Boyhood

Boyhood is nominated for Best Picture, Actor in a supporting role (Ethan Hawke), Actress in a supporting role (Patricia Arquette), Directing and Writing (Richard Linklater), Film Editing (Sandra Adair).

What an interesting movie.  I really enjoyed watching this young boy navigate life from the age of 6 to 18.  The story telling is really good with a few slow parts but that could be because the movie is so long that I needed a break in the middle.  At 2 hours and 45 minutes, I do advise treating yourself to an intermission otherwise you might give up on the film half way through.

I find it really interesting that this film was filmed over a 12 year period.  I loved seeing how Mason and Samantha grew with each new time period and felt so bad for the string of bad relationships that Patricia Arquette's character found herself in.

I like the ending message of the film; that moments seize us.  I like to think Mason has a great future ahead of him and will be happy someday.

Boyhood won a Golden Globe for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress.

Selma

I'm starting to notice a reoccurring theme in my life.

My education in Greeley Colorado was....lacking.  I'm sad to say I did not learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in school and I'd really like to know why since I had his birthday off starting in 1986. My Vietnam Veteran Father took great offense to this because I was required to attend school on Veteran's Day.  Granted, my Dad was nearly killed in D.C. while serving in the Army because he was assigned to the riots that erupted in the late 60's.   My knowledge of King was tainted by my Dad's experience.

I would liked to have learned in school, what I learned during the movie Selma and what my kids learned this week in 2nd grade.  

Selma was eye opening for me, as you can imagine.  I did not know Dr. King won a Nobel Peace Prize and that he wished for non-violent protests.  I did not know politicians and law enforcement in the south were not following the law and were instead taking people's rights away.  It is heartbreaking to see.

I highly recommend Selma to anyone who doesn't think they know what was happening in American in the 60's.  I'd also advise you to bring tissues and a best friend.  This film should not be viewed alone.

I'd also advise you to take some of what you see with a grain of salt because as is often the case with films made about actual events, I believe some of the facts are embellished for entertainment value.  Did LBJ really say, 'Don't shit me George Wallace?'

I'd like to know more about what happened between LBJ and MLK and if the President really did drag his feet on the Voting Rights Act. It seems like so much turmoil and deaths could have been avoided.  My husband (who received better schooling than me) tells me LBJ didn't have the authority to do anything and it was in the states hands.  In that case, all I can say is, 'Are you shitting me George Wallace?'

Selma is nominated for Best Picture and for Original Song.

The Song, Glory by John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn and sung by John Legend and Common won a Golden Globe for Best Song.

What Do You Know About THAT?

Did you listen to the Serial Podcast a few months ago?  I was late to the party. (story of my life) and started listening to it when there were only 2 weeks left.

For those of you that don't know what Serial is, click here.

I was hooked and when it was over and I realized Dateline was all repeats, I started reading Finding Chandra by Scott Higham and Sari Horwitz.  It's about the disappearance and murder of Chandra Levy back in 2001.  It's pretty good.

Anyway, I've been reading it and I started to notice the person that read the book before me hated the word THAT.  They crossed them out.

So I posted the picture on Instagram and soon learned we are all overusing the word THAT and it can be completely unnecessary.  And now I'm worried that I'm using the word too much and I now have to go through all of my old blog posts and strike out THAT.  Now I'm wondering what else I didn't learn in high school.  Damnit Greeley Colorado!

RIP Elly May

When I was a kid, I watched The Beverly Hillbillies all the time!  It was a great show and so funny!  I loved Elly May and thought she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.  She was also so oblivious to what was going on.  She also had a way with raccoons just like me!

In the mid 80's, Donna Douglas sang and spoke at my church and I was able to meet her.  She was so lovely in person and I had never met a celebrity before.  She even signed my bible.

Donna Douglas passed away yesterday at the age of 82.

Into The Woods

Keith's parents and brother left early on Christmas Day.  We had our fancy meal the night before and had lots of leftovers from the 4 days they were here so we decided to have popcorn for lunch and see Into The Woods.

I was completely unfamiliar with this movie that started as a play.  My husband had seen the play a long time ago and owned the soundtrack.   Needless to say, he was very excited to see it made into a movie.

The trailer for Into The Woods has not really let on that this is a musical.  If you aren't expecting practically every single word to be sung, then you might be in for a shock.  Do not see this film if you hate musicals or have a migraine.  All of the singing might be too much for you.

My family happens to LOVE musicals and we were thrilled that even some of the talking scenes were sung by the actors.  The set design and music is just wonderful.  You really feel like YOU are in the woods and it isn't even 3D.

I have to tell you that I was very uncomfortable with the scenes between Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf (played really well by Johnny Depp).  If you are taking small children to this film, you might find it inappropriate.  Luckily, my kids only read into it that he wanted to EAT her.  There is also lots of scary parts at the end but my kids took it in stride.

I absolutely loved Anna Kendrick in this film and Chris Pine is fun to look at.  His hair is puffy and the song he performs with is brother is funny and clever.  I cried during the scene in the tower with Rapunzel. 'Stay with Me' is one of my favorite songs from the film.

Into The Woods is nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture.  Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep are also nominated for best actress and supporting actress.  They should all win!

PTA Christmas Gifts

By now all of the Dennison PTA Chairs have received their Christmas gifts.  This is my second (and likely last) year as the PTA President so I wanted to give out something that was special.  I'm proud of the PTA logo that my husband made for me last year so I had an idea!

I made Christmas ornaments with our logo!  In my fantasy, these 27 people will put this ornament on their tree every year and have warm fuzzy feelings about how they have made a difference and done amazing things for Dennison.  Well...that's how I feel when I look at MY ornament.

I'm proud of what the parents at my school do for all of the kids.  Every single thing is done by a parent.  A parent that cares and gives their time.  The kids at Dennison are better because of our PTA. 

 Thank you to anyone and everyone that volunteers in any PTA.  Your commitment and time is appreciated.  

Peanut Butter Truffles

I have a food blog that I can't remember the log in for because I haven't posted on it in over a year.  How lame is that?  The good news is that I've decided to post a yummy Christmas treat recipe here!

You have to make these.  They are so good and super easy.  Meghan did most of it herself and she is only 7.

NOTE: My dear husband says that a truffle isn't a truffle without booze in it.  I disagree.  I think he just likes those better.

Peanut Butter Truffles

1 cup confectioners sugar
3 tbsp butter, softened
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 bag of white chocolate disks (purchase at craft store)

Mix together the sugar, butter and peanut butter.  Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls and put on baking sheet covered in wax paper.  Chill the pan in your fridge for 30 minutes.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate disks.  Microwave for 1 minutes, stir and then go for 30 seconds more until the chocolate is melted and shiny.

Roll each ball in the chocolate and put back on the baking sheet.  Chill again for 20 minutes and then enjoy!

* You can use the entire bag of chocolate disks.  It will only make them more better.  We were trying to cut back the sugar/calories just a smidge.

My Last Text to my Brother

On July 7th last year, we were winding down the holiday weekend and Keith grilled ribs.  We were sitting on the patio, enjoying the beautiful weather and a bottle of wine.  I was admiring my basil plants and swatting bugs away from my wine.

I came up with a genius solution to my bug problem without having to go into the house for a stopper.

I knew that my brother would appreciate my ingenuity so I texted him a picture.

I titled it Ghetto Wine Cork.

I didn't get a response.  

I didn't think much of it because he had recently moved to a beautiful new townhome and I was sure he was very busy setting up his place.

What I didn't know is that he was dead. 

It's been a year today and my brain still can't accept it.  I don't think I ever will.

I miss you Rob.

Booze Corner

Yesterday I was watching Channel 4 local news because Entertainment Tonight was being replaced by a special about The Broncos.  Don't get me wrong, I love football and The Broncos but I'm trying to pace myself before the big game.

This story came on about car seat safety.  They had a Mom with a little one and they told me that she has twins on the way.  They showed her buckling her kid into a car seat and then they showed her in what I'm assuming is her kitchen.  Well...here, I took a picture of my TV for you.

Photo taken with iPad from recliner

Was this the best place to interview this pregnant Mom about car seat safety?  Who the hell set this shot up?  Whoever did it....should be fired or sent to work for MSNBC.

This is why I will never let Channel 4 News in Denver interview me for a story. 

GLEEprov on Date Night

Thank you Sarah for reminding me that I never told you where I took Keith on our date!

It was so nice to get out for an evening by ourselves and Keith loved that we did it on a Friday night because it reminded him of the old days when he'd go out after work.  The old days....before we had two kids and the PTA to deal with.  We talked about all kinds of things but not about the kids.

And we held hands.

Keith was channeling his inner Don Draper.

Finally, we got to our destination!  The Bovine Metropolis Theatre to see GLEEprov!

It was so fun!  A cast of ten who take a suggestion from the audience about something that happened to them when they were in high school.  In this case, a girl that was a high school mascot.  They made up a story and songs on the fly about that topic and it was hilarious!

GLEEprov is running for four more weeks, every Friday night at 10:15pm.  

side note:  Our waitress at The Rialto told us that she knows one of the instructors at The Bovine and that we should look for him and say hi from her.  She said, you can't miss him...he's bald.  Well...there were about 15 bald men at this show!  They just kept walking in and we laughed and laughed!  

Snow Covered Patio Furniture

The only reason I got out of bed the other morning was because I couldn't find any snow covered patio furniture pictures on Instagram.

 

Day Out With Jessica

My best friend Jessica was coming to town and I needed to find some stuff for us to do.  I went to Denver.org and put in the day that we'd be spending together.  That's when I discovered that the Great American Beer Fest was going to be that weekend.

This also means that it's Denver Beer Week!  Yeah Baby!

I immediately found the perfect thing for us to do.....a Beer Paring Breakfast!

I asked Jessica if she has convictions about drinking before noon.  She didn't, in fact, she said she encourages it!  I called up Pub 17 on Welton to make a reservation and the nice man that took my information said that my name sounded familiar.  I asked him if he was a member of the PTA and he said no.  He made a big deal about telling me the menu and kept calling me Mrs. Weiss.

Jessica and I arrived a little early for our breakfast and the man I spoke with on the phone greeted us warmly.  I explained to Jess that he thinks I am somebody.  We sat at the bar and ordered Dirty Martinis and he told the bartender that they were on him.  Who does he think I am?

I suppose he could have googled me while we were on the phone.

What do you know!  Google thinks I am somebody!

Jessica and I had the best time and our Beer Pairing Breakfast with Fort Collins Brewery was so great! You can read all about it later this week on The Rookie Foodie.

The Olson Cabin

We haven't been on a trip since March.  We traveled all over the country for two years and now we're taking a break because we have a big trip coming up in July.

For the first time ever, we'll be taking the kids to my favorite place on earth!  The Olson Cabin.

It's cabin that has been in my family for a very long time and is the place I think of when someone tells me to go to my happy place.  It's in Northern Minnesota on a lake and it's the most peaceful place you could ever imagine.

My Great Grandparents bought the land when they first came to Minnesota and it started as two rooms.  Over the years, they added a bedroom and bathroom with indoor plumbing and a long screened porch.  My Dad just spent 3 weeks at the cabin having it remodeled and our old guest room furniture that belonged to my Mother in Law is now in the bedroom.

I can't wait to take my kids there!

And neither can my Dad.  He sent the kids these shirts last week!  We're so excited.

There's No Place Like The Olson Cabin

As you can see....my little photo shoot didn't go so well.  Maybe this should be my new header!

On a side note, we'll also be headed to Canada to spread Robert's ashes at his favorite fishing spot. It will be nice to finally fulfill his wishes.

Working From Home

Keith and I were joking about all of the reasons that people come up with to work from home.  Everything from being sick to their dog is sick waiting for the cable guy.  I decided to come up with a list for the over 50 crowd.  These are all acceptable reasons to work from home.

#WFH Excuses if you're over 50 years old

• I forgot to take my pills
• I have the sh*ts
• I have a hemorrhoid
• I have a doctor's appointment
• I can't remember where I work
• I've fallen and I can't get up
• I have a woody and my wife is home
• It's snowing
• It's not snowing
• I can't remember where I put my car keys
• I accidentally took viagra instead of blood pressure pills
• I'm working on a puzzle
• I have to drive my wife to her mammogram
• I think Publisher's Clearing House is going to stop by

Disclaimer: It is not my intention to enrage the elderly community. I think Obama is doing a great job of that all by himself. I'm also not poking fun at my husband, he helped me make this list.

Oktoberfest Party

I had selfish reasons for throwing my husband a 50th Birthday Party. Yes, I thought it would be fun and I wanted to honor him but I also wanted to make sure that he throws one for me in 25 7 years.

iKeith and I love going to Oktoberfest every year (when we can) and we're both German (him more than me) so it was the perfect theme!  We were also celebrating Keith's parents 50th wedding anniversary....thank goodness those too had a fling in the backseat of that car!

We had a white tent that served as the Bier Tent and it also held the food.  Brats, Sauerkraut, chips and dip and Deviled Egg Pasta Salad. We went through 13 pounds of ice.  THIRTEEN!  We offered two kinds of German beer and Coors and Bud and Sam Adams Oktoberfest which is my personal favorite.  That great sign was purchased from Party City, online....they don't carry it in the store.

Also from Party City, the cute bibs!  I had fully intended to purchase authentic lederhosen and a beer wench outfit but Keith said no.  These worked great and I was able to force convince my Mom, Sister and Mother in Law to wear them too. My friend Helle helped me make the Pretzel Necklaces for all of our guests.  It was a nice little snack while chatting with friends and drinking a cold bier.

See our friends there?  Everyone was required to take a picture with them before they could leave.  They also came from Party City.  Everyone had fun moving their arms and legs into fun positions for the pictures!

A good time was had by all and the weather was perfect for that short time. It was great to see our dearest friends and family again for a happy reason and Keith's Birthday wish is that he lives long enough to see my 50th birthday. Well! He had better because he has a party to throw!

God Bless Texas

My sister came to visit recently.  We always look forward to her coming to town because when she is here every day is a party!

We get to have donuts and ice cream and Keith doesn't mind because he can't say No to Aunt Bobbi.

My whole family and Keith's whole family came to town for Keith's 50th Birthday and Bobbi and my Mom were so very helpful and I remembered that I can double dog dare Bobbi to do just about anything.

Like this.

I texted this picture to Keith and his response was:  A little Texas in Colorado can be too much of a good thing!

We miss you Bobbi....come back soon!

If any of you are in the Plano Area....Bobbi just opened a brand new Massage Therapy Office and she'd love some new customers! Free riding lessons with every massage.

TOTES! Journal and Planner Storage

Flashback Friday!  This was published just two months ago....but I think Google would like to see it again.

A while back, my dear friend and partner in organizing all things showed me her Thirty One Tote that she uses for storing greeting cards.  Jessica is just brillant when it comes to finding clever way  keep her things tidy so I always try to steal borrow her ideas when I can.

Several months ago, I was walking around Home Depot.  I think I was looking for the bathroom because I constantly have to pee, when I found a bunch of handheld tool totes.  I looked that them for a long time and thought I should get one of these so I can copy Jessica.  I found the bathroom and forgot about the tote.

This week I was walking around WalMart.

Disclaimer: I drove 20 miles to the nice part of town so that I could have a pleasant WalMart experience.

I found myself in the tool section explaining what all the tools are for my kids and I saw it.  My Tote!!

TOTES!  It's perfect and purple and doesn't scream CRAFTSMAN on the front!  It's exactly what I was looking for and it was only $12.98. I snatched it up and took it home and hugged it for a long time before I put all of my stuff in it.

Here is what is in the my Journal Tote:

• Smash My Year Smashbook and Thirty One bag that Jessica gave me to hold all of my stickers and what not. 
• My kids journals that I write in every week
• My journals that I write in every week
• Sharpie Markers
• Papermate Markers
• Scissors
• Stuff that needs to go into journals (pictures, movie stubs, invites)
• HAPPINESS

It looks so great sitting on the corner of my desk and since I don't have a dedicated space for crafting/journaling and I ofter lug all of my stuff to the bedroom or in front of the TV, it's just perfect!

Blue Jasmine

I went to a movie by myself yesterday.

That large coke cost almost as much as my matinee ticket! 

I love movies but I hardly ever get out to see them.  I realized that this is the perfect opportunity for me to check out great movies and enrich my life!  I am a cultured chick so I picked Woody Allen's new film first.  

Blue Jasmine is about a high society gal (played by the amazing Cate Blanchett) who has to start her life over in San Francisco after her husband's ponzi scheme falls apart and she's left with nothing.  Well....if you count a beautiful wardrobe, a Hermes bag and Louis Vuitton luggage as nothing!

Jasmine moves in with her sister and tries to get her life back on track.  The poor thing has a little zanax and vodka problem and might be crazy.  We learn about her old life in a series of flashbacks.  For a little while, things are going great because Jasmine meets a substantial guy, he falls in love with her but it doesn't last.  

And that's all I'm going to say about that!

Cate Blanchett did an amazing job with this character and I wouldn't be surprised if she gets nominated for an award.  I have to say, I really enjoyed the movie even thought the old guy behind me said it was the worst movie he's ever seen.  I suspect that is the reason I liked it!  

I give Blue Jasmine 4 out of 5 Vodka Martinis with a Lemon Twist! 

The Day my Oprah Dream Died

Flashback Friday!  I originally posted this on my birthday in 2008.  I'm going to The Taste of Colorado tonight, for the first time since 2001. 

Oprah is largely responsible for my move to Denver to start my new life. I had watched her show religiously when I was in my abusive marriage and she gave me the tools I needed to get out of a bad relationship and make it on my own. My dream was to someday be in the audience for one of her shows.

yep...I used to be a blonde.

After moving, I made some wonderful friends at work. Misty ended up being one of my best friends because we had so much in common. We were young, single, beer drinking ladies! As I got to know her better, I realized that she was super high maintenance. She refused to sit in the backseat of a car...ever! She carried Kate Spade Handbags that cost more than my rent. She was addicted to buying department store make-up and had all of these storage containers on wheels to store it in. She would only drink Starbucks Coffee and she had fake nails, a fake tan and fake hair color. Then something happened that just floored me. She agreed to dog/house sit for a family but she had demands! First of all, $50...Cash. Then she had to have 3 bags of Cool Ranch Dorito's, 1 1/2 lbs of Smoked Deli Turkey and Baby Swiss (it had to be from the deli), 12 pk of Diet Coke, 12 pk of Coors Light and a loaf of Honey Wheat Bread.

The end of August 2001, the new season of Oprah was getting ready to tape and I was checking her website for the upcoming shows. They were going to do a show about High Maintenance Women and wanted viewers to write in about people they know. I told Misty that I was going to write a letter about her and she just laughed.

On Labor Day, we went to The Taste of Colorado in downtown Denver and I missed a call on my cell phone. I didn't recognize the number and there wasn't a message. A short time later....that number called again and it was a producer from The Oprah Winfrey Show! She loved my letter and they were considering us for the show. I couldn't believe it! I was beyond excited! We would both be on the show...me as the long suffering friend of a High Maintenance Woman! They asked us to send a photo and to be expecting the call about our travel arrangements. The show was scheduled to be taped on September 13th!

I thought this had to be the most amazing birthday present of my entire life. I was going to meet Oprah. I was going to be ON my favorite show. How did I ever get so lucky!

And then on my birthday, September 11th, I drove to work listening to the horrific tragedy that was taking place in New York City. All day we listened to the radio at work and the phone that I answered 500 times a day was oddly silent. And then when it did ring, it was the producer from The Oprah Show. They were canceling our show and didn't plan to tape it at all because it was no longer appropriate. Sorry.

I was crushed. The 9-11 terrorists not only killed all of these people but they prevented my dream from coming true. And then I felt terrible for being so upset about my little dream when the dreams of thousands of people where ending. Their lives cut short and the lives of their loved ones ripped apart. I guess this is why I take 9-11 so personally.

A few weeks later, we finally went out to celebrate my birthday. I got on stage at Sing Sing in Denver and sang head, shoulders, knees and toes (not knowing that someday I would sing it to my children) and I met some Colorado Avalanche players at a bar and Misty would ask them to sign her ample bosom with a sharpie marker. What kind of high maintenance woman does that?



The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. ~ Benjamin E. Mays

And so I have a new dream....of seeing the Oprah Show, from the audience, with my husband. I dream of going to Chicago and enjoying the city with him. Anyone want to babysit?

Being friends with Misty taught me many things. How to feather my nest, how to pour the perfect beer, that I deserved the best, some friends are really enemies in disguise and that sometimes...people pretty up their outsides to try to cover up an ugly inside.

Wrong Number Text

My Dad is a Pilot and Flight Instructor.  He teaches people to fly with their instruments in 10 days.  It's really quite amazing!  The other day he was in an airport in Texas when he saw this really cool LEGO airplane and he texted me and Keith a picture.

Dad has had his iPhone for almost a year now and he's getting pretty good at texting with it.  He even sent me a video once!

So I responded to the group text with a picture of a LEGO airplane kit that I had seen at Target just that morning.  Dad asked me if I bought it and I said I was waiting for Christmas.  That's when we realized that my Dad had sent the text to the wrong Keith.

Wow.  Be careful who you accidentally text from your address book in Ozark Alabama! I decided to defuse the situation with humor.  The offended party did not respond.  Turns out the guy is an old crotchety truck driver that my Dad helped get a job in Wyoming a million years ago. 

Let this be a lesson to you.  Clean out your address book!  Especially is you have random people with the same name as your loved ones.