Keep me obscure

I am so glad I am not a celebrity. My sister-in-law pointed out, in response to my last blog, that Christian Bale has been in the news before for having a "tantrum". I had no idea. The crazy thing was that it happened a few years back and my s-i-l was able to send a link with the words that were said during the drama. The internet is a scary thing. So is being a celebrity.

I don't know about you, but I am sure glad the world is not interested in me at all. No one is taking pictures of me and judging what I wear, how I look, or what I say and do. If you are, that is just creepy and you really need to grow up. But celebrities rarely are allowd any privacy. If your marriage breaks up or your kid is an idiot, watch out because everyone will know about on  a matter of minutes. Ugh! I'll pass.

I don't need the public to document my good and bad moments. My kids do a good enough job of reminding me when I mess up. And I don't want people to be able to search out my mistakes and have them written word for word. My kids do a good enough job of reminding me of when I have messed up. I don't want a camera in my face, following my every move. I can understand why some celebs go whacko on the press. I don't condone it, but I can understand it. Give me obscurity, quiet, and simplicity.

Sure, the paycheck of a celebrity would be nice, but the price they pay in return is just not worth the riches.

Hats off to Christian Bale

I have a soft spot for Christian Bale ever since I saw "Swing Kids" as a teenager and a massive crush was born. He's always been a quiet actor, not one to headline over being quoted for stupid or crass sayings, partying hard, or for being a major jerk/ idiot.  He is an actor with great talent and depth. In 2005 when it came out that he was to be Batman in the new Batman movies, I was a bit nervous. He wasn't one I pictured as having the muscles for the character, but I knew he could play the tormented Bruce Wayne. But never to disappoint, Christian bulked up and has done an amazing job as the Dark Knight. I love his portrayal of Batman/ Bruce Wayne.

I admired Christian Bale before (though I admit, the teenage crush is gone as I am madly in love with a much more amazing man), but after hearing about him visit the victims of the Colorado "Dark Knight Rises" premiere, I am even more impressed. It hasn't been all over the press and internet because of Bale himself, but because of other people. He's not in it for the glory or publicity. He was just being a good guy who cared about a tragedy that occurred at one of his movies. How cool is that and how rare to find someone like that in Hollywood?! He's not marketing himself. He's just trying to be a good citizen.

Major props to you, Mr. Christian Bale. After all, anyone who can survive having Gloria Steinem for a step-mother deserves my admiration.

Lacking Desire

So many ideas and yet so little desire to write anything. It's summer and I just want to play! Besides, I have four children to keep me busy. Jacob's latest adventure involved emptying out the entire contents of both his and Jimmy's dresser right before church. He started to work on the girl's room, but was stopped before he could do too much damage there. Not to mention the death heat that I am constantly trying to avoid. Seriously, if you don't get outside before the sun, you will melt. Some mornings I wonder why I even bother to shower because I am so sweating so quickly after leaving the house. One night we even let the kids play outside until 9:30 at night because the sun was down and it was actually cooler temperatures. Or the bugs. Don't even get me started on the cockroaches. Then the other day while I was cleaning the bathroom I found a tiny scorpion under the scale. What?! I told Marshall it was a sign that we need to move . . . to a different climate. Not cool!

And yet, somehow, summer is quickly passing by. School starts here for us on the insanely early date of August 15th. Less than a month away! The stores are already in "school mode", stocked up with all sorts of school supplies. July is almost over! How on earth did that happen? We've had so much fun this summer and I really have enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere. I'm not sure if I am ready for everyone to head back to school. Jacob is going to be bored with me. And Marshall will be even more busy teaching both college and Institute classes, plus taking a CES training class on the side. Although I am excited for the heat to leave, I am not ready for all our freedom to go with it.

But then again maybe I'll actually find the energy/ desire to write again. Who knows?! It has definately been a fun summer and one of learning and changes. Someday I'll have to write about it all. This will just have to do until then.

All that is Jacob

This picture is from "Western Night" during our family reunion at Aspen Grove. Jacob has a "bad guy" mustache painted on his face and made his "bad guy" face for the camera. They say a picture can say a thousand words and this one speaks volume. This is Jacob to a "t". My adorable mischievious little bandit.

Happy 4th of July!

I love this land and feel so blessed to have grown up here and to live here now. What wonderful freedoms we enjoy because of so many who have fought, died, and carried on for our country to remain free. I am proud to be an American! Happy 4th of July!