-
Movies for all
Yesterday we went to see Julie & Julia (which I’ve been looking forward to seeing for quite a while now) and my Grandma came too! How cool is it that? My Grandma is a blogger, she’s old enough to appreciate Julia Child in her day and she likes to go to movies with her granddaughter and friends. I think we might have to make a tradition out of it if there are enough suitable movies to see.
I was a little worried since I read the book and I knew there would be some f-bombs dropped and some sex scenes alluded to. Not exactly the tea party you would take most grandmothers to but my Grandma took it in stride. I guess she’s wise and has probably seen way worse things in her life. I looked over at her often during the movie and she was chuckling along with the rest of the audience. My Grandma is just plain cool.
But the funny thing was, when we showed up for the movie there was a line around the building. It wasn’t opening night or anything. It was a Thursday, in the middle of the day, in the STICKS! So what was so special? I’m still not sure but it had something to do with seniors. When we got inside, the theatre was packed and everyone had white hair. There were elderly people with canes and walkers and oxygen tanks. I guess it was Senior Day at the theatre. I had no idea there was such a thing. I thought we’d have the theatre to ourselves. It was all fine other than the fact that we had to sit in the front because we got there late (which was not really late at all but I guess seniors on more on top of the early bird deals than we are). In fact, I sort of liked the running commentary from the retired couple beside us.
It was a great movie for all ages. Well, except the eleven-and-under crowd. But we had a plan for them. While Bethany, CC, my grandma and I ducked into Julie & Julia, my nieces, Bug and Annalie got to go see G-Force with my mom. I’m so glad my mom likes those kiddie movies because I do not one bit. I just can’t get into movies with real life animals talking. I think Space Buddies killed it for me.
So that was that: a fun day for everyone. I should probably share about the little melt down that Bug had in the bathroom at the theatre while my mom was watching her…but just thinking about it makes me tired. I think I’ll save that for a post all on it’s own. Bethany actually wrote a post about Bug and her meltdowns regarding the bathroom for me a while back and it’s sitting in my drafts waiting to be posted. So you have that to look forward.
In the meantime, go see Julie and Julia. It was great!
-
80’s flash back
I picked up my nieces from school today and after our traditional trip to Starbucks for some treats I didn’t feel like taking them home just yet. My mom and sister-in-law were out of town for a few hours and I knew hanging out bored at my mom’s house was not going to be all that fun. So I decided I’d take them to my old skating rink. The same one I used to skate on weekly when I was eleven.
I’ve been thinking about being eleven a lot lately because Rapunzel is turning eleven next Thursday. I can hardly believe it. It seems like yesterday she was three just like Bug is now. How can she be growing up so much already?!! I just want to hold her down and say, Stop growing kid!
Just like I hoped, Rapunzel loved skating. She’d never been before so her first few laps were a little shaky. She caught on quickly though and before I knew it she was following the wall around faster and faster. We had the rink almost entirely to ourselves which is great when you are learning.
Back when I was a kid the skating rink was the hottest date in town. It was always so crowded. I don’t know how many times I ate it on the wood floor because some older boy clipped me with his skates from behind. Not this time though. We had all the space we could ever want and it was wonderful!
However, my niece SuperChic and Bug did NOT like skating. They took off their skates after one lap and spent the rest of the time running around the rink or holding my hand. I turned in SuperChic’s skates and got a pair for myself. I just couldn’t stand it anymore. All these flashbacks to the 80’s and I was eleven again. The music, the smell, the sound of old ball-bearings…it was just like being a kid again.
Well, except for the little kids who wanted to hold my hand and keep me from going around too fast. Silly kids. Bug kept saying, “I’ll keep you from falling, Mama.” When really all I wanted to do was soar around the rink with the wind in my hair. But it was fun being held back by them. It was fun to see them have fun too.
The guy behind the skate rental counter said the skates we were renting were the exact same skates they rented when I was a kid. They haven’t been upgraded since 1983. They are pretty much antiques, just like me.
I was actually a little afraid to skate at first. I know I’m not ancient or anything but I kept calculating how much more I weigh now and how much less rubber-like my bones are. My dad broke his arm roller-skating when I was a baby and the last thing I need right now is a broken arm. BUT! I did not fall. Not even once. I could even do my little spin-around circle trick still that I was so proud of back in the day. I never could skate backwards, so no ground lost there.
I really enjoyed myself. The big room was sort of stinky and hot (I don’t think the air conditioner has been fixed since 1983 either) but once I got up some speed, it was actually very pleasant. I could seriously see myself doing this once a week for a work out. It might get a little expensive but it sure was fun. Rapunzel says she’s up for it.
