Judy's World: March Marches On

Saturday, March 19, 2011

March Marches On

Can the year really be going by so fast???

On Friday the 11th I drove to Richland, WA to stay for a week with sister-in-law Leah and enlist her help in quilting my latest little quilt.

We had a wonderful week, went to see "The Gondoliers", an old Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, had some fun lunches out, watched TV and Netflix movies, and just generally "hung out." Her daugher Collene and husband Pat Funk were there, so I had the opportunity of getting to know them a little better. They are both delightful and it was a pleasure to spend some time with them. They are looking for the right boat to buy to live on for a few years and travel the world! I drove back yesterday. It's a 10-11 hour drive, but I did OK. Very tired today, of course!

Leah and I finished the quilt, which I started for Kevin's son Wilder, now 2 yrs old, and finished now that #6, Rockwell, has arrived, so instead of cutting the quilt in half for each of them, I'm giving them a joint gift that they can share and fight over when they're old enough to care about "that quilt Grandma Judy made." I should have turned a piece up for the photo. The back is a red dinosaur print, which is in the blocks. It's very cute.

Today I received an email update from German daughter Ina, with photos of new baby Elisabeth and nearly 2-yr-old Magdalena, and of course, proud papa Germar. I'm sure eventually they'll fight like all sisters do, but for now it's so sweet to see the tenderness that Magdalena has for the baby. Kevin and Andy's children have been that way with their little ones, and it is so dear. (Sorry if I left out my older children. It's been so long, but I'm sure your kids were sweet with new babies, too!)

When I was younger I would never have dreamed that I would say "I just want to get my hands on that new baby!" but there it is. Although I have to admit I'm mostly keen on "my own" and not just any little baby I see! I really feel like "Oma" for Ina's little girls.

Ina has talked about maybe coming over here in the summer, but I don't know if they will want to do that with such a little baby. They will be in London another year and a half; then I don't know if he'll be stationed someplace else with NATO or if they'll go back to Germany, since Germar is a German officer.

Kevin's baby Rockwell was blessed a couple of weeks ago. I didn't take any photos, and I'm afraid I didn't download any from Kevin's Facebook to put some on. Next time. He is a darling baby, and like Kevin and Carrie's other children, very agreeable and good-natured. Meanwhile, 2 of Andy's boys are suffering with pink eye and ear infections!

Oh, and for anyone who is interested, my last Halterman aunt, Lois, died last week. She had been ill for some time. Just leaves my two Halterman uncles, one of which is 78 and the other just turned 86. I know they won't be here too much longer at best, but I plan to appreciate them while I can. And my sweet Aunt Rosie (Heywood) appears to be nearing the time when she will be able to go on to her sweet eternal companion, my Uncle Harold. She has been a treasure in our Heywood family and such an angel for her children and grandchildren. She was a big part of my early life. Last but not least,my dear Aunt Jeanne (Shadoan) Billman and her husband are the last ones of my Shadoan aunts and uncles. She shares my David's birthday, May 20, and will be 83. Again, many fond memories of this sweet Christian woman, and I hope she is around for many years to come.

I didn't plan this to be a eulogy for anyone! I just want to follow the counsel given to me once by Pres. Eyring's stepmother--"never let a generous thought go unheeded." One of many principles I wish I'd learned much earlier in my life! Reminds me of an old saying I used to see on plaques years ago: "Too soon old and too late smart!" Yeah, now I know what it means!

This time of year I have to face the fact that snowstorms are going to be fewer and shorter. Spring is on its way. Utah does have wonderful springs, which satisfies me a little!

I didn't even get started on the March birthdays--Link, LeeAnn, Libby, Christian, Marina, Josh, Adam...It's a big Peterson month!

1 comment:

AnonymousMarch 20, 2011 at 4:16 PM
Birthing and dying! Sounds like typical life all around you.

Glad you had fun at Leah's. Wish I could have done a nice trip, too!
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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

Saturday, March 19, 2011

March Marches On

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