Here's the thing . . .

Perspective . . .

2009-02-13T15:42:00.003-06:00

This quote was in a daily e-devotional I recently subscribed to, and I thought it was pretty amazing. It is a way of looking at difficulties that I have never considered before:

There is nothing—absolutely no circumstance, no trouble, no testing that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose which I may not understand at the moment. But as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to Him, and I accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, and I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is. That is the rest of victory. Alan Redpath

Love in Bloom

2009-02-12T11:17:00.006-06:00

ZAK AND JILLY . . .

Boys are stupid . . .

Will you be my Valentine?

Grammar Girl, You are My Hero

2009-02-03T16:59:00.004-06:00

THIS made me smile, and by the way I knew ALL the correct answers, yes I did. I want to be Grammar Girl . . .

Grammar Girl's Top 10 Language Myths:

10. A run-on sentence is a really long sentence. Wrong! They can actually be quite short. In a run-on sentence, independent clauses are squished together without the help of punctuation or a conjunction. If you write I am happy I am glad* as one sentence without a semicolon, colon, or dash between the two independent clauses, it's a run-on sentence even though it only has six words. (See episode 49 for more details.)

9. You shouldn't start a sentence with the word however. Wrong! It's fine to start a sentence with however so long as you use a comma after it when it means "nevertheless." (See episode 58 for more details.)

8. Irregardless is not a word. Wrong! Irregardless is a word in the same way ain't is a word. They're informal. They're nonstandard. You shouldn't use them if you want to be taken seriously, but they have gained wide enough use to qualify as words. (See episode 94 for more details.)

7. There is only one way to write the possessive form of a word that ends in s. Wrong! It's a style issue. For example, in the phrase Kansas's statute, you can put just an apostrophe at the end of Kansas or you can put an apostrophe s at the end of Kansas. Both ways are acceptable. (See episode 35 for more details.)

6. Passive voice is always wrong. Wrong! Passive voice is when you don't name the person who's responsible for the action. An example is the sentence "Mistakes were made," because it doesn't say who made the mistakes. If you don't know who is responsible for an action, passive voice can be the best choice. (See episode 46 for more details.)

5. I.e. and e.g. mean the same thing. Wrong! E.g. means "for example," and i.e. means roughly "in other words." You use e.g. to provide a list of incomplete examples, and you use i.e. to provide a complete clarifying list or statement. (See episode 53 for more details.)

4. You use a before words that start with consonants and an before words that start with vowels. Wrong! You use a before words that start with consonant sounds and an before words that start with vowel sounds. So, you'd write that someone has an MBA instead of a MBA, because even though MBA starts with m, which is a consonant, it starts with the sound of the vowel e--MBA. (See episode 47 for more details.)

3. It's incorrect to answer the question "How are you?" with the statement "I'm good." Wrong! Am is a linking verb and linking verbs should be modified by adjectives such as good. Because well can also act as an adjective, it's also fine to answer "I'm well," but some grammarians believe "I'm well" should be used to talk about your health and not your general disposition. (See episode 51 for more details.)

2. You shouldn't split infinitives. Wrong! Nearly all grammarians want to boldly tell you it's OK to split infinitives. An infinitive is a two-word form of a verb. An example is "to tell." In a split infinitive, another word separates the two parts of the verb. "To boldly tell" is a split infinitive because boldly separates to from tell. (See episode 9 for more details.)And now, the number one grammar myth, which my Twitter friends chose over splitting infinitives [fanfare music]

1. You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition. Wrong! You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition when the sentence would mean the same thing if you left off the preposition. That means "Where are you at?" is wrong because "Where are you?" means the same thing. But there are many sentences where the final preposition is part of a phrasal verb or is necessary to keep from making stuffy, stilted sentences: I'm going to throw up, let's kiss and make up, and what are you waiting for are just a few examples. (See episode 69 for more details.)

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/top-ten-grammar-myths.aspx

Jules, we should fight word crimes together!!!!

A New Chronicle of Sam, with a Side of Jilly

2009-01-27T12:36:00.009-06:00

Sam, my five year old grandson, is a veritable fount of hilarious comments these days. Here are the latest gems:

"Mom, I used your cell phone to call my friend Samuel, but I got the circus instead, and they said 'All circuses are busy, please try again.'" I laughed for five minutes about that one.

Sam wanted to go to the Apple store with dad. Because he was hungry. LOL

Daddy showed Sam a scary video on his iPhone, and then commented that it probably was not appropriate for him until he was older. Sam said "That will NEVER be appropriate for me."

Jillian, the two year old, is quickly catching up with her brother, but most of her antics involve doing things. Things like peeling all the bananas in the fridge while mommy was washing her face. Or opening all the yogurts. Or peeling several oranges. This girl is a ninja - she can get into trouble if you blink your eyes. Of course, she has a partner in crime - the neighbor girl, Malia, that Lindsay keeps several days a week. The two of them apparently manage to get in about four times the amount of mischief. All the while looking like this:

Yeah, she's not trouble comin' . . . :D

Where - or When - Have You Been?

2009-01-27T12:18:00.002-06:00

Ha, couldn't resist a little shout out to all my fellow Losties. That show rocks my brain, in a good way. So. I have been remiss in posting. For some odd reason, some days I look at my blog and feel intimidated and want to run away, because it's calling me to post, but when I think about posting, there is SO much stuff in my brain that honestly I could post for hours and just keep on going, but I don't have that kind of time. So what do I do? I look at it, and then procrastinate.

So today, I'm *working* from home because I live in North Texas, and we have dire warnings of the "biggest ice storm in years," which of course sends everyone scurrying for cover and safety, stocking up their pantries and panicking at the thought of having to DRIVE anywhere. LOL. My bestest boss EVER called me this morning to tell me that she wants our whole team to stay home and work rather than risk getting there and then having troubles getting home. Sweet. Of course, I was already fluffed and puffed and putting on my work clothes, rather than still in bed, which would have been REALLY sweet. But I will not look this gift horse in the mouth. Jay had just left, so I called him and laughed triumphantly into his voice mail.

So. A "snow day." Wonderful. Make more coffee. Put on cozy sweater (too ratty to wear in public, but like a soft knit bathrobe and just the thing to wear around the house when it's cold . . .). Check email. Post triumphant bragging status on Facebook about getting to work at home. Tidy up a bit. Have toast and Kashi oatmeal for breakfast. Check more email, read some blogs, watch weather on TV. Decide I am sleepy and perhaps I'll take a little cat nap in my cozy reading chair. Take laptop in bedroom so that I can hear the beep if any important emails arrive during said nap. Settle into chair under lovely blanket, dog curled on lap. Doze off. Phone rings. Daughter and granddaughter are coming by to use my computer and printer to print out grocery coupon list. "We are nearly at your house." :-\ So much for nap. Not that I don't adore seeing Jill. It's just the timing.

So, I got up, played with Jill, and decided I'd go ahead and do my work since I was up anyway. They were here about an hour and a half, and I finished up my work. Now I have a day, or half a day, in front of me, and I'm mulling what to do. I have plenty of chores that need doing. But what I WANT to do is eat something HOT for lunch and then curl back up in that cozy reading chair and (1) catch up on a couple of DVRd shows; (2) read a book; and (3) have that nap. Actually, I should probably have the nap first, before Jay gets home early (and I expect he will) and Curlyboy gets home from school (yes, THEY both had to go today. Heh.)

Chores can wait. Snow days don't happen that often, but it is looking good for tomorrow to be another one. Snow days are wonderful. Just wish we had some actual SNOW.

Some Thoughts for the Season

2008-12-18T09:22:00.003-06:00

I have not blogged in a long time (I guess since November 14), because life has just been zooming by with way too much to do. But I got an email today that included this quote, and it really brought me to a halt for a few moments and spoke to something that has been percolating in my heart, so I want to share it. Read it, think about it a little, read it again, and then see if you can find a way to live it out. Merry Christmas to all my many friends who don't read this, and especially to the few who do. I love you deeply and value you being in my life, though I know I dont say it nearly enough.

"The Gospel of Christ knows no religion but social, no holiness but social holiness... You cannot be holy except as you are engaged in making the world a better place. You do not become holy by keeping yourself pure and clean from the world but by plunging into ministry on behalf of the world's hurting ones." --John Wesley, Preface, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739.

You'll try and try, and one day you'll fly away from me . . .

2008-11-14T14:22:00.005-06:00

Well, I knew this day would come. But that doesn't make it any easier to take. My youngest child, Curlyboy, turned 18 today. That is a huge milestone for him, one that he has been anticipating with excitement for some time. His Facebook page has had daily updates all week. I know he is excited to be stepping into adulthood.

But it's not that simple. I have tried to impart that little piece of wisdom to him, as has his dad, but, in keeping with one of God's little jokes on us all, an 18-year-old does NOT hear the words of wisdom, or if they hear, they dismiss with a roll of their eyes because, after all, they are invincible and all-knowing, and parents are . . . well . . . old. We've all been there, with our own parents. I also know that, around the age of 22, 23, something like that, a magical thing usually happens and we parents become wise again. It's like suddenly we KNOW stuff, and the things we told them all those many nagging days and nights actually make SENSE. And we just nod sagely and try not to say I TOLD YOU SO.

In the meantime, I know that I now have to prepare for the hardest thing of all. To let my baby boy go out into the world and learn the hard way, and have some hard knocks, and to balance on that fine tightrope of being there, having his back, but not rescuing or fixing problems that he needs to learn to deal with on his own.

I KNOW all these things, intellectually. But my heart, my very SOUL, wants to protect him from all the awful things that await in the world. I have experienced some of them myself, and I survived, but that doesn't make this any easier. He has led a pretty sheltered, easy life. Lifelong church attendance and meaningful involvement therein, two parents who are still married and in love and happy, many friends, many hobbies and activities enjoyed over the years, not rich or spoiled but certainly not doing without much that was desired. He's had a great life. And our hope is that he will have an even greater adulthood.

He has all the tools and character traits he needs for success (well, except for that procrastination gene - can't do anything but pray about that one). He's kind, compassionate, funny, gentle and tender when he needs to be, smart, talented, wise, level-headed, a great peacemaker, a good friend, handsome and never lacking for female companionship, especially friends that are girls, he will make an outstanding husband and father someday. He's an immensely talented musician who loves kids and wants to be a high school orchestra director.

But 18 is NOT a grownup, not in the sense that most 18-year-olds think it is. They are not prepared for leaving home, for all the responsibilities about to be thrust upon them in college, for financial decisions, for dating decisions without the oversight of parents to provide those bumpers. But then, is anyone ever prepared? Like, are we prepared to be parents? Not really, until we are, and then we figure it out as we go along, making mistakes and learning along the way.

So, on this momentous day of my youngest child's life, I just want to say that, in spite of all the mistakes I've made along the way, and there have been many, he's turned out pretty darned wonderful, if I may so brag. We have so, so many wonderful memories, and we will make more during this last year of high school, I've no doubt. The thing is, many parents can't wait for their kids to get out of the house, to be "free." But we actually LIKE to hang out with Curlyboy. He makes me laugh pretty much every day, and he's smart and good at intelligent conversation, and we have a lot of fun together. Movies are kind of our family "thing," and he and I share a love of several TV shows that we watch together. There are so many little things that we are going to miss terribly when he's off to college in another city (not too far away, but far enough). And he's already pulling away - independent, off with friends doing this or that much of the time. He still checks in with us, still keeps a reasonable curfew, still follows our rules. But every day that passes, we can see him growing up and away more and more. Just as it should be. As it's meant to be.

So, if all is as it should be, as it's meant to be, why is it so bittersweet?

Hee hee hee . . .

2008-10-24T23:36:00.001-05:00

Weekend Plans

2008-10-23T12:52:00.001-05:00

Another brilliantly funny commentary on married life. This is SO my daughter and son in law and their friends. LOL

It's Business Time

2008-10-22T23:30:00.004-05:00

Ahhh, married love. . . This made me laugh so hard I nearly peed myself. Enjoy.

This is the future of our country?

2008-10-22T23:22:00.002-05:00

Curlyboy is in a senior level AP Government class (i.e. college level work). They had an extra credit assignment to do a campaign poster for either presidential candidate. One of his female classmates did a poster that said: No experience, no citizenship, Nobama.

Yes, you read that right friendo. No citizenship. Curlyboy pointed out to her that you must be a U.S. citizen to be a senator or to run for president. My vote would be that this girl NOT get any extra credit. If you are in an AP Government class, as a senior, I'm thinking you should KNOW this little piece of trivia.

Lawd.

Word Up!

2008-10-22T09:29:00.004-05:00

THIS is who I want to be for Halloween! My kind of superhero!!!!

Doggone it, Joe, this is funny!

2008-10-21T08:21:00.001-05:00

Jilly Tales

2008-10-20T09:15:00.003-05:00

You have not lived until you have heard a 2-year old girl singing the Imperial March from Star Wars . . . dum dum dum, dum da dum, dum da dum.

This child is already familiar with the music and all the characters, because her big brother is totally obsessed with Star Wars at the moment. They are going as Princess Leia and Darth Vader for Halloween. She refers to herslf as Yoda all the time, and they both do a pretty mean Yoda imitation. And, she has a keen sense of humor already. If you ASK her to do her Yoda imitation, she will say "Hmmm. Yoda" but rather than sounding just like Frank Oz (which she can), she says it, intentionally, in a high-pitched girly voice. And then grin from ear to ear and laugh. Cracks me up.

Overheard last night, a lovely tune sung by Jillian:

Darth Vaaaader, why are there so many songs about rainbows . . . one two three, four five six, ten eleven twelve, ladybugs came to the ladybug picniiiiic.

Like I said, a three ring circus. Of joy and laughter.

Chronicles of Sam

2008-10-20T09:12:00.003-05:00

Overhead from my guest bathroom, where Sam was taking care of business:

Sam: Oh MAN!
Me, stepping around the corner in alarm . . .
Sam: Yeah, I think that will be enough. (as he pulled off one more foot or so of toilet paper to add to the bigger than a softball wad already in his hands . . .)
Me: Let me help you with that (laughing hysterically).
(Note: We used the appropriate portion, left the rest of the wad on the counter for the next seven or eight users . . .)

It's just a three ring circus, all the time. I love it.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy . . . (john lennon)

2008-10-15T11:17:00.004-05:00

Here are some senior pics of my beautiful baby Curlyboy (I can call him that here cuz I don't think he reads my blog . . .)

These were done by Major Images in Arlington, Texas, by an amazing gifted photographer, Bobbie Jo Majors. We had so much fun at this photo shoot, and she really captured his true personality. He loved the photos, and so did we!

Proud much?

Jilly Tales

2008-10-05T22:13:00.002-05:00

Conversation between Jillian (2) and her mother today:

Jilly: Can I take my shoes off?
Mommy: No.
(Sound of velcro coming loose)
Mommy: I told you no, leave your shoes on.
Jilly: Off.
Mommy: I said no.
Jilly: (scowling hilariously) Raaaaaarrrhhhhh.
Mommy: That was not nice. What do you say?
Jilly: Sorry.

Me: Struggling mightily NOT to laugh out loud at this exchange. Her facial expressions were priceless.

I suspect this is the beginning of many anecdotes to report . . .

Cardboard Testimony

2008-10-04T17:42:00.001-05:00

This was sent to me by a good friend. It moved me more than anything has in a while.

Enjoy. Think. What would you write on your cardboard?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

And now for the rest of the story . . .

2008-09-23T22:34:00.011-05:00

So, Curlyboy is a senior at Martin High School. A longstanding Homecoming tradition for senior boys at Martin is the Fundancers. (And, if you happen to be reading this and are not from Texas, you might want to Google "homecoming" or "homecoming mums" just to read up on this Texas phenomenon of ridiculously oversized corsages/arm garters and all the other over the top traditions that accompany this most hallowed of all traditions in the most hallowed of all sports in Texas - high school football.)

So, Fundancers is a wholesome and heartwarming tradition where the senior boys, of all shapes and sizes, including big hulking football players (are you getting a visual here yet?) dress up as cheerleaders and the real cheerleaders teach them a dance routine, which they perform at the Homecoming pep rally. Hence, the aforementioned skirt - I should probably say the first one he's ever worn (that I know of . . .). Curlyboy advised me that "I've been waiting four years for this." So, being the beanpole that he is, he actually fit into a REAL cheerleading uniform, as evidenced here:

You know, you wish and hope and dream about all the wonderful things your child will accomplish in their high school career, and then they get to be part of the proud tradition of dressing up like a girl . . . makes a mother proud . . .

In case you were wondering (and you know you were), he is wearing boxers AND for extra coverage, a pair of white girls' Soffe shorts UNDER the aforementioned (in previous post) SKIRT. Said shorts had the letter R painted on them, as one highlight of the "dance routine" involved the boys lifting up the back of their skirts (or whatever else they had on if the skirts didn't fit) to spell out WARRIORS (the mascot) and some other words I could not read from my vantage point - this during a particularly slinky portion of the dance where they were sort of crawling forward on the floor in what might have been intended to be a "catlike" manner. SNORT.

At one point, he was also wearing some sort of sparkly silvery mask which you can see atop his curly head in the photos above. I particularly enjoyed the Caution Tape/Pageant Sash accent, and the red knee socks and matching headband are a jaunty touch (all his own idea - I did not have any input into this getup . . . er . . . ensemble). (Sorry, when I uploaded the pictures below, most of them are pretty small - I got them off Andy's Facebook so I can't make them bigger.)

Of course, the highlight of the routine, aside from the skirt-lifting, letter-embossed booty showing part, was the two boys who did tumbling runs across the gym at the beginning, and of course the stunts which involved tossing "flyers" in the air, a la REAL cheerleaders, and catching them. There was only one small problem - I believe the laws of nature dictate that if a bunch of very strong boys toss a smaller boy in the air, he will, ergo, fly VERY HIGH in the air. Meaning, 10 feet, maybe more, ABOVE THE HEADS of the tall boys doing the tossing.

This of course caused most of the adults in the room to gasp and say a quick Hail Mary that said flying boys would in fact be caught on their way back down. And they were. Mostly. One group had a bit of a stumble, but I don't think they actually dropped the boy, they just sort of fell over in a slow motion heap. But I did hear that a few were dropped during practice. They don't know their own strength, apparently. And high school senior boys will generally do pretty much anything, if someone suggests it and it sounds particularly ridiculous or foolhardy. In fact, the higher the exponential ridiculous and foolhardiness factor, the more you are pretty much guaranteed that they will do it. Fortunately, for the most part, this was just good, clean, ridiculous fun.

And of course, another Homecoming tradition is various theme days. Here is the Camo Day picture . . . see if you can find him hidden in the photo . . .

And just to show that Curlyboy cleans up pretty well when he wants to, here are a few photos from his regular Homecoming day attire and Homecoming game attire. The guys are all friends from school, and his date for the game was a girl he's known since they were babies in the church nursery. His girl is in college in Oklahoma, and the date is single, so they just decided to go together along with a big group of friends. Big fun was had by all.

Should have a few pics soon of his senior photo shoot, done by a totally gifted photographer who did some amazing work.

Can't believe it's his senior year. Fun. Exciting. Busy. *sniff*

A Little Teaser . . .

2008-09-19T08:54:00.002-05:00

Overheard last night . . .

Andy: Well, this is the first time I've ever used the bathroom in a skirt . . .

Me: Laughing hysterically . . . I think I need to blog about this.

Andy: No, wait until we have pictures.

So, check back soon for the rest of the story, WITH PICTURES.

LOL

A New Chronicle of Sam

2008-09-17T15:21:00.002-05:00

Walking down the hall at church on Sunday evening. Sam is lying on the floor outside his preschool choir classroom.

Me: Sam, what are you doing?
Sam: They made me come out here.
Teacher 1: (just inside door) Yes, he doesn't want to be part of the class today.
Me: Oh really, why not Sam?
Sam: They made me come out in the hall to sit.
Teacher 2: (Mom Lindsay) He would not behave himself. To Sam: Are you ready to come in and participate? This class is for big kids.
Sam: I want to PLAY.
Mommy: We are learning our songs now, we'll play later.
Sam: I'm HUNGRY.
Mommy: We'll have a snack after we learn our songs.
Sam: Starts kicking feet on floor having a small conniption.
Mommy: Okay, you can just stay out here since you won't be a big kid and participate.
Mommy goes back in room. Couple of beats of silence pass as I look at Sam.
Sam: Where are you going?
Me: I'm going home.
Sam: You can go on then. Waves dismissively.
Me: Well okay then.

I walk down the hall laughing silently to myself. Don't know if he was embarrassed or just didn't want me bothering his time out. LOL

Yeah, yeah, I know . . .

2008-09-17T15:18:00.003-05:00

I haven't blogged since June. Been working full time and just never seem to find the time anymore. Trying to do better. So here's a short one.

Seen at my son's high school during open house: A sign posted outside the Little Theater asking cast members to go over their bios to make sure they are right. Here's the handwritten caption:

Please proff your bios.

I'm not lyin. I laughed out loud right there in the hall, then called Andy and told him. Higher education at work . . .

Yep, Pretty Much

2008-06-25T14:35:00.002-05:00

I know, I know, I haven't posted in weeks and weeks. And I will, I promise. I'm in the throes of withdrawal from my lovely work-at-home job, having gone back to work full time out of the house. Sniff. My free blogging time has been considerably diminished.

But I just had to post this little gem, which I found on another blog . . .

ROFLMAO

2008-04-30T22:36:00.003-05:00

I don't need to add anything to this one . . .

see more crazy cat pics

Seen recently at a local park . . .

2008-04-23T13:31:00.002-05:00

Yesterday afternoon: Young boy alone in the middle of a huge grassy park, doing exuberant somersaults in the grass. Oh to have the joy and energy (not to mention the flexibility) of a child . . .

This morning: Two men, one with a fly fishing rod and one obviously instructing, practicing fly casting in the middle of this grassy park. Odd? Yes, but somehow appropriate. I stood and watched for several minutes. The motions of casting a fly rod are just lyrical.

I park right next to this open grassy park every day. I am curious to see what little slice of life it brings me next . . .

Whiny McWhinington

2008-04-22T14:42:00.002-05:00

Sigh. I am in a weird mood. Not really a funk. Just a creatively blocked corner of frustration at not having endless amounts of time to actually deeply delve into figuring out which path of creativity I really feel the most passionate about. Writing, photography, painting, drawing, collage - whatever. I have hardly spent any time in my office lately - the office I so carefully arranged and partially decorated.

This going back to work thing came at a time when I was just getting going on the creative thing, and now . . . I'm just too tired to do much after about 8 at night. That's just how it is. And every weekend seems full of stuff. Perhaps summer will be better. No school activities. I don't plan to go to camp, maybe mission trip but not sure. I just want to spend my hours doing what I want to do for my own pleasure - is that too much to ask . . .? Don't answer that. Waaahhh.

I am not good at making efficient use of small blocks of time. I've figure out about myself that in order to do something creative, to get it flowing, I need to have a chunk of time where I don't have the thoughts of something else I have to do on the tail end of it chattering away in my mind. And when, really, is that EVER the case? Bleh. Even when I was home all the time, all the stuff I have to do was chattering in my mind. I need to go to a hypnotist and have them do something so that I can just let stuff GO, without it bugging me that it's not getting DONE. I seem to find time to email, and I've broken through my blogging block and do that pretty often now. But the rest . . . I think it's going to take a radical change in my DNA or something - or at least a radical change in how I approach my daily life.

Sigh.

New Books Have Arrived! Huzzah!

2008-04-17T19:37:00.002-05:00

Just got my copy of Nice to Come Home To, by Rebecca Flowers, and Change of Heart, by Jodi Picoult. Most of you probably know who Jodi is, but if you do not, you must read something, anything, by her. She is fast hurtling toward Stephen King territory in name-recognition and number of bestselling books. She does not write horror, she writes what I would call "moral dilemma" fiction. No two books are the same, but they are always about hot button issues that get people talking.

Rebecca Flowers is an author I was not familiar with until I read an interview with her on Joshilyn Jackson's blog. Nice to Come Home To is her modern take on the Sense and Sensibility story, about two sisters and whether it is okay to "settle" rather than wait for your soul mate. I am really looking forward to reading it and posting my review here.

I currently have four books I am dying to read, and about ten more I want to read when I'm done with those. Plus I'm listening to The Mermaid Chair, by Sue Monk Kidd, in my car. And reading some really deep stuff for my online writing class.

Speaking of that . . . I still haven't set up my new writing blog (where this post really should go). I gotta do that . . .so I can post about my really amazingly cool and fun class.

Domani. (I'm going to start practicing my handful of Italian words, because Italian is my very FAVORITE language, and since reading Eat Pray Love, I want to learn more of it.)

Arrivederci. (that's two. . .)

Laughter is the Best Medicine

2008-04-17T19:06:00.002-05:00

I've been in a bit of a funk the last couple of days. I have found the perfect remedy for the funky stinky blues. I have been reading the archives of Faster than Kudzu, the blog by author Joshilyn Jackson. I know she is a confessed overuser of hyperbole, but dang, it's the funniest, most snort-inducing, LOL hyperbole I've ever read.

If you need a good laugh, just go here. If you are reading them in public, you might want to practice that age-old art of turning your snorting laugh into a cough before anyone knows you are laughing. Because you will laugh out loud, or your funnybone is broke.

So. Enjoy. You can thank me later.

Off they go . . . into the wild blue something . . .

2008-04-17T18:53:00.003-05:00

Well, CurlyBoy is off on his trip. We made it to the airport with no traffic, managed to find a park, and headed in. I have not flown nor been inside the airport since 9/11. It's quite a changed place. I was prepared to not be able to go in at all, but I was able to go with him to the place where the orchestra director was helping the kids get checked in and ticketed. They have these little automated check-in kiosks now, kinda like an ATM. And then the person at the counter calls your name, they check your ID, and hand you a boarding pass. Simple.

Then we went to another area where another director and some sponsors were doing their own thorough luggage search for each child. Smart move, and hopefully will avoid any problems or embarassing incidents. I feel sure some kid was dumb enough to try to sneak something by that they shouldn't. Fortunately CurlyBoy was not one of those. All smooth sailing. Checked the bag, and then he headed down to security with some kids and a sponsor.

This was where we had to part ways. I managed to get a side hug, on request (he was going to just walk on away without even saying goodbye). I then texted "I love you!" to him, so as not to embarrass him in front of his buddies.

Got back to the car, and discovered he'd left his hoodie in the floor. Called him, and fortunately he answered and was still at security. I walked all the way down (waaaaay down) to where he was, as fast as I could, and he was able to walk over to where I was and get his hoodie. I sneaked a kiss since no one was looking. Heh. You have to be crafty about this stuff with a teenage boy around his school friends.

They have been in the air now for about an hour or more, so they should be there in another hour and a half. (Oh, and I'm SO thankful that the severe weather is to the west of our area and the kids didn't have to fly into that!) I asked him to call when he got to his hotel room. We will see if that actually happens. I even was so bold as to suggest he call every night.

Me: Hey, call us at least once every day. It can be in the evenings at bedtime.

CB: Every night?

Me: Well yeah, we just want to talk to you and hear about all the fun you are having. It can be late and short. Or send me a text.

CB: *rolls eyes*

Me: *trying not to sound desperate* Or take some pictures with your phone and send them to me . . . ?

We'll be lucky if we hear from him tonight and no more, based on other trips away. Oh well. Safe travel is all we really hope for. And no shenanigans that will cause him to be handed over to local authorities. Yeah. That exact phrase was in the handout. Made me giggle. But I think they are actually serious.

Be good son. Cuz we won't bail you out . . .

Catching Up

2008-04-17T13:14:00.003-05:00

Mea culpa. I've not posted in a bit, and I've managed to totally lose track of posting my "beauties." It was a busy weekend, and a busy week. National Honor Society induction Monday night for CurlyBoy. Oh by the way, I've decided to give preciously cute nicknames to my family members, brazenly copying something I saw on another blog, just cuz I think it's cute and funny and I need to be cute and funny - it makes me feel good about myself . . . but I digress.

CurlyBoy is our 17 year old son. Anywho, NHS induction. Very proud parents. Weird experience. Many kids crossing the stage, and as the names are called, I am experiencing flashbacks to kindergarten graduation. That's how long he/we have known some of these kids.

This afternoon, CurlyBoy is leaving for Orlando on a school orchestra trip to Disney World. To say he's pumped would be an understatement. He has not flown since he was 5 1/2 and we went to Disney LAND (the one in California). He did not go on the orchestra trip last year, as it was to Branson, and he thought it was lame (we agreed, and were happy not to spend the $600).

This morning, I received a text message:

CurlyBoy: Hey most of my friends on plane 2 are getting out of school at like 2 (I am cracking up that even in a text, kids use "like")

Me: I will have to call and see if it is excused. How are you using your phone? (school rule is can't use phone or they will take it up)

CurlyBoy: I turned it on to text you in orchestra because we are not doing anything.

CurlyBoy: Parents are calling. I think it's good because it's halfway through 4th period and I'll have time to get snacks.

(I call the school attendance office, and after looking at his schedule and seeing that he'd just be leaving early from his Jazz Band Class (both his music classes are on the same day), she said she'd allow him to leave early and not count it against him. Whew. He and some other friends are making a run to the dollar store to load up on snacks for the plane and hotel room. All is right with the world now . . . )

Me: Okay, called and got permission for you to leave at 2. (I'm thinking to myself, man if he gets that phone taken up before this trip, I'm going to throttle him. Parents have to sign a form and pay $30 to get the phone back).

Should be big fun. Sorta wish I was going. I actually like hanging out with teenagers, and CurlyBoy's orchestra friends are mostly pretty cool kids.

Don't really have any beauties to speak of . . . watched Juno. Beautifully, brilliantly real script. Everything is getting green and there are many gorgeous azaeleas in my neighborhood. I washed my sheets yesterday and they were delightful to fall into last night. My first cup of coffee this morning tasted exceptionally delicious for some reason. I got nothin for touch. But this is not too bad. I guess if you spend a moment thinking about it, you can come up with beauties even when you thought there were none.

More to write later . . .

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy . . .

2008-04-11T10:05:00.003-05:00

My beauty for today is my 17 year old son, Andy. I was thinking about him several times in the last few weeks, as we've begun to really get into the college prep groove (he's a junior). I came to a realization that I want to share here, and I hope no one takes this the wrong way or thinks I'm being . . . well, icky.

We have managed to raise a son who is exactly the kind of guy I would have wanted to date and marry. And I'm really proud and happy about that. He's not perfect, don't get me wrong. His room is a toxic waste dump, but I know maturity and a good, patient wife will probably make a difference there. He's a procrastinator, but he comes through for the things that really matter. He doesn't always do what I tell him to, but he has good judgment most of the time about following our rules and making good choices.

But he's funny, witty, compassionate, kind, self-deprecating in a charming sort of way, generous, artistically gifted, really, really smart but not obnoxious about it, a good speller (hey, I have my quirks), and just generally lots of fun to hang out with. He loves God with all his heart and has a deep desire to serve him and to live a life that honors Christ, and he actively seeks ways to do that. He is nice to everyone, and really tries to be a peacemaker among his pals and not gossip or get into the drama that's an inherent part of teen life today. He's very cute, but not so handsome that he's unapproachable. He loves kids of all ages, and will make the most amazing dad someday. I can tell by the way he relates to his 4 year old nephew and his 2 year old niece, who adore their Uncle "Annie." He has a LOT of friends, and I believe it's because of these very qualities.

I know that he would not be the young man he is today without God's hand on his life. But I also feel very proud and thankful that together, Jay and I have done a good thing here. It's been very hard work, and we haven't always agreed on how to raise this boy, but we have been on the same page where it counts. We used to joke that Andy and Jay were joined at the hip, but I believe that strong father-son bond is another part of why he is turning into such a great man. Yikes, I said that out loud, didn't I?

So, for today, Andy is my beauty. I know he doesn't like mushy stuff much, but he knows I love him more than words can say. So son, if you are reading this, let me just say that you are awesome. And God has a very special girl who is going to be very lucky to get you one day.

Five Beauties, sort of . . .

2008-04-10T09:38:00.002-05:00

Don't have five for yesterday . . . just didn't encounter a lot of beauty, or I wasn't lookin', not sure which. I've been way too busy this week. But here's what I have:

Sound: I'm sensing a theme here . . . I was listening to the score from The Holiday, which is one of my favorite movie scores. Just lovely music, very romantic. Not pop songs, but the actual instrumental score. I have a lot of film soundtrack CDs. When the music in a movie stays with me, I will buy the soundtrack. More often than not, it's an instrumental score, but sometimes I like the ones with pop songs, etc. on them. Dan in Real Life has some really unusual, funky little songs all by the same artist. Really fit the movie well. Love Actually has some fantastic songs that I love, plus some great instrumental tracks. Something's Gotta Give has both as well, and a lot of French songs, which normally I wouldn't choose, but they are in the movie and so I like them. Anyway, I ramble . . . I love movie scores, and if the movie is a particular favorite, the score calls up memories of the film and how it speaks to me.

Sight: A vine of the most amazing rusty red flowers growing up a fence and power line on a street by my home. Not sure what the heck they are, but they are breathtaking.

Taste: I got nothin. Boring day yesterday in the food department.

Smell: Same thing. Some unpleasant smells, but we won't delve into that here.

Touch: Well, I got a new pair of flats that are really soft and comfy leather. Does that count? They feel really good on my footsies.

I'll try to do better. Some days there is more beauty to be had than others I guess.

Time Travelin'

2008-04-06T17:14:00.002-05:00

I've been listening to Ya Yas in Bloom recently in my car. It's the third installment in the series of books by Rebecca Wells. The most well-known of course is The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, and the other is Little Altars Everywhere. They are set in Louisiana and are all about the four women who are the Ya Yas (Vivi, Teensy, Caro and Necie), friends from childhood, and their husbands and kids (the Petites Ya Yas). The books mostly center around the Walker family, and their four children. The books are told as vignettes in first person by various characters. Divine Secrets of course focuses on the damaged and nearly irreparable relationship between Siddalee Walker and her flawed, beautiful, deeply damaged mother, Vivianne Joan Abbott Walker.

Sidda is exactly my age, having been born in 1953, and throughout the stories, whenever she is talking about her childhood, whether it be clothes, or makeup, or music, or cars, or how their mothers looked, or whatever, it's like she's looking back into my very own past. I also had a beautiful, very flawed mother, and though some of the passages in the books are almost too painful for me, I still am just devouring them because they ring so true to me of my life, my mother, the time period, just the whole feeling of the times. I am at a place now where they are going to see the Beatles in Houston in 1965, and all the descriptions of Sidda and how she is dressed, and how she and her friends are in love with the Beatles and each have a favorite, and how they watched them on Ed Sullivan, and wishing they looked like London girls when they wore their Yardley makeup . . . yep, that's all me, to a T.

These books might not be everyone's cup of tea, and while there is much humor and a lot of irony and great stories, there is also much pain, horrible things that families do to one another, and yet still hope, because in spite of all they've done, there is a deep and true love for each other along the way, mess that they are. They are all narrated by Judith Ivey, a wonderful stage and screen actress who captures the voice of each character, from Vivi to her husband Shep to Sidda to her little brothers, and on down the line, bringing each one to life for me with the most delicious, rich, thick Louisiana drawl you'd ever want to hear. These books, to me, are like life. Bitter and sweet, funny and sad, and they make me care about every single character, even the ones who are not so lovable.

That's good writing to me.

My Five Beauties for the Weekend

2008-04-06T17:05:00.004-05:00

Hey, it's the best I can do . . .

Touch - My Dorkie, Maddie, lying warm against my back as I lay on the bed watching a movie last night. She's a snuggler when she's not being hyper.

Taste - A big ole bowl of Kraft Rich & Creamy Mac & Cheese all just for MEEEEEE for dinner. Yum. Comfort food.

Smell - My new shampoo and conditioner. Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight with Honeyed Pear. (Trying to tame the hair . . .) Is there any shampoo that smells better than the various Herbal Essences? I used to use the original one in the 70s when it first came out and I had long hair. The fresh, green foresty fragrance would fill up the shower, or if I washed my hair in the sink, it would just envelop my whole face, and my hair would smell fabulous as it swung around me. Ahhhh.

Sight - The Robin(s?) I have seen in my yard all week. Not sure how many as I only see one at a time, but they are so beautiful.

Sound - The soundtrack to Father of the Bride, which I watched yesterday afternoon. I own the CD as well. Watched the movie and listened to the CD countless times during the year of planning Lindsay's wedding, often with tears and much sentimentality, and used that version of The Way You Look Tonight for the father(s)/daughter dance. That music conjuures nothing but the sweetest of memories for me.

There were probably more, but that's my weekend list. Anyone else playing besides me and Julie?

John Mayer is My Hero

2008-04-04T10:38:00.005-05:00

I am a huge John Mayer fan, as most of you who know me will know. I occasionally visit his webpage, and have read several of his blog entries. They almost always have something pretty profound to say.

This morning I happened upon his latest entry and it touched me so deeply with the raw, honest truth of it that I just have to share it. I don't know that I can post the entire entry here - there may be some copyright laws involved and I don't want to get in trubs. So please, please follow this link and read the March 27 entry titled "From the Heart." It's a message that everyone needs to see and join the conversation about, especially if you have any contact or influence over a teenager in your life.

The man is deeeeeeep.

Read it. Now. And then let's talk.

Five Beauties for Today

2008-04-03T14:13:00.002-05:00

Okay, my friend Julie has issued a challenge to find five things of beauty every day, to enhance your creativity and inner life. I like her idea of looking for one for each sense, so I'm stealing . . . er . . . emulating her here (how's THAT for a five dollar word!)

Taste: I had a wonderful Asian chicken salad for lunch, with oranges, chicken, almonds, cucumbers, and sesame dressing. A delightul combo of sweet and salty, with crunch to boot.

Smell: My freshly laundered sheets that still smelled great this morning before I got up. Fresh laundry is my very favorite smell.

Touch: My beautiful granddaughter's arms around my neck this morning, giving me a sweet sloppy kiss.

Sound: The hilarious sound effects Sam (4 year old grandson) was making from the back seat as I took him to school. The turn signal, the motor sounds as he said it felt like we were on a roller coaster (a twisty road actually), and so on.

Sight: The faces of my grandchildren as they wrestled and played, giggling and smiling at each other.

Sorry, I guess there was a grandchild theme here, but I saw them this morning and it was of course the highlight of my day.

Anyone else care to play?

My Meme All About MEEEEEE

2008-03-26T23:35:00.002-05:00

So, I've been taggedby my friend Julie on this blog meme. I love these sorts of things, and I'm that annoying friend who emails you every single one I get. So, if I tag you, you MUST do this on your blog. Within 72 hours. Or bad things will befall you. Oh, sorry, that's those annoying chain emails I get from my dear cousin.

Anyway, here's the thing (hehe). Link to your tagger (me) and post these 3 rules on your blog.

1. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
2. Tag 7 people at the end of the post by leaving their names and links to their blogs. (hope I can think of 7 . . .)
3. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are my facts, all about MEEEEEEEEE:

1. I have three children, by three different fathers (all former/current spouses), each 10 years apart. Oh yes, there are stories there. Many stories. But they are awesome kids. And hubby number three is a keeper - been married 21 years.

2. I went to 1 preschool, 6 elementary schools, 1 junior high and 1 high school, and lived in at least 9 places before I left home (3 in California, 1 place in Texas 3 times and then once more as an adult), and 24 places since the age of 16 (when I got married the first time after getting pregnant). Wow, I've never counted all that up before. Longest time ever living in one home - 12 years (home before the one I'm in now).

3. I only made one C in my school career - in typing. Ironic, eh?

4. I've only had two hangovers in my life (both in the 70s, by the way). One from tequila, not so bad. Last one from beer (which I hate), way too much beer, at a toga party (I'm not kidding). Felt so horrible the next day, I've never been drunk again.

5. I could eat pasta for dinner every single day, in one form or another, and be happy. Even without any meat.

6. The shortest job I ever held was at the front desk of a dentist's office. He was really weird, and his dental assistant was a total nutjob, and they were having an affair. And he had a colostomy. And she was pretty, and he was not. I lasted 3 months and had to get out. Longest job was about 15 years at a law firm, through various joinings and breaking apart of partnerships.

7. I have very little college (just a few classes), but I think I'm as smart and well-read as most people I meet with much more education. Not bragging, just proud of myself for educating myself by reading and learning constantly.

I tag . . . Lindsay H., Sharona, Caitlynn, Teri, Christine, Joshilyn (well, she's not a PERSONAL friend, but I read her blog daily, so I will tag her and she can ignore me and I won't be offended, I promise), and . . . yeah, I'm out of people, unless Julie wants to do another. I have lots more friends, really, but none that have blogs. Kinda sad, eh? I need to get my friends to blog more.

Just Call me Yoda

2008-03-24T11:22:00.003-05:00

Much more to post about, but no time right now. However, one of my writing class members posted this link to a Spiritual Types test. http//www.upperroom.org/methodx/thelife/test.asp?act=test

Pretty fascinating. I took the test, and apparently I am a Sage. Snark. Just call me Yoda. In reality, this pretty much describes me to a T, as those who know me can attest. I swear, these personality test things are really smart - no matter how you answer, unless you just out and out lie, they are usually right on. Freaky.

"You are a Sage, characterized by a thinking or head spirituality. You value responsibility, logic, and order. Maybe that's why you were voted "Most Dependable" by your high school classmates. Structure and organization are important to you. What would the world be like without you? Chaos, that's what! Your favorite words include should, ought, and be prepared. What makes you feel warm and fuzzy? Like Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof it's tradition! tradition! tradition!

Because you love words, written or spoken, you enjoy a good lecture, serious discussions, and theological reflection. Prayer for you usually is verbal. You thrive on activity and gatherings of people, such as study groups. Sages on retreat likely would fill every day with planned activities, leaving little time for silence or solitude.

We need Sages for your clear thinking and orderly ways. You pay attention to details that others overlook. Sages make contributions to education, publishing, and theology. You often are the ones who feel a duty to serve, give, care, and share with the rest of us.

On the other hand, sometimes you seem unfeeling, too intellectual, or dry. Can you say "dogmatic"? You may need to experience the freedom of breaking a rule or two every now and then. God's grace covers Sages too, you know! "

Reality Came Crashing In

2008-03-20T10:57:00.004-05:00

For those many readers clamoring for a new blog posting, I need to plead my case here. I know, I know that I promised to blog at least once a week, and even asked a couple of you to hold me accountable to do it. BUT, this week I had to actually begin going to real job, in an actual office that I must get up and drive to every morning, in a real office. This new development was necessitated by the basic requirement of making enough money to pay the bills so I can keep my Internet service so I can blog . . . Circle of Life and all that. Waaaahhhh. I'm actually working with really cool, fun people over at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. But it's not in my home office in my sweats with my TV on for company. Waaaaahhhh.

So, I do have a number of really fascinating things I want to blog about. However, I can't really do it at work (though I am making this short post at work - shhhhh!), and I am still trying to adjust to having to be out of the house all day and managing all my domestic tasks and other social engagements in the evening, along with taking an online writing course that requires quite a bit of reading.

I also plan to start a new writing blog where I will post about my class and all the great stuff I am learning. Like I need ANOTHER blog to keep up with. Pfft.

Hang on, dear readers (all three of you) and I promise I'll be posting another scintillating anecdote in the really, truly near future. Thanks for caring!

Peep Show

2008-03-07T12:07:00.001-06:00

Nice pasties . . .

No Duh Headline of the Day . . .

2008-03-07T11:21:00.002-06:00

I was reading an article on Yahoo News about how Daylight Savings Time actually costs us more in energy bills, etc., blah blah (I believe it does, based on their data).

So, at the end of this scientific news article, is THIS piece of GENIUS journalism:

In related news, it was also revealed that Daylight Saving Time actually creates no additional daylight.

Wow, REALLY? I think we've made a real breakthrough here, folks!

Look What I Can Do!

2008-03-03T22:03:00.003-06:00

Wheee, I added a little bookshelf widget to my blog showing the books I'm currently reading! Haha, I've SEEN the word "widget" before, and I know it's not, but it just sounds like a midget witch . . . Anyway, I never really knew what it was, but I was reading someone's blog and they had one, and it was just too cool not to steal . . . er . . . copy.

You will note a number of books. I am currently reading, or have at least started, all but two of them. I am a multi-tasking reader, yes I am. Mostly reading Atonement as my main book of the moment, and listening to Vanishing Acts in my car. The others have been started and set aside, or bought and are waiting to be read. Plus, my friend Julie has another probably dozen books to loan me. I wish I could read all day long, without feeling like I was stealing time from something I "should" be doing. Every time I walk in a bookstore, I want to buy everything I see, as I deeply inhale the intoxicating smell of BOOKS, wonderful BOOKS. What IS it about that smell?

AND, wheeee, I won a signed copy of The Girl Who Stopped Swimming (see blog below), due to my Shameless Book Plug!

So, check out my little bookshelf. It's sorta cute . . .

Hair and Other Scary Subjects

2008-03-02T21:57:00.002-06:00

OOPS! I forgot to come back and comment about my haircut as promised. It's pretty okay. It doesn't quite look like the picture in the magazine, but then, do they ever? I'm not sure if it's the wrong length, or if I just don't know how to style it right. But I'm happy with it, so I guess that's all that matters. So, no bad moods from bad hair.

The other scary subject is that I am about to start an online writing workshop class called The Care and Feeding of the Girls in the Basement, taught by Barbara Samuel, an author I really love. I am pretty pumped about it, but boy am I out of my league. Everyone else in the class has been writing stories and plays and things since they were kids, and most have been published at least once somewhere, and most have several manuscripts completed or near completed. Me . . . not so much. I write on here a LOT, and I write lots of emails, and I have a couple of book ideas in my head, but have been too afraid to actually start writing. So this class is designed to help inspire and encourage me and to help me find and nurture my creative spirit. A pretty important key if I want to write, no?

I may follow my friend Julie's advice and start a separate writing blog to talk about the class and my journey. Whaddya think? All three of my readers, that is?

Whooooo Are You? Whoo Whoo Whoo Whoo?

2008-02-28T13:04:00.002-06:00

This is just freaking AWESOME!

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Post Correction - Oops!

2008-02-25T08:35:00.002-06:00

I blogged that the charming James McAvoy was Irish, when in fact he is a Scot. Sorry Jamie!

AND, apparently Daniel Day-Lewis is from England, not Ireland. However, in my defense, he has lived in Ireland since 1993, so perhaps he's picked up the accent.

I was tired . . .

Need I say more?

2008-02-25T08:06:00.000-06:00

If you know me . . .

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Oscar Post Script

2008-02-24T23:32:00.004-06:00

Just realized that all four acting awards went to Europeans. Tilda Swinton (Great Britain), Javier Bardem (Spain), Daniel Day-Lewis (Ireland), and Marion Cotillard (France).

Interesting . . . wonder if that's ever happened before.

And one more thing . . . I was disappointed that Keira Knightley wasn't a presenter. I so wanted to see her come out in that glorious emerald green silk dress from Atonement. The scene where she is standing on the terrace in the night breeze in that dress is just gorgeous.

Oscar Time: Part Cinq

2008-02-24T22:06:00.004-06:00

Amy Adams is giving the Best Score song. She's just too cute. They are playing familiar phrases from some of the most famous scores. Wow, Ratatouille is nominated. That must be unusual. Atonement won. I recall that having great music, but 3:10 to Yuma, also nominated, had music that stuck with me more. But Atonement was a lyrically beautiful film, so I'm glad it won something finally.

Tom Hanks is up now to give the award for Documentary Short Subject. Tommy is looking good. I am guessing he's one of the best liked men in the biz. Cool, they are having soldiers in Baghdad announce the nominees and winner. Now they are doing the Documentary Feature. Several of these look interesting.

Harrison Ford is up to give the award for Best Original Screenplay. Indy is looking pretty good for 65. I hear he still fits into his costumes. But he's doing something funky with his eyes. I hope Juno wins, but I bet it will be Michael Clayton. Ratatouille is nominated. Wow. That's pretty amazing for an animated movie. And the winner is . . . JUNO!!!!!!! Awesome!!!!! A real success story. Whoooo hooooo!!!!! The little movie that could! Diablo Cody. Love that name. Not a fan of her dress, but I don't do animal prints. But, it kinda suits her.

Must be time for Best Actor - they are showing a montage of past winners. Helen Mirren is giving the award. I guess anyone who watches knows this, but the prior year's winner of the opposite sex always gives the award, and then in Best Director the prior winner gives it. Not sure what they do if one is nominated two years in a row there. If Daniel Day-Lewis does not win this it will be the biggest upset of the night. Yep, he won. Well deserved. Brilliant performance. If you are watching, note how much younger he looks in person than the characters he plays. And how soft spoken he is - just a demonstration of what a great actor he is. He's very humble. I've heard him referred to as an actor's actor. Very gracious speech. Didn't mention Heath. He had just died when the SAG awards were on, so I guess it was more on his mind then.

Time for Best Director. Here's the montage. Quite a few actors have won for directing. Hadn't thought about how many before. Clint Eastwood. Kevin Costner. Robert Redford. Mel Gibson. Warren Beatty. Ron Howard. Martin Scorsese is giving out the award. He's one of my favorite directors. I predict the Coen brothers or Paul Thomas Anderson. Yep, the Coens. Not a surprise. They are some talented guys. They are funny too. Quirky and weird funny.

Here's my man Denzel to give the Best Picture award. This one is an open field. All great movies. I've seen them all this year, loved them all. Overall, I'd say No Country or There Will Be Blood should win, or maybe Atonement. Hard to pick, they are all so different. No Country for Old Men won. Good pick. I had to drag my family to see this - they had never heard of it. Saw it right after it came out and told everyone I know about it. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but a brilliant film. I bow to the genius of little indie movies!

Well, there you have it. This was exhausting. I take my hat off to the professional entertainment bloggers. I barely left my computer all night long. Hope someone enjoys reading this. It was good practice for me either way.

Over all, gotta say, a few surprises, and no really horribly fugly dresses or hair to grouse about. Disappointing . . .

Gotta go pee now . . .

Oscar Time: Part Quatre

2008-02-24T21:15:00.006-06:00

Okay, Jon Stewart is playing Wii tennis with the little girl from the song. Silly. Again.

Squeee! Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are singing their song from Once. THIS BETTER WIN! Love that movie, and we saw them in concert in Austin. This is SO cool! LOVE LOVE LOVE that movie and that album. You must get it if you haven't heard it. They were awesome in concert. Oh, Colin Farrell introduced them, and got all emotional talking about the movie being filmed in Dublin.

Jack Nicholson is introducing a montage of former Best Picture nominees. It's too early to do that award unless they are breaking tradition. We shall see. Just a montage. I've seen most of those movies.

Renee Zellwegger is on to give the award for Film Editing. Her hair looks better up close. Bourne Ultimatum won again. Wow, three Oscars for a movie that didn't get any major noms. But a great movie.

Nicole Kidman is giving a special award to Robert Boyle for production design. She's pregnant and looks beautiful and glowing. But, she has had the ole botox in the brow, and some lip stuff done, which she really doesn't need. She's also gained some bosoms with that pregnancy. I'm happy for her. I hope her marriage makes a go - they have a tough road with Keith Urban's drug addiction past. This guy is really old - two women helped him out. He's worked on many movies - they showed a montage.

Penelope Cruz is up to give the award for Foreign Language film. Don't know much about these, have no idea what is favored to win. Penelope looks very pretty though, as usual. A movie from Austria won.

Patrick McDreamy, er Dempsey and his hair are introducing another song from Enchanted. Wonder if they will cancel each other out so Once can win? Bleh. Nothing special. But I hear the movie was really wonderful. Not sure who this guy is singing, but his voice is so breathy. Simon Cowell would blast him. Hehe.

John Travolta came out and did a little turn with one of the dancers from the Enchanted song. He is giving out the Best Song award. Crossables crossed . . . WHOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!! YAAAAAAAAYYYY. Glen and Market won!!!!! That just made my night. So talented. So humble. Fantastic music. Buy it. Buy the movie! They started the music before Marketa got to speak, but she's very shy so I bet she didn't mind. Wow, Jon Stewart just brought her back out to let her say something. How cool is that! She's encouraging independent musicians to pursue their dreams. She is awesome. Andy has a big ole crush on her. She's only 19. She's his dream girl - plays piano, sings, writes music.

Cameron Diaz is up now. Can't say cinematography apparently. She looks a tad sunburned to me. There Will Be Blood won. Just saw that, it is a deserved win. But, I was rooting for the Assassination of Jesse James. That movie had amazing cinematography, it was just beautiful. The train robbery shot in the early part of the film is pure genius.

Hilary Swank of the classy dress and old lady hair is introducing a montage tribute to those who died this year. There are always a few in these that surprise me because I didn't hear that they passed. Don't know most of these people so far. Wow, I didn't know Ingmar Bergman died this year. Actually, I thought he died a long time ago. Last one was Heath Ledger. Very sad. Wonder if Daniel Day-Lewis will dedicate his Oscar to him if he wins. He did his SAG award.

Time for a break. I think we are getting to the last biggies soon.

Oscar Time: Part Trois

2008-02-24T20:42:00.002-06:00

I'm back. Didn't get a cookie yet.

Jessica Alba is on. She gave out the Scientific and Technical Awards, which are given at another event since the show doesn't have room for them. They give awards to people who come up with technological innovations that give us better movies, though we usually don't know about them.

Josh Brolin and James McAvoy are giving out an award together. Two good actors - two great movies. They are quoting great movie lines - must be the screenplay award. James McAvoy's hair needs some work though. Okay, this is Adapted Screenplay. Hope Atonement wins. Reading the book now, and it's a great adaptation so far. But I bet No Country for Old Men wins. I read that book too, so really it's a tossup for me. Yep, the Coen brothers won for No Country for Old Men. Freaky good film. They did change a few details in the book that I think made the story better, but still, it was great. These guys are weird, totally weird, but I love their movies!

The AMPAAS prez is on now to do the usual little pep talk. He's talking about how the process works. Showing a little documentary about it. Actors nominate actors, directors nominate directors, etc. Everyone gets to nominate the best picture, but they must see all the movies. Not clear if they all vote on all the nominees or not.

Miley Cyrus is up. Such a cute girl. Presenting the third nominated song, again from Enchanted. She is very poised and confident for a 15 year old. Yay, Kristin Chenowith is singing. She's AWESOME! She has extensions I think, because her hair was fairly short in Pushing Daisies. Great dress too. Cute number. I'm sure it was cuter in the movie though.

Judi Dench and Halle Berry are up. Haha, it's not really them, it's the guy from Knocked Up (Seth Rogan) and the guy from Accepted (Jonah Hill) giving an award for Best Sound Editing. This is one of those awards where you don't notice the sound editing if it's really good, but you notice it if it's bad. The Bourne Ultimatum won. Cool. Great movie, best of the three if you ask me. No they are giving one for Sound Mixing (my son in law does this, not for movies, but it's very hard and technical). Bourne Ultimatum won again. Cool.

Now a montage of Best Actress winners. I predict Julie Christie for this one, but I'd love to see Ellen Page get it. Julie Christie is so gorgeous, still. I've not seen her movie, Away From Her, yet, but I want to. She's pretty outspoken, so if she wins, she may say something interesting. She doesn't seem to care about stardom at all.

Forrest Whitaker is giving out the award. Boy he's come a long way since Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Another upset! Marion Cotillard won for La Vie En Rose. Wow. Totally unexpected. Never heard of her at all. Wow, guess I need to see that movie. She is overcome and very emotional. Obviously she didn't expect to win. Two upsets out of three of the main acting awards. Those critics must be shaking their heads. I don't know of one who predicted this win. Wonder what other surprises await . . . Maybe Juno will win Best Picture?

Taking another break. Check back for Part Quatre.

Oscar Time: Part Two

2008-02-24T19:42:00.004-06:00

Costume Design, given out by Jen Garner (so pretty). And the winner is: Elizabeth, The Golden Age. Haven't seen it. Wanted to, so I need to rent it. The first one was great. Wow, this woman is weird looking. I guess if you are a costume designer you don't have to look good.

BABS* is on! *Barbra to those of you not in the fan club. They are showing a clip of when she won her Oscar. "Hello gorgeous!" She tied with Katharine Hepburn. Wore that groovy see through pantsuit and that angled bob. She was just so fab in those days. Now she's smart and political and very passionate about world issues, and apparently very happily married to James Brolin, after many years of having affairs with nearly all her costars.

Nice montage up now on Oscar moments. I've seen all but a few of them, I'm proud to say.

Steve Carell (LOVE him) and Anne Hathaway are giving out animated feature. Hoping Ratatouille wins. Such a charming and smart movie. My grandson has been inspired to learn to cook (he's only 4) by that movie. YAY, it won!

Katherine Heigl is giving out the Best Makeup award. She's very nervous. But looks just absolutely fabulous. La Vie En Rose won. Meh. They are playing off the lady accepting. That's just rude. They should just let them talk. The show runs long every year anyway, so just let them have their moment, please.

Amy Adams is singing a song from Enchanted. Another one I haven't seen yet, but I wanted too. She is perfect as a Disney-esque princess. I could SO see her as Belle. And she can sing well too. That girl has the whole package. Check out Junebug if you don't believe me.

More Oscar moments. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Sweet. But she hasn't done much lately, wonder why?

The Rock is on, but they used his real name instead. Guess he's trying to get known as a real actor. He's a good looking guy, for sure. He is doing Visual Effects. The Golden Compass won. Don't know if I'll rent that or not. Lots of controversy, and I didn't want to spend my bucks at the theater, but I'd like to be able to dialogue about it intelligently.

Cate Blanchett is very very pregnant. She's even walking pregnant. She's a very good actress, I have liked everything I've seen her in. She's doing Art Direction. I hope Atonement wins. All the details in that movie were wonderful. But I bet Sweeney Todd wins. Yep, I was right. It was great also, I admit. And very unique and hard to bring the musical to the screen I'm sure. I just loved all the period details in Atonement. Yikes, Johnny Depp's wife (or girlfriend, not sure) is French and has a big space between her front teeth, that looks really bad with dark red lipstick. Unfortunate.

Now a montage about former supporting actor winners. Love the montages. Meeeeemmmmmries . . .

Jennifer Hudson is giving out the Best Supporting Actor award. This should be no surprise - Xavier, er, Javier Bardem will win, though Casey Affleck was brilliant also. Yep, he won. Brilliant portrayal. Dedicated it to his mother in Spanish. Sweet.

Writerless Oscars Salute to Binoculars and Periscopes. Bad Dreams - An Oscar Salute. Sorta funny.

Here's Keri Russell to introduce the second nominated song from her movie, August Rush. I have not seen that, but I heard it was great. Just too many movies to get around to this year. Keri's necklace is really pretty and sparkly. The girl singing this song is 11 years old. Wow. How does a kid that young handle singing live on the Oscars? Man.

Owen Wilson is on. He looks good, his hair is even fixed. He was in rehab recently. I wish him well, he seems like a really nice guy. A little trivia here - the Wilson brothers' mom is a successful and talented photographer who lives in Dallas. He is giving out best short subject I think. Sorry, those never interest me because I never see them.

Okay, Jerry Seinfeld's Bee character is giving an award. Didn't see that movie, and I got really tired of the promos. They are showing a montage of clips where people are getting stung by bees. Silly. He's giving Animated Short Film. Another one I don't really care about, though some of them look interesting.

Now a montage of former Best Supporting Actress winners. Alan Arkin is giving it out. He's a great actor who is not in that many movies. I have no idea who will win this one. Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan is just weird, I'm sorry. I don't get it. She doesn't look or sound like him except for the wig. Oops, I made a mistake - I said Saoirse Ronan had an American accent in Atonement, but it was British. Alan Arkin said her name right - good for him! I'd love to see her win. She was riveting in that movie. But Amy Ryan's portrayal of an totally unsympathetic character really stuck with me.

Wow, Tilda Swinton won. First upset of the night. She was never mentioned in any of the favorites. She did a great job, but I'm surprised. Her dress has one sleeve, and the other side sleeveless, and it's basically a black satin sack. She has great bone structure and would probably be beautiful with makeup. And is apparently very witty and funny. She was the White Witch in the first Narnia movie - pale in that one too.

Okay, posting here and starting a new one. Gotta get a cookie!

It's OSCAR Time!

2008-02-24T19:28:00.002-06:00

The 80th Oscars! And I've been watching for . . . 48 of those years. Man I'm old.

The opening looks like a video game filled with images from many movies. Kinda silly.

Here's Jon Stewart. He is sometimes really funny. But I miss Ellen. She is never mean, but always funny. Haha, he's commenting on the writer's strike and called it the makeup sex. Hehe. Commented that Vanity Fair cancelled their big Oscar party out of respect for the writers, so he said maybe they should actually INVITE the writers TO their annual Oscar party. That's funny right there, I don't care who you are.

He remarked how many of the Oscar-nominated movies are about psycopathic killers. "Does Hollywood need a hug?" "All I can say is thank God for teen pregnancy." Funny stuff. Just referred to Javier Bardem as Hannibal Lecter with Dorothy Hamill's wedge cut.

Norbit got a nomination for makeup. "Too often, the Academy ignores movies that aren't good." I laughed out loud at that one.

Diablo Cody, nominated for the Juno script, used to be a stripper. Man, that's gotta be an interesting story. She's very pretty, interesting looking, black bob with bangs, and some tats. And that's a cool name. Totally.

Gaydolf Titler. Hahaha. Too long to explain, but it involved a joke about Barak Hussein Obama overcoming his name.

Okay, the awards are starting. On to the next blog.

Hooray for Hollywood: Part Trois

2008-02-24T18:59:00.003-06:00

Now for ABC's Oscar Red Carpet coverage. I don't think this is live, but it might be. Not sure. Regis Philbin is the host, which is interesting, since his show is on another network.

They are doing little film bio pieces on the nominees. George Clooney is up now. Yeah. That man is a REAL movie star. He looks a million times better than he did when he was young. And he's so funny. Classic tux, what more do you need? That doubles his appeal for me. He has his girlfriend with him, who looks much younger. She didn't say anything. Boring dress.

Marion Cotillard is up now. Haven't seen that movie. Her dress looks like a mermaid - fish scale designs and all. It's Gaultier. No wonder. He's kinda weird. She's very pretty and French looking. French women have a particular look, hard to describe but it's there.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston. Nice couple. Love him, even if he is a Scientologist. He looks good, very short hair, I like it. And he was great in Hairspray. So funny. Kelly's dress is bright golden yellow. Not so much.

Laura Linney's piece is up. Haven't seen Savages yet but I want to. She and Philip Seymour Hoffman are two of the finest actors around today. She's really got a lot of range, and is very pretty in a "real person you might know" kind of way. Class black satin strapless dress. Nothing special, but looks good on her.

Javier Bardem. Yeah. That man was so scary and creepy in No Country for Old Men, with that icky hair. He's VERY handsome in real life, and very Spanish. Speaking of accents. Yeah. And dimples. Mmmmm hmmm, that's what I'm talkin' about. He should win tonight - I'll be shocked if he doesn't. He's already won several awards. He's dating Penelope Cruz. Can you imagine how beautiful those babies would be?

Here's Miley again. HER ponytail would totally win in a throwdown with Cameron's ponytail. I'm just sayin.

Ooooh, Dr. McDreamy's hair. Nuff said.

Jennifer Garner is on again. Wow, her boobs (which aren't that big)are about to pop out the top of that black dress. Hope we don't have a wardrobe malfunction.

Daniel Day-Lewis and his wife (who is a playwright) are on. I am always amazed when I see him in person - he's very softspoken and modest, completely and totally different from the larger-than-life characters he tends to play. Very handsome in a rugged sort of way. His wife has on a hideous black dress with some weird red straps. Big ole black broach looking thing in the middle. Ick.

Ellen Page is up now. Juno is a fantastic movie - everyone should see it. She looks very pretty. Simple updo, nice makeup. She's not a glam girl, so I'm glad to see she's dressed up for the occasion. She just turned 21. Very smart. Black dress, kinda plain and simple.

Oh my gosh. Regis just said "Xavier Bardem." What an idiot. Jack Nicholson is on the front row. In his dark dark glasses. As usual. WHY is he on the front row? He's not nominated. I think they just like to get his facial expressions.

Okay, that's it. The show's about to start!

Hooray for Hollywood: Part Deux

2008-02-24T18:32:00.003-06:00

I'm back. Helen Mirren is talking to Ryan. What a class act. So funny and very un-Hollywood. Looks great, simple blonde bob, lovely red dress. Red seems to be the major color tonight.

Don't blog about guys much - I mean a tux is a tux, just notice the weird ones. But Sean Combs is on and looks good. He was on Broadway in A Raisin in the Sun, and then they made a TV movie out of it. I would not be surprised if this guy has a successful movie career. People make fun of him, but he is a savvy businessman.

Here's Cameron again. Yeah, that hair is a mess. She keeps having to brush it out of her eyes. But the dress is pretty. Blondes look so good in pink. Very simple, blush colored makeup too. Someone will say it's bland I'm sure, but I like it. She has the greatest smile.

Ew, Hilary Swank has an old-lady French twist. What the heck? She usually looks great! Haven't seen her dress yet. Okay, still don't like the hair, but the earrings are great and the dress is nice. One shoulder black Versace.

Good Lord! Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) is not particularly attractive anyway, and she has bright red hair and pretty much NO makeup, that I can see. And a severe, ugly black dress. Is she TRYING to look blah? Like, "I'm a SERIOUS THESPIAN, therefore I don't NEED to look glamorous." Meh. Her hair is nice, but that's it. Great actress, nominated for Best Supporting Actress and well-deserved (a creepy part), but sheesh. Every barn needs some paint, especially the pale red-headed ones.

In contrast, Anne Hathaway, another pale girl with very dark hair, is wearing a bright red dress (more with the red) and dark eye makeup and red lipstick. Very striking on her. It's workin'.

Jennifer Hudson, white dress is okay, but it just emphasizes her large bosom. Not really doing anything for her if you ask me.

Wow, Colin Farrell is there with his mother, who is just beautiful. Man, I wonder how old she is. She looks about 40, but that's not possible. Dang. And again with the gorgeous Irish accents. My friend Julie is loving this, I can bet! Colin's hair is a bit long but he looks very handsome, as usual.

Casey Affleck was so great in The Assassination of Jesse James and Gone Baby Gone. He is married to Joaquin and River Phoenix's sister, Summer. I'd forgotten that. She's quite pretty. He's a great actor, but not the most attractive man.

Hmm. Renee Zellwegger has really short, very blonde hair. Not sure how I feel about it - need to see it some more. Just got a glimpse. Silver dress. Too little color for her pale self. She needs some color on her face and body. The hair is just not right for her, though I like the style.

Katherine Heigl is totally working the Marilyn Monroe Old Hollywood glamour look. Again with another red dress, off the shoulder, looks fabulous with her platinum hair. Red lips, minimal eye makeup, 40s hair. She looks fabulous.

Viggo Mortenson has a nasty looking beard, but he's there with his daughter. She looks ethnic, wonder if she is. Very cute. He's another great actor who is not great looking but sometimes looks good.

I think the preshow is almost over. Gonna stop here and tend to a couple of things, and I'll be back for my Oscar blog(s).

Feel free to comment if I missed anything of note.

Oh, a disclaimer. I usually pride myself on my spelling and grammar. However, I'm blogging this in real time so I'm not going back and checking. Feel free to point out errors.

Hooray for Hollywood

2008-02-24T17:56:00.003-06:00

IT'S OSCAR NIGHT! FINALLY! Didn't think it would happen, and now it's here. I look forward to this night every year. I LOVE THE MOVIES! And I love those awards show blogs that give a blow by blow, so here's my version. I won't blog about every single person, just the ones who strike me for one reason or another, either gorgeous or fugly.

I have watched the Academy Awards EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. since 1960! Top that! I was worried when the writer's strike seemed to be threatening the Oscars going on this year. I cannot imagine a year without this annual ritual for me, the biggest movieholic I know. I was raised on Silver Screen and other movie magazines (precursors to the tabloids of today, with more pictures and less scandal). I love movies, I love movie stars. I don't love all the trashy stuff of Hollywood, don't get me wrong, but I love the wonderful universe of film, for the same reason I love books.

I was at a theater last night watching There Will Be Blood. I HAD to see it, it was the only Best Picture nominee I had not seen. First time in forever I've seen them all. I was sitting there in the dark, thinking to myself, "This is absolutely one of my favorite places to be - in a dark theater watching a great movie." Watching them at home is nice and comfy, but nothing takes the place of the anticipation as a film starts up in a darkened theater and you are transported for that couple of hours. There's something about that environment that allows me to completely escape into the film.

So, here goes. This is just for me, and my few readers, cuz I LOVE THE MOVIES!

E! Red Carpet Show:

Saoirse (sur-sha) Ronan, the young Irish actress from Atonement (fabulously romantic and tragic film - reading the book now), and nominated for Best Supporting Actress, is on. She had a blonde bob in the film, has her dishwater blondish hair in a severe ponytail. Not a good look, though she's quite lovely and fresh - barely any makeup, as is appropriate for a young girl. But her dress, though it's Alberta Ferretti, looks like it's made of green nylon and reminds me of my mother's 60s nightgowns that I used to play dress-up in. Too bad. On the plus side, Ryan Seacrest just interviewed her and she's quite poised and has a beautiful, strong Irish accent. She had an American accent in the movie, and there's some serious talent there.

Another young one - Miley Cyrus. Looking very lovely with subtle age-appropriate makeup and her dark hair pulled back in a low ponytail, very elegant, and a smashing red Valentino column dress. She often sports too-long extensions, but this look is very understated, a little sophisticated for a 15 year old, but nevertheless she looks beautiful. Except for the huge chandelier earrings that are half the size of her head. Yuk. One of the few young ones left who is setting a good example for our teenage girls. So far. Hang in there Miley, don't let 'em change you. Love this -her mom is there with her, and telling a story that she was grounded last time Ryan interviewed her because she had a shirt that was too short and she didn't change it right when her mom said to. You go, Mom! What a great example and keeping it real!

James McAvoy (Atonement). Another lovely Irish accent. Love me some accents. He's very short. Shorter than Ryan, and that's pretty darn short. Good actor.

Jessica Alba, pregnant, in a gorgeous burgundy strapless empire waist gown, simple makeup and hair. I just love it when stars put their hair up in a very simple, almost careless updo. Very sexy. Wish my hair would do that. Of course it's short. . .

Amy Adams, from Enchanted, Talladega Nights, Junebug, The Office. Delightul, hilarious comedienne. Very pretty redhead. Dress - meh. Not bad, just not memorable. But so pretty and sweet. I predict a big future for her.

Ruby Dee, from American Gangster. She's 80-someodd years old! Sheesh! I don't look that good now! Her salt and pepper hair is stylishly short and tousled, and she's very slim, and wearing a beautiful tomato red sheath dress. So elegant. That woman is class embodied. Her part in the film was small but very powerful. She's a favorite to win, as a sentimental favorite for her body of work. I'm actually rooting for Amy Ryan from Gone Baby Gone, but I would not be surprised if Miss Ruby wins.

Jennifer Garner just glows. That girl has the most glorious complexion, and dimples. Haha, Gary Busey just stepped in to speak to Laura Linney (also looking very lovely), who's standing with Jennifer, and Ryan asked him if he knew Jennifer, and he said oh no, how are you and gave her a huge, awkward hug. Wow that was WEIRD. But Gary Busey is weird, always has been. Anyway, Jen's hair. Another sexy, almost like I just threw it up there cuz I just don't care hairdo, but a little too in the face. And the nude lipstick kinda looks like she put the foundation on and then forgot the lipstick. Dark strapless dress, mermaid bottom, not feeling it.

Keri Russell is wearing a nude strapless dress. Very pretty, matches her coloring well. Another updo. Loved her in Felicity, and in Waitress. Lovely girl.

Kristin Chenowith from Wicked and Pushing Daisies - that girl has an impressive rack for such a tiny person. She's not quite five feet tall, but she has on a strapless dress and the girls are on display (but not in a tacky way). So cute and hilarious.

Cameron Diaz in a beautiful pink dress. But the hair - oh Cammie, a messy ponytail and bangs in your face? Sorry, casual updo is one thing, but this looks like you were running late and skipped the hair chair. But I love her anyway.

Commercial Time. Posting this. Putting cookies in oven. Be back for Part Deux.

Shameless Book Plug

2008-02-24T17:19:00.003-06:00

Here's a shameless plug for a new book by one of my favorite new authors, coming out this month. I am entering a contest by posting this, and I might win a signed copy of this wonderful book, OR possibly an AUDIO book (my favorite kind). I guess it's not totally shameless, though. I mean, yes, I might win something, BUT I'm also helping spread the word to my two or three readers (one of which already knows about Joshilyn, but I digress) about this wonderful author who, by the way, writes the funniest blog ever. I just got done laughing out loud to her latest post about the non-dessert banana bread. See a link to her blog, Faster than Kudzu, to the left. So, BUY THIS BOOK when it comes out. You will be glad you did!

Laurel Gray Hawthorne needs to make things pretty, whether she's helping her mother make sure the very literal family skeleton stays buried or turning scraps of fabric into nationally acclaimed art quilts. Her estranged sister Thalia, an impoverished Actress with a capital A, is her polar opposite, priding herself on exposing the lurid truth lurking behind middle class niceties. While Laurel's life seems neat and on track--a passionate marriage, a treasured daughter, and a lovely home in suburban Victorianna--everything she holds dear is suddenly thrown into question the night she is visited by the ghost of a her 14-year old neighbor Molly Dufresne.

The ghost leads Laurel to the real Molly floating lifelessly in the Hawthorne's backyard pool. Molly's death is inexplicable--an unseemly mystery Laurel knows no one in her whitewashed neighborhood is up to solving. Only her wayward, unpredictable sister is right for the task, but calling in a favor from Thalia is like walking straight into a frying pan protected only by Crisco. Enlisting Thalia's help, Laurel sets out on a life-altering journey that triggers startling revelations about her family's guarded past, the true state of her marriage, and the girl who stopped swimming.

Gimme a head with hair, long beautiful hair. Shinin', gleamin', streamin', flaxen, waxen . . .

2008-02-20T15:05:00.003-06:00

And if you don't recognize that song, you are NOT as old as ME!

In an odd coincidence (Jules?), I was contemplating what I might blog about, and I thought I might blog about my hair. Then, while awaiting a work-related email reply, I was skimming blogs, which is my favorite way to kill a few minutes (or hours). I read Elizabeth Berg's blog about her bad-haircut-related bad mood. May I just say, madame, I second that emotion! (Another song for OLD people - though I prefer "ripened" - or does that sound like almost stinky fruit?)

Let me begin by saying that I think my hair is probably my best feature. Not that I have tons of good features, but I have always had pretty good looking hair (except for a few unfortunate forays into perm-land in the 70s-80s and that one mulletish do which I believe they called a "bi-level" at the time). It's pretty thick, has quite a bit of body, and is sort of straight but has a little bit of wave. And the last few years, I decided to let my gray go free, and the result has been a really nice salt and pepper shade, a little more in the front, that I really love. It gets me lots of compliments, and some people even ask if I have it done that way. I just smile and tell them it's all God's handiwork. It is flattering to my complexion, and I now wear different colors than I used to, to go with my hair. Gray is the new blonde, or hadn't you heard?

So, I have worn my hair pretty short (think Sharon Stone or Winona Ryder's short cuts) for a number of years. This year, I decided I was a little bored with the shorty short cut, but I don't want LONG hair either, as I just think women of a certain age can't pull it off unless they are models or movie stars. I just wanted a bob sort of like Katie Holmes has been sporting (without new scary bangs). Her hair is a little curlier than mine, but her bob was sort of natural looking and went with some of her waves. My hair won't do the stick straight, slick and smooth bobs that you see, without the application of a lot of work with the flat iron, and I don't have time for that. That's the reason I had short hair all those years - I'm lazy. I want GREAT, FABULOUS, people think you just came from the salon hair, but I don't want to spend more than 15 minutes or less on it.

I have managed to survive the dreaded period when you are growing out short hair and can only manage matronly looking styles or looking like a teenage boy. My hair is now in a shortish bob shape, but the layers are in need of attention, because, as anyone who has done this knows, you don't want to cut ANY off while you are growing it out, so it's been quite a while. I have been trimming the nape myself, just to keep it in check. And I trim my bangs myself, as I just have learned how to do them the way I like them.

You know how it is when you get to that place where one day, your hair looks pretty good, and the very next morning, you suddenly need a haircut and your hair won't do a thing? Well, I reached that place about a week ago. But I was in search of WHAT exactly I wanted to do with it next, before I go to my daughter for a trim (Lindsay has gone to hair school, but does not work in a salon). She prefers that I have a picture so I can tell her EXACTLY what I want. I have, on a few occasions, gone to a stylist and just told them to do something interesting that they thought would look good on me, and the results were usually good. I'm pretty adventurous with styles. But that's a dangerous route to take with your kin . . . so we go with specifics. Works out better for both of us, believe me.

I bought a hairstyle magazine (I have a bunch, but I wanted something new) and found a style that I think will work with my hair. Basically all I need is to get the layers trimmed and texturized pretty heavily so they are choppy (I like funky, choppy hair, rather than a smooth, too-styled look - again, another reason why I kept it short), and the picture had some shorter angled bangs. I did the bangs this morning, tried a new way of drying it, since I was not happy with the way the round brush thing was making it look (it was faster too, bonus!). Also used a different combo of product (I am a TOTAL hair product junkie, so I have all sorts of concoctions in my cabinet, but that's a whole different blog).

Pretty happy with the results, but I know I need that trim for sure now. It's a little round-head looking at the moment. Not a good look if you already have the round, I've gained weight and my face is sagging, look going for you. Going tomorrow, and praying that with the trim I can get my hair to at least sort of look like the photo, which is pretty cool. I wish I could find the pic online so I could post it here.

I will update tomorrow after the trim and we will see if I'm in a GOOD mood or a BAD mood! Elizabeth is totally right, a bad haircut can really bum you out, especially if it's your best feature. I mean, what else do you have to work with after that? I can't exactly put the girls on display (my hubby would say *they* are my best feature, but they are for his eyes only . . . hehe). So my hair's gotta be workin' it for me. I refuse to have old lady hair. If I was younger, I'd have freaky colored streaks or something.

BUT, as Elizabeth also pointed out, there is so much happening in the world that really puts anything to do with personal appearance squarely where it belongs - in the NOT REALLY IMPORTANT column. In this election year, it is exciting to see that so many people are actually talking about issues, talking about change, talking about where we might go from here. It's about time. We can't go on the way we have been, no question about that. Maybe I'll blog about that next.

Two Films and a Confession

2008-02-18T20:42:00.009-06:00

Hey, this is my 100th POST!! An actual milestone . . . yay me!

I watched two very, very different films over the weekend, and each of them affected me in very different ways. I loved them both, a lot, and they both resonated in my mind long after the credits rolled. I guess that's really what any filmmaker strives for - that elusive thing that makes a movie memorable, that makes people want to watch it more than once and tell their friends they just HAVE TO see this movie.

The first was Across the Universe. I did NOT want to see this movie. I had seen the previews numerous times, and it just looked too trippy dippy for me. AND, most important, I LOVE the Beatles, and I am a Beatles purist. I really don't want to hear ANYONE sing a Beatles song other than the original Beatles recordings. The Beatles were the soundtrack of my youth - I watched them on the Ed Sullivan show when I was 9 years old and fell in love. Their albums and their films A Hard Day's Night and Help are burned into my memory. Just hearing a few lines can conjure up scenes, people, moments. I remember what I was doing when I heard that John Lennon had been murdered. So, needless to say, the Beatles are on a pretty big pedestal for me, and I don't like anyone messing with their genius.

But, Andy (my 17 year old) saw it, loved it, and had been bugging me incessantly to watch it with him, promising, swearing, that I would love it. Then Lindsay (my 27 year old) started in on me about it, and she had been a huge Beatles fan since she was a young teen. I could not get away from this movie. So finally, I bargained with Andy that I'd watch it with him if he would watch Hairspray with me (a movie I had been bugging HIM about, promising, swearing, that he would love it). Plus, he had finally watched Lonesome Dove with me after many years of refusing (and he liked it - hah!).

I am here to confess - I WAS WRONG. Boy, was I wrong. I was prepared to dislike the music and think the story was silly and cheesy. But from the opening scene where Jim Sturgess sings "Girl," sitting on a lonely, windswept beach, and looking straight into the camera in a closeup, I was hooked. Julie Taymor (the director) has somehow managed to craft a story, weaving in and around many Beatles songs, using the songs to advance or illustrate the story, just like in any musical. She has managed to find amazing singers and has worked with music directors to help her singers interpret these oh so familiar songs in new, fresh, and completely wonderful ways, so that they are not imitations of Beatles tunes, but a whole new vision of them. I was mesmerized, delighted, and awed at the visionary film she created, at turns cute and funny and melancholy and tragic and deep and heartbreaking and joyful. It's a love story at its heart, set in the mid- to late-60s - MY time, a time that shaped who I am.

Cast almost entirely with unknowns (at least to film), except the female lead, Evan Rachel Wood (who has only really done teen roles before now), this film should launch several careers. Most notable is Jim Sturgess, a charming Brit with smiling eyes and a beautiful, pure voice and great acting skills; and Dana Fuchs, who plays a Janis Joplinesque character and just blows off the screen with her larger than life presence and huge bluesy voice. She just tears it up. And Evan Rachel Wood has a gorgeous voice that seems to meld perfectly with the beautiful melodies of Lennon and McCartney, from early pop tunes to the sad Blackbird. There are cameos by Joe Cocker (didn't recognize him but for that voice), Eddie Izzard in a crazy, Monty Python-like musical number, Salma Hayek, and Bono, who also looks pretty different but again, has that familiar voice. If you watch it, be sure to watch the special features about the casting and how Julie Taymor brought her vision to life. This movie was such a delightful surprise, I will be buying a copy, and we've ordered the soundtrack. Who knew? I was wrong. Now to get Andy to watch Hairspray . . .

The second film was Gone Baby Gone. I had wanted to see this in the theaters, but it was only showing in far North Dallas in a couple of theaters. I bought it unseen, which I rarely do, but I had read enough about it to know it was a movie I wanted to own. Ben Affleck directed the movie, and Casey Affleck is the star. He has had a great year in movies, between this and the Jesse James movie (for which he received an Oscar nom, well-deserved in my opinion). It is a melancholy story about a missing little girl, and Casey plays a private eye called in by the family (along with his girlfriend/partner) to help find her. The girl's mother is a woman of questionable moral character - well really, bluntly, she's a really crappy mother. So, though her daughter is missing, it's hard to be sympathetic for her pain, and you even wonder if it's real.

Brilliantly brittle and harsh performance by Amy Ryan (also Oscar-nominated for this film). Morgan Freeman (anything he does is informed by his innate dignity), Ed Harris (one of my personal favorites), and a number of other lesser known actors are all wonderful, but in this movie, the story is the thing. The film is raw and real and populated not only with actors but with some real people from the Boston neighborhood where it's filmed. The Affleck boys grew up in the Boston area, so they know how to make it real on film. The story takes a number of twists and turns, and I won't say much more so I won't spoil it if you haven't seen it. It presents, at the end, a really thought-provoking moral dilemma about which "right" is really the best "right" choice. Does a bad mother feel the same pain of loss as a good one? The choices we make, right and wrong, make us who we are. Not a happy feel-good movie, but a gritty, real film with a complicated story and no easy resolution.

Two very, very different films, but both dealing with choices that, once made, can take life in a different direction, and with stories and characters that will get inside your head and heart. One will make you sing and smile and cry, and one will make you think about what you might do if confronted with a similar dilemma. I'd recommend them both.

The Beauty of Words

2008-02-17T21:41:00.006-06:00

Just finished watching A River Runs Through It, which is on my top 20 list of favorite movies of all time. It is breathtakingly photographed, brilliantly cast and acted, and is by turns melancholy, tragic, eloquent, joyful, and deeply true - a story about the bonds of family and the meaning of love, love of family, and the love of God, and our spiritual connection with nature, illustrated through the use of fly fishing as both sport and metaphor. The score (by the incomparable Mark Isham) is simple and beautiful, particularly "The Moment That Could Not Last" and "In the Half Light of the Canyon," played at key moments in the film, makes my throat and heart squeeze with emotion.

The story is taken from a semi-autobiographical novella by author Norman Maclean, about his life growing up in Montana. The narration by Robert Redford (also the director) is perfection. This is the final bit of narration of the film, taken directly from the book. Every single time I get to this point in the movie, I am brought to tears by the beauty of these words, the beauty and tragedy of the film, and the wonder and mystery of our humanity and God's creation.

But when I am alone in the half light of the canyon all existence seems to fade to a being with my soul, and memories. And the sounds of the Big Black Foot River, and a four count rhythm, and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.

Identity Crisis

2008-02-08T13:07:00.000-06:00

So, my friend Julie had these little personality tests on her blog, and I decided to follow her advice and take them. I am one of those people who has a lot of trouble with personality tests, because either (a) I don't really know who I am, or (b) who I am is subject to change depending on my mood. I say this because there are almost ALWAYS at least two, if not more, answers that I feel equally apply. Sometimes I go with my first instinct, but usually as I read down the list, I go "yeah,that one;" "okay, no, THAT one;" and so on. Sooooo, I took these two tests a couple of times each, with the various answers I liked. The first time on the superhero one I came up with the same as Julie, and we are very different, so I tried again and came up with this answer. I have NO IDEA which one really reflects me, but I like this one, so I'm going with it. I think it is more me than the other one. As far as the puppy one, well, frankly, I didn't care for the first two puppies, and basically by choosing the various answers that all were right for me, I came up with three different breeds. Maybe I have a multiple personality? (BTW, the other dogs were Boston Terrier, and chihuahua [whaaaa?]) You be the judge. . .

Your Superpower Should Be Manipulating Electricity

You're highly reactive, energetic, and super charged.
If the occasion calls for it, you can go from 0 to 60 in a split second.
But you don't harness your energy unless you truly need to.
And because of this, people are often surprised by what you are capable of.

Why you would be a good superhero: You have the stamina to fight enemies for days

Your biggest problem as a superhero: As with your normal life, people would continue to underestimate you

What Should Your Superpower Be?

You Are a Beagle Puppy

Cheerful, energetic, and happy go lucky.
And you're sense of smell is absolutely amazing!

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

Click Here to LOL

2008-02-06T20:45:00.001-06:00

If you love cats, or even if you don't, you MUST go to I Can Has Cheezburger, which is the most hilarious collection of pictures, mostly of cats, EVER. Good for a belly laugh, I promise, or your money back.

Here's my favorite for today:

moar funny pictures

Just go to icanhascheezburger.com if you need a quick lift for the day, or just want to laugh your . . . whatever off!

Frakkin genius!

Just when you think they are total monkeys . . .

2008-02-06T17:13:00.000-06:00

Today I was shopping at Target with Lindsay and both of my grandkids, Sam (4 1/2) and Jillian (19 mos). Lindsay has been sick for several days and just feeling pretty lousy, and not getting much rest, as you can imagine. We were heading to checkout, and passing the endcap with all the flower bunches, Sam plucked one out and began carrying it toward the front. I told him he needed to put it back, to which he replied "But these are for MOM!" I asked if he wanted to buy those for Mommy, and he said "Yes, they will make her feel better." He ran over to tell her he was getting her some flowers to make her feel better, and of course we both nearly lost it right there.

We got in another line, paid for the flowers (not the most fragrant in the display, but he chose them - purple mums), and he went back over to Mommy, who was checking out her groceries. He made a little bow, and then got down on one knee and presented the flowers to his mother. She nearly started crying again, as did I, and probably the cashier too. (I knew all those Disney movies would pay off . . .)

What a sweet and touching gesture. Just when we think our boys are a lost cause of rowdy, uncouth behavior and loud, inappropriate outbursts, they go and melt our hearts with a tender moment. Maybe this will buy him some grace next time he decides to break all the eggs in a bowl, practicing to be Ratatouille . . . but that's another story . . .

I've Got a Crush on You, DVR . . .

2008-02-06T16:35:00.000-06:00

So yeah, we finally broke down and got a new service for our Internet and TV, and got a DVR, and I'm in luuurrrrrvve. Wanna record your favorite show? Why certainly ma'am, just push this little button here, find your show, push this other little button here, then push it again and you're all set! No more putting in the start and finish time, making sure it's on the right channel, making sure it's on SLP so you don't run out of tape, wondering after you are gone from home if you put in the right times, trying to figure out what show is on which tape and making sure you don't tape over something you haven't watched . . . WELCOME TO THE 21ST CENTURY, BABY GIRL!

We have been faithful cable TV customers for many years, and have always been happy enough with that, though over the years as the company changed hands and they jacked with my available channels, I have had Bravo taken away and given back, same with TCM, and had AMC taken away, just about the time it started actually have great TV series on (well, maybe that was the reason it became a premium channel, but you get my drift). We looked into digital cable, but just never made the switch. Our cable provider charges a monthly fee for DVR usage, and that just sorta sat wrong with me.

So a couple of weeks ago, I called AT&T to inquire about an error on my bill, and a very professional and polite young man helped me and then asked if he could tell me about their new service, U-Verse. I said sure, what the heck, and of course it was very appealing to me and the price was right, especially with all of the rebates and free stuff they are offering right now, including a DVR with no fee. Also, no contract, meaning if we don't like it, we can just switch back to cable or whatever. No fuss, no muss. Tryyyyy it, you'll LIIIKE it! I must say this guy's professional and helpful demeanor played a BIG part in my deciding to try out this service.

During the two weeks that passed between that conversation and my installation appointment, I waffled a bit, worrying about whether everything would work the same (I am really a creature of habit), and whether I could learn to work the DVR so I can record my shows (if you know me, you know I am a TVholic and so I JUST MUST see my shows). And right now, I'm trying not to watch online in support of the WGA strike, since they don't get any residuals from programs watched online, which is just plain WRONG! And cross your crossables (thanks, Joss Jackson) that the strike is about to be over, according to the scuttlebut. But I digress . . .

Monday, a very nice installation guy showed up at my house. They had told me between 5 and 8 hours for installation, which seemed really long to me, but when I saw all he had to do, I could see why. Won't go into all that here except to say that we have five TVs, and three of them are on a splitter since our house didn't have enough cable outlets, and so this big (well over 6 feet) man had to crawl around on the floor and in my attic getting this stuff all hooked up correctly, as well as do a bunch of stuff outside. He asked me several questions I could not answer, and had to call Hubby to find out, and he was consistently polite and patient and, again, very professional. Even wore SHOE COVERS on his shoes! Wow. I told him he didn't have to, as we have DOGS, and our floor is NEVER clean, but he said they are required to as some customers are picky about that stuff.

This poor man was trying so hard to complete my installation, which was complicated somewhat beyond the usual, to say the least, and his supervisors kept CALLING him, I mean like at least 10 times during the 7 hours he was here, wanting to know how far along he was. I wanted to grab the phone and tell them he would be done sooner if they'd JUST STOP CALLING. I guess I can see why they want to have fast installation times, but he was more interested in installing it CORRECTLY, so our service would be good, and I for one really appreciated that. I'm thinking of calling their customer service line just to praise his good work and great attitude.

So, he showed me the features on the TV service and DVR, and I just kept saying "Cool!" to everything he showed me. Just so simple. AND, BONUSSSSSSSSS! I can program the DVR to record something FROM MY COMPUTER! WHEN I'M NOT THERE! And Jay can do it from his FREAKING PHONE (which gets Internet). That's just so COOOOOOLLL! "Oh honey, could you set the DVR to record Lost?" says me while we are at the mall . . . Oh yeah, I'm in love.

I can record up to four shows at once. And, if I need to record more than that - well, it COULD happen - once the writer's strike is settled, I can always watch some of my shows online (they are not all available). The only small catch is that we have to program our other devices (VCRS, DVD players) ourselves, but I think we'll be able to do that - it looks pretty simple. Ooh, ooh, AND, we can create a FAVORITES list of channels so we don't have to scroll through channels we don't have or don't ever watch. AND, I have the Independent Film Channel, which just rocks the house. Whooo, take a breath Gail. It's only TV. We also have new and faster Internet service. All for a little less than what we've been paying for cable and Internet that often gives me slow or nonexistent service just when I need it most.

Don't think I'm clueless that I may be the last, or nearly last, of my friends to GET a DVR, and maybe the only person I know still taping stuff on a VCR (except for my BFF Julie), so this is new to me and old hat to most of you, but anyways I'm excited. So don't rain on my parade!

So, me and my DVR are in love. I'm thinking of giving it a name . . . Any suggestions?

A Bigger, Smaller Life

2008-01-07T14:10:00.000-06:00

Well, it's another new year, and another chance to make some changes. I, along with many others apparently, don't really like the word "resolution," but I also am not a big fan of the word "goal." I seem to have trouble reaching "goals," as I seem to set up some sort of mental block when I call something a "goal." So instead, I will just say that I have some intentions for this year for the way I would like to conduct my daily life. I love the beginning of a new year, and it always makes me want to clean out my closets and organize my desk. The Christmas holidays, delightful as they are, create some manner of mess and chaos by their very nature, and when I take down my Christmas decorations each year, never before New Year's Day but usually soon after, that's when I begin to have the urge to start fresh. I put away the old stuff, and clean the areas where it was, and put out the normal things that have been tucked away for the holidays, and for me that process is a turning point every year.

This year, I really want it to be different. I bought a copy of Eat Pray Love and began reading it on New Year's Day. In fact, I spent a good five hours that day reading it, sitting in my new wonderful "Reading Chair" as I have christened it, purchased as an anniversary gift and placed in my bedroom specifically for the purpose of reading, meditating, praying, just for ME. I could not put the book down - that is the longest time I've spent reading at one stretch in a very long time. I had already determined some things I wanted to change, and the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, apparently has struggled with many of the same demons that plague me, and so I immediately identified with her. With the constant feeling that my mind will not be quiet and still, ever - that I don't even know HOW to MAKE it be quiet and still, no matter how much I want it to be. That I feel I must hang onto and direct and control much of what goes on around me in order to feel secure. Yeah, she has a great passage about that, and a conversation with a guy from Texas that she meets in an ashram in India.

One of the things that I have gleaned from the book is something she says to herself - "I refuse to harbor negative emotions." It's a mantra of sorts, for her, and I have claimed it for myself. I am a veritable marina for negative thoughts, if you will, and I allow them to rule over me to a disturbing degree. But I have employed this little simple mantra a few times recently, and it's amazing how well it works. I even sort of added a visualization that I have a heavy wool coat draped over my shoulders, very uncomfortably, and as I say the words to myself, I mentally shrug the coat off and it falls to the ground and I walk away from it.

Now, I'm not into yoga or eastern philosophy or anything weird - don't be alarmed. But I do think that sometimes we need something tangible to help us rein in our wild and crazy minds, and if it works, it works. So, if you think I'm weird, well . . . I refuse to harbor negative thoughts. So ship out, buddy . . .

My main intention for this year is just about trying to cultivate, as Elizabeth Gilbert says, "a bigger, smaller life." I want to try out the "less is more" theory of life. Less stress, less drama, less activity, less busyness, less social stuff, maybe even less people in my life. To paraphrase from a favorite movie, I want a small but valuable life (You've Got Mail). I live my life with a husband and a son who do not suffer from the affliction of worry and anxiety about things, and who both have the wisdom to say no when they don't feel like doing something, and to say yes to things that they enjoy.

This is a tall order, I know, but it's what I crave, what I need, what I think I must have if this last quarter or so of my life is to have any meaning. I have set an intention to spend more time doing things that stimulate my mind, bring me enjoyment and personal satisfaction, and to pay attention to my long-neglected inner artist. And much less time doing things that waste time, such as mindless internet surfing (some surfing is good but I do a lot of surfing of entertainment sites and junk that just fills my mind with crap, if you will), and less time doing things that I don't really want to do.

Another intention is to have less on my calendar, and to choose with more careful thought how I spend the precious hours of every day. I have for so many years let life choose for me how my time is spent, and I would like to change that. I feel like I'm always waiting for life to happen, for something big that's just around that next corner that's going to make it all fall into place and be my utopian life that I envision, but in the meantime, my REAL life is rushing by way too fast. I don't know how to be PRESENT, in the NOW. I am always wishing and hoping on the future and mourning on the past, and in the meantime I am missing the NOW. So my intention is to learn to be present in my now. Daily. This is going to be a learning process, I know, so obviously it isn't going to just happen. Today is one of those days where I have let worry and anxiety about the future cloud up my day and steal it away from me. But, baby steps.

And I guess my final intention is just to try to always be aware that I can choose - choose how I spend my money, what I eat, how I spend my time, who I spend it with, what I watch and read and whether I exercise or don't. None of those things are chosen for me, for the most part, and so if I don't like them, I have the power to choose differently. And I cannot point the blame anywhere but at myself if I am not happy with the choice I make. I just must make another choice. God has given me free will, but he also has given me access to his wisdom and power and guidance so that as I freely choose, I can also choose wisely. And when I don't, he forgives me, and I must learn to forgive myself.

Christmas She is So BAAAAD for Meeeeee!

2007-12-18T12:21:00.000-06:00

If you want to see my favorite dessert of this holiday season, visit my friend Julie's blog and see the positively sinfully stuffed full of fatty fat deliciously dark creamy chocolatey melt all over your tongue and slide on down to the tummy goodness of Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake she made for her Christmas party. Oh my. I could not properly enjoy and appreciate it the night of the party, because me hads too many tastings of the wine offerings (it was a contest, okay?), and too many other delicious snacky things, and the brilliance of the dessert was someone diminished by my altered state. However, Jules had the foresight to send a LARGE portion home with us, and on Monday night, my wine-free taste buds did a happy dance at the first bite. Much better also having been chilled in the fridge so that the chocolate was nice and chewy. I likes my ice cream chewy too.

Now, today, what am I having for lunch? Why, the leftovers of my wonderful cheese ball (which was also at the party, but did not get eaten and so got to come home with me), on lovely Toppers crackers which are all buttery and oval and have a little lip to keep the cheesy goodness from falling off. Yep, that's my lunch. Yummy. Healthy, not so much.

Oh well. Only two more gatherings to go. One at my MIL's house, where we have just lots of snacky finger foods. And Christmas morning brunch at my house where I will make the wonderful breakfast casserole, again with the cheese, along with sausage and eggs. And of course some pumpkin bread and some kind of other cinnamon roll thing because Andy and Jay won't eat the pumpkin items). Not so slimming, no. But you know, it is CHRISTMAS. The season of joy and happiness and eating things you only get once a year.

Why is it, by the way, that we only make these wonderful concoctions on Christmas? Could make them anytime really, but we seem to save them for the holidays. Maybe we wouldn't gorge so much if they were not so few and far between . . .

Sam Strikes Again . . .

2007-12-01T23:29:00.000-06:00

First, you need to be familiar with The Princess Bride. Next, you need to know that it is one of our very favorite movies, and that we recently introduced Sam (age 4) to it, at about the same age Andy discovered the adventures of Westley (or as Sam says it, Wesseley), Buttercup, Inigo Montoya, Vizzini, and the rest. He has taken the movie home, and has been watching it - a LOT.

Last night we were keeping Sam and Jillian, and I decided to put on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (the classic Rankin-Bass version from 1964), another family favorite. At the beginning, as you know, the snowman, who bears an eerie resemblance to Burl Ives (if you know who Burl Ives is, you are OLD like me), narrates the story, and his name is Sam.

Me: Hey Sam, did you know the snowman's name is Sam too?

Sam: We have the same name? You mean there are two Sams?

Me: That's right.

Pause for a few beats. . .

Sam: INCONCEIVABLE!

I'm not sure if he actually understands that word and so used it in a proper context, or if he was just parroting Vizzini, but it was sure darn funny!

Chronicles of Sam, Some More . . .

2007-11-30T14:48:00.000-06:00

Cuz I can't remember which part I'm on. . .

I know I'm waaaaay behind on blogging some things I want to blog about, but here's a quick one that happened yesterday in my car, as I was in the car with both grandkids:

Sam: It smells like gum in here.

Me: Oh, that's my lip balm that I just put on. It has peppermint in it.

Silence. . .

A couple of minutes later. . .

Sam: Now it smells like gas in here.

Me: (Sniffing, wondering who was the culprit. Then I glanced out the window and noticed we were next to a big rig truck.) Oooohhhh, that's the smell of the fuel of that big truck next to us.

Whew. I thought maybe I really WAS getting old - you know, old as in don't even realize you've passed gas . . .

Ooooo, Baby I Love Your Way . . .

2007-10-04T11:18:00.000-05:00

I'm in crush . . . serious crush. Tim Daly . . . on Private Practice. Yummity yum-yum. You can have your McDreamy - THIS man has got it goin on.

Here's just a sample of the lines that make me wuv him:

"I'm gonna kiss you now. I'm gonna kiss you with tongue. I'm gonna kiss you so you feel it." Oooookaaaaayyy . . .

"Do you need me to kiss you again?" Yes please.

"I like my women real. Real skin. Real breasts. Real lines around their eyes that let me know they've really lived. Felt pain. Show me that woman, and I'm interested." Yeaaaaahhhh.

Chronicles of Sam, Redux

2007-09-23T21:48:00.001-05:00

Sam had a girlfriend named Gracie. Sweet girl, very curly hair. So cute together. He recently announced to his mother that Gracyn (a different girl, also very cute, but younger . . . she just turned 3 ) was his girlfriend. She said, trying not to laugh, I thought Gracie was your girlfriend. He matter-of-factly said "I switched girls."

Yeah. He's gonna be a playa. He's got big dimples, gorgeous blue eyes, great hair, and his daddy's impish, charming and very funny personality. Look out girls.

A Plate of Crazy for Lunch

2007-09-23T21:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, haven't blogged in a while and I've been piling up little chunks of things I want to blog about,so I am going to just jump all over the map here.

First of all, my blog title today is from a line I heard on Sex and the City that made me laugh out loud. I will proceed with the story as though you watch the show . . . Carrie was talking about getting Mr. Big (her old love) and Aidan (her current man) together so they could get to know each other and stop being jealous. Miranda looked at her and said "What, did you have a big plate of crazy for lunch?" Now THAT, my friends, is a very useful little line. Just think how you could say that to your friends and they will think you are clever and funny and won't be OF-FEND-ED while you are telling them they are about to do something STOOPID.

We went to hear the Dallas Symphony play Mahler's 9th Symphony the other night. I felt so cultured . . . so classy. It was very enjoyable, but I realized that I wish I knew more about classical music. The guest conductor had long, lion' mane hair like those conductor guys in the cartoons I watched as a kid, and he was wearing tails and was SOOOO animated he conducted with his whole body, jumping around and holding his left hand in a claw-like position, shaking and quivering, I kid you NOT, JUST like the cartoon conductors. He's very gifted I'm sure, but I just couldn't help making the comparison. But, the Meyerson is quite a sight to see, and there were moments in the music where I just closed my eyes and made an observation that I just think God created music as another way for Him to touch our souls in a way that transcends words. When you get those goosebumps and that lump in your throat that sometimes happens when you hear a particular passage of music, not just classical but any music that speaks to you, well I believe that is a little moment of God's spirit flowing through you, caressing your heart.

We have successfully introduced Sam to The Princess Bride. He protested watching it the other day, proclaiming NOOOOOO, I want to watch a SUPERHERO movie!!! But I persisted, and within 15 minutes he was captivated, as I knew he would be. He of course was "Weselly" as he says it. Andy used to be Westly when he was about Sam's age. Ah, the circle of life. Wonder how long it will be before he's quoting the lines with the rest of the family?

YAAAAHOOOOOOO, the new Fall TV season starts this WEEK!!!!! WHEEEEEEEE. Guess where I'LL be all WEEK. I'm so excited for new episodes of all my favorite shows (except, sniff, the ones that ended last year - RIP Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars). I am going to post my reviews periodically if a show is particularly good, just cuz I secretly want to be a TV or movie critic, so I can be on my own blog. So there. I don't really have time to add any new shows to my list. BUT. There are some really great-sounding shows that are new this year, so I MUST at least watch them once or twice to see if they are worth adding. I constantly feel the need to defend the large amount of time I spend watching TV, but I rarely watch just to surf and waste time. I almost always watch because there's something worth seeing. And believe me, there is some GREAT stuff on TV these days. High quality acting and writing and storytelling and production values. And it's so much FUN to dissect your favorite shows with friends who watch the same shows. Mike and Lindsay have been catching up on the first season of Heroes this summer and they are HOOKED, as I knew they would be. Andy and I were hooked after the first episode. Now I just have to get Lindsay watching Ugly Betty. I KNOW she will fall in love with it just like I did.

Oh, and when the heck is Brad Pitt's new movie, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (LOVE that title) going to open around here? I about squeed when I saw that it opened on Friday, only to discover that it's in "limited release" and apparently the DFW area is not hi-falutin enough to merit a showing yet. Anway. Brad Pitt. Western. What more could I want . . .

I want to post on my recent trip to Wyoming, but that's a whole post in itself. I know I have other things I wanted to blog about, but . . . well the ole brain can't remember them right now. We are doing something special for Andy's birthday; a great idea that has now become really complicated, and that will be another post for another day.

And finally, I want to learn to do this. Or at least I wish I could afford to buy this. This is the site if you want to see more of this most amazing art form. GAWD to have a gift like that. Sigh.

Comfort for My Ears and Soul

2007-09-14T08:55:00.001-05:00

A couple of days ago I went to the library to turn in a recorded book I had just finished and hopefully find a new one. My new car does not have a tape player, so I am limited to the books on CD, which number many less than the selection on tape. Anyway, I was excited to find a new offering by Tony Hillerman, who writes a series of mysteries involving two Navajo tribal policemen.

I've listened to nearly all of them and really enjoy a good mystery. They are simple, no complicated metaphors or deep thoughts, just a good mystery involving recurring characters. But the main recurring character is the wonder that is the Four Corners area of the U.S., the area where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado meet. I have been in all four of those states, though never actually visited the Four Corners area, but if you know me, you know that New Mexico is one of my favorite places on earth. There is something mystical and spiritual about the high desert country around Santa Fe and Taos that just literally feeds my soul. I'd live there in a beautiful adobe house in a perfect world. But I digress.

Hillerman weaves into these mysteries much detail about the culture and religion of the Navajo people, their history, their customs, their struggles. I have found it fascinating and have a tremendous respect for their dignity and their peaceful way of coexisting with the Earth. And though these books are not particularly world-changing and I don't have revelations about the meaning of life, I am transported to my favorite place and I have read so many I feel like I know these characters. And really, that's what reading is all about, you know? A way to feed your soul and mind, to entertain, and to escape for a little while.

I worked in Dallas for six years and listening to recorded books was my sanity-saver during all that time in traffic. I developed a preference for books by Recorded Books, Inc. and have my favorite narrators among their stable of performers. Well, my very, very favorite is George Guidall, who happens to narrate all the Hillerman books. I have not listened to one in quite a while. When I popped the first CD in, and his deep, warm voice came on, in the particular tone and speech pattern that he uses to evoke Lt. Joe Leaphorn (the main character of most of the books), I just felt like I had a warm, cozy blanket of comfort and familiarity wrapped around me. I actually smiled and sighed audibly, it was such a pleasure. Like coming home to a warm fire and a cup of hot coffee and a cozy couch.

That sort of feeling is the reason I got so hooked on recorded books. The added pleasure of a theatrically-trained, really talented narrator "acting" the book for you, while at the same time you still exercise your imagination on what the story "looks" like, is the best of both worlds for me between books and movies. I get totally lost in the story, much more than I do when I sit and read a book. I know many friends who don't enjoy recorded books, but for me, a well-acted recorded book is just a huge treat. Great narrators don't just read the book aloud, they inhabit the characters, creating different voices for each one, voices that you begin to recognize even when they are not immediately identified as to which character is speaking. It's like having a professional theater actor act out the story right in the privacy of your own mind.

I used to struggle with feeling like if I listened to a recorded book, I couldn't really say I "read" such and such book. But it really is my favorite way of digesting a novel, and I find that I remember the story much more clearly that way. I suspect it is because I am an auditory learner, but I am no longer apologetic for being a "lazy" reader. I just don't have as much time in the car to listen anymore, but I have begun listening while I walk. Great incentive to walk, as I get to hear more of the story, so it gets me out the door. See, I'm NOT lazy . . . I'm multitasking.

Now THAT's TV

2007-09-03T08:35:00.000-05:00

I am in love with ABC Online! They have an HD online player for their most popular TV shows, and I can watch on my computer in HD, which I don't have on my TV, with only about three commercials. It's awesome! There's something kind of intimate about watching on a little screen right in my lap, like I'm having my own personal little TV show just for me. I have watched some things online from other networks, but none of them have the high quality player that ABC has. Fortunately, most of my favorite shows are on that network. I can even plug in the headphones and watch on the couch while everyone else is watching something else on the big TV. So cool. I'm so easily amused by technology.

I am currently catching up on the unaired episodes of The Nine, which was a fantastic show that started last fall and ended up getting cancelled by the idiots at the network (hey I love their player but not always their programming choices). It's about nine people who were hostages in a bank robbery, and then they get out and the story slowly unfolds about each of their lives and about what really happened in there. The plot reminds me a bit of the movie Inside Man, though not exactly. It's really gripping and has a lot of great acting, including Tim (sigh) Daly, yummity yum yum (he will be on Private Practice, the Grey's Anatomy spinoff, this fall - reason enough to watch) and lots of others. ABC decided to burn off the unaired episodes this summer, and I forgot to watch at first, not used to having new stuff in the summer, so I missed two episodes, and then they decided NOT to show them but just put them online. So, online there are four episodes there, but the two I missed are NOT there, so I have a few plot holes. I have searched the Net trying to find them somewhere to no avail, dang it. I even emailed ABC about it, but just got a canned email response.

Online TV is great for things that you wanted to watch but missed or forgot, etc. I'm trying to also catch up on Saving Grace because I just keep missing it on TV. I REALLY want to watch Mad Men on AMC, but I no longer HAVE AMC due to a brilliant decision by my cable company to shift around what I get without digital cable (which I don't want to pay extra for), but AMC is not showing it online, so I'll have to wait until it comes out on DVD and rent it. I have heard a ton about how good it is, and would seriously watch it, but, well . . .

I have noticed that the new trend is to have really high quality, short run series for the summer now. This is a great idea, but I have always breathed a sigh of relief in the summer that I could take a break from keeping up with my regular shows. I LOVE my shows, don't get me wrong, but it's nice to have a period of time where there is no Must See TV. Now, blast those TV writers, they have come up with all these really great-sounding new shows that just run in the summer. I've missed most of them this year because I've been busy and just didn't want to invest in more shows, but now I'm thinking I missed out on some really good stuff. If this is the pattern to come, I'm gonna have to start watching next summer, or hope they put them all online . . . love me some good TV writing! It's like a book only they act it out for you. I was watching Shakespeare in Love last night, and Violet was explaining why she loves plays so much and it was just how I feel about good TV. Ha. TV is not just for the uncultured, so there.

Now I'm going back to Episode 11 of The Nine.

Long Time Gone

2007-08-30T09:56:00.000-05:00

Well, needless to say I've been very delinquent in my blogging these days. I have a lot to blog about, but never seem to be inspired to actually sit down and write it. I enjoy reading others' blogs a lot, so I think it's just laziness about putting my thoughts into some sort of coherent, yet witty and hilarious, form. I read a blog by Joshilyn Jackson, an author, and she is so freakin' hilarious and I SO want to BE her and write clever little tricksey blogs (yes, that's the kind of stuff she writes and it really seems clever, not trite, when she does it), but then my bestest friend Jules will call me out on imitating someone else instead of being ME. Bah. ME is not nearly as funny and interesting to ME as others.

Anyway, I ramble incessantly. I am going to try to catch up on my blogging, and as is my usual habit, I will spew forth a number of blogs in a row here in the next few days. I keep a little list of topics, and sadly I looked at it this morning and at least one entry had me muttering "what the heck was that about?" Guess I need better notes. I have been working through The Artist's Way book, and I am supposed to write three pages in longhand every morning to jump start my writing bug. I find it torturous, to put it mildly. Don't like writing in longhand - I'm deeply involved with my laptop. I have decided that I will try blogging every morning as an alternative. It won't be the stream of concsiousness writing the book intends, but it's better than not writing at all, right? Right?

So stay tuned, more fascinating fodder from my exciting life coming up soon . . . (bwaaaahhhhaaaa, I really didn't SAY anything of value in this post, and yet it IS a post. Hehe.)

More Chronicles of Sam

2007-07-18T08:11:00.000-05:00

A couple of new gems from my constant source of entertainment and blogfodder . . .

Sam and Jillian were happily playing in a large cardboard box laid on its side, crawling in and out. At one point, Sam was about to crawl back in alone, and, being the grandmother who encourages imagination and pretend play, I said "Sam, is that your Batcave?" He looked at me with the kind of disdain only a precocious preschooler and a sullen teenager can muster, and said "It's not a CAVE, it's a BOX!" Properly scolded, I just chuckled to myself. He continued making his way inside the box, closed the flaps, and I heard a very small voice say, to himself, not to me, "Yeah . . . it's a CAVE . . . it's a BATcave . . ."

Recently we had a few friends over for dinner, and Mike and Lindsay and the kids were there as well. A few of us were sitting out on the deck enjoying the early summer evening, and one of the guys was smoking a cigar. He's not a smoker, but enjoys a cigar now and then, as do several of our friends. Sam came wandering outside and walked over to me and said quietly "I smell smoke." I told him that our friend was smoking a cigar. He looked at me and said "That's not good . . ." He crawled up in my lap and sat there regarding our friend for a few minutes, and then said, very solemnly, "Smoking is not good for you, remember?" I struggled mightily to suppress my laughter (which happens often when Sam is around) as I knew he was clearly passing on wisdom handed down by his mother. Our friend sheepishly put away the cigar, and as soon as Sam went in the house, we all dissolved in laughter.

I can't wait to hear the kind of things he is going to blurt out in a few years. Out of the mouths of babes . . .

Chronicles of Sam

2007-06-15T15:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, my 3 1/2 year old grandson Sam provided me with these wonderful nuggets:

After coming over to swim and being forced by his mother to eat lunch first (the very IDEA!), Sam was gazing out the window at the pool. He announced "I'm CRANKY!" I asked why, and he replied, "I'm CRANKY because it's RAINING!" I looked outside and sure enough . . . rain. No swimming, at least until later.

He did actually get to swim later, and then when it was time to go home, he did not want to leave, EVER, according to him. He was having a little meltdown, and I said "Hey, stop throwing a COW!" to which he replied, in mid-sob, "It's not a COW, it's a FIT!"

Nothing like being self-aware . . .

Accessories Sold Separately

2007-06-15T14:47:00.000-05:00

My 16-year-old son, Andy, is at a Jazz Double Bass Camp at University of North Texas this week. In case you didn't know, UNT is one of the premiere universities around for studying jazz, and is home of the renowned One O'Clock Lab Band, among others. He is in a very small group studying under Lynn Seeton, who is the bass professor at UNT. A double bass is the upright bass that you might see in an orchestra or a jazz band. (He also plays bass guitar, but that's not what this camp is for). He's pretty pumped and from the text messages we've exchanged, he is learning a lot. (I've discovered that the easiest way to get your teen to respond when gone to camp is a TEXT message, NOT a voicemail. I don't think they even listen to those.)

We are going to pick him up this evening and hear a concert by the students as well as the professor. Andy's take on it is "Wait until you hear Lynn rip the bass. He's awesome." Should be a good time. I love jazz of any sort.

So, in preparation to taking him up to UNT on Sunday, I called to find out if he needed to bring bedding and towels, etc. I was told "No, they have linens." Now, you might think "linens" would include such important items as a PILLOW, wouldn't you? WELL, YOU WOULD BE WRONG. As we discovered when we entered his room and saw a neat pile of sheets and a thin blanket and even thinner towels, and NO PILLOW. One would think that if this important item was not included, they might have MENTIONED it in the phone call where I was inquiring about BEDDING. Of course that would be MY logic, but apparently not someone else's.

On the way back downstairs to try to score a pillow, we encountered THREE other moms toting PILLOWS in WalMart bags. I laughed out loud and exclaimed that I was apparently not the only one who made the foolish assumption that "linens" included a pillow. They kindly told us the location of the nearby WalMart, and advised us to also purchase a towel as the ones provided were not large enough to go around a teenage boy.

We made a quick run and got the needed items, no less, no more. Son was apparently very antsy and in no mood to get any snacks or anything extra. I was not sure whether it was his nerves at the prospect of being left at a college dorm full of strangers (he didn't know anyone there), or if he just wanted to be shed of the "parents" hanging around. In any event, we unloaded the stuff, he declined my offer to make up his bed, and kind of gave us the bum's rush out the door.

As we went through the exit door he was walking up to a group of young men on a sofa in the hallway to introduce himself. He's pretty comfortable meeting new people, and from all reports the week was great. It felt weird leaving him there alone, most likely a foreshadowing of things to come, since UNT is the college of choice at the moment.

Sigh. I really don't want my last child to be nearly grown and thinking of college . . . but I'm sure proud of him. Why does it have to be so bittersweet when they grow up?

That's My Boy . . .

2007-05-11T20:22:00.000-05:00

Don't really have a new post here, per se, but I have added my 16-year-old son Andy's "deep thoughts" blog to my favorites (see link to the right for "Here's the Lowdown").

That's some good readin' right there, I don't care who you are.

My baby boy is growing up. I'm proud of who he is becoming.

School Daze

2007-04-24T18:00:00.000-05:00

I picked up Jack (my friend Tiffany's first grader) from school today. He talks pretty much nonstop on the way home, probably a release after having to be quiet in class all day. Most statements end with "And guess what?" or "I need to tell you something." or "Guess why I'm so excited?"

I asked him what he learned in school today, and he said, "Oh nothing. We didn't learn anything today. We were too busy, so we didn't learn anything."

Out of the mouths of babes . . .

More thoughts on Virginia Tech . . .

2007-04-24T17:55:00.000-05:00

I wonder if anyone has done studies about why it seems that boys who grow into mass or serial killers are often found to have a history of being bullied, and yet girls get bullied just as much in their own way, and they don't seem to end up as mass or serial killers. I don't know the statistics but I know that only a very small percentage of these kinds of killers are female.

What's the difference? Is in how our brains are wired, because we know from observation and science has demonstrated through research that we ARE in fact wired VERY differently. Or is it our environment, our nurturing or lack thereof? Why do girls respond so differently to the same kind of emotional abuse?

Just pondering . . . feel free to post your theories.

Art as Worship

2007-04-23T15:20:00.000-05:00

This is the coolest thing I've ever seen. Nuff said.

MILF Redux

2007-04-23T11:02:00.000-05:00

I posted a blog entry a while back about the whole subject of MILFs, so you all know how I feel about the subject of "Hot Moms."

This morning, I saw a commercial for a weight loss product, and THIS is their sales pitch. The woman in the commercial had lost a lot of weight (over 50 pounds), and was exclaiming, ever so proudly, that she is 45 . . . but she doesn't FEEL 45! Sooooo, this 45 year old woman was proudly proclaiming that, thanks to this MAGICAL weight loss wonder product . . . NOW, as a mom of a 17 YEAR OLD GIRL, I can wear short skirts, tiny tank tops, PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING A 17 YEAR OLD CAN WEAR!!!!!

Oh.my.Lord. Lady, if you are over 30, YOU DON'T NEED TO BE SHOPPING at FOREVER freakin' 21! A 45 year old woman, I don't care how slim she is (and this woman had a nice figure, but again, she's 45 and she LOOKS it), CANNOT wear short skirts and dress like a teenager. It just comes off looking pathetic, or trashy, or both. And what 17 year old girl actually WANTS her mom to borrow her clothes and dress like her? Not to mention how a teenage BOY would feel about his mom dressing like his girlfriend. EWWWWWWWW. Kids want a MOM, not a best friend (the best friend part comes when they are grown and married). A COOL mom, for sure, a HIP mom, sometimes, but NOT a HOT MOM.

You know,I don't feel 53 either, but I KNOW that I am, and the MIRROR DON'T LIE. I try really hard to find the balance between dressing modern and dressing inappropriate for my age. I have always told my daughter to just put me away if I start dressing frumpy, but there are certain places you just don't go, fashion-wise, if you are of a CERTAIN AGE. And 45 is definitely in the CERTAIN AGE bracket.

MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN of the WORLD, DO US ALL A FAVOR. STEP AWAY FROM THE MINI SKIRTS and HALTERS and no one will get hurt.

Sticks and Stones - Mullings on Virginia Tech

2007-04-22T10:05:00.000-05:00

I have read a number of blog posts and comments about the Virginia Tech tragedy of last week. I want to throw in my two cents, but my thoughts are from a different perspective.

I have read and watched a number of news stories about the gunman (though I, like many others, have tried to avoid the photos and videos - do we really need to see that?), and it seems that he was a target of teasing by other young people in high school and even at Virginia Tech. Granted, he seems to have been quite odd and from what I have read, pretty unwilling to form relationships with his peers. And at least some of his fellow college students had tried to reach out to him and had been rebuffed. And who knows what demons tormented this young man that would make him so filled with hatred and rage. Even his family is baffled and confused by his actions.

The thing I want to remark on here is that a common thread in so many of these sorts of tragedies, of serial killers, mass killers, hostage situations, etc., is that the perpetrator, almost always a male, has a history of being taunted, teased, mocked, and being made to feel somehow inferior during his school days. I am certainly not saying that this treatment was the only reason for a person going over the edge and committing murder, but I have to stop and wonder if we really underestimate the effect of emotional cruelty by peers can have on a young person's psyche.

What is it that makes our children feel the need to hurt others so with their words and behavior? I know it's not a new problem, but it seems to me that it the level and the means of inflicting hurt and pain on other kids has really burgeoned in the last 5 or 6 years. MySpace and other similar "personal diary" tools give opportunity for kids to say things to one another that they might never say in person (though many of them do). There seems to be a mentality that in order to feel good about yourself, you have to find someone that you can humiliate so that they seem dumber, uglier, nerdier, sluttier, poorer, and so on.

The "mean girls" culture, which doesn't just extend to girls by the way, is frightening to me, and it is beginning earlier and earlier - as early as preschool in some instances. I have a number of friends with preschool age children, and I see a lot of young kids interacting at my church, and I can see inklings of that sort of thinking even in kids as young as 4 and 5 years old. I don't think at that age they even understand the effects of the things they say and do, but it's there. Are we teaching it to our kids without realizing it? Are they learning it from their peers or from TV? Or is it a hardwired part of who we are as humans - of our instinct to preserve ourselves at any cost?

I look at my own children, two grown and one a teen, and I see very little of this sort of behavior and thinking, and I wonder, what did I do right? With my teen, who is a boy, we have a lot of dialogue about this very issue, when we see something happen among his friends, or watch something on TV. We talk about why it is wrong and how hard it is to understand why others want to hurt each other. He has a very compassionate heart and I sincerely believe that he tries to be kind to everyone, no matter who they are. He's not perfect, but I believe that's his heart. My middle child, a girl, was the brunt of much teasing and cruelty in adolescence because she was "chubby," and so she has a particularly sensitive heart about unkindness to others. Not to say she never has her moments, but generally speaking, she tries to think the best of others and always have something nice to say, because she learned the hard way how hurtful words can be. She tends to want to champion the underdog and speak up for anyone whom others speak ill about, sometimes with a righteous spirit that can be a little off-putting. But her heart is in the right place. My oldest, a boy (well a man now), is quiet, and truthfully I don't know his mindset as much now as he lives away and I don't see him as often. But as a teen, he had only a few friends but seemed to be nice to most everyone. He never had conflicts with school friends, and I never heard him make rude comments about others. What is the difference in their attitudes and what I observe in kids on TV, at my son's school, and even sometimes at my church? I know it sounds like I'm bragging that my kids are great and never do anything wrong, and that's certainly NOT the case. But I think anyone who knows them well would agree with me about their character.

I wish I could say that I am as kindhearted as my children, but the truth is I am not. I try not to be unkind about others, but I judge and criticize and I know that I categorize people in my heart, if not out loud. It's hard to confess that, but it's the truth. But I like to think that I would never deliberately try to make someone look bad to make me feel better about myself.

I think we must take a hard look at the culture our young people are living in, a culture where it is acceptable to completely tear apart a person, to humiliate and destroy who they are, simply based on the fact that they are different from themselves. The fact that it is such a common thread in people who end up on the news for completely snapping and committing such horrific acts should be enough to give us pause to think. Sticks and stones indeed.

So much to say, so little time. . .

2007-04-14T10:47:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I haven't posted in a while. Not that anyone reads this anyway, but . . . I am making a resolution to post at least once a week. I have to just post something, not necessarily a long, IMPORTANT essay or a brilliantly HILARIOUS and witty story. Though those can be fun. EDIT: Just noticed that I had 46 posts in 2005 (my first year), a pathetic 12 in 2006 (what the heck was I DOING?) and I already have 14 this year, so I'm on an uphill swing . . .)

So, today. . . well, what the heck is it with this weather? Every freaking Friday and Saturday! WHY, OH WHY can't it rain on Tuesday, or Wednesday? We have only one day each week that we can seriously work in our yard, and that would be . . . SATURDAY. So when it rains, or for that matter SNOWS, or is in the winter coat temps, it is not very conducive to an attractive yard. Our yard is FAR from attractive, we just have aspirations to make it presentable enough that our neighbors don't start a petition to have us forcibly removed from the area. So today, we are going to venture out to see if it's even tolerable. If not, we will stay indoors and work on organizing and cleaning up our office so I can go back to working in there instead of on the couch in the living room. Last Saturday during the Big Blizzard of Ought Seven, we stayed on our butts and watched three movies. A delightful afternoon, to be sure, but not particularly productive. I guess we all need those kind of days though, and if a snowstorm on the the day before Easter isn't an occasion, well I don't know what is.

But today . . . well, it would just be lazy, wouldn't it . . .

I LOVE DOVE!!!!!

2007-03-08T08:40:00.000-06:00

If you have not seen this, go here: http://www.doveproage.com/default.asp.

I am switching all my products to Dove. I totally support their Campaign for Real Beauty, and I applaud them for their vision and courage. I hope they can make a difference in how we view women and what really is "real beauty."

This is the ad I was talking about - the one I told Andy about (my 16 year old son) and his response was "That's really COOL!" He's also the one that believes curvy girls are just as pretty as skinny ones, and remarks on them on TV all the time. Did I mention he ROCKS?

Hahaha, I KNEW my gray hair and fluffy body were beeeeeyyyyyuuuuutteeeefullll!

Sweet Baby Gwel

2007-03-07T22:21:00.000-06:00

Jilly is now saying "hi" and "dye-dye". Not sure why it's not "bye-bye" since I know she can say "b" since she says "Bubba." Anyway, "hi" is accompanied by an open-handed wave and a smile that lights up her whole face, and "dye-dye" comes with a bend-at-the-wrist twisty kind of wave. She also claps her hands and says "Yay!"

By the way, "gwel" is how Sam used to say "girl." Now, to me, "gwel" is much harder to pronounce than girl. It kind of sounds like Old English or something. There are some words that toddlers say that are just so darn cute, and you KNOW they are going to stop saying it that way at some point, but it's just so CUTE. Like how Sam used to say "Hupmits" for Muppets. And "Beggie" Tales. So CUTE. But alas, he is growing up and using big words, like "Minnesota Cuke." BUT he does say it "Minn-a-so-da" very deliberately. SO CUTE.

Andy used to say "w" for "r." Our pastor's sons were "Cwaig" and "Wobin." CUUUUTTTTEEE.

Okay, now I'm rambling . . .

How to Save a Life

2007-02-15T20:52:00.000-06:00

Okay, Grey's Anatomy is officially the best show on television right now. And I watch a LOT of TV, as those of you who know me can attest. Every single week as I watch, I find myself holding my breath or biting on my hand, and then a few minutes later I'm laughing out loud. I have watched a lot of TV in my life, did I remember to say A LOT, and I have only seen a few shows in my many years that had writing this consistently excellent. I care about these people - I WANT them to be happy - I WANT them to heal their patients. Along with excellent writing and great performances - with one of the finest ensemble casts anywhere around today - this show makes excellent use of music that sets the mood and weaves seamlessly into the storylines.

And of course I'm at the end of Part 2 of a three part episode, and OF COURSE they aren't going to show if Meredith survives until Part 3. I know she must, since the show's named after her, but it's a testament to the writing that I even wonder just a little bit, because the show is just so real and so raw sometimes.

A few weeks ago the father of George, one of the interns, was dying and the family had to decide to end life support. They were gathered around his bed, and I was weeping because it was so eerily like the scene at my own father's death a few years ago. We . . . no really it was me, I had to make that decision, and our whole family was gathered around him as he died peacefully. But I didn't really cry much at the time, I was so full of adrenaline from the stress of calling the paramedics in the middle of the night, and being in the emergency room all night and all the next day and dealing with all of this (I'm an only child, and I do have other family, but it was really up to me since my mother and stepmother were already gone). So when I watched that Grey's episode, it was like I was weeping for my own father's passing. It was sad and yet a relief at the same time - a burden lifted. And those of you who don't watch much television probably think this is really pathetic and that people who get caught up in TV characters are just lacking in their own personal relationships. But that's what good TV is all about - it tells the truth in such a way that we feel a personal connection with something in our own life.

Grey's. Good stuff. Every time.

Words

2007-02-15T14:27:00.000-06:00

I was searching for some Sara Groves lyrics and came across this quote from her (if you've never listened to a Sara Groves CD, you must - she writes the most meaningful lyrics - she reminds me of Rich Mullins in her storytelling and depth):

Imagine how thick the air would be if every word from our mouths flew up toward the sky and hung there, like a cloud. Like the dialog in cartoon strips, only floating free above our heads, without a bubble to contain them. Now imagine the shock of seeing the words we think, but never say, gathered there as well. Our pride, our anger, our doubts, our fears all spelled out and undeniable. How could we live like that?

Wow, that's some serious thinkin' there. Just ponder that for a few minutes. Read it over a few times and let it roll around in your brain.

Happy V-Day to Me

2007-02-15T14:08:00.000-06:00

Well, my Valentine's Day started out rather interestingly. I was sleeping soundly when my dogs began to make a ruckus (that's such a FUN word), so I grudgingly decided to get up, since I had oodles of work to do. As I opened the bedroom door (which opens into the front entryway - so charming), I heard what sounded like someone turning the lock or the doorknob. Now, at 8 in the morning I am generally the only one here besides my pet entourage, so I was a bit alarmed. Well, as alarmed as one can be when one still only has one eye open. I shuffled to the other side of the house to look out the office window (not a long trip, I assure you), and didn't see anyone on the porch. I noticed a vehicle in the driveway, next to my car, but from the angle of the window you can only see part of the vehicle parked on that side of the driveway. In my state of half-eyed sleepiness, it looked to me like a minivan. Don't ask me why, but it did. So I stood there for a few seconds wondering WHO would be visiting me at 8 in the FREAKING MORNING in a MINIVAN, and where were they anyway? Then the vehicle began backing out and I realized it was Jay in his truck. So, again, in my state of not-fully-alert, fuzzy-brained and fuzzy-eyed. . . ness, I wondered, why is he just now leaving, I thought he left a long time ago to take Andy to school. I shrugged off this mystery and shuffled into the kitchen, where, LO AND BEHOLD, a BEAUTIFUL vase of LOVELY VALENTINE FLOWERS was sitting next to my coffee pot. Does my man know me or what? That's my first stop after the potty, and really, who'd want to find flowers sitting on the potty? Not too romantic.

So of course this causes me to remember that the card I'd bought for said man THREE WEEKS AGO, along with the candy I bought for him on Tuesday, were still in the closet, because I had forgotten to set them out for his enjoyment when he got up in the morning. I called to thank him profusely for the sweet gesture, and to confess that I DID in fact have a reciprocal Valentine for him, but I had . . . ahem . . . FORGOTTEN to put it out. I signed the card, put it with the candy next to his sink in the bathroom, since that is the first place he goes when he gets home from work . . . BUT, when I returned home from church, he was unloading groceries and then made some cheese dip and several other things, and after about an hour, I finally said "Did you ever even GO in the bathroom?" To which he replied, "Well, no, I didn't need to go . . . " Guess I should have clarified why I was asking. So I sent him in there to "discover" his suprise LATE Valentine. We are nothing if not clever and romantic in our gestures, are we not?

Valentine's Day is a wild card with this man anyway - some years I get flowers, some years I get flowers and a card, some years I get an actual gift and a card, some years I JUST get a card, and then there are those years where I get zipadeedoodah because he "didn't get a chance to go to the store." Now I'm sorry, but most women would rather hear "I forgot" than "I didn't get a chance to go to the store." But in his defense, that hasn't happened in a long time. And it sure keeps me on my toes - I never know what's coming so I have NO expectations, which means on years like this one, I am so sweetly surprised by the gesture that it means a whole lot to me. He's definitely on the good list right now, since he also gave me a wonderful surprise Christmas gift and another one just a week later for our 20th anniversary. Yep, he's a suitor . . . he's bona fide.

Peace Out, Anna Anna Anna Anna Anna Nicole

2007-02-08T20:43:00.000-06:00

What a sad, tragic mess that woman was. She has been unglued since the death of her son, which I think was under very fishy circumstances. But in spite of all that, what a sad end for anyone. That poor baby girl - what will become of her? Even when they determine who her real daddy is, are either of them fit to raise her? The lawyer/lover seems very shady to me, and I have my suspicions of his part in Daniel Smith's death, and that perhaps that may be one reason Anna "married" him, and also the fact that she was pretty much always with him and always drugged up since it happened. And the actor/model guy, well who knows if he's any better. And now I hear Anna's mother, who from what I've seen of her in interviews is pretty much trailer trashy and dumb, is wanting custody. That poor baby girl - I just pray that God will protect her and perhaps she can end up with a normal family who can raise her out of the public eye. Tragic. Sometimes fame is toxic.

Silly Andy . . .

2007-02-05T11:50:00.000-06:00

Recently Sam was over to visit, and he was in the gameroom playing with Andy. Andy has a life-sized cardboard standup of Batman in one corner of the room. It has been there ever since we built the gameroom, but I guess Sam just noticed it on this day.

He came into the living room with a very serious expression and announced, "I don't like Batman." I replied "You don't? Why not?" He solemnly said, "I want Batman to go away." I thought for a minute, and decided that perhaps Andy was teasing him and pretending. So I told him that was not REALLY Batman, but just a cardboard PICTURE of Batman.

He turned around, marched into the gameroom and said, in a laughing tone of voice, "Andy, that's not REALLY Batman, it's just a cardboard PICTURE of Batman!"

Silly Andy. Don't be afraid - Sam's here to protect you.

An Ode to Flannel Sheets

2007-02-05T11:35:00.000-06:00

Ahhhh, flannel sheets. So cozy, so warm. So hard to part from on a cold winter's morn, with the dogs snuggled up around me, kindly resting patiently until I am ready to crawl out of my warm nest. Yes, flannel sheets are a beautiful thing.

Except when you get the "flannel-board effect," an annoying phenomenon that happens when one is wearing flannel pajamas and one attempts to roll over in bed. There are velcro-like properties when two pieces of flannel are put together, and they seem reluctant to release so that a smooth roll can be accomplished. The result is a fair amount of scooching, rustling, and grunting, sometimes accompanied by the inadvertent - I SWEAR it's inadvertent, dear - pulling of the covers off of your partner in the flannel sandwich of coziness.

Small price to pay for the pleasure of warm, cozy, softness that is flannel sheets in the winter . . .

Have it your way . . .

2007-02-01T08:40:00.000-06:00

I just saw a commercial for a new show at the Nokia Theater called AetheriA. The lineup was -drumroll please - the Fort Worth Symphony (we're okay so far), the Dallas Black Dance Theater (still good), Willie Nelson (whaaaa????), and . . . wait for it . . . JESSICA SIMPSON.

Now that's what I call an eclectic (or is that word too classy?) lineup. WHO IN THE WORLD came up with the idea to put together a show with those particular acts, all in one place? One has to wonder exactly what crowd would enjoy all of those in one place together. Guess there's something for everyone . . . something classic; something exotic; something stoned; and something . . . that sounds like you are strangling your cat . . . yeeeeaaaaah, what's not to like?

Flashin Back to the Oldies . . .

2007-01-29T22:10:00.000-06:00

Okay, I'm officially old. I'm watching a Time-Life informercial on the "Classic Soft Rock Collection," pretty much songs from the 70s and early 80s. Geez, I know EVERY SINGLE SONG, and ALL THE WORDS TO EVERY SINGLE SONG they have played so far. They are showing clips of the original videos, and I'm having a serious flashback. But seriously . . . in the 70s (aaahhh, a Doobie Brothers song . . .), there weren't nearly as many different genres of music played on the radio, and Top 40 music was what most people listened to. It was the early days of FM radio, which meant they played a lot of music and very few commercials - those were the days - and pretty much everyone in your general age group knew and loved the same songs and artists. Yeah, we bought albums by our favorite artists - for me, Three Dog Night, Linda Ronstadt, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac, Doobie Brothers, Cat Stevens, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Boz Scaggs, Kenny Loggins/Loggins & Messina, and Gino Vanelli, and tons of others I'm sure. But there were lots of one hit wonders that had really great songs and then disappeared from the music scene. They are just playing one great song after another (ahhhh, Waiting by Foreigner is on). The Cars, Phil Collins, the hits just keep on coming . . . along with the BIG hair and spandex and leather. Hee hee.

Now the weird thing about this infomercial - aside from the obvious - is that most of the people they have talking about how great it is (you know, those generic couples that are supposed to look like they are really loving the music) are WAAAAAYYYYY too young to remember any of this music from the 70s. Lord, I was a teenager then, and these folks look not even 40. Maybe it's botox . . .

My point is, a lot of this music is just so great, and you don't hear it much any more, except on American Idol where it may be mangled beyond recognition. Or on the Oldies station. It's amazing how a song can transport you back to a particular time in your life, sometimes to a particular day or event. Music is a very powerful thing, a tangible piece of memory that gets ingrained in your soul. (Ahhhhh, Bread - Baby I'ma Want You - a classic.) See what I mean? I can remember exactly what was happening in my life, exactly where I lived, where I worked, who I was in love with, etc., when that song was on the radio (I actually had an eight track of Bread - but that's another issue altogether).

With the eclectic, often weird varieties of music out there today, I wonder what this generation of teenagers and young adults will flash back to when they hear their own "oldies?" So much of it is sad, angry, unpleasant, misogynistic, and just plain raunchy . . . I'm not sure I'd want to walk down that memory lane.

Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of the music out today, and I listen to a much wider range of stuff these days, from classical to alternative to blues to jazz, and so on. But a lot of it just makes me uncomfortable - or bored. And it's hard to sing along with in the car. I mean, where's your modern day Bohemian Rhapsody? Singing along in the car used to be a bonding experience - or a way to practice your skills where no one could hear you.

Yep, I'm old. But I still like my music loud . . .

I left my mind . . . somewhere

2007-01-29T15:55:00.000-06:00

Does it mean I'm getting senile if I ran the dryer for a full 60 minute cycle with NOTHING IN IT?

In my defense, my habit while doing laundry is to take a load out of the dryer, move the basket (the one that always has those few things that you must was SEPARATELY or they will BLEED on everything else or they are DELICATE and must be washed by fairy wings) that normally sits on the washer over to the top of the dryer, open the washer and put in the next load, close the lid and start said washer, move said SPECIAL basket back on top of washer, and then start the dryer. This system has worked for me lo these many years without a hitch - well, except for a few times when I forgot the "start the dryer" step.

Well, last night I had put a load in the dryer before bed - a load I had washed in the afternoon but forgot to put in the dryer. Okay, well my defense isn't going too well here . . . but let me continue. This morning, when I got ready to do laundry, I took the dry load out, but there was no wet load to put in the dryer, as I had not started another load before bed AFTER I took the forgotten load out and put it in the dryer. I know you are on the edge of your seat here, but just stay with me.

Sooooo, I put a load on to wash this morning, in my usual and time-tested fashion, and then proceeded to start the dryer in the usual said fashion and go about my work. Some time later (about 60 minutes, actually), I heard the little "beep beep beep" signaling that my load was dry. I got up, went to the laundry closet (it's too small to really earn the name "laundry room"), opened the dryer . . . and just stood there staring at it for a good minute, trying to process WHO TOOK MY LAUNDRY? Why is there no freshly dried, sweet-smelling and toasty warm load waiting for me to gather it in my arms, breathe deeply and feel that little surge of joy I weirdly get from my favorite smell in the world? Did I suddenly acquire domestic help of which I was unaware?

Of course, the truth finally dawned on me. I felt pretty silly, to be sure. I continued on with my laundry system, which I swear to you works MOST OF THE TIME, content in the knowledge that this little "incident" had given me fresh fodder for my goal of blogging several times a week.

So to my massive reading audience, though this may not be the most interesting blog I've ever posted, I am a confessional writer and so there you go - every time I do something dumb, if it is fit to print, you'll read it here first. If I remember to write it . . .

P.S. It has been brought to my attention that when I refer to a ". . . sweet smelling, toasty warm load . . . breathe deeply . . . favorite smell in the world" that SOME people with JUNIOR HIGH sensibilities (you know who you are) might MISCONSTRUE the word "load" to refer to a different sort of fragrant, uh, item. So let me be clear - my favorite smell in the world is CLEAN LAUNDRY. (Thanks TT for the heads up!) :-)

If I say, they will play . . .

2007-01-28T21:40:00.000-06:00

The other day, Sam, my 3-year old grandson, was visiting us. He was in the game room with Andy (my 16-year old son), and I heard him talking to himself as he walked from the game room into the living room where I was sitting with Lindsay (my daughter/his mom), saying "I can't wait to show this to my GiGi (his nickname for me)!" He was carrying the new Monopoly game we had received for Christmas, still wrapped in cellophane, and asked "Can we play this?" I told him that it was a "big people" game and that we couldn't play right now. He said nothing, turned and headed back toward the game room. He said, again to himself, "I can 't wait to show this to Andy!" I chuckled to myself but made no comment to Lindsay.

In a few minutes, he came walking back from the game room, again speaking to himself, "I can't wait to show this to my mom!" He walked up to Lindsay, asked if we could play the game, and received the same response as from me and I'm certain the same as he received from Andy. He was determined to find a willing partner to play this game, and he was having no luck at all.

Of course, the funniest part of all was that each of the three times, he said the same thing in EXACTLY the same inflection, as if saying would make it so. It almost sounded like he was rehearsing his lines. He had to go home shortly after that, but next time he comes over, maybe we'll break out Monopoly and learn about counting money . . .

When the Levees Broke

2007-01-02T15:59:00.000-06:00

I tried to think of a clever title for this post, but anything I came up with seemed too frivolous, so I'll just stick with the title of the documentary I want to talk about.

I spent last week watching "When the Levees Broke," a documentary about Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Spike Lee. I have not been so mesmerized and moved by a piece of film in a long time. As most of you know, I spent a few days in New Orleans last summer preparing for our youth mission trip, and got fairly familiar with the layout of the city, including driving down to the Lower Ninth Ward a couple of times. THAT was an experience I will never forget. As I watched this program, I saw footage and still photos of places I'd driven by, and saw interviews with a wide variety of individuals who lived in various parts of the Crescent City. It was eerie to see the footage during and immediately post-Katrina compared to what I had seen nine months later, but I was really glad that I was familiar enough to have an appreciation of what I was seeing.

This is not a feel-good documentary, but I came away with a sense of hope and inspiration after seeing the amazing resilience of the residents of New Orleans, their refusal to give up and their immense pride in their hometown and the great history and heritage of the city. Some of the interviews were done immediately after the hurricane on location, and then others were done in a studio at various times. Interviews ran the gamut from devastated and displaced residents to politicians, radio hosts, historians, meteorologists, government workers, news anchors, and Sean Penn, who had seen some footage and felt compelled to take action and use his celebrity to do some good.

Some of the footage is hard to watch, but I could not look away. Bloated and rotting bodies, weeping mothers, rubble and devastation everywhere. Angry people, angry and sometimes foul language, but understandable under the circumstances. You need to prepare yourself to have your heart broken and your conscience challenged.

On another note, the soundtrack, by Terence Blanchard, is haunting, melancholy, and will get in your head and live there. I wish I could buy it, but because the program was an HBO special, it seems that the music is not available.

I think every American citizen should see this program. I don't care if you are a supporter of Bush or if you aren't, if you are a Democrat or a Republican, if you are a liberal or a conservative, if you are black, white, or somewhere in between. This is an important piece of film history and we all need to see the reality that America is already forgetting. New Orleans is coming back, slowly, but it's a long way from being the city it once was. But the people there have an indomitable spirit and I pray that they will continue to get the support they need to rebuild this amazing city.

I challenge you to invest the several hours it will require and see this film. It will change you forever.

Stop this Train

2006-11-20T19:02:00.000-06:00

I've been feeling very mushy and sentimental and introspective today. Maybe it's the holidays. I love the holidays. I love fall and winter and dressing in layers and new coats and red cheeks and heated car seats and snuggling on the couch with a fleece blankie and the smell of fireplaces on the night air and the clear, starry nights you only get in winter and seeing my breath on the air and hot drinks and comfort food and CHRISTMAS MUSIC and CHRISTMAS MOVIES . . . and presents for pretty girls . . . and all that the season brings. Yeah. My family and friends mock me mercilessly about the CHRISTMAS MUSIC and MOVIES. Can I just say, without shame or apology, that last night we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas AND Muppet Christmas Carol. And I'm breaking out the Christmas stuff this weekend. So there. Thpbbbbbtttttt.

And I love getting together with my family - stepbrothers and cousin-who's-like-a-sister and their kids and grandkids. This rather large group (20+ adults and 4 or 5 little ones) gathered at my house yesterday for our yearly Thanksgiving dinner. We all live in the metroplex, but due to the natural order of life that makes people too busy with their daily lives/work/friends/immediate family to have time to do much else, we only gather twice a year - Thanksgiving and Christmas - unless there is a funeral or a wedding.

I love my family. They are a fun, intelligent, witty group of people who enjoy life to the fullest and have managed to get through many, many years with very little drama at all. That's quite an accomplishment in this day of the proud banner of dysfunction that so many families live under. And every single time we gather, I find myself hungry for more time. More time to spend talking to each individual that I love so much, to find out what's been happening in their life in the past year, how they are feeling, what they are planning for the future. Just reacquainting. And there is never enough. Never enough time, not for me. The women tend to gather in one room, talking and tending the kids, and the guys in another, watching football, as in most families. And I never seem to get around to talking to everyone - when it's at my home, it's even worse since I'm also playing hostess and overseeing the kitchen doings.

Yesterday as we were talking, I was remembering and reminding the others of the great times years ago, when our now grown-with-children-of-their-own kids were the little ones in the family, and we were a smaller group, and we used to gather at my dad and stepmom's home and stay for hours, drinking Margaritas (made fresh in the blender by my dad), eating pie, playing spades, just laughing and hanging out. During those years, we all lived closer to each other, and actually did things together sometimes through out the year, including family birthday parties, etc.

I miss those days so much. I miss the leisurely family gatherings where no one had to get to another family thing, or back home to check their email and plan a business trip, or just to hit the road because they live an hour away. I know time marches on and life changes, and we are all very blessed now to have good jobs and great kids and grandkids and are all in a very good place in life (though several of us have lost parents already). But it just seems the older I get, I cherish those close family ties all the more, I guess knowing they won't be there forever.

So, as I watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on TV while writing this (not one of the best, by the way - can't hold a candle to A Charlie Brown Christmas, which still makes me misty when Linus recites the lines from the King James version of Mark's Christmas Story, or It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, my second favorite) - well, I just want to say that I love and cherish my family and I wish we had more time together. I wish life wasn't so busy. I wish they weren't so busy. I wish I wasn't so busy. But we make our choices and we live with the results, and that's just how life goes.

There's a song on John Mayer's new album, Continuum, that perfectly expresses how I've been feeling lately. In fact, the first time I heard it, I was startled by the raw emotion it brought up in me, speaking things I didn't even realize I felt, and choking back tears (and I rarely cry) with the poignancy and truth of the words:

STOP THIS TRAIN (by John Mayer)

No I'm not colorblind
I know this world is black and white
I try to keep an open mind
But I just can't sleep on this tonight

Stop this train
I want to get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly, won't someone stop this train?

Don't know how else to say it
I don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From fighting life out on my own

Stop this train
I want to get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly, won't someone stop this train?

So scared of getting older
I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game
To find a way to say that life has just begun

Had a talk with my old man
Said "help me understand"
He said "turn sixty-eight"
"You'll renegotiate"
"Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
And don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we'll never stop this train"

Once in a while, when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
Till you cry when you're driving away in the dark
Singing
Stop this train
I want to get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
Cause now I see I'll never stop this train

(here's a link to listen - Listen to Stop This Train by John Mayer on Rhapsody: http://play.rhapsody.com/johnmayer/12126857_continuum/stopthistrain)

Yeah. I miss my dad. I miss my mom. I don't really want to go back, because there is so much that is good and lovely and amazing about life today. But sometimes . . . just sometimes . . . I'd love to have a time machine to relive some of those good times. When you get to be my age, there's a lot to look back on. Many regrets, to be sure, but also many times that were good enough for reruns.

I only want to get off sometimes . . . mostly I just wish it would slow down and even take a rest stop once in a while.

MILFS on Parade???

2006-09-11T12:18:00.000-05:00

If you don't know what the acronym MILF means, I will not elaborate here, but you may get the idea when you read this post. I just heard a news item about auditions being held for a new reality show to choose . . . wait for it . . . AMERICA'S HOTTEST MOM!!!! Yes, folks, we are sinking further into the miry pit of decadence, when we are prepared to crown a woman for being a HOT mom, not a GREAT mom, or a FUN mom, or a LOVING mom, or a WISE mom, or a TENDER mom, or any of those qualities that most of us would revere in our own moms. Most of the teenagers I am friends with (and there are quite a few) would likely gag and flail around and utter phrases like "ewwwwww, that is grosssssssssss" or "omigod, that's disgusting" or some such thing, if you mentioned to them that their mom might enter such a contest.

The saddest thing of all, of course, is that this is EXACTLY the kind of programming that will continue to illustrate for our young girls that BEING HOT is of course the MOST desirable character trait they should be aiming for as they grow up. And we all know that today, HOT also means big boobs and an otherwise skeletal body, over-made up faces, hair extensions, and so on. And AMERICA WILL WATCH, probably in huge numbers, because for some reason, we (that's the generic "WE" referring to America as a unit, not the personal "we" that includes myself) cannot seem to look away from these "reality" train wrecks. Barf.

On a related note, speaking of a HOT mom, apparently Anna Nicole Smith gave birth to a baby girl last week, and then yesterday her 20 year old son was found dead in his room (he was in the Bahamas with her for the birth of her baby). No reason so far, but they are investigating. Now, no matter what I think of this poor wreck of a woman, my heart goes out to her in the loss of her child - no one, no matter what their lifestyle, should EVER have to bury their own child. On the other hand, one has to wonder how messed up this young man may have been by all the media circus that has been his mother's life for the last five years or more. He was occasionally on her reality show, which I confess I did watch a few times, and he always looked quite uncomfortable being on camera. I hope that I am wrong, and that she is not just a HOT mom, but a loving one, and that her new child will have a happy life.

Just ask any kid what they are looking for in a mom, and I'll guarantee you "HOT" is not on the list . . . anywhere. Unless it is used in the phrase "HOT chocolate chip cookies." As my grandson Sam observed after watching Lord of the Beans (a Veggie Tales video), when seeing that the bad guys (the Sporks) were pacified by the Keebler Elf (you have to see the show) - they have happy eyes now because they had some cookies and they feel better." Yeah, I'm thinking that what America needs right now is not a Hottest Mom . . . just imagine being her kids . . .

I see London, I see France . . .

2006-09-06T10:58:00.000-05:00

Warning, this post may offend some, but I feel I must comment on something I've been seeing a lot on the Internet. As most of you know, I regularly read a number of entertainment blogs and websites just cuz that's my thing . . . I love movies and TV and reading about celebrity stuff - TO A POINT. However, a new trend has become the NSFW (not safe for work) photos of celebrities accidentally showing things that aren't really meant to be seen, because the paparazzi now take candid shots, rather than posed, and as we move around in the world, sometimes things peek out. The trend is the Nip Slip (don't guess that one needs explanation), and more horrifying, the Upskirt shot.

Now, first of all, many of these embarrassing views - and I use the word "embarrassing" loosely, because I honestly think many of these folk (can you say Paris Hilton?) are not in the least bit embarrassed - could be avoided by the use of FREAKIN' UNDERWEAR, PEOPLE!!!! You know, bras, panties, those things that Vicki's Secret so enticingly and erotically advertises during the family hour on TV. I guess I can understand, at least with some clothing, not wearing a bra, but what the heck is the deal with NO PANTIES!!!! In a short dress!!!! Do we really need to see that? Geez, I thought thongs solved the Visible Panty Line fashion faux pas.

The latest in these nausea-inducing photos came to my attention this morning as I was following a link to see photos of Suri Cruise (who, by the way, is a startlingly beautiful child). There was a photo of everyone's favorite media ho, Lindsay Lohan, in a dress that kinda blew up as she stepped into a boat or something, and you could clearly see, well, her parts, clearly enough to see that she waxes . . . I feel gross just writing this, but you get my drift. Now, this is bad enough on its own, but THE DRESS WAS A LOOSE FITTING, PLEATED BABY DOLL DRESS!!!! No way could you see panty lines in that dress even if you had granny pants on! I can only draw the conclusion that she is trying to clear up a nasty rash with fresh air, or making sure she's prepared for an amorous encounter on the fly. The girl is barely 21 years old. Sodom and Gomorrah, here we come . . .

Okay, now I need a shower . . .

It's a dessert topping! No wait, it's a floor polish!

2006-08-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

First, a disclaimer - I realize the title of this entry may be obscure, but if you are a fan of vintage SNL, you will get it. Snark.

I am constantly amazed at the workings of the toddler mind, and the light-speed at which they change gears from one idea to the next. My grandson Sam is over this morning. He found a cardboard wrapping paper roll in my bedroom, and within about 10 minutes, it magically became a baseball bat, sword, guitar, horn, and telescope. When in the telescope mode, he announced matter-of-factly, "I'm looking for my mom with my telescope." Well of course. Makes perfect sense in toddler-land.

He has been making baseball bats out of things since he was about 18 months old. He also makes drum sticks (not the chicken, the musical instrument) out of silverware, straws, chopsticks, and anything else even remotely in the same shape. This sounds very cute until he hits the TV screen with the makeshift bat, or is loudly playing the drums on the table at the nice restaurant and the patrons are giving you that "look" . . . you know the look, the one that says "why must you bring your ill-mannered cave-child into public places? You need to be on Supernanny." Hmmmpf. People have forgotten what it's like to be a kid, if you ask me.

We spend so much money on high-tech toys and toys that feature favorite cartoon or movie characters, trying to entertain our children. But then we find it's the box they want to play with, or the popcorn packing, or the bubble wrap. Maybe we should start shopping at the local Mailbox Etc. store.

Kids can make a toy out of almost any object around the house if left to their own imaginations. Every little boy knows how to make a gun or a sword out of many household objects, including breadsticks, silverware, napkins, straws, hairbrushes, flip flops, toothbrushes . . . I don't care how much you say you don't want to allow your little boy to play with toy weapons, if you don't give him some, he'll find his own.

My 15-year-old son still has a large metal can full of swords, guns, etc., lovingly saved from childhood. He guards them carefully, and does not like Sam to play with them, lest they get broken (Sam is our little Tazmanian Devil - Andy was very careful with his toys). The can also includes several sticks carefully collected from the yard. I can't tell you how many sticks I threw out over the years, but a few were just too perfectly shaped to destroy.

He is not a violent or aggressive boy, but he did have an extremely active imagination as a child, and had quite a penchant for any movie that involved fight scenes, with swordplay being the battle of choice. He discovered "The Princess Bride" at about age 3 or so, and for many months we watched it at least twice a week. The watching also involved putting one of my scarves on his head, though he was quite upset that I was not willing to cut eyeholes in it for a more authentic look. He also donned my black scrunchy boots (remember those?), and had a sword tucked in yet another scarf tied around his waist. In fact, most of his favorite movies involved getting into the appropriate costume so that he could become one of the characters and act out the movie as he watched it. We had interactive video long before it was on the market . . .

He later moved on to other movies, but we always knew that if a movie came out that was set anywhere in the past, we'd be there. Three Musketeers, Man in the Iron Mask, Count of Monte Cristo, Highlander, Conan the Barbarian, Excalibur, First Knight, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, and many others which I'm sure I'm forgetting, including Braveheart later on when he was older (he understood once he finally saw it why we would not let him see it as a little boy). Nowadays, we have Troy, King Arthur, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and many others.

I miss those days of childhood "pretend." We watched and grinned and tried not to embarrass him. He still hates it when I tell a story about his movie dress up days, though I keep telling him that someday when he has his own kids, he will enjoy sharing it with them. But now we have a new generation of pretender, and I plan to watch and grin and giggle, and try not to embarrass, all over again.