What to Watch?

I am not really a movie kind of person. Or even a TV kind of person.

I like to go to the movies and have the experience of the popcorn, candy, soda, and entertainment. Especially if I can go with someone and we can talk about it afterwards, even if it is just asking the kids, "What was your favorite part? Why do you think the characters did that?" (Yes, I do have an English degree...how'd you guess?)

But sitting down in my living room, trying to carve out a time where there is no yelling or running so I can watch a two hour movie? It just seems too hard. If I wait until the kids are in bed, then I sacrifice sleep because I am not likely to stay up two hours after they are all tucked in. If I try to watch a movie when the kids are awake, there is the constant interruption plus having to make sure it is child appropriate. Which isn't all that difficult for me as I don't like scary, bloody, or even mildly tense movies. (Case in point, that Sherlock Holmes movie had me hiding my face in Honey's shoulder for at least 75% of the film.)

If I were requesting a book at a library, I would ask for something "cozy"(...although I don't really read cozy books all the time. My imagination is safer than someone else's.) By cozy, it is meant that it is essentially rated PG. I think it has to do with lack of desensitization. When I went to church when I was young, there was a lot of push to only put wholesome things into your mind, so I am exceptionally visually sensitive with a very active imagination. Basically, movies feel very real to me. My "this is just pretend" button is pretty much broken.

We also don't have cable and use the Internet to get much of our television, like Netflix, etc. Honestly, the cable bill was just too high. We could pay it...but I don't want to. And we live in a pocket where we can't get the channels with the in home antenna thing. (See how eloquent I am about it? This shows my deep level of interest.)

Anyway, long story short, I have a request. While I am pumping at work, I can watch movies on my computer in small, 20 minute bites. Do you have any suggestions? Due to my...issues, for the past few months, I have watched a LOT of documentaries. (PBS! What could be safer?) But I wouldn't mind a story here and there. What are your favorite movies?

Wagon

Oh. What's that thing? That rattling sound that is disappearing in the distance?

That would be the Wagon. I have fallen off.

My new year's resolutions aren't going so well. I haven't planted one seed. I am currently enjoying a chocolate milk shake and tots from Sonic. I haven't ran in over a week because I did some ungodly thing to my knees (ahem, attempt to RUN with them, I think) and am in significant pain. I have to take Tylenol around the clock to be able to walk/sleep as indicated. And I have yelled at children at least 5 times in the past week. My patience is kind of thin. My knees hurt.

*Ahem*

So! Let us speak of other things. Like how my mother's birthday is this week and on Saturday, we are going to to have tea. Yes, tea. With fancy little cucumber sandwiches and china tea cups and scones. Scones! The best scones ever. And then on Sunday I am going to lunch with a beloved friend who was a co-worker who selfishly left us to make triple the money. Bah. But still, she has not seen my cutie little baby and I will bring the cutie smiley little baby to the lunch and it will be such fun.

Speaking of lovely little babies, mine has started on solids (!!!) and hoo boy, does he not like them not one little bit. There is shuddering. You know the kind I mean. The kind where something is so revolting, it ooges you out so much, you shudder. So far we have just tried rice cereal (which smells like spit up, so I get the shuddering. Really I do. Why is baby food/formula so freaking nasty?) and just a teeny spoonful of carrots, which also got the 'ucky face'. Perhaps food is for the birds and he should just nurse until he has teeth enough to chew steak. Perhaps.

I have also been shopping a lot, which is also fun. I bought a bunch of stuff from Land's End's huge sale with a free shipping code (shippingisfree and pin 5859) and got a ONE year subscription to Parents Magazine for $1 (Go here: http://ow.ly/3GUaj and use code: K9B9J4H when you get to the payment screen.) Later I will go to Walgreens' website and get a free purse sized photobook (PURSE). So, I think I have spent my money quota for the week. Deals are fun.

As for the wagon, I am going to try to climb back on soon. Except for the running thing. I have a year. I am going to try some lower impact exercises and after New Baby is a year old, maybe try to lose some weight. Then! Then I will try again. I have a whole year, right?

News

Honey has accepted a job. It is Far Away and through Very Bad Traffic. Now there is some bureaucratic BS and hoops for him to jump through before he gets to start working. There are good parts about the job, but I am.... oh, I don't know how I feel. I just want him to be happy and present.

Brother got his report card and has brought his grades up. Just a smidge, but a smidge was enough to get a full on happy dance from me. I never ever in my life thought I would be so proud of a report card with C's on it. But there was an A! I am so proud of that A. His birthday is coming up and we are making plans. I am excited for the event, even though I will most likely be home with the little boys while Honey takes Brother and a couple friends for a day out on the town.

Jelly Bean has just been so lovey dovey lately. He is the sweetest of sweethearts, giving us great big hugs and saying, "I love my mommy, I love my daddy." And kissing New Baby where ever he can reach him (ie leg, tummy, where ever) and saying, "Ooooo, I love my New Baby." Of course he will happily pounce on Brother's leg and be hauled around the house on his stomach screeching. Brother will be annoyed. But this isn't what I would call "News" as it seems it has always been this way.

New Baby is thisclose to rolling over. He gets almost there but always leaves and errant leg or arm behind. He is so smiley and yummy, with his chubby cheeks and dinner roll legs. He was in the bath kicking and splashing a couple nights ago and it was one of those things where you just have to smile and laugh. Remember how when you were little and your dad threw you way up in the air and you squealed? And then when you got too big, you would always laugh and smile when someone else got to fly? It felt like that in a way. You had to smile; there was no choice. He's just breathtaking. I can't even say how much I love his little squishy self.

Me? I'm doing ok. My resolutions are going pretty good, although my knees freaking hurt from 'running'. I am not sure the shuffle I do exactly qualifies as 'running', but I do it anyway. At least my muscles still aren't sore. Operation Choose Whole Foods is going ok. I am not being militant about it, but just incorporating more healthy food into my diet. I don't really ask whether something is high in calories or not; I'm not trying to lose weight (even though I heard this week that with the new reduced BMI restrictions for lap band, I now qualify for the surgery. Thanks FDA.) I more ask myself, "Is this a healthy source of protein? Whole grains? Is it a fruit or vegetable?" I think just being more conscious of what I put in my mouth is good for me.

If it would quit being so freaking cold, I would be more willing to do garden work. I have everything I need to start seedlings, except a plan on HOW to start them. In the house? The light is not bright enough. Make a cold frame? Would the seeds germinate if the soil is less than 70 degrees? Bah. I guess more research and a plan is needed.

Implementing the Golden Rule has made the past couple of weeks so nice at our house, for the most part. It has helped me keep my temper (I don't like to be yelled AT, so I don't yell) think before I make demands (because I don't want someone making me do something unreasonable) and work with Brother more on his homework (because it would make me feel better if I weren't alone in that mess, so I sit with him.) Anyway, it is working out better than I could have expected. Allll the parenting books I have read, allll the advice I have solicited and this seems to be working better than just about anything else to help me control my own behavior. Well, 123 Magic is damn good. But it is helpful in a different way.

Can I also recommend Do Unto Otters for Golden Rule indoctrination for children? No, it's really fun. Swear.