Marley & Me

This afternoon I went with a few friends a went to see the move Marley & Me. Now, if you take the description straight off the movie website, it's about an ambitious young reporter, John Grogan, and his wife, Jenny, who is also a reporter. They move to a Florida, buy a house and adopt a Labrador puppy and name him Marley. Marley quickly becomes a rollicking force of nature in their lives.

But that's only the beginning of the story and I would be ruining the movie if I told more, so why stop there? That's what blogs are for! No, I won't ruin it. But I have come to realize that I really missed out not having a dog for a pet growing up. I know in earlier blogs I've mentioned that I was raised with some sort of phobia about animals. I'm getting over it. I truly loved Marley & Me and the only thing I would change about Marley is that I would call in a real dog trainer, not Kathleen Turner. Did anyone else recognize her???

What we have to do is really commend John Grogan, the author, for his humanity to the simple yet complex creatures around us. There are so many and they come in all sizes; from horses to dogs, and from all manner of bird life to the cats that wish to eat them! There are the beautiful sea creatures like dolphins and porpoises to sea lions and walruses. I can't even begin to cover the land animals in Africa. If you have the opportunity, take a safari. but if you can't do that, find something nearby and travel there. I am still trying to visit the Grand Canyon and its beauty. I've been told about it so many times and seen so many pictures of it, I think I'm homesick.

So, enjoy your day, your world, and the animals around you.

And please have a safe and Happy New Year!

Cheers!

The day after Christmas

If you're like everyone else-or like me, you started shopping for those special gift in September, or before and ran out and got the last one(s) Christmas Day. This was a lean year so we improvised a lot. Home baked cookies went far. The inexpensive Chicago caps that you pick up at Walgreen's was at hit (I was mildly surprised at that one!) and hubby baked an apple pie for our son. We did get regular gifts for others too, but next year hopes to be much better-but I always say that.

The problem is the day after. Last night, after all the gifts had been opened, we sat around with silly grins on our faces and just enjoyed the moment. Now, mind you, there is nothing wrong with that! But as my wise pappy says; "All that fussing and fixing, for just a few moments and then it's gone!" Ah, but what a few moments it was!

So what did we do today? Sadly, not too much of anything. I felt depressed because I felt the holiday was over. Although I shouldn't feel that way. We attended Christmas Eve service along with millions of others and heard a wonderful message that should keep me going, I just forgot it! Sometimes I think about Hanukkah and the festival of lights, then there's Kwanzaa, and Three King's and that's not until January sometime! I think I'm going to keep the decorations up all year because it must be Christmas somewhere in the world in some form.

Don't you think?

I'll end with homage to the wonderful Charles Schultz who had the right idea with a Charlie Brown Christmas. Poor Charlie Brown couldn't get anyone to listen to him when he was trying to direct a simple Christmas pageant. When he finally gave in one last time, Linus, his best friend told him the true meaning and to make up for their bad behavior, the gang asked Charlie Brown to buy a tree. Although he bought the worst tree in the lot, through their love it became a true Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Cheers!

Ice Age 3

I have to admit that I have been negligent in attending to any blogs, I ask your forgiveness. I've been looking for a job. I know, I should have just moved from the job site over to my blog site and that should have been that! My only excuse is that I get real tired after four hours in front of a computer! So, I've decided to write by blog first. The other problem is that while we've been stuck at home the Midwest has been hit with two blizzards within the past week. As I write this, the wind is howling outside my den window. I have decided to find something positive about all of this and since we loved the movie Ice Age, I am looking forward to the July, 2009 opening of 'Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.'

The synopsis goes that the sub-heroes from the worldwide blockbuster 'Ice Age' and 'Ice Age: The Meltdown' are back in an incredible adventure. Scrat is still trying to nab the ever-elusive nut. He even may find true love along the way! But love is fleeting.

Manny and Ellie await the birth of their mini-mammoth and Diego the saber-toothed tiger wonders if he's growing too 'soft' after hanging around with Manny and his pals. And Sid the Sloth gets into trouble when he creates his own makeshift family by hijacking some dinosaur eggs.

On a mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, where they have some close encounters with dinosaurs, battle flora and fauna, run amuck, and meet meet a a relentless, one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel named Buck.

I find this centers all around the animals. I'm just waiting for some human to pop in the story-you know, probably from 'Ice Age'. Now that would be interesting! I loved that kid!

Visit their website at http://www.iceagemovie.com/

Cheers!

The Black Canary Barbie

I was running through the Internet as usual today when I ran across an article on a new Barbie doll called the Black Canary Barbie. I picked up on this one because I had never seen anything like it and I thought it was new and interesting!
Needless to say, the Black Canary Barbie is one of those perfectly harmless items that has come under attack. As the Chicago Sun-Times reports, a British Christian organization has attacked the Mattel toy company for releasing a Barbie doll dressed as the DC comic book heroine known as the Black Canary. The doll is clad in black, as the name suggests and in accordance with the character, and her habiliments consist of a leather body suit, jacket, gloves, boots, and fishnet stockings.
The dolls are intended mainly for adults, as part of the Barbie Loves Pop Culture series, and cost more than twice as much as the Barbie dolls marketed to children. One would imagine that the great majority of parents would steer their little dears toward the more conventional options in the Barbie line.
What I would like to know is; whatever happened to Skipper?? Now I had a Skipper doll when I was growing up. I did not like Barbie, my older sister had Barbie. I loved Skipper, she was just perfect! I loved combing her long blond hair and I did not mind she was Barbie's younger sister, we could relate!

The Skipper doll was released in 1964, 5 years after Barbie, and retired in 2003. She was restructured many times in between but many collectors consider the early '60 Skipper dolls to be superior in quality to those produced later on. I always thought so!

Anyways, I never had a baby doll or anything, I only had my Skipper and I'll stick to it. I hope today's girls are able to find something they'll love too!

Cheers!

Patty Blagojevich

Cubs' game, was Patty jealous????

So, I hear today on the news that the FBI knocked on the governor's door this morning at 6am. Poor guy. But I guess he was already up.

It was his kids I was concerned about. They had school and were about to get ready I'm sure but nobody wants to see their dad led away by the FBI unless you think that's cool or something.

Anyway, good old Rod got out on $4500 bond and is back home tonight. Everyone knows what he was trying to do. Of course he's brought the state to a new low-we've all heard that one-by trying to sell President-Elect Obama's recently vacanted senatorial seat. Besides that, he's bribing The Tribune and telling them he wants them he wants some favorable editorial staff. Oh yes, the Children's Hospital thing. Something about not getting some campaign funds that were promised, so he's withholding about $8 million. Deal with it, Rod!!!!

No, what really gets me is Patty. Now the FBI has this chick on tape talking about the Cubs, yes my Cubs, in an abusive and foul manner.

Much of the information authorities collected came from bugs in the governor's campaign office and his home phone, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said at a press conference Tuesday. The prosecutor said Mrs. Blagojevich was referenced in the complaint, but he would not describe her involvement further.
"I'm not going to comment on anyone not charged," said U.S attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
According to the affidavit, in one profanity-laced account, Patricia Blagojevich was allegedly heard in the background of a call between her husband and someone identified as "Deputy Governor A" advising the governor on how to handle The Chicago Tribune, which had published an editorial critical of the governor.
"F--- them," Patricia Blagojevich is quoted as saying, according to the affidavit. In an apparent reference to the Tribune Company's attempts to sell Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs, she urges the two engaged in the phone call to "hold up that f---ing Cubs s---."

Now, I hope that she is ashamed, ASHAMED, of herself! I would not be able to hold my head up in public! I think we have our new Cubs scapegoat, and her name is Patricia Blagojevich!

Cheers!

Disney films

All this month old Disney flicks will be making the rounds at several cable channels near you.

"Treasure Island," "Swiss Family Robinson" and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (Which was shown today, 1:45 and 4 p.m., Turner Classic Movies) and is just the of TCM's Sunday family film showcase. Also going on this weekend are the sob story "Old Yeller" (Sunday at 6:15 p.m.), 1961's original twin trick "The Parent Trap" (8 p.m.), Hayley Mills again in "Pollyanna" (10:15 p.m.), and young TV apprentice Kurt Russell getting program picks from a chimp in 1971's "The Barefoot Executive" (12:30 a.m., all on TCM).

Now that I've given you a run-down of this months good old Disney flicks that shouldn't be missed, let's go over them. Also, how many of you remember these films? I barely remember 'Treasure Island' made in 1950, but there was a sequel made in 1954 called 'Long John Silver'. I don't think that went over too well. There was also another 'Treasure Island' in 1990 with Charlton Heston, some say the original title was 'Devils Island'.

I truly enjoyed the original Disney 'Swiss Family Robinson' and have found that there are a total of 7 films that are adapted from the 1812 novel. There are also 6 TV shows including 'Lost in Space' which I grew up on, and 9 made for TV movies. That many, huh?

Whatever happened to those days when the lead actor was so manly? The best we can do nowadays is Hugh Jackman. He really is kind of good looking, but some of these other goof offs had better look to the old films-give me Kirk Douglas getting tossed around by a sea monster any day! On top of that he saves the day by banishing Captain Nemo and the Nautilus to the bottom of the sea, supposedly, there's the sequel 'Mysterious Island' to think of.

James Mason made a great Nemo and the ending was actually sad. As with all great films there have been remakes, but none really showed up until 1996 and then came 4 more. My favorite among those is 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'. Maybe it's because I've always loved Sean Connery, the movie itself is not that good. Although the special effects are tremendous! Connery is the only actor who really puts some feeling into his role. I know if he read this, he'd laugh. That's a good Scotsman. I also loved the Nautilus in the movie. Like I said, the special effects are awesome! This has the same ambiance that 'Hunt for Red October' had. It takes a large screen TV and a dark room to enjoy!

This brings us to 'Old Yeller'. A great tale of boy loves dog and vice verse. How can you not get attached to a cute little bundle of fur, watch him grow up over a summer or two and then while protecting the younger little brat the poor dog gets rabies and goes mad. Well, that's it. Dog must die. I did cry when I watched this-a long time ago. But I just watched an interview with the kid who played the little brother and had all this blond hair. He's bald now and has quite a sense of humor. He mentioned a scene in which he had to hold a bear cub so the mother bear would attack. For some reason she wouldn't do it right and it took quite a few takes. He doesn't like bears. Oh yeah, they really didn't kill Ol' Yeller.

I loved 'The Parent Trap'! But I think Hayley Mills was always too upper crust! I don't quite remember but I don't think she ever lost her English accent. I always did like Brian Keith and Maureen O'Hara though. The remake in 1998 starred Lindsey Lohan in the title role and Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson. I really thought Lohan brought out a lot of the 'kid' quality that we should see especially in the camp scenes. Kids really do things like that! They raid others cabins and fight-it's fun! I just wonder what happened to that part of Miss Lohan, if it ever existed...

What can I say about Pollyanna? The little orphan that everyone comes to love because of her positive attitude. It was filmed in 1960 and gave newcomer Hayley Mills a huge boost to her career. Disney followed up a few years later with 'Polly' (TV version)starring Keisha Knight Pulliam in 1989 and immediately after that came a sequel 'Polly: Coming Home'.

Which brings us to Kirk, ah Kirk. I have grown up with you! I caught the interview on TV where you were watching yourself and said, 'I'm so young!' Sorry, yes we were all young at one time or another. 'The Barefoot Executive' is mostly a silly movie that I just like to watch so I can sit back and enjoy. Kirk brings his girlfriends chimp into a movie studio and its discovered that the monkey can rate TV shows. The long and short of it is, money is offered for the chimp and should boy sell pet or not? Hmmm....You'd know already if you saw the movie. It costars Joe Flynn-who we loved in McHale's Navy, Wally Cox, Heather North, as the girlfriend, John Ritter, and Harry Morgan. There was a remake in 1995 for the Disney Channel starring Nathan Anderson and Terri Evans.

So, I've gone a little outside my comfort zone tonight, hope you like my blog, have a great day!

Cheers!

Mantis Shrimp

I saw this article on shrimp and though "Wow, now there's something I can enjoy!" Nope! This is Mantis Shrimp-big difference from the yummy fried stuff I enjoy at Red Lobster or wherever I might get a good shrimp dinner.

I found out Mantis shrimp are marine crustaceans and are neither shrimp or mantids, but get their name from the physical resemblance to both the bug praying mantis and shrimp I love so much! They may reach up to 12 inches in length.

In Australia they are called 'prawn killers' an sometime referred to as 'thumb splitter' or ' claw shrimp' by modern divers-because of the easy way the Mantis shrimp mutilates small appendages. Mantis shrimp can break through aquarium glass with a single strike from one of these appendages-although it is said to be rare.

They spend most of their time hiding in rock formations or burrowing in the sea-bed. Then they wait for their victims to come to them. They rarely ext their lovely homes except to feed and relocate, most are nocturnal, I happen to think the Peacock Mantis is one of the prettiest I've seen-his/her picture is above. Oh yes, most species are found in tropical or subtropical regions.

I found this to be interesting, but slightly ewwwy. There around 400 species of Mantis shrimp which have been described worldwide; all living species are in the suborder Unipelata. They are commonly separated into two groups determined by their claws.

One is called Spearers and are armed with spiny appendages topped with barbed tips used to stab and snag prey. The other, Smashers, have a club and developed a much more rudimentary spear; the club is used to bludgeon and smash the meals apart. Oh yummy.

Now for the really interesting part, the cooking. In Cantonese cuisine, the Mantis shrimp is a popular dish known as "pissing shrimp". Ewwwww! That's because due to to its tendency to 'ahem' urinate when cooked, so they're speared prior to cooking to help alleviate the situation.

I will never, ever order Mantis shrimp. Never!

For more information on the Mantis shrimp, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis_shrimp

As far as owning one of these creatures, it's not out of the question. Just don't put them with other fish. They are carnivores, after all. I again found another interesting article on whether or not Mantis shrimp are pets or pests, visit; http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/msubpestmshrimp/a/aa110498_3.htm

Thank you reading my blog and have a good day!

Cheers!

Victoria's Secrets

What a beautiful show! I have always enjoyed watching those lovely girls try and balance on those high shoes down that walkway in those wonderful costumes the designers come up with. I must admit I lost interest after about 20 minutes, though. I did see the angels wings and the backstage part, so that was cool. I figured it covered about everything.

There were plenty of big names on hand for last month's taping at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach, among them Paris Hilton in a plunging black number. Christian Siriano was in skinny jeans and shiny shirt.Terrence Howard was set for Miami in white pants and shirt with striped blazer. If you like that sort of thing...
DOUBLE DAZZLER-This $5 million Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra contains 3,900 gems, including 120 white diamonds and two jumbo black diamonds - 1,500 carats in all.

Personally, I find that sort of thing rather uncomfortable. Has anyone ever tried a Miracle Bra on? I'm still struggling with 'Lift and Separate!' But if they want to pay me for the bra-hey, I'll guess I'll take it off they're their hands, but I find that unlikely.

Hope you had a chance to catch the show, if not keep your eye out for next years version!

Cheers!

Unemployment

What can I say about unemployment-that I've joined it? After almost 18 years with virtually the same company, I was laid off. It's not much different from many others I suppose. But when it happens to you it really is hard. It hit home over 3 years ago when hubby's company moved to Indiana and didn't take any employees with them. We held on with one paycheck and unemployment until a temp job came through-but that ran out. Now we're both in the state line filing unemployment, or whatever. Guess what? I hate it. I have worked ever since I was 15 and never stopped-except when my son was born. I was never fired, never laid off. I always walked off a job, or quit. So this is so new!

I now have my resume up to snuff-I hope and I'm looking for something I will enjoy. They say those jobs don't exist but I'm being optimistic and hoping for the best. I've got to because if I don't I will become like a walking zombie or something.

I have already gone over why corporations lay people off around Christmas with those around me; and have gotten this answer, it is because they wish to 'clear the year end books'. It's such a pat answer and yet it puts everything in perspective for the company. But what about the employee?

They have lives to lead, families to feed, a holiday they probably were looking forward to. And because the 'books had to be cleared' it all got blown up! WELL, EXCUSE ME! We did not get golden parachutes and many of us did not get severance packages. I'm fighting to get some sort of health insurance. I am blessed because I had a friend at church praying over me to get insurance-I just found out the insurance I thought was good, is in fact not registered in my state. Bummer. So, I keep looking.

So now that I have blown off some steam I sincerely hope you will excuse me and I will continue to write my blogs on lighter subjects. Thank you for all of your patience!

Please visit my website anyway at www.bananastoyou.com

Cheers!