Who is ringing in the New Year with you? Who do you wish could be with you, but isn't there?
I get to ring in the new year with my husband. It's also our anniversary which makes it incredibly nicer. Right now we have had a full night. We had dinner with my father and little sister and hung out with them for a bit. And now we are waiting for the new year and enjoying being together.
No, I am not leaving a message for my husband, instead I am writing about the movie I experienced yesterday. My friend Kaia and I decided to take in a Sunday movie and we usually settle on the ones that our other half's would moan and groan about. I have to say that I LOVE the fiction by Cecila Ahern, I wouldn't hesitate to say that it is one of my favorite books I read it yearly and I love the idea behind it and the colorful characters that leap of the page. It's a sweet book that starts sadly and ends on a positive note. I purchased the book right before a mission trip and literally finished it on the way and then re-read it again before the end.
That being said, the movie is something different to me. There are characters that have been misplaced and didn't get the call times for the movie and the location is actually not the beautiful Ireland that appears in the book (although it does make a stunning appearance) I have learned the hard way a long time ago that if you expect the movie to be verbatim to a book you will be let down each and every time. And honestly that is the way it should be. I think there should be a tag line " inspired by the book" because your mind always pictures things differently than how perhaps others do... and I think if you can enjoy both.... what a gift instead.
So there is that and onto the movie itself. It was beautiful. Simply a good film for a Sunday morning. It started with a bang, Holly and Gerry the main couple in a good fight, one that every real couple can empathize with, perhaps not the subject matter but the fact they are fighting and raw and real and you can tell that while they are not the couple you hate (you know the ones who seem to have it all figured out) but they are the couple that you can understand. Then the next scene is the heartbreaking and happy (odd I know) memorial service for Gerry. He is gone and Holly is there now alone in a crowd of people.
I won't go into much more of the movie. But I do want to point out some key things. New York City lends itself very well to the movie and Ireland is simply beautiful and made me want to board a plane. Hillary Swank is Holly Kennedy and opens herself so well to the role. Gerald Butler as always lends himself well and makes it hard to believe that not long ago we saw him leading "300" into battle. Kathy Bates makes a great role in this (as always) and she plays a gruff character with real intentions a parental figure we all can understand.
I loved this movie, but I loved it more while not expecting it to be the book. If I had gone in thinking that I would have been very disappointed. The only caution is that when watching this movie expect to leave wanting your own Irish man. They are very appealing.
What was the best movie you saw this year?
There have been some great films on 2007 and i guess i would have to revisit them to do this question justice. However, my newest recomendation is a particular new favorite. "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" wow is all I can say. It was gory and not pretty but I loved it. It was still a Sondheim musical and it showed that but it also translated well to a Burton film which was an odd but workable marriage. Johnny Depp is always a favorite of mine but his immersion of himself into this part was incredible and Helen Bohnam Carter - while I always am intrigued by her I found her very likeable and belived her messed up realness. The music was great and even my husband wanted to see it. It was his choice for a Christmas Night Movie a tradition that has been in my family for years. So that was one of the new tops but there have been lots.
<a href="http://danielled.mypersonality.info" target="_top"><img src="http://badges.mypersonality.info/badge/0/3/39721.png" alt="Click to view my Personality Profile page" border="0" />
What's the best gift you received this year?
There were so many good and thoughtful gifts this year. I would say though that I'm really excited about going to see spamalot and experiencing that with Dominic. He has never been to a big theatrical event and I'm so excited about experiencing that with him for the first time. Also, just being able to see my family and spend quality time with them is always nice and special.
What treats do the kids in your family leave out for Santa? What treats did you leave for him as a child?
We weren't really cookie bakers growing up. So instead we would leave goodies that we enjoyed and were given to us. Santa may have gotten a piece of rum cake (to keep him warm) some cheese and olives, and some nuts. I think santa apprecitated the variations on cookies and milk.
LIfe has been crazy and busy busy. I love Christmas, I love the last mad dash to finish shopping and sitting with a glass of wine and wrapping presents for others. I love that I find presents that I think people will enjoy and use.
But let me back up to my week. My step dad was in the hospital again, but this time it was looking and still is looking pretty serious. In 2000 he had massive strokes and his life was altered greatly from an active man to a paralized on his right side man. He moved into nursing care last year and has had issues that we knew were coming. My mother has devoted the last 7 years to his total care and as I write this is on day 5 of a hospital stay where she sleeps beside his bed because as she puts it "she speaks Adam"
Adam's kidneys are not good, yesterday they replaced stints there to see if that clears up infections. However, to get to the point of surgery was a tiny act of congress. It's tough on Mom, that goes without saying. So lots of prayer is going to God that while we can't change the course of events, he can bring peace to them.
Yesterday I escaped from the world for a bit. Dominic had a shift right in the middle of the day, which is odd he usually just works in the morning. But no big deal, it was harder on him. I dropped him off at work and grabbed me an iced cafe con leche (yum) Coffee with cream. Then I headed to Gallatin to grab a present for Dom and I took in a movie all on my own. It was a nice little treat. I saw "Enchanted" and let me tell you, if you ever enjoyed old school Disney, this is the movie for you! It was nice and light hearted and you knew it would end happily every after. After the movie I headed into Hendersonville to grab another gift for Deidre and saw a lady that has known my family for years so we caught up for a few minutes and remembered the past and spoke about how nothing really changes.
Of course I went back to Starbucks and brought Dom and I lunch, I grabbed an apple and walnut salad from steak and shake it was delish! and then I headed back into the fray that IS rivergate at the holidays. I went to Publix and walgreens and then headed back to starbucks were I was able to read for an hour before Dom got off work. It was really a nice day. I need to grab one more thing for Dom, but it's actually at Starbucks, so I have yet to figure out how that one is going to work.
Today I am off to a friends house to bake and finish up some holiday goodies. yay! I'm excited and I plan on having some good clean fun.
So, (sigh) today I went to the "fun" doctor and boy I paid for that visit. But I do think I have finally learned my lesson on letting things slide. NO MORE will I just say "okay this will pass"
She was really cool and I actually sat in her office first and we went over my issues and what is going on and then she set me up in the procedure room.
That is where it all went horribly bad. I had to have a biopsy done today, not planned and they, for lack of medical terminology, took two samples of my uterus. I was warned that it would hurt... but it really hurt. Now I get to wait around for a week and see what happens. And since it's the holiday's it may take longer... so pray that we find out soon whats going on with me.
Were your holiday cards store bought, handmade, online, TBD or MIA?
Kinda made and mailed out today... so they may be a day late... oooppps
But they were very cool and depending on how they go over, we will probably do them again this way next time.
Who do you want to be caught under the mistletoe with this holiday season?
Submitted by An Ebony Epicurean.
My husband! He is fun under the mistletoe.
