Think of Me

I remember learning in a psychology class that stereotypes are not necessiarly a bad thing. They are just the brains natural shortcut for processing information quickly. Stereotypes and associations are funny things. I recently had some interesting experiences with associations. This winter I watched a lot of the Olympics, for some reason I find Snowboarding captivating, in a way I have found no other sport before. I also watched some figure skating. Every time I watch figure skating I think of my college roommate Jen. Probably the coolest person I have ever or will ever know, Jen was also the only person I know who has actually attended Figure Skating competitions. You always see the people in the stands who throw the flowers and stuffies onto the ice after the performance, but think who are these people? Well she was one, she actually followed the sport. I remember one time remarking that I thought Tara Lapinski actually deserved her Gold Medal over Michelle Kwan, and well, lets just say if looks could kill. So anyway whenever I watch figure skating I think of Jen.

Cut to my recent trip to Utah. I had dinner with my friend Maureen, (as in Mae Maureen,) and she told me how every time she uses a restroom she thinks of me. Gee Thanks. She thinks of the statistic I told her several years ago about bathroom cleanliness. Did you know that when using a public restroom the cleanest stalls will be the one closet to the entrance and the handicap stall? Studies have shown that people are uncomfortable using the stall closest to the entrance and the handicap stall so the veer towards the middle. I try to use the first one myself since I have taken Max into the handicap stall and disagree with the cleanliness of these stalls. I think about this every time I use a public restroom, but since I read it somewhere I don't associate it with anything. Maureen thinks of me, Gee Thanks.

What do you my readers think of me? I have been wanting to get you blurkers to come out of hiding and comment, so following in the footsteps of one of my favorite bloggers Tia, I am offering up a contest. Post an association, memory or comment (about me,) by March 31st and your name will be entered in a drawing for a Walmart Gift card of $10! (to be spent on something personal- no groceries or gas.) I look forward to your posts, I think?

Shaken, Not Stirred

Last night I was being a super good girl leaving Jeff and the kids to go to Stake Conference. Driving a bit on autopilot, I was about to turn off of the freeway when I did notice the semi behind me changing lanes, Hmmm I thought, I'm not going that slow. I veer off towards the exit when BAM! Sitting right in the middle of the exit lane is a car coming straight on. I swerved, missed, and ran off the freeway. Luckily the car and I were alright. Scarily enough, the car kept going onto the freeway in the wrong direction! With no cell phone, I turned and drove to a nearby fire station, where lucky someone who had seen the whole thing had already told the station. As I got back into my car I could hear police sirens drive North in pursuit of the car. I drove a few blocks to the chapel and went inside. I probably would have gotten some spiritual comfort from the conference, but I just was too shaken and wanted my husband. But what to do, I didn't want to drive home. We only have one car and the kids were in bed. Thank heavens my ward is full of such wonderful people in attendance at conference. Quickly I saw my sweet Relief Society President who gladly drove me home and provided me with relief. I hope she didn't miss too much of the conference. I am doing well now and am very grateful for my lovely friend. So yeah, for those who saw my brief and weird breakdown in the chapel last night that's why. Ooof I hate public breakdowns.

B and D

Talk about leaving things out. Did I mention that I watch two boys from my ward everyday after school? Yeah I have been doing this since the school year started up after Christmas Break. I pick up the two boys, age 4 and 7, after school each day and take them to my house until their parents get off work. They are lovely boys who Max absolutely adores. The three play together so well that it really isn't much work at all. Mae even enjoys watching the three of them run around the house. I do have to wait in a car pick up line, but I just remember that I get paid to do it while everyone else doesn't. The only real downside is that every once in awhile both Max and Mae take a nap and I have to wake them up to go get the boys, but oh well no job is perfect. This one is pretty close though. It can be kinda fun to watch the 7 year old cause it is new hanging around with that age. I have already had to explain about foreclosure, cruise control, instigation, and euthanasia. Yeah, funny story on the last one. I told him to put his seat belt on in case of a crash, saying something like I wouldn't want him to go through the windshield. So then he responds saying that if he did go through the windshield then we would have to shoot him. Huh? Like the deer he said. Oh, right, no, we don't shoot people to put them out of their misery.

House for Rent

2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Dream Castle available for immediate move in. First and Last month's rent required. Has lovely staircase for grand parties, fireplace, vanity area and outdoor spotlight. Excellent location in desirous neighborhood next to Jedi Temple and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. To inquire please leave comment and ask for Mae.

Good Parenting

Did you watch all those montages during the Olympics that show the athletes on skies by age 3 or skating in competition by age 4? Well we have got Max started down the right path.

I especially like the sucker in his hand. Nice touch.

Studio Ghibli

I remember as a teenager watching an episode of Siskel and Ebert where they were reviewing a Japanese cartoon movie called "Kiki's Delivery Service." They raved and raved about this movie, calling it one of the best movies of the year, and I was like, "anime? like Sailor Moon? I think I'll pass." Fast forward a few years later to college. Watching the academy awards, this pretty looking movie called, "Spirited Away" won best animated picture over Lilio and Stitch, which I loved, so I decided to rent it. It was amazing. Beautiful! Interesting! Funny! Exciting! Totally deserved an Oscar. So delighted by this film I looked to see if the studio had done any others, and I learned that Studio Ghibli had also made Kiki's Delivery Service as well as some others. Jeff and I quickly rented all the Studio Ghibli movies we could get our hands on. Each movie was wonderful. How foolish I was to dismiss them as weird anime. These movies remind me very much of the old classic Disney movies like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. They have the stunning hand drawn animation, the symphonic scored music and clever plots of the older gems. They also have the voice over of famous celebrities like Kirsten Dunst, Cate Blanchet, Liam Neeson, Billy Crystal, Christian Bale, and many others. I post this now because we have just received our copy of the latest masterpiece Ponyo (B+). A dazzling new take on the Little Mermaid. Stop what you are doing and run to your Redbox now to get this movie. Max has already watched it twice in less then 24 hours. Even Mae is a fan. Others to check out:

(My personal grade)

Spirited Away (A)

A tale of a young girl who get stuck in a strange world where she must work hard to free her parents from a spell. This one is a bit more bizarre then the others, but just lovely.

Howl's Moving Castle (A+++)

This is my favorite, and one of my favorite movies of all time. It is the story of a young lady who must free herself from a spell that has aged her to an old woman.

My Neighbor Totoro (A)

The story of two sisters, (one named Mae) who move to a new house and discover fun new neighbors. This one is particularly good for younger children

Princess Mononoke (C)

This is probably my least favorite. It is defiantly for much older children/teenagers. It deals with the battle between Forest creatures and a mining company

Nausica (B)

Available at the Bella Vista Library. This one is good. For older children but not as violent as Mononoke. It is the story of a post apocalyptic society that must find a way to survive in a harsh environment. I like the heroine.

Castle in the Sky (B)

A young boy and girl must race against pirates and foreign agents to find a castle in the sky. Super cute.

Kiki's Delivery Service (B+)

The perfect antidote to too much Barbie movies. Kiki is a teenage witch who must set up in a new town to become her own person. She starts a delivery service with her broom stick and has fun adventures while discovering her own self confidence.

I really recommend you try these movies. The are really good family fun.

Toy Story

Max really had no interest in toys. He would play with them briefly at times, but he really prefer ed to run around, climb on stuff, and be with others. Mae is totally different. She adores toys. She loves to spend time batting at toys that hang from her play mat and pulling on the birds of her bouncy chair. Yesterday we pulled out Max's Jumparoo. Seriously, she could spend all day in there if I let her. I took her out last night to feed her some cereal and sat her in the bouncy chair right next to the jumparoo. Throughout the entire meal she looked over at the Jumparoo with longing in her eyes. This is not only super cute, and convenient, but now I don't feel like I have wasted money on these toys.

Pink on Thursday

Thanks to Mae I now believe there is no such thing as too pink! Took some pictures of the kids just for the heck of it. Max is such a good big brother to Mae. He is always making sure I know when she is crying. He takes her things that she needs, toys, pacifiers, blankets. Mae is growing so big. She loves playing with toys and loves to tug on her dad's beard.