Category: me

  • drive: not really a movie review

    This past weekend my husband and I went on an Actual Date to the movies, just the two of us. When deciding what to see, we went strictly by the description on my Flixster app, since neither of us get out enough to have heard anything about the current movies out. We chose to see Drive, with Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan. It seemed like it’d be a fun action flick, had an 8.4 rating on imdb.com, and over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Sounds promising, right?

    The reason this isn’t really a movie review is because I don’t deny that it was very well made, and I’m sure many people will love it and even rave about it. (My brother, for instance, told me that he quite enjoyed it.) But it was NOT what we were expecting, and not something I’d ever like to see again. In fact, I wish I could un-see it. It was dark, depressing, eerie, and violent; the kind of violence that is personal and disturbing. There is a scene where one man shakes the hand of another man who had been his friend, and as he does so he slits his arm with a knife severing the artery. “That’s it, it’s over. There’s no pain,” he says to the dying man, as if it’s some kind of consolation. This murder was committed just because the man knew something incriminating.

    At this scene my stomach turned and I actually began to cry. There were several other similar scenes and it really got to me. My husband told me we could leave, but it was almost over so we stuck it out. It’s not that I can’t handle blood – I’m a nurse. And it’s not that I dislike dark or emotional movies. But I’ve always hated gratuitous violence, and now that I’m a mom it almost makes me sick. This movie did not leave us with any positive feelings or hope.

    Last week David and I attended the viewing of an 18-year-old girl, his boss’s granddaughter, who recently passed away from a brain tumor. That’s my baby, her father said to us. That night I dreamed that Meredith died, and I woke up sobbing uncontrollably. Even when I realized it was a dream, I couldn’t stop because I felt so much fear that something bad will happen to her and I don’t feel like I could survive that. I know it’s not possible or even ultimately best for her, but I want her life to be perfect. I’m hypersensitive to anything evil or bad in the world now, and I don’t need a movie to remind me of it.

    We should have just seen Dolphin Tale.

  • Seven Things

    I thought it was about time for a non-baby post, and in an effort to distract myself from the fact that my maternity leave is rapidly coming to a close, here are some Things.

    7 people I’d like to meet:


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    >Emily Henderson – the HGTV host, whose style I love and who seems totally cool.

    >Christy Nockels – an amazing singer and worship leader, and someone I’ve always admired.

    >Kristin Chenoweth – the singer and actress who I’ve had a girl-crush on ever since I saw her on Broadway.

    >Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken – a husband and wife, both musicians I love, and even though I’ve technically met Derek I’m convinced that my husband and I could be friends with the two of them if we were able to hang out.

    >Beth Moore – I’ve been to so many of her Bible studies in person, she’s had a tremendous effect on my faith, but I’ve never met her in person.

    >Robert Downey, Jr. – just have to put one of my celebrity crushes here on principle, even though I probably don’t really want to meet him to ruin the image I have of him.

    >Too many bloggers to count – you are all lovely and I wish you’d all move to Texas!

    7 places I’d like to visit:


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    >Italy – number one on my list for the history, scenery, and FOOD.

    >California coast – we’d love to drive the entire west coast, and were actually planning a trip before I got pregnant.

    >Appalachian Trail – I’ve wanted to hike parts of this after reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.

    >Chicago I’m a fan of big cities and this is one I haven’t made it to yet.

    >Australia – my third-grade pen pal is from here, so I’ve always wanted to visit.

    >Greece, again – I went with a friend in 2003 and it was the best vacation ever.

    >Yellowstone National Park – my husband’s family has been on trips here and they all rave about it. Plus I’m a nature-lovin’ gal!

    7 things I’d like to make:


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    >An advent calendar – I own the fabric to the one pictured, but I have no sewing machine to put it together.

    >Thanksgiving dinner – although cooking an entire turkey terrifies me.

    >A whole bunch of cards for every occasion, especially birthdays.

    >An encouragement box for my husband.

    >A map to hang and pin the places we’ve visited.

    >A square foot garden.

    >Lots more babies!

    7 things I’d like to own:


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    >A bigger cloth diaper stash (how sad that this is the first thing I thought of).

    >Boots: UGG classic talls & riding boots. Fall approaches.

    >Cooking supplies: griddle, glass food storage, hand blender, jelly roll pans, pizza stone, dutch oven, & plenty more since I’m just getting into cooking.

    >New carpet – this really should be at the top of the list.

    >Pretty bedroom furniture, instead of the TV-trays-as-nightstands and heavy bachelor dresser.

    >Dining room table & chairs, since it would be nice to host more than two people and have them be able to sit down to eat.

    >A cardigan in every color – the Jackie sweater by J. Crew is perfect.

    7 things that annoy me:


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    >Beeping sounds – I swear I hear IV pumps in my dreams.

    >Smoking – just, ugh.

    >Clutter – I start to feel claustrophobic when there’s too much of it.

    >Asymmetry – one of my OCD tendencies.

    >When the dogs bark for no reason, especially when it’s quiet and MOST especially when the baby is sleeping.

    >Door-to-door solicitors, which is against our neighborhood’s policy. I hardly ever actually answer the door.

    >Unnecessary cursing. I understand if you are using it to express a point that cannot be said any other way, but it should be reserved for those situations that need emphasis.

    7 films I love:


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    >Tombstone – a classic Western, and every time I watch it I lament the fact that Val Kilmer got fat.

    >Braveheart – I don’t know if I can think of a better story.

    >Best In Show – hilarious, especially for dog lovers.

    >Spaceballs – a childhood favorite.

    >Moulin Rouge – love the visuals and the music.

    >Pirates of the Caribbean – a comfort movie.

    >Secretariat – my newest favorite, and an utter feel-good film.

    7 things that delight me:


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    >Fat, furry animals always cheer me up.

    >A magazine coming in the mail.

    >When my husband brings home a treat for me (I love that he loves to spoil me).

    >Baby smiles – really the best thing ever.

    >Taking a walk on a pretty day – this hasn’t happened in a LONG time and I miss it.

    >Cracking open a new book – such anticipation.

    >My morning oatmeal and coffee – looking forward to this every morning makes it much easier to get out of bed.

    7 favorite songs:

    >”Shameless” by Garth Brooks

    >”Stay” by Lisa Loeb

    >”Suitcase” by Over the Rhine

    >”Jealous of the Moon” by Nickel Creek

    >”Sunday Morning” by Sandra McCracken

    >”Candle in the Wind” by Elton John

    >”For the Longest Time” by Billy Joel

    7 funny words:

    >nibble

    >bumfuzzle

    >rumpus

    >pickle

    >cahoots

    >poodle

    >blubber

  • Ten On Tuesday: Randomness

    As usual, thanks to Chelsea for hosting! Is it just me, or are the weeks getting longer and longer? I can’t believe it’s only Tuesday.

    1. How do you pronounce the word aunt? Does your pronunciation rhyme with ‘haunt’ or ‘can’t’?
    Rhymes with ‘can’t,’ because I’m from Texas.

    2. Do most of the people in your life know you blog? Or are you partially or totally anonymous?
    Yes, mostly. I don’t hide my blog from anyone but I don’t announce it either, so the people I work with probably don’t know about it. I’m completely unanonymous, and just try to use discretion regarding what I post.

    3. When you grocery shop, do you prefer to bag your own groceries or do you like it when the store bags them for you? Paper, plastic, or reusable bags?
    I let them do it because I’m lazy. Thankfully  my husband does most of the grocery shopping because I hate that chore. We used reusable bags for a long time until recently when we left them at the used bookstore on accident. So I need to get some more of those.

    4. Do you have a green thumb?
    I doubt it. I’ve never really tried to garden or grow anything. It’s something I’d love to learn more about when I have the time.

    5. If you watch the Food Network, which chef/show host is your favorite?
    I don’t watch it. I’m not a foodie and I don’t really enjoy cooking, although maybe if I watched the Food Network it would inspire me.

    6. Do you like to take baths? Do you take them very often?
    I am not a bath person at all. Especially not for cleansing. I just don’t see how a person can get truly clean from a bath. Since becoming pregnant, however, I have come to see the benefits of baths for relaxation purposes. Nowadays I will take a 10-15 minute Epsom salt soak at night every once in awhile, and it’s nice. I can’t handle much longer than that though.

    7. What color are the walls in your kitchen?
    What little walls there are (the kitchen is mostly dominated by white cabinets and a pink/tan backsplash) are a light green color.

    8. Do you prefer to dine outdoors or indoors?
    In good weather I enjoy dining outdoors, but that kind of weather doesn’t happen too often around here.

    9. Describe your ideal weather.
    It would be sunny but not too hot, maybe in the 70’s, with a slight breeze.

    10. If you could learn any foreign language, which would you choose to learn?
    I know a little bit of Spanish and I wish I was fluent in it. I could get so much use out of that, especially at work.

  • Alphabetically Me

    Age: 29

    Bed size: King, a Tempur-Pedic, and probably my favorite thing that we own.

    Chore you hate: Cleaning the shower & tub. I hate bending over and scrubbing!

    Dogs: You know it! Oliver, Eddie, and Cleo. Sadly, Oliver and Cleo are currently separated.

    Those were the days, when they all got along…

    Essential start to your day: A hot shower. It wakes me up and gets me moving.

    Favorite color: Soft – but not pastel – blues and greens.

    Gold or silver: Usually silver, but lately I’ve discovered a taste for delicate gold jewelry.

    From Jeneri Jewelry's Etsy, one of my favorites!

    Height: 5’4″

    Instruments you play: I played clarinet for many, many years and I probably still could, although not nearly as well anymore. I sing better than anything else.

    Job title: Registered nurse.

    Kids: Expecting a girl in July!

    Live: Suburbs of Houston, Texas.

    Movie recently watched: My husband rented The Tourist for me last weekend because he knows I love Johnny Depp. How sweet of him to indulge my celebrity crushes, right?

    I give it 3 stars. Worth picking up at Redbox!

    Night time habits: Putting on a fresh coat of lip balm.

    Overnight hospital stays: I stayed with my husband lots of nights when he got his hips replaced, and I spent a night in observation recently for suspected appendicitis.

    Pet peeve: When people drive recklessly fast, or incredibly loud engines.

    Quote from a movie/show: “Oh, you’re right. And when you’re right, you’re right. And you? You’re always right!” —Spaceballs

    Righty or Lefty: Righty!

    Siblings: I love my brothers! They are way cooler than I am.

    David, 27
    Barry, 25

    Pictures taken from CultureMap Houston, where they write a weekly sports column.

    Time you wake up: On work days 5 a.m. and on weekends around 8 a.m.

    Underwear: My favorites are from GapBody.

    Vegetables you dislike: Many, but especially anything in the squash family or cooked spinach.

    What makes you run late: Not being able to drag myself out of bed at the right time. I’m a morning person, but 5 a.m. is just too early.

    X-rays you’ve had: Routine teeth x-rays, my jaw for TMJ, and my spine for migraines .

    Yummy food you make: Enchilada casserole is probably my best dish. I never claimed to be a sophisticated cook. :)

    Zoo animal favorite: I love seeing the elephants and giraffes because they seem so exotic, but can you really beat Toby the red panda for cuteness?

    Aww! Love the Houston Zoo.
  • Question of the Week: My iPhone

    Welcome to the question of the week, where I put up a poll, hopefully on Monday, about any random thing, and you answer! Sound good?

    Okay, so today I need advice about a fairly trivial matter. I’ve been thinking about what to do about my iPhone, and I just can’t make a decision. I have a 3G which is over 2 years old that is running the new software and is therefore veeerrrrryyyyy slllloooooowwww. It is driving me crazy. I am due for an upgrade so I don’t have to pay that fee, and I don’t care about signing a new 2-year contract.

    However, we are trying really hard to save money. I’d love to upgrade to the iPhone 4, but as of right now that would still cost me $199 and I can’t justify spending that much when my current phone still works. My other options are to upgrade to a refurbished 3GS for $19 or a new 3GS for $49. BUT. What if Apple releases a new iPhone version in June or July, and then the iPhone 4 is significantly cheaper? Should I wait and see? I don’t know!

    iPhone users and lovers, what would you do? Let me know by answering in the poll below, which will close in a week. Any other ideas or opinions, please leave in the comments. :)

    [polldaddy poll=4755154]

    P.S. I’ve considered giving up my iPhone altogether to save money, but it has become an integral part of my life. I also don’t want another type of smart phone!

    Edited to add: The results were overwhelmingly in favor of me waiting for the next generation of iPhones to come out! So I’m working on my patience and in the meantime I’m going to wipe my phone clean and start again to see if that will help it run faster.