It was a date in 4 Acts. Act I started out the evening right. We went to a Saturday evening worship service at Crosspoint UMC at their South Hanover location. It's in a strip mall and fronted by a coffee shop, Perking Point. Nice place, nice people and good worship. Off to the movies for Act II and then dinner for Act III. The movie, Les Miserables is nearly 3 hours long and we went for dinner afterwards. I can't remember the last time we had dinner at 10:30. Probably not since we left Kansas City 16 years ago. Looks like this part of the world is starting to grow up. Dinner in a restaurant that didn't close the kitchen before 10 p.m.! My daughter couldn't believe we were just getting to dinner that late. I told her this is what life is like before children and when children are big enough to handle Mom and Dad going out for a good time. Hey, we are still young enough-dinner at Luby's Cafeteria at 4:30 can wait!
Les Miserables is a must see. For those of you who are hibernating in a cave for the winter, it is a filmatic opera, released Christmas Day. Not a musical. Huge difference. A musical is action and dialogue interspersed by sudden bursts of song. An opera is action and sung dialogue, with very little spoken word and interspersed with arias. Opera in film is quite different from operatic theatre. For one, close-ups allow all to see the emotion in the singer, not just hear the emotion. Another is the obvious difference in scenery, just as in any play or musical turned film. This particular opera is not just a take your wife or girlfriend out kinda movie. My husband liked it so much, he is reading the unabridged novel by Victor Hugo (he also wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame).
Les Miserables is an emotionally charged story. The short version: parole breaker Jean Valjean is running from the law, in the form of policeman Javert, while raising and protecting an orphaned girl. The story begins at the end of Napoleon's reign in 1815. The story ends following the June Rebellion of 1832. The movie is well cast, with powerful performances from all. There is very little happiness (get a clue from the title!). I can only imagine how physically drained the actors must have been after a day of filming.
The film has won 3 Golden Globes and is nominated for 9 BAFTA awards and 8 Academy Awards. It's really good. I will watch it again some time. But not any time soon. I need to recover. I can't handle that much emotional intensity again so soon.
So, Act IV of date night? A lady never tells.
Happy New Year!
I can still say that. It's only the 8th of January. There must be a grace period allowing for the New Year greeting for at least a couple of weeks after January 1st. If there isn't, there should be. For people like me. You know, procrastinators.
I've only delayed writing my first post of 2013 because I haven't been sure about my subject matter. I have composed many posts as I lay in bed at night instead of sleeping. I think I should have just gotten out of bed and written them since I have now forgotten most of what I wanted to write. Does that mean I'm getting older? Nah, couldn't be.
I lie. This is the year for me to feel over 40. My oldest turns 18 in March, graduates high school in May and goes away to college in August. My husband and I celebrate 20 years of marriage in June. It seems impossible that my husband and I could possibly be married 20 years and my first born has been on this side of the womb for 18 years. It doesn't seem as if 20 years have passed. 20 years ago, 20 years was a long time away. And it was only a short time ago that we found out I was pregnant. Please don't mind my occasional outbursts of crying as those realities hit me every now and then.
The end of 2012 had us in the air traveling to St. Louis and KC to visit our families. Ahhh, the joys of air travel. I truly believe some passengers forget they are going to be in an enclosed, self-contained tube with wings, sitting practically in the laps of the other passengers. Fellow traveler, eating beans with onions and washing it down with a beer isn't always appreciated by your seat-mate. Save that for when you get to your destination. And did you know, they sell breath mints in most of the airport shops? If my eyes are closed, that doesn't mean I'm trying to better concentrate on the narrative about the ails of the five hairy cats you acquired from the pound. To the passenger sitting in front of me, did you know, suddenly reclining your seat right after the flight attendant has been around with drinks causes wet pants? And it is always amusing to see the passengers who just have to be first to get off the plane, at the baggage carousel waiting with everyone else, including those of us who got off the plane last. I witnessed on one flight a woman who practically walked over people in her hurry to get off the plane. Maybe she was claustrophobic or refuses to use the plane's restroom. Who knows? Whatever the case, if you are in the back of the plane, you won't be getting off with the passengers in first class, so just cool your jets.
Despite all that, (and the seat-kicking kids) I still like to travel by air. It beats being on the road for 10 hours one day and still having to face the same the next day. I like wandering around the airports, too, when there is time. What a great place to people watch. Maybe I'll share those observations later.
Blessings in 2013 to you and your families from me and mine.
I've only delayed writing my first post of 2013 because I haven't been sure about my subject matter. I have composed many posts as I lay in bed at night instead of sleeping. I think I should have just gotten out of bed and written them since I have now forgotten most of what I wanted to write. Does that mean I'm getting older? Nah, couldn't be.
I lie. This is the year for me to feel over 40. My oldest turns 18 in March, graduates high school in May and goes away to college in August. My husband and I celebrate 20 years of marriage in June. It seems impossible that my husband and I could possibly be married 20 years and my first born has been on this side of the womb for 18 years. It doesn't seem as if 20 years have passed. 20 years ago, 20 years was a long time away. And it was only a short time ago that we found out I was pregnant. Please don't mind my occasional outbursts of crying as those realities hit me every now and then.
The end of 2012 had us in the air traveling to St. Louis and KC to visit our families. Ahhh, the joys of air travel. I truly believe some passengers forget they are going to be in an enclosed, self-contained tube with wings, sitting practically in the laps of the other passengers. Fellow traveler, eating beans with onions and washing it down with a beer isn't always appreciated by your seat-mate. Save that for when you get to your destination. And did you know, they sell breath mints in most of the airport shops? If my eyes are closed, that doesn't mean I'm trying to better concentrate on the narrative about the ails of the five hairy cats you acquired from the pound. To the passenger sitting in front of me, did you know, suddenly reclining your seat right after the flight attendant has been around with drinks causes wet pants? And it is always amusing to see the passengers who just have to be first to get off the plane, at the baggage carousel waiting with everyone else, including those of us who got off the plane last. I witnessed on one flight a woman who practically walked over people in her hurry to get off the plane. Maybe she was claustrophobic or refuses to use the plane's restroom. Who knows? Whatever the case, if you are in the back of the plane, you won't be getting off with the passengers in first class, so just cool your jets.
Despite all that, (and the seat-kicking kids) I still like to travel by air. It beats being on the road for 10 hours one day and still having to face the same the next day. I like wandering around the airports, too, when there is time. What a great place to people watch. Maybe I'll share those observations later.
Blessings in 2013 to you and your families from me and mine.
It's That Time of Year...
When the world falls in love. Every song you hear, seems to say: Merry CHRISTmas, may your new year dreams come truuuuuuee...."
I love that song. The version of it that I have is Robert Goulet and Ann Margaret (you know her, the Mom in "Tommy"). Before we moved 1200 miles from my hometown I recorded a bunch of my favorite CHRISTmas songs from my Mom's albums. I get the tape out and listen to it over and over (in my ancient mini-van because no one manufactures tape decks anymore), reminiscing about CHRISTmas' past. I'm eventually going to wear out the tape. I don't what I will do when that happens. I did take a precautionary step and found Johnny Mathis' "Merry Christmas" album on CD. But there are some albums I may never find...
More and more, as I mature physically and especially spiritually, what CHRISTmas means to me has evolved. I am more aware of our physical separation from our families. I really don't care about the gift exchanges. I care more about spending time with our families and friends. There isn't any gift more important than that. And the time with our f's and f's is a gift. I realize that now. We take for granted that our f's and f's will always be around. As I see my nieces and nephews grow up from afar, I hate that distance keeps us apart. We keep up virtually, but it is nowhere near the same as face-to-face. Cherish the time you have with your loved ones. I do every chance I get.
John 1:1-5,14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.*
This passage from John is more revealing as to God's reason why He joined us here on Earth than any other version of the story of Jesus' birth. Jesus was sent to shed light on all the darkness in the world, revealing the evil that hides in the darkness. God knew we had to have living proof of his Glory and Majesty because we are mere humans and have to have living proof to believe. We are a stubborn, pig-headed lot, arguing with God at every turn. Kinda reminds me of my 14 year-old daughter. There is very little she won't contradict. God calls us His children for good reason! : )
Perhaps this hasn't been the most cheerful CHRISTmas message, but this is where I am this year. I wish for you to have a very Merry CHRISTmas-enjoy the time off work and school and most importantly, enjoy your families and friends. I know I will. I am excited about seeing our families very soon.
Many joys and peace to you in 2013.
*Bible Gateway.com New International Version
I love that song. The version of it that I have is Robert Goulet and Ann Margaret (you know her, the Mom in "Tommy"). Before we moved 1200 miles from my hometown I recorded a bunch of my favorite CHRISTmas songs from my Mom's albums. I get the tape out and listen to it over and over (in my ancient mini-van because no one manufactures tape decks anymore), reminiscing about CHRISTmas' past. I'm eventually going to wear out the tape. I don't what I will do when that happens. I did take a precautionary step and found Johnny Mathis' "Merry Christmas" album on CD. But there are some albums I may never find...
More and more, as I mature physically and especially spiritually, what CHRISTmas means to me has evolved. I am more aware of our physical separation from our families. I really don't care about the gift exchanges. I care more about spending time with our families and friends. There isn't any gift more important than that. And the time with our f's and f's is a gift. I realize that now. We take for granted that our f's and f's will always be around. As I see my nieces and nephews grow up from afar, I hate that distance keeps us apart. We keep up virtually, but it is nowhere near the same as face-to-face. Cherish the time you have with your loved ones. I do every chance I get.
John 1:1-5,14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.*
This passage from John is more revealing as to God's reason why He joined us here on Earth than any other version of the story of Jesus' birth. Jesus was sent to shed light on all the darkness in the world, revealing the evil that hides in the darkness. God knew we had to have living proof of his Glory and Majesty because we are mere humans and have to have living proof to believe. We are a stubborn, pig-headed lot, arguing with God at every turn. Kinda reminds me of my 14 year-old daughter. There is very little she won't contradict. God calls us His children for good reason! : )
Perhaps this hasn't been the most cheerful CHRISTmas message, but this is where I am this year. I wish for you to have a very Merry CHRISTmas-enjoy the time off work and school and most importantly, enjoy your families and friends. I know I will. I am excited about seeing our families very soon.
Many joys and peace to you in 2013.
*Bible Gateway.com New International Version
The Annual Divorce Ritual
Today was the day for our Annual Divorce Ritual. It's a very sacred ritual and has been performed every December for the last 19 years. The ritual didn't go very smoothly this year. In fact, I would say it didn't really happen at all.
What, you are wondering, is the Annual Divorce Ritual? It is the day we get the Christmas tree and attempt to get it in the stand, tall and straight. In the past, there was a lot of yelling, cursing and crying, resulting in no talking to each other for a couple of hours. It's pretty ugly.
I think ADR may be coming to a halt. Our daughters are big enough to help get the tree in the stand, so it is no longer left to just my husband and I. A tree holder, a sighter and 2 of us screwing in the bolts at the same time makes things go soooo much better. I say it may be coming to a halt. I'm fighting for an artificial tree next year...
What, you are wondering, is the Annual Divorce Ritual? It is the day we get the Christmas tree and attempt to get it in the stand, tall and straight. In the past, there was a lot of yelling, cursing and crying, resulting in no talking to each other for a couple of hours. It's pretty ugly.
I think ADR may be coming to a halt. Our daughters are big enough to help get the tree in the stand, so it is no longer left to just my husband and I. A tree holder, a sighter and 2 of us screwing in the bolts at the same time makes things go soooo much better. I say it may be coming to a halt. I'm fighting for an artificial tree next year...
 |
| Cuttin' 'er down... |
A GOOD AMERICAN by Alex George
I frequent the new book section in our local library. I like to find "new" authors this way. Most of the time, the authors have been around for years and sometimes decades, but I hadn't discovered them just yet. In this case, Alex George is a new author. A GOOD AMERICAN is his first foray into novel writing. Mr. George is a Brit and a lawyer, practicing exactly where you would expect an Oxford educated lawyer to be: Columbia, Missouri.
After reading the synopsis of the novel on the front flap and the 2 sentence author bio on the back flap, I wasn't putting this one back on the shelf. The story begins in the year 1904 all the way overseas in Hanover, Germany. A young, unwed couple flee to America when the woman's mother discovers (to her dismay and disgust) she is to be a grandparent to a bastard child. The couple's adventure begins when they find the ship they thought was sailing to New York is, instead, sailing to New Orleans. With a change in their port of entry comes a change in plans. In short, they end up in Central Missouri, just as my husband's ancestors did (some of whom also emigrated from Hanover). Ergo, I had to read this one.
The novel follows this couple as their family expands and their children and grandchildren grow up in small town America. All of the sadness and confusion as the family travails through life are portrayed in detail. But, as life really is, not all is gloomy. The family experiences moments of happiness and success to counter balance the professed bleakness of their lives.
For me, I especially enjoyed reading about small town Missouri. Although I wasn't born into small town Missouri life, my husband and his parents were. I spent a lot of time in the region where the fictional town of Beatrice, Missouri was created. Even though this personal connection to the story made me pick this book to read, sharing A GOOD AMERICAN with you is for the story itself. Following one immigrant couple and their family as life happens to them, could take place anywhere in the United States. The struggles and the triumphs are common, but Mr. George presents the story in a distinctive fashion. He has lived here in the U.S. only since 2003 and yet is still able to render a uniquely American story.
For more information on A GOOD AMERICAN and Alex George, visit Alex George.
After reading the synopsis of the novel on the front flap and the 2 sentence author bio on the back flap, I wasn't putting this one back on the shelf. The story begins in the year 1904 all the way overseas in Hanover, Germany. A young, unwed couple flee to America when the woman's mother discovers (to her dismay and disgust) she is to be a grandparent to a bastard child. The couple's adventure begins when they find the ship they thought was sailing to New York is, instead, sailing to New Orleans. With a change in their port of entry comes a change in plans. In short, they end up in Central Missouri, just as my husband's ancestors did (some of whom also emigrated from Hanover). Ergo, I had to read this one.
The novel follows this couple as their family expands and their children and grandchildren grow up in small town America. All of the sadness and confusion as the family travails through life are portrayed in detail. But, as life really is, not all is gloomy. The family experiences moments of happiness and success to counter balance the professed bleakness of their lives.
For me, I especially enjoyed reading about small town Missouri. Although I wasn't born into small town Missouri life, my husband and his parents were. I spent a lot of time in the region where the fictional town of Beatrice, Missouri was created. Even though this personal connection to the story made me pick this book to read, sharing A GOOD AMERICAN with you is for the story itself. Following one immigrant couple and their family as life happens to them, could take place anywhere in the United States. The struggles and the triumphs are common, but Mr. George presents the story in a distinctive fashion. He has lived here in the U.S. only since 2003 and yet is still able to render a uniquely American story.
For more information on A GOOD AMERICAN and Alex George, visit Alex George.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is...
...thanking God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon your life.
...spending a whole day (or extended weekend) with the people you love the most.
...stuffing your belly to near bursting.
...napping on the couch after stuffing your belly to near bursting.
...taking a walk around the neighborhood after the nap you took after stuffing your belly to near bursting.
...watching THE football game.
...leftover turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce sandwiches.
...for some, wearing out the credit cards at the Black Friday sales that more and more are starting Thanksgiving night.
My Thanksgiving this year (as most) will be spent with the three people I love the most: my husband and daughters. I am especially thankful we will have the time together. My husband has been away more often with his job this year than he has in 7 years. This time around, he has been gone for 15 days. I am thankful he is coming home to be with us for the Thanksgiving holiday.
I am thankful I trusted God enough to allow Him to do His work-I have physical healing that has led to some spiritual healing. Feeling good physically opened my eyes. I no longer dwell on the ailments that plagued me for years, allowing me to have a freer mind and soul.
I am thankful for the support I receive from family and friends as I forge on in my spiritual journey.
I am thankful for the technology that allows me to keep up with my family daily, even though we are over a thousand miles apart (and in one case, over 2,500).
Whatever Thanksgiving is to you, may it be filled with love and laughter. Thank you for reading my blog.
...thanking God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon your life.
...spending a whole day (or extended weekend) with the people you love the most.
...stuffing your belly to near bursting.
...napping on the couch after stuffing your belly to near bursting.
...taking a walk around the neighborhood after the nap you took after stuffing your belly to near bursting.
...watching THE football game.
...leftover turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce sandwiches.
...for some, wearing out the credit cards at the Black Friday sales that more and more are starting Thanksgiving night.
My Thanksgiving this year (as most) will be spent with the three people I love the most: my husband and daughters. I am especially thankful we will have the time together. My husband has been away more often with his job this year than he has in 7 years. This time around, he has been gone for 15 days. I am thankful he is coming home to be with us for the Thanksgiving holiday.
 |
I am thankful for the support I receive from family and friends as I forge on in my spiritual journey.
I am thankful for the technology that allows me to keep up with my family daily, even though we are over a thousand miles apart (and in one case, over 2,500).
Whatever Thanksgiving is to you, may it be filled with love and laughter. Thank you for reading my blog.
I Need Encouragement!!
In the last post, I revealed I had surgery over the summer. Six weeks post-op, my energy level switch must have been turned up cause I have been like a kid on a sugar high (I am now 20 weeks post-op). I go, go, go all the day long and then hit a wall at night (sometimes for real-you should see my bruises). I am a walker (aren't I punny?!). I used to be a runner but gave that up when we moved to PA. I don't really remember why, but there it is. Now, my lungs and knees protest when I make an attempt, so, I walk. 2 or 3 times a week, I walk for about 3 hours on a trail, no matter how cold it is (and thanks to the time of year, temps are dropping-boo hoo). Other days, I walk in my neighborhood with its killer hills. I'm walking 30-40 miles a week. As a result, I have lost over 30 pounds. As I sit here watching the Cooking Channel, being inundated with shows covering Thanksgiving, delectable desserts, savory sandwiches, etc., I feel my resolve slipping and imagine the pounds adding to my hips and butt. I can't not watch the cooking shows. That is pretty much all the TV I watch cause I like to cook. This is where you come in. I need your encouragement to keep up with my walking regime over the winter; to get my butt off the couch and unwrap myself from my super warm t-shirt quilt (I need to post a picture) and exercise. It took 3 years for 20 pounds to pack on (I now weigh less than I did when I was 16-that extra 10 is a bonus) and 4 months to drop 'em. I've lost the weight and I don't want it back!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)