As you read this I am frantically running around my house cleaning and getting ready to start cooking. Friends and family will arrive this evening and I guarantee that about now my kids are hating me for nearly doubling their usual chore list. At least I’m not having them clean the baseboards with Q-tips (my usual holiday chore when I was growing up).
In the meantime, while I’m writing this I’m listening to “Dazed and Confused” in the other room. OMG, I love this movie!
Alright, sorry I couldn’t do better than this for ya. But, you can bet, I’ll have pictures. Mike has shaved his head and there will be beer tonight! Let the scalp burns ensue!
Happy 4th of July, guys! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do…
Maggie is a big fan of YouTube. Yes, it is even hitting the preschool set these days. She also has more friends on MySpace than I do! However, one of her favorite songs from YouTube can also be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeK08o2qiSU
and looks a little like this:
She pointed to her own eyebrows and said, “I like his these.” Not long after I heard her running through the house singing the song and was finally lucky enough to catch it on video.
Ok, I have several videos coming down the pike here. All pretty funny stuff, but I had a busy weekend and just haven’t had the time to do all the fun, fancy stuff to them yet.
In other news, two more second-hand pets have found us. Two lovely bunnies, a black and white girl (Kate named her Oreo) and a white Cadbury-like bunny that Maggie has named Twelby. Oreo is pretty bitchy and appears to be under the impression that she can take any one of us if she really wanted to and she’s the little one!
Twelby is a doll. Super sweet and he loves to be scratched and loved on.
*sigh* I love Friday. The movie and the day… but today I am totally looking forward to NEXT Friday. The 4th of July Blitz. WOOT. Where my friend, ED (a girl, no I am not kidding) and I will probably drink too much and dance too loudly and drunkenly in my garage (wide open in front of the entire neighborhood) to 80’s music while we attempt to convince ourselves we are in junior high again.
My kid will roll their eyes, Mike will undoubtedly imbibe one too many keg beers and scorch his scalp under the firework sparks (AGAIN) and we will all eat too much, drink too much and be so damn merry that it will be the best 4th of July since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny fuckin’ Kaye.
This is the week where I become convinced that my life is in the toilet, all is hopeless, and that my husband is an even bigger asshole than I was previously convinced he was. It’s a dark, sad, angry week. It’s oh so funny to imagine a stapler poking out of my husband’s head and wishing someone would invent a contraption that would allow me to send some sort of electric volt directly into each of my children’s butt cheeks by remote control, because let’s face it, shock collars are so “1980 called and they’d like their Judas Priest get up back.”
But, the sad truth is that I will undoubtedly pour myself a glass of red wine, climb the stairs to my sanctuary (aka bedroom) flip on a lovely, unemotional documentary and then attempt to forget all about back aches, bloating, migraines, cramps, acne breakouts, telephones, business, children, messes, laundry, the husband (unless he wants to provide that long promised back rub), and the rest of life’s little stresses that are just too much, no matter how insignificant, this week.
I’ll listen to some sad songs, cry, eat too many carbs, have another glass of wine and then fall into a, hopefully, dreamless sleep.
Last year I discussed with my doctor how horrible my PMS symptoms are. She suggested doubling my anti-anxiety, anti-depression meds during this week. Until I described the symptoms I have outside of that week, then she decided to double them full-time. Strangely enough, I don’t see much, if any, difference during this week - but the rest of the time I’m pretty cool.
*sigh*
I’m convinced that no matter how sympathetic they think they are - men have NO idea what women go through just to ensure the continuance of the human race.
Fuckers and their abilities to pee standing up, inability to bear children, and complete lack of PMS/periods.
Avitable started this one and I thought it was pretty cool… so here it is.
(the above is code for - WOO HOO!! AN ORIGINAL MEME!!! YIPPEE DAMN DOODLE!!!)
Oh and before y’all get on with the meme and my movie watching (or lack thereof) I want you to get your cute tushies over to Zube’s and welcome her back to the blogging world. Once upon a time she used to rawk the blogosphere what with Brad Pitt stalking her, her husband being an assmonkey (did I mention she’s married to a MIKE? Odd, that I am collecting friends with husbands of the same name as mine) and loads of raw, emotional stuff that makes us all dream to be better bloggers. But, then she gave all that up to be a rockin’ mom to the lovely Cora Jane. She’s still a rockin’ mom, but now she’s back to blogging and the blogosphere may commence with rejoicing. Go… Go now… send her love. /hero worship.
Now on with the meme… (blessed be the Church of Holy Avitableness for this offering) I’ve bolded the movies that I’ve watched and put asterisks next to the ones that I liked. Feel free to do this yourself if you do - let me know!
1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03)**
3. Titanic (1997)
4. Blue Velvet (1986)
5. Toy Story (1995)**
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) **
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)**
9. Die Hard (1988)**
10. Moulin Rouge (2001)
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984) **
12. The Matrix (1999)**
13. GoodFellas (1990)
14. Crumb (1995)
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989)
19. Casino Royale (2006)
20. The Lion King (1994)**
21. Schindler’s List (1993)
22. Rushmore (1998)
23. Memento (2001)
24. A Room With a View (1986) **
25. Shrek (2001)**
26. Hoop Dreams (1994)
27. Aliens (1986)**
28. Wings of Desire (1988)
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
30. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)**
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
32. Fight Club (1999)
33. The Breakfast Club (1985)**
34. Fargo (1996)**
35. The Incredibles (2004) **
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
37. Pretty Woman (1990)**
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
39. The Sixth Sense (1999)**
40. Speed (1994)**
41. Dazed and Confused (1993) **
42. Clueless (1995)**
43. Gladiator (2000)
44. The Player (1992)
45. Rain Man (1988)
46. Children of Men (2006)
47. Men in Black (1997)**
48. Scarface (1983)
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
50. The Piano (1993)
51. There Will Be Blood (2007)
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)
53. The Truman Show (1998)**
54. Fatal Attraction (1987)
55. Risky Business (1983)
56. The Lives of Others (2006)
57. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
58. Ghostbusters (1984)**
59. L.A. Confidential (1997)
60. Scream (1996)**
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)**
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)
63. Big (1988)
64. No Country For Old Men (2007)
65. Dirty Dancing (1987)**
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997)
68. Witness (1985) **
69. All About My Mother (1999)
70. Broadcast News (1987) ** Remake of Cary Grant movie, His Girl Friday**
71. Unforgiven (1992)**
72. Thelma & Louise (1991)
73. Office Space (1999)
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985)
76. The Departed (2006)
77. Sid and Nancy (1986)
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)**
80. Michael Clayton (2007)
81. Moonstruck (1987)**
82. Lost in Translation (2003)**
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
84. Sideways (2004)
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)**
89. Breaking the Waves (1996)
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
91. Back to the Future (1985)**
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994)
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
95. In the Mood for Love (2001)
96. Far From Heaven (2002)
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)**
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)
Around 10pm last night I got excited, really, really excited! So I grabbed Katie’s laptop (since she’s out of town) and crawled into bed. I pulled up Pogo.com because I just KNEW that the new badges were up. That was when I realized it was still Monday. I was so sick of Monday that somehow I convinced myself it was already TUESDAY NIGHT.
I’ve had a rough week or so. Hell, I’ve had a rough couple of years. But through it all one thing has remained - my ability to take my emotions out on other people. When things get really, really bad there is only one place I turn. Right here. Oh yes, and even though you aren’t supposed to hit the cops or the little old ladies (no matter how many times Maggie begs me to) it still has a way of soothing my soul.
It’s not like I’m all bad. I make it a rule not to drop a balloon or tomato on the dog while he is relieving himself at the hydrant because the thought of splatting that dog and knocking him into his own puddle is even beyond my rage. Plus, it’s hard to aim with a 4 year old sitting next to you yelling, “ewwww GROSS! That dog had an ACCIDENT!!!!” It kind of puts the kill on the stress release.
Still, I knock some cyclist off his bike and then I hit some chick pushing a stroller and somehow… somehow… just a little bit of the rage goes away. Don’t get me wrong, I know there are better ways to soothe my soul. I meditate… I think about doing yoga, a lot. But, sometimes I just need something to take the edge off, you know, besides the tequila.
My always and forever blog hero is Zube Girl. I love this woman, she’s amazing and brilliant. But, then she went and got knocked up, had a beautiful baby and totally started being more of a mom than a blogger. Can you believe that? Pfft. (totally kidding here!) I have forgiven her because she gave birth to the most beautiful little girl on the planet. Well, aside from my girls, of course, but I’m a mom and it’s in my contract to say that. Besides I totally know Kari will agree with me on this anyway and all of her kids are totally freakin’ cute too.
Anyway, so Zube went and wrote this post about her favorite songs. Her songs are matched to very poignant and sometimes painful times in her life and she mentioned she liked to hear what music speaks to other people. As you probably know, music is one of my greatest escapes, in fact, I’m blaring Queen in my ears right now as I write this.
As part of my “100 Things” series, I decided to list my top 10 favorite songs. Although, I have a sneaking suspicion I have probably done this before… but maybe not. And, if so - pfft, whatever.
This is actually pretty tough for me because I love a lot of different types of music. My heart belongs to Old Standards and Big Band, seriously. Sinatra, Dorsey, The Andrews Sisters, Bing… I could go on and on. I love every song Harry Connick Jr. has written, performed, and recorded whether it’s instrumental or includes his absolutely magical vocals. So to narrow it down to ten songs, that’s just really tough. In fact, to actually list a song as one of my favorites it has to be a song that I can listen to over and over, tug at my heart, bring back memories, or just make me really, really FEEL and be IN the moment, know what I mean?
So in no particular order (because that would make my head explode) here are my top 10 favorite songs:
1. I Was Born To Love You - Queen, I have always loved Queen. Ethan went through a Queen phase where all he listened to was Queen and he even learned to play, Love of My Life, on the piano. I can’t hear Queen without thinking of Ethan.
2. The Way You Look Tonight - Steve Tyrell, Frank Sinatra (who could pick a version!), this is the song that Mike and I had our first dance to. The entire wedding soundtrack was mainly set to the Father of the Bride soundtrack. I can’t hear this song without getting all warm, fuzzy, and squishy inside.
3. Simple Things - Amy Grant, this song has become my personal mantra, if that makes sense. Which is why the lyrics are listed on my MySpace.
I dream of simple things
I can believe in
Like the feeling this day brings
True love and the miracle of forgiving
I believe in simple things
4. Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra, Ol’ Blue Eyes never fails to get to me.
5. My Blue Heaven - Harry Connick Jr., I love Harry, but this song, his version, is just so up and happy. I never fail to grin when he sings, “Just Jillie and me and baby makes three, we’re happy in my blue heaven.”
6. Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen, my official Friday night song. I love this song, it puts me in a good place mentally every time I hear it.
7. Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra, the most romantic invitation ever.
8. On The Street Where You Live - Harry Connick Jr., this song is really special because, while I have always loved My Fair Lady, I love Harry’s version the best so I put it on my birthing CD for when I was in labor with Maggie. Later I would sing it to her in the shower, she was so tiny curled up on my chest letting the hot water hit her back, she would always fall asleep as I sang it to her.
9. Agnus Dei - Amy Grant, this one and her version of “O Come All Ye Faithful” just make me know that there is something greater and bigger than me out there. My soul moves with this music especially, as if it is truly connected to something sacred and wonderful. I grew up listening to Amy Grant, every Sunday my mom would put on a record while we got ready for church. Amy Grant was played pretty often and her music (Angels, El Shaddai, Sing Your Praise) always takes me back to a very special time before anything bad ever really happened.
10. Love Has A Hold On Me - Amy Grant, that’s it. That’s the ultimate, no matter how bad it gets, no matter what happens, it’s all the same in the end. I can’t really do this song justice without putting Amy’s lyrics here:
I have found a perfect mystery
Love has a hold on me
Long before my life had come to be
Love had a hold on me
Love has a hold on me
Where do I come from
Where does life mean
Is it not to know the one who made me
As I’m looking down the road ahead
Love has a hold on me
Someday when I breathe my dying breath
Love has a hold on me
Love has a hold on me
Where will I go
When this life is through
Back into the light that made me and you
Love has a hold on me
Something opened up my eyes to see
Love has a hold on me
Love has a hold on me
I don’t have answers to all the questions
Running inside of my mind
But I cant help but believe that
Understanding comes in time
Love has a hold on me
Something opened up my eyes to see
Love has a hold on me
Love has a hold on me
If I run, if I hide, I know inside
Your love has a hold on me
Tell me yes, tell me no, my heart will follow
Your love has a hold on me
If I run, if I hide
Your love has a hold on me
Your love has a hold on me
Your love has a hold on me
Hold on me
