There is pretty much nothing good about unemployment. I wanted to get that out of the way. It has, however, afforded me some reading and watching time that would otherwise not exist. This week's offering were pretty diverse:

The Simpson's Movie
I'll have to give this one a C-. If you love the TV show (which my husband does), you will love the movie (which he and millions of other Americans obviously did). There is pretty much nothing more to be said. I laughed a bit, but I really don't dig the humor so much. Beside, I was distracted by the inordinate number of CHILDREN IN THE THEATRE!!!!

Big Love (Season 1, pilot and episode 2)
I really want to like this show, truly. I have read nothing but good about it, and I want to be the type of person who "gets it" (how vain is that?). Confession: I don't "get it." Seems to me that the entire show is an excuse to show Bill Paxton having sex with three different women. I have the rest of the season in my Blockbuster Queue, so I will give it another shot. It just doesn't resonate with me. Perhaps it is because of our geographic location and proximity to Colorado City, but I just do not see plural marriage as a funny novelty.

Extras (Season 2)
May I share something? I am not a person given to celebrity "crushes" (with the exceptions of Colin Forth and Ioan Gruffudd), but Ricky Gervais is fast approaching crush status in my book. Be is just sooooo blasted hilarious! Oh yeah, and he laughs just like my Jonathan.

As for the reading, that's an entirely new post...

Labels: life, will she ever shut up?

You know who you are. You are the parents who though it would be a fun family outing to the cinema. But why choose such a kiddie flick as Ratatouille or Surf's Up! when The Simpsons Movie looks much more interesting? Sure, why not!
Here's the thing: movies have ratings for a reason. PG-13 is most likey NOT APPROPIRATE for your 5-7 year old bairn. Not only that, but your children do not contribute to my enjoyment of the movie with their constant squawking and squirming.

Thank you for your future consideration.

Sincerely,
The Lady in the Front Row.

(In my defense, this movie outing was by way of a gift to my Jonathan. No way would I go see The Simpsons Movie on my own volition.

Labels: Gripes, ground control to major Tom, will she ever shut up?

My Gram turned 85 last Friday. She keeps a schedule that is just madness- sheer madness!
Between her hospice volunteer work, Emmaus community events and groups, and running errands for various homebound friends, Gram does more at 85 than most people half her age.

Last year, she came up to Vegas for Thanksgiving (she lives in Yuma, AZ). The evening before she headed home, we all went out to hear Jon's band play. The above pic is the result of a little fun we had when she dozed off. (It was after midnight)

Please know that none of the empties are hers (neither bottles nor glasses)...

Labels: family, fun

So much is rattling around in my brain these days that I need to purge...

-Togetherness is beautiful, and I not only love my husband, I also enjoy his company and like him. Having said that, I look forward to his return to full-time employment soon. Jon was laid off right before vacation (that is, the day we left) and I was laid off right after. Some more income sooner than later would be appreciated.

-My being laid off is really just a kick in the pants from God. I had been very unhappy there for months, but really liking the money. Now I will be back in school full time and working part time.

-The above hinges on Jon's working situation. He has an extremely good opportunity coming up, but we are playing the waiting game right now. We covet your prayers.

-The waiting game is taking its toll on my mental health. IRL friends know that I have battled severe depression in the past. I am fighting its hold over me. I refuse to be ruled by irrational thinking!!!!! Prayers there would be helpful, too.

-I have, for the first time in my life, entered the rabbit warren that is unemployment compensation. I wonder what will come first- an actual check, or a part time job? I spent a hour on the telephone yesterday- forty-two minutes of that was hold time to get a live person. I honestly cannot fathom anyone WANTING to stay on unemployment. Shoot, if it weren't for the fact that both of us are currently out of work, I would not even bother. Unfortunately, we need something more than Jon's part-time gigs to get by. What do people who have no savings do when something happens? If it weren't for our saving (however meager) we would be up the creek without a paddle.

-Balance. Something for which I am striving these days. It seems that so much needs to be done before school starts in September. I know that it will be even more difficult to keep on top of things then, so I really have to get a handle on my home management NOW. Thank you FlyLady!

-GP is celebrating Baptisms this week. Yay! Last week we watched video from our baptism celebration in the spring. I really do not like my picture taken, and I deplore video. Of course, who would be up there but me, blubbering on as I am wont to do (case in point- this blog). Anyway. I am still in wonder at what God has done for us the last two years. That's a whole post in and of itself.

-Speaking of GP, we have reached a decision (and by "we" I mean that Jon had decided long ago and was patiently waiting for me to catch up) to officially transfer our membership from CUMC. Generations of Potter would be turning over in their graves... I am kidding, of course.

-Jon is playing and singing in the other room.. I cannot think of a better way to spend my evening than listening to him as I first blog and later do some reading. I love that there is always music in our home.

-Devin said something last week which has been running around in my head. He said that when people say they don't like change, what they usually mean is that they don't like to be inconvenienced. Well, I can say that I don't like to be inconvenienced, for sure. I also don't really like change all that much. Even positive changes freak me out. Anyone remember me sobbing uncontrollable during our wedding vows??? Yeah, that's a girl who needs to get a grip.

-My sink needs to be cleaned, so this is it for now.

Labels: life, will she ever shut up?

My darling sister and I have begun "The Great 30-pounder"- a race to see who can lose thirty pounds first.

Jon is going to lose with us, but he is not allowed to compete. This is just between us girls.

Not sure what is at stake. Any prize ideas??

Labels: life

I am back in the saddle this week. Beginning with a Feast, and another few posts browning in the oven...

Appetizer
What is your favorite fruit?

I love love love fruit. I would rather have fruit that chocolate! Blueberries are a long time favorite.

Mom tells a story about going to a pick-your-own blueberry farm with me when I was around 18 months old. She parked at the end of a row and put me in the back of the car with the tailgate open, giving me some toys to pass the time. When she went back to check on me, I was out of the car, sitting beneath a bush, and shoving ripe blueberries into my mouth as fast as I could pick them.

Soup
Who is someone you consider as a great role model?

Just one? I'd have to go with my dad. He has overcome such adversity in his life, and never cried, "Poor me." Dad just takes what's handed to him and keeps plugging away.

Salad
If you were to spend one night anywhere within an hour of your home, where would you choose?

Wow, I have a lot of choices or very few. That is, there are some of the world's nicest hotels right here in Vegas, but nothing out of town within an hour's drive, per se. I think I would stay at the Ritz-Carlton out at Las Las Vegas resort.

Main Course
Name something you do too often.

Fret.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I really like ___________ because ____________.

I really like winter because we eat lots of soup.

Come dine with us here.

Labels: memes