2007 Multimedia Faves

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - just a wonderful ending for one of the best series ever written - definitely the best on this list

2. Children of Men - I read the book years ago and still can have nightmares about it. I was unsure how the movie would compare - some marked differences, but held true to the theme and very good in its own right. Clive Owen was superb and the world created was so real and so frightening.

3. Waitress - truly wonderful little independent movie with tons of laughs (and Andy Griffith!)

4. Transformers - a big budget popcorn movie that did not disappoint - loads of fun!

5. Confessions of a Memory Eater by Pagan Kennedy - not written in 2007, but when I read it. The novel has so much to say about truth, relationships, memory and reality - keeps one thinking long after the book is put back on the shelf.

6. On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan - short novel about a young couple's wedding night in the early '60s - quite thought provoking.

7. Smile by Lily Allen - I know Amy Winehouse gets all the press, but this was definitely the best song of the year (and especially by a young Brit woman).

9. Robin Hood on BBC America - I keep watching and watching the reruns - wonderful adaptation of an old (and sometimes tired) story. Jonas Armstrong and Lucy Griffiths have great chemistry and breath life into the main characters; interesting stories, dialogue and fun.

10. Moonlight - CBS (new shows whenever the writer's strike is over); modern day vamp in LA with sexy Australian in the lead alongside spunky young Brit (how can others do American accents so well, and we stink - with the exception of Gwyneth Paltrow and Renee Zellwegger?)

11. 30 Rock and The Office - the two best sitcoms on tv, hands down

12. Gilmore Girls - the final two seasons were not the best, but they sent them off well, and for that - I will always be grateful

Ginger Bread House Redemption!

Each year, it is part of my family's tradition to make a ginger bread house. And since I am insane, I choose to do this completely from scratch. I blame that book, Anne of Green Gables and a Christmas Treasury, which first led me to believe I could be just like Anne and make this easily and even have it look like her beloved farmhouse. Yeah, right.

This blog has chronicled past failures. And since Christmas is about grace and redemption, we have succeeded this year in the best Rio ginger bread house ever! Note Princess in the cutting and baking aspect. And then here is the final product. I keep looking at the house on its high perch (far away from cats and dogs), admiring such a thing of beauty. Ahhhh......

Breaking the Christmas Code

One of my childhood Christmas memories is the way my Mom would label Christmas gifts. Presents would be wrapped under a tree with a series of odd letters on them. For instance, a package of purple socks might have been wrapped for me with the label "BDOFCIPAIKIYFCT." These letters would stand for "Because Donny Osmond's favorite color is purple and I know it's your favorite color too." That way Mom knew the present was for me and not for my brother - even though Jerry and I had no clue whatsoever. Pretty good.

I have continued the tradition with my own twist. I usually put one word that reminds me of that particular child. One present under our tree is labeled "TIGHT" because Sonny Boy's wrestling uniform is tight. Another is labeled "RED" because Princess' Chinese name before she came home with us meant red, hot, popular. (Yes, we did choose a different Chinese name, because who wants a teenage daughter one day whose name means red, hot and popular?)

Princess started getting into making and wrapping presents last year. She decided to try her own codes. Well, this year she has trumped both Mom and me. She has been taking Chinese language all semester and her labels are written in Chinese characters. I only hope the package that smells like chocolate is for me.

Time for Doggie Elves now too

Check out our elf doggies!

thanks Office Max

Office Max has a wonderful dancing elf program, with elves that look amazingly like my family. Check it out!

Mele Kalikimaka

In honor of the heat wave we are having...

Concert Etiquette

Last week, Sonny Boy's middle school had a Choral Concert. The flyer from the Chorus teacher listed the following rules for Concert Etiquette -

1. Refrain from talking. does this include the toddlers? and how can I keep my mouth shut with so much hilarity in front of me (intentional or not)?
2. Refrain from unwrapping noisy candy wrappers during the performance. I leaned over to my mom and whispered, does it count if the candy wrapper is not considered noisy?
3. Turn off all pagers, cell phones and watch alarms. I particularly liked the rap song ringer that went off during Calypso Gloria
4. Do not wave to your child during the concert. Can you point a finger and give him the evil eye if he's cutting up on stage?
5. Do not take flash photography. what if the flash accidentally goes off? those darned digital cameras are beyond most middle aged parents
6. Please do not walk down the center aisle with your video camera. Can you walk down the aisle just to get a loudly whispering child to the bathroom or water fountain?
7. Do not leave as soon as your child's portion of the concert is over. I pointed this out to my Mom as she did this, but she just gave me the evil eye (guess it runs in the family).
8. Applaud at appropriate times. huh?
9. Do not leave the concert during the music. guess this rules out #6
10. Go to the concert expecting the best. You bet - some of the best laughs I've had in a while!

Rasslin?

Sonny Boy has undertaken a new sport recently - wrestling. He joined the team a few weeks ago and had his first match yesterday afternoon. My knowledge of the wrestling world is quite limited. I had a little exposure in junior high when the wrestling coach made a point of saying "Rasslin!" continually. I knew they wore really tight outfits and rolled around on each other, but that was about it.

There are those moments when inherent gender differences seem to come to light. Yesterday was one of those moments. I sat with one of the other moms - as clueless as I was about the sport. We watched the boys in their little spandex getups rolling around all over each other, trying to pin the shoulder blades to the mat. It was just plain weird. And a little gross. But the boys love it. They won't ever hug each other, but they will be all over each other in little outfits for competition's sake.

I voiced my total support for Sonny Boy. I am proud of how hard he is working in this sport, and I am trying to learn the basic rules. Yet, I don't think I will ever quite get the love that males have for it. Just not made that way...

Obi Wan returns

Everyone who reads this blog knows that my Sonny Boy (age 13) thinks he is the coolest person around. Being so cool, when he needed a new jacket, it had to be a fleece hoodie from Old Navy. Supposedly, brown is the coolest color right now. So Sonny Boy is constantly to be seen in the brown hoodie, usually with the hood pulled up and hiding a good portion of his face.

Since I fancy myself something of a Lorelai Gilmore, I have taken to calling him Obi Wan. We were in the grocery store the other night and he was dragging behind, so I loudly called, "Hey Obi Wan, catch up!" I would not normally provide so much entertainment for the masses, but the opportunity to embarrass my kid was too great to resist.

Last night Obi and I went to a women's college bball game (my school versus a local one in Gboro). Not a big crowd, so Sonny Boy spotted his least favorite teacher from last year across the stands. I acted like we were going over to say hi at half time. The hood then came up and would not be removed. As we were leaving the gym later, I made sure to walk very quickly and was only about 2 feet behind said teacher. Obi was really dragging his feet and hanging his head under his hoodie, hoping she would not notice him. I had no intention of speaking to her (at one point last year I called her - not to her face - a dried up ol' prune) - but I had a blast freaking out Sonny Boy. He thinks his Obi Wan imitation saved him, but the Force was really with me and not the cool hoodie.

American Gladiators

Back in January 1989, a truly classic television show appeared in syndication - American Gladiators. It came on every Saturday morning and pitted everyday, but quite athletic, individuals against the "Gladiators" in athletic contests. The entertainment value was definitely high. Malibu (pictured) was my favorite gladiator, but he unfortunately was only on the first season. I also like the first Lace quite a lot. But really, all the gladiators were cool. The competitors were quite impressive. ESPN Classic shows AG every evening M-F at 7pm, so I have been able to share this wonderful part of our culture with my kids.

With the writer's strike, my tv viewing is just about nothing right now. So imagine my joy when I found out that NBC is revving up AG again! Sometime in the dead of winter, I will be able to witness the next reincarnation of this classic "reality" show and I am sure, will not be disappointed. Tune in!

Poet and didn't know it

Sonny Boy had an assignment yesterday in Social Studies. Students were to write a poem about slavery. (Please bear in mind that he has always had close friends of a variety of races and is really concerned with racial justice, but his need for humor took precedence yesterday.) The poem went as follows -

I am a slave sitting under a tree
I wish I was free
Oh, look there's a bird!
He just dropped a turd!

He said the class (very diverse group of students) all thought his was the best. 13 year old taste...

My day yesterday

Just need to share what my last day of Thanksgiving break looked like -

*wake up, shower, eat breakfast, rush family out door for church
*teach rowdy senior high Sunday School class
*try to worship while Hubby and Sonny Boy kept elbowing each other and snickering
*go to Costco with family and shop for basics among the hordes of people
*let kids have Churros from Costco for lunch
*go home, change clothes, dust - while Hubby is leisurely watching Duke game
*fix real lunch of pasta and homemade cheese sauce
*do laundry
*write notes
*clean house some more
*pet kitty with injured foot
*take dogs for intense walk in cold
*make homemade vegetable soup and homemade mayonnaise rolls (Granny's recipe)
*fuss at children about getting work done
*eat dinner and force kids to eat veggies
*eat leftover pumpkin pie (yum!)
*fuss at children about studying
*go to grocery store
*use "discretionary money" for peppermint hot cocoa at Starbucks in grocery store (definitely high point of day)
*have Starbucks worker force free muffin on me (yum!)
*go home, unload groceries while fussing at daughter to get in bed
*fuss at son to finish getting read for week
*make homemade pumpkin pancakes for breakfast couple times during the week
*pack kids' lunches
*iron my clothes
*clean kitchen
*fuss at son to get to bed
*watch Iron Chef America's holiday dessert battle (yum! yum!!)
*bed

Bon Appetit

Our house is decorated in antique hand-me-downs. Just about every piece of furniture has come from a family member who has died, moved to smaller quarters, or bought something better. The one big exception is the tv armoir - which came from Big Lots and took me 7 and 1/2 hours to put together.

Our dining room table and chairs were no exception. My parents had used them for a number of years before we inherited them close to 19 years ago. They became a safety hazard in recent years. The table leaf was missing, and the table might decide to separate with very little provocation. The table had a center base, and one side of it was slanting so that I never put heavy dishes on that end. The chairs had been glued, screwed, nailed, etc. - but still literally kept falling apart. Dinner time was always an adventure at our house.

But Santa came a little early by making a stop at the sale aisle of World Market. The pictures give witness to our beautiful new table and chairs. A little assembly required - Sonny Boy and his best bud were up for the job under my supervisory skills. Of all the things for which my family and I are thankful, a safe place to eat tops the list this year!

Some Things for which I am Thankful...

*my family
*my house
*my job
*good health
*good friends
*dark chocolate
*tennis
*Jane Austen
*Harry Potter
*really sunshiny days
*dark chocolate with almonds
*music
*cuddling pets
*dark chocolate with rasperries
*lots of books
*Colin Firth
*LL Bean gift certificates from my mom
*sunflowers
*dark chocolate with blueberries
*farmer's markets
*old houses
*dark chocolate with dark chocolate

Elizabeth Gilbert and Eat, Pray, Love

I had a very wonderful treat last night. The school where I work was hosting Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the best-selling book Eat Pray Love. I remember seeing the book about a year ago and thought, "Yeah right - I want to read one more person's soppy navel-gazing time of enlightenment." So I ignored it.

Then I kept reading good reviews, including my beloved reviews in Entertainment Weekly. (and it is rare I don't agree with those) I found out she was coming soon after I began working here in August and thought, "Gotta read the book." I did. And I will read it again. And probably again. Simply one of the best spirituality books I have read for this day and age (right up there with Kathleen Norris' Dakota and Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies.) The book is entertaining, witty, insightful, engaging, profound and beyond interesting. I couldn't wait to see Liz Gilbert.

And not only did I get to see her - I was one of the lucky few who had dinner with her last night. She is exactly the person she appears in the book - so down to earth, smart, interesting, and fun. I really wish I could have gone out and had a couple beers with her and talked half the night.

So go find the book and get ready for one of the best reads you'll have this year.

Greensboro - Hippie Town yet?

For loyal readers, you know my chagrin two years ago at election time when a local writer said Greensboro was a granola town. I realize my perspective on this issue has been tainted by years of living in Asheville - a truly unique city. However, friends (both old and new) in Greensboro have pointed out that it is granola in comparison to much of the surrounding area. Hmmm...I'll keep my judgment somewhat reserved for right now.

But anyway...it's two years later, and I am quite happy to report that Greensboro elected its first black mayor yesterday! And not only that, she is a woman. Yvonne Johnson is well-qualified and has many goals and ideals I can actively embrace. I was not thrilled about the result of our District candidate to City Council, but overall feel pretty good about the At-large results.

Making progress...

Halloween Haunts

Here is a great site that lists haunted places in North Carolina. If you scroll down to Winston Salem and look at Clewell Dorm, you'll see what occurs where my office is located. Looks like I spend most my days in one of the most haunted spots in NC. Cool!

Appalachian Wedding

The family and I were back up in the mountains this weekend so I could officiate at a wedding for two of my former students. They are great young people and I feel really good about their marriage (so nice to feel like a marriage has a really good shot these days). It was a lot of fun seeing people we had not seen in a while. People were especially marveling over the growth of now 13 year old Sonny Boy. He seemed to enjoy himself - all you can eat barbecue and southern vegetables at the rehearsal dinner, lots of food at the reception, other teenagers who formed a "teen table" at the reception, lots of attention. One never knows how a 13 year old will react to things, so it was pleasant that he enjoyed himself.

As the reception was nearing a close, the groom was ready to toss the garter. All Sonny Boy knew was that single guys were supposed to stand in a group and catch the garter. Always the competitor, the boy went after it and no one else had a chance. Conversation in the van afterwards:

SB: So, what is a garter?
Mom: Many years ago they were used to hold up women's stockings, because the stockings just went to a person's thigh.
SB: Huh... Well, where did this come from?
Mom: The bride's leg.
SB: (looking a little uncertain) And why does the groom throw it?
Mom: It's a tradition - whoever catches it will be the next guy there to be married.
SB: Married? Hmmm. You know, Mom, I'm going to marry someone who's rich.
Mom: Honey, money doesn't matter. Why do you think you need to marry someone who's rich?
SB: 'Cause I know I will marry someone who's hot, and all the hot girls I know are rich.

Let's hope Sonny Boy's wedding is many years away...

(restless - need to hear your boy's garter story!)

It's 92 degrees

It's October 9 and it's 92 degrees. Last night I sat on my couch in a tshirt and shorts (whilst watching DWTS and booing Mark Cuban) and saw countless commercials with sweaters, tights, and tweed skirts and pants. It's a gorgeous day, albeit a little hot.

But where the heck is fall?????!!!!!! October and November are my favorite months. I LOVE fall - the cooler nights, sunny days, beautiful leaves, long walks, and all the Snicker bites I can want from my kids' confiscated Halloween candy. I still feel like it's summer, but with the usual first two months of school hangover (that's how my job always feels come Fall Break). I want all four seasons. I need fall. Please come soon!!! (or I will be forced to use mutiple exclamation points for an indefinite period of time)

Sara Evans-As If

This is for Restless, who has yet to hear Sara Evan's latest. Restless and I had the great pleasure of seeing Sara perform for 1 1/2 hours at Bele Chere one evening a few years ago (when she was due to give birth in a few weeks). Didn't pay a dime, and one of the best musical performances I have ever seen. She was absolutely incredible! Just love her. Of course, then Restless and I went out for a beer and had a really weird and lonely (understandably) middle-aged man trying to pick us up. Why is it that all the weirdos hit on me when I am with Restless? It never (and I mean never) happens with my other friends. Hmmmmm.....