Becca’s World

Seriously, though, I’m finding that as I get older, life is so busy the days pass by too fast.

Then again, I really want it to be spring already and won’t mind the time-warp that gets me there…

I’ve lost one more pound as of my last weigh-in and I’m hoping it only gets better as the weather improves, sending me outdoors more often. Unfortunately, holidays associated with sweets will sidetrack me, but I won’t have that excuse again until April.

I finished Plain Truth (Jodi Picoult) tonight, so I’m on to a re-read of True Devotion (Dee Henderson) next since it’s the book of the month at Christian Bookshelf (a message board that’s hopping these days, btw).

I’m a few pounds lighter according to the scale at home. Yay!

I’ve been working since the start of January to take advantage of good weather for outdoor exercise, but I haven’t made great strides in indoor workouts. I enjoyed my first taste of Zumba, but getting myself to put on an exercise DVD is harder than it sounds – I’d much rather be reading, watching a movie, even tackling house-cleaning.

My best friend gave me a set of dainty teacups for Christmas and besides looking great in the china cabinet, they’re useful for portion control when I want hot chocolate! I use a third of the mix that I used to and still get to satisfy the craving!

I’ve also started rationing chocolate bars in the sense that I’ll only eat a small bit at a time, spreading an entire bar over several days to a week rather than wolfing it down right away. That’s also great for my sweet tooth.

And I’ve made more salads lately than I used to do, though I need to get it out of my head that it takes too long to fix one. Besides, one salad for supper usually gives enough leftovers to eat for lunch the next day with avocado or salmon…

I was able to see “Inkheart” on the weekend with my two oldest nephews, one of whom owns the Inkheart trilogy. (I’ve read the first two books.) We all loved the movie version.

I know some details were changed from the book, but since it’s been a while since I read it, I don’t recall specifics. And that’s probably a good thing because it allowed me to appreciate the screenplay for what it is. Movies are typically faster-paced than books because of the time limits they face, so events and explanations are either quickly done or omitted, but this doesn’t have to mean the movie isn’t enjoyable. The screenwriters of “Inkheart” managed to satisfy at least two readers.

I’ll be waiting impatiently for the DVD release so I can share the story with the rest of my family. Of course, if I can persuade them to read the novels as well… To a bookworm like me, a tale of books coming alive is the ultimate intrigue!

Though this movie is almost 16 years old*, it hasn’t lost any of its charm. Meteorologist Phil Connors (Bill Murray) unknowingly embarks on an adventure lightly reminiscent of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol when he covers Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day festivities. Phil isn’t the nicest guy you’ve met in a movie, but when he’s doomed to repeat February 2nd over and over, he learns a few lessons. It’s a funny journey!

(And if you haven’t seen “Scrooged,” another Bill Murray movie, check it out when Christmas decorations and merchandise appear in stores next fall.)

*Why was the release date February 12, 1993, and not February 1st or 2nd? Odd…