Urge to Purge

From Vocabulary.com. . .

To purge is to get rid of something or someone, and often it's done suddenly. Purge rhymes with urge, and when you have a really strong urge to throw stuff away or clean something out, you have

an urge to purge.

The urge hit me last Saturday and, without forethought or planning, I started purging my wardrobe and handbags. After last year's major purge, I ended up with only one tall kitchen trash bag for charity. But, more importantly, my clothes and handbags are better organized now because I shifted and rearranged things in the process.

I'm hoping the urge to purge my hobby room hits next. I've been donating items to Jonah's preschool all school year, which feels wonderful. The school is appreciative and I've freed up a lot of space.

However I still have a large closet of craft supplies that needs cleaning, reorganizing, and purging. Here's hoping the satisfaction of a cleaner bedroom, that's better organized, brings on the urge soon!

So Close

The Academy Awards ceremony is this evening and I've seen all but one of the movies nominated for Best Movie. That's the closest I've ever come to seeing all the nominees, and I think it'll make watching the Oscars a lot more fun.

I didn't see Selma, but I will when it's available through Amazon Instant Video. One of the nicest things about this year's nominees is they're all movies I can watch. In other words, none of them include a lot of blood and guts, or severe human suffering. I simply refuse to watch those types of movies any more.

I plan to record tonight's ceremony so I can zip through all the commercials and still watch Downtown Abbey. Ain't life grand!

The Theory of Everything

I had hoped to finally see The Theory of Everything in the theater on Valentine's Day, but hubby got sick. It's now available to rent through Amazon Instant View, so we ended up saving money and not having to tackle ice and snow.

Prior to watching The Theory of Everything all I knew about Stephen Hawking was he had super intelligence and ALS. I now know Hawking's life has been and is full and fascinating beyond science and a debilitating disease.

Eddie Redmayne, who played Hawking, and Felicity Jones, who played Hawking's first wife, definitely earned their Best Actor and Best Actress nominations. I will not be surprised if they both take home Oscars.

The movie, however, for me left out too many details of Hawking's life to deserve Best Movie. In fact, The Theory of Everything moved so quickly at times hubby and I checked facts online to keep up with the timeline. But don't let that keep you from seeing it.

The Theory of Everything is as much a love story as it is an interesting biography of a brilliant and determined man.

The Judge

Over the weekend we rented The Judge through Amazon Instant Video. I've been a fan of Robert Downey Jr. since seeing Chaplin so I was looking forward to The Judge. I wasn't disappointed.

Downey did a great job and I'm a little surprised he wasn't nominated for Best Supporting Actor. Instead Robert Duvall was nominated. Duvall was good, but Downey was better. Downey was in nearly every scene and a real pleasure to watch.

I definitely recommend The Judge. And, if you haven't already, treat yourself to Chaplin, which I found available through Amazon Instant Video for $2.99.

Please God

Elliott was fighting severe congestion while we were in Florida. Early last week my daughter came down with similar symptoms and she's still sick. Then last Friday afternoon hubby came home sick and pretty much slept till late Saturday afternoon. Today he's still been mostly horizontal, sleeping off and on on the couch. The latest victim is Jonah who's been running a fever since early yesterday.

I honestly don't know how I haven't come down sick, especially since I seem to always get what the boys get. I'm very grateful and pray God I continue to be spared.

Birdman

Except for the fact I want to see all the Best Movie nominees before the awards ceremony, I wouldn't have seen Birdman based on the description. It turned out to be just as I suspected, the kind of artsy movie I don't appreciate or enjoy.

However I'm not surprised Birdman's the frontrunner for Best Movie and Best Actor. I can see how the artsy movie critics and voters would love it. I'm just too logical and realistic to find that type of story good entertainment.

See Birdman if you have nothing else to watch. But wait until it's free on Netflix or through your cable provider.

Happy Birthday Elliott!

Happy 9 birthday to one of my favorite wizards and the best Valentine I ever received!

Whiplash

I found today's Oscar nominee, Whiplash, difficult to watch, especially after talking with my daughter, a high-school teacher, yesterday.

Yesterday one of Emily's students tried to kill herself in the school bathroom. And Emily continues to be frustrated with the parents and counselor of another one of her students who's clearly suffering from debilitating anxiety disorder. No one's accepting the fact the boy needs professional help.

No doubt students don't need the extra pressure of a demanding teacher. But, on the other hand, are we cultivating generations of mediocrity with how easily stickers, "good jobs," and certificates are handed out in preschools and elementary schools?

Yes, Whiplash is difficult and frustrating to watch, but don't hesitate to see it. You'll enjoy it if you like a movie that makes you think and question; that gives you a glimpse into the world of passionate musicians; and that spotlights a fine art. Besides, the last ten minutes make all the discomfort worthwhile.

Bravo, Whiplash! Probably not an Oscar winner, but J. K. Simmons gets my vote for Best Supporting Actor.

Completion Is Sweet

The perfect piece for a Disney
crazy family with a boy who
was born on Valentine's Day.

Don't you just love it when a project's complete?

For the past week I've been juggling several projects: the photo album of our Universal Orlando trip; Elliott's class Valentine cards; and a cross-stitch piece for my daughter's family. Today I finished the cards and put the final touches on the cross-stitch piece. And, if the toner arrives in a timely manner today, I'll be able to do the final journalling on the photo album, putting that project to rest too.

I'm feeling very accomplished right now, and plan to savor the sweetness (and not start another project) for at least the rest of the day.

American Sniper

This morning I checked off another Oscar nominee, American Sniper. I heard it was a "powerful" movie and I have to agree. It was indeed disturbing and left me thinking "God (sure) works in mysterious ways."

I was worried about seeing a lot of blood and guts, but Clint Eastwood told the story without overdoing that part of war. Plus it turned out American Sniper is less a war movie and more a psychological study. What type of people become soldiers? What drives those soldiers to return to the war zone over and over? How do soldiers manage after serving?

American Sniper is a good movie, but I don't think it's an Oscar winner. I won't be surprised, however, if Bradley Cooper wins for Best Actor. The Academy seems to love actors who transform themselves for a part, and Cooper transformed into the Incredible Hulk!

I definitely recommend American Sniper.

Another Recruit

My youngest grandson, Jonah, is now a Harry Potter fan too. To the point he wants a Harry Potter party for his fifth birthday. Today I finished the invitations:

I lifted the owl and ticket images off the internet. The stationery I've had for years, after finding it on clearance for $2.90. The stationery keepsake box included paper, envelopes, stickers, and a pen. It was quite the find.

I'll also be working on craft projects and decorations for the party. But first I need to help the boys with their Valentine cards. Today Jonah and I found a sweet deal on Disney cards. Only $1 for a box of 12 cards with heart suckers. If mom approves, that'll be another great find.

But I have a feeling Elliott's cards won't be that easy due to his extremely active imagination. I typically have to rein in Elliott to a more realistic option, only because I'm currently the implementer. When Elliott's older and can do for himself, I'll be his biggest cheerleader!

So that's what I'm up to these days. And, again, I wonder why I ever think things will be slower in the winter.

Boyhood

Today I watched another Oscar nomination, Boyhood, through Amazon Instant View. Although I enjoyed Boyhood (loved the Harry Potter references), I felt it moved slowly. I'm glad I was at home, so I could pause it a couple of times to move the laundry and make something to eat.

Boyhood's also a long movie, 165 minutes. (Another good reason to watch it at home instead of in a theater.) In just shy of three hours, the viewer watches as Mason ages from five to 18. It got me wondering how I would feel about my own pre-adult life if I could go back and watch it. I suppose children whose lives are being chronicled in daily vlogs will be able to do just that. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

My favorite line was when the mom said, and I'm paraphrasing, "I feel I spent half my life acquiring all this crap; and I'm going to spend the second half getting rid of it all." I made that realization a few years ago and actually said it out loud. Maybe I should be a writer. LOL

In summary, I recommend Boyhood for an entertaining movie to watch in the comfort of your home.