WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #663

Thank you Joyce.

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1. Do your goals and dreams energize or exhaust you? Elaborate. 

Right now with the continuation of health issues my goals and dreams exhaust me. I can't do them.

2. July 23rd is national lemon day. Are you a fan of this flavor? What's a favorite dish or beverage you enjoy that calls for lemons? 

Yes I am a fan of lemon. I can't think of a dish but lemonade is good. However I don't have it very often but a squeeze of lemon is good in water. 

3. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"...is this something you're pretty good at managing? Have you had to do this recently? If so tell us about it. 

I'm trying to make lemonade but I'm not getting very far because of my issues. I do however work pretty hard at being joyful around Adam, Gabby and James. 

4. Something you love that is lemon yellow in color? 

We have a bedroom in the house that is lemon yellow in color. The furniture is yellow and one wall is painted yellow. 

5. How would you describe your attention to detail? 

Not as good as it use to be. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We did have James here on Thursday night and then he was picked up from his aunt who was heading over to Adam and Gabby's on Friday night. 

We had a fun time with him. Mark was exhausted playing with him. We went to see Toy Story 5 with him on Friday and then went to Trader Joe's for a few things because it was near the theater we went to. 

James and Papa played forever with some Nerf guns that shoot Nerf darts. They were knocking down cards in our long hallway. 

He always likes sitting on Papa's saddle and wearing his cowboy hat.

CHRISTMAS MOVIES

For those who are interested.......

AT THE MOVIES

IMDb Source

I'm afraid this is going to be a long one so I will be brief in my opinions. I have movies going from November 4th until January 27th. 

First up is Motherless Brooklyn. We thought this movie was very good. It's a long one! 

"In 1950s New York, a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend."

Next up is Last Christmas. This was a cute story with a twist. We both enjoyed it! 

"Kate is a young woman subscribed to bad decisions. Working as an elf in a year round Christmas store is not good for the wannabe singer. However, she meets Tom there. Her life takes a new turn. For Kate, it seems too good to be true."

I saw Frozen II. Loved it and will buy it! They did a great job again.

"Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom."

Then I went to see A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. It was excellent. I loved it. I'm a sucker for "based on a true story."

"Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod."

Esquire Article

Next up was Terminator: Dark Fate. We enjoyed this one! If you are a Terminator fan you will enjoy it too. 

"An augmented human and Sarah Connor must stop an advanced liquid Terminator, from hunting down a young girl, whose fate is critical to the human race."

Then we went to see Charlie's Angel's. I have to say we enjoyed it a lot. Loved the cast! 

"When a young systems engineer blows the whistle on a dangerous technology, Charlie's Angels are called into action, putting their lives on the line to protect us all."

Midway is the next one we saw. Excellent war movie. Mark was very impressed because it showed him what his father did in the war. Not in the Battle of Midway but he was a dive bomber. 

"The story of the Battle of Midway, told by the leaders and the sailors who fought it."

We saw Uncut Gems which was a very good movie. Not easy to watch but we are glad we saw it. Unlike any other Adam Sandler movies. 

"A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win."

Up next is 1917. This movie was excellent. It was shot in something called continuous shot. Click to watch it. I do believe this movie is worthy of the Academy Award for Best Picture. 

"April 6th 1917. As a regiment assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message, that will stop 1,600 men, from walking straight into a deadly trap."

Then I went to see Little Women. I've never read the book or have seen the other Little Women movies. I liked it and would like to see it again. It jumps around a lot which can be confusing. Of course I loved the actors and that always takes me to the movies to see them. I just might have to read the book. 

"Jo March reflects back and forth on her life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters - four young women each determined to live life on their own terms."

The Academy Awards are on Sunday night February 9th. You know I will be watching them!!!

We also watched The Irishman on Netflix which was very good but very long so it was nice watching it at home. Also we saw Marriage Story on Netflix which we really liked. Great dialogue movie. Both are up for Academy Awards. 

AT THE MOVIES

IMDb Source

I probably shouldn't even being doing a review of most of these movies since this goes back to August. Like I will even remember if I liked them or not! 

Of course my reviews are always very simple because even when I am out of the theater I can't give extreme details to any movie. However I think what I need to do is start a post and just keep adding on after each movie. 

On August 6th we saw Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. This movie was entertaining because we enjoy Brad Pitt and Leonardo DeCaprio. They were good together. As a rule we also enjoy Quentin Tarantino films. 

"A faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of Hollywood's Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles."

On August 14th we saw Fast & Furious Hobbs & Shaw. This movie had non-stop action. It was definitely enjoyable. Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham and Ibis Elba were great! 

"Lawman Luke Hobbs and outcast Deckard Shaw form an unlikely alliance when a cyber-genetically enhanced villain threatens the future of humanity."

On August 26th we went to see Angel Has Fallen. This is the third in the "Fallen" movies and I have enjoyed all of them. This one did not disappoint. 

"Mike Banning is framed for the attempted assassination of the President and must evade his own agency and the FBI as he tries to uncover the real threat." 

On September 26th we went to see the Downton Abbey movie. I was a huge fan of the show. Mark only watch the first two seasons. This movie was wonderful. It was so awesome to see my favorite characters again. If you are a Downton fan you will love this movie. 

"The continuing story of the Crawley family, wealthy owners of a large estate in the English countryside in the early 20th century."

On September 30th we went to see Ad Astra. This movie was good. A bit slow at times because space movies can be slow. As a fan of Brad Pitt I will always see one of his movies. 

"Astronaut Roy McBride undertakes a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe."

On October 24th we went to see Joker with Amber and Dylan. I did like this movie even though it is sad, dark and brutal. If anyone deserves an Academy Award this year it is Joaquin Phoenix! I was so impressed with his performance. 

"In Gotham City, mentally-troubled comedian Arthur Fleck is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime. This path brings him face-to-face with his alter-ego: "The Joker"."

On October 31st we went to see Zombieland: Double Tap. I am not a fan of Zombie movies. I did not see the first Zombieland but I definitely plan to! 

Honestly I don't know why I didn't see the first one because I love the cast. I'm pretty sure I told Mark to watch it alone when it arrived from Netflix because I don't do Zombies. This movie was so much fun. I'm so glad I saw it. I laughed a lot. 

"Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family."

Side note: We just watched a movie from Netflix on Saturday night called The Dead Don't Die. I didn't realize it was a Zombie movie which of course was silly of me. I wanted to see it because it was Bill Murray and Adam Driver. Not very good. 

Our plan is to see Motherless Brooklyn and Terminator: Dark Fate hopefully this week. 

ENJOY THE WEEKEND

Amber and Dylan leave for home on Monday. We have had a great visit with them. Adam, Gabby and James are coming over tomorrow for a Prime Rib dinner in the afternoon. They will head home before James needs his bath and bedtime. He goes down around 6:30 pm and sleeps for 12 hours! 

We went to the show yesterday with Amber and Dylan, then we stopped for some Five Guys. I definitely need to do a movie post. I think Mark and I have seen about 5 movies over the last several months. 

I don't know why my days seem to be so busy that I don't find time to post more often. The weeks just seem to fly by and I can honestly tell you that I have no desire for Christmas to be on the way. I am actually thinking of not decorating this year. Yes I said that!!!

Here is a fact I need to share. It's crazy! Mark put the crib together for James and we also have our wooden high chair ready. These were both Adam and Amber's and yes they are both safe. 

The funny/sad thing is that we have to put the crib in the laundry room or our walk in closet because James only sleeps in complete darkness with a sound machine extremely loud. 

Those are the only rooms where there is complete darkness. I have told them that they are going to pay for this someday because he will not sleep anywhere else except total darkness. Never sleeps in the car either!