Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

Moments Matter Challenge

I came up with the name for this challenge from Jody on the Nitty Gritty blog. (I told you to check it out a few weeks ago.) The way she spoke about how "Moments Matter" really stayed in my mind. I spoke of a challenge and here it is... I am going to write down one special moment per day for five days (Monday through Friday). Not one month... not one year... just five days. I think seeing them in writing for one week would be very beneficial. And not all of the moments. Just the one a day that really, really sticks out in your mind.

For example, last Monday had been kind of a nothing day. Not bad. Not good. Just a Monday. But while Austin and I were watching 24 and talking during the commercials, there was a quiet moment where he simply said, "I love you, Mom." I didn't instigate it. I didn't ask him if he loved me. He just offered it. And it was so sweet and touching coming from that long 6'4" body with the deep 18 year-old voice. Mike and I say "I love you" a lot. When they leave for school. When they go to bed. A few times in between. And they respond in kind. It was just the "out of the blue" moment that catches you off guard, but means so much. That would be what I would write down on my piece of paper. But I can't because it happened last Monday. (No cheating!)

Just keep your eyes open. Be aware of moments you might normally miss or take for granted. Like I said, if you want to share, feel free to do so. But if you just want to have a little tool to help you concentrate on finding the moments you don't want to miss during a normal, busy, typical day, this will help you (and me). I'll be posting my moments the next day. (Monday's Moment will be posted Tuesday morning, etc.)

Weekend Happenings are not that exciting in the Faulkner household this weekend. Austin is working Friday night, and Josh and Roxie are spending the night with cousins. Mike and I are going to have our favorite surf and turf date (grilled steak and tuna steak) and rent a movie. Easy stuff.

Saturday, I'll be at Mom's with all the kids, and Mike and Austin are heading to Jacksonville for a band audition and a visit with his folks. I've got a big family dinner planned for Saturday night, and I think a pool tournament downstairs. No chance of winning that one! Pool is not my game.

Wednesday night we had an announcement at church there was going to be a "twist" in the Sunday morning service. We're all looking forward to seeing what that could be. It's like a blog teaser except much, much bigger. I'm just glad we go to the early morning service because we get to hear it FIRST! (Imagine me doing the Loser sign on my forehead to all the second and third service worshipers right now. I'm kidding. Really!)

It looks like a pretty tame weekend, but as we all know, with teenagers in the house anything can happen. Kind of scary, isn't it?

TV Review

Yes... what you've all been waiting for!

Amazing Race - There was nothing monumental this time around. A very nice couple was eliminated due to bad luck. They didn't fuss at each other. They didn't lose it. They handled everything very, very well. However, the Asian brother and sister have now become the pair I want eliminated... and not really the sister. Just the brother. He thinks he knows absolutely EVERYTHING... and as we saw last Sunday night, he did not. We're still enjoying the race. There do not seem to be any villains, but it is still pretty early. Everyone could still be putting on an act.

NOTE: Another reason I could never be in the Amazing Race... when the taxi cabs are in a row passing each other, I would be flashing the "Loser" sign on my forehead at the other contestants. You know, just for fun. A joke. Kind of like Sunday morning when I know what the surprise is before the second and third worship service people. (I think my team would be labeled "Villain" early on, don't you?)

Celebrity Apprentice - It's going to be a good season. Surprisingly, I loved Joan Rivers. She was very nice when she was just being herself. Of course, on the men's side you have to love Clint Black and Scott Hamilton. Then there's Dennis Rodman and Andrew Dice Clay... who picked them? It's going to be interesting to say the least. (Oh, the lady poker player has GOT TO GO! I mean, if you want to earn money for your charity, the best way to do that is not to get fired. She's outta there as soon as the women lose a challenge. I hope they lose next week!)

Jon & Kate - Everyone went back to the old house to finish cleaning everything out. I don't know how long it has been, but the dogs have tripled in size... and they are still pretty small for German Shepherds. According to the previews, next week's show is going to be about the dogs... not the kids. For the most part, Kate yelled at the "stuff," although Jon did get some flack about not throwing the "stuff" away. I understood her frustration. When you move, you want it to be DONE! You don't want to have to keep going back to the old house and working with more "stuff." I think anyone who has ever moved could feel her pain. All in all, it was a pretty tame show.

24 - WOW! It was a great two hours. Loved it! Just a couple of observations... (1) Do they not teach FBI agents in Beginner FBI School to ALWAYS have a back-up? Agent Walker is crazy. She would walk in on a whole armed country by herself... with her little gun. This annoys me greatly. She stopped being brave three episodes ago, and now she's just a little dense. Maybe Jack can talk some sense into her. (2) I didn't like Aaron getting shot... although I did like the place where he was shot (upper right shoulder away from the heart). He's going to make it. I feel better knowing there are Aarons in the world. (3) Tony is going to have to declare a side pretty soon. I'm tired of guessing what his shifty eyes are trying to tell us. JUST SAY IT, TONY! As always, Austin and I can't wait until the next episode.

LOST - I am in a predicament. I want Sawyer to be happy, but I want him to be happy with Kate... not Juliet. However, I can see what three years of being with a calming influence has done for him. He is clean shaven. His hair is coiffed. The little wrinkle in the middle of his forehead is practically gone. All that said, I do understand that the island is stuck in the year 1974. I do understand that Sawyer loves Juliet. I do understand that everyone seems to be getting along well with everyone else (whether it is because of a truce or whatever)... and here comes Jack and Ben. Let the turmoil begin. (Not to mention what Kate is going to add to the mix.) I'm glad there's a two-week break before the next show. My little tired brain needs it.

Survivor - SPOILER --SPOILER. No surprises. They finally took my advice and got rid of the 53 year-old wearing a bikini. I really still like the Alabama boy. I think he is exactly what he portrays himself to be. He's not sneaky. He's a hard worker. He's an excellent representative of the State of Alabama.

Does anybody know where Samson, Alabama is? If J. T. wins, I may have to have my picture taken in front of his farm for my "Famous People and Places Scrapbook." Oh, yeah. I've definitely got one of those. So far, I have pictures of Roger from Survivor-Australia, Jon and Kate, Rick and Bubba, John Glenn, the astronaut, and I've been to Bill Bolen's house before (a local newscaster) while he was there, of course. I even used his restroom. (There's about four or five stories in that little paragraph alone!)

Books on Tape

DISCLAIMER - I know titles of books are supposed to be underlined. I have not figured out how to do that on my blog yet. It doesn't give me the option. I just didn't want you to think I was totally ignorant about that little rule.

Okay. I am a HUGE "books on tape" person. I love them. They are great in the car. They are great on camping trips. They are great for everyone to pile up on pillows and listen to in the den when there are no bedtimes or homework. These are just a few of our favorites.

Junie B. Jones by Barbara Parks - These books are hilarious when you read them yourself, but even more so when you listen to them on tapes. Even if your kids are a little older (3rd or 4th grade), they will enjoy these funny, quirky books.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket - Tim Curry reads these aloud and does all the voices for this series of book tapes. He is excellent. These books are not for everyone. They are a little odd, to say the least. But if your kids like the books, they will enjoy the tapes as well. These need to be listened to in order.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson - A beautiful story about a beautiful friendship. So wonderful, but so sad. Make sure you don't let your very little ones listen to this story. (And give Dad a heads-up so he doesn't cry in front of the kids!)

Even if you've read these books before, there's something about hearing them again... especially together with your family, that makes them even more special.

Have a wonderful March weekend. I'll be back on Monday. We'll start our "Moment of the Day" Challenge, and I'll have all the rules for the 100th Post Contest one more time.

Talk to you soon.