Where oh where did Mary go?

It's amazing how much a person can accomplish when scrapbooking and/or the computer are not distracting her from anything productive.

I took a little hiatus. Well, let's just say I was forced. By someone who is awfully pushy for being so small.

But in the last six weeks or so, I:

• turned 30 (thank you to my lovely on-line friends who celebrated the big day with a birthday card blog hop - such a surprise, and you truly made my day shinier! and also thanks to hubby who planned a great surprise party for me!)
• watched many a movie:
  
  • Revolutionary Road - two thumbs down for being a total downer! I had high hopes for the Kate/Leo combo but the only sparks were the spectacular fight scenes. Derrick's comment? "It's so nice to see a couple getting along."
  • The Soloist - two thumbs down for being disappointing! While I expected some sort of resolution, the movie just went on and on...perhaps I missed the point. It's possible.
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - I wish I had more thumbs. An amazing and interesting story with excellent actors. And honestly, a little more Brad Pitt never hurts.
  • I Love You, Man - this was a Derrick pick, and while I think Paul Rudd is totally adorkable, I am forever scarred by the poker scene where he explosively vomits. And that other guy? No.Thankyouverymuch.
  • Coraline - two thumbs up for a true work of art and a captivating story. I watched this twice. I'd watch it again.
  • Confessions of a Shopaholic - predictable, but cute.
• read a few books (goodreads is my new favorite site):
  • Prayers for Sale
  • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
  • Peony in Love
  • The Bachelor Brother's Bed and Breakfast Pillow Book
  • The Birth House
  • Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
  • Speak
• made pickles and applesauce (aren't I just Miss Martha?)
• finally finished the following home tasks:
  • staining the fence (this has been on-going for four months, and was starting to torment my waking hours)
  • cleaned all the windows and sills (this has never ever been done and we have lived here for...oh, six years. I know.)
  • painted all the wall patches I had "fixed" four months ago
• potty-trained Sadie (only parents could understand why I choose to put this victory on my list of recent events)
• bought a pattern for Sadie's Halloween costume and am recklessly planning to sew something other than paper!
• started a photography class...maybe I'll be sharing some of my photos soon? No promises though...
• chopped off my hair...I'm a rockstar. I'm a rockstar. I'm a rockstar.
• tried out a corn maze (the little goats/rabbits/ponies/kitties were fun, the playground was fun, the corn cannons were fun, the cow ride was fun, even eating the hot dog was fun...but the corn maze? Ugh. Not so fun. Maybe more successful if either of us had bothered to read the map and if Sadie had bothered to do any walking. on. her. own. Toting 30 pounds of Sadie through a dusty corn labyrinth does not a fun-filled Saturday make.)
• took Sadie to an amusement park for the first time (The carousel was her favorite. I particularly enjoyed the bread pretzel in cheese sauce. And I'm not sure but I think Derrick liked the life-sized bunny lady.)

So there you go, folks. Proof indeed that I am alive and well. :)

Comments

[melanie]

I for one am happy you updated! :)
I know how blogging just gets away from you and takes a back seat.Sounds like you've kept busy and been very productive the past month, good for you!
Btw, I hated Revolutionary Road too- I was so disappointed, since I'd heard only rave reviews. And I'm a big Kate/Leo fan, but this was a totally depressing and disjointed film.

[Dani]

Happy happy happy!!! :) But... pickles and applesauce? I thought it was supposed to be pickles and ice cream?? ;)

xoxoxo

[Sara Rossi]

Yeah you're back! I've been wondering what happened to you! Looks like you've been busy! So great about Sadie potty training--that's worth a post itself!! Missed you!

[Paige Evans]

I watched the movie Speak yesterday. Have you seen it? I'm considering reading the book now too. The movie has Kristen Stewart - aka Bella Swan from Twilight. You might like it. I've been thinking about it a lot since I watched it.

Glad you're doing well and keeping busy!

[Lucy]

WOW - what a LOT of things. Sounds FANTASTIC. And thanks for the tip about the corn maze... I've always wondered whether they'd be any fun :) To be honest, mazes freak me out a bit...
So glad you are well and happy.

[Heather M.]

yay! so happy to see an update from you! :)

[Charlene Austin]

WOW you have been SO productive!! You have been missed but I can just imagine how organzied and good your life must feel right about now. You go girl! Are you sharing your Rock Star look??

p.s...I did Pickles and Salsa last week but I sure ain't no Martha. Hopefully I don't poison anyone.

[laura vegas]

glad to have you back my friend! you've been missed ;)
it would take me forever to clean my windows ... we've been here 8 years and have done them once. the blinds are my worst enemy ... hate them and the 2 inches of dust on them right now. lol!

[Lisa]

My only question is, why wasn't potty training Sadie FIRST on the list of accomplishments?

[Lovely Cee.]

hahahahah!!!! i love this, Mary and i can invision Derrick liking the life sized bunny. the cutler's are his #1 fans!