I just received this information from my cousin:
Call the Nestle Crunch Hotline at 1-800-295-0051. When you are asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, just wait quietly for about 10 seconds and you will smile. Promise! Keep going and press 4. Listen to the options...then press 7.
I did press 7 as she suggested, but I suppose you could have chosen another option.
Nestle's may have truly tranformed the whole if you want to (whatever) press a number.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Bad Moon Photos
...don't say I didn't warn you. (My kingdom for a really great camera...)
I thought the moon was round. Here the moon looks like it got deflated on the side. I kind of think it looks like a heart shaped M & M.
This one looks like a heart shaped moon.
This is like a proton or a placebo or the moon squinting at me. The moon, quite possibly, could have a sense of humor. You don't know.
This one is like a jelly bean. Actually, a lot of my moon photos look like jelly beans that shine in the dark
This last one is the one that probably looks the most like the moon. But still and all, it's probably a good thing that I don't work for NASA.
These was taken January 29,2010. That night the moon was the fullest it will be for the year. If you click on this link, you'll find more interesting information including the fact that it's all an illusion.
But illusion or not, I have been fascinated with the moon since those early days of childhood when being outside at night was just about the coolest thing ever.
I find there is something stabling about the night time, and knowing we all look up in wonder of the same moon is fascinating to me. I imagine my friends going out and looking up at the moon. I've always been able to see the Man in the Moon. It's never been a problem for me.
The moon is not going to fall out of the sky. It will sit there for you to look at it for as long as you wish, you can call it any kind of cheese, and it won't get mad at you, and when it goes away, it always comes back.
I've never been disappointed by the moon. It keeps a perfect calendar and is always right on time.
This link will give you some information about your Moon Type. You can click on it if you are not disturbed about knowing these kinds of things.
I thought the moon was round. Here the moon looks like it got deflated on the side. I kind of think it looks like a heart shaped M & M.
This one looks like a heart shaped moon.
This is like a proton or a placebo or the moon squinting at me. The moon, quite possibly, could have a sense of humor. You don't know.
This one is like a jelly bean. Actually, a lot of my moon photos look like jelly beans that shine in the dark
This last one is the one that probably looks the most like the moon. But still and all, it's probably a good thing that I don't work for NASA.
These was taken January 29,2010. That night the moon was the fullest it will be for the year. If you click on this link, you'll find more interesting information including the fact that it's all an illusion.
But illusion or not, I have been fascinated with the moon since those early days of childhood when being outside at night was just about the coolest thing ever.
I find there is something stabling about the night time, and knowing we all look up in wonder of the same moon is fascinating to me. I imagine my friends going out and looking up at the moon. I've always been able to see the Man in the Moon. It's never been a problem for me.
The moon is not going to fall out of the sky. It will sit there for you to look at it for as long as you wish, you can call it any kind of cheese, and it won't get mad at you, and when it goes away, it always comes back.
I've never been disappointed by the moon. It keeps a perfect calendar and is always right on time.
This link will give you some information about your Moon Type. You can click on it if you are not disturbed about knowing these kinds of things.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Some Much Ados about Nothing
1. How your hair looks. (Really, it's not that big of a deal. No one actually cares. Not. Really.)
2. The Tim Tebow Superbowl ad. (Geesh, all that uproar, and then Tebow tackles his Mom on national televsion? Boy, if one of my kids tackled me like that ...whoa, ;) )
3. President Obama blames President Bush, one more time. (Someone has to tell him!)
4. Brad and Angelina. (Remember Swine Flu? Killer Bees? Y2K? Well, someday you will think that way about Brad and Angelina, and you won't even have to get a shot, wear a pith helmet or roll change. It'll just happen. Trust me.)
5. Michael Moore getting a million dollar tax credit for making a movie in Michigan. (If they didn't like it, they should have watched his movie and did away with the tax credit~ 'cause that's what he said...)
6. Coffee is bad. (Coffee is necessary. I wish people would just stop ragging on coffee. I mean, seriously, if you want to do yoga and drink tea, so be it. Just stop ragging on coffee! It's been around longer than most people!!)
7. Tap water will make you something akin to unhealthy and wrinkly. (Doubtful, so, so doubtful. If you are thirsty, and no one has bottled water near by, go ahead and drink from the tap. Honestly, you will probably live. Just don't drink it from a water fountain. Yuk.)
2. The Tim Tebow Superbowl ad. (Geesh, all that uproar, and then Tebow tackles his Mom on national televsion? Boy, if one of my kids tackled me like that ...whoa, ;) )
3. President Obama blames President Bush, one more time. (Someone has to tell him!)
4. Brad and Angelina. (Remember Swine Flu? Killer Bees? Y2K? Well, someday you will think that way about Brad and Angelina, and you won't even have to get a shot, wear a pith helmet or roll change. It'll just happen. Trust me.)
5. Michael Moore getting a million dollar tax credit for making a movie in Michigan. (If they didn't like it, they should have watched his movie and did away with the tax credit~ 'cause that's what he said...)
6. Coffee is bad. (Coffee is necessary. I wish people would just stop ragging on coffee. I mean, seriously, if you want to do yoga and drink tea, so be it. Just stop ragging on coffee! It's been around longer than most people!!)
7. Tap water will make you something akin to unhealthy and wrinkly. (Doubtful, so, so doubtful. If you are thirsty, and no one has bottled water near by, go ahead and drink from the tap. Honestly, you will probably live. Just don't drink it from a water fountain. Yuk.)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
from "On Becoming Fearless"
"The first step to becoming fearless about our physical appearance is knowing that our fears of inadequacy are manufactured and mass-marketed. The fear-generating messages of perfection we measure ourselves against come not from Moses on the mountain-top but from the multibillion-dollar cosmetics and fashion industres whos profits are directly tied to our levels of insecurity. ***
"That's only half the story, however. We are, after all, the ones perpetuating the game of comparisons. The urge to compare, to see how we're doing relative to others, is a part of the human condition. But we can enlarge our perspective to dilute the power of our narrow, self-destructive comparisons. I know this is hard, but if we can't completely stop playing the comparison game, we can at least start changing who we compare ourselves to."
-- Aríanna Huffingtòn, "On Becoming Fearless," page 20
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
I copied and pasted this from a comment on a link I misplaced. But I like what it says. I'm not sure of the exact quote because of the misspellings, so I think I'll look for the book myself and check it out, but it does seem to reflect what Arianna Huffington might say.
The young women of today, and maybe me included a little bit, are affected by what the outside world says we should be, should look like actually, and that is so wrong.
Rise above it all and be yourself.
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Moon Again
("I'll go look at the moon with you, Grandma...")
Tonight, January 29, 2010, is going to featured the hugest, largest, fullest moon of 2010.
You can link yourself anywhere to find the information, if you already didn't have it in your inbox.
Go out and take a look at the moon. Enjoy. Tomorrow, it will be waning.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
First day in Kindergarten
Way back in the day, when I was a young lass, there was no government requirement of attending kindergarten. So, I missed it. I started first grade as a five year old. Somehow I muddled through ... but today, I went to kindergarten for the very first time. (Okay, well now, that might be stretching it a bit as my oldest son was in public school kindergarten, and I did go to his class...)
I arrived at 9:15 AM. The class was in Relative Arts and were to arrive back shortly. There were 18 of them. Eighteen little heartbeats to sit at their little desks and learn all the important things they will ever know, if one is to believe some books that declare all you need to know you learned in kindergarten. And, I am volunteering to be a part of this, so I'll be on my best behavior.
While the class was getting settled, I prepared 36 pieces of a napkin type paper that can be recycled, two for each child, to be placed in front of them. These were their imaginary *math mats* with an imaginary line down the middle, of one for the purpose of working out their math problems. (One map would hold their 10 bunny shaped marshmallows, and the other would be for working out the math problems.)
I liked the idea of using manipulatives. Each child worked with ten bunnies.
Mrs. Evans, whom I met and observed last year during the time she was my youngest nephew's tutor (and is now his teacher), is an excellent teacher, in my good opinion.
In this unit of study, she wrote a math problem on the board. When she used the + sign or when she used the - sign, she reinforced what that stood for and what action was being taken. I liked that she allowed the children in her class to call out in discussion. She asked for numbers to add or subtract from, that were not higher than the number 10. The class would then work the problem with their bunnies, and call out the answer when called on. They seemed to know when to raise their hands.
I recall now, yes, it was that she instructed them to put their finger on their noses when they had the answer. I thought this was quiet a brilliant thing to do. Then, they raised their hands and she called on a student to answer. If they were incorrect, Mrs. Evans had very positive ways in her dialogue with them to keep the discussion going without telling any child something that would not keep them thinking in the round.
One other thing Mrs. Evans did during this exercise was to set up each child with a partner. She displayed a way of knowing, very quickly, whom would be a good help for whom. She called out children's names and had a few change seats, not one bit of complaining was done during this time that I recall.
The learning abilities of 18 children are going to ebb and flow. And, no one teacher, in my good opinion, can sustain them all, but if it can be done, she will find a one to try to find the best way to attempt it. She will try to hand each child the baton ~ although, I can see that some of them will not grab for it and go. The reasons for those things are yet to be known, and may very well, never be.
Today was an early release day. Which means that school is out by 12 noon.
We went right from math to journal writing. The children went back to their regular seats for this activity. The group leaders of each little table is responsible for going to a drawer unit at the each of their tables, and fetching the journal books and supplying the pencil needed. The children wait for the book to be handed to them and start writing.
At this point I was on free reign of sorts. Mrs. Evans needed to do some individual testing with each child, and I guess my being there allowed her to do that, so I walked around helping children with their entries.
I am very familiar with phonics and their sounds -- phoneme. My homeschooling background helped me with this. Helping sound out the word "vampire girl" was interesting. I did my best not to cheat and just give someone a word -- I did give one child the g and h in night, explaining the *Mr. gh* rule, because she wanted to write the word *nit* but for night to have a long i sound, then she would have to put an e at the end and have - nite - but I thought, oh well, I'll just go ahead and let her in on the secret of *Mr gh* because if she knows now then she has forgotten it, and if she doesn't know, it certainly will not hurt her to know (right?).
I continued helping the children with their spelling for their journal writing entries until it was time for recess. After recess was over, while Mrs. Evans read the children a story (and with great animation, I must say; such a fine job she did!), I cut out penguin wings for the next project which they began, but will finish later.
At the end of the day, my little nephew took my hand, and we prepared to leave the classroom together. I then remembered it would be nice to clean up the mess left after the penguin wings cuttings, so he helped me do that. He knew which recycle bin to use.
We were then walking out and he said to me, "Aunt Sasha, are you glad this day is over?" I told him that I thought it was a very fine day, and I enjoyed it very much, "How about you?" I added.
He said, "I've got so much of it still in my head, I feel like it's still going on..." He's 6. Priceless, just priceless.
I arrived at 9:15 AM. The class was in Relative Arts and were to arrive back shortly. There were 18 of them. Eighteen little heartbeats to sit at their little desks and learn all the important things they will ever know, if one is to believe some books that declare all you need to know you learned in kindergarten. And, I am volunteering to be a part of this, so I'll be on my best behavior.
While the class was getting settled, I prepared 36 pieces of a napkin type paper that can be recycled, two for each child, to be placed in front of them. These were their imaginary *math mats* with an imaginary line down the middle, of one for the purpose of working out their math problems. (One map would hold their 10 bunny shaped marshmallows, and the other would be for working out the math problems.)
I liked the idea of using manipulatives. Each child worked with ten bunnies.
Mrs. Evans, whom I met and observed last year during the time she was my youngest nephew's tutor (and is now his teacher), is an excellent teacher, in my good opinion.
In this unit of study, she wrote a math problem on the board. When she used the + sign or when she used the - sign, she reinforced what that stood for and what action was being taken. I liked that she allowed the children in her class to call out in discussion. She asked for numbers to add or subtract from, that were not higher than the number 10. The class would then work the problem with their bunnies, and call out the answer when called on. They seemed to know when to raise their hands.
I recall now, yes, it was that she instructed them to put their finger on their noses when they had the answer. I thought this was quiet a brilliant thing to do. Then, they raised their hands and she called on a student to answer. If they were incorrect, Mrs. Evans had very positive ways in her dialogue with them to keep the discussion going without telling any child something that would not keep them thinking in the round.
One other thing Mrs. Evans did during this exercise was to set up each child with a partner. She displayed a way of knowing, very quickly, whom would be a good help for whom. She called out children's names and had a few change seats, not one bit of complaining was done during this time that I recall.
The learning abilities of 18 children are going to ebb and flow. And, no one teacher, in my good opinion, can sustain them all, but if it can be done, she will find a one to try to find the best way to attempt it. She will try to hand each child the baton ~ although, I can see that some of them will not grab for it and go. The reasons for those things are yet to be known, and may very well, never be.
Today was an early release day. Which means that school is out by 12 noon.
We went right from math to journal writing. The children went back to their regular seats for this activity. The group leaders of each little table is responsible for going to a drawer unit at the each of their tables, and fetching the journal books and supplying the pencil needed. The children wait for the book to be handed to them and start writing.
At this point I was on free reign of sorts. Mrs. Evans needed to do some individual testing with each child, and I guess my being there allowed her to do that, so I walked around helping children with their entries.
I am very familiar with phonics and their sounds -- phoneme. My homeschooling background helped me with this. Helping sound out the word "vampire girl" was interesting. I did my best not to cheat and just give someone a word -- I did give one child the g and h in night, explaining the *Mr. gh* rule, because she wanted to write the word *nit* but for night to have a long i sound, then she would have to put an e at the end and have - nite - but I thought, oh well, I'll just go ahead and let her in on the secret of *Mr gh* because if she knows now then she has forgotten it, and if she doesn't know, it certainly will not hurt her to know (right?).
I continued helping the children with their spelling for their journal writing entries until it was time for recess. After recess was over, while Mrs. Evans read the children a story (and with great animation, I must say; such a fine job she did!), I cut out penguin wings for the next project which they began, but will finish later.
At the end of the day, my little nephew took my hand, and we prepared to leave the classroom together. I then remembered it would be nice to clean up the mess left after the penguin wings cuttings, so he helped me do that. He knew which recycle bin to use.
We were then walking out and he said to me, "Aunt Sasha, are you glad this day is over?" I told him that I thought it was a very fine day, and I enjoyed it very much, "How about you?" I added.
He said, "I've got so much of it still in my head, I feel like it's still going on..." He's 6. Priceless, just priceless.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Just Here For Now
I just renamed my blog. Well, I renamed *this* blog. When I first started blogging, several years ago, I didn't know at all what I was doing. I started a blog, and kind of lost it.
It was called "Just Here For Now" ...
And, all these years of blogging, I have thought that was a better name for my blog, as that is how I have always felt ~ just here for now.
I am just here for now on this planet, in this realm, because I am not going to live my forever existence where I am now.
There is to much unfinished inside me to do that. And, I am finding that I cannot move fast enough, on the outside, to match all I wish to do, on the inside.
It was called "Just Here For Now" ...
And, all these years of blogging, I have thought that was a better name for my blog, as that is how I have always felt ~ just here for now.
I am just here for now on this planet, in this realm, because I am not going to live my forever existence where I am now.
There is to much unfinished inside me to do that. And, I am finding that I cannot move fast enough, on the outside, to match all I wish to do, on the inside.
Monday, January 25, 2010
A Poem ~ by Nathan
Two Choices...One Chance
~~by Nathan S.
You got one shot...One chance...Two choices...
Do you steal the cookie from the cookie jar?
Hoping your won't get caught?
Or do you do the right thing and wait patiently
For your mom to get home and ask permission first?
One chance...Two choices...
Do you accept the smoke from your most trusted friend,
Knowing you are not of legal age?
or do you walk away, thinking about losing a friend forever?
One chance...Two choices...
Do you steal your very own parents' money,
Knowing you can't pay them back?
One chance...Two choices...
do you smoke the marijuana,
Hoping the cops won't catch you?
or do you turn down your so-called friends?
One chance...Two choices...
So there you go - What is your choice?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My nephew's poem has been selected in a Creative Communication Poetry competition. He's in the 8th grade. Our family is very proud of him.
~~by Nathan S.
You got one shot...One chance...Two choices...
Do you steal the cookie from the cookie jar?
Hoping your won't get caught?
Or do you do the right thing and wait patiently
For your mom to get home and ask permission first?
One chance...Two choices...
Do you accept the smoke from your most trusted friend,
Knowing you are not of legal age?
or do you walk away, thinking about losing a friend forever?
One chance...Two choices...
Do you steal your very own parents' money,
Knowing you can't pay them back?
One chance...Two choices...
do you smoke the marijuana,
Hoping the cops won't catch you?
or do you turn down your so-called friends?
One chance...Two choices...
So there you go - What is your choice?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My nephew's poem has been selected in a Creative Communication Poetry competition. He's in the 8th grade. Our family is very proud of him.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Doing?
When one is doing dishes,
and talking on the phone,
and cleaning the stove,
and then
closes the oven door
on ones' little pinky finger,
one does have to wonder,
just what the
*hey*
one is really doing?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Stories that can silence you
I recently found this blog -- 6 year med -- and this post, All of My Days, was the first I read. I fell speechless. My eyes welled with tears. My heart swelled and a new kind of silence fell upon me.
The lady who parked the wrong way
Why is it, that when one decides that one should work on a part of their character,
The part that involves not letting stupid things people do bother you,
A lady decides to park the wrong way in the pick up lane at the Extended Day Program?
She had out of town license plates.
I figured she didn't know the rules.
But, the traffic got really piled up on the one way we all had to go
And, she still didn't even look up to see
What a mess she was causing.
And, I,
I looked at her.
Two or three times,
Actually, and I thought of rolling down my window
And declaring, even nicely, the wrongness of it all.
But, I said, to me, "You Idiot,
This is your challenge.
This is the *thing* --
Let it go."
It took me longer than I would have wished it would.
And, still it is probably not gone,
Because,
What am I doing now?
Posting about it.
So, Maybe she wasn't even real.
Maybe nobody saw her but me.
But, here I am thinking about the lady
with the out of town license plates
who parked the wrong way in the
One Way Pick Up Line...
I lose.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Focus, Grasshopper, Focus
What does one think when one cannot see the skillet because it is upside down?
There is much to learn here, grasshopper.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Just a really weird day
The really weird day ~
And, of course, I got up late. I do not like getting up late.
1. Daughter was not supposed to work today, which was good because Dad needed the truck which she drives to work.
2. Daughter ended up having to work - and was very upset and tired because she had worked last night, closed as a matter of fact, and didn't get home until after midnight and had to be back at work at 8 AM.
And, she had had a horrible evening/night at work because of theft -- 19 movies were stolen. And, customers were grouchy, one customer even told her very harshly that they never rented a movie that she told him he didn't return because he would never, never, ever rent that type of movie...
3. So Dad made other arrangements for a vehicle. He took Mom's ride because she didn't have to be at work until 3:30, and Dad said, surely he would be back by then.
4. So what happens? Mom gets a call, at home, at 2:15 and is told that her nephew (that she picks up from school everyday) is in the office because she's not there to pick him up (what?). Mom tells the nice lady on the phone that Jacob goes to EDP (Extended Day Program) on Tuesdays. Nice Lady says, "Oh, Okay", and assures she will take him there.
5 minutes later the phone rings again. Jacob is not signed up at EDP (Jacob has been attending the EDP program every Tuesday and Friday since school began...), so they won't take him, and here is Mom without a car.
So, Mom calls Grandma. Grandma goes and gets Jacob and then picks up Mom, so she can go back with her to Jacob's house and take care of Jacob.
5. Dad ends up with some furniture (from the job he was working at)... a desk and an office chair, which we needed, and a huge TV -- 40" color, perfect condition TV -- that we did not. So, Dad has this TV in Mom's car and since no one needed it (we called about four people; yes, I love cell phones); he took the TV to a place near our house, called House of Hope (it was formerly called Jesus' House of Hope but because of political reasons and not wanting to stifle contributions, they changed the name to House of Hope, dropping Jesus on the outside, but they say, not on the inside) ...
....and they couldn't take the TV, as appliances have to be dropped off somewhere else, but it's getting time for closing and Mom needs to be picked up from work...
...so Dad sees some lawn workers that he frequently sees in the neighborhood and pulled up and asked them, "Do you know of anyone who wants a working 40" TV?" Seems that they did and very happily so.
6. Daughter had to work longer than her scheduled shift because the fellow coming into take the next shift had to wait for his wife to come home from work, and she was late, and they only had the one car...
...and then, Daughter sees a fellow in the store stealing movies ...(drat). She called the top dog boss, who told her to call 911, (who said she did do the right thing, because she wasn't sure, she told the officers, that 911 was the right number to call for such a thing as theft from a video store, and they said, 'oh yes, you did the right thing.')
They did catch the guy. (Pray for Daughter's safety, though, these things make me nervous)
And, also, the specific customer who had told her he never, never, ever rented that type of movie...he came in and returned the said movie and apologized for his rude behavior.
And, of course, I got up late. I do not like getting up late.
1. Daughter was not supposed to work today, which was good because Dad needed the truck which she drives to work.
2. Daughter ended up having to work - and was very upset and tired because she had worked last night, closed as a matter of fact, and didn't get home until after midnight and had to be back at work at 8 AM.
And, she had had a horrible evening/night at work because of theft -- 19 movies were stolen. And, customers were grouchy, one customer even told her very harshly that they never rented a movie that she told him he didn't return because he would never, never, ever rent that type of movie...
3. So Dad made other arrangements for a vehicle. He took Mom's ride because she didn't have to be at work until 3:30, and Dad said, surely he would be back by then.
4. So what happens? Mom gets a call, at home, at 2:15 and is told that her nephew (that she picks up from school everyday) is in the office because she's not there to pick him up (what?). Mom tells the nice lady on the phone that Jacob goes to EDP (Extended Day Program) on Tuesdays. Nice Lady says, "Oh, Okay", and assures she will take him there.
5 minutes later the phone rings again. Jacob is not signed up at EDP (Jacob has been attending the EDP program every Tuesday and Friday since school began...), so they won't take him, and here is Mom without a car.
So, Mom calls Grandma. Grandma goes and gets Jacob and then picks up Mom, so she can go back with her to Jacob's house and take care of Jacob.
5. Dad ends up with some furniture (from the job he was working at)... a desk and an office chair, which we needed, and a huge TV -- 40" color, perfect condition TV -- that we did not. So, Dad has this TV in Mom's car and since no one needed it (we called about four people; yes, I love cell phones); he took the TV to a place near our house, called House of Hope (it was formerly called Jesus' House of Hope but because of political reasons and not wanting to stifle contributions, they changed the name to House of Hope, dropping Jesus on the outside, but they say, not on the inside) ...
....and they couldn't take the TV, as appliances have to be dropped off somewhere else, but it's getting time for closing and Mom needs to be picked up from work...
...so Dad sees some lawn workers that he frequently sees in the neighborhood and pulled up and asked them, "Do you know of anyone who wants a working 40" TV?" Seems that they did and very happily so.
6. Daughter had to work longer than her scheduled shift because the fellow coming into take the next shift had to wait for his wife to come home from work, and she was late, and they only had the one car...
...and then, Daughter sees a fellow in the store stealing movies ...(drat). She called the top dog boss, who told her to call 911, (who said she did do the right thing, because she wasn't sure, she told the officers, that 911 was the right number to call for such a thing as theft from a video store, and they said, 'oh yes, you did the right thing.')
They did catch the guy. (Pray for Daughter's safety, though, these things make me nervous)
And, also, the specific customer who had told her he never, never, ever rented that type of movie...he came in and returned the said movie and apologized for his rude behavior.
Giving Freely
Those that give may find that those they give to, don't give anything to them, even if it be in times of obvious need.
But, those that give with a free and loving heart, with no conditions or strings attached, will find that the universe (God) will give back freely to them what they need.
But, those that give with a free and loving heart, with no conditions or strings attached, will find that the universe (God) will give back freely to them what they need.
Surrogate ~ a movie with Bruce Willis
In this movie Bruce Willis plays Bruce Willis. It's about Bruce Willis taking (another) beating and saving the world (again). But I jest ...
I thought Sixth Sense was great.
The film, Surrogates, made me think of the Matrix. One of those centralized ideas about how we don't really live life, don't want to get old, get hurt, or basically experience anything bad, and you know we can't live like that. It just never turns out that way. Life has it's ugly parts. You have to get down and dirty and get wrinkles to really live.
Actually, when the film began, I grabbed my computer and Googled "Bruce Willis gets plastic surgery" ...LOL. When he first appeared on screen, and I knew nothing of what the film was about, I thought, 'holy batman, bruce has gone batty with surgery!'
http://tinyurl.com/yhj3gwu
Turns out, all people in this time have surrogates to live their lives for them ,and Bruce had one, too -
...fake perfect robots to live as them, as they (the people) lay hooked up at home. (-- maybe thinking they are waiting for Neo, but Bruce shows up instead. Since they both have about the same amount of facial expression, I suppose it could get confusing - I'm just kidding, tongue in cheek movie humor).
So, _All_ the surrogates are beautiful and lovely and nothing bad ever happens to the people, only to the surrogates, if something bad happens to them at all.... And, then Bruce Willis wakes up.
He raises all kinds of hell, pushes the wrong button, cuts the red wire instead of the blue, and all right and reason is restored. This last line can be the repeated mantra for 98 out of 100 Bruce Willis films.
All kidding aside, we like Bruce Willis. Matter of fact, we have nothing against Keneau Reeves, either.
If you pay money to see this film, I hope you are a Bruce Willis fan. That will make it a lot better for you.
I thought Sixth Sense was great.
The film, Surrogates, made me think of the Matrix. One of those centralized ideas about how we don't really live life, don't want to get old, get hurt, or basically experience anything bad, and you know we can't live like that. It just never turns out that way. Life has it's ugly parts. You have to get down and dirty and get wrinkles to really live.
Actually, when the film began, I grabbed my computer and Googled "Bruce Willis gets plastic surgery" ...LOL. When he first appeared on screen, and I knew nothing of what the film was about, I thought, 'holy batman, bruce has gone batty with surgery!'
http://tinyurl.com/yhj3gwu
Turns out, all people in this time have surrogates to live their lives for them ,and Bruce had one, too -
...fake perfect robots to live as them, as they (the people) lay hooked up at home. (-- maybe thinking they are waiting for Neo, but Bruce shows up instead. Since they both have about the same amount of facial expression, I suppose it could get confusing - I'm just kidding, tongue in cheek movie humor).
So, _All_ the surrogates are beautiful and lovely and nothing bad ever happens to the people, only to the surrogates, if something bad happens to them at all.... And, then Bruce Willis wakes up.
He raises all kinds of hell, pushes the wrong button, cuts the red wire instead of the blue, and all right and reason is restored. This last line can be the repeated mantra for 98 out of 100 Bruce Willis films.
All kidding aside, we like Bruce Willis. Matter of fact, we have nothing against Keneau Reeves, either.
If you pay money to see this film, I hope you are a Bruce Willis fan. That will make it a lot better for you.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Snow in Sunny Florida
Icy roads, freezing temperatures...my front yard is covered in sheets and blankets, so we will see what survives. As many plants as I could gather are on the front porch. I would sorely hate to lose them for a couple of bad nights of weather....(Didn't get this post up, power outtage through the morning and the night.)
So, for this cold evening we three stayed inside, made coffee in the press, Mr. B cooked potato soup (yes, all by himself -- with my phone tutelage, but still, kudos to the cook) -- then, we watched a movie "And When Was the Last Time You Saw Your Father" with Colin Firth, (who is really Mr. Darcy and will always be Mr. Darcy, others may try, but still -- he is and remains so to us.) -- (and we are all ready for another round of Potato Soup.)
The movie was great for discussion and comments about how it was shot, as there was such a use of mirrors that it soon became obvious to look for them.
After the movie we went next door to visit Great Grandma Rita, with Shaylin and her Daddy, and laughed out loud at Shaylin and her antics. She is at just the most humorous age, best to entertain the old people.
We came home and made meat for tacos, refried beans flavored with green salsa, brown rice, grated some cheese, opened a can of black olives, and found some sour cream in the back of the 'fridge. Man, good to go!
We looked at old photographs and recounted the great fun of the beach and vacations and family, old friends and cats who are as good as old friends and most definitely like family.
It was still cold. Very cold. Lost power on Sunday so went to Uncle Don's to feed the baby and visited with Abuela (great) and Shayling actually threw the ball. Great laughs.
Movies watched:
When did you last see your father
Half Nelson
A Harry Potter (not a Potter fan so don't know which one they watched)
Last Orders
Book currently reading:
Pride and Prejudice
Current Obsession:
Sudoku (Still on Light and Easy Challenge)
So, for this cold evening we three stayed inside, made coffee in the press, Mr. B cooked potato soup (yes, all by himself -- with my phone tutelage, but still, kudos to the cook) -- then, we watched a movie "And When Was the Last Time You Saw Your Father" with Colin Firth, (who is really Mr. Darcy and will always be Mr. Darcy, others may try, but still -- he is and remains so to us.) -- (and we are all ready for another round of Potato Soup.)
The movie was great for discussion and comments about how it was shot, as there was such a use of mirrors that it soon became obvious to look for them.
After the movie we went next door to visit Great Grandma Rita, with Shaylin and her Daddy, and laughed out loud at Shaylin and her antics. She is at just the most humorous age, best to entertain the old people.
We came home and made meat for tacos, refried beans flavored with green salsa, brown rice, grated some cheese, opened a can of black olives, and found some sour cream in the back of the 'fridge. Man, good to go!
We looked at old photographs and recounted the great fun of the beach and vacations and family, old friends and cats who are as good as old friends and most definitely like family.
It was still cold. Very cold. Lost power on Sunday so went to Uncle Don's to feed the baby and visited with Abuela (great) and Shayling actually threw the ball. Great laughs.
Movies watched:
When did you last see your father
Half Nelson
A Harry Potter (not a Potter fan so don't know which one they watched)
Last Orders
Book currently reading:
Pride and Prejudice
Current Obsession:
Sudoku (Still on Light and Easy Challenge)
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Pride and Prejudice
I have decided to open the new year rereading Pride and Prejudice. It's been four, or perhaps more, years since I have read it. And, I think the last was an attempt; I may not have finished it, having too often watched the A & E production of it during the time my daughter was in her high school years. And then, when Mr B came to be noticing of it and liking it as well, we probably lived on it's viewing for awhile.
Recently as day before yesterday, I've tried to entice my sister to read along with me, but she has not yet accepted my suggestion, and I will ask one of my sister in laws if she would like to join us, but I realize assignments such as this appear all to tedious to those who work at full time jobs, have homes to keep, and younger children to run to and fro.
I am currently working part time, leaving me mornings and evenings for helping out with, visiting and generally cooing over my granddaughter. My youngest child is just shy of 20 and requires not much looking after, sadly for me. My husband is currently only employed part time, sadly also, as that makes things difficult for paying bills and buying things like food, but he helps around the house a lot, and this leaves me more time for reading novels.
And so I shall.
In Chapter Three, I find the first description of Elizabeth Bennet that I totally enjoy --
"...for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in any thing ridiculous."
Delighting in things ridiculous, 'in my good opinion', is healthy sport. It is so much better than the opposite choice which is letting them anger you. One must never allow the careless remarks of someone we do not know to cut into our hearts or bother our countenance, or give allowance to a moment of lost sleep.
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." ~~Albert Einstein
Recently as day before yesterday, I've tried to entice my sister to read along with me, but she has not yet accepted my suggestion, and I will ask one of my sister in laws if she would like to join us, but I realize assignments such as this appear all to tedious to those who work at full time jobs, have homes to keep, and younger children to run to and fro.
I am currently working part time, leaving me mornings and evenings for helping out with, visiting and generally cooing over my granddaughter. My youngest child is just shy of 20 and requires not much looking after, sadly for me. My husband is currently only employed part time, sadly also, as that makes things difficult for paying bills and buying things like food, but he helps around the house a lot, and this leaves me more time for reading novels.
And so I shall.
In Chapter Three, I find the first description of Elizabeth Bennet that I totally enjoy --
"...for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in any thing ridiculous."
Delighting in things ridiculous, 'in my good opinion', is healthy sport. It is so much better than the opposite choice which is letting them anger you. One must never allow the careless remarks of someone we do not know to cut into our hearts or bother our countenance, or give allowance to a moment of lost sleep.
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." ~~Albert Einstein
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Things in a marriage...
1. I leave dishes needing to be washed on the left hand side of the sink. My husband leaves things that are washed and dried and ready to be put away, on the left hand side of the sink.
As anyone can probably already tell, I am rewashing clean items, and husband is putting away dirty items. I'm not sure where the 'tween shall meet. Maybe the doctor's office...
2. I have been carefully watching our spending budget. I have been completely baffled at the generous amounts of toilet paper we have been using. I thought to solve this by being smarter in my purchasing. So, I explored buying different brands, but still, it seemed like a lot.
I began to stand in the stores, and carefully look over the square footage noted on the packaging; this was so perplexing me! I took my calculator with me to make sure my conjectures were correct because still, I found myself spending an awful lot on a product, that is, indeed, necessary. (A crisis seemed at hand and one was tempted to begin a subscription to the newspaper to get ahead of this problem!)
Then, I happened to a place in the laundry room, glancing over at a space between the air handler and the hot water heater, and my eyes fell upon, dozens of rolls of toilet paper! Of different brands!
It seems this helpful man of mine had a special place he had designated for the storage of toilet paper. (An epic fail to not let anyone else know about it!) But hence, a great stash. So good on him, as we are no longer behind in the need for toilet paper, (and there is nothing really useful in the newspaper anyway.)
3. My husband knows where all the tools are and loves to use them. I use butter knives, nail files, and other various kitchen ware for all my tool needs.
4. My husband tells me to buy cereal only then to find he has no milk. He tells me to buy milk, and, as the odds would be, he then finds he has no cereal. I don't eat cereal nor do I drink milk, so I don't keep track of the lesses and the mores of the whole thing.
(Complicated in these facts, is the fact that our daughter eats dry cereal as a snack, but doesn't drink milk. Thus, milk ~ no cereal.)
I'm not sure how this will end. It may continue to be a complicated long rotation of the never meeting 'tweens.
(Note: Actually, I quit buying milk and cereal. No one has said anything...)
5. My husband does do laundry, and bravo! most married women are cheering, (yes, I can hear you from here). But, then forgets about it (probably off to fix something with his real tools). I usually find it the next day; then I do it again. Good intentions are sometimes met with a higher electric bill, (but there is not one thing in my house that is broken).
6. My husband thinks all my jokes are funny, he thinks I'm the greatest cook in the world, and he gives me all his money. I know he would lend me his real tools if I preferred them, he doesn't mind cleaning the kitchen, and he knows, deep down, that milk is bad for him. And, if I had not gone into the laundry room the other day to see if he had left a load of wash in the machine, I never would have found the toilet paper!
As anyone can probably already tell, I am rewashing clean items, and husband is putting away dirty items. I'm not sure where the 'tween shall meet. Maybe the doctor's office...
2. I have been carefully watching our spending budget. I have been completely baffled at the generous amounts of toilet paper we have been using. I thought to solve this by being smarter in my purchasing. So, I explored buying different brands, but still, it seemed like a lot.
I began to stand in the stores, and carefully look over the square footage noted on the packaging; this was so perplexing me! I took my calculator with me to make sure my conjectures were correct because still, I found myself spending an awful lot on a product, that is, indeed, necessary. (A crisis seemed at hand and one was tempted to begin a subscription to the newspaper to get ahead of this problem!)
Then, I happened to a place in the laundry room, glancing over at a space between the air handler and the hot water heater, and my eyes fell upon, dozens of rolls of toilet paper! Of different brands!
It seems this helpful man of mine had a special place he had designated for the storage of toilet paper. (An epic fail to not let anyone else know about it!) But hence, a great stash. So good on him, as we are no longer behind in the need for toilet paper, (and there is nothing really useful in the newspaper anyway.)
3. My husband knows where all the tools are and loves to use them. I use butter knives, nail files, and other various kitchen ware for all my tool needs.
4. My husband tells me to buy cereal only then to find he has no milk. He tells me to buy milk, and, as the odds would be, he then finds he has no cereal. I don't eat cereal nor do I drink milk, so I don't keep track of the lesses and the mores of the whole thing.
(Complicated in these facts, is the fact that our daughter eats dry cereal as a snack, but doesn't drink milk. Thus, milk ~ no cereal.)
I'm not sure how this will end. It may continue to be a complicated long rotation of the never meeting 'tweens.
(Note: Actually, I quit buying milk and cereal. No one has said anything...)
5. My husband does do laundry, and bravo! most married women are cheering, (yes, I can hear you from here). But, then forgets about it (probably off to fix something with his real tools). I usually find it the next day; then I do it again. Good intentions are sometimes met with a higher electric bill, (but there is not one thing in my house that is broken).
6. My husband thinks all my jokes are funny, he thinks I'm the greatest cook in the world, and he gives me all his money. I know he would lend me his real tools if I preferred them, he doesn't mind cleaning the kitchen, and he knows, deep down, that milk is bad for him. And, if I had not gone into the laundry room the other day to see if he had left a load of wash in the machine, I never would have found the toilet paper!
Friday, January 01, 2010
2010 ~ Here for 365
Last year has dissolved into the c-span of thought energy, notes on paper, and vibrations in the air. Trees grew. Flowers blossomed, this year my roses especially, and I was so surprised! I thought they were done with me.
And, my granddaughter is almost walking. When I thought about it the other day, her walking that is, I got all teary eyed. Time just passes so quickly. It's hard to figure out what I have learned. I know I've learned something, surely, I mean surely I did. But what? When you learn new things, you grow, and you change. I'm wondering how I have changed.
I still believe in God. I still love happy endings in stories and in life, I love seeing butterflies come to life in my garden, and flowers are just the most beautiful to me. I love hummus and avocados with cracked pepper and olive oil crackers.
I still only drink water, coffee, wine and tequila (oh well, might as well be honest ~ deal with it). I like my coffee strong and bold, my wine merlot and not too cheap, and good tequila is a must. As for water, well, I still prefer it filtered at least.
I still get the flutters of happiness when my children walk in the door or when they call me. I melt at the words, 'hey mom' ~
I still need a new pair of shoes, or two every year, but haven't had to buy a jacket in over 5 years, or a sweater. I didn't even buy a new pair of jeans last year. I kind of gave up jeans, they just aren't that comfortable any more. If I ever find a comfortable pair, then maybe again...But I would like to have a cool jean jacket! Maybe I'll see one this year that is worth purchasing.
I still have cut flowers in my house as often as I can, I love looking at my plants and feel guilt when they need water because I know they can't water themselves, after all.
I still don't like bullies. Even though I know they are people who have issues, I don't like them. One of my nephews has had his share of this bullying in his middle school experience. This is his last year of middle school. Another one of my nephews was bullied at the elementary school he attends. Both of my nephews are really great kids. They wouldn't hurt anyone. It seems unfair and mean, and makes me want to go down to the particular schools with a posse of family and ask them, "What is this all about and How can we stop this?"
But in all that, I did support my nephews, ended up going down to one of the schools, in a posse of sorts, and we all had many talks of how to learn to deal with this stuff and then let it all go. But I still don't like bullies this year.
It's late. I'll think about more changes tomorrow. I won't be so tired and perhaps I can study my thoughts a little more objectively.
And, my granddaughter is almost walking. When I thought about it the other day, her walking that is, I got all teary eyed. Time just passes so quickly. It's hard to figure out what I have learned. I know I've learned something, surely, I mean surely I did. But what? When you learn new things, you grow, and you change. I'm wondering how I have changed.
I still believe in God. I still love happy endings in stories and in life, I love seeing butterflies come to life in my garden, and flowers are just the most beautiful to me. I love hummus and avocados with cracked pepper and olive oil crackers.
I still only drink water, coffee, wine and tequila (oh well, might as well be honest ~ deal with it). I like my coffee strong and bold, my wine merlot and not too cheap, and good tequila is a must. As for water, well, I still prefer it filtered at least.
I still get the flutters of happiness when my children walk in the door or when they call me. I melt at the words, 'hey mom' ~
I still need a new pair of shoes, or two every year, but haven't had to buy a jacket in over 5 years, or a sweater. I didn't even buy a new pair of jeans last year. I kind of gave up jeans, they just aren't that comfortable any more. If I ever find a comfortable pair, then maybe again...But I would like to have a cool jean jacket! Maybe I'll see one this year that is worth purchasing.
I still have cut flowers in my house as often as I can, I love looking at my plants and feel guilt when they need water because I know they can't water themselves, after all.
I still don't like bullies. Even though I know they are people who have issues, I don't like them. One of my nephews has had his share of this bullying in his middle school experience. This is his last year of middle school. Another one of my nephews was bullied at the elementary school he attends. Both of my nephews are really great kids. They wouldn't hurt anyone. It seems unfair and mean, and makes me want to go down to the particular schools with a posse of family and ask them, "What is this all about and How can we stop this?"
But in all that, I did support my nephews, ended up going down to one of the schools, in a posse of sorts, and we all had many talks of how to learn to deal with this stuff and then let it all go. But I still don't like bullies this year.
It's late. I'll think about more changes tomorrow. I won't be so tired and perhaps I can study my thoughts a little more objectively.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Kicking up the spirit
Just a quick little snapshot ~ and there it is. I hope your Christmas Season kicks up as much joy in your life as my Granddaughter does in mine.
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