A Couple of Movie Shout Outs

First off I just want to let you know that you HAVE to see Mamma Mia!.

We saw it on Sunday and it was wonderful.  I absolutely loved Meryl Streep though that was no big surprise since I've loved everything she's ever done.  And she can sing! The whole cast was great, the story line was cute, the costumes were glitzy (when appropriate) and the music was ABBA!  Who could ask for more! You could sing along in your sleep!  The musical numbers were so fun and exciting it was hard to stay in my seat.  Please go see it!

Watched the whole 4 episodes of North and South on youtube last night.  This was kind of challenging since it is posted in 8 minute sections but also kind of nice because it was very convenient when I needed a potty break, a snack, to take the puppies out for a romp etc. 

It really was good.  Kati had recommended it a while back and I couldn't get into it the first time around.  This time it stuck and I enjoyed the whole thing. It's a slightly depressing story of a guy, Mr Thornton, who is the Master of a cotton mill in a town called Millton, up north, and a girl called Margaret who is the sad but courageous and willful daughter of a progressive clergyman from Ellston (sp?, who really knows what they're saying), just south of London.  As per usual, they really like each other, though he figures it out first, even goes so far as proposing, but is rejected by Margaret.  In the end after fortunes change and everyone is tested by fate, they rediscover their love and live, I'm sure, happily ever after.  All in all very satisfying on a girly level.

Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth

I'm reading Eckhart Tolle's new book A New Earth. Though I'm not usually one to jump on board Oprah's book club train, for this book I did.  I have read many of this type of spiritual self help books. Usually I enjoy them for the duration of the book and then promptly go on living my life the same way I always have, wrapped up in my own insecureties and anxieties.

As it happens, Brad is also reading this book right now and he, I've discovered, has an amazing ability to put ideas into action. I'm in awe. He'll read something that resonates inside, decide to give it a chance to work in his own life, and voila...a change in attitude becomes a new way of seeing and doing things.

Tolle's book isn't full of new ideas. It's another go at the proverbial wisdom teachings of old. Live in the moment. Try not to pay attention to all of the trappings of the material life. "Let go and Let God". What Tolle does is write in a way that speaks to the heart and gets to the point. Like many other books of it's sort, it's deeper meaning is accessible only when the reader is in the right "place" to absorb it.

I'm hoping I can learn this new way of thinking/living and that I can let go of some of the habits that don't serve my purpose. For instance, I'd like to be able let go of worrying incessantly about money, feeling judged, being judgemental. I'd like to gain a more grateful, accepting, loving nature. That is part of what I'd like to accomplish before I leave this Earth. I guess there's no time like the present!

Have you heard of this book or read it? If so, did you like it?

Meghan Trout-face Dever

We love you and we miss you already!  Please call or write to let us know you got home safely!

PS: Meghanny says I don't have to give an explanation regarding the title of this post.  I hope you're okay with that.

I may be naive. I know that. But here's what is important to me and why I have to vote for the democratic candidate this November.

I am for peace. I do not believe that war is an answer, especially not this war.  Therefore I will vote for the candidate that supports getting us out of Iraq.   

I care about the planet.  Therefore I will support the candidate that I think will do the most to reduce our dependence on oil and who will promote the conservation of our resources and the development of new technologies that can help us face life after peak oil.

I believe we need a radical change from the course that George W. Bush has set us on. Therefore I will exercise my right as an American citizen to help elect the democratic candidate.

That's what I care about and that's how I'll vote. I understand that there are many many folks who will cast their votes for the opposing candidate. Just as I have my priorities and reasons, they have theirs.  That's part of the beauty of this great nation. I respect our differences. 

But still, I'm hopeful.  

Go Blue!

It's getting hotter....and I don't mean the weather.  We'll be openly and actively supporting Barack Obama in this election cycle.  Today 20 offices opened in Virginia which is traditionally a red state.  

I'd like to see it light up  blue on election night and I'm going to do my part to see that it happens. 

New Widget

Okay.  I admit it. I have been spending WAY too much time messing around with this blog today but...

I found a way to post a playlist of songs I like!  

I've put a few songs that I enjoy onto the playlist and I'm hoping that you'll send me the names of a few of your favorites.  That way when you stop by you can turn on your song and enjoy some music while you visit.  Sound like fun?  

Please let me know what you'd like me to add!

Thanks,

Sara

PS: I had to move it to the bottom of the page in order for the whole thing to fit.  I wanted you to be able to scroll through and find your own song....

Surprise

Little bitty and I went to see Hancock on Wednesday.  I liked it.  I didn't love it but it kept me entertained for a couple of hours.  Apparently I have an inner-child that enjoys action films. 

If you have an afternoon to waste with a few extra bucks to spend, it's not bad.  I'll warn you that I'm not the most discerning person when it comes to the arts.  It's all about my gut, and this one had enough cornball antics and sappy sweet moments that it made the grade for me.

Three Random Facts

Last night I asked my daughter Meghan to tell me three random facts about myself.

In a half a heartbeat here's what she answered...

You have a big ole birthmark on the back of your leg....

You hate your middle name...

You collect owls....

So there you go.  My 3 random things meme.... courtesy of Meghan.

OMG!

I am living in appliance HELL.  I swear that this is where crappy appliances come to die.  My dishwasher has been doing a lousy job for about a year but I've been nursing it through.  Today I was going to go and order a new one.  I've just had it with dishes coming out of the cycle dirty.  So before I headed out to shop for a new one I decided to go throw in a load of clothes.  When I walked into the laundry room I noticed that all the lights on my 2 year old washing machine were lit up.  I wondered why.  Well it had stopped mid cycle with a load of towels.  I figured it had something to do with the balance so I rearranged things and tried again.  Nothing.  I took everything out and tried again. Nothing.  I unplugged it and re plugged it in thinking it might need it's little computer chip rebooted.  Nothing.  I tried one more time after pushing a few more buttons.  Nothing.  Except a very ominous sounding humming noise coming from the back of the machine.  

I swear that we have the absolute worst luck with appliances in this house.  We have gone through at least twice as many appliances as anyone else I know.  

I am furious.  I'm so mad I could scream.  Why in the heck does this keep happening?

Awawwww....

I love floppy flews.  Our golden, Penny, has got the sweetest hound dog face with super soft sweet floppy flews.  She seems to love her flews too because whenever we want to kiss them, she offers them up without moving a muscle while we kiss away.  

Occasionally floppy flews can be gross.  Like when she's just taken a big drink of water, or when she really really wants whatever you're eating and begins to drool uncontrollably out of the corners of those loose lips, or when she's loving her walk and foam starts to leak out of her lips then she shakes her head to keep the bugs away and the spit goes everywhere; her face, your legs, all over anyone who has stopped to pet her along the way....

Lovely...