Mom called during the cartoon. We chatted for nearly 40 minutes. Mom got their box yesterday. Aurora loved her new stuffed puppy. Keefe and Julia loved their Amazon gift card. Apparently, they're big Amazon shoppers. While I won't be able to get green boots - they're out of them in 8 1/2 - I will be able to get gray, and that's ok, too. Good boots are good boots. Oh, and Mom said that Rose and Craig's Thanksgiving trip went badly. They stayed in an Airbnb, and it was lovely but cost a bundle. Driving during the holiday was a pain, too. I'll have to text Rose, but it sounds like they'll be here for Christmas again.
Grabbed my little cart and headed out after I talked to Mom. Not only am I not sure my wrist is up to a bike ride yet, but I intended to buy too much to carry on the bike anyway. The Westmont Acme isn't that far, a 20 minute or so walk from where I am. It was too gorgeous not to cut through the park. It was sunny, breezy, and in the upper 50's-lower 60's, ridiculously warm for mid-December. I dodged people walking their dogs and their children and out for strolls.
The Westmont Acme was really busy, too. Not a good thing, as I had a lot of shopping to do. I'll be making Christmas cookies and fudge starting Monday. I stocked up on flour, coconut, butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, dark and semi-sweet chocolate chips, mint and vanilla extracts, evaporated milk, ground ginger, yellow cake mix, and baking soda. Needed granola bars, yogurt, grapes, and mozzarella cheese balls to snack on. Found red velvet cake bites and a bag of bagels on the bakery clearance racks. Treated myself to a container of coconut milk eggnog.
Walked home through the park as well, this time pulling my full cart up the hill and past the Haddon Township Environmental and Historical Center. It's winter in all but name and temperature in South Jersey now. The trees have long been bare; gardens are empty except for trimmed bushes. Brown leaves crunched underfoot as I made my way up the hill.
Went straight into I Believe In Santa Claus as I ate lunch and got organized. I go further into this bizarre 1984 French musical fantasy at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.
Watched A Christmas Story next. It's Christmas 1940 in small-town Indiana, and all Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsly) wants is a Red Ryder Range Model Air Rifle (with a compass and a stock and this thing which tells time). Everyone in the universe seemingly conspires against Ralphie getting this much-coveted gift. His mother (Melinda Dillon) doesn't like guns to begin with, his teacher Mrs. Shields (Tedde Moore) gives him a low grade when he writes about it in a school assignment, and his father (Darren McGavin) seems to be too involved with his "Major Award" and battles with the furnace and the neighborhood dogs to notice much else. Not to mention, Ralphie may not survive childhood pitfalls like bullies, cursing in front of parents, or radio shows that turn out to be commercials to make it to Christmas Day!
One of the funniest - and most realistic - movies ever made about the holidays. I grew up in New Jersey in the 80's and 90's with two sisters and a brother, a working mom, and a stepdad who was more of a motorcycle man, and I can still relate to so much of this. From kids hiding under the sink when they're upset to the infamous tongue-on-the-pole-triple-dog-dare incident, there will more than likely be at least one thing you can relate to here, too. Don't wait until the 24-hour marathon on Christmas Day to check this comedy classic out.
Let the DVD run into the Muppet special Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Emmett and his ma are facing a bare Christmas until friends tell them about a talent show on Christmas Eve. Emmett and his friends form a jug band, while Ma sings a folk ballad solo. The winners of the contest end up being a suprise, but Ma and Emmett wind up getting something even better afterwards.
Switched to Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol next. I went further into this classic 1962 special at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog in December 2019.
Finally finished the fairy tale while all of these were on. Stephen is elated when Charelton recognizes him. Better yet, so do his men, who have come looking for him and Cora. They help the duo back to the castle, where Stephen recovers. He and Cora agree to postpone the wedding in order to properly court and get to know each other better. They repeal the heavy taxes Harron placed on the kingdom, give the food from his wild parties to the poor, and spend time in book stores and the antique shops together. The dog from the fortress becomes their pet; the lion is returned to Africa. Stephen's guards search the rubble and find bones, blood, and bits of fabric, confirming that Harron did not survive the one-two punch of a lion attack and the fortress coming down on him.
When they do finally get married, it's quietly in the garden, with just Cora's parents and a few trusted servants surrounding them...and they, their kingdom, and their dog live happily ever after.
That took me a little while, but I think it came out pretty well. I'll likely return to Nutcracker Blank for the remainder of the holiday season. If I can finish it by mid-late January, great. If not, I'll pick it up again next year. For right now, here's my unnamed original fairy tale!
Had dinner while watching Tattletales when I got home and got organized. These episodes were among the funniest in the entire series. Comedy writer Donald Ross somehow hosted the first question and a half of the first episode when Bert Convy showed up late. Patty Duke spent the second episode throwing out hilarious quips every time her husband John Astin gave a mismatched answer. Bill Macy is more amused by his newlywed bride Samantha Harper.
Lauren sent me one last box of presents. I opened them tonight. She found a bootleg set with the remaining five seasons of Happy Days that aren't yet on DVD on eBay. She says it's a good quality set, as she has it, too. She also bought two My Life As Walmart 18 inch doll outfits for my dolls. Whitney will get the one-shouldered dance costume. I haven't decided if Jessa or Ariel will get the windbreaker and floral sundress. Jess isn't much for dresses, but Ariel has several similar outfits.
Finished the night at YouTube with something totally different. Match Game Productions celebrated Christmas and Bob Barker's birthday with a marathon of holiday Price Is Right episodes. It was fascinating to see how the show - and Bob - evolved over the years. The marathon began in 1980, when Bob still had dark hair and Johnny Olson was still announcing. Rod Roddy of the flashy suit jackets took over after Olson's death in 1985. Some of the Showcases that had Johnny or Rod playing Santa, with the models as little girls getting presents or sitting on their knee, were especially funny.
Come on down and celebrate the holidays with Bob and The Price Is Right!
No comments:
Post a Comment