Heiderino

Peep-y Goodness!

“Who will be the Democratic candidate for the next Presidential race?”

Almost every time I hear that question asked on TV, and a name mentioned, someone inevitably says “Nah - he’s too Polarizing.” Polarization was a big topic in our last election too, and it got a lot of coverage and spawned many a debate.

I have made a discovery, however. More polarizing than any politician I can think of is the Marshmallow Peep.

Have you ever brought out a pack of Peeps at work? I have - and I can say with 98% certainty that the nation is about 50/50 divided over Peeps.

“Oooh!!! Peeps!!!” or “Ugh, how do you eat those things?”

People who love Peeps, LOVE Peeps. Fresh, stale, roasted over a campfire… Almost every Peep lover has their own method of enjoying the crystally-sugary-coated marshmallow delicacy.

People who hate Peeps, HATE Peeps. End of story. You can not convert a Peep-hater.

It’s a case of black and white - there is no gray area with Peeps.

Right now is a rough time for me, with Easter coming up and Peeps, Peeps, everywhere. At work, they carry Peeps at the store. I figured out that there is one extra Peep in the yellow chicks than in the pink bunnies, and it still costs only .59. So, even though I would prefer the pink bunnies, I love Peeps so much that I go for the chicks.

I’m so obsessed, and think they are so cute that I bought my daughter Drue a purple Peeps bunny Easter basket. I can’t say she’s ever TRIED a Peep, but I predict she will adore them. She’s even getting a Peeps coloring book.

For more information and some fun Peeps stuff, visit their site: marshmallowpeeps.com

Oh… And for the record, I like my Peeps fresh or roasted. When you roast them, the sugar sort of carmelizes into a delightful crunchy shell. Mmmmmmmm.

I love Kenny Loggins. We’re watching “Elmopalooza” right now - and he’s on there, singing “One Small Voice.”

Kenny has a WONDERFUL voice. He sings good - and nice - songs.

Songs I love by Kenny Loggins:

One Small Voice
House on Pooh Corner
Meet Me Halfway
Footloose

There MUST be more. But you get the point.

Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke. IT’S GOOOOOOD.

I just watched my DVR of last week’s two hour Bachelor special. It’s wonderful entertainment when you are on the treadmill, by the way. The time just flies by and you don’t even realize you’re exercising!

I remembered something that I’ve noticed in previous seasons of “The Bachelor.” In every scene, on every date, the women are being plied with wine or champagne. Inevitably, someone gets just wasted and earns the scorn of the other girls. If you listen very carefully, there is a lot of slurring on the show. The booze makes for more drama, indeed.

I must address Emily’s comment about this being a fun experience - I agree! It kind of reminds me of that first week in the dorms when I went off to college. New people, new places, new experiences… However, if you embarrass yourself in the dorms or at a college keg party, at least the nation isn’t watching!!!

This is kind of embarrassing, but I’m comfortable enough at this stage of my life to admit that I watched the first episode of “The Bachelor: Paris” last week. I told myself it would be on just in the background, as I took care of some things on the computer, but I kept wandering into the kitchen and positioning myself in front of my tiny television to watch girls named Princess, Venus, and Moana introduce themselves to the good-looking E.R. doctor.

Of course, the bachelorettes don’t know right off the bat that the bachelor is a doctor. But, if they’re basing their hunches on previous seasons, he has to be successful, right? And the minute they find out, they say things like “Now that I know he’s a doctor, I’m even MORE determined to get a rose.” Never did I hear a girl comment that she’d be interested in getting a rose only if Dr. McDreamy is indeed a nice person.

As usual, they covered all the ethnic bases, and the personas - store clerk, doctors, teachers, sales people, NBA dancers… You name it. And textbook pretty, all. Ditzy, sweet, funny, cool, laid back.

There was the usual number of women “devastated” they didn’t get a rose, and the one psycho that chases back in and screeches at the bachelor. (Hmm, I wonder if that would convince him he made a mistake?) It’s so dramatic that I have serious doubts as to the impromptu-ness of it all. I almost wonder if this person is an amateur actor, trying out for “Passion Beach” or a new pilot soap.

Yet, I watched the whole thing, and I have every intention of at least DVR-ing the upcoming episodes until I can no longer stand it.

I’m currently into working out. Not EVERY day, but at LEAST every OTHER day. I’m into following a diet plan, and it’s beginning to be somewhat self-competitive and fun.

I have to get into a slim black dress at the end of the month and I’m GONNA LOOK GOOD, dammit!

I’m totally into Kelly Clarkson right now. As I drive to work each day, I find myself blasting “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” “Since U Been Gone,” and my latest favorite - “Beautiful Disaster.” I was never even really that big into American Idol. And although I did run out (shh!) to buy Clay Aikin’s first album, I didn’t realize or recognize the guilty pleasure, addicting quality to Kelly’s tunes.

Until now! So, next time you hear her belting out the tunes on the radio, imagine me in my mini van belting along with her in a voice that is so embarrassing that I don’t even sing in the shower.