I Want to Know What Love Is

Dearest Reader,

Today I am doing a ramble.  I am going to write without overthinking until my timer goes off on the topic of LOVE....queue the song....

I find myself today with a topic I am not really interested in rehashing.  I have sat in many a Bible Study and under many a preacher trying to give the definition of love. 

This clip cuts out Lily (or was it Robin?) blowing a raspberry and doing a thumbs down, but still I have to be honest- it is how I feel about this topic.  I am not upset because I don't feel loved or have some tragic story about my past.  I felt very loved.  I had a wonderful childhood.  I am just tired of this topic.  It is talked about so much that it has lost itself.  The English language has got to be the poorest of all the languages in even giving us an understanding of what love is.

If I am to understand my Bible- God is love.  But when I say, "I love you."  or "I love ice cream" am I really saying "I God you?" or "I God ice cream?"  Makes no sense.  I am sure it doesn't really work like that in any language.  I have to understand the original context. 

I think we can agree that the word itself is complex because of the layers.

I love certain things- all kinds of food, books, bookstores, libraries, movies, cross stitching, flowers, coffee, mugs, etc....but obviously don't love my family or other people the same way. 

I am getting so distracted.  This isn't my thing for sure.  Love ,to me, is more of a choice then the world wants us to believe.  Am I the only one who doesn't have these huge emotional bonds to someone or something?  I figure love must be inside of me and if I love someone or something you would most certainly be able to tell. 

Love is sacrifice.  Love can be easy and it can be hard.  It can be the fuzzy feelings and can be the intense feelings.  It is just so many things it hurts to think about.  That must be why I didn't want to write about it this morning.  I don't want to do the hard thing and dig into myself.  I don't want those intense feelings.  They can take over to the point where you don't feel in control.  I need the control.  We all need to have a certain amount of self-control, but with love I think some people think it is a free for all. 

Sex is not love.  I hope you know that.  I can't tell if this is a problem or not.  Just thought I would get this out there.

I can't keep this up for much longer.  I am not a smart woman (yes, I am stealing from Forrest Gump) but I do know that love is a devotion and dedication to someone or something that can change your life.

Yours Truly,
L.L.

Read-A-Thon

I have loosely been trying to do my first Read-A-Thon.  I have never tried one before and I still have some time left.  I finished The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.  I was also able to start and finish One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia.  I might have time to squeeze in one last book before I get too tired- probably going to read Left Behind because I have wanted to finish that series for a long time but was afraid to read it because of how horrible the writing is and I was not looking forward to being mocked by fellow English Majors.  Now I am old, I don't really care what people think, I bought almost all the books at a used book sale, and the books and technology are really outdated.  It will make for a good, light, and maybe even a slightly funny read.  We are due another end of the world book series, right?  Any way, it has been a pretty good reading day, not the best but it is hard when everyone wants you to "do" stuff.

Happy Reading!!!

Favorite Movies

Day #28 of the Happiness Challenge: Watch your favorite movie

I have been working on this entry for a long time!  When the Happiness Challenge suggested that I watch my favorite movie I knew the main challenge for me was how I was going to narrow it down.  How was I suppose to pick my favorite movie?  Like I do most things when I can't make up my mind- random number generator.  But I had to write down what my most favorite movies are and I could probably spend a whole year hashing out this list.  But I did my best and I have to say it didn't turn out too bad.  Some of the movies could cross categories but in an effort to put in my most favorites I did it the way I did.  There are movie series such as Harry Potter,that belong together and in my mind and on this list I couldn't separate them- so the got there own category.  This is not a definitive list as there are always new movies coming out and I might have forget a movie that I really enjoyed (it happens).  Any way, it was fun trying to narrow it all down- enjoy!

Trying to decide the favorite movie to watch is the tough part!  So I am going to write it out.  Here is my line up.

Top Ten Favorite Disney/Pixar Movies
1.  Up
2.  Inside Out
3.  Tangled
4.  Beauty and the Beast
5.  Aladdin
6.  Frozen
7.  Mulan
8.  Brave
9.  Moana
10. The Emperor's New Groove

Top Ten Family Movies (non animated)
1.  Princess Diaries
2.  Hook
3.  National Treasure
4.  Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (original)
5.  Enchanted
6.  George of the Jungle
7.  The Jungle Book (the one they use to show on Disney channel, it would have been around 1995)
8.  Remember the Titans
9.  Galaxy Quest
10. Ella Enchanted
It is mostly animated but I want to squeeze The Lego Movie in here somewhere. 

Top Ten Favorite Comedies
1.  Zoolander 
2.  Meet the Parents
3.  Groundhog Day
4.  National Lampoon Family Vacation
5.  Napoleon Dynamite
6.  Liar Liar
7.  Office Space
8.  Zombieland 
9.  The Hangover
10. Men in Black

Top Ten Period Movies
1.  Anne of Green Gables/Avonlea- It is just one really long movie to me!
2.  A Little Princess
3.  Pride and Prejudice (I love both- there I said it.  Don't make me choose!  You can't make me.)

4.  Little Women
5.  Sense and Sensibility 
6.  The Young Victoria
7.  Ever After
8.  An Education 
9.  Wuthering Heights 
10. The Patriot
I am squeezing in the Knight's Tale.  It just needs to be here somewhere.

Top Ten Action/Sci-fi/Fantasy Movies (I don't watch many of these types of movies that aren't attached together with a series so I clumped them all together)
1.  Wonder Woman
2.  Die Hard
3.  The Martian
4.  Pan's Labyrinth
5.  Independence Day
6.  Air Force One
7.  The Book of Eli
8.  Aeon Flux 
9.  Armageddon
10. The Fugitive

Top Ten Chick Flicks
1.  13 Going on 30
2.  The Wedding Singer
3.  Miss Congeniality
4.  Music and Lyrics
5.  Notting Hill
6.  50 First Dates
7.  Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!
8.  Two Weeks Notice
9.  10 Things I Hate About You
10.  Date Night

Top Ten Drama Movies
1.  Life is Beautiful
2.  Slumdog Millionaire
3.  Inglorious Bastards
4.  Les Miserables (the old one not the musical)
5.  12 Years a Slave
6.  The Count of Monte Cristo
7.  Leon: The Professional
8.  Little Miss Sunshine
9.  Forrest Gump
10. The Help

Top 10 Musicals
1.  The Sound of Music
2.  The Kind and I
3.  Bride and Prejudice 
4.  My Fair Lady
5.  West Side Story
6.  The Wizard of Oz
7.  Mama Mia!
8.  Oliver! or Annie (I can't decide between the orphans!)
9.  Singing in the Rain
10.  High School Musical (I can't remember which are which but I remember really liking them)

My 10 Favorite Movie franchises-  that Beg for a Marathon


Harry Potter
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit
Star Wars
X-Men
Marvel (there are so many I would narrow it down to these seven:  Thor, Marvel's The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, and Thor Ragnorak)
Back to the Future
Toy Story
Oceans 11, 12, 13 (and even though it isn't out yet Oceans 8 will be awesome I am sure!)
Hunger Games
The Chronicles of Narnia


So after all that what did I end up watching...................

Opps- you can't see it....

I love this movie.  It came at a time in my life when I was probably a little depressed and bored.  It put my own life into perspective and it just gives me the feels.  Don't we all want someone to pursue us the way Jamal did for Latika?  Plus I just love the music.  I usually put it on while I am running.  I don't usually watch the Academy Awards but the year this one won 8 Oscars I was genuinely intrigued.  I don't actually own this movie but I have the soundtrack.  Side note- I also think my Dev Patel looks like my brother.  Which also reminds me- I loved the movie Lion starring Dev Patel as well.  I cried buckets!  My husband would probably also like me to mention that the first time I watched this movie without him first even though he got it from the library so we could watch it together- oops!  I gladly watched it twice!.
 

Also I did Day # 31 of the Happiness Challenge- treat yourself to something sweet.  I picked up some Reese's Pieces (probably one of the best movie candies there is) and a Kombucha.  Since this is a movie that takes place in India I also had some leftover Dalma.  It was a great day

What is your favorite movie?  What is your favorite sweet treat? 

Take a Day Off of Work

Dearest Reader,

I am a stay at home mom.  I will be honest- I don't REALLY do much.  I am a pretty lazy, selfish person.  I keep telling myself that one of these days I will get a job that pays actual money because realistically from this vantage point I am looking at a future that isn't secure.  But the timing hasn't been right.  My husband doesn't have set hours.  I don't have an easy back up plan for who would watch the kids while I am at work.  My oldest is almost there but she is also not the most responsible.  *Shrugs*  In God's Timing- am I right? 

I'm not a complete slob but I can relate to this- Saturday Night Live Couch Panini/No Bra Ever

There was a year when I did dedicate myself as a homemaker and homeschool mom, but our family decided to go in a different direction.

All this- blah, blah, blahing just to say....I took a day off of "work" this Tuesday.  This is Day 27 of the Happiness Challenge that I am doing at my own pace.  I actually take Tuesdays "off" normally but I thought I would say I officially  spent this Tuesday just chilling, reading, and eating delicious food fast food.  Yep, I ate food from McDonalds.  I didn't cook.  I didn't clean.  I read The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith aka J.K, Rowling for my Popsugar Reading Challenge.  That was it!  What a wonderful lazy day!

In Honor of Rochelle Onifade

What do you like to do on your lazy day?  Or are you a go go go person?  You probably wouldn't be reading this if you were the go go go person- but you never know what you can stumble across on in Internet world.

Yours Truly,

L.L.

Places to Visit

In an effort to write more often I am just going to do it even if it doesn't make much sense.  But I need some help with prompts so after looking up on pinterest and google I found this so it should be helpful for now as I type away.

Let me start with the places I have visited first so we can have some context as to places I have NOT visited.  I have visited a few places.  Some more notable than others.  Some places I have actually lived in and some places I only know because my parents told me about it.  I have visited Australia, Mexico, Hawaii, Nevada, California, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Canada, Disneyland, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Crater Lake.  I have been through a few places in Europe but only as a baby so I don't think those count.  As I type all of this I am pretty sure I have not forgotten anything.  I am in danger of playing the comparison game, but I know this isn't a LOT of places, but I also like to think it is a good amount.  I am sure there are people who never really get to go any where and there are people who choose or have the ability and means to go wherever they want and take it.  With only a few minor exceptions most of theses places were visited because of my parents.  As a grownup I haven't been brave enough nor saved enough to venture out on my own.

Now in a world where anything is possible there are three places I would like to visit before I die.  England, Italy, and Israel are those places.  I honestly don't think much about touring through America though that seems more logical.  I am much more interested in literature, food, and religion.  I feel strongly and fiercely connected to these countries because of how important those three things are to me.

England- because Harry Potter and Jane Austen- duh!  There is no other place in the world that holds the richness of literature, culture, and manners.

Italy- because it is my birth place, home of the Pope, and the best food on the planet.  I don't have to eat all the food in the world to know that the best food and drink has got to be in Italy.

 

Israel- because Jesus chose this nation for a reason and I want to walk where He walked.  Middle Eastern culture is such a mystery to me and I would love an eye opening experience.

I don't want to say I will never be able to go to these places but I want to be realistic too.  I know I am lazy and I know the effort and work it would take to get to these places.  But for now just let me dream that I will win a million dollars.

A more realistic dream right now is going to The Wizarding World in Hollywood and even that is going to be tough but this one I am willing to work for and know it is achievable.

These are the places I want to visit.  Where do you want to visit?  Where have you visited? 

Sending a Postcard

Dearest Reader,

I bet you thought I forgot about you and the Happiness Challenge.  I did not.  You are always in the back of my mind!  But now I bring you to the front.  I have been toying with thoughts of getting a job because my main obstacle is financial.  They are just thoughts that don't turn into action.  I don't know.  I can barely handle someone coming over for dinner- I don't think I can handle a new job without a ton of support.

 

Any way, I FINALLY did number 26- send someone you miss a postcard.  I sent it to my roommate from college.  I have been putting this one off for ages now because of so many excuses- it is almost unbelievable.

I miss her so much it hurts.  I would get a job if I thought I could save enough money to go visit her.  But then I would be filled with guilt for not visiting my parents.  But then I would argue with myself that this is my life.  I can decide who I want to visit.  And then I would argue with myself that technically my life belongs to God and I can't do whatever I want.  But then I wouldn't go any where because God doesn't actually tell me where to go.  And this cycle of madness continues.

Do you ever feel like this or am I the only one?

Yours Truly,
L.L.

My Life Story in 5 Sentences

I was born in Napels, Italy the first born child to Kevin and Marie.


My childhood was full of fun- riding bikes, rollerskating, going to church, being homeschooled, eating potato chips till I puked, and just being a kid in California. 

Teen years were awkward.

College was way TOO fun.

Married on my 24th birthday to an awesome guy and made a family of three little girls.