Thursday, December 22, 2011

Quick Holiday Gifts

The holidays are fast approaching and as you look at your budget you are noticing that you have more people to give gifts to than money - I hear that - so here are a few 'homemade' gifts that make people smile and more than likely you have most of the items at home - look around it's there. I am going to show you how I put it together for myself - you can get as creative as you want with it and also the packaging. Most of these items I already have - the oils (mostly olive or olive combo) I get at the dollar store (if I don't digest it - I won't spend the money on it) and I get the essential oils from the health food store (I have received a few from people but again - since I am a novice I just buy the cheaper brands - once I get more into aromatherapy then I will know which company is best but for now why waste good money). I am a slight hoarder  =p so I keep the small jars from old candles that have lids on them, buttons, ribbons, ect.  Don't fret if you don't have items - I have found numerous treasures at the dollar store. 
This one is something I make for myself allllll the time and it couldn't be easier. This after bath oil is super perfect since it doesn't spoil and you can make various scents and give it as a pack. I fill a small bottle with a flip top (which I purchased a pack of 4 at the dollar store) with oil (olive, olive combo, even mineral oil -like baby oil is fine) and add a few drops (depending on the size of the bottle an even 5 drops of each scent if fine or favor one scent over another 3 drops patchouli to 7 drops of lavender - it depends upon you)  of essential oil(s) (I like lavender-patchouli or sandalwood-clove these scents aren't too flowery but if you don't like the more 'musky' scents then you can do lavender-sweet orange or rosemary-lime for a 'clean' scent). Put a cute lable and you are done! 
This perfect body scrub is something else that can be made in a few minutes. For this you will need sugar (brown or white it doesn't matter - the only difference is that brown sugar has mollassas and it gives it abit of color).  Add about a cup of sugar in the jar, mix with about 1/4 cup of oil, add your essential oils and mix. YUP! That's it! **Why use sugar instead of salt? Well (a) it isn't as coarse and it doesn't scratch the skin - you want to gently exfoliate the skin ... not scrape it up and (b) some people have hyper-tension or are on a low sodium diet and the sodium can penetrate the skin and raise their blood pressure.**
Now this next recipe can either be used as a scrub or added to your bath water to help soften dry, itchy skin. Add 1:1 powder milk and quick oats to a jar with a lid. If you only have rolled oats - then put them in a blender until the oats are in pieces but not pulverized into powder.
If you want a lotion to go with your set but don't have the time (or money) to get all the ingredients here is a super quick 'cheaters' recipe. Buy a non or neutral scented lotion (I like St Ives with Oatmeal), put in a flip top container and add your essential oil (roughly the same combination as your oil), shake really well and that's how it's done.
OK ... this little baking trick I do whenever I bake cookies from the pre-made section (where the biscuits are at). I usually buy the large 12 cookies and cut each cookie into 4ths - so that instead of just making 1 very large cookie, I get 48 regular size cookies  =D I make sure that I roll them in my palm (they spread better) and then bake like the instruction say - since they will vary in size everyone will think that you took the time to bake them their favorite turtle carmel swirl cookies and nobody is the wiser ;p
Remember this time of year is about the moments between breaths ~ be there (active and present) with those around you especially loved ones. Special moments can be like dragonflies ~ fleeting ~ cherish every second.



Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Surving The Holidays

The End of Dinner by J. Grun

I have been speaking to a few people and they are already going crazy - they keep mentioning things like I'm never going to lose weight before the Christmas party and relatives are coming and I have to organize the house and the only response I have for them is - Are you crazy - have you really lost your minds? The holidays are not the time to lose weight you will never win and as far a organizing - you can not clutter free a house AND have it fully decorated for Christmas at the same time. BUT what you can do is survive.

Let's start with diet. Yes the holidays does seem to have its plethora of high fats party platters - so going on a diet or tying to lose weight between Thanksgiving and New Years is just rediculous. What you can do is maintain - YES MAINTAIN - even if you do need to lose some extra pounds (that should have already been done by now) A healthy diet of mainly grains, vegetables and fruits will help you not only maintain your weight but also keep you healthy - between stress, the weather and being around other people with cooties, your immune system is going to get weakened. People put ridiculous pressure on themselves to "look" a certain way for their family, friends, collegues .... wait aren't those the same people you see almost every single day? They don't hang around you because of your size - STOP IMPRESSING THEM! THEY LIKE YOU OR THEY WOULDN'T BE YOUR FRIENDS! I am not saying don't loose weight - I am saying that watch what you eat now and pick up the diet after the new year.

Clutter ..... where do I start. If you are like me you have a tree fully decorated, figurines evvveryyywhere, stocking for everybody - including the pets, garland on everything and wreaths on walls and doors ..... why on God's green earth do you want to start unloading items from closets, drawers, sheds and garages?  *o*  Again ... you will go insssaaane if you try!  Just keep couches, tables and counters clutter free and the bathrooms and floors clean and you will be ready for company. Save all the decluttering for the new year - it will be a new year resolution that will actually be kept.

So now go do what you are truely wanting to do this season .... enjoy your time with your loved ones. Be safe ... talk soon.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Paul Mitchell Winner!

The Paul Mitchell Color Care Set
goes to ..................

Corinna of Corinna Bs World

Congrats - you received the gift of fabulous hair for Christmas!



Shabbat Shalom

Give to everyone asking you, and from the one 
 taking your things away do not ask [them] back.

Luke 6:30

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Ancient Chinese Secret


No not that Chinese secret silly.


This chinese secret - Green Tea!

One of the main contents is flavonoids - in a cup of green tea the flavonoids are higher than that in the same volume of other food and drink items that are traditionally considered healthy including fresh fruits, vegetable juices or wine. Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals in most plant products that are responsible for such health effects as anti-oxidative and anti-carcinogenic functions. So it's like anti-rust for your skin! Although tea contains various types of polyphenols and tannin, tea does not contain tannic acid - meaning that it is suitable [even calming] to sensitive skin. I know that most people drink the brew but I just can not get into it SO ... I use my extra strength brew [3 tea bags for 2 cups of water] and make 'ice cube tonics' and whenever I get puffy from the weather or when my skin shows the signs when my 80-20 diet becomes more like 20-80 - I just pop out a cube and rub it on my clean face - the coolness brings down the swelling, and the caffeine helps tighten the skin. Win-Win!

This time of year between the wind, cold and stress - the skin takes a beating. I have found these great masks at the asian store (for a dollar - that's right ... one buck!!) and it is full of .... well I'm not too sure what because it is written in Korean but I know they are AMAZING. *giggles* Not only are they made of collagen (hopefully not animal based) but also pomegranate, red ginseng and green tea - which are all fantastic healing agents. To maximize the benefits of this wonderful product simply wash your face (2x if you are wearing makeup) perferably with a cleanser with an alpha-hydroxy acid such as glycolic (which most anti-aging products have in it - DDF Glycolic Wash happens to be my favorite you can get it at Ulta and Sephora) on the last cleanse leave the wash on the skin for atleast a minute (if you can - if it stings please rinse it off immediately) before rinsing 3xs (this gives the glycolic time to actually do some work), use a soothing toner perferably something with aloe in it (it is great if your skin is sensitive or weather beating and wonderful if you have acne as it is a healing agent), I really don't like to use scrubs on the face - I find them too abrasive but instead to use an enzyme (MyChelle carries 3 different kinds and you can buy them in a small pot at the health food store) avoid eye are when you are applying - leave on 1 - 2 mins (it will tingle but if it is irritating rinse immediately) RINSE VERY WELL (I can't stress that enough), apply the mask of your choice (save some of the serum for after), now go lay down and relax (or if need be do some chores or whatever you fancy) for about 20 mins (IF the product stings REMOVE IMMEDIATELY and RINSE IT OFF it isn't suppose to burn), slowly peel off the mask from the bottom up and pat alittle bit of the remaining serum and that's it - enjoy your beautifully refreshed skin. If your skin is super dry apply cream BUT if you are going out don't forget sunscreen (yes ... even in the winter).

Hey guys also don't forget to add yourself as a 'follower' in order to enter in the Paul Mitchell Giveaway - Deadline is this Thursday the 8th and announced this Friday the 9th.

Linking to:




Saturday, December 3, 2011

Paul Mitchell Giveaway

That's right! A Paul Mitchell Giveaway!!


Just in time for the holidays. Look after your colour with Paul Mitchell Sugar-Coated Color gift set. This pack from Paul Mitchell includes the following products: Color Protect® Shampoo (300ml) and Color Protect® Conditioner (300ml). These products come beautifully packaged in a stunning designer gift box from the Hollywood jewellery designer, Tarina Tarantino. And like all Paul Mitchell products these are not to be animal tested.


All you have to do is be a follower - that's it - super easy. This contest will run until Thursday December 8, 2011 at midnight and the winner will be posted on Friday December 9th. So let your friends know, as I will about this super cool giveaway! Good Fortune to all  =D

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Remember Your Vets

You have a right to protest a war and those who command it
but you should ALWAYS respect those who served!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

What A Cutie!

A few months ago I've had TWO people I know have babies and TWO more are almost ready *YEA* and *YIKES* - So I did not know what to get them - maybe receiving blankets/onesies pack *nah* everrrryone is going to buy those - oooh how about  gift card *nah* too generic - hmmm how about car seats *nah* too 'big ticket item' for me [love you guys but .... no] So back to thinking.  I came across these patterns at where else ... Walmart. Don't make faces - I like my Walmart. Well except for the unhelpful/unhappy workers and the overly agressive crowds my Walmart is perfect  *o*  Anyhow ....  they were marking down the patterns 50% off  because they were bringing in new patterns - so I bought 3 new patterns: I thought these totes will come in handy (as if I don't have enough bags), I have a hard time finding tops that give me enough coverage [not all of us can pull off the tramp look] so I thought that these blouses had possiblilities, and the last one are baby clothes [NO that is not an announcement - but it never hurts to be prepared - always a mama never a GRANDmama ] So into my room I went looking for material that will be suitable [cute and light since it's still a bit warm here *tears*] and I had left over material from the blue skirt I made 2 Mays ago *wow how time flies*  And this is what I came up with - super cute and somewhat easy - I added bias tap around the neck and arm holes to make it a bit sturdier and also used it as hem tape to finish the end.



ADORABLE!!!! 

I wonder what the next projects are going to be *hmmmm*


Friday, October 7, 2011

Shabbat Shalom


Love is long-suffering and kind.
Love is not jealous, it does not brag,
does not get puffed up, does not
behave indecently, does not look for
its own interests, does not become provoked.
It does not keep account of the injury.
It does not rejoice over unrighteousness,
but rejoices with the truth. It bears
all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
1COR 13:4-8

Sweetheart this means
YOU ARE LOVE!
For all this describes you
and I am so thankful that
Jehovah God has blessed
me with you.

17 Fantabulous Years!!

HAPPY GLORIOUS, BLISSFUL, FANTASTIC, FUNFILLED,
ENCHANTING, EUPHORIC, ESTATIC, JOYFUL, MARVELOUS,
*SIGH* LOVING 17 YEARS TOGETHER BABY!
Our First "Official" Couple Portrait (10-1994)

Hawaii - Right Before Whale Watching (4-2011)
Last Day In Hawaii (4-2011)

WHAT A FANTASTIC LIFE I HAVE AND
IT IS ALLLLLLLLL BECAUSE OF YOU!
(OH AND THE KIDS - OF COURSE =D )

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Happy Birthday Lissa!

Happy Birthday Lil' Girl ^.^
This is our youngest and with her it is final -
we have ALL adult children.  It's crazy I
remember the first time I saw her - she had
super duper blond hair and big blue eyes
and the rosiest lips - she looked just like a doll.
Now - she is allllll grown up *tears*
*I'm posting from work or I would show
you some fun pictures of the 3 kids
when they were little - OMG too cute!*
Just thinking about makes me *sigh*
miss the good 'ol days *smile*
It's AMAZING to see all of them grown up
and how their lives have become ~
Have A Wonderfully Fun Day Sweetie!!




Nice Weather Is Here ... YEEEAAAA!!!!

I miss the snow - however I don't miss driving in it, shoes getting wet (frozen toesies are not fun) or not being able to sleep because I was shivering to death. But the weather here has FINNNALLLY broken 100* YEEEAAAAAAAAAA I am soooooo excited - I feel so happy. I HATE the heat (I am only here for work NOT because I like the desert) no not 'hate' - DETEST, DESPISE and LOATHE are closer to the words. But right now it is 65* and partly cloudy - with a high of 88*. *SIGH*  And I LOVE the month of October - the colors (gold and amber - fall scenery is even on all my backgrounds and screensavers), the pumpkin patch, the fair (it's a month long-we usually don't go since I don't like rides but I want to lose my money and eat "fried" foods and Billy Idol is playing this year - HECK YEA I'm going!) and the best reason to love October ...... our anniversary. This Friday will be 17 years that we have been together as a family and today is our daughter's (with us the lines are blurred on the whole 'step' thing - we don't use the word to describe each other) birthday and she turns 20! That's it! Mr and I are now officially parents to 'adult' children (21, 20 and20) Yikes - when did that happen! I have to go and get ready for work now but I will post really soon. Have a safe day everyone!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

In The Navy


That is it!! This morning at 4:30 a stranger from
 the government came to my home and took my son to
 meet his future (he is going to be a 'master of arms').
I have some conflicting emotions .... mind you I freaked
 out when the kid started kindergarten and he was able
to come home at noon! We have been marking this day
off for months and now that it is here I feel .... unprepared.
Like I didn't get to tell him so much ~ a firm handshake
goes a long way or there is a difference between doing
 your best and being a show off. NOBODY likes a
show off!!I remember the last part of GG of the finale
(which he used to watch it with me all the time)


Truth be known - I am having a hard time writting this
 post. My mind is wandering and I can't stay focused. I keep
thinking things like: It is raining and cold where he is going ...
I hope he doesn't get sick,I remember him sitting on the
 couch ... sucking his fingers and watching cartoons or the way
he was always up to try new things.I wonder (dreaming)
 how this change in his life will lead to a more disciplined
adult ... to a better police officer ... which will help him
 be a good provider for his family ... maybe a little league couch
 with the other officer dads.*Sigh* Somehow I feel this is different
from when he left before ~ maybe because it shows focus
 and commitment which means maturity and that means my
 boy is growing up into the man I always knew he was going to be.
May God continue to bless all his footsteps.


Sunday, September 18, 2011

Unplugged Saturday

There is nothing better than a relaxing Saturday with loved ones. So to get out of the heat we went about 2 hours north of Phoenix for a roadtrip *RoAdTrIp!!!!* Snacks, sing-a-longs and nausea - who doens't love that?!? We found a state park tucked into Cottonwood and what a wonderful time we had. Enjoy the pictures.



Sunday, September 11, 2011

Will Never Forget

If we forget the past
we WILL be destined to repeat it.

America IS the land of the brave
and we will NEVER forget!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Shabbat Shalom

When I was a babe, I used to speak as
a babe, to think as a babe, to reason as a
babe; but now that I have become a man,
I have done away with the [traits]
of a babe.

Corinthians 13:11

Thursday, September 8, 2011

2 Months ... WOW!

I finished Don't Cry last week - in 2 months WOW I think that's a record! *giggles* I wonder what in my life could have changed? Hmmmm! Anyhow - enough of that! This book started mediocre but finished somewhat strong - similar to Patterson that you can see events from both sides (the detectives and the killer) but not as smooth of a transition (Patterson breaks up the two sides via chapters, while Barton just triple spaces in the middle of a chapter to switch gears). It did have an twist (it was an 'ohhh' twist) after first plot twist (it was the 'given' twist). Definately going to try to read the follow up in this series which is hopefully scheduled for sometime this year. I now don't know what to read. *hmmm*
We went to the Re-Store in Anthem on Saturday to see what was there, found a white cast iron double sink for the kitchen for $40 we didn't purchase it because my heart wishes to have an apron sink but not for $800 - so I might need to put away selfish desires for the practical uses of my family *sigh* But what I did find were books *go figure* Book of Angels (for my Princess - shhh don't tell her), The Beader's Palette (great ideas for my bracelets), Heloise All Around House (it's from 1965 and it's soooo cool - I can't put it down) and last Cross Country (the only Paterson is the store - I swooped up that book so darn fast) I believe this will be my next book. Aaahhhh to read Patterson again makes my heart sing. I know ... I know ... I did say I was going to read Connelly's The Poet and I do want to read it BUT ...  (a) I haven't gotten the book, (b) if I can get done quickly that will give me time to get the other one and (c) *whinnig* I want to read Patterson. **FYI - Tyler Perry is going to be in the new Patterson movie (I, Alex Cross) I'm going to take a guess that he is going to be Alex Cross - I understand that Morgan Freeman is getting up there in age but I am not too sure that I like the fact that someone else is going to be Alex besides I can see him being more the Samson character. But it would be nice to see Tyler play someone else besides Medea for a change.**

Friday, September 2, 2011

Shabbat Shalom

Do not be envious of bad men,
and do not show yourself craving to get
in with them. For despoiling is what
their heart keeps meditating and trouble
is wat their own lips keep speaking.

Proverbs 24:1-2

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Here it is! The finished laundry room – yeeeaaaa! I still am wanting to do something about decorating – which I am having a bit of a problem finding what I like that others don’t have (ei “wash” or “laundry” plaques) Owning something that a trillion other people have doesn’t say “unique” to me. I also am wanting a folding table and am leaning towards having Mr. make me a cart like this one from Ikea - then I can use it for my gardening too.  Anyhow back to the room – we used Navaho Sand by Glidden on the walls and Ultra White base for the boards and cabinets (which were a horrendous pain – NOT at all as easy as people make it out to be!) You should have seen the HUGE stack of paint squares of green, blues, yellow and tans – I adore greens, blues and yellows – tan NOT so much – so we picked a tan with a yellow undertone (almost peachy).  The problem I have with tan is picking one that doesn’t have a purple undertone (most do) – I don’t mind so much the ones with the green (which is what I am thinking of changing it to for the great room but I might lose that battle *giggles* The floors are the new floating floors called Allure – these are the ones that stick together rather than snap - which went down like a breeze and it has been a dream so far – I wanted the look of tile but better up keep and if (let's be real ... when) I change my mind I can do it in a flash!!
Here is the before - the hodge podge room - I have used this place as the 'catch all room' for a very long time, so we thought that this little neglected room needed our attention so that it can be used more efficiently.
Here it is all cleared out and molding being removed WHAT A RECK!!  *o*  Deep breath *inhale-exhale* It's not going to stay like this forever - I think
EVERYYYYTHING is primmed and waiting for paint - then flooring and then molding. Repeat "it is all worth it - it is all worth it"

Ok ... here is the after. Sorry the pictures are not better - I had to use my phone since              my beloved camera died *o*
 Everything looks so pretty and clean. This is where I want to put the cart and above it a wall mounted drying rack. But I'm still figuring it out.

We even found this great light fixture for only $10 at Home Depot AND it matches the rest of house. 


Here you can see the floor better - we even painted the metal shelves (which are NOT staying - it's temporary) so that it looks tied together. The molding came out GREAT!!! My sweet Mr. did such a fantastic job on this room! I can't wait to start on the rest of the house.




Monday, August 22, 2011

"The Voice"

Everyone ... this is my amazing friend Amy
(or who is also known as - A.J.).

*I have tried writing this post like 1 trillion times since Saturday (some funny - some serious) and I just can not express how proud I am of her wonderful accomplishments - so this post is what it is and I hope I do her justice. I know some might say that might my over adulations are unwarranted but I know I could not do what she does and still stay centered - I would breakdown and whine constantly. She is like the God Father, calm and placid and one NOT to be trifled with, while I am Joe Pesci in Goodfellas, unstable and unpredictable - especially under extreme circumstances such as witnessing abuse. So if you have someone in your life that are civil servants, please give them a little credit for how hard their job is.*

I have known this fantastic person for about 11 years now and I can say that she is hands down one of the greatest people I have ever gotten the pleasure to meet. She is truely a genuinely nice person - inside and out.  A few years ago she started to volunteer a few hours a week at the local humane society, which led to working there, which led to a great opportunity to be part of the teams  for the shows 'Animal Planet Heroes: Phoenix' and 'Animal Cops Phoenix' and when Hurricane Katrina devestated New Orleans - Amy took her experience there to help those who were scarred and abandoned and when she returned home put those experiences in a book called Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue: A Story Buried Deep. And WOW - she has an amazing way of capturing the moments there, some are a bit disturbing but at times you find yourself full of hope. I totally recommend reading this book and even to share it with your teens, also known as the "all about me stage". It can help remind us the dramatic power a few individuals have and how small choices we make now evolve to become the experiences we need in the future. Here are some excerpts:

     "Neighborhoods in Louisiana were transformed into giant science experiments gone terribly wrong. Dark green and black mold covered the inside of homes like Petri dishes labled "hazerdous". In the sunlight, these organisms appeared to be breathing, mating and multiplying right before my eyes."

     "Animals inside these flood zones were starving and struggling to find food, so we knew the smell of delicious meat hitting the air would snap his attention towards us. Normally in the city, we wouldn't have to be this aware of feeding an animal, but this wasn't the city. After almost a month of roaming the streets and being locked in houses, these neighborhoods became primal hunting grounds for animals."

     "So much time was spent in the field listening for any sound an animal might make. We drove down streets with our windows open, barking and meowing in hopes our cries would connect with theirs. At times, we couldn't locate where the sounds were coming from, so we'd jump out of the truck and place bags of food and bowls of water along the sidewalks; this was later known as a "Louisiana Food Drop."

Remember people - spay and neuter your pets - it's the responsible thing to do. For more information regarding volunteer work or being a foster parent contact your nearest animal shelter for list of legitimate places.






Friday, August 19, 2011

Shabbat Shalom


And he said to them: "Come after me, and I will
 make you fishers of men."
Matthew 4:19

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Xmen to Bad Teacher

In the theatre, we have only gotten to watch 2 movies this summer so far - lame I know *o* but we have been at Home Depot ALOT  ;p  Maybe we should buy stock (but at 33.85 I'm not too sure if I would want to) We have rented quite a bit though and I'll get those in the next movie post. For now just the two.


Xmen: First Class is to be the prequel to everything. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were each others nemesis, they were very close  friends but their opinions about how to co-exist with non-mutants tore them apart. I really really liked this movie as a movie but mind you I don't know about if it goes along with the comic books series, so my review is one sided. But I have some fun facts: 'The uniforms the X-Men wear are colored blue and yellow, in homage to the original blue/yellow suits the X-Men wore in the comics from 1963 (their debut) until (original artist and co-creator) Jack Kirby's departure from the book. After several costume changes throughout the years, the costumes used in X-Men inspired new black leather uniforms seen in the Grant Morrison written 2001 New X-Men comic).'--'A telepathic battle between Professor X and Emma Frost was going to be in the film, but upon the release of Inception the concept was scrapped.'--'During the Cerebro sequence, one of the mutants to be seen is Cyclops as a young boy playing with a glove and baseball, noticeable by his sunglasses.'


Bad Teacher is definitely not going to win any awards by no means but it delivers what it promises 90 lack luster minutes of entertainment in a a/c building. The premise of this flick is that Cameron D. LOVESSS money and her entire goal in life is to bag a rich husband so she doesn't have to teach (or work in any way) ever and she thinks the way to get 'ahead  of her competitions' would be to get a set of fake boobs. She meets a sub who is rich (Justin T) who is a complete .... dork - for lack of better words but he has eyes for a female version of himself (Lucy P). And I do have to add that I adore Jason Segal - he is adorable (he probably would rather have a different adjective though) Something about the mouthy language and crude scenes reminded us of Bad Santa - Cameron=Billy Bob, Lucy=John and Jason=Lauren so it is definitely NOT for the younger audience.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Movies For Labor Day

Labor Day, aaahhh, a day for relaxing, spending time with family, eating and of course ... movies. For those of you out of country it is celebrated on the first Monday in September, the creation of this labor movement was in 1882 and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. 

The following are movies about the hardworking American spirit.
Grapes of Wrath, this 1940 is a wonderful classic cinema showcasing common man Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) who leads his family on a harrowing journey from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma to the promise of a better life in California. Based on John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and masterfully directed by John Ford and the novel's original ending was far too controversial to be even considered for a film in 1940. It involved Rose-of-Sharon Rivers (Dorris Bowdon) giving birth to a stillborn baby and then offering her milk-filled breasts to a starving man, dying in a barn. AND to top this off - the movie was shot in 7 (yes 7) weeks!

The Crowd,  this 1928 movie is made by acclaimed director King Vidor won an Oscar nominated for this silent film classic, which highlights the plight of working men and women in urban America. Born on July 4, 1900, John Sims (James Murray) always believed he was destined for greatness. But as his life unfolds, he faces mind-numbing work, difficult relationships, death and his own very ordinary life. Time magazine named this film one of its "All-Time 100 Movies."

The following movies reference the labor union movement.

Hoffa (a given) in this 1992 film Jack Nicholson's portrait of Union leader James R. Hoffa, as seen through the eyes of his friend, Bobby Ciaro (Danny DeVito). The film follows Hoffa through his plethora assaults and includes with a "theory" of their disappearance in 1975.

Salt of the Earth is a 1954 B&W movie based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers, who struck to attain wages and safer working conditions like their Anglo workers in other mines. The film is an early treatment of feminism, because the wives of the miners play a pivotal role in the strike, against their husbands wishes. In the end, the greatest victory for the workers and their families is the realization that prejudice and poor treatment are conditions that are not always imposed by outside forces. This film was written, directed and produced by members of the original "Hollywood Ten," who were blacklisted for refusing to answer Congressional inquiries on First Amendment grounds. It was the only blacklisted film ever in American film history. It was blacklisted during the 1950s during the height of the Cold War scare, that is why this film wasn't shown in American theater until 1965.
Matewan this 1987 film was about Matewan, West Virginian coal miners in 1920 that were struggling to form a union, are up against company operators and hired guns. Union activist and ex-Wobbly Joe Kenehan, sent to help organize the union, determines to bring the local, Black, and Italian groups together. But his efforts to organize the coal company workers spark one of the most violent incidents in the history of the 1920-21 Coal Wars.






Friday, July 29, 2011

Happy 20th Jonathon!!

It is official - I am no longer a parent to teenage children. My youngest turned 20 at 6:50am today  *o* I am ok with the kids growing up and moved on (I have dreamed of the day when they would meet "the one", get married, have children and live a blissful life) but to say to people "Yes, I have 2 children one is 20 and the other is 21" just seems ..... weird.  Besides, people can do math - how can I be 30 if my youngest is 20 ... maybe I'll tell people I am 36  =D

  I can remember ...
... how great it was when you started sleeping through
the night at 3mths
.... reading books before bed
 'I know a place, I know it by heart .... home'
... this was about how it was when it was
time for reading - fav subjects was math/science

Events going on in 1991
Some really great movies came out this year: Silence of the Lambs, JFK, Hook, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Some tv shows that are still fresh in our memories premiered in 1991: Blossom in Jan (Joey L was too cute) , Rugrats in Aug, Clarissa explains it all in March,  and Home Improvement in September - which had  EEEEvverbody grunting.

The TGIF line up on ABC was Family Matters, Step by Step, Perfect Strangers, Baby Talk and 20/20.

See ... great things came out of 1991 but you are my absolute favorite.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

USS ARIZONA at PEARL HARBOR
 
Happy 4th of July USA!! Here in Phoenix, even though it is somewhat cloudy, the high today is to reach 103* *YIKES* My Mr and myself forgoed leaving town in lue of finishing our laundry room - so now what are people like ourselves to do? We can go to Tempe to view the fireworks - only 50,000 people are excepted to  attend! Hmmm I don't think so. I know! Let's watch history (well Hollywood's version)!  Movie and a burger - heck yea!! Here is a quick run through of some pics to pick.

 
This 2000 movie is one of my favorite Civil War movies - I watch it threw out the year. It is set in  1776 in colonial South Carolina. Benjamin Martin, (Mel G) a French-Indian war hero who now wants nothing more then to live peacefully on his small plantation, and wants no part of a war with Great Britain.  Like all kids, his two older sons, Gabriel and Thomas, can't wait to enlist in the newly formed "Continental Army." When South Carolina decides to join the rebellion Gabriel (Heath L) immediately signs up to fight without his father's permission. But when British Colonel William Tavington,  known for his brutal tactics, comes through and burned his plantation ends up *spoil alert* kills one of his young sons. Benjamin quickly finds himself torn between protecting his family, and seeking revenge along with being a huge part of a militia group.
 
 
If you can remember I really like this movie. It is cleverly written and wonderfully acted.
 
I
 haven't gotten to see "The Crossing" yet to know how good it is but it is a dramatization of George Washington's (Jeff Daniels) crossing the Delaware River and attacking the British forces at Trenton. I guess the  friction between General Washington and General Gates portrayed in the film was very real. In fact, Gates was allegedly involved in a conspiracy known as The Conway Cabal, a plot to oust George Washington as Commander-in-Chief in 1778 and replace him with himself. Gates' name surfaced again in the Newburgh Conspiracy, another plot to oust Washington in 1783. See people who say US history is boring are just dumb!

However you decide to spend your 4th of July do so with love, laughter an safely.