§ What you'd expect...is not always what you see!

[bird's nest]

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HODGEPODGE

1. How did you ring in the new year? In bed, being awakened with fireworks around the 'hood. [which have been banned...hmmmmm!!!]

2. What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013? More rain. Average here is nearly 30" for a one year period...we've had about 5" in the past entire year.

3. Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, "All of us every single year, we're a different person. I don't think we're the same person all our lives." What say you? We may be the same person in body, but the mind changes constantly and thoughts and actions make us different.

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike? Do you already own something this color? Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013? I read that a couple weeks ago....I love any shade of green. And yes, I have several pieces in that color already....blazer, sweaters, sweat pants. And if I see something ---If I like it--- I'll no doubt add it to the wardrobe.

5. Speaking of emerald...what's your favorite gemstone? Diamonds are a girl's best friend!!! My wedding band, with a solitaire diamond surrounded by emeralds since it's May's birthstone --we were married in May-- is my favorite gemstone.

6. Share a favorite book or movie from 2012. Oh boy...difficult to answer this question. We did go see Les Miserables just days ago...and I was hoping it would be the best picture. Not so. I was quite disappointed of its entirety. Yes, it WAS good, but I have seen too many other performances that'll knock your socks off!!! This movie, starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and Russell Crowe and others...it had so much lacking in the songs/singing ---the best part was the scenery. That just blew me away. When carrying the body to save him...through the city's sewers...my imagination carried me away to the odors ...whoa. And as I don't care too much for Russell Crowe, I think he did the BEST in song performance. Eddie Redmayne [who plays Cosette's lover] was too 'jiggly' when he sang his parts for the most part, I'm being way too critical I suppose, but seriously....there at times I thought his jaw was gonna fall off. For me, hoping all along it would be the movie of the year.....lost it. The girl that played the young Cosette was a spittin' image of the Broadway poster!!

7. What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year? Speaking of movies, I'll quote Bette Davis: "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy year night." [often misquoted as a 'bumpy ride']

8. Insert your own random thought here. My, but the year is going so quickly...golly, it's the 2nd day already!!! [I've always wanted to say that...forgive me]

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

§ Merry...ummm, Holidays?

1] There seems to be a big 'push' in Blogland about the term "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas". I read at least once a day in blog posts or comments something like this: "What happened to 'Merry Christmas'?"  Or:  "What happened to the "CHRIST" in Christmas?" Nothing, actually. It's just that saying "Happy Holidays" as a greeting means treating everyone equally rather than showing favoritism towards just those who celebrate Christmas. Christmas is just one day during December. Personally, I see absolutely nothing wrong with the salutation given to someone you don't know; 'Happy Holidays'. Which religion are they? Sure, for Christians Merry CHRISTmas is apropos. But, all in this world are not Christians. Yet, you want to be friendly towards one another throughout....right? An upstanding citizen of anywhere in the world is supposed to love thy neighbor. At least that is the way I was brought up. Loving the neighbor [either next door, next state, or a whole 'nother country]...so, in my way of thinking, wishing someone Happy Holidays is perfectly fitting. And more respectful in terms of being the kind human and being that we all should be. When you don't know for sure what a person is celebrating, I ask....what is so terrible about giving them a smile along with a warm "Happy Holidays"? The season is not only about Christmas...it's Hanukkah, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, and probably more that I can't recall as I type this...the month of December is a 'holiday season'. And yet some don't observe anything, period. If a good person is what we're supposed to be...friendly and loving and kind and giving --- I, as you can see by my blog,  observe Christmas---then trying to be less single minded,  I can try to be unselfish in my thinking, and realize that the holiday season, the month of December, is not all Christian. 

2] I want GRIMM and NCIS back!    LOL ---For Grimm, I read online that the continuing episodes are not going to return to regular scheduling until March 8th?!!! That's a long 3 months to wait to see what happens after the cliffhanger in November of 2012?!!!

3] One more week 'til my sister arrives in Texas for a couple weeks with Bud and me!!

4]  I'm looking forward to the upcoming release of Les Miserables movie, starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. It opens Christmas Day, but I doubt we'll not go see it in the theater 'til after my sister and b-i-l go back to Colorado. I especially look forward to seeing a favorite British celebrity --- Eddie Redmayne. He was so good in his role of the mini-series, Pillars of the Earth and then, Stafford in the Other Boleyn Girl and Thomas Babington in Elizabeth the Golden Age.  I predict some Oscar nominations for actors/actresses/movie.



5] Speaking of Les Miserables...with my eyesight not being what it was years ago,  the book by Hugo  would be too difficult to read 'cause of such small print in the huge volume!! But, I'm now able to read it with a Kindle Reader!! And large print!! Been reading it this last week --- on the cold days. Cold? Yes indeedy. One day this week the low was in the 40s. I like it!!

6] Here's Eddie Redmayne by the way [sweet!! just look at those freckles! those eyes!  that tousled hair!]  I realize he's young enough to be my son, but whoa.  Heck, Demi Moore can do it --guess I can dream.  I dreamed a dream....:

photo courtesy of IMDB


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