Judy's World: Superfun 36 hours

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Superfun 36 hours

I have had the best time! Wednesday morning Carrie brought the kids over for breakfast. We had sweet potato pancakes, bacon and eggs, and it was really fun. They are such a cute bunch of kids, and it was nice to just sit and visit with Carrie for awhile.

After they left it was time for me to start on dinner for Andy's family. Amanda is finally feeling a little better--as long as I didn't fix anything for dinner that would make her barf--and so we had cantaloup and pollo mascado (otherwise known as "chewed up chicken") and corn on the cob and chips and beans. I made a crazy chocolate cake for dessert. It didn't get done in the middle, but fortunately the Peterson family (all of us) kind of likes it that way.

Maddy, Joel and Abe stayed overnight with me for the first time. We watched something wild in which people try to do a difficult obstacle course that has big balls and trapeze and mud underneath that they drop into when they miss. The kids quite like it but I cannot remember the name of it. Then we watched "Matilda" which they had brought over from their home collection. I had some treats for them, like Skittles and popcorn, which were Abe's primary interest, and the kids had made beds on the chairs in the living room and put some pillows on the floor for Abe. They were all super comfy, they said.

I let them watch TV for awhile and Maddy read. I went to bed and they pretty much settled down before I went to sleep. They woke up about 9 am (!) after which I woke up, got up and made crepes for them for breakfast. Best of all, they volunteered to weed my back yard, specifically the brick walk, a job that has been on my to-do list since before the cruise! They did a super good job and had a lot of fun doing it. I think if I play my cards right I might have some good helpers for the rest of the season. After they left it was cool enough for me to sit out on the deck for awhile, and it was really, really nice. As the weather gets cooler I'll probably do that a lot more often.

I am getting rid of my home phone line. I hardly ever get calls on it anyway. Only surveys and political solicitations. At least I don't ever get bill collectors any more! That is great!

Tonight I finished another star for my newest quilt project.

3 comments:

AnonymousAugust 8, 2009 at 9:58 AM
No joke--we used to always watch "Matilda" with Maddy and Joel when we had sleepovers. That must be their official sleepover movie.

Sounds like you had a fun day. Did you pay the kids to weed for you, or did they just think it would be fun to pull weeds?
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Legendary Pink DotAugust 13, 2009 at 7:18 PM
I'm pretty sure that obstacle course show is called "Wipe Out." I don't watch, but I know about stuff.

Where's my damn quilt?! :)
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The GramsterAugust 21, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Yeah, Libby, they just thought it was fun to pull weeds, but when I saw such a good job they did, I offered to pay them a little and of course they were thrilled. Now I need them to come back!!

LeeAnn, yes it's called Wipeout... Sorry, your boys were born before I got the rejuvenated quilting bug. But maybe if you're good.....
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Books and Movies

Good books recommended by Leah: Astrid and Veronika and The Women of the Silk. Don't know the authors, but really liked them both.
An Education. This is an excellent BBC movie with a positive message. Definitely PG-13, although pretty mild. I don't know that I think it's "best picture" material, or even "best actress" for her, just because I don't think the role was that demanding. But definitely a movie worth seeing and deserving of critical recognition.
Valentine's Day. It was just what I thought it would be: fluffy with too many story lines to really care about anybody, but an entertaining couple of hours. Not as bad as people are saying. Forgettable, predictable, contrived, but sometimes that's good enough!
Up in the Air. Excellent movie, George Clooney was terrific, and his character's personal journey very believable. I really liked it, would have preferred fewer F words and could have done without the brief nude female backside.
Leap Year. It was just what you would expect--predictable, dumb, and forgettable, but if that's all you expect, that's what you get. A couple of hours away from the rat race in a dark theatre, munching popcorn. Worked for me.
The Young Victoria. Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend. This was a really, really exceptionally fine film in every way. Emily Blunt was astonishing as Victoria, and the film was beautiful to watch, the characters real and interesting, and the costumes and sets simply gorgeous. I hope it gets some awards. A number of people in it deserve recognition. Five stars out of 4!
Sherlock Holmes. I have become quite a Sherlock Holmes fan from watching so many BBC episodes, so I have a very definite vision of my own about this character. I did really enjoy seeing Robert Downey, Jr., one of my favorite actors, with Jude Law, another favorite. I thought they played very well together. However, I don't see Sherlock Holmes as a super-hero, action figure, with blazing guns, lots of explosions, and fist fights with everybody! In my mind he is very cerebral, methodical, scientific, and of course, eccentric. Robert Downey, Jr. captured some of his quirks, but the whole action-packed visual chaos thing just didn't do it for me. I think they were trying to get a "blockbuster superhero" out of the Sherlock Holmes personna, and it just didn't work for me. I am glad I went; I was very curious. But Jeremy Brett remains the ultimate Sherlock Holmes, in my opinion.
Invictus: This was a great movie to see on Christmas Day. I am always inspired by men and women "of the world" who follow the promptings of the Spirit and who clearly have been foreordained to do our Heavenly Father's work with his children. I am reminded that one need not be perfect to be an instrument in God's hands; nor is it necessary that I agree with all of his or her ideas or values to recognize the good works that are done. Nelson Mandela accomplished a wonderful work, contributing immensely, I am sure, to the growth of the Church in Africa by lifting the Africans within his sphere of influence.
Twilight: New Moon. What can I say? I think the kindest thing I can say about this movie is that it was obviously not written for my age group! For the mosr sophisticated among you, may I just say, this is "Le Bad Cinema." Oh, dear, there's just too much material to get started with a description of the stupidity of it. The appropriate emotional development level for this one is probably 15 or under, but the material is totally unsuited for anybody under 21. On the other hand, I should hope that anyone over 21 wouldn't be interested in such drivel. But now if someone asks me about the book, I can say, Oh, I've seen the movie! As usual, it's "good Mormon" fiction if the characters don't sleep together. Do they sell the books at Deeret Book? I'll have to see if Sheri Dew agrees with my assessment of their immorality...
Blind Side. If you like footall, this is a football movie. If you don't like football, it isn't! It isn't too corny or sentimental, I didn't feel manipulated. Enjoyed it very much.
This is It! Michael Jackson was so incredibly talented. It was really fun to see him working with the cast and doing bits and pieces of his greatest hits. If you recognize his talent and creativity, you'll like this documentary.
Everybody's Fine. Very good movie. Family angst, probably everyone who grew up in a normal family can relate to. This one is happier than most such tales--family not quite so dysfunctional as the usual movie family. Loved it, DeNiro is superb.
Bright Star. This is the true story of poet John Keats's love affair with Fanny Brawne in 1818. It is beautifully filmed, with well-developed characters and marvelous acting. I loved it, and it's rated only PG. A must-see for anyone who enjoys quality cinema. It was a feast for my soul.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Very clever and visually exciting adaptation of the favorite book. I quite enjoyed it, and it must be spectacular in 3D!
The September Issue. The Devil Wears Prada pretty much got it right. This documentary of Vogue editor Anna Wintour toned it way down but it was fun to watch and thank goodness none of us are working at Vogue.
Fame. OK, it's a corny remake of an old movie, but the kids are attractive and interesting and it was just kind of a no-brain feel good film. Thumbs up.
My One and Only. It was very fun, lots of nostalgia stuff, highly recommended.
Julie and Julia. Loved it twice!
500 Days of Summer This was a fun indie film which I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
The Proposal OK, Sandra Bullock always plays the same kind of parts, but this was fun enough and a "feel good." OK, my son says it's not "clean" but it was basically unobjectionable from my perspective.

Judy's World

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Superfun 36 hours

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