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Movies Movies Movies...

I've seen 3 movies in the last 4 days. And that doesn't include the remake of " Inherit the wind" which Jack and I watched on TV tonight, or Nicolas cage in Lord of War which we watched over the weekend. (both of these I loved though Lord of War actually made me put my laptop down and pay attention)

First on saturday after attending a baby shower (for my lovely friend Simone - Congrats Simone & Marty) I went and sawThe Waitress which I enjoyed though feel the build up of 90% on rotten tomatoes kind of meant it would disappoint - though not much. I think my biggest disappointment came with Nathan Fillion who I loved in Firefly, but I didn't really care for him in this - guess I like him as a commanding Captain better. Also finding out about the murder of the co-star/ writer, director before this movie came out and was received, but a damper on my reflection of it. There was a big poster up as we left the theater that mentioned her murder and when I came home and read it (and realized Law and Order had already ripped it off) I was so saddened I think it made the movie a bit more melancholy than comedy.

Next came Pirates which Jack has already blogged about. I liked it more than him and was entertained, but I will say I missed the simplicity of the ride - this movie was convoluted. And Johnny Depp's multiple personalities at first I found hysterical, but the card was over played and by the end I was annoyed each and every time they used that devise. I would recommend it for Pirates fans and hell I'll probably see any other Pirate movie Disney wants to throw out. I will also say I'm annoyed Jack didn't tell me about the scene after the credits until we were crossing the street to go back to the car and he knew about it! - I would have sat there and waited for it had I known. He assured me I could find it on the net but I've had no luck there. If you go - wait for it. I will say also that it was not worth the money paid to the sitter given that it was something short of 3 hours, on top of the over inflated movie prices.

Today I took Megan to see Shrek 3 and i have to say I loved it as much as I loved the first. The humor was geared towards me though Megan seemed to love it just as much (even the second time around). I was kind of disappointed with 2 - its seemed flat, but 3 was just hoot and I enjoyed trying to figure out who did which voice and I loved the moment when the queen (played by Julie Andrews) hummed Raindrops on Roses! best of the 3rd movies in a series i've seen.

Guess I recommend them all - take that for what you will.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

For about a week, we've had a brown spider living in our bathroom. He's about the size of a quarter with his body the size of a dime, I've tried repeatedly to catch him, but he seems to know where to scurry off too quickly and proved elusive.

So yesterday Megan and Jack were off to the beach with Oso and I went in to take a shower - there he was in the bathtub. Since he was contained I figured it was my best chance. I grabbed a cup and trapped him and then slid a piece of paper under him. I had a moment of freak out when I realized the paper drooped alittle and I dropped him back in the tub, but he seemed fine and I recaptured him, folding the paper in half to get rid of the excess.

I carried him out side opened the sliding the door and tossed him low to the ground - Duncan heard the commotion from where he was outside and came running over to me. As he came up he STEPPED on the poor spider!

All of this didn't kill the poor guy as he started moving a bit a few second later, but unfortunately Duncan suddenly noticed him ...

and ate him!

Once

My film club screened Once.

This movie really struck a chord with me. Its a movie about discovering your passion. The songs are about healing, hurting, and living. I really recommend this film. I've already downloaded all the music I could and have uploaded it to my IPOD - it'll be my music for a while.

UPDATE: I'm not alone in my admiration for this flick - Rottentomatoes gives it a whopping 97% and the one lone negative review well he was just smoking crack.

Oh a camping we will go...

We had a really wonderful camping trip. We headed out friday afternoon after i'd packed us all up. The drive to Santa Cruz was a bit slow going thanks to friday rush hour and some road construction but once we made it it was fun to just relax and just hang out with good people.

We set up our tiny tent we got as a gift 15 years ago. Its seen us through Camping in Florida, VIctoria, Tasmania, South Australia and even Ayers Rock. Compared to all the other tents, ours was a toy, we all enjoyed laughing about it. The family that set up next to us had the exact opposite - 2 rooms complete with carry case on wheels! In the end though our poor little tent didn't survive age, and a troop of 4 year olds running in and out, and 2 blow up mattresses that were about 1/2 foot too wide
(we propped one over the other and Megan rolled into me all night) and so we will be shopping for a new one before our next camping trip.

I made dinner while we all got to know each other and the kids played. Cooking on a camp stove was more rewarding than I thought it would be and my CRV's table came in handy giving us a surface to use as kitchen.

After convincing Megan that all the other kids were in fact going to bed, Jack got her down, while I enjoyed some time with the other folks around the campfire. We stayed up way to late and I was a tad hung over in the morning, but it was so much fun. Jack got breakfast on and then we all just sat around talking while the kids played. After lunch we Jack and I broke camp and then the whole group headed down to the beach. It was a beautiful day -Jack managed to get a kite into the air, Megan got soaked in the surf and covered in sand and I just soaked up the sun and the good company. After a couple of hours we headed back up to our car, gave Megan a quick shower to rinse off the sand and headed home.

Poor Tired Girl

Megan is napping. She hasn't napped in 2 years!. She was falling asleep on the way to cooking class and then again on the way home. When I suggested she nap she refused so I bribed her with the library story time tonight and so she laid down and when I checked on her she was out.

I think she has what ever bug i had yesterday, and today I feel great so hopefully she'll be up for camping tomorrow. If not though we'll cancel and do it some other weekend.

wonderful Mother's day then UGH

We had a really great weekend. Josephine came over and spent the night saturday - she and Megan played until they both passed out and slept soundly through sunday morning. I didn't realize Jack was having such a time breathing, so I let him pamper me despite the whole no breathing thing. I'm glad he is feeling better now and has been to the doctor.

We enjoyed Mini Golf and Go-karts with the girls, in the morning and then Pam and Yvonne joined us for a bbq before they all headed home.

Monday I was back at the pool and Cooking for our Poker crew. I also have been working on planning our trip to San Francisco which Jack and I are taking for our 15th anniversary. Before that I'm going to Vegas with a mom friend and have been busy planning that as well. This weekend we're going to camp with a bunch of families I know for a night - they are staying 2 but 1 is a good start for us.

The ugh in the title refers to the fact that I have yet another cold - this makes 5 in 5 months! I'm so tired of being stuffy and achy. I can't believe that i've had more colds since I started getting healthier. It makes absolutely no sense. So I skipped the pool this morning and ran some errands.

I'll end on a cute Megan story. Last night while we were cuddling in her bed, and singing songs, I sang to her, as I often do, "You are my sunshine" about half way through she tried to interrupt me and I prevented her saying Let me finish. When I was done I asked her what she wanted to say and she said....

"Mom - why do you sing a song about me being your Son when I'm your Daughter?!"

Heaven

Well for Megan anyway

another delicious dinner

I decided to do Greek food for poker last night - I made Grilled Leg of Lamb (that had marinated in yogurt Lemon juice and rosemary for 3 days), Tabbouleh, Hummus, tzatziki, which I paired with some flat bread, olives, feta, mixed greens, etc. Turned out it was the perfect night for it too as we had a scorcher yesterday and a cool dinner (i'd grilled the lamb earlier in the afternoon) made it all the better.

For dessert we had Roasted fruit (peaches, raspberries and blueberries) over ice cream.

The lamb was perfection - the marinated made it so tender and it just melted and the flavors were wonderful. I omitted the parsley in the Tabbouleh and it was the first time i've ever liked that dish. Jack made the tzatziki for me since while i'd bought all the ingredients I forgot all about it, and the hummus was my best ever! For once i'm glad we have some leftovers in the fridge.

I kick butt

Your results:
You are Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)

Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command) 85% Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) 85% Wash (Ship Pilot) 70% Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic) 60% Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic) 60% Inara Serra (Companion) 55% Jayne Cobb (Mercenary) 35% River (Stowaway) 35% Derrial Book (Shepherd) 20% Alliance 15% A Reaver (Cannibal) 5%

Dependable and trustworthy. You love your significant other and you are a tough cookie when in a conflict.

Civic Duty

One of the more intriguing films from film club is opening soon - called Civic Duty. Watch the trailer and if your intrigued see the movie.

I'm curious as to the how it ends, cause we saw a version during the editing process.

She's a talker

I've learned something about Megan tonight - she talks in her sleep - she keeps saying things and with Jack out of town and the dogs sleeping its quiet so i've been listening.

"Where's my baby..."

"Bring that here"

"I like the pink flowers"

makes me wonder what she's dreaming.

Worth

This made me feel so great about myself. Its easy to doubt your worth when you don't earn a pay check. I knew I did a lot to keep this household working but reading this made me prouder.