The Mist

I recently saw this movie. I wasn't expecting much. Steven King movies are either really good (Stand By Me, Green Mile) or really bad (Pet Cemetery, Christine). This started off in typical fashion: small town, archetypal characters (the religious freak, the out-of-towners, army personnel). I thought I knew where it was going. I was kind of bored. But then it seemed to take a very disturbing turn. I will try not to spoil it for those of you that want to see it. Marcia Gay Harden plays the religious zealot, and her character was reminiscent of the mother in Carrie (which I think goes in the "good" King category). Instead of being a horror movie (which it still is), it made me think about what disastrous situations do to humanity; it made me think about how different people react in life-threatening situations. One thing that makes the movie more heart-wrenching that it centers around a man and his son. If he had been a single man, it would be a different story. But for those of us with children, our choices are very different than if we were alone. What could you do to save yourself and your kid(s)? Or if not save them, to spare them the agony of a tortuous death? That is what was so disturbing to me. It forced me to think about those question, which are not ones I enjoy pondering. I am pretty sure that I won't live through a situation exactly like the movie, however I am not guaranteed to never make a decision like that. I think back to what I have read about the Holocaust, and families were forced to make those decisions. I am sure people in parts of Africa still make those decisions today. For now, I live in a place and time where those things seem distant, and only in movies. Let's just hope it stays that way. Do I sound morbid? I hope not. I am really not depressed or anything. Just thoughtful. Movies do that to me. I do have to say, if you have seen the movie, I could not have done what he did. It does make me sick to my stomach thinking about it. OK, I will attempt to lighten to mood with a happier movie quote: "The planet of not wanting to die by a drive by shooting. Everybody, lock your doors."

Changes

I know, I have been messing with my layout. I liked the last one, it was very cute. But the title of this is a DESPERATE (mormon) Housewife. So I decided it needed to be more desperate. Did I succeed? Does it look desperate? How does one make a blog look desperate.

And I just realized I didn't do a movie quote last time!  

I know that Lori will be the only one to get this, as I don't believe most of the public has actually seen this movie:

"What is God's name happened here?"

Sunday

Sundays are not my favorite days. They should be, but they aren't. Church starts at 1, which just happens to be the kids nap time. So we have to drag 2 tired kids with us, and try to get them to be well behaved, which, for those of you with kids, know it is almost impossible to get tired kids to be well behaved. Then, after dealing with my children, I get to teach other peoples children. I really don't mind doing this, but yesterday was not a good lesson. I teach the 8 year-olds, and I have 11 kids in the class. Luckily, they have not all shown up at the same time. But I had 8 there yesterday. They are usually pretty well behaved. I have 2 boys that are good friends, and they do like to scuffle once in a while. But other than that, I can't complain. That was until I got a new kid. He has more energy than all of them combined. He seems to find it impossible to sit still. And he likes to yell things out in the middle of it all. He was stressing me out. He would take his shoes off, eat his paper, ask me if I had been to Lagoon, yell out random information (like, "A kid from my school is from Argentina"), crouch on his chair. He does all this during Sharing Time, which is the time all the kids are together before we divide up into our own little classes. So we go to our class, and besides teach a lesson, yesterday I was supposed to wrap a whole bunch of items for some missionaries from our ward. One girl was really good at helping me, but the boys were so not interested in wrapping. I cut my lesson short (which I don't mind doing) but then I lost complete control of the class because I was trying to wrap, and I couldn't get it done and try to entertain them at the same time. So of course, we got out of class late, which I do not like doing. I like to be done on time. I was a little stressed when we got home. Shouldn't I feel fulfilled after a day at church? Perhaps next week . . . New movie quote: "I'll have what she's having."

Scrapbooking Extravaganza

Yesterday, I decided to update my scrapbook. I am WAY behind. Some friends of mine have been talking a lot about the digital scrapbooking that is available. It sounded somewhat interesting, so I looked up some stuff online. At first, I was intrigued. It looks so easy, with much less supplies. Also, cheaper. Just a few clicks of the mouse, and Voila! A cute scrapbook to print out. But there were some draw backs. If you don't do high quality printing, the pictures won't be as sharp. Also, getting printing in the 12x12 size is kind of hard. I guess I could do a different size, but I happen to enjoy my 12x12 pages. I also like that it is much more environmentally friendly. You don't waste paper, no trash, and mistakes can easily be fixed. After all that research, I have decided I like the old-fashioned way better. I like keeping my hands busy, and not just clicking and dragging. I just need to time to get it done. It might be faster on the computer, but I enjoy the creativity of cutting, coloring, gluing, sewing, stamping, etc. So I will just have to suck it up, and do it. Make time for it. Another friend of mine (who is into scrapbooking the old-fashioned way like me) told me about a scrapbooking retreat. There are these houses (one in Layton and one in Provo) that you can rent and spend your day scrapbooking. It has supplies and everything. That does sound like something I need: a few uninterrupted days of scrapbooking to get me back on track. I also still am Jonesing for a Cricut (yes, I did use the term Jonesing). So if anyone knows of where I can get one for cheap (or free!) let me know! Maybe I can do some digital scrapbooking as well just for fun, and put some pages on here . . . something to think about. New quote: "I'm Captain of the Pismo Beach Disaster Relief." And could someone please beat Lori. I am beginning to think she is cheating, using some internet site to find out the answers.

Effing Construction

I understand that in Utah, after winter comes construction. But why are they making it almost impossible to get to my house? We have only 2 roads that bring you to the neighborhood. One of them (that will take you south) has been blocked for weeks because they are putting in a water tank. They say it may take 3 months. So we have to use the north road. Using this road wouldn't be so bad, but you cannot go south. If you follow the detour signs, you have to go about 20 blocks north to head south. This makes NO sense. So I have started to do illegal turns to go south. I hate doing it, but I can't go that far out of my way. And now they have started construction on the north road. WHY??? It has been down to one lane lately, which totally sucks. Urg. I have never been so frustrated with construction ever. Rocky and the kids went to another rodeo tonight. Why, I don't know. I was not invited. But that is just fine with me. I have had a wonderful evening to myself. I went shopping with my sister, and have been watching Grey's Anatomy, and surfing the internet. They aren't home yet, which is worrying. It is after 10:30, which is really late for my kids. They are usually in bed by 8pm. I am trying to think of anything else that is going on. I am kind of boring today. OK, new movie quote: "We're going to need a bigger boat."

Insomnia

It is late, and I can't sleep.  Thank goodness for laptops, and wireless networks!  And also Friends.  As I sit here typing, I am watching Season 5, episode 2, otherwise known as "The One with All the Kissing."  

I thought I would share some little known facts about myself.  First, I cry at commercials.  Especially the new Olympic ones.  You know, the one that Morgan Freeman is doing a voice-over about the guy who was running and whose father helped him cross the finish line.  That one always makes me tear up.  Another strange thing that makes me cry is horse racing.  I can't explain it, but watching the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Preakness make me cry.  I love watching them, and I am not crying because I feel sad for the horses.  It is just all the excitement.  There must be something wrong with me.  I also love cheezy TV.  (You may have noticed that from my "Friends" addiction.)  But it gets worse that sitcoms.  I LOVED "7th Heaven."  Even watching it, in my mind I tell myself, "This is some cheezy crap."  But I can't stop watching.  My new extremely cheezy show is "The Secret Life of the American Teenager."  This is also interesting to watch because of all the has-been actors in it.  Molly Ringwald is in it as the pregnant teenager's mom, and on the the Duke boys, from the original "Dukes of Hazard" is in it as well.  I wouldn't have recognized him, but Rocky told me who it was.  Also, Bobby from the Sopranos is in it.  The series just started, so I am only starting to get into it, but it is kind of addicting.  Why do I like this high school crap?  I have to admit I almost want to see High School Musical.  But I won't.  I don't have any kids old enough to use as a cover up.  Maybe in a few years, when they are on High School Musical 8, Ciara will be old enough.  

OK, new movie quote (apparently the last one was too easy).

"Would you like to hear this or not, Mr. Lovett?"

Oh, and Caden has a new word: dump truck.  However, when he says it, it sounds like dumb f***.  And he says this word a LOT.

No News.

So another week has gone by, and I feel like I have no news.  Summer seems to be kind of quiet.  Ciara started her Princess camp today, which she really enjoyed.  No, it is not actually Princess camp, but more of a ballet camp.  Today they learned about the Nutcracker.  Ciara told me she danced like snow, and was the best dancer there.  She gets to go back again on Wednesday, where they do another ballet.  I think she is just relieved to get to do something other than hang out with mom and Caden.  He was a mess when we dropped her off.  He kept saying, "No princess camp, no Ciara go princess camp!"  And then after she was gone, he was crying, "Need Ciara, need Ciara now!"  He has gotten so used to spending every moment with her that he was having some separation anxiety.  

On another subject, what is up with all the divorce?  Since we have moved back to SLC (about a year ago) I have had about 6 friends of mine get divorced.  Even people who I haven't seen in forever, when I run into them, they are divorced!  It is kind of scary.  I have always been so sure about Rocky, and I know that all these people must have been sure of their partners too.  So what happens?  I know that every situation is unique, and all these people have split up after different amounts of time.  So there is not one problem they are all facing.  Then I start to worry that maybe I am too confident in my marriage.  But I don't think anyone wants to doubt or question everything.  I guess when you hear of so many people splitting up, you have to start to wonder what is going on.  

I need to end this on a happier note.  Hmmmmm.  Can't think of anything uplifting.  OK, we will start a quiz for you all.  It is called "Name that movie quote."  We used to play this a work a lot.

"What say you there fuzzy britches?"  

Independence Day

I have been waiting to post this until I got the pics ready, but that seems to be taking too long.  So here it is, and I will attach pictures as soon as I can!

For the 4th, we decided to not do much, but celebrate on the 5th.  We went to the Oakley rodeo.  No, this was NOT my idea of fun.  I do not like rodeos.  The only event I can somewhat enjoy watching is the barrel racing, and even that is kind of boring.  Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself.  We went to this event with my in-laws and both kids.  I voted to leave the kids at home (at least Caden) but was out voted.  Needless to say, I was not especially anticipating a long night with tired kids at the rodeo.  We all rode together in our car (one of the mini-van advantages) and my father-in-law starts talking political (he NEVER does this).  He starts off by saying they went to this banking conference and some guy says that if Obama gets elected our country will just die financially, we will go bankrupt, depression.  Basically the gates of hell will be opened up upon us.  I get the feeling my in-laws agree with this man.  Am I really shocked?  Then he tells us about a demographer who was at the same conference.  This demographer told them that race will no longer be an issue in about 50 years due to all the "inter-breeding."  I have heard similar things in my college days, about how the world is changing.  This doesn't bother me, but I got the feeling that my father-in-law was bothered.  I participated in the conversation by saying that I had heard a statistic that Europe was already changing, that Muslims already make up about 40% of France (I cannot for the life of me remember where I heard that, and if I am incorrect, I apologize).  His response was, "How horrible!  You know, it's our freedoms that let that happen.  When are people going to wake up and realize . . ."  At that point, I am not sure if he just faded off, or if the ringing in my ears tuned him out.  I can feel my shoulders tensing just remembering it.  I was honestly surprised that I didn't literally bite my tongue off.  I was quite proud that I didn't say anything back, I just sat there quietly.  Maybe some of you don't see what the problem is with this statement.  I guess what bothered me so much is that he seems to think that all Muslims are the enemy.  Why does the fact that there are so many in France threaten him?  And threaten so many people here?  So that was all the excitement on the drive up there.  

So we get to the rodeo, and like I mentioned before, I am not looking forward to this.  They start with the calf roping, which I HATE.  I didn't watch most of it, and just kept my eyes on the kids.  (The kids were VERY well behaved, considering we were up WAY past their bedtimes.)  Then comes the rodeo clowns.  They were not funny.  The main one was making all kinds of jokes.  As one of the bulls was trotting around the ring he said, "You know, this bull kind of reminds me of Obama."  The announcer responds, "In what way?"  Rodeo clown answers, "Well, he's got a point on one side, a point on the other, and a whole lotta bull in the middle."  The crowd goes wild.  Rocky and I just sat there and looked at each other.  If any of you are familiar with the movie "Borat," you may recall a similar scene at the rodeo. . . that is what it made me think of.

All in all, not my favorite outing.  Even Rocky said is his parents want to do this again next year, we will say no.  Thank goodness!

(I have some pics of the fireworks and the kids which I will post as soon as I get the camera back from Rocky.)

Wimbledon and Wondering

Yes, it has been non-stop tennis watching at our house.  Wimbledon started last week, and they are actually having good TV coverage of it, as opposed to the miniscule coverage of the French Open.  I really enjoy watching tennis, even though my 2 favorite (Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovich) were eliminated earlier than I would like.  Although, the Williams sisters are still kicking butt, in singles and in doubles.  I still have hope for an all Williams final.  

I was talking with a father at Ciara's swimming lessons the other day, and he was asking why we liked Denver so much.  It got me thinking.  I was trying to explain what it was about it that made us love it so much.  I started by saying it was the people that were so nice.  He replied, "Yeah, more relaxed than all the uptight mormons."  I was kind of surprised to hear him say that, being that he is mormon as well.  (I had kind of pegged him for one of the uptight ones).  Then I said that there was less of the "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality there as opposed to here.  He agreed with that as well, which was also a shock to me.  He drives a Porsche and a Cadillac, and has a rather nice house, with all the toys (RV, boat, etc).  Both of those reasons contribute to my having a difficult time in Utah.  But I have figured out the main reason.  Here, people seem to define me by my religion.  No, not everyone does this.  Most of my friends know me, not "mormon me."  But there is great pressure that I feel.  Either I am "one of them" or I am not.  There is very little middle ground.  Once people find out that I am mormon, one of 2 things happen.  If they themselves are not mormon, they automatically think I am judging them, and am no fun at all (which is totally not true.  I had 21 years of non-mormon living, and went to Mardi Gras for goodness sakes!).  Many times I also feel like I have to defend what I believe.  Why do you care why I believe?  Do I ask you why you are Catholic, or Baptist, or whatever?  They assume they "know" me.  If they are mormon, they automatically assume I am just like them: I think like them, I do the same things as them, my past is the same as their past, etc.  I also feel like they aren't always being real either, and feel the need to keep up the "perfect" front so I won't judge them.  Again, they assume they "know" me.  I want to be known for me, not for what I believe.  It doesn't define me.  I don't want anyone to be offended by this.  I HAVE met people who do not do this, and I have friends that truly know me.  But as a general observation, this is what I have felt.  And it is frustrating.  There are also expectations, from both groups (the mormon and non-mormon).  They both expect me to think a certain way, and when I don't they are shocked.  I am constantly editing myself so I don't offend anyone.  It is kind of tiring.  This is why I have a difficult time living in Utah.  I really miss Denver.  

Now I am afraid of publishing this.  I really don't want to piss anyone off.  Oh well.  I promise, the next post will be happier (hopefully)!