Who-Ray for Horton

HORTON HEARS A WHO Movie Meter: 10! Yay for Dr. Suess!

Horton hears voices, but he's not crazy; he's an elephant. (Duh!) Jim Carrey and Steve Carell get animated for the movie of Dr. Seuss' book, which reminds us that a person's a person ... no matter how small. Whoville is a town on a dandelion full of tiny people. It was surprisingly fun for the grandkids AND the adults! Here are some funny quotes:

Horton: There's a tiny person on that speck that needs my help!

The Mayor of Who-ville: I have 96 daughters and 1 son. Horton: [laughing] Whoa! Busy guy.

Horton: I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. Morton: [sighs] An elephant's faithful one hundred percent. Horton: That's my code, my motto.

Katie: In my world everyone is a pony, and they all eat rainbows, and poop butterflies.

The Mayor of Who-ville: Seriously, who is this? Is this Burt from accounting?

Morton: Horton, the kangaroo has sent Vlad! Horton: Vlad? Vlad, Vlad... I know two Vlads. There's the bad Vlad... And then there's bunny Vlad, the one that makes cookies! Morton: ...Yeah, Horton, she's sending you a bunny with cookies. I think it's safe to say it's the bad Vlad. Horton: Yeah, good call.

The Mayor of Who-ville: So Jojo, what's uh, what's shakin'? What's happenin'? What's the word?

Horton: This entire jungle is a house of death!

The Mayor of Who-ville: Listen, Horton, I've gotta go. Apparently there's a problem with a giant meatball. Horton: You just take care of that meatball sir and leave the freaking out to me.

Horton: We must become invisible, travel silently, for there are forces that would seek to destroy us.

Oldies But Goodies

This is a picture of myself and my good buddy, Linda, from 1902. She has the beautiful curls and I have the pixie haircut. Aren't we cute???!!! It was taken on a Sunday afternoon after we had just snuk out of an all day church tent meeting (look closely at the tent flap in the background) and we were contemplating what our deviant streak of behavior was going to cost us!

NOT!!

But I had ya going didn't I?! Actually, my good buddy Linda sent me a CD that is chalk full of Vintage Clip Art. YES WAY!!! So I blogged it and DANG I'm feeling quite brilliant and productive! Don't you just love anything that translates a vivid memory into creativity? I mean, hello, I was NOT born in the early 1900s (nor was Linda, I'm pretty sure) but I bet we can each look at that picture and come up with a childhood memory and BAM, before you can say Bob's yer Uncle, everything falls into place! Alas, the beauty of scrapbooking! Thank you Linda!

You Gotta Have Freinds

Several weekends ago, I met some girlfriends for breakfast (yes, I said breakfast - not lunch - and no it was not an early breakfast or would I be there?!) This is they, and me, and a a few pancakes later! Today, I am feeling very thankful for the many fun friendships that bless my life. Pancakes aren't so bad either.

MORE FUN: Yesterday, I enjoyed a class at Archivers called "Stationery in a Snap" with several other girlfriends. GET THEE TO ARCHIVERS AND DON'T MISS THIS FUN CLASS! Loved it, had a ball, learned a lot, laughed a lot more, good medicine for the soul. Following class, mom joined us girls for lunch. Has your 85 year old mom been the hit of your girlfriend lunch lately? Mine has! We ROARED. Love your guts mom! Let me just say, afterwards Robin said to me "It makes me miss my mom." I am so lucky to have my mom so close!

INSPIRED: So after that fabulous class at Archivers, I came home and made good use of my scraproom, i.e. dining room table until 1:30 AM. My latest craft-craze is COPIC MARKERS. If you don't know what they are and you are a scrapbooker/paper crafter, you should. They come in a bazillion colors (this is a good thing) and they cost approximately $5 a pop (this is a not so good thing). Hobby Lobby recently put them on sale so I was able to pick up about 4 more colors, bringing my craft-craze copic marker collection to a whopping 9. But -- oh baby -- do I love them a bundle! I am learning to "shade" like a real artist (self-teaching from web research) but I DO think I'm hot stuff. It's really fun.

HONORED: My dear friend Eleanore, and her beautiful bride-to-be daughter Kara, called me yesterday and asked me to sing at the wedding! She would like for me to sing The Wedding Song when Eleanore is ushered down the isle. Everybody say awwwww! How sweet is that?! I had been planning all along to cry when Kara comes down the isle since she is such a beeeeuutiful girl, but that takes care of that! I really am so honored. I love you Eleanore. It takes a long long time to grow an old friend. (She's the pretty little gal in the picture, sitting in front of me, she's in a blue sweatshirt.)

FAMILY TIME: Kevin enjoyed an unexpected visit with his brother, Harold, yesterday. Harold and Viv drove up so Viv could spend time with a sick family member, who is suffering from cancer. Kevin & Harold started the day with breakfast, piddled around in the tool store, worked together at the shop, and ended with dinner at Montana Mikes. I think this is somewhat equivalent to a GIRLS DAY OUT, only it was a MANS DAY OUT. I mean, come on, does it knock your socks off to go to the tool store? Isn't it nice that God made us different.

A Recent Telephone conversation with Rhegan:

Rhegan: Hi Grandma! Are you done visiting with Keaton in Florida?
Kay: Yep, I'm back home now!
Rhegan: Good, cause I need to come over to your house and eat banana's and apples.

Needless to say, we are having Andrea/Shawn and the babes out to the house this weekend and you can bet your farm that I will have banana's and apples.

Continuing Telephone Conversation With Rhegan:

Kay: Remember to bring your monkey banana pajama's and a good book for us to read.
Rhegan: "MOM - she said for me to bring my monkey banana pajama's and a book!" (to me) I have a really GOOD book!
Kay: Don't forget! I want you to go make a list, and write down banana pajama's and a book so you will remember to pack them.
Rhegan: I can't go make a list, silly, because I don't know how to write numbers yet.

Cool Pic of Bike Riding Girlfriend

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ERIN,

BRANDT'S COOL BIKERIDING GIRLFRIEND!

May your days always be beachy!

In the long run ...

We had a fun little dinner last Saturday night with good friends the Wilsons (Brent & Eleanor) and the Bryants (Gary & Lynn). First, we set out to see a new movie called "Bonneville" It premiered last week and we noticed it when we were at the movies with the Wilsons last weekend. We decided right there and then to make a plan to see it this weekend (mainly because we are cheap and cannot use discount coupons on premier showings. That's called being a respectable baby boomer.) The preview makes it look like "Thelma & Louise" in first gear. 3 women set off on a cross country jaunt to deliver an urn full of an ex-husband's ashes to a resentful daughter. Sounds good huh?

WELL - I'LL NEVER KNOW!

We got to the ticket window (with our discount coupons) and learned it was no longer showing! What? Why? The sweet teenager in the box office simply said "Oh, we lost that movie last Friday."

PLEASE TELL ME, HOW DO YOU LOSE A MOVIE?

We LOLed all the way to our seats in the next movie of choice, The Bank Job. Mr. Wilson still had time to get his all-important popcorn! Kevin, Brent, and Gary all liked the movie. Lynn and Elearnor said it was good. But let me just say this: I could have lived my whole life without ever seeing that movie. The true story of a heist gone wrong -- in all the right ways.

Dinner at Adobo's was the best part of the evening. There is something about authentic Mexican cuisine that gets the taste buds going. They mix fresh guacamole dip right at your table, but it still doesn't fix the fact that it is green!

Dedication of the Babes

Back in early February, Andrea & Shawn dedicated their 3 babes to the Lord in a beautiful church service. (I mentioned it earlier in the blog and promised to post more detail). This was a day filled with tender mercies ... those little reminders that our Heavenly Father hears my prayers and shows me that He cares. Here I am, a month after the dedication service, enjoying the blessings of that day, knowing that God is working in the lives of my children and grandchildren. I ask you, is there anything better? Listed below are the scriptures chosen by Pastor Jeff - God love him!

For the dedication & the Stewart family:
Psalm 103:17 From everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Clayton Nathaniel Stewart (meaning -Clay, Pliable Earth)

Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Rhegan Elizabeth Stewart (meaning - Royalty) We KNEW she was really a princess!
1 Peter 2:9 For you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Parker Thurman Stewart (meaning - Keeper)
Psalm 119:2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

Ramblings

Doing the Happy Dance: Things are looking good today. My 2008 mojo is working overtime. I really CAN do two people's jobs. I really CAN get tax prep done for (1) INDIEC, (2) CTI (3) our personal return (4) mom's return, and (5) Keaton's return. I really CAN get the Women Owned Business application organized for CTI. I really CAN reach for the stars even if you have to stand on a cactus.

Entertainment: Last night was theater night with my sister, Jean. We met the nicest retired couple at our table, they were quick-witted, entertaining and lovable. "Westside Story" was not my favorite play, mostly because it does not have a happy ending, but they did a good job and the music was good. It was a fun night out.

Silly: This morning, I went outside in my PJ's and slippers with hot electric curlers in my hair in 19 degrees to start my car so it could warm up. Remember that adorable husband of mine who brings home the Bobcat to lovingly scoop snow and ice for his princess, and then parks the Bobcat in my garage? (Work with me here)

Annoyed: First, see above entry. Second, a pet peeve...recent words mis-pronounced that annoy me. It's Wal-mart. Not Wal-martS. There is no S. Singular. One mart. Valentimes. It's Valentine. NOT TIME. NaPkin. Not Nakin. There is a P in it. That's all. Short, sweet. Thank you.

Delighted: Andrea called yesterday afternoon to say YES, she and the kids (minus little guy Parker) are going to join us for the Florida trip to Keaton's graduation. HAPPINESS! We agreed on NO bathing suits - only capri's to show a little leg!

Original: Karen and I were talking about a friend of mine who has a tendency to be (putting it politely) one of the most negative people I've ever known. Karen casually said, "She needs a lesson on shut-upness." Now, there's an innovative word, if I ever heard one. We laughed and laughed!

Grateful: Lunch with Debbie today. As we were leaving, I told her to pass along a message to Janet. Tell her that I love her! Oh! And tell her that I HATE cancer! Janet is handling it so well and Debbie is the picture of sisterly love and support. Amen to that.

Anticipation: Next week is stamp club. Yay! 7 days from today, not that I'm counting or anything. Not that I'm excited about clubbing with the gang, or meeting for dinner, or laughing out loud, or making cool projects. Nope, I wouldn't do that.

Haircut: I liked it so much last time, I had another inch and a half cut off, and layered to smitherines! Two weeks from now, I'll like it again. I can still wear a headband, but a pony tail is out to lunch, baby!

Enough said.

Visit with Florida Boy

Long Time No Talk

The days have FLOWN by! It would be hard for me to write a "catch up" entry so just won't try. Suffice it to say, in one sentence, I've been working hard at all my jobs. I've also been out of town visiting Florida boy. It was a really fun trip and the sunny 80 degree weather didn't hurt me either! Tonite, it is rain/snow/sleeting outside and I am just getting home from my jobs at 11pm. Re-entry is tough! Thanks Keaton, for hangin' with yo mamma! I loved "Without Walls" SO VERY MUCH - what a neat church! I loved your new campus restaurant, but not as much as BD's Mongolian Grill. I loved all your friends and your bed made nice & neat. I learned to love your driving, through closed eyes. Your driving got us to Downtown Disney and back safely (thank ya Jesus!). I loved your prayer board. I love the man you have become.

Today was my dad's birthday, he would have been 88 years old. Seems like yesterday he was here with us. I can still remember the snow coming down and the Navy people lined at his gravesite on the day of his funeral. How I miss him. How I wish he was here to see my kids and how proud I am of them. How I wish he could play with Clayton, Rhegan, and Parker. How I hope he is proud of me. On days like this, I close my eyes and I see the same thing everytime. Dad is walking toward God's open arms. I can see it clear as day. What an example to leave his family. Someday, I will run and give him a big hug and tell him I love him.

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others. One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching.

A Controlled Hissy Fit

I had, what I refer to, as a "working girl meltdown" one day this past week. It happened on my FIFTH straight day of client bills {yes, I said the FIFTH straight day} after discovering and fixing countless allocation errors. One of my co-workers who shall remain nameless, but handles the mail, found it necessary to reject a 4-inch stack of outgoing mail, which did not amuse me. Another one of my co-workers, who shall remain nameless, but handles the staff, pulled me into an accounting department mess, which did not amuse me. I had a controlled hissy fit and decided to make plans for a visit to Mandy & new baby Dani because I am not feeling the love! Interestingly, having a controlled hissy fit gave me an opportunity to practice empathy. I am reminded to be responsible, appreciate my job, and my co-workers. In retrospect, maybe a controlled hissy fit is not such a bad thing after all. Enough said.

Some rambling thoughts:

• Both Kevin & I now have new eye glasses. Children of ours, remember, we can see what you are doing now!


• My dear sweet wonderful husband cleared the snow & ice from our driveway and several neighbors, even if I did have to make room for his Bobcat in the garage instead of my car. Love his guts!


• Tomorrow morning is a "girlfriend breakfast" (not before 10am silly - would I do that?).


• This Sunday is extra special - not just because of the Super Bowl. Andrea/Shawn are having all 3 babes dedicated to the Lord during the morning church service and we will be there. Will report more on that later this weekend.


• Speaking of the Super Bowl - go Giants!


• Florida Boy/Student Teacher recently said, and I quote: "I am SO much better than the teacher- really, mom, I am!" {Florida Boy is not on 20 year burn out}


• DC Jet Setter Son is enjoying Lake Tahoe this week, although fog stopped him from jumping mountains on his snowboard yesterday. Puleeeeze watch out for trees my sweet! You already {sorta} have a balding head, please don't mess up your beeuutiful smile!


• I received an absolutely darling handmade transparency card from a treasured friend this week. Can you believe it? An unexpected friendship note during a hissy fit week? Thank ya Jesus! [and Linda}


• Kevin threw a man hissy fit one night this week when I {inadvertenly} left the front door wide open {again} after turning into bed for the night. Well deserved hissy fit I might add.


• I want to make "Ranger" cookies for my grandson this weekend. He is a "Ranger" at church. Isn't that just too cute? I found the recipe in a a magazine, I hope they taste good.


• My cell phone rocks. The other day, Joyce and I yickety-yakked about our next Stamp Club order. It's SO much fun to put SO much thought into SO cute stuff!


• My cell phone rocks again. Today, Eleanor and I text messaged each other SO many times about tomorrow's girlfriend breakfast. It's SO much fun to plan for SO much fun {after 10AM, of course} and consider having a hot dog for breakfast!


• I am SO done rambling.

It is very easy to forgive others their mistakes; it takes more grit and gumption to forgive them for having witnessed your own.