Summer Movie Bonanza!

Whoo hoo! This is the part of summer that I adore - the summer movies are in full swing and I'm reaping the benefits!

Just a quick update of the summer movie extravaganza:

Pirates 3: Awesome flick! I don't care what the critics say, I loved it. I've seen it twice and I'll see it again - definitely buying this one to make the collection complete. The stories and characters that we've been watching, hating and rooting for/against all come together in this magnificent episode. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Evan Almighty: side-splitting funny. The animals were, as expected, spectacular. There were a couple of really soft moments where you thought you might tear up but then something funny would happen and you would pull it together. Another good one. Don't know that I'll buy it but it was a fun Friday night.

Live Free or Die Hard: OMGosh this ROCKED!! Stuff was blowing up less than 10 minutes into the show and it didn't stop until the credits rolled. Bruce Willis was at his acerbic best. You totally marvelled at how well the guy is aging. I didn't even care that he's old enough to be MY dad - wow. *grin* Definitely one to buy.

Ratatouille: as disappointing as television food - looks SO good until you find out it's held together by glue and hairspray. The best parts of the movie were the clips they put in the previews. This is the first Pixar film that I haven't just loved. In fact, EG and I left half way through it. It just doesn't grab you and give you a reason to love the characters. The scenery shots of Paris were spectacular but the story was less than gripping. So, we left.

Coming Soon:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. July 11

Oh golly I'm excited. I got my "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" shirt yesterday. CUTE!!! I am really looking forward to seeing this film. Even though OOTP was my second least favorite book in the series (next to Chamber of Secrets), the action is so intense in the story that you are drawn back to it. Perhaps CAPSLOX Harry won't be as petulant in real life as he was on paper. Kind of makes you want to reach into the book and thump the boy. And Voldemort promises to be as terrifyingly evil as your imagination can possibly make him. I CANNOT WAIT (have I said that?)

Then, the next week after OOTP, Book 7 arrives! then, I'll get paid again, put the deposit down on my dress, get whatever I'm going to get to redo Munchkin's room and then it will be just about time for her to come home. *whew*

All that thinking made me sleepy. I think I'll grab a water and go get into bed. 'night.

Weekend Update

After six weeks of holding my breath, we pulled off the big surprise.

My brother and sister-in-law moved to Florida last December. He called me six weeks ago and said they were moving home to Texas in August. He was flying in on the 21st to test for the Arlington PD. I was sworn to secrecy because he wanted to surprise Mother for her birthday.

It was a wild six weeks of trying not to come undone with glee. Oh, but it gets harder. Much MUCH harder. Two weeks ago, J calls me and says, "hey, plans have changed a little. We are moving home at the end of THIS month. Oh, and don't tell Mom." OMGosh!!!

So, for the last two weeks, I have walked around holding my breath because I'm afraid I'll blurt it out - scream it from the rooftop that my little brother and his darling wife are moving home!!

My twin is coming home! Well, we're not really twins but we are so close we could be if you don't count the three and a half years between us! *grin*

But I digress. (happens a lot these days)

So, J calls me again and says, "I'm not going to be able to wait until six to see you guys. Let's surprise her at lunch." So now not only am I in collusion to hide all of this amazing information from my mother, I'm also conspiring surprise lunches the day of her birthday party.

Friday night, Mom and I are out running around and I casually mention to her, "know what sounds really good? Roadhouse - they have the best ranch. Want to eat there tomorrow?" She buys it and it's on the plan. Phase I of Birthday-gate is complete.

So comes Saturday morning. We have a long list of things to do and errands to run before the party that evening, so Mom and I start early. About 10 am, we head to Temple to get a battery for her watch - me watching MY watch all the time. (side note: J was fishing with his best friend that morning and we'd agreed to meet at Roadhouse at noon.) While we're in the mall, Mom says she wants to look for some new capris. That works out well and we end up shopping for another almost two hours.

By this time, I'm worn out. I am not a big shopper (as my former roomate K will tell you) and two hours in the mall is a long time for me. But, it was all in the spirit of the conspiracy.

11:45 rolls around and I'm beat. We walk out to the car and, very slyly, I flip open my phone and dial J's phone. When I hear he's come on the line, I put the phone down by my side and say to Mom, "I'm starved. Are you ready to go to lunch?" When she says yes, I hang up the phone. Mom never noticed it either. *giggle* That was J's signal to get off the lake and come our way.

So, we get to lunch and sit there for a few minutes. J calls Mom's cell phone. "hi, Mom - whatcha doin?" Just about that time, he walks around the corner. She still doesn't see him and carries on the conversation another 90 seconds before she notices him. I am about to come unglued trying not to laugh. She does a double-take, screams and jumps up to grab him. It was PERFECT!

Skip ahead a few hours to the party. We had a wonderful time! Mom's two brothers came in for the party, J was there, EG and his mom and dad were there, Doc was there and so was H. It was a really fun party.

Here are some pics:

This is my brother, disguised as a chair cover. Goofy.

Mom and J

from the left: Uncle T, me, Uncle R, Mom, J

The Conspirators

What a fun day! Happy Birthday, Mommy.

Like a chicken with its...OOH! Shiny!

*grin*

I love my job.
I am getting more ADD every day and I'm ok with that. Work has been awesome. I feel like I'm part of a team totally committed to moving the organization forward. The air of excitement, urgency and change is everywhere in the air and I'm right in the middle of it! It's awesome!

I'm sorry I've been so out of touch lately. I've actually thought about taking the blog down for a while but know that I'd miss it and not be able to stay away so here it stays.

I'm learning more about school administration and the amazing amount of politics involved than I ever thought I would. I LOVE IT!!

Meanwhile, I come home and my behind is dragging the ground because I'm so tired. Running all day does take it out of you.

On that note, I'm going to crawl into bed, watch this crazy show on Food Network called Dinner: Impossible and go night night.

Night!

ps. good night. really. I'm. going. to. bed. I promise. Just after I get a cookie.

Better Today

Work is good for the soul. Ok, so I made that up. Even so, today was a good day and it made me feel better to get back to work. I have a board meeting tonight - it'll be my first.

Talked to Munchkin's dad this morning who said that she'd painted her little birdhouse and I think he said she painted a little of the porch too. *grin* That's my little Picasso.

*grin*

Headed to the house to freshen up before the meeting. 'night, folks!

Home Again

It's 10:12pm and I'm home from The Trip. Oh, I got home on time this morning. The flight was uneventful.

It's good to be home although the house needs to be cleaned. I think I'll come home tomorrow, after work, and clean it.

Munchkin's room is still the cluttered mess of a whirlwind pixie, there are coffee cups in the sink and the other laundry that didn't get packed in her suitcase is still waiting to be folded and put away.

I came home today and slept the sleep of one grieving. Not deep and not restful but a brief oblivion. My heart aches. I know that this will pass quickly and I'll step into the routine of her absence just like she'll get in to her own routine with her dad.

I know she's fine. But am I? I thought I was ready for this. To come home, knowing she wasn't going to be here.

But, tonight, I came down the hall and her nightlight was still on. Going in to turn it off, I lost the battle against my own self and lay down on her little bed and wept. The house feels empty. Even the cats, who run for their lives in fear of her antics, seemed to sense that she was missing.

The house is a little sadder without her here.

I'm sure tomorrow I will look at things a little differently. I am sure that the next time I step on a barbie shoe I will resolve to pack those silly things away and be thankful that I don't have to mess with them for a while. But tonight I am alone in this house and my heart is broken.

I know she is alright. I know that her father needs this time with her and she with him. I feel that the Lord will bless this time with them and so I am glad she is there. I can only imagine the pain he feels knowing that he has two short months with her and then she will be gone from him again. Tonight, more than ever, I feel like I can begin to understand his grief.

God forgive me when I have begrudged him my sympathy. Tomorrow, I will ask him to forgive me.

The Big Trip

We'll get on the plane a little after 5pm and be in Newark (hopefully) a little after 10pm.

Munchkin is excited. Her dad is excited. I am....

Don't get me wrong - I am glad she's going. She will have a ball and it is good for her to spend time with her dad and his side of the family. I wish he didn't have to live so far away so she could see him more than just once a year. But two months? Gosh, that's such a long time.

*sigh*

I think about how nice it will be to sleep in on Saturdays

I think about how great it will be to not go to McDonald's a SINGLE time for two months.

I think about how great it will be to not trip over a single barbie or step on Barbie shoes for two months.

I think about how it will be so nice to have a complete conversation without my little mynah bird interrupting me every 10 seconds.

I think about how I can sleep through an entire night without hearing "April in Paris" 16 times because her big band cd is set on repeat.

I think about how nice it is that I will not have to run the a/c so low because my very hot-natured child can't sleep until it is 68 degrees in the house. (it's June and I still have two blankets on my bed!)

I refuse to think about missing bedtime prayers

I refuse to think about peanut butter kisses

I refuse to think about our games

I refuse to think about hearing her sing praise songs at the top of her lungs because she wants to make sure Jesus can hear "all the way up in heaven."

I refuse to think about snuggling with her first thing in the morning

I miss her already.

Come home soon, Doodlebug.

Cool Stuff

Love Love Love is the word for my new job. I love my office. I love the girls in the office. I love my boss. (no, not THAT kind of love, sheesh) I just love my job. I love the fast pace. (yes, I really do)

Yesterday I had a sore throat that just would not quit. I kept thinking, "Lord, please don't let this be strepp throat." So, I went home last night and crawled into bed and this morning it was mostly gone. YEAH!!! Thank goodness for Tylenol Sore Throat. I'm telling you, folks, this stuff WORKS.

I'm not like Everyday Mommy or Rocks in my Dryer; I don't get asked to do product reviews but I would be happy to do one for Tylenol. Sore Throat is the best stuff I've ever taken. Knocked me out without the fuzzy head the next morning. Good stuff.

Anyhoo, I love my job.

Have I mentioned I love it?

*giggle* Ok, I'm back to work. Later, gators!