Movie and a great line

Okay, I have determined that "Little Miss Sunshine" is homework. I just don't want to see the movie no matter how cute it looks. When facing the Pay Per View list, I selected "the Devil Wears Prada". LOVED IT and will buy the DVD. Meryl Streep was fabulous! I loved Stanley Tucci and the rest of the cast was great.

It is a movie that will become a new classic. It is funny and importantly an evening's entertainment. I enjoy Meryl Streep's performance. This is going to be an interesting choice for Best Actress.

The movie is full of killer funny lines .. one that wasn't was a quote from Getrude Stein, "America is my country, but Paris is my hometown" This struck me. I am an American and have eaten the Freedom fries. Not every American is George Bush, Hilliary Clinton or Paris Hilton. Not every French citizen reflects their government either. I love Paris. It is an awesome city of light, art, passion and delight. I always feel at home in Paris. Yes, I also like Parisians!

Movie Night and Countdown to the Oscars!

In my attempt to see the movies nominated for awards and trying to stay on an even keel during the move, I went to see Babel last night. This was the first artistically good Brad Pitt movie in years... since Legends of the Fall. Alright, I like the Oceans movies but they aren't done for the same reasons as this movie.

This was an understated All Star cast with Cate Blanchett (excellent as usual) and Ellie Fanning (Dakota's little sister) along with Mr. Jolie-Pitt. ( Yes, I am on Jennifer's side) The plot was very captivating and intelligently done. I loved the globalization of impact that small actions had on people in different societies.

It makes the point of the seven degrees of separation coming down to more like two or three. How a childish act can impact international diplomacy as can a gift or a wedding or hiring illegal immigrants. I did enjoy the mental exercise and again the audience at the Bethel Cinema. What a difference a venue can make!

With the house to myself tonight, I am going to pay per view Little Miss Sunshine. I think that leaves The Last King of Scotland and Letters from Iwo Jima. I am also quite taken with the trailer to Venus.

As a last note, I would encourage you to get to a cinema to see Babel. This probably won't be on extended basic cable with the amount of nudity of young adolescences in it. It isn't graphic but it is a bit disturbing. I would not encourage taking the under 16 crowd to it.

My vote is still for The Queen to win best picture. However, there isn't a stinker yet in the bunch. What a Movie year!!!

Washing a Cat

Seamus and Annie wanted to share this with all of you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9QwK5EHSmg

Link to house pictures

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=phbranny@sbcglobal.net&aid=576460762386975492&pid=&wtok=4n7N.Bh4zonvKSCRvzX6dg--&ts=1169819125&.src=ph


Hi everyone... Here is a link to my photo album of some shots I took of the new house. They aren't great. We are learning to use a new camera.

ps. I am going to delete this entry within the week.

Brrrr....

It is damn cold outside. -10 degrees with the wind chill and a balmy 1 degree this morning without it... Hello Invisiable Fence?

Great Night

I had a totally cool evening last night. My little ritual is to attempt to see as many of the Academy award nominees as possible... save last year.. Broke back cowboy .. well I just couldn't even go as an art thing.

Bethel Cinema is very quaint and delightful. Monday night all movies $5 and Tuesday night is "ladies night" all movies $5. Add popcorn and a medium soda and I still had change from my ten spot. I have already seen "The Departed" and "The Queen". Both excellent! My choice last night was between "Notes on a Scandal" and "Babel". Given it was Ladies night, I chose "Notes on a Scandal" - very good! I adore both Cate Blanchett and Dame Judi Dench! Honestly, the subject matter is rather disturbing but non the less an excellent film. Cate was a very different character than I have seen her play before. She continues to take on roles that match her age and is excellent with them. I do hope she gets the Oscar.

Dame Judi Dench was wonderful as usual. However, that is it. Although, I am not sure who else could have pulled off the role as well. It is the same bitchy brit school marm she is as "M" in the Bond pictures and as she playing in "Shakespeare in Love" as a older Queen Elizabeth I. So, I would have to give the nod to Helen Mirren as the reigning Queen Elizabeth, II in "The Queen". How wonderful to have such a great slate of movies this year after the dearth in 2005! Next week, "Babel" or "Letters from Iwo Jima" are on my list.

Got home and spent the evening on the phone with one of my dear friends from Georgia getting caught up on all the neighborhood and local news. Gosh, I miss them.

The house progress is coming along. I have hired movers. Researched cable, telephone, trash pick-up and the like.

and the winner is....

Here is a picture of the home we selected. We are still in the process of getting all the inspections signed off on... But hopefully, this will be our new home soon.

Just because I don't have children ...don't think I don't have a personal stake in Iraq

This will probably offend some people with children. I realize that. However, I am sick of an out spoken number of "parents" judging my husband and I because we chose, at this point, not to have children.

How many people deep down inside know that either they or their bundle of joy wasn't planned? A night on the town, a power outage, one too many and - BAM... you are a parent. Happens to a lot of people... some married ... some not. It is the way many of us came into being... nothing wrong with it. Please don't look down your nose at me because we choose to spoil our nieces, nephews, and god daughter rather than pro-create. I prefer to take the roll of that Crazy Auntie that always buys the cool gift or sneaks cash to my beloved younger family members or is able to babysit. I love being able to be there for the children that are important in my life and their parents. I also want to caution people that feel morally superior of childless couples that many maybe childless due to medical issues that have torn at their hearts.

Why did we make the decision? Well, part of it was selfish and in a way part of it wasn't. If more people thought about the children and whether they had all of these things: time, money, interest and passion for raising the future...would we need social workers, foster homes, and DCS? I am not sure if it so much takes a village as it takes the last thing, a passion for raising children, maybe above all others...

I bring this up because I read an article about a confrontation between Sen. Barbara Boxer and Dr. Rice. Senator Boxer suggested that Dr. Rice didn't have a personal stake in the war in Iraq because of her personal status, single / no kids. Well, I can assure you she has a personal stake (how much time daily does she spend on the Iraq War?) because I have and do. Dr. Rice chose to dedicate her life to serving our country. How easy is it to "date" when you are National Security Advisor or Secretary of State or Provost at Stanford? The pool of eligible, worthy and interested men aren't the same as they are in high school.

Since the war started, I have sent a co worker off to war from my office of 8 people. We organized care packages, helped his family, and kept his position waiting for him when he got home. My god daughter's father has served a duty in Iraq and two stints in Korea. My father was the captain of an ammo ship during the first gulf war where I also had a close college friend that served. Don't assume Senator Boxer that the lack of giving birth limits a person's connection to our troops. Being a Conservative woman, I have a more likely chance to be connected personally with young men with the honour, love of country, and passion for democracy and freedom to serve our country than you do as a liberal dove, Senator Boxer...

This quote is a bit off.. but it is one of my favorites from "A Few Good Men"

"....You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. ... " Col. Nathan Jessup, played by Jack Nickelson.

Gotta love Jack .... My mother hates this movie because of the way Tom Cruise wipes the floor constantly with his uniform. She thinks it is disrespectful .. she is right .. however, I love the movie.


I will get off my soap box. Go hug your kids or a serviceman or servicewoman....

Ready Set Move.... Good-bye after 9 months to the dreaded Lexington Meadows

Well the Real Estate gods along with St. Joesph were in alignment and we sold the townhouse without listing it! Our WONDERFUL broker brought us a buyer... showed it once and got a fair asking price.

We are hot in pursuit of a single family home in the area to be able to move fast to... Townhouse living isn't for us anymore. I have lived most of my life with someone else in very close proximity to me. My grandparents, dorm mates, apartment neighbors, very close neighbors, townhouse neighbors etc.

Time for our own place like back in Georgia. Maybe a lot more land. Probably still plenty of wildlife. Dates and location TBD... stay tuned

Life at Lexington Meadows has to put it bluntly - IT HAS SHORTENED MY LIFE. I HATE IT!! The community is a bunch of gossiping back stabbing new yorkers that haven't ever owned property in their miserable lives. The hate pets and children CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION!!

"Stupid is as Stupid Does" - Forrest Gump 1994

Well, any of the people in the following video might look to a Forrest Gump as a brain child. People call President Bush stupid. Yikes! Listen to these intelligent souls. One, two, three...

Bless their hearts!

http://www.shoutfile.com/v/gSfSsCpR/Why_People_Believe_Americans_Are_Stupid

Thanks Joni for sending this along. I watched holding my head in my hands and praying for each of these people to not be able to pro-create!

Happy Birthday Branny and Rob Esq!!!

It is Mr. Branny's and Attorney Rob's Birthday!! Rob is younger by a year. Congratulations on making it to another year!!! Cigars, Beer, and Fireworks for everyone!

The Dump - The New Economy

Moving back to the Northeast has certain things that may or may not exist other places. We have yet to be blessed with Snow and true cold but we have had the luxury of return of dump trips or the new name "transfer stations".

The gentleman, Mike, that runs the one here in Bethel is truly delightful. A man among men especially when comparing him to the Dump Nazis in Milford. Shakey and the like. Now understand, the townhouse has garbage pick-up and we do put out the regular household trash weekly for them to take away. I have chosen to take our cardboard and recyclables to the "transfer station" after I got a letter about not bundling the cardboard correctly and not putting the recyclables in a "blue or Clear" bag.

Let me clarify this last point. I have to go "buy" blue or clear bags to throw away cans and bottles and string for the cardboard. Then be subject to weekly inspection to make sure I am doing it properly. Gee, looks like they had Spaghetti and a nice Chianti this week. Hmm, I wonder what they got from BikeNashbar or Amazon? Yes, I have caught a person in the neighborhood snooping around others garbage.

Instead, I get the pleasure of taking my cans, bottles, and other items with the little triangle on them to the Bethel Transfer Station. The permit isn't included with your taxes. I have to pay $30 a year for the privilege. However, the town gets the revenue from the cardboard, junk mail, and bottles. If I have an extra bag of trash, I take it as well. That is ... get this.. 8 cent a pound. I find that just weird but Mike's smile as he told me today.. "That will be $2.88 " tolerable.

For someone that has never had to go to such a place, it is an interesting trip. What is considered cardboard and not.... What is trash, burned, recycled... Milford, NH sells paper to the Parker Brothers to make Monopoly boards. Ever wonder what your wine bottle from New Year's would come back to you as that you pay for again?

New Year, New Failures????

Last night, I went to the grocery store to "pick up supplies" as my husband puts it. On my weekly list there was the standard stuff bread, eggs, lunch meat, etc. As I pulled up to the boneless chicken breast section, there wasn't a piece of white meat poultry in sight. My conclusion is that the majority of over weight Americans have tried to start 2007 out on the right foot. Congratulations to them. In fact, I was snickered at by two hefties when picking up my replacement "Jimmy Dean Sausage Log" for the freezer.

I am noting the calendar late in December to stock up on Chicken breasts! Ah January, when there isn't a spin bike in sight, now a lack of chicken breasts, more idiots walking in the park in the cold mornings... I am the first to boldly admit that I could stand to take off weight. As stated, 20+ lbs would make me happy, I think. However, I have kind of stayed at around this size for a couple of years. I kick it into gear lose 10 lbs and then relax and gain it back. I admit it!

I am proud of my mother that finally took the fat by the love handle and has lost an incredible amount of weight this past year and is still dedicated to taking more off. At 60+ years old, I am frankly astonished. For years, my father and I did everything from encourage, tease, belittle, and finally sat down and asked her how I could help her to take off the weight admitting that we had been awful to her. By the way, she is doing Weight Watchers. It has always worked for her. Personally, I don't like it.

Every year, I sit down at this point and write goals not resolutions. I think that is really what they are anyway. Stuff has been moved from year to year onto the next goal sheet. Ones reappear over time. I set up quarterly reminders in outlook to review my progress. At one point, a friend of mine was doing this with me to help each other make sure we were looking at achievement. Perhaps, I will post a couple of them on line for you all to read and help me to tackle.

Let me know if there are goals you are striving for in 2007.

Happy New Year all!

Well another year is almost in the books ...

I was sitting on the sofa eating my sandwich today chatting with a client. She asked what I was up to and was I keeping busy this week. Said yes, but admitted to eating my lunch and trying to come up with perhaps the last blog entry for 2006. Jill agreed that it should be something witty but poignantly reflective.

Most years, I write an annual Christmas letter to be enclosed in the Christmas cards I send. I take "Life Magazine, Year in Review" approach. We like to keep people that are or have been part of our lives up to speed on what has been going on and take a moment to thank friends and relatives for special times we have experienced throughout the year.

I first decided to do this because a college professor and his wife did it so well. Honestly, it saved them hours with all the special students that still keep in touch with the Sayces over the decades.

Perhaps that is why I enjoy putting entries into this blog. With friends and family all over the country, it is a way of keeping it a small world after all. One of the parting phrases in this year's letter was to encourage the people within our lives to take the time to enjoy each other. Create the memories, enjoy the people you get stuck in line with at the mall (tough for New Englanders and New Yorkers... not so tough for my Southern readers).

Maybe this is the time to say it again as we start a new year. Give yourself one last gift and pause for the good times. Take a mental snap shot of your friends ... Remember the goofy stuff you did as kids. Put this on the resolution or goals for 2007.

Although we did a lot of driving and running around over the Christmas holiday. We saw 5 out 6 nephews. My god daughter and her family, my best friend as close to her birthday as possible, spent Christmas day with my whole family for the first time in five years.

You could say I started my journey out early... Just in case I don't post again prior to the New Year. Thank you for your support, your time reading my entries, and your friendship. May 2007 be a journey with taking ...

Funny from the American Brittany Rescue...

for any of you who don't visit ABRs message board......Got this off the message board.
Purina diet:
I was in Wal-Mart buying a large bag of Purina for my dog Lola and was > in line to checkout.> A woman behind me asked if I had a dog........ Duh
I was feeling a bit crabby so on impulse, I told her no, I was starting The Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I had awakened in an intensive care unit with tubes coming out > of most of my orifices and IV's in both arms. Her eyes about bugged out of her head. I went on and on with the bogus diet story and she was totally buying it. I told her that it was an easy, inexpensive diet and that the way it works is to load your pockets or purse with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The package said the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again. I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, particularly a tall guy behind her. Horrified, she asked if something in the dog food had poisoned me and was that why I ended up in the hospital. I said no........I'd been sitting in the street licking my butt when a car hit me. I thought the tall guy was going to have to be carried out the door. Submitted by Diana Doiron http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org/

Yes, this is a lazy entry but has the sense of the holiday shopping stress level. That and Seamus purely destroyed a bag of bows recently when I left my office for 5 minutes. Two weekends ago I did a transport for 2 Brittanies going to their forever homes for the Brittany rescue. THis is an amazing thing to be the last hand off for a dog that has traveled from Kentucky to Connecticut to be a Christmas dog for his new family. The best part was the phone call from the new mom crying and telling how much she already loved Max. As Seamus rolled over and looked at me, I said I know.. I know...

View Outside my Window

I have been blessed for a long time with a great view from my office windows. I think back to my first office at Office Specialists in Bedford, NH. There was a mature cherry tree outside my second story window that was a haven for song birds, cardinals, etc. I often turned my chair to face the window to be able to watch the birds play in the tree at all times of the year.

My office window in Georgia looked out on a wooded area between our house and Maria and Megan's. I found myself watching "Harry the Hawk" hunt in the ravine between us daily. We also had a King Woodpecker the size of Woody that called this area home.

My office in Connecticut is ground level and faces a nature preserve. Let's just say is it a busy airstrip .. the Hartsfield-Jackson of Bethel for the Canadian Geese, mallards, and Blue Heron population. I took some pictures to show you. This is a rare shot as there isn't any bird coming in or taking off!

It is cold by these windows! However, I am coming to a balance of how important the view is to me compared to the warmth of putting the desk on the other side of the room for the winter. Part of me can't wait for the freeze and first snow. I will be out snapping pictures wildly!

Sour Pill Going Down ....

On two fronts today, I made decisions that go against my grain. First, I gave in and called the doctor about the plague that has invaded my body for the last week. I am sick of coughing, sounding terrible and wondering when my nose is going to embarrass me. This is the side effects of just feeling lousy. We have good health insurance... A PPO from Blue Cross. This little trip to the doctor and pharmacy has just cost me over a hundred dollars in co-pays and prescriptions. While I was in the doctor's office two drug reps came in, you can always spot them .. They are the ones in the suits. The guy hocking (I can say this I am in sales and use to do this with temp help) something for diabetes... (this guy struck gold when getting a drug to pitch) was booking lunches for the entire 2007 calendar year with my doctor's office. I bet he strickly gives out sugar for Christmas presents in an endeavor to get everyone Type II! This always makes me question if I really need the prescription being given to me?? I wonder how much is medicine and how much is a racket?

The second stop was to infect the nice ladies at the voting booth. We had a referendum here about allocating another 7 Million and change to the fixing of the town high school. Two years ago, while I was snuggly paying less than 2k in property taxes in Georgia and had a brand new high school, the good people of my Connecticut town voted 25 million to fix the current high school in order to maintain the school's accreditation. Currently, they have determined it is really going to be another 7 to do the job right. Only 15 of the 32 million will be going to actual educational improvements. The other is to fix the physical plant and building. I have asked a number of people in town about this. I read the paper on Sunday and the letters to the editor. Sadly, I will tell you I pulled the level for yes to give them the Moo-laaa... Hopefully, this will allow them to start fixing it! My end result is that most of this expenditure is going to deferred maintenance and to come into step with new regulations. The longer we wait, the more it is going to be. The other nice thing in the paper is that the Police Station need to be overhauled as well in a couple of years... Just when the Middle School bond is paid off finally. Did I like doing this, NO! It just seemed that a new high school will improve property values. All the other high schools in the area have gone through this. If I want to sell the townhouse in the next five years, having an high school that is totally upgraded or on the way there will help. So this cheap daughter of a conservative Republican, voted in favor of the expenditure. I am still feeling light headed... or is it light walleted? My hope is the education at the high school is excellent and the children of my town will appreciate their new digs. - Yes, I just took my cough syrup and and am a bit loopy.

From Bethel to the Little Town of Bethlehem

I am not sure if I first saw this in Yankee magazine or a Christmas in Connecticut book my parents gave us but the Town of Bethlehem is Christmas Town USA. They have a tradition of stamping "cachets" on outbound Christmas cards and post marking the cards and sending them out. While Branny, Ivan, and Nancy went out for their ride on Saturday.... I made a trek to Bethlelem from Bethel. Over the hill and through the woods is the best description of the trip. Saturday was one of those early December cold but sunny fair days. Perfect for the trip. It made still being under the weather and not able to ride okay. So the cards are out with the return of the annual Christmas letter.

http://www.ci.bethlehem.ct.us/BPO/BPO.htm

We had a terrific weekend with the Soleros. Eating and sitting around reading papers while Nancy was coding their new website for Solero Marketing Communications. Hopefully no one will catch my cold. We missed seeing other friends that stood us up for exhaustion from redoing their hardwoods. But we will take the rain check...

Now to decorate... I wonder what the move did to our decorations...

Swallowing a Pack of Camels

Well I feel a lot better... but obviously I don't sound it. I was just informed I sound like I swallowed a pack of Camels. Yuck! Well, while the voice lasts.. perhaps it is time to call all of my customers sitting on contracts and play the woe as me card.

Speaking of cards. Christmas cards - personal done! Yippee! Shopping .. well let's just say I am a wee bit behind where I usually am at this point. We need to go shopping for the kids. I have little to nothing for my parents. So send me thy lists!

Oh on a personal rant... Is anyone sick of getting 13 -15 catalogues a day. I seem to be on everyone's mailing list this year. I am getting a catalogue a day from Coldwater Creek, J. Jill and Norm Thompson! Enough! So, I am calling each company and requesting to be taken off the list. I literally have not been able to key open my mailbox because it is sooo full.

Need more coffee to go along with my pack of butts! Have a good weekend! Ciao Bella!

Sniffle

Sick day.. Feel like a truck hit me... Luckily I have furry nursemaids. Bless the sleeping cuddle masters.