Visiting with Makenna

Being retired gives me the advantage of visiting my granddaughter whenever I feel the urge. Granted, I always get permission - I never just pop in... Not yet anyway!

My visit yesterday with Makenna was a very enjoyable one (usually is). She just smiled and jabbered away most of the time. Not just with me, but she also had a nice conversation with the dolly her great-grandma Pauline gave her at Christmas. It was so cute - I just had to share... I also read her some nursery rhymes and danced to the CD - Kids Are Beautiful People.

I also showed up with a cherry limeade for Allison. Bet I get invited back real soon!!!

Be My Valentine

These are the beautiful flowers from my valentine.

There is an irony here - for years I would whine (believe me, I had it mastered to no avail) that I didn't get any flowers delivered to school. Most all the other teachers received them - not just at valentine's day either. Occasionally someone would ask - have you ever got any, Jeanne? My standard comment was - no and I don't really care to get them, they don't last long anyway. Well - it would have been nice maybe once to go by the office and see my name on some. So what does Dave do, waits until I retire and gets me a beautiful bouquet!! I can't walk down the hall at school beaming and having my peers say what lovely flowers - who did you get them from?! However, I am enjoying every minute seeing them set on my dining room table. Thanks H.B.

Movie Reviews

Just in case you weren't aware of this - I love to watch movies. Old black and whites are my favorite!! Since retiring Dave and I have frequently hit the movie circuit on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. Two reasons - its cheaper and there is free popcorn (Tues.- Southridge and Wed. - Copper Creek). Well the good news - we have seen a lot of interesting movies of late; the bad news - with the Oscar nominations out there won't be too many movies worth seeing for awhile. Below are some of the ones we have seen since the middle of December, in no particular order:
1. Slumdog Millionaire - my favorite - one of the best all around movies we have seen in a long time
2. The Reader - good performances but depressing
3. Revolutionary Road - good performances but depressing
4. Grand Torino - lots of foul language, but Clint is at his best
5. Valkyrie - too bad Tom Cruise failed in his attempt on Hitler
6. Rachel Gets Married - different kind of wedding, but what a great performance by Anne Hathaway
7. Australia - interesting facts about the Aborigines (Hugh Jackman wasn't bad to look at either)
8. Tales of Despereaux - liked Ratatouillee better
9. Madacasgar 2 - fun
Two movies we didn't get a chance to see but will buy when out on DVD - Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons and Defiance
A movie I just bought and plan on watching soon - Fireproof

Big Stuff

Makenna got to try out her new highchair over the weekend. She didn't know quite what to think. I'm sure she will be banging on the tray before you know it. And of course there is always the game of dropping things on the floor to see how many times someone will pick it up for her to drop it again...