The Back-Up Plan

I never used to be a fan of J Lo but I've become one.  I like her movies. I mean don't like them 5 Go's usually, but I enjoy them.  The usually provide a pleasant afternoon.  I guess that sound a little like toast for breakfast, but they're better than that.  Add some Polanar all-fruit and you have a J Lo movie. 

Jennifer Lopez was terrific. She looks great! The guy who was the lead was very good - handsome - would you say "hot"?  Not a word I usually use.  It's generational, I guess, but anyway, I think you could fairly say that he was "hot".  (Okay... all that word stuff is for a different day - and then we'll get into "whack", "crispy". "sleepy" - all those goodies)

Soo anyway... it was a good story - predictable, but I never mind predictable  (If I did, would I have watched Sleepless In Seattle at least a dozen times???)  It wasn't a PERFECT ending, but it was a good one.

When it comes on TV, I'll watch it again, I'm sure.  Go see it.  Tell me what you think!

3 Go's for me!

Websites * April 18 - April 24

April 18, 2010 - April 24, 2010

WhichBook - A fun way to find something new to read. Slide your cursor along a variety of spectra (happy --> sad --> funny --> serious --> short --> long, etc.). The website does some calculations and spits out a list of title suggestions, complete with descriptions of the plot.

Freecycle - The Freecycle Network is made of of 4,775 groups with 7,090,000 members acroxx the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local groups is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free.

April 18 - April 26

April 18, 2010 - April 26, 2010

Work and live to serve others, to leave the world a little better than you found it and garner for yourself as much peace of mind as you can. This is happiness.
~David Sarnoff~

"I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs, and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music."
~George Eliot~

The Last Song

Well... I'm schmaltzy, so it's no real surprise that I really liked this movie.  In fact, surprises were not the order of the day, but that never ruins a movie for me.

The title of the movie was "The Last Song".  Hmmmm I wonder what THAT could mean.  Like... maybe someone was going to die?  Like... that kind of last song?  Or maybe it was even more literal.  Like... maybe someone was going to die and it had something to do with a song.  Hmmmmm Maybe.

It took a little more than a millisecond to find out that Miley Cyrus, A.K.A. Ronnie hated her father.  We didn't know why at first but we could tell by her stomping around... her rebellious attitude... you know, all those subtle signs that clue us in that, yes, she hated her father. 

So!  Ronnie hated her father.  I was really stumped at that point, trying to figure out who was going to die.  I sure hoped it wasn't her father, because it would be awful for him to die with all that conflict between Ronnie and him.

WAIT!  I'll bet it IS the father!  And the fact that Ronnie's mother dropped her off at her father's house for the summer MIGHT have been a clue.  Why was it so important for hateful Ronnie to spend the summer with her father??  It adds up, doesn't it?

BUT!  How would they EVER resolve their relationship?  Could they before he died?  Is it possible?  And what WAS the last song??? 

:::: wringing of hands ::::

And did I cry?  Nope. 

Sounds like I didn't like the movie.  I did, though.  Really!   Well, it IS Nicholas Sparks, which leaves me with certain warm, fuzzy expectations. 

I thought Greg Kinnear was very good in this.  I like him anyway, though.  I'm not a huge Miley Cyrus fan (...other than the fact that the girl can sing.  If I were Taylor Swift, I wouldn't sing any more duets with ol' Miley) I thought she was pretty good in this.  Not "give-her-an-Emmy" good, but she was okay - believable.  She always sounds tough... or "hard" to me and that worked well for the "hate your dad" parts of this movie.

It was a good afternoon. I'm glad I went.  Although the main plot was predictable (shocked, eh?), it was done well - and there were some interesting sub-plots that kept things going.  I don't think I'd bother with the book, but I'd recommend the movie.

I'd give it 4 Go's! Go see it!

Websites * April 11 - April 17

April 11, 2010 - April 17, 2010

Toms Shoes- With every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.

Red Envelope - Red Envelope claims to be "The place for unique and personalized gifts". I'm not sure it's THE place, but it's sure one of them. I love to look at all the great ideas there.

April 11 - April 17

April 11, 2010 - April 17, 2010

~ Henry David Thoreau~ Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you have imagined.

Come Ride the Ferry With Me!

Chelsea and her friend, Kim are home from school for Easter Break (I told you already, right?) and we decided to head to the beach today to ride the Ferry - one of my favorite things to do!  Michael is off today, so I took a vacation day from work and off we went. 

Amy called last night to see if we'd mind if she and the boys followed us down.  MIND?????  I was DELIGHTED!  Amy and the boys coming along made a great day even better!  I'm "in" for more field trips - especially when it includes kids and grandkids!!!!

We had a REALLY nice day but the Ferry was pretty rocky due to the winds today.  After the Ferry ride, we headed up the NJ coast to Wildwood to check out the boardwalk pre-season.  You'll be glad to know it was still there!!!!

We hit an arcade or two (BRIEFLY) but the rides were closed. It was mainly just a nice walk in the sun on the boardwalk.  But one we all enjoyed!

The kids won stuffed animals in the arcade. I think Alex was the champ of the day.  Chelsea won a "Phillies" bear in a crane game. 

And of course, we all got an ice cream cone!

Amy took Matthew down to the water, but if you know Matthew you know that SOMEHOW if he went TO the water, he'd end up IN the water!  He was soaking wet with no place opened yet on the boardwalk to buy him new shorts.  Amy did find a shirt for him, but I think he rode home semi-naked.  Amy washed the sand off of his legs with bottled water that we had in the car and then told him that she hoped that we didn't get stopped by the police on the way home since Matthew was not exactly fully dressed.  His eyes were as big as pizzas at the thought of the policeman stopping them because he wasn't dressed.  Funny!

We called Greg on the way home to see if he could meet us at Mazzella's for dinner and he said that he could.  Wooohooooo!

We went home to regroup - Amy and the kids went home to redress Matthew and do whatever it is we all do when we go home for a half hour.  We don't need details - really we don't. 

And then on to Mazzella's for pizza and a wonderful end to a wonderful day!

P.S.  Did I mention that I got a ticket today in Lewes?  For speeding?  In front of my grandchildren?  Oh yeah!  I did!  The good news is that I haven't had a ticket in over 5 years soooooo I get to participate in some probation thing where I pay the fine but don't get points.  The bad part is that I have to get  a court date and go back to Lewes to pay the fine on that day.   Back to Lewes?  Badh news?  No... I don't think so. 

BUT.. I may have to ride the Ferry again!   Interested????

The Secret - Rhonda Byrne

The "Book" area of my blog is way behind. I don't think I can catch up, so I guess I'll start again and go from here, but with a little different format - a posting for each book (hoping for comments and feedback). 

I'm re-reading "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne at the moment.  Have you read it?  What are your thoughts about it?  I've read it, but I have to say I'm struggling with it a little bit.  I think I need to read it again - maybe slower this time. 

It seems to me that there is some validity to the whole "law of attraction" thing but it also seems to me that the book really over reaches.  

3 Good Reads for me.  What do you think?

"Drive-By" Easter

First of all.... Happy Easter!!!

What a day!  I just never seemed to get organized.  Every year I plan on doing better.  Every year... I don't!

I wanted to have everyone for Easter dinner at my house this year, but Michael had to work and there's just no way I can manage dinner for 15 without Michael's help. SO... I decided I'd make the rounds and go see everyone.

How did that work, you ask?  Hmmmmm I've done better!

Scott called last night and invited me down to see them, so that was the main part of my plan. 

I don't know why I got started so late, but I did.  I seemed to spend a lot of time running around in circles - going nowhere and accomplishing nothing. 

ANYWAY... by the time I found myself in the car (yes... found myself. That's how it felt all day) it was almost time to go to Scott's sooooo I called Richard to tell him that I was going to do a "drive-by" Easter visit at their house. 

Julie and Kate were in the front yard - Kate driving her Jeep (sooooo cute) and Julie supervising from a lawn chair.  Richard came out to wish me a Happy Easter.  I pulled up in the driveway, opened my door and gave Kate a big Easter hug - gave her a book (a new Olivia book), some Pez, girly easter stickers - wished everyone lots of love and a Happy Easter and took off to see Scott (who lives 40-45 minutes from Richard) with huge chocolate Easter bunny lollypops for Bryce, Gregory, Alex and Matthew - from Richard and Julie.  (Oh!  And a BEAUTIFUL pink hyacinth that made my car smell like spring and wonderful Easter cards from Julie, Richard and Kate!)

When I walked through the front door at Scott and Crystal's house, Bryce greeted me with a huge...

"GRAMMIE!!!!!"

Bryce was DELIGHTED to see me (which makes me almost giddy)!

I gave Bryce his book - his Pez - and a great big Easter hug - and then I enjoyed a couple of wonderful hours with Crystal, Scott and Bryce.

Bryce was creating artwork on the back patio with his new sidewalk chalk!  He has his mother's "creative gene".  I love to go visit them - always so much fun!

Then back on the road (with THE cutest "Grammie" box, hand-decorated by Crystal and Bryce, with Bryce's hand print and filled with Dove dark chocolate) - headed toward home in the Sunday-after-Easter traffic on I-95.  After changing course and taking the back-road-scenic-route I enjoyed my ride home - sun roof open - radio blasting. 

I was supposed to take Chelsea to the store so that she could cook dinner for us when her dad got home at about 8:00 pm.  BUT... I was later getting home than I expected and Michael was stuck in Sunday-after-Easter traffic coming from the other direction. Ditch the dinner plans.

SO... I just kept going past our house and headed to Amy and Greg's house for another "drive-by" Easter visit. 

"Greg... Hi! It's me!  I have Easter stuff for the kids if someone can meet me outside."

Pulled up in the driveway and Greg and Gregory came out to collect the loot - gift cards from Barnes and Noble (big kids are hard to buy books for) - the inevitable Pez and the chocolate bunnies from Julie and Richard.  Matthew came out for hugs all around (Alex was in the shower) and I watched his perpetual energy in awe. 

"Happy Easter!"  And I was gone again!

Not the way I'd hoped to "do" Easter, but I got to see everyone (except Alex) and give everyone their Easter "stuff". 

When I got home, I sat down, took a deep breath and re-read a text message that I received from my cousin, Gina .

The text message reminded me that Easter really isn't about books and Pez and all the "stuff".  It reminded me to be grateful...

• For God's love - and the resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died on the cross for me - for us - so that we can all have victory over the tomb.
• For the bond of family - so strong - through all that life brings - whether near or far - whether we're in touch or out of touch.  It's there.
• For loved ones who make every day a celebration of life.

I am grateful!

Happy Easter!

Websites * April 4 - April 10

April 4, 2010 - April 10, 2010

Definr - Incredibly fast online dictionary. It takes about 14 milliseconds to look up a word.

WhatShouldIReadNext - This one is pretty cool! It's a book recommendtion service. Simply enter the author and title of your latest book and it will give you a list of recommended readings.

2010 Quotes * April 4 - April 10

April 4, 2010 - April 10, 2010

Sounds of laughter,
shades of life
are ringing through
my opened ears,
inciting me, inviting me

Limitless undying love
which shines around me
like a million suns
it calls me on and on
across the universe

~John Lennon~
"Across The Universe"

Let the music play on...

When I looked in the livingroom, I thought we were back in the 60s.  It is true that "everything old becomes new again".  Chelsea and friends are doing exactly what we did back in the olden days.  In fact, they're even still playing some Dylan!  (Mixed in with a little Jason Mraz, Ingrid Michaelson and some Paramore.)

When the music starts, Barak is a fixture at our house! (And we're glad!)  He always has first dibs on my Gibson.

Around the circle from left to right is Joanna, Chelsea, Catie, Paul, Kelly and Baraq.  (with Michael's Ovation in the middle)

Barak and Paul play every song!

Joanna is a music major and hopes for a career as a singer-songwriter after college.  She was kind enough to play a song for us that she'd written.  You can tell by the look on everyone's face that they were intensely involved in Joanna's song.  If this is an example of what's to come, some day we'll be hearing Joanna on the radio!

Joanna, Chelsea, Catie, Kelly

Happy smiling faces!

Chelsea was home for 10 days and we were SO glad to have her home!  She brought a friend, Kim, who is missing from the pictures because she arrived with a nasty stomach virus and she was in bed at this point.  Thankfully she recovered in time to have a great rest-of-the-week.  When I locate the pictures, I'll make a couple more posts about our week.  It was sweeeeeet!