This and That

FINALLY!!

As you know ever since my mother-in-law let everyone but me call her Sheila- I have always given her grief about the little things in life.The newest case in point is how she slighted us in the blanket department. You see, she is a big crocheter, and she makes this really cool blanket that I always love snuggling in at her house. Well it seems, her princess Suzie has one, her youngest Tommy was made a different one when he went to college and when we were staying at Chris & Kristen's house last November I found out she made one for her handyman son Chris for a wedding gift---Does anyone see where I am going with this??--Hey what about her #1 blue eyed son- So of course I had to call her on this :)

...and guess what arrived in the mail a couple weeks ago !!!

NO TV?!!

When I started my blog about a year and a half ago we were on a no TV kick and we took the TV out of our main room and put it in the guest bedroom with the treadmill. We thought if we were going to watch TV we would have to work out at the same time- well we sold the treadmill and now look at our new living room (thanks to my parents- this is now one of Michael's favorite spots in the house now)

Did you catch that the TV is front and center again??

MOVIE UPDATE


We saw The Reader, Michael (having seen all the movies Michael is voting this one best picture- however my friend Cec declared the movie a man's version of a chick flick since her boyfriend also liked it- we are thinking Kate has something to this- I still have SlumDog to see). True Kate Winslet is going to give Meryl a run for her money. Once again this movie is not for everyone since it involves a relationship between a much older women and a teenage boy- however once that part of it is over it has some interesting plot twist. Sad (I cried- however I have cried in all the movies that we have seen on the Oscar list so far)

We also saw Frost/Nixon, which I think Ron Howard will win for best director. It is a really interesting story line between the two men. I was about 13 when Nixon was impeached, and my mother took us to see All the Presidents Men, so I know the story- however I did not know about the Frost/Nixon interviews, it was interesting to learn about this story.

Today we saw the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I liked the movie and it was an interesting premise of growing younger and how no matter which way you go you need to make the most of your life. (It is a long movie- 3hours so plan accordingly) And sorry to all the Brad Pitt fans but I am still liking Sean Penn for best actor.

0123

I had just begun dating Michael and I was opening a checking account for some reason. The bank asked me for a pin number so I decided to use Michael's birthday as the code (although they say not to use birthday-anniversaries these days-but these were more carefree times)

So when I wrote Michael's birthday down on the paper I thought January 23 and went on my merry way. The first time I used the atm card I go to enter the code and then realize that my sneaky code is 0123 - try to crack that!

Any way yesterday was my Blue Eye's birthday- we went to the spa for massages, and then out to dinner at the Melting Pot. Anyone who doesn't have a Melting Pot around you- or never been you don't know what your missing. A 3 course fondue experience, cheese with bread and veggies, then bullion based cooking of various meats and seafood, and then dessert a melted chocolate fondue where you dip strawberries, banana's , cheesecake, brownies into. Then of course we needed a walk around Old Towne Pasadena. We had a very nice celebration.

Have a great Birthday Weekend, MICHAEL!!!!!

The Oscar LIst

The Oscar nominations came out today- that means I got to get moving watching!!! I definitely need to improve my standing at my friends annual Oscar Party- where we all kick in $10 and try to pick the winners.

So far I have only seen one picture Nominated for Best Picture which is MILK where I could see Sean Penn winning for best actor. Milk is based on a true story, and although it is not for everyone I came away admiring what one person can do.

I also saw Doubt, which Meryl Streep is probably a shoe in for the old crankity nun that she played- so believable. I was a bit surprised the movie was not nominated- but after I see the ones that were I'll let you know :)

And for best animated I think Wall-e has it hands down.

Well it is off to the movies this weekend for us!


BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Gus Van Sant, Milk

BEST ACTOR
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, Milk
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

Sailing

This past weekend Michael and I sailed to Catalina. We left from Long Beach- the busiest port in the US. (here is the rose parade float giving homage to the port-2008)



On the way out of the harbor we go by the fog horn that alerts us to the break wall and also welcomes us home. Michael says it reminds him of Wall-e (great movie)

Otto (the name we give to the auto pilot) was not working so both of us took turns piloting the boat. The sail over to Catalina took about 5 hours.

One of the coolest part about the sail was since we went on Sunday and Monday there was hardly any traffic so we had terrific views of just ocean and sky all the way over to Catalina.

When we got to Catalina we (Michael) rowed us to shore in the dingy. We watched part of the Steelers game in a local bar. Then we took an underwater night sea tour in the green submarine. We saw lots of spiney crabs, orange fishes, and kelp.

Catalina Island is very cute 50-ish kind of island with lots of cool houses. I love how they just are build into the hills.

The next morning before we headed home, we sailed to the back side of the island.




It was a fun get-a-way. Although we need to do more sailing since both of us were still rocking when we got home on Monday.

HISTORY!!!

Republican or Democrat you have to celebrate today for a huge stride for Civil Rights!

May God bless and give Obama the wisdom & strength to guide the United States through these tough times.

SHHHHHHH!!!

A couple days after Christmas Michael's brother Tommy, his wife Linda, her mom Sandy, and their two kids Ian and Connor came to visit.

We had a nice time, and had a fun girls day outing getting a manicure & pedicure, then lunch at PF Changs, and then some shopping. We also enjoyed a very competitive game of Trivial Pursuit where the team of Suzie, Jeff, Tommy & Sandy beat** Michael, Linda and myself (**under protest of cheating). However my favorite moment of their visit was one that happened between Michael and Connor. (Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures so the pictures I will be posting of Connor are from the summer.)

Some background before the story: Since both boys were born I pick them up and sing to them, sometimes making up words to songs, sometimes I sing to make them eat, or just to try to stop some crying. Unfortunately I do not have a great singing voice and frequently sing off key- but they never seemed to mind.

...So back to the story. Michael decided to take Connor to a local park. Tommy suggested he bring the soccer ball. Well Connor made it down the driveway and then wanted to be picked up so Michael ended up carrying Connor and the soccer ball to the park (about 1/2 mile away). They had a great time playing, and when it was time to come home Connor wanted to be carried again, so Michael again carried him all the way home up hill with the soccer ball that they didn't even play with. But the best part of the story is that Michael started singing Row Row Row your Boat to Connor, who put his finger to his nose and did an exaggerated SHHHHHHH. :)

Michael couldn't believe he was shhhhhed, and we been shhhhhing each other ever since - for some reason we both really like this story.

New Years Day

Many of you have commented on my new banner, it was taken last year at the Rose Bowl parade. Michael and I have made it one of our traditions to go to the New Years Parade. We have only missed 2 parades since we moved to California 12 years ago. We think it is so cool that it is only 15 minutes from our house. Twice we have rode our bikes to the parade. It is always amazing that everything on the float has been grown, and is some form of plant life.

Once again our town Sierra Madre entered a float and was award a prize. The theme of the parade this year is That's Entertainment. So our town did Ballywood.

The float is actually made at one of the local parks. It is one of the few self built floats in the parade. Most of the floats are design by the same float organization. Although many companies have contest to design their floats and let the winners ride on the float.

Both the teams in the Rose Bowl game also have a float and their bands preform in the parade. This year USC and Penn State were in the game. The Penn State cheerleaders were very spirited and the band was a lot of fun.

We had seats in the stand, however many people camp out to get front sidewalk viewing, while others go in style with campers. Michael and I plan to camp out one of these years.

After the parade was over we came home and cooked pork and sauerkraut. So with our two traditions done we are ready for a fine 2009!

New Year's Eve

Normally I am a wimp when it comes to staying up til midnight to celebrate the New Year. Most of the times we call it a night when the ball drops in NYC which is only 9 p.m. our time. This year Suzie and Jeff were with us, so I didn't want them to see how dudly we really are so I knew we had to come up with something different.

Rewind to about 2 weeks before when we were at our friend's Danny & Kim's house who we usually get together about once a month for game night. We were playing a new game called Balderdash (which is a lot of fun) and Kim asked if we have ever played Scene It. I said I played it once- and then she asked if we saw the commercial for Seinfeld- Scene It. She said we were the only couple she knew that could give them a run for their money.

The next day I was shopping and saw the game so I bought it. I immediately called Kim and invited her over for New Year's since I knew that Suzie & Jeff also were Seinfeld lovers- we actually are a bit geeky and quote Seinfeld lines to each other.

So New Years Eve we had a fun time playing both Balderdash and Seinfeld Scene It and it was no problem staying up til midnight (must of been the excellent company!). However I do have to give kudo's to Kim for her superior Seinfeld knowledge for her and Danny won!

Camping in Death Valley

Christmas night Michael's sister Suzie and her husband Jeff came to visit us. We decided we would go camping in Death Valley (I know the name is horrible, Michael had to drag me kicking and screaming the first time we went- but this was my third trip, and the place is awesome!)


Since we did all the leg work getting the camper and shopping, Suzie and Jeff volunteered to cook all trip for us. Jeff is chef, so all I can say is that camping will never be the same to me-I will need my gourmet meals!


The park rangers are very knowledgeable at Death Valley and lead interesting talks every day. Here is a park ranger explaining how borax was found and how they got it out of the park


This is one of the original wagon trains that the 20 mule team pulled.


Scotties (although never owned by him) Castle is an amazing piece of architecture, it is amazing how they could build this ranch in the middle of the dessert. The Park Rangers dress up in costume and give tours of the building.

We hiked around Ubehebe Crater at sunset. Suzie said this was one of her favorite things we did.

The crater was very deep so you wouldn't want to fall in!



Death Valley is bigger than the state of Delaware, and has amazing landscapes, if you drive 15 minutes you seem to be in a completely different geological find. Here are the sand dunes

... and further down the road is the lowest point in the continental United States at 282 ft below sea level. It is called Bad Water, since the water is very salty (like the bottom of the sea) so horses who were thirsty would not drink it- hence it's name.

We enjoyed taking a couple mini hikes every day.

Suzie's friends at work gave her a hard time of being excited about going camping with her brother and sister-in-law, but all of us enjoyed each other company and had a great time.



Campfires and star gazing is a must when camping. We camped at a very remote spot one night that had no electricy - only about 20 campers in all, so it was nice and dark to gaze at the stars.