Month: January 2011

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Blizzard

Looking at the news there is an enormous snowstorm hitting the Northeast!  I guess this might impact my thoughts of traveling to a sunnier location.  I am thinking that I better check the airport cancellation schedules.  I am really not in any hurry to leave but I do hate having to change my plans.

Being flexible is key in order to get through life without going loco. However, with that said I am not the most flexible person in the world.  I am a creature of habit and like routine.  Mother Nature apparently has other plans for me and therefore I must roll with them.  Better yet, just deal with them!

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New solutions

I have always been a strong believer in eyeglasses.  There was only one time that I tried contact lenses and that was many years ago.  Many years ago contact lenses were not nearly as well made as they are currently.

Because contact lens technology has advanced the sterile saline solutions that are used to clean them have as well.  This is really good news!  Contact lenses are very delicate and having a high quality solution to clean them is is vital.  Many years ago when I tried contact lenses the technology was still in the beginning stages.  Many times I would have trouble with my eyes burning and feeling “gritty.”  This was naturally very uncomfortable and changed my mind about continuing the use of them.

If in the near future I should decide to get contact lenses again I will be sure to look at 1800Contacts.com.  Also if I choose to outfit myself with some new contacts I will be sure to check out the salinesolutionsite.com.

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Seeing red

While putting my eyeglasses on my face yesterday I realized that I should probably schedule an appointment with my eye doctor.  For now,  I have not discovered any issues with my vision however, it has been at least two years since my last exam.

A person’s vision can change frequently therefore it is important to get regular check- ups at least every other year.  I think that I will probably look into a check- up this year once I am able to afford one.  My insurance does not cover the eye doctor.  This is unfortunate because it can be expensive.  Hopefully the only change that will occur would be for new lenses.  The cost will be less if I do not have to purchase new frames.

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Under the Mistletoe is a New Favorite

Thanks for the post from Lynn Guy

Just recently I saw a movie which has now become my favorite Christmas movie, Under the Mistletoe which was made in 2006. It airs every year on TV. That’s where I saw it, while watching Direct TV last week.

I was so happy when I tuned in and saw Michael Shanks as the main male star. I recognized him from Stargate SG-1 where he played Daniel Jackson. This character is far removed from that. He’s Kevin Harrison, a hockey coach and counselor at a private school.

Kevin meets Susan Chandler (Jaime Ray Newman), a widow still adjusting to her husband’s death the Christmas before. She has a young son who insists that he is still talking with his dead father.

The son is played by a kid named Burkley Duffield, and he’s just great. I’m sure I’ve seen him before in something, but I don’t know what. He has spunk, though, and he does very well playing Jonathan, the son.

There’s a conversation between the dead father and son that really impressed me. It has to do with being open and believing as well as with letting go of anger. There’s a touch of forgiveness included in the conversation. Another bit talks about seeing what’s right in front of you.

It’s not a perfect picture, but this one hit home, and I really love it.

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Season of the Witch

Last night I went out with some friends to see Season of the Witch starring Nicholas Cage.  The movie was set in pagan times.  The plot was based on Nicholas Cage deserting the army and in order for him to be forgiven for doing so he must agree to transport this woman thought to be a witch to a monastery in a faraway town.

The journey proves to be a long one with the woman using some “magical powers.”  Overall, the best part of the movie was the last five minutes.  I wasn’t sure what to expect going into see this film so therefore I am neither disappointed nor satisfied with the outcome.

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Little Bear Children’s Program

Thanks for the guest post by Neville Mcintyre

One of my favorite children’s educational shows that I love for my children to watch would have to be Little Bear that comes on nick jr at noon Monday through Friday, nick jr is on cable tv. There is Little Bear who runs the show pretty much as the ringleader of the rest of the crowd. He is the imaginative one of the bunch. He loves to play games with everyone, and to just have a great time. Emily who is the human little girl that lives with her Granny is Little Bear’s best friend. Cat, Hen, Duck, Mitzi, and Owl are the rest of the crew that follows Little Bear around on his countless adventures. Within this wonderful children’s program young preschoolers are able to grow right along with Little Bear as he explores the world and grows into his personality. It teaches children how to be creative in their own world, be supportive to friends, and allows preschoolers to see what their imagination can do with no limits. With Mother Bear and Papa Bear there to help teach guidance along the way, preschoolers are also taught that there are certain limits on how far that they can go without being hurt.

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Gnomeo and Juliet

I am not usually the type of person who goes to the movies to see “children’s movies” however, with that in mind I think I may have to give in and go see this one. This is such a play on words that I believe it would be worth going to see.

I think that this movie is similar to the “Shrek” movies because the creators have put many “hidden” messages inside the storyline. The children watching these movies do not have any idea what these messages are but the adults do and this is what makes them tolerable when parents are forced by their children to view them.

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Flowering ideas

Spring cannot come soon enough!  One of my favorite times of year is the spring time.  During this time I always visit at least one flower show.  While I am there I usually see multiple kinds of window box planters.  Multiple businesses are always on hand at these shows to assist the visitors with window box ideas. 

Usually when I attend these flower shows I bring at least one friend with me and we make a day of the trip.  None of my friends are as garden savvy as I am but I can most times convince them to have at least one pot of flowers on their porch for the season.  Maybe this year I will be able to convince them to have a couple of window boxes.

Window boxes can contain numerous kinds of plants.  They can be window flower boxes or garden window boxes.  I have made several window flower boxes but I have yet to make a vegetable window box.  I think this year I just may try planting a few vegetables in a window box.

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Owl Eyes

Something rather creepy happened today. I came home from work and while I was turning around in my driveway I happened to look up at my shed. Perched on the roof was an owl. Now, I know that this doesn’t seem like anything but that wasn’t the end of the owl.

A few hours later I went out to get the mail and as I was walking out I happened to look up at the utility line. There again, was the owl. I couldn’t believe it! I have no proof that it was the same owl but I thought it was just strange to see a similar looking owl again in the same day; not to mention in just a few short hours.

Now while owls are not uncommon where I live I did think that seeing the same kind within a couple of hours so close to my residence was weird. Perhaps this has to do with my recent viewing of the movie “The Fourth Kind.” This would certainly help explain my ‘creep-ed out’ thoughts.

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Fitness sales

I find it amusing every year after the holidays how the department stores and restaurants for that matter seem to “push” healthy behaviors on the public.  The department stores advertise heavily exercise equipment and diet pills.  They also tend to display the “healthier” foods available in the stores.

Restaurants try their best to create menu options that are lower in calories or sugar.  Therefore, when patrons place their orders they feel as though they are eating more healthily.  I am not convinced that these new found menu options are really any better for you than eating a double bacon cheeseburger.  Personally, if I am planning on eating out I am already under the assumption that my food selection will be unhealthy and I am OK with that.