Avoiding the heart

I've had a movie sitting next to the tv for over a week. I think it's called movie denial. Or maybe the fear of feeling to much. Getting too emotional. Or maybe too reflective about our lives. But something told me that the movie was going to effect me in ways I wasn't in the mood to deal with.

Damn I hate it when I'm right.

Five minutes into the movie the tears started and they haven't finished even though the movie is out of the player and back in the red envelope for the mail.

And that is the amazing power of movies, books, music. When they make us feel something. When they open up wounds, or dig into our hearts and find our hidden desires. Or when they make us face our greatest fears.

We can get so wrapped up in our daily lives that we forget to take time out to explore what makes us human. Let our emotions out. Set free our dreams, fantasy's and wishes.

So here are some of the movies I watch for mood. Be it to make me happy, to make me dream, to make me laugh, or to make me cry.

While You Were Sleeping

Love Actually

Notting Hill

Bridget Jones

Pirates of the Caribbean

Men In Black

Lara Croft

Resident Evil

13th Warrior

The Ref

Someone Like You

Practical Magic

2 Weeks Notice

Italian Job

Eastern Promises

Dead Like Me

and now, my newest:

PS I Love You (This is the movie talked about above)

So what are your mood movies?

Happy Christmas Eve Eve

So, first, I'm a dork. Apparently the Winter Solstice moves around. I did not know that. I always thought it was the 21st. But this year it was the 22nd. No biggie. I mean, I spent yesterday equally worshipping the winter gods. Pajamas, movies, finishing a book, starting and getting through a chunk of another one. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and a big glass of milk. You know, a perfect day.

We watched Hot Fuzz. Brought to you by the same folks that did Shaun of the Dead. It was fabulously funny and British. We loved it. The hubster and I never got around to going to the theater. All the reviews I saw for it basically said that if you loved Shaun you would love Fuzz. So, I bought it for him for Christmas. It was under the tree, but he couldn't wait.

For us, it's a DVD sort of Christmas. We got: Hot Fuzz, Domino, 300, Simpsons season 3 and 5, Stargate Seasons 1-10, Futurama 1-4, and a few more that I can't remember. Our entire tree has nothing but DVD's under it. It's almost sad. And my brother will be sending us a DVD. We decided last night that we need another rack for our movies. And the only reason the hubster and I went for that many DVD's was because a website was having buy one get one free. So basically we got everything for half price.

Today we got a snow storm. I only knew about the one we were supposed to get Saturday. But Nettie and I had made a date to get together today. For a completely selfish girls day. And it was fun. Totally worth taking our life in our own hands:

And DSW is practically giving shoes away. So many things are 80% off it's insane. And while we were leaving they told us that they were starting their after Christmas sale early. So even more was getting marked down. It was unbelievable. So of course we went back after we finished the rest of our shopping just to check.

If you need shoes girls, go hit up DSW. I'm telling you, the shoes are dirt cheap. And when we went back a lot of the boots were being marked down 30-50%. And lots of flats and pumps are 70 and 80% off.

So, the drive home was interesting. The roads weren't that bad. It's the 40 mile an hour winds and the drifting snow that makes the driving interesting. And the places that the snow is actually collecting is very slippery. So it was a slow and careful drive home but totally worth it.

Oh, and Nettie gave me a wonderful, present. On a trip her and Lil Al took some fantastic pictures.. I fell in love with some pictures Lil Al took of a deserted old farm house. They were developed in black and white. I think by accident but they were amazing. So they printed them and put them in a frame for me. Signed by Lil Al and everything. I LOVE it! And I know they will look fantastic hanging up in the house.

I look outside and the snow is blowing like crazy. It's going to be one hell of a shoveling job when the snow stops. Sheesh. They said 2-4 inches but judging from what I already shoveled I think we far exceeded that.

It's definitely going to be a white Christmas.

Love and Hugs

Friday Quickie

I watched one and a half movies last night. The first was a recommendation. It was called "Say Uncle." It's a quirky little movie. I liked it, but I started to get really angry with one of the characters and almost turned it off. But since someone said I should see it I stuck it out. And I'm glad I did. I like the message in the movie. This story showed how hard it can be to make a decision, the type of decision that could destroy a person. But not making that decision could destroy a different person. So it's sort of that rock and a hard place concept.

Certain concerns in society today have forced the belief that you convict now and sort out the guilty later. Unfortunately a whole lot of innocent people get caught up in the paranoia.

I resent this loss of innocence. And I find myself worrying about things that I shouldn't have to worry about. For example I had to visit the doctor about my shoulder. I walked into a door frame. But of course my concern was that it would get flagged as possible spousal abuse. And that's just not right.

On the devils advocate side you can say, "well, yes, but sometimes it is abuse"

Yes, this is true

But how do we draw that fine fine line?

There aren't as many monsters in this world as Oprah would make us believe. Not every dark corner has pedophiles, wife beaters, and psychotics hanging out in it just waiting to pounce. In fact deep down I believe that the majority of people are good, honest, and have the best intentions.

So, on that note I put in my favorite feel good movie, Love Actually. I needed to listen to something that made me feel good about love.

So I leave you with the opening lines from the film:

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world.
I think about the arrival gate at Heathrow airport.
General opinion's starting to make out that we live
in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that.

Seems to me that love is everywhere.
Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy,
but it's always there.
Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters,
husbands and wives,
boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.

When the planes hit the twin towers,
as far as I know, none of the phone calls
from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge.
They were all messages of love.

If you look for it I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually......is all around.

Jackism's take 2

Apparently I was not as far as I thought in the movie when I started writing down Jackisms cause I only have a few to add:

Capt Jack:
"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness."

Capt. Jack:
"Now we are being followed by rocks. Never had that before."

Sailor upon finding Capt. Jack in Davey Jones Locker:
"It's the captain!"
Sailor:
"A sight for sore eyes"
Parrot:
"Hide the rum"

Capt. Jack to Calypso:
"You add an agreeable sense of the macabre to any delirium."

*********************************

Ok, yes, pathetically that means that I watched the movie again last night. Well, I watched some of it. I also watched About a Boy and Someone Like You. Well, what I was really doing was making jewelry for Christmas presents. And I work best with a movie on. Thus when people ask me how long it takes to make a certain design I can only tell them all of Pirates 3 and about half of Love Actually. Or something like that. I'll take pictures of the stuff I just made. I'm really excited about how one of them came out. It is a new design and the colors I picked came out way cool. (need the camera to come home though)

The hubster sent me an email this morning telling me he is taking an earlier flight home. Yippee! He'll be home tomorrow night! Unfortunately he has to give up his "tourist" day in Berlin.

My parents got a second dog. Her name is River. She is also a mini wired haired dachshund. They are really excited. And apparently her and Othello are like two peas in a pod. Dad was nervous that Othello would be upset about not being an only puppy anymore but apparently the two dogs are inseparable. And now dad has two shadows rather than one. It's fun to listen to them - happier parents they couldn't be.

At our house all has been well. I've been trying to clean the place up a bit since Lil Al is coming to stay over the weekend. Unfortunately Lily drags the babies back out as fast as I put them in the basket. She's too funny. And when I went up to bed last night I discovered that Max had spent a good deal of the evening bringing his own collection of babies to our bedroom. Normally he just has one toy that he carries around. But last night he had a collection of 5.

Jackisms

So, my date with a pirate was totally fun. A perfect evening.

I started writing down some good lines 3/4 of the way through. But no worries, I'll watch the movie again and post about the rest another day.

Capt. Jack:
"Close your eyes and pretend it's all a bad dream, that's how I get by."

Capt. Jack:
"You may kill me but you can never insult me."

To Capt. Jack:
"Your Mad!"
Capt. Jack:
"Thank goodness for that because if I wasn't this would probably never work."

Capt. Jack after swinging between two ships and landing on the mast:
"And that was even without a single drop of rum"

Said about Capt. Jack:
"Do you think he plans it all out or just makes it up as he goes along?"

Capt. Jack regarding Will:
"Send this pestilent, traitorous, cow hearted yeasty cod piece to the brink"

***************************************************
We have a winter wonderland here in Minnesota. And, as the weather man pointed out, foolishly, I might add, it isn't even winter yet. Now that was just not nice. Not nice at all of him to point out that fact. Our temps have been between -5 and 15. In other words, COLD.
Ok, so we live here willingly. And, from a warm dining room looking out, it's beautiful. Ask me again tomorrow after I have to be out in it.

I was talking to someone the other day and they mentioned that their patience for winter seems to be ending really early this year. And funny, but I have to agree. I usually don't get annoyed till late January, early Feb. but this year, I just want it done with. I think part of the problem is that this summer was so ungodly hot and humid that we didn't get to be out as often as we normally would. And then, when the temps finally got more resonable we had rain for two straight months. And so it feels like we never got to be outside much.

Or maybe it's just that my winter warmth is in Germany right now. Hmmmm. Maybe that is it.

Review and other stuff

Well, getting 5 out of 5 sporks is a good sign for any movie. So, because I am currently on vacation, don't get to go to too many movies, and, well, it had Viggo in it, I went to see Eastern Promises.


Tink was totally right. This was a fantastic film. Dark, violent, with an interesting premise.


I liked it. A lot.


Ok, and I have to admit, half of my liking it had to do with Viggo's screen presence. He's, how do you say it, fuck'n yummy.


I'm sorry, there is just no better way to say it. And when Tink further mentioned he got naked, well, um, duh, I had to go.


And the naked sauna battle - totally worth it. TOTALLY.


Ok, so I'm sounding more like a lusting teenager than a grown adult woman reviewing a movie, but did I mention he's naked?

***

I'm reading a book that has been on my list for a while. Love and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman. She is married to Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon. Anyway, it's a pretty good story so far.

A few good lines:

"....he is my bashert, my intended. I knew it from the first moment I saw him. There is a Jewish legend, a Midrash, that before you are born an angel takes you on a tour of your life and shows you the person whom you are meant to marry. Then the angel strikes you on your philtrum, leaving that subtle channel in the skin between the nose and mouth, and makes you forget what you have seen. But not entirely. There remains a vestige, enough to evoke a jolt of recognition if you are lucky enough to stumble across your bashert during the course of your life."

and

"Why is it that loving something provides so little protection from betrayal?"

***

It has been raining here. A lot. We are 6.7 inches over average so far this year. I know many other areas in the country are in severe draught so I shouldn't complain. But at this point I am more than willing to send our rain your way. We are starting to mold.

***

Don't forget to play WWC hosted by the amazing and beautiful Tink! Words for Tuesday are:

Disguise and Reflection

Having A Harry Moment

***We interrupt this normally scheduled post of "nothingness" to bring you a very important announcement:
Nettie Rides a Hog - also known as Girl J or BFF J has now moved. She has changed who she is, what she is, how she is and now, she has changed where she is. Please stop by and see her brand new look!

I now return you to the usual Newtness:

The hubster and I went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix finally. For most of you the movie is old news but for us, a little slow on the take, well, I have to share my delayed excitement.

I was very excited and I really enjoyed the movie. The hubster did as well. No comments from the peanut gallery the whole movie meant he liked it. No groaning, sighing, under his breath complaining, not even a shake of the head. And that folks is VERY rare. Trust me.

First, let me say, as many of you did back when it was released, that the casting was exceptional as always. I believe that we caught a glimpse of Tonks in this film though they didn't really highlight her at all, and the girl they picked for Luna was amazing. She fit the image in my head perfectly.

I thought the story moved very quickly for being well over two hours but that has been the way with all the movies. They are a fast and wonderful ride.

What I didn't expect, and I won't do any spoilers here, but what I didn't expect was how I reacted to seeing these characters again after learning their fates in book 7. We've closed the book so to speak on the story but the movies are allowing us one final glimpse at all of the characters. And visually at least, introducing us to some of them for the first time. It's funny but I caught myself getting a little choked up knowing what was in store for them all. That's probably a little pathetic but hey, what can I say. I'm a marshmallow of emotion sometimes.

I can't wait till this comes out on DVD. One of these weekends this winter I think I will have to have a Potterthon. And I know I want to re-read the series. Back to back with no interruptions. My dad is reading them for the first time. It's funny to talk to him as he is discovering all the wonderful things about the books. He is on #2 and loving it.

I'm currently reading a series called "The Chronicles of Chrestomanci" by Diana Wynne Jones. It was a recommended series for anyone that liked Harry Potter. These books pre-date Potter by about 20 years so it is not one of the newer bandwagon series. I am on the second book and I like it. I wasn't sure if I would, there isn't the sense of depth in the characters like you have in the Potter series, but this morning I almost didn't get off the bus at my stop so that tells me I am really into these books. It's the same idea, children with magical gifts and the good and evil people that want to exploit them. But it's different enough that I find them fun and fresh.

Weekend pics, A movie Review, and a Clue

I tried to get a picture of Caleb Smiles

This one is sorta close to how cute his smile is
Mostly we just get the Awww shucks look from him

And I just liked how this one came out

Our three puppies that we got from the same puppymill rescue all have crimpy ears

Socs LOVES to give the puppies baths
And Lily just likes to look cute
She does it really well doesn't she?
Satan Kitty

This weekend we watched 16 Blocks. We had heard it was pretty good so I was excited when it arrived in the mail. And it was good. Everyone at the house - there were four of us - enjoyed this movie. And that doesn't happen very often. In fact I think Boy J and R want to add it to their DVD collection. It was funny, suspenseful, and endearing. All in all - a great two hours of entertainment.

The Blog Contest continues:
And now for Clue #2:

This artist has been making albums since the 80's and has released albums in each decade since.

Midwinter and still sane

Over the past week I have been doing the happy dance around 5 pm. Why? You might ask. Well, let me tell you - it's still light out. Grant you it's not full blown bright, but it's light. I can see where I am going. Even at 5:30 now it's still relatively light. And that my friends means one thing - Spring is coming.

For those of you who don't have 8 months of winter it's probably no big deal. But up Nort' here. It's huge! And I start to get giddy. I start to fantasize about sandals, bare toes, and fun bright clothing. Of green grass and warm breezes. Of sitting out on my porch and watching my puppies play in the yard. And my kitty sleeping under the lilac bush. Oh yes dear friends, visions of warmth dance in my head.

If there is one thing you can say about Minnesotans it's that we REALLY appreciate our weather. We grumble at the severe cold. We cheer at the snow fall. And we simply basque in warm weather. As soon as it hits about 60 here it's all about being out doors. Hell, in the spring as soon as it hits 40 we are golfing and storing the parkas for the rest of the year.

You should see how goofy happy people get when the tulips and crocus make their first appearance. It's the talk of the state. Everyone has to tell everyone else that their daffodils are up. It's almost funny. Almost. But more, it's celebratory. And it brings us all together. It's probably the real reason there is such a thing as Minnesota nice. Those who suffer together play together. And just get along.

I went to a new cinema at the Rosedale mall today. I was with Other Girl J and it was my first trip there. We were having breakfast first in Panera.

Newt: So, is it easiest to just walk through the mall to get to the theater?
Other Girl J: There is no mall entrance.
Newt: What? Why the hell not, it's in the mall?
Other Girl J: It was designed by some moron from California.
Newt: Ok, so.................
Other Girl J: The only entrance is outside. And, get this, the ticket windows are also outside.
Newt: Get the hell out
Other Girl J: No, seriously, it was on the news the other night. They have to remodel the whole thing.
Newt: What DUMBASS would sign off on a design like that?
Other Girl J: Probably someone who made the assumption that NO ONE would actually come up with such an asinine design for Minnesota.
Newt: Seriously? It's outside?
Other Girl J: Yep.
Newt: Wow, what a dumb ass.

So off we go to the theater. We ran up the stairs at the back of the cinema and it lead us around to yes, the outside ticket booths. Though probably because of the publicity they are getting now has a tent like structure in front of the box office windows. And, because we have to continue with the stupid, it's a tent that only has two walls. And giant space heaters in the ceiling. But the back side is WIDE open. Good waste of energy people.

So after shivering like a mo-fo we got our tickets and ran inside. Ahhh, warmth. But that's not the end of this. No, we walked up to the super slick new concession stands with electronic price boards. But in an effort to be sooooo cool and flashy they blink on and off to change look/commercial, whatever. So as you are trying to figure out what the hell to order - how much leg,arm, first born, they will charge you for popcorn. It's like a strobe effect that blinks on and off. Basically if you don't catch the price/size/options in half a second or less you have to wait for it to blink and change. Then, if you are lucky what you were trying to read is still in the same place. It might have moved. No kidding. Someone will have a seizure one of these days. Just watch...............

Anyway, we went to see Pan's Labyrinth. Very interesting and very good movie. Only I have to warn you it has some seriously uncomfortable graphic violence. Which normally I'm okay with. But when the majority of the gore is caused by a sadistic evil man it becomes more uncomfortable and hard to watch. I must admit I looked away and closed my ears more than a few times. Overall I loved this movie. It was beautifully done. And I cared very much for the characters. It has subtitles. It's a Spanish film, and it's beautiful. What I have always loved about films with subtitles is that after the first 10 minutes or so you forget you are reading the words and feel more like you are hearing them. That has always sort of surprised me at the end of foreign films because as I walk out I remember the things the characters said. In English. I love that aspect of those films. It's always thrown me a little after the movie. I think that is why I prefer subtitles to dubbing. I can get into the film so easily. The reading becomes subconscious after a point. But when a film is dubbed I spend the whole film going nuts over the fact that voices don't match the characters look and even worse the lips don't match the words. Oh, not to mention that the actual dubbing of conversation sounds like dubbing rather than coming from the scene naturally.

I made a dessert for my co-workers Friday. I'm not sure if I mentioned it. But we had it at a party and it was really good. It's simply Granny Smith apples cut up into bite size pieces - about 1/2-1 apple per person. Cut up snickers bars. I also cut up 1 snack size bar per person. And a tub of cool whip. Mix them all together adding cool whip just until nicely coated and serve. That's it. It is so good. I got the tub of cool whip that is just slightly bigger than the small tub. I figured that way if people wanted to plop some extra on top they could. But going on the idea that people don't want their apples completely drowned in cool whip I just added enough to coat it well.

Then today, still feeling a little Betty Crocker I made whole wheat sugar cookies. I cut them out in Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore shapes. Then iced half with an orange peel drizzle. They actually came out pretty good. And since they are whole wheat they are healthy right? Right??????

Wow, I babbled about way more than I thought I would.

Hugs to everyone

Discovering the past

In the past couple of years I have become a fan of the classic film. And I have fallen completely in love with Carey Grant, Audrey Hepburn, and so many others. This weekend we watched two of Grant's films: Night and Day which told the story of Cold Porter, and some of The Touch of Mink. Both were enjoyable. The costumes in Night and Day were spectacular. I found myself wishing to live in a time when people dressed for dinner and wore evening gowns and tuxedos to just about every event short of grocery shopping. Just think of all the shoes I would need :-)
Anyway, aside from The Simpsons, and 24 I have pretty much decided that TCM is the channel for me and it runs 24/7 in this house. Ok, so once in a while we tune in to Mythbusters. I'll admit that.

And while I am talking about tv shows I did catch two episodes this weekend of Gay, Straight, or Taken. I can only say it was interesting. It was sort of like watching a train wreck. And once I started I had to wait and see how it all turned out. I was thinking of Scott during the show. Those boys would be fine photography subjects. Let me tell you. The first show I watched the boys all took their shirts off. Um, well, yum. And they were all cute and physically fit as hell.

Ok, so aside from a guilty moment or two of trash tv I also started The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards. Page 119 and so far so wonderful. I am really enjoying this story.

And that's about it. It snowed here all day. The Bears won the playoffs! Unfortunately at blog time the Colts have one hell of an uphill battle on their hands. But my fingers are crossed. At least we don't have to spend the Super Bowl hearing about Cinderella stories and overcoming adversity. It's early in the third quarter so my fingers are crossed. Go Manning! And Tony - you coached one hell of a team!

Heartwarming Tuesday and other musings

First Pictures:

And now for the heartwarming and other musings:

When I need to get away from my desk and find my happy place I go across the street to Starbucks. Get an expensive cup of coffee and then sit and read my book for a while. For me this is the best therapy possible.

On my latest excursion I was happily reading my book and a family walked in. The parents were walking a little ahead of their toddler daughter. As she was wandering behind them she removed her coat and dropped it on the ground, and then her hat, and then the mittens followed. So when I leaned over and looked down the length of the store there was a trail of clothes left by our little toddler. I couldn’t see all the way to the end but I did hear: “What the? Ohhhhhhhh” which was then followed by a smiling dad picking up after the trail of toddler. My description doesn’t do justice to the sheer cuteness of the whole thing.

Then upon returning to work the evil whiff of freshly popping popcorn permeated the air. I say evil only because I then had to go over to the popcorn stand and get myself some. And I am SOOOO glad I did. For I got to be witness to another moment that warms the heart. A fellow employee (I don’t know him personally) was leaving the building with his wife and their two small children. As they were heading out into the skyway Santa walked up to them. He said hello to their little girl and bent down to get to her level. He then opened up his big red bag and pulled out a Barbie doll for her. The little girl was frozen in sheer delight and awe. But you could hear the quietest little “Thank You Santa”. I have to confess that at this moment I almost cried. Then Santa asked if the little boy would want a toy too (he was probably about 6 months) but the parents said no, that it was okay. So Santa wished them a Merry Christmas and went about his way. The little girl just stood in the hall staring after Santa with a look of complete wonder on her face.

I don’t know why Santa was there, he wasn’t there on behalf of our company so what he did was completely random and incredibly generous and heart warming.

Speaking of drinking coffee and reading to find my happy place, I am currently reading a book called I Mona Lisa. It’s a marvelous story that takes place during the Renaissance. Not only is it a great read so far but the story brings to life people I would absolutely love to meet. Leonardo daVinci, Michelangelo, Lorenzo de’ Medici. I think it is one of the reasons I love historical fiction so much. For a moment, in my mind, I can almost be with those people. I can almost see, taste, and smell the room they are standing in. And if I really stretch my imagination I can imagine reaching out to feel the fabric of the clothing they are wearing. Is that weird? Be honest.

The hubster emailed the latest trailer for the movie “300” and he commented that the movie “ruins” the story. Have I ever mentioned that the hubster is the worlds most annoying movie goer? He hates 99% of all movies ever made. And one of his biggest beefs is “It’s not realistic, it’s not even close to accurate, no one would do that” blah blah blah blah blah. So of course when he says a movie is ruined I take it with a grain of salt. And I watched the trailer. Now, for all the women out there you will do the same thing I did. You’ll watch this trailer and then say to yourself “There’s a story?” Cause that is certainly what I did. Of course as soon as the trailer ended I also thought to myself: “when I go see that in the theater I’m going to have to bring chocolate and a fan.”
I’m sorry, when you have a film that you know is going to contain 300 mostly naked Roman “gods” who the hell cares what the story is? I mean seriously! SERIOUSLY!

As of 9 pm tonight I will be in the air and on my way to San Diego. So Newt's Muse will be closed till Tuesday. I wish everyone a fabulous rest of the week and weekend.

"So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!"

Half Days

The hubster and I took a half day off yesterday and we are doing so again today. We made the most of yesterday and the still “warm” weather we are enjoying here in MN. We hit up Target and bought way too much crap. Then he went and got his hair cut and I picked up a good 20 lb’s of puppy poop. We followed this up with some couple type activities (sorry TMI). Then we headed off to Ikea. Not to shop but for dinner – I was craving meatballs. It was a fun and tasty dinner. We go every so often, it’s cheap and it’s good. Then we curled up with the zoo and we watched Aeon Flux. I actually enjoyed this movie. I like Charlize Theron. It’s actually a film I wouldn’t mind adding to my collection. This isn’t a deep movie, it’s not thought provoking or anything, but I found it entertaining. When I make my beaded jewelry I like to either listen to the Ipod or put on a movie that I don’t need to pay much attention to. I just want to have something relatively entertaining going on in the background. Thus why I will watch Pirates, or Italian Job, 13th Warrior, MIB, or a variety of chick flicks over and over again while I make jewelry. For me it’s a complete relaxation package.

Today after we cut out of work we are going over to Bills Imported foods. This little greek grocery store is another good reason to live in MN. I’m hoping they have some of their herb flat bread. Can you say YUMMY! And of course we have to pick up some desserts baklava and such. Cheese, olives, the usual.

I also found out from my sister-in-law that she is baking not one but TWO of her chocolate pecan pies. It’s an orgasmic experience. And one that we look forward to all year. She is also making her baked cauliflower dish that it out of this world. The hubster and I will be bringing assorted cheese and crackers. We will get Feta from Bills and then probably pick up some other cheeses at Byerlys.

Byerly’s is an interesting shopping experience. They are the epitome of yuppiedom. Carpeted grocery stores that charge an arm and a leg for everything. Pretty much the only reason we go there is for their deli items. Their pasta salads and other deli items really are second to none. And they have an extensive selection of fine cheese. So when push comes to shove we put on our big kid panties and we go inside. If we get out without killing some yuppie parent whose child the world is supposed to worship than it’s been a good shopping day. You know the type I’m talking about. They have an SUV or three, they barely make their mortgage payment on their overly huge and ostentatious McMansion, and they had children strictly for appearances. They define the expression “keeping up with the Jones’s.

Aside from Bill’s I’m not sure what other kinds of trouble we will get into today. It’s supposed to be upwards of 60 degrees so we should probably take the pups for a walk or something noble like that.

Which brings me to my last and final thought for today. Please remind me in February when I am getting pissy and cranky about the long long winter that November was simply gorgeous and we got very very lucky with our weather.

MEME's from Jay and other ramblings

10 days till the hubster returns!

Hockey game was loads of fun! There is one big problem with sitting on the club level though. Food is hella expensive. Damn. They have a buffet up there. I kid you not, $32.95 per person. Who has that kind of money????? When you spend $85.00 per ticket. And you go to several games. Seriously, who can blow this kind of cash?
I'm just curious. But on the good side, the Wild won their pre-season match agains Detroit. It was a pretty fun game to watch. And the goalies on both sides did a bang up job. Defending some 20+ shots on goal. It was an impressive night. We even got a fight.

I watched a movie yesterday that surprisingly I kinda liked. It was Phone Booth. I borrowed it from Girl J. It was out a few years ago and stars Colin Farrell as the poor guy who answers a ringing phone in a booth in New York. Keifer Sutherland is exceptional as the "voice" on the other end of the phone. The movie went by rather quickly, in fact it wrapped up and the credits rolled before I thought they would.

I also enjoyed last night's episode of Eureka on the Sci Fi channel. It's a fun series.

Alright, on to the MEME's

1. Who is the last person you held hands with? The hubster

2. If you were drafted into a war, would you survive? No, I get lost too easy. I’d head “North” and wind up in enemy camp.

3. Have you ever drank milk out of the carton? Yep

4.Have you ever won a spelling bee? Hell no.

5. How fast can you type? Pretty darn smok’n fast – just don’t ask me how accurately

6. Are you afraid of the dark? Yes, much of the time I am

7. What is your eye color? Greenish/Hazel

8. When is the last time you chose a bath over a shower? My first date with the hubster

9. Do you knock on wood? Always

10. Are you drinking anything right now? Coffee

11. Can you hoola hoop? Used to, now I just look like one

12. Are you good at keeping secrets? Yep

13. What do you want for Christmas? World Peace - or Season 1 of Farscape

14. Do you talk in your sleep? Apparently

15. Who wrote the book of love? My Aunt and Uncle

16. Have you ever flown a kite? Yes, but more often I’m told to go do so

17. Do you consider yourself successful? A lil’ bit

18. How many people are on your contact list of your cell? A bunch

19. Have you ever asked for a pony? No, apparently I am missing that girly gene

20. Plans for tomorrow? More of what I do today

21. Missing someone now? Yep, the hubster – very badly

22. How are you feeling today? Just peachy

24. Are you black? What kind of question is that?

26. What are you looking forward to? My next tattoo

27. Have you ever crawled through a window? yes

28. Can you handle the truth? sometimes

29. Do you like green eggs and ham? Never had it, but I like eggs, and I like ham so I guess I would like them sam I am

30. What three things do you always bring with you to places? A book, money, phone

31. Any cool scars? One on the back of my hand; a moon shaped one on my thumb; one next to my eye from cracking it open on the fire place in honor of my first birthday (nothing says “Happy 1st Birthday like two black eyes); my left foot, ankle, and calf all have burn/graft scars which I intend to beutify next month with a tattoo of a phoenix rising from the ashes – get it- burn scars- phoenix – how cool is that?;oh, and one on the small of my back from falling onto the roof of a metal dollhouse.

32. Do you like or have a crush on anyone? Johnny Depp

33. How many kids do you plan on having? As many as I can – all of them four legged and furry

34. What do you do when no one is watching? Uh, I’m not sure

35. Have you ever been in love? Yes, very much so

36. Do you talk to yourself? Yep, I find myself quite interesting actually

37. Is there something you want that you do not have? A digital camera

38. Who are you thinking about right now? The hubster, and Scott for some reason

39. Who did you last hug? The hubster – hugged him good-bye – sigh….

40. Where is your phone? Both cell and home are on the coffee table in front of me

41. What is the last movie you watched? Phone Booth

42. What song do you currently hear? True Companion by Marc Cohn - in my head

43. What do you want? For winter to not be coming so soon

44. Would you ever date anyone on your friends list? Yes.

45. What TV Show are you watching? Eureka
Interesting, there is no question 23 or 25 hmmmmmm

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (your first pet and the street that you live on)
Muff 14

2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your mom’s side, your favorite candy)
Ruth Twizzler

3. YOUR “FLY GIRL/GUY” NAME: (first initial of first name, first two or three letters of your middle name
R Jo

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Pink Koala

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Jo Fontana

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 2 letters of mom’s maiden name)
Kowreka

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The”, your favorite color, favorite drink)
The Pink Hurricane

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first name of both your grandfathers)
Tony Jack

9. FUTURISTIC NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne and the name of your favorite shoes)
Woodhue Sketchers

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: ( mother/father’s middle name and the next name you hear on the tv/radio/talk)
Jane Simpson

11. Stripper name: (favorite dance and favorite snack)
Waltzing Popcorn (I am SO not getting any dollar bills with that name)


Until tomorrow dear friends,
Cheers!

Heartfelt thanks

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts and words over yesterday's post.

11 Days till the hubster returns.

Dog dilemma still unsolved but we'll get it figured out.

I watched an interesting movie last night. It's called June Bug. And it is about a couple from Chicago that go down south to meet with an artist that she thinks would be a great discovery and boon for her art gallery. While down there they go to his family's home. His family is from a small town in the south, they don't have extensive educations, nor do they have glamorous high paying jobs. The story is about the family meeting the beautiful, kind, intelligent, and seemingly glamorous new daughter in law. The movie is like a lot of good indy films. It tells a story, the editing and cinematography are far more basic than your normal blockbuster. But I think everyone that sees it can relate in some way to what goes on in the story. This is not action packed, and at times it moves a bit slowly, but I found myself fascinate, frustrated, encouraged, and angered by the characters in the film. And to me that is a good film.

My dad was the one that told me to watch the film. I talked with him last night and let him know that I had it. He said, oh good,and when you are done call me, or call me tomorrow and tell me what characters you liked. I thought it was a strange thing for him to fixate on, that is, until I actually watched it. And just when I thought I knew who I liked and who I didn't the characters would do something to alter my impression.

Tonight I am going to the Wild pre-season game. It should be fun. My friend Boy J got tickets from his future father-in-law. They are on the club level. This will be very cool. All the good food and drink are on the club level but of course access is restricted. One of these days I'm going to figure out how to score tickets in the company suite and then I can return the favor and take Boy J to a game.

To cute: My lil Sophie girl is "sleeping" while her kitty Soc's is laying on top of her and cleaning her. He's actually laying all the way across her back. She's just laying there with her eyes closed. He's cleaning her ears, her head, her bum. He's too cute.

Yeah, I know, if I only had a digital to capture the moment for everyone.

Cheers!