Category: Art

my morning meltdown…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay3 Comments
Good morning! 
I realize I barely get the right to say that, as it’s only minutes away from eleven a.m. 
Considering the rocky morning we’ve had around Chez’ Wagner though- it’s progress. :) 
Things are much better than yesterday. Except I have this weird swelling in one area of my gums, but you don’t want to hear about THAT- trust me… 
The sun is shining some, which is absolutely excellent. 
We were going to spend the morning on a photo excursion and then go swimming, but alas- one of the two of us was not at all co-operative and so here we are, me getting a late start on a blog post and her- crying through math. Cest la’ Vie… 
In other news, what about those Oscar nominations, eh? See, while the rest of the world is emotionally caught up in football and whether or not their team will make it to the big Super Bowl- (most of my friends’ teams did NOT) i have been happily watching movies and mentally noting my Oscar predictions. Over all, {minus the Tree of Life} I am pretty pleased with them. There are two films I’ve yet to see- {The Tree of Life being one of them. I was hoping to avoid it.} And yes, I realize this is the part where I lose many of you because you are still caught up in your grief and sadness over your teams not making it to the SB. *sigh* 
Of course, now that the nominations are out- it’s time to start planning my Oscar party. I have a few ideas… I sent out paperless invites (I hate doing that, but I hear it’s the GREEN way to go.) and have had three people RSVP. Three… There are nine films nominated. The key thing to do is a food item representing each film. That’s a dang lot of food for three guests… 
One day, when we have a house with actual conducive space- I plan to do an Academy Award couples dinner party- complete with Red Carpet and over the top ridiculousness… This, this is just {another} good, old fashioned pajama party. 
Give it two weeks and I’ll be panicking and feeling completely rejected from invited friends, tinkering on the edge of suicide and quizzing everyone I see- {the homeless included} as to whether or not they own pajamas and would like to come. My how times have grown worse considering just 24 months ago I was interviewed by USAToday regarding my party… I shudder to think about next year… Of course, this is all in fun… sort of. But really, if i invited you- please come. K? 
This post took an unexpected turn so I’m going to close it now… 
I need to compose myself… 
Gosh, I wish I were swimming… 
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a touch of Christmas sadness…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay5 Comments
i’m watching the Bishop’s Wife while catching up on some things computer related… Is it wrong that I want Cary Grant to win and I think her husband is a putz? Probably… Oh well. I don’t care. Cary Grant will ALWAYS win, in my book… 
Have I ever told you that for my golden birthday (28th) my husband threw me a 1950’s style Cary Grant dinner party? It was AMAZING! Truly incredible… One of the best nights of my life, for sure… 
My husband… He is quite the man. As sick as I have been, in the past 5 months, he really has been amazing to pick up the slack with pretty much NO HELP. He works tirelessly for a company that claims to notice, but doesn’t seem to. He gives and gives and gives and truly remains the nicest and most giving guy. 
My point is pretty much that my husband is my Christmas wish. That something good happens for him. Something really, really good. He deserves it. the last 4 years have been SO HARD on him and I see how much they’ve taken their toll on him. These days he is tired and my heart just breaks for him. It feels like nothing happens easily for him (especially where work is concerned- and as far as work goes- he’s been moved into the position of work consuming 95% of his energy/time) and I see him getting more and more ready to just give up a bit. I hate the thought of him being in the position…
in a lot of ways the Bishop’s Wife is making me think of that. Unlike her putz of a husband though, Chw is my leading man. Even if the angel of Cary Grant rang my door bell tomorrow- Chw is the one for me. I would express my heart for my husband though, and continue wishing that the corner to turn, is in site soon… 
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Winter’s Tail…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay22 Comments
If you aren’t familiar with the film Dolphin Tale, it is a beautifully crafted movie specifically about a young dolphin named Winter, whose tail is compromised in a freak accident and has to be removed. Throughout the journey, and against odds, Winter is given a prosthetic tail thus greatly increasing her quality of life and her odds of survival. 
Not so specifically it is a story about attachment. It is a story about bonds. It is a story about love, and life, and will. It is not about inspiration- everything about it is simply inspiring… 
So, are you with me now about how completely awesome this movie is? 
Great, because here’s the thing- the DVD is being released on the 21st and I’ve been asked to host a giveaway! You could win your own copy, and when I say I am jealous of this- i mean I am WAY jealous… 
So, to enter, just leave a comment with a way to link back to you… The giveaway deadline is December 21st at 12:01 a.m. 
Then, in the meantime, to get a Winter fix that will warm your heart, you can watch her lovely live webcam… 
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when the gobble is gone…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay5 Comments
We truly had a beautiful four day weekend to be thankful for. The sun was shining, spirits were overall high and I, personally, found myself sitting back on multiple occasions- reflecting on how truly blessed my life is… 

For dinner, on Thursday, we had my sister and her kids, Amanda’s biological sister Bekah (who is very much a beautiful part of our family! We adore her!) and Amanda’s good friend Zach too. It was small compared to what we are used to, but really lovely. Aside from the youngest kids running around and playing, it was quiet too- which was needed. 
So grateful… 
Chw and I went out, at four in the morning, on a Black Friday mission. Half was to capture an amazing deal, that was NOT captured. I did however decide I probably won’t be shopping at our local Michaels ever again. We did manage a few deals, pick up a few gifts and enter a drawing for an iPad. I’m secretly keeping my fingers crossed while he is being uncharacteristically naive about the whole thing. *smile*
On Saturday Chw’s best friend (since he was about 7) and his wife were in town and we got to hang out with them. We went to lunch, hung out for a good amount of time and saw a movie. While I have no photos, (*frown*) I can say we loved seeing them… 
Sidenote- while we were hanging with them, our good friend had the fortune of selling hunting tags to Matthew Fox and his brother. She is one lucky girl… 
Other Sidenote- I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Muppets! GREAT movie! 
All in all, a lovely weekend… Today was a bit family rocky, but whatever- at least the holiday wasn’t… Nothing quite drastic enough to dampen my gratitude… 
Right now I am grateful that school resumes tomorrow… 
How was your Thanksgiving? 
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Have a Little Faith…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay14 Comments
Our family had the privilege of screening the newest Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, based on Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith. We nestled down with our blankets and our Poppycock, ready to see something heartwarming and family friendly… 
When Albom’s 82 year old former rabbi approaches him, at a book signing, and asks him to write and deliver his eulogy- Mitch’s life begins to change in insurmountable ways. Having drifted from his Jewish religion, Mitch feels overwhelmed and inadequate for such a task. Still though, in searching for why the rabbi would ask him in the first place- Mitch begins to spend time probing and getting to know the man behind the rabbi he revered and feared as boy. The more their relationship grows and old man speaks of life and love and doing things for others- the more Mitch himself begins to see that a change is necessary in him. As a sports writer for the Detroit Free Press, where sports had replaced his childhood instilled need for religion, Mitch begins to see that maybe there is a hole in his life that hasn’t been filled. Enter God… 
Parallel to Mitch’s building relationship with his rabbi, there is the history of Henry Covington. As a boy in the projects of Brooklyn, Henry was taught to love Jesus as well as the fine art of hustling. Growing up poor and being broken more and more by the hardness of life- Henry’s path led him down a rough road. Eventually his choices got the better of him and one night he finally saw his life for the hopeless mess he’d made it. Completely broken and empty and on the verge of death- Henry finally prayed for his life to be spared. Enter God…
Weaving back and forth between Henry’s past and Mitch’s present, the film shows us two completely different lives. Race. Religion. Backgrounds. Everything… And yet, the two of them come together despite all odds, and amazing friendship -which affects the lives of countless people- is born. 
In a poignant way, Have a Little Faith teaches us the importance of breaking down stereotype barriers and loving people- no matter what. Despite the details of the two faiths this film chronicles, it isn’t a movie about religion at all. It is a film about faith in ourselves and others, a story about friendship and love… It is a true story to encourage us that it’s never too hopeless, or too late, to get up and fix our lives. It is a beautiful story full of hope and encouragement. I can’t encourage you enough to watch it when it airs on ABC, on Sunday the 27th.

In correlation with the film airing this Sunday, I have been given the opportunity to host a giveaway for Mitch’s book Have a Little Faith. To enter, simply leave a comment… 

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