Indian Summer

-a period of unusually warm weather in the autumn.

It's 70 degrees in Mass. and it was snowing 3 days ago....weather is a sarcastic little devil with a sense of humor....

My mom visited this weekend and reminded me how much I miss her and everyone back home. We stayed at a bed and breakfast, went out to dinner, beer/wine tastings, the Norman Rockwell Museum and shopping. It was another mini-retreat from my retreat life. I find it ironic I need a retreat from a retreat center. You can only take so many, "Tell me about how your feeling" conversations, I assume.

Monday has begun like every other Monday. Work. I HAD to open the windows around me and also got my Monday morning laundry done (the perks of living and working in the same place). I do miss having a clothesline at home to dry my clothes. I also really would love to sit on the beach today and read....then again I have a picturesque mountain view to work with so it's

all good. Life could be worse.

lately, I find myself in a weird limbo....I feel like I am developing and growing a lot since I have been here, and I find it strange it has not involved making a ton of friends and being super social. I have enjoyed being as you would call a semi-wallflower in the community here. I only share with a few people, though I know everyone and greet everyone I see. I feel the anonymity is freeing and also making me more aware of myself. My life may seem adventurous, obscure and unique to those not here, but in all actuality, I am just lucky I have ended up at a place that allows me to be myself, by myself sometimes. It sure has given me room to sit, breath in, and reflect on my journey.

Todays Thankful....and Mourning Monday

Today I am thankful for my oldest daughter Chrissy. She is so loving and caring, sensitive and just a beautiful person, inside and out. She is a wonderful daughter, sister, and mom. And although I did not give birth to her, she is like me in many ways! I love you, Chrissy! I thank God for bringing you to us, and making you our daughter!!!

There is so much in life to be thankful for. I am, however, having trouble being thankful for Monday mornings! I will work on this one. I know Monday is a good day. I just know it!

Sunday, however, I did appreciate!

Have a wonderful week, one and all!

Michael Lohan tried to sell Lindsay recordings for $100,000

You have to watch the video and see and hear Michael to really understand why it’s absolutely necessary I punch him in the face. Normally I go with something a little more vague and gentle, like “I wanna kick him in the ear,” or “I’d like to step on his stomach.” But whenever I do that I’m always thinking how I’d really love punch that person in the face. And with Michael Lohan, I’ve just got to

Todays Thankful...and more...

Today I am thankful for the wonderful fall weather.

It was a beautiful day yesterday, and I enjoyed it so! It may seem like a small thing, but really, a beautiful sunny day cannot be wasted! I took the dogs out for a walk after I did go out and clean up the yard, leaves and all that stuff. It was just so nice out that the work didn't even seem bad at all!

I walked to church this morning and fixed brunch for my hubby and two hunting buddies. Now, after posting, must finish the laundry before the dogs and I go outside for another walk. Supper, which will be baked potato soup is all done, and will only need the finishing touch. It is cooler today, but aw, it is so nice for November!! Enjoy your day!!

Todays Thankful...and Super Saturday!

This thankful stuff doesn't take much thinking so far, as I find I have so much to be thankful for!! Today without question, I am thankful for my mother in law. Last night, she was taken to the ER and had to be admitted to the hospital. It sounds now as if it were a "small" heart attack, but they are not sure yet. How scary! We'll hear more later today. My mother in law is wonderful, and loves me and treats me like one of her own. I am lucky. I hope we hear good news later from the doctors. I love her dearly!!

It looks to be a beautiful day. I have my cleaning done, and no real big plans. I could go out and clean up some leaves...but we'll see! I do think it would be a good day for a walk to the dog park! I'll have to discuss this with Sammy.

Have a wonderful day! Remember to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you!

Today's Thankful...and TGIF!

Although I am thankful for all my sisters, and love them all dearly, I am especially thankful today for the fact that recently I have felt that one of my sisters and I have grown closer. We seem to understand each other much more, and seem more accepting. It's a great feeling, and I am lovin' it!

I am glad it is Friday! How about you? It sounds like a nice weekend, so I'm hoping for some fun time at the dog park. No big plans on the agenda, just the usual. And, hey, that's ok with me! Have a GREAT weekend!

I think I may need to stay in my own little corner today??

My Horoscope: Friday, November 6
You might not be capable of being quite as effective as you think you might be right now. So just be careful that you don't try to do too much. You might be able to accomplish a lot more on your own than by working with others today. So don't hesitate to spend a little time alone before the day is through

Delicate Hands Needed for This Precious Item

The Full List of Big Thoughts From A Small Mind's 2009 Reviews.

This review was originally posted in my 2009 Toronto Film Festival Recap. The review has been re-posted as the film will finally be released in select cinemas today

Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire

Winner of the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival's top prize, The Peoples Choice Award, Precious is a film that packs a very heavy punch. It is 1987 in Harlem and Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is barely sixteen and already pregnant with her second child. Living with her emotionally and physically abusive mother (Mo’Nique), Precious constantly dreams of a better life. Unable to neither read nor write, and facing expulsion from school, Precious is forced to attend the Each One/Teach One alternative school. Can this school provide Precious with a way out of her miserable life? Or was she merely cursed from birth?

I am hesitant to heap too much praise on this film for I fear that adding to the buzz Precious has already generated might only speed up the backlash towards the film. Still, I cannot deny that Precious finally cements Lee Daniel’s as a director. He skillfully blends the dark themes with the more accessible moments far better here than he did in either The Woodsman or Shadowboxer. This is not to say that Precious is an easy film to watch. On the contrary, the film is extremely bleak and unrelenting. No matter how many times you tell yourself “her life cannot get any worse…” it does. Daniels smartly incorporates just the right amount of fantasy sequences in the film. This allows him to pull Precious, and the viewer, out of the sewage long enough to take a quick gasp of air before being submerged again. Daniels is wise not to overplay these moments as he keeps the dream sequences somewhat grounded.

Regardless of how you feel about the subject matter, there is no denying that the Precious features two of the finest female performances you will see all year. Mo’Nique is simply brilliant as Precious’ abusive mother. She brings so much intensity and emotion to the role that, even though you despise her, you fully understand her motivations. While Mo’Nique is already generating a lot of award buzz, and rightfully so, newcomer Gabourey Sidibe deserves some as well. Due to the nature of the subject matter, the film really lives and dies on Sidibe’s performance. Thankfully Gabourey rises above the extremely high bar that both Daniels and Mo’Nique have set. Gabourey Sidibe does such a wonderful job finding that dark uncomfortable place for Precious that you barely notice some of the more well-known cast members in supporting roles (e.g Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, etc). While I highly recommend Precious, you should try and see the film before the hype gets out of control. Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire works best if you go in without too many preconceived notions.