What To Expect When You're Expecting - 2012

Sometimes you just need a fluffy movie.  This is one of those.  It falls under the trend of putting a lot of stars in a movie without really starring any of them.  They all have these little vignettes and manage to connect to one another in a convenient way. 













The movie starts on a fake celebrity dancing competition that looks suspiciously like "Dancing With The Stars.".  The winner, Cameron Diaz has her own reality show that is suspiciously like "The Biggest Loser".  When she wins and gets so dizzy she throws up, the fun really starts.
 













 Then we have Jennifer Lopez who has a hot husband, a good career photographing babies and a bad uterus.  She is adopting from Ethiopia.  She was cute and Tootie from "The Facts of Life" was her adoption lady.  Glad to see Kim Fields getting work!
 











Elizabeth Banks has a maternity store and has written a children's book about breastfeeding.  After trying for two years she finally gets pregnant.  She soon realizes that it isn't all fun and games.  I know it was a long time ago but this woman pees herself a lot in this movie.  I don't remember a loss of bladder control during pregnancy.  












Brooklyn Decker is Dennis Quaid's trophy wife who is having the perfect pregnancy.  She even literally sneezes the baby out.  She is here for the purpose of making all the other moms jealous.












Anna Kendrick is a food truck owner who has a one night stand that ends in pregnancy.  Hers is a quiet little story amongst the over the top pregnancies that abound.  It almost feels like it should be in a different movie.  She is a good actress.  I loved her in "Up In The Air".













Then there are the "Dudes" led by Chris Rock.  They are in the movie to show what happens on the other side.  When they make the sequels, "What to Expect the First Year" they will offer hindsight and advice.












Plus they are friends with this guy.  (Do you like how I slipped that in?  It is for all the other "True Blood" fans)

It is a fluffy movie.  One that I will watch when it is on cable and there's nothing else on.  There were some good moments and near the end they did play with my emotions a touch.  I didn't need a Kleenex, but it was close.  It got me out of the house on my afternoon off.
 

Men In Black 3 - 2012

It was a triple generation trip to the movies today.  I went with my mother and my son.  My mom was visiting for my niece's graduation and we decided to go to the movies.

I knew this movie was coming but it kind of snuck up on me.  I was sitting with the family and watching television on Thursday night and the commercial came on. 





My sister said she wanted to see it.

"So do I, but it isn't out until Memorial Day weekend."  I told them.

They all stared at me for a moment while I realized that we were currently IN Memorial Day weekend.






It is a pretty good movie.  The first one is the best of course.  They did things in that movie that had never been done before.  For this one they were smart and didn't focus on the crazy alien effects and made it about J and K. 





That being said, there is a crazy alien who is out to get K. 





Josh Brolin does a great job as the younger K.

It is really just a fun movie worth seeing if you loved the other two.  There are lots of funny things.  They didn't give away everything in the trailers.  I really liked it.  Not as good as the first, about equal to the second. 

Now as we were walking out of the theater my mother turned to me.

"I didn't remember there being aliens in these movies."

"What?"  I think my jaw was on the floor.

"Well, after it started I remembered."  She explained.

There are aliens in the movie. 

Warn your mother.

Love you Mom.

Grease - 1978

I can't believe I haven't written about this movie.  This is one of the iconic movies of my youth.  I remember in sixth grade pretending to be the Pink Ladies at recess.  For some reason I was always Rizzo.  This wasn't my choice.  Every girl wanted to be Sandy and end up with Danny.

I don't know if I've mentioned it before but I really like musicals.  I think the world would be a sunnier place if we all broke into song on occasion.  If you're having a bad day you could walk down the hall singing a soulful ballad.  It would be awesome. 






If you're having a good day you could break out into joyful song.  Your friends and strangers would join you in a huge choreographed number.







There was a big re-release of the this movie in 1998.  I had never seen it on the big screen so I grabbed one of my best friends and went to the theater.  I had really forgotten the awesomeness of this movie.  In the dark theater this song came on and all my teen fantasies came to life.






John Travolta is pretty hot in this movie. 

I was watching this movie just this morning.  I came in right before the dance off scene.  I couldn't stop watching it.  It has everything a person needs in a musical.


Young love.






The slutty bad girl with a heart of gold. (Why do sluts always have hearts of gold?)







The bad boy who is really sensitive.






Goofy girl with pink hair.






And for some reason at the end there is a flying car.





John Travolta will never wear those jeans again.





Olivia Newton-John will never be that sweet and innocent looking again.





But we'll always have those Summer Nights.




It is a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

What Are The Odds?

Most mornings I wake up at 4AM.  I have been doing it for a while now and my alarm clock almost never goes off.  I usually feel my bladder saying good morning about ten minutes ahead of time.  Once the old bladder gets my attention, it doesn't snooze.

This morning I had to get up earlier.

Once a year my office has its carpets deep cleaned.   I volunteered (or was volun-told) to come in early and relieve the night manager, who'd stayed late, and oversee the process.

So today my alarm went off at 1:45AM.  It isn't even morning yet at that time.   I woke up before my alarm as this is normally my get up and pee time.  I don't mind as any other day I can look at the clock and be thankful I have two hours left.  Not today.

So I get through my morning. 

I took lunch at 8AM. 

Then at a little after eleven I told my people to have a good day and headed home. 

My husband, who gets up at 3AM met me there at noon and I was ready to tip back in my recliner and catch up on the hours I missed this morning.

But sadly it was not meant to be.

I had dozed off.  Then it started.

Today.

Of ALL days.

Is THE day.

My neighbor decided to take out her 100 year old tree.  

So blocking my driveway. 

And making a lot of noise.

Is a HUGE industrial wood chipper.





How's your day going?

My Dog Stevie

This is my dog Stevie.  We got him almost seven years ago.  Our old dog, Phil had died at the beginning of the summer at the ripe old age of 13. 

As a little puppy

 

Phil was not a good dog.  He could do some cool things.  He could give high fives.  But he was also an escape artist.  He was a terrier/border collie mix.  This is a bad mix.  It creates a very intelligent dog who, when bored, has bad ideas. 

Phil would go in the back yard and immediately check that the gate was locked.  If it wasn't he opened it and went on a walkabout.  If it was locked he worked Andy Dufresne style on his tunnel to freedom. 

He would wait until we were out of sight, slip behind his poster of Lassie and work away.  He did this so many times we had to bury chicken wire along the fence line to keep him in.  We also had to set up a prison style lockdown on the front porch.  The front door and the porch door could not be open at the same time.  All it took was one slip and Phil was out the door and gone.

The most frustrating part of his escapes was that Phil thought it was a game.  He would stay where we could see him.  He would let us get close enough to almost touch him and then would run.  You could almost hear him laughing.  If a stranger happened into the zone, he would walk right up to them and they could capture him.  But only once.  He had a long memory. 

When he died in the spring of 2005 he was missed.  If for no other reason than the insanity and fun he brought to our lives.   

After a few months we realized how much we missed having a dog in the house.   Mostly because we got tired of sweeping the kitchen floor.  One of the habits you get into when you have a dog is if you drop food it magically disappears.  We looked at the random chips or shreds of cheese on the floor and knew it was time.

About this time I went to Wisconsin for my sister's 40th birthday.  It was a surprise party and was a smashing success.  I had a great time.  The next day, before I went home I was invited to a brunch at her friend's house.  The friend had a Corgi mix named Sasha who was the coolest dog I had ever met. 

When I got home I told my husband that I'd found our dog.  We started watching the ads. 

Now in my world, and don't ask me why, dogs are boys and cats are girls.  I finally found a pair of male Corgi puppies in a town nearby.  I took a half day off of work and drove up.

The entire drive I was worried.  How would I pick between the puppies?

I walked in the door and there was a large cardboard box. 

This sweet face popped up.  His brother was sleeping and Stevie looked at me as if to say "Mom! I'm ready to go home!"

Stevie has been a really good dog.  But he has some small issues.  He is scared of a lot of things.

Here are just a few.

• Pop cans
• Plastic bags
• Thunderstorms
• Vacuum cleaners
• Getting his picture taken

This morning I let him out to do his business.  Trapped on the fence at the back of the yard was a piece of plastic flapping in the wind.  You'd think it was a serial killer the way Stevie was growling and barking.  I tried every trick to get him in the house.  I called sweetly.  I lowered my voice and called gruffly.  I shook the treat box. 

After all it was 7AM on a Sunday.  People sleep. 

Finally I put on my shoes and went to the fence.  Stevie, still in protection mode dodged in front of me, trying to keep the evil plastic from eating me.  I got to it and had to crumple it completely in my hand and get it out of sight. 

With that Stevie was able to follow me into the house.  I gave him a treat for protecting us from that bad, bad plastic.  It was exhausting for the little guy.  Once I was settled in my chair and safe, he went back to join Dad in bed.

It is tough being such a good dog.

Happy Birthday Tina Fey

Today is Tina Fey's birthday.  We are now the same age, about six months apart.  I love Tina Fey. 

I remember hearing about the first female head writer for "Saturday Night Live", but the name wasn't familiar to me.  I can remember her smart and funny "Weekend Updates".  That is when she started registering on my radar. 

I remember when she did her American Express which was really funny.


. 


It is almost like a straight version of "30 Rock",

I love "30 Rock".  Not just because I am positive that if Tina and I met we'd be best friends.  I have never laughed harder than the episode where Liz and Jenna have a falling out.  She decides to find a new best friend.  Next thing you know she is standing out the bathroom door in a Barnes and Noble.  That friendship didn't work out, but I know ours would.

"30 Rock" is pure goofy fun.  It is classic sitcom style where there is one sane person surrounded by a bunch of nuts.  The genius of this show is that the crazy person changes every show.  Some weeks it is Liz.  Other weeks Jack is going off the rails.  Then every show there are the antics of Jenna, Tracy and the writers.  I can watch them a couple times and find new things to laugh at. 






She is awesome in "Baby Mama". 






"Date Night" was essentially a remake of "Adventures in Babysitting" for grownups.  But I love the chemistry between her and Steve Carell.  They seem like a real couple. 

So Tina give me a call.  We could hang out and discuss junk food and reality television.  Oh, and Happy Birthday!

Season Finales

I have been quiet lately.  On the blog anyway.  In my living room I have been busy watching all those season finales. 

I am thrilled that they are finally wrapping up.  Now I know what happens to all the "Desperate Housewives".  I can sleep without wondering about those "Smash" girls.  I know who won "Survivor" and only have a week til The Donald hires his "Celebrity Apprentice". 

Now that "Mike and Molly" are settled and "How I Met Your Mother" has teased me with another possible future I can relax. 

In the next week I will be able to see the finale of "30 Rock" and we are getting close to the "American Idol" winner. 

It is exhausting. 
I don't know why I do it every time.  I have so many shows that I watch on a regular basis.  I try to stop but I can't.  Then I tell myself that I won't start any new shows but I always do.  I don't want to miss the next "Modern Family" just because my Wednesday night is already loaded. 

Here is my week of television.

Sunday:

Watch "Amazing Race" and "Celebrity Apprentice".  Record "Desperate Housewives" and "Once Upon A Time". 

Monday:

Watch "How I Met Your Mother" and "Mike and Molly".  I record "Smash" (I have to get up at 4AM, so bedtime is 9PM).

Tuesday:

Watch "Biggest Loser" and "Glee"

Wednesday:

Watch "Survivor" and "American Idol".  Record "Modern Family".

Thursday:

Watch "American Idol" results. (Although I usually just watch the other shows and fast forward to the end).  Also watch "The Office" and "30 Rock"  Record "Up All Night"

 Friday:

I record "Who Do You Think You Are".  Other than that, it is a night off.  I am currently three episodes deep in DVR for this show.

Saturday:

A true night off.  I like to get up early on Saturday and catch up on my shows I DVR that the husband doesn't like.

Now that most of these shows are complete I can't say it is going to get better.  Because in the upcoming weeks the summer shows start.

"Big Brother"
"True Blood"
"Weeds"
"The Next Food Network Star"

I didn't even include the cable shows I am watching on my computer or on demand. 

My name is Jo and I am a TV-aholic.

Movies For Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday.  There are a lot of movie's about mothers.  Unfortunately in most of them, someone dies.   At least the movies that have a realistic parent/child relationship.

"Steel Magnolias"







Poor Shelby.

M'Lynn: I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby's hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life.

"Terms of Endearment"





Poor Emma.

Aurora Greenway: I just don't want to fight anymore.

Emma Horton: What do you mean? When do we fight?

Aurora Greenway: WHEN do we FIGHT? I always think of us as fighting!

Emma Horton: That's because you're never satisfied with me.

"Stepmom"





Poor Jackie.

Isabel: You know every story, every wound, every memory. Their whole life's happiness is wrapped up in you... every single second. Don't you get it? Look down the road to her wedding. I'm in a room alone with her, fixing her veil, fluffing her dress, telling her no woman has ever looked so beautiful. And my fear is she'll be thinking, "I wish my mom was here."

Jackie Harrison: And mine is... she won't.

"Forrest Gump"





Poor Mama Gump.

Forrest Gump: Mama always said, dying was a part of life. I sure wish it wasn't.

"Carrie"






Poor Mama and Carrie.

Margaret White: They're all gonna laugh at you.

Why does this happen?  Do all movies with a mother/child relationship have to end in the death of one of them? 

I lost my mother-in-law almost two years ago.  She had a great last night surrounded by her family and she was able to hear stories and we all got a chance to tell her how much she meant to us.  We don't always get those last moments.

I guess what I'm saying is call your mom for Mother's Day.  Tell her you love and share some story that you've been holding back.  Tell her thank you.

To my mom.  I love you.  I love all the things you've taught me. 

• Love your spouse.  It makes you a better parent.
• You have to love your family, you don't always have to like them.
• When you're wearing a dress, you act like a lady.  Wear pants and you can do whatever you want.  (I wear a lot of pants!)

That just scratches the surface of what she's taught me.  From her I get my love of books and movies, although she calls it "going to the show". 

But I will never forget one night when I was sitting in the back seat of the car and crying out a confession that I was sure would change how she and my father looked at me for the rest of my life.

But all that happened was she took my hand and stroked my hair. 

"It's  not the end of the world."  She told me.

And it wasn't.  It was the beginning.   In fact it was six months later that I started my journey as a mother.  So she also taught me that we don't always recognize the moments that change our lives forever.

Love you Mom!  Thanks for all you've done and all you bring to my life.

Life is short,.  Appreciate it and the person who gave it to you.   You don't have to wait for Mother's Day.  Call her now.

The Raven - 2012

I had the day off so I decided to hit a matinee.  I chose the new John Cusack movie.  Big surprise as I love him.  (I will finish his movie list sometime) 





It is the story of the last days of Edgar Allen Poe.





John Cusack is much better looking.  Just my opinion. 

It shows a frustrated Poe who has stopped writing and is reduced to criticizing other writers to pay the bills.  He is living with a raccoon and has fallen in love with a girl whose father hates him.

He also has a major drinking problem.





But due to his money problems he can't get served in his favorite bars.  Suddenly people are getting murdered the same way Poe killed off fictional characters. 

When the police call him in to consult, he is dragged into the mystery. Soon his lady love disappears. 





What follows is a pretty decent mystery.  I don't know if I would have seen it in the theaters but I enjoyed it.  John Cusack is always solid, even in his proper 19th century mode.  The rest of the cast is good as well.  I liked that his lady, played by Alice Eve, wasn't a damsel in distress.  She had spark. 

Not a bad movie for a Monday afternoon.

Now to decide if I will see "Dark Shadows" in the theater this weekend.  I did buy the annual popcorn bucket, so we'll see if I get my money's worth.

Working On The Weekend

I have to work this weekend. 






This happens once a month since I work for a company that is open seven days a week.  I am lucky that I don't have to work every weekend, but it is still kind of a pain.  It is sort of like when my husband is on vacation without me.

It also sucks, because instead of my early morning 6 to 3 shift, on the weekends I am working 10 to 7.  I hate mid shifts.  There isn't time to do anything before work and after work I am too tired. 

I didn't have a movie I wanted to see this weekend, so I guess it isn't a total loss.  My husband was supposed to have a colonoscopy on Monday but his doctor got jury duty.   Doctor's should be able to get out of jury duty, don't you think?

So on Monday I will have time to write about something.  See you then!  Have a good weekend.