ERAGON
Okay,a little background. I have been homeschooling for almost 15 years. When the news comes out that a 15year old homeschooler has been published, and in one of my family's favorite genres - fantasy - I get excited; my whole family gets excited. We read Eragon aloud as a family and 3 of us also read it individually. The same goes for Eldest when it came out. (Eldest is the 2nd book in the projected trilogy.) Let me be clear about this. We. Love. Eragon.

When we heard that they were making it into a movie and who all was involved, we were psyched!!! So, to be fair, we went into this movie with HUGE expectations. And, to be blunt, we were tremendously disappointed. Well, everyone except Gini. Gini is a huge book hound but she able to view the book and the movie as totally separate entities. That is probably useful but for me, I just hate when they make major changes in a story when they translate a book into a movie. Small changes are often necessary just for the function of making a movie but major plot changes just bug me.

Christopher Paolini created a world. An entire world with different races of beings and ecosystems and the whole nine yards. He created characters that you could really care about. He created tension and resolution in fair proportions. He did not copy Harry Potter or Dragonriders of Pern or any other fantasy book. I am sure that he was inspired by masters of the genre as any author would be. The problem is that the movie reduced his world to a shadow of itself. They left out entire characters and plotlines that made the story more interesting and well-rounded. They completely left out the relationships and people of Carvahall, which will be of much greater importance to the understanding (and whether or not you give a crap about) the second movie. They reduced Murtagh to a bit part, left out the testing and the Twins and Orick and the dwarves and the Morning Star. The whole bit with the Varden was cut into about a fourth. They reduced Angela to a silly bit part as a fortune teller and omitted Solembum, the werecat, completely. Harmoni was especially disturbed by thefact that they left out Brom's horse, Snowfire, and changed Brom's death and Arya's condition.

I could go on and on. Let me just say that if you can, like Gini, completely separate book and movie, you should enjoy this movie. Assuming, of course, that you are a fan of fantasy films. I have tried to imagine how I would have felt about the movie if I didn't know what I know. Unfortunately for me, it is like trying to imagine how i would feel about an orange from looking at a photo of one if I had never bitten into a ripe, juicy one. I really don't believe they developed the characters into people you really care about; especially Murtagh and Brom. And I am really curious to see how they are going to deal with the second movie since they didn't have Eragon injured in the battle. The people of Carvahall and Eragon's inury, among other things, are very central to Eldest.

My final diagnosis: Gini will buy it. Iwill not have problem with the kids watching it; no earplugs required;o) But, really, left to myself my opinion is, why bother? The book is infinitely richer and more rewarding. 4 (of 6 possible) Stars

Grandma's Boy

I just had to post this picture of Braiden sitting with me on the couch while I knit. I was working on an afghan when the boys were spending the weekend here and Braiden just loved it when I would knit cuz he would just climb up next to me under the finished end while I knitted away on the other end. He is quite sure that Grandma is going to make a blanket for him to take to his house8O) Now that is a good day!

STRANGER THAN FICTION

I was looking forward to this movie even though I am not ordinarily a Will Farrell fan. I don't like the Will Farrell, Ben Stiller, Farrelly Brothers brand of comedy. I do like Emma Thompson, though. (Of course, I like Matt Damon, always, and Greg Kinear, often but I'm never going to watch Stuck on You.) But, the previews intrigued me. And, if you pay attention, even though the previews are funny, the movie is billed as a drama. So, I took the bait.

Farrell plays IRS agent Harold Crick who begins to hear a woman narrating his life. His Deadly. Boring. Life. Noone else hears this voice and we are not really informed whether or not he has any memories of his life before this begins. I presume he remembers anything that his author has written into his book. Because, of course, he is the protagonist of a book, he just doesn't know it. Lots of things aren't really explained and we are asked to swallow whole some pretty weird premises. Crick is motivated to find his "author" when he hears her announce that he will by dying soon. Emma Thompson, of course, is the author in question. She is being prodded to work through her writer's block by her assistant, played by an understated and classy Queen Latifah. It was nice to see her branch out into playing something other than a street smart, sassy sistah. I personally think she is gorgeous and smart and worthy of better roles. Anyway, Crick enlists the aid of a really weird college professor played by Dustin Hoffman! Weird, weird, role. Not getting that one.

Emma T. outperformed the movie, in my opinion. Farrell did not. I had a really hard time believing that the Maggie Gyllenhaal character would fall for him. Except maybe because she was a major nurturer. And boy, did this guy need nurturing. Actually, what he really needed... was a personality.

Bottom line: 2 stars; break out the cable needles.

Next to knitting and crocheting, one of favorite obsessions is movies. I LOVE to put in a good movie and knit. And I have very eclectic taste in movies. So, to try to spice up my blog a little bit and because I just love talking about movies (just ask my knitting friend Erin;o) I am going to start posting my personal reviews of movies that I watch. I usually watch DVDs but I will go to an actual theater once in a while. And, from now on, I will be sharing my thoughts on those movies, including whether or not they make a good knitting movie of course! I will rate the movies as:
0 stars - I would never watch it again, period. Fugedaboudit
1 star - If the kids just had to watch it and I was incapable of leaving the room, I would knit something with a complicated lace pattern... and possible put on headphones and listen to Gavin DeGraw.
2 stars - Again, I wouldn't waste my rental dime on it but if the kids or grandkids just had to watch it, I would feel free to knit cables or the heels of socks cuz the movie wouldn't distract me.
3 stars - It may not be something I would buy but if the family rented it, I would probably keep the knitting fairly simple.
4 stars - This would be a movie that I would actually suggest renting. And I would knit mindless things like hats, scarves and slippers.
5 stars - Movies that I love and would own if possible. Totally mindless knitting, or crochet because it is easier to frog if I mess up.
6 stars - One word. Bliss. Very rare. Of course, I realize that my bliss is very different from anyone else's.

Remember that these are all JUST MY OPINION.

I want to ask any of my friends or anyone who comes across my blog who is a praying person to please pray for my daughter, Cheyenne and her unborn baby. She is a beautiful person who has let herself get caught up in a situation that is harmful to her and could be very dangerous for her and her baby. I am very afraid for her. Please include her in your prayers.

This is a picture of the last batch of hats and scarves I sent to Stand Up for Kids. That is a charity that my Knitting for Children yahoo group supports. I actually sent these several weeks ago but just now got the pics developed.

I didn't use a pattern for a single one of these. Just very basic stuff. I really liked the way the black and pink one came out though. I think I'll do some more like that one in other colors. I like making the blue and orange (Go Broncos) but I figure that everyone isn't a football fan ;o) Plus, we are told that the kids like pretty basic colors. The blue with brown specks is actually two yarns held together and I liked the way it looked. The lightest one (on the right - doesn't show up very well) is also two yarns held as one but I didn't like it as well as the other one. I thought there was a hat out of the strata that matched the strata scarf but it didn't make the picture somehow. There were also a couple pairs of fingerless mitts that I didn't photograph. I probably won't send anymore boxes to SUFK afther this month since Spring will be almost here. I'll be sending more to Parkland, the Reservation Women's Shelter and so forth. There is always someone to knit for8O)

I finally got the camera developed with the picture of my Color Swap package from Julie. This was the January "metallic" swap and she did a fantastic job of finding cool metallic stuff and stuff that I would love. I couldn't believe she sent me a drop spindle and some fiber. I have been wanting to have one of those for a loooong time. Swapping like this is actually really good for me because i have a really hard time buying things for myself. I can always think of so many things I would rather get for my kids or my friends or for charity rather than something that I would like to have just for my own pleasure. I'm sure all the nurturing types out there know exactly what I mean. You Moms, Aunties, adopted grannies... you all know who you are;o) Anyway, this way I get to have some of the goodies that I would love to have but just never get around to buying for myself. Julie, you definitely came through on that score!!

I wish I had gotten a better picture. (Yes, I am now going to gripe once again about how much I miss my digital camera - another one of those things it is hard for me to put out the money for just for my own pleasure.) Anyway, I can't even remember everything that was in it cuz I've already used so many things so this is not a complete list. In addition to the drop spindle and fiber and the Aunt Lydia's yarn with the metallic thread through it (I love that stuff - use it all the time!), I really loved the butterfly applique and the purple and green beaded edging. There was yarn and knitting needles and shiny fabric and several varieties of beads and charms and some beautiful handmade stitchmarkers (I get comments about those anytime I knit in public.) For crafting, there was gold metallic cord and silver metallic braid, royal blue glitter and metallic fabric scraps. For my scrapbooking (did I mention that I scrap or is Julie psychic?) there was purple and green paint and embossing powder, a little silver frame, a whole stack of cool papers and loopy eyelets. I know there are things that I am forgetting but things have already been dispersed into my different projects. Suffice it to say, my puffy raneth over!!! THANK YOU JULIE. You were a great swap-buddy, hopefully at some point this year, you will be my recipient;o)

My Mom

Ramona Gay Bittick-Anglin

1934-2003

This is my middle child, Cheyenne. She is 19 and is expecting a baby this August. I have been thinking about her a lot lately. Looking for pictures of the older kids wearing things I made for them made me realize that I really didn't make nearly as many things for Cheyenne as I did for the oldest two.

When Chey came along, I was not only working full time with an hour commute each way, I was also taking college classes and was separated from my husband for about 2 years. We just made 20 years in January but we definitely were having rough times when Cheyenne was little. I quit working full time when she was about 5 so that I could homeschool and I always spent a lot of time with her as with all my kids. But I know that she always felt that she was in Bonni's shadow. To meet her, it is hard to imagine her in anyone's shadow. She is so beautiful and talented. And I always felt that she had the strongest desire to be "good" and to do what was right. That makes it hard for those of us who have always known and loved her to understand some of her choices lately. I feel that she has lost herself somehow.

I know that I have never loved her or cherished her less than any of her siblings but I have to admit that she did get shortchanged during her early years (up to about 12) on pure-dee ole time. I have always had a tendency to allow more time and resources for the oldest child. I guess because I feel that I am running out of time with them. I am starting to feel that way about Gini. When Bonni was a teen (and the type who was just successful at everything she tried and so darned sweet that you couldn't hate her for it) I know that it seemed that she got the Lion's share of the attention. When Cheyenne was a teen (and still at home), I spent every little bit of time, money and energy I had supporting her desire to perform. She has a beautiful gift and people so love to hear her sing - I believe that she deserved that chance. But Gini and Harmoni didn't get as much time and attention as they probably should have during that time.

Notice I skipped right over Cameron. Honestly, if anyone has a right to complain, it is him. During the years when I would ordinarily have been making sure he had the chance to pursue his interests and dreams, he moved in with his Grandma to take care of her so she wouldn't have to go to assisted living. He gave up his teenage years out of love for his Grandma. People who knew him during that time were so amazed at the selflessness and love he showed for her. It got to the point where she required round the clock care and was bedfast. He even took care of her through peritoneal dialysis for several years. And when she went to hemodialysis, the nurses at the unit fell in love with him because he would help anyone in any way that he could. I was, along with many other people, in awe of him. This was from the time he was 15-18. Every few weeks, Bonni or Cheyenne would stay with her to give him a break for a week or so but it was pretty much all him. There were people who thought it was wrong of me to allow it. There were people who thought she should have just been sent to a nursing home. What they don't realize is that it would have been over his dead body. She finally went into a nursing home a few months before she died because she knew her time was short and she wanted him to have a chance to let go a little before he had to let go all the way.

His education didn't suffer because she was probably a better teacher than I was anyway. She was one of the smartest people I've ever known. She dropped out of school in 8th grade to get married and went to technical school in her 30s to become an operating room nurse. After a heart attack at 48, she went back to college and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She was an autodidact in the truest sense of the word. I guess it is no wonder I became a homeschooler after all:o) I can't even imagine having gone through being a teenage mom without her. She handled every situation with good old fashioned common sense, love and grace. She had the faith of a giant and embodied the meaning of "endure to the end".

Okay, here is a couple of things I made for Cameron. I thought the hat looked like a girl but my Mom made it so he wore it home. The sweater probably would have been too big for most babies but Cameron was over 10 pounds. I made Bonni a blanket just like Camerons in different colors and with Care Bears fabric for the back. The blankets and sweater are crocheted. I crocheted more than I knit back then. Nowadays, I knit more than I crochet.

Okay, I couldn't get this picture to attach itself to the previous post (below) so here is the picture of Bonni now.

I've been looking for patterns to make things for the new grandbaby that Cheyenne is going to give me in August and it got me to thinking about the things I made for my babies. I really didn't make that many things for them. I was too busy being a very young single mommy and going to college. I have made more things for Gini and Harmoni than I ever did for the older three. I did make a couple of things for Bonni and Cameron but by the time Cheyenne came along, I was lucky to get a blanket knit for her. My Mom knit her a gorgeous blessing robe which she wore over the lace and eyelet gown my Aunt Jean made. I will try to find a picture of that soon. It was really beautiful. These pictures are of a couple of things I made for Bonni when she was ittle. The little leg warmers, I made without a pattern and I made a pair for each of the little girls in her ballet class when she was 3. The little red outfit was so right for her. Bonni looked really good in red even when she was a tiny baby. She had such beautiful dark coloring right from the first. (The guy is Gaston - a guy friend. I was an unwed teenage mother after all;o)

Looking at the pics from back then always makes me soooo thankful that I didn't listen to the people who told me that having her would ruin my life. My beloved oldest brother told me that if I didn't get an abortion, I was just a fool. When I think of they joy that having her for a daughter has brought me. And now, she has brought two gorgeous little human beings into the world herself. And she is a really good mommy to her two little guys. I started college a little later than planned and I had to go out a little less than I otherwise would have but actually, she saved my life. I was on a very self-destructive path until I found that I was going to have a baby. At that point in my life, I didn't care about ME but I sure cared about that baby. I could go on for a long time about this subject but it is probably a post better suited to my other blog. If I get around to it;o)

Anyway, here is a picture Bonni's little men, my grandsons (with their Aunt Gini).

Just playing with the new computer. This one will actually upload pictures from my Wal-Mart disc. It has been really frustrating not being able to do that. I still will miss my digital because of the picture quality but at least I can add pics of my FO's and so forth.

This picture is the first batch of squares I sent off to Hugs for Heroes. My "joiner angel" Mary joins them together and then Holly, our listmom who founded Hugs for Heroes to support hospitalized servicemen and women and their families, delivers them to the VA Hospital Ward. It is a hard time to be a hero. Every little hug helps.

Next, I'm going to try to add a scanned picture. Wish me luck!