I just spent my Christmas money.

I joined Netflix. See, our Blockbuster here is just... lacking. If it's not the latest and greatest and a bit crude, it's not there. So in order to expand my choices, I joined Netflix. I considered joining Blockbuster online, but Netflix got much better reviews on the Ask Metafilter, which to me is on the same level as Consumer Reports but by real consumers. Ooo- I should have checked Epinions. Might do that.

Anyway, now we have a free two-week trial. I signed up for the $9.99 a month, one-at-a-time, unlimited monthly deal. Here's what's in our queue right now, in order. Care to make some suggestions? I'm stupid excited for The Office dvds to arrive-- they're the ones from BBC. We've already caught up on the Steve Carell version. Now it's time to see the originals. Thanks, Kerry, for the suggestion!

The Office: Series 1
The Office: Series 2
The Office Special
The Wool Cap (Thanks, Sam, for the suggestion)
Arrested Development: Season 1: Disc 1 (My sister loves this. I've never seen it.)
Arrested Development: Season 1: Disc 2
Arrested Development: Season 1: Disc 3
Arrested Development: Season 2: Disc 1
Arrested Development: Season 2: Disc 2
Arrested Development: Season 2: Disc 3
Arrested Development: Season 3: Disc 1
Arrested Development: Season 3: Disc 2
Mostly Martha (I must own this soon. I just love this movie.)
Nowhere in Africa
Bread and Tulips (makes me think of my roommate Susan)
Born Free (to reminisce about Africa)
Cinema Paradiso: Director's Cut (makes me think of Baltimore's outdoor movie nights)
Roman Holiday
Coach Carter
Glory Road
Cars
Jesus Camp
C.S. Lewis: The Magic Never Ends
Coupling: Season 1 (looked interesting-- like a British "Friends")
Coupling: Season 2: Disc 1
Coupling: Season 2: Disc 2
Coupling: Season 3: Disc 1
Coupling: Season 3: Disc 2
Coupling: Season 4
Monty Python: The Life of Python: Vol. 1
Monty Python: The Life of Python: Vol. 2
The Chorus
Children of Heaven

As you can see, Brad hasn't gotten to add to the list yet. I threw in some Monty Python because I knew he'd probably like that. It will have a more masculine feel soon, I'm sure. Something with war, car races, and general violence will do.

Things are ok right now, otherwise. Not a single bite on our house which is discouraging. But we only listed it December 22nd. Average time on the market around here is like 120 days. So I won't get nervous until April 22, which happens to be my half-birthday. That would be a great half-birthday present, God. A contract.

And speaking of birthdays and houses, I had a bit of a mini-epiphany the other day. Remember the red Cape Cod house we found on my birthday in Ohio? The one that I thought was my birthday present from God? And then it sold? The thought popped into my head the other day-- what if that feeling, that zing I felt, was given in order to nudge us to get moving? We had just been talking about it before then, not really making any purposeful strides. Perhaps the purpose of the red house was to tell us that it's time to list our Florida house. Ever since that epiphany I've felt a little better about things.

And we've found a church that will work for the time being. It's not home, but it's pretty good. And it's only 15 minutes away, which is nice. It will do for a while. We're going to stay anonymous for a bit.

I've been on a cooking kick lately. I spent a day in the kitchen right before Christmas and felt so alive afterward. Creating, being in the kitchen, cooking, it all makes my heart feel alive. As does Country Living magazine. I'm so hungry for an antique fair or flea market that I drool over the pages of CL mag, ogling the old, worn quilts and beat up, paint-chipped tables. I am midwestern at heart.

Oh, but about cooking. I made some french onion soup on Sunday night for dinner- yum. And then Jell-o popcorn, red for Ohio State, on Monday. And last night I mixed up oatmeal cookies from a mix I got for Christmas. I added mini chocolate chips and toffee chips. It has all been good for my soul.

Don't forget the movie suggestions! Thanks!