What's Your Purpose?

Every once in a great while there comes along a movie that takes my breath away. I'm not a movie critic by any stretch of the imagination, but I know what I like. I watched "Hugo" last night. What a spectacular movie! Especially in a time when spectacular movies are few and far between. How much garbage is out there? It is so refreshing to watch something that is just good, beautiful and with substance. I would consider it a must see for, well, everyone!

My favorite quote from the movie comes from this determined boy, Hugo: "Right after my father died, I would come up here a lot. I'd imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need. So I figured, if the entire world was one big machine, I couldn't be an extra part. I had to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason too."














The movie centers around this theme: finding your purpose. Perfect! It has made me reflect on what my purpose is. Like Hugo, I agree. We all have a purpose on earth. We're all here for a reason with specific things to accomplish, peoples' lives to touch, ways to grow and evolve into the person we are truly meant to be. Sometimes we forget how we fit in and are supposed to work. Sometimes we may get rusty and need some attention and care. Sometimes we just brake and need to be fixed.

...Sometimes that is someone's purpose.

I suggest to get a bowl of popcorn, a blanket, lots of fluffy pillows, a Pepsi (of course) and watch this film.

Then think: what part of this masterful machine am I?

No Soup for You

What do you write when you feel like you have nothing to write about?

uh...Broccoli Cheese Soup, of course! (didn't you know that?!)

So I am being very "un"clever today and posting a pic of my dinner like every other blogger out there. However, I am actually quite proud that I even made dinner. See, I'm alone tonight. No kids. Just me. So, what do I do? I make a ginormous pot of broccoli cheese soup. I guess the idea is to take some to work for my lunch (I'm obviously NOT counting calories right now), and feed my kids tomorrow night (again, I am not counting calories). I think it is safe to say I have enough to freeze for a couple future meals too. (sigh) I am so thrifty sometimes. It's amazing.

Sooooooo... have a look at my luscious meal, and remember NO SOUP FOR YOU!

:)















"I don't want soup. I can make my own soup."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJyGJQx2Fgk

How about some prose...

(by yours truly)

Freshly fallen snow lay soft and beautiful
sparkling, shimmering and dancing in the sunlight.
Once darkness and shadows lingered here,
But with the morning comes new hope.
Pure light permeates the room and soaks into my skin.
I am lifted.
My Spirit feels free.
I rush through the house to allow every room to transform.
Transform me.
This feeling is cherished,
Where for a moment I feel peace, serenity and light touch my soul.

for the love of brownies

Besides my unfailing love for Pepsi (as you read last week), those who really know me know that I have another true love. It's brownies. Especially "my" brownies, which I of course make from scratch. I have a killer recipe that is pretty much unbeatable.

However, I have been known to mess them up a time or two. Tonight was one of those times. Bummer. I was really looking forward to overindulging myself in the yumminess of brownies. Really, I have made these loads of times, so you would think that I would never break the cardinal commandments of brownie making:

#1
Thou shalt not use a box. Some box brownies are "alright," but the best ones are from scratch.
#2
Thou shalt not melt your butter in the microwave. It can't be frozen, but it also can't be accidentally melted in the microwave either.
#3
Thou shalt use the best cocoa. Sorry, but Hershey's is the best.
#4
Thou shalt not over mix. Overmixing brownie batter makes the brownies cakey. Not fudgey and ooey-gooey, like they ought to be.
#5
Thou shalt use a Pampered Chef stone. I know, I'm a Pampered Chef brat, but they really bake the best.
#6
Thou shalt not overbake. The center can't be batter, but it has to be a little wiggly.
#7
Thou shalt use frosting. Of course brownies need frosting! The only time a brownie doesn't need it is when you are eating one with ice cream and hot fudge.
#8
Thou shalt not put the frosting on prematurely. I don't know why. Trust me. It just makes them weird. Make sure the brownies are completely cooled.
#9
Thou shalt lick the brownie batter clean off the bowl...and spatula...and Kitchen Aid mixer thing. Salmonella? psh. I think someone made that up.

and finally...
#10
Thou shalt not let Danny cut out his own brownie. If you do, then this is what will happen - see photo below. (Actually, I'm a little proud—at least he used a spatula, and furthermore, he knows the center is the best part. I taught him well.)

Dear Pepsi

Dear Pepsi,

We've been seeing each other for a long time now. It started when I was young, and it's been quite the love affair ever since. I know there have been times when I have hurt you. I have chosen to be "on a break," but I always come back to you. There is something about you that I just can't get enough of. I can't imagine life without you in it.

I wanted to take a minute and tell you some of the ways you have changed my life. You lift me up. You know those really crappy days when you're sad, tired, worn down, sad, frustrated and did I mention sad? Yeah, I have had quite a few of those. When I bring you into my life on those days, you can lift my spirits and help me cope with the crap. I love you for that! Your bubbles. There is something about the way it feels when your bubbles slide down my throat. It's euphoric. Come on, everyone—you know what I'm talking about! You taste so good. I don't know what special ingredients make you tick, but whatever they are...it's totally working for you! And me too ;)

BUT...

As most love affairs do—ours has moments. Moments when I am mad at you. Moments when I want to flush you down the toilet. It's not always bliss (despite what you may think). Sometimes you make me feel like crap. Like yesterday. I bought a 32 oz. fountain of my secret dirty combination of Wild Cherry and Diet. So good. Then I go to dinner and order more. I'm sorry. Too much of a good thing isn't good. I felt terrible when I left the restaurant. Thanks for that. You drain my wallet. A little here, a little there. If I could, I would count all the money I have spent on you. I could probably go buy a car. You are an expensive relationship! You make me bloat. It's true. My stomach is always flatter when I'm "on a break." I care about my body, yet you don't help me maintain it. Don't you care about me?

What's a girl to do?

After much deliberation I have come to my present conclusion. Despite the things about you that drive me crazy, I can't leave you...yet! I love you too much!

So, here's to our love-hate relationship! Cheers!

Love Always, B-la

PS. Now where can I find me a Max?

What is Christmas Spirit?

I've never struggled so much in getting into the Christmas spirit as I have this year. Christmas is only one week away, and I am still struggling to find it. I think it's just not going to happen this year. Maybe there is a reason for this. Maybe not. Regardless, this is not normal.

Usually I am super fussy about getting the Christmas tree just right. I let the kids help, but when they aren't looking, I move things around until I am perfectly happy with the tree. This year I didn't get out my favorite ornaments, I let the kids put all the ornaments on the tree, and I didn't adjust anything. I also usually put out the Christmas village. I didn't do that either. Lights on the house. No. Stockings hung. Nope. Christmas music. Not a chance. Garland. You guessed it. I didn't do any of that. It was all I could do to get out a few decorations.

The one thing I have done (that I haven't forced myself to do) is my holiday candy making. Go figure. Suckers, fudge and caramels. And trust me—I have eaten my fair share.

One of my favorite things about Christmas is giving gifts to my family and friends. Despite my lack of spirit, I have wanted to keep giving. However, I have felt like I have had little time to buy anything. My mom's been staying with me for the last few days and will be here through the holidays. Since I had done very little shopping, my mom practically forced me to shop ALL DAY LONG yesterday. It was good to have her push me along, because I think it is the only way I would've finished my shopping—for teachers, friends, family, the people I care about most. So, thanks mom, for kicking my butt in gear!

Maybe I don't have all the decorations out like I usually do. Maybe I am not really feeling it like I usually do. Maybe I didn't throw my annual all-out-super-awesome-ladies-night Christmas party like I have for the last six years…but I still think it can be a great Christmas. I can't wait to see my kids on that morning, and I hope the gifts I will have given to everyone will be meaningful. After all, that's all I have to offer this year!

MIA

Here I am...three weeks without a post. This was not part of the plan. (But when does anything go according to plan?) I promise I have a good explanation. I just can't write about it. Maybe someday, but not today. Emotions are running raw, and I simply don't trust myself not to write something I would regret later.

Honestly, I shoudn't write today. I think I am going to stop.