Stuff White People Like....

Have you checked out Stuff White People Like ?? It is the satirical blog that attempts to explain what those bourgeois Caucasoids are up to these days.  Apparently, it is getting quite the traction, managing to draw the re of angry people of every stripe, but especially other white people. AMAZING! Who could be responsible for this you ask?  Well, as much as I would love to say "YOU'RE WELCOME".... I cannot.  All the credit goes to a young Canadian expat living in Los Angeles named Christian Lander.  Lander serves as a Copywriter/Corporate Communications drone by date and a writer/editor/model-for-the-blog by night.  The comedic prose signed a book contract with Random House for a staggering $350,000 advance.

The blog was created just seven months ago, but it has already received more than 16 million hits.  Top posts on the blog cover topics that "white people" supposedly like including Tea, Having Gay Friends, Apple products and Dinner Parties.  

I confess....I am guilty as charged.  As a Caucasian I can attest white people do quirky stuff, and it is funny.  White people being predictable is what kept people laughing at Richard Pryor's best material.  Lander hilariously keeps a chronicle of all thing people adore that are pigmentally challenged.  

Welcome Aboard!

Please stop by and welcome my girlfriend, Alex to the blogger world!  She is the "Designer to the Stars" in the accessories world.  Her luxuriously exotic hangbags have been carried  by movie stars, socialites and divas world-wide.  

Luxoholics indulge!!!!

Photo Session Tuesday....

Today we had a little photo session at Casa Chaos.  These are some I took but I have come to terms I will never be Lisa Jane

CRAZY FETCHING PUPS....

We have the CRAZY fetching dogs, Cavalier King Charles named Clementine and Oliver.   For most that know, these breeds that are not associated primarily with fetching.  Both of ours are NUTS for not only retrieving but retrieving rocks.  Yes, you heard it...rocks.  One rock could keep these two busy for hours.  The photo above is Clementine submerging her head totally underwater to get the small rock out of the shallow end of our pool.   

Notice when Sinclair is done swimming she strips and announces loudly "Towel, peeeeze!"

R & R......

Yesterday John, Hailey and I  drove out to Lake Conroe to visit out dear friends, Susana and Antonio and their three boys, Tomas (2), little Antonio (10) and our Godson, Felipe (5).  For those of my pals summering on the water on either coast, Lake Conroe is the Houston version of the Hamptons.  

They just bought a great new house right on the water.  We swam, visited and ate too much (note to self, get the recipe for the fabulous South American sweet cakes) 

I realized that I have been in hiding from the "cool toy world" for quite a while.  I was not at all familiar with Guitar Hero.  This game is wildly popular with the younger crowd of kid.  I can see a few grown-ups getting in on it as well.  The premise is you become a guitar character and strum the cords in unison with the song you choose.  This enables you to become part of the band as you strum the keys on the faux guitar necks that correspond with the song.  A LOT easier said than done. 

I was the Courtney Love of the group... in other words, I did not have a hit and did not know what I was doing.  I think the highest I scored was 23% ....Sinclair and Tomas (both 2 years old) did better than me.  Boy, it was fun!  Felipe, (5 ) has a career as a rock star....this one has a future on stage with panties being thrown at him!  Gotta get me one of those fake guitars are start practicing in the closet!

Godspeed Randy Pausch

By now, you are probably familiar with Randy Pausch.  If not, you should go and familiarize yourself with his story.  Randy was a tenured professor at Carnegie Mellon, a scientist, a husband and a father. He passed from his battle with pancreatic cancer yesterday.  His last gift for all of us, in the form of a video that is making its way around the Internet referring to his famed "Last Lecture" at Carnegie Mellon-- as well as the coveted book "The Last Lecture" There are many stories worth talking about which Randy has put into words, but I wanted to take a moment to highlight one of them.

The $100,000 Salt and Pepper Shaker

The story is simple.  At 12 years old, a young Randy Pausch was exploring Disney World with his family and he and his sister decided they wanted to show their parents their appreciation for the trip.  So they did what any other grateful children would do --- they pooled their allowance money and headed straight for the Disney gift shop.  A few minutes later, they emerged with the perfect gift.  A ceramic salt and pepper shaker to bring back memories of their adventure.  Randy and his sister left the store excited to see their parents face when they opened the gift.

Minutes later, a mini-tragedy struck when Randy accidentally dropped the shaker, breaking it upon impact.  A nearby adult suggested that they take it back to the store and they did so hesitantly, not expecting a positive outcome.  To their surprise and delight, the Disney employee who had sold them  the items apologized for not wrapping them appropriately and gave them a new set.  No questions asked.

So why is the Salt & Pepper Shaker worth $100,000??

As an adult faced with his own morality, Randy looks back to that event with unique perspective.   His whole family including his parents were so taken back by their positive Disney experience, that they appreciated the institution on "a whole other level" to use his own words.  By Randy's calculations, over the years, his family has enthusiastically spent over $100,000 with Disney brand -- they never forgot the significant importance of that one specific interaction.  In recent years as a consultant, Randy would often ask Disney executives this one question:  

      "If I sent a child into one of your stores with a broken salt and pepper shaker today, would your policies allow your workers to be kind enough to replace it?"

Randy says the "executives squirm at the question.  They know the answer.  Probably not." Now that Randy is gone, his family will still have that salt and pepper shaker, and the memorable story that goes with it.

Pausch died today at his home in Virginia.  The 47 year old and his wife, Jai moved there in the fall to be closer to relatives.  He was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006.  His famed lecture has garnered worldwide attention on the Internet.  In it, Pausch celebrated living the life he had always dreamed of instead of concentrating on impending death.

"The lecture was for my kids, but if others are finding value in it, that is wonderful," Pausch wrote on his website.  "But rest assured; I am hardly unique"

Maybe not unique - but rare

"Under the ruse of giving an academic lecture, I was trying to put myself in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children" -- Randy Pausch

Rest in Peace

NO "ITCH" AT CASA CHAOS

Seven years ago today my life changed the afternoon I laid eyes on John.  I truly met the love of my life in New Orleans, via blind date. Ironically, like this week, seven years ago there was a hurricane headed to the Gulf coast on that fateful summer day as well.

It is so hard to fathom where the time went.  Seven years has truly flown by.

I would not change a second of it!

WHAT ARE THESE PARENTS SMOKING???

A family court judge in New Zealand has had enough with goofy parents giving their children bizarre names.  Just ask "Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii"  He granted her request to change her name.

Judge Rob Murfitt made the 9-year-old girl a ward of the court so that her name could be changed.  The girl was involved in a custody battle and sought emancipation.

"The Court is profoundly concerned about the very poor judgement which this child's parents have shown in choosing this name" he wrote.  "It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap, unnecessarily" 

This little girl has been so embarrassed at the name that she never told her closest friends  what it was.  She told people to call her "K" instead.  In his ruling, Murfitt cited a list of unfortunate names.

Registration officials blocked some names including "Fish and Chips, Yeah Detroit, Keenan Got Lucy and Sex Fruit, he said.  Others slipped through the cracks, including Number 16 Bus Shelter and tragically "Violence".  New Zealand law does not allow names that would cause offense to a reasonable person.  "Reasonable" would be the key word here.

Of course, I knew a "hippie" of sorts from Texas that named his children "Liberty Be Free" and "Justice For All"   These are real names (I promise) ....of course this was coming from man who his first name was "Buffalo"

Truly the "Greatest Show on Earth"

This morning we made the trek to Reliant stadium in the rain to see Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's "Greatest Show on Earth"

Sinclair was all about the elephants.  I was pretty impressed with the high wire act. There were two brothers and they were suspended 25 feet in the air jumping over each other balancing on basically a wire.  The ringmaster mentioned they were brothers from a small village in Mexico and that their Dad started them walking on the wire as toddlers. 

JoJo commented that when she was young girl, a family of circus performers would "holiday" in Aransas Pass/Rockport during the summers.  For those of my friends in the North East or "across the pond" this particular area can easily reach a 110 degree heat factor with 100% humidity.  I soaked this in for a moment and then chuckled as I could not imagine being dragged to a different city every week more terrible...then be forced to spend each summer in the virtual heat wave of South Texas.  Yet, when she described it for a moment it actually sounded glamorous.  Of course, I too, have spent too many summers there and know how hot it can get. 

Michael Savage = DUMBASS IDIOT

Who the hell does this moron think he is???

Does he honestly think that he, with his zero hours of research on the matter, can hope to know more than the experts at WebMD, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and the Center for Disease Control?


Days after his claim that 99% of autistic children just need to be smacked into proper behavior, a seven-station radio network has cancelled Michael Savage's radio show.


Savage has previously lost jobs for similar behavior, once telling an MSNBC caller to "die of AIDS, you pig." It appears that his comments on autism may have finally been enough for stations and advertisers. A boycott of his show has been organized by the parents of autistic children, some of whom protested outside the Manhattan studios of a local station that carries his show. Despite being rabidly anti-gay on his show, Savage has been reported to be a deeply-closeted gay man who once had an affair with legendary beat poet Allen Ginsberg.


I spoke with my dear friend, Becky today - she knows first hand about this horrible epidemic that has caused so many families pain. Her son, Jack suffers from this disease. Being the gracious, kind soul she is ... Becky had nothing but pity for this "village idiot". She reiterated that autism stems from early vaccinations.

We spoke a great deal about the recognition that Jenny McCarthy has brought to autism. Becky, one of my personal heros, will be featured in Jenny's new book, "Warrior Mothers"


Mr. Savage, congratulations. In your quest to offend, you have outed yourself as a true victim of mental retardation.

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO VOTE!

I am happy to report that Chef Bryan Caswell and Bill Floyd and the famed Reef restaurant have been nominated for three awards this year by My Table Magazine.  They have worked SO VERY HARD and are so deserving of these accolades  

Now I am asking for your help.  The magazine has set up a voting mechanism so that each individual IP may vote just once.  That means there is only one vote per Internet connection, not one vote per computer or just one vote per email account.  If your whole family works on the same wireless network, you can  vote just once.  

Voting began yesterday and ends August 31st!

We would really appreciate your votes and if you pass this along to your friends it would be great!!! The link for voting is at My Table 

Just click on "Vote Now" under each category.  Thank you so much for all of your support!

SOUNDS FISHY TO ME.....

Wanna hear the latest from the land of spas and pampering?  It's carp pedicures.  The AP reported today that a northern Virginia spa has been offering pedicures performed by tiny carp for the past four months.  John Ho, who runs the Yvonne Hair and Nails salon with his wife said 5,000 people have taken the plunge at $50 a soak so far!!

This puts a whole new meaning to the term, "bottom feeding" indeed.

ON THIS DAY ....JULY 22

1933

American aviator Wiley Post completed the first solo flight around the world in seven days. 

1934

A man identified as bank robber John Dillinger was shot to death by federal agents in Chicago.

1943

American forces led by General George S. Patton captured Palermo, Sicily

1955

Roy Rogers show concludes

1978

World's first test tube baby born

1981

Turkish extremist Mehmet Ali Agca was sentenced in Rome to life in prison for shooting Pope John Paul II.  (He served 19 years)

1984

Miss America, Vanessa Williams relinquishes her crown after Penthouse publisher, Larry Flynt announces he will post nude pictures of the beauty queen.

1990

Greg LeMond wins his second Tour de France

1991

Cannibal and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is captured

1992

Columbia drug lord Pablo Escobar (onetime named by Forbes at the 7th richest man) escaped  from his luxury prison near Medellin

1994 

O.J. Simpson pleaded innocent to the slaying of his ex-wife, Nicole, and her friend, Ron Goldman

1995  

Susan Smith was convicted by a jury in Union, SC, of first-degree murder for the drowning of her two sons.  (Smith is serving life in prison)

2003

Saddam Hussein's sons Odai and Qusai were killed when U.S. forces stormed a villa in Mosul, Iraq

2003 

Jessica Lynch returns home to Virginia to a hero's welcome

2004

The September 11 commission issued a report saying America's leaders failed to grasp the gravity of terrorist threats before the 9/11 attacks.

Feeling the Love....

WOW! I arose this morning to over 922 emails from people wanting to be added to the privatization of my blog.  VERY TOUCHING!  I  had people from as far as UK, Athens, Australia and Berlin.  The emails are still pouring in by the hundreds.   THANK YOU for all the kind words from the bottom of my heart!

First of all, let me say, I am very proud of the people serving for our great country.  I am a registered Republican and have been long before I met my husband.  I am the Liberal-Progressives worst nightmare. I believe in the First Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms.  I have a concealed handgun license.  I think owning a gun does not make you a killer, it makes one a smart American. I also believe in Gay Marriage and in Stem-Cell research. I believe in Immigration Reform.  Yet, I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything.  I believe in the "Right to Choose" on many levels, especially a Woman's Right.  I believe the money I make belongs to my family, not some Liberal governmental functionary be it Democratic or Republican.  I am in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!

I believe  that if you are selling me a Big Mac, do it in English.

I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.

I have raised money for many political candidates, generally Republicans, alas I have given money to Democrats on a few occasions.  Hell, I was raised in the same neighborhood (within two miles) of Dr. Ron Paul -- yes, for those that did not know, the Libertarian Presidential candidate is also my little Texas town's Obstetrician.   Small world.

Three of the most charismatic people I have ever met in my life have been Bill Clinton, Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards and former Texas Governor Ann Richards -- all Democrats and none of which I voted for but whom I had various degrees of respect and admiration, Edwards for mainly entertainment value.

My heroes  are John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers  and whoever cancelled Jerry Springer.

I have never owned a slave, or was a slave, I have not buried any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and I am confidant, neither have you.  If you do not like the way things our here, go back to where you came from and change that country.  This is AMERICA.  If you were born here and do not like it, you are free to move to any Socialist country that will have you.

I want to know which church is it exactly where the Reverend Jesse Jackson preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution.  Can I get an AMEN on that one?

I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I do not want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years. 

I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making "donations" to their cause.  I find myself always getting "suckered" in.

I have a serious strain of staph (which thanks to an amazing medical team we have under control) NOT cancer and have never had any form of cancer.  

My daughter's first name was chosen from a family name.  End of story.

I do not think it takes a village to raise a child, it takes two parents. 

As far as defending the oil business, independent and Majors included this is an open-ended topic that people way smarter than myself have filibustered for decades.  Bottom line, if you do not support American oil producers you are forced to rely on countries that do not have our best interest in mind.  We do not want to have to rely on countries and leaders we consider the enemy and bash in the State of the Union address.  The US needs to be energy independent or we become at the control of Chavez or the Saudis, that has the most influence. Do you think Sadaam was a boy scout?? Do I think it was ironic we invaded an "oily" country?  Of course not.  Do you think that honestly, is it a toss up over Chavez and Kim Jong-il over humanitarian of the year?   The US oil companies are doing as much as they can to find the oil and gas reserves that we have.  The gas prices are driven by demand, which constitutes the lack of supply. Bottom line, if you do not like it, stop driving.  If you want more logical possibilities write/call/email your Congressman and vote for drilling off Florida, the coast off of Maine, California, the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.   I can assure you, there is not a caribou in Alaska that is going to go to call Dr Phil for an emergency therapy session if he sees an oil platform.  

There are alternatives being created as I type.  Billionaire Texas tycoon, T. Boone Pickens has devised the Pickens Plan as a source of an alternative for our dependency on oil.  Boone wants to wean us off our $700 billion dollar foreign crude habit.  It is a start, maybe not the answer. Alas, in the words of TBP "A fool with a plan beats a genius with no plan"

I am confidant by now some Green Peace (tree hugger) is seething over my last few comments. It is NOT meant to make you mad, honestly. 

Some people may think I am out of touch with reality -- I agree on some level.  I can take it on the chin.   Alas, some of these vocalists are the same people that think we should mow down all the Wal-Mart' in America because they have production in China.  

If all this makes me a "Bad American", then yes, I am a "Bad American"

Privatizing my blog is SUCH a pain....which is why I have opted NOT to for now.  There is nothing I love more than great banter.  I respect if you do not wish to read my blog.   That is the glory of your "Right to Choose" 

Peace. 

Passing of a Great Man.....

This weekend Sinclair's namesake, Kimble also known as "Pa" passed away -- he brought almost nine decades of joy to everyone he touched in Jones Co., Mississippi.   Uncle Kimble was blessed with an outgoing personality, winsome smile, and a powerful handshake.  He rarely met a stranger since he exuded so much love, fun and laughter. His greatest sources of enjoyment came from family, his study of the Bible, politics, cooking (catfish) and his deep love of Ole Miss football.   He will be sorely missed.

Winding Down Our Road Trip

Dancing Queen.....

This child has way more rhythm at two than I had at 22!!!

Sharing a moment with Will

Today we finished our Two Week Summer roadshow.  We visited various places and stopped to see Shamu, relaxed at the River and then were hosted this weekend by our good friends, Buddy, Kathy and their son, Will on the final leg.

Last night, the party we attended had a band that played the "classics" --- Sinclair went WILD!!! She danced and boogied until she literally fell over.  

The Shark Returns.....

Let me make sure I have this straight.

Situated  leading the British Open leader board is a blond, AARP Aussie newlywed who just gave his ex-wife $150 million so he could divorce and marry a woman that has 16 more major championships than him.  Norman has not made a PGA Tour cut since 2005, he began this week as a 500-1 long shot and made this week's Open one of the best ups and downs you will see in this lifetime.

I am a HUGE Tiger Woods fan but the next time someone reminds me that golf possibly cannot survive without Tiger, remember to mention the 137th British Open.  I miss Tiger and wish him, his beautiful family and his reconstructed ACL the best, but they are doing fine "across the pond" without him.

Who in the hell knew the post-Tiger era would begin  with a guy from the pre-Tiger era?  This is like finding an eight-track cassette in the attic that still works!

Greg Norman, 53 (which is what I consider young) would make him five years older than any Champion if he pulls this weekend off.   He shot even par 70's and that is not bad for a man that is more business empire than he has been golfer.

I noticed he was quoted saying "My expectations were almost nil coming in, to tell you the truth.  I had not played a lot of golf lately.  Obviously we had a lot of preparation getting ready for the wedding"

The wedding?  What wedding you ask?  Well, for those that do not know he just got hitched in a $2 million ceremony in the Bahamas last month.  The bride was none other than Christ Evert, winner of 18 Grand Slam tennis titles.

Between them, they have 20 majors, five kids, three exes and one hell of an extended honeymoon if he pulls this off tomorrow.

Reporters asked him of his "comeback" which I thought was funny since he really had not been anywhere, other than not on the leader board.   He gave all the credit to "true love" -- which is represented well in the size of the rock on Evert's ring finger.  Basically, it is the size of what "The Shark" drives off the tee.

For those of you that follow golf, he was "Tiger" before there was a Tiger Woods.  Evert does not play golf (neither do I for the record) but she understands what it is like to win Championships.  Also, she understands Norman's golf legacy as "The Shark"

(insert theme music from "JAWS")

Friends.....

What would we do without friends???

Momma's Kitchen.....

Come on in... the water's fine!  Love, Lady T

The Height of the Hill Country

When the three of us first arrived to Sea World (LeighBee, our personal "gatekeeper of all things magical") arranged for us to be up close and VVVIP to all the shows we wished to see.   The first show we sat front and center for was the "Sea Lion" show -- it is HILARIOUS!  Think of the Producers on Broadway meets Waterworld.  I had NO IDEA how brilliant these animals were.  If you go visit San Antonio (the 7Th largest city) do NOT miss this!

Our last stop was the famed, Shamu show!  We went back an hour before the actual show began and received a behind the scenes.  We got right up to the killer whale -- that seemed more like a gentle giant than anything that could be described as "killer" -- by the time all the three trainers took us by the hand and showed how they fed and loved the giant fish that can reach 12 tons....we were ready to take our seats.  The four whales performed to music and were inspired by treats (of smaller fish) that can amass 200 lbs of fish in a single performance!  

We left with one toy (has to be a record) -- this was a medium sized stuffed Penguin that Sinclair has named "Reagan"  (we are not sure where she instantly came up with the name other than we have been studying our Presidential flash cards and she knows Ronald Reagan was my personal favorite) 

By the time we left - we were truly exhausted but I cannot recommend it enough.  Unlike, Disneyland .... Seaworld is not as overwhelming with so many things to do you cannot decide where to begin.  Naturally, it helps to have an angel like "Auntie LeighBee" back home to navigate!

We wanted to get a good night's sleep before we took off for Sea World the next morning.  We flipped through the television and "Ray" (story of Ray Charles) was playing.  Sinclair broke out her sunglasses and started mimicking "Georgia"  --- I mentioned to John thank goodness it was not the "Johnny Cash story ...Walk the Line"  -- I would hate to hear her sing "I shot a man just to watch him die" 
We checked into our Casita at La Cantera in San Antonio -- you would not think this child owned anything other piece of clothing other than her Buc-ee's t-shirt.  As much as this t-shirt has been witnessed this trip Uncle Beaver will need to give us free beef jerky for life!

Going Private.....NOT!!!!!!!!

Please send me an email if you wish to be invited to view my blog starting next week!

Best, KK

Leave me a note on the comments post!!!!!!

Miss USA Crystle Stewart

A Winner in Our Eyes.....

Yesterday, while vacationing with my whole family, the sun started to drop and we all were reminded it was time to cheer on our best girl, Crystle Stewart, the current Miss Texas turned Miss USA.  We were all confidant she was about to make history and walk away with the highest aesthetic honors in Vietnam and (fingers crossed) become the next Miss Universe.  As John turned on the television there was no NBC (gasp!)  John called the front desk and they informed him they were experiencing "technical difficulties" (cold sweats soon ensued).  Well, a light bulb went off and John realized we had the Satellite television in our SUV so we could all watch from the car.  Low and behold, no signal for the local NBC affiliate there either.  Full panic mode set in when Direct TV informed my darling "Mr Wonderful"  we would not be seeing our girl take the crown.

My girlfriends, Shanna, with little Zoey in tow (Sinclair was less than happy she had to sit this one out), Jackie and I loaded in the car and bolted to a little diner that we were confidant had a small television someone spotted.  As we pulled up they were locking the doors and closing up shop.  The college student obviously manning her summer job had MUCH better things to do than cater to our pageant fetish.  Alas, she suggested we try another place about six miles away.  We were off!

In the meantime, we started getting text messages from my Mom "Crystle looks so gorgeous" and then Leigh assured me "she was doing fabulous" and tried to console me she had it DVR'd in case I could not pull off my mission.  Bo (also a former Miss Texas and my husband's in-house counsel) sent electronic word "she just made the top 15" and Shanae followed up "Venezuela is her ONLY competition"

The three of us slid in the shell parking lot and raced in the bar-restaurant and immediately spotted the flat screen (Yahoo!!!! JACKPOT!)  Well, we soon realized from someone of authority that the television was set to play on the music network for the entire indoor/outdoor facility and they refused to switch the channel.  I asked defiantly to speak to the manager - she was quick to inform me she WAS the manager.  I knew she was tough but compassionate, her name was "Dallas".  I slapped a "Ben Franklin" as a channel changing offering ....she did not blink.  I said "Dallas, this is truly an emergency!  We HAVE TO WATCH THIS PAGEANT"  I got a bit of an eye roll and an expression that read "I cannot wait to hear THIS story".  Dallas explained she did not think the other patrons would appreciate their music changed.  I said "listen, you let us watch this pageant, the tab is mine"  The ears of the few around perked up.  There were quite a few Hispanic cowboys and I was quick to report that most of the top girls were from South American countries and soon we were "game on"

Dallas inquired why THIS particular pageant was so significant.  I explained Crystle's story and basically my husband, John an I were her only sponsors going into the Miss USA pageant.  She had made it so far with so little (entering Miss Texas five times before taking the crown) we were sticking by her the entire way.  By the time the room heard her story, they were all behind Crystle's dream as well.  People would inquire "Is she nice? Is she really THAT beautiful?"  I assured them she was "a thousand times more nice than she was gorgeous" I fed them little tidbits of information and even all the waitstaff was glued to the giant screen.  I told them the same folks that created the Victoria's Secret Runway costumes made her "Parade of Nations" costume.

Crystle took second in the Swimsuit competition behind Venezuela and the room was full of anticipation the evening gown competition was next.  I described the dress during commercial break in detail -- gold-bronze beading and a sheer see-thru gauze overlay below the knees. Everyone loved getting the first hand commentary.

Then it happened......the stumble that was heard all over the world.  We all gasped in unison. It COULD NOT BE HAPPENING AGAIN!!!! (last year's Miss USA, Rachel Smith tripped on the first step as well)   In front of a BILLION viewers, Crystle's Jimmy Choo's caught the edge of her gorgeous gown (John asked me first thing..."is that the same gown we bought her?" -- my silence was golden and overwhelming guilt ensued).  Crystle looked so flawless and then the first step and gravity caught up to her perfect size 2 backside.  At that moment we knew her dreams of wearing the Miss Universe crown was shattered.  

Crystle recovered with the same grace and dignity she exudes  at all times.  She displayed great class and composure in getting up (never breaking her million dollar smile) and getting right back to business.

No one said the route to being crowned the "most beautiful girl in the Universe"  would be easy.  Mike Graham and Bo Boyd, her pageant coach and advisor had all the confidence in the world when they first saw Crystle in her gown.  We all knew NO ONE would touch the coveted crown BUT her!  There was no doubt she had rehearsed her entrance at she made her final saunter of the event.  Alas, this was no quite the impression the 5 foot 10 inch beauty wanted to make. 

This year's strong group of contenders exhibited a variety of attributes -- Miss Argentina has paranormal experiences.  Miss Antigua is fascinated by snakes and Miss Albania is a professional basketball player -- but in the end, the crown went to Miss Venezuela, who cited her childhood kidnapping for teaching her to maintain poise under stress. Miss Columbia, who came in second, had never been kidnapped.  I wondered as Hugo Chavez was watching with pride, if he realized he was exporting the wrong product. 

Going into the pageant, Sportsbooks in Las Vegas had Crystle in the lead to take the crown with 12 to 1 odds.  Tumble or not, she is still #1 in our hearts!

Of course, she comes by Casa Chaos and reads Sinclair bedtime stories with her crown on!!!  How can I EVER top that???

Live from Vietnam.....

Do not forget to root tonight for our best girl, Miss USA Crystle Stewart tonight on NBC (8 PM CST) live from Nha Trang, Vietnam where she will compete for the title of Miss Universe.

Dog Days of Summer