Toy Story 3 - You've Got a Friend in Me

Our family of 5 went to see it this weekend. Can you believe it cost us about $95.00 for all of us to go together and get the tickets and refreshments? No wonder we only go to the movies altogether like that once or twice a year...

Anyway...Toy Story 3 was another home run for Pixar. All ages can enjoy it. Part of the movie takes place at a daycare, and after working this past year as a preschool teacher, I knew those poor toys were in for some trouble! I did feel sad and even fought back the ugly cries when the movie touches on the themes of the Toy's boy Andy leaving for college and outgrowing his beloved childhood playthings. I can't help but think of my Adam who will be 17 in a month or two. The original Toy Story was his favorite movie from around age 3. There was a time when we had to watch it at least once a day. For example, I still remember that the movie started around the 11 minute mark when I would fast forward the video tape to play it for him...We know that movie very nearly by heart. Of course we enjoyed Toy Story 2 and the animated Buzz Lightyear video also over the years. Our family grew up with this series. Those movies are cute and clever fun.

And Adam even liked it as much as his younger siblings, and he sat next to me.

Surreal Segway Experience

Once I was at Epcot walking through one of the large indoor concourses where conventions and displays are held. I was probably looking for a bathroom or a water fountain when I happened upon a surreal scene. In a room about half the size of a typical school gymnasium, there were about 20 folks on Segways going around in a circle. One of the most striking things was that they were not making any sounds, just gliding along quietly. The people all wore shiny white helmets while they quietly made their loop around the room, not saying a word. I paused to take it in for a moment or two, then I went on with my business. On my way back, I paused again to watch. This time the Segway riders made a final loop, went up a ramp and passed me as they silently glided out into the noise and the crowd of the amusement park.

Wedding Rings and Marriage

To celebrate our 20th anniversary, Big Daddy and I both got new rings. Our original engagement ring was the one his now deceased father gave his mother. It was very simple, a vintage design with both yellow and white gold and little diamond chips. It was just my style! We used my grandmother's wedding band, which closely resembled the engagement ring and also had a lovely vintage design in both yellow and white gold. Big Daddy's ring was a plain white gold band. His eventually got very scratched and misshapen due to the construction work he does. I haven't worn my set in the past several years due to weight gain.

In recent years we became aware that our original engagement ring held a very deep and special meaning for one of Big Daddy's younger sisters, due to its history as their parent's ring. We decided that since we wanted to celebrate with new rings, it would be a good gesture to give the engagement ring to his sister. I found a really nice silk cord, placed the ring on it and we sent it to her. I got the idea from my Mom. She wears my Father's wedding ring on a chain around her neck in a similar way, now that she is a widow. I thought that idea was lovely and that it would work in a similar way for my sister-in-law. The ring symbolizes her family and memories that are important. Those memories are close to her heart, and now she can wear the ring close to her heart.

Speaking of Marriage...
I really like what blogger Dave Burchett wrote:

I will celebrate (and that is the right word) my 34th wedding anniversary in July. It has not always been easy. We had some really rough times. But I am so grateful that we persevered. Something happens when a couple grows toward each other. When both parties give up the selfish expectation that the other person is responsible for their happiness then the biblical concept can begin to happen. My wife and I are experiencing that mystical journey of the two becoming one and I am more in love with her today than I was 34 years ago. There is a richness and depth to our relationship..."

see here


I must say that I am very happy with my decision to marry Big Daddy. Marriage is not easy. I am amazed in thinking of the circuit we have traveled together. There were some devastating lows and some giddily beautiful highs. I honestly feel like for every hard time we've come through things have become better on the other side. What a blessed arrangement!

art

Yesterday & Today

Yesterday we were:
*Eating all the leftover chicken from that crock pot recipe disaster and not loving it.

Yesterday was:
*My last day as full time teacher of the darling four-year-olds, who sometimes convinced me I had the best job in the world. At other times I was broken by the hitting, kicking, biting, low pay/high responsibility and sometime lack of support or respect.

Today I am:
*summer camp maven, initiating my young co-teacher and basking in the sun and the sand of Little Duck Key with our young adventurers. The children were a delight. Our feet are sore and tender and need to get summertime tough and calloused to put up with the hot concrete, gritty sand and what not. I am greatly concerned that the oil spill will impact days such as this in the future.

*Tonight there is thunder and a little lightening, but no rain. I like the summer storms, so long as they are short in duration. I heard that two people died today in an accident on US1. I pray their families and loved ones are finding comfort in The Comforter. Life is fragile, ya'll.

So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

-2 Peter 1:10-11

Everything You Wanted To Know About Opera...

I have been looking for this amusing short animated film, on and off, for years. I finally found it and thought to share it. I think it ran on PBS in the mid to late 90s.

Thanks to Ask Meta Filter for helping me find it!

And here is another Opera Classic.

Sunday Dinner

Since I began working full time I have been sorely lacking in the Sunday Dinner department. Frankly, the last thing I want to do is plan a meal and cook it on Sunday, right now. I am exhausted after getting through the work week, doing many chores on Saturday to catch-up, and then being so tied up with two church services. It's just easier to go out, but it results in added expenses (tips, etc.) or fast, junky food. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to go out once in awhile, but we've just been doing it way too much lately.

In the interest to improve myself with better organization and get back to family time and economize, I am going to make an effort. This Sunday I am planning a simple Barbecued Chicken in the crock pot, using this recipe as my start off point. I will tweak it for personal taste. I never really have soda around, but since there is a soda machine close by, I sent Adam for a can. The rest of the ingredients we have on hand. I think I might use our favorite store-bought bottled barbecue sauce rather than the catchup and delete the brown sugar, because you know the bottled stuff is full of sugar and corn syrup.

*edited to add: I did not like this particular recipe, and I don't recommend it.

Moses In The Wilderness

This is an old song, circa the Jesus Freak era, it's kind of funny. "He used real bugs...oww, oww, owww..." Good, old Larry Norman. Enjoy.