Monday, July 25, 2011
My Life Is Over
I was transferring files from one USB drive to another and accidentally deleted some file folders. I'm not even sure how many I lost, but it was a lot and most of it was important and irreplaceable. Does anyone know how to recover them? I thought they would go to my laptop's Recycle Bin, but apparently I'm wrong. Please help!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Bittersweet
Yesterday I saw the final Harry Potter movie. I can't believe it's over. The books ended first, and now the movies. No more to look forward to. It's a bittersweet feeling. It's crazy how emotionally invested you can become in a book, especially in a series with film versions that lasted for 14 years. In fact, Harry Potter is the only series I have been so passionate about. I love Narnia too, but I don't get that same feeling of excitement pondering plot intricacies and watching the movies. (I've also realized I have a thing for British authors--besides Rowling and Lewis, add in Agatha Christie, another ultra-successful writer.)
I loved the movie until Harry and Voldemort fought. Not the dramatic ending I was expecting. And you'd think with such great makeup artistry these days, they'd do a better job making the actors really look 19 years older. So for me, about the last 15 minutes were a disappointment. But for the rest of the time, poor Justin's arm was squeezed blue and my eyes were cried red.
I loved the movie until Harry and Voldemort fought. Not the dramatic ending I was expecting. And you'd think with such great makeup artistry these days, they'd do a better job making the actors really look 19 years older. So for me, about the last 15 minutes were a disappointment. But for the rest of the time, poor Justin's arm was squeezed blue and my eyes were cried red.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Justin's Birthday Weekend
June 11 was Justin's 26th birthday. We couldn't go rock climbing (no sitter), so we all went golfing at Justin's work instead. I even played a few holes. I hadn't touched my clubs in two years! Of course I was terrible, but I did have a couple good shots and putts. Caden was great! He was quiet and cooperative and loved being outside. He lost a sock though. He hates wearing socks. Like me. Anyway, we put Caden on the grass while we putted. It was his first time on grass. At first he was a little timid, but then he wouldn't stop crawling all over the green. We only played 12 holes because Caden was really tired by then (we had woken up at 5:30). He fell asleep on my lap on the ride back to the car.
Once home Justin opened his presents: Napoleon Dynamite from Caden and How to Train Your Dragon and Pop Tarts from me. We then changed and headed to Benihana's for lunch. We shared a table with another family whose father was also celebrating his birthday (as were half the people there). Again Caden did great, though he did scream every now and then for fun. He loved the show and thought it was funny. After lunch we went to the dollar theater to see Rango. We thought Caden would fall asleep. He did--but woke up as soon as we got there. We decided to try taking him anyway, although I had vowed never to be one of those people who take babies to movies. Bad idea on two accounts: 1) Caden was too noisy and wanted to move around, and 2) the movie was terrible. I didn't even mind sitting out in the hallway for most of it. Afterward we let Justin shop for basketball shoes at the mall as another present. He didn't buy them yet, but he found a couple he liked.
On the way home we picked up Papa John's, Justin's favorite, and ate it while watching the rest of the third Narnia movie which we had rented the night before. On Sunday we made Justin's cake, German chocolate as always. He also got to participate in a baby blessing. On Monday we watched his new movies. Justin says he had a good birthday and that his favorite was golfing with his whole family. Caden and I agree.
The following weekend was Father's Day. Justin had to work and we had Justin's brother and his wife staying with us. So when he got home he got his present, a charcoal grill, and we used it to make dinner. He's used it several times since and loves it!
Once home Justin opened his presents: Napoleon Dynamite from Caden and How to Train Your Dragon and Pop Tarts from me. We then changed and headed to Benihana's for lunch. We shared a table with another family whose father was also celebrating his birthday (as were half the people there). Again Caden did great, though he did scream every now and then for fun. He loved the show and thought it was funny. After lunch we went to the dollar theater to see Rango. We thought Caden would fall asleep. He did--but woke up as soon as we got there. We decided to try taking him anyway, although I had vowed never to be one of those people who take babies to movies. Bad idea on two accounts: 1) Caden was too noisy and wanted to move around, and 2) the movie was terrible. I didn't even mind sitting out in the hallway for most of it. Afterward we let Justin shop for basketball shoes at the mall as another present. He didn't buy them yet, but he found a couple he liked.
The following weekend was Father's Day. Justin had to work and we had Justin's brother and his wife staying with us. So when he got home he got his present, a charcoal grill, and we used it to make dinner. He's used it several times since and loves it!
Growing Up Is Hard to Do
A while ago at the thrift store I found a collection of children's books by A.A. Milne, comprising two poetry books and the two Winnie-the-Pooh books. At the end of the final book, The House at Pooh Corner, I bawled my eyes out. In the last chapter Christopher Robin tries to find a way to tell Pooh he will no longer be able to visit the Hundred Acre Wood. He is unsuccessful--because he doesn't want to say it and Pooh isn't bright enough to take a hint--and simply tells Pooh to never forget him.
It took me some time to regain my composure after that. The ending hit just the right sentimental buttons inside me. I could relate so much. I loved playing pretend; I loved my dozens of stuffed animals; I loved all the stories my Dad made up about them. When I hit middle school, I found myself in an awkward situation, as do most kids. I was neither a child nor a teenager. It was a hard transition.
Two years ago I finally went through my stuffed animals when I visited my family. I remembered almost all their names and where I got them. I finally let go and only kept the nearest and dearest ones. I went through all my stuffed animals again once we moved, only getting rid of newer ones, not childhood ones. In the future the bag may become smaller, but there are a few I know I will never part with.
As you can imagine, I also cried at the ending of Toy Story 3. Little problem with it though: the toys will have to go through the same thing again once the little girl grows up! I guess they want us to assume that they will just continue to be passed along from kid to kid happily ever after. I like the ending of The Brave Little Toaster better (remember that one?). Then again, it's much easier for a college boy to take practical items like a toaster and vacuum with him to college than to take toys.
It took me some time to regain my composure after that. The ending hit just the right sentimental buttons inside me. I could relate so much. I loved playing pretend; I loved my dozens of stuffed animals; I loved all the stories my Dad made up about them. When I hit middle school, I found myself in an awkward situation, as do most kids. I was neither a child nor a teenager. It was a hard transition.
Two years ago I finally went through my stuffed animals when I visited my family. I remembered almost all their names and where I got them. I finally let go and only kept the nearest and dearest ones. I went through all my stuffed animals again once we moved, only getting rid of newer ones, not childhood ones. In the future the bag may become smaller, but there are a few I know I will never part with.
As you can imagine, I also cried at the ending of Toy Story 3. Little problem with it though: the toys will have to go through the same thing again once the little girl grows up! I guess they want us to assume that they will just continue to be passed along from kid to kid happily ever after. I like the ending of The Brave Little Toaster better (remember that one?). Then again, it's much easier for a college boy to take practical items like a toaster and vacuum with him to college than to take toys.
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