what to see, and not to see

Here's a list of movies I have seen recently. and my opinions.

SEE: Temple Grandin

This movie is fantastic.  It is based on a true story of an autistic woman who is an animal behaviorist that has a big hand in helping the cattle industry, as well as her issues of being autistic during a time when know one really understood it. It is such an interesting film and so insightful in trying to understand autism.  The movie was well made and Claire Danes acting is superb.  Not your typical film, but give it a chance and I think you'll like it.

DON'T SEE: Unknown

If you were like me and thinking this recently released film would be almost like the sequel to Taken, it's most definitely not.  Very anti-climactic and Liam Neeson is half the man he was in Taken.  The whole movie I felt like I was waiting for it to get good and exciting.. and then it ended and I was still waiting. And it didn't help that the acting was that great either.  I'd say save your $9 and wait 'til the dollar theater or redbox. 

SEE: Evita

Harold and I watched this a month or so ago but it is a fantastic movie.  Based on the musical Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  If there is one thing you should know about me is that I love Mr. Webber and his musical talents- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an absolute favorite of mine. So it came to no surprise that I would enjoy another one of his works.  Plus it is based on the true story of Evita which is very interesting.  A poor girl that makes her way to the top of the social class and ends up as wife to Argentina's president.  The people love her and she does a lot to help them.  Great music, great story, and an overall great film.  It's a true musical so there is really hardly any talking at all- everything is sung.  Oh and did I mention MADONNA is Evita.  She does a great job.

That's all folks. 

Next on the list to see: Never Say Never. We'll see if I catch the fever.

dream home

How precious is this house? Well turns out this little beauty is for sale in South Carolina, which could potentially be one of the places we move to come this June for Harold's job. There's a few other places that we could be sent to so we'll just have to play the waiting game for now.

Looking forward to the future (May 14th in particular!)

save the date.

I forgot to mention in the last post but we've picked a date..

May 14, 2011 

I feel so great about this date. I love the idea of a spring wedding.  I love flowers, blossoms, sun, and warmth- and I think we all know that there is nothing better than those warm spring days after dealing with such a cold, harsh winter.  So here's to praying and hoping that May 14th will be warm and sunny and basically the best day ever.  I feel really good about it.

hope to see you all there!

the story.

Thanks to my soon to be sister, Mary Martha, she was able to capture some great pictures of me and Harold's engagement.  Before the pics I'll share a quick version of the story..

February 1, 2011: Harold and I had made plans to go to dinner for my birthday because I was going to miss it due to a business trip.  While on his way to pick me up he suggest this great little restaurant up in Heber called The Spicy Lady, where we have gone before.  He told me there was a guy playing a guitar that night and it should be a fun time. However he made it very clear that it was my birthday and my choice and so if I didn't want to no pressure.

Well the guy knew me too well and knew that I would definitely go along with it.

So up the Provo Canyon we go!

In the car ride I bring up my trip to Houston and what he is going to do while I am gone.  He tells me he is going to go hunting and then casually "remembers" that he needs to get his gun and that if we have time could we stop in Wallsburg, where his family's ranch is, to get his gun.

The only if we have time convinced me and I didn't think anything of it.

So as we are getting closer to Wallsburg I tell him that we will have time and may as well stop before dinner to get it. 

So easy for this guy.. I mean I suggested that we stop. He didn't even have to convince me to stop before.

Well we pull up to the ranch and I notice there is a light on inside but again I just think someone forgot to turn out the lights.

completely oblivious.

We get out of the car and are walking to the door and as we approach it, I can see through the windows on each side, all the splendor within.

candles. hundreds of them.

roses everywhere.

petals all over the ground.

giant pictures of us blown up real big.

and a giant sign that says "will you marry me?"

Well at this point I finally caught on. go figure.

We entered the house and as we get inside he says he has a question to ask me..

I wonder if it is the same one on that extra large sign, hanging from the ceiling?

Well my man got down on his knee, pulled out the ring and asked me for my hand.

ahhhhhhhhhhh.

I said yes. 

and we kissed, laughed, hugged, and carried on. 

It was very surreal and I couldn't believe that I was actually engaged.

Oh, and did I mention he had a whole dinner ready waiting for us- martinelli's and all?

It was the best "birthday dinner date" ever.

After our special moment I was informed that Mary Martha had lit all the candles so she was hiding in her car behind the barn whilst he was asking me. So after we had our moment she drove out and came in and took pictures of everything. Here's just some of the pics of our little "engagement photo shoot"

the reenactment

It was the most amazing evening. 

I love him.

-love, the future Mrs. Abell

YES

It's true, I'm engaged and couldn't be happier!

(more pictures coming soon)