Now I Want a Zoo

Not really  ~ but I just watched "We Bought a Zoo."

 I've been wanting to see it for a while now and I'm so glad I did. It was such a good movie. It stars Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson.

 Matt Damon is an adventure writer recently widowed and looking for a fresh start for himself and his family. He finds a house he loves only to find out it comes with a zoo ~ so he figures "why not" which is really what the movie is about. The answer to so many questions should be "Why Not."

 I have to say the little girl who plays Benjamin Mee (Damon)'s daughter just steals the show. Her name is Maggie Elizabeth Jones and she just melts your heart. Also, Mee's son played by Colin Ford was totally believable as an angst filled teenager (especially since I have one of those myself). You'll also recognize Dakota Fannings not so little sister Elle Fanning. She has an unforgettable smile. She was also in "Super 8" which I loved.

 It was just a great family film full of great moments.   How fun would it be (maybe just for a little while) to live among the animals in a zoo? To help take care of them and get to know them.  Be a part of something that amazing.

Matt Damon outdoes himself as the widow still so in love with his wife ~ yet still trying to move on for his family. In this movie he finds his greatest adventure of all. I highly recommend this for family movie night. You won't be sorry.

Christmas Music

But No, I'm not talking so much about "Christmas Music", Jingle Bells and all that as I am about music I got for Christmas. Along with so many other goodies I also got 6 cd's for Christmas. Six totally different cd's and I really like all of them ~ guess I just have really eclectic taste in music.. so I figured I'd share with you...

I swear this is what angels sound like when they sing. Can't even hear them doing "Danny Boy" without tearing up.

Ah, what can I say about Daryl. Just love him! Remind me sometime to tell you about spending my birthday with "Daryl & John."

I do love me some "Spanglish" music and Enrique knows his stuff. Now, his father on the other hand... Ugh!

The least known for me ~ and honestly I haven't listened to the whole CD yet, but if it's as good as the parts I have heard, it's a keeper.

What can I say about Maroon 5 except ~ sigh ~ Adam Levine. Have ya'll seen the pic of him wearing nothing but tats and his girlfriend's hands? It's not to be missed. But aside from that ~ I do love their music. Always have!

Shuester from Glee! Both my girls hate him ~ but I love him and his curly hair. He has an amazing voice. Did you see the episode of Glee when he and Neil Patrick Harris did "Dream On?" Legen ~ wait for it ~ dary!

So, what are you listening to these days? I'd love to know.

Summer Reading List

Here is my summer reading list:


"Spider Web" by Earlene Fowler ~ another in the Bennie Harper murder mysteries.  Always a winner.  There have been at least a dozen of these all named after quilt block patterns but you really don't have to be a quilter to enjoy them.
They are set in the ranch country of So Calif.  Great set of characters you will become attached to. She's also done a few other books and I really have loved every one. 

"The Help" by Kathryn Stocket ~ This is the only one I have finished so far.  It had been suggested to me by my friend Carolyn in Ft. Lauderdale and I finally got around to picking it up.  I really did love it.  It takes place in the south in the 60's.  And the help are the black maids of the white southern women and the relationships (both good and bad) between them.  It's actually being made into a movie which I will most likely see as well.  There was one part that was a bit over the top but all in all a good read.

"A Single Thread" and "A Thread of Truth" both  by Marie Bostwick ~ She's a new to me author although I think she's done 4 or 5 books already.  I got to meet her a few months back at a quilt show.  She's somewhat local and such a nice person.  We talked for quite some time and I really wanted to get all the books in the series so far. I'm looking forward to reading these.


"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"
      by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows ~ Another recommendation, this time from Donna in NC (hey Batman).  Looks like something I would enjoy.

"The Secret Life of Damien Spinelli"  as told to Diane Miller by Carolyn Hennesy ~ okay so here is where I geek out on you.  Damien Spinelli is a character on the soap "General Hospital."  Diane Miller is also a character on GH as well as "Cougar Town."  The actress who plays her is Carolyn Hennesy who actually did write the book.   Anyway... I got it for the novelty and eventually I will read it.  I will say it's pretty much on the bottom of my list.

"Star Island" by Carl Hiaasen ~ Another favorite author.  A south Florida native, I've read almost everything he has written including his young adult books.  He is witty and sarcastic and the things that happen in his books are completely outrageous unless you happen to have lived in South Florida and then trust me, you'll know these crazy people really exist.

"I still Dream About You" by Fannie Flagg ~ Another author I would read anything she's written.  In case the name seems familiar she wrote "Fried Green  Tomatoes" and while the move was wonderful  ~ the book was even better.  I believe I've read everything she's ever written and I'm about half way through this one.  So far, so good.

Well that's my list to get through ~  What's on your list?

Playing Hookie

So today while I should have been straightening up the house, or doing laundry, or getting some sewing done, I played hookie and went to the movies. Just me ~ all by myself. I've never gone to the movies by myself but I have to say, it was kinda nice. I didn't have to argue with kids about which candy to buy (didn't get any), didn't have to take someone to the bathroom in the middle of the movie.. It's been many years since I could do that... so, the kids were in school, Richard was at work and I went to see "Water For Elephants."

It was a pretty good movie. The book, of course was much better but all in all they did a decent job of it. They cut out a lot of the violence which I guess is good but almost necessary to the story. Also I think Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon did a fabulous job EXCEPT ~ there was not a lot of chemistry between them.  The relationship between Jacob and Marlena was pretty intense in the book. With movies so much is skimmed over, the relationship didn't have much time to develop.  Although come to think of it, he really doesn't have much chemistry with Kristen Stewart in the Twilight saga and he's actually married to her.    Don't get me wrong I LOVE the Twilight series ~ both books and movies..... but let's face it, there really isn't a lot of sizzle (at least so far) between Edward and Bella.  I'm hoping that will change with the next two movies.. Anyway... Water For Elephants... good movie ~ worth seeing.  I give it an 8 out of 10!

Speaking of movies... Julz and I went to see a local high school production of Godspell.  They did a surprisingly good job of it but it made me want to see the movie again.  Richard was sweet enough to order it for me off Netflix.     Having modern technology I was able to look up the actors/actresses in the movie to see what they are doing now.  More than a few are no longer alive including Lynne Thigpen who I really liked ~ and she was the Chief in "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?"

The biggest surprise though was the actor that played Jesus......anyone recognize him? Maybe you'll recognize a more recent pic...

Yep ~ Victor Garber! Who knew!

I'm sewing again!

I have to tell you... we (Rich, Charlotte, the kids and I) saw the most wonderful movie this weekend. It is called "Stardust" with Michelle Pfeiffer and Claire Danes. Very mystical/magical ~ beautiful scenery ~ great love story with some comedy thrown in and even some fight scenes for you guys out there. This will definitely be a "must own" when it comes out. If you get to see it, I'd love to hear what you think.

I actually did some sewing this weekend. I got a few flannels the other day when I was with MaryCatherine with the thought of making a flower pillow for Julianne's room. I didn't have a pattern but was able to tell Richard what I wanted and the genius he is, figured out the angle for the wedge piece and made me a nice little pattern for this. Julianne was very pleased and it's yet another step towards redoing her room. I also got the fabric and pins to make her bulletin board and just in the nick of time. I noticed an explosion of Zack Efron posters all over her room and I'd really like to keep the amount of holes in the wall to a minimum.



I also got some very cool fabrics for a new quilt for Nathaniel with bugs, dragons & lizards in bright vibrant colors. Still not sure what type of pattern I will use but it's not like I don't have enough books and magazines to find something I want. It's just a matter of sitting down and picking one.

I brought my van back to Tires Plus today with not much success. They swapped tire positions, realigned the tires ~ and still the van pulls to the right. He also says the squeal in my brakes is something I'll have to learn to live with unless I want them to do a complete rear brake job, which it supposedly doesn't need. I think what I need, is to find a new mechanic!

Did go to my regular doctor today (who I just love) and he says he's glad my arm is feeling better but I do have a torn rotator cuff which doesn't heal itself. The only way to completely eliminate the problem is surgery which he DOES NOT recommend. He says if it flares up to come in and he'll just give it a shot and I'll be fine. Actually he'll have his brother, the other doctor do it. You see they both work in the same practice and until today I didn't realize they were twins. Right after I saw Dr. David he walked away and when I looked back there he was but in a different shirt! Guess that was Dr. Steve ~ go figure.

Julianne came home from school early because she had a tummy ache and then proceeded to polish off a snack bag of barbeque chips while I wasn't paying attention and as soon as school was over, decided she felt much better and was hopping mad when I wouldn't let her go out to play. Hey, it's always been the rule... you stay home from school (or come home early) you are "in" for the day! Did get to the park with Nathaniel and two of his friends after dinner tonight to practice baseball. He's really good at hitting, especially since he's had absolutely no training at all but oh Lord, he throws like a girl! What he really wants to do is play soccer so we've gotten the information to sign up but the leagues are full right now. We have to wait till November to sign him up for the spring! Maybe till then we can figure something else out. Well I'm off to bed. It's been a long day....So, how was your day?

Not someplace I'd really want to be

I just finished reading a book called "Sweetwater Creek" by Anne Rivers Siddon. It's a different book than I've read before. It takes place in the low country of South Carolina. It's about a 12 y/o girl ~ a coming of age story. I've been reading it for a couple of days but there were times I thought I might just put it down and not finish it. It was not an easy read since it was a bit too dark for my taste. It was very well written and while reading the book I could almost smell the air coming off the river and feel all the things she felt, the connection with her dog, the confusion of trying to understand her family at her age, the grief she felt at losing her brother. This book definitely transported me to someplace else. I'm just not sure it's someplace I really want to be. But again, still very well written.


On a better note.. the kids started their 2nd week of school and without knowing it both of them dressed in "camouflage" pants and looked adorable. I purposely did not tell them that though for fear there would be a last minute wardrobe change and they'd be late for the school bus ~ yes I said school bus. No more 45 minute car pool lines for this mom! Can I get a Hallelujah!

Oh and dinner last night was "Baked Potato" night. I baked up 4 big ol potatoes and then served them up with all the fixins! I sauteed some mushrooms, steamed some broccoli, put out butter, sour cream and cheese. The kids really loved it and Julianne was especially pleased that there was no meat. She's never been a big fan of any kind of beef, chicken or pork and now her new best friend is a vegetarian so she's really having fits about it ~ Jen you want to step in here?

Just want to say a big "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to my friend Gail in Tampa.

Well that's all the news from here ... would love to hear how your day was!