Secondhand Lions and Sense of Place

I admit to being a couch potato tonight - and also a sap. First on the tube was American Idol (go Jason Castro and David Archuleta!) and then one of my favorite movies - quite possibly my very favorite movie, actually - Secondhand Lions.

If you have not seen Secondhand Lions - go get the DVD - you will love it or I'll eat Connor's gym sock! I'm a fan of Robert Duvall in any movie - but he played an especially terrific role in this one, as did Michael Caine.

A young boy, Walter (Haley Joel Osment), is dumped off at his rich uncles' house by his mom so she can wander off and live her life without ties. He feels unwanted (obviously) and awkward/shy (obviously) because he has never met these uncles before. They live in an old farmhouse in rural Texas. The uncles are eccentric and set in their ways and don't like having him around at first. The movie evolves as the old men become attached to their new house guest and he to them. Walter learns that his uncles have led very adventurous and interesting lives and he finds himself drawn to their history. Eventually, they are not just weird old men living in a farmhouse - but interesting, noble men who have lived and learned from life. I won't divulge any more of the plot so I don't ruin it for you when you watch it. Have I mentioned that you need to go rent the DVD?

I love this movie's portrayal of life's phases and stages. Walter has his whole life before him. He is learning and growing and finding his place in the world. Conversely, the uncles have lived life and have wonderful memories to which they firmly grasp while knocking on the door of their final years. They don't want to let the memories go and they don't want their senior years to rob them of their dignity.

As time passes on ever so rapidly for me, I am reminded of my once-small children who are no longer as needy of me and my wisdom motherly advice. Wasn't it just yesterday that they rushed to me in the middle of the night - scared because of a nightmare? My children are finding their places in the world. Have I taught them well? Do they know of my indescribable love and concern for them? Have they learned from my mistakes? Do they understand the importance of good decisions?

I am keenly aware that in a few short years my children will be living on their own, possibly raising their own families. Will I be ready for that next phase of my life?

Dogs!

I've been harboring thoughts of getting a dog this Summer and I need your help in deciding the best breed for our family. But first let me give you some history.

Until we gained custody of Todd's kids (as a side note - Darren, Elora, and Larissa are not my Biological kids - but my kids, nonetheless), I had never really had a pet. My brother Brian had a crazy cat named Tard that I lived with for about 3 years - but she was downright mean. (Sorry Brian, I know that hurts to hear...be strong). I didn't grow up with pets and was, to be honest, scared of them. When it was determined that Larissa, who is a huge cat lover (not to say that Larissa is huge, because clearly she is not - but to say that she has a very large affection for cats), would be coming to our home - Todd and I realized that we would need a cat or two. Enter Stitch, aka Creature, and Baby Bear. In case you haven't noticed - I ADORE these cats. Who knew that animals could be so much fun to have around? Since then I have gained a huge love for all animals - not just my cats. They make me giggle and I think they're just funny little critters. Llamas and emus particularly tickle my funny bone.

So, I'm branching out and thinking I might like a dog. I realize they're a huge committment and want to make sure I know what I'm getting myself into. I would like a dog that I can take on walks and jogs - medium to large-sized. Preferably a dog that doesn't bark too much. Needs to be good with my cats. Would like a gentle, cuddly dog - not mean - but one that also likes to play and have fun. Here are my thoughts so far....



Old English Sheepdog - How cute is he??!!
I love his fuzziness.

Newfoundland - I hear they are great dogs. But huge! Would a Newfie be too much dog for a beginner like me?

Lab - Just an all-around good dog, I hear.















Collie - For cute!













So, what are your thoughts? Advice, hints, tips, other dog breeds worth considering? Do you have an awesome dog?

Some people tell me they haven't been able to leave a comment. Choose "Anonymous" if you don't have a google id.

Thanks much!

Bitter

Connor and Larissa are headed to sunny Florida

for 10 days without me!

Family Fotos

Pix taken before Darren left. Sniff.

I'll Huff and I'll Puff..

Why do I make lofty goals and then tell family and friends about the goal and then blog about the goal and then pay money to achieve the goal and then realize I'll look stupid if I quit the goal? I will have to learn one of these days to just keep my mouth closed!

Goal: Bryce Canyon Half Marathon on July 19th

I realize I probably won't be able to run the entire race. It's hard to go from sedentery sloth to road runner in the short amount of time I have left. I'm secretly hoping to contract a case of malaria or some other insidious ailment on July 18th so that I won't have to royally embarrass myself in front of the hundreds of fit n' fabulous runners.

What if I can't finish the race due to the wheezing and snorting that I experienced today while running? Well, it was actually more like walking. Okay, I slogged! If you don't know what slogging looks like - come with me tomorrow and I'll give you a show. Prepare to see me wearing my signature black, breathing like I haven't inhaled oxygen for at least 10 years, and hobbling like a crippled water buffalo. It's not pretty. And who knew that my face could turn 12 different shades of red in the course of 45 minutes?

Getting out of my comfort zone is proving difficult. I will not give up!! No sir-eee! I might complain, gripe, whine, and spit...but I suppose I'll keep slogging along.

Spring Groove

I'm liking this weather we've been having! It makes me want to do crazy things like exercise, clean, cook - things I avoid during the other 3 seasons. I have wild, fantastical ideas about getting so organized that my house functions efficiently and on a schedule.

My first plan is to cook once a month and freeze all of my dinners for the coming weeks. How convenient and efficient is that?! Organized people do this all the time. Maybe I should give it a whirl. I found really awesome websites to inspire me:

http://www.once-a-month-cookingworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3

Also..
http://www.frugalmom.net/once_a_month_cooking.htm

And then there's..
http://organizedhome.com/freezer-cookbook-recipes-freezer-cooking

I also have another secret thought. What if I cleaned out my garage (WOW) and moved the filing cabinet to an accessible spot (WOW WOW) (and yes, my filing cabinet is in my garage) and filed all of my papers that have been storing up (Triple WOW)?! Further, I could clean out my 2007 files and store them in a banker's box.

Also - I am going to finish the real estate school that I signed up for 9 months ago and then became sidetracked from 4 months ago. By my plan - I should have it done by the end of April.

Finally - and my kids will hate me but it makes me chuckle with glee - I'm creating a list of spring cleaning 'to do's' that we will all finish on a Saturday when we are actually all home together. On the list are windows, railings and doorknobs, under and on top of the fridge etc etc. It makes me dizzy with joy just thinking about it. I can't wait to see the look on Connor's face when I inform him he has baseboard duty. Child labor in it's legal and fun form!

Poor Darren is missing out!

Spring - I love all of it. Fresh air. Sprinklers. Pine Sol. Grass. Clear skies. Crickets.

Bring it on!

Wheeler Farm

Todd and I went to the farm for a walk today and were distracted by a few of the residents. I thought I'd share our incidents. Beware of cute animals at Wheeler Farm. They can be deceiving.

We arrived at the trailhead stretched and ready for our merry jaunt and were accosted by this Trail Troll.

He wouldn't let us pass until we said the magic password. Clearly you can tell that he delighted in our discomfort.

We weren't impressed with his preening and sensed that he was mocking us.

Todd finally lost control and launched into a malicious tyrade - using words I've never heard before. Wow.

The feathered troll, apparently fed up with Todd's name-calling, finally called his supervisor Larry for back-up.

Look at Larry's cocky attitude as he struts his stuff.

They even had the nerve to sit while mocking us which we used to our advantage.

We ran past these no good *&^%@$ lilly livered ^%#*@ trolls and left nothing but dust in our wake. HA!

We then happened upon a cage of hecklers clearly up to no good.

We aren't sure but we think there might be gangs in this cage.

Todd made a quick stop.

After leaving the slums, we came across this little shanty.

We were so excited for a party - anything to get out of exercising, but alas, it was all locked up. We suspect the trolls had something to do with it.

Thankfully, we then walked through the better part of the farm and saw love and adorable-ness.

Our faith in God's creatures restored, we were able to enjoy a nice stroll through the woods.