Don't remember one from last night, but the one I had the other night about one of my coworkers being our pilot was quite interesting.

Your favorite drink? Iced Tea

Where did you grow up? Wall, NJ

Tattoos? Just one...a dolphin on my right calf. I'd still like to get another though...

Ketchup? A staple in my house

Your computer? I have two. My PC in the office and my laptop. My PC is ancient...but still works and my laptop is compliments of my job!

Your life? Never seems like I have enough time

What are you thinking about right now? Can't believe I am watching American Psycho. Christian Bale is hot as hell...but this movie is just wacko!

Favorite color(s)? Purple & Green

When is the last time you laughed? Probably at the dog park this morning

Last received call? Cassie

Part 9: LIFE
What friend knows the most about you? Probably Cyndi S....almost my sis, Cammy & Cassie are a close second

Who do you blame for your mood today? Cyndi's party...LOL

What should we do with stupid people? I like the idea of bringing them to a deserted island.

What is making you sad right now? The stupid people above

What was the first thing you did this morning? Got up and took the dogs to the park (despite my late night)...it's our typical Sunday morning routine and they love it!

Last person you went out to dinner with? My DH, Valerie, John & Kids. Went to the Yummy House on Friday night. It's an AMAZING Chinese with fabulous food!

Do you drink lots of water?I try to drink as much as possible. In fact, I need to get some now. BRB.....

How do you vent your anger/sadness? Call my friends and rant!

What theme does your room have? No theme really....just warm browns. And it's just as much the kids room as it is ours.

Are you a mama’s child or a daddy’s child? Daddy's Girl

The last website you visited? MySpace

Who was the last person you took a picture with? Cyndi S...which reminds me, I need to make sure I get copies from her.

Last person you went to the movies with? Cassie & Zoe

What did you do / will you do for your birthday this year? Having a group dinner at Arigato next Friday!

Is there anything alive in your room? No...all of the kids are down here in the living room with me.

Today, would you rather go back a week or go forward a week? Forward a week.....month end will be over and it'll be a week closer to vacation

What are you looking forward to right now? VACATION!! We leave on the 8th!

Part 10: IF YOU HAD TO
If you HAD to dye your hair a color what color would it be? Does the color it is now count? I like my red hair...which already comes from a bottle!

If you HAD to get a piercing (not ears) what would you get? A belly ring...but I'm not nearly skinny enough!

A Shelter's Perspective

My children are four-legged, furry and have a slight speech impediment. I love my pets as if they were my kids. My pets are treated better than most people treat their kids. Some people don't understand and laugh at me, some people just think I'm nuts. Although I don't expect others to spoil their animals rotten, I do expect people to live up to their responsibilities and give their animals a loving home for life.

One of my biggest pet peeves is people who shirk their responsibilities and dump their pets as if they were a piece of used furniture. In my mind, there is not a single good reason to give up a pet. Your dog, cat, ferret, bunny, etc is a living, breathing being that relies solely on you for their care. It is no different than a child. Would you give away a child because you couldn't be bothered any longer? Or were moving? Or because it didn't get along with your other children? Or because it had special needs? There are solutions for so many reasons why people give up their animals. People today are just too lazy to find them or to help deal with the problem. You give me a problem and I'll find you a solution!

I wasn't always like this, I will admitt. It started last year when we got our first dog, Allie. Allie was dumped on the side of the interstate at a mere 4 weeks old and left there to die. When she and her brother were found together, they were emaciated, covered in fleas and probably just days, if not hours, away from death. It broke my heart that someone would actually do this to my sweet little girl!

Afterwards, I got involved with a group of young women who are slowly making a difference. We don't have an official organization or a group name. We started from a message board on The Nest. On this board are women, about my age, who take time out of their busy lives to coordinate and do transports all over the country for various shelters and rescues, who spend money out of their own pocket for foster care and sheltering of animals without a home, and who make the time to put together various fundraisers and care packages for animals in need.

It is amazing what I have learned from these women. I have learned about good pet nutrition. I have learned about the difference between a reputable breeder and back yard breeder (byb)/puppymills. I have learned that pitbulls are not the mean & nasty dogs they have gotten the reputation for. I have learned that there are thousands and thousands of animals put down in shelters every day because of irresponsible and stupid people.

I have started to try to make a difference myself. I volunteer for the local Humane Society as often as possible. I donate to the SPCA and participate in events they have, with the dogs, around the Tampa area. I also donate to fundraisers from the above mentioned message board as often as possible. DH & I adopted another dog from the county shelter in March....who was dumped as a 6 month old puppy because "he was becoming destructive". He's a puppy for crying out loud...a Lab puppy no less!

What prompted my rant today was a post I read on my Pets message board. It made me cry and I will share it below. There are days I feel so defeated by the stupid pet owners out there...like the girl who feels it's okay to leave her dog in her back yard for the ENTIRE week they are on vacation...or the couple who wants to dump their cats of 4 years because they are trying to have a baby (she's not even pregnant yet)....or the mom who dumps their pets at the nearest shelter because she "doesn't have enough time for them AND her real children....and even the people who get rid of their "vicious" dog because it snapped at their toddler. While I, and others I know, continue to try to make a difference, there will always be more.

I'll step off my soap box now. I'm sure this will be a topic that comes up often. So I will leave you with the post that prompted it.

A Shelter's perspective:

I took in your cat today. The cat you swore up and down you would love forever when we gave her to you and five months later you bring her back.

I took in your cat today. The one that you declawed and then forced to stay outside when he wasn't "cute" anymore. The one you spray painted pink. The one who reminded me so much of my own cat that I teared up until the tech took pity on me and told me we could keep him. The one you refused to pay a surrender fee for to go towards his care. We cleaned him up, petted him and brushed him and pampered him and he's going to go to someone who will know what a handsome big lover boy he is and you will be poorer for his loss.

I took in your puppy today. The puppy who has nothing wrong with him, is happy and healthy and adorable, but that you gave up on because you don't think your kids are taking care of him and heaven forbid you do it and you want to teach them a lesson with a living creature. You don't deserve him and I'll make sure that he goes to someone who does. You are a terrible mother to set such an example for your children, for teaching them that lives are disposable.

I took in your dog today. The one who loved you for seven years that you don't feel like taking care of anymore. The one with aches in his hips and itches in his skin who should have grown old in his home with the family he loved. He was put down five minutes after you left, his last minutes spent with the smell of fear and death in a strange place without his mommy.

I took in your dog today. I told you that if you left him with me he'd be put down because we are over our limit and had no cage for him and even if we weren't, he had contagious mange and we wouldn't be able to keep him. You said you understood, but were leaving him anyway. You had the brass balls to call me five hours later and say you wanted your dog back. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? I told you what would happen and you left him anyway you heartless jerk.

I took in your dog today. The dog you "couldn't" keep because you were moving to a place that doesn't allow dogs. Why the hell didn't you check before you signed a lease?? There are thousands of places that take pets. Even after I told you that only 30% of the animals that come in go out again, you didn't relent. You paid the $25 fee to unload a living being and left to move unencumbered.

I took in your dog today. And her puppies. And her mate. And you refused to pay a surrender fee, despite your Nordstrom scarf loudly declaring that you could afford it. I hope your karma comes back to you very soon.

I took in your ferret today. We put her down with dignity and kindness and put aside the ashes for you. She's not suffering anymore, so you can grieve in peace. When you're ready, please come back so we can find a new pet for you to love.

I took in your dog today. You brought him in to be put down, but he died in your arms before we could check him in. I've never seen an animal die before and the memory of your dog dying will be forever etched in my mind.

I sent you home with a dog today. Despite her issues which her owners surrendered her to us for, you fell in love with her and couldn't leave her and will work with her until she gets it right. Bless you for taking her, she was my favorite.

I sent you home with a dog today. He's older than any of our other dogs, turned out of his home after eight years. He was lost and confused and bayed in his kennel all day, everyday. Until you came to take him, he was bewildered and sad, but going out to the car with you, he jumped and trotted in excitement. You are kind and generous souls and his love will more than repay you.

I sent you home with a dog today. You gave her a third chance and I hope this one is a charm. She really doesn't like it here and I hope she doesn't have to come back. Take care of her, she's a lovely little soul.

I sent you home with a cat today. I'm so sorry that your past cat died so suddenly and badly, but thank you for coming in and opening your heart to a new one. She will help you heal and you will help her get over having such a hard start in life.

Live up to your responsibilities - these are, living, breathing, feeling creatures that you took responsibility for when you assumed ownership. Deciding that they are no longer convenient and dumping them at a shelter is selfish and uncaring and shows your lack of character. Shelters are for people who have no other options; they have lost their jobs, their homes, are ill; not for those who are simply too lazy to try and do right by their pets and find them new homes or work to keep them. For those of you who adopt, bless you. Your help, support and loving homes are invaluable for those of us who continue to fight for the animals.

My First Ever Blog...

Soooooo? This is blogging? Hmm...

A few of my friends had inspired me to start blogging. I love reading what goes on in their lives, some almost on a daily basis. Some say its a fun way to keep up with each while others say it's theraputic. I'm not sure what I'm hoping to get out of it, but I thought it might be fun. I am sure somedays I'll have more to say than others and somedays I'll steal ideas from other people (apologizing in advance).

I gave my blog the name "Shelley Sells Seashells Down By The Seashore". It's a phrase my mother and grandmother used to say to me all the time when I was little. It was a tongue twister back in the day too! *whew* I've always lived near the water. When my family named their first boat "C-Shell" (my sister's name is Cyndi...C for Cyndi, Shell for Shelley), it tied me to the ocean, the beach, shells and everything nautical for the rest of my life. I'm glad I like all of those things. There is nothing better than a beautiful day at the beach or a gorgeous day on the water.

I love the feel of the ocean breeze, the serenity that can be found in the waves crashing along the shore, and the softness of the wet sand on my feet. There is nothing more beautiful than a Florida sunset over the water. Every evening is like a blank canvas where God & Mother Nature can create their magic.

One of the most beautiful displays of that work came on the day of our wedding. October 21, 2005. As the outerbands of Hurricane Wilma circled past us all day (the eye of the huge Category 5 storm was located near Cozumel, Mexico), the sky cleared about 30 minutes before our beachside ceremony. As the sun fell below the horizon, we were given this magnificent picture as a backdrop to the start of our reception. It was the talk of the evening.



On our recent trip to Key West, we experienced another spectacular sunset. Cyndi, Cam and I boarded the Key West Express after a fun weekend in Key West to head back to Ft. Myers. After an hour or so into our ride we went through a short shower. Once the shower was over, we went back to the top deck of the boat and the sun peaked out from behind the clouds. I fully believe that storm clouds make a sunset even more magnificent.

















So I guess it's only fitting that I start my blog off on topic that has is such a big part of my life. I have spent such a significant amount of my life on and around the water. I cannot ever imagine not living near the water. Landlocked is not a place for me. My Darling Husband (futurely known as DH) and I talk about getting a boat in the neat future. I look forward to when we can spend days on the water...fishing...swimming...hanging out with family & friends on a remote barrier island somewhere on the Florida coast. After all, I was named SHELLey for a reason....