I have been reminded that I am behind in my movie reviews, so I will, once again play catch up!

No movie last week because of the party, but we did go see Joyful Noise two weeks ago.  My excuse for not writing a review earlier is that I found this one really disappointing.  I think that all the money must have been spent on getting Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton to bring their names to the film.  The acting was amateur, and the set designs were lacking. I have to admit that it stretched my mind to consider some of the songs as religious material, but I did find myself examining the words closely to see if they could possibly fit into that context.  Most of the time, if I thought about it, yes.  Some of the time it was a stretch.  If  you want to see this one, wait until it comes to Red Box, or better yet, watch it for free on tv sometime.  It's worth the wait!  I give it  -

Yesterday, Hubby and I treated ourselves to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.  This is a 9-11 movie that isn't really about 9-11.  It's about the survival of a family who is impacted by the loss of a husband/father on "the worst day." We had been told ahead of time that it was a good movie, but also an emotional one....i.e. take lots of kleenex!  The advise was not without merit!  It was a great movie, but I cried a lot, and had I not thought it extremely embarrassing, I probably would have cried a lot more.  It's sad, but there are so many other emotions going on, on so many levels.  Many of which I am familiar with.  It's about loss....and discovery.  About fear...and overcoming.  About failure...and self worth.  About frustration...and tenacity.....compassion, commonality, love, and forgiveness (especially one's self).  I googled Thomas Horn on my way to church this morning, and Hubby and I were both amazed to find that this is his first acting experience other than a school play a few years ago. Thomas is the leading man (young man) in the film.  I have a feeling we will be seeing him again.  I give this one

  On a personal note, I have to say to those of you who are reading this who were at one time lost to me, you have completed me in ways I never dreamed.  Letting go of my own fears, following my heart, and stepping into your lives (and looking into your eyes) has been the hardest thing I have ever done.  The path to you was not without pain, frustration, trepidation, and total and complete fear!  I want you to know that each of you is worth the price.  Some of the puzzle pieces have been lost forever with the years, but your love and acceptance has filled a void my heart and soul.  I love you all.

And speaking of love.......My newest grandson, Andrew, and I met last night for the first time.  I was able to put my hand on Mommy's tummy and feel him stretch out a little.  I like to think he was just reaching out to hold my hand for just a moment!   And that my friends is......

PRICELESS!

Gratitude for -
- Cleaning out the clutter!
- Friends that we can lean on in the bad times as well as the good.
- An unborn baby "hello"

We Bought a Zoo

When we left the city and moved into a home on the edge of a small town, I never expected to get nostalgic about the farm.  Here I am though, looking out my window with an expectant smile on my face.  In the winter, the guy who owns the field beyond the creek lets his cattle graze on what remains after the summer planting.  Right now it's really green - with grass and weeds. The cattle love it, and I have to confess that I love the cattle.  Each afternoon I can see the herd migrate through the field towards what I suspect is home and dinner.  Mostly dinner!  These are mamas and their calves, so I delight in watching the calves grow into the sauntering adult cows.  Some mamas are more attentive than others. Some calves more playful than others.

When I was a little girl, my father raised cattle.  I even had one once that my father used to let me ride when I'd tag along with him to feed them.  I have fond memories of cattle.  In my kitchen hangs this photo of my father and his herd.

This picture was taken by a reporter for the Register Mail when Dad won the Outstanding Young Farmer award.  I don't remember what year that was, but the plaque still graces his living room.


While we didn't exactly buy a zoo, there are cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and lots of other domestic animals that we see pretty regularly around here.  I can't imagine owning a zoo, but I do understand on some level the joy that animals can bring into our lives.  There are times when animals are frustrating, heart tugging, funny, too expensive for the budget, and comforting beyond words.

This is what the movie "We Bought a Zoo" is all about.  It's about human relationship to animals.  It's also about how relationships among the human species evolve, and how these relationships can also be frustrating, heart tugging, funny, too expensive, and comforting beyond words.  If you want to spend some time laughing, crying, and coming away with a "feel good" attitude go see it.  It's worth the money!  It's also a true story.  If you're interested in finding out about the real life zoo, you can find it  at http://www.dartmoorzoo.org/

 Gratitude for:
- Baby animals with their Mamas
- Good lab results
- New lungs and a chance of new life for a friend!

4 Times 2

Hubby has been home for two weeks now, and we've reached the "I'm confused....What day is it?" stage.  We've enjoyed our time with family and friends, and we've enjoyed this week with just the two of us.  We've been busy.  With the unseasonably warm weather, I've been trying to get the Christmas decorations snuggled in their boxes until next year.  I'm seriously trying to simplify the stuff around here, but somehow the attic seems just as full.  A shelf now supports a stack of empty boxes however, and I am hopeful that I can continue the downward (sizing wise) trend in the spaces we actually occupy.  It feels good to lighten up a bit although at times it has been traumatic.  There is still a huge box in the garage of stuff to vacate our premises, but I'm promising myself and my husband that I will not revisit it!

In the meantime, we've actually seen two good movies.  A girl needs a break now and then!

The first one was the Sherlock Holmes mystery, Game of Shadows.  It seems that people either love or hate this movie.  I thought it was quite fun, and actually, just as good as the first.  Although predictable, it was very entertaining, and isn't that was movies are for anyway?  I really like Robert Downey, Jr. even if he can't keep his personal life together.   Jude Law isn't so bad either! I give it:

Actually, had I seen the new Mission Impossible movie Ghost Protocol first, I probably would have given Sherlock Holmes ...hmmm.... 3+.  Not that I didn't really like Sherlock, but if I had to choose between the two, I would definitely tell anyone who asked to definitely see Ghost Protocol.  We saw it on the IMAX screen, so that might have made a difference, but I don't think so.  Although it was at times pretty unbelievable  (hey, it IS Mission Impossible!), it was certainly unpredictable and a great ride. It manages to be suspenseful without being gory.  There are some really funny moments in there too.  What more could I ask for?  Oh....and there is Tom Cruise......!  Giving it:

Blessings for:
- A few warm days for cleaning up the attic
- Time spent with Hubby
- Hubby goes back to work next week! LOL

Movie Ketchup

What did the Big tomato say to the little tomato?  Answer:  With the stomp of a foot - "Ketchup!"

Okay, moving on from the bad kid jokes ......  Hubby and I have actually seen three movies that I have not done a Reese's Pieces report on, so I thought I might do a little movie catch up.  (I'm supposed to be cleaning the house, but I need a break so I thought that if I wrote on my blog I might be able to construe a break as doing something productive.  That's the real reason behind movie catch up.  Besides, maybe I have a future career as a movie critic....ok, maybe not. **sigh**)

In Time - I suppose that this movie falls into the Sci Fi genre, and I'm usually not much into Sci Fi.  As it began, Hubby and I were both getting the feeling that this one was going to be weird.  I admit that it's different, but as the movie progressed, it got pretty interesting.  It definitely got me to thinking about life, about time, and about what we do and do not have control over.  If you get the chance, rent it.  Stick with it.  I can't really say too much, because it's hard to talk about without giving way too much away.  Let me know what you think if you do!

Hugo - I'm not quite sure who this movie is aimed at.  The ads make you believe it is the next Christmas movie classic.  Personally - I don't think so.  The story is for older children, but although it's basically a good story, it runs kind of slow.  For those of you who think it's done in the same format as Polar Express - it's not.  It's live actors (as opposed to dead ones?)  I really think you can skip this one and not feel like you're left out.  For the holiday movie category, it falls short.  Well...I think it falls short in a lot of categories.

 

New Year's Eve - This one is by far the best of the three!  It is your typical star-studded, multi-storied, holiday movie.  I'm not a great Hilary Swank fan, but she gives a great speech in the movie.  Yes, it's predictable, but it's also fun and full of good cheer.  (WARNING:  There is a dying parent in this movie.  I wasn't expecting that, and so I cried a wee more than the director/writers probably intended their movie audience to!  I'm just saying.....)  I couldn't quite decide what to rate this movie, but in the spirit of the holidays I'm just going to go for it.

So there you have it:  Movie Ketchup!

Gratitude for:
- A clean house!
- Doctors who actually talk to each other
- Christmas movies that take me away and make me feel good.

Yuck!

I can't believe that it has been so long since I've posted.  Truth is that I've been a little under the weather.  I called a doctor last week to make an appointment, and although I couldn't see him for several weeks, he started a firestorm of tests.  Yucky tests.  My veins don't like IVs, and so I couldn't even complete them because the IV line spurted all over the place!  That was a new one - even for me.  Total rebellion. I got a "D-" in testing.  I'm giving myself a little break since I was actually able to complete part of them. Now I have to go get an ultrasound instead.  No IVs required!  Yeah!!!   Anyway, so far they have not discovered anything dire (that's the good news).  The bad news is that I've felt worse since the testing began than I did before!  My body is just not co-operating, so I've been sick and tired of being sick and tired.  No writing going on.  So enough of all that.....onward and upward!

Hubby and I went to see "Tower Heist" this weekend.  Finally!!  A movie that wasn't a total waste of good popcorn. (Unless you happen to be one of those rare people, like my son, who doesn't like popcorn. There is never a waste of it - especially when it's sprinkled with Reese's Pieces!)  The movie was predictable, but it was entertaining too.  We both needed something we could laugh at, and "Tower Heist" was the ticket - pun intended.  It isn't what you might call a "gotta see it" movie, but it was fun.  Isn't that what going to the movies is about anyway?   I give it:

Two weeks ago I told Hubby that he couldn't throw the punkin heads and other pumpkins in the garbage on the appointed collection day.  Last week I just couldn't muster up enough gumption to gather them into the trash.  This week - ewwwwwwww!!  Totally gross.  It's my own fault, but I seriously need to get outside today and take care of the mush.  The bad part about painting on them versus carving them?? There is all that slimy, seedy innard gook that is now also moldy and decayed.  Thank goodness I have some rubber gloves.  I'm trying to decide how many layers of latex and rubber that will be required to complete the job.  Hmmm.....there's a shovel around here too.  Anyone want to come over and help?

Gratitude for:
- Laughter - the best medicine!
- Amazing medical technology
- Rubber gloves and garbage bags that are liquid tight.

You Never Know

You never know..... who is going to be house guest at our humble abode.  At this moment we have two fairly long term guests.  I have temporarily dubbed them Kiwi and Limone.  They are two water frogs.  The guys (I'm hoping there will be no surprise babies happening!) are actually a birthday gift for the super-cute daughter of a friend.  Her birthday party isn't for a couple of weeks, so we have custody of Kiwi and Limone.  I just hope they don't expire before then.  They only need to be feed twice a week, and their cubicle is totally encased except for a little hole where the food gets poked in.  They seem to be enjoying their vacation on the mantle so I'm hopeful that they will make it to the appointed day.  I haven't seen the cat giving them a wicked "let me see if I can figure out how to have a mid-afternoon snack" look either.  As far a I can tell, Izzy hasn't noticed that they are even here.  Now.....if I can just remember they are here.... and feed them occasionally!!

You never know.....what is going to come out of my sewing room.  I thought I'd share my newest project before it goes out the door.  It is a birthday gift.  I hope she likes it.  If she doesn't, she might get frogs!

You never know........ what you are going to get from Johnny Depp.  In his defense, we didn't do any research before going to see the movie, "The Rum Diary."  Depp has done some really, shall I say, "interesting" movies throughout his career.  When you plan on seeing one of his movies you need to be prepared that it may be a really good movie, or a really bad movie.  "The Rum Diary" falls into the bad category.  The movie did provide the opportunity to use the google app on my smart phone, because we looked at each other and said, "Who is that guy?"  I imagine a lot of people are doing the same thing.  Turns out "that guy" is some high, alcoholic journalist that probably has some weird cult following but I'm not sure his life deserves the money spent on making the movie and certainly not the money we paid for it.  The Reese's rating is :


Nope.  I didn't forget.  I just can't even give it a one!

You never know.....what is going to happen while shopping with friends.  We had a great day yesterday shopping, lunching, and of course, yakkkkinnnng!  It was a much needed day together for all of us.  Today, it's back to laundry.

Gratitude for:
- getting some projects finished
- great, unexpected finds while shopping
- precious time with good friends!

Catching Up

Wow!  It seems like ages since I've posted, but looking at the date, I guess not.  We have had over-night guests family three weekends in a row.  We've loved it!! (Come on down - or up as the case may be.  Everyone's family at our house!)

First and foremost - for those of you who are not Facebook members - I should announce that we are expecting our 4th grandchild in May.  It will be the first born of our younger son and his wife.  We have known for a few weeks, but I was waiting for it to go "public" before letting everyone in on the celebration.  Since we saw it posted in Facebook, I'm guessing it has gone viral by now.  We are already starting to make preparations for the arrival.  It's going to be a long time until May and we welcome Baby A! (Patience is not something I'm particularly good at.)

 A week ago we went to see "Money Ball",  then this past Saturday we saw "The Ides of March".  Brad Pitt and George Clooney - how great is that?!  On a personal level, I'd much rather watch George Clooney.  (It's probably an age bracket thing.)  The sad part is that Money Ball was so much better than The Ides of March.  I'm not a sports person, and most of the political arena doesn't really interest me either. These were Hubby picks.  After The Ides of March was over, I looked at Hubby and said, "Did I miss something?"  Hubby - being a sports nut AND a political animal - looked at me and said he really didn't "get" it either.  If the movie had been a tad longer, I might have managed a pretty decent nap.  Sooooo....the Reese's Pieces ratings are:

Money Ball - Probably is more a three,  but  hey, it's the underdog  I'm rooting for.

The Ides of March - I just couldn't give Clooney  only one. 

Last Saturday wasn't a total wash though.  After the movie, we went shopping at Best Buy.  That's always the danger zone for us, but we wanted to see the Galaxy Tab and the iPad2 together and compare them.  What we weren't prepared for was that there is also an ASUS tab that was pretty interesting too.  After a quick supper and much discussion, we treated ourselves to iPad2s.  Yep...two of them.  We don't share well. 

Gratitude for:

- New life to look forward to!

- Precious time together with family and good friends.

- New toys!

I Don't Know How She Does It

I saw that this movie didn't fare too well on it's first week at the box office. Hubby and I actually DID go to see it, and I see three possible reasons why....and NONE of them have anything to do with Sarah Jessica Parker.

1. The Name.  Seriously.  I saw the movie but I still am not sure I have the name correct.  I'm going with it as it is.  If I'm wrong, forgive me.  It's just too many words.  Whoever has the final say on what the title of a movie is really blew it this time.  I doubt that this is what people are judging the movie on, but personally, I just don't like it.  Why didn't they just name it "She tries to do everything, but it doesn't work the way it's supposed to and some serious decisions need to be made by the parental units and..."  Well, you get the point.

2. The target audience is too narrow.  Yes, it's a chick flick.  Yes, there were exactly three guys in the theatre.  It's not your typical gal pal movie fare though.  For this one you really need to have at least one child.  Hubby just didn't get so many of the lines that made the movie funny.  It's a guy thing.  I'm laughing, and although I didn't turn around and look, I didn't hear any male laughter coming from a rather close proximity.

3. Some really good decisions are made.  Yep.  That's all I'm going to say.  Go to the movie if you want to know. No kleenex required!

Bottom line is that I enjoyed the movie.  It's not something that you just have to place on your movie list, but if you happen to be a gal with a kid or two you might really like it.  Grab a girlfriend, buy some popcorn to share, and hey, if you don't like the movie you've had a great time with a friend!

Reese's Rating:

Gratitude for:
- My hubby doesn't mind taking me to chick flicks.  He even likes some of them.
- Friday night dates.  We rarely have them, so this one was special.
- Feeling like Fall!

Contagion

Yesterday started off like this:

 We have been wanting to get back to the creek bed behind our house and clear out the dead branches and trash that have collected in the bottom for several years.  Right now it is dry as a bone, and the temperatures have dropped enough that we can work.  (Yes, I did more than take pictures of Hubby working!)  The creek frequently floods, so we are hoping that cleaning up the debris will allow the water to flow more freely.  We are, at this point, still optimistic about future possibilities for rain!  The limbs have been in there so long that between their brittleness and the insects that have been feeding on them, they are incredibly light.  We discovered that it didn't take very long at all to make a significant dent in the project. We still need to trim up some of the trees and do a little more trash gathering, but rain would be most welcome.  There are cracks in the earth back there that a Mini Cooper could get lost in.

After our morning work session, we went to see the new movie "Contagion."  It was okay, but I think I could easily recommend catching it on video or a movie channel.  It was so gripping that Hubby nodded off twice in the middle of the movie.  Dinner afterwards and the piece of chocolate cake we took home to share was much more exciting.

Reese's Pieces Rating:                     Hmmmmm.....maybe add 1/2

This afternoon we got word that our niece has been evacuated from her home in San Antonio because of the fires. There are areas of fire across most of the state. Please continue to pray for those who have lost their homes and for the safety of the fire fighters.......and rain!

Gratitude for:
- Time spent with Hubby!
- Love of family!
- Neighbors who sit and watch our house because the garage door didn't get closed when I left to run some errands.  Gotta love 'em!!

The Debt- Deep Thoughts on Life

Hubby and I went to see the movie "The Debt" this morning.  When it was over I looked at him and said, "I don't think I understand."  What I was really hoping for was some brilliant, thoughtful explanation.  That's not what I got.  What I got was pretty much just a "mmmm......"  In a nutshell, the movie is about a small team of people who are seeking justice against a man for Nazi war crimes. The movie lays out the plot very well.  It's not one of those movies you walk away from, and just completely don't get.  Not at all.  I just think we were supposed to take more away from it.  I'm just not sure what that is.  I've been thinking about it though, so I guess that is some victory.  The simple fact that it got me thinking (and maybe others too) could be the goal.  Here's what I think the movie was speaking about.  It's about scars.  We all have scars.  Some of them are visible, and some of them are not.  They are scars nonetheless.  We deal with them in our own ways.  Some are deeper than others.  We can go through life and pretend they aren't there, we can be bitter and let them fester until we can't bear it anymore, or we can be truthful with ourselves and deal with them.  We can choose death or we can choose life.

I love the fall.  I think I love it so much because it just feels like nature is settling in.  Things get cozier.  The smells of the season lure me into a nesting of sorts. Fall is also sort of strange to me, because my birthday is soon.  Before I had the chance to know her, I lost the mother of my birth.  She died a few years ago, only a couple of years before my sister and I found her.  Just this year, I lost the mother of my heart.  My mother who loved me as her own, and nurtured me into the woman I am today.  I have scars. I have scars on my body of my own doing from some psychological trauma endured before I could ever understand.  I have scars also on my heart - New scars of the battle fought with my mother's alzheimers, and old scars of the years missing from my life which will never be recovered.  I acknowledge my scars. They have made me stronger.  They have made me more empathetic.  They remind me that I have been living in the palm of God's hand since the moment I took my first breath.  I am choosing life!

Then again...... maybe it's not about scars at all!?

Reese's Pieces rating:

Blessings of:

- cooler weather so we can have the windows open!

- My Mother's love

- My scars.  It is through our battles that we learn to truly live.

Friendship

I learned something new today.  See that pretty little button to Esther Ailu's blog? One of my international friends - I love the fact that I have international friends, by the way - taught me how to get that pretty little button on my blog.  I'm soooo proud of myself!  Thanks Anne!!

This afternoon another friend (not an international one, of course) and I went to see the movie "The Help."  It was very good.  We laughed a lot.  We cried a little.  It was definitely a "chick flick!"  By chick, I'm referring to anyone over the age of 50 and female. (And interestingly enough, at least to me, only three African-American women.) Ok...there were two guys there. The theatre was otherwise pretty packed with "chicks"!  I had read the book, but my friend had not.  We both enjoyed the movie and the popcorn we shared.  There is a beautiful song at the end of the movie called "The Living Proof" by Mary Blige.  It was also interesting that at the end of the movie while this song played, no-one rose to leave the theatre.  The following is a quote from Mary Blige.  "The film really celebrates the courage to inspire change, To speak to so many women with this song means a lot to me. I wanted to be involved with this film, because I think we need to encourage each other more, we are here to tell a story.”

We all have a story to tell.  Sometimes the stories are not pretty.  We need to speak courageously and effect change where-ever there is in-justice.  Inspire.  Encourage. Extend your hand.  Lift Up!

My Reese's Pieces Rating for this movie is:

Gratitude for:
- International Friends and pretty little buttons to places that I love!
- Friends to share popcorn with and to laugh and to cry with
- Change.  All journeys begin with just one step!

Restoration

It took some head scratching, and a lot of looking out the window, but I think we've finally got this water thing mastered.  Hurrah!!  (OK.....Hubby mastered it, but I supported him all the way!)  Last week, Hubby upped the watering schedule because it looked like - well, more than looked liked - everything was dying again.  Never mind that it is too HOT for anything to grow, we really didn't look forward to replacing everything on the property.  When the weeds won't even grow you just know you're in Trouble!  Even after the water increase, our yard and plants were getting browner - some to brownEST!  Hubby is the sprinkler guy in our house.....sometimes it takes a little math (which is what it was in this case, and you all know that is not my strength!)  It's a long explanation, but he got it back on track and already things are showing signs of life.  I took a quick survey - yes, I actually went outside and poked around a bit - and can see green life under the dead stuff.  I sooooo want to clean out the dead stuff, but I think I'll wait a bit.  It's so hot I figure that the dead stuff might provide a little growing time protection for the tender new parts.

We went to see Zoo Keeper on Saturday.  It wasn't a great movie - extremely predictable - kinda cheesy in parts.  Afterwards we got to talking though, and I realized that we didn't hear one cuss word, there was no nudity, and really no secret adult humor or crude references.  It was actually "cleaner" than a lot of the Disney movies I've seen.  While I might not tell you that you should rush to the theater, it made for a great family movie.  You wouldn't even have to think of a distraction for your kids, or try to explain some embarrassing moment that you're not quite ready to discuss!  I'm giving it the following rating because it was cute, and I want to encourage the movie industry to make more family movies.  Like they follow my blog!  Oh well, gotta start somewhere.

The even better part of the movie was that when we arrived home, we discovered that the electricity was out. With 105 degree days, this is not a good thing!  We called a neighbor to see if she could give us the scoop.  It had been out for about two hours (perfect movie timing) and was supposed to be out for another two.  Fortunately while we were trying to decide where we might go to enjoy actual air-conditioning, it came back on.  What did those pioneers do?? All that clothing.....all that work......no air-conditioning????

Extreme Gratitude for-
- Electricity
-Airconditioning
-Sprinkler systems, and the Great Guy who knows how to program it!!
-Life-giving water, and a God who restores life to the dead!