Movie Mania

I love movies but I am frugal so movie going in the evening has not been a part of my life for a long time. I recently found (through a frugal friend) a Cinemark theatre here in the D/FW Metroplex that has $2.50 adult ticket prices (even on weekends) for any showing before 6 PM. Awesome!

Needless to say, Sunday was movie day. This summer will be a bumper crop of movies for me (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince anyone?) and I will be looking for Cinemark theatres for as many of them as possible: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen; UP! (which was sold out Sunday and full of kids); Public Enemies (eye candy AKA Johnny Depp and Christian Bale); Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs...without cheap matinee prices, I'd go broke trying to see everything that is soon to hit the big screen.

BFF Ruth and I spent a wonderful day together; we started with Star Trek and then took a break for lunch at Luby's and ended with Angels and Demons. If we hadn't done lunch and a quick run through DeSoto (I grew up there and graduated from DHS; she lived there for many years), we might have had time for X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but I'm a bit glad we didn't as I am not sure I could have handled all the excitement LOL!

I'm really going to try for no spoilers here (sheepish grin). Star Trek had me crying before the opening title sequence. Fantastic movie and great casting. Yes, as stated in an earlier post, I am a die-hard Star Wars fan, but this Star Trek reminded me that I was once a fanatic Trekkie and I am now enjoying the various Trek incarnations on cable whenever possible. I found myself wondering what the surviving cast members of the original Trek (especially Nichelle Nichols) think about the way their characters are portrayed. I was personally quite excited and sitting on the edge of my seat for much of the film. This is a "buy the 2-disc + digital copy version the day the DVD comes out" film. And, are they filming the sequel yet?

Then, after that wonderful experience, what can I say about Angels and Demons? I had loved the book and can think of no better Robert Langdon than Tom Hanks. Ron Howard's direction is exacting and particularly suited for this material. The screenwriting was tight. We were able to get enough information about the Vatican's policies and procedures to understand the conclave (I really love to go to movies where I learn just enough about something that I am intrigued to go do further research on my own). I also had read the book long enough ago that I was totally engrossed in the ending. Of course, any movie with Ewan McGregor will hold my attention while he is on screen...and I'm saving my pennies for the 2-disc version of this movie as well.

Both movies were thrilling. They each had thought-provoking scenes and edge-of-your-seat moments, and I got to see them both for $5. Who could ever ask for more?

Live Long and Prosper!

The Res-Q-Challenge

What an awesome blog! My friend Beverly turned me on to this blog because of the You Tube video done by the extremely talented young Gia who shows a very well designed birthday card (scroll down to Challenge 10 and be prepared to be amazed). Gia must have started stamping before she learned to walk. I know I will watch her career with interest. And many thanks to her "peeps" at Res-Q who are so encouraging to a young artist!

Memorial Day Musings

Our family has been quite Blessed. WWII saw my father in the Coast Guard and my uncle in the Air Force and they both made it home. Korea skipped us entirely. Vietnam saw service from my cousin and my second husband and again, both came home.

Many families have not had that experience and their loved ones are scattered from Normandy to Midway; from Osan to the Nakdong River; from Dong Xoai to Khe Sanh.

This is the best country in the world, even with its faults and foibles. A return to sensible spending seems to be imminent. The reduction of blatant consumerism may follow so that it is not what I own but what I have to offer humanity that is recognized. (Our parents and grandparents knew the value of Reduce/Reuse/Recycle long before the "3 R's" term or triangle were born.) Many people seem to forget that our free enterprise system was based on hard work and dedication to duty.

Our soldiers never forgot that basic tenet. They also never forgot that certain core values are worth fighting for--they are not to be easily laid aside for expediency. Even in war, there are rules to follow and consequences result if those rules are broken.

We have entered a new age and new rebirth in America. January 2009 brought great change, and for many Americans, a sense of optimism not seen or felt since the Camelot days of JFK. Thanks to our fighting men and women deployed around the world in places and conditions not of their choosing, we can enjoy what has become the new Memorial Day tradition--a day off work (often paid) where we can barbecue and swim and go to the park or the movies and enjoy our families.

Please take a moment and reflect on your loved ones lost in the service of the greater good...I thank each and every one of them for providing me with a country as great as this where I have endless opportunities for success.

Stampin' Up! and Decor Elements

I love the Decor Elements! And since they are vinyl wall art, they are perfect for apartment dwellers (easily removable if moving and no need to re-paint to get your deposit back). Just check out the designs on my SU! website and if you have design ideas to suggest, I'll be happy to pass them along to the home office. I personally love the Manhattan Flower design. The Chocolate and Kraft sheets are on my wish list; I want to cut out coffee cups and saucers, then use the small Filigree with them to redecorate my kitchen and dining room in a coffee theme. Once it is done, I'll be sure to show it off!

Yet Another Reading Challenge

Just what I need for all my "free" time...another Reading Challenge! This one is from one of my Yahoo Groups, and since it is short and sweet (only four books in a year), I should be able to finish it off (imagine a wink and a grin here, dear reader).


1. Read a mystery with the word "murder" in the title
2. Read a mystery set in your region
3. Read a mystery that has been on your shelf for at least a year
4. Read a mystery from a "new to you" author

I love reading the blog this came from...and I admire greatly the amount of time the author devotes not only to her blog, but to her many Yahoo reading groups...please go enjoy yourself at http://anotherbookonthestack.blogspot.com/