Ode to a Keychain

OK - I tried to write an entire poem in honor of my new key chain or of Paris Soul Mate or SOMETHING - but everything ended up cheesy. How did J.K. come up with those fabulous 'sorting hat' songs??
Anyway. Have you ever noticed that little, thoughtful gifts are usually the most heart-warming of all? I received one such this week in the form of an FCB keychain. For those of you who have been following my blog from the beginning, you will know what FCB is. OK - maybe not. You SHOULD though :) But my favorite Parisian does. So, thanks to you PSM. I LOVE IT!

BTW, FCB = Football Club Barcelona (starring Ronaldinho and newly acquired Thierry Henry who is beautiful and French;)

The Deathly Hallows

So, it's Monday, July 23rd. After two days of seriously neglecting our home and family, Brad and I both finished the book last night. I feel like I inhaled it. I was just SO anxious to find out how it would end and DID NOT want to read the last chapter or page until I was there. Now I need to go back and read it again to relish in its magic. I would love to be infused with some of J.K.'s imagination - she's a master. I will reveal no secrets here but if anyone cares to comment, I'll respond there. I thought it was a great conclusion to the series and am really excited for others to finish it so we can discuss.

Holy Quiditch Batman - It's Finally Here!

Here's to J.K. and the wonderful world she's created!

With just under 4 hours to go, I'm feeling the mixed emotions of the end of an era. I'm really excited to read 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' but am feeling the pangs of knowing that it is the final book of the series (even if she does write more later about Harry - I don't think it will be the same).
So, here are some of my predictions. By the time most read this, you may have already read the book. But, if not, feel free to add yours or tell me where you think I'm up in the night (which is where I'll be reading, I'm sure).
-Harry WILL NOT die - end of discussion.
-Snape will. I do not think he is really on Voldemort's side but I think the only way he can redeem himself, not only for killing Dumbledore -whether on Dumbledore's orders or not- but for being the truly mean, nasty person he's been, is by dying nobly in the fight against Voldemort.
-I think Harry WILL end up back at Hogwarts somehow for his 7th and final year even though he said he wouldn't go back.
-I think the phoenix that Harry thought he saw rise from Dumbledore's tomb will become Harry's companion. I think it will hold some essence of Dumbledore or some power that Harry needs (much as Fawkes did for Dumbledore). I think the phoenix will be Dumbledore's final gift to Harry.
-R.A.B. = Regulus A. Black - brother to Sirius and short-lived death eater.
-I don't think any Weasley will die - but Percy surely gets my vote if she chooses to off one of them ;)

-BB predicts that Harry will die in the first chapter and Book 7 will be about the rise of Voldemort to new levels of power.

Just Kidding!

-BB actually predicts that Neville's skill with magical plants will be pivotal in defeating Voldemort.

SO, I think that's it. I'm headed to Barnes and Noble in about 30 minutes so I should have a good chunk read by tomorrow but probably not all of it (I still have two kids after all).
Happy reading!

'Yo Ho Yo Ho' a Virtuous Life for Me

"You are not twelve years old anymore!" -said my mother after I described my boat-tipping escapades from last weeks' girls camp. This weekend, I was questioned by several friends and relatives, "How was camp?" But the question was definitely inflected with the tone that says, "I'm sure it was awful, how did you SURVIVE camp?" The answer, however, was that I had a complete BLAST at our three-ward girls camp. With a pirate theme and plenty of reasons to get the girls wet (and for them to reciprocate) - it was 100 degrees after all - what was not to enjoy? I came home with a mildly sprained ankle, about 15 new bruises (literally), a water-logged cell phone, about eight total hours of sleep for the week, and a fabulous relationship with about 20 amazing, obnoxious, funny, energetic teen-age girls...

Has Anyone Seen 'The Order of the Phoenix' Yet?

Got home from Girls' Camp on Friday and Brad and I went to see it yesterday. I think it might be the best overall movie yet... Any opinions?

Walk It Out

SO, I was raised by parents who pretty much thought anything made after about 1970 was pure crap and everything before was all inspired. Of course there were exceptions - but not many. So, I saw a lot of old movies growing up and was a big fan of actors like Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly. And, although I had not a shred of dancing (or singing) ability, I loved all the great musicals. Among my favorites was 'Damn Yankees'. That was where I was introduced to the great Gwen Verdon - one of the greatest Broadway dancers of all time. Below is a dance choreographed by her husband, Bob Fosse. The original music in this video was to 'Mexican Breakfast' and was performed on a TV show in the 60's but someone has updated the music. HELLOO!! It's brilliant! I found the original performance and the 'groovy' music they're dancing to is downright boring compared to this. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of my blog and turn off the automatic playlist so you don't have two songs going at once. ENJOY!