Everything is Awesome!

So I love modern technology.  A lot.  It makes me so happy.  I think we have some of the best things for entertainment and happiness.  So in honor of my birthday week, I am listing some of my favorite things of technology, internet, and modern life.

1. Pandora. Seriously way better than radio.
2. Pinterest.  It's like window shopping, cooking shows, and comedy routines all at once.
3.  Facebook.  Whatever to all the haters.  I love being able to be in touch with so many people from different walks of life.
4.  Youtube.  I still remember in 2004 when one of my friends sent me the link to youtube and I was like "where have you been all my life?!"
5. Wikipedia.  Yeah it's not academic and I will mark down any paper that uses it.  But in the war to win useless trivia, Wikipedia is king.
6.  Video streaming, such as netflix, hulu, amazon prime, and network websites.  TV on my terms.
7. Dolby Atmos.
8.  Movie Theatres with reclining chairs.
9.  Online news outlets.
10.  Text Messaging.
11. Amazon.
12. Google.
13.  Blogs :).
14.  Web MD.  Nothing like self diagnosis gone wild!
15. Yelp!  Know before you go!
16.  The DVR.
17.  Email.
18.  E-Readers.  Kindle, Ipad, Nook, whatever.  Bringing one small device on a plane is so freaking happy.
19.  Powerpoint and Key Note presentations.  It's the nerd in me :).
20. Podcasts.  See number 19.

I could go on, but I believe this is sufficient to say I am glad I was born in this era.

Self Discovery

I have spent most of my life trying to please others.  Roommates, friends, my ex spouse, family, coworkers, you name it.  I have always tried to do exactly what I thought others wanted or needed of me.  Forget two masters, I served 20k masters.  I really wanted to be liked and needed.  And I had no idea who I was.  I have a loud personality, so certain parts of me always seemed to spill through, but I would suppress things I thought I needed to suppress, and pretend to like things I thought I needed to like.  So now I am trying to figure out what it is that makes me tick.  What I like.  What makes me happy.  Here is my list so far.
1. Maren likes the musical.  Maren loves bursting into song.  However, Maren by far prefers the modern musical, not so much the Rogers and Hammerstein musical.
2.  Maren loves balconies.  Really.  A lot.  I adore them.  Love them.  Yep I do.
3.  Maren likes bodies of water.  Streams, rivers, puddles, fountains, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans.
4. Maren likes movies.  A lot of movies.  Not so much cheesy romance, unless the cheesy romance is also witty.  Maren likes movies that are witty.  No matter the genre.  Witty cartoons, witty drama, witty super heroes, witty witty witty.
5.  Maren likes the Big Bang Theory.  I know that one surprises you all.
6.  Maren likes Spring and Fall.  Maren hates winter.  Even though that makes her Norwegian ancestors cringe.  Whatever.  You ancestors never had to drive in the snow!
7.  Maren likes Gordmans.
8.  Maren likes Jewelry.
9. Maren likes the Color Purple.  The story, the musical, and the actual Color.
10.  Maren also likes the colors green and red
11.  Maren likes dark woods.
12.  Maren does not like carpet.
13.  Maren likes P!nk.  And Kelly Clarkson.  And Sara Bareilles.  And Katy Perry (although that embarrasses me).  And Christina Perri.  Even if she did a song for twilight.
14.  Maren does not like Twilight.
15. Maren likes Joss Whedon.  And Neil Patrick Harris.  But who doesn't?
16. Maren likes to laugh.
17.  Maren really likes to teach.  And learn. And study.  And write.  And read.
18. Maren likes to cook.  And to eat.  Mostly eat.
19.  Maren likes to travel.
20.  Maren likes to be busy.

It may seem trival to most, but it makes me immensely pleased to see myself understand myself well enough to make a list like that.

Movies so far 2014

So far this year I have seen 4 movies in the theater.  I love movies, so my critiques are usually more favorable than unfavorable because I enjoy entertainment for entertainment sake, and I do not got to movies that I have no interest in.  If I am on the fence, I redbox it.  Also, because I am a mom, I go to kids movies a lot, even if I do not necessarily want to or expect to like it.  A lot of times with kids movies, my reaction is based more upon what their reaction is.
1. The Lego Movie:  Seriously loved this movie.  Partly because my three year old was excited enough to become invested in the main character that at one point she yelled out "Oh no! Save Emmett!"  I also loved it because there were so many jokes and references to pop culture and other things that made this movie extremely funny for the adults in the room as well.   Good times.
2. Divergent: I loved the book, and loved the movie, for different reasons.  The movie and the book of course diverged (see what I did there?), as most adaptations do.  I think this particular story was quite difficult to translate to the screen, because so much of the understanding of the story comes from the inner turmoil of the characters.  However, as a mom of young girls, the girl was the tough one.  The girl was the hero.  In an important scene, the mother and daughter are the tough guys.  That makes me happy.
3.  Muppets most Wanted.  Muppets singing and dancing.  Tina Fey singing and dancing.  Really nothing else needs to be said.  I like singing and dancing.  So do my kids.  I also love the reclining chairs at AMC.
4.  Captain America.  AWESOME....Awesome.  Did I say it was AWESOME?  Twists and turns and unexpected details.  Connecting to other movies and TV shows and everything else.  Succeeding in being unpredictable.  Giving Scarlett Johanssen and bigger, tougher, more complex role to play.  Dolby Atmos.  Yeah.  I love Marvel.  That's all.

Looking forward to more movies this year!

Lies

Maren has to lose weight.  Sad but true fact.  It's not a vanity thing, it's a health thing.  Pretty much no choice.  I know all the rules, I know how.  Move more. Eat less.  Mostly plants.  Etc etc etc.  So in honor of the fact that Maren has to do the things she does not like, mainly exercise and eat healthy, lets take a moment to face the fact that some of the things people say about diets are pretty much lies.  My apologies in advance if any of these motivate you, but they do not motivate me.  Different strokes :).
1. "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels".  Seriously, you people need to be friends with better cooks.
2 "Mashed cauliflower tastes just like potatoes". If you have never eaten potatoes I guess.
3.  "You won't even notice the difference".  Yes, yes in fact I will.
4. "It's not that hard to wake up half an hour earlier".  Not enough curse words in the English language to describe how I feel about that.
5. "Just take this pill or powder or whatever".  No miracle pill.  Just nope.
6. "Don't eat fruit".  I did not get this fat because I ate too many strawberries.  Too many chocolate covered strawberries after a meal drizzled in fat and cheese and sour cream and butter and all things good, yes but not because of too many strawberries.
7. "Planking feels so good".  If the fear of falling to your death feels good, then okay.
8. "Dipping Roasted Cauliflower in bbq sauce tastes just like Chicken Nuggets".  Where do people come up with this stuff?!
9.  "You only eat that stuff cause of (insert emotion here)."  Okay, sometimes yes, but sometimes chocolate cake just tastes better than carrots.  Go figure.
10.  "Zumba or whatever the latest fitness craze may be is easy.  You won't look silly."  Umm..have you met me?
11.  "It gets easier"...or perhaps it just gets more tolerable.
12. "You could totally do a marathon"...I really have no way to even respond to that.
13. "Once you eat healthy, you won't even miss the bad stuff." I will too. I promise I will.


Ah well.  Now that I got that out of my system time to try and be a bit more healthy.  Baby steps.

Causing your own anxiety

I am so skilled at causing my own anxiety.  I work myself up into a frenzy of what I am afraid might happen.  It is a talent, really.  The nice thing is that usually most of the things do not happen.  Occasionally, some do.  But one can either choose to be crippled by their bad moments, or choose to be a phoenix that rises from the ashes, as one friend once told me he viewed me during my current trials.  I am in good company.  JK Rowling has said that Harry Potter was born out of desperation, she had seemingly failed at everything else, so she had no option but to write what she had in her heart and her head.  Here are a few things I have worried about over the years that have happened and yet I got over it, or have happened and I am better off for it.

1. I was always afraid of losing a job.  Yep, done that.  Still lived.
2.  I was always afraid of being alone.  Done that, doing that at times.  Still lived.
3.  I was always and am still always worried about failing.  Fail all the time.  Still living.
4.  I was always afraid to say what I thought.  Often times I kept silent when I shouldn't have.  Some of the struggles I have now are a direct result of me keeping silent when I should have spoken up.
5.  I was always afraid of not being attractive.  Guess what? Beauty fades, but how people are treated, they remember that.
6.  I am always, always afraid I will not do enough for my kids.  But my parents were not perfect and I still love them.  So that should be what counts.
7. I am afraid of getting diabetes.  Have not gotten over that, or learned to handle it.  Still terrifies me.
8.  I am afraid of not feeling useful.
9. I used to be afraid of not being able to support myself.  So far, I have done okay.  Still get afraid sometimes.

Fear is such a strong emotion.  For some, it can be a motivator.  For me, I have found it to be a deterrent to progress. I am currently working on how to get past my fears so that I can still be strong and successful.  I have come a long way, but yet have so far yet to go.  

New things

This last year as many know has been my most challenging ever.  I hope that I have walked away stronger and more confident.  I know I have walked away more aware of myself, and more blessed to see who true friends are, and to see the love of family.  I still struggle now and then with why me and jealousy thoughts, but overall I survive and feel good times are ahead.  Once I was given the accusation that I am "always" changing.  Interestingly enough, I would tend to agree.  I have changed. I have grown.  I see things from a different perspective.  Some things frivolous. Some things serious.  However, I think the me of  a few years ago would be shocked about the me now.  Here are several things I did not know about myself until the recent challenges I have faced, challenges that helped me get to know myself, without any attachments or pressures to others:

1.  I don't really like romances unless they are very funny.

2. I really like some superhero movies but I am picky.

3. I like making excel spreadsheets but I don't really know all the tricks

4. I really like jewelry

5.  I don't like a lot of things in my home.  I prefer a minimal decor 

6.  I love road trips

7. I love small cars

8. I like diet coke

9. I struggle to sleep

10.  I really like funny television

11. I like getting my hair done 

12 I love massages!!

13.  Being alone isn't as scary as I thought it would be 

14. I love being able to throw things out or give things away

15.  I love Disney World

16. I hate airplanes but love that they take me to places enough that I forgive the hate

17.  I need to find more ways to relax

18. I love cooking 

19. I love throwing parties 

20.  I love the color purple. 

The best part about this list is that it will probably change tomorrow 

Another let's be grateful edition

Crappy days happen.  Mother Nature adds to that.  At the end of a long, exhausting, crappy day, it's important to be grateful for something. Today, for me, that is:

1. Pickles.  Yes I am extremely grateful for pickles.  

2. Texting.  Yep totally grateful for the ability to text.

3.  Band aids. 

4.  Friends that force me to exercise.

5.  Excel spreadsheets.

6. The guy who did the frozen cover in all the Disney voices.  Seriously I adore him.   I want to be his friend.

7.  Sarcasm and sarcastic internet memes.

8. Friends who send me sarcastic internet memes.

9. Friends who give me pizza.

10. Blankets.

11. Frozen on DVD.

12.  Hot showers.

13.  Massages.

14.  Friends who send sarcastic texts and internet memes.  Bonus!

15. Days when I can go to bed before midnight.

Let's hope for a better day tomorrow.  

Whirlwind weekend edition

I am not one who likes to stay at home.  In fact, I kind of hate it.  So I tend to over plan, until I wear myself and everyone with me out.  It's not a problem for me, and I am still unsure of how the girls feel about it, but so far I think it is positive.  So, what fun things did I learn, experience, observe, or hear this weekend?
1.  A cute yet grabby toddler has got to be the most terrifying thing in the world to a 6 week old puppy.
2.  Not my puppy, mind you.  A friend's puppy.  Though said toddler would probably move in with friend and puppy if given the chance.
3.  Eating well is probably going to be my biggest challenge for the rest of my life.
4.  If you do one eye at a time while doing makeup, you get this response from a three year old "Mommy!  You have to paint the other eye!"
5.  Yelling out Pizza! when a child is asked a spiritual question in church was a proud moment in my life.
6. I should not be allowed loose in a cheese store.
7.  I was also quite proud when the three year old told the adult leader visiting her church class to not lean back on his chair cause it was not safe.  :)
8.  Kids apparently never run out of energy.  Ever.
9.  I think 3 year olds could take over the world if they banded together.
10.  I am so freaking grateful for the Monster at the End of this Book.
11.  I am madly in love with the guy that sings Let it Go in Disney voices.
12.  I adore imagination in children.  I really hope I can encourage my daughters to continue with their imagination.
13.  I need to go to the park more often.
14.  I also need to clean my bathroom more often.  Or get a maid.
15.  Still, my life is pretty awesome.

Happy Monday.  Have a good week!

Crazy

Some weeks are just more crazy than others, and this week sure has been one of them!  Want to know what I have learned?

1.  I make too many plans.

2.  Apparently I forget I need to sleep.

3.  I never neglect eating however.  Sometimes I should neglect eating.  

4.  Big Bang theory still makes me feel better. 

5.  I need to find more time to read.  I miss reading.  

6. Perhaps I could read more if Pinterest was not invented. 

7.  Seriously love every word that comes out of my children's mouths.  They are so hilarious.  

8.  You know that you have gotten old and lame when the highlight of the week will be driving to Logan to purchase cheese.

9.  Every day I lie to myself and say I will go to bed early :) and eat well.  

10.  In spite of it all, my life is still awesome.  

Not broken

This post may be a little bit soap boxish.  Feel free to pass by if you wish.   I discovered today I hate the term "broken home".  Why should a child be told they are in a "broken home"? There is nothing broken about the love I have for my children.   There is nothing broken about the hard work I do to provide for my children.  There is nothing broken about us.  We are a wonderful team, and plenty of things are right about us.  

1.  We know how to have fun.

2. My daughters see that a girl can become a woman who can take care of herself. 

3. My daughters know home is about love, not location.

4.  My daughters know how to laugh.

5. My daughters know it is okay to cry.

6. My daughters know they can talk to me.

7. My daughters know I make mistakes.

8. My daughters see me say I am sorry, and try to make things right.

9. We have dance and singing parties :).

10. My daughters know we love, not judge.

11.  We know a family can be three people or thirty people. 

We are not broken.  We are learning and growing.  We survive and thrive.  

Daily musings Chicago Edition

I love coming home!  One of the best things about me is that I have many homes.  From Logan, Utah to the streets of Brooklyn this girl plants her roots deep where and whenever she chooses a place to lay her head.  So while Chicago was one of the shortest lengths of time I spent in one home, and during a particularly difficult time personally, it was home nonetheless.  So what did I notice upon returning home?

1.  Traffic.   Utah does not have bad traffic.  What we call rush hour is nothing.  Nothing, people! Nothing. 

2.  The lady at the car rental place: "sorry, all I have in that category is a Yaris.  They don't have much trunk space.  I hope you don't mind small cars."  If only you knew!  The Yaris is in fact sufficient for my needs.  

3.  Ah toll roads.  How I truly loathe you.

4. Though I do enjoy the toll road oasis for a bathroom break.  

5. Whenever I return to a location I impress myself with my recall in regards to where things are and how to get there.  I am direction savy!  I only had to use the gps once, and that was to go someplace I have never been before.   

6.  The LDS mission office is right next to Hooters.  Not sure who planned that one.

7. Seriously love me some Chicago food.  Love it love it love it! 

8. Kudos to southwest and their free inflight entertainment.  Consequently, kudos to tlc and the food network for ensuring I will never be skinny. 

9. The rest of America can keep there tiny rivers and puddles they call lakes.  I am definitely a great lake girl! 

10. Driving in certain neighborhoods makes me feel really tough.

11.  Why is it that Utah does not seem to understand the awesomeness that is closed in porches? 

12.  I love when you can sit down with people you have not seen in ages and it feels just as comfortable as always.  

13.  I love big buildings and skylines.  There is something so exciting about a metropolis!

14.  I also love Chinatown.  Any Chinatown. Every Chinatown.

15.  Good thing I had podcasts to get me through the traffic.

16.  Pizza tomorrow.  The thought alone makes happiness rise through my body.  

17.  Buying little Chinese dresses for my girls brings me more pleasure than it should. 

18.  Those little travel one time use toothbrushes actually work quite well.  FYI.  You're welcome :).

19.  I love Chicago.  I love dc.  I love New York.  I need to add to my list of towns I love and call home.  Someday I need to figure out how to live in London :).  

20.  After the girls are grown, I am going to become a crazy nomad lady moving from city to city.  It's going to be epic.  I will conquer every city!

Good night world!  More Chicago tomorrow! 

Awesome Mom

I am really good at making myself feel bad.  I feel bad that I have not blogged in several days.  I feel bad that I forget things.  I feel bad that I get frustrated.  So this morning, on a feeling bad morning, I am going to indulge in reflecting on the awesome things I have done as a mom in the last week or so.
1.  My youngest was struggling with falling asleep, and she wanted me to lay down with her.  In her toddler bed.  So I did.  Yay for being 5'2".  And it did not break! Bonus!
2.  My oldest wants to be a neuroscientist.  She is seven and she knows what a neuroscientist is.  Absolutely fabulous.
3.  Telling bedtime stories.  We take turns.  Hooray for creativity.
4.  The three year old loves to help me cook.  She really will be a creative genius.
5.  The seven year old and I are practicing a piano duet. :)
6.  When someone is unfair to my oldest, she says "That person needs to learn about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.  We are not supposed to be unfair anymore!"
7. The alarm clock worked again.  She even wakes up cheerful.  We are going to milk this for all it is worth!
8.  When I mentioned I might take a Saturday by myself to read at Station Park in Farmington, my oldest said "Mom, go on one of our Saturdays!  I will read with you while Amalia plays!"
9. My children can already belt many songs from Broadway musicals.
10. Camping out on the floor cause they beg you to.
11. Feeding them.  Every meal.  Let's be honest, it can be difficult.  :) But we do it, and the food is good.
12. My children get plenty of affection from me and know that I love them.
13.  When I said I would be going to Chicago for the weekend, my oldest told me "Bring me back something awesome.  Wish you could bring back the awesome people, but I will settle for a gift."

Notice none of that was about cleaning or making people look perfect.  It's about what really matters.  Let's not beat ourselves up today.

Hidden Messages

So lots and lots of people are having fun arguing things like hidden agendas in popular animated films.   I always find this sort of thing amusing, because anyone who has paid attention in, I don't know, any English class since Jr. High, should know that there are messages every where.  How you interpret them says more about you than the story themselves.  Religious people should realize that most scripture is written this way as well.  I could go off on certain things (songs of solomon anyone?) but I digress.  So tonight let's just look at the "hidden messages" I got from Frozen.
1.  Its pretty darn brave to admit that you don't have to pretend to be perfect.
2.  Being "perfect" in and of itself is in fact a pretense.
3.  Having accomplished composers and singers do these kind of projects makes listening to the soundtrack over and over again more enjoyable.
4. At first glance, talking snowmen are creepy.
5.  Maybe Reindeers really are better than people.
6.  Sisters are awesome.
7. If he is really charming at first, and appears to have no flaws, its a trap.
8.  Don't mess with fresh lacquer.
9.  Writing a hit is a sure fire way to have people believe you must be evil.
10.  Lots of people don't understand that one song in the middle of the show does not mean the character does not learn, grow, and understand that there are consequences to action. (the same person who says "not right no wrong no rules for me, I'm free" only a little while later says "oh I'm such a fool I can't be free!" Cause seriously, these people who have never done something on a whim, disregarding rules, and then regret it later, seriously don't exist. (i.e. speeding ticket?)  And if they do, please, introduce me to them because they need more fun in their life.
11. Maybe its all just a ploy to get little girls to sing good music.
12.  Or, in all seriousness, have you seen the Norway part of Epcot?  Cause it's Arendelle.  The marketing department was doing cartwheels when they got the advance drawings.  I bet anything.
13.  Freckled girls want to be princesses too.
14.  Don't mess with a nice guy named Oaken.
15.  Trolls are bound to take over the earth eventually.

So what hidden messages did you get from Frozen?

What I don't miss

Yesterday I waxed nostalgic over all the things I miss.  Today let's look at things I don't really miss:

1.  Never really knowing what lyrics say in a song. "Neverson Babies".  Serious points for anyone who gets the reference.  

2.  Junior High.  Enough said.

3.  Using a card catalog instead of the internet/database/amazon.

4.  Listening to the radio all night waiting for your favorite song to come on so you can tape record it.

5. 80s and 90s bangs. And clothes.  

6. Waiting in line at the computer lab to check my email.  Now thanks to Steve jobs I check it every five minutes.  Okay, not really sure which is better.

7.  Piles of road atlases and street maps to find my way around.

8. The smell of people with hygiene problems on the subway.  

9.  Handwritten notes instead of texts.  No one could read my handwriting.  

10. Midnight feedings.  Babies are cute and all, but I like the post potty trained stage more. Leaps and bounds more.

11.  Going to rent a VHS only to find the one you want is gone.

12.  Summertime humidity

13. Tolls.  Seriously Illinois is the king of toll roads.  Don't miss that one bit.

14. It taking an hour plus to get anywhere.  I don't think I really knew how long it took to get places in manhattan. 

15.  Alternate side of the street parking.  

See! Yay for change!  

Change

Generally I am a fan of change.  I think it is a good way to progress, grow, and learn about oneself and others.  Occasionally I do miss and reminisce about things I wish had not changed, or that certain things I experienced when living in other areas would still be available to me.  In speaking with a friend today, I thought of a few things that are no longer readily available to me, and I truly miss them. 

1. Chicago style pizza

2. NY pizza

3. The ZCMI food and pastry counter

4. Real dollar theaters.  That actually cost one dollar.

5.  The rocket at the rocket park in Layton.

6. Good street vendor food.

7.  The awesome cheese fries at a random bar in Cumberland Maryland.  Yes as a missionary I regularly ate at a bar.  Seriously delicious food.

8. The TKTS line.

9. NY hotdogs 

10. Chicago hotdogs

11. Deli pickles

12.  Concerts in Bryant Park

13.  The New York Public Library

14. The Chicago Public Library

15.   Living by a large body of water. (No the great salt lake is not by my definition a large body of water.)

16. Free smithsonian museums

17.  Tall buildings

18.  Taking the subway to work

19. Diverse dining choices

20.  People who know how to merge

Oh well.  Better learn to be grateful for what I have.  

Rewarding myself

Sometimes I feel like it is wrong to celebrate oneself or ones accomplishments.  It's okay for loved ones or outsiders may praise us, but to praise myself would be seen as conceited, vain, inappropriate.   Well today I have a rebellious spirit.  I started today with a bit of personal and somewhat symbolic sadness, however thanks to some kind words of friends and a bit of a fiery spirit inside of me, I decided I have every right to be glad to be me and to celebrate even tiny accomplishments.  Today I celebrate:

1. I get out of bed and go to work.  Daily.  

2. I love my children. 

3. I pay my bills.  

4. I provide for my children.  

5. I provide for myself. 

6. I am entertaining, and people enjoy being around me.

7. When I teach college courses, along with intensely intellectual information, I include clips of the Big Bang theory because I am awesome.

8. I go to work even though I am usually in some kind of pain.

9. I can recite more musicals than most people have ever heard of.

10. I have excellent taste in movies and television.

11 I have beyond excellent taste in music. 

12.  I am willing to laugh at myself.  

13.  I am getting better at biting my tongue.

14. My daughters and I have dance parties.

15. I have amazing friends.

Go celebrate yourself! You are awesome!

Good Friends

I am so lucky to have really good friends.  I have had a lot of people come to my side over the last few years as I have struggled with a few things.  One thing that I still struggle with daily is feeling worthwhile, forgiving myself for the mistakes I have made in the past, and not obsessing over the things I cannot control.  In talking with some friends over the weekend, I was reminded that we all feel that way.  We all feel like we can't look a certain way, say a certain thing, believe a certain way, etc etc etc.   And yet, I have two daughters that I want to feel that they can grow up to be anything, and that their minds, their creativity, their talent, is what makes them special, not their looks.  So what can I do?  What can we all do?  How can I not let my girls feel like their value is in their relationship status and their beauty level?   I do have a few ideas:
1. Stop reliving my failure. It is what it is.  Learn and move on.
2.  Be proud of my accomplishments.  Don't pretend to be less than what I am.
3.  Allow my personality to be shown.  Don't hold back because I think people may not like me.
4.  Find ways to continue to grow and excel.
5.  Compliment girls on things besides looks.
6.   Find stories and role models for my daughters.
7.  Give my daughters opportunities to learn, grow, and progress.
8.  Expose them to successful women.
9.  Teach girls that all choices are okay and available, and it does not have to be a competition. Mommy wars are so damaging.  It makes me sad.  Stay at home moms are wonderful.  Working moms are wonderful.  Married moms are wonderful.  Divorced moms are wonderful.  Etc Etc
10.  More than anything I want my daughters to know that people are people.  Just like MLK, I have a dream that people will be judged based on the content of their character, not if they are black or white, or male or female.

Sorry to wax all philosophical tonight.  It's just on my mind today.

Writer's block

Back pain, overextending oneself, and laziness have now been proven to lead to writers block.  My most humble apologies to my fans.  You should be happy to note my delusions of fans are alive and well.  What have I mused since our last encounter?

1. Sandra Bullock needs to make more movies.

2.  Having visible difficulty whilst standing seems to add way more years to your appearance than wrinkles.  

3.  I find myself having unkind thoughts towards people I see from high school that do not appear to have aged.  Damn the crap shoot that is the human gene pool!

4.  Starting to really like the praise I get from the three year old when I use the potty.  We all need more positive reinforcement in our lives.

5.  Everything is still awesome.  Truly the song never leaves your head.

6.  I still remember back in 2004 I believe it was when a friend introduced me to YouTube.   Best.Site.Ever.   When you are sad you can go on YouTube and watch any of your favorite people.  Anytime.   Thank you YouTube.

7.  Vampires shouldn't sparkle.   Old news, but people need to be reminded from time to time.

8.  I appreciate that people still want to hang out with me even though I talk too much.  Been told I talk too much since first grade.  Didn't stop me then, highly unlikely I am going to stop now.

9.  So growing up I was taught to "liken" scriptures and other religious stories to my own life.   I submit that my talent is being able to liken any story or entertainment to my life.  

10.  I also submit that number 9 is mostly the result of my older brother who taught me that the wisdom of Star Wars is just as appropriate to quote as the wisdom of the ages.

11.  I need more singing in my life.

12.  My fashion sense is lacking and when I am dressed nicely it is because fashion conscious friends helped pick out the outfit.  When I pick out my own outfit I tend to look like Amy Farrah Fowler.

It's late enough that I better stop before the thoughts become completely incomprehensible.

Tuesday Monday

It was a rough start to the work week.  A Tuesday with a Monday feel that kind of makes you think perhaps holidays are not such a good idea.  Let's look at just a few of the fun things I experienced today.

1. I was in a meeting.  My phone was ringing but I did not answer because I was in a meeting.  So they called my cell.  Which I did not answer because I was in a meeting.  So they called my assistant.  Who told them I was in a meeting.  So they sent me an email.

2.  I have discovered there are far too many ways to contact me.

3. Ran back into a restaurant to get my keys that I had left on the table.  Only I did not leave them on the table.  They were in my purse the whole time. 

4.  Didn't realize until five minutes before work was over that I am in charge of a meeting at 7am tomorrow.  Go me!

5.  Got stuck eating cup of sadness and despair for lunch today.

6.  Had an awesome workout followed by a bacon cheeseburger and bottomless fries.   I rock and my decisions are awesome.

7.  Everything is awesome is still in my head.

8. Discovered that you can buy Lego sets of the places in the Lego movie.  Yeah, I'm gonna be broke soon.

9.  Sometimes I get sick of sitting and have to type standing.  People give you very odd looks when you type standing.  

10.  I have an iPad mini and a MacBook Air.  A coworker saw that, looked out the window at my small car, then looked at my stature and said "is everything you purchase petite?" To which I replied "indeed even my clothing."

11.  Had to call someone I had never spoken to before and I desperately wanted to do so with a British accent.

12.  Don't go to Red Robin on a Tuesday evening.  It is apparently packed at that time for no reason.

13. Do go to the gym on a Tuesday at 6pm.   Apparently no one goes at that time.

Hope that tomorrow brings with it less adventures than today and remember if you leave a message for me on one phone you do not need to call one of my other phones, send me an email or call my assistant.  I promise.  On second thought skip all the other options and just email me.

Things I wish I had studied

I have had an interesting and mostly good career.  Lots of mishaps along the way, and a few major mistakes.  As everyone who is honest with themselves will be willing to admit.  For a long time I thought my career would go one way, but when I got the opportunity to be where I thought I was headed, both personally and professionally I suffered a blow to my ego, and realized that just as Dumbledore also realized, not everyone is meant to be in charge.  Not everyone makes great leaders.  But that does not mean I am not good at what I do.  I am.  And I am also very intelligent.  What I love most is learning.  If I could find a way to just get paid to go to school forever, I would do that.  So tonight I muse about all the things I wish I could have or would have studied.  Some for their practicality.  Some for their career potential.  Some for the sheer interest.  And some just because.  Who knows...maybe I will go back to school some day.  I am still young.
1. Sign Language interpretation
2.  Law...I love to learn, and argue.  "Do you think she woke up one day and said I think I'll go to law school?"
3. Computers.  Just so I could fix them when they break and not have to deal with people on grumpy days.
4.  Media studies.  Yeah, I know.  But whatever, there are media professors out there.
5.  A PHD in anything.  Yes, pretty much anything.
6.  Nursing....would have loved to be a midwife or APRN
7.  A teacher...just for the schedule though.   I adore teaching college...not sure how I would do with children.
8.  Creative writing.  Again, I know not practical, but it would be interesting.
9.  Business.  Highly practical.
10.  Children's literature
11.  American History
12.  I have a minor in Women's Studies.  Would love to learn more
13.  I have a Masters level certificate in Disability Studies.  Would also like to learn more.
14.  Buffy Studies.  It exists.
15.  History of Musical Theatre.
16.  Welding or cabinetry, or anything that would make me look tough.
17.  Pharmacy or dentistry or podiatry or some other medical thing that pays well but does not often get calls at 2am.
18.  Anything that would make it possible for me to be Neil Patrick Harris's personal assistant.  Or Idina Menzel.  Or Stephen Schwartz.  Or Ellen.....or....or....or.
19.  A travel critic.  Rick Steves if you will.
20.  Food critic.  I mean come on how do people get so lucky?!?

Oh to dream.

Oh AMC.

Recently the amc theatre in our hometown was remodeled and it seriously makes me so happy.  Not because of screens and sound projection but because of the fabulous reclining chairs.  Seriously it's heaven while watching a movie.  My youngest and I were able to snuggle and enjoy The Lego Movie last night and it made me muse about being comfortable.  There are many things I find cosy.

1. Big warm blankets.

2. Lounge chairs on the beach or by a pool.  

3.  Floating beds in pools.

4.  Hammocks

5. Comfy couches

6. Big beds

7.  Anything that lets me lay down after a long day.  

8.  Massages

9. Pedicures

10. Cuddling with my kids

11.  Getting my hair washed at the salon.

12.  Sitting on a beach blanket at the beach

13.  Sitting on a blanket in the park

14. Sitting and reading by some sort of water source

15.  Any kind of reclining option.

Hoping you all find some way to relax today.

Oh the places you'll go!

I love going places, meeting new people, seeing new things.  I love experiencing new cities and going back to places I love.  Today I will muse about some of my favorite places I have been.

1.  Central Park.  It's just like in the movies. 

2.  Split Rock Lighthouse.  Ever since I was a child I thought northern Minnesota looked a bit like heaven. 

3.  Navy pier.  

4.  Zion's National Park.  As much as I love man made creations this one still gets me.  The beauty of nature is breathtaking.

5. Yellowstone.  See number 4. 

6. Chicago architect boat tour.  Coolest tourist experience ever.

7.  All things Disney.  It is magical and bah humbug to anyone who says differently.  

8. Puerto Vallarta.  So amazing and peaceful. 

9.  The smithsonian.  

10. Times Square.

11.  Walking across the Brooklyn bridge.

12. Tagaytay.

13.  San Deigo beaches.  

14.  The Met. 

15.  On the banks of the Mississippu.

16. On the banks of the Potomac.  

17.  Cumberland MD.

18.  Amish Country.  Best rocking chair ever still have it!

19.  Shenandoah Valley.

20.  The Great Lakes.  I think I have only seen three of five but love the three I have seen.  

This world is amazing and I need to see more of it! 

Something in the air

Everyone seems to be having a rough week.  I think there is something in the air or water.  My friends are stressed my kids are being wild, etc etc.  it seems the only good thing is that my youngest finally decided going potty is a good thing.   So let's muse some happiness again shall we?

1.  My youngest said to me "once upon a time there was a monkey and a tail and drums.  The end.  Do you like that story mom?"

2.  My oldest went on a field trip.  When asked if she had ever been there before she said "oh I am sure my mom has brought me here.   My mom knows all the cool places."

3.  I confess I browse the Disney resort vacation packages too often.  A girl can dream.

4.  I am glad that valentines day is defined as celebrating love and that I can celebrate with the best little valentines in the world.

5.  Surprising the girls with a spa day!  Yay us!

6.  My oldest said she could not sleep unless she heard me sing or imagined me singing. Melt my heart.

7.  A three year olds smile is the best thing in the universe.

8.  Should I buy my self a valentines gift? No Maren the pretty shiny device you are typing on is the only special occasion gift you can get for yourself for the next year :)

9.  My youngest hates to go to bed.  My oldest is asleep but my youngest keeps walking in my room giggling.  She is mischievous this one.

10.  Stopped to smile at her and she said "no you keep typing!!"

11.  I swear my oldest is smarter in first grade than I was last week. 

12.  I need a vacation.  Except for the spend money part.

13.  Whenever I wake up my hair looks like Anna's when she wakes up in Frozen.  Both of us must be visited by Ralph the nighttime hair dresser.  

14.  Sometimes I put coconut oil on my daughters skin.  She also enjoys chocolate.  Therefore hugging her makes me instantly crave almond joy. 

15.  Trying to keep up with my thought pattern is exhausting.

Sleep well all!

Battling the sucky day

Some days just kind of suck.  No matter what you do, the sucky things pile up.  You leave your phone somewhere.  You obsesses over a mistake.   An insult still stings.  You mourn a loss.  You feel misunderstood.  So what is a girl to do?   

Let's muse about things I have to look forward to.  Today sucks but there is joy in the future.

1.  My awesome girls have great valentines day outfits.  

2.  The Lego movie this weekend.  It's going to be totally awesome.

3. I'm going to Chicago very soon for a visit.

4.  Farmington Station in spring.

5.  Anything in spring.

6.  Captain America.  Xmen.  Idina is singing at the oscars.  New episodes of Big Bang theory.

7.   As soon as the youngest is able to appreciate it, perhaps seven or eight...theatre trip to NYC!

8.  Another trip to Disney sooner than that!

9.  Road trip!  Anywhere! Yay!

10.  Frozen on DVD.  

11.  Massages

12.  Downton Abbey

13.  Cooking dinner with my girls.  

14.  Splash pads in the summer

15.  Dinner with friends.

16.  Dinner with family.

17.  Theatre theatre theatre.

18.  Karaoke cafe.

19.  The avengers 2

20. Really any movie or food event

Life sucks for a minute but there is always happy around the corner.   I am done with today.  Bring on tomorrow.  

Hooray for portable technology

When I was little I really wanted to have a small pocket TV so I could watch shows in my bedroom and not fight with my siblings.   Who would have know that when I was 34 I would have 6 separate devices that could do just that and so much more right at my disposal.   It does kind of blow my mind.  So, today lets list several reasons why I love my Ipad Mini.  You can substitute Kindle, Smart Phone, anything that you want.
1.  It weighs a lot less than several books on a plane ride.
2.  It helps me get through boring meetings.
3  If people want to see my kids, it is very easy to pull up a picture for them.
4.  It helps me if I am lost.
5.  It keeps my kids quiet and occupied.
6.  Netflix.
7. Google.
8.  No need for a newspaper subscription.
9. Facebook.
10.  I can type a blog post on it.
11.  It taught my oldest daughter to read.
12.  Disney Parks apps.  Next time you go to a disney park it will change your life.
13.  Relaxation apps.
14.  Dr. Seuss books are so awesome on the Ipad.
15.  I can take notes and not have sticky notes everywhere
16.  I don't have to worry about not understanding my handwriting.
17.  Pinterest.
18.  Music
19. Youtube.
20.  Being able to check my finances, appointments, and any number of other things to keep me organized.

Yay for technology.

Hoarding

Hoarding is such an interesting thing.  I have actively been trying to dejunk my life, both physically and emotionally.   I was talking to a friend who collects deals...so after valentines day a few years ago she bought hundreds of valentines.   She has a garage full of other things she has a hard time letting go of. My parents hoard books.   And on and on.  Emotionally we hold on to regret.  Friendships long lost.   Clothes that will never fit again.  So it's time to stop hoarding and l am ready to let go this year.  

1. I will not keep clothes I know I will never fit again.  

2.  I will not keep clothes that my youngest child will never fit again. 

3.  I will not keep wishing for relationships that did not give me strength

4.  I will not buy things I don't have room for now because I might need them later.

5. I will not keep toys my children no longer play with.

6.  I need to find a way to get rid of the guilt I have hoarded over things beyond my control.

7.  I need to let go of feeling less than others around me.

8.  Let's be honest I probably will continue to hoard music, books, and apple products.  No one is perfect.

9.  My worth is more than a paycheck.

10 .  My worth is not based on a number on a scale or a clothing label.

11.  My worth is not based on a title, occupation, marriage status, or life choice.

12.  I will surround myself with people who build me up and attempt to assist in building them as well.

13.  I will hoard moments, joys, adventures, and experiences.

14. I will hoard and give hugs and compliments and phone calls and texts and positive human interactions.

15.  I will hoard learning and growing and progressing.

16.   I will have more fun.  I will treat myself better.   

17.  I will be my own valentine :).

18.  I will collect smiles and laughs and jokes and amusement.

19.  Lastly, I will still hoard blankets.   Oh how I love a good blanket.

Retail therapy

Today was an excellent day of retail therapy that has lead to many musings.
1.  Love me the apple store.
2.  When you tell yourself you don't really need anything, you find all kinds of things.
3.  Technology just gets more and more awesome.
4.   It seems you can eat a feast and yet popcorn still smells good.
5.  A really good sales lady is something that change everything.  I had two today.
6.  It seems rain brings out more shoppers.
7.  I want to move to Farmington someday.
8.  Today's blog post is brought to you by the cloud, iPad mini, iPhone five with a personal hotspot and yours truly.  Thank you Steve  Jobs.
9.  Next time you are told sitting will be painful just shop all day.
10. I love shopping buddies and random friends who call me when they are at Farmington Station Park cause they just assume I am there.
11.  I love being complimented for wearing an outfit that was entirely picked out and/or supplied by said shopping partners.  Confirms my good taste in friends who have better taste than I do.
12.  Have I mentioned my love of technology?
13.   Cinemark HD.  Enough said.

Let me know if you ever want to shop with me!

Pain

Fell down the stairs in my graceful fashion yesterday.  The pain in my buttocks has seemed to grow over today.   Thanks to a caring friend I have it looked at so that is good, but not much to do but ice it and struggle to stand and move.  So today I am focused on pain.   Therefore, here is a list of my most painful things.  I may or may not be singing like Maria Von Trapp whilst writing this.

1, bone marrow biopsy 

2. Labor

3. Migraines

4. Shoulder pain

5. Arthritis

6. Growing pains

7. Twisted ankle 

8. Dry sockets 

9. Sinus pressure

10. Lower back pain 

11. Stiff neck

12. Charlie horse

13. Sore muscles

14. Paper cuts

15. Shaving cut

16.  Severe sunburn 

17. Curling iron burn 

18. Falling on ice

 Looking at the list I realize that while having experienced some pain I am pretty lucky that I have not experienced more severe pain.  Guess I should just grab my ice pack and be grateful.   

Proud

Growing up pride was sometimes a negative word.  Don't be too prideful.  You hear that at church all the time.  Well, throughout the years, while sure I have had my moments of pride struggles, I can easily say that there is a much more difficult struggle for myself and others I know and love, and that is never being proud of ourselves.  Never feeling good enough.  Never measuring up.  Well tonight, I put together a desk all by myself, just like I did a toddler bed several months back, a chair, a couch, and a toy kitchen.  I know for some that is not a big feat, but for me it has been epic.  I have been used to asking and or begging help from others, and I could still easily do so now, but it feels infinitely better that even if I did not do it perfectly, I did it.  On a day that was stressful, frustrating, and upsetting, I did it.  So, on that note, I will take this time to talk about things that truly have made me proud.

1. The day I gave birth to each of my daughters.

2. The day I decided to get out of bed and continue living after a miscarriage.

3. The day I decided to continue on after failing at a job and being betrayed by people I thought friends.  

4. The day I had a bone marrow biopsy 19 weeks pregnant without meds all alone and did not scream or even cry. 

5. The day I moved to New York. 

6.  The day I moved to Chicago. 

7. The reason I chose to come back from Chicago.  

8. The day I graduated with my Masters degree.

9. The first time I taught a college course.

10.  The day I decided I deserved to be treated better.  

11.  The day I decided I am good enough alone, just me, and no one has a right to tell me any less. 

12.  The first time I wrote a theatre review.

13.  The first time one of my reviews was quoted in another publication.  

14. Every time my children tell me they love me. 

15. Every day that I wake up, and live another day to its fullest.

16. Every time a friend or loved one thanks me for not judging them.  

17.  The day I decided to go on a mission. 

18.  The person I was when I came home. 

19.  The person I am today.

20.  The people my children are becoming.

It's okay to be proud.  Really it is.  You all are amazing.  

Being productive

I love being productive.  I have a hard time getting motivated but once I get going I will keep going even when I should stop.  Yes, I am a nerd.  Here are several of the reasons I am classified as such:

1. I love taking classes

2. I love writing papers

3. I love reading textbooks

4.  When I learn new things on the computer it makes me happy

5. I get excited when I have a reason to make a new spreadsheet

6. I know about sites like mugglenet

7. I find myself quoting Big Bang theory every day

8.  I understand most Star Wars references.  That is my brother's fault.

9. I watch YouTube videos from comic con

10. My choices on Netflix. 

Yay for nerds!

Super Bowl

Hope you all had an excellent Super Bowl viewing yesterday.  I have never really watched or understood much of anything related to sports.  I used to be quite conceited in my hatred, wanting everyone to see things my way.  However, happily, I have aged in my wisdom and I realize that everyone is entitled to their enjoyment, and that a lot of the things I love, many people would find lame and stupid.  So I publicly apologize to all my sports fans.   I did in fact have a wonderful Superbowl weekend full of the things that I love. So while you sports fans were having fun at your parties, I celebrated enough to not have time to write a blog post!  This is how I celebrated:
1. Went to a Karaoke Cafe :)
2.  Went to Frozen, the Sing A Long Edition
3.  Made cookies and ate them :)
4.  Had a tea party.
5.  Watched Downton Abbey
6.  Went to Target and discovered the children's book "Mouseton Abbey"
7.  Found new recipes on Pinterest
8. Played piano and sang
9.  Read many, many stories with my girls.
10. Made glittery stickers
11.  Face painted
12. Painted nails
13. Played Goldie Blox
14. Discovered the similarities between my three year old and a wild and crazy muppet character
15.  Had a cuddle movie night with the girls
16. Made Valentines for my first graders class (And discovered I had not bought enough :()
17. Got a doctor check up from my 3 year old.
18.  Tried, I promise I tried, to watch part of the game.  I made it about 10 minutes.

Happy SuperBowl!

Self esteem builders

Raising girls makes me nervous.  When I think of my friends growing up, every single one of us felt not good enough.  When I think of my friends now, most of us feel not good enough.  We are too fat or too thin.  We don't spend enough time with our kids.  Those of us who are divorced feel not good enough because of that.  Those who are married feel like they are not good enough spouses.  Those who work feel not good enough.  Those who stay home feel not good enough.  The list goes on.  I don't want my girls to feel this way.  I want them to celebrate being them.  I want to build their confidence.  I want them to feel like they can be whatever they want.   I want them not to base their self worth on others definitions of them.  I just don't know how to foster those feelings.  I have a few ideas, but need a whole lot more.  

1. Encourage creativity 

2.  Encourage bravery 

3. Help them try new things

4. Help them know failure is a part of life.  

5. Help them know rejection is a part of life

6.  Help them know that it is not possible to please everyone.

7.  Teach them the value of taking risks

8. Encourage learning 

9. Let them figure out what they like 

10. Knowing my ale that just because I like it does not mean that they will. 

11. Encourage decision making. 

12.  Encourage doing chores

13. Encourage education and skill building

14.  Encourage independence

15.  Encourage them to share emotions and feelings 

16.  Tell them they are good enough

17. Read and then read some more

18. Accept that no matter what I do, they are their own people and eventually will make their own decisions.

19. Learn how to believe I am good enough, because eventually they will see themselves in me.  

"Pretty pretty please if you ever ever feel like you're nothing, you are perfect to me."

Guilt

Guilt is such a powerful weapon.  I think that most moms feel guilt about just about everything.  Moms that work have guilt, moms that stay at home have guilt, moms that are divorced have guilt, moms that are married have guilt.  Today I spent a lot of time thinking about guilt, and I have decided that I am sick of feeling bad about every single move I make.  So today instead of feeling guilty about all that I did not do because I was sick, I am going to talk about the things I am not guilty about.
1.  I let my girls paint my nails even though I don't feel good an a seven year old does not paint well.
2. I am currently getting a "check-up" performed by my three year old with her doctor kit.
3. When I took Leia to school she said to her friends "That's my mom.  She dyed her hair red."
4. And now the seven year old is assisting with the check up.  It's apparently a two woman job.
5. We still had a healthy dinner.
6.  The girls also decided to play fisherman pulling nets on the "boat" which is my couch.
7.  My children are smart and creative.
8.  My girls love to give hugs and tell everyone how much they love people.
9.  My girls are building good imaginations and good self esteem.
10.  My girls are smart and funny.

I am so blessed, and I need to remember that whenever I feel less than the people around me.  

Comforts

I am not a pleasant sick person.  In fact being congested makes me quite grumpy indeed.  Today I have been trying to make myself more comfortable in my congested state.  Some of my favorite comforts: 

1.  Cosy blankets

2. Soup

3.  Hot shower

4. Hot bath

5. Hot Blanket

6. Comfy couch

7. Rocking chair

8.  Cosy bed

9. Good pillow 

10. Hot chocolate

11. Heating blanket

12.  Heating pad

13.  Orange juice

14.  Medicine that works! 

15.  Massage

16. Foot bath 

17. Cuddling with a little one 

18. Fireplace

What helps you feel better.  

Trying new things

Dyed my hair today.  Always wanted to, was always afraid to do so.  So, in honor of my new hair, lets list a few other things I would love to do if I were not such a chicken.
1.  Travel to Europe (okay so that is part chicken, part lack of money)
2.  Try out for a musical
3.  Sing in a competition
4.  Get a PhD
5.  Write a book
6.  Start my own business
7.  Go hiking more
8.  Do more physical activity
9.  Learn to ride a motorcycle
10.  Do stand up comedy
11. Go to law school
12. Write movie reviews
13. Do a podcast
14.  Travel to other awesome places (again, money)
15. Sing in any type of public venue
16. Learn new things (languages, skills, etc)

What new, fun, brave things should we all try this year?

Random Thoughts Day

It's kind of exciting to be in my brain.  No, really, you all should try it.  :).  Just a few things that passed through my brain cells today:
1.  While at a stop light, I was singing and dancing in my car.  Why not, right?  May as well have fun while waiting.  Got a few strange stares from the car next to me.  My thoughts?  You all wish you were in my car.  It's way more fun over here.
2.  People really need to learn to play the organ faster.   Just because you are in church does not mean you need to play the music glacially.
3.  Sometimes I hear people on the radio and wonder why people think they sing well.  I mean, really, why?!  There are plenty of people I don't like their music, yet I admit they sing well, just not my style or whatever.  But others? Really? Are that many people tone deaf?
4.  Some people never age.  Saw a few people today that I had not seen for 20 plus years, and yet they look exactly the same.  How is that possible?
5.  I still need more reasons to get dressed up and wear fancy things.
6.  I am more grateful for a good nights sleep than I should be.
7.  If you were performing at the Grammys, wouldn't you choose more than a t-shirt and jeans?  I mean its fine, if you are a multi millionaire from Australia singing country you can wear whatever you darn well please, but for me, I would be wearing more than jeans and a t shirt.
8.  Why don't I play guitar?! Sad face.
9.  It's time for a new hair color.  I have been blonde for 34 years.  Time to do something new.
10.  I love seeing people I love.  I love people.
11.  I wish I had been born in a british television series.
12.  I thinking singing contests with my seven year old are my all time favorite activities.

Hope you all have a fun week.  Sing in your car. :)

Doing too much....again

I have this nasty little habit of overextending myself...a lot.  And then I get tired.  And upset.  Yet, I feel guilty if I relax, if I take time off, if I take time to be myself, enjoy myself, and relax just a little bit.  This week, especially this weekend, has been like that.  So many struggles cloud the way too often.  So I need to learn and remember that even on exhausting days like today I have so much to be happy about. And really, the little things do keep me going.  So, today specifically, here are some things I am thankful for.
1. FaceTime.  Good old Apple.  Thanks for making it possible for me to talk to and see my daughters every day.
2. The radio, itunes, youtube, pandora, etc.  It is so wonderful that I can listen to music whenever I want, whatever I want, in many different ways.
3.  Good friends who listen to me whine and cry, and let me experience new things, like making freezer meals, even if I kind of make a fool of myself.
4.  Good friends who answer the phone even if they know they will have to hear me complain for a bit.
5.  My brother.  For many reasons, but today in particular, his movie collection.
6.  Good food.
7.  Blankets and pillows.  And beds.
8.  The fact that my phone can video my kids.  The fact that our memories are a lot more recordable now than at any other time in history.
9.  People who are kind and understanding.
10.  People who have helped me rebuild my confidence and help me understand my worth.
11.  Of course, as always, nothing is as wonderful as the two little angels that make everything I go through worthwhile.
12.  People who remind me that while some people are hurtful and harmful, most people are good, kind, and trying the best they can.
13. Grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, pizza delivery, and everything else that makes the every day activities of life easier.
14.  The ability to take care of myself.
15.  The education I have been blessed to have.

Happy Saturday Night everyone!  Relax a little.  

Live entertainment

I love live entertainment.  Not that I don't love other forms of entertainment, but there is something to be said about watching people entertain you in real time.  The moments of genius, the moments of mistakes, the people behind the scenes making the magic happen.  Here are just a few of the most memorable moments I have seen live:

1. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth making each other fall out of character and into laughter until Idina finally had to say "if you want the show to continue Kristin you will have to stop."

2. Whoopi Goldberg breaking the fourth wall in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum.  

3. Janet McTeer shouting the line "I am a human being!" In a dolls house. 

4.  The feeling in my soul when I first witnessed the ending of the first act of Ragtime.

5. Linda Eder singing Someone Like You in Jekyll and Hyde.

6. Watching my sister in high school get shot in a show and fall flat on her face and hearing the entire audience gasp.

7.  When I was 15 seeing Beauty and the Beast in LA and watching the amazing transformation of the beast.

8. Tonight, Pioneer Theatre Company, A Few Good Men, "he has a weakness...he thinks he is right".

9. Idina Menzel, deer valley with the Utah symphony, No Day But Today.

10.  The first time I saw Rent. 

11.  A Raisin in The Sun.  Any time Phylicia Rashad walked on stage. 

12.  P!nk flying in the air.  

13.  Idina again...Defying Gravity.

14. Audra McDonald at Weber State...don't remember the name of the song but it was about September 11th and I was in tears.  

15. The last number of the first act of Aida.  And Amneris's sparkly lipstick.  

16.  Maureen McGovern singing Days of Plenty in Little Women.  

17.  Broadway in Bryant Park.  A free concert of broadway stars on a perfect summer afternoon.  

18.  My seven year old singing a solo in church....in Chinese.  

19.  Kristin Chenoweth tearing up because of the sign language interpreters    at wicked...and then signing to them at the end of the show "you made me cry".

20.  Neil Patrick Harris in Assassins.  I wish I had seen that show a hundred times.

I am so lucky to have been so entertained.  Someone once asked me if I regretted wasting so much money on live theatre.  That person did not understand the true value of experiences and memory.  

What Kids Say....

Yesterday was a particularly amusing day with my children.  I was giggling from the time I got home from work to the time I went to bed.  Here are a few of the great moments.
1. Me: Singing "So what?! I'm still a rock star!" 3 year old: "Mommy! Shh!!! Be a quiet rock star!"
2. 7 year old: "Mommy you can sing kind of like P!nk, but you are not as strong as she is.  Maybe you should work on that."
3. 3 year old watches a video of P!nk dancing in the air and then wants me to help her do back flips.  I ask her if she wants to be like P!nk.  "No. I be yellow."
4. 7 year old: "Mommy, you need more fun.  Let's have a beach party!" So we went downstairs both Wednesday and Thursday and laid out blue blankets and played beach.  Yay for January!
5. Upon seeing that there will be a sing a long Frozen in the theaters...7 year old: "Will it be a competition? I hope so cause I know we will win."
6.  3 year old: We get mango milk from Gossners in Logan (THANK YOU STEPHANIE!!!). 3 year old spent much of the afternoon tutoring me that it was mango milk, NOT chocolate milk.
7. 7 year old: "Mommy I broke something.  I am sorry.  Don't worry, it's fine, Grandma will fix it."  That's right. GrandMA, not GrandPA.  That's the way our home goes.
8. 3 year old: "I LOVE BLOCKS!! Thank you Mommy! Thank you Stephanie! Thank you blocks!!"
9.  Me: Big Bang Theory is a Rerun. 7 year old: "Oh Mom, they need days off too!  It's okay.  It will be new again soon!  I can make you laugh instead!"
10. 7 year old: Who are you texting? Me: Amanda. 7 year old: Oh.  She is important.  But let her know she is not as important as me.
11.  3 year old made up songs all night long.  Not sure even still what she was singing about.
12. 7 year old: "Mom can we have a campout on the floor?! Please!! The floor is comfy!"
13.  Me: "You can sleep on the floor.  I will sleep on my bed." 3 year old: "Why?!" Me: "The floor makes my back hurt.".  7 year old: "But why?!" Me: "Because I am old" 7 year old: "You are not! Old people use canes and have wrinkles and gray hair." Me: "I dye my hair" 7 year old: "Oh.  I thought it was cause you liked colors."
14.  7 year old: "How old is P!nk?" Me: "She is my age." 7 year old: "I bet she sleeps on the floor with her daughter!"
15.  Middle of the night, 7 year old comes into my room.  "Mom...you were right.  The floor is not comfy! Does that mean I am old?"

I love these kids!

Entertaining Children

I love technology and new inventions and all of the things that go with it, but what I do not love is that sometimes I feel like there is too much stimulation for my kids.  Too many things to take up their time.  TV, Movies, Radio, Computers, Tablets, Smart Phones, tech-savy toys, and on and on.  So, I am trying to help my daughters remember that there are things they can do and play with that don't require batteries.
1. Reading.
2. Running
3.  Singing
4. Playing piano
5. Playgrounds
6. Blocks
7. playing dress up
8. Coloring
9. Writing stories.
10.  Cooking
11. Boxing...it's what my seven year old is doing now :)
12.  Chores :)
13. Build something
14. Gardening
15. Hair and nails and all girly things
16.  Sewing
17. Board games
18. Puzzles
19. Making jewelry
20.  Swimming.

Going to unplug tonight.  Enjoy everyone!

What P!nk Taught Me

You had to know I would muse about all things P!nk.  Her concert was literally one of the most thrilling spectacles I have ever seen, and I have seen a fair amount of spectacles.   I can usually sing decently whilst standing up straight and having good breath control.  How one can sing well spinning in the air, flying in the air, hanging upside down, and dancing like that is truly beyond comprehension.  If I had not been a fan before, the performance last night would have certainly converted me.   However, I was certainly a P!nk aficionado before walking in.  This fact has surprised many, as I often get the comment that P!nk does not seem like "my type of music".  (I only have to assume they mean not broadway when they say that).  But it is simply not the case.  I like music to have a point, to teach me something.  Yeah, sure, once and awhile I will be caught singing some top 40 song with no substance or meaning, and I like most have some songs on my itunes playlists that border on embarrassing, however by in large the music I enjoy has a purpose, and that purpose is to teach me, inspire me, make me want to be a better person, live a better life, be stronger, and help others do the same.  I also like songs that say things that I can't seem to say myself.  Sometimes that is mean, sometimes that is good.  I like songs that are real.  So, in honor of yesterday, in no particular order, here is what P!nk has taught me:
1.  Just because it burns doesn't mean you're gonna die.  You gotta get up and try, try, try.
2.  I don't want to be a stupid girl.
3.  I'm not gonna let you check out of this place, cause the passion and pain are gonna keep you alive someday.
4.  So if you're too school for cool, and you're treated like a fool, you can choose to let it go, we can always party on our own.
5. You're so mean when you talk about yourself.  You were wrong. Change the voices in your head.  Make them like you instead.
6. We're not broken, just bent, and we can learn to love again.
7. I'm my own worst enemy (Don't let me get me.)
8. They knew better.  Still you said forever, and ever.  Who knew?
9.  I think that life's too short for this.  I want back my ignorance and bliss.  I think I've had enough of this.  Blow me one last kiss.
10.  I forgot to say out loud how beautiful you really are to me.
11. So what? I'm still a rock star.  I've got my rock moves, and I don't need you :).
12.  I had a revelation.  All's well right now.  It's all good right now.  These are the good old days.
13.  Sometimes I hate every single stupid word you say.
14. Mistaken, always second guessing, look I'm still around.
15. I'm not here for your entertainment.  You don't really want to mess with me tonight.
16.  I am finding that's not the way I want my story to end.
17. The quiet scares me cause it screams the truth.
18.  Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel that your less than, less than perfect.
19. How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?  How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
20. I swear, you're just like a pill, instead of making me better, you keep making me ill.
21. So if you see me coming down the street then you know it's time to go.
22. Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone? Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone.
23. Take the best of what I've got, and you know no matter what, before you walk away, you know you can run back to my arms and they will hold you down.
24. Let me be lighter.  I'm tired of being a fighter.

I could go on, but we all get the point.  Where there is desire there is gonna be a flame.  Where there is a flame someone's bound to get burned.  But just because it burns doesn't mean we're gonna die.  You gotta get up and try.

Being nice

Today someone offered me a very kind gesture.  They gave me a package of tissues when I was in need of one.  It was a small gesture.  But it meant the world to me.  On the first tissue was written the words "We Love You."  I really wish people were more kind to one another.  I think it would go a long way.  Sometimes we think we don't know what to say, what to do.  So let me list a few things I think would make the world a better place.
1. Carry tissues (lesson learned).
2. Give more hugs.
3. Smile more.
4. Compliment more, and not just about looks.
5.  Say I'm sorry.
6.  Understand that everyone is fighting their own battle.
7. Don't judge.
8.  Don't judge.
9. Don't judge.
10.  Listen to each other.
11. Teach people to feel comfortable being themselves.
12. Share.
13.  Don't think that your way is the only right way.
14.  Don't think that people who don't speak like you, act like you, or think like you are evil.
15.  Sing, have fun, play, whatever it is you like to do, do that more.

I am very grateful today for tissues.

Shows that changed me

If you have known me for more than five seconds you know that I love broadway shows.  A lot.  Probably almost unhealthy is my love for all things broadway.  Watching a local show here today I was thinking about what I love so much, and what it comes down to is the feeling of live theatre, and how live theatre has changed me, helped me grow as a person.  Sometimes it's the story, sometimes it's what happened in my life at the time, sometimes it's the performance, sometimes it's the music.  In no particular order, here is a list of shows that have changed me.  

1.  Mame.  Weird I know but it was the first show I was in.  I was ten.

2. West side story.  Cause it's amazing. 

3.  Anyone who knows me will be shocked by this one.  The Music Man.  It's actually my least favorite show, but ironically the first show I ever reviewed.  Reviewing shows has been my balm of Gilead over the last few years, so I am grateful to the music man. 

4. Wicked.  Cliche but whatever.  Don't judge. 

5. Aida.  As anyone who lived in my apartment complex at Utah state can attest.  

6. Rent. See number 5.  And a shout out to Tyson for helping me to finally be a confident singer. 

7. Ragtime.  Most moving performance I ever saw on broadway.  We'll never get to heaven til we reach that day.  

8. Songs for a new world.  And anything else by Jason Robert Brown.

9. Les Miserables.  Cause it is what it is. 

10.  The secret garden.  Seventh Grade in Michelle Philipps basement singing our guts out.  It's this day not you that's bound to go away.  

11.  Phantom.  The first musical album I ever owned.  

12.  Jekyll and Hyde.  Beautiful and haunting.  And Linda Eder.

13.  Hairspray.  Cause fat girls can be leading ladies. 

14. A raisin in the sun.  For changing my perspective on actors and acting.  

15.  Anything with Audra McDonald.  Anything.  

16.  Little Women.  Because you have to believe there is reason for all.  You have to believe that the answers will come. 

17.  The lion king.  Because the opening number was costuming genius.  And because I know that the night must end and that the sun will rise.  

18.  Titanic.  For introducing me to Brian D'Arcy James.

19.  Thoroughly Modern Millie.  For bringing Sutton Foster to my life. 

20.  Brooklyn the Musical.  Eden Espinosa.  That is all.

21. In the Heights.  Who knew I would ever like anything that included rap? 

22.  Mamma Mia.  On Stage not the movie.  For reminded me that sometimes theatre should be fun. 

23. Into the woods.  Careful the things you say.  Children will listen.  

24.  Beauty and The Beast.  For helping me gain appreciation of costumes and makeup. 

25. Assassins.  For helping me gain an appreciation for an amazingly written story.  And Neil Patrick Harris.  

What shows do you love?

Stuff

I am trying to learn how to use excel.  Trying is the key word.  I am not excelling at excel yet. :).  Today, as I was practicing making a spreadsheet, I decided to list all the things I would buy if I had no money worries. Now, money and stuff does not buy you happiness.  This I know.  But dreams never hurt anyone.  I am completely aware that I will not have most of these delusions, but its fun to want.  Well, at least it made for a fun excel sheet.
1. Macbook Air
2. Ipad Mini 64 Gb
3. Imac
4. Touch Screen PC
5. Super nice all in one printer
6. Surface tablet
7.  State of the art digital piano
8. Sound recording studio
9.  Condo in Brooklyn
10. Condo in San Diego
11.  Condo in Puerto Vallarta
12. Condo in Orlando
13.  Year passes to Disney
14. Private Jet
15. TV/Blue ray player
16. Broadway show tickets whenever I wanted
17.  Speaker system throughout living space
18. Brand new furniture
19. Mini Cooper
20. A maid
21. Time.  I wish I could buy more time to spend with my kids, etc
22.  A library like in Beauty and the Beast
23. A condo in Chicago
24. A condo in Salt Lake
25. A personal chef.

What all do you want to buy?

Music Musings

Lately it seems that a lot of songs are about standing up, saying what you want, being brave, and so on.   Not that I mind.  I love the message.  However over the last several years it seems almost epidemic.  These songs are great.  They help me get out of bed and feel ready to face life. For instance:
1. Brave-Say what you want to say, and let the words come out!
2. Roar-I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath, scared to rock the boat and make a mess, etc etc etc.
3.  Perfect-Pretty Pretty please don't you ever ever feel that you're less than, less than perfect.
4. Let it go-I know I left a life behind but I'm too relieved to grieve.....let it go, let it go, don't hold it back anymore
5.  People like us-People like us we've gotta stick together, keep your head up, nothing lasts for ever
6.  Stronger-What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller, doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone.
7. Try-Where there is desire there is bound to be a flame, where there is a flame someone's bound to get  burned.  But just because it burns doesn't mean you're gonna die, you gotta get up and try, try, try.
8.  Since you been gone-I can breathe for the first time.  I'm so moving on...thanks to you, now I get, I get what I want.

I want to add more to my list.  What should I be listening to?  Suggestions?

Things I want to learn

Today I was working on trying to learn something new at my job, and it made me realize that there is still a lot of knowledge I want to gain.  So here are some things I would like to learn:
1. How to do excel spreadsheets.
2.  How to make a podcast.
3. How to design a website.
4. How to make a blog more aesthetically pleasing.
5.  How to do my children's hair better.
6.  How to make freezer meals.
7. How to make more interesting powerpoints.
8.  How to write for pay!
9. How to write a play/screenplay.
10.  Chinese.
11. How to pick out clothes that look good on me.
12.  How to pick a more flattering hairstyle.
13. How to paint my kids nails better.
14.  How to use twitter.
15.  How to say no to french fries (yeah, that one is probably the most impossible on the list).
16. How to exercise without looking like a fool.
17.  How to sing without breathing so much.
18.  How to sing high notes without screeching.
19.  How to belt without cracking.
20.  How to sing as good in front of people as I do in my car.
21.  Better understanding of computers in general.

What do you want to learn?

Relaxing

An object in motion stays in motion while an object at rest stays at rest.  What I mean is I over extended myself this week.  So today, after work, I tried to relax, and failed miserably.  Which means the laundry is done and the girl's bedroom is clean.  However, now I am in my cosy rocking chair, watching Downton Abbey.  I have never been good at resting and relaxing, but it is something I feel I need to get more efficient at.  So today, let's list things I can do to relax.
1.  Go for a nice walk.
2. Sit on a balcony and read.
3. Sit at a park and read.
4. Sit at a park and watch people.
5. Watch a good movie.
6. Watch a good tv show.
7. Take a nap.
8.  Learn to meditate.
9. Talk to a friend.
10.  Listen to music.
11. Guided meditation.
12. Play piano.
13.  Take a bubble bath.
14. Get a massage.
15. Get a pedicure.
16. Have my hair done.
17. Write something.
18. Go to a flower shop.
19. Eat chocolate.
20.  Sing.

Hope you all have a relaxing evening.

What makes a good TV Show?

I recently finished watching the West Wing.  I loved that show!  I never got to watch it when it was on, in between mission and college and stuff, I just never got started.   So now that I have watched all seven seasons, I will say that it is one of my favorite series of all time.   Which has lead me to muse, what makes a TV show memorable?  What do writers need to do in order to get us to be invested in the show?  Warning, I try not to spoil things, but sometimes my explanations end up being spoilers.   Consider yourself warned.
1.  A show must be clever.  Not just funny, but clever.  Funny shows are great, but I don't get invested in them.  Clever shows are the ones I find interesting long term.
2.  Help me care about the characters.  Meaning work on character development.
3.  Make the characters real.  No perfection.  Flaws.  Martin Sheen played a perfectly flawed president of the United States.   Made me like him even more.
4.  Let people disagree.  That was one of my favorite parts of the West Wing.  The characters were not carbon copies.  They had serious political and personal differences.  Just like you and I do.
5.  Don't resolve every problem.  Sometimes it is exhausting to watch shows that always have a happy ending.  Life is not always happy, and endings are not always happy.  Moments are happy, and struggles continue on.  I really  appreciated how the show did not make it seem that things always turned out right.
6.  Handle pain with class.  One of the main actors in the show died unexpectedly.  We all knew he had died, so obviously the show would have to address that.   That was some of the best writing and acting I have ever seen.  Knowing full well that he would die, I still sobbed like a baby.   See #2 as well.  Good work helping me care about these people, and then handling the fact that all the other characters would have cared as well.
7.  Have some variety.  Don't recycle the same plot over and over.
8.  Don't talk down to your audience.  Trust us to have enough intelligence to follow along.
9.  Educate us.  Help us learn about how things work in areas we may not be aware of.
10.  Do what is best for your show, rather than follow the trend.  For instance, Buffy the Vampire Slayer did a musical episode in season six.  Was one of the best episodes of television of all time.  It worked within that story.  Of course, Glee is a musical show.  Also works.  Grey's Anatomy did a musical number.  Although there was certainly talent involved, the show itself was a trainwreck.  A girl can dream that her doctors will burst into song, but really, they won't, and they shouldn't.
11.  Realize that it is okay to move on.  The finale of the West Wing was phenomenal, and one reason why is  that it allowed the characters to grow, mature, and move on with their lives.

What TV shows do you enjoy?  Why?  What shows should I watch next?  I am already well versed in all things Downton Abbey and Big Bang Theory :)

Traditional musings

Today let's just muse in my traditional fashion.

1.  I really wish I had a reason to dress in fancy attire.

2. Children (well at least mine) excel at reading facial expressions. 

3.  It's silly how difficult it is to choose between certain television shows.  Technology makes it possible to watch whatever whenever but sometimes you want to watch it right now :)

4.  Sometimes I rewrite words to songs in my head.  Sometimes I know if I share the new words I would shock people.  

5.  I would love to have a ladies maid.  Even if just for one day a week. 

6. I also wish there was more opportunity for me to wear fancy hats. 

7. Yep.  So done with winter.  

8.  I want a storage ottoman in black.  Not sure why, I just do.  

9.  Am thinking of dying my hair red.  Thoughts? 

10.  Good luck facing another week everyone!  

Things I Enjoy

Sometimes we have do things we don't want to do.  Things we have no desire whatsoever to do.  And yet, we must do them.  I had one such chore today.  However, I prepared myself by surrounding the rest of the day with things I love to do.  So this is what I did today to combat the negative hour and a half I had to endure:
1. Eat pancakes with butter and syrup.
2.  Look at pretty sparkly things.
3. Purchase pretty sparkly things.
4.  Belt to Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, and others in my car.
5.  Look at apartments I want to live in.
6.  Text some of my favorite people.
7. Go to station park not once but TWICE!
8.  Eat at cafe Zupa's
9.  Retail therapy
10.  Shop with my favorite shopping buddy.
11.  Find really great deals (7 dollar sweaters!  8 dollar boots!)
12.  Use gift cards and rewards!  Spent 63 cents at one store!
13.  Listen to my favorite podcast.
14.  Chat with my precious girls.
15.  Hang with my Brother and Sister-in-Law
16.  Introduce my Sister-in-Law to Torrid, one of the best clothing stores out there.
17.  Charming Charlie's.  Enough said.
18.  Humor boards on Pinterest.
19.  Nice long hot shower.
20.  Eat at Applebees.
21.  More Singing!
22.  Make Predictions about the Golden Globes.
23.  Talk about how awesome the West Wing is.
24.  Talk about wishing characters of the West Wing would run for office.
25.  Watch the Big Bang Theory

Bad chores can't take away my happiness.  Difficult things are but a moment.  Awesome songs are forever.

How to tell you are over 30

Having a girls night out with some high school friends and it reminded me of how awesome we mid thirty year olds are.  So here are some ways you can tell you fall into my awesome age range. 

1.  We actually know how to use our smart phones while our parents don't have smart phones. 

2.  However our children understand our phones better than we do.  

3.  Going to a ten thirty move is living on the wild side.  

4. It's a luxury to walk through a candy store sans children.  

5.  You remember going to the corner grocery store for penny candy in a paper bag.  

6. "Friends" comes up in conversation at least once a day.  

7. You chat about the good old days until you realize it makes you sound old. 

8. Way more bathroom breaks then when you were in high school.

9. PBS kids also come up in conversation more frequently than you want to admit.  

Thanks for the girls night out!

What day is it anyway?

Spent the entire day thinking it was the 8th, when it is the 9th.  Which made me realize how I often make little mistakes like that.  So today I want to muse about some of my favorite little mistakes in life.
1.  Growing up, I always thought my name was really just all my siblings names mashed together cause my mother would say everyone else's name before she got to mine.  Good times.
2.  Ever start belting a song and enjoy it so much that you miss your exit?  Well I do.  All. The. Time.
3. Ever spell your own name wrong?  Yeah.  Not the highest moment of my life.
4.  Once I taught an entire hour of a four hour class before realizing I was using a powerpoint from a different course in a different department.  :)
5.   Accidentally using diaper cream for toothpaste.  Not my favorite mishap.
6.  Falling down.  Happens like once a week.  Just call me grace.
7. Putting down the wrong year.  I still write 2012 sometimes.
8.  Emailing the wrong person.  Love when I do that when it is something important.  Shows my genius.
9.  Saying the wrong birthdate for your child.  Do it at the Pharmacy every single month.  I am sure the Pharmacy Tech thinks I am the smartest woman she has ever met.
10.  Sending e-mails with grammatical errors to your supervisor with a PhD.
11.  Posting grammatical errors and typos on facebook.  Love it when I publicly show my lack of intelligence.
12.  Pretending to understand a conversation until the person figures out you have no idea what you are talking about, and then they laugh and laugh.
13.  Singing....coming in on the wrong note, loud and proud.  :(
14. Being a well known Broadway expert, and yet misquoting a show as Sondheim when it wasn't.
15.  Teaching a Psychology class and yet quoting the wrong theory.

I could go on.  My point is Today is January 9th, but I did not know until I was schooled by my 7 year old at 5pm tonight.  Happy Thursday Everyone!!

Maren's Favorite Movies

I love movies.  I really do.  I honestly could sit and watch movie after movie and be content.  Of course, life and duties and responsibilities prevent that.  However, if I had hours to waste, I would probably watch several wonderful movies.  Picking a true favorite would be impossible.  I like different movies in different moods and different genres.  Some of my choices you may judge, but that is the way it goes.  So in no particular order, here are several movies that are a sure fire way to provide me with an evening of enjoyable entertainment.  Maybe one of them will brighten your dreary January.
1. Steel Magnolias.
2. The Help.
3.  Legally Blonde. (DON'T JUDGE!)
4. What's Up Doc?
5. The King's Speech
6. Slumdog Millionaire
7. Saving Mr. Banks (New but I know it will be a favorite forever.)
8. Frozen (See number 7)
9. Sense and Sensibility
10. Dead Poet's Society
11. The Avengers
12. Hairspray
13. Pete's Dragon
14. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
15. You've Got Mail
16. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
17. Little Women
18. Newsies
19. Anne of Green Gables (Is that a TV Show?  I don't know how to categorize it)
20. A League of Their Own

There are more, I know.  I probably missed all your favorites.  I probably missed many of mine.  But I say wrap up in a cozy blanket this weekend and watch one of these movies!

Pick me up Tuesday

Today, lets muse about things that can give us a little pick me up, or a jolt of happiness in an otherwise sad or dull day.
1.  A hug from a good friend or loved one.
2.  Listening to a good song.
3.  Watching a funny show.
4. Telling a joke.
5.  Sending someone a text message to brighten their day.
6.  Doing 10 jumping jacks.  (Okay really I hate stuff like that.  But...I feel better thinking I may have done something good for my heart.)
7.  Trying something new.
8.  Reading a good book.
9.  Smelling flowers.
10.  Taking a nice, hot shower.
11.  Remembering a fond memory.
12. Window Shopping.
13. Real shopping.
14.  Going for a walk.
15. Calling someone you love.
16. Extending a helping hand.
17.  Drinking a glass of water.
18.  Putting on lotion.
19. Running through the sprinklers.
20.  Acting like a kid again.

I hope you all had a good Tuesday!