Random Bits and Pieces

The Help was a fabulous read and I highly recommend it.

We rec'd Settlers of Catan for Christmas and finally learned to play it a few weeks ago. We are having so much fun with this interesting game that has many layers of thinking and strategy involved. I love it that even my youngest kids are learning to play. I can't help but believe that they are learning some excellent strategic thinking skills.

My husband and I watched a few movies last week. Couples Retreat was fun and had a good pro-marriage, pro-staying together message. Precious was tough to watch, certainly not a feel-good movie, but also an inspirational story of a young woman who overcomes huge obstacles to have a better life for herself and her children. If you think you can handle the subject matter and you can appreciate the combination of tragedy and redemption, you might be glad you watched it. Amazing performances by the main actors in this film. We were in awe.

My oldest son got his driver's license. Although I think I do a very good job of helping my children grow onward and upward as is normal and healthy, this is a bit intimidating. Just knowing that one inadvertent bonehead move can result in serious consequences.....oy! It makes me shiver a bit. He'll do fine, though, and so will I. This is the first driver of six for me. Just think what a cool cucumber I will be when I am done with that. :)

Our season of Upward Basketball ended, and we were very thankful that we took time to have three of our boys participate. It was a wonderful experience, I would definitely recommend the organization, and we are looking forward to next basketball season.

There are so many good things going on in my life, but alas, most feel too precious to try to explain in blog entries. I'll just say that I am happier, more content, and more peaceful in most areas of my life than I have been for awhile.

Check out this film!

If you enjoy the films from Franklin Springs Family Media, you are probably going to love this one from IVL Media. This documentary follows a pastor's family as God faithfully and miraculously provides for them through all sorts of situations. You can watch the trailer for it here.

Right now they are taking pre-orders, which includes free shipping. Looks like an uplifting night at the movies for the whole family!

Movie Review: Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind

Tonite I was able to finish watching Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind. I've never known much about Joni Mitchell, and I'm not sure what caused me to add this to my netflix queue, but I'm glad I did.

Some things I learned about Joni that were interesting:

The wide range of artistic expression she is known for (various types of music--folk, jazz, rock, world, etc., plus a painter and a poet)

The way she blazed her own unique trail with her sound and style

The thing that was most inspirational to me about this story was the way she was willing to put raw honesty out in public. I feel like that is an area I would like to grow in.

You can watch this on Instant Play on Netflix.

For your listening pleasure, here is my favorite Joni Mitchell song, Both Sides Now. It's a painfully beautiful song. (I just realized that this is the song that plays in my favorite scene in the movie Life as a House. Love it!)

**You can read the lyrics to this song here.

Movie Review: There Will Be Blood

Pros:

Unusual
Excellent as a sleep inducer

Cons:

Weird
Menacing, unpleasant music
Hard to follow and understand

This is one of those movies that drags on forever, and I keep hoping that it's going to wrap up in a way that makes it all make sense.

Two and a half hours of your life that you can't get back. Not recommended.

'Nuff said.

Swap your DVDs

If you've read here very long you know that I just looooove Paperback Swap. We've also enjoyed using SwapACD. Now they have Swap-a-DVD too! How fun!

Freedom Writers--Movie Review

Tonite I had the pleasure of watching the movie Freedom Writers, starring Hilary Swank. I always love inspirational stories about educators that inspire kids that would have otherwise gone in a bad direction. This true story is one of those, and I loved it. Highly recommended, though not for young children.

Media Roundup

I keep thinking of various books, movies, or TV shows I've wanted to comment on, so today you get the hodge-podge.

In homeschool today we finished reading The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare, which is my favorite book so far this year. It is the story of a 12-year old Matt who is left in his new cabin in the wilderness of Maine while his father goes to bring the rest of the family to their new settlement. Matt has to overcome many obstacles while surviving alone, and becomes friends with some local Indians. Much time passes, and Matt's family is long overdue to arrive. Winter is setting in, and we have no idea what has happened to Matt's family, and what his fate will be. There is a lot of neat information woven into the book about how survival can happen without guns or metal tools, and there are a lot of things to talk about with your children all along the way. The ending of this book was just what I love about so many of the books in the Sonlight curriculum. I was all choked up crying toward the end--it was really a moving, emotional end to the story. I highly recommend it.

Anybody else here been reading the Twlight series by Stephenie Meyer? I finally got ahold of Eclipse (the third book in the series, and last one available while we wait for the next two) and gobbled it up within a few days. If you haven't read it yet and don't want a spoiler, skip the rest of this paragraph. I finished the book with the opinion that I think the story is good, but I don't think Meyer is a very good writer. She fails to give the reader the visual cues that would help the story come alive in the imagination, and she fails to make her main premise of the story (that Bella and Edward can't live without each other) believable. However, the story has several interesting twists, turns, and layers that I enjoyed. (I love a book that can surprise me...usually) I finished the book in tears, bitterly disappointed that Bella would not leave Edward and go be with Jacob instead. Vampire life is boring and pointless, and I no longer believe that Edward and Bella need each other as much as we're supposed to believe. Jacob has so much more to offer Bella, and it's only because she's young and stupid that she has chosen Edward. Sucker. I'm hoping this travesty might be corrected in a future book, but I'm not counting on it.

If you've already read Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and need a little something to take that idealistic edge off of your thoughts, go read The $64 Tomato. What a funny, witty book! I'm not finished with it yet, but I'm loving it.

I missed commenting on the new season of TV shows. Although we don't have TV service here, I do manage to watch some (many) shows online thanks to ABC and the like. I need fewer Netflix, since I can watch many of my favorite shows at my whim from the computer.

Although I was thoroughly annoyed by Andy and the last shmucky season of The Bachelor, it's like a car wreck--I just can't take my eyes off of it. This season's bachelor is less annoying than Andy, but I still find myself puzzled about the mindset of these young women. I had no idea that so many beautiful, educated, employed young women were so desperate as to go on national TV with the hopes of falling in love and getting married. These girls are so into the "Pick Me!!" mentality that it seems they haven't even considered that they might not be interested in picking this guy. What. On. Earth?! Do they really think that they are going to learn anything important about this guy under the nonsense circumstances they are living in? Don't these gals know that there is more to marriage than "I just want someone to love me"? I don't understand this. Absolutely ridiculous. And, honestly, girls....WHY ON EARTH would you want to be with a guy that doesn't know for sure that he wants to be with YOU? I would NOT want to end up with a guy that had to go off and cry and get special counsel from his best friend in order to decide between me and some other girls. If you don't know you want me, you don't want me enough, bub. (Insert everything else I said about how aggravating I found The Bachelor last season) My suspicion is that Brad and Jenny have the best connection, and it would be nice to see a clear front runner emerge solidly and have him just send all the others home. Playing that show out to the end is just....gross. (but I'll be watching every week)

The new show Pushing Daisies is very interesting and worth a look-see if you like quirky and fresh shows. It's got an interesting premise, is visually fun, and I like the actors. I think it has potential.

Private Practice is the new spin-off show from Grey's Anatomy. Addison Sheppard has a new life in LA, and aren't we all so glad that she's not moaning about McDreamy anymore and getting a real life? I hadn't planned to watch this show, but gave it a shot and like it. The medical practice that she works in is very interesting, since they take a more holistic approach to the patients. The combination of high-tech medical, mind-body connection, midwifery, surgery, psychology, etc. makes for an interesting and entertaining show. It's much more interesting than the usual medical/hospital drama. And the characters are evolving in an interesting way as well. Check it out!

Brothers and Sisters is one of my favorites. The combination of a big, close-knit family, the political issues (on all sides of the spectrum), current events, and various issues is interesting. And with the exception of one actress (the one that plays Rebecca--ugh. Unless, of course, Rebecca is meant to be so annoying, in which case she's a brilliant actress!) they are excellent and convincing. Many more adult issues in this show, so some of you may not appreciate it as much as I do.

That's all I've got time for today. What have you been reading/watching?

Movie/Show Recommendations?

My Netflix queue is getting perilously small. While I usually have a list of almost 100 movies that I'm looking forward to watch, I have now gotten down to less than 50 movies in the queue, and every time I look through the list I have a hard time finding anything on it that I actually want to watch.

What's become of me?

:)

I used to watch probably 4 movies a week, turning around my Netflix within a day or two of receiving them. This week it took me two nights to manage to watch a cool movie (In America) (watched half one night, half the other night), and I've probably had it sitting here waiting to be watched for about 2 weeks. I'm too busy for movies now, it seems.

Between that and all of my favorite ABC shows that I watch online on reruns for the summer, things are getting kind of dry. Which is fine...not like I'm going to run out of things to do!

Do any of you have good TV shows, documentaries, or movies to recommend? I'm open to suggestions.

In the meantime, my To Read pile is getting bigger and bigger. Right in front of me I have a nice pile of books waiting for my attention.

I'm currently reading:

A Member of the Wedding (for book group)

Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson (started it a couple weeks ago, seems like a good book so far)

The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd (This is the "dangerous" book I mentioned awhile back. Very interesting, challenging, thought-provoking. But takes a lot of my attention to work through, and right now I have set it aside because I don't have the brain space for it.)

Waiting to be read:

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill (recommended by Big Momma at Bodie Bunch)

The Self-Hypnosis Diet (I want to read this as research for my own book project)

On Becoming Fearless by Arianna Huffington (non fiction, is supposed to inspire me as a business woman, I think)

The Mists of Avalon

Crossing to Avalon (both of these are related to my reading Dance of the Dissident Daughter. Don't know when I'll get to them)

Thirteen Steps Down (I won this during a blog carnival thing. The blog owner sent it to me all the way from England! I have no idea what it's about, but I'm planning to read it sometime.)

Healing and the Mind

The Innocent

The Little Book of Letting Go (I suspect I could really use this one soon)

Sidetracked Home Executives (hahahahahahahaha)

More Creative Dating (thought it would give me some good ideas for cheap dates)

Creative Times With Friends (God has given me some new friends!)

Healing Children Naturally (my mom sent me this and I've not gotten to read it yet)

The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump

many other business books in a stack upstairs.....

plus a couple books my mom is sending on some investment ideas that sound very cool

and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle on Hold for me at the library.....

I love paperback swap because it's almost like Netflix for books for me. When I hear about a book I'd like to read, I check to see if they have it. If so, I order it. If not, I add it to my Wish List. They automatically contact me when a book I want is available. (love that!) I just keep 'em coming and figure I'll get to 'em when I get to 'em. Much better than concerning myself with library due dates. When the book is mine I can ignore it as long as I want to. :)

Well, gotta get to school today. Happily, they didn't hate it yesterday! Hopefully it will be even better today.

Movie Review: The Road Home

We got to watch another sweet, family-friendly film tonite. The Road Home is a Chinese love story. Very simple, lovely, and innocent. It has interesting bits of Chinese culture from generations ago, too. And beautiful countrysides too! All the acting is in Chinese, so you have to read all the subtitles. My 11 year old daughter watched it with me and was able to keep up with most of the reading herself. I don't think I'd want to try to do all the reading for the younger kids, though. Worth watching!

Movie Review: The Greatest Game Ever Played

I added this movie to my Netflix queue simply because it was recommended since we had liked something else. Once it got here I found myself feeling a little bit apathetic about watching it. I mean..how good can a movie about golf be?? (can you tell I'm not a golf fan?)

Well, let me tell ya...it was a great movie! Clean, family-friendly, inspirational, and historically and geographically interesting. My little guys enjoyed watching it too. Check it out!

Movie Review: Children of Heaven

Today we watched a delightful movie about an Iranian brother and sister. The little sister's shoes are accidentally lost, and the parents are too poor to buy new ones, so the children hide the fact that the shoes are lost and figure out a way to share a single pair of shoes by relaying back and forth with a single pair of shoes.

The movie gives an interesting view of Iranian (and Islamic) culture, and the children that act as the brother and sister do an excellent job. Recommended as a great family film, both for depth of the story, and for the glimpse into another place and culture.

Born Into Brothels-movie review

I watched the documentary Born Into Brothels eariler this week. This film follows a photographer that lives in the Red Light district of Caluctta, India, and gets to know the families there--including the many children. She begins to teach the children photography, and then we get to see their lives through their own eyes.

Seeing how these children and their families live is one of those eye-opening experiences. I don't know how many times I found myself with my hand clasped over my mouth saying, "Oh. My. Goodness."

Generations of families are stuck in a life of crime, drug use, prostitution. Their children have all the charm, sweetness, intelligence, and wishes of children anywhere....except their realize what their life is going to become. I heard 10 year old girls talk about how the older women would ask her, "When are you going to join the line?" (meaning, start working prostitution for a living) The little girl's response? "I guess it won't be long now......"

It's a moving film, with some tragedy and inspiration both included. Worth watching.

Shrek 3 Review: Don't Bother

Like lots of kids around the country, ours were very excited about Shrek 3 coming out yesterday, so we decided to have a special treat and take all of 'em to the theater. Setting aside the excitement of trying to get seating together for 8 (we didn't), I'll tell you that we had a split of opinion between the kids and the parents.

The kids loved it, they said. Why? My husband and I have no idea.

The music wasn't as good as the first two movies.

The story line wasn't as good.

There was too much reliance on old jokes, that now fell flat.

The stuff that was new also fell flat.

So, save your pennies. Rent it when it comes out. Maybe next week's new Pirates movie will be better. What are the odds?

So now we know that when business gets busy, Dollymama readers get ignored. Sorry, folks! I can't do it all.

I've been meaning to put my two cents worth in on a movie our family watched. Like a lot of other families, we were looking forward to the DVD release of Happy Feet. I'm going to be a fuddy duddy and say that I do not consider Happy Feet to be good family-friendly entertainment. Waaaaaay too many references about sex. We will not watch it again.

Last night we watched Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" which explains the problem of global warming. I think that for a lot of people who may have been brought up without much consciousness about environmental issues (like me), this movie is an important one. It is interesting and explains how global warming happens and what the results are in our world today and what can happen to our world in the future if we don't make a change.

I was disappointed that there wasn't any practical information given on what we can do as individuals to make a difference. Fortunately, there is a web site that tells some very simple, basic things we can all do. The information can be found here.

The only thing I thought was kind of ridiculous about the film was it's political jabs. Yes, I'm sure that the current administration could have done more to help curb the problem, but a president doesn't have the luxury of focusing on one pet project all the time like Al Gore does. If he had left politics out of it I would have appreciated it. I think it dilutes his message.

I've been reading soem good books lately:

Unto The Least of These by Nathan Shaw is an excellent book about the need for Christians to care for widows and the fatherless. One of the things I most appreciated about this book was information about Bible times and history that confirmed my belief that divorced people qualify as widows and the fatherless as well. I borrowed this book from a gal at church whose husband abandoned her and their three children, mainly so that I could understand and empathize with them better. Now that I am reading it, though, I see that we are surrounded today by widows and orphans that desperately need healing and God's love (and God's love ministered to them by God's people!). I am also thinking this through from the perspective of someone considering adopting children that are fatherless. Really, our society is full of people who have these wounds, so I think it makes sense for as many compassionate people as possible to become more understanding of how to best help them. Read this book!

I am also enjoying a re-read of Anna Quindlen's Loud and Clear, which is a collection of her essays. I just love the way she makes me think a little (or a lot) harder about subjects I had already made up my mind about.

I have accepted a gig as columnist over at sahm.com in the Moms of Many category. You can go see my name in lights there if it gives you a thrill. :)

Today I went to work out for the first time in about a month. Between spring break, kids and me being sick, and just being too darn lazy to get over there, the weeks had flown by. BY know what? I lost 3 lbs. while I was away, so I guess my eating is helping anyhow. We're going to a family wedding in June so I'd like to drop off a some more weight between now and then. Must. Keep. Working. Out. and. Eating. Less!