BUZZ!

Here it is:

New Friends

Every so often we like to keep you updated on the people with whom have touched our lives. Here are the list of our friends:

Things You May Have Missed

Things you may have missed in my life: Jenn's Birthday, Finn the second cousin-in law, and my nephew Toey (aka Christopher James Sullivan).

It is Risen!

It is risen, indeed!

Well it is high time I resurrected this blog. Honestly, I have been busier than a bee trying to appease the queen. Life has been good, but consumed with much more pressing things.

So in a nutshell let me sum up my month of bloglessness:

First grade is a great place to be if you like to tell stories, hear excuses, and teach kids how to sharpen pencils.

Married life is a great state to be in if you like home cooked meals, fresh laundry, and watching amazing TV with your best friend.

New Unclehood is a great state to be in if you like holding new born babies, buying things at Baby's R Us, and taking pictures of perfect looking children.

And finally parenthood is a great place to be if your wife forgets to take her birth control for a month! Luckily that's not me but it did get you excited for just a moment. Sorry that's how it works when I blog--I get stupid. Farah is very careful to take her pills every night at the same time, good thing it's not me or we'd probably have a baby by now. We all know how careful I am with health things... Jeepers...


Then again Courtney McCutcheon could have traded the pills for fertility drugs. Hum. We better keep an eye on her--oh wait she's in China we have nothing to fear but the month of May when she returns to change our lives yet again. Things do happen in 3's Parker. I promise you that.

The End. See you in less than a month--probably two days or so.

Awesome Friends.

So it's been awhile since I last posted, I guess life has been busy.

It's just totally awesome meeting new people. There's that feeling that comes over you where you think: Could these be my new BEST friends? I have some great friends, don't get me wrong, but this week I spent some quality time with some great people.

First there's Marshall. He is such a riot. He is a big guy who likes to eat and randomly will throw out these ridiculous conspiracy theories as well as the word "Awesome." But probably most endearing about him is soon to be wife. She is delightful and just totally perfect for him, her name is Lily. She compliments this guy really well. She is hysterical and can be the girly girl, one of the guys, or crazy and pretty much insane. They've been together for get this-- 9 years! Praise God they are finally going to get married.

Ted is another one I met. He's great. He's just the typical good guy who is funny and though he is a total optimist his life always seems to go sour, but it normally fixes itself in about 22 minutes. Then there's Robin. She's pretty good... Every so often she makes me laugh but most of the time she frustrates me and makes me want to ship her back to Canada. Yeah, she's from Canada.

Oh yeah-- There's also this guy Barney. He's such a slime ball, but some how he pulls it off and is totally lovable. He is a witty one, so it works for me. I always like the quick brained people who are five steps ahead of me (no jokes about me being slow).

Anyway, they possibly could be my new friends, now that Lucy and Ricky are done. Oh did I mention these people are all on a sitcom? Well they are. And that's How I Met Your Mother.

NEWS... This side of the Ozarks

Well I have to admit it has been quite some time since I last reported on the news. But I thought I would take a stab at refreshing my blog with a bit of news to report to you all:


Tonight's top story is Michael Shaw getting a job in the Orcutt School District. A letter was sent to him, he had this comment to make, "While I can neither confirm nor deny this occurrence, I am extremely happy for those who have been given jobs in the OUSD." When called the OUSD denied our request for a comment.



In political news George Bush is still in office. You can almost hear the sound of a million of Democrats cringing.



In entertainment tonight we have received word that the legendary Merv Griffin died. Merv was the creator of the popular gameshow Wheel of Fortune. Without him, where would our Vegas gambling be. Alas, now Troop Beverly Hills will seem even more out of date when they reference his name. Which means the only remaining Griffin in showbiz is despised by all.




In local news it is reported the Shaw Family of Countrywood Court bought a new phone. Give them a ring and while your at it send a shout out to Alexander Graham Bell.

Checking in with the weather Santa Maria is ridiculously cooler than LA. Praise God.




In other news just one week ago Whoopi Goldberg was announced as the new co-host on the controversial program "The View." Following this announcement Star Jones Reynolds decided to announce she had surgery to loose weight. Both announcements were equally as shocking. The only reason I decided to report on this was to put these ridiculous pictures up of the both of them.



And finally, this day in history marks the day Walt Disney received the trademark on that world famous character Mickey Mouse.


And that's the news in a nut shell. Hope you all have a historic, news-making day.

Buzz!

Tahoe and an Amazing Master Bedroom

Shoo! Farah! Let's go!


Don't you just want to hug her!!!???


Out for a walk with Papa, Princess Farah, and Silly Ig.


In the pool, "Ready Ig?"


Maj Cose.



Check out mom! Wow! What a model!


Wow check out all the loot J, K, and Seamus got!



On the beach with Cass, Ky, and Li.



And now back up to Santa Maria for... Gasp. The Nest. Yes, it is now complete!

Movie Reviews Again

No Reservations


This movie was like a beautiful souffle, which was baked to perfection in the oven. The aroma of the thought of it seemed to permeate the air. And then. Plop. It sunk. This movie had great potential to be a cute romantic comedy about unfortunate events, leading to a better woman and better relationships. Honestly, during the movie I caught myself checking my phone for the time. This is never a good sign.

The only good things about the movie was the set design and the little girl from Little Miss Sunshine. The rest, I would have rather been served a plate of steaming hot beans.

Rice Cakes covered in Beans

Hairspray

Good Morning Baltimore! Simply delightful. I never thought I would actually like this flick, but it turns out it was good till the last song. I like this chain of retro-inspired films in the musical genre. The lead was great and was so jovial you couldn't help but like her. Amanda Bynds was also a highlight, and who could forget the oddly quirky Christopher Walken.

Great music, good message, filmed well, and yes even Travolta in Drag was good. I have to say it:

Spaghetti Dinner with a half glass of Diet Coke

The Bourne Ultimatum

Good, fine, and pretty fun. This was a good action flick. If you enjoy the witty--yes I think I can say witty--action flicks with an unstoppable hero this one is for you. The only dilemma I have with this series is Jason Bourne is too invincible. Sure he has some problems, but it seems as though he has this magical forcefield around him which protects him and guides his mind to the exact place he needs to be every single time. Geepers. Nevertheless the film was crazy, fun and worth a good viewing.

Rice Cakes and Peanut Butter

Quotes from the Legend

The legend who is Streep:

"Oh boy, thank you, you know there are... There are some days when I myself think I am overrated... But not today."

"Sometimes under-preparation is very good, because it instills fear and fear is galvanizing. It makes you break out of yourself. If you're prepared, then you think you're ready, and if you think you're ready, then you're not ready."

Harry Potter... continued again...

“The one leading to The Shrieking Shack. They didn’t see the boot.”
Harry recognized the old boot which Mr. Weasley had used as a port key to transport the Weasley Family and himself to the Quidditch World Cup.
“Very well then. We have two minutes before this portkey will go.”
At that moment Harry heard three cracks followed by a flash of green light illuminating the porch.
A man’s voice called out, “Lilly, take Harry and run!”
And he heard. Lord Voldemort’s high-pitched voice, “You don’t have to die. Step aside. Foolish. AVADA CADAVRA!” Another flash of green light.
“Harry! We have to get out of here.” Harry opened his eyes and saw a panic stricken Tonks looking down at him.
“What happened?” Harry asked rubbing his forehead, for the scar on his forehead singed with pain.
“You collapsed. You starrted saying something about someone not needing to die.”
“No time for camp fire stories.” Moody called out from the kitchen. “They’re out there. Must be at least seven Death Eaters, and they’re breaking through the enchantments quicker than I expected.”
“But I thought they’d already been here.”
“Sorry Harry.”
Harry let out a start. Mrs. Figg who had been lying doubled over, dead on the floor now stood up wiping her forehead with her hankie very much alive. Harry stuck out his wand toward Mrs. Figg. Just last year it had been heard that Lord Voldemort had employed the use of Inferi, corpses, to fight on his side. But clearly seeing that Mrs. Figg was as stumbley and stuttery as normal Harry retracted his wand.
“But you—“
“We didn’t know if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named still had a connection through you.” Moody coughed, “We couldn’t take any chance of you knowing too much. We thought if you though the Death Eaters had already been here it would have confussed Voldermort. So we put a sleeping draft on Arabella to—“
“To fool me.”
“It’s not like that Harry. We had—“ Tonks tried to cut in.
“How do you expect me to trust you if you don’t tell me the plan?”
“The plan is to protect you, Harry. And we’ll take every precaution to do so. Enough. Reach for that photograph.”
Harry could feel his scar starting to burn, was it his anger, or Voldemorts? But this time he could hear voices, a man calling out “I don’t know anything. I’ve told you everything.”
He rubbed his head and looked toward Mrs. Figg. She was holding up the picture frame she had clutched in her hands when she laid on the floor dead. It was a picture of Dubledore. Harry looked into the Headmaster’s brilliant blue eyes,which sparkled beneath his half-moon spectacles.
“It’s a portkey.” Mrs. Figg said breaking Harry’s thoughts.
“Twenty seconds, then.” Tonks said.

Harry Potter... continued...

Part 2 of how Chapter 1 could have gone...

“No. From before he was murdered.” Harry felt the glimmer of hope disappear. But what was it? Why was Moody holding a letter from Dumbledore? “He had this ready to be delievered to me, just in case something happened to him.”
“What is it?” Tonks asked as she leaned against the kitchen door frame.
“Don’t know.”
“Well, open it then.” Tonks suggested.
“I would but it isn’t for me. And he put a sealing spell on it." Moody said with a strange expression on his face.
He hobbled over toward Uncle Vernon. Now stepping into the clear light of the home, Moody appeared much more serious and harsh. The gashes and cuts across his face could now be clearly seen. Petunia let out a start from behind Uncle Vernon and gripped on to the pink and orange afghan that covered his shoulders.
“Don’t you come nearer, you—you--” Uncle Vernon stammered attempting to sound brave.
“Oh quiet Dursley-- Silencia Quivo.” Moody flicked his wand at Uncle Vernon, causing all the sound from Uncle Vernon to fall silent.
Moody hobbled past Uncle Vernon who now was apparently attempting to scream as the veins in his neck popped out, and his mouth opened wider than Dudley’s on hamburger night. Moody handed the letter to Aunt Petunia. Aunt Petunia looked at Uncle Vernon, and then over to Harry.
As she looked down at the letter Harry stepped down to the bottom of the stairs. Harry could see the familiar curly green writing addressed to

To: Petunia Dursely
c/o Alabaster Moody
76 Hamption Court
Surry, England

Aunt Petunia looked all around the room. First toward the Kitchen where Tonks was now enjoying an apple, then to the door where the cat Mr. Tibbles sat guarding, and finally to the stairs where Harry stood. She stood there looking at Harry on the stairs for what seemed a long moment before Moody called out impatiently, “Oh open it already.”
Petunia held the letter she let go of Uncle Vernon and sat down on the settee. She undid her scarf and opened the letter slowly with her index finger.
As she did this a brilliant beam of silver light appeared from the envelope. The letter shone as the moon did on Hedwig. Aunt Petunia looked up at Moody, not disgusted nor appalled by his appearance, but as thought he knew everything she was about to read.
Number 4 was silent that is other than Dudley who carried on with his video games unknowingly. Aunt Petunia stood up. And in the blink of an eye the letter she had held burst into a flame of white and disappeared.
“Well?” Moody said examining Petunia with his regular and magical eye.
“I—I.”
Uncle Vernon let out a small grumble. It appeared as though the charm was wearing off of.
Approaching the stairs, Aunt Petunia walked apprehensively. Harry moved out of the way. She gave Harry a brief look. She knelt down on the first stair and turned back to look at Uncle Vernon.
“What—gree bugg—“ Uncle Vernon said fighting the charm off, “in the devil—gree bugg-- are you doin—gree bugg--- Petunia.”
“Ver—I---I’m sorry. I’ve kept it for all this time. He told me if I said anything, Harry would---I couldn’t.”
“Who told you?” Harry started in.
“When I give this to you I want no questions, boy. Is it understood? Everything’s in there. It’s all in there. But once you have it, you must leave. All of you must leave or—just leave.”
“Wha—“
Harry peered over Aunt Petunia’s shoulder and there he saw what she had been protecting. She was kneeling on the floor at the third stair, which was now opened like a trap door revealing a small wooden box. She picked up the box and dusted it off. She glanced back toward Moody and back to Harry. She handed him the box.
“What are you doing Petunia?”
“I’m sorry Vernon. I had to, he would have been killed.”
Harry looked at Aunt Petunia for the first time in a different way. He saw her eyes begin to turn slightly bloodshot as a tear rolled down her cheek. She stood up and wiped her eyes with the scarf.
“But where did you—how long did you—who is?”
“Go.” Petunia commanded, “You have what you need. Just go!”
Harry stood there looking at Aunt Petunia. What was this box? Why had she hidden it and why did she need to keep it from Uncle Vernon? Harry thought to question her, but he looked over to her again and saw tears streaming down her face as she held her head in her hands.
Tonks bolted up the stairs. He heard Dudley let out a scream. Aunt Petunia who would normally cater to Dudley’s every whim just sat on the stairs staring at the floor, trying to avoid eye contact with the others. Dudley came running down the stairs nearly knocking Petunia over.
“Who is she? What is she? What is that thing upstairs, Mummy? Daddy?”
“Come here Duders.” Vernon said motioning Dudley over. Dudley waddled across the hallway not even looking twice at his mother.
“They’ve just come to get him.”
“What’s mummy doing?”
“I—I—I mean she’s—“ Vernon stuttered.
“I’m sorry Vernon, he said if I ever told you they’d come and—“ Petunia began sobbing. Harry was dumbfounded. He had never seen his Aunt act this way.
“Right, Harry. You have your things. Do you have your wand?”
“Got it. Recendo Harry.” Tonks chanted sending his wand flying through the air into Harry’s hands.
“Right. Let’s be off then.” Moody instructed.
“Wait.” Petunia called out.
A silence fell over the house.
“What if they come?”
“What the devil are you on about Petunia? You’re not well.”
“What if they come?”
“The guard will come.” Moody replied, glaring at Uncle Vernon.
“How will we know?”
“You’ll know. They won’t be coming after you, they’ll be helping you. Now we have to leave.”
Harry turned to leave. He wondered if he would ever see the Durselys again. He started to say goodbye when Petunia shouted, “Just leave us alone, boy. Haven’t you caused enough problems?”
Harry huffed, and followed Moody out the door.
The four figures headed out into the abandoned streets. Lead by Mr. Tibbles, followed by Mad Eye with Harry right behind and Tonks bringing up the rear.
“Where are we going?”
“Sanctuary, Harry.” Moody responded, “Sanctuary.”
“Where?” Harry questioned still not clear on the quartet’s plan.
“We need to get somewhere they wouldn’t expect to look for you. I’ve set up a port key at Arabella’s that will take us there.”
As they approached the home of Arabella Figg, Tonks let out a start. “Oh Mad Eye! Look!”
To a passerby the residence of Mrs. Figg would look quaint and cozy, but Harry and Moody both saw what Tonks had noticed, the door to Mrs. Figg’s home lay open. Just slightly letting the strange chill passed the door.
“Wands at the ready then.” Mad Eye commanded, “Harry you stay near. You understand? No matter what you see or think you see, you stay near.”
“Yes, sir.” Harry said.
Mad Eye was now scanning the house with his magical eye. “Tonks you and Mr. Tibbles you go around back. This looks like the work of Dementors.”
Harry remembered his last encounter with a dementor when he and Dudley had encountered the dementor. He remembered watching Dudley squeam on the ground, riddled with pain and sorrow. And then the dementor revealing his lips, to kiss Dudley. Harry shuddered remembering when he encountered a dementor at Hogwarts.
“Harry! Harry!” Moody called.
“Sorry sir.”
“Stop day dreaming and follow me.”
Harry removed his wand, and followed Moody up the cobblestone path. Moody walked just two steps ahead of him. When they arrived to the front door Harry could see inside, touched by the stale street lamps Mrs. Figg lay on the floor. Moody burst through the door.
“Tonks! Send out the signal.” Mood called.
From the kitchen window Harry could see a blaze of silver light shoot up into the air. And the sound of a sweet song piercing the silence of the night.
“What happ—“ Harry started to question what had happened to Mrs. Figg, but there he saw exactly what it was. She had been given the dementor’s kiss. It was clear to Harry because of the curled up position her body was in. Her face was wrought with discomfort and in her hands she clutched onto a framed photograph and a lace hankerchief.
“How did they get in here?” Tonks said sounding out of breath.
“Must have used a counter-charm to break the protection we put on it. That means they know we’re here. We have to get Harry out of here before they get to him.”
“Who is it? Lord Voldemort.”
Tonks flinched.
“No not him, more than likely a couple of Death Eater, and a Dementor by the looks of it.”
“But wouldn’t a Death Eater have cast the Dark Mark above the house?”
“Not if there wasn’t enough time. Look here, Arabella was attempting to stop them.”
Harry looked over to the kitchen where Tonks was standing. He could see a broken vase and
“Right Harry. Where is it?”
“Where is what?”
“The portkey! They must have found it.”
“Who?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Maybe this is how Chapter 1 could have gone...

Chapter 1
Privet Drive’s Secret

The harsh summer breeze lashed through the trees that lined the homes on Privet Drive. The boiling summer heat that the residents had experienced just a few years ago had vanished. This year all over the neighborhood, and through all of England for that matter, residents were hibernating in their homes. All across the countryside the rumbling of furnaces blazing to fight the strange cold could be heard echoing in the near silence of the streets.
Every night on Privet Drive cats, birds, and other creatures who dared to brace the cold weather witnessed the same routine: The businessmen and women on Privet Drive rushed home from their jobs bundled up in scarves, gloves, and hats and scurry into their homes in a matter of seconds attempting to avoid the cold. The jingling of keys and locking of doors could be heard as residents secured every lock and window to keep the cold out. Yet it was a losing battle, for this was not a normal type of cold that any man could seem to keep out.
But in the brilliant moonlight of that night, if one were looking, they would have seen one window quietly creek open on the top floor of Number 4. Just inside that window, a skinny, black haired boy sat shivering by the windowpane attempting to push a white snowy owl out the window into the night.
“Come on, Hedwig.” He said nudging her along, “Just this last letter to Ron. Before I head to The Burrow. Come on, I promise.”
Hedwig looked at the boy and begrudgingly stepped down onto the windowpane. But before flying out into misty night, she turned and nipped at the boy’s hand just as a reminder to keep his promise. Harry Potter watched as his beautiful owl’s wings shimmered against the moonlight.
It had been two weeks since Harry had last convinced Hedwig to bear the cold. Its not as though she wasn’t use to it, what with the snowy weather during the winter months at Hogwarts, but this cold---this cold was different. Not the typical cold that a scarf and mittens could protect you from. This cold was something else.
Harry’s Aunt and Uncle, who like all Muggle folks, had dismissed the cold as “Fluke weather.” And “Typical ruddy weather to spoil the holiday.” But Harry, and most of the Wizarding World, knew the truth. For this wasn’t a normal cold wave that had hit, this had something to do with Lord Voldemort. For, this last year Harry had watched as Lord Voldemort had gained power, the Death Eaters, the Dementors, the Dark Mark hovering over Hogwarts, and--- Dumbledore.
All of the terrible thoughts that flooded Harry’s dreams came to his mind: Being frozen with his father’s invisibility cloak over him, Draco Malfoy standing there attempting to kill an already wounded Dumbledore, and then Professor Snape bursting up to the tall tower pointing his wand at Dumbledore and shouting “Avada Kadavra.”
Harry felt his hand unknowingly begin to grip on to his wand in anger but remembered that there was nothing he could do, at least for now. Snape had run away with the other Death Eaters and had taken Malfoy. And since Dumbledore’s death there had been no word from Hogwarts. No word as to what would happen to the students, if it were even safe to go back to Hogwarts. Not that it mattered, because Harry knew that he wasn’t going back. Just this past year, Harry had learned that he was the one, the only one who could bring the Dark Lord down. This year, Harry was ready to face his fate and bring down He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Yet he had promised Dumbledore that he would remain in the “care” of his aunt and uncle, because of the spells and enchantments Dumbledore himself had put on the house. Harry remembered how amusing it was seeing The Dursley’s reactions to having someone so “un-Dursleyish” in the home as Dumbledore. Harry woke up from the safety of his memories and felt his body go cold. He quickly shut the window and noticed Hedwig was out of site.
Harry heard the familiar rumble of the furnace from the basement kick in followed by the rumble of his own stomach. He walked out of his room and down the stairs. Just before he reached the bottom steps he heard the television from the living room.
“In related news,” the newsreader recited, “Another series of abnormal behavior has been captured on CCTV. This footage you’re watching shows a man in a dark colored cloak suddenly appearing near the Tower Bridge in London. If you watch closely you’ll see he’s pulling something from behind his cloak that appears to be a thin knife like object. Just out of shot we can see the bobby on guard fall over apparently stabbed. However, according to autopsy reports acquired by Channel 2, the coroner detailed that there were no stab wounds, and the bobby appears to have died of shock.
“London officials aren’t commenting on this peculiar scene, but they are saying the man in the cloak may also be involved in the overturned buses in Kent earlier this week. The Prime Minister, had this comment to make, ‘While the current state of the nation seems uneasy, I urge everyone to rest assured that we have contacted the--- proper guard to assist in defending the good people of Britain.’
“As for other news, the weather…”
Harry continued down the stairs, stepping lightly on the third step, knowing its tendency to squeak. “Absolute rubbish.” Uncle Vernon bellowed from beneath his pile of blankets and scarves, “Ruddy lot of weirdos running around the country, these days.”
Harry could hear Aunt Petunia respond with the typical stirring of sugar into her tea. As of late, or that is since last year upon Dumbledore’s visit to the Dursely’s, Aunt Petunia had held her tongue much more than she had in the past when it came to anything having to do with “weirdoes.” Harry leaned forward and saw Aunt Petunia pull her scarf tightly around her neck. As Harry looked over she caught glimpse of him and gave out a start. “You there. What are you doing here---Where’s Dudders?”
“I’m just listening to the news.” Harry heard.
“Where’s my Dudders?” she said in a voice that sounded far more demanding.
“I—“ Harry started in, but the usual sound of Dudley cursing at his computer games was heard. Aunt Petunia returned to stirring her tea and ignoring Harry.
Harry walked toward the kitchen where he hopped to find some of the leftovers that the Dursley’s had eaten for dinner that evening.


***
Soon the news was coming to a close. Uncle Vernon had now become completed covered in afghans and quilts and now resembled something of a small hill with a face peaking out.
“What the blazes is someone doing walking in this cold?”
Harry and Aunt Petunia glanced over to the large bay window to see who Uncle Vernon was looking at. But as they turned they saw the person turn up the walkway toward Number 4.
“Vernon!” Petunia let out a shriek as she jumped behind Mr. Dursley. “It’s them!”
Uncle Vernon stood up, causing the mountain of afghans and quilts to fall to the ground. Mr. Dursley jumped up and moved quickly around the settee. Uncle Vernon hoisted up his shotgun in his hands.
“Oh I’m ready for the weirdoes now.” Harry was reminded of the gun that Hagrid had bent it nearly 6 years ago. Who could it possibly be? Harry knew that Dumbledore had ensured his protection if he remained with the Dursley’s.
But just as Vernon held the gun up, there was a loud crack from behind the front door, and then a beam of silverfish colored light shone through the keyhole. Petunia let out a shriek. The door had opened, and there crouched over where the keyhole would have been was a man with a large budging eye that shimmered in that eerie shade of silver amidst the evening sky.
“Right, Harry. What are you looking at?” the man said as he looked over at Uncle Vernon once with his regular eye, and then again with his Magical eye.
“What the hell are you doing here you, you—you--weirdo.” Mr. Dursley said sounding a bit afraid, “We haven’t laid a finger on him.”
“I know you haven’t. Arabella’s been watching you with Mr. Tibbles.”
“Who the---“
But just at that moment Harry and the Dursley saw the large grayish cat that was standing just behind Moody come into clear site. The cat stared at Mr. Dursley. Mr. Dursley let out a start, “Don’t you bring that beast in here, or I’ll use this.” He motioned toward his gun, which he was holding upside down.
“Harry. There you are. Get your things we’re going.”
Harry walked back to the stairs, and wanted to run up and grab his trunk, but he remembered that just three years ago the person he thought was Mad Eye Moody had turned out to be an imposter.
“Ay. I see you’re wondering if I’m the real one.”
“Well I,” Harry said trying to sound trusting.
“I picked you up here two years ago the same way. The others will be here shortly. Tonks should.”
There was a large crack from behind the kitchen. Aunt Petunia ran behind Uncle Vernon.
“Hey there Harry.” Came a sweet sounding voice from the kitchen. The person moved in toward the hallway, exposing her brilliant pink hair.
“Tonks!” Harry said as he moved toward her. “Is Lup—“
“No, the old wolf ain’t coming tonight, just me and old Mad Eye. Oh—sorry I mean Moody.”
“You can’t lay a finger on him!” Uncle Vernon chirped.
“Harry, you have your things?” Tonks said ignoring Mr. Dursley.
“Yeah, I haven’t packed up, but I can—What is it?’ Harry asked looking over a Moody. Moody was looking at Aunt Petunia.
“Oh never mind that. Nymphadora,” Moody said trying to tuck the letter under his cloak, “Gather Harry’s things. Harry you stay with me. “
“Anything special you got hidin’ up in your room Harry?” Tonks asked.
“No, everything should be in my trunk.”
Harry could see from where he was standing on the stairs that Moody was holding an envelope. And from his distance Harry could just make out that it was addressed in green, curly writing.
“Who is that from?” Harry asked with a breath of hope.
“Ay. It’s from Dumbledore.”
“But he’s—“

Evening

Last night the lovely Fauf and I ventured to San Luis Obispo and caught the big name movie "Evening." I had my doubts about this one, but I really liked it.

The story is about a woman who is reflecting and lamenting on her life. The woman, Ann, remembers her best friend's wedding, a weekend where the choices she made affected her whole perspective of her life. Strangely I really liked this film. It could have been the optimism shared by the writer and the director, or perhaps it was the really good musical score, then again maybe it was the list of incredible actresses and actors on the bill. I'm just saying... Good stuff.

The movie's big message is to realize life will fall apart, you can't do everything perfect, you needn't hide behind false pretenses... but you should never stop living life.

Optimistic, yes. Delightful, yup.

The scent of spaghetti is in the air, yet I was served a rice cake and peanut butter meal with a large glass of Diet Coke.

The Nest Version 2.0

Well, with the lovely Farah adding her presence to The Nest we have revitalized six of the eight areas in our home including the dining room, the kitchen, the porch, the living room, the writing room, and the full bathroom. We still have to finish the master bedroom and the half bath downstairs.

So here is a look at The Nest version 2.0.





















Wha la!

Merry July 25, 2007

Merry Christmas You Filthy Boofers. Well, I am 5 months early, but in The Nesting Shaw's House we celebrated Christmas, or the advent of Christmas. So here are some shots from the BOOF surprise Christmas Party I threw for the Fauf. Enjoy.

Christmas setting for two.


How about a little love note in the stocking?


Oh! Recycled Teacher-Christmas gifts! It really feels like a Shaw Christmas.


Wonderful tree. Lovely gnomes---strike that I mean elves.


Milk and Cookies anyone?



If you don't like it. Take it back, but we love it.



Boof.