Looking In My Own Backyard: December

 "Here we as in as in olden days, Happy Golden Days of yore".

Can you believe that Christmas is tomorrow? I can't believe that this is the last post of my family tree for the year. I might post more if I find out anything else that I find interesting. The problem is I really want to like look at everything and love all of it and not just look up stories. I really want to learn more but, that will be for another day. 

Right now, we needs to get down to some business and talk about the movie Richie Rich.

Richie was born into a family of great wealth! They have billions of dollars and everything that you could ever want or ask for! When you live such a charmed life it's hard to see what you are missing. For Richie, he was miss friends. There are other kids his age that have some of the same privileges that he does, but they don't really get along. Richie's family loves him too but it's still hard when everyone is very busy. One of his father's employees is a very greedy man who wants to take over all of that money and us it for his own. So, he sets up a plan to murder the whole family so he gets the money. However, when Richie ends up not being on the plane that is set to blow he is now in charge of everything. No the villain must come up with another plan before Riche finds his family. He must also do so with the help of his new friends!

This is one of those very cute movies of families that you just love. It's just super cute and it has a good message about what is really valuable in life and what isn't. There really isn't much to say here other than that. It's cute and funny and I would watch it again. 

So, let's talk about the last member of my family (well it's going to be members but you will see what I mean): George Edward "Old Ned" "Golden Hawk" Sizemore.

Now when I first saw that name I was in a little bit of denial. My dad, and a few other members of my dad's side of the family, have said that they believed that we had some Native American in us. Now, lots of families have said that and lots of people that claim they do no not actually have any. Then I did my ancestry and it shows that I have a small amount in me. Now, if you told me that I would actually come across names of Native American family members a that start of the year I would have been shocked. 

So, here is kind of the problem. Lots of people, who have done way more research than I, think that the Sizemore's are Cherokee Indian. Now, there is lots of speculations about this, mainly from the Government, if this is true. Some, think that he is not originally Cherokee, but maybe something else. There are some stories that Ned saves many Cherokee lives because he hid them in Mountains so they would not have to go through the Trail of Tears. There is an account by one of his Grandchildren that he used to walk around with a pet bear! 

The reason that there is a problem is because even though many people have claimed that He lived as a Native American and was recognized by other Native Americans, for some reason the Government doesn't see him as one. That means none of his family is recognized either. One of his Grandchildren tried to petition to be recognized and could not get to. One other member of this family, more recently, has talked to someone is Native American and knows a lot about their history to know the name of Sizemore and still nothing. 

So, here is what it comes down to for me. I don't know. I am more inclined to believe it, but I won't go around saying "I have Cherokee in me" when I really don't know what I do have. I will say that regardless if Ned Sizemore was a Native American, the fact that he saved anyone from that Trail of Tears is an amazing feat. I am, once again, very happy to be related to come of the bravest and coolest people that could have ever walked the Earth.

I have loved going on this journey this year! I would have never thought I would be able to go back as far as I have. I would have never had known how important some of my family members were, and how they all make up who I am. I mean it just goes to show what God can use to make us who we are. God's plans are greater then our own and it show for me even in my family. I mean of the 1000 people I have in my tree I only have 130ish stories. Some I have shared here. The amazing stories that are known here are only a small handful of the ones that I know nothing about! I mean, how much more amazing are the people that weren't talk a story about. 

I would totally recommend anyone to do this. Just start looking and see what comes up. You really never know what you are going to find out.  

Up Inside the Cyclone: November

Finally the last post of the day! I hope that means that I can focus on the other things I have to do and write that stuff quickly! We will see how this goes.

Let's just jump in with the month's movie, Red Notice.

When a CIA agents gets into a lot of trouble for an op going totally out of hand, he must reach out to the second most notorious Art thief in order to catch the most notorious. However, these type of things never go as they are planned. Once you think you know what she is going to do you find that you are three steps behind.

I get it I know this is new and this is a little bit of a cheat. However, I watched it when it came out and saw what it was and replaced it on this list with the one I was supposed to watch. This movie was hilarious, and just a great joy to watch. Ryan Reynolds is just everything and then you throw in The Rock and Gal Gadot it's just a fun ride. I won't say anymore just go and watch it yourself.

So, this was a weird month because it's was supposed to be only Luke doing the Plot Twist this month. However, mom still had her one that she needed to make up for. So, here we go, let's get started.

Luke started off very early on this month and made me get up very early on a weekend. 

Then while we were watching the new Psych 3 movie he gave me the longest of his three. 

As you can see he had a good time in front the camera. The third one was fun but I didn't get any video of me doing it, so here is a video of me explaining it. 

I think I liked the Sunset one the best. It's been a while since I have had the chance to do that so I really enjoyed it. 

Now mom's was not that crazy either.

Over all November was a very chill month for plot twist. Which I am honestly very happy about because it's starting to get very busy here. So, with that I just have two more plot twist left for the whole year and then I will be done. 

We Shall see what happens with those.

Looking In My Own Backyard: November

 We are almost done and I am a bit sad that we are. I will save the sappy for the end of the year, but we will be fist talking about the movie Coco.

The day of the dead may sound scary to those who don't know about it. In reality, it's a celebration of life. Family members who have passed away get to cross the bridge back to the land of the living for one night every year. However, their picture must be on the mantle of someone who cared for them. Never before has someone from the land of the living cross to the that of the dead, until now. When trying to prove to his family that music is not a bad that, Miguel, is someone able to go between both worlds. In doing so he finds the truth about his family, and what it family really means.

I enjoyed this movie the first time I saw it and I love it even more now. Disney has really done a good job in recent years to explore other cultures. They have always done with with legends and stuff like that but actually showing these celebrations and showing what they are really about has been great to see. I really did love this whole idea of Miguel going to visit those who know him but he now gets to understand what has happened in the past. We can't always fully know what lead to were we are now but we can have a better understanding of how things came to be if we know a little bit about the history. 

I think that this is why I have loved doing this so much. I have found out more about how my family has come to be and how I got here. Just like this next story from mom's side. We are going to talk about my Nine times great Grandfather Gabriel Moran. 

Gabriel was from Claire County, Ireland. The reason that they left is because Oliver Cromwell was conquering Ireland for England and they took the Mora's land and they had to come to America. They ended up living in Maryland and that is where Gabriel met his wife. They build a beautiful home there and lived a very successful life by all account. However, there is someone else in this family tree that was able to find exactly where they lived in Claire County, and were able to provide proof that the they lived there. With this information they Moran family can have a Coat of Arms.

We are down to one story left in this wonderful year. 

You're The Best Friends Anybody Ever Had: Luke

 So, we are down to the very last post of an individual person post. I am sad that it's the last one but it's been great doing them. Let me introduce you to Luke.

I wasn't sure if I was going to find a picture that was Luke in a nutshell but then I found this... it's very accurate. Luke is an amazing human being and I love hanging out around him. When I met him six years ago I know that he was going to be in my life forever, he is married to Alain, but I didn't expect us to be as close friends as we are now. It all started when he came with other members of Alaina's missions tour for breakfast and a joke about the movie Singing in the Rain, and that was it. 

Luke is one of the funniest people that I know. He loves puns, jokes, and anything that will get a laugh. If you can make a joke that also includes stuff about the fandom's he loves then you are for sure going to find a friend in him. He is too quick with the puns sometime, and he was ready with dad jokes before he became a dad. It's always great when you finally are able to beat him to a punch or find a joke first (it's very hard to do) because he will always laugh and will always tell you when it's good!

Luke also likes to prank you when he can. This picture is of him and my mom because he loves to take my phone and take selfies for me to find later. he also love to stack the spices and can in my house when he comes over. He is always willing to do crazy fun things and go the extra mile to do those fun things. He is also always wanting to help you do the things you want to do in an interesting way. Like for my plot twists he gave me new experiences to try rather than just make me do funny stuff. He wants you to try everything but he also wants you to enjoy it as well.

As much as he loves jokes and having a good time, he knows when to be serious. When you are have a problem he wants to help fix it. When you need a helping hand, he is there to do whatever he can. That was always proven to me when we both worked for a hospital. He joined the team after about a year or me working there and we saw each other all the time! He made working there so much fun but when things got hard or serious he always tried he best to be the go to person to ask for help. He was always engaged with the patients, and with everyone else we worked with. 

I am very glad to have Luke in my life. I told him at his wedding that he answered my prayer by being the person Alaina need to marry but I didn't know at the time that he would also answer another prayer of being a great friend to me. I knew that I wanted to like whoever Alaina married but I didn't know that we would be such good friends. God knew what he was doing when he put Luke in all of our lives, and I would not want it any other way.

You're The Best Friends Anybody Ever Had: November

 Am I going slightly mad because it's the end of the year and I'm behind on everything? Yes. Am I stressed because I have two more gifts to give that are not ready and the last day of the year is going to be here before we know it? Yes. Does it worry me tat we are so close and I don't feel like I am going to get everything done? Yes. 

Will all of this be worth it? 

I hope so. 

I love this time of year. I always have. I have loved it the best the last few years because I have had everything, Christmas gift wise, done months in advance. I am there on that front. Honestly, the biggest problem right now is that I keep adding stuff to my calendar. I am only on here doing this today because I took of work because I wasn't supposed to be home from a mini vacation until today. However, stuff happened and we came home last night instead. Totally fine! However, I almost went into work so save a vacation day. I took it off though so I could write all of these blogs and be back on track so I can spend that rest of month doing the other blogs and doing the other projects. So, with that lest talk about my friends.

However, you know we have to do the movie first! 

This is the story of a reluctant adventure. Frodo is thrown out of the world he knows and into a much bigger fate than he could imaging. After the responsibility of an evil ring is placed in his hands, Frodo must travel the world in search of how to destroy it. He is joined with his friend Sam and other from his village and it also joined by fellow men and women who wish for this evil to stop. However, this band of brothers must face their own worries, fears, and temptations to do what is best for the world. They find that sometimes you must fight together and apart in order for everyone to be successful.

Look I know that my description is terrible. I get that It's not near what it should be. However, if I were to right more it would just be spilling the whole move, so let's move on. 

This fist time that I have ever watched this movie it was for the Best Picture Challenge I did a few years ago. I loved that movie. I thought it was beautiful, and well thought out story. However, I didn't pay as much attention to the relationships between the characters as I did this time. I cried. There are so many people who joined to help Frodo from the start. I know that they became (and will become) friends later as we go. However, I mean I can not believe that I took me so long to just love Sam the way I did. I remember Sam being the best guy for Frodo in the third film. I forgot how great he is for him in this movie as well. 

I also love how sometimes it's hard to be a friend when you are going through things. Like I have never heard anyone in this Fandom say that Frodo is a bad friend. Frodo has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he is now in a constant battle for his mind and soul with the new ownership of this ring. We all get to a point in our lives that we are not capable of being the best friend we can be. We get to the end of ourselves just to survive day to day that we can't always be there the way you want to be. That is why being a good friend when you can be is so important! That way the people that you love know that you love them. That when you have been there for people they know that when you say you can't that you really can't, not because you don't want to. 

Frodo does try to leave the group at the end of this film, not because he doesn't trust them, but because of the situation that his has been put in that has caused death and destruction around the fellowship already. He is trying to save the people that he cares for. He is trying to be a good friend by not having them suffer anymore with what he is dealing with. 

Sam. Some is truly a great friend. Not only does he go on this trip, that he never wanted to go on, but he follows Frodo to the scariest places that he has been! He knew that he was not made fur such adventures and still went on them anyways. He was scared, and wanted to go home, but literally still almost died to keep his promise to not loose him. Sam is the kind of friend that I admire to be be.

Speaking of admiring. That was this month's theme! This was actually my favorite present to give everyone. It was also the hardest to find a gift for. I was having a hard time showing someone that they are admired without throwing them a party or something. That is until I read something about awards being a way to show that they are admired for an area they work in or their expertise. Then I felt stupid because I enjoy watching the Oscars. I mean I should have known this one of the top of my head and I didn't. 

Anyways, this month's gift was a little statue that had a man holding a star. It just makes my heart happy but I love doing it. I love that little statue and I am very happy I found it. 

Up Inside The Cyclone: October

 Hello! So, October's plot twists were very sweet and simple... and one that contained a plot twist with in a plot twist. I am making it sound more interesting than it is. You'll see what I mean in a second. 

This month's move was Arrival.

Ok, look... I didn't like this movie. I didn't pay much attention... Here is what I remember. Aliens come from space needing help. Dr. Amy Adams is good with languages tried to figured out what they are saying. She is sad because her Daughter died. She saved the world, and then come to find her daughter didn't die the aliens made he see the future and it hasn't happened yet. 

To be honest I have not idea why everyone loved this movie so much. I was bland, and boring, and I really wished I picked a different movie. However, what's done is done and let move one to the fun part. 

We got literally all the way to the end of the month to go my plot twists from my Mom and from Beth. Beth got to hers first.

I will be eating ice cream from here again. Not sure when but it will be soon because it really was super good. Mom's was the plot twist in the plot twist. 

I am really shocked that it's only happened once this year! I thought it would have happened more often with everything that is going on. However, she did have stuff happen that gave her a pass. So will will see what November has for me!

You're The Best Friends Anybody Ever Had: October

 I feel like everything I write one of these it's time to write another one. Thankfully, this one was not centered around one person. So instead of two blogs I just have to write the one. Since this is the first of the last three month that we have left in the year, it's gonna be over before we know it. However, we can still talk about how awesome friends are and this month's theme. 

First, we are going to talk about Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. 

The last 16 years of their lives have been filled with heartbreak, love, excitement, fear, wonder, discovery, anger, and friendship. All of these things have been fought through their whole lives. Before their whole loves actually. These four young women have grown up with each other. They mothers met in a yoga class while they were pregnant and gave birth all in a week of each other. Now upon their 16th year of togetherness they will have to spend their summer apart. Soccer Camp, Family visits, new jobs, and a whole world waiting for them to take on is more than enough for any friendship to be strengthened or destroyed. While on a last shopping spree before they all leave they find a pair of pants that magically fit all of them even with their different heights and body shapes. They buy the pants and use them as a way to keep in touch through the whole summer. 

When I was younger I did read the book. I read it poorly because I had to read it for a class or something and just read it for the sake of saying that I read it. The movie is good and I love all of the people that they chose for it. I will say that I think that this hit home for me is that a lot of time, especially as we get older, most friendship have to be done far apart instead of closer together. I was very fortunate that my friendships started out close and still survived as distance widened. I know that the friendship that I have are the ones that most people had. I know this, and because I know this is makes me determined to keep them close and to keep them strong. 

This moth we had another bonus gift along with the theme gift. The Themed gift was Intelligence. So, this one was one of the easier gifts to come up with. The reason is because at the time of creating the gift ideas I was working on Sudoku puzzles. I figured that we can do almost any puzzle book and that would have been great! So, I picked up a pack and sent them for fun is they wanted to. I got a mixed batch so I am not sure who got what but I am sure they will use them if they wanted to. 

The bonus gift this month was inspired by Luke. His funny quality was Witty. So, that one was easy enough because the man loves Puns. Any time he can find a pun to say or do he will say or do it. So, I found the great page of "tearable" puns to print off. I cut the slits and everything so that you can tear one off and read it as you go. I thought Luke would get a kick out of that. I will say that the next round will happen sooner than people think because I already have the stuff. I just have to send it out. I hope that I can get it out on time!