Beyond Binkies, Code and Make-Believe

Yoga Alternative - Ice Skating

I've been in search of a way to clear my head.  My brothers, my friends and clients suggested yoga; all but one client.  She had a better idea.  Ice skating!

This photo is not me. I don't mean to confuse you but wanted some photo of skaters.

Still getting used to driving through snow to get to the beach

A day trip was in order today.  My husband is still hacking so violently we haven't had much of a conversation in weeks.  Poor guy.  His abs are getting tighter, though.  We decided to head to the coast.

Disney's Enchanted was a fun surprise

I'm happy to report, Enchanted was a wonderful surprise.  It was spoofy enough and yet had enough of the spontaneous-singing-for-no-apparent-reason that I look for in films.

Unexpected Favorite Holiday Memory

During the last mad dash of the pre-Christmas mayhem, I was able to create some favorite moments of the season with our children in our own neighborhood.

Wrapping up 2007 by Doublebooking

With no sense of one day to the next during winter break, I managed to double-book - sitter and movies.

"Helvetica," the movie.

Perhaps it is because it is my industry.  Perhaps because I appreciate things that are uncluttered, simple, and easy to understand the first time.  My husband and I truly enjoyed and even laughed throughout the movie, "Helvetica."

Alvin & the Chipmunks - a fun surprise

I have had a few disappointments when it comes to children's movies.  I was recently reminded how much the Jim Carey version of the Grinch missed the entire premise of the book by a wide margin.  "Olive the Other Reindeer"'s TV movie made a sweet story way too complicated and lost it's magic.

I did have a pleasant surprise the other cold, rainy day at the movies. "Alvin & the Chipmunks" was a lot of fun.  Sure they were updated, but the bulk of their original character and that of their adopted "dad", Dave Seville, was right on target.

A new addiction with a solution - first edition Nancy Drew books - reproductions

I'm a big fan of first edition books.  I'm also on a budget.  Recently I've participated and won several ebay auctions for Nancy Drew first edition books -- original text.  This was taking too much of my time. I either kept missing the ones I really wanted by minutes due to distractions and the usual chaos at home or I haven't read the fine print and ended up with books that weren't quite what I had expected in terms of edition.  Then I discovered....

Boxes arrived just in time to deliver binkies

I received an email recently from a woman who said she had a bunch of tote bags that were left over from an event.  She wondered if Binky Patrol could use them.  "OF COURSE!" was my eager reply.

A little sunshine with friends in December is good for your heart

As much as I love the weather in Oregon and we are making friends, a visit to dear friends, sunshine and a cozy home filled our hearts.