Jennie Penny and Christmas Steve welcomed my nephew, Jack William, this morning. We're so relieved he's here safe and sound!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Welcome Baby Jack!
Posted by Jude at 5:24 PM 1 comments
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Jude's Thursday Dish #39
I'm waiting on my publisher to upload some final pages for me to proof for our August issue. Perfect time to blog. Let's Dish!
Posted by Jude at 10:10 AM 2 comments
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Norm Abram Has Nothing On John
I've been waiting to post pictures of our new bathroom until it was 100% done, but who am I kidding? Nothing at my house ever is complete. We're at about 90% with just a few loose ends. First, I have to say John ROCKS. With the help of our brother-in-law, Christmas Steve, he sledge hammered the ORIGINAL tub (85 freakin' years-old -- it's been resurfaced, but you can imagine how awful it was.) He replaced it with a new cast iron tub. He tore out the original flooring and replaced it with something similar. It was a beast, because it was the small hexagonal tiles and even though they were in sheets, they kept popping up. The only thing I really did was design, shop, help paint and boss him around. I'm married to a saint.
The rest of the house, unfortunately, is in complete shambles. I must be insane, because we started painting the living room. It's just the bathroom was so shiny and happy and pretty and lovely that I couldn't stand my drab living room being next to it. John was not happy, but again... he's a saint.
So, right now the bathroom is our sanctuary. It's the only clean room in the house. I just go in there and sit on the side of the tub just to have some peace. I heard this brilliant idea that works well for insomniacs like me. You put dimmers on your bathroom lights and keep them down low, so if you have to go into the bathroom at night, you're not disturbed by the harsh lights. We love it. Now we just keep the dimmers whenever the light is on, so it's just really relaxing.
We're taking August off of home improvements and actually paying attention to the yard for a change, but I'm hoping starting in the fall, we'll have a shiny, happy house to match the bathroom.
Here is the before and after. The pics don't do it justice. The lighting isn't good and it's hard to get a good shot, but you'll get the point. We made some changes to the bathroom when we moved in the house in 2000 (it was bright turquoise and the shower tile actually sunk into the wall when you pushed it since there was so much water damage). Those were necessities. This remodel really makes a world of difference.

Posted by Jude at 10:55 AM 5 comments
Monday, July 27, 2009
Those Annoying Facebook Quizzes
Everytime I login to Facebook, I'm bombarded with quiz requests and results like "How bitchy are you?" or "What modern bombshell are you most like?" I'm curious about the results, but I don't really want to bug everyone with the answers. So I found www.blogthings.com where I can do it in my own privacy for fun. I found out I'm most like Carrie on "Sex and the City" and should name my boobs "Trinidad" and "Tobago". Great time waster -- check it out!
Posted by Jude at 9:45 PM 0 comments
Friday, July 24, 2009
Leftovers: New Trailers
To make up for my lame dish yesterday, here are 2 trailers that I'm excited about. "Couples Retreat" boasts an EXCELLENT cast: Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Kristen Bell (my dear Veronica herself), Jason Bateman (my dear Michael Bluth), Kristin Davis (my dear Charlotte) and more. And "Alice in Wonderland" looks awesome.
Posted by Jude at 9:46 AM 1 comments
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Jude's Thursday Dish #38
Today for the Dish -- you're getting the Lunch Rush. Partly because I'm really busy, but also -- it's been a slow pop culture week. So let's get to it...
-- Ugh, Sarah Palin. That woman has become a train wreck. I just need to watch Tina Fey on SNL reruns and think of happier days.
-- Johnny Depp's dream role is to play Carol Channing. I love when Johnny plays freaky, but that just might be the role that puts me over the edge.
-- If you've read my blog for a while, you know I've been off the R's since June 2007 when John and I were at "Knocked Up" and a friend from our ward, Bonnie (who ironically we now home/visit teach) came in on a date and sat next to us. Enough to scare me straight. I did fall off the wagon once and see "Sex and the City" which was TOTALLY worth it. Anyway, I was very tempted by "The Ugly Truth" because I HEART Gerard Butler. Thankfully for my resolution, the movie is getting terrible reviews. If anyone goes and sees it, let me know how it is.
-- I took John to the Gallivan Center to see "Vertigo" on Monday. Definitely got me in the mood to see more. If you like Hitchcock and in the mood to discover a hidden gem, check out "Strangers on a Train."
Well, that was lame. ;) That's it for this week!
Posted by Jude at 9:38 AM 2 comments
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Happy Birthday To A Great Husband
My dear husband spent his birthday today with my crazy family (sorry to offend any family members reading this, but let's face it -- collectively, we are pretty crazy) at our Mortimer Family Reunion. We spent 4 + hours at Boondocks. Even though he did NOT want to do Laser Tag, he did. When we had the family talent show, even when he did NOT want to be in a skit, he did. He mediated an argument Katie and I were having on the way home. And now he's off to the store getting me cold medicine. What a trooper! I love you, John -- you're the best.
Posted by Jude at 9:58 PM 0 comments
Friday, July 17, 2009
Jude's Thursday Dish #39
Well, this Dish is being served up late, but there's still plenty of good stuff to dig in to!
1. Harry Potter! Yes, I've been waiting for what feels like an eternity for this movie. And of course it was never going to live up to the book or my expectations. I've always said the movies are basically the Harry Potter cliffnotes -- or Harry Potter - Lite. I knew that going in already, but still, I left disappointed. I won't share anything spoiler-y in here unless you are one of the rare few that haven't read the book and still want to see the movie. Also, if you haven't seen it yet and don't want to read anything negative about it, I suggest you read on. I know that when I read someone's negative critique before seeing a movie, I go in prejudiced looking for the said flaws.
But I'll start off with the good stuff!
- Daniel Radcliffe has really improved his acting over the years. In this film, he gets to showcase his comic chops.
- Jim Broadbent is PERFECT for Professor Slughorn. I HEART that actor. Bridget Jones, Moulin Rouge, to name a few. He doesn't exactly look like I thought the character would (pudgier, etc.) but his acting is spot on. FUN FACT: speaking of Bridget, I like that both her parents are in this film: Dad as Professor Slughorn, Mom as Madame Pomfrey.
- The Weasley twins' joke shop was awesome. If they are still doing that Harry Potter theme park in Florida, they HAVE to include that.
- Dumbledore & Harry finding the Horcrux was better than I imagined when I read it. They did an excellent job on that scene.
- I really like Michael Gambon as Dumbledore. My sis & bro-in-law don't like him and say he's not as fun/silly/charming as Richard Harris was, but I think Michael Gambon plays him more stern and see the seriousness of the situation and I like that. But, he's still amusing. Love the line he says about Lavendar: "Oh to be young and to feel love's keen sting." Plus, I think it's amusing that he admitted that he (nor Alan Rickman, nor Ralph Fiennes) hasn't cracked open one of the Potter books. He sees "no point" because he says he's going off the interpretation of the screenwriter.
The stuff that bugged/disappointed (SKIP THIS if you haven't seen it):
- That girl that plays Ginny Weasley is terrible. Ginny is so much more interesting in the books. Get her in some acting classes, Stat!
- What happened to Ginny and Ron's amazing first kiss? Remember, he's been in detention and Ginny fills in as Seeker. They win the Quidditch game and when he shows up at the victory party, they start kissing in front of everyone -- even a dismayed Ron. Stupid, stupid, stupid choice to leave that out!
- Wasn't crazy about the casting of Draco's mom. And I've never liked the girl who plays Tonks. You know who should've gotten that role? Anna Friel. She was in "Pushing Daisies." I read that she is living with/dating Lupin in real life and her dream role was to play Tonks. She would've been awesome.
- I know that the film has a darker tone, but I miss some of the whimsy from the earlier films. Especially movie 3 with that director, Alfonso Cuaron. One of the things I love most about Hogwarts is the talking and moving portraits, and the ghosts flying around. There was none of that in this movie. Blah.
- Was that Burning Burrow scene in the book?
- I feel like this in every movie, but Snape needs more screen time.
- Those are all silly complaints, but my biggest issue in the film was they wasted WAY too much time focusing on the teen romances which short changed the action at the end. Movie 4 had a really good balance. There was the underlying romantic theme and the dance, but enough focus and time to really give you the emotional and powerful impact of the action scenes. I felt like they basically ran out of time and the showdown at Hogwarts was sacrificed. Again, I don't remember the book completely, but I recall a lot more fighting and action when the Death Eaters show up and the whole Snape/Harry confrontation. Plus, was really disappointed by the Half-Blood Prince reveal. There was no explanation as to how he got that name. They were really light on the Horcrux explanations too.
Basically, I felt like the movie would've been a lot better had they toned down the romance, pumped up the whimsy, and focused more on the mystery/action, especially in the finale. Still, it was a good movie. I just wish it had been better.
2. I Netflixed the most random movie. It's a Michelle Pfeiffer/Paul Rudd romantic-comedy that was supposed to come out in 2007, but had this crazy drama with the producer and went straight to DVD. I can't decide if I like it or not. There's this really weird distraction of Tracy Ullman playing Mother Nature and popping up all the time to rant about getting old and mating, but the other stuff is actually good. Pfeiffer and Rudd have really good chemistry and I like the relationship between the mom and daughter. One completely bogus bit of casting: Jon Lovitz as Pfeiffer's ex husband who left here for a younger woman. Like that would happen. So, if you are totally in the mood to check something out for curiosity's sake, rent: "I Could Never Be Your Woman."
3. Why can't I go to Comic Con? This is my new Fangirl dream. It's held every year in San Diego and is said to have a greater impact on movies, TV, Pop Culture, etc. than any of the other festivals or events out there. Basically, it was just a little event for comic book enthusiasts, but it's turned into the mecca for all Fanboys/girls out there. They are showing clips for "Iron Man 2" and the new Tim Burton "Alice in Wonderland." Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse are breaking their "radio silence" and going to discuss "Lost" season 5 finale and season 6. GAH!
Anyway, I was looking for clips, but couldn't find anything. I did come across this cool-but-in-a-I-can't-believe-someone-spent-this-much-time-kind-of-thing Lego trailer of the first "Iron Man" that is really amusing. Check it out:
3. Emmy nominations came out yesterday. Another reason I love Thursdays! Nominations I was excited about: "Lost" finally, and deservedly, back in the Emmy race again as Best Drama, Michael Emerson as Benry in "Lost" -- please give it to him already!, the supporting cast of "30 Rock" with Tracy, Jenna and Kenneth all getting nods -- definitely deserved, Jemaine Clement in "Flight of the Conchords" -- except I kind of feel bad for the other guy. SO pissed that Elizabeth Mitchell got snubbed for her work as Juliet on "Lost"; she is AMAZING. BOO!!!
4. I'm totally watching "Dance Your Ass Off" on Oxygen! It's kind of terrible, but totally motivates me to dance...er, exercise my OWN ass off. The judges are lame. And why do all of this shows have to have the British guy? Anyway, the judging is biased and totally random -- they aren't consistent at all and never judge on technique, because well... they are fat people. We should just be happy that they are off their butts dancing, right? You don't really get to see any of the behind the stage stuff on how each of them are doing on their dieting, etc. They show a little, but not enough to make it interesting like on "The Biggest Loser." This last episode was painful. It was pole dancing. The poor girl who got voted off basically got the boot because she was insecure and felt unsexy. Um, hello? I don't care what kind of body you have. Most of us would feel that way. There was a guy from Orem that got booted, so now I'm kind of rooting for this boy from SLC. There's a couple of decent dancers that may get my allegance, but we'll see. Anyway, it's great Treadmill TV.
That's it for this week!
Posted by Jude at 8:02 AM 2 comments
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Jude's Thursday Dish #38
- Paris speaking about her dad was heartwrenching. It was nice to see her family physically protecting her and comforting her in that moment. But the cynic in me has to wonder if she really wanted to do it. I heard Janet was supposed to talk, but then she encouraged Paris to speak. If the girl wanted to, then great - she deserves a forum, but if the family pushed her into it, then shame on them.
- Brooke Shields seems genuinely sad and her tribute was nice. I was channel surfing and stopped on that stupid Bill O'Reilly show where they had a Body Language Expert analyzing people. It was SO lame. The lady was picking apart Brooke's speech to see if she was sincere or not. Like she'd be performing at something like that. Honestly, people need to get a life.
- "We are the World" and "Heal the World" were touching, but I would've LOVED if they had gotten some of the original peeps to sing that.
- The real emotion that came from his brothers, even Usher, really humanized M.J. and made you remember that through all the craziness, he was just like everyone else.
- Those dancers surrounding Jennifer Hudson were SO random. Who choreographed that thing? Talk about distracting.
- Couldn't Joe have spit out his gum? Come on!
- And let's not get started about the service costing L.A. $1.4 million.
Posted by Jude at 9:16 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tween Alert
John and I let Katie have our I-Pod Nano that we never use. I love this picture, because she's wearing make-up (for fun) and she's wearing a shirt with Sleeping Beauty princesses all over it. And she's jamming to the "Mary Poppins"musical soundtrack of all things. I guess my little girl isn't growing up too fast. She's just getting her feet wet. Isn't that what being a Tween is all about?
Posted by Jude at 8:48 AM 1 comments
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Happy "Four July"
On the 4th (or the "Four July" as Katie used to call it), we just partied all day. Here are some photo highlights:



The group playing Bacci ball.
(nephew Alex at the bottom, Brandon, Doug & Beck -- my in-laws)





The kids absolutely adore it. It makes the 4th for us.

Posted by Jude at 11:18 AM 3 comments
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Jude's Thursday Dish #37

- Joe Jackson is a tool. Not that we didn't know that before, but who uses a press conference about the death of his son to plug his new record company? Serves him right for getting the boot out of his will.
- All the back and forth drama about whether or not MJ or Debbie Rowe are the biological parents to Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket. Latest reports are saying MJ definitely was NOT the bio-dad, but Debbie Rowe was the bio-mom and not just a surrogate for the first two kids. Blanket is rumored to have been bought on the black market.
- Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have to get in on the action. As well as ever other possible celebrity who ever said "Hello" to MJ. My favorite was Gladys Knight on CNN giving an LDS spin to MJ having to atone for his sins on the other side.
- All MJ's past & present employees coming up with all their stories about him and his drug use. Like this surprises us? And what's up with that crazy doctor? Waiting 30 minutes to call 911? And I'm 7 years away from being a doctor, but even I know CPR doesn't work on a bed.
- And can we forget the Filipino inmate's tribute to Michael?
Posted by Jude at 8:53 PM 1 comments