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New Moon update

Ok, so I took longer than I thought I would, a few things came up here at home so I wasn't able to do this before now. By now, I'm sure most of you have already seen 'New Moon' and have formed your own opinions on it, I had the chance to see the midnight showing of it (with the free tees, looooong line, and Mary Kay in the Lobby pushing their new line of "Bella", "Jacob" and "Edward") which I personally think is going alittle far in regards to 'Twilight mania'. (Although 'Bella' did smell nice)
Well!
I have to say, I thought the director in this movie did really well at making Bella appear beautiful. I'm not too much of a Kristin Stewart fan (don't get me wrong, she IS talented, and has her own unique brand of acting style) but she isn't, in my eyes at least, gorgeous. She has a square chin, which is prominent and in the movie that wasn't the main focus every time she appeared onscreen. She looked amazing!
When Jacob first appears onscreen, of course there were the catcalls and whistles (he did look buff, I'll give him that) I think his acting as Jacob is what sets him apart. He has the very essence of the character down pat! And good looks aside, he's fabulous as Jacob.
The movie dragged in a few places, BUT - it stayed true to the book, hence, it HAD to drag in those places, so the audience could get a feel for the intensity of the moment.
Although, in all fairness, I think it only drags if you've read the book and understand already the relationships and how they play out. And I had my favorite 'couples' too. As in, the whole time I read 'New Moon' I thought - "No, no. She's meant to be with Edward - Jacobs nice. But she's EDWARDS soulmate, not his!" So of course., knowing what's going to happen can be a downfall and take some of the pleasure out of the movie.
I thought Chris Weitz (director) did a fabulous job at getting across to viewers the relationship between Bella and Edward, in that - when he leaves, she literally almost dies. (Doesn't that just k you?? I wish for a love that intense!) They're so connected to each other. While she strikes up a 'closer' relationship with Jacob, she's never "over" Edward, and the movie did a wonderful job of portraying that Bella never loses that love for Edward. Or that she, very literally, is connected to Edward in a way that she could never truely give herself to anyone other than him.
A few things were added into the movie, but it made for a more entertaining watch. And WOW I LOVED Dakota Fanning in the role of Jayne! She did a fantastic job for the 4 minutes she was in the movie.
I thought the  wolves were made to look very menacing, which they would have to be to be able to fight and/or kill vampires. Although when the black wolf first makes an appearence (it's Sam) it does look alittle cheesy, but the rest of the movie, the effects look more believable.
The humor seemed, to me, almost obvious, but it was still endearing and natural.
I especially loved the 'Volturi' family characters, Aros was made to seem very much like he is in the book - or at least as I interpreted him. Playful, deadly and arrogant. Great job there too.
All in all, the movie was awesome! Definitly lived up to it's predecessor in all respects, I will be going to see it again, and I'm starting to think that even though 'New Moon' is by all accounts the 'slowest' book of them all, this movie - from the 2 that have been released, is my favorite so far. I can't wait for the DVD!

(And to my best friend in the whole world who didn't get to see it with me, I'm so sorry. You, me - the next movie. Promise xx) Also, this post is done with no spell checking as my comp. is running unaturally slow (makes me think I have a trojan somewhere, or someone has hacked my computer!) So I don't have the time or paitence to run through this and make sure it's spelt correctly. I apologise. In summation, GO SEE THIS MOVIE! It's a must-see if you've read the books, and if not - watch the movie first, then read the books. I think you'll honestly get a better feel that way.
Also - (for a certain someone who asked and I couldn't answer) it's Alice. My fav. character is Alice.
Life imitates art, don't you think?

a good seat for 'New Moon'?

Ok, so I, like alot of you out there, have my golden ticket to see the midnight showing of 'New Moon', the 2nd book in the Twilight saga. I'm going with my lovely sister in law who was kind enough to procure a ticket for me weeks ago, while I was just starting to clue into the fact that there was even a rush to GET these tickets! (Thank you Donna)
I had also told my best friend that we would go together (as she was the guilty party who got me interested in the series in the first place) luckily she got her ticket (after hearing I had mine).
Now, here's the thing that has me writing today (because I will be writing again tonight with, hopefully, a glowing report, NO spoilers!!, on my movie experience) I call D this morning to set up a time and meeting place, as you do when you have plans with someone, and she informs me that PEOPLE ARE ALREADY LINING UP TO GET A GOOD SEAT!
Are you KIDDING me?! I mean, I like a good seat as much as the next person, but who in their right mind is going to wait a good 12-15 HOURS to get a seat?! I'm assuming I'm not the 'Twilight' fan I thought I was. I can't actually think of any movie I would line up that early, just to get a seat for!
And now I'm alittle nervous. What happens if some sort of mistake has been made, and we get there, and they accidentally oversold tickets? Or, I get there, and all thats left is 'standing room', do they even do that with movies?
So now we've decided to meet early, not too early, but early enough, my husband gave me his "Are you serious?" look, when I informed him on his lunch break.  I now have to entrust my oldest with the delicate task of watching the kids for an hour, til my beloved gets off work.
So of course, now I feel like one of those mothers who abandons her kids to go running off for selfish reasons! All this inner dilemma for a movie.
Although, if truth be told, I am still very excited to see New Moon, hoping they stay true to the book, and while it's a new director, I also hope they do a good job, and it isn't like watching a completely different movie! So, I will update this when I get home, or if I find I can't think straight and need to catch some zzz's, first thing tommorrow!
For those of you who have their ticket also, good luck to you in your attempts to get a "good seat"!

'New Moon trailer'

Interesting take on survival

I was reading this magazine that my husband subscribes too (I can't remember the name) and it had this article in it about "Being prepared in the Face of Disaster" and what the human nature is capable of when you're IN a scary situation. I was hoping for some examples on HOW to be prepared, but it had stories of real-life situations and heroic actions that those people took. I did take some interesting things from it though, the author was citing doctors opinions on the brain snd the human bodies reaction to 'fear'. It was saying if you can mentally prepare yourself it braces the brain for the impact of dealing with the situation. For example a man caught in a snow storm managed to survive for 14 days with a gallon of water (he eventually was forced to find a water source, which he did on day 5) He was stuck in his car, which was practically buried, and BECAUSE he was "mentally" prepared and didn't let the fear engulf him, his body was able to sustain him to survive the position he was in, until the rescuers found him. Another man got caught in a tornado WITH boy scouts (children! can you imagine?) and after the winds died down, he got the boys motivated  to help the injured (4 boys sustained massive injuries, which killed them), he kept the boys calm, focused and their mind off the horrific situation they were dealing with.
So it goes to show, if you can prepare yourself mentally, you can survive anything. Cutting this short, but I had to stop in to leave this tidbit. :)

Lively Links 11/16

Lively Links

free Mocks Twister follow the Facebook instructions to get this cute little treat.

free Thanksgiving eBook you'll have to click the popup page that appears (top left hand corner) then download this great seasonal eBook!

Christmas Open House giveaway this is from a GREAT blog, "Audrey's Country Crafts", which I personally love, and this is a great giveaway. There's alot involved in the entries, but it's a fun one too!

free Empress Hair Care Sample this is a great hair care product, that I personally love. Click here for your free sample!

free Signature Scent Sample this is a great one, you can sign up with different email address to grab more than one sample! My personal favorite, "Sandalwood". hmmmm

Target Tote Bag filled with Samples This is an offer redeemable when you sign up on Target's Baby Registry.

Kodak Gallery $15 gift This ends soon (11/18) so hurry over there, sign up and recieve your FREE $15.00 credit, redeemable when you checkout, although it should be noted that when I tried this, the gift code didn't cover my shipping costs.

*** If you have any trouble viewing these samples (giveaways, other than Audrey's will be tommorrows post) they most likely have expired.

I can smell a freebie!

So last night I got home at some awful hour, (luckily my husband had the kids in bed and since they weren't with me, I was able to stay out late, although I think I would have rather been snug in bed than where I was, but such is life!) Anyway, as I got in and was thinking of all I had to do today, I had the thought that if only there was someone who could post the great giveaways and freebie links in ONE spot, so I could get to bed sooner, and then it hit me! I might as well do the pack horse work and post it all here. SO! I'm starting today posting the freebies and really good giveaways (and since I have a refined palette, I'm sure they'll meet with your approval)

On another quick note, this blog thing has paid off somewhat already - even WITH no followers. I've managed to meet a few other moms who go through the same day to day homework trials, timetable trials and (lol - you Kari) clothing trials! I love being able to send one or two emails to a few select moms with questions, concerns or even ... gossip. (I know, I'm human) It's very satisfying, and brightens the day :D
Ok, so heres todays 'Lively Links', and on a sidenote, I'm thinking of changing my blog style YET AGAIN, because the flower thing is alittle too bright for my liking. On to the good stuff!

From the mouths of babes ...

Today I was driving home with my 8 yr old Aliya, and she allowed me some insight into why I think she will grow up to be not only a smart mom, but a caring, attentive mom.

Talk radio was on in the background (it usually is), I think it was Hannity, something was being said about Obama taking a holiday and his decision regarding the troops in Afghanistan was being delayed, yet again. There was silence for a few seconds then she quietly spoke saying "I think Obama needs to think about the soldiers families instead of going on holiday with his one. In fact, I don't think I want to live in a country where the President leads by thinking of himself and not the people he's supposed to look out for,"

It brought tears to my eyes that my child had more sense of 'what's right', than older, more experienced men do, who are in charge of running a country.

That started a discussion about how to lead, what traits he should be showing, and the consequences that will stem from his decisions. When I was 8, the last thing I was worrying about was how my country was being run! Kids seem to get old so fast these days ...

Today I also had the pleasure of going over to see an old friend I hadn't seen for a few months (and before that it had been years) They had moved back from NC, where they had moved too a few years back, brought a home, and fixed it up and are doing wonderfully for themselves. So naturally I was jealous. There's so much I want to do to my house RIGHT NOW, instead of WHEN IT'S FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE. 

And I live in an area where super moms are a whole separate species. I mean, they're amazing! I will find a cute craft, follow the directions to the letter, and my finished product turns into a 'what not to do' version of what I started out making. (I also have mismatched furniture, but that's another story. I call it my 'shabby-chic' look, because 'bits n pieces' doesn't have the same ring)

So lately I've started following a thing I dubbed 'The Blogger Mommies'. It's alot of fun, bordering on obsession, but I've actually won a few things from them. (If you're not sure how to do it, email me, I'll give you the low down) There is no bigger thrill than getting something for nothing. I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I won my first giveaway, went around telling everyone and their dog, I claimed my full bragging rights. I managed to convince my friend Katie to try them out and she is now hooked. With dial up no less. (Higher broadband is not available in her area.) 

The only downside is you start to check your email every 30 seconds, hoping another new post will come through, or you'll see those magic words "You won!" It's a physical smack in the stomach when you check and the giveaway is finished, and you came out emptyhanded.

But I have to hand it to the blogger moms, they have to spend an enormous amount of time concentrating on their blogs and keeping track of who won what, send this to them, review this and that. I don't know if I could do it. Although I AM almost tempted to give it a shot, who knows?

So, my 14 year old son has a girlfriend now. And I don't know what to think. He got his first kiss, but now it leaves me wondering, where is there to go but down ..? (No pun intended!) And then I think back to "those days", the excitement at seeing your puppy love. Interpreting every hand guesture, look or smile. Waiting for a note or present. Stolen moments together. Then I remember the heartbreak. The jealousies, the friends-of-theirs that turn on you because your no longer an item. The rumors, the anger and the pain. I don't want that for any of my kids, and I sure don't want to deal with any of it now. It was only yesterday he was learning how to say "Mum" and "ba-ba". Now he's kissing girls and asking for girl advice? And it's awful to say, but when the breakup does inevitably come, I know I will dislike this girl vehemently for being the (first) girl who broke my little boys heart. The only thing I really know how to do is to make sure there's lots of ice cream ready. 

(Does it work that way with boys??)

Well, I'll wrap up my first post, to anyone who bothered to read it (I'm flattered) and "Mum, I'll talk to you soon".

Arohanui, Joe.

Here's a picture of my adorable kids on Halloween. The tall
gangsta is the one who fell in love.