Here we are. The first day of school. The story behind my slightly-more-excited-than-average excitement in this video will become clearer SOON, but suffice it to say . . . I NEEDED this day. It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY.
It just so happens that the first day of school landed on a Thursday this year - when I also have no babysitting obligations.
That's right. A day to myself. To dance in my kitchen, if I felt so inclined. This video is bound to register high on the cringeworthy scale, but sharing it anyway. What can I say? I'm feeling FREE.
I went for a run. Ran into a friend and stopped halfway though my run to get caught up. WITHOUT A CARE for what time it was. I came home and did a 30 minute strength class in my family room minus any hecklers. In a bit, I'm meeting my good friend, Delilah, for lunch. And I'm writing. Look at me?Laundry and dinner prep be damned. *Well, if I'm being honest, I started a crockpot for chicken tacos early this morning and I did throw a load in when I was upstairs a few minutes ago. Still, I will sort nothing and I will unload nothing. NONE OF THE CHILDREN UNLOADED A SINGLE ITEM FROM THE DISHWASHER AND I REFUSE TO TOUCH IT. "Hi, hope your first day was great. Please empty the silverware." That's how I will handle the 3:00 conversation.
The fun will continue later tonight when I attend my college book club. This marks the 3rd time we will meet in person since 'everything.' We read a book called MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE, by: Lori Gottlieb. I give it two thumbs up, and I don't think it's just because I'm someone who should (and does) talk to someone. I really liked it.
Speaking of two thumbs up, while we were in Michigan we watched a movie that we REALLY enjoyed. It was a comical thriller. After watching it, I've decided that this is my new favorite movie category. It wasn't inappropriate, so the kids got the OK.
Fun fact: once Coach goes to bed - and he goes to bed early several nights because of his early morning work schedule, I tend to be much more lenient about what movies we watch. Swearing? Aw, who cares. I swear like a sailor and look how good you all turned out. Sex ? - well, this is why God created the fast forward button . . . I mean so long as I'm not holding the remote. The older boys have not yet recovered from the night when I unintentionally flubbed the remote and froze MEET THE MILLERS mid-scene when Jennifer Aniston was doing her pole dance. Oops.
We started watching the movie in Michigan, but it was late and Coach and I were falling asleep. Shock. The kids and I finished watching it after we got home on one of the nights Coach was off to bed early. I look forward to viewing the 2nd half again with him, at some point.
Choosing a movie when we are ALL together is possibly more of a chore than you might realize. I often scold the kids for not looking stuff up during the day and coming to the movie watching space with a prepared top 10 list. They have phones at their fingertips. Teens know more about how to conduct a search of top rated stuff better than anyone, am I right?
The process: teens and Coach and I start scrolling. Titles get called out for approval. If no one objects, someone does a Rotten Tomatoes search. Inevitably someone groans. NO, THIS MOVIE SUCKS. Or, we decide on a movie and someone says I JUST WATCHED THAT LAST WEEK. I MEAN I'LL WATCH IT AGAIN IF YOU REALLY WANT TOO. So we sometimes waste a solid hour mulling over what to watch.
This particular night, I scrolled and my search of BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX ended with this movie title. The night before when the search went on forever I hadn't participated in the scrolling and now I hailed myself as a PRO MOIVE FINDER. ALL BOW TO ME. I'M IN CHARGE OF CHOOSING MOVIES FOREVER. These words may or may not have been spoken as I may or may not have gloated about my super powers.
The movie (drum roll) is called:
Mini compared it to Napoleon Dynamite as far as quirky characters and being offbeat, but definitely more grown up than Napoleon's movie.
Best movies you've seen lately? Even if it isn't a comedy thriller. What makes you do a happy dance in your kitchen? And how do you and your people choose movies?