I’m here in the middle of one of the biggest snow storms in Seattle history…   I’ve only been out twice in the past week - grocery shopping.  Today it took me nearly 30 minutes to dig my car out from under the foot of snow.   And more is in the forecast tonight - so it looks like it will be a white Christmas.  Which brings me to the point of my post - holiday movies.

I remember as a kid looking forward to the annual “Charlie Brown Christmas“, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Rudolph” specials on TV.   But there are also some great holiday themed movies.

There are classics like “White Christmas” and newer fare such as “Elf” - but I think one of my favorite holiday movies is “Love Actually“.  I know it’s not, actually, a holiday movie - but it does take place during the holidays and I really enjoy it.  

Let’s make a list and check it twice.  What are some of your favorite holiday movies?   Are there any you watch every year no matter what?  Any holiday movie traditions?

NOTE:  One of the weirdest movie traditions I ever participated in was at the Pearce family Christmas party.  The first year was ok - someone video taped it.  But the next year, our “entertainment” was watching the previous year’s taped party!!   And the following year we watched it again!!!!   Man, those Pearces know how to party…..     

Happy Birthday, Ashley Rae!

26 years ago today, the light of my life was born.   From the very beginning, Ashley had a sunny personality, spreading joy wherever she went - and her quickly earned her nickname “Ashley Rae of Sunshine.”  

She sucked her thumb, which was far more convenient thank a binkie which can get lost in the middle of the night, and stopped on her own.  She slept 7 hours a night even as an infant.  Such an easy child.   She was also bald as a cue ball until almost 2 years old - when her beautiful blonde hair came in thick and full of body.  And no obnoxious waves like her mother has.

(Don’t you think she looks like her daughter Kennedy did at this age?)

She did give me grief a few times as a child. Twice, she got hold of a pair of scissors and cut her bangs off right to her scalp. I’m afraid I didn’t react very well.

Another time, when she was around four, she had been playing in her room and I went in to check on her. She was no where to be found. If you’re a parent who has ever throught their child was missing, you’ll understand how panicked I felt. I was frantic - called to her and searched the whole house - no response.

I ran outside and enlisted the help of some neighbors who helped search the streets.

About an hour later, when I was about to call the police, I went into her room again and decided to search the closet again. I had looked before, but hadn’t taken everything out of the closet. I moved a little pile of stuffed animals and found Ashley sound asleep under a little pile of clothes.  

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We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming (travel photos) to bring you a costume parade! As you peruse these costumes from halloweens yore, keep in mind my mother made all of them (except 2).

1969… Don’t the cat-eye glasses just make the genie outfit?

1976….  

I really don’t know what we are, but after these picture were taken, Michelle, Jeri (her sister) and I went driving around with flour in pantyhose, swinging them out of a car at people trying to cover them with flour powder. It didn’t work, but we laughed a lot nonetheless. Oh, and if you guessed my mom didn’t make this outfit, you’re right.

I think this was also around the time that Jeri had me make prank phone calls to some guy asking him to bring a 3 bean salad to a dance (or something). Maybe Michelle remembers it better….

Jumping ahead…. to the 80s…. aren’t Brandon & Ashley cute?

Brandon is Daffy Duck - and I wish I could locate the picture of him from the side so you could see his tail poke out. It was really cute. And poor Ashley is stuck in my pathetic attempt to create a genie costume for her. She doesn’t seem to mind, but it’s an embarrassment after the professional costumes my mom whips up.

And saving the best for last….

1982. I am a VERY pollinated flower, here with the bee that pollinated me. Ashley was born about 3 weeks later.

I burst out laughing every time I look at this photo. Mostly because I remember Mark wore it to work at Zions bank…. and he rode the bus to get there, with briefcase in hand. For months afterward, customers referred to him as “Mr. Bee.”

I don’t know what the heck happened to trigger this, but for the past day and a half I haven’t been able to get this song out of my head.   Any suggestions???

However, in my head it not quite as performed in the clip - what I’m hearing is some mormon general authority’s middle-aged daughter perfoming this as a solo at general conference years ago (ET Benson, I think).  That she was a GA’s daughter is the only explanation I can think of for why she was given a solo spot. Oh, the warbly swooping up to each note was so very painful…

Perhaps you heard it and shared my pain…

Perhaps you’ve heard me imitate/mock it over the years…

Perhaps you are laughing right now thinking I deserve this.   Well stop it - because when you heard me imitate her you laughed too.

Please offer new song suggestions for my brain - this is cruel and unusual punishment!

As suggested by friend Chris Spiro on her blog, I’m playing the Memory Tag game. 

Here’s how you play:

1. As a comment on this blog post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory of you.

It’s actually pretty funny to read the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don’t want to play on your blog, or if you don’t have a blog, I’ll leave my memory of you in my comments.

And if you know Chris, be sure to post a memory on her blog!

I have fond memories of summer kiddie matinees in the late 60s, at the old Villa Theatre in Salt Lake (now Adibs Rug Gallery). 

Just a theatre full of kids and popcorn and movies.  I don’t recall my parents ever being there - could you even imagine that these days? Did you do this as a kid?

I can’t remember most of the movies we saw, but there was one that has always stood out in my mind.   Although I knew it had something to do with Captain Nemo, I couldn’t recall it’s name.  It never showed up as a late night tv movie, and if ever I described the movie and asked anyone if they’d seen it, I’d get blank stares.

Why was it so memorable?  It was an undersea adventure.  I remember vivid scenes of fish and coral - and people wearing beautiful blues and purples in an underwater city of gold.  And a sea monster and submarines. Something about it captivated my imagination as a youth and so over the years I’ve searched google using all sorts of name/word combinations trying to figure out what it was, to no avail.

Well, last night I happened to do a search again - and I FOUND IT! And, would you believe that it was also YESTERDAY that someone posted the entire movie on YouTube???   I couldn’t believe it….   and yes, I actually watched the whole thing - and it made me smile  (though I was not thrilled when Captain Nemo broke off a piece of coral, explaining how they used it for building/decorating the city…. Kristin will understand.) What a trip down memory lane.  I love YouTube.

I give to you, Captain Nemo and the Underwater City (1969) - Part 1

Here is Part 2. You get to see inside the fabulous city in part 3…  theree are 11 parts for the whole film.   Enjoy (or not : ) 

Today, my little sister turns….  well, let’s just call it another year older.

She always has to share her birthday with that of our nation, but this year, I’m not celebrating Independence Day at all - today, it’s just

Kristin’s birthday! 

Isn’t she cute as a 3 1/2 year old?
(or was it 4 1/2)     

Here are a few things you may or may not know about Kristin….

First, you’ll never find a more loyal friend.  She’ll defend you to the end - but will also be your conscience, because she is, after all, the fairness police :)  It’s been a difficult struggle for her to recognize and accept that life just isn’t fair - because she wants it to be for EVERYONE!

She used to be the responsibility police as well.   But over time, I think she’s discovered life can be more enjoyable if we don’t take responsibility for others responsibility or lack thereof.  With age comes wisdom.   

Kristin is generous to a fault - as exhibited by her innumerable acts of thoughtfulness.   A card with a little cash hidden in the back, just because she knows you’ve hit a rough spot financially (never mind she might be too)….   cards and gifts sent off in time for every birthday or holiday, hours upon hours spent editing photos or videos to make a special surprise, finding ways to help pay for my trip to Hawaii with her when I couldn’t really afford it.   

As a teenager, I’d find sweet notes from her hidden in my room, or flown at me in the form of a paper airplane. I’d come home to discover a gold lame’ bag, filled with M&Ms on my pillow…. Kristin spent her allowance money to do that - even though I teased her horribly, pretending I was going to drop her off the balcony (I suspect she actually enjoyed that game, knowing I wouldn’t REALLY drop her) and making her sell popcicles with Chris for a measley reward. But this post is about Kristin, not me…

She has always been a good sport too.  Especially with her hair.  Whenever I’d get the itch to cut my long hair, she let me satisfy it by cutting hers instead.   She’s had a lot of hairstyles over the years.

And she’s been willing to indulge my silliness and cosmic musings in a way that only a sister can.   She can be pretty silly herself, though.    We have an ongoing habit that if we ever go to a restaurant or store that takes your order/reservation, and then says “could I get a name?” - the name they get is Guenivier, which always draws strange looks.  I love seeing how they try to spell it.   Mind you they never ask, “could I get your name” - it’s always just a name… so we feel no obligation to give them ours.

She has always been there to help with the really hard stuff, whenever I’ve needed her and when no one else showed up (or even if they did).  

Stuff like apartment hunting, packing/ hauling/ unpacking for multiples moves, painting houses, cleaning out houses, drafting divorce and child support agreements, working til 2am (hours after everyone else had left) to help me hang a hundred butterflies from the church ceiling/arrange huge trees to create the perfect “enchanted forest” for Ashley’s wedding, working her butt off in the kitchen during the reception (along with mom, bart and grandma) because the stupid R.S. ladies who committed to be there didn’t show up.  I could NOT have pulled off Ashley’s wedding without her.

Kristin is smart as a whip - though she didn’t realize it til far too late in her life.  She is a talented writer, a whiz with numbers, and can turn ANYTHING into a chart or graph that will blow your socks off.    She’s really quite brilliant.  And, I’m so happy that she shares my disdain for “tacky forms” - and recognizes the importance of a well laid out newsletter or webpage.   

AND - even better, she’s a total wordnerd!

Oh, and along with this smart thing - she’s ORGANIZED. I have made a pie chart graphic in her honor. As she has said many times: A man without a plan is not a man…. (I, apparently, am not a man).

She thinks ahead, when we travel she provides these incredible checklists to make sure we don’t forget anything. When we traveled to Hawaii together for the first time, over a period of a couple months she emailed a history of the islands, information about the culture, just stuff to make sure the trip was all it could possibly be.  She’s just very considerate, including sharing the benefits of her organizational skills with all - and I really appreciate it.

She’s also got a great sense of humor and we do our fair share of laughing when we’re together.  And we seem to keep her kids amused.

Speaking of which, she’s also a great mom, and has raised (is raising) two incredible smart, gifted, thoughtful, respectful, fun kids. She’s instilled in them the understanding that they can trust their own feelings and judgement - that they are capable of making wise decisions - and they do. A devoted companion to Craig, I think he’d tell you she’s the perfect wife for him.  She starts planning months in advance for a birthday, anniversary or Christmas gift for him - to make sure it is something thoughtful, unique and meaningful.
  

She can be tough and strong and put you in your place if you’re out of line… it’s the Marine in her. Yes, a Marine. (”I can make you handicapped if you want to park there legally….”)  She’s also sensitive, compassionate and tenderhearted. I’m grateful she was able to attend to our mom/grandma during the last couple of weeks of my grandmother’s life. I know it was really hard for her - both physically and emotionally - but she never complained and turned it into a beautiful experience.

We share more private jokes than one could possible count. She’s been my travel companion, commiserator, emotional counselor, technical support, fellow photo fanatic, partner in crime, conscience, cheerleader, moral support and best friend for longer than I can remember. And, honestly, I don’t know how I would have survived many of my life experiences without her. I’m so glad I didn’t have to find out….

Love you - happy birthday!

P.S. Let’s plan another trip!

Happy Birthday to my best friend, Michelle….   

aka Honey, Goob, Shell, Shelly and Buns (nickname given to her by the neighborhood buys who appreciated her cute derriere). 

We’ve been best friends since 9th grade (which is a lot longer ago that it feels) and some of my best memories, most embarrassing moments, and my greatest laughter, have been shared with her.  

She’s smart, wickedly funny, talented, compassionate, a loyal friend, and looks as great today as she did 20 years ago.  Maybe even better.   Including her “buns.”  I’m jealous.   

I don’t know why, but when we are together we are very different than when we are apart.   Something synergistic happens and creates a force to be reckoned with.  Together, we were (and are) nuts. Immune to peer pressure… or family pressure…. fashion sense or any other boundary.  We were good kids - but we truly didn’t care what anyone else thought of us when we were together.  We did the silliest, dumbest things - and kept ourselves laughing constantly.

Things I’d never do on my own.  I could write volumes about the pranks we pulled and things we did together….  Umbrella tree fiasco, belly button filters, pantomiming food while walking down the street, tea parties, prank phone calls to our classmates that led to their embarrassment in the classroom (that is my favorite)….

Some people were really annoyed with us, some jealous (we got away with a lot)… and there were a good many who just loved to be around us to see what would happen next.   I’m sure my siblings will concur…. 

I love that when we’re together EVERYTHING is funny.  We could look at a piece of toast and burst out laughing.   And Michelle is full of the best one liners… really very witty.   She kept me in stitches on our trip to Butchart Gardens last year.  And she’s good sport, not afraid of looking foolish or laugh at herself, and she’s willing to be poked fun of and accept teasing as good natured fun.   Thank you for letting me draw hats and faces on your toes.  Have I mentioned she is really funny?

A true friend - knows me well, all my faults, my embarrassing secrets, and more - and loves and accepts me as I am.  Doesn’t matter how much time has passed, when we connect it’s like we were together yesterday.  I hope we’ll be making a lot more memories together in the next phase of our lives…. 

Love you!   Hope your day is great!

I just experienced an amazing flashback to the late 70s, thanks to blogger Johnny Virgil. 

Actually, this was sent to me in an email with no credits, but after a little googling I was able to track down the original source - and he deserves some credit for this LOL masterpiece.

Join me on a magic carpet ride as we take a walk down memory lane or, if you’re too young to remember, take a peek into my high school years as told through a 1977 JC Penneys Catalog, with color commentary.   

Click here and then tell me if this isn’t the funniest thing you’ve read in a year.

As a teeneager, I dedicated whole pages of my diary to my favorite songs at the time (when I wasn’t writing about my favorite boys at the time ).   Here’s my list (in no particular order) from September 26th, 1975 when I was in 9th grade. 

Do you remember any of these?  Were they your favorites too?   You can click on the song title to listen.

• Lady (Styx)
• Aubrey , If  &  It Don’t Matter To Me (Bread)
• Smoke on the water (Deep Purple - the ultimate “stomp” song)
• Jackie Blue (Ozark Mountain Daredevils)
• Vincent (Don McLean)
• Color My World (Chicago - the official slow dance song)
• Jive Talkin (BeeGees???  I’m so embarrassed)
• Holdin’ On To Yesterday (Ambrosia)
• Trampled Underfoot (Led Zeplin…..   I don’t remember liking this one)
• Daniel (Elton John)
• Tell Me Something Good (Chaka Kahn)
• Rocky - Gonna Fly Now (I pretty much hate this song now)
• Don’t Call Us We’ll Call You (Sugarloaf)
• 2001  - No idea what this song is…. unless 2001 Space Odessy??
• Nights In White Satin (Moody Blues)
• Black Water (Doobie Brothers - and fun to sing along….)
• Sundown  &   If You Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot)
• Foot Stompin Music (Grand Funk Railroad)
• Get Down Tonight (KC & The Sunshine Band)
• Something’s Wrong - No idea???
• Ballroom Blitz (The Sweet)
• Exorcist (Tubular Bells) - (Michael Oldfield)
• Old Fashioned Love Song (Three Dog Night….  still such a classic)
• Best of My Love (Eagles - and it totally reminds me of Kevin Hill )
• Life is  Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)  (Reunion - the FIRST rap song?)
• Frankenstein (Edgar Winter Group)
• Sunshine On My Shoulder (John Denver)

By the way, I love YouTube.