Killing Them Softly

          Violent.  Graphic.  Ear drum shattering sound.  Close ups.  Uncomfortable scenes. 


                              Brad Pitt


                                                   That's all that needs to be said. 

Waterpik

     Back in the 80's I had my mouth of silver as braces tried to make some sense out of the crazy.  I had a friend in my trusty waterpik.  I also got my braces removed in record time for the amount of work they needed to do because I took care of things.  I kept it for years but it grew dingy and eventually was thrown out in one of the moves from house to apt to house to house.  I have two children now that will indeed be needing the support of braces...it's just a matter of time.  So I thought we should start to have some fun.  With kids I learned a long time ago that it is all in the presentation.  I did such a good job of "selling" it that I was literally being begged to use it.  So we lined up to use our little water shooting soldier and watched as newbies wet the mirrors, walls and each other.  Squirt on, dear friend, squirt on!!!

"Here's The Thing"

     My Ipod is typically filled with all sorts of new music thanks to the Ipod fairy who takes good care of me.  John occasionally throws on some extra stuff too though and this time it was the show, "Here's the Thing" with Alec Baldwin.  There were three podcasts featuring the hilarious Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen and Paula Pell.  All of them had me laughing to and from work as I learned so much about these people that I hadn't known.  The little facts made them even more intriguing and wonderful.  Thanks Ipod Fairy for making the car ride fun!

Caramel Apple Bread

     It snowed and we all felt horrible so I declared my first Snick Day.  We started it off with tea and a brand new loaf of bread brought out by Gramary on her latest trip to the discount bread shop.  I would never buy this stuff...but caramel apple bread was tasty. 

Claritin Pillow

     When you have children you hope that they get your brains, your curls, your eye color.  You pray that they are healthy and that life is kind.  You then realize they will also get the crooked teeth, crazy sense of humor and your allergies.  So when suddenly the asthma seems worse you have to start the search.  Dust piling up behind the heavy bed...vents that need cleaning...filters that need changing...all become enemies.  This time I put on some armor and fought like a soldier.  First thing I did was run to the store for a mattress protector designed to combat allergens and a pillow made by the allergy people of Claritin.  Next was a vacuuming session that made my Dyson very happy as he devoured the bunnies of dust.  That led to a series of all sorts of things.  The doctor has renewed prescriptions for special inhalers.  And here I am (just as allergic) fighting some sinus issues myself.  I put on a good fight and recovery is not only imminent but my girl was able to play her brass instrument in the winter concert at school!  One more battle won in allergyville!!!

JoAnn's 60th Movie Bash

     A milestone birthday calls for a special event.  This one had a red carpet, a reserved theater with a favorite film and a crowd of friends and family to honor the birthday girl.  JoAnn turned sixty with a celebration of food, laughter, singing and some heckling.  Turns out if you rent the whole theater you can call out all sorts of hilarity.  Thanks to Todd for pointing out that it was "suddenly autumn" during the porch scene of Dirty Dancing.  It was nice getting to sigh out loud at the moments when Patrick is looking his most Swayze.  And then there was the singing.  We had an absolute blast!  Happiest of birthdays to JoAnn!!!

Rise of the Guardians

    I have fallen behind on posts again.  The reasons are all good.  Life is busier than usual with more work hours and extra festivities that surround this time of year.  I am not avoiding the posts but simply living life and falling into bed exhausted.  I will try to do better in the new year but I have the feeling the rest of this month will roll this way.  Back on Saturday, Nov 24th, we headed to the theater to see Rise of the Guardians.  It was gorgeous.  The story was traditional yet fresh and clever and the characters were full...of well...character.  There was glitter...lots of it...and I love glitter.  But if you aren't familiar with the theme of this movie let me give you a glimpse.  It is about the guardians of childhood.  The Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Sandman, and Santa have a new recruit, Jack Frost.  They each have a bit of magic that they give to children and in return the faith and belief of the child gives that gift back to the guardian.  The key to Jack Frost finding his theme is to look deep into what is at his core.  He discovers it and while on the journey we are reminded that we, too, have a core.  It gets a grown up to thinkin'. 
       We all have a core.  A belief.  The thing that makes us "magical".  Have you lost yours or forgotten what it was?  Have you stuffed it so far down that it is not only incredibly safe but missing as well?  Did you ever really know what it was to begin with?  Think back to those moments in childhood when it beamed brightly.  It was there all along.  My journey these last few years has brought me to one overwhelming focus to find those things buried within this body.  They were bright as a child and life piled up on life and somewhere along the line it was dulled.  Stifled.  Choked out like the embers of a dying fire.  So I've been digging through rubble to find it again.  As a fire needs oxygen so does our core.  This movie reminded children to hold on to the thing that makes them who they are at the very center of their being...and reminded adults that they need to find it, rekindle it and refuse to let it go.  We all have magic, gifts and a little bit of sparkle if we share it with the world!