Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
Sunday Ramblings
Good Morning! I woke up singing to the girls this morning – the song was “Good Morning” – that great show tune performed by Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly, and Donald O’Connor in Singing In The Rain! I often sing show tunes to the girls to set the mood for the day! They LOVE it when I sing to them – they dance around, whine and bark, and excitedly egg me on (or maybe they are trying their darnedest to get me to stop – not sure, but either way, it is fun!)
So – today promises to be a great day!!! Not weather-wise, unfortunately, though — it appears that my choice of using a song from Singing In The Rain might have been one of my more appropriate choices of the day! It is supposed to get up to around 50-ish, but rain this afternoon sometime. Oh well – that’s OK – it won’t spoil my mood or my day — in fact, maybe it will prompt a full blown rendition of the title song from that movie later on – me singing lead and the girls singing back up! You can get your tickets here – it is sure to be a Grammy winner for “Best Living Room Performance by a Whacko and her Dogs”!!! ha-ha
Yesterday was really nice, too — I saw the movie that I reviewed in the previous post — again, what a treat that was! Then, I had lunch with some friends at the Brathaus (the authentic German restaurant here in town) — wow — what a good lunch! I had the Goulash – I haven’t tried it yet and it was a good time to do it! Like a lot of truly authentic food, it wasn’t what I am used to for Goulash – to me, Goulash is macaroni, tomato sauce, hamburger, onions, peppers, etc….. this was big chunks of tender, delicious roast beef in a thick, rich gravy that tasted like heaven!!! For $4.99, I got a nice size bowl of Goulash and two slices of garlic bread – it was good, filling, and really hit the spot – can’t beat that with a stick!!! I then did some shopping and went home.
The only problem with yesterday was the issues with the internet!!! I’m not sure what was going on, but I think it was all over the place — my Mom in Western NY was having some of the same problems I was having and another friend in another state wrote me an email late last night saying they started to send me something earlier, but kept getting kicked off!!! I got on line, checked some emails, wrote one to my Mom telling her all about the movie and my day, and started to write my movie review post and I lost my internet connection and the cable modem didn’t have the right lights flashing to show that I would be able to get back on!!! I was about 1/2 way through my brilliant description the movie and I was at risk of losing all that I had written!!! uugghh!!! If I tried the usual shutting down and resetting the modems and starting back up, it would be all gone and I would have to start all over again!!! So, I kept the frozen IE window open with my half written post still showing and I quickly opened up AOL to sign on using DIAL UP, which gave me back my connection to IE and I was able to finish my post! WHEW!!! But – I wanted to include a pic of the movie poster and since I was signed on using DIAL UP, it was taking an eternity – so I just posted it without the pic and went back later and added it (nice touch to the post, huh?)! In the mean time, I could hear my AOL account in a minimized window repeatedly saying “Hello, Gorgeous” and “See You Later, Babe” (the sounds I have set up as the greeting to me when a buddy comes on or leaves. What? You mean to tell me you don’t take advantage of shameless ego boosts whenever possible?). It was going on constantly, one after the other, taking turns as someone was coming and going over and over and over……………..I toggled over to AOL to see what was going on and found it was Mom — she was on and off and on and off — she was getting kicked off and going through the auto reconnect and instantly getting kicked off in a vicious cycle – she finally gave up!!! I was OK with DIAL UP (well, by OK I mean I was connected – not that I was being particularly productive or speedy) for a while – then, I started going through the getting kicked off cycle and finally got to where I couldn’t connect or stay connected with DIAL UP OR CABLE!!!! I guess it wasn’t necessarily AOL, Charter, the phone lines, the cable lines, or anything specific to the area — it must have been something out of whack with the universe or a major pile up on the information super highway (hope there were no casualties) — at any rate, I was a couple hours where I was not able to be connected!!! Luckily, the phone and cable TV was unaffected!!! ha-ha
Anyway — as for today: I have to go in to the office for a little while to finish up my monthly reports, but that won’t take me long – I may even just pop in long enough to grab my laptop and bring it home to do that later tonight instead of doing it in the office – not sure, yet! I’d like to see the movie 27 Dresses, but it’s only playing at the Crossroads 20 in Cary and I hate to drive in there, if I can avoid it (traffic is horrid and I find it hard to get in and out and around in that area) – I wish I knew if Sanford was going to get that movie soon or not — might help me make that decision! We’ll see – you might see another movie review later or maybe not! If I do go in to Cary for the movie, I might take the opportunity to run into Cary Towne Center and PetSmart while I’m there and get some things that I’ve been meaning to get and haven’t wanted to go up there for……hhhmmm, a trip up there is sounding better and better! Or, maybe I’ll just stay home and veg out watching LifeTime movies all day…….afterall, it is Sunday – the day of rest!
So — here’s to the day being as lovely as I think it will be………the girls are enjoying it, so far – they are outside running like the wind and playing and rough housing and burning off a ton of energy – hopefully, that means they will be good and tired when they have to be inside when it rains later!
Happy Sunday!
Movie Review – "The Bucket List"
I got so wrapped up in the lives of the characters – they became real and I felt every emotion they were going through. I laughed and I cried and I cared about every aspect of them both! Of course, there was no doubt about how wonderful Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman would be in their roles and there was no disappointment there! They both bring so much to any character they portray – no exception with these characters. Sean Hayes was very good in his role as the assistant to Jack Nicholson’s character. I liked him in Will & Grace, but this brought out a very different side to him and he was perfect for the role. The incredible Rob Reiner was the Director – enough said there!
The characters – Edward Cole (Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Freeman) – discover fairly early in the movie that they have 6 months to a year to live due to cancer. They were total strangers and from very different lifestyles before they were thrown together in this situation. They decide to do what is necessary to give their life meaning and find joy in the things that they want to accomplish before they die. They travel the world together and do a lot of exciting things – but that is really just the back drop! The meat of the story is in what they discover about each other and about themselves and what they do once they return to their lives. They find the true joy in their lives – how wonderful it must be to leave this world content and knowing you left something behind that you can be truly proud of!
The ending (no worries, there won’t be any spoilers here) is absolutely PERFECT!!!! I sobbed, composed myself, and went to the car and sobbed some more!
To summarize – I loved this movie! I went through the whole gambit of emotions – laughed, cried, and found myself in love with the characters. Go see this movie – get involved in the lives of the characters – discover how they find themselves – you won’t be sorry!
Now – with that said, here is my favorite quote from the movie! When the quote was spoken, I gasped out loud and ROARED!!!! Jack Nicholson’s character is speaking to Sean Hayes’ character – imagine Jack Nicholson saying this in true Jack Nicholson form and voice:
Happy Birthday, Elvis…..
I think he would be surprised to know that he is still as alive in our hearts as he ever was! I prefer to celebrate his birth and life by recognizing his birthday – rather than his death (although I’m not one of those fans who think he’s still alive out there somewhere and I do give pause and acknowledge the anniversary of his death – August 16th, as well). I will, someday, make the pilgrimage to the ultimate Elvis fan mecca – Graceland – to be where he lived, walk where he walked, feel his presence, and cry on his grave! Until then: Elvis, if you are reading this from wherever you are in this universe and have the time, I’ll meet you at the 7/11 for a donut and slushy – I’ll buy!
Happy Birthday, my dear Elvis!
Dancing With The Stars…..
Woo Hoo — Dancing With The Stars just won the People’s Choice Award for best Competition Reality Show!!!!!
Back to the old grind….
Well, Mom’s visit is over!! I just got back from taking her to the airport and seeing her off – she’s on her way back to upstate NY after a 2 week visit! It was great – we did several things and spent most of our time just lounging around talking and enjoying each other’s company! But now it’s over and I have to go back to work tomorrow — life is back to normal…… ;-(
I wish she would just move down here or come stay for the winters or something!!! But, it’s not as easy as it sounds……..I’m always sad for a few days after she leaves!!! It’s just me and the girls, again, and the house sounds so quiet and feels so empty!!!! I’ll get over it, though — I have a ton of things scheduled over the next couple of weeks!
100th Post
WOW – when I posted my very first entry on this blog on August 12th, I didn’t think I would have a lot to say or anything that would be of any interest to anyone other than me and maybe a few family members or close friends ——— but look at this – as of today (Jan 2nd), I have posted 100 entries! And I have several regular readers and get new visitors from time to time! I even added a counter a couple weeks ago and have already logged in 33 visits (new and returning) – so someone is finding my thoughts interesting! 😉 This has turned into something I really enjoy and I’m happy to mark the milestone of 100 posts!!!! YAY……
So – now for the thoughts I planned to post before I logged on and noticed that this was my 100th post:
Something occurred to me last night – you know how some people have some highly overused words or phrases – you know, something they tend to say over and over, like a broken record? Well, I have a handful of phrases that I found my self saying and repeating – almost without even a conscious thought made to generate them………like I’m on autopilot and they just come out!!! Here they are:
- Megan, no
- Megan, stop
- Megan, down
- Megan, get out of there
- Megan, leave that alone
- Megan, what are you into
LOL – you gotta love my Megan-stein!!!!
Happy New Year
Aahh – another year gone and a new one is born! The years fly by so quickly – it barely seems like we have time to enjoy them and they are gone! Here are some thoughts I have about 2007 and my hopes for 2008…..
MY RESOLUTION:
I’ll start with my New Year’s Resolution — since I was fairly successful in keeping the one I made last year, I thought I would make the same one again. I resolve to pay more attention to my health. I made this resolution last year because I had been neglecting and postponing my routine health care for some time and was beginning to feel the consequences. So, I took it more seriously in 2007 — but, still not seriously enough! I need to do even better – and will in 2008! I promise!
NEW YEAR’S EVE:
Mom is still here for her visit, so that was special enough! I just enjoyed being able to sit and visit with her! We stayed in and made a delicious Calypso Shrimp dinner and watched movies on TV. We went to bed about 11:00 cause we couldn’t keep our eyes open another minute!!! Then, right at midnight, the neighbors were out with their firecrackers and joyful celebrations! The girls went nuts barking at the noises and joining in with the other neighborhood dogs in celebration of the new year…….it was about 1:00 am before I fully got them settled back down so I could fall back to sleep. It was a nice New Year’s Eve — I’m glad I didn’t sleep through the midnight thing, but the real joy of the evening was earlier and the chance to spend it with my Mom!!!
2007 IN REVIEW:
2007 was a year of highs and lows — I’m not sure it was all that “special” when compared to other years, but it was basically a good year….. The lowest was in April, I had to put my precious Puddles to rest – she was a wonderful companion and friend for over 16 years, but she was old, getting confused, losing her sight and hearing, and it was the right thing to do and the right time to do it — but that didn’t make it any easier — I still miss her terribly!!!! Among the highs was the accomplishment of some home renovation goals – I replaced the carpet in the living room and down the hallway with beautiful wood flooring, I replaced all my living room furniture, and I upgraded all my kitchen appliances with stainless steel refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. My work with Communities In Schools of Lee County has been extremely rewarding – I began a term as Board Chair in June and our annual fundraising Gala was a huge success, far surpassing the successful 2006 Gala. There were lots of busy, exciting things going on in my job, too — a wild year at work, to say the least!
So, without going into a lot of detail, that was 2007 in a nutshell….
HOPES FOR 2008:
In 2008, I am looking forward to exciting things in my career and want to continue my community involvement – without biting off more than I can chew! I’d like to accomplish a couple more home renovation goals – at least one major and one minor job from the list of things I’d like to get done over the next 2-3 years — I think that is enough………..for now!
So — to anyone reading this: I wish you a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!!!!
Movie Review – "P.S. I Love You"
Mom and I went to see “P.S. I Love You” today — WOW — what a movie!!!! I laughed, I cried, and I left the theater smiling!!!! The acting was good, the characters were wonderful, and the story was beautiful…….It was an amazing story that we both enjoyed very much! I highly recommend it —— A+++++ —— we give this one all FOUR THUMBS UP!!!!
Cool Video
I think this is so cool……..
Scratch Offs and Pull Cards
Herald Reporter, Jonathan Owens, has started a series of posts on his blog (http://jonbowens.wordpress.com/) to track his luck (or lack there of, whatever the case may be) at the NC Lottery scratch off games. I got all excited when I saw his first post announcing his intentions! It will be fun to watch his progress and see how it all turns out after he has spent $100 over a 10 day stretch! Will he hit it big or lose it all?
Reading his blog has renewed my interest in the scratch offs — I really enjoy them — you know instantly if you won anything – even if it is just the price of the card back so you can buy another one!!! I never really got into buying the Lottery tickets – I don’t like having to wait to watch the news to find out if I won and the odds are way out there! But, I have bought a couple on occasion.
I like the $1 cards – I get more for my money, but I know they don’t bring the chance for the big winnings. But, it’s not the big winning potential that drives me. Not that I wouldn’t LOVE to find one that makes me rich, don’t get me wrong – I buy to win!!! But, knowing the chance of getting rich off them is about as remote as me becoming Miss America, my driver for these types of things is more the fun of scratching each section off to see if there is a match! I like to get several at a time, take them home, sit at the table with a penny and my stack, and slowly scratch off each one. I place the losers in the “trash” pile and any winners are celebrated with a little “woo hoo” and placed in the “take them back to get more” pile. I take back the winners to buy more and keep the “streak” going until I get down to the last losing card and don’t have any more to get new ones without adding money – I play with my winnings as long as the cards will let me! ha-ha It has been a long time since I’ve done that, but Jonathan’s blog has got me wanting to test my luck again……….maybe I’ll be a big winner in 2008!!!! If I do, I guess I’ll owe Jonathan a lunch for prompting my return to gambling!
When they first came out and I started to get them now and then, I tried to keep a log of my spending to keep myself in check. It is hard when you win now and then to see what your real loss rate is. So, I kept track of it for a while – at the end of a couple of months of buying them 2-3 times a month, I was ahead by $2.00!!!! Obviously not something that was going to fund my retirement, but it was fun and it wasn’t costing me a fortune! Soon, though, I got out of the habit of tracking it and then got out of the habit of buying them! I still do, occasionally, though.
Scratch offs aren’t the only instant gratification gambling that I have had fun with – although, I believe they are the only ones available here in NC! When I lived in Western NY, I used to enjoy going to the Indian Reservation near my home and play the pull cards — they were much like the scratch offs – inexpensive, quick, easy – you pull strips off the cards to reveal the results. They were fun, too!
Well – think I just might pop into a convenience store next time I’m out tooling around and see if I can’t scratch off enough cards to build a nice little nest egg for myself………………….or not!
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