What Ought To Be: July

1. Closer in Faith: I caught up on my bible reading just to get right back behind again. The only saving grace is that this is not as far behind as I have been in the past. I am hoping that on the first of August I can just get everything right back on track

2. Lose 50 Pounds: I am not doing great. I know I'm not nearly as bad as I was last year. I need to start going back to the gym. 

3. Cook Better: I have been cooking more meals at home. I have also been keeping up with the TCM cook book so far and that is starting to make me really excited for each week. If I can just get myself to make meals for when I am at work I will be loads better

4. Dress for Success:  This has been about 50/50 this month. I was doing really well for the start of the month then my sleep schedule went nuts and I can't get myself out of bed to go and get really ready for the day.

5. Speak up: I have spoken up at work a lot more his month. We have a project that we are working on and it's been a little bit of a struggle. I have been speaking up more when it comes to it because things are not getting done how they need to be. However, we are making progress, and while there is stuff that still needs to be worked out, we have a really good plan going on. 

6. Own the Room: To be honest I still really have no idea who I know if I will accomplish this one. However, It's not been this month. 

7. Look People in the eye more: This one is much better than the start of the year. I still have to remind myself that I need to look at people when I am walking away from the desk and not to look at my feet when I walk. 

9. Style: 

I chose this shirt because I don't really like the color on me, and I also hate how form fitting it is. However, I got lots of compliments the day that I wore it. It's very odd how it's all of these shirts are the ones the people seem to like most of me. 

10. Creativity: I have stalled on the reading. Not totally, but enough that I was not going through nearly as many books as I had been. However, I have been working on my blanket. I have almost finished off another ball of yarn and the thing is becoming rather long. 

11. Spoiling: I was not intending of spoiling myself in this way this month but I did buy a new laptop. I have been wanting to buy a new on for some time. I have had my old laptop for years and I shocked that it's not dead. 

12. Peace: Surprisingly, I do feel at peace this month. Really it's because I know where I am at and that I feel like I have a plan to get into it again. I need to be better at maintaining my life instead of restating it every couple of months. I feel better to because I got all of this month's projects either done early on on time when I needed them to be done. I need to be better at sticking to the plan that I come up with instead of feeding into the "I don't feel like it" mood. I hope I have better reports next month.

Mr. Magorium is the owner of a wonderful toy shop, that has been around for years. The place really feels like it has a life of it's own when you walk in. It's almost rather magical. However, everything starts to change when Mr. Magorium hires and accountant to get his affairs in order because he will be dying the next day. With this knowledge the store starts to throw a hissy fit and starts to loose it's magic. Molly, the store's manager, is asked by Mr. Magorium to take over the store once he passes. She doesn't feel like she can take care of the store in the way she thinks it needs to be run. However, a few unlikly sources may be able to give her the courage she needs.

This is one of those movies that I would always sit and watch when it was on tv. It's just a sweet movie that has a really good meaning, and some really good hats. You also have Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Jason Bateman in a cast you really can't go wrong. 

"When in Rome". When a princess is at her wits end on having to do everything in just the right order, in just the right way, without much time for herself she cracks. She literally cracks. A doctor has to come and give her something to rest, but she ends up sleep walking and roaming the streets of.... well... Rome. A reporter, on his way back from loosing all of his money in a game of cards, finds her on on a bench asleep. He takes her home and then realizes that she is the princess. He figures he has a good way of getting the story of a lifetime. He takes her all around Rome and she gets to experience life as a normal girl because she goes back to the palace.

This is the second time I have seen this movie and I am was shocked both times on just how wonderfully sweet this movie was. I figured it would be way more intense and sneaky than it was. I really do like movies that have a simple premise and just a nice happy story. You don't need everything to be flashing in order to get a story across. This movie is really just about a nice day in Rome. 

The meal Alaina and I had this month was Crown of Cantaloupe Salad with Mozzarella Pearls and Baked Garlic Crostini. 

 

Ok, I know that the picnic looks very weird but it's for my celebration this month so this was a two for one combo! However, the meal and drinks were delicious! it was sweet and savory and everything was wonderful! This is a meal that I would totally make again!

The lives of several people are about to be changed! They have no idea how just yet but they are about to be rocked to the very core. Nathan Detroit is trying to keep his floating crap game from sinking and he is trying everything in his power to do so. However, the lack of money, and the law, are both breathing down his neck. All the while his finance is trying to get him to pick a day to get married... after 14 years of engagement. When it's known the Sky Masterson is in town Nathan tries to make a bet with him to win the money he needs to keep his game going. However, the girl he picks is not someone he would normally pick for a trip to Havana or to fall in love with.

There are so many reasons why I love this movie. I mean Frank Sinatra in the movie alone is one of the best reasons. However, the music is funny and wonder, and the whole story is just a laugh to go through. I loved the Broadway show when it came through Knoxville as well. It's a movie I will always watch when given the chance and one I will always love.

This meal was Arroz Con Pollo.

This was another one of those really big meals that I needed help with eating. My parents came over again to have this one. It was really good! The only problem was I over cooked the chicken a little bit. The recipe called for Chicken thighs, but no one in my family really likes dark meat so I made the breast and it got a little over done. My mom also suggested chucking the chicken next time. I will probably make this meal again. I did have a good time when my parents we watched a comedy show and just hung out. 

The Coconut Milk Punch was no that great. I don't like cocoanut anything. This was somehow too sweet and not sweet enough. It was just gross. I don't be making this one again anytime soon. I am just going to ignore the fact that I ever had it all!

Life in Texas is just about as big as you think! The movie Giant follows the life of of several people as they discover what it means to be successful in a new state. When Leslie movies falls in love with Bick Benedick and moves to Texas she learns that life is very different out in the middle of now where. She was not fully prepared for what she was expected to do, but take to the challenge right away. Learning what she can to be apart of the life of her new husband, but also to maybe make improvements of her new home. Sometimes against the wishes of the new people she now calls family. However, no one is prepared for the tragedy and surprises that this life is going to bring them.

I remember trying to watch this movie when I was younger. I don't think that I finished it. I thought it was too long and very boring, but honestly I think it was right at the start of me discovering classic films. I was still developing the taste and interest in dramatic movies. Watching it now, it's spectacular. All of the lighting and the scenes are beautiful, and the acting is top notch! The fact that this is also James Dean's last film is really poignant as well. 

 The Texas sized meal that paired with this film was Barbacoa with Tortillas, Onions, and Cilantro. Since I don't like cilantro, I didn't use that. However, the meal was delicious. The only thing I would change would not to use corn tortillas because they were falling apart and hard to eat. However, the favor was insanely good and I might make this meal again! The drink was a Chocolate Martini, and it was so good! I was not sure what I was going to like it. It seemed very weird but I was shocked about how much I loved it! I will also be making that drink again. 

1920's prohibition was no joke! Everyone was trying to find a way to get their fix, without going to jail. The mob is making some money by selling alcohol anywhere it can, and hiding it to get it where is needs to go. When joint that Joe and Jerry are playing at gets busted they make a run for it. However, they end up in the middle of the mob's "deals" that goes wrong. In an effort to get away with their lives, Joe and Jerry dress up as women and join an all women's band that is headed to Florida. They think that they are about to escape with their lives, when one of their hearts get stolen instead. 

This is one of the first movies that I have seen with Marilyn Monroe, and it's been one of my favorites with her since. It's such a funny story, and Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are at their best here. Every line the deliver has perfect timing. Every look and movement has the best impact for a laugh. The film is witty, and a riot to watch! 

That night I had Manhattan to drink and the meal was Manhattan-Marinated Flank Steak with Velvet Potatoes. So, the meal was the only meal I wanted to even try when I first got the cookbook years ago. It was delicious. I did have a little problem with finishing sauce. I accidentally put too much flour in the mix and had to thin it out with more beef broth so I am sure that the sauce didn't taste like it should have. It was still good, it was just a little off. The Potatoes are to die for! I was very nervous because I thought that there was going to be to many onions. Then I thought I could pick them out... then I realized that I wasn't going to be able to do that. I have now realized that..... I actually like onions.... I don't think I was ever going to say that but every meal I have mad really has onions and I haven't picked any out in any meal I have made so far. I am still in shock. The drink on the other hand was not my cup of tea. In fact I really would have been happier with the cup of tea. 

I am looking forward to the next month. We got lots of good stuff coming up!