20,000 comedians out of work...

and my husband thinks he has to be one. Okay, I have to admit this is pretty funny. So things have been CRAZY around here with Christmas and then 10 days later going on the cruise and then coming home with 9 suitcases of laundry to do, (side note: at the time it might seem like a good idea to over pack to make sure your ready for any situation right? WRONG! why? because when you get home you have all 9 suitcases of clean AND dirty clothes to wash because they ALL smell like dirty, muggy clothes!) That's one thing if you feel good right? but I felt like CRAP for almost two weeks after I got home and then on top of that, we're still trying to clear the basement out to rent it. Sooooo, you can imagine the state my house has been in. Well Jeff informed me last night at dinner that the home teachers asked if they could come and visit us and that his reply was, "Can we all pile in our car and come to your house?" Maybe I should be mad but I have been laughing about it ever since!:)

Another Day, Another Movie

****"Veggie Tales' The Pirates Who Don't do Anything" I had the privilege of seeing this movie today with my cute 4 nephews Cain, Mel, Bryce, and Jeff. Those cute celery sticks, peppers, cucumbers, and asparagus' are quite entertaining. The songs are always fun and snappy:) It had a really good message (of course you knew it would). It was pretty much exactly
what I expected. Watch out for the Rock Monsters! Jeff gives it 1 1/2 diamonds, I give it 2 1/2.

****"Meet the Spartans" rated PG-13. I don't know why I see movies like this, you'd think I would learn my lesson! I know there are people out there that like this kind of stupid satire, but I just can't stand it! It was making fun of the movie 300. It's just pure stupidity. They put in a bunch of stuff from other movies and characters but it's all just idiotic crap. A lot of things in it were inappropriate for kids even older than 13. I mean it, I am not seeing another movie like this. This is so weird, I knew I was giving it my first 2 lumps of coal rating and when I asked Jeff what he gives it he said "2 lumps of coal"! I'm glad we're on the same page on this one!

We Love You Dear Prophet...

Thank you for your lifetime of good works and example, your sense of humor and smile, your genuine love toward all of us, and for always making us look good to the people outside of our church. I think that's what I will remember the most. I was always so proud when you would speak publicly and represent us, I never worried one bit about how you would make us look. I have tears in my eyes of loving sadness, but I am so happy for you that you are finally with your sweetheart again. I love you and miss you. Good-bye for now sweet prophet.

From Paradise to Shoveling Snow...

In a span of four days! Poor Brandon! Not much to blog about today, so thought all you Californians, Arizonians, and Texans would get a kick out of this:)

I AM SO MAD!!!

At Heath Ledger for dying!!! I know there are worse things for someone like me to be mad about, not having any ties to him really, but I AM mad. Being the 'movie buff' that I am, I can't help but feel connected to him in some small way. As those of you that know me at all, or at least from my blog, you know that 'A Knights Tale' is my second favorite movie of all time! (if you haven't seen it you should run out and rent it immediately!) And how great was he in '10 Things I hate About You'? And of course he stole our hearts in 'The Patriot'. He was just a really good actor who took his roles very seriously. Even though 'Broke Back Mountain' was very controversial, it was very brave and risky for him to do it, (not that I am condoning it by any means). He was a very loving father to little Matilda and my heart just aches for her. His passing goes right up there with John Candy and Chris Farley. It just makes me sad. Thank you my fellow movie-goers for letting me vent.

Another Day, Another Movie

****"Untraceable" rated R for 'some prolonged sequences of strong, gruesome violence, and language.' It was intense and kept you on the edge of your seat. Some of the images were definitely hard to take. Really good acting by Diane Lane, as usual. I thought it was really good. Jeff is giving it 3 diamonds, I am giving it 3 1/2.




****"Rambo" rated R for language and extreme violence. Whoa!!! Holy Crap!!! This made the above mentioned 'prolonged sequences of strong, gruesome violence and language' seem like a walk in the park! There are over-the-top chick flicks like, 'Steel Magnolias' and 'The Notebook' so I guess there has to be the equivalent for the boys right? Well, this is the one. I don't think there are any girls out there who will like it. The opening scene was very sad, violent, disturbing, awful... and then it just continued throughout. I can't believe I made it through the whole thing. Jeff thought the special effects and realism of the shootings and blood and guts was very well done...( that sounds so disturbing) It's definitely one for the guys, I'm sure they will like it. Jeff says 2 diamonds, sorry boys, it's a piece of coal for me.

Another Day, Another Movie

****"First Sunday" rated PG-13. An all-black cast, including 'Ice Cube' who I really like. Kind of your typical story about a divorced dad who does something irrational for the betterment of his child... It wasn't quite as funny as we were thinking it would be, but it had it's moments and it taught a really good lesson. Jeff's only giving it one diamond, I'm giving it two.


****"One Missed Call" rated PG-13. It reminded me of that movie about the video tape, that if you watched it you would die. Kind of the same philosophy but with a phone call. It was creepy when they would get that call, and I think the ring tone is going to become quite popular, it was very distinct and eerie. I liked how it fell into place and it was pretty scary. Jeff said it didn't really make sense but it was a fun scary and gives it 2 diamonds, I'm giving it 3.

Cruise Highlights

A Pluthera of Aunts...

Finally being able to access some of my cruise pics! This is one of my favorites with all our wonderful Aunts! I kept wishing that Aunts Judy and Katherine were there! Aunt Judy, you HAVE to get over your fear of water or ships by the next one!!!

Another Day, Another Movie...

Sorry, I've been away battling viruses. My own illness, and my computers'. Thank goodness Brandon bought an anti-virus software thing for me and took care of it! Yay Brandon!

****"27 Dresses" rated PG-13. I've always liked Katherine Heigl (until she was in knocked up, which I'm trying to forgive her for that one) and she's really cute in this. The storyline resembles a few other movies where the sister gets your man, or, your planning the wedding of the man you love, or you write a story for the paper, then fall in love with the person you wrote about... Luckily it isn't quite as predictable as you would think. James Marsden is as handsome as ever so it's hard not to like it. I liked it. And I liked how it ended. Jeff's giving it 2 1/2 diamonds, I'm giving it 3 1/2.

****"The Atonement" rated R for language and thematic elements. This one has been nominated for a few awards. It has Keira Knightly in it. It's kind of long and draggy and has a lot of dialogue in it, which Jeff and I actually like. It's interesting but sad how the events take place that end up ruinig this poor kids life. It totally makes sense and you could see how it could have happened. Of course nowadays theres DNA tests, thank goodness. I liked it, but it's depressing. Jeff gives it 2 diamonds, I'm giving it 3.

Another Day, Another Movie...or six...

****"Bucket List" rated PG -13. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman together made for some good chemistry. I liked it. Nicholson gets to stay in his own hospital and get a feel for what life is like for a normal, maybe lower class person. It was cool how they brought two totally different men, from extremely different circumstances together facing the same fate. It makes you think about what's really important; being wealthy and alone, or being 'broke' with a loving family...duuuuuh!...Jeff gives it4 diamonds, and so do I.



****"In the Name of the King" rated PG-13. Whoa!!! 2 hrs. 14 min of total confusion and nonsense?! The acting was off, the whole movie was off, like it missed a beat and could never catch up. Ray Liotta was like the "evil wizard" that would never go away, no matter how many times his head was cut off. I didn't like his character at all! Because of his costumes, he was like a reincarnated Liberace' that didn't play the piano. Ha ha, I'm sorry, but that's funny:) Nobody will get that unless they see it or even know who Liberace' was, that kinda dates me. And then, the King is revealed, and it's... Burt Reynolds. Burt Reynolds?! At that moment I thought "Oh, this is a comedy?" But no. It wasn't meant to be. Lots of fighting war scenes that get old and then all of a sudden there are flying ninjas and you wonder, 'where did they come from?' Not sure where they were going with it, I guess they didn't either, Weird. Both Jeff and I are giving it a lump of coal.





****"The Orphanage" rated R. They speak spanish the whole time so there are sub-titles. At first I thought, 'oh great' but it wasn't bad at all. Holy cow!!! This is a scary one! The eerie kind of scary that gets you, not the stupid slasher scary. It totally could have been Pg-13. There was one sub-titled 'F' word, and I guess disturbing images and that's why it was rated R. I would so give this one a chance. I was the most scared I've been in a long time! Jeff gives it 2 1/2 diamonds, I'm giving it 3.





****"Cloverfield" rated PG-13. It's about the college kids that are throwing a going-away party for their friend when a huge "monster" invades the city. Set in New York so it was like a mix between 'The Blair Witch Project' and 9-11 because one of the kids gets it all on video. Totally take a dramamine before going. I just spent 5 days on a cruise and didn't get as motion sick as I did at this movie! I can appreciate what they were trying to do with the whole hand held camera effect but come on!!! Can they hold the camera still just once! It was kinda scary and creepy but mostly annoying. The special effects were pretty good so Jeff gives it 3, I give it 2 1/2




****"Mad Money" rated PG-13. This is a fun, light-hearted one. Seeing Diane Keaton play a janitor is definitely a stretch but that's okay. I thought they were fun together, even though they're all so different. Queen Latifa and Katie Holmes that is. If your one that doesn't like un-realistic movies than you probably wont like this, but I thought it was fun and easy to watch. Jeff gives it 2 1/2 and I give it 3.






****"No Country for Old Men" rated R for violence. Right from the start it was violent and bloody. The bad guy was subtly creepy, which made him even more creepy. One guy stumbles upon a 'deal-gone-bad' in the desert, finds a case with a lot of money, goes back later to help the one surviving guy, but then gets caught and chased for the rest of the movie. The only good thing in this one was Tommy Lee Jones. It was draggy and you will HATE how it ends. Jeff and I both give it 1 1/2 diamonds.




Okay. That was gruelling. Tomorrow I am treating my cousin Kandis to a movie because I always make good on a bet. I have saved 27 Dresses just for her. Hopefully my sis Melanie and Aunt Ellen will be there, and of course my always loyal movie partner, Jeff. If anyone else wants to join us, we'll be at the megaplex 20 at the district at 11:oo a.m. See you there?!

19 years ago today...

I gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, 8 lbs. 12 oz, becoming a mother for the first time, and life as I knew it would never be the same! He's been a joy since the day he was born and we've always had a close bond. He treats me like a queen and always hugs me. I will miss those hugs the most...Happy Birthday Brandon! I love you!

I'm Baaaaack!

Hello everyone! Did you miss me?!:) I didn't end up having my lap top on the cruise like I thought so it's been awhile. I'm happy to say that I made it home, after spending the whole day at various airports. We flew from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando, couldn't find our bording transfer passes, so for about twenty minutes we thought we were stuck for the duration. Aunt Carma found them just in time for us to get on the plane to fly to St. Louis and then on to good old Salt Lake City! We had such a wonderful time, but I must say it's nice to be home. Here are some pics of our airport fun. More cruise stuff later, I'm going to bed!!! I've sent Brandon to buy 'Death Sentence' and will be watching it tomorrow in between doing about 12 loads of laundry!

Hope all you family and friends got home safely, I miss you already! What a blast!