Burlesque: A Review

*****PLEASE BE ADVISED, SPOILERS MAY BE PRESENT BELOW*****

The girls and I went out this past weekend for a much anticipated new movie:  Burlesque.  I absolutely, one-hundred-and-fifty percent loved it.

Singing?  Check.  Dancing?  Check.  Hot guys?  Check.  Naked hot guys?  Check.  Is there anything else needed in a movie?  Pretty sure that would be ah,  no. 

This was a star-studded cast (Cher, Christina Aguilera, Eric Dane, Cam Gigandet, Peter Gallagher) which always helps.  Did I mention a naked guy?  In case you're wondering, it was Cam Gigandet.  And I promise you won't be disappointed.

Basically, the movie is about a girl from Iowa, Ali who wants more from life.  So she goes to Hollywood in hopes of singing and/or dancing because it's what she loves.  She stumbles across this club, Burlesque, which features tasteful dancing that doesn't involve stripping but it most certainly erotic in nature.  It's hot.

Since Ali is played by Christina Aguilera, it's obvious that singing is involved.  That girl has a set of pipes on her that still amaze me.  From the moment I heard "Genie in a Bottle" all those years ago, I was hooked.  I heart her.

Anyway, the owner (played by none other than Cher) finds out she can sing and suddenly the whole show now revolves around Ali.  There is tons of singing, sexy dance numbers, and of course romance.

Burlesque is kind of a cross between Coyote Ugly and Moulin Rouge--both of which I also love.  If you love singing and dancing (and hot, naked guys) you'll love Burlesque!

Christmas Stockings

Over the weekend, my creative juices started flowing again.  I mentioned last week that I've been feeling crafty lately and not in a book-writing-way.  In a working-with-my-hands way.  My newest project was Christmas stockings.

I don't have a sewing machine yet so I had to sew them by hand which kind of took forever, but that's okay.  I got to practice with choosing fabric and following patterns and improvising so it was a success.  It was definitely a learning experience, and I'd say by the third stocking I had it down pretty much perfect.

Michael's Stocking

My stocking

Evie's stocking

I'm ridiculously proud of myself for the finished outcome simply because I've never been in any way, shape or form considered artsy.  My siblings got that gene, not me.  But I think I picked great fabric and did a good job of making sure the best part of the fabric design was displayed.  I love sewing!

Here's how pretty they all look together.

Now I just need a sewing machine so I can start making more complicated things!

Hey, It's Okay

It's been awhile since I've done this, but I thought I'd bring it back.  I got this idea from a fellow blogger who in turn got it from Glamour magazine.  Basically, any Thursday that I feel like, I'm going to write a list of things to be okay about.  Feel free to do the same on your blog--any day of the week!

Hey, It's Okay...

To wish I could keep my Christmas tree up all year round.  All the glittery bulbs and white lights make my living room look so pretty. 

To let Evie run around the house in a long sleeve shirt, panties and nothing else.  Evie finally decided potty training was something she was interested in, and I figure the less clothes to get peed on the better. 

To hope Kansas doesn't get any snow this year.  I really hate snow.  We'll have a white Christmas since we're going home to Wisconsin for a few days over the holiday, and that's enough for me.  I think I prefer the ugly brownness I see outside my window to a Winter Wonderland. 

To want to hide my scale until after the new year.  I love baking, especially Christmas-y foods.  I want to make gingerbread men and cut-out cookies and fudge and almond bark and...oh, now I'm hungry. 

To want to be Martha Stewart (sans stock scandal and subsequent jail time) when I grow up.  I've recently acquired this creative bug that has nothing to do with writing.  I picked up embroidering again, and really want a sewing machine for Christmas so I can expand my textile horizons.  I may be a feminist, but I sorta feel like Donna Reed too.

Wordless Wednesday

Sometimes I think, maybe I should take pictures of something other than my child.  Broaden my horizons so to speak.  But then I think, nah.  Why waste perfectly good memory space?

Squadron Holiday Party

Friday night Michael and I donned our slightly-more-than-casual clothes and headed off to our first official Squadron Christmas party.  It was held in a meeting room at a local hotel.

For our first military party, I think it went pretty well.  We didn't know many people there so we ended up sitting with a table of single Airman since Michael knew one of them.  Me, Michael, and seven single guys equals an interesting evening.  Of course, I was the oldest as always.

We had a surprisingly yummy meal.  And we had cheesecake for dessert!  I've heard the food isn't always great at these things so I was pleasantly surprised with the quality.  And did I mention cheesecake?!?

The rest of the evening was spent with dancing, karaoke, and the giving away of prizes.  The real reason people pay to go to events like this.  The prizes.   Alas, we didn't win anything. We don't usually have that kind of luck.

All in all, a decent evening.  We don't get to spend a lot of time alone out of the house so that in itself made it worth it. 

Milspouse Friday Fill In

It's been awhile since I've participated in Wifey's Milspouse Friday Fill-In so I thought I'd jump back in the game.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  Michael and I are going to our first Squadron Christmas Party tonight! 

1. If you were given $1,000 right now, how would you spend it? 
I would pay off the debt we have from buying Christmas presents first so I wouldn't feel guilty.  But then I'd buy a sewing machine (I really want one!), some books, and probably spend the rest on Evie.  She gets everything already, why deviate from the norm?
 
2. If you had to choose a movie title (a real one that already exists) for your life story, what would it be? 
This one was hard!  Michael said "Pretty Woman" which is sweet.  But I think The Pursuit of Happyness is more fitting.  That's what I'm really striving for in life--happiness.  I just want to be blissfully happy with absolutely no cares in the world.  And if that can't happen, that I guess I'll just have to settle with I am Legend because I want to make my mark on the world, and have my name down in the history books.  I want to be legendary! (And apparently Will Smith will star in my movie.)

 3. If you were a teacher, what subject would you like to teach? 
When I was almost done with my Sociology degree, I thought about continuing with school to become a teacher (and then decided no thanks!) so I've given this some thought already. I think I'd either teach English because I absolutely love reading and writing or Social Studies/History because I want to make the past fun for kids.  I've had some great teachers in my past, but I think that subject was always taught in such a boring way.  It's only since I've been out of high school that I've dedicated more time to learning about history, and realized how much I enjoy the subject.  

4. Has being a MilSpouse changed how you view holidays or how your holidays are celebrated? If so, how? If not, what hasn’t changed? 
This is our first holiday season as a military family, but I think it's pretty much setting the precedent.  I doubt we'll ever go visit family for Thanksgiving again because I'd rather go for Christmas.  This year we will be going to our hometown for Christmas, but I know that in the future even that may not be a possibility. 

Being a military family means we have to redefine how we think of everything--which of course includes holidays.  As long as I'm with Michael and Evie, I'm where I'm suppose to be.  And our friends wherever we are at the moment are our temporary families so we'll never really be alone.  It hurts a little to change the traditions I never thought would change, but we milspouses are strong!

5. What is your favorite Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) memory?
I have a favorite tradition that is my favorite part of Christmas.  My mom comes from a very large family--she's one of twelve children.  Needless to say with aunts and uncles and cousins and their spouses and all their children, I have a lot of extended family.  Every year we all get together to celebrate Christmas.  It used to be on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day when I was little and spending time with that loud, large crowd was my favorite part of Christmas.  Even though the celebration is now held a week or so before Christmas and not everyone shows up, it's still one thing I look forward to every holiday season.  This will be my first year ever missing it, and I'm pretty sad about it.

Wordless Wednesday

Beautiful Kansas sunset!

Taking a break from cooking the Thanksgiving feast for a photo-op.

Oh Christmas Tree!