If you've been following the weather, then you know we've had our share of cold....and yes, I mean COLD....weather this past week here in Florida.  Cedar Key had the coldest temps in four or five years one morning when it dropped to the 20's.  Most days it didn't climb out of the 40's.  And that's mighty cold for us Floridians.  Factor in the 25/35 mph winds......and I ended up with a vicious sinus headache yesterday morning.  So as I sat there hoping the Sudafed would work, with a heat pack on my neck to relieve the pressure, I was watching CNN.  All of the coverage was about Brittany Spears latest escapade.

Sorry, but I don't have an ounce of sympathy for this girl.  She surrounds herself with losers, refuses to listen to anybody with intelligence and continues to self-destruct.  She's a sorry excuse as a mother and I could go on and on.  But after they finished yakking about her, it was on to Lindsay Lohan......another one that's been in and out of rehab all to no avail.  She was photographed drinking from a champagne bottle New Years Eve.  Nice.  Very nice.  And Paris Hilton?  Just another one that I'm sure will make the headlines in a negative way before this year reaches an end.  They're train wrecks......all of them are total train wrecks.  Personally, I could care how they live their life or the destruction they cause to themself.  But what does really tick me off is they're "supposed" to be role models for our young girls.

So as I sat there listening to their latest ordeals, I got to thinking.  I got to thinking back to when I was ten to fifteen years of age as to who my celebrity role models were.  And lemme tell ya.....it's like we're now living on a different planet. 

I adored Annette from the Mickey Mouse Club.  And Sandra Dee staring in films with Troy Donahue.  I wanted the panache that Audrey Hepburn possessed.  And I longed to be as chic and classy as Jacquie Kennedy.  How I wished I had the sultry, sensuous, looks of Natalie Wood or the singing voice of Connie Frances.  And I always, always, wanted to dance as well as all those girls on American Bandstand.  Those were healthy and good role models.  Perky, wholesome teens with swingy-ponytails and bright eyes.  Sophisticated women that had style and beauty and compassion. 

What on earth has happened?  Now we have young moms having their children taken away from them due to drugs and drinking.  Stars of TV programs, that all the young girls watch, getting pregnant at 16 and saying "I don't know how this happened."  Celebrities being photographed without underpants on, leaving clubs drunk and laughing about it, going to rehab centers like they're spending time at country clubs. 

So who do we blame?  Who's feeding this insane frenzy?  The parents?  The media?  The judges that are too lenient with these celebrities?  And where does it all end?

I feel it's a combination of all of the above.  The parents of the celebrities, the parents that allow their own children to buy into this circus......purchasing the CD's, watching the tv programs, dressing like 18 when they're only 10.  The media for being the fools they are, chasing these celebrities around for the first scoop.  And yes, the judges for not being tough enough with sentencing.  I also feel very bad for young girls today.......with the trash that's "out" there, who on earth could they look up to as celebrity role models? 

Just my opinion.  See you here next time...................

. . . OF OUR NEW YEAR 2008, I'm looking ahead to . . .

• Bright blue skies and sunshine-filled days

• Improving my French by spending one hour each day with my Rosetta Stone CD

• Walking with the dogs at least five times a week

• Finding a publisher or agent who's enthusiastic about my award-winning manuscript, SEEKING SYDNEY

• Finishing up the first draft of my current manuscript, Betrayal Encore

• Reading some classics I've missed over the years, like To Kill A Mockingbird

• Simplify my life even more, in ways that work for me

• Developing more meaningful friendships

• Weeding out what's important and what isn't

• Improving my knitting skills and continuing to knit at least one hour each day on current projects

• I'm looking ahead to our election in November and hoping the outcome will bring a good change for our country

• To returning to my beloved Paris in May

• Discovering some new blogs that are witty, interesting and enjoyable

• But most of all, I'm looking ahead to wonderful moments that will all add up to great memories when 2008 comes to an end.

What are you looking ahead to in the coming year?

See you here next time..........

FROM HERE ON CEDAR KEY ~

Wishing you a year filled with all good things.  Excellent health, unlimited laughter, sunny days and whatever warms your heart and fills your soul.

See you here next time..............