I didn't get any invitations to Thanksgiving dinner this year--it happens that way sometimes, and I wasn't up to trying to pull a dinner together after I pulled the SA Dinner together--so I went to the movies instead. I saw Australia and Four Christmases. I really enjoyed both of them, for different reasons, since they're different movies.
Australia was very good. It's almost like two movies in one, so when you think it's over, it's really not. My nephews were a little confused by that, but since I knew it was about 2 1/2 hours long and it hadn't been long enough, I was good. Plus, I really couldn't pass up the chance to watch Hugh Jackman for 2 1/2 hours. He is just so yummy. And speaking with his normal, Aussie accent. Thought I died and went to Aussie heaven...
Four Christmases was really funny. I quite enjoyed it. It also has a nice, underlying theme of family which touched my heart. Definitely recommend this one.
After the movies were over I went home and called my brother's house. I'd been texted that morning by my niece Daely and she told me that everyone was going over Blaine's for dinner. so I called, and I got to talk to four nephews, four nieces, three brothers, and two sisters(in-law). so much fun. I was on the phone for an hour and 40 minutes (my phone keeps track of that sort of thing). It was amazing. But I am highly reassured that they are all doing well. I invited some of the older ones to come stay with me; we'll see if that happens. I warned the oldest nephew to try not to be a part of the Single Adult program (he has 3 more years as a YSA), and that I was one of the reasons that it was so scary. My niece Danja is *so* close to putting in her papers for her mission it is really great. I'm so excited for her!
Friday I basically sat on my couch all day long, only getting up to let the cat in and out. I caught up on all the tv shows I had recorded the previous week, and watched "I could never be your Woman" from my blockbusteronline. It was an ok movie. Not sure how it ended up on my list, but the guy was cute, and Tracy Ulman wasn't too bad as Mother Nature. Michelle Pfieffer is still as gorgeous as ever.
Saturday I worked in my yard for about 2 hours (hey, I earned 5 activity points). I also went to see Twilight (finally, I know!) My friend Tracy invited me to join her and Vanessa's families, and I invited my friend Tess who I knew wanted to see it as well. We took up a whole row in the theater, and easily outnumbered everyone else there put together (ok, well, it was the dinner show, but I can't say I'm surprised it's not doing as well as last weekend). It was better than I'd expected, after reading through many mixed reviews. I was a bit shocked by Carlisle's face when he first showed up (he looked more like a ghost than a vampire with all that white make-up on his face), and the glitter part with Edward in the sun didn't look amazing to me, just kind of weird. The girl playing Bella indeed only had two expressions (sullen, and I think she smiled once), but she managed to carry the part ok. Thought Edward and Jasper's hair was weird-looking, but I really liked Jacob. Ok, so you may already know I'm a Jacob girl, so was predisposed to like him, but still. The boy was pretty cute. And I love long hair on men, and he took care of that fetish too... (and people wonder why I'm still single)
Sunday was the first Sunday in many weeks that I did not have rehearsal in VA for the SA choir I'm in. Well, I missed the previous two Sundays due to illness and the SA dinner, but that doesn't mean there wasn't rehearsal. Can I tell you how nice it was to just stay home? I read my book for my Wednesady book club, and worked on the Soldier Quilts (the never-ending project). My Home Teachers came over and helped me take a tick off of Kitty (I'm such a city girl I'd never even seen a tick before, so had no idea what it was or what to do about it). Kitty's ok, but she was mad at me for quite a while. I might rename her to Chili. That's what one of my home teachers, Chuck Barron, calls her. course, he calls her that because he wants to *make* chili out of her... but she does have a spicy temperament. Chili may suit her better than Padme.
Monday night was SA FHE at the Johnsons this month. I really enjoy going to families' homes for FHE. I'm a little sad because I kind of doubt the new Ward SA Rep will keep it going (she doesn't seem to like it, and the other rep is kind of hit-or-miss). I'm the only one that attends regularly, and I will miss it if they don't do it next year, but maybe I can still bug the Edwards' from time to time. And maybe the Whipple's, too.
Alas, this week is entirely too busy with rehearsals and performances (the Mormon Choir of Washington, DC, is singing at the temple's Lighting Ceremony on Thurs and Fri, and at the Oakton Stake on Sat, so we're rehearsing tonight). Next week will be much better, though. Which is really good since I may fill up my DVR this week with no time to watch anything...
