Judy's World: Fun Sunday Night After Conference Dinner

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Fun Sunday Night After Conference Dinner

We got everybody together Sunday night for the first time in a long time. Kevin and Carrie and 5 kids; Marina (who couldn't walk because of her amazing marathon run the day before--Go, Marina!); Sabrina (thank you for your major contribution to Marina's adventure!) Andy and Amanda and 3 kids; George and LeeAnn and 2 kids; and of course the Gramster. Kevin brought pulled pork for which I had made rolls for sandwiches; Carrie brought her awesome mac and cheese, which had only pan-lickings left over, 2 kinds of cole slaw, fruit salad (thanks Amanda!), chips from the University girls, and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies made by Grandma. It was very fun.

The little kids always have a great time downstairs. I am trying to simplify and organize down there so that I don't get so anxious when they're down there by themselves for so long. They don't really want to watch anything on TV, and can make up their own games if they have the right stuff. Busbyberkly and Madison have decided they're too old to play with the little kids. I think maybe I'll end up putting a card table and chairs in David's office and provide paper, crayons, pencils, scissors, etc. for them to make things. They can close the door and see if they can disappear.

Jakey can open both locks on the front and back doors. I heard a little voice saying, "It's raining. It's raining." and when I went to investigate he was on the front porch enjoying the rain and starting to go down the front steps into it. He talks a lot now. And Wilder walks everywhere. It's really fun to see these little ones develop.

Even though Thanksgiving is over a month away, we decided to make our plans. Turns out we will have a traditional turkey dinner here with the side dishes still to be assigned. It will be really nice, I think; the first time I will have been able to do it with everybody (minus those of you who live too far away!)since many years ago. At least Marina will be here to represent Reed's family. Libby, maybe you'd better send us a photo or effigy so we feel you and Ethan are here. (I'll just put a plastic turkey with 10 feathers on the table to represent Scott's family....) Maybe I'll get him back up here sometime...I hope before my funeral, anyway!

The holidays are coming!! I LOVE this time of yeara!! Yeah!!!

5 comments:

AnonymousOctober 8, 2009 at 7:27 AM
Wow, this sounds like another event that you would like but that would have made me feel very antsy. I started stressing out just reading how many people were there all at one time...

It'll be really nice to come at Christmas and see everyone again, but I'm going to have to prep myself quite a bit for any huge get togethers. Can I just go into the "big kid" room with Madison and Busbyberkly? I'll even plan a craft to do with them.
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AnonymousOctober 8, 2009 at 7:28 AM
My word verification was seriously "indeedso." I think this is like a Magic 8 ball because it answered the question I had just posed. Wow!
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The GramsterOctober 8, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Andy and Amanda get kind of stressed out, too. We'll have to take that into consideration when we plan our fun times!
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The AndimatorOctober 8, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Yeah, it was a little too much for me. Luckily, the kids spent most of the time downstairs, except for Maddy and Busbyberkly, who quietly drew pictures at the counter.
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AnonymousOctober 8, 2009 at 3:29 PM
>Maybe I'll get him back up here sometime...I hope before my funeral, anyway!

If you told him when that was going to be, he could probably make plans.
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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

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Fun Sunday Night After Conference Dinner

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