Movie Review: HP & The Deathly Hallows

It's time again for me to review a recently viewed movie... and I saw the new Harry Potter movie back on November 20th, the weekend it came out!



I am sure I'll have a lot to say about this, but I'll try to keep it short and sweet. Deathly Hallows was one of my favorite books in the series, and I feel that the movie did the series some justice. I was very disappointed with the last movie, Half Blood Prince, so I was interested to see if I would even like Deathly Hallows.

I was pleasantly surprised. I LOVED it! I thought there were definitely some slower parts in the movie's plot, but I know (from reading the book) that they are leading up to Part 2 of the movie set... and I can't wait for it to come out! I have read other reviews online of Part 1 and there are a lot of people with mixed feelings on it.

Associated Content says that "Although the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows review scores for Part 1 are average, no one will care if Part 2 lives up to the hype. Now that there are no more movies before that final chapter, the hype will grow to even greater heights now."

I do have to admit that if you haven't read the book, this movie and it's storyline is probably pretty tough to keep up with... and not very exciting either. A friend of ours who works at the theater overheard a man at the theater talking about this was the first HP movie he'd seen and it would be his last... I don't get why people would start with #7?! That makes no sense!

I think this is my favorite book/movie because Harry, Ron and Hermione don't rely on their teachers/leaders at Hogwarts - they have to rely on each other and that strengthens their relationships with one another as they fight their way to destroying all the Horcruxes - the key to Voldemort's immortality.

I think one of my favorite parts of this movie was being able to see Ron & Hermione develop their on screen romance...

Karina Mitchell from CBS News sums it up with "The film, considered the most artistic of the series, also reveals some passionate moments, particularly in one almost carnal sequence between Harry and Hermione's characters. Fiennes, too, as the Dark Lord, turns in a bone-chilling performance."

I think that's all I needed to say, feel free to leave you comments on what YOU thought of the movie! I would love to hear what you have to say! (:

Thanksgiving & Black Friday Shopping...

The Thanksgiving holiday started out pretty normal... I stayed at Mom's on Wednesday night so that I could get up and help cook lunch! Aunt Jeannine and the foster kids were there - we all went to IHOP for dinner and had a great time visiting. Emily wasn't sure about me most of the night - she wouldn't talk to me or be near me!

Lunch on Thursday was a success! It was tasty and we had a good time once Wesley and Uncle Jeff showed up and we could eat! There was only one person missing, Nathan... but we understood he had some family things to attend to. But he was missed, that's for sure. It felt weird not having him there to eat with us! Emily started to warm up to me a bit on Thursday... she's a sweet little girl! After lunch, Wesley took a nap while Dad watched football and us girls played some games. Then it was time to head back to Milner and get my food cooked to go next door!

Dinner at Summer's was fun, but I think that was because everyone was still a bit full from lunch! It worked out well though - we planned our black friday shopping and played some cards with my sister's who came down to visit for the evening! It was a fun time and I got to spend time with some of my favorite people - the Addison's and Marlyne's!

Now, once it came time to go shopping - we loaded up into Summer's Explorer and headed South to Macon/Warner Robbins! We had a BLAST driving all over the country side, trying to keep people from breaking into line, waiting for stores to open, trying to find the best deals and then relaxing at Cracker Barrel for some coffee and breakfast (which wasn't all that tasty)! We did have a good time though and got lots of shopping done! I don't want to talk too much about gifts though - it will ruin some surprises! (:

We got back to Milner around lunch time and I crashed on the couch after some food and a shower! That evening, we packed up and headed north, to visit my grandparents and Aunt/Uncle for the weekend! What fun! We had a nice relaxing time in the mountains - well, the girls did anyways. Dad and Wesley spent the weekend installing a new A/C unit at the Pastor's house! (:

When we got home, we went over to see the Bell's new 3 bedroom apartment and had pizza for dinner! What a fun time! I look forward to more movie nights and family nights at the new place!

What a great start to the holiday season! I have more presents wrapped under the tree, I have new stockings and a tree skirt, a train to put around the tree, and I can't wait to get to exchange gifts with all our friends and family!

PS. I have some good ideas for the Beauchamp's Dirty Santa Party gifts... beware! (:

PPS. Some OTH Scoop for my fellow fans...

Are they ever going to tell us what happened to Dan Scott on One Tree Hill? I love me some Dan Scott!

Get outta my head! I just love it when you ask about the things I just heard about…Sources tell me that Dan (Paul Johansson) will indeed return for one episode of OTH this month or next, so you’ll get to see what he’s been up to. No finalized plans yet for Hilarie Burton and Chad Michael Murray, but I do keep asking for you guys (pinky swear). Still hearing they will return, but the exact way/time hasn’t been settled yet.

Offically 14 weeks! (:

Here is what is going on with baby according to 3D Pregnancy:

You're officially in your glory days: the second trimester. Energy levels come back up, nausea levels go down and you may have a cute little bump that's beginning to show. It's a great time to celebrate the happy news ... if people haven't guessed already. And you'll be surprised at how oblivious some folks are. Here you are walking around at 28 weeks with a big belly and all along they've been thinking you ate too many hot wings for lunch.

As for me personally.. I have some energy back, but I'm still getting nauseous from time to time and I'm getting worse and worse little headaches! It's not so bad though - when I'm at home I don't feel like sleeping the whole time and I can actually get things done around the house!

I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow... getting to eat some yummy home cooked foods! Afterward, I will have a real baby and a food baby, but it will be so worth it! (:

I wish you all a wonderful holiday with your families and enjoy this time off of work (for those of you who are like me and get Thursday and Friday off work)! Remember to be thankful for all the blessings you've had this year and be thankful for all the ones that are to come next year!

Oh, and just to share something funny that I read today... Jump on over to parentsconnect.com to read this little blurb about pregnancy vocabulary! So funny! I already knew what the word "meconium" meant, but this just made it sound so much more funny!

It's a Thankful Thursday # 2!

The Thanksgiving season is upon us and recently I ran across this website, Appreciate It. It gives you a chance to post what you appreciate about life, love, your family, or generally anything for the whole world to see! It's such a simply and lovely idea... I wish I would have thought of it before they did...

You just share one thing that you appreciate... and it goes up there with everyone else's in one giant gratitude list. See the screen shot below...



I challenge all my blog readers to head over and add something that you are grateful for to the list and feel free to come back here and comment with what your 'thing' was.

Mine was "a husband who loves me for who I am and doesn't try to change me". So head on over and post, I dare you!

Good News Day: Bride Donates Reception!

I found this story about a young woman in Colorado who had her wedding called off days beforehand. With a reception room booked and catered and not enough notice to cancel, she decided to do the most beautiful thing. She contacted the Salvation Army to organize an early holiday meal for a local homeless shelter.

Here is a video from CNN about the same story. I was holding back tears!
What a beautiful idea - she took something that should have broken her heart and turned it around into a positive event.

International Day for Tolerance

The International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance.

You can find the Declaration of Principles here.

Hello Second Trimester!

So far the second trimester hasn't been that nice to me... that little virus last week caused me to lose seven pounds. I'm praying that when I go to the doctor on Wednesday the 17th that everything is really okay and there are no problems with my little Butter Bean! (:

This weekend I spent time putting up my Christmas tree and then on Sunday my sinuses blew up on me! I couldn't breathe all day and all night... so this morning I took my little happy preggo ass to the doctor's office. Yep, sinus infection. Wonderful. Five minutes later I'm out the door to the pharmacy to fill my prescription.

Now I'm at work and snacking on popcorn, feeling TONS better already. Yay for magic pills! On a positive note - they won't harm the baby, but will help me sleep/breathe/focus. I'm glad I went to the doctor's office!

More updates to come later - this month has been crazy and I have a big holiday coming up - so I have to mentally prepare my grocery shopping list and get my pies baked!

What a week from Hell...

This week has been AWFUL! Morning sickness on top of having some kind of stomach virus has made little pregnant Megan a very sickly and unhappy person! I'm doing better now, but earlier this week I was a sight for sore eyes - couldn't keep food down and wasn't freshly showered. Sounds lovely, doesn't it?!

Anyways, it looks like I might be going out of town the weekend following Thanksgiving after all, so it looks like this weekend might be the weekend to put up my Christmas Tree and start to decorate for the holidays! I'm super excited for the Holiday's this year and look forward to spending time with all of my family!

PS - While I have been out of commission, my novel has suffered badly... I hope to get a quick band-aid fix on it, but no promises!

'Twas The Month Before Christmas....

'Twas the month before Christmas, and all through the store,
Each department was dripping with Yuletide decor.
The Muzak was blaring an out-of-tune carol,
And the fake snow was falling on "Ladies' Apparel."

I'd flown many miles from the North Pole this day,
To check on reports which had caused me dismay.
I'd come to this store for but one special reason,
To see for myself what went on this Season.

I hid in a corner and in a short while,
I saw the Store President march down the aisle.
He shouted an order to "Turn the store tree on!"
And also the "NOEL" in blinking pink neon.

Up high, grandly hanging from twin gold supports,
Four hundred pink angels flew over "Men's Shorts."
And towering over the Rear Mezzanine,
A 90-foot Day Glo "Nativity Scene."

The clock on the wall said two minutes to Nine,
The floorwalkers proudly all stood in line.
I watched while the President smelled their carnations,
Then called out his final command - "Man Your Stations!"

When out on the street there arose such a roar,
It rang to the rafters and boomed through the store.
It sounded exactly like street-repair drilling,
Or maybe another big Mafia killing.

I looked to the doors, and there banging glass,
Was a clamoring, shrieking, hysterical mass.
And I felt from the tone of each scream and each curse,
That the "Spirit Of Christmas" had changed for the worse.

The clock it struck Nine, and the door opened wide,
And that great human avalanche thundered inside.
More fearsome than Sherman attacking Atlanta
Came parents and kiddies with just one goal - "Santa!!"

In front stormed the mothers, all brandishing handbags,
As heavy and deadly as 20 pound sandbags.
With gusto they swung them, the better to smash ears,
Of innocent floorwalkers, buyers, and cashiers.

Egged on by their parents, the kids had one aim,
To get to the man who was using my name.
They mobbed him and mauled him, the better to plead,
For the presents they sought in their hour of greed.

The President watched with a gleam in his eye,
As he thought of the toys that the parents would buy.
Of all Christmas come-ons, this crowd would attest,
That a visit to "Santa" was clearly the best.

It was all too much for my soul to condone,
And I let out a most unprofessional moan.
The crowd turned around, and I'll say for their sake,
That they knew in an instant I wasn't fake.

"I've had it," I told them, "with fast-buck promoting,
With gimmicks and come-ons and businessmen gloating.
This garish display of commercialized greed,
Is so very UN-Christmas, it makes my heart bleed!"

How to Make Taco Pizza!

ingredients

• 2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm water (120 degree F to 130 degree F)
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 3/4 pound ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 2-1/4-ounce can sliced pitted ripe olives, drained
• 1 1-1/4-ounce envelope taco seasoning mix
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 2 medium avocados, seeded, peeled, and chopped
• 1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
• Chili powder (optional)

directions

1. In a large bowl combine 1-1/4 cups of the flour, the yeast, and salt. Add warm water and 2 tablespoons oil. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in cornmeal and as much of the remaining flour as you can.
2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total). Divide dough in half. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
3. Grease two 11- to 13-inch pizza pans or baking sheets. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough into a circle 1 inch larger than pizza pan. Transfer dough to pans. Build up edges slightly. Flute edges, if desired. Prick generously with a fork. Do not let rise. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.
4. Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook ground beef and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain fat. Stir in tomato sauce, olives, and taco seasoning mix; heat through.
5. Spread ground beef mixture over hot crusts. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake about 12 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and avocados. Spoon sour cream into center of each pizza. Sprinkle sour cream with chili powder, if desired. Makes 6 servings.
6. Make-ahead tip: Prepare pizza dough; divide into 2 equal portions. Place in plastic freezer bags. Seal, label, and freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before using.

Nutrition Facts: * Servings Per Recipe 6 servings * Calories726, * Total Fat (g)45, * Saturated Fat (g)15, * Cholesterol (mg)90, * Sodium (mg)1274, * Carbohydrate (g)56, * Protein (g)32, * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

It's a Thankful Thursday!

I just want to extend a huge thanks to all my friends and family that have been there for me over the past few weeks - and to the ones that have dealt with my morning sickness. But mostly, I am thankful to have the most understanding husband in the world! He's been so wonderful these past few weeks. Taking pity on me when I don't feel good, picking up slack in some of the housework and even just lying down with me when I want to take a nap. He's been so sweet, and so good to me... I think I'll keep him! (:

I would not have made it this far as a sane pregnant Mom without the love and support of family and friends! I'm also thankful for all the honesty that I've been given about how the next 6 months will go and how much sleep I'm going to loose once the baby comes... even though it's hard to hear!

Moving on... Halloween was the first holiday of my three favorites in the year! Thanksgiving comes next and finally Christmas! I'm super excited this year to celebrate our first Christmas as a married couple, and to dream about what next Christmas will be like when there will be three of us! Autumn is my favorite season, and although it doesn't last too long - I'm really excited for Winter this year, hoping we get some snow again! I really look forward to all the changes in my life that the New Year will bring! (Besides the change where I get really fat... and then have a baby! That's the one I am most excited about - the baby part, not the getting fat part!)

On another note - November has started, and so has my writing! I started my novel on Monday (when I was home sick from work) and have been working on it a little here and there all week! I'm excited about the plots I have in mind and I glance at my outline daily so that I can keep to the story that I want to tell! I look forward to getting as close as I can to my 50,000 words goal this month... I'm going to give it my best!