What Did You Do This Weekend?

Twilight

One thing I did that I couldn't have predicted was go to the movies and see the new released movie "Twilight". It wasn't planned. Dave and I knew that this film was popular with the teen girls, that it was about vampires, and it was filmed in Forks, WA. It was the movie being filmed in Forks, WA that peeked our interest. Forks isn't that noticeable of a place. But after this movie, it may be as popular as Roslyn was with Northern Exposure. So off we went to the AMC in Kent.

Actually, the movie wasn't bad. If anyone was looking for blood, guts, and horror it isn't found in this movie. There was one battle scene that there was a little bloody. But believe me, I hate horror films and this was very tame for science fiction. It was mostly a love story about Edward (Interesting name... such as Edward Scissorhands?) and Bella (Beauty and the Beast?). OK, I'll admit that as a graduate of English Literature I couldn't stop analysing the elements of the story. It was just too easy but it was all and all not a bad movie... and I was surprised.

There were a few things that they changed as far as vampires go... Edward and his family are good vamps, not wanting to kill anyone. They try to control their urges. Edward seems to be the best at it, if you know what I mean. So that makes him good because he puts the welfare of others before his own. He glows in sunlight, rather than sleeping in a coffin. He never sleeps in fact. He doesn't seem to have bat wings but is super hero fast. He is the beautiful side of evil which makes him attractive. Forks seems to be the right place because of the cloud cover and space.

So, this movie isn't one about what goes bump in the night. Like I said, it wasn't too bad for a flick that is getting the attention of the girl teens mostly.

While we were at this movie, there was a shooting at the South Center mall which we go to the new movie theater a lot, the last time was a few weeks ago. There was a fight... then a gun came out and two people were shot. One of the two died and the other 15 year old boy was critical but will now live. Once I heard that, I let Kari know that I wasn't at that mall but in Kent. She too had gone to the movies and they were at Kent too. Thank goodness.

Sunday

It is Sunday and we are doing the family things we like to do. Church... and tonight I am baking a roast for us to eat together. It isn't even Thanksgiving yet!

It's a "Broccoli Day" Hooray!

It's a Broccoli Day and Not a Carrot Day!

OK, let me explain... with the kids... they have a hard time with the concept of a "weekend". They do know however that there are days that we go to work and there are days we go to school. So at their old preschool the teacher taught them that the days they don't go to school are called a "Broccoli Day" and those you do go to school are called a "Carrot Day". Riley will ask me each morning he is here if the day is a broccoli day or if it is a carrot day. He is always hoping for a day to be a broccoli day (just like the rest of us). Often I have to disappoint him and inform him it is a carrot day.

This year "carrot days" are days that there are both daycare and school. So we had to come up with a name for the day that there isn't school but there is daycare. Riley named it "Pumpkin day" which is fitting for the season. Will have to come up with a name for a day that there is school but there isn't daycare... which only has happened once so far this year.

So, Riley is interested in what the week holds up ahead... and it goes like this: today is a broccoli day and so is tomorrow (2 broccoli days), then there is one carrot day, then there are two pumpkin days, AND then there are FOUR broccoli days! That is impressive to him. I then explain that one of the broccoli days are a holiday called Thanksgiving where we thank God, and then Christmas begins. That impresses him even more. It is surreal to me. I have no other name for it. :-)

Have great "Broccoli Day"!

Catch Up

Today is one of those days that I feel like I am playing "catch up" all day long. I have to catch up with some things at home and I have to catch up with somethings at work. I don't think that I will actually catch up in either areas today. But hopefully I will this weekend. However, I am not sure that even that is true. I will at least try. :-)

I will catch up on some conclusions here in this post on some of the things that I have posted about recently. First of all, my friend Cynthia who had surgery this past week for breast cancer, came through two surgeries (both one the same day) and is now at home recovering. She is waiting for the reports back from the surgery. Plus, she will not be returning to the high school to work until January 4th. Thank you for praying for her and keeping her in your thoughts and prayers as she recovers and proceeds through this journey.

On a lighter note, Riley did fantastic at his parent teacher conference. It was interesting to see him in the school environment and how he would perform for his teacher (or not). I am amazed by all that is required for Kindergarteners to do these days. But Riley seems to be doing fine.

Kari is seeking a new place to live. She is going to be moving the 15th of December. That deadline isn't far away. She has put in an application to a place about a mile from our house, which I hope she is approved. Please also think of her in your thoughts and prayers. It is unsettling to not have things in place even though I am sure that things will soon be in place.

At This Time

Money, Money, Money

Unfortunately, Washington state isn't doing well financially. Probably like most states. There are budget cuts. Our college was expected to give back to the state budget and after this week the news has come down to all of us that now our college is to return to the state budget twice the amount. Yes, it doubled in the course of one month! Our enrollment is up but the money coming from the state is down. I am a member of a union and have been with the college for nine years, so I have a little seniority. But I don't know what will happen... maybe some restructuring if there are layoffs. The uncertainty is thick. I don't get into worrisome conversations but rather try to find ways of cutting back etc. It is a time of faith, not fear.

Riley has his first teacher parent conference today. Kari and I will be going over to see the teacher in a few minutes. I got his report card and it looks normal. I will will be interested seeing what his teacher thinks. For those of you that don't know, Kari has ADHD. It is generic so it could be that Riley and/or Brady may have it too. Brady is hyper so he is in a special education preschool program. He goes to another school than Riley. The school bus picks him up at the daycare and takes a few miles to his elementary school. Riley's daycare buses him to school to the daycare nearest to where we live. It takes a lot to manage kids.

It has begun raining. It was windy last night and kept the rain from falling. But the rain now has started up. Thank goodness that the rivers aren't as full as their were... many were flooding from our last storms.

It is almost the weekend. Have a good day!