Today's Big Adventure

Haha, boy do I have some story to tell today. This will probably be a short post, but I wanted to get this up while the details were fresh in my mind.

So, I went to the pediatrician's office today. Why? Cuz I apparently have some sort of lump on my abdomen...that my mom noticed yesterday. And that I really hadn't noticed on me for whatever reason. So, anyway, Mom took me over to the pediatrician's, and long-story-short, the doctor really doesn't know what it is. Either it's my rib (which makes zero sense to me because that would mean it's protruding more on one side than the other) or it's some sort of fat pocket/cyst thing on my rib. But whatever...apparently, it's not dangerous or anything, so she said just to come back if it gets bigger or starts to hurt. But, while we were there, Mom asked about Gardisil (idk how you spell it) and so I got my first shot of three. And now, my shoulder area around the injection site is stiff. But whatever.

So that was my big adventure for the day. Other than that, Mom and I went to the grocery store, and then we came home and had dinner and watched television. And now I'm letting Ella run around. We have a bit of a crazy week, with appointments and stuff, and then Sylvia's birthday party on Thursday. But, you know, I kinda like crazy weeks...they make me feel important for whatever reason.

Haha, like I said, a short post. But this is really what I should be doing, instead of these super-long posts that I've been doing...

You've Got A Friend In Me

Hey everyone, so I'm sorry that I'm not posting very often. The reason is that I've been working on a little project, which I'll get to later on in this post...

So, this week has been pretty normal. We've been going over to my aunt's to check out the progress on the pool, and we've been laying out in the backyard as usual. So nothing important or interesting there.

On Wednesday, Sylvia invited me to come to see Toy Story 3 with her, and so I met up with her and a couple of [correct me if I'm wrong, Sylvia] her sister's friends at The Grand. We all got our drinks and popcorn and headed into the theater. The movie was really cute, and I felt all nostalgic because I used to watch Toy Story when I was little. I'm not going to go into detail about the plot, because there might be people who haven't seen it yet and are planning on going to the theater to see it.

So, after the movie, we went back to Sylvia's house for a little while, and we talked about DVRs and Pretty Little Liars and iPods and all sorts of stuff. Then, Mom and Quinn came to pick me up, and we picked up pizza and went over to my grandmother's to have our normal Wednesday night dinner with her. We ate, and then watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and then headed out. When we got home, Mom, Quinn, and I watched the original Toy Story because we had recorded them this past weekend. We still have to watch Toy Story 2...maybe tomorrow night.

Today was normal...I woke up late just because I felt like it (which is why I love summer) and messed around on the computer for most of the day. When Mom got home from work, we laid out in the sun for an hour, which has become more of a pain in the butt because Quinn has been coming out and playing with the hose, and he keeps spraying me...which is annoying. But whatever. We had pork chops for dinner, with stuffing, corn, and this really cool onion-thing that we learned from my aunt. You take the center out of the onion and put in some butter and a bullion cube and put it in the oven...it is so good.

And we watched tv, and then I drove Mom and Quinn over to my aunt's to see the progress on the pool. And we hadn't been there two minutes when it started to rain. So our visit got cut short. But the pool is really coming along...it looks so cool. And then I drove back in the rain...well I was in the rain until about the halfway point, when it just stopped. But still...

Okay, so now that my recap stuff is done, I can get to some of the more fun things. I'm sitting at 95 movies and should be on track to reach 100 within the next few weeks. I'm gonna have to do some kind of post just for that...because it's going to be a big accomplishment for me.

I'm in love with my iPod...my new favorite song is Kesha's "Your Love Is My Drug". It's just awesome. I'm also really into Colbie Caillat...can't wait for "What If", which I heard in Letters to Juliet. And there's about a billion other songs and artists I could talk about, but I don't want to bore everyone.

Oh, and this is what's been taking up all my blogging time...I'm working on a project in Windows Movie Maker. I've been meaning to learn how to use it, and I figured that this summer would be a good time. So, I'm technically almost finished with it...I just have to edit the first 20 or so seconds and add some effects and transitions. But anyway, just so you know, that's why I haven't been blogging as much as I should have been.

Oh, and my chinchilla is evil. Yes, I did say evil. She's been chewing on everything, and she's eaten part of her plastic shelf in her cage (which we're probably going to have to replace, come to think of it, because it's now unstable). And she's eating the chairs...like I said - evil. But she's cute...so that makes up for some of it.

Okay, I really should stop here, because I have a feeling if I go any further, I'm going to start rambling about something unimportant...so bye for now!!!

I'm Not Sure What To Call This Post...So This Is My Title

So I haven't posted in almost a week...oops. Oh well...there really wasn't much going on, besides our normal stuff anyway. And even that was kinda...well, normal. So, let me just skip that.

I'm having fun laying in the sun in our backyard, but I'm dying to have the pool ready. They did the concrete yesterday, and we went over this morning to see it. It's so cool. They're putting in a sunshelf (essentially just a big slab of concrete in the shallow end), so that you can sit on it, and only be up to your shoulders in the water. And they added a hole in it, so that you can put an umbrella in it...how cool is that? And there's going to be a bunch of boulders around, including a diving rock instead of a diving board. And the plaster (I think that's what it is) for the inside of the pool is going to be black, which is going to look so cool once there's water in it. But, anyway, I can't wait, because I'm getting tired of having to spray myself with the garden hose if I get hot. Haha.

We got our test scores back today, and, drumroll please...I didn't fail! Well, it's technically not a pass/fail type of test, but still. I scored high on pretty much everything, except for the fractions part of the math test, which Mom and I aren't all that concerned about, because Mom says that you use fractions differently (if you even use them at all) in real life than you do on the test problems. Quinn did well, too, in case you care, and Mom and I talked over next school year's plan, as to what we need to work on, what new things can I do, and since I'm sorta helping her plan Quinn's stuff, what Quinn needs to work on.

This weekend should be interesting, seeing as it's Father's Day weekend. We've gotten my dad a few gifts, and we'll either go out to eat on Sunday or just have dinner here at home. We're also working on tiling the area above the shower this weekend. Well, I'm not technically going to be helping, because Aunt Lynne is coming over to help Mom and Dad.

Um, well, I think that's it. I seem to have a very either boring or relaxed lifestyle, depending on how you look at it. But whatever...it's summer, and I'm happy, and that's all that matters.

Isn't This A Lovely Day To Be Caught In The Rain?

Well, I think there's only one word to describe my weekend, and that is: wet. But, it's still been fun.

On Saturday, I got up at 3:30 in the morning, and Dad and I drove to Raleigh to watch some of their Race for the Cure. They have a much bigger event than Winston does, which is really because Raleigh is a larger city to begin with. But anyway, we got there at close to 6:30, and took one of the shuttle buses from the RBC Center (where the Carolina Hurricanes play, by the way) to Meredith College, where the event was taking place.

We walked around for a while, Dad with notepad and camera in hand, so as to document some of the things he found interesting, so that he could take the ideas back to the Winston affiliate, me following along. We looked at some of the booths, took some pictures, talked with a couple of committee members, and then went over to watch the beginning of the Women's Only race as some of the competitive runners (who were in the race prior) were coming in. After watching the stream of women pass through the starting gate, we went back into the campus and walked around, and Dad talked with a couple of companies about possibly setting up a booth at the Winston race next year.

Then, we went back and watched the start of the open run, which is the biggest event of the day. Raleigh had about 14,000 people in this race, which is huge. So, we watched for about ten minutes, and since there were still a bunch of people lining up to start. we headed on over to the shuttle buses and went back to the RBC Center, and left. We stopped at Dad's office on the way through downtown, so that we could pick up some ribbon and pins, and I realized how close his office is to Burke Street Pizza, which I was introduced to by Robyn and loved, but still have yet to eat it again. Needless to say, I am very jealous that my dad gets to eat there all the time.

When we got back home, it was only noon or so, although it felt like late afternoon, seeing as we'd been up since before dawn. We got McDonald's for lunch, which was awesome as usual. And then Mom and I thought it would be a good idea to lay out in the sun and tan. And not half an hour after we had gotten out there, it clouded up and started to rain. So, our nice relaxing, sunny day was a bust.

So, we went in, had dinner, and then set up Netflix on our Wii, so we could stream some of the movies instantly to our tv. And so we dragged Dad downstairs, and the three of us (Quinn has been staying up all night, and then sleeping during the day, so it's almost as if I'm an only child) watched Lakeview Terrace, which was okay. It wasn't the best, but it was neat, and a little bit scary. Then, I cleaned Ella's cage, and stayed up for a few hours on my laptop, while the rain came down and the thunder boomed and the lightning flashed outside. I have no idea why, but I love thunderstorms.

Today, I slept in, seeing as I'd been awake for over twenty hours straight the day before, and then I had lunch, and Mom and I went to Target for a few items. When we got home, we once again went outside to lay in the sun...and once again, the clouds came in and the rain started. So, I'm here in my room right now, listening to music, and watching the rain fall outside my window. I think we're going to watch a movie later, either Doubt or The Proposal according to Mom, and just chill out, I guess.

And, in honor of all the rain... I think this is the most adorable description/explanation of a thunderstorm. As Fred Astaire puts it in Top Hat, "When a clumsy cloud from here meets a fluffy little cloud from there, he billows towards her. She scurries away, and he scuds right up to her. She cries a little, and there you have your shower. He comforts her; they spark. That's the lightning. They kiss - thunder." And then Fred proceeds to serenade Ginger with "Isn't This A Lovely Day" and dancing ensues. It's a really cute scene, and I wish I could upload it, but I can't find a decent quality video (that has the explanation, singing, and dancing all in one) anywhere, so you'll have to trust me on this one.

Well, I know everyone's bored of reading by now...so I'll sign off. Bye guys!

Romeo, Take Me Somewhere We Can Be Alone...

Okee-dokee, so this week has been fun. Basically, my week consisted of a few movies, some extra sleep, lots of washing dishes, and quite a bit of pink ribbon-making. A little boring, but I had fun anyway.

Tuesday was one of the more exciting days. I watched a couple of movies, washed the dishes, and hung out until Mom came home. Then, we went out to Borders to get the last book in the Pretty Little Liars series, Wanted, which had been released that day. But, of course, Borders either didn't have it, or they couldn't figure out where it was in the store. So, we left without a book, and went over to Party City to return a couple of things. Then, we went over to Barnes & Noble, and guess what? I found Wanted right away...simple as that. So, remind me not to shop at Borders ever again. Haha.

That night, the Pretty Little Liars tv series started in ABC Family, and the first episode was really good. The casting though was just okay...there were a few people who looked too similar, and some whom I had pictured looking very different from the actresses that portrayed them for the tv series. But, overall, it was nicely done, and I look forward to next week's episode.

Wednesday, we had dinner with my grandmother in the evening, and then Dad and I watched the Flyers/Blackhawks game, and were really disappointed when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. But, such is life. While the game was on, I read, and finished, Wanted, which was amazing. The author did a great job of wrapping things up, and there were some scary twists and turns throughout the whole thing, which made for a great read.

So, today, I did the dishes and made ribbons and had lunch, and then got ready to go out with Emma, Sylvia, and Anita. Aunt Lynne picked me up, and drove me over to Carmike, and the four of us watched Letters to Juliet, which was really cute. The scenery was beautiful, and it makes me totally want to go to Verona. The cast was great, and the sets were so pretty, even the indoor stuff was really cool. (And of course, what poster do I see in the secretaries room but one for the 1936 Romeo and Juliet movie, the only R&J adaptation I've ever seen...of all the R&J movies that have been made, that one's on the wall...lol.)

And there were some really funny lines. The whole Patricia ordeal, and subsequent explanation, was hilarious. And then Charlie falling out of the vines just as he's about to kiss Sophie on the balcony was just classic. And there were a ton more. But anyway, it was really cute, and we all enjoyed it. Then, we went over to Coppolla's for dinner, and had a great time eating and talking and laughing and just having fun.

When I got home, I worked on some more pink ribbons and am now letting Ella play as I type. Tomorrow, Mom, Quinn, and I are going to Olive Garden for lunch, and I'll probably be making some more ribbons. I have to get up early (as in 3:30 am) on Saturday, since I'm going with my dad to Raleigh to watch their Race for the Cure.

Emma's Surprise Party

So, this week I've been lying to a friend. Haha...but it's not as bad as it sounds. So, because Emma is moving, Sylvia and I were planning a surprise goodbye party for her, which took place last night. And was awesome. So, here's the run-down of what happened all this week that I couldn't post on here because Emma reads my blog.

So, all the "errands" I've been running - they've been to Party City for balloons and streamers and plates and cups and napkins and stuff. They've been to Costco for veggies and fruit. They've been to the grocery store for chip dip and lemonade. Etc, etc. Just so you know.

We've been staining the deck not only because it really needed it (which it did), but because we wanted the backyard to look good for the party. Ditto for the weeding, planting, cleaning we did.

So, now, onto the party. So, yesterday morning, I got up early and worked around the house, cleaning and dusting and working on some little things that needed to get done. Emma's dad came by to drop off Emma's sleepover stuff, since she had no other way of getting it over here. So, I worked outside sweeping and watering the plants, and then when Mom got home, we went and picked up the cake and got McDonald's for a quick lunch.

I went to the mall at 2, where I met Sylvia and Emma. We shopped for a while, and I bought a skirt from Aeropostale (that was 70% off, by the way). At 3:30, Dad came and picked me up for an "orthodontist appointment", which was my excuse to Emma for leaving early. In reality, I was going back to my house to decorate and get set up before everyone arrived at 5:30. Sylvia stayed with Emma until Anita was able to get to the mall, and then Sylvia made her way over to my house, while Anita was in charge of bringing Emma when everyone was ready.

So, I got home, got dressed in my purple and black checkered dress, painted my toenails purple, and then enlisted Mom and Dad to help me set up. We draped streamers, blew up balloons, put down tablecloths, put strings of lights on the deck railing, etc. and then people started arriving. When Anita was five minutes away, she texted Sylvia, and we all moved to the deck and waited for Emma to arrive. When she came through the gate, we all yelled "Surprise!" and then had a great time. We had pizza and chips and fruit and veggies and cake...and Mom made a double batch of punch. Emma got some great gifts, and we all laughed and screamed and had lots of fun.

So, after everyone left, Anita, Emma, Sylvia, and Maggie spent the night, and we talked a bunch. We watched our homemade version of "The Little Mermaid" again, which is still just as hilarious as the first time we saw it. I still crack up every time Sylvia (who is supposed to be the table or whatever) drops Ursula's crystal ball right in the middle of the scene. And Alicia's awesomely cool King Triton abs...haha. King Triton (handing over his crown/tiara and triton/wand): "Do you want my abs?" Ursula: "Uh, no. You can keep those."

This morning, everyone got up at about 10:30, and we had doughnuts for breakfast. Then, Maggie left, and Sylvia, Anita, and I packed up and got dressed and then sat around and talked until their parents came. And that's pretty much it. I haven't been doing anything else the whole day cuz I'm just lazy like that.

Heaven, I'm In Heaven...

Ah, well, these past few days have been nothing short of wonderful, to say the least.

Monday evening was spent in the usual fashion, watching tv with my family, and then playing with Ella. The staining that we had wanted to get done that day had to be put off because of the rain, and I was very disappointed at that. But alas...such is life.

I think this Tuesday was my best day ever. Quinn has been staying up all night, so he pretty much sleeps until the afternoon, which means on the days that my mom works, I basically have the house to myself. And it's wonderful. So, anyway, as Tuesdays and Thursdays are my movies days, I got up and made my way downstairs. I didn't have a lot recorded from the past few days, but I had a couple of movies which I had recorded months ago, and just hadn't had the time to watch. [I'm going to warn you right here...you guys know how much I love movies, so the next few paragraphs are probably going to be recaps and reactions. So, feel free to skip ahead.]

First up was A Free Soul from 1931, which was a neat little film. Clark Gable and Norma Shearer star in it, with Lionel Barrymore and Leslie Howard rounding out the cast list. Cute little movie about a lawyer's daughter falling in love with his gangster client, much to the dismay of her fiance.

Next was the 1935 classic Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This was the fourth Astaire/Rogers film I've seen (out of a total of ten), and I have to say, I think this one is my favorite so far. The comedic timing was perfect, the costumes were gorgeous (especially Ginger's ostrich feather dress from the "Cheek to Cheek" sequence), the plot was as cute as can be, and the dancing...oh, the dancing was extremely pretty.

After that was Smilin' Through, made in 1932, and again starring Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard, this time with Fredric March in the mix. Howard plays a older man still grieving over the shooting of his wife on their wedding day decades earlier. Shearer is his niece, and trouble ensues when she falls in love with March, who happens to be the son of the man who killed Howard's wife. Sweet little story about forgiveness and moving on, with pretty scenery, and the ever-cool transparent spirit/ghost technique.

Last was Secrets, a 1933 film with Mary Pickford (in her final film role) and Leslie Howard (I think he's my favorite actor as of now). It covers the lives of a couple from their courtship in [antebellum...like maybe 1840's or 50's?] New England (where she's a high-society girl, and he's in a lower class than her) and their elopement, to their move out west and the troubles they face there, and then to his political career, and it's after-effects.

It was quite cute, with one especially cute scene occurring as Howard helps Pickford change into a more suitable outfit for traveling, seeing as they're eloping. Attempting to undress without a maid, who might squeal on them, Howard makes a hilarious go at unhooking and pulling off layer after layer of Pickford's enormous hoop skirt. Then, when Pickford is finally down to her pantalettes, chemise and corset, and you think they're all clear to put on the traveling dress, Pickford's father knocks on the door, and Pickford tries to hide Howard under the mass of skirt fabric now lying discarded on the floor. Which of course, works, and her father leaves the room without even noticing the feet of Howard sticking out from under the pile.

Okay, I know everyone's probably like "How long is she going to go on writing?" by now, so the last paragraph or two will be a quick recap of Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. So, that evening, we watched Wipeout, which is probably the most hilarious show I've ever seen. Because people flying off the "big balls" into the water is just awesome...haha.

On Wednesday, Mom and I finished staining the deck, after which I felt extremely accomplished. Then, we ran some errands, including another stop at LA Reynolds, before picking up McDonald's and going over to my grandmother's for dinner. We waited out the bad part of the storm at her house, then went home, and I worked on a couple of things that needed to be done around the house.

So, that's it. Hope I didn't bore anyone to death...