Sunday, June 29, 2008

The Curse of the Phobia

I don't think I've mentioned it before, but I have a small fear of throwing up. No, seriously, I do. I hate it more than anything on this earth. Not only hate it, but am terrified, PETRIFIED of doing it.

Okay, okay, I know you all know this, I just feel like a broken record when I talk about it so I thought I'd change things up a bit. I've actually used this post title before, back when I first started blogging, it was like my third post or something and I got sick. But I had to use it again because that's how I feel. It is a giant CURSE. My curse for life.

I haven't thrown up again, but I swear my immune system is failing me. Why do I get sick so much? Is it the constant fast food? The flow of sugar through my veins? The complete lack of exercise and nutritious food? I don't think so, and here's why: These things were all true about me three years ago, when I never got sick. Something has changed and I don't know what. But I am sick of it! (No pun intended.)

This weekend I thought for sure I was getting the flu again. I was beyond nauseous, had the other flu symptom (I'll spare you the details but it comes out the other end), and just all around felt yuck. Luckily fate decided I'd had my fair share of the awful, horrible you-know-what lately, so I was spared actually doing it, but the symptoms are not gone. My stomach feels like something crawled in there and died.

Don't get me wrong, I am so unbelievably grateful that I didn't actually throw up. But the constant feeling like I'm going to is not so much fun for me, either. Basically I'm a huge baby when I feel this way. Which is why I always have to blog about it. I come from a family that is famous for having to talk about what we are feeling. It always makes us feel a bit better about the crappy situation.

So thanks again for listening about me and my curse. I'm sure you all love it so much (you can't tell, but I'm being sarcastic) but I don't care. This is my blog (weB LOG=online journal) so I am using it as such.

Here's to feeling better and STAYING THAT WAY for looooong periods of time!!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

What Happens In Vegas


So you may have guessed that the reason it's taken me so long to review this movie is because I wasn't exactly blown away by it. The only part I remember laughing at was the very, very last scene; the extra, thrown-in scene after the credits have already started rolling. That was pretty funny.

The rest of the movie was _______________. (Choose one of the following words of your choice to insert there: obnoxious, laughless, cliched, annoying.) As I was watching I envisioned a group of Hollywood bigwigs sitting around a table saying, "We haven't done a romantic comedy in a while. We need a no-risk, guaranteed money-maker. Who's on the cover of Teen and YM this month? Let's get them to star in it." Then they pull out their checklist. At the top it says Formula For Romantic Comedy. Below it says:

  • Gorgeous, hot-bodied "American sweetheart" female lead. Check.
  • Goofy, buff, pretty-boy male lead. Check.
  • Wacky, crude, comic-relief best friend. Check.
  • Unrealistic, only-in-movies-would-that-ever-happen plot. Check.
  • Hostility and sexual tension between two leads. Check.
  • Sexual innuendos throughout, shocking humor, minimum one sex scene. Check.
  • Scene involving male lead showing tender side with kids, resulting in female lead's changed opinion of male lead. Check.
  • Dramatic argument between two leads near finale, seemingly devastating possible relationship. Check.
  • Sappy, gag-inducing final scene including unconvincing sentiments and affection. Check.
  • Cheesy joke to lighten mood. Check.
Roll Credits.
  • Oh, extra add-in scene as credits roll. Must actually be funny. Check.
I guess what I'm saying is the movie wasn't horrible, but it was not good. If a movie is going to be that blatantly cookie-cutter, it sure as heck better have some good laughs to make up for it. This one did not. Cringes, however, were good and plenty.

And you know it says a lot if Ashton Kutcher was the less obnoxious person to watch. Seriously, Cameron, you're pretty and all, but you. bug. me. to. death. And we all know your cleavage was painted on.

Stay tuned....coming up is a positive movie review about a movie I loved...and you'll be shocked to find out what movie it is!!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Party On Wayne, Party On Garth

So instead of apologizing yet again for the short notice, I'm just going to assume that you've all come to expect this from me.


STAMPIN' UP PARTY

TONIGHT

7:00

AMY'S HOUSE


I don't know what we'll be making yet but you can sure bet it will be cute and fun.

Come! Bring a friend! It will be a fun night out, full of paper crafting, snacking and chatting (and by chatting I mean revealing things we'll all probably regret the next day. Isn't that the best?)

Hope to see you there!


Saturday, June 21, 2008

On August 12th
me





and this girl






are going to see this guy





and meet this girl (!!!)




in Seattle, the setting of



Does it get any better than that?

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Pity Party At My House

I have such a new found respect for single moms. I have always admired them so much and thought to myself, "How do they do it? I never could." Turns out I was right. I am a lousy single mom. Bill got a second job which puts him at work from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Monday-Friday. I don't know how he does it, I try not to think about it. One job is physical labor, the other extreme physical labor. My job, therefore, has also been extended. I thought doing it alone till 5:00 was hard. Ha!

What makes it worse is that it's now summer vacation. No schedule, no have-to's. Nothing to break up the looooooong day. I roll out of bed in the morning and think, "Now what?" I have no motivation to cook, clean, do laundry, leave the house, do anything fun with the kids. And the ironic part is that the whole time I'm laying around doing nothing but wallow in my misery, I'm completely aware of the fact that if I would just get up and do something it would be better. But I can't find the motivation to do it. Funny how that works.

Tomorrow I will try harder. Or at least I am determined to, we'll see if it actually happens. On a positive note, I have used my two hours of alone time at night to write my book! I have written 9 pages so far and am loving it. Don't bother asking, I'm not saying a word about it. It will ruin it for me and put pressure on me, and me and pressure go together like oil and water.

Goodnight, ya'll.

Monday, June 16, 2008

A Threeview

Summer vacation is officially here and with it came a summer tradition I had forgotten about--one that I love: Movie Watching. Since all of our shows are done, Bill and I watch a movie together every night. Sure, it'll be a little more difficult now that he works until ten, but knowing us, we'll pop in a movie as soon as he gets home. We watched three new movies last week, two that we rented and one in the theater. None were worthy enough of their own review (in my opinion) so I thought I'd put them together in one post.



I was really disappointed by this movie. The previews sparked my interest greatly (I love fantasy movies, especially big-budget epic ones) but sometimes, a movie just rubs me the wrong way. It wasn't because of the controversy behind the movie and the books that inspired it, I just didn't like it. The characters didn't feel believable to me in any way, and I was almost embarrassed for Nicole Kidman at times. The only actor I enjoyed watching was the main girl, and that's because she was a child. She didn't look ridiculous walking alongside a talking polar bear or agonizing over magic dust. The adults on the other hand.....
Also, it felt too much like they took a huge story from a huge book and compacted it into a two hour movie, which is exactly what they did, but...it felt too much like it. Information overload. Just when I had my head wrapped around what was happening in a scene, something new was happening. Halfway through the movie I didn't care anymore. I gave up trying to follow it and just enjoyed the wonder that is visual effects.
And then there was the ending...I understand the books are a series and there is more to come, but, seriously, suddenly in the middle of the scene the movie ends. They're off to their next destination to save their world, except that the movie is over. The only way I knew it was over was because the movie had gone on long enough and because the narrator came back on to give a dramatic monologue about their quest and how it wasn't over. Somehow I don't think I'll be joining them for the next leg of their journey.


I love that Disney is putting out real-people movies that are actually good and entertaining, instead of their usual, intelligence-insulting fare (remember Snow Dogs?). Like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Chronicles of Narnia, National Treasure and its sequel are actually good movies with great actors that grown-ups actually want to see, not just sit through to make their kids happy. And because they're Disney, we don't have to deal with the sex or language associated with most action/adventures.
I thought NT2 was just as fun as the first. I love the light humor and the code cracking, and I especially love the American history. (What a tricky way to teach kids about our nation's past, eh?) I was a bit surprised that they stuck like glue to the original format (find a clue, uncrack the code that leads to the next clue, uncrack that code, and so on and so forth until famous buried treasure of untold worth is found), hoping maybe they would mix things up a bit, but I guess you stick with what's successful, right?
I probably won't put a countdown on my blog for the third NT enstallment, but I sure will rent it when it comes out.



We took the kids to see this on a whim Saturday evening, and I was so glad we did. It. Was. Hilarious. I never expected to laugh that much, and Bill laughed more than I did. We both laughed more than the kids put together. (I think they laughed out loud once each, when the panda sat on the leopard's face.) Leave it to Jack Black. I will never doubt his comedic skills again, even if the movie seems like it will be a mediocre, cliche kid movie.
There was a lot of kung fu, but I didn't even mind those parts. Even that was interesting and entertaining. The music and shots of China's gorgeous scenery (albeit computer animated) were great too, but Jack Black (as the title character, Po) made the movie. Every time he opened his mouth I was laughing. If you haven't taken your kids to see it yet, do. (Although you may want to go to a matinee. $30 for our family to go to the movies. What is this world coming to??!!)
Oh, and my kids loved it too. They were even making theories about what would happen, totally engrossed. It was the first movie we've gone to that Payson hasn't fallen asleep in. They've talked about it non-stop ever since, and even came home that night karate-chopping everything in sight. So cute.

Coming soon: My review of What Happens In Vegas (I know, it's taken me awhile. I've been busy.)

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Birthday Girl!!





Happy Birthday Kimmie!!

Go treat yourself to an eyebrow wax, a pedicure on those toes of yours,
and all the oxalate-free foods you can get your hands on!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Update In Pictures

Payson snapped some pics of his "Bransy"





Bill decided it was time for a haircut. (Ya think?)


Payson wanted to cut Bill's hair, so Bill let him


Of course Macy wanted a turn.


Payson had his Preschool Graduation Friday night



And the best news of all....


Look at that thumbnail, baby!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

The Host

WARNING: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.


I never thought I'd ever say that I liked a book about alien body-snatchers. Ever. The only reason I even read it was because it was written by the same person who managed to make me, the most anti-vampire person alive, fall in love with a vampire. So I figured I'd give it a chance. And sure enough, Stephie didn't disappoint. How did she manage, once again, to make something so ridiculously absurd as alien body-snatchers not ridiculous or absurd? Girl's got skills.

I really, truly don't want to give very much away at all. All I'll say is basically what is on the book jacket, the bottom line of what the story is about: The earth is being taken over by alien body-snatchers, or "souls" as they are referred to in the book. A soul takes over a body, forcing the previous occupant out. However, there are a few humans who manage to resist. One of these humans is Melanie. When a soul named Wanderer (Wanda) takes over Melanie's body, Melanie refuses to leave. This poses a problem. Soon the two girls are sharing Melanie's body, and before long Wanda begins to have feelings for Jared, the man that Melanie loves and remembers vividly. Having a common interest now, they join forces to track him down and see if he is still alive and still human.

So, here's the breakdown of what I liked about it and what I didn't like:


I liked:

~ The love story. Although it doesn't hold a candle to the Twilight series, it was enough to make my heart flutter once or twice.

~ This heroine better than Bella. She wasn't whiny, moody, weak or klutzy. Interestingly enough, I am talking about the alien, Wanderer, not the human, Melanie.

~ The action/adventure and suspense. Although it was slow at times, I was often on the edge of my seat (and by that I mean curled up in bed) wondering what was going to happen and how it was all going to work out.

~ The men. Stephanie is best when it comes to creating male characters. If they weren't as charming and hot and romantic as they are, I probably wouldn't read the books.



I didn't like:

~ The self-sacrificing heroine. I am sorry, but seriously, the "I love everyone I've ever met so much that I will willingly and gladly give my life for every one of them" act is getting old. It was annoying with Bella, and it was pretty much unbearable with Wanda. It got so that I was seriously hoping that I would turn the page and she would be saying, "I don't want to die, you die. I barely know you people." Alas, it didn't happen. Maybe next time.

~ The ending, as far as the love story went. I felt it was unfinished and left me feeling empty.

~ Melanie, for most of the book. In the beginning she was alright, but as the book went on she became a whiny, pining, pitiful thing.


I guess that is all I can think of specifically. I couldn't put it down, but the whole time I was missing Edward and the passion, drama and romance of the Twilight series. But it was a good read to tie me over till Breaking Dawn. On the plus side, the whole time I was reading it I kept thinking, "I would change this," or "this part would be so much better if..." So I've gotten the itch to start writing again. Make a story exactly how I want it. So I think I'll dust off the old novel and give it another shot. Who knows, maybe in a few years you all will be reviewing my novel. :)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Sunshine Through The Rain

Do you ever have those little surprises that make an otherwise lame day totally awesome? I experienced this yesterday, and although it may seem like a simple thing to you, I will never forget it.

To preface my story, I have to say that I am sick, yet again. I know, I think I have the Bubonic Plague or something. This time my symptoms are swollen tonsils the size of Texas which make swallowing as pleasant as chewing on steel wool, the pain spreading up into my ears and continuing on to my head. Oh, and the Bubonic bug seems to have trickled down to my stomach, making for some very unwanted nausea. (Is nausea ever wanted?)

So that was my day yesterday. I dropped Payson off at preschool and knew I had two and a half hours to wallow in my misery before I had to pick him up again. I knew exactly what I was going to do: Take a bath. I only take baths when I am sick and they never fail to make me feel better. But I cannot take a bath without something to read. And I had NOTHING to read. I literally searched my house from top to bottom (read: checked my bookshelf) and still came up dry. I finally went into Macy's room and grabbed one of my favorite chapter books when I was a kid. It was better than nothing. At this point I was thinking, Why, oh why have I not borrowed The Host from anyone yet? Today of all days would be the perfect day to have it. I tried to think and couldn't remember if any of the people I had talked to about it had mentioned owning it. I made a mental note to blog about it later and ask anyone if they had it and if I could borrow it.

Skip ahead two and a half hours later. I am pulling into Miss Molly's driveway and I happen to see a friend pulling out of her driveway just down the road. I thought to myself, she must be going to pick up her Kindergartener. But wait, she's going the wrong direction. She's headed this way. Hmm. She must be going somewhere else. I got out of my car and ran through the pouring rain into Miss Molly's. I was a few minutes early, so I sat on Miss Molly's stairs in her house and watched the kids sing the Finger Song with a perma-grin. (Cutest. Thing. Ever.) It was then that I saw through her front window my friend whom I had seen pull out of her driveway. She was pulling up in front of Miss Molly's house. Odd, I thought, she doesn't have a preschooler here. Maybe she's picking someone else's kid up for them. I went back to listening, expecting her to walk in at any moment. I got distracted by the singing, and other moms walking in, and gathering Payson's things, and forgot about it. I didn't realize that she never walked in.

It wasn't until I walked outside with Payson (still getting soaked) several minutes later and opened my car door to find this laying on my front seat:


It caught me so off guard and made me so ridiculously excited that I literally clapped my hands together quickly and bounced up and down and made some noise that resembled a baby giggling. For anyone who knows me, this is not behavior I normally exhibit. I looked around at the only two moms still standing there, chatting, and was just about to open my mouth to ask which one of them was the bestower of my surprise when, just in time (thank goodness, I would have felt like a complete idiot when they had no idea what I was talking about), it all made sense. It was at that moment I realized my friend had never come inside, and was now gone. I looked over at her house, and there was her car, parked as if it had never left.

At that point the entirety of the kind act sunk in. My friend, either knowing I would be picking up Payson at that exact moment or happening to see me, went out into the rain, drove down the street and back, in the rain, just to give me this book...IN THE RAIN. I was slightly in shock, even to the point of questioning if I was mistaken, if it really was her.

It wasn't until about Chapter 15 that the book jacket slipped enough for me to see her name on the inside cover, clear as a bell (yeah, it hadn't occurred to me before that to actually check for a name on the book). It was in fact her, and I was no longer surprised. She is just the kind of person who would do something like that.

So now I could spend a horrible sick day exactly how horrible sick days should be spent: curled up reading a much-anticipated book. And just like Twilight, I was so skeptical to read it, as it sounded even more sci-fi than the Twilight series, and, just like Twilight, I can't put it down. I read all day and had to force myself to put it down at 2:30 this morning.

So thank you friend, for making my day. Although you are usually silent in the blog world, I'm fairly certain you are reading this right now, and you are awesome!!

Monday, June 2, 2008

Vindication!!!

My sister told me about a book she'd seen in the Deseret Book catalog called "It's Okay to Take a Nap And Other Reassuring Truths For Mothers Everywhere"


See?! It's in print. It's official. No one can judge me now for what I do every day between 1:00 and 3:00. I don't even need to buy the book, or read it for that matter. Just knowing it's out there has made my life complete. For the rest of you crazies who think sleeping is only for nighttime, maybe you oughta check it out. Your couch awaits you.