movies and more movies

Ok, so my friend Shannon loves to go to the movies as much as I do. The biggest problem is that she lives in Northern VA and I live in MD. But when the movie is big enough, or desired enough by both of us, one of us makes the trek to the other's state and we go to the movies. On the 16th I met up with her at Tyson's Corner and we saw Angels and Demons. It was good. I liked it a lot, although I'd read the book so I already knew how it was going to end. I was a little surprised by some of the things they left out, but it is only a 2 hour movie. I loved the location stuff at the Vatican, and I really didn't think it painted the Roman Catholic church in a bad light.

Then last Saturday, May 23, we did a double feature in my neck of the woods. We went to Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian first. It was really funny. I laughed almost through the whole thing. There were a few things that were unreallistic--like he only had an hour to do a certain task, and went from Lincoln's Memorial up to the Air and Space Museum including a couple of fights and interactions and made it back in time (honestly, it's about a mile from the memorial to the A&S museum). It was fun to see Abraham Lincoln's statue get up and stretch--he's been sitting there for such a long time!

The second movie was Terminator: Salvation. Also very good. There were a lot of tributes to the first two Terminator movies--I've only seen the first one and commercials for the second, so I'm afraid I missed anything from the second movie, but I did get the first movie references. They did a really good job with it. I'm hoping for a sequel, actually. Should be quite good if the same people are involved.

What else have I been doing? Catching up on LOST. Well, sort of. I decided I wanted to rewatch the entire series from the beginning before the next season starts. I have 8 months, it can be done! My friend has never seen it, having been told rather strongly that she needs to start it from the beginning. So we're watching it together. We're already up to episode 7. I have forgotten quite a bit in the last 5 years. I'm enjoying the refresher course.

I also broke down and ordered season 3 of Combat! from Amazon. The Powers That Be on American Life TV Network have determined to stop playing Combat! altogether, and there is one episode in Season 3 that I HAVEN'T SEEN!!! It was going to show on June 2, but they're taking it off the air on June 1st!! Well, my first set came yesterday, so that's the episode I sat down and watched. Sigh. I just love when Sarge gets all cagey and saves someone's life (in this case Hanley, as he was captured by the Germans). I love Lt Hanley, too. He is so beautiful. And Kirby is so dang cute and funny. Ok, I'm pretty sure you've stopped reading this paragraph now.

What next? I've been reading books (I had to do something after all my tv shows ended for the season!). I'm currently reading "The Company of Good Women", a trilogy by a trio of LDS writers, about three women who meet up by chance at BYU Education Week and stay friends. Over the years they have a lot of different things happen in their lives, and they help each other get through it. I'm quite enjoying it--the portrayal of how life can be for LDS women in various life stages matches what I've experienced and what I've seen through my 20 years of being an adult in the church. There do seem to be quite the number of problems in their lives, major problems that most of us don't have to deal with, but they get through them the same way we get through any of our problems--prayer and friendship.

I'm still getting attacked by my cat (still not sure why she does that). Last night she was cute, though. I have a little Moses basket for my baby doll (the one that breathes), and the baby has been moved to the rocking chair to be with some other dolls. So last night Padme Kitty climbed into the basket and curled up. I covered her with a baby blanket I made for me (just in case I ever had one), and she actually stayed there until 4:00 in the morning. When she woke up, jumped up on the bed, and started attacking my feet. I guess she thought it was time to play. So I did the expected thing and threw her out (well, not physically, just verbally). But her being in the basket was very cute.

Oh, and I'M RELEASED. I am no longer the Single Adult anything in my ward or stake! I feel a little taller, now that that weight is off my shoulders. I suppose I still have to participate, but at least I don't have to find people to take over when I'm gone next month. Yay! And no more conflicts with the choir! Well, after this season, anyway. I'll go back in the fall to see if I like it any better. Christmas and Easter music is always so wonderful.

Well, I should get back to work now. I'd write more during my lunchtime, but someone's been scheduling meetings during lunch!!!

Oh, and Kellie and I did make it back to Earth Treks last week, and we're going again this week. We're not going to let 6 weeks pass by before going again, right??? ;)

bloging bloging

Ok, so I know I took a bit of a hiatus from blogging, but I've found like 5 people to add to my friend list this week! How on earth did I miss them?

Well, my sister Dustie just started her blog, my niece Danja is on a mission and my niece-in-law/Danja's sister-in-law updates her blog for her, and I just found Nicole's blog since they moved a while ago. Ok, so maybe only three. I was sure there was more though... I have it sorted by how frequently people have posted so I don't have to scroll through blogs that haven't been updated for months.

Plus catching up on what my friends have been doing has been great fun. I missed a lot. No worries, though, RL has calmed down and I'm starting to run out of Combat! fanfic to read. I even contributed one of my own (Squirrel's Story) Yeah, I have a call sign. I'm Squirrel. Because Claude Akins calls Kirby Squirrel in Season 5. Like you care, I know. But I have a thing for short scrappy guys who constantly get into trouble (hence my fascination with Pippen from Lord of the Rings). Although this story may not make sense if you haven't seen the show, but it might.

I'm currently in a meeting at work--a telecon, that I didn't have to fly out to Boulder CO to attend, so I get to sit in a confererence room with some other guys from my project and make smart comments while the mute button is on. Best part about remote meetings. And no one cares if I actually get some work done during the meeting, either. Or blog, as the case may be.

Next month will be different since I'm going out to Redondo Beach, California for a meeting. And extending my stay so's I can go to my family's first reunion the following weekend. Oh, tres terrible!

Ok, gotta go now.

And the Biggest Loser is...

Helen!!!

I was so shocked! She was never presented as a threat, but she just kept plugging along the whole time. She worked with both trainers, so it's a victory for both of them. And the best part is, she's 48 years old!!! But the real shock of the night was Jerry. 64 years old, lost 177 lbs, took home the at-home prize. I couldn't believe it. No one could. Since I've started watching, it's usually been the person who had the most time on the ranch before getting sent home. Jerry was there for two weeks. He passed out during his first workout.

So if you think you can't lose weight or make changes because of age, you are just wrong. Find another excuse. As for me, my Weight Watchers is doing well. I've been plateau'ed for a while, mostly because I just love to eat potato chips, but I am determined to lose 10 lbs before June 16--and NO more chips until the Family Reunion!!!

The funniest thing happened last night. I'm going to have to take back what I said about learning to say 'no' in the last post. A woman came to my door, doing deliveries in my area for a meat-supply thing. I didn't even get the name of the company. They were looking to unload frozen steak and pork. Said she'd give me about $700 of steak for free if I bought the pork for $250. I'm not supposed to tell my neighbors about this, though. I told them if they could fit it in my freezer, I'd take it. Darn if the guy didn't stuff all that meat in my little freezer atop my fridge. So I'm thinking I should probably have some people over to dinner now. Good thing my nephew is coming in August, he can help, I'm sure. And when it gets down a ways, I may give her another call--they also sell chicken and seafood, although I'm positive I won't get that good of a deal again. What were we saying, Tracy? When a good deal comes along, you can't just pass it by! And hey, now I won't have to buy any meat for about a year...

This morning I also had a major blessing. I had made an appointment to take my car in for its next service, which turned out to be an oil change. I typically drop the car off, have their shuttle take me to work, and then they pick me up later. Well, the shuttle driver didn't come in. So the Service Manager told me if I could wait, it would only take them about 20 minutes and my car would be done. I knew my first meeting was at 10:00, so I figured I had the time to wait. So I did. And when it was done, they didn't even charge me! Ok, so it would have just been like $30, but still! Did I mention I love my car? It's a Saturn, and one of the main reasons I bought a Saturn was because of their service reputation. They're really good. They've always been good to me.

Ok, I need to go get my lunch now--I ran out without it this morning, running late, of course.

Another weekend gone past

I've been seeing alot of movies lately. I went to see Wolverine with my friends the weekend it came out, and last weekend I went to see Star Trek. I enjoyed both movies. I can see that some Star Trek fans might be a little upset, but they did say it was an alternate reality... and with JJ Abrams at the helm, can you really expect anything less?

Saturday night I watched "Time after Time", a movie from 1979 with Malcolm McDowell as H.G. Wells. Rather slow paced, and I do remember watching it when it came out (helps that my dad worked at a movie theater so I got to see lots of movies for free when I was little). I wanted to see it again after seeing Malcolm at Shore Leave last year.

Sunday I watched movies all day long. I started with "Miss Potter", a movie about Beatrix Potter and her life (yes, the one of Peter Rabbit fame). I can highly recommend this movie, and it was certainly suitable for watching on a Sunday. I think I watched something else next, but I can't remmember. Rat Patrol episodes, I think. I also watched "What Happens in Vegas" (less appropriate for Sundays, but oh well). I saw this first at my brother's house in February, and just loved it. I've decided that one of my guilty pleasures is watching Cameron Diaz--she always dresses inappropriately, but she's also quite charming. As for this movie, if you've seen it, "You know why!" :D I also watched some Combat and a couple other recorded tv shows.

Why wasn't I at church on Sunday, you may ask. Was I sick? No, I was not sick. Some years I can "do" Mother's Day, and some years I can't. This year was a "can't" year. Now before you go trying to console me about my lack of children, remember that this day hurts for two reasons. One, ok, I'm not a mother, which was my life-long ambition from the time I was a small child. Two, my mom passed away 9 years ago. It's really difficult for me to watch other people get things from their kids, or give things to their moms, and I just can't participate. Getting a Mother's Day gift just because I'm female seems so pathetic some years. So I stayed home and watched movies and cried. ("Miss Potter" was really sad at one point).

Last night I had a guy from Long Fence & Home come over and try to sell me new, energy efficient windows. Sigh. I liked the windows, but the price tag was rather hefty. They do their own financing, but just the thought of spending that much money really just hurts. Although they would give me a discount if I could get them a referral (anyone out there thinking of redoing their windows?). It's about the amount of a small car. Maybe not quite that much. On the other hand, my monthly electric bill would go down. so much to think about. He really wanted me to sign right there and then, but I was really good and said I wasn't ready to make a commitment that night. I'm getting better at saying 'no'.

Tonight is the Biggest Loser finale, and I'm kind of anxious to see Carla again. I bet she looks fabulous. Although I'm also pretty sure we won't be seeing Joelle. I rather rexpect Tara to win, but I would like Mike to win--the prize money would pay for his college and then some (he's only 18 years old). He could go to any college in the country. Provided his grades were good enough, though.

Ok, time for me to get back to work. Have a great week!

Alright already!!!

This is for Kristen who reminded me of my obligations :D

I started blogging for my family who lives, hello, Three Thousand Miles away.

Silly of me to forget that.

So, since March, I have managed to fly to California for my niece's farewell--she's going on a mission!! She's actually now been in the MTC 2 months and will be making her way to Arizona, Tucson, this week (spanish speaking). She's very excited.

I also went to my sister Beckie's in South Carolina for Easter. Her husband is a GREAT cook. We had a Greek Fest for Easter dinner, complete with lamb, greek salad, and stuffed grape leaves. Very yummy. We also went to the beach on Friday, the day after I arrived, which was fabulous. Collin (the 4-year-old) couldn't go--he'd been Very Bad. The night I arrived he went out and was jumping on the car. He went bum-first into the windsheild and shattered it. He was fine, the windsheild was not. He was grounded. fortunately their insurance covered it.

Playing with Bonnie, Malena, and JackJack at the beach was really fun. At one point JackJack (14 months old) got away from his mother during a diaper change, and began exfoliating his bum iin the sand. Fortunately we had a lot of understanding moms and grandmas around us--no one got offended by the little bare-bottomed fiend. It was a nice day at the beach--not too cold, not too warm, a nice breeze.

Saturday we did Easter Eggs and their ward Easter Egg hunt. I was quite impressed with their ward--they're doing a Major Service Project, gathering food for a local church that makes lunches for people in need. They're really struggling since now people can't afford to give, and people who used to be able to give are now in need of their services. So Beckie's ward made it a community service project to gather food items. Their Activity Chairperson is a real go-getter, with flyers and getting the word out, and working with other churches in their community. Quite impressive.

I got home and promptly got sick. The following weekend I slept for about 40 hours (with intermittent wake-ups to care for the cat). Kitty was not happy with me. First I leave, then I sleep. So last weekend as I was getting ready for pilates she clawed my leg. Yup, I have a number of really ugly scratches on my leg. I threw her out of my room and didn't have anything to do with her the rest of the day. Until the end of the day when she sat on my lap and I captured one of her paws and clipped her claws. I got the other one the following day. She's been a little better since then.

I also went to Great Falls, VA, with a couple friends the last weekend in April. We hiked all around--the trails made it feel like we were hiking, and I even got in some rock-climbing and bouldering.

I forgot to mention that me and my good friend Kellie have taken up rock-climbing. It's a big challenge for me, with a fear of heights that I'd forgotten about. Plus I'm really sort of physically challenged as well, but I'm working on that. I'm doing pretty good with that, but Kellie is amazing. She is my new hero. :D

Looking forward to a quieter month with lots of movies (saw Wolverine last weekend, will see Star Trek this weekend, both with my VA friends), and in June I'm going to California. Starting out as a work trip, ending up with my family's very first Family Reunion. My brother's doing an excellent job organizing it. Should be a lot of fun.

I will work harder on posting from now on, Kristen, I promise! Don't send Vance over to 'deal' with me! ;)