'Arry Pott-ah!

When Lexi was younger she was trying to do an English accent, and said, "Ello!, My name es 'arry Pott-ah!" We've made fun ever since.

Did you know the last Harry Potter movie is coming out? People are lining up to see it at midnight. They are dressing up. Going nuts!

Guess who already saw the movie Monday night?

If you didn't guess me, you are the worst guesser, EVER.

Yes, I know people who know people.

Do I enjoy Harry Potter? Yes. Do I obsess about it? No. I have read all the books and found them to be very enjoyable and an interesting read. Amazing how the author created an entire world, and how small details in earlier books have been a huge deal down the road.

But, no. Definitely not a crazed fan. The thought crossed my mind. A million people, and thousands of fans in the Omaha area would have LOVED to see a free preview in 3D (including HP 3D glasses). Should I feel bad that I was there? I mean, all it did was save me the $10 to see it in a theatre. Well, let's be honest, 3 dollars to see it in a Dollar Theatre. (false advertising!)

At least I get the pleasure of freaking out Lexi. "It was so weird when Voldemort told Harry, "I am your father!" or when Hermione makes out with Draco."

Speaking of Voldemort, I was trying to get a chant going, "Vol-de-mort! Vol-de-MORT!, VOL-de-MORT!"

No one was having it.

And, we realized that we didn't have pictures with each other. So Brielyn and I took one. Nevermind that I didn't have any make up, and had to stand outside in a line for an hour. Voila! (or Wah-la!)

The Weekend

I have been 2 days on vacation, yet each morning I still wake up with panic thinking I overslept something, but it is ok! I think it's Saturday! Nope? I still have nothing to do.

But, this weekend a few things happened.

1. Run some errands

2. Birthday dinner with my littlest sister

3. Shakespeare on the Green, "A Midsummer's Night Dream"

Went with some friends from church.

4. More errands, including shopping for a bridal shower

5. Attend said shower as the family delegate.

(Did I mention the bride attended via skype?)

6. More Shakespeare on the Green, "Hamlet" this time.

They went modern with this play, and it reminded me of when I was forced to watch Scarface.--worst movie ever!

7. Left at intermission and went to a Sushi place with friends. (I got a non-sushi item, because I can't handle the fish!)

8. Went to church, per usual

9. Made dinner for the family coming back home after a 2 week absence!

10. Long after-dinner conversation

11. Danced around a fire singing songs from Wicked!

(PS. It was so humid outside I couldn't light a match! So we had to light it inside and run it outside!)

So, fairly busy. I had fun. And, it almost made me forget that Lady Buttons of Camelot (which, if she gives me more problems, might just be demoted to "Buttons," wouldn't let me unlock the car, and how I spent nearly an entire day trying to get inside and drive off.

Fourth Weekend

Happy Birthday America!

I love how the entire weekend was spent in holiday fun. Friday night I went to a concert at Memorial Park. I got there late because my friend didn't get off work til late. Which was fine with me, because the only band I knew was playing last, and they actually only sang 1 or 2 songs I actually knew. Cheap Trick: I want you to want me.

So, instead of going there early in the day, and getting heat stroke, I got there while it was cooling off, found friends who got there earlier, and had a fun time. And, the fireworks were excellent. Although, I must say, no, "I'm Proud to Be An American" --4th staple, right? And, the fireworks ended on Katy Perry's "Firework" song. I like the woman, and the song. But really?

Ok, Saturday I hang out with another friend, and the new stadium downtown is having the fireworks after the game. So, after driving around trying to find a place to park, we end up next to my old high school and Creighton dorms, walk up right next to the freeway, and almost immediately the fireworks go off! It was a great view. I have NO idea why no one else was there.

PS, We didn't have musical accompaniment so I sang. It was beautiful. Brielyn never heard anything so grand.

Sunday, I hear booms, and Lexi runs down the stairs. Field Club is having their fireworks, so we run around the house trying to find the best view, but with trees, its not working. So we jump in the car and find a good place to park. Getting out of the parking spot was another story. (Dang Iowegians!)

Dum da da dum! Monday was the 4th! Lexi and I went to a church BBQ, sat with friends, made some new ones. Played some games. Then later on that night we went to our aunt's house and got bitten up as the young cousins lit some more fireworks. Like I told them, "Celebrate the land that you love by blowing a tiny part of it up!"

This was me at the BBQ. We played horse shoes, and this is me celebrating my hole in one. Some boys didn't think I could play in a skirt (such a demanding sport). But like the Scotsmen of old, I played, and I conquered. Then I retired.

DMV Disaster, Part II

Last year at the DMV, I had issues. Mostly because I had to pass a safety test, and they deemed my cracked side mirror a safety violation. So I spent 3 hours of lunch trying to get a new one, then gave up, and it took about a week to fix the mirror.

On Wednesday, I hear that the price to license your car is 3x that of Utah's licensing fees. Boo! I contemplate driving to Utah, but figure I'd come out even after paying for gas.

THIS year, I went on the last day of the month. (I've GOT to stop doing that, it never works!) And, I spend the entire afternoon there. Well, not the entire afternoon, I have to go home at least 3 times. I'm halfway there when I learn (on the phone) from my parents that I need mail verifying my address. I have to go home and grab some mail. Then, I get there, and there are signs saying no plastic. Ergo, no debit/credit cards. So I have to go home and find my checkbook. THEN, I call to see if there are any more surprises. And, then I realize that they think I should have a Nebraska drivers license too. So, I have to first stand in line for that.

I'm seriously sitting in line for an hour (luckily I had a book in my purse) when they finally call my number. Turns out, I grabbed mail that was delivered too long ago to be approved. Luckily, I have a letter in my car, and if I needed it, I also had a Victoria's Secret catalog that was also in my car. Not that I wanted to throw that around the DMV, but it was mail.

By this time, the DMV is about to close, and the line is LONG. But I must go on. So, I get in line, and I finally get to the window, when they say that because I am making payments, and don't have the title, they need me to request a copy of the title first. So much trouble for this ugly thing:

Seriously, why can't they just take my money? Maybe I should have gone to Utah.

Exercise

Twofer.

I went to run outside. Thus, exercising and getting a tan at the same time. Two for One. Twofer.

However, it was nearly 100 degrees and by a mile and a half I started to feel like I might pass out. But, I was determined to do a full 3 miles since the last time I went running I got cramps and had to walk the rest of the run and just wanted to curl up and die.

I swear, every time I turned the wind went against me. Or, once it was at my back, it stopped. Seriously, every time. No joke.

I also want pepper spray. I feel paranoid going out by myself, and feel the need to protect myself. I know that I was in a somewhat public place, and that there were about 5 people around at all time. Should anyone try to attack me, others should come to my aid, right? I miss my pepper spray. If I could, I think I would also run with my baton.

Speaking of my bailiff days, I kept thinking of the time when I was in good shape and would go running every day. I helped my friend run in order to pass P.O.S.T. and we'd have to go run around the jail. The Transport Officers coming to court would tell me that they saw us running and told me, "you run like a gazelle!" And I loved that. I kept telling myself, as I was dying of heat, "be a gazelle!" It worked the first mile, and then I faded. But, it is a start.

A boy, or rather, a very large in stature man started to talk to me. I'll just say that I don't mean to be rude, but I was tired, hot, probably a bit dehydrated, and I couldn't really make conversation. Also, when I exercise, I try to exercise. I don't try to look cute for anyone. Trust me, when I get sweaty and red-faced, it's not cute.

So, the re-beginning of my adventures in running. I already feel 10 pounds lighter. (I'm probably not, but that didn't stop me from telling the guys at the DMV I was--but that story is for another day).