Five on Friday: 5 Movies I’ve Watched a Bajillion Times

I have no shame in admitting that I’m a movie freak. Like every movie lover, I have my old standbys – the movies I can watch over and over and not grow sick of. These are my top 5.

1. Sleeping Beauty. My grandfather bought me this movie when I was born. I’ve watched this movie hundreds of times – it just doesn’t get old.

2. The Music Man. This is one that my family would all watch together every summer. It was one of my grandmother’s favorites. I haven’t watched it since she passed away because, well, it makes me cry to watch it without her.

3. The Godfather. How could you not watch this movie tons of times? I’m pretty sure I got cool points with my boyfriend when he found out how much I love this movie.

4. Because I Said So. I love this movie. It’s girly, fun, and has three of my favorite actresses: Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, and Lauren Graham. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re looking for a chick flick, it’s a lot of fun.

5. The Hangover. Need a laugh? This movie should do it. My favorite character is Alan because… well, it’s played by Zach Galifianakis, what more of a reason do you really need?

Five on Friday: 5 Things I Learned From My Grandmother

Yesterday would’ve been my grandmother’s 71st birthday. She was an amazing woman. In January of 2010, my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. Three weeks after she was diagnosed, my grandmother passed away. Not a single day goes by that I don’t miss her. I’m so thankful for the time I was able to spend with her. She was one of my closest friends and taught me so much in life. It only seems fitting to dedicate this week’s Five on Friday post to some of the things I learned from her.

1. When you’re putting leftovers in containers, use a container that’s one size smaller than you think you’ll need. I know this sounds crazy, but it has worked for me all but one time!

2. People matter. My grandmother would drop everything she was doing to be hospitable and make people feel welcome.

3. Learn how to cook for a crowd. My grandmother’s house was everyone’s house, and by “everyone” I don’t just mean our family. I don’t think I ever sat down for a meal at her house with less than 6 people at the table. She was always more than happy to cook for whoever wanted to eat.

4. Find something you love and never stop doing it. For my grandmother, this was twofold: she loved genealogy and she loved Bible study. She spent so much time on both and left a ton of notebooks chronicling the knowledge she gained. They made her happy, and that was a beautiful thing.

5. Forgive. In the last conversation I had with my grandmother, she imparted all of the wisdom she could muster the strength to convey to me. The very last thing she said was, “Forgive people, because in the end it really just doesn’t matter.”

And here’s a bonus for those of you reading: Friends come and go, but family is forever. I was 16 when my grandmother told me this. I was ditching a family gathering and she told me I’d understand that someday. She was right.

My Grandma would be happy to know her knowledge is being shared. I’m curious – what are some things you’ve learned from your grandparents?

Five on Friday: 5 Things to Do on a Saturday in Jacksonville

It’s the weekend – time for some fun! If you’re plumb out of ideas, here are some things to do in Jacksonville, FL.

Go to the zoo. Seriously, have you been to the zoo lately? It’s awesome! You can spend the whole day there. And here’s a tip – pack a picnic lunch to make the day more affordable.
Riverside Arts Market. This is seasonal, but it’s SO much fun! Grab some lunch, watch the performers, peruse the wares and then take a walk along the river.
Hike at Ft. Caroline. There are a lot of different trails over there. Take a peek at the Ribault Monument while you’re there – it’s the highest point in Jacksonville.
Mosey around Five Points. I love this area! Bring some cash and eat at Pizza Italian, one of my favorite local restaurants. Then head down to Fans & Stoves Antique Mall for some shopping. You’re bound to leave with a few hidden gems.
Visit Ft. Matanzas. This place is so cool! You ride on a boat to get to the fort. There’s also a hiking trail you can go on and a beautiful area to eat a picnic lunch. Check out my recent blog entry about visiting Ft. Matanzas.

Five on Friday: 5 Things to Do On a Rainy Day

The weather has been less than stellar here in Jacksonville this week. The skies are gray and the rain is steady. I’m one of those strange people actually likes rainy weather. Yes, I said it – I like rain.

These are my top 5 things to do on a rainy day.

1. Read! I get so behind on my books and magazines with my busy life. Rain gives me the perfect excuse to stay inside and bundle up with a book.

2. Knock out my Netflix Instant Queue. I have over 100 things in my Instant Queue, this is the only way I’ll make any progress!

3. Clean. I’m not talking clean the windows and dust the shelves, I’m talking throw everything from my drawers onto my bed and get some deep cleaning done.

4. Make some of the stuff I’ve pinned on Pinterest. My favorite thing to make is one of the recipes I’ve pinned. Yum! Check out my Pinterest boards if you need ideas.

5. Play games with friends and family. Two of our favorites are Apples to Apples and Grunch.

What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?