A Little Mid-Week Swoon.

I'm working my way out of the dark cave I've been hiding in, so here's a little treat for you whilst I fold my laundry and finish my next post.

Warning: The video jumps around quickly, so you may have to watch it many times. Many...delicious....times.

Friday Funny: "I'm on your side, I'm just trying to help you have good taste."

Quotables which have become classics:
"If we had an extra room, you could put all your things in it."

"Everybody thinks they have good taste and a sense of humor, but they couldn't possibly all have good taste."

Deep Thoughts Inspired by "Toy Story."

• Slept in...until a time that will not be divulged. It's too decadent.

• Saw the "Toy Story" double feature with Isabelle & Mimi. I suspect I enjoyed the movies even more than the girls did; I was that one embarrassing loud-laugher in the theater. In my defense, though, I must state that I have loved "Toy Story" since Max was just a little tyke. That was ten years ago! Whoa.

Lately, Jack has been reclining in his high chair with a bottle when he needs some down time--and what does he watch?...."Toy Story." He LOVES it. I so clearly remember Max doing the same thing; he'd lay down in a floor nest, sip away at a bottle and stare at Woody & Buzz, mesmerized. That was ten years ago, but i can recall the memory so clearly; Max's solid little toddler-body, his fuzzy hair, even the baby-smell of him. It doesn't FEEL like it was that long ago. The memory of him as a little baby is so clear, and yet all of a sudden I've blinked my eyes and here we all are in the Middle Growing Up Years. So I've been a little disoriented today. Where has my life gone? It's speeding by faster than I ever dreamed it would.

(Those 2 bumps are my feet.)

• Took Jack outside to play in the cul-de-sac while Mimi busted her bike outta training wheels! (My approach to training wheels is basically the same one I use with potty training: Keep the safety device ON until the kid is doing it themselves anyway and the training wheels/diaper are a moot point.) I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Mimi's Freedom Ride. Dangit. I was too busy circumventing all the various dangers Jack posed to himself out on the open sidewalk. And in the street. And on the hill. And in the mud. He had a grand time throwing rocks for an hour straight.

(I can't believe he actually keeps these little shades on.)

• Continued my frenzy of decorating for Halloween. I am an abysmal home decorator, but I like to throw things up for holidays. Cozy.



• Picked up the house while Baby napped, Mimi played at a friend's house and Mike took Max & Sis to guitar lessons (THANK you, Mike). A quiet, clean Pine Sol-scented house....it's like Spa Mom.

• Played around with my blog HTML, trying to beautify my template, ending the session with words I can't repeat here because my kids read my blog.

• Oversaw the evening cleanup in the girls' room. Total pigsty. I'd already used my daily quota of adult language while at my computer, so I couldn't even mutter obscenities under my breath. It took them 1 **darn** hour, but Mimi & Sis did pick up that pigsty.

• Put everyone to bed and played around on Photoshop, attempting to learn that **darn** program, and used up tomorrow's quota of obscenities. Sigh.

The kids have had Thursday & Friday off from school for Fall Break and we have planned one activity per day around which to base our vacation. Thursday was "Toy Story." Friday we will go up the canyon to a park. Saturday I want to decorate Halloween sugar cookies with the kids--an excuse to break out the sprinkles! Sunday we will chill and have a Game Night in the evening. (Translation: After church, I will drop into bed for a 3-hr nap and then we will have Game Night.)

Even though I'm wondering for various reasons, none of which I have the energy to go into now, how life could possibly get any more stressful--it's a happy life.

Goodnight.

Sprinkle Glutton

In the past week, I've received two sprinkle-oriented gifts.
Oh, the delight!

My friend Kara gave me this apron for my birthday, the most perfectly Me Item I now own. And another friend, Christine, gave me this adorable shaker of sprinkles as a present for her birthday. (Yes. The girl gives presents for her birthday. Love her.)

This afternoon, I hauled the kids and some of their pals to "Up" and was pleasantly surprised. I'd heard it was sad and thus had a bad attitude. I mean really--who wants to see a sad, depressing cartoon? But I loved it! It wasn't sad, it was meaningful. I was taken in by the symbolism throughout and also the hilarious dogs! The dogs reminded me of something straight out of The Far Side.



I kept wanting to hear Puddy (Seinfeld) to be a dog-voice, though. Anyway, I was thoroughly charmed. And I loved the ending. Strangely enough, I found myself thinking deep thoughts of...life's transience, the overall journey of mortality, aims to enjoy more fully those I love, and how to just be more of a fun person myself for those who are stuck with me.

I've also been watching North & South at night when the kids go to bed. Ohhhh, it's a goodie.

Oh boy, that man can smolder.

Mike's been working long hours and I've been alone at home into the wee hours. The other night I was settling in for a long night of watching the special features of the, ahem, above smoldering-hot movie when I heard the CREEPIEST SOUND downstairs! The kind of sound that makes your neck-hairs prickle and your heart take a great bound in your chest. I proceeded to self-talk myself and pry my fingers out of the couch cushions and JUST when I had re-settled myself I heard that dang noise again. I actually began to make mental exit plans from the house. I kept thinking it sounded like a toy whose batteries were dying but the creepy part was...it that wasn't a sound which belonged to any toy WE own. I was so creeped out.

The 5th time I heard it I began frantically texting all my fellow insomniac friends--the ones who it wouldn't humiliate me too much to text at 2:37am--so at least someone would know what happened to me when I disappeared due to the killer in my house. I even called Mike and woke him up (he didn't laugh at me 'til morning) and he talked me through the house as I checked locks and every little room. I kept thinking that this is what the stupid people do in scary movies; they go investigating, talking themselves out of their fear, while we watch in the audience and go bonkers, knowing there's a killer waiting behind the shower curtain, and scoffing at their stupidity for not just running out of the (scary) house as fast as they can go!!!

After repeated attempts, Cecily texted me back with some mood-lightening jokes and Kate answered with an immediate, "I'll be right over." I didn't even equivocate. I was that scared. As Cecily said, everyone needs a Kate. She stayed 'til the dawn's early light & I love her forever.

Click here to feel my pain.

...(raising my Diet Coke in a good-luck toast)...Here's to hoping Mr. Marbles doesn't scare the CRAP out of me tonight!

(and if he does--will you come over, Kate?)

Oh yeah. Ohhhhh, yeahhhhhh.

"Look Back."



I have lots to post, and will do so tomorrow. But for tonight, I give you John Thornton. Shiver.

(Watch "North & South"! Watch it tonight!)

Move Over, Mr. Darcy

Insomnia

Well, here's what I'll be doing 'til 2am; watching "Persuasion."

Watch the clip below. Isn't it good?!

Return With Honor

I am so excited to run to the movies this weekend & see this movie! I heard an interview with the actors yesterday morning on the radio and it got me hyped up to see it. Here's what the website says :

"Elder McDonald has been given 60 days to finish his life...Rowe McDonald is a headstrong missionary who has life after his mission all figured out. When a fatal car crash interrupts his plans, he is given sixty days to return to life and finish his work. Now he must choose whether to lead the life he planned, or reach beyond himself to change the lives of others. What will he do? Who will he touch? How will he prepare to leave it all behind?"

Listening to the actors discuss the film and character development made me impatient to see it! It sounds like the overall topic of faith in ANY religion is explored. GO SEE IT!