I've been a lazy slug...

Ah, shoot. I am already behind. I knew that this was going to happen but today I realized how extremely behind I am. First I am behind on my bible reading. I picked a 365 day plan that I have actually started a couple of times in the past. Given I wanted to "do this right" I started once again at the beginning. From day 1 I was behind as I didn't actually start on my birthday but a week or so later. I have had a couple of days where I read multiple day's readings at a time, but sadly I have found that I am 23 days behind! Ahhh! How did this happen?! I am only just over a month past my birthday! Well, given I am on day 12, this is definitely believable.
The really sad part is last night, I spent from 9:30-11:30 reading the 2nd Harry Potter book. That's right, 2 hours of reading Harry Potter when I could have been catching up on doing my bible reading. I admit it, that is sad, and I do feel kind of bad about it. Given each day's bible reading takes about 10 minutes, I could have almost been caught up in the time I took to read Harry Potter. Maybe I should go whack myself in the head a couple of times as Dobby would...
I definitely need to get back on track and put down the Harry Potter books - at least until I get caught up. My plan of attack is to read at least 3 day's readings each day until I am caught up. That would take me a few weeks to get back on track. Ooohhh, don't know if I can go that long without Harry Potter! (Just kidding :) ... or am I)
The second thing I am off track on is my push up program. It all started the week grandpa died and I haven't gotten back on track since. This means I am 2 weeks behind as I didn't do any of it while I was in South Carolina (by the way, I didn't do any of my bible reading while in South Carolina either). When I came back from South Carolina, I actually tried to get back on track right away but when I got to my 5th set, I couldn't hit the minimum number of push ups you are suppost to do so I gave up. Well, I didn't give up for good, just for the day. Unfortunately, I have never picked back up. I am hoping my weaklingness (I may have just made up that word) was due to being so tired after the trip. I was seriously exhausted for most of the week and didn't really get back to feeling myself until around Friday. Saturday though, I went to the 9:15am Muscle Madness class at the gym and sucked royally when we did push ups. I was ok for the first few but my arms started to give way after a while and especially when we did the "around the world" push ups. Prior to "around the world", we did a bunch of regular push ups and then a bunch with one hand on your step and one on the floor (each side got a turn). For "around the world", you started on one side of the steps we were using and did a push up beside it, then you did a push up with one hand on the step and one on the floor, then both hands on the step, and then back down the other side with one hand on the floor and then both hands on the floor.... and then reverse..... 8 times. It didn't help that the teacher went super fast. My push ups are slow as it is so I didn't keep up at all. The teacher is really good and really kicks our butts, I just wish she taught on a day (at a later time) that I wasn't half asleep like I am on Saturday morning.
So tonight, along with doing my bible reading, I plan to get back on track with the push up plan. I will just start back where I left off on week 4 and hope I can hit the minimum for the 5th set. Wish me luck!

A Harry Potter Obsession?... Noooo....

I must admit, I have become quite intrigued by the Harry Potter series. Finally, I see what all the hype is about! They are all good but I must say, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has been the best so far. First of all, the pace is much faster. Sometimes it even seemed a little too fast to get everything and I am guessing the book gives a lot more detail. It was a little odd to see the kids having changed so much between the second and third movies, but I guess there was a 2 year gap in between.
I see the trend now that the Professor of the Dark Arts changes each time. Guess I will expect that trend throughout the rest of the series. Maybe they should just give the job to Snape. He seems to want it pretty badly and he likes to stick around! I really liked the professor who had the role this time though. You could tell he was a good guy from the beginning and trying to help Harry. So sad he was a werewolf and had to leave...
There were a couple of things I found really odd about the movie though. First when they finally come in contact with Sirius Black, he seems like a deranged maniac that is going to kill Harry. Quickly we find, he is really after Scabbers the rat who really is Peter Pettigrew. He was shaking and acting erratic however a few minutes later when they are back outside the whomping willow, he seems like a normal guy and wanting Harry to come live with him. The switch was just really odd for me. Even the way he carries himself seems to change far too quickly. If you have been in prison for 12 years, you don't just get over it in 5 minutes.
The second thing I though was odd is that when Harry and Hermione go back in time to save both Harry and the crazy bird/horse thing, they don't also capture the rat! Why not? They changed other things. Why not be hiding with a cage where the rat ran off to and grab him! Given this fact, I don't think we have seen the last of Peter Pettigrew.
Although the movie was action packed, I think my favorite scene was when Harry filled his aunt with hot air and she flew away. So glad he got to get away with that one!
So, I have a confession to make about my Harry Potter goal. I know that I said I had no desire to read the books, however when I was in North Carolina last week, Becca lent me the first three. I actually read the first one in one day when we were traveling back to Omaha. I am almost done with the second one. I really like the books and they seem to give a lot more detail and depth to the story. I am thinking before I watch the 4th movie, I might read the book first. I might also watch the 2nd and 3rd movies again after I read the books. I know, I am becoming obsessed...

Spiders and Snakes - Oh My!

Wow, what a crazy week! Last night though I was able to watch the second Harry Potter movie with my good friend Becca. "Becca?" you say? Yep I am in the lovely state of North Carolina right now. So prior to getting in to the meat of the post, a little background. I have actually been in South Carolina since Tuesday and was able to drive up to North Carolina last night to see Becca for the evening. My grandfather passed away suddenly on Sunday night so my family has been in South Carolina for the funeral and to spend time with my grandma. I have been sleeping on the floor since Tuesday due to the lack of beds at Grandma's so coming to Becca's to sleep in real bed has been quite a treat! Today I will drive back to South Carolina for one last family gathering and then I will head back to Omaha tomorrow morning. What a crazy and tiring week! (I keep forgetting what day it is!)
So that is why I am in North Carolina and was able to watch Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with Becca. I must say, this Harry Potter was far better than the first one. Maybe it was the 2 margaritas at dinner and then 2 glasses of wine during the movie... but really it was good. First of all, there was no jello in this movie - which was good (see my post about the 1st Harry Potter movie). The movie did have two things I absolutely hate though. Snakes and spiders. GROSS! The scene where Harry and Ron are in the spiders den is absolutely disgusting. Kind of funny how Herbie made a cameo appearance though... Speaking of cameos, nice of Dobby to make an appearance after his role in Lord of the Rings. Man that guy is being type cast. Good thing he was a bit less creepy in this movie and not so obsessed with finding a ring...
I found it kind of odd that the entrance to the chamber was in the girls bathroom. Kind of wonder who came up with that one. Moaning Myrtle was pretty funny but kind of annoying. Must suck to have to live in a bathroom though. For a while, I thought Gilderoy Lockhart was going to be the bad guy in this one. Kind of cool how it ended up being Tom Riddle.
Of course in the end though, the help of Dumbledore saved the day. Well, his bird. I am finding it quite funny how Dumbledore seems to step in somehow and save the day in a round about way. My theory is that he is related to Harry in some way. Maybe his great grandfather or something.
Well, I have to get on the road so I have to cut this post short. Overall, I was very pleased with this Harry Potter movie and I am looking forward to the next one. Too bad I can't watch it with Becca :(

The Entire List - With Commentary

1. Write a blog detailing my adventures of trying to achieve 30 things before 30 - Well, I have started that so I think I am on a good track!


2. Do 100 consecutive push ups - Yes, my arms are weak. I know this. But thanks to my good friend Charles, I stared the 100 Push Ups program. http://www.hundredpushups.com/ Doubt me if you will but I WILL accomplish this. I actually started a little before my birthday but considering I am doing modified (girl) push ups right now, I will probably have to do the program a few times before getting to 100 real good form push ups. After day 2, I am able to do 10 modified push ups in a row.


3. Visit Mount Rushmore - Just think it would be fun. Road trip anyone?


4. Plant and cultivate my own vegetable garden - So this summer I became addicted to grilled zucchini and squash with a citrus grill seasoning I have. I am tired of going to the grocery store to pick them up though because they don't tend to last very long in the fridge. Solution, grow my own! I would like to plant some other veggies too and maybe some herbs.


5. Go on a mother/daughter vacation to somewhere sunny and beachy - This would just be fun! And I never go on vacation. Seriously, the last real one I went on where you stay at a resort was Spring Break, sophomore year of college. Sad. Plus it would be quality time with my mom!


6. Read the entire bible - I have tried but always failed. Now that I have a blog to hold me accountable, I have to do it!


7. Cook (then eat) a whole live lobster - So my dear brother tried to scare me away from this one saying the lobster will scream and try to claw it's way out of the pot. I have found the screaming to be a myth. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_lobsters_really_scream_when_you_put_them_in_boiling_water As for the clawing their way out, well as Tim said, that is what the lid is for. Now he is on board and wants to know when this event will happen so he can join me. Think you're getting free lobster eh Tim?


8. Watch all of the Harry Potter movies - I know it is shameful. I haven't read the books either. Not planning to. The books can go on my 40 before 40 list.


9. Treat myself to a spa day - Many of you know that I am cheap and I would rather pay for tangible things rather than experiences. Hence why I rarely go to concerts. I guess I will just have to suffer through a spa day...


10. Pee outside while camping (in honor of Tara K) - Yeah, I have stage fright if I try to pee outside. Tara tried in vain last year at the Niobrara to get me to but I would rather use the stinky, bug infested porta potty and risk being attacked in the dark by deranged campers.


11. Go to Worlds of Fun - I really have never been. Always wanted to go, but it just never happened. This year, it will!


12. Run a half marathon - This one will be tough with the problems I have had with my calf but I think with the proper training, I can do it!


13. Visit a Nebraska winery - Another one of those always wanted to things, but never did.


14. Play paintball with my brother - As many know, my brother is quite in to paintball. We'll call him a paintball enthusiast. I am a little frighted that he will try and cover me head to toe in a shower of paint balls but I am hoping his girlfriend will come to my aide. By the way, Tim has offered to allow me to bring friends!


15. Attempt/learn to water ski - I have snow skied but never water skied. First time for everything!


16. Visit the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion at Henry Doorly Zoo - Seems like a fun thing to do.


17. Go to the Wildlife Safari in Ashland - I actually never heard of this until today when I was looking for things in Nebraska I could do. Seems pretty fun and there are trails you can walk too.


18. Go ice skating at the ConAgra ice skating rink - Yeah, I know. I worked there for 5 years and never went. In my defense, it was only open 1 or 2 years when I worked there...


19. Decorate for Christmas - Some know that I stopped doing this a while back when I hit a rough patch in life. In reality, I was only really down one Christmas but I just haven't decorated since. Last time was 2005 and that is far too long. This year I want to go all out! I may even get a new tree since I have high ceilings in the new house!


20. Go fishing at Standing Bear Lake - Live by a lake, might as well fish in it!


21. Submit a concoction to http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/ and have it published to their website - I know it sounds bad but if you check out the website it is pretty funny. People come up with crazy, horribly fattening dishes and then take a photo of them. Some sound and look pretty gross but some actually sound quite yummy. Take the Corn Dog Pigs In A Blanket. Those sound great!


22. Go through the McDonald's drive thru and buy the meal for the car behind me - Hopefully the person will see this as a nice act and not think I am hitting on them. If I am lucky, it will be a nice old lady. My luck though, it will be a family of 20 or someone picking up hamburgers for their entire youth group and I will end up with a huge bill. Better bring a lot of cash when I do this!


23. Learn to drive a standard - Nope, never learned how. My brother tried to teach me once when I was buying my first car. It was between a little black Civic which was a standard and a Neon which was an automatic. I was too nervous about learning to drive the standard so I ended up with the Neon. Yeah, I know. Bad choice. I bet I would still have that Civic!


24. Go to a rodeo - Well given I live in Nebraska, I think I should go to at least one.


25. Milk a cow - Not really sure how to accomplish this. Maybe at the rodeo? Do they let you do that there? Or maybe they have a cow milking exhibit at the zoo? Anyone I know have a farm???


26. Teach Mollie to shake - So lots of people seem to think my dog is dumb. She isn't the brightest but she isn't that dumb and what she lacks in brains she makes up for in cuteness! She knows, "Go home", "Sit", "Lay down", "Leave it"... I think that's it. Hopefully I can teach her a new trick!


27. Make a large art project for the house - Not sure yet what I am going to do but as anyone who has visited the new house can attest, I have nothing on the walls. I am thinking a big photography project where you do 9, 12 x 12 frame and hang them on the wall in a large square shape. Or maybe I could take a painting class and make a large painting. We'll see. I guess I should hit up some DIY websites for ideas or start watching HGTV again!


28. Host a dinner party for a few close friends - No, I will not make you lobster. You should all know I am too cheap for that. A nice dinner though where I cook everything and others can just enjoy!


29. Swim in the ocean and/or make a sandcastle with Becca - Yes, this is just an excuse to visit Becca and go to the beach. It's my list! I can do what I want!


30. Volunteer and do something I have never done before - I have done clean up stuff, Habitat, stuff with kids, fostered a dog etc. I want to do something new. For instance, I have never worked the elderly or homeless people.
    

Harry Potter and the Cherry Jello Sorcerer's Stone

I got started on my goal to watch all of the Harry Potter movies this weekend by watching the first in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Thanks to my friend Angie, I didn't even have to rent it! I must admit at this point, I have seen another of the Harry Potter movies. I watched the 5th one, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a few weeks ago which spurred my interest in the series. Sadly though, I was a little disappointed in the 1st one compared to the 5th. I have been told they get darker though as the series goes on so I guess that means I like "dark" movies. Mmmm, maybe that explains my addiction to True Blood and Lost…

I just though this one drug on a little. It also seemed like Dumbledore could have prevented everything. Isn't it ironic that he decided to move the mirror and it ended up where the stone was? And how did the bad guy get down there without having to play chess? AND if both Harry and Snape thought something bad was going down, why didn't either of them go to Dumbledore? Wait, I think Harry might have tried but Snape didn't. That guy is kind of creepy by the way. I knew I had seen him in another movie before but I couldn't place it. Looked it up today and he was in Robin Hood: Price of Thieves. Pretty sure he played a bad guy in that movie. Haven't seen it in a while but I liked that movie. Or I just liked that Brian Adams' song "Everything I Do, I Do It for You". Quite possible I had the soundtrack because of that song… I digress, back to Harry Potter.

I was disappointed in the actual Sorcerer's Stone. I was expecting something magnificent and glowing but instead it looked like a chunk of cherry jello without the wiggle. Voldemort's face on the back of the other guy's head was pretty creepy. Thought it was a bit lame that the "love in Harry" made the bad guy crumble away. Maybe I judge because I saw Harry with a little more spunk in the 5th one. He just seemed so sheepish to me in this one. I did however, like Hermione. That girl has quite the sassy attitude!

Overall the movie was good though. It will be interesting to see how the characters develop in the next one. I was sad at the end when Harry had go back to his "muggle" family. He should just stay with Hagrid!