Makayla and Me

Well--it is New Year's Eve (for New Year's Day 2010) and as I am reflecting upon 2009, I keep returning to the one thing that probably had the biggest impact on me during the year--Makayla. I reread my first blog about her--love on four feet and the pictures that I put in that item. Wow--she was small.

She has gone from a rambunctious little puppy to an exciting dog in the space of the year.

She has become my best companion--especially when the house is quiet and I am without other human companionship. she is usually there, except when Chris takes her out with her to Nicole's for a play date with Jeff and Gibbs.

I was looking back through pictures of her first year and i was just amazed at how she has grown from the small puppy--just weeks old into my best friend. It was, love at first sight.

It is her eyes that melt my heart. They are full of life and playfulness. She always seems to search my face to decide if we are going to play or not. I know it drives Chris crazy.

And then there are the rules which have been broken this year--like no table food--well except for toast, and Pringles, and who knows what else.

I guess that with the passing of the great dog Meghan three years ago, I had forgotten just how much of a dog person I really am.

So I guess 2009 is really the year of Makayla. Who knows what 2010 will bring.

2009 Movies of the Year

Movies 2009--the good and the not so good

Best Movies of 2009

1. Star Trek - the best movie of the year by far
2. Transformers 2 - almost the best movie (Megan Fox is hot!)
3. Avatar - Strong movie, creative--not as good as the other two
4. Defiance - difficult material to see on screen
5. Taken - best thriller of the year
6. Up - best animated movie of the year
7. Angels and Demons - much better ending than the book
8. Race to Witch Mountain - I like corny movies, OK?
9. The Proposal - the best chick flick of the year and funny
10. Knowing - even though the ending was terrible

Worst Movie of 2009

Mall Cop

Movies intentionally not on the list:

Twilight 2 New Moon (I'm neither a tween nor a cougar!)
Night at the Museum 2 (been done)
Ice Age 3 - yeah, yawn
Fired Up (cute and a funny rental)

Movies I still want to see:

Year One
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Inglorious Bastards
It's Complicated
The Blind Side
Invictus
Sherlock Holmes

Avatar - Movie Review

It has been a while since I reviewed a movie--but I saw Avatar and felt it needed a review.

I saw the movie in 3D XD at the local theater and was really impressed with the way the 3D was incorporated into the movie--it was one of the most impressive and natural 3D experiences that i have had. Technology gets a great grade.

The story is compelling and intriguing. The movie is long--almost three-hours, but the character development is necessary to understanding and appreciating the movie. The story moves though and the three hours passes very quickly. Much has been written about the opening sequences as being slow--but without the character de velopment acocmplished there, the movie would lack depth. The story is a lot like Dances with Wolves meets Fern Gully. The movie is set on a planet called Pandora with native peoples who are different form humans, but as you might suspect also superior in many ways to humans. This sets up the conflict between the races which forms the basis for the plot.

That written---the movie provides solid entertainment with a distinct social engineering thrust in two arenas--one--the suppression of indigenous peoples is wrong, and two, we need to be more in tune with our environment. Of course the quest for money (the love of money is the root of all evil) and the desire to possess the mineral riches of the planet are critical parts of the movie and directly relate to the environmental and ecological themes presented. There is also a strong religious (earth mother) undertone to the movie as well.

RECOMMENDATION: See this movie. It is not the best movie of all time, but the technical effects are amazing, the story compelling, and the acting is strong. Everyone is talking aobut this movie and there is no way you can appreciate it without seeing it. See it in the 3d and exepcially the XD 3D is you can. There is some violence and sensuality in the movie--so not good for the pre-teen crowd.

Monday Musings - December 28, 2009

1. The last Monday of the year is a good time to reflect on the other 51 Mondays and decide if waking up early is really enjoyable or not.

2. It is amazing how quickly four days off passes when I am busy and it seems as if I really didn't get to enjoy them at all.

3. Whomever said that Christmas is for children knew what they were talking about--kids definitely put the pizazz into the holiday.

4. It is crazy--here it is three days past Christmas and I still have not had time to play with all of my gifts!

5. New Year's is coming--wow, already? Who knew it was so close to Christmas? (think about it!)

6. I read that the airlines want people to show up four hours before their flights, if going overseas. And then they have to sit in their seats for the last hour of the flight and cannot even read. Flying is so much fun.

7. Following on the airline theme--the government needs to step in and make the airlines drop their checked baggage fees to help people get through security and reduce the amount of stuff in the cabins. Think about it--the fees may be creating a larger security problem and also slowing the processing of people through the security lines.

8. As it is time for the end of the year lists--I will be making my lists as well and sharing some of them--it is a good way to reflect on what has happened this past year.

9. Professional sports are tough to follow as a fan when your team (the Ravens) play like an undisciplined college team. Baseball is less than two months away and with every Springtime--hope springs eternal! Go O's.

Christmas Portrait!

Every year we take a few pictures in front of the Christmas Tree to document our family and its growth.

It helps us all remember the year and where we are in our lives as a family.

And at least one of the shots is the goofy image--this year here it is--complete with the dogs and the kids.

We are getting so big that we are beginning to block the tree in the pictures.

This year's picture was taken in the down stairs theater room where the tree was placed.

And so--the 2009 edition of the Family, is herewith presented for your viewing enjoyment.

Dog Tired

Well--there was one picture that, at the end of Christmas Day epitomized the entire two days of events--and that was of Makayla.

Over the week leading up to Christmas, she had been reacquainted with snow form the 22 inch snow storm, she had played at Nicole's house with Jeff and Gibbs (the beagles) and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day she had played hard with the boys and Ben (Jeremy's Kees).

By the end of the day--it was catching up with her and she sacked out on the middle of the family room.

One tired puppy--for real.

Just too much of a good thing.

I have to admit--by about 11 PM on Christmas Day--when this image was taken--I felt the same way!

Twas the Day After Christmas--A time to Remember

Well Christmas Day dawned bright and early--with breakfast at Nicole and Mike's and us arriving there before the boys woke up--if you can believe that.

Presents were opened. And fun was had as we got the holiday celebration off to an early start.

Then--not too soon, it was back to the house for Christmas--the Story Continues as we enlarged the celebration. There is nothing like watching two small children listening to a song from the Polar Express at top volume and dancing to really drive home the point of Christmas.

And as the remainder of the family gathered --there was a spectacular piece of beef, prepared by Michael which was to become the centerpiece of an afternoon feast.

But first--presents.


And it was a great day!  Notice the dogs--they are all really part of our families and participate fully in family celebrations.

Christmas 2009 Greeting

Merry Christmas! And no matter where you are today, nor who you are with; take a moment to be where you are instead of longing to be where you aren't and give thanks to God for the gift of His Son.

It is in the spirit of that first and most precious gift of Christmas that we give and receive gifts to and from our family, friends, loved ones, and even the strangers on the street that we do not know.

So keep the home fires warm and welcome in all who pass your door. Share with them the joy, the pain, the love, and the hurt that is in your soul this day. And by doing so, you will reflect that Christmas spirit to them, now and for the year ahead. For sharing yourself with another and allowing them to share of themselves with you--is truly the greatest gift of Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2009

Christmas songs play in the background soothing the harried shoppers
Sounds of the season, so they say, to make them feel more giving
Those who know the season, know it means much more
Than tired songs rising above clinging cash register drawers

A baby crying in a barn--surrounded by the dirt and mud of the world
A world and people that he loved so much that he came to visit
He did not arrive like the kings of earth--puffed up, proud upon their thrones
But the King of the Universe came to earth in a straw filled, back lot, dirty barn

Because of love and for only love--he came to give his life
Because of love, he left his throne and shed his royal robes
Because of me, and you, and everyone else
He became like us and accepted a mission that would end in painful death

The cars in the parking lot trapped in a horrible, not-going-anywhere gridlock
No one can go in or drive out of the mall to reach the stores to buy their wares
The shoppers are trying to rush home with their gifts ready for giving
Yet don't know the first gift of Christmas, was given to them

From the barn out in back of a motel off the beaten path, lost in the suburbia of its day
A garage full of leftovers where, had it been today a lawn mower would be waiting for springtime
The King of the Universe, the long awaited one, the Messiah invaded our world
Not to conquer with his sword, but to save us with his blood, and his gift to us is life

It is Christmas, the songs are softly playing on the radio in my truck
Does anyone still listen to the words and connect them with that gift?
The gift that was given to us, and confirmed by travelers not even from that place
The gift of life, of family, of love; given to us on Christmas and remembered to this day



and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. -- NET Bible Eph 5:2

Merry Christmas
and may God send His blessings upon you now
and in the year ahead.

Snow Days Result in Christmas Frenzy

The Baltimore Sun reported it widely--The malls are staying open late this week to accommodate shoppers who couldn't get out because of the snow this weekend! The malls are open until midnight!

Wow--

So who is going to shop that late?

Oh yeah, I would have, had I not completed my Christmas shopping yesterday.

Chris reported that on Monday night the entire city of Odenton was crammed into Toys R Us. And she told me she was done, too! I guess there is always one more gift to buy.

I really don't know why it is I wait until that very last moment to get my shopping done. I do have most of it done--but I guess I like the ambiance of the last minute rush of the holiday season. No--it is probably more that I am a procrastinator of epic proportions!

I was in the parking lot of the local mall yesterday--crawling slower than a snail looking for a parking spot. It was absolutely unbelievable the amount of traffic--cars everywhere all going no where.

Once I found a spot--then I had to face the living humanity of the crowds--which were crushing. And people wonder why I don't get excited about shopping? Especially, Christmas shopping. But happlily I can report that I am done. I bought the last gift of Christmas. Yay.

Well--except for the inevitable returns, it will all be over in a couple of days anyway. And then we can begin the process of doing it all over again!

After a nice long break for summer, of course! Beach, diving, travel--warm/hot summer sun! Bring it on!