Friends With Benefits

Stayed home from work with a sick kiddo yesterday, so when she was sleeping, I rented Friends With Benefits starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis.  It's about a couple who decide they dont want a complicated relationship and instead just want to remain friends with "benefits."  (Those being sex without complications.)  But they both realize that sex does complicate their friendship.  It's funny and sweet and I thought Justin did a GREAT job as leading man.  Yes, there was a lot of sex, but not entirely throughout the whole movie.  Jenna Elfman appears as Justin's sister, who is taking care of their father.  The dad is suffering from Alzheimers which throws a whole new set of complications into the mix for Justin's character to deal with. All in all, it was a really good movie.  I give it an 8 on the Melscale.

Dream House Movie Review

Last night, my Scary Movie Buddy and I went to a late showing of Dream House.  (The rest of our friends were too chicken to go with us.  You know who you are and you know I love you anyway. )  Yes, I know it was a weekday and work was the next morning, but we HAD to see this movie.  The trailers led us to believe that this was a scary movie. And yes, Scary Movie Buddy DID scream once, but it turned out to be more of a murder mystery than a horror movie.  Which is ok by me, too.  True, there were ghosts and they were haunting, but not in the traditional horror- movie -kind -of- way.  The movie stars Dainel Craig (Bond, James Bond )and Rachel Weisz (The Mummy),a husband and wife who relocate from New York City to a quaint New England town with their 2 little girls.  As they settle into their new house, they discover that a mother and her children were murdered in it 5 years before.  When Daniel starts investigating the tragedy, his only lead comes from the next door neighbor, played by Naomi Watts. As he digs up the past, the mystery he exposes is heartbreakingly shocking.  I won't go into any more details than this because I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone else who wants to go see this.  And I highly recommend it!  It had a plot twist that I didn't see coming...and those are the BEST kinds of movies for me!!!  Scary Movie Buddy and I LOVED it.  I give it a +10 on the Melscale!! 

My Wedding Ring

22 years ago today, Sept. 9, 1989, I married my best friend.  As I was sitting at my desk at work today, I was looking at the wedding ring he gave me and thinking about all the years we've been together.  When we got married, we didn't have much money.  Who does?  So my ring, by today's standards, is very simple and understated.  But it is a one of a kind, quite by accident.  He bought the engagment ring at one jeweler's and we found the band at another. And he didn't have to go into debt to purchase them. The stones are sapphires, my favorite stone and incidentally, it is the birthstone for the month of September.  That wasn't planned...it was just a coincidence.  I had originally picked out a single pearl ring to be the engagment ring for a couple of reason.  1.  I am not a big diamond fan and 2. I wanted something entirely different than the traditional solitaire.  But after months of thinking about that pearl ring, I decided that since I was so clumsy I would most probably knock that pearl off its setting the first time I wore it.  So we started looking around again. And we found the engagment ring.  He proposed in April of 1989 and slipped that ring on my finger.  I remember the night in early September when I went to pick up the wedding bands before the wedding.  His band does not match mine.  Again, we wanted to be different.  Even though I knew it was considered bad luck to put on the wedding ring before the wedding, I wanted to see the two together on my finger.  So I put it on and spent the drive home admiring how well they went together, even though they were from different stores.  As corny as this sounds, that's the way I felt about us...how well we went together.  I've had the ring for 22 years now.  I've never owned ANY jewelry that long!  I got it caught on a fence the week after our honeymoon and twisted the band and lost a sapphire. I cried and cried. It was repaired and you can't tell the difference.  I don't wear it around the house to avoid repeating that episode.  I couldn't wear it when I was pregnant due to the swelling in my fingers.  Then I gained so much weight that I couldn't even get it on my finger.  (One of the things I'm most happy about since I joined Weight Watchers, is being able to wear my wedding ring again.) When we hit our 20th anniversary, I thought about asking him for a bigger, more modern ring.  But then I looked at mine....and I can't do it.  It reminds me of who we were when we were just starting out.  It reminds me of where we came from.  It reminds me how perfect we are together and a new, modern ring just wouldn't do all of that.  In my heart, it would not be MY wedding ring.  It would be a replacement.  And I don't want a replacement.  It's too big now, and will probably wind up really to big for me when I hit my WW goal.  The band is a little twisted  but that doesn't matter. I'll have it sized down when the time comes.  And I'll wear this ring that my best friend gave me for the rest of eternity.

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

In 1973, (I was 9 years old) there was a movie on t.v. called Don't Be Afraid of the Dark.  It starred Kim Darby as "Sally".  She and her husband inherit and  move into an old house and in the restoration process, she discovers a sealed fireplace.  Her curiousity gets the better of her,  and despite warnings from the handyman, she opens the fireplace. Soon, she hears whispering and begins seeing small, demonlike creatures around the house.  Unfortunely for her, no one else sees them.  Until it's too late!  The creatures are intent upon possessing her and taking her to the fireplace with them for eternity.  Their only weakness is light of any kind.  Eventually, they drag Sally into the fireplace with them. The scene where Sally is being dragged by her ankles by the creatures, using the flash from a camera to try to hurt them,  was engraved in my memory. This movie is the one responsible for making me afraid of the dark and it was one of those rare movies that I have never forgotten.  About a year ago, I found out through IMBD that Don't Be Afraid of the Dark was being remade, starring Katy Holmes.  I can't tell you how excited I was to hear that news!  So I went online and found a copy of the original movie from 1973 and bought it.  The one that scared me silly and made me sleep with a nightlight to this very day.  I popped it in the DVD player with goosebumps on my arms and sat down with my kids  to watch it.  Imagine my disappointment in the creatures!! They were laughable! (and believe me...my kids were cracking up!!) The acting wasn't much better from the human actors, either.  Sally was a whimp and whined and cried her way throughout the entire story.  Nevertheless....I eagerly awaited the new version.  I was not disappointed!  In the new version, Sally is a young girl, about 8 or 9, who is sent to live with her dad and his fiance' in this ginormous old house.  She finds a basement that has been hidden and sealed shut for years and in the basement is the fireplace.  The story stays pretty much with the original, except the creatures in this one are akin to goblins or trolls.  More like evil tooth fairies, because they eat children's teeth.  Katy Holmes plays the step-mom-to-be who at first, is reluctant about becoming a mom.  However, as the story progresses, she and Sally form a bond.  Katy's character, Kim, is the heroine I hoped she would be.  She didn't lay down and give up, as Kim Darby's character did, but she stood up and fought for Sally.  As for the new creatures...all I can say is this: if I weren't already afraid of the dark, I sure would be now. 

I give it a 10+ on the MelScale!!

A few movie reviews

I spent the last 2 and 1/2 days sick at home, with not much else to do but watch movies.  It's the best part of being sick, besides not having to do a THING!  The reviews below are very brief:

1. Insidious: (horror)  I love scary movies.  This was not one of those.  Don't waste your time.  -5 on the Melscale

2. Killers: (comedy/love) starring Ashton Kutcher as a retired spy.  Yes, this one is a little old, but I LOVE the story line and he's some really nice eye candy. +8 on the Melscale

3. Rain Man: (drama) oldie but goodie!  Re-visit it if you haven't seen it in awhile. I think it's pretty obvious that Tom has had some corrective dental surgery.  Or sumthin.... +10 on the Melscale
4.  The Stepfather: (horror/drama) this is a remake of the one starring Terry Quinn.  Very good edge of your seat drama. +8 on the Melscale

5.  Rango: (animated) Johnny Depp and Timothy Olyphant lend their voices to this.  I was a bit disappointed in this one, as was my 12 year old son.  But I guess it's hard to follow a Pirate movie.  Or Justified. 1 on the Melscale

6.  Season of the Witch: (historical horror?)  Really couldn't tell...I got bored with this one after about 20 minutes.  Thumbs down despite having the ever entertaining Nick Cage in the starring role. minus a billion on the Melscale

7.  Grownups: (comedy) I am NOT an Adam Sandler fan, but this one is worth watching!  +8 on the Melscale

8.  Just Go With It: (comedy/love story) Again, another Adam Sandler one with Jennifer Aniston that is cute and entertaining.  He keeps THIS up and I may become a fan. +7 on the Melscale.

9. Knock Around Guys...okay, I admit, I only watched this one up to the part where Vin Diesel came on.  Then I turned it off. Technically, it's a bad movie with the only saving grace being Vin.

10.  Paranormal Activity 2 (horror) Okay, technically, I watched this last week with my daughter.  Scared the CRAP out of me!  Seriously had the biggest goosebumps all over me and nightmares for a week.  +10 on the Melscale, just because I can't forget it!

Carpe diem!

It's the little things.....

This is the only gator I saw in New Orleans!

I joined Weight Watchers this past December for the 4th time.  The day I joined was the day they unveiled the new PointsPlus program that is changing my life!  Before I knew it, I was down 2 sizes!  And while that is great and I"m thrilled to death about it, it's other little changes in my body that I'm noticing that keep me going.  Here are a few:

*I can wear my wedding ring again and it SPINS on my finger.

*I lost weight in my feet, so now I wear smaller shoes.

*I can cross my legs again.

*I can sit "indian style" on the floor.

*I can GET UP off the floor without having to crawl to something to hold onto to pull myself up.

*I stopped taking and needing my GERD medicine.

*I can wear bangle bracelets again.  And fun rings!

*My knees don't hurt anymore.

*I bought a smaller size in clothes and now I can dry those in the dryer because they are getting loose.

And I"m not finished yet!  I can't help but be excited to see all the other little things I'll be able to do when I reach my goal.  Sometimes, what the scales say isn't enough...sometimes it's the little things that keep us motivated!

New car, new lessons

I may have mentioned before, that my Darling Daughter has begun driving.  She's been practice driving with me in the front seat for several months now.  My mantra has been "Relax your shoulders....lean back in your seat...loosen the death grip on the steering wheel."  Last night, our family purchased a new Chevy Traverse, a crossover SUV that is larger, longer and taller than the Saturn VUE I've been driving for the past 9 years.  (which incindentally, Darling Daughter inherited last night!).  After negotiations and tons of paperwork, we were finally able to take our new car home.  The kids piled in with me driving.  Now here's where it gets WEIRD....as I'm driving down the road, Darling Daughter turns to me and says "Relax your shoulders...lean back in your seat...loosen the death grip on the steering wheel."   Ahhhh....the student become the teacher!

At least I know she's listening to me!

Carpe' diem

Beauty and The Beast and My Adventure in Down Town Tulsa

My wedding to the "boyfriend" with
Peanut as the flowergirl

In 1991, Beauty and The Beast was released at the movie theater and I took my then 3 year old niece, Peanut, to see it on an Aunt/Niece Day.  She sat on my lap throughout the entire movie and at the end, when the Beast dies, we both bawled.  She turned to me and said "Aunt Sissy, it's so sad!"  That  year, she had a Beauty and The Beast birthday party and I bought her a stuffed Beast from the Disney Store. For ever after, when I hear the theme song, I think of my Peanut.  Such great memories.  Now, 20 years later, I got an email from the Tulsa PAC telling me that Beauty and The Beast Musical was coming to Tulsa!  So I took my now grown Peanut, as well as my daughter, to see it.  It was fabulous! The music and the costumes and the set were everything I was hoping they would be! Absolutely magical!  It looked like the storybook came to life up on the stage.  At the end, when the Beast dies, I wasn't breathing...and, yeah, I was crying. :)  Another priceless memory with my Peanut and this time, my daughter. 

Our "adventure" began with driving to Tulsa and eating dinner at The Olive Garden.  We were only about 14 miles from the resturant to the PAC, according the the GPS on my iPhone, so I wasn't very worried about making it on time.  Until I actually GOT downtown.  It seems that Sugarland was in concert at The BOK that night, and that's pretty much in the same area as the PAC.  Some of the streets were blocked off, the traffic was HORRIBLE, and the 2 policeman I stopped and asked directions from were useless. I was getting frustrated and worried that we'd miss the show.  Finally, my 15 year old daughter took my iPhone, pulled up the GPS and started giving me driving directions from the back seat.  I started listening to her, because, after all, I had screwed this up about as much as I could on my own.  Street by street, she guided us straight to the PAC and we found parking RIGHT across the street!  She saved the night!. When the show was over, she repeated the directions in reverse and got us back on the BA Expressway in no time at all.  I told her later that she could never use the excuse "I got lost" if she was late for curfew. :)  When my bestest friend, Cara, heard this story, she reminded me of the time I had tried to drive in downtown Tulsa to see my boyfriend at TCC one day.  I called her when I got back home, (no cell phones in the 80's) crying.  I had apparently driven around, lost in all the one way streets, for 4 hours!  She got a big laugh out of that.  I have NO memory of that day whatsoever.  I guess my pride blocked it out.  Too bad I didn't have that cool iPhone with GPS on it  back then!!!

Weight Watcher 1 point snack idea

In December, I joined Weight Watchers.  I'm down 16.4 pounds, and I'm not finished yet.  The new  Points Plus program is WONDERFUL and it makes it so much easier to follow and to lose,  as long as you write down what you eat and keep track of your points. I even lost weight during CHRISTMAS break and never once felt left out or deprived!  I found this recipe yesterday on the Weight Watchers website and tried it out.  Then I hid them so I would have something to snack on.  My kids loved them.  (which is why I hid them!!)  Sometimes, it's okay to be selfish. :)  2 crisps are1 Points Plus

Parmesan Cheese Crisps

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Place scant tablepoons of grated Parmesan cheese on the paper and gently flatten. (I used a small soup spoon)  Sprinkle with chives, parsley and pepper.  I also sprinkled a little bit of onion powder on them.  Bake in a 425 degree oven for about 6 minutes, until the edges are brown. I think it would be fun to substitute other herbs for different flavors, or just leave the cheese plain.  They are great, crisp snacks or you can eat them with soup. 

Carpe diem'

Music Festival Update

I did it.  I went to the Ponca City Music Festival and I played the piano for a judge. I walked into the church, where the festival was being held, and a nice lady said to me "Do you have a piano or vocal student?"  I looked at her and said "I'M the student."  Her eyes flew wide open and she said "WONDERFUL!"  As it turns out, I was the ONLY adult playing in the Festival.  Add that to the fact that I was also the FIRST adult to play in the Festival.  I"m so glad I didn't know this at the time.  I would have run back to my car without even seeing the piano.  When it was finally my turn to play, I walked into that room, took one look at the baby grand piano sitting there and my heart started racing.  I have ALWAYS wanted to play a baby grand piano!  I am pretty sure I was actually drooling when I sat down on the bench.  And when I touched the keys, OMG!  It sounded GORGEOUS!  All I wanted to do was sit and play around for hours. But, I don't think the other people waiting to play would have appreciated it. 

 So I played for the judge...a stranger I didn't know. Yes, I was nervous. Yes, I messed up a little.  Yes, I had to start over.  BUT!  I was NOT forbidden to ever play again, nor did they send someone to take my piano away from me.  I faced a fear and I conquered it. The Superior score I got for playing was a nice touch, too. :)

Opening Night!

I need to have a tshirt printed that says "I survived Opening Night!"  After weeks of practice, Town and Gown opened The Odd Couple, Female Version last week.  I was a little nervous all day, but nothing too out of the ordinary.  Until I was standing backstage waiting for my cue.  The mild butterflies I had all day long had morphed into bald eagles.  By the time I stepped out and sat down at the table, my heart was racing and I didn't have a single drop of spit left in my mouth!  I was seriously scared.  There were actual PEOPLE in the audience and my mouth was so dry, my tongue was stuck to the roof of it!  I knew my lines...I just wasn't going to be able to say them.  And then.... we got our first laugh and I wasn't scared anymore!  The audience was having a good time!  They were laughing in all the right places and at times, it was all I could do not to laugh right along with them.  It was truly an incredible feeling...like I really HAD been drinking cough syrup! I can't WAIT to get back out there this week!!

The Odd Couple--Female Version

Back in December, I finally got up enough courage to try out for a part in a play, and I got one!  Rehearsals for The Odd Couple, Female Version, with the Town and Gown Theater in Stillwater, began January 3rd.  Today, we are only 5 rehearsals away from  opening night and I have butterflies the size of vultures in my stomach! Am I REALLY going to DO this? I can't believe how quickly it's gone by.

I have to admit, the biggest reason behind this adventure is that piano contest coming up on February 12th that I've mentioned before.  I had such a fear of playing for people, besides my family, that I thought maybe doing a play would help me overcome it.  I was right....I've been so busy with play practice that I'm not even WORRIED about the piano contest!  I have my music memorized and almost polished to perfection.  As for the play, I am having the best time!  It's been years since I've done this....and  I had forgotten how much fun it is to get wrapped up in another world and pretend to be someone else. :)  The play really is the thing!

Carpe' diem

Happy New Year

It's 2011, just in case you haven't been paying attention.  According to the Myan Calendar, we only have one year left before the world explodes.  Do you think Ben Affleck will save us?  Or should we put our money on Vin Diesel?

All kidding aside, I have some big plans for 2011.  I will be 47 in May, 3 years from 50, so I've decided it's time for me to have some fun!  I make my stage debut in February with the Town & Gown Theater's production of The Odd Couple, Female Version.  I am excited and scared to death!  It's been years since I've been in a play. Play practice began last night, and will pretty much rule my life until the production.  That's okay.  Also in February, I will play the piano at the Federation Music Festival in Ponca City.  I will play two memorized pieces for a judge.  I'm excited and scared to death about this, too!  We are also planning a family vacation to South Carolina in July.  We want to drive the coast of SC and see all that we can see!!  We will also have a new licensed driver in the house so she will get to drive along the coast, too!

 I can't see into the future, so I don't  know how 2011 is going to turn out.  I only know that I plan to make the most of it!  I hope you make the most out of your new year, also!!