House of D

I absolutely loved this movie.  Saw it this weekend (thank you, Netflix) and it is now on my list of keepers.  Here's a brief Netflix summary:

Set in New York, House of D is the multilayered story of a man (David Duchovny) coming to terms with his past and present, and resolving his relationships with the people who helped make him the man he's become. Along the way, he recalls the special bond he shared with a mentally disabled janitor (Robin Williams) who worked at the elementary school he attended.

Matt pointed out that I do tend towards the coming of age movies...I guess there's just something about the authenticity and transparency of Holden Caulfield-like characters.  What makes this movie so captivating is the development of relationships the boy (played by Anton Yelchin) has with his mother, best friend, and prisoner at the detention center.  The humor is realistic of a middle school boy...so do be forewarned, though it is rated PG-13.  I have always been a fan of Robin Williams, and now am an Anton Yelchin fan.

Join Expo!

I got a $25 giftcard to any Darden restaurant in the mail today!  I think that Matt and I will either use it at Longhorn Steakhouse or Olive Garden on a date night.  So, how did I get this for free?  I signed up for a consumer review program called Expo and uploaded quick (like 1-3 minutes from my webcam) videos of different products that I was invited to review.  Most of these products are things you already have at home (frozen pizza, detergent, soap, shampoo, coffee, etc.).  You accumulate points for recording and downloading reviews, then are able to use your points to get different prizes.  I think it took about 3 videos to get this giftcard.  It's so easy to do and well worth it...it will definitely help our dining out budget!  Join here!

Ok, on a side note, it took me awhile to get used to recording videos of myself talking about random products.  I mean, I was the person that took about 45 minutes to record my answering machine message with my roommate in college.  Slighty embarassing?  Yes, for those who are camera shy.  In fact, I wouldn't let Matt see the videos I made.  But worth it?  Definitely, which is why I am posting about this!

Wordless Wednesday

Creaky Trees?

I felt pretty sorry for Jackson today, as I've been neglecting his excersize.  We found out a few days ago at his annual vet exam that his is now 85 lbs.  So, for all of you that have noticed him getting bigger (ahem, fatter), it is definitely true.  Well, today was rather nice, so I threw the ball for him in our backyard.  Abigail was taking a nap, so I took her intercom outside with me.  Every time the wind blew, I heard an ominous creaking sound.  First, I thought it was coming from the intercom.  Nope.  Maybe the wooden gate at the back of our yard?  Nope, it was still latched and locked.  I then proceeded to check both shed doors as well as glance over at our neighbor's shed to see if they had a flyaway shed door.  No luck.  Could it be the door to the chicken coop two houses down (yes, even though we live 3 minutes from downtown, there are two chicken coops on our street...oh, and a fox that lives at the end of the street that has been known to be the culprit of a chicken massacre awhile back).  Nope, not that either.

Then I decided to look up and realized that the trees in our yard were creaking!  Now, these trees are TALL and oftentimes sway when the wind blows.  This picture doesn't do justice to their height, but you can imagine how tall that tree in the front is compared to the height of the swing.  I've never heard the trees creak before, so if I blog about a tree crashing through the roof of our house tomorrow, you will have been forewarned.

Wordless Wednesday

The 5 O'Clock Club

I've officially joined the 5 O'Clock Club!  This club is part of Girltalk, a down to earth blog by Carolyn Mahaney and her three adult daughters.  They are issuing a 28 day challenge this month (that will hopefully continue on for a lifetime) to wake early in the morning in order to spend time with God and in His word.  Being part of the club simply means that you'll commit to waking early.  This offers to me a much needed form of accountability in this area.  As I signed up, I had to write why I was joining the club...here is what I wrote:

"I've tried getting up early on and off for the past few years, but have always gotten discouraged when I end up hitting snooze about 15 times. My husband and I are the proud parents of a 10-month old daughter and are about 2 years into planting a church...two MAJOR things that constantly remind us of our need for Jesus. I want to join the 5 O'Clock Club out of desperation (in a good way) to make my relationship with God a priority in our family life and in our church planting life. I think I'm going to try 5:30am though :)"

So last night I set my alarm for 5:30am and this morning I pressed snooze until 6:00am.  Yes, later than I wanted, but still early enough to take a shower and have a quiet time before Abigail awoke.  It felt great to be up and I was so excited to do this...I think this was the first time I've ever been excited about waking early.  Please ask me how it's going when you see me.  I need all the accountability and encouragement I can get!

By the way, check out the Girltalk website.  There are some great articles and resources on Biblical womanhood there!