Milk and Cookies
with Linda and Kristen
Milk and Cookies is a savory web venue for cool products, useful tips, and idea-sharing, prepared especially for busy moms like you. From the must-haves to avoid-at-all-costs, we're dishing out tools for a delicious life balance.
Visit Linda's fitness site at Bodies in Motivation and check out Kristen's blog at Swistle.blogspot.com
On the days when my husband and I both work, our schedules go something like this:
1. Take Riley to daycare. Depart for our respective offices, re-convening at the house with child in tow around 5:30 PM.
2. Dinner: sometimes all of us together, sometimes Riley eats first then runs off to play while JB and I eat our own dinners.
3. Playtime with Riley, reading books, taking baths, etc, before his 7:30 bedtime.
4. 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM: JB watches the news, works in his shop, and catches up on work email. I write blog entries, work on freelance projects, and if it’s a good day, follow an exercise DVD.
5. 9:30 - 11 PM: FREE TIME.
Man oh man do I ever relish that free time, where I’ve got no obligations hanging over my head and I can just sit back and relax. Preferably with a giant bowl of ice cream.
While I’m sure we could be engaged with more worthy pursuits, such as playing chess or learning French or, ha ha haaaaaaa, cleaning the house, both JB and I like to veg out in front of the TV during our free time. This is when we watch our Netflix’d movies and recorded TV shows, and I think it’s just one of those homey domestic rituals that helps us stay marginally sane and balanced in the midst of working parenthood.
(I’ve informed our unborn child that upon his arrival he will need to immediately adopt the same sleeping schedule as his older brother. Hey, I can dream, right?)
Here’s what we’ve been watching lately:
30 Rock. Oh man, this show just never lets me down. Like most women I know, I have an enormous crush on Tina Fey, because she is brilliant and hilarious and I love love love her glasses.
American Idol. I know. I know. It’s awful, and yet I literally can’t stop myself. Every year I get sucked into the massive marketing machine that is American Idol, and every year I thank god for having a DVR so at least I don’t have to suffer through the commercials, too.
Man Stroke Woman. This BBC sketch comedy show has been the highlight of our Netflix queue recently — either there’s a dearth of non-sucky new releases at the moment or I just keep getting the duds. Man Stroke Woman isn’t consistently great, but the number of funny sketches far outweigh the bad ones. They’re all very short, too, so it’s a good DVD to pop in when you don’t want to commit to a full 2 hour movie.
TMZ. SO embarrassing, but I love this horrible tabloid show beyond all reason. It’s nasty, it’s mean, it’s probably going to send me to hell — but I cannot get enough. MOR CRAZEE BRITNY FOOTAGE PLZ.
A bunch of weird Discovery shows my husband likes. JB has a thing for shows like Smash Lab, MythBusters, and to my unending sorrow, Weaponology. I suffer through these so I can occasionally make him watch My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding.
Tell me, what have you been watching lately? Or do you use your free time for less brain-numbing activities?
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I feel you on TMZ. Especially with a newborn in the house AND recently going back to work.. it’s so mortifying that one show I insist on catching doesn’t educate me or culture me. But ask me anything about celebrity trash and I’m a freakin’ idiot savant.
I worship you for fitting a fitness DVD in your day. Please write a manual on how to make that happen.
Sarah | January 22nd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
1) Sports Night. The first few episodes are kind of cheesy, but then it starts to PAY OFF BIG. (I named one of my children after one of the FICTIONAL CHARACTERS. How’s that for devotion?)
2) Angel. Some of it is dumb. A lot of it is awesome. Plus: hot guy.
3) My Name is Earl. We liked the first season but gave up on the second.
4) Gilmore Girls. I’m embarrassed, but I loved it. Fudge + me + Gilmore Girls DVD = TRULUV4EVA.
Swistle | January 22nd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
We’ve been watching 30 Rock, too — ADORE.
Project Runway is my favorite Bravo reality show so we tune in for that on Wednesdays.
The Amazing Race has always been a favorite (12 seasons’ worth, & we’ve seen ‘em all) but this season has been a little ‘meh’ in my book. We haven’t watched the TiVo’d finale yet so don’t spoil it!!
I’m all about MIKE ROWE and his shows — I love Dirty Jobs and we both adore the Alaskan crab-fishing one, what’s it called? Oh, Deadliest Catch. Even if Mike Rowe’s just narrating, I’m watching it, man.
Lee | January 22nd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Pre-Writer’s Strike:
The Office, Grey’s, The Amazing Race (it really is fantastic with seasons 2 and 6 being my favorite), Weeds, Entourage, Dexter, Everyday Italian
Post:
The Amazing Race, American Idol, One Tree Hill, a smattering of crappy MTV shows and possibly a Lifetime movie or two. (Possibly named My Stepson, My Lover.) Fine. And All My Children.
She Likes Purple | January 22nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
We’re big NBC fans, so The Office, Earl, 30 Rock (I tried to get my latest pair of glasses like Tina’s and the results were mediocre), The Biggest Loser, What Not to Wear and any and all of the Inks, Miami, L.A., etc. With Netflix we’ve been catching up on Big Love, Weeds, Dexter and I just bought Flight of the Conchords Season One, because I am in love with those weirdos.
Kim | January 22nd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Criminal Minds, Numbers (on DVD, going through previous seasons).
Love those type of shows and trying to find another one now that we can watch on DVDs from previous seasons.
Nataly | January 22nd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
With a five month old, free time is scarce; his bedtime is usually about 10 PM and then I’m exhausted. However, when we do sit down to watch (probably with the kid trying to sneak a peek as well) we like shows such as How It’s Made, Jon and Kate Plus Eight, and (sadly) Rock of Love with Bret Michaels.
claire | January 22nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
My husband works until 1am, so sadly that kinda leaves me dealing with a 2 year old and an 11 month old through both dinner and bedtime PLEASE GOD HELP ME!
On the weekends, we’re catching up on the 3rd season of Lost in preparation for the 4th season that starts next week. We’ll obviously have to DVR the first couple of episodes till we get caught up.
I DVR American Idol so I can watch it after the kids go to bed. Actually, I DVR anything I ever want to watch because face it, if it’s not Elmo (Finding Nemo) or Monters (Monsters, Inc.) or Dorge (Curious George) or Bearsh (Jungle Book….I guess he’s saying “Bears” as in “Baloo”) or Pablo (Backyardigans) or Boos Coos (Blue) or any of HIS other movies/DVR’d programs, Payton will not tolerate it being on the TV.
Cara | January 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 pm
OMG. I live the DVR! perfect when the toddler goes to sleep.
Favs right now are American Idol, Stargate Alantis, all the thursday nite shows on NBC, Medium. There’s more but that darn writers strike….
bea | January 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 am
I totally heart 30 Rock, too! It’s seriously the best show on TV right now. I just can’t wait until the stinkin’ writers strike is over and we get some new ones. But yeah, every character on that show is written brilliantly.
Really like “How I Met Your Mother”, too. Neil Patrick Harris is so funny in it. Go Doogie!
Also, my husband and I are freakin’ ADDICTED to Battlestar Galactica right now. Addicted, I tell you! We are just starting season 3 and are trying to catch up. Great show.
Amy | January 23rd, 2008 at 12:46 am
Every time i claim the five second rule to pick something up, Husband tells me that “Mythbusters busted that one!” Urgh. We bond over Jeopardy, though.
Daisy | January 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 am
im a nurse who works the 12 hour 7pm to 7am night shift in a busy nyc pediatric icu and also goes to grad school. i truthfully live by my dvr and various tv shows on dvd, because when it comes to vegging out, i want to VEG. OUT. some of my favorites at the moment:
scrubs. i adore the comedy and the fact that while the hilarity and hijinx ensue, there is usually a nice heartwarming “come together” ending that never fails to make me smile. i usually stay away from the medical shows on my days off, so this one must be worth it if i look forward to it THAT MUCH.
entourage. truthfully, boiled down, its ’sex i the city’ for guys. but id rather watch a generally cute bunch of guys sit around and bitch, then a bunch of chicks sit around and bitch. hello andrien grenier is SO MUCH HOTTER than sjp. and the writing is pretty damn hilarious.
cbs sunday morning. yes im turning into my grandfather. im probably the only 26 year old female that dvrs this show, but the stories are interesting and it kinda makes me feel like im keeping up on various current and cultural events at the same time. bonus!
project runway. love tim gunn. fabulous. love.
american idol. although truthfully i dont REALLY start watching until they get to the top 20 or, really 10. it gives me something to chat about with my mum, sister and the rest of the people at work.
and i usually try and catch some epsn sportscenter when i can, mostly because im a serious sports fan.
deanna | January 23rd, 2008 at 5:38 am
I’m so glad there are others out there watching quality tv!! and by that I mean -
30 Rock, Weeds, Friday Night Lights, Heroes, The Office, Lost
Since the strike we’d added The Wire and Dexter - love them both! And when they come back on The Shield and Rescue Me are favorites too!
On to trashy tv - I got totally hooked on Big Brother last summer and will probably watch it when it starts in Feb. Also, before I was married I used to watch Paradise Hotel with my roommate. There is a new season of that starting soon that I’m sure I’ll check out too!
Watching tv is how we unwind from the day after putting the baby to bed, and I love our tv time!
sdbab | January 23rd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Finally someone mentioned Friday Night Lights! So wonderful! It’s not about football!
Shannon | January 23rd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
wow! so glad i am not alone in my mike rowe lust! hottie! and yes hubby is well aware - we dvr dirty jobs! and How It’s Made because i am dork and i love to know how things work and how they are made…
other than that - i am also addicted to america idol and what not to wear and just about anything on food network or hgtv… oh and jon and kate plus 8…
30 rock is fab and office and how i met your mother and and and when will this strike be OVER!
man i am addicted to tv LOL
kate | January 24th, 2008 at 3:29 am
I watch entirely too much television, but if I have to pick just a few favorites:
Nip/Tuck: this show is not afraid of anything! And it ain’t hard to look at.
Project Runway: amid all the ridiculous reality shows, this one truly shines. The contestants are really and truly entertaining. And there’s cool fashion stuff.
When they’re on: Heroes and Lost and Battlestar Gallactica are my faves, but with the writers’ strike, who knows if I’ll ever see much more of them?
clarabella | January 24th, 2008 at 3:47 am
You must check out Friday Night Lights. So good.
Leticia | January 24th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Our DVR list is really diverse. The baby has been in a clingy phase (is it a girl thing? my 2 boys were not like this at all!) soI tape shows that I can have on while I play on the floor with her or feedher.
Ok, that’s the excuse. Here’s the list
States (Discovery, @ the US)
QVC (I tape a bit of kitchenware to see the new gadgets, or Bare Essentials or Scrapbooking- I have never bought but I like watching the new gadgets)
Chuck (new episodes started!)
Growing Up .. (AnimalPlanet, different animal each show)
Frontline, Antiques Roadshow, sometimes Nova, VH1 has had some cute shows lately, CMT (yes,county music) has a cute show called My Redneck Wedding (funny!) and just had a Top 50 Moments (ala Best Week Ever).
Deanna
Deanna | January 25th, 2008 at 11:53 am
We wait all week for Friday Night Lights.
Christine | January 26th, 2008 at 7:49 pm