7 Random Things

I was tagged by Diane for this meme. Here's the rules:

Give 7 random facts about yourself. Those tagged need to write on their own blog those 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1. I am eating toasted English muffins with peanut butter right now.
2. I haven't had a hankerin' for those in a long long time (usually when I'm pregnant)
3. No, I am NOT pregnant.
4. I finally went to Trader Joe's after having lived near one for almost a year!
5. I got a half gallon of milk for 89 cents!
6. and the English muffins
7. I'm hoping that now that I've been to Trader Joe's that I can keep myself from going every week (going to Costco is enough!)

Well, I don't feel like 'tagging' 7 people. I know, I'm not playing by the rules, so sue me! However, if you'd like to snag this meme then go right ahead!

The Day Has Come!

Today is the day! In just a few hours I will greet the babysitter and walk out the door and begin my weekend away! I've been looking forward to this weekend for months now and am so excited that the day has finally arrived.

My plane leave at 4:30 this afternoon and I'll arrive in Chicago shortly before 11:00. My friends will pick me up and we will stay in a hotel tonight. Then tomorrow we will stay in the Chicago area and do what ladies do, you know, shop! We may even take in a movie which we've been known to do on our ladies trips. After we're done perusing Chicago we head back over to Michigan where I'll spend the rest of the weekend visiting with good friends. I'm especially excited about Sunday when I'll visit the church we attended while living there. They finished a building project shortly after we moved so we never saw the finished product. Then come Monday I'll head back to Chicago to catch my flight home. I'll be home in time to tuck the kids into bed after giving them some little treats I hope to pick up while I'm gone.

So, Wednesday I pulled out my suitcase and threw a few things in and in just a bit I'll finish packing. Let's see if I have everything....

clothes..........check
toiletries.......check
travel clock...check
ipod................check
book...............check
no kids...........double, no triple, check!

Ah.....this weekend is going to be grand! I'll tell you all about it next week and maybe post a few pics too! Hope you all have a great weekend!

What to do? What to do?

I have a delima. My wedding ring is broken! The band has cracked all the way through at the bottom of my finger. It has done this before but it was thought to have been resolved when I had it repaired last year. As it is now, I can't wear it or it will certainly snag on something and I could loose it. I could get it fixed, again, but that would only delay another repair, right? Ryan and I have talked about getting new rings at some point but I'm pretty sure that now is not the time. He recently asked me if I would mind not having this one anymore and use the stones in it for another ring. I'm still thinking about that. I'm not too terribly sentimental but something just doesn't feel right about not having ones original wedding ring. I know, it's just a thing, but still! A part of me wants to keep it but then another part says it is just a ring and nothing in our marriage will change just because I no longer have the ring we said I do with. A new ring would be nice though. Our 11th anniversary is coming up. But something also tells me that a new ring isn't something that is traditionally celebrated at this milestone.

Since I can not wear my wedding band and announce to the world as I pass by that I am taken back off buddy, I am now wearing another ring (yes, I am one hot mama....phhht!). The picture isn't that great but it was the best I could do. This ring was given to me by my husband a few years ago when he was in Brazil. So at least it is a ring that he gave me but it doesn't exactly say wedding ring either. I have issues with this ring as well. The metal is thinning at the bottom of the band, so a crack is bound to happen in the near future. Right now it is doing a good job of holding the place of my missing wedding band, although it could use a good cleaning. How does one clean a silver ring anyway? It's not like I have any tarnish remover just laying around. Is there any household stuff I can use to shine this thing up??

In the meantime, I am pondering the design of a new wedding band. For when we do finally get around to looking at new rings that is what we'd like to do, design new ones (well, 'cause that is what my husband does, he's a designer so why not create our own special-to-us rings?!). So, I'll just to peruse some pretty rings online and get some ideas.....'cause nothing says Happy 11th Anniversary like a new ring!

A girl can dream, can't she?

A Birthday Celebration In Numbers

20 cupcakes for Mae's classroom
4 icing colors
1 pink swirl of accent icing on each cupcake
20 gumdrops (1 for the top of each cupcake)
3 mini cakes (instead of one big birthday cake, the cake won't last very long this way, do you blame me?)
1 plastic table cloth
1 big fat black sharpie to write birthday message

17 cuts to above-mentioned table cloth
1 'Happy Birthday' curtain
2 people to hang it
2 trips to Target to scout out and then buy birthday bike
20 minutes finding and securing a hiding spot for birthday bike in the garage
16 prayers that she won't find it!
2 packages of 25 count multi-colored balloons
48 balloons to cover living room floor (1 broke, the other had a hole)

30 minutes to it took to blow them up
5 minutes to regain consciousness from lack of oxygen to my brain
4 hours of sleep lost getting everything ready for the morning
5 presents for the birthday girl
75k number of times the birthday girl had to be told that it was not time to open them
1 pink and purple candle in the shape of the number six
1 birthday song sung
1 very happy, very pleased six-year old!

Worth all the trouble, time, expense and lung capacity?

A b s o l u t e l y !

My Birthday Girl

Today I’ll celebrate my little girl
I’ll watch you dance and sing and twirl
For on this day six years ago
You began your life, began to grow
And I’ll love you more than you will know.

Today I’ll pull out your baby book
just to peek, just to look.
I’ll want to see all the sats
and remember where you were at.

Today I’ll think ‘wasn’t it the other day
when I first saw the face of Mae?’

Today I’ll remember the very day
on that blessed day in May
that you came and changed my name.

I know I’ll never be the same.

Today I’ll recall many things of you

The things you’ve done, the things you do
The things that are unique to you

Today is a day of joy and praise
And as my voice to you I raise
In song and voice to you I'll say

Happy Birthday, my precious Mae!

Seeking Forgiveness

I had a difficult day yesterday and didn't handle some situations very well. The kids were driving me crazy and we all miss the man in our house. I felt bad about how I responded to the kids so I went in to talk to Mae about it after bedtime.

Me: I'm sorry I was a big fat meanie. Will you forgive me?

Mae: You're not fat.

Well, not exactly the response I was looking for...but thanks for the compliment.

I Think I can, I Think I Can!

Ryan was gone for most of last week and is gone some this week too, so these two weeks have been more on the difficult side for me. I do have many good things to look forward to, so today that is what I will focus on. These are the lights at the end of my tunnel:

1. I get a few hours to myself tonight as the kids will be with a couple from our bible study. Alone time....what's that? and what will I do? Oh...the possibilities are endless. The problem is deciding what to do!
2. Ryan comes home from Spain!!! (did he get me something? probably not, but that's not the point. it'll be great to have him home again!)
   
3. Mae's birthday! This does mean that I have lots of balloons to blow up, a doorway streamer curtain thingy to make and put up, 20 cupcakes to make, and present shopping to do....but I will focus on the joy of such an occasion instead of the details.
4. I get my haircut on Saturday! I am growing my hair out a bit and right now it is getting quite shaggy so it will be great to get it cleaned up a little. I look forward to the shampooing too, but what lady doesn't enjoy a good shampoo job when getting their hair done?
5. Mae's birthday party is next week. She is going to have so much fun with her friends doing some kind of craft at Michael's. All I have to do is bring the birthday girl and a cake, they do everything else!!!
   
6. Next weekend is my long-awaited ladies trip to Chicago to see my good friends in Michigan. I. Can't. Wait. I get giddy with glee just thinking about it!!!

That's pretty much it. Not too much, but I am pleased with these few things I have to help me stay positive. I can survive these next few days, right? I think I can, I think I can, I think I can......

The Bearing of My Soul

My friend Deanna tagged me for this meme. I guess it was about time, I think I've tagged her a few times in the past. Anyway, the point of this meme is to bare my soul, as Deanna puts it, and disclose the contents of my purse. I think you'll find that my life is as boring as the contents within my daily bag. Here goes!

This is my purse. Boring, but basic, black. It goes with everything and doesn't show dirt. For what it is, I like it. The shoulder strap is short and causes the purse to fall right at my elbow (makes it easy for slingin' around). I know, black isn't always in season but I'm not the adventurous type and have never bought anything but a neutral colored purse. I like small purses. I don't carry much so I do not require a large bag. In junior high a had a purse that was pretty close to measuring 3x5! I didn't carry much then either! It is as small as I can get away with. I don't care for the need to have one, but have one I must. I'm tellin' ya, guys have it easy with getting away with a wallet that folds up and fits in their pocket!


This is my new wallet. I did get a little adventurous last week when I bought it, notice the pink stitching?! When opened up you would see that the entire inside is hot pink! Whoo-hoo I'm livin' on the wild side! Just a little side note here....the last wallet I bought was 14 years ago (yes, it was black too). The other nifty thing about this wallet is that is comes with a detachable strap so that I can carry just my wallet if I choose. I don't know that I'll ever use that feature but the strap is in my purse for just such an occasion.


The next few items for your viewing pleasure is the transaction register for my checking account, a Starbucks gift card I got for Christmas this past year (no, I haven't even used it yet. I'm not much of a coffee drinker BUT I do like their vanilla frapaccinos, so I'll use it this summer for sure!), and the little plastic container holds my, let's say, feminine products for those inconvenient moments of need.


Inside my purse is a little pocket that is to be used for a cell phone. As I do put my cell phone in that handy pocket I also stuff it with other little things that would otherwise clutter the inner cavity of my purse. The little bits of clutter include, but not limited to; my address book, business cards, pictures (isn't my once-a-baby-boy cute?!), and eye glass cleaner/wipe (I have a thing about dirty glasses)

There's my cell phone! I like the wallpaper I chose for it. Do you like the fishies?? I also keep a pen in that handy little pocket. I don't like being without one! Then I keep my chapstick in the zipper pocket, can't be with out that either!


So there you have it. My soul for all of blog-world to see. Now, if Mary, Amanda, and Jenn would like to play then consider yourself tagged! This was a handy meme, it gave the the chance to weed a few things out! Thanks Deanna!

More Smoothies

We are in the zone! The Smoothie Zone that is. I went to Costco yesterday and picked up a huge bag (like I really have a size choice at Costco) of frozen strawberries so we are set as long as I have fresh bananas on hand. The kids (and I) are loving them for lunches and after dinner treats!

I've given up on giving Isabel her smoothie in a sippy cut without the stopper inside. The smoothies are just too thick to make it through the tiny holes in the lid. So Issy just gets hers in a mug instead. She's doing pretty well, considering she's almost two! Can you tell??!

Open Season

Mmmm....look what I had for lunch today!!! It was sooo good! The weather is warming up and today just seemed to scream out for a delicious strawberry smoothie. So I obliged and made some for myself and the kids. No one was disappointed, well except for maybe Isabel since she didn't finish her hot dog. But she's not all that acquainted with smoothies yet so she doesn't quite know what she's missing!

Summer is the perfect time for smoothie makin'! I usually make mine with orange juice, one banana (or two, depending on how many people I'm making them for), then I throw in some frozen berries. The best smoothie I've made I used a juice blend of orange, pinapple and peach (or something like that, but it definitely had peach! that was the key ingredient to this successful smoothie!). I made it a few more times after that, but then the store I bought the juice concentrate from closed and I couldn't find it in any other local store! I'll have to look for it again now that I'm in a new area with more choices.

I'd better stock up on my smoothie ingredients 'cause I'm thinkin' it's officially Smoothie Season!

Daily Trivia

Yahoo! is an acronym for "Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle."

Fact-o-rama? Or Crap-ola?

Ok, so this is really coming from tomorrows daily trivia question calendar that graces our counter (among, many, other things!). I didn't care too much for today's so I skipped ahead! I'll post the answer tomorrow (so Wendy will have plenty of time to read this post and make her guess!) *big grin*

I'm out of ideas for what to write about today. Maybe I'll come up with something as I run some errands and go to the park for lunch with the kids and a new friend? Let's all hope so, for I fear I'll loose my loyal 2 readers!

Movie Log

It was a busy month last month, so we did not have to opportunity to watch many movies.

1. Lost season 2 (I managed to finish the second season but now I find myself wanting more and I have to wait for the dvd release of season 3!!! I only hope they release it soon after they finish airing it this month, because I want to be all caught up before season 4 starts in the fall. Do you think it'll happen??)
2. Barnyard (Antoher family flick night. The movie was humorous and we all enjoyed it...except maybe Ryan who fell asleep on the couch, it was a long week.)
3. The Notebook (Good love story. We only skipped over two steamy scenes, but otherwise it was a good movie about love through a lifetime.)

See, only three movies and really only one that we watched together. Hopefully we will get the chance to watch more together this month, but I doubt it since Ryan will be traveling a lot.

Ginormous Plastic Bag

I've seen the commercials for these big 'ol zip lock bags, have you? When I first saw them on TV I thought " Phhht! What in the world would I need a ginormous plastic bag for?". I should not have been too critical, for I have found a purpose!

Big bulky sleeping bags!!!

I recently took one of our two big sleeping bags to the cleaners to use for my recent guests. The other sleeping bag will visit the cleaners shortly so it will be ready for camping this summer. Well, now that our guests are gone I need to put this big bulky thing away. It had been stored in our hall closet, but it takes up too much space. I'd like to put it in the garage but I don't have an adequate and safe place to put it. I also do not have one of those stuff bags to put it in and I do not want to simply roll and tie it up. I am afraid that spiders or other creepy insects will nest in it. That would not make for a happy camper, if you now what I mean. Ewe! So I've been pondering how and where to store these bulky things.

(Enter brilliant idea here) Eureka!!!

Ginormous plastic bag! Perfect!

I went to good 'ol Target and picked up a box of Hefty Big Bags. I was contemplating the Glad bags but Hefty offered their XXL size bags with 2 gallons more space for the same price. So, Hefty it was. And it fits perfectly! I can now safely store the sleeping bags in the garage or even stuffed under my bed. And no worries about creepy bugs nesting in my camping gear!!! Sweet.

First Date

Way back in February Ryan and I met another couple at church who had recently moved to our area from another state, same as us! The great thing was that we all longed for friends in our new place of living. The sad part is that we could never get together, for last minute reasons. Many times I planned to get together with my new friend but one of my kids would get sick, or hers, or it ended up just being bad timing. This went on for a few months....until today! I had my doubts but it finally came to fruition. Praise the Lord!!!

So, today was my get together with my new friend, Lani. I was excited. But what does one wear to a first time play date anyway? It really is like a dating. I settled on my standby jeans with a new two piece top ensemble and finished the outfit with my new cute mary-jane type shoes I got last week.

Yep, I was stunning.

Well, ok, I looked fine for a play date. Nothing too special, I don't want to scare her off! *big grin*

It was great to finally get together! I just know that we will be good friends. I can just tell already. A great thing is that her three kids are about the same ages as mine, just opposite genders. So we really understand each stage and phase the other is dealing with. It's going to be great getting to know her and giving each other's kids new playmates.

Thank you Lord for this new friend and for working out the details.

God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!

More Trivia

Ok, I'm out of blog fodder, so again, I resort to my daily calender for inspiration. So sue me!

Amelia Bloomer invented bloomers.

Fact? or Crap?

**the answer will be posted tomorrow morning in my comments section.

Daily Trivia

A child was the first known person to survive a fall over Niagara Falls.





Fact? or Crap?

*noooo cheating! I will leave the answer tonight or tomorrow in the comments section.

Too Much Thinking Hurts!

Wendy has nominated me for the Thinking Blogger Award. Maybe she's stayed up too late while her husband has been out of town? For there's gotta be a reason why she thinks I deserve this most prestigious award. There's just gotta be!

Here is a short little list of things I am thinking about today:

1. I have six listings to add to Ebay today. Ebay is running a special today....twenty cent listings!!! I'm on it!
2. I deposited my latest check from Treasure Trooper. Granted it's only $28.26, but hey that's $28.26 that I didn't have before I spent a few minutes filling out meaningless surveys! Last month I my check was for $30. I so love this simple way of making a few bucks! (if you want to sign up you can use my referral link to get started, or just go to treasuretrooper.com!)
3. Gotta finish my bible study for tonight, I've so slacked off these past two weeks. Yikes!
4. It would be nice if I would finish unpacking my suitcase. Yep, it'd be nice.
5. My back hurts. I don't know why. It starts to feel better then I have to pick up Isabel, then it hurts again. I need to stop babying my baby. *sigh*
6. That's enough, I don't want to think anymore.....maybe I'll go take a nap!

Here is yet another list, but this one is of the people that make me think;

1. Chris at The Mayne Events. It makes me think of her starting a new life in a new place (just like me!). Her blog also reminds me of how much I miss her......but praise the Lord for email, telephones and blogs!
2. Julie over at Everyday Mommy makes me think on a more serious and spiritual note, but at the same time she includes everyday antics of her life. It a great balance!
3. Then there is Kim at Temporary? Insanity. She's a hoot! (and I don't regularly use that word either!) I enjoy reading (and seeing pics) of how she is organizing her life and home. An inspiration indeed!
4. And I love, love, love to read what Wendy is up to in paradise. Wendy's Tiki Hut is loaded with tons of cool things that she and her family do now that they are basking in the sun and waves. I wish I could be as cool as Wendy!
5. Last, but not least, is Becca at Zerbik. Zerbik is where Becca goes to hash out her spiritual thoughts and musings. I have enjoyed her many thoughts and questions and have also had the opportunity to dialog a bit with her.

The participation rules are simple:


1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote.

A Great Two Weeks!

The kids and I have had a very full two weeks. We just returned on Saturday from good ol' Modesto, where we spent the week. It's good to be home and back into our routine (and beds), but we miss our family and great friends.

My good friend, Rachel, and her three boys spent the week after Easter with us. It was great!!! I can not say how wonderful it was to have a whole week with such a good friend, it was a blessing indeed. We did lots of things but my favorite was being able to have full and completed conversations! I can't remember the last time Rachel and I had the opportunity to talk with each other. I blame it on having children. *big grin* While she and her boys were here we went to several parks for lunch, visited the zoo, and even did tie-dyed shirts! One day I got a couple of baby sitters and Rachel and I went to a ceramics painting store and spent a couple hours painting and talking. It was fabulous!

When it was time for Rachel and her crew to leave, the kids and I caravaned back up North. Cell phones are sooo handy! Being able to travel together for half the trip was handy too. If one person had to stop to use the 'necessary' we just called the other person, pulled over at the next gas station and the other person would watch all the kids instead of unloading them. I gotta say my return trip home was without this convenience. *sigh*

The second part of our two week extravaganza hit once we got to Modesto. The kids and I enjoyed the Grandma's and the Grandpa's as well as the cousins. My mom took a couple days off work and one day we went to Micke Grove with my sister-in-law and her 3 kids. The kids had a great time together. I think the best part of that day was the time we spent at the park for lunch. We spent more time there than we did inside the little zoo. The park was a great place for lots of picture taking too! The other major thing we accomplished while in town was getting a picture of all the grandkids for my mother. That's not an easy feet with six kids ranging from 10 to 2o months, but we were pleasantly surprised with how many good shots we had to choose from. And now we have yet another picture that captures our time together (toe sock included!).

Alas, here I am, back at home sitting in front of the computer reminiscing about my past two weeks. I gotta get it down and post the pictures before I forget! Now that I am home I also have to get back into the routine of fixing dinner again. *sigh* I have not a clue what will be the fare for tonight. Any ideas??

I posted some pictures from our last two weeks. I'm sure I put too many on there but I'm also sure that my family and friends will enjoy them. So, to the other 3 people that look at my blog, please forgive the numerous pics of kids and fun.....to the rest.....enjoy!

My Schpeal

Alright. Many of you have asked what exactly I said when it was my turn to say something of interest at the audition for Deal or No Deal. Here is the gist of what I said:

Hi, my name is Deanne and I was young and stupid when I got married when I was 20. But by the grace of God my husband and I will be celebrating our 11th anniversary this summer. The Lord, my husband and my children are the joy of my life.

Sheesh, when I write it out it doesn't seem like I said much! But when your standing in front of the person that will choose whether you get on the show or not and you only have 20 seconds, time seems to fly!

Do you think that what I said was worth remembering? You tell me. I'm thinking no, but hopefully I'll be wrong. We were told that once we said our schpeal that we were to leave, no questions or badgering. If we were chosen then we will be notified or reached with a phone call. It could be tomorrow or six months from now, or never. We were also told that about eight thousand people showed up that day for the auditions. So, again, is what I said something that is memorable in the midst of seven thousand nine hundred and ninety nine other people? I didn't think so either.

**If anyone is interested in playing a little on-line game of Deal or No Deal, you can play it here.

What Were We Thinking???

So, Deal or No Deal was in town recently and was holding open auditions. Ryan and I decided we'd go, so we did.

Yes, we are crazy.

No, we are not as crazy as most of the other freaky people that showed up.

It was an experience that's for sure! We had no idea of what it would be like and we are not likely to do anything like it again.

Let me first say why we decided to try out. We live in a very expensive place and it will take us at least a year to get together enough money for a down payment on a house. That is all we would want, just enough for that down payment. If it were not for that we would not have entertained the notion of going.

The auditions were from 10 to 2 on a Saturday but Ryan had read online that it was best to show up at six. So, he headed out early that morning and I caught up with him a couple hours later. Ryan got in line around 7 am and I got there at about 9. We had no idea that we would be in line for most of the day! Although I did not know the duration I did bring bottled water for the both of us along with snacks. It was a good thing too for I was in line for over 6 hours (Ryan for 9).

See, told you we were crazy!

I don't think I have ever stood on my feet as long I did that day. At least when you go to an amusement park you get to ride some rides or sit down every once in a while. My legs just ached and hurt. I must be getting old because I was not aware of some of the muscles I have (isn't that something that 'older' people say?).

I was surprised at the number of people that showed up (although I shouldn't have been) as well as the variety of people. There were certainly a number of people that fell into the category that I call 'freaks and weirdos', and many of them carried signs and had writing on their shirts or even wore costumes. I. Don't. Know. Why. The part that surprised me was that their were older people there (older as in retired). It's just not one of those things that I would think would attract people of that age. Of course there were younger people there with their groups of friends, but there were also people there by themselves. That struck me as odd too.

While standing in line for hours and hours, we listened to a band play then taped music when the band was on break. Some people danced when the music was really upbeat or played a classic popular song. That was entertaining in itself. At one point an African American woman of large proportions got her groove on and a retired man started freak dancing behind her! It was hilarious to watch as this mis-matched pair as they did their thang! Someone also brought a beach ball and the crowd passed that thing around in the air for hours.

I spent most of my time thinking of what to say when it came time to go before the casting directors. Every few hours the casting producer would come out and tell everyone what was expected. Which was that we each had 20 seconds to tell them something interesting about ourselves, something that would make them remember us individually. If I was memorable then they just may think of me when a profile they want on the show comes up. So I tried to think of something to say. It was a good thing I had hours to think of it 'cause I'm a perfectionist and I know I would have froze or blew it completely if I didn't have time to prepare something to say. In hindsight I'm not entirely sure that what I did say fell into the category of 'memorable', but I did my best.

So, that was pretty much our experience in this American phenomenon that is reality or game show television. I could go into more detail but I really don't wish to bore you more than I already have. We stood in line, moved forward, and watched weirdos. What more can be said?

Blogging Break

To my loyal readership:

This week I may not post much, if at all. I have a dear friend visiting with her three boys so we will be off making memories (and future blog posts). If I get a chance to sneak in a post or two then I will. I look forward to the week ahead and telling you all about it when I get the opportunity. I also want to blog about this past Saturday and the event that Ryan and I involved ourselves in. Hint....the post will be titled 'What Were We Thinking?!'.....so be on the lookout!

Oh! One other note since I'm warning you of blog nothingness...my kids and I will also be traveling the end of this week and will spend a week in good ol' Mo-town with my family. I hope to have some time to blog while I'm there. If not, then I'll be off making blog memories!

So no worries, I didn't fall off the face of blog planet. I will return!

Daily Trivia

Ok, so not much has been happening this week. At least nothing worth blogging about. So, out of my need to post something I again will consult our daily Fact of Crap trivia for inspiration. Here it is:

David Letterman and Mary Tyler Moore once had a TV show together.

Once again, leave your guess in the comments and.......no cheating!! I'll post the answer either tonight or later tomorrow.

Not Funny!

We have a nifty alarm clock. It automatically adjusts itself when there is a time change (ie. Daylight Savings). Once, before we had 'nifty clock', we forgot to set our clock back and the next morning we walked into church during the last part of the first service, we were going for the second service. Darn, we missed out on the best part of time change....fall back!

This year we had a rude awaking, of sorts. Actually it was more like an April Fool's prank on behalf of 'nifty clock'. Well, this year was tricky since the date of Daylight Savings time was moved up. No one informed 'nifty clock' of this change so it did not adjust itself when the time came. It didn't really matter because the pastor of our church is not a morning person so he does not observe the change until after the end of the second service, which gets out at noon. The problem was that 'nifty clock' knew when the change was supposed to be. The change was suppose to be this past weekend. April first. No wonder they changed the date!

This is how yesterday morning went:

Ryan: "It's 7:45." (church starts at 8:30)
Me: "That's not good."

(get up, scramble to get everyone up and ready (of course the kids would sleep in today!) and out the door 40 minutes later! We pile the kids in the truck and head to church)

Me: (inside the truck, on our way) "Why does the clock say 7:30?"
Ryan: "Maybe you didn't change it."
Me: "I know I changed it."
Ryan: "Hmmm. What does your watch say?"
Me: "7:30."

(silence, as reality sets in and we realize that we just missed out on an hours time of precious sleep)

Me: "Stupid clock."

March Movie Log

Another month means more movies! Here is what we viewed last month:

1. My Fair Lady (ok, so I watched this one by myself, but I'm not complaining at all!!! I so enjoyed this movie. I had seen it before, many years ago, and I am still in love with it. I still have some delightful songs in my head.......'Just you wait 'Enry 'Iggins, just you wait!', and 'Why can't a woman be more like a man?' Classic movie goodness, I love it, love it!)
2. Who Killed the Electric Car? (documentary on the reason why electric cars are no longer around. Intriguing.)
3. Why We Fight (Ryan watched this documentary on why America is involved militarily around the world. I wasn't interested in it. Sounded as intriguing as watching paint dry. So I declined to partake and let him do his guy thing.)
4. The Green Mile (I had seen this a few years ago but Ryan had not. The language is strong but the story is good.)
5. Lost (So far I have seen all of season one, and one dvd of season two. I've never watched a tv show on dvd before, and I like it!!! I like that one episode is 45 minutes and has no commercial interruptions. I also like that I don't have to wait a week to see another episode. I am liking this show a lot and can't wait to see more!)
6. The Illusionist (movie was alright. I had figured out what had happened but not sure how he 'done it' until it was explained.)
7. Happy Feet (This was our latest family movie night feature. At first I thought it was fun, especially when the kids would get up and dance along in their own silly way. But then the movie turned and became more, um, let's say, environmentalist. So, my overall impression was that it was ok, but it could have done with out the 'message'.)
8. The Prestige (This was one of those movies that made you really think and want to figure out what was going on, it did for me anyway. I like to try to solve the mystery but I didn't get to this time. I was surprised at the ending, it was good.)
   

My favorite viewing pleasure was, well, I gotta say was Lost! I can't help myself now. I went to the video store and got the next two disks of season 2. I'm sure I'll have them finished by tomorrow at the latest. My only issue is that I won't be caught up with the story after I complete season 2! What season is being aired right now anyway? Don't anyone spoil anything for me, please!

No Joke, It's Her Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to my favoritest mommy in the whole wide world, I love you!
Happy Birthday to you!

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Yep! Today is my mother's birthday. So, in honor of her this day I'd like to do a little list of why she is the bestest in the whole wide world and why I love her so.

My mother:

• calls me every week and has done so since I got married and moved away. It is the highlight of my week!
• tells me I am her 'sunshine'. *big grin*
  
• always listens
• never asks too many questions or questions that cross the line into being nosy.
• prays for me and my family and tells us so
• makes me laugh
• encourages me in my own motherhood (although I think she set the bar pretty high!) *big grin*
• has always found creative ways to fix things (she is my inspiration)
• let's me call her with my silly cooking questions
  
• loves to read and many times has passed along a great author or book. I love that we read the same books, it's so much fun!
  
• believes in the best in me even when I don't
• gives good, wise, sound and Godly advice
• is someone I want to be like when I grow up!

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you toooo much and I hope you have a fabulous day. See you in a couple weeks!

My Things Costco

My friend Chris wrote a post the other day about her love of Costco. It reminded me that I have been walking around for a couple months writing a post in my mind about the fine establishment that is the mecca of all things warehouse stores. Alas, I feel it is time to unload my burden and just write the darn thing!

When we first moved to Michigan, back in 2003, Costco was no longer close to us. The closest one was a good 45 minute drive. That's not so convenient when all you want is a case of milk and frozen chicken. Now that we have moved, yet again, the beloved store is now literally down the street from us. Say it with me now, Whoo-hoo!!!

Here are a few things I love about my Costco (yes. mine!):

• It's just down the street and around the corner
• I can run in and just grab a case of milk and that's it!
• it has four self-check stands. Awesome! (and I use it all the time)
• they have fabulous customer service
• great deals, hello?!
  

Although I do dearly love my Costco, there are draw backs. My in-laws have a term for stores that attract slow moving people with shopping carts. Wal-Mart is one of them. Costco is the other. The term? Alien Dampening Field. And Costco, being the super large warehouse store that it is, has one equal to its size. The Costco dampening field seems to reach inside people and turn them into zombies that seek out the food samples at each isle. It also causes them to stop mid isle for no reason and make them oblivious to others and the flow of traffic around them. Weekends and Costco are prime for this particular phenomenon. Thankfully I tend to go during the week, in the morning, and therefore avoid such occurrences.

The other peeve I have with this fine establishment is when I go to leave. I really really really really do not like to wait in line to have someone check my receipt. I think it is ridiculous. We had a friend back in San Jose that happened to be a police officer and he knew a few things. One of the things he knew was that Costco could not legally make you wait to check your receipt before leaving. When Dave went to Costco he would walk right past the receipt checkers! I always think of that when I go, but never have the courage to actually do it. *sigh* Another thing about that receipt checking thing....I don't know about your Costco, but at mine, if I have one of the kids in the cart with me the Receipt Nazi always takes their time to flip over the receipt to draw a smiley face. Come on man, don't you see the line of full-carted people behind me who are desperately trying to free them selves from the dampening field??? I always keep walking forward slowly in hopes that they'll not do the smiley face thing. It never works. Then the kids fight over who gets to hold it. Great. Thanks big guy.

Even with it's draw backs it's still worth it! My peeves never keep me from going. And I can't help but be thankful that I now live close to one.

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In other Costco news....did you know that they do not carry Martinelli's Sparkling Cider after the New Year? Nope. It's a seasonal thing. Bummer! Also, they do not carry Tummy Yummies*. Ryan asked. They just don't. Just thought you should know.

**Ryan went to Costco for me one day and I wanted a box of their super yummy cookies from the bakery. So on the list I wrote 'tummy yummies' thinking he'd understand because we had just polished off a box and had talked about it. For those of you who don't watch Clifford The Big Red Dog, tummy yummies are treats that the characters (dogs) eat. I thought it was appropriate to call the super-yummy cookies Tummy Yummies. Don't you?

I'm in the Money!

Whoo-hoo!!! I made some money! Last week I bought a small desk for Mae but later bought a second one that I liked better. I listed the first desk on Craigslist this week and tonight it sold. I had bought the desk for $15 and sold it for $30. On top of the extra $15 I also made five bucks delivering it. Not bad eh? Thanks to a cheapo desk and a brilliant sales idea (the delivery charge) I made some moolah! I'm so stoked!!!

The Prose of Rain

It's been raining a little bit for about a week. We even had a thunderstorm on Friday, which is unusual for this area. A couple days ago the kids and I were in the truck when it started raining pretty hard. Mae noted this and sang the little rhyme about the rain.

'it's raining, it's pouring, the old man is sneezing!'

Not exactly the way I remember the rhyme, maybe it was prose?

My Bon Garfo Experience

Ryan made it home safely from Singapore on Friday afternoon. He did not suffer from any jet lag but did take a nice long nap when he got home. I am so grateful to have him home! To celebrate the occasion of his return we went on a date Saturday night. Ryan loves Brazilian food and found a restaurant downtown that serves Brazilian bbq. Ryan read a review of the place online and one person said to bring your fat pants when going to this place. No doubt he was right! The food was so very very good. I now know why Ryan got the name Bon Garfo during his many visits to Brazil. Bon Garfo in Portuguese means good fork (I think I spelled it right). He has a penchant for good food and always seeks it out when traveling. It is nice to live in a larger city that offers many different places to eat. Ryan is in food heaven!

It's the Little Things

Ryan has been gone this week. He left Sunday morning for Singapore and will return today. When we lived in Michigan there was a period when he was traveling a lot and it did not go well for me during those times. I'm not sure why, but this week has gone relatively smooth and I am so grateful to the Lord for what he has done in my life to cause me to handle this week better than I have in the past. I always try to make things easier for myself and the kids when Ryan is gone. So this week I have done the following:

• bought tv dinners for the kids (frozen pizza for dinner tonight! I just don't cook when Ryan is gone)
• bought chocolate chip cookie dough and made cookies for myself the kids
• rented two kid dvds
• made up a silly song for Mae and we have sung it all week
  
• rented the first season of Lost on dvd (I love it!!!...don't spoil anything for me, say nothing about anything past this season!)
• stayed up late each night watching Lost!
  
• had Isabel sleep in my room so I can blame night noises on her and not get freaked out
• bought two desks for Mae off Craigslist (yes, two. Hopefully I'll resell desk #1 for a profit. *big grin*)
• take kids to Chuck E Cheese for lunch (yes, I'm crazy. but I must say that going on a weekday for lunch was not too bad)
• wear hat every morning when taking Mae and Caleb to school
• get ready for the day after I get home and have had breakfast
• get up earlier on Wednesday to help Mae get ready so she can look extra nice for school pics
• stay with Mae at school today for the first part of the morning to watch her get an award for displaying good character in class (no pics, Ryan has the camera for his trip)
• don't tell kids that Ryan will be home earlier than we thought....they'll be so surprised when he walks in before naptime!!!

Well, like I said, this week has been relatively smooth considering Ryan's absence. I always dread these times, but God has been good to us this week. Praise Him! I am thankful for all the little things that have helped this time pass easily. Praise Him indeed!

No Bloitering!

Have you heard the term 'bloitering'? I first heard it from my cousin Rose who often reads blogs but rarely leaves a comment. She is a self-proclaimed bloiterer. Recently, while doing a bit of my own bloitering, I came across a new blog called Bringing Good Home, but never introduced myself until the blog party came along. While leaving a comment on her site I mentioned that I had been bloitering her blog. In response to the new term, she created some buttons for her site that discourages bloitering (because who doesn't like getting comments?). I asked if she would share them with me, and she obliged. Here they are:




Now I have some choices. These three are my favorites. Would you like to help me decide which one to put on my blog??? I like the sign, it was kind of what I had in mind when she first approached me with her idea. The kitty is cute, but at the same time I'm not as partial to cats as I used to be. Then there is the silhouette. I'm not sure what to say about that one other than 'I like it'. So, tell me what you think!

If you'd like to add one of these to your own blog you can go to my blog-friend's site and nab one out of her 'free graphics' folder at the top of her blog. Make sure to say 'hello' if you stop by, she doesn't like bloiterers.

Craigslistin' Mama!

Ryan has a few nick names for me, Ebayin' Mama is one of them because of all the buying and selling I do (mostly selling, mostly). As of today I think he may have a new one. Craigslistin' Mama! I just got home from buying a small desk for Mae, but last month I bought a bed for Caleb and the month before that I got Ryan a small file cabinet. See....Craigslistin' Mama! Now I only have to find a chair for Mae's new(ish) desk. I'm on a mission, watch out!

I just love Craigslist! It's like an on-line garage sale (and garage sales rock!). I am definitely going to list some of the larger baby items on Craigslist. Like the highchair when Issy is done with it (which is very soon) and the two baby baths and two diaper pails (the 'odorless diaper pail' did not live up to its name!). So between Ebay, Craiglist and Amazon I think I'm set. Whoo-hoo, I just love great deals!

Daily Trivia

Here is today's Fact or Crap question of the day:

Ralph Lauren's real last name is Lifshitz.

I'm not making this up, this really is the question! Ok, again, no cheating! Tell me whether you think this is true or not. I will post the answer in the comments later tonight. So.....fact? or crap?

Hair Woes

I'm not a person who cries easily, but right now that's all I want to do. Seriously. I just got off the phone with the salon and have been informed that the lady who cut my hair last time is (here comes the sad part) no longer there! Noooooooo!!!!!!! I finally found a place that doesn't charge an absorbent amount, is just around the corner from me, and the lady was so nice and did a fabulous job of listening to me as well as explaining how I can style my hair. Another sad thing is that there is no one in her price range available for new customers. Crap man! This is just is not right. See? I just wanna cry!!!

I was able to make an appointment for the following Saturday (not this week like I wanted, but I knew it was a long shot anyway) with a master stylist (whatever that means, besides a reason to more money). *sigh* Now what am I to do??? I can't pay what they would charge me after this next appointment (won't is more like it!). Oh well, maybe they will get another junior stylist before I need my next appointment? I can only hope.

On a completely different note.....I just want to say that I don't like phone numbers that are listed with words instead of numbers. I mean, come on, I don't want to have to look at each number on the number pad and locate each stinkin' letter so I can dial 123-hair!

Ok, I'm done. Sorry. I wrote the numbers above the word so I won't have to locate the numbers next time. Maybe the next time I will have a better outcome than I just had this afternoon and won't have to blog about it to alleviate my emotions (unless I hit the hair style jackpot and land a stable, totally awesome stylist!)

Spring Is In the Air

Today the kids and I took a little trip to Target to stock up on some Spring and Summer necessities...........sandles and sunglasses! Mae and Caleb, of course, were excited about their new stuff and couldn't wait to use them. Caleb loves his new sandles, he told me 'I call them my fast sandles 'cause they make me run fast, but I don't run in the house.' I wish!

the cool guy sporting his new stuff, along with the bike he got for his birthday!

It's funny, Caleb knew exactly what he wanted when it came to picking out his glasses. We got him a pair in the fall (now broken, hence the need for another pair) and back then he picked out Thomas the Train. His desires haven't changed. Again, it's Thomas the Train. He's an easy kid. Mae on the other hand has to look at each pair, try several on then waver in indecision. Such a girl! With a decision finally made we were able to leave, all happy.

doesn't she look bling'd out with those cool glasses???

What does Isabel get, you may wonder? Nothing, really. The other night I pulled out the box of Mae's old clothes for Issy. You know, hand-me-downs. At this point I know Issy doesn't care but I'm sure that in the years to come she will. I don't have experience with this first hand (pun intended) but I know it's coming! Anyway, I am loving using Mae's cute little outfits again. It was my hope that I'd get this chance when I first packed them away. So, as Isabel didn't get any new things she does have a new-to-her wardrobe! Whoo-hoo for hand-me-downs!

Daily Trivia

I lack any creative juices today and my life is too dull at the moment to bore you with details. So, I am consulting our daily trivia calender for today's post. The calender is called 'Fact or Crap', and this is what you do....read the statement and decide whether it is true or not. The answer is given on the back side of the days page. Without further ado, here is today's statement:

Johann Sebastian Bach composed a cantata about coffee.

Fact? Or crap?

Ok, now no cheating! No doing an online search . No Wickipedia. Just give me your best shot, your best guess.

Sorry, no prizes, this is just for fun. I will post the answer in the comments later tonight.

My Girls

My two girls have some, let's say, interesting things about them. Let's take Mae for starters. She did not name any of her stuffed animals or dolls until after she was 3. I don't know why, but we thought that it was strange that she waited so long to name anything. But that is not the weird part. When she did name things she got, well, creative. Mae had three baby dolls and decided to name them Pump, Kilp, and Lintz. Now you have to admit that these are not the typical names that little girls name their babies. This is just another example of her strong will. When she gets something in her mind then that is what she wants and nothing will dissuade her. And she's at it again, just this week she was given another doll and it has now been named. Please join me in welcoming Animal Rescue to our home!

Here is Mae with her babies

Linz, Animal Rescue, Flower Girl, Blueberry, Kilp, Pump, and Baby Boo

Isabel has her oddities too. She has quite an attachment to 3 particular pairs of toe socks. The strange thing is that is it part of her night time routine for going to sleep as well as for comfort during the day. Some kids have stuffed animals or blankies they can't leave home or go to sleep without. Isabel has toe socks! This was party my fault but I had no idea that it would become what it is today when it first started.

During Isabel's first Christmas (2005) my parents came to visit for the holidays. I got my mother, Mae, and myself a pair of fun toe socks for Christmas so we could have a silly sock day when Grandma was there. I had a pair of multi colored striped pair and I noticed that they had attracted Isabel's attention. So I laid them across the top of her bed rail so she could look at them when I laid her down. Isabel did look at them at would reach up and pull them down. She would then suck her thumb as the sock covered her face, and she would go to sleep.



Isabel ended up receiving all three of our toe socks that Christmas (for some reason my mom didn't want the ones with duckies on them....hmmmm, I wonder why?). So, what had started out as an innocent act of giving something neat for my baby to look at has now become a necessity every nap and bedtime. As odd as it is, it could be worse. At least her comfort item is not a huge one-of-a-kind stuffed animal or bulky blanket! At least the socks are easy to grab on the way out the door or be slipped into the washer while she is distracted with another pair!

I peeked in on her this evening and this is what I saw, and I couldn't pass up this kodak moment!



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Wow! This is my 100th post! I just love this blogging thing, it's the greatest. Thank you for joining me in this great adventure that is blogging!

And the Winner Is.....

Thank you everyone who came by my party this past week and said 'hello'! I've met many new people thanks to the Ultimate Blog Party, and hopefully I've made some new friends here in blog world as a result.

I had my own little bit of fun because of the party. I put all the names of everyone who left a comment in my party post and had Mae pick one out of Issy's hat. So, without further ado, I must say 'congratulations' to Chris, the winner of my drawing for five fabulous cards!


**I have tell you that when Mae saw the cards she said 'I like your cards Mom, I know you did your best.' Thank you, Mae! I hope Chris likes them too! *wink wink*

Join the Party!

(this post will remain at the top of my blog until Friday, so don't forget to check beneath for newer posts this week! You don't want to miss out on all the fun stuff!)

I've joined the party! Come on in, I think it will be fun!!! Ok, so who am I?? My name is Deanne and I have been married to my fabulous husband for over ten years. I am also a mother to 3 small kids. Mae, who is 5 (entered kindergarten this year!), Caleb is 4 and Isabel is 19 months. Yep, I'm a busy one. I have the privilege to stay home with them in hope to raise them to be loving children of God. What a challenge this is! My mother made it look so easy, maybe because she's so good at it, or maybe because I was such a wonderful and perfect child? I'm thinking she was just good at what she does! *big grin*

I grew up in California and since being married I have relocated 4 times! My journey started with a move to San Jose, CA after I got married. From there we moved to Portland, OR where he got his first job out of college. Then we jumped over to Michigan for a few years, and now we are back in California! Whew, what a ride we've been on! Going through all our moves and the situations that come with and within them, I have grown more dependent on the Lord for all things. I'm a work in progress, so don't go thinking I've learned it all. I'm just a little California girl working through my relationship with my Lord. My one goal in life right now is that my children will see Christ in me and will one day have their own love and relationship with Him.

My purpose for this blog was initially to give a way for my family and friends to stay connected with my life. However, I have been blessed by the many friendships I have made since starting. I think having this blog gives me the opportunity to 'talk' about daily things in my life that I might not otherwise have the chance to say since I hardly know anyone in this new place that we live. Amazingly, I feel connected with other moms in a way I never expected. I love it!! I am a blogging addict. My name is Deanne, and I love to blog.

My hobbies include; blogging (of course!), reading (mostly Christian Fiction), stamping (love to make cards!), selling misc stuff on Ebay (ebay is my friend, when the selling ends well), and just plain ol' being crafty and creative.

**Here's an incentive to post a comment in today's post. At the end of the Blog Party, I will randomly choose a 'winner' from those who post a comment to this post and the winner will recieve 5 handmade cards! So go on, introduce yourself and say hola!

Progress???

I wonder if going to the gym is starting to showing some pay off?. Today my pants fit a little better. I think. It could just be because I wore them yesterday and were stretched out from the days wear. But I'll take it as encouragement. It's time I look at the glass as half full! Can't neglect my friendly neighborhood gym though! Yes, that's what I have to tell myself.....the gym is my friend, the gym is my friend, the gym is.......

Know Your Bible?

I found this quiz while bloitering and decided to take it. I must say, however, that this was an easy test. There are about 42 questions, all multiple choice. The easy part was that two out the four choices were an absolute 'no'! That was the easy part. With that said, go ahead and give it a try and see how much you know!

You know the Bible 100%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

Poop on Croup!

Yep, poop on croup at 4 in the afternoon.

Poop on croup at 1 in the morning.

That's all I have to say about that!

Cornbread Update

Oops! I left out an ingredient in the cornbread recipe I posted last month. Sorry! I hope no one has made it and resulted in a failure. If so, please try it again, I know you won't be disappointed! Anyway, I left out the part where you add a 1/2 cup of melted butter. I've updated the recipe in the original post but you may want to add it to your recipe if you have it saved anywhere.

**thank you Carrie for letting me know! Sure hope Steve likes it!!!

Quiz Time!

I took a few fun little quizzes this morning. Here are the results!

You Are Ernie

Playful and childlike, you are everyone's favorite friend - even if your goofy antics get annoying at times. You are usually feeling: Amused - you are very easily entertained You are famous for: Always making people smile. From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun. How you life your life: With ease. Life is only difficult when your friends won't play with you!

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Your Power Color Is Lime Green

At Your Highest: You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary. At Your Lowest: You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in. In Love: You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated. How You're Attractive: Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room. Your Eternal Question: "What else do I need in my life?"

What's Your Power Color?

Muffiny Goodness

Here's the fabulous recipe for all you recipe fiends out there!

Six Week Bran Muffins

**preheat oven to 350 and make buttermilk before starting**

Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 cup 100% All-Bran cereal and set aside

In a large bowl beat together:
1/2 c butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 c dark brown sugar (can substitute 1/4 c honey for 1/2 c sugar)
add soggy All-Bran

In a small bowl mix dry ingredients:
3 c flour (can use whole wheat)
3 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tbl cinnamon

Alternate mixing dry ingredients into large bowl with 2 cups buttermilk (can make your won buttermillk - mix 1/4 c vinegar with 3/4 c milk)

After all is mixed together, fold in 2 c dry All-Bran and let sit until dry ceral absorbs moisture.

Can add raisins, dried cranberries, or mini-chocolate chips before baking. Bake what you want at 350 for 15-25 minutes (depending on size of muffins) and store remainder covered in the fridge for up to 6 weeks using it as you need.

"This is an old, old recipe that is tried and true." - Gramma Harris*

There you have it! Enjoy, you new recipe lovers, you!

*when passing along this recipe it is important to keep the quote at the bottom. 'It's tradition', says Becca, who was so gracious enough to give me a copy of this fabulous recipe. (I, too, am a new-recipe fiend!)

Major Award!

I won, I won, I won!!! Becca had a contest to guess which tooth her son would pop out first. And I won! Sweet! Even sweeter is the prize, two dozen mini-chocolate chip bran muffins (her best recipe!). I was so excited, and they arrived today! It's the highlight of my week!!! Mmmmm....such yummy goodness is found in these delightful little delicious goodies! I can't eat too many at once, 'cause, you know, they are bran muffins after all. Anyway, a great big thank you to Becca for making and sending me these super-yummy bundles of goodness (and to her son who was the inspiration behind it all!).

**she included a recipe too, should I pass it along???

February Movie Log

We didn't watch that many movies last month, which to me is surprising considering we saw a record amount in January. Ryan had a busy month at work so many nights he was playing catch up and did not have time to watch a movie. Oh well, it was a short month anyway, right? So, here is what we did watch:

1. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (It was so sad to watch the final movie of this trilogy. I enjoyed watching them so much and it was hard to bring it to close. These movies had such great story lines and were very well done. Maybe in a couple years we'll be ready to see them again. Go Frodo!!)
2. Invinceable (We watched this with my parents while they were here for their weekend visit. It was good! Based on a true story and done well. I totally recommend this one.)
   
3. An Inconvienent Truth (Documentary-type film by Al Gore about our current and growing crisis of global warming. Very interesting and thought provoking.)
4. Ice Age (Our most recent family movie night movie. I just love hearing the kids laugh at funny parts, it's the best!)
5. Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles (Chinese film about a Japanese man who decides to finish his son's last work by traveling to China to video a certain man performing a mask opera. It was interesting. Actually, the subtitles/translation was the most entertaining. It was funny to see typos and wrong words used! Ryan also says that the film is most likely propaganda to show China as being kind toward Japan, and I think he's right. Anyway, it was a good story. I would recommend it.)
   

See, I told you our movie watching was down this month! Let's see, this month is a toss up for my favorite. I did enjoy the final Lord of the Rings, but since I had seen it before I'll go with Invinceable as my favorite (sorry Al!).