READ WITH CAUTION

I just watched the movie PRECIOUS!

I had a post ready to hit publish. Great pictures of Micah, Amanda and Jack spending a beautiful day at the duck pond.
BUT this is FRESH and quite possibly the heaviest post I have ever posted. It won't be long and I might take it down later tonight, but my heart is beating faster than normal and my eyes are red from crying. This post may be for no one but me. I will post the cute pictures late tonight or tomorrow...There was no way I could think about posting them in this same post.
I don't often review movies and we are movie goers. But everyone has such different taste that I rarely think I see anything worth commenting on. I hope I don't lose readers after this post...
SO READ THIS LINE if nothing else. I am NOT saying SEE THIS MOVIE! If bad language is very offensive to you, stay far away from it. I knew the premise of the story but nothing more and had been intrigued from the Academy Awards and all the interviews with Gabourey Sidibe. I knew that Oprah and Tyler Perry had funded it. I like Oprah fine and I am a huge fan of Tyler Perry. Amanda called me this afternoon to see if I had watched it, as they had rented it last night. Her words were "Do you know the story? It is SO SAD"! I already had it on my DVR but had not watched it. I just spent the last 2 hours doing so. The language is horrible and the subject matter even worse, but the story is gut wrenching. I have this somewhat normal all American family, great kids, beautiful grandkids, a husband that loves me and FAMILY LIFE IS OUR LIFE. We are blessed. But that's not everyones STORY!
As the credits rolled my thoughts were on Precious. Is there a Precious on my street, five miles from me, or hundreds in my town that I walk by everyday? I don't think her story is confined to just a race or a socioeconomic group ..I think sometimes we think it is and we have a stereotype of who this happens to. I watch enough TV and read enough newspapers to know its not. This is a heavy story. But a story that I needed to see.
Maybe I should have watched it and just forgotten it, like
I have hundreds of other movies. After all it was just a movie. And yet tonight I find myself wondering how many "Precious"
I walk by each day and never know it. I do not want this to sound "holier than thou" or "saintly", by any stretch of your imagination. I am NEITHER. BUT I do want to see into the eyes of girls like Precious. What if I saw one that I could help?
What if we all saw one we could rescue or just befriend? What if we all really cared? What if that made a difference in our world?
If you have seen the movie I would love to hear your thoughts...but make sure you read the disclaimer..This is an R rated movie on an R rated subject. BUT it could be the life of someone that lives next door to you or on the next street or in the next subdivision.

THIS WEEK'S WINNERS and GROWING GRAYSON

BEFORE I ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS FOR THIS WEEK, BE SURE AND READ THIS POST and GET YOUR NAME IN THE DRAWING FOR THE EASTER CARDS ON MONDAY NIGHT....

NEXT, a HUGE thank you to all of you who have left comments about the exercise and diet MOTIVATION. I am SO proud to say I have walked THREE MILES each day for the past 2 days. Next week I am going to try and journal what I eat. I know in the past that has helped me, IT IS JUST DOING IT....I will keep you posted on my progress. It literally is JUST ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Wednesday we had a visit from Grayson and Austin. Parker and Jack were already here, so it was a PERFECT TIME for a PHOTO SESSION. WRONG! I did manage to get a few pictures...IT is so hard to get a GOOD one of 4 little guys. Can you believe that Grayson is nine months old, two teeth and crawling? Seems like yesterday he was born.

This next picture cracks me up as Jack is going to make sure NO ONE sits in POP'S lap unless he is there also....Remember his nickname...Large and IN CHARGE...Grayson looks like a little statue, not sure what Jack is.

Two little Teeth

This is Jack's recliner just like Pops and right by it! Grayson is not quite as impressed with it.

POP and ALL HIS BOYS. Austin and Parker would MUCH rather be playing the Game Cube or the Wii and NOT posing for a picture.

OK, on to the WINNERS. These three people will get a package of cards this week and then Monday Night I will have PARKER draw for the EASTER CARDS, so leave your comments.

Marydon at Blushing Rose

Becky at GRAMI'S GREETINGS

Marty at A STROLL THRU LIFE

Send me your name and address to annah99@aol.com and I will be ready to ship!

Tomorrow I have an entire day to myself, so I hope to catch up on lots of blog reading, watch PRECIOUS (Has anyone seen it?) and maybe see a new movie that started today at the theater. Today I got a trim, color and a pedicure after our walk, so this was a me day too. I guess I am FINALLY at the age I don't feel guilty about ME days. Tomorrow night, Jack is coming back over to spend the night while his Mom and Dad have a date. IT TAKES A VILLAGE and I AM SO GLAD I AM A PART OF THAT VILLAGE.

JUST HAD A THOUGHT

If you see the time of this post you will know that's not my normal posting time. REASON...my legs are aching as ON FIRE. Thanks for all the great tips of MOTIVATION on diet and exercise. My sweet friend Terri helped me get started with a little POWER WALKING yesterday and we did 3 miles...maybe a little more! And it felt good! (then) BUT, I am committed to doing it at least 3-4 days a week. Don't worry I am going back to bed and get another 3 or 4 hours of sleep before I get up for the day.

Here's the THOUGHT!..So many of you have loved the cards. The emails I have received from those that have already gotten theirs have totally inspired me to "ENABLE MORE SNAIL MAIL SENDERS"! Tonight I will be drawing for the three bundles this week, BUT HERE IS ANOTHER CHANCE.
I love sending EASTER CARDS as much as Christmas cards and I have a great selection. Beginning with this post and through Monday night every comment will be entered for a package of 20 BEAUTIFUL EASTER CARDS. I will ship them on Tuesday so YOU will have plenty of time to get them in the mail. Besides your regular family, friends, etc, THINK of someone that you have not corresponded with in awhile and surprise them with a card. Make their DAY! CELEBRATE EASTER!

And now for what takes my breath away on a daily basis...Sweet Jack...How I love this little man...and you would totally understand how MUCH if you knew he calls me by the wrong name. No matter where we are, he screams MAMMY instead of GRAMMY. (and I have no idea that that is on his nose)

Tonight I am going to post some pictures from Grayson's visit yesterday...We actually got all 4 boys in once picture in my husbands lap. MIRACLE. How can one gal get so BLESSED to have 4 little MEN?

I NEED DISCIPLINE...I AM SO THANKFUL EVERYDAY IS A NEW BEGINNING

Let me clarify the discipline part....I was determined that this was going to be the week that I got back into a good exercise schedule and eating healthier. Good intentions...It's now Tuesday night and that has not happened. And I am bummed...Please tell me that some of you have this same problem. I need to know I have company. I am almost to the point of DEPRESSION. I can't believe I said that. I have legitimate reasons for why I haven't, as in a ton of work, as in 30 people need new Spring Wreaths ASAP, a sinus headache that is hanging on, a conflict in my extended family, and on and on. Stuff that we ALL HAVE. BUT, I know we all have 24 hours in the day and we all choose how we will spend it...I so want to get on a healthy eating plan, not only to lose some pounds, but to have more energy, which leads me to the rest of the title...

I AM SO THANKFUL THAT EVERYDAY IS A NEW BEGINNING.

I need ANY and EVERY suggestion and tip to help me get started......

Yesterday I read Melissa's blog! She is not only an inspiration but a great decorator.. She and I have very similar taste. Then my friend Melinda is on a new program...and she has inspired me.. But the fact remains I have not been DETERMINED ENOUGH to do it and tonight I am just mad at myself. Then there is the wonderful story of my blogging friend Nancy! I am so proud of her. So tomorrow is another day and I am hoping IT WILL BE THE DAY!

I am still planning to post some pictures of my house and the new look from Terri, as soon as there are not wreaths all over the place waiting to be delivered. A hazard of having a HOME BUSINESS is that stuff is EVERYWHERE. Pretty stuff but my living room looks more like a store than a home right now.

My goal tonight is to make all my stacks of catalogs and paper work into very neat stacks. I am the QUEEN of NEAT STACKS.

We are still working on my new blog design..My problem is I like too many looks, too many fonts, that would be a designers nightmare. (I think)

A little eye candy...These are the main colors I am using in Spring wreaths...I love all these colors combined. These are from a grouping of some containers I picked up last week on my market trip.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET.... EVERY COMMENT GOES IN THE DRAWING FOR THE 3 more CARD GIFTS THAT I WILL DRAW FOR FRIDAY. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT WON LAST WEEK, YOURS ARE IN THE MAIL. There are going to be some new card senders and some smiles on people's faces.

A smile will be on my face as two of my favorite little guys are spending the night tomorrow night. In case I have not said it lately, I do not take it for granted that they live five minutes away from me.

Ok,email me or leave in the comments any MOTIVATIONAL TIPS or at least let me know if my struggle is yours too. I need to know I am NOT ALONE. AND I HOPE YOU WIN ON FRIDAY...I would love to send everyone of you a GIFT as you all have been gifts in my life.