Movies That Make Me Cry

So on Christmas Day, my family went to see Marley and Me.

It is a cute film based off the bestseller book by John Grogan. It had my whole family blubbering at the end. I think anyone who has ever had a dog (or a pet for that matter) will really love and relate to this story.

My family had a dog growing up named Callie. We got her for Christmas when I was four. She was a cocker spaniel and not bright at all. My Dad used to throw a tennis ball so she could go catch it. Sometimes it would hit the fence and bounce off... and she would run into the fence trying to get to it. But she loved us unconditionally, even when we didn't always give her lots of attention. We watched her as she got old, had a hard time moving and seeing. Then there came the time that her suffering was too much and we put her down. This movie reminded me of her.

I really hate crying in theaters because I didn't bring any tissues so I had makeup smears all over my face and red eyes. It got me thinking to movies that make me cry and I came to a conclusion. Anything with ANIMALS, KIDS, or ELDERLY people always make me bawl. I tend to cry very easily though. I mean Extreme Makeover: Home Edition always makes me tear up. But here are some movies I distinctly remember crying in:

My Girl - It's the kids that get to me.

Beauty and the Beast - Disney can really get to you sometimes.

Homeward Bound - Again, a movie with animals pulls on the heart strings.

Titanic - I was holding strong until the end where the mom reads her little kids a bedtime story as the ship is sinking and the old couple cuddles on the bed. I lost it. Then at the end when she meets Jack on the boat after she dies. Push aside the fact that she had been married to another man for years after, but whatever.

A Walk to Remember - The book made me cry harder, but the movies was still sad.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - I went to see this with my girlfriends and I cried in four different parts.

Click - It is supposed to be a funny movie. A guy can fast forward, pause, rewind, his life. But at the end the waterworks were going and even Chris teared up a little (don't tell)

I Am Legend - The part when his dog and only best friend and companion in the whole world catches the virus. I had a hard time recovering from that one.

The Notebook - Those old people! I remember I went with four of my friends. The movie ended and the lights turned on and we were all bawling. Tears were still coming down my face as I walked out of the theater. To this day Chris refuses to see the movie. I don't know if it is the fact that it is a chick flick or makes you cry. Maybe both.

There are so many more it could take me forever to list them all!

Anyway, Marley and Me was a really good movie. Highly recommended, even if it does make you cry!

Did You Miss Me?

While I recognized that I had not been blogging for a few days... I didn't realize it was over 10!! Life has been a little busy. So I decided to update my 10ish readers with a re-cap of the last few days.

On Thursday the 18th I went up to The Canyons Resort with my friend and ex-roommate Stacie. It was our first time there and while it was a huge mountain (Only 1/3rd of it was open and it was HUGE!), we both agreed that we like the small familiarity of Brighton. I also didn't love all the flat spots. Of course every resort has them, but when you are unfamiliar with the terrain, you lack the capacity to estimate just how much speed you are going to need to get across the flat parts without needing to scoot, or hop, or heaven forbid... unstrap! But any day boarding is fun just the same!

That night, I had my Ridge Girls over for a holiday party get-together. It was hilarious as always. We all were laughing to tears at one point during the What-if Game.

And Nicole's bacon and eggs band aids with the little "toy prize" was hilarious. Just what could you do with a pig that is THAT small?

And Kim's chocolate cupcakes were delicious! Yes, you did leave me some and maybe I ate them all and forgot to give Chris one... Maybe.My Family and I have a tradition that every year around Christmas time, we go to the Spaghetti Factory and then go see the lights at Temple Square. We all have our "usual" meals that we order, yet surprising only my Mom got her usual. We all branched out just a little.

We weren't going to go see the lights because it was supposed to be like 10 degrees. But it was a "Balmy" 26 (kids in Fairbanks AK would be wearing tee shirts supposedly) so we decided to brave the weather in the name of tradition. Even though Chris only had a tee-shirt and a light jacket on.

I can't believe they lit every branch!

The only disappointing thing is they no longer show Mr. Kruger's Christmas, which was my favorite Christmas show as a little kid. But at least I have it on DVD now. We did get to see Luke II so I can't complain too much! I know I told you all that Christmas came early for us on December 15th, but it came again I guess you could say. On the 23rd. My friend Jeff and I had planned to go snowboarding about a month before. So we started the day early at Brighton.

The snow was FANTASTIC. It had snowed during the night and so the powder was untouched.

I met my friend Jeff in 9th grade, yet when ever we get together, we always manage to act like we are 7. But we always have fun and at least we think we are funny!

Jeff was great to take a picture of my while I was snowboarding so I would have a picture!

They opened up Milly lift which had been closed until then so we were so excited to go! Little did we know that it had about 3-4 feet of fresh powder. While powder can be fun, when you get stuck in it, it means hard work and expended energy. I love this picture because it is after Jeff had been stuck in snow for about 10 minutes and he is looking down at the rest of the powder we had to brave. We only got stuck once or twice more before we decided to leave Milly! It kicked our butts. Just when I think I am getting really good at snowboarding, I am humbled. That night was the Homer Family Christmas Party. My grandmother had assigned my cousin and I to be in charge. It was the traditional Fourth of July meal of fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, jello salad, and rolls... with ice cream for dessert. Been the same since before I can remember so why change? It's tradition. Our games were marginally successful I think.

On the way to the party, Chris and I had gotten off on the wrong exit accidentally. We passed a car dealership that Chris had seen a car he was interested in. We had been actively searching for a car for about a week. So on the way home from the party, we just decided to look at it. Well of course that turned into us driving/negotiating/and purchasing it. So we got a new car for Christmas. Chris is in love with it.

I had to use the stock photo since ours is covered in snow and ice!

Christmas Eve was spent with my family in all it's Cornish game hen and A Christmas Story glory. We even played Seinfeld Scene It!

On Christmas Day we saw a movie (more later) and I worked Christmas night.

It's been a crazy week!

Christmas Came Early

So Monday December 15th was my "Christmas". Being a nurse, sometimes Christmas has to be moved since you usually end up working on or right around it (until you have been there like 10 years). I still get to celebrate with my Ridge girls, see the lights at Temple Square, go to my infamous Homer Family Christmas party (that my Grandmother forced my cousin and I to plan...), and celebrate Christmas Eve with my Family. So Christmas isn't over quite yet, however I already got my Christmas present!!

So it started off with SNOWBOARDING!! My first time this year. I finally got someone to go with me! It is surprisingly really hard to find someone to go with because I work a lot of weekends while everyone else works week days. And a lot of people are enduring finals right now. But I got my little sister Sara to go with me which is a miracle in of itself because the girl is super busy with full time school and full time work.

It was a pretty cold day!

Sara carving!

I always feel slightly rusty at first, but got back into the groove of things pretty easily. It was snowing the majority of the time which makes for pretty good powder (At the top of Snake Creek... AMAZING) but it makes visibility difficult. Also, there was wind so the windchill factor was freezing! But worth it because of the great powder. We had one mishap where we were coming off the lift and the ramp was a little icy so Sara slipped and fell and I tripped over her board and landed on top of her. She got some whip lash and I have a large bruise on my left thigh that kills! Which of course I need to announce to everyone around me every time I bump it, or sit down, or in any way reminded that I still have it.

After the snowboarding extravaganza, Sara, Chris, and I went to get our Christmas presents at the AT&T store. That's right... we all got iPhones! I had been thinking about getting one since the moment they came out. Then Sara really wanted to get one. So last month we had finally decided that we were going to do it, and the AT&T store said... "Oh, you're not due for an upgrade until December 15th" (my TWO year contract ends in April). The fact that I have been with AT&T/Cingular/AT&T for 6 years counts for NOTHING. So we had to wait. And while we waited, Chris decided he really wanted one too. So we determined that would be our Christmas presents.

And I must say, this phone is AWESOME. It does so much more than my other phone! And the Internet really does look like the Internet. I can check my blog and read others right from my phone! Plus having my clock, calender, music, GPS, phone, email, text, games, camera, etc. is great!! I only have to have this and my wallet in my purse instead of my ipod, camera, palm pilot. Needless to say... I am a fan.

Merry Christmas!

Airing of Greivances

A Festivus for the rest-of-us!

In tradition of Festivus I have decided to do a little airing of my grievances. They aren't aimed at any particular person, they are just what is bugging me at this moment in time.

(And in tradition of this month's posts, it is in list form)

1. Bad Teeth - 2008 is officially known as the year of bad teeth. Not only did we pay gobs of money to the dentist for Chris's teeth. To round out the year we have to pay for a cavity that I HAVE! I don't even believe it! I take good care of my teeth. I go to the dentist EVERY 6 MONTHS, brush regularly, and even floss way more then I used to (which used to be like never). Even if my cavity is a "small" one the dentist will probably charge me the same amount as a massive one. Takes the same time, equipment, Novocaine. I am thoroughly irritated. What more do I have to do? I swear my teeth must be soft as marshmallows and cavity prone because I work so hard. I know people who don't go to the dentist for years and have maybe one. I wonder if there is an out of pocket max on Dental Insurance? (Sorry, that felt good to let out!)

2. Cough Attacks. Some people I have talked to have never experienced this. However, I hate it when you have a cold, have already been sick for a week, and then this horrible cough starts up. Have you ever been somewhere and you get an incredibly irritating tickle in your throat. The more you try to refrain from coughing the more severe it gets, until you explode in a coughing fit with tears running down your face. It usually happens in the most inconvenient times and places such as in church during a prayer, when you are giving a speech, or sitting in the dentist office chair with tools in your mouth (to name a few). Why can't that nasty little tickle go away!

3. Old Lady Perfume. Who decided that this type of scent was appealing? I hate it when you are waiting in line to check out and you smell this strong aroma coming from the lady in front of you. You can barely breath and are estimating the time it will take to wait and then check out so you can get out into the frigid, yet fresh air. Then looking down at your purchase and seeing if that time is worth it. (K... maybe I am exaggerating a little) But I really don't like the smell of old lady perfume!

4. Ugg boots - the originals. I'm sorry to those who like these (Sara), but UGH! I don't care if they are "comfortable". So are these:

but you don't see me wearing them around town (maybe to the hospital, but that is different). And apparently you can't wear socks with them. That sort of brings them to the slipper status of ickiness. No socks + No air = sweaty smelly feet!

5. People who text and drive. NOT SAFE people!

6. Doddlers/Slow People. I really hate it when you are walking somewhere (with a purpose) and you get stuck behind a group of people who are slowly meandering, but there is NO way of getting around them without physically pushing them aside. So you slow down your pace, and then they stop in the middle of the walkway to try to figure out where they are going. So you either A. Run right into them or B. Have to say "excuse me" or "sorry", but it always comes out with such irritated undertones that it is obvious that you are not sincere. If I am lost, I try to move to the side or in an aisle, so I don't block the whole walkway.

Sheesh... that felt good to get off my chest.

Now... on to the Feats of Strength!

Favorite Christmas Songs

OK. So know that I have told you what I believe to be the most Horrible Christmas Songs out there, I now want to share my Favorite Christmas Songs.

10. All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. I know some of you are cringing at this overplayed jingle. But this song had memories linked attached to it. I did a dance to this song when I was 15 at our family Christmas party that I still get comments about from my Aunts and Uncles about how fun that was. So... All I want for Christmas is YOOOOOUUU!

9. The Inn Keeper (Let Him In) by Michael McLean- from the Forgotten Carols. I went to see this for the first time with my in-laws. This song is a little slow at first, but tells the story of the birth of Jesus from the Inn keepers perspective. The end of this song gives me chills.

8. Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) by Amy Grant. I love this song because I always think of what Mary mother of Jesus was thinking and feeling carrying the son of God.

7. Silent Night by Jim Brickman. There is something so pure and reverent about a piano solo (you will see a lot on this list)

6. Carol of the Bells by Michael Crawford. Another piano solo that I love.

5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Jim Brickman. This song was the first song I put on my Christmas CD that I burned the first year I was in college. It reminds me so much of the beginning of the holiday.

4. Josephs Lullaby by MercyMe. Something about a father singing a song to his baby brings tears to my eyes.

3. Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill. A great song from one of my favorite holiday flicks. I never get sick of this song!

2. Oh Christmas Tree from Charlie Brown Christmas. Memories of childhood and also a reverent song.

1. Oh Holy Night by ANYBODY! I really like any one's version, but the piano solo by David Lantz and Josh Groban's versions are my favorite. My Aunt Marcia also plays a killer version on the piano.

OK. I am ready for the Holidays now!

What I Loved/Miss About the 80's

I was born in the 80's. So my experience of the 80's is from a more childish perspective. I never saw "Sixteen Candles" or "Pretty in Pink" or "Better off Dead" or "The Breakfast Club" until I was in my 20's. All those movies were not appropriate for a 6 year old.

I was thinking about it in light of my slam on George Michael's Christmas song and the 80's in and of itself. Even though I do still feel like the 80's were pretty bad (Fashion especially, why is it coming back?!?!) ... I would like to express what I loved about the 80's.

THE TOYS:

Big Wheels! I freaking loved these things!!! My Grandma bought me one that had a huge dragon head on the front of it and it was green and black. I remember being confused that she might of thought I was a boy (I liked everything girly and pink). But I eventually embraced my dragon Hot Wheel and loved it! (Where's your Slurpee Nicole?)

Care bears! My sister Jill and I loved and owned nearly all of these. I can remember the names of most of the bears and their Care bear Cousins. Tender Heart Bear, Cheer Bear, Good Luck Bear, Grumpy Bear, Sunshine Bear, Friend Bear, Lots of Love Bear, Secret Bear, Hugs and Tugs Bears, Gentle Heart Lamb (My fav! She got me through Chickenpox), Brave Heart Lion, Swift Heart Rabbit, Lots a Heart Elephant, Cozy Heart Penguin, Playful Heart Monkey (This isn't my own pic, but I wish it was!) .... you get the picture.

Pound Puppies. I also owned a lot of these. Funny that my sister Jill and I turned out to be cat people!

The infamous Fisher-Price Tape Recorder. I didn't own this, Jill did. But we played with this thing for hours. I still have a majority of the tapes we made... I just need a tape recorder so I can listen to them!!

Bonkers were my favorite candy! I miss them.

The TV Shows:

Today's Special was my favorite show on PBS. Jeff, Jody, Sam, and Muffy. My sister named a cat we had after Sam's Penelope. Chris also loved this show and after we met we really connected talking about this show!

Uncle Jesse, Joey, good family values, not to mention a house with three sisters (I can relate). I remember getting excited when it was Friday night so I could come home and watch TGIF.

The Movies

The Care Bear Movie. "Care-A-Lot" was probably my first "Favorite Song". I loved this movie!

The Adventures in Babysitting. I thought the star was so cool! Although her wardrobe was horrible!Back to the Future. "That's the Power of Love" was like the coolest song ever. I developed a major crush on Michael J. Fox after seeing this movie!

Footloose. Classic 80's dance movie, where all that really mattered in life was being able to dance, and then moving to a small town when it was forbidden. Really a bad movie, but you can love bad movies right? Wasn't it filmed in Utah?

THE MUSIC (reminder... I was 8 when the 90's hit)

Probably best know for their hit "Hold On". But my favorite song was "The Dream is Still Alive!" I remember jumping on the tramp and screaming these songs with my friend Hailey."That's What Love is For" "Baby, Baby" and "Every Heartbeat" were some of my fav's when she was more Pop then Christian Rock.

THE STYLE

Leg warmers. After watching any 80's dance movie (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun), you want to go out and buy some of these.

Bangle Bracelets.

Hair Crimpers. I wouldn't mind so much if this one came back.

SLAP BRACELETS! Fun, stylish, entertaining. Although, I remember that they had the potential of cutting into your wrist flesh if you weren't careful. And they produced the bad habit of extending them and then slapping them on your wrist multiple times.

Do you remember what these were used for?

That's right, threading your XXL tee shirt through this to make it all bunchy and cute. I owned one of these in every florescent color. I didn't know what they were called so I had to spend like 10 minutes googling until I found out they are called: T-Shirt Sliders.

The Hyper Colored T-Shirt. When material changes color according to heat... so cool. And so fun. Probably why mood rings were so popular too.

So there you have it. I guess the 80's weren't THAT bad!

Worst. Christmas Song. EVER!

I was at work yesterday, and my lovely Co-worker Jill was the Charge Nurse. She was listening to Pandora Radio on her computer and it was playing Christmas Music. As I walked up to the main desk to send a lab down the tube system I heard... "Simply having a wonderful Christmas time". Which made me cringe and nearly vomit at the sound of that horrid synthesizer.

I told her that that had to be the worst Christmas song EVER! So we got talking about bad Christmas songs and I came up with a list of the worst Christmas Songs ever made.

So here is my top 10 worst Christmas Songs in particular order:

10. Grandma Got Ran-over by a Reindeer- This got #10 because I did enjoy this when I was 8. I repeat EIGHT! My sister Jill and I would skate to this at the Classic Skating Rink when we were off track and thought it was such a silly song. Well it is silly, has a million verses, and is just plain terrible!

9. Please Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas) by John Denver - I am not as familiar with this song, but needed one more to round out 10 (I had 9 originally) But I heard this song, after googling worst Christmas Song Ever and couldn't agree more. I heard 2 seconds of this song and decided it was awful enough to add to my list! Plus it has a winning title!

8. All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth - This may be amusing to a 6 year old, but any normal person should find this to be LAME!

7. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - Seriously? (see above)

6. Jingle Bells by Barking Dogs. It is exactly what you think it is... A bunch of yapping dogs (as my dad would say) Barking Jingle Bells, which already isn't that great of a song.

5. The Little Drummer Boy - If I have to here "Pa rum pum pum pum" anymore I think I will have to move to Tahiti (I really don't see losing in that case)

4. The Chipmunks 'Christmas Time' Song - As much as I enjoy a repetitive song, sung by children sucking on helium... wait I don't! That is why it is on this list!

3. Feliz Navidad. While I can respect other cultures and people who speak different languages enjoying the same holiday, why did they have to come up with the most annoying song to add to the millions of other Christmas songs? (Also too repetitive and gets stuck in your head all day!)

2. Last Christmas by George Michael. "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. But the very next day, You gave it away. This year, to save me from tears. I'll give it to someone special." Horrid song, another reason why the 80's were so bad.

1. Wonderful Christmas Time by Paul McCartney - Synthesizer+repetition+bad lyrics+somehow still getting stuck in my head all day= Worst Christmas Song EVER!!! Every time this came up on Pandora's radio, my co-worker would call me on Vocera (little pager things we have to call other people when we need them [i.e. lab and respiratory therapy]) and all I heard was "Simply having a wonderful Christmas time!" I was so mad at her and had it running through my head my entire work day. Thanks a lot Jill!

It is because of songs like these ones, that there are grumpy people that don't let us enjoy the good Christmas songs until well after Thanksgiving. Ba Humbug to horrible Christmas songs!

What do you think is the worst Christmas song ever made?

**PS. Stay tuned for my FAVORITE Christmas songs***

Our "Humble" Tree

I bought our Christmas Tree 2 years ago at a Black Friday sale for $20. It is thin, has some bare patches through it that requires massive "fluffing" of the fake branches, and is a little lopsided. Last year, our cats liked to climb and perch in it.

Even though it is pre-lit and 6 feet tall, it is a little lacking in bushiness. And the tree skirt I sewed with great skill (i.e. cut a circle by eying it, and then hemming it rather thinly so the edges curl up) from some fabric I picked up on a discount at the local fabric store. I spent more money on the ornaments, then I did on the tree itself. I told Chris it is a "humble" tree. He told me that humble translated into "weak sauce".

But my "weak sauce" tree is perfect for our little condo since it doesn't take up a lot of space, and has brought some holiday cheer into our living room.