Jen's Secret Stash

High Society is a musical remake of "The Philadelphia Story" and it's just a great movie. It's fun, romantic, and one of those movies that is just enjoyable to watch. I love a lot of the songs, a lot of the story, and much of the acting. Here are a few of my favorite scenes to get you hooked!



If you haven't heard this song before - you are in for a treat. I love Bing Crosby to begin with, and of course, Frank is my first love, but together they are a real hoot and treat! I think the humor of this scene is just hilarious and wish more drunkards would take up dueting. :)



If there ever were a song that I would have Frank Sinatra sing right to me - it would probably be this one. I love how he loves Grace Kelly's character and used to absolutely swoon when he sang to her. Who wouldn't want to be called "Sensational" by a man in love? Grace Kelly, in my opinion, is the most beautiful face in the world. I think she's an absolute stunner and few have compared.



And of course, you can't forget "Who wants to be a millionaire". It's just classic.

They don't make movies like they used to, that's for sure. My all-time favorite movie as a child and as an adult has remained "White Christmas". If you haven't seen it - go get it - it's something that shouldn't be missed. Here are a few of my favorite moments, and why.



Without giving away plot, this is one of my all-time favorite scenes from any movie. It's old-fashioned humor, and I laugh everytime I watch it. At the end of the song, Bing is outright laughing at Danny and the ridiculousness of the scene - he wanted it taken out of the scene, but they ended up leaving it in, and I admit that it's a personal favorite of mine. Tell me what you think!



One of my favorite songs of all time - it's so easy, so relaxed, and so romantic! I adore Danny Kaye and this is one of my favorite roles that he performed. For someone who isn't a dancer, I thought he really pulled it off, and I admit, that on more than one occasion, I wish that I was Vera.



This has to be one of the most romantic songs every performed on movie or television. It just oozes romance, it oozes sex appeal, and is just a wonderful number. I've often wanted to have a dress made in this exact style - I think it's sexy even in today's age. Thoughts?

I have found that I have extremely high standards when it comes to finding something that moves me both emotionally and impresses me to the point of open-mouth awe. I find fault in many stories, plot holes, bad writing, bad characterization. I find fault in television in movies for the same reasons, with the addition of bad acting, over-acting, or wrong emphasis on important parts of speech and gesture. With music, I can hear "wrong" if it's done, and my praise is only mentally given if the person can pick up where they left off and continue as if nothing happened. In every day career/jobs, I expect at the very least, that person to excell in whatever job they are in. They can hate it all they want on the inside, but I expect professionalism and maturity and dedication.

Few things hit me just the right way that leave me in shock, awe, and desperation for more. Fewer things, it seems, as I get older. I've found that I cling to things that moved me in the past, things that continue to hold on to me for personal reasons, or other.

When I come across something that moves me, I can't get enough of it - it consumes me in a way, leaving it's mark on me so that I may grow and change, ever evolving, ever maturing, ever growing. Some things I find myself obsessing over, aren't particularly healthy. There are many things in this world that I wish I were more obsessed over.

Recently, I've become quite obsessed with a show "So you think you can dance". Music, dance, art - they have always been an interest of mine, so it's not much of a shocker that I found a show that expresses acting and music and dance all in one. There was a dance on last season's show that just jumped out and bit me and I found myself moved greatly.

The song is "Gravity" by Sarah Bareilles.



I love the way the dancers express "addiction". It's very real, it's very heartbreaking, it's very raw. I love especially that it can connect with so many things, such as drug and alchohol addiction, abusive relationships, depression, and every day hardships. Sometimes, people can't escape the hardships that life can throw at them, and this particular song and dance are a sad window into some people's realities.

From personal experience - I've been there. It took a long, long time to get out of it, but I did make it out. I believe that anyone and everyone in this place can and will overcome it. It will take time, it will be hard, and life will knock you down time and time again. But pray and keep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and he will provide you comfort, you will be able to handle it and get past it. Just remember, He will never give you more than you can handle. It may feel like it, sometimes, but you will see - tomorrow will come and a new day is only the beginning to the rest of your life.

Much Love.

Halloween is right around the corner, and me, being a first-time parent, couldn't be more excited about dressing up Lee and gifting him with Halloween treats and knick-knacks. Unfortunately, Lee isn't old enough for candy (or real food for that matter), making all forms of edibles - unacceptable.

So I started thinking about what kinds of things I could get for him, and keeping it on the Halloween theme, I came up with this:

I found this pumpkin for a dollar at Wal-mart - I'm sure you've all seen them.



I couldn't figure out what to put inside - it was a real delima for me, as Lee is only 8 (almost 9) months old, and really...there is a lot of hands-off things at this age. But I came across these in Target, and knew that they would be perfect.



I admit that they were a bit more pricy than I wanted to spend, $30 bucks for the set of lettered blocks, but he's had it a week and has gotten more play out of these small blocks than any other of his toys. He even stopped playing with his water-bottle for two whole days, he was so fascinated by these blocks.

The blocks are clear and plastic and have little knick-knacks that jingle, smash, crank, and make noise when you shake them, and Lee loves peering into the middle of each block to try and figure out what is inside. All 26 blocks managed to fit inside my pumpkin, and Lee's new favorite game is to take all of the blocks out of the pumpkin and then put them back in.

I was thrilled to find a present that was both age appropriate and fun for him. He loves it and I couldn't be more pleased.

Bullfrogs and Butterflies is a wonderful CD for young children and babies. It's Christian based, and very uplifting. All kinds of different music and storytelling can be found, and even parents can find themselves taping their foot to the beat. I, in fact, found myself dancing around the kitchen to the songs while preparing Lee's lunch. I just got mine in the mail today and I am SO happy I ordered the "God is my Friend" and "God is Great" collection. I recommend the "Bullfrogs and Butterflies: God is my Friend" above the others, simply because the songs are just exceptionally catchy and I just love them.



I grew up with my sister listening and singing these songs and although they are almost 20 years, they are still the perfect songs for young children.

Has anyone else listened to these CD's? Do your kids love them?

I had the chance to read this week, and must admit that I was blown away by “The Shack”. If you are a Christian, get your hands on this book. It is so amazing.

As soon as I finished, I handed it to my mother and she read it and now she is buying copies for her mother and sisters. I can’t even begin to tell you the emotional roller coaster I went through in reading it – I’m sure you can understand as you read it before me. I was a mess in reading it. What I loved the most (and there were numerous things) was the fact that everything was explained so well, and so easily. For the first time, I actually could put into words “The Trinity” and what it means to forgive and be forgiven. I love how “Papa” was explained, although I must admit that I can’t seem to call Him that. It’s too personal for me, to foreign, although I was humbled and infatuated with Papa as a woman and how the book went out of it’s way to not give gender to God. I love how the cabin was described, oh my goodness. I felt such comfort, such a “being at home” feeling, and yet, I was as much in awe and praise as Mack was. Jesus was just as I imagined, and let me tell you – the “Jesus, I thought you wouldn’t be so ugly” conversation had me rolling. I particularly fell in love with the “walking on water” and the 2 foot trout. The grief that Mack and Nan went through (although I was disappointed a bit by Nan’s quick exit home) after Missy’s death was hard to take. I had to stop several times and just breathe and calm down before picking the book up again and continuing. The horror, the terror, the not knowning…I can’t imagine ever going through something like that, and I will pray every day not to ever experience anything like it. I felt for Mack, like he was a real person. I cried with him, especially when the two men held him up as he identified Missy’s red dress in the cabin.

The description of how the cabin changed – I felt almost like I had stepped into “Bambi” for a few minutes, but was blown away by the images presented. I love how I could almost feel the hugs and smell the cooking. I loved how Papa and Jesus and Sarayu were described. I was particularly fond of how the Holy Spirit in person was described. I could simply see her in my head and imagine her, and it was the first time for me to ever do so.

I loved Papa’s gift of “fixing Mack’s eyes”. I found his interpretation of what Heaven is like to be fascinating and I was compelled to read more with each page turn. Missy looking through the waterfall made me burst into tears. It was so difficult emotionally to read and I could hardly make it through, and yet, when it was over, I felt drained and healed, and was able to let go some of the horror.

The analogies, the metaphors, and the interpretations of this book are the best I’ve ever read of what it means to follow Christ, and to understand the Bible’s main points in how to be saved, forgiven, and follow. I am so pleased with you sharing it with me – I can only give you a heartfelt thank you. I sincerely fell in love with this book and would never have even picked it up if you hadn’t recommended it to me.

There was one or two bits in the story that I didn’t quite understand or necessarily agree with and I wanted your opinion on them. The first being where Jesus is explaining in a somewhat joking manner that “he isn’t a Christian” and soforth. Do you recall that conversation? What did you take of it? The second being the part where the author wrote in about Jesus kissing the male version of Papa on the lips. I just didn’t understand why that was there, or why the author felt that it was necessary. Do you think he did this so that homosexuals would feel understood in the story as well? I just felt a bit put off, and couldn’t quite put my finger on why that particular description was necessary. Why didn’t the author just say “and Jesus kissed Papa”, which would have allowed the reader to choose where in their head…but no. He purposely wrote “kissed on the lips” and so I wondered.

I would very much like to know your feelings on the book if you've read it. I did find myself double checking after I’d finished to see if the entire story was fiction or a real representation of someone’s story. I wish we all had a friend like Willie. I wish we could all experience a weekend like Mack did in the cabin. I was shocked and dismayed at Mack’s car accident. I still don’t know quite what to make of it. I admit that I still held on belief that Missy was still alive until the very end where they found her body and I was forced to believe that she was dead.

I've never had an experience like this one in just reading a book. I felt as if I were there, as if I were Mack and experiencing everything he did. It hurt me in my heart as if the pain of what was happening was really happening to me. The amazement, disbelief, and awe he experienced in the cabin - I felt right along with him.

Meeting the Judge was one of the hardest things I've ever read and it was because it was all so true.

This fictional story takes our relationship with Jesus Christ and puts it into realization so that we might finally be able to put that relationship into words. Everything was so clear after reading this - after I was able to take it all in. In one sitting, it is overwhelming to try and read and emotionally seep everything. At times, you are simply treading water to just stay afloat.

Read it. You will thank me.

Janette Oke has been a favorite author of mine for some time. She writes Christian books set in the past. Usually, they are more about the main character finding themselves as well as finding romance and learning to live in that relationship with someone else, in Christ. The Canadian West series is one that I have read over and over and never seem to tire of it, it's message, or it's story.

1. When Calls the Heart, 1983
2. When Comes the Spring, 1985
3. When Breaks the Dawn, 1985
4. When Hope Springs New, 1986
5. Beyond the Gathering Storm, 1999
6. When Tomorrow Comes, 2000

I do prefer the first 4, as they are seemingly one story in four parts. The 5th and 6th books follow the lives of the next generation, and although they are in the same universe, are different characters and were never my favorite.

This series follows a man and a woman as they stumble through foolish mistakes and misunderstandings, yet find a depth of character and courage within themselves as their love deepens. I recommend this story to any wife or wife-to-be out there, as it deals with the issues in getting married, and the after - children, coping with loss and life and hardships, learning to talk to one another, and doing it all in Christ.


Another stand alone story that I fell in love with is "Roses for Mama". It is about a brother and sister who are left to raise their siblings, and the hardships in growing up and trying to move on with their lives and their individuality, while having to carry the burden of such a huge responsibility. How can you date and be a normal teenager, when you are having to work the farm and raise your siblings? When you are much to adult for your age, how do you even begin to relate to those around you of equal age? How do you not die from the despair of feeling left out, or left behind, when you are so far ahead of where you should be, as well as deal with the loss of your parents?

It's just a fantastic story that I can't recommend enough.

Many of Janette Oke stories are amazing - these just particularly stood out for me. They aren't difficult to read and if you like time period stories, with the highlight of the story ending in a kiss - these are the kind of stories for you.

Also - for those out there with teenage or soon to be teenage daughters - these are books that I highly recommend for them to read as well.

This has become one of my favorites songs as well as music videos. Musically, it is unique, creative, easy, jazzy, fantastically composed, and fun to listen to. Visually, I was in awe. I've not seen anything like this before - it was very creative, very unique, and I'm jealous I wasn't a part of it. This has inspired me a great deal. I hope you enjoy it as well as I did. It's sung by Charlene Kaye and Darron Criss.

I have recently learned of a different approach to learning in a program called "Five in a Row". Well, it's not so much a program as just a different approach to reading and understanding and working with your kids. Here - the book explains it better than I could:

Right now I'm focusing on preparing for "Before Five in a Row" specialized for 2-4 year olds.

"What is Before Five in a Row? Let's begin with what it isn't. It isn't a curriculum. Neither is it an aggressive, academic training regimen designed to turn your pre-schooler into a scholastic super-achiever. It is a rich treasury of creative ideas designed to help you gently, consistently prepare your children for the life-long adventure of learning. For children ages two to four, Before Five in a Row is better than a curriculum!

The book is divided into two parts. The first section contains hundreds of simple ideas and activities developed around 24 of the finest books ever written for young children. You'll find delightful activities built around such wonderful classics as Jesse Bear, What Will you Wear?, The Runaway Bunny, The Carrot Seed, Corduroy, Caps for Sale, The ABC Bunny, The Snowy Day, Katy-No-Pocket, and Blueberries For Sal. Each unit provides creative ideas and enjoyable activities designed to cultivate intimacy with your child while building vital learning-readiness skills.

Part two of Before Five in a Row is a rich resource, filled with specific ideas designed to help you prepare children for learning through simple everday activities. You'll find ideas for bath time, bedtime, in the kitchen, at the grocery store and much more; information and inspiration to help you maximize these precious years and prepare your children for real learning!"

What I really love about this program is how it incorporates all aspects of "school" from one book. For example, just from the story "Jesse Bear, What will you wear?" there is the following segments of focus for learning:

Language Arts
Loving Relationships
Bible
Colors, Patterns, and Combinations
Fine Arts - Drama
Literature
Poetry and Art
"Can you Find" Searches
Recognizing patterns
Order
Details
Games to Play
Science
and Shapes

As Lee is only 7 months right now, I obviously haven't started this program, nor can I give an honest opinion of "how it worked for me" yet, but I can't wait to use this and implement it into our daily reading routine.

Manners Can Be Fun


How to Behave and Why


How to Speak Politely and Why


Brushing Your Teeth Can Be Fun


Reading Can Be Fun


All of these books, especially "Manners Can Be Fun" are an amazing series. Not only are they fun to read with your children (I recommend starting around the ages of 3-7) they teach valuable lessons. I grew up on these books and can't recommend them enough. They are not as popular in today's society and I'm so pleased that they've come back to print.

Here is some information copied from Amazon:

"If we want something
we
say
PLEASE
We say THANK YOU
if you help us or
give us something or
do things for us.
Before we leave the table
we ask if
we
may
be
excused.
And say THANK YOU
if we are told we may.

Continuing the success of How to Behave and Why-with hundreds of thousands of copies sold, 50,000 in the last year and a half alone!-comes another gem from the trove of Munro Leaf.

Considered his second most popular book, Manners Can Be Fun was first published in 1936 and is among Munro Leaf's acclaimed "Fun" series, which includes Grammar, Reading, and History. In his signature style of stick-figure illustrations and wholesome text, this charming guide, in which courtesy does not have to be a chore or a response to scolding, makes manners a delight to learn. With such characters as the Mefirsts and the Whineys, children can laugh while absorbing the elementary rules of thoughtfulness and etiquette. To listen, cooperate, act graciously, and share, among others, are invaluable lessons that should never be underestimated, and that help make happy, well-adjusted, and secure children who will one day grow up to be happy, well-adjusted, and secure adults."

My thoughts are this: You really can't go wrong in teaching your children manners, even if they seem a bit old fashioned. In today's society, we all need to focus more on teaching our children the little things, the important things, that help make us better people. If you've got children and would like to encourage manners - buy these books. You can't go wrong. The pictures are fun, the circumstances are funny, and the values and morals are explained in such a way that make them easy to comprehend. These books are definitely going to be on Lee's Christmas List.

So I've been searching high and low for church baby clothes...they are almost non-existant when it comes to local shopping stores. I've had to search online. Perhaps I'm old-fashioned and whatnot, but I don't believe that babies should be dressed like 17 year olds. It disgusts me to no end the adult-like fashions for children that are so popular. I love the tiny sailor suits and the classic bubble outfits with the small white collars. I love the high socks and the shorts and jacket easter outfits for boys.

So I started shopping around, and came across this website:

http://www.bestdressedchild.com/carbout.html

The outfits are amazing, the prices are ridiculous. At least for a Mom on a budget, which I am all about. I believe that I can have just as much of the "neat, awesome, and expensive" as the rich people, if I'm willing to wait and watch and learn where to look.

So I sat for a few hours one afternoon and searched "Carriage Boutiques" on ebay...$70-$120 dollar outfits for no more than $20 bucks. I found a few outfits for Lee for church and for photographs and I was done. I bought 6 outfits for the price of one, and they were the exact same thing. Only used. And when baby clothes say "used", it usually means that they wore them one, maybe two times. Not enough to pay $85 bucks for one outfit. But enough to ebay the same thing and get the used version.

I can't wait to show pictures of my child in his "expensive" new clothes. Heehee.

My point is not to insult the rich. My point is that you don't have to be rich to have everything you want. You just know how to go about getting it.

I have just discovered the wonderful world of all that is Etsy. I am in awe and completely fascinated by the things people are creative enough to make. Just the other day, we were searching all that is awesome in the world of Star Wars, and came across this:



and voila! We knew what Lee would be for Halloween. Luke Skywalker. I've been searching everywhere for an infant pattern...Does anyone know of anything? Lee will probably be in 24-2T in October.

My best friend introduced me to the BOB stroller and I was in awe from the first moment I laid eyes on it. She has a dualli, which was great for her but I only have one child and so I was contemplating the single for a great long while. After deciding it was beyond way too expensive, I had settled on trying to decide which umbrella stroller to buy when...to my great dismay, in the middle of our local Babies-R-Us, there was a NavyBlue BOB stroller...a return. Why anyone would return such a find is beyond me, but what I couldn't believe was the price. They'd knocked off a huge chunk of the price and...I had a 15% off coupon which they let me used. I got the BOB at a phenomenal price (as I would never have been able to afford one normally) and couldn't be happier. It turns easy, it is light, there is storage room, I can go on walks and jog with it, it reclines amazingly, it is well built and very safe, oh the list goes on and on.

I recommend this stroller to anyone with kids. If you've got more than one, buy the duallie. If the price is too high - search it used. Every once in a while, there is a great deal on Craigslist or Ebay...or check your local Babies-R-Us for returns every once in a while. You can get what you want, if you are willing to wait and find it at the price you can afford.

No one I pass knows I got it so cheap. Everyone I meet is impressed by it and asks me where I got it and if I like it...I've even had two people ask to try and push it so they could get a feel for it. And their faces light up in amazement at it. It is a fantastic stroller and I just can't say enough good things about it.

Here's a picture if you've never heard of the BOB:



And the Duallie:



It would be great if the accessories came with the stroller, but unfortunately they don't. I do recommend the cup holder - it's really sturdy, just what you want on your stroller with a little pouch that zips for your keys. It would be great if they made the pouch a bit larger, but it's not very expensive ($19.99) if you buy it at full price and you really get your money's worth out of it.



If you have an infant, you can also buy an infant seat adaptor so that you can use your stroller from birth up to (the saleslady sat in the BOB stroller and said it held her just fine and she weighed 150 lbs...). The infant seat adaptor is compatable with the following carseats:

Britax Companion - 2003 and newer
Graco Snug Ride - 2003 and newer
Graco Safe Seat - 2006 and newer
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio - 2003 and newer
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP - 2006 and newer

We bought the SnugRide and hopefully, this stroller will be perfect for our second baby. I might even consider selling my single and upgrading to a duallie when the time comes around...if it does. :)

Four days a week, this woman prepares lunches for her 24 month old. Talk about inspirational. I hope to accomplish half of what she's able to do. And I want to take pictures of it. Lee isn't into real foods yet, but as soon as he is - this woman is my model. Check it out for yourself:

http://babylunchbox.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=50

Here are some examples of her meals:

Chicken breast, cooked carrot, beets, broccoli, potato salad, kiwi, and cheese.


White beans in pesto, tomato, cauliflower, green beans, ham and cheese with cheerios, apple, and crackers.


Scrambled eggs with cheddar, sauteed mushrooms, buttered baguette croutons and papaya with lime juice and sugar.


Yum...

I was harmlessly searching "ways to organize baby food" on the internet, when I stumbled across "organized baby and toddler rooms" which seemed fascinating, since I've been in an organizational mood lately. From there, something labelled "star wars organization" caught my eye. Being married to James has made it impossible not to just go ahead and look, and so with a quick click of my hand, I found this page:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ohdeedoh.com/uimages/ohdeedoh/062509-playroom.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/author/sarahrae%3Fpage%3D5&usg=__9JFivi0LahJuJB59SgHPTAKHiXw=&h=405&w=540&sz=68&hl=en&start=40&um=1&tbnid=y2anZk_9scSTOM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3DWe%2Bturned%2Bit%2Binto%2Bplayroom%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20%26um%3D1

It's okay...take a closer look.






As much of a fanatic as my husband can be at times...I can still be thankful I didn't marry this guy.

:)

Bio: Jen is returning to Henderson for her last and final year at Henderson. She will graduate in May with a Double BA in Horn and Piano, and a minor in photography, which is impressive due to the fact that she will graduate with two Music degrees, in only 4 years. She then plans to marry "The Mick", go on an unnecessarily expensive honeymoon, put James through graduate school, and be destitute for the next 10 years, but she is optimistic about the entire situation. The future still holds many choices about what career she will decide to do, but music and photography are up on the list, as well as settling down with 3-5 kids and being a stay-at-home mom. She has many odd expertise, such as all to know about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Harry Potter. She spends most of her time reading fan fiction, taking pictures, and watching B-rated movies and musicals. She loves to laugh, which unfortunately sets off her asthma, she loves to sing, and she loves to be surrounded by entertaining people. If you see her passing by, stop and give her a "hi', she'll love it.



So, I'm considering getting back into music. Big Time. The question is...in what field? I'm thinking "Musical Theatre". I miss performing. I MISS PERFOMING! AGH!

If you haven't had the chance to see "A Very Potter Musical" on youtube - you are missing out. Go check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmwM_AKeMCk&feature=PlayList&p=C76BE906C9D83A3A&index=0&playnext=1

I watched it for 5 minutes and was in LOVE. I couldn't stop watching. I can't wait for the soundtrack. Darren Criss is simply amazing. I love some of his original songs - he's got a fantastic voice and an amazing talent for playing the guitar.

The characters are brought to life with "totally awesome" everything. The songs, the script, the humour. It's all there and it's amazing. The songs are so catchy, you can't stop yourself from singing them all day long.

It is my new goal in life to meet and hug Darren Criss, as well as the other cast and writers. I am in such awe. My extra goal would be to perform with Darren Criss. His entire persona is one that is so kind and open and fun.

I wonder if he's like that in real life. If so - he's definitely someone that I would want to be friends with.

Well, I saw the movie at midnight and I must admit...I LOVED it! I feel very calm and happy about this movie and how it turned out. Yes, there are definitely things I would have added - I don't think keeping them in the movie would have lengthened it too great a deal and I think they probably would have added a bit of depth to things. For example:

The "Coward" scene. I didn't feel that the magic used was expained enough, nor the impact that it caused on the body. I don't know...for some reason, I expect some sort of physical proof on the body - that it really harmed the cursed one. Bloody nose, broken arm...something to that effect. It was like Snape just kept knocking Harry over with silent magic and Harry couldn't get up. I reminisced somewhat on "I've fallen and can't get up!"

I can't tell you how much I appreciated the scene where Snape is under the platform with Harry and puts his finger to his lips. Forshadowing, anyone? To me, things seemed a lot more obvious in this movie than they did in the movie. Like the "finding out what Voldemort did with Horcruxes scene". I absolutely loved what Gambdon did in this scene. I loved the shock, him having to sit down and process, and especially looking at Harry and realizing (after Harry's non-to-subtle Snakelike neck motion) that Harry was and is a Horcrux. He looked broken, like he couldn't believe it, and I felt torn up inside right there with him. And it was all done with just a few facial expressions. That is acting, folks, and I don't think it could have been done better.

I really mourned over the non Quidditch Harry/Ginny kiss after it was over - but truthfully, during the movie, I didn't really notice it wasn't there. I was in love with so many of the scenes that this movie offered - I think it gave me exactly what I've been looking for, and I, for the first time, didn't just harp on what wasn't there - because I was just so thrilled with what was there.

I openly adore the Harry/Hermione bro/sis relationship and I have to admit that my favorite scene in the entire movie is the scene where Harry goes down the stairs to comfort the crying Hermione. He understands how she's feeling, he's boyish and doesn't exactly know what to do, and then he just is a fantastic friend to her. I thought this was fantastic forshadowing to what's to come in DH. I loved Harry's expression when Ron walked in on them and saw her crying. I can't wait to see the movie again to really get what he's saying. "Get out, Ron" or "Get over here and make it up to her - can't you see she's in pain!" I loved it. I especially loved the part where he sits down close to her - after she's attacked Ron with the charmed birds, and she lays her head down on his shoulder and he answers her question, "Yes. This is how it feels."

Oh, sigh.

I wish that the Harry crying scene over Dumbledore could have showed more of his face - more suffering, more angst. I think with this movie's rating of PG, the angst was somewhat glossed over at times. I admit being absolutely horrified when Dumbledore fell to his death. I thought it was brilliant how everyone pointed to the sky with their wands and erradicated the Dark Mark. I wish Ginny had held Harry with both hands instead of one - I would have prefered him trying to hold on to her, to something, to show more pain. But again - I'm being nitpicky, because I can never seem to get enough angst when it comes to this kind of thing. I think from an artistic POV, as a photographer - I know how to capture true romance. I am really good with body language and I think I would be a true asset to these movies.

On that note - so much of the teen romance was done so well. I laughed through this entire movie at Ron's antics, at Harry on the Felix Felices (sp?) - I'm sorry, but Harry imitating Slughorn is the funniest bit of acting I've seen in a long while. Ron, after eating the candies is priceless - I love him climbing in bed with Harry, crosslegged and smiling goofily. I think it was overly humerous because it's very much something I can see a 12 year old girl doing.

The scene where the inferni come out of the water to grab Harry - OMG. I knew it was coming, I was holding my breath, waiting for it to happen. And then it happened and I about jumped out of my chair. They did it really well - especially considering a majority of the audience knew it was coming! I have to admit, that inferni pulling Harry down - grabbing hold...this has become, overnight, one of my worst fears. OMG. I would have liked to see more fear in his face. He was trying to get away, but I would have enjoyed more struggle, I think. By the time Dumbledore gets that AWESOME firebolt down to him, it almost seems as if Harry has given up. But, he may have been drowning at that point...It wasn't really clear. LOL.

Yes, yes, yes. The fire circle and red sea scene were awesome. I wonder if I didn't experience it as "awesome" as it could have been for me because I knew it was an "awesome scene coming up". Yes, I loved it. But I wasn't blown away by it. I may have spoilered myself out of it, sadly enough.

I pretty much loved Snape in this movie. I really liked the small things - the sharp jerk of his and Narcissa's hand before the unbreakable vow was performed. The scar residue after it was done.

I thought we'd see some of the dueling club. There was none.

I think what I loved most about this movie was the small gatherings of the trio. What I've been dying for most in all of these movies is to see the characters in their natural presence at Hogwarts, at Hogsmead, at the Burrow. Finally, we see Harry sitting how I thought Harry would sit. They finally "look" their age in their comfort levels with each other - their relationships - how they talk to each other.

The Lavender blowing hot air on the glass and drawing hearts...LMAO. I thought I was going to die. Dan's acting in that scene is priceless. He was about as awkward and uncomfortable as one can be. Hermione coming afterwards and seeing it and walking away - awesome.

I have a question - is Lavender English? I couldn't decide if she had a lisp, or another accent. She didn't really have any lines...

I just adored Emma in this movie. Her trying to get away from her Slughorn date...Harry helping. Yup, I loved it. I kinda adore it. I really like that you see the Harry/Hermione relationship so much in this movie. He really is a brother to her, and instead of them slapping us over the heads with everyone talking about it, I actually "saw and felt" it in this movie.

Ginny...well...Bonnie's not my favorite. It's not her fault, I suppose. I don't find her attractive, I don't see her as "my Ginny" as I do the other characters (although Emma is not exactly Hermione to a T...LOL)...I like how she was portrayed - she did a really good job. I would definitely have liked to see more dialogue between Harry and Ginny. There were a lot of pauses...a lot of looks, but not very much dialogue. The shoelace scene just felt a bit over-the-top instead of cute and sweet to me. I would have liked to see Harry protecting Ginny more...I think it would have been more funny had Harry tried to do more romantic gestures - like he does at the Christmas Slughorn party of standing up when she came to the table. That has to be one of my favorite scenes. That was hilarious. That kind of thing...but again, I'm nitpicking what I thought could have made "good", "better".

Tom did a great job with Malfoy - the bathroom scene was just as I'd always imagined it. I really appreciated the scene following where Harry is actually showing is horror in what he's done, and shaking with remorse. I think the lighting was too dark on his face - I would have liked to see his horror a bit more. I felt that the scene where Snape reprimands Harry was missing. He had no real authority get on to him for almost killing Draco, and I felt that that was a very important scene to keep. But, they did a good job in showing that Harry didn't mean to do it. I would have liked Harry to have been stumbling a bit more or saying, "I didn't know what it would do" in trying to explain it to Snape.

I really appreciated that they took the time to explain the Horcruxes. I thought it was done superbly, and they got the feeling of HBP, which is more than I hoped for. I've read a lot of reviews that said this movie was "marking time" for the next one. Well, in a way, it's not necessarily marking time, but "preparing" us and the characters for the blood bath that's yet to come.

I appreciated Half-Blood Prince all the more now that I've seen the movie, because I remember reading the book the first time. I remember being confused and let down because I hadn't felt that the book went anywhere. I didn't understand. And then I read DH, and I got it. The end is nigh and JKRowling did a great job in giving everyone one last breather, one last good day before the end begins. I get that now, and I appreciate it all the more now that I've seen it visually.

I was never bored in this movie. I was never curious that something wasn't explained well, or let down by any scene. There are things afterwards, when thinking about the movie in context, that I would have tweaked just so to make it as good as I believe it could have - but overall, I was very pleased with everything.

I found the scene where Ginny runs after Harry a bit over-the-top...I mean, why would she run after him and not the 4 adults? I wish that they had made reference to the Burrow after it was destroyed. I would have liked to have Fenrir explained - even a little. I am really sad that they didn't incorporate Bill and FLeur into the movie. In my opinion, she is one of the reasons that Harry and Ginny started talking...Ginny complaining to him about her.

I loved all of the hugs at the Burrow - it didn't feel forced to me, which I was grateful for. I loved the "toothpaste" scene. I loved Hermione talking about the love potion and what it smelled like to her.

I especially loved Hermione's "Shut up, Harry" while she's comforting Ron in the hospital wing. Yeah...I loved that. I also loved Harry's expression when Ron is being hoisted up after winning the Quidditch game and Hermione and him are discussing the potion Harry "didn't" give him. He's so smug - I love it.

Bellatrix scares the crap out of me. Voldemort, Schmoldevort. Bellatrix could be the true villian of this story. Helena is AWESOME.

I think I would have like to see a scene where Draco is really mourning his father being in Azkaban...or even Harry saying something to him about it. I realized afterwards - stupidly enough - that Draco was depressed at Hogwarts partly because his Dad was in Azkaban. I kept justifying it entirely as he was worried about having to kill Dumbledore.

As much as I liked the Lupin/Tonks romance - I wasn't horribly disappointed it didn't make it to the film. DH is going to have to pick up that relationship quick, though, to allow people to really mourn and concern themselves with their death, though...I'm curious to see how they split and do DH. I can't wait to see it.

I love Minerva in the scene where she sends Harry and Ron to Potions class. It really was the small things in this movie that made me just fall in love with it. The "fighting over the best book" part...Yeah. I loved it.

Ron talking about Hermione's skin after Harry talked about Ginny's skin...I thought that conversation was priceless.

I could just go on and on...I can't wait to see it again tonight ( hopefully, if I can get a babysitter...)

OMG, I am going to die from the heat. DIE!

Well, of course, not really...but I love being melodramatic when it comes to the climate. But it is in the 100s already, and I am burning. It's at that point where you walk outside in a t-shirt and you can actually feel the sun scorching your skin. It's quite interesting. I was literally watching my arm burn yesterday when I walked up to my parents house.

And don't even get me started on attempting to go swimming. I can't be outside from like 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. I just burn. And it's hot. So we've taken to swimming at sundown, which is really interesting because the bats come down and get their evening drinks out of the swimming pool. I worry for them a bit, though, because I can't imagine chlorine can't be very healthy for them. In years past, we've had at most 3 bats at one time. Last night was like something out of Batman - it was ridiculous. We had bats flying in circles above us - swooping down and almost hitting us in the heads as we sat still in the pool. It was both amazing and terrifying. I don't know why, but getting bumped in the head with a bat is something that now makes me hide under the covers. Sort of like when I see a roach or a spider - I just stand there in shock and pray pray pray that the thing doesn't come near me. And if it does, I run like hell and then take a good paranoid 5 minutes brushing off every inch of my body to make sure somehow, the thing didn't get attached to me somehow. And then I inch back to where the thing was and usually, it hasn't moved. But on the rare occasion that it has, and I can't find it...

I leave. I have been known to just get in my car. For some reason, if you go somewhere and come back, the thing (in my mind) is gone. Forever. Opposed to being gone for a few seconds - because then it is still in the vicinity of "attack". At least in my mind.

Yeah...it doesn't make any sense, but it's me and I don't feel the need to justify it. It just "is".


Lee has a new tooth - it is so cute! But oh, my - he has fussy moments. I'll be glad when he's not going through the pain of cutting teeth. It's not a pleasant experience, for me, and I'm sure not for him. Poor baby!

Paula made him a Harry Potter shirt - he's so cute! I can't wait to get pictures of him in it today. It seems like today is going so slowly! Tonight is the HBP midnight showing and I can't wait! I'm all set to go. I saw a few scenes this morning from the movie and instead of feeling satisfied that I saw something from it, I just feel hungry for more! Oh, how the hours of the day go slowly sometimes!

I finished my "Canadian Mounties" series from Janette Oak last night - I do so love that series. It makes me want to dress up in petticoats and skirts and go live with the Indians in the north.

Umm...Yeah.


I am greatly enjoying my Mom being home for the summer. I wish August never has to come in that retrospect. It just seems more fun when she's home.

I am considering going back to teaching this year. We have just enough debt that one year for me could put us in an amazing financial situation and then I wouldn't have to work...I just don't wanna. LOL! But I've got to think about more than what I want or don't want. It would be great to be able to take big trips on James' vacation, and to buy a new house and to be able to pay for mowers. LOL. I want a new car and this and that and I have a list as long as the Nile of things I want to buy for Lee, that we're just not able to at this point in our lives. But being debt free, with some money in the bank would let us both relax and enjoy life a bit more. We would definitely have more freedom, as I now equivilate financial comfort the definition of that term. I don't need to justify it to myself. I know what I need to do.

But I don't want to miss out on so much of Lee's life. But it won't be that terrible - I won't have to use daycare. James doesn't go to work until 2 p.m. and I would be home by 3:30 p.m. every day. I would just need my sister or dad to watch Lee for an hour and a half every day...

But DAEP? I am still having doubts on whether I want to or not. It is not a pleasant job, but it is freeing and offers a lot of time to read and write.

My losing weight journey is going well - only I feel deprived most of the time from the things I really want. Why can't we all just eat all day long every day and never worry about gaining weight? Seriously! I believe that this is one of life's more crueler jokes. Working out and watching what you eat - it makes me sad at time.

But I want to lose weight, and thus, I succumb.

I need to clean the house - it's always just a wreck whenever I come back from vacation...but I'm not going to do it today. Today, I've saved as a special HP day, and so I'm doing the irresponsible, fun kid thing until tomorrow. Real life can resume then. :)


I have a lot of things on my mind lately and I've been working through them in my own time over the past two weeks. I haven't come to any conclusions or had any huge epiphany's yet, but I'm at the point where I can mull over something for a while and then put it away until I can get it out again. There are several things I "need" to do, and things I probably "should" do, but I'm just not there. I have opened up communications with a very old friend of mine, and although we haven't actually had a real conversation yet, I'm looking forward to having one. I think it will be really nice to get a fresh perspective on things, to maybe rehash some old things, and to get some encouragement and hope for some new things.


James and I have been doing really well. I pretty much love him. LOL! He really is the best father - he does at least 50% of the work with Lee - and he's so good with him. He plays with him and cuddles and bathes and feeds him. I couldn't be more happy and pleased. When I see the two of them playing - James kissing Lee's face and Lee laughing - it fills me with such joy. I love looking at Lee. I keep staring at him - trying to see bits of me and James, and although I'm sure they are quite obvious, I never seem to see it. I just see this little person, this unique baby, that we created together.

One of the major things that has changed for me is my mentality on things. Instead of fearing of what might or might not happen in how I raise Lee, I find myself so excited and looking forward to teaching him all I can. I want him to be open and to be able to express himself. I want to teach him vocabulary so that he can use words to express himself. I think that "talking" is one of the greatest gifts a person can have. It allows a person to try and put the things that are going round and round in their head into words so that they can better understand where they are coming from, and where they are going in life. I also think that "finding yourself" is so important. I went around for years making stupid decision after stupid decision, because I was searching for something, someone. I couldn't figure out who it was or what I needed...Sex, money, romance, a relationship, dependancy...I thought everything I needed was dependant on this other person that I hadn't found yet. And then I found that person and I realized that I didn't need that person to become who I was. I already knew who I was - I just wanted someone to share it with. And I didn't feel that connection to anyone to talk about it until I met James.

But I want Lee to be able to know himself and not feel like he's searching for someone to fulfill himself. I want him to be accepting of different people and accepting of problems and life, without falling into the depression that it can sometimes take you. I want him to experience joy and happiness, but know that pain can make you stronger. I don't want him to ever feel that he isn't worth. And I meant to stop the sentence there. Worth everything. The world, attention, love, all of it. We all are. Because if we aren't, then what's the point? But I don't think on that, because I believe we are here for a purpose. To love and be loved. By God and by each other. And I am so excited to be able to teach him that.

I was so worried about being a parent, and then realized - I can do this. Because I love him so greatly - that is enough. Love is enough. Because through love, I will do everything I can to ensure him the best life I can offer. Because in love, that is what you do. That person becomes the one thing you put above all else. You consider them in every decision you make, you care about their feelings, their thoughts. I am in love with my child and will do anything and everything for him. And that means teaching him the differences between right and wrong. Showing him how to love and how to express.

And I am prepared for what that means, and I am not afraid. I finally understand what it means to be a parent.


I must admit something, as I close. I have been editing my beliefs out of what I write in attempts to protect my friends from having my religious beliefs thrown in their face. I don't want to come across as a bible thumper or make anyone roll their eyes in annoyance when they don't share my beliefs. I am a firm believer in giving everyone the choice to believe what they want to believe, and respecting their decisions to do so. I never want to come across as a person who looks negatively at them for what they believe just because it differs from what I believe. I know in my religion, nonbelievers choose a certain fate. I know that people who know and respect what I believe in, know what I must think about them not believing. I think, in a weird way, I have always felt guilty about that. I feel guilty to my friends for believing what I do about them for not believing. And I know it's a harsh belief, and because of that fact - I don't bring up religion...ever. Unless, I'm dragged into something or I feel exceptionally strong about something.

Here's the thing. I am guilty in my own beliefs for not talking about what I believe in, because in my belief, talking and sharing is something that I'm supposed to do. And yet, if I talk about it to my non-believing friends, I feel guilty for believing in their fate.

I will never be one to criticize one's belief. I believe that God created us differently from Angels because he wanted us to have "the choice". To believe or not believe, it's up to us. I don't believe it's about judging. I do believe it's all about choice. Believe one thing, you get one fate. Believe another, you get the other. I am not going to sit here and justify why I believe in the Bible, and why I call myself a Christian. I have been through too much and in my heart, I know that I have made it this far because God is in my life and Jesus is in my heart.

My point is this: I will never preach to one who doesn't want to hear it. If you come to me with questions, I will talk until I'm blue in the face. But I've decided from this day on, for the sake of my soul and the person I am working at being, I can no longer edit my beliefs out of prose.

Some people may think I'm an "uber Christian" or a "Jesus freak". I am sad that if that happens, it will mean that "being open" is only for the people who decide not to believe. The real test here, I suppose, will be in the reactions of those who don't believe what I believe and see if they critize or try and stay away from me.

The kicker is this - nothing about me has changed. I'm still the same person. I still have the same thoughts and feelings. I still strive to accept and be open to different beliefs and personalities and thoughts. I may not agree with them or think they are right, but it is not my place to judge. What I think about things and how I choose to handle them is my own business. I work hard to be outwardly who I want to be. My inner conflict and struggle are my own.

But editing my beliefs out of my prose in order to not upset anyone who might be reading, or making extra sure that what I say is non-offensive, is just becoming difficult for my soul.

My friends love me, and that means they have to love me and respect my beliefs. Please don't love me despite my beliefs - that is completely offensive. But respect me enough to let me believe what I believe, without writing it off as a personality flaw. Because to me, it is so much more who I am and not what I do.

My Christianity is in my heart as much as my family and husband and son are. It is again, to me, the definition of Love. In all that I do, it will come first.

Ugh - have a 6 hour wedding today outside in the heat of the summer. I am such an idiot. It's only a million degrees and I'm going to die. Literally. Will have to keep myself MAJORLY hydrated, or I'm going to pass out.

Why do I torture myself like this?

Oh yeah...I love what I do. But I prefer doing it indoors...in air conditioning. Or the arctic.

And I have to wear black. Double uck.

So, on a side note - I tried sleeping pills last night. James got me some semi-safe ones, that are supposedly non-addictive - made by the people who do Tylenol PM. They WORKED! I was asleep before midnight. It was unbelievable. I feel more rested today than I have in over a year. Woot to the pills. Now, let's hope I can sleep on my own from here on out. I'm very paranoid when it comes to medication. It's just unnatural.

:)