by Sarah | Aug 18, 2015 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, I'm A Reader, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
I didn’t start out as a big Harry Potter fan.
What got me started was us scoring free tickets to a pre-screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at the local theater. We took Denver, and both Erik & I walked out of the theater saying to each other, “We have got to read those books.”
Unfortunately at the time, only five books were out. I blazed through the first three, slowed down for the fourth and TRUDGED through book 5. Sure, some very important events happen during it, and things take a huge turn — but it was sooooo depressing and dark and dreary and did I mention depression? By the time I finished the sixth book had been released, but I’d nearly forgotten the events of previous books, and by the time Deathly Hallows came out people were being mentioned that I couldn’t remember to save my life.
By the time I was done I said “Well, they were good…but I don’t get the fanatic love.”
So a few years ago I decided to give it the old college try again. This time all seven books were in front of me and I read through them one right after another without break.
And a light bulb came on–I got it.
Unlike most die-hards, though, I love the movies equally (almost separately). Yes, they left a TON out, but I don’t begrudge them for it.
And so, when it came time to do a TTT for my favorite HP characters, well…it was tough.
1. Hermione Granger – A strong, smart, exceptionally capable young woman. A girl wise beyond her years, not just book smart. I have no problem with my girl looking up to her. “Book! And cleverness! There are more important things – friendship and bravery.”
2. Luna Lovegood – A ‘different’ character. She has faced teasing, but accepts herself as she is and isn’t ashamed to be who she is. She knows she’s different and doesn’t mind, she’s comfortable in her own skin. She always brings a smile to my face when she’s on the page or screen. “I think they think I’m a bit odd, you know. Some people call me ‘Loony’ Lovegood, actually.”
3. Professor Minerva McGonagall – Another strong woman (Rowling is good at those). Second in command at Hogwarts and becomes Headmaster in Dumbledore’s various absences. Underneath her stern, commanding, no-nonsense exterior lies a wit and humor shown a few times throughout the books/movies. “Hogwarts is threatened! Man the boundaries. Protect us!”
4. Hagrid – Big, lovable Hagrid. What list would be complete without him? He’s made me laugh and cry and is loyal to a fault. He believes good will win, though he knows bad can happen. He survived a stint in Azkaban, albeit brief, and was still as loveable after. He shows an inner strength through that I have to admire. Plus I’m a sucker for the “big teddy bear” type. “No good sittin’ worryin’ about it. What’s comin’ will come, and we’ll meet it when it does.”
5. Sirius Black – Everyone needs a father figure. In a time when Harry really needed one, Sirius was there as best he could be. He was always an owl or fireplace away, even at risk to his own safety. Sirius was dark and light wrapped into one in some ways. His years in Azkaban had chipped away at something inside him until he was angrier, I think. Still, around Harry he was always warm. “We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.”
6. Remus Lupin – Probably the best Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Hogwarts had. He actually taught the students valuable lessons that they would later use. Most of all, he helped Harry find answers to his past. He had a dark part of him he despised, never more than when he was alone without the friends he’d trusted with his secret years before. “Well, well…I’m impressed. That suggests that what you fear most of all is, fear. Very wise, Harry.”
7. Nymphadora Tonks – Yet another strong woman, who was very confident in herself and who she is. She battles for what is right, and for the man she loves (even against his own self-doubts). She’s also fun, and smart in her own right. And really, who doesn’t love her metamorphmagus abilities? “I was never a prefect myself. My Head of House said I lacked certain qualities.” … “Like the ability to behave myself.”
8. Molly Weasley – The ultimate mum. Strong head of household, clearly in love with her husband, disciplinarian, yet loving mother, and of course…ultimate defender of her children. She always amuses me in the way she quickly changes her personality on a dime. “Not my daughter, you BITCH.”
9. Ron Weasley – Harry’s best friend, with some real serious jealousy issues. You can’t blame him, it’s not easy being best friends with “the chosen one”. As Hermione wisely points out, he’s always had to compete with all the brothers ahead of him, it’s hard to do so with your best friend. Throughout the series he grows and changes, and in the end he learns the most important lesson of all, that friends mean everything. “We’re with you, whatever happens.”
10. Harry Potter – This really wasn’t an “of course”. Harry had a lot of flaws. HE wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, and he makes some silly moves from time to time…but he is a child when it starts and time and some painful experiences help him learn and grow. In the end he is the central character and we’d have no story without him. “You won’t be killing anyone else tonight. You won’t be able to kill any of them ever again.”
I wasn’t going to include Harry or Ron in this list…but I figured I sort of really should…and also I’m probably going to do another list with MORE of my favorite HP characters, because really, 10 isn’t enough.
And those are my first set of favorite HP characters. Who are yours?
by Sarah | Aug 11, 2015 | All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Definitely time to get my kids on my top ten. I’m going to start with Molly this time around because – well, luck of the draw. 😀
Molly is the middle girl, and unique in so many ways.
She’s a challenge, and yet makes life ultimately fun.
Her heart is as big as anything, and we treasure every moment with her, even when she’s making us pull our hair out with some of her quirks.
So here is my top ten list about Molly, our little alligator (that’s aggilator to us)
1. She’s an artist. Most of the time you can find her bent over a piece of paper, drawing her favorite My Little Pony characters (Fluttershy is her favorite, by the way). And most of all? She’s really good. I envy her talent.
2. Literal. Not to be stereotypical or anything…but MAN is this girl literal about everything. You have to be careful what you say, because she will take you completely to heart.
3. Every O’clock. This is one of the quirks that has come up this summer. Perhaps because she’s counting down the time until school, or maybe it has nothing to do with that, I don’t know…but she has to see every o’clock. If she misses it, she is bothered and watches extra close for the next one, even cheering when she sees it. Now, let’s just hope this doesn’t mess her up during the school year.
4. Model Dreams. A few years back I posted about Molly’s dreams of being a model. She still holds onto that dream, and I can still see her achieving it.
5. Seriously, those eyes. 
She got those eyes from her daddy, and they are stunning. To this day they maintain that ice blue from her baby days into today. Just gorgeous.
6. Perches. I don’t know how this started or why, but Molly doesn’t ever…well, sit. She perches. On her feet, knees up. I was asked to not let her wear skirts to school because of this (or put shorts under them). Somehow it makes her feel comfortable. I’m sure she’ll eventually grow out of it, but for now it’s her thing.
7. Blind Love. No matter what, now matter who, no matter anything…Molly loves blindly. Once you’re in her circle, she will always love you and never forget you (I do mean never, mind like a steel trap). Her heart is so big and dear.
8. Comics. This goes along with her art thing…she makes her own comics. She draws the cells and writes the funnest, most unique stories I’ve seen.
9. My Little Pony. She is all about the ponies. That is all.
10. Conquering Fears. Molly has a lot of fears that compete with her dreams. She loved horses, but was afraid of climbing on top of one that stood so very tall…in the end, she sucked in her fear and climbed into the saddle. At Disney ALL the rides terrified her. With some encouragement and me by her side she eventually rode the Dumbo Flying Elephant ride, and then managed to get through Soaring (all tied to her supreme fear of heights). She has already said next time we go to Disney she is going to try a roller coaster, and more rides! She may take a gentle nudge, but that girl pushes her limits and finds so much fun.
And that is my big girl Molly. I can’t begin to encapsulate her in 10 items, but it was a start. She’s my Molly, my gator, my big, unique, beautiful girl.
by Sarah | Jul 14, 2015 | All About Me, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
My birthday is coming up.
Actually, my birthday is THIS Saturday. What? Where in heck did this year go?
Last year I had a pretty darn good birthday. Come to think of it, the past few years have been pretty good all around.
This year I know I won’t get everything on my list – I might only get one, but I have a feeling it will still be a good one (with the exception of having to work on my birthday…that sort of sucks).
1. Tattoo #2 – On my 35th birthday I got my first tattoo. I wish this year I could get #2. I have several in mind and it’s all a $ issue as to what comes next and when.
2. Purple Hair – Something else I got a few years back. I had purple streaks in my hair. I want them back something fierce. This may just be one thing I actually get. 🙂
3. Lagoonafire – Yup, this is a Monster High doll. Both my girls have her, but I want her for my personal shelf.
4. Harry Potter Bracelet – A lovely little bracelet I’ve been eying at Amazon. It’s a pretty, and subtle, way to wear my HP love.
5. An Amazon Gift Card – Any size’ll do. Seriously, I’ll take them all.
6. MH Boo York Luna Mothews – What can I say? I’m a sucker for a Monster High doll. Any will do, but this is one I’m totally digging. I love her.
7. Half Price Book Gift Card – This store is my ultimate weakness. Oh my, if I had even more reasons to add to my shelves? Um, yes please.
8. My new 2016 Planner – It takes a few weeks to get in anyway…and I’m already looking forward to getting my new planner for next year. Plum Paper is my favorite. 🙂
9. A New Mattress – I know, it’s stupidly sensible…but mine is old and it hurts my back to sleep in it. I need something much much better.
10. MH Freak du Chic Gooliope Jellington – Last one on the list…but again, she’s so pretty.
And that’s it. I’m pretty simple this year…I can’t even think of an honorable mention unless it’s other Monster High dolls. Books and dolls make me happy. 🙂 Hair would make me thrilled. The Tattoo would make me estatic.
by Sarah | Jul 7, 2015 | All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Photography, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Hooray for the return of Top Ten Tuesday! At least I’m saying that…if I’m the only one, don’t tell me 😀 I love lists of all kinds.
This one was especially fun for me because it meant I got to do a little photo shoot with the Monster High Dolls in the house 😀 We own a few (probably close to 40 all three of us combined–the girls & me), but I have a few favorites lying around here, and not all of them are mine.
I struggled with how to do this list, because it’s so hard to pick favorites. I finally decided on the good old alphabetical method – by name, not the line.
1. Avea Trotter – She’s from the Freaky Fusion show. I had to get the daughter of the centaur for many reasons – she’s purple, she’s part horse, and holy cow is she gorgeous.
2. Catrine deMew – from the Gloom & Bloom line. She’s fancy, she’s pretty, and I love the flowering touches in this line, I want the whole thing. 😉
3. Clawdeen – This one’s from the Scaremester Collection. She’s not mine, it’s Kennedy’s, and I’m totally jealous. Clawdeen with short hair is to die for. She’s got this cute little leather jacket, and I just love her.
4. Clawvenus – Another Freaky Fusion doll, I’m a bit obsessed. Again, unfortunately, this is not mine, I haven’t got a single Clawdeen. I am a big fan of the crazy furry jacket here, and the addition of Venus McFlytrap’s “shaved” sections of hair.
5. Draculaura – Sweet Screams indeed. She was my first purchase for myself. The wrapped pigtails did it for me. Yes, I have issues. shush. She’s pretty.
6. Ghoulia Yelps – Another from the Sweet Screams line. Ghoulia has long been one of my favorite Monster High characters–and she (not this doll, but the character) was the first one bought for Kennedy. I like the Sweet Screams version because it’s super bright and colorful – and her shoes are gummy worms for crying out loud.
7. Jane Boolittle – Another from the gloom and bloom line. I really just liked her fluffy skirt, and her pink highlights.
8. Lagoonafire – Yet another from the Freaky Fusion line. Can you tell that’s one of my favs? Lagoonafire is, alas, not mine at all though there are two of her in this house. Both Kennedy and Molly own one, but I do not. They bought her for themselves with their own money. I love her crazy color scheme, her flaming tail, and her hair curl. I have my eye on one for myself, yes I do.
9. Rochelle Goyle – Scaris style. Look at the Eiffel Tower. Plus, pink & grey has always been one of my favorite color combinations. I also totally dig gargoyles, and she does gargoyle in a gorgeous fashion.
10. Vandala Dubloons – She’s a pirate ghost with a pirate ship. Need I say more? (From Haunted)
Honorable Mention!!
Her photo shoot didn’t go as well, because she was the very first Monster High doll brought into the house…before K really thought to take care of them so they’d stay as pretty. We long ago lost her glasses, and her hair is no longer curly and her pictures in the photo shoot, well…they didn’t come out so pretty.
So, I’m using an old photo from the first week we had her originally posted on Instagram.
Ghoulia Yelps – I don’t know why I always liked her, but K got her for Christmas the year I had surgery and every day K brought Ghoulia to me to keep an eye on me (because she was my favorite). And so the O.G. Monster High in this house must be acknowledged.
by Sarah | Aug 5, 2014 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
I am an unashamed theater geek. I’ve done community theater, auditioned for Disney & a Broadway tour, and I’ve went to see many shows on Broadway and right here in Indy when they’ve come through on tour.
I am even an official “Twittic” for Broadway in Indy.
I LOVE musicals.
To the depths of my soul.
Of course I have my favorites.
(And a few I’m “eh” about).
Narrowing the list down isn’t easy, but I’m going to try. Some of these I have not seen, some I have. I’m going to just mix it up. 🙂
So, off we go to my top ten favorite musicals (numbers are reversed b/c numerated lists go 1-10 instead of 10-1. So my fav fav fav is 10…just sayin’.)
- Memphis. To be honest, I have Broadway in Indy to thank for my love of this show. I had never even heard of it before I got to go as my first Twittic assignment. The music, the dancing, the characters were all amazing. Even my husband was almost dancing in his seat (& Erik doesn’t do that…like, ever).
- A Chorus Line. As a dancer, of course. I also remember the day my dad, trying to discourage me from a career in the arts, told me to watch it to see what it was really like out there…I think that backfired a bit. Granted, I didn’t end up a starving artist in NYC…but it certainly discouraged me from nothing. I still live a life of rejection (just in writing instead of theater 😉 )
- Phantom of the Opera. Yes, the show is good, but in all honesty it’s the nostalgia of it. For years my dad and I would go see this one every time it came in town. My mom hates it, so I always go to go. Every time.
- Rock of Ages. My 80’s hair band loving heart has to mention it. I have not (and will not) watch the movie because, well…TOM CRUISE MAKES ME HURL…but otherwise, love my sound track and would love to see it live, like ASAP.
- You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. I have decided I was destined to play Lucy…too bad no one around here is doing this show. I would give my right arm to be in this one. Love the music, love the whole story. I listen to it (& sing at the top of my lungs to it) in my car frequently when I actually drive.
- Avenue Q. Sesame Street on crack. I mean, seriously. Laugh out loud funny. LOVE this crass and crazy show to pieces and then some.
- The Lion King. Holy crap did this one take my breath away. The spectacle and beauty of the costumes and puppetry. It’s true magic.
- Wicked. ‘Nuff said.
- Aida. I saw it with Mickey Dolenz in the cast. I mean, I had an honest-to-god “HOLY CRAP IT’S A MONKEE” moment when he came on stage. But I’m digressing. The musical itself is beautiful, the story line ages old, and the update they gave it for stage was spot on and so much fun. Amneris won my heart more than the H/h. I would love to see it again some day.
- Cats. I remember the first time I saw the show, vividly. We were living in Buffalo, it was the first ever national tour. Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer still wore their clown costumes during their number (you have to be a fan to know what I mean). During Memory – I remember quite like it was yesterday – Grizabella walked down the aisle as she sang…and me on my aisle seat was mesmerized as she past right by me. The dancing, the songs, the costumes. I was in love…at a very young age. Then, I went to see it again in my 20’s with my mother and that was the beginning of the end. I saw it 12 times on Broadway before it closed, I met the actors, danced with Tugger and walked on the infamous stage of the Winter Garden. I’ve sat front row and been teased by cats, I’ve sat front row mez & watched the actors crawl along that narrow ledge, I’ve sat in the on-stage seats and had an actor scare the crap out of me by pouncing me from behind…and yes, I’ve even gone in costume & have the pictures to prove it. I had the dances memorized (still do in some parts)…and the songs, of course. I can tell you which version of which song from which country is best. Yes. Cats IS that much my favorite musical (much to my husband’s chagrin).
I could go on, but I won’t…because I said ten and ten is ten. 🙂
There are the musicals I’ve been in – Side Show (Love it, heard it’s being reimagined & am eager to see the results), The King & I (eh…I got gypped out of the lead by politics & it sort of sucks if you aren’t 1 of 3 characters), Two by Two (oh yes, yes…so much fun even though I had to sing the most difficult song ever a cappella)….and the hilarious show Sugar Babies (The Burlesque Musical…where I got to do a belly dance, oh yeah.).
All of those musicals hold a dear place in my heart…although they didn’t make my top ten, they are so worth the mention. I had a blast in community theater. It was an amazing year. 🙂
by Sarah | Jul 29, 2014 | All About Me, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
I guess you could say this list was a long time coming.
I’m often stuck in the past, reminiscing about how things were. It helps that a lot of my old toys are still around the ‘rents house, some were even used by my kids.
This time around I’m going with toys I actually owned & used myself. There were a fair amount I would have killed for (like My Little Pony’s) that I never got (and now lavish on my girls…seriously, they have SO MANY PONIES).
Anyway, onto that magic list of 10 Retro Toys I owned & adored.
- Waterful Ring Toss. Yes, I know it’s horribly cheesy and simple, but I adored this game. I played it all the time at our cottage on lake Erie. Actually, we had two, but this is the one I remember clearly. The other was more of a maze. 🙂
- The Tupperware playset. My aunt sold Tupperware and our house was filled with the stuff. I didn’t just have this playset (which I used in my Holly Hobby kitchen, thank you very much), I had the miniature cake holder (which I used with my easy bake oven, yes sir, I did).
- PUFFALUMP!! My uncle worked for Fisher Price (talk about JACKPOT), so probably 85% of our toys were Fisher Price. I’ll admit to getting this gorgeous purple kitty before they were in stores (which was a rare treat…usually it was just at holidays/birthdays). I loved it almost as much as #4 here…
- Cabbage Patch Dolls, of course. That one there was my first, and her name is Daisy and I still have her. The other 5 are gone now, but Daisy was my girl. The first. And she came with a story. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE was begging for Cabbage Patch dolls, but all of the stores were sold out in Buffalo. Well, we happened to go on a hockey tournament to Toronto. Everyone was chilling in the hotel when one parent rushed in and hollered down the hall “They have Cabbage Patch at the Toys R Us!!” Mass exodus occured. ALL of the parents rushed from the hotel to go to the conveniently located toy store across the street to buy. And so Daisy showed up in her big yellow box in a hotel room in Toronto and I will never forget my excitement in that moment.
- The Fisher Price doctor kit. I used this constantly. The syringe that looked like it filled and emptied by turning the knob. The stethoscope that you could actually heard your heartbeat with. Seriously, the pain wore off the crap we played with it so much.
- Merlin. Does anyone else remember this? I had that exact version with just the spots that light up, not numbers. It kept me occupied for hours.
- Spirograph. ‘Nuff said.
- Lite Brite, of course. Didn’t we all have and love this one?
- The Millennium Falcon. This sucker is still parked in my parents garage. The sounds haven’t worked in years…but I remember every inch of the thing, and playing with it all the time.
- ATARI. Seriously. That is all. (Fav game – Pitfall, of course)
And that is it for this list. I’ll revisit retro toys and the giant wish list I had once upon a time. Of course, in this list I didn’t touch on my Barbie’s which were as dear to me as any of these toys…but they were as much present in my worls as my girls Barbie’s and Monster High Dolls!!
Speaking of which…next week I cover my favorite Monster High Dolls…(Hint-hint…Christmas is coming 😉 & I hold no shame about liking these as much as my girls and wanting some that are MINE, not theirs.)
I didn’t start out as a big Harry Potter fan.
