Movies

I was just reading Twice Bloomed Wisteria's blog and I got to thinking of movies and how they have touched my life -- for good or bad.

Thought I'd share my favorite and least favorite movies and why.

Favorite movie:

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio.

No other movie has touched my life more than this movie. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, it is about a mom of 10 and how she saved her family from "living on the street" by contesting in the 50s and 60s. She won a few major contests and many, many smaller prizes using her wit writing jingles and poetry. She was an amazing woman with her literary skill, but even more amazing was her attitude toward life. Her husband was an alcoholic and drank most of the money. She didn't let it get her down and was upbeat, positive and a true inspiration.

This is one of the rare instances where I actually liked the movie better than the book. I loved the book, but the movie just came to life for me. I have watched this movie more times than I dare admit. The reason this touched my life so deeply is because Evelyn Ryan, the prize winner, was so positive. My mom was so negative. I've been more positive than negative as a mother, but nothing like Evelyn Ryan. I catch myself stopping and thinking before popping things out of my mouth now. I find myself actively looking for the silver lining now. I find myself complaining less about my husband and focusing more on his good qualities now.

I think this will be my favorite movie forever.

Okay, now for my least-favorite movie. I know many people who love this movie, but not me.

Dumb and Dumber.

Why is this my least favorite movie? Because I saw it when I was pregnant with Thomas. There were a *lot* of gross scenes in that movie. It was the only time during my pregnancy when I vomited. I can't even think of that movie without getting upset to my stomach. My husband will watch it whenever it's on TV. Thomas has even watched it. Me? I just hear Jim Carey or Jeff Daniels' voice and I run the other direction.


What is everyone else's best and worst picks?

Tagged...5 Things

I've been tagged by Jo! This is probably a pretty boring list.

5 Things…..

In my fridge:

12-pack of Diet Rite (mine)
12-pack of Diet Coke (DH's)
2 packs of provolone cheese -- on sale couldn't resist
bagels and cream cheese, Thomas's favorite
Thomas's homemade nacho cheese experiment that is about a week old

In my Handbag:

at least 25 grocery lists
at least 25 receipts
three dollar bills and a handful of change, probably mostly pennies
a couple of most towlettes individually packed
two library cards, belonging to me and Thomas

In my Wardrobe:

Several sets of clothes in different sizes. Ahem, sadly I'm wearing the largest size at the moment
A stack of Thomas's baby clothes that I couldn't part with including the outfit we brought him home from the hospital in
Thomas's baby book
a golf club
hidden stocking stuffers/gifts that I find throughout the year (shh, don't tell Thomas)

In my car:

8 noodles we use at the beach
3 folding chairs
2 bags from Wendy's that I need to sneak into the garbage when DH isn't looking
2 watergun toy wrappers from today's dollar store purchase that Thomas left
my cleaning kit...a box of wipes, a packet of Windex wipes and a microcloth for dusting the inside of the car

5 People to tag…..

Becky
Mull-berry
Mother Crone
Samuel
Wisteria

This is just too weird

I was going to blog about swimming lessons tonight. Before going to blogger, I was checking my favorite blogs and also telling my husband why I don't like swimming lessons.

What is weird is Audry blogged almost exactly what I was going to post! Thomas started lessons today and I was excited about visiting with other moms and came home thinking, "I'd rather have a root canal than sit and listen to all that."

We've done private lessons in the past and I think for my sanity we may just do them in the future. Plus Thomas will get all the attention that way and it would be really good for him because he's overwhelmed with all the new strokes he learned today.