Wii Fun!

Yes, we got a Wii for Christmas.

My mom sent it to us. She also sent us the Wii Fit so I'd be sure to have some fun too. So far, the kids like the Wii Fit best as well.

My Wii Fit age was 47 yesterday. Today it was 32. I shaved fifteen years in one day. Not bad. I'm looking forward to future Wii Fit adventures. Nathan, my son and I are hoping to unlock the kickboxing routine soon.

Nathan changed my trainer today while my back was turned. My daughter Miriam thought it was very strange for me to have a male yoga instructor. I had to agree.

I'm hoping I'll be back in shape by summer. A few dances a year just doesn't do it for me.

I think the Wii Fit will be apart of my New Years' Resolutions.

A Christmas Miracle!

Foyer de Sion

I've been telling everyone about the need for funds and volunteers to help in the building of a new home for Foyer de Sion in Haiti. I thank you for your care and concern for the children of Haiti. In these difficult economic times it seemed unlikely that we would get the funding anytime soon.

Fortunately, we were wrong. This month Foyer de Sion received full funding for the project from Morrell Family Charities. We're not through seeking help for we need many sturdy and experienced volunteers to assist with the actual construction of the new building.

To learn more about Foyer de Sion or to find out how you can volunteer-

http://www.foyerdesion.org/

To find out more about the Morrell Family Charities see-

http://www.morrellfamily.org/Morrell_Family_Charities/About_Us.html

Cutest Background on the Block

I finally got a fun background!
I'm having lots of fun changing them out.
It's pretty easy.
If you're blogging give it a try!
Just Click on the link above to get started.
Have FUN!

FIREPROOF!

Have you seen it yet?

FIREPROOF is mostly about learning to love. It's a good movie for couples.

Some of the acting isn't the best but it's still fun to watch Kirk Cameron and the other actors. If you're sensitive to strong emotions be sure to plan some down time after watching this film.

*I don't recommend this movie for children.

Orchestra Concert

Miriam had her first high school orchestra concert last night!

Thrift Shopping in Boise

Have you been frustrated by the high prices at the local thrift shops?

Well, I have. I want better than "clearance prices" on used goods.
That's where "The Yard" comes in. They have tools, clothing, shoes, appliances, furniture, and other miscellaneous items.

Here are some tips from my friend;

• Be prepared for some serious box diving for clothing and shoes.
• Large crowds on Saturdays.
• A long line and mad rush, much like Easter egg hunting, if you're looking for tools.
• Great finds!

Boise Irving St. Outlet

Boise Irving St. Distribution as-is yard

5465 W. Irving St.

Boise, ID 83706

208-377-2613
*Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm

Take the Curtis St. Exit.
Turn right.
At St. Alphonsus Hospital entrance Turn Left.
Go two long blocks.
It's on the right.
They're open from 10 am-4 pm Monday-Saturday.

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For the more TRENDY tastes try Lux also in Boise.

LUX Fashion Lounge (designer clothing)
785 West Idaho Street in downtown Boise.

LUX Vintage (anything from the 20's to the 80's)
225 North 5th Street in downtown Boise.

For more information see
http://www.luxfashionlounge.com/?pageName=Page6
http://www.2news.tv/news/local/7946852.html
.

Writer's Conference

The SCBWI writer's conference was a wonderful!
It was very encouraging and enlightening. If you ever want to go with me, let me know!

There's a new christian nonfiction writers group for those of you who are interested.
See my blog at: www.writinghelpnow@blogspot.com

More Foriegn Films

Looking for more foriegn films?

On Guard (Le Bossu)
PG or PG13 for Violence (my rating)
They're are reasons for both men and women to enjoy the story.
I can't say much without adding spoilers.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118756/
.
The Girl from Paris (Une hirondelle a fait le printemps)
PG or PG13 (her beau does stay the "night", my rating).
If you like slow and easy going. You may like this film.
A woman in her early thirties decides to leave her city life to pursue life as a sheep herder. The man she purchases the farm from is not very sympathetic and remains on the property. I enjoyed the journey and the beautiful scenery.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240149/

Favorite Movies

Some of my Favorite Films-

An Affair to Remember

Casa Blanca

Somewhere in Time

Sleepless in Seattle

Ever After

.

Any movie with
Bing Crosby,

Carey Grant,
Jimmy Stewart,
Audrey Hepburn,
or Doris Day

.

Here's a few you may not have heard of-

"Hiding Out" (made in the eighties)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093186/

"China Cry" (A true story)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101578/

"Love Letter" (Hallmark Version) Similar to "Somewhere in Time" only much better!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0140340/usercomments

.

Great Foreign Films with English Subtitles-

"Bella Martha" or "Mostly Martha"

Original version of "No Reservations"

http://www.mooviees.com/9545-mostly-martha/movie

"Cyrano de Bergerac"

A great rendition of Cyrano de Bergerac by Gerard Depardieu! Full of Action!!!

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,318681,00.html

"The Road Home"

A touching story of tradition and love. It's for a quiet night.

The first ten minutes is rough, but it gets better!

http://www.mediacircus.net/roadhome.html

.

If you like foreign films you might find this one interesting:

"Le Retour de Martin Guerre"

An earlier, french, version of "Sommersby".

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084589/

I first watched this film as apart of my French class in high school.

I don't enjoy watching Richard Gere, so , I prefer this version despite it's strangeness.

.

If you give any of these a go, let me know how you like them!

.

27 Dresses

PG-13

Okay, normally I don't watch pg-13, I didn't realize the rating because of some technical difficulties with the "red box" machine. Enough said.

Their are many good actors and actresses in this film. I enjoyed watching the cast as much as the story. This a romantic comedy, my favorite.

Unless, of course, you don't want to see all the reasons that made this movie pg-13.

I give this movie 4 stars. ****

The swearing is very obnoxious. Let's make it 3 stars. ***

Fish Tales

Rated PG

Fish Tales is an interesting movie. It is a story of a young girl, 12 1/2, who lives with her father. Her parents are divorced but her mother is dead. Her father is an absent minded professor. She watches over and directs her father as needed.

They find themselves in Greece as her father desperately works to finish a research paper on an ancient love spell. The young girl meets a beautiful mermaid whom she thinks will make a great match for her father. Meanwhile a greedy villain pursues her and the mermaid.

The movie has some funny moments mainly at the father's expense.

I enjoyed this movie. It was a good story. I probably won't watch it again because the I really don't care for the villain or for the sensuousness of the mermaid.

I give this movie 3 stars. ****


Notes:
The mermaid was very sensual in a nonchalant way.
The villain was done in such a way as not to appear too serious but I advise parental discretion.

Personality!

We took an adapted version of the Hartman's Personality test in a class I taught today. It was only 45 quick questions. It was interesting see how others view themselves.

When we reviewed the different "color" personalities it became increasing clear which ones my children have. It's fun!

Take your Hartman's quiz at; http://www.angelfire.com/ky/kyliew/test.html

I think I'm mostly a "Blue."
What personality color are you?

Tiny Tots

I recently spent seven days substituting in a childcare lab for teen parents. We watched over little ones between 3 and 11 months old. I could say my new perfume is Infamil. I think it's great preparation for achieving my dream of serving in an orphanage. I may have to rethink that one.

I've enjoyed my time with the little ones but I'm very glad to feel the sunshine on my face again.

I miss them terrribly and I've only been gone one day.

Dream Writers

Many people have considered writing at one time or another in their life. For most of us it remains a dream that we occasionally doodle on. I like to call us dream writers.

I think, I sleep too much as it is (okay, not really) and I plan to spend less time dreaming and more time doing. What do you say? Let's do it!

Join me on a journey into the world of writing beginning with my new blog for aspiring writers.

If you'd like to make writing more than a dream

check out my new blog at www.writinghelpnow.blogspot.com

Reading the Classics

I love to read. I recently decided to read more classics in an effort to balance out my interest in fantasy books.

I've begun a journal of my readings in effort to find meaning in the works. I'm happy to say it's been an enlightening experience.

I started with Manon Lescaut by Abbe Provost. Then The Deerslayer by James Fenimore. Cooper. I just finished Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

Manon Lescaut was a maddening love story about a young man who gave up all sense of judgement and morals for a young girl seemingly unworthy of his affection. It holds a nice twist upon reflection which gives a deeper insight into the heart of Manon. Manon's heart is enriched by the unwavering devotion of her young lover. She eventually becomes who he believes her to be.

The Deerslayer offers a contrasting view of a young man encountering beauty and temptations. The Deerslayer is determined to hold true to his values and truth as he understands it. He also encounters a great beauty. The young girl is inspired by his goodness and is experienced enough to desire a simple and good life. Tragically, his view has been tainted by the opinion of another and he cannot accept her due to his since of right. She is left to live her life as best she can among lesser men and he goes on to live a faithful life.

The final book, Three Musketeers, a mix of the previous two. A young man faced with temptation sometimes succeeds in doing what is right as he faces different temptations and trials. D'artangen, is growing through his experiences and developing into a man and a soldier of character. His friends are a great support to him and help him in so many ways, but principly the teach him loyalty. His antaganist, Milady, on the other hand has only her self interest at heart and learns only to be more wicked.

If you've read these books I'd love to hear what you think of them.

A little tip for reading classics: take many short breaks.

Orphanage in Haiti

I recently had the privilege of learning about Foyer De Sion, a nonprofit privately ran orphanage in Haiti. The people I've spoken with have been their and a very honest. Please take a moment to learn about this special place.

This orphanage is undertaking a great task to house and feed the homeless children of Haiti. The director is working to build a permanent structure to house most if not all the children in one location. This will save the orphanage rental fees and on transportation costs and time.

I was particularly impressed by his forethought in building an area where the children will be able to play outside and on grass. If you look at any photos of the city you can see that is not an option at the moment.

He is also planning to allow the children to raise chickens in a effort to be more self-sufficient. Our friends and I donated some food for the most recent trip over. The children will eat anything, so volunteers must be careful not leave non-edibles where the children may get a hold of them. This is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

The adoption process takes about 2 years. So the orphanage has a big responsibility even when adoptive parents are available. See website for particapating adoption agencies.

What can you do?

Donations-
Aproximately~
$200,000 to finish the building
$150,000 to furnish the orphanage and move the children

Volunteers- pay your own travel, food, and lodging (in the past it's been about $1,250)
Builders- preferrebly experienced in cinder block (?) construction
Kind People- 13 years and over to spend one to two weeks (they go two times a year) to do health checks and updates for waiting parents.

To find out more about Foyer De Sion see http://foyerdesion.org/

GoodReads.Com

Have you ever wanted to share what you've read or give someone a big "heads up" about a book?

Have you ever wondered what your friends are reading?

Have you ever wondered what kind of people are reading the same books as you are?

Then Good Reads.com is the place to be!
You can do all the above and more.
I hope to see you soon at Goodreads!

Check out my reading list on Goodreads - where you can see what your friends are reading.
http://www.goodreads.com/friend/i?i=LTM2MDY2NjQwOTg6MzEz%0A