My trip to Phoenix Feb. 9-15th

I was able to go to Phoenix to be with my Mom for her surgery to have the difibulator put on her right side. I got there Monday night, the 9th, and her surgery was Tues. morning. She didn't know I was coming so Aunt Arlene picked me up from the airport. It was fun to surprise her. The day after her surgery she was supposed to be released at 9 or 10 in the morning, but the nurses didn't get that memo apparently. So we stayed all day in her room, waiting for the doc to come and release her, and I knew he wasn't coming. Finally they realized this and let us leave at 6:00 p.m. I guess the doc was pretty upset about it, oh well. She's been doing really well. She has been in pain, but has done much better this time around. It's always so fun to be with my Phoenix family, although I didn't get to see Aunt Carma or Chantel, which made me sad:( We had the awesome opportunity to go to Mike and Charlotte's and join the whole family for their annual Valentines Day dinner, what a treat! Kole and Kyle made the beautiful place mats, Mike made his famous tri-tip and pork loin on the grill, YUMMY!! This trip I made sure I got pictures of the clubhouse Mike made for the boys, and Corbin with his record player that he plays Mikes old records on. I also got pics of their awesome garden and some veggies I watched Mike pick. The beautiful roses Mike gave Charlotte, and the boys on their pull-up bar, and I made Corbin flex his muscles. Also of Mikelle and her man Trent. After dinner Mike treated Charlotte and I to a movie and treats, we saw 'Taken'. I had seen it but knew they would like it, they did. Arlene took Mom home cuz they weren't up to the movie. While in Phoenix I was able to go to 'Chevy's' with Arlene, my favorite place!, Go to two movies with Mom and Arlene; 'He's just not that into you' and 'Confessions of a shopaholic'. Go yard sale and good will hopping, and on the way to the airport, 'In 'n Out burger' oh yeah. While there I kept thinking of Brandon's reaction to 'In 'n out' when we went to Cali in '07. I kept saying how awesome it was and how people come from far and wide to eat there. We walked in and after seeing the menu said, "that's it!". So funny. Thank you everyone in Phoenix for a wonderful time! I love you guys!














this was just before she went into surgery














this is a pic of an actual difibulator like the one they put in her, next to a quarter so you can see the size. It's quite heavy. It has tubes coming out that go through veins and to her heart.














Arlene and me with her right after surgery




























just after surgery. sorry mommy:(
























































this is one of the only times she was obedient and
wore her arm sling. naughty mommy.














getting ready for the movie to start

81st Academy Awards

I thought I had better put my two cents in about the Oscars since, you know, it's kinda my thing.
These are my predictions;


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger

Josh Brolin for 'Milk' didn't see it

Robert Downey Jr. for 'Tropic Thunder' saw it, wasn't crazy about it, but he was pretty amazing as a black guy.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman for 'Doubt' didn't see it.

Heath Ledger for 'Dark Knight' you all know my take on this one, oh yeah, the winner!

Michael Shannon for 'Revolutionary Road' very small part, weird.



BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Penelope Cruz

Amy Adams for 'Doubt' didn't see it, but love her.

Penelope Cruz for 'Vicky Christina Barcelona' weird show, but she was really really good.

Viola Davis for 'Doubt' I'm starting to wish I had seen this, Jeff did and said I wouldn't like it.

Taraji P. Henson for 'Curious Case of Benjamin Button' loved her.

Marisa Tomei for 'The Wrestler' haven't seen it yet.


BEST ACTOR: Sean Penn, cuz the academy is so liberal

Richard Jenkins for 'The Visitor's' didn't see it.

Frank Langella for 'Frost/Nixon' he was really awesome as Pres. Nixon.

Sean Penn for 'Milk' didn't see it but I think, judging from the trailor's I saw, he was really convincing.

Brad Pitt for 'Curious Case' loved it.

Mickey Rourke for 'The Wrestler' can't wait to see it.


BEST ACTRESS: KATE WINSLET

Ann Hathaway for 'Rachel getting Married' she was seriously amazing. I think she deserves to win for this performance. It was so totally opposite from anything she's ever done before.

Angelina Jolie for 'The Changeling' she was good but I don't think she's gonna win.

Melissa Leo for 'Frozen River' didn't see it.

Meryl Streep for 'Doubt' next year I promise to see every movie that's nominated!

Kate Winslet for 'The Reader' absolutely incredible in this role!


BEST PICTURE: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (IS WHAT I WANT TO WIN BUT I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF 'MILK' WINS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THE MOST BIZZARE AND CONTOVERSIAL ONES ALWAYS TAKE IT)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button loved this movie

Frost/Nixon kinda slow but interesting

Milk didn't see it, but could very possibly win

The Reader amazing movie, though very risque'

Slumdog Millionaire love love love this movie. hopefully it will win!

The Movie I am really upset that didn't make it in is...'Australia' But I am excited that Hugh Jackman is hosting. Oh yeah!

Another Day, Another Movie

****Confessions of a Shopaholic****rated PG. It's refreshing to have a nice PG movie that's not a Disney cartoon. I really liked it. Isla Fisher is so cute and funny. Mom said it's not as good as the book, but I haven't read the book so I didn't have anything to compare it to. I thought it was entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm thinking it probably is a chick flick, although I suspect the guys wont mind looking at her. I give it 3 diamonds.

Another Day, Another Movie

Jeff did give 'Taken' 3 diamonds like me, but just as I suspected he is only giving 'Push' 1.


****He's just not that into You'****rated PG-13. Okay, I thought it had it's funny and entertaining moments, but man it made me so happy that I'm not single!!! Although I already knew that I am happy that I'm not single. I think Bradley Cooper is so sexy but I was so disappointed in him. It probably depicted what it's truly like out there in the world, so I'm happy to just stay in my own little world, thank you. I'm giving it 2 1/2, Jeff gives it 2.






****New in Town****rated PG-13. Yes It's somewhat predictable but I really got a kick out of hearing the way those Minnesotians talk. Hilarious. Jeff doesn't really care much for Renee' Zellweger but I thought she had a certain charm, and so did Harry Conick Jr. I really enjoyed it. Jeff is giving it 2 diamonds but I give it 3.

Another Day, Another Movie...

****INKHEART****rated PG. I should have reviewed this one sooner, I hope you don't miss out on seeing it, it's great! I've been a big fan of Paul Bettany ever since my fav movie "A Knights Tale" and he was really good. Kind of a different role for him. Very adventurous and exciting and touching, AND very well done. Bryce really liked it too. We're giving it 3 1/2 diamonds.

****Taken****rated PG-13. Liam Neeson is really good, he's like James Bond meets Rambo. You all know that I love movies that get the revenge that is deserved, so I liked it. I don't think Jeff did as much, but you know how he is:) It was intense and suspenseful, kinda frustrating though. I'm giving it 3 diamonds. I'll have to ask Jeff tomorrow, he's asleep.

****Push****rated PG-13. Okay, though it's kind of bizzare and out there, I really liked it. It had all the elements of a good movie; suspense, romance, action, and the element of surprise. (no this is not Pink Panther, Jeff doesn't want to see it?) Dakota Fanning was awesome as usual. I think you will like it. 3 diamonds, I have a feeling Jeff will give both of these movies far less bling than me..

A picture's worth a thousand words....

enough said...