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Weekly Catch Archives
Table of Contents: 2003
December 5, 2003 …Your mouse, on your computer that is!
Yes, people, it’s that time of year, time to shop until you drop!
But wait – why not save the drop for other people and join me and
millions of others who shop and ship online!
Shopping online is easy and fun and can be cheaper, too, if you know
where to look for coupons. I’ve
got a bunch of tips for you below. So
save on gas, save on time, save your hair from falling out (or being torn out),
save on hours in line, hours in the parking log…
Must I go on??? Shopping Online with Coupons Here are sites that feature coupon codes for online retailers – please visit one of these sites before shopping! You won’t regret it! You can also earn dollars or points for every dollar spent online. Become a member of one of these sites and start making money while you shop: Shopping Online – Security Tips In order to make sure you’re shopping online safely (where no hackers can get your credit card info), check for the following: o In the URL address line, make sure there is an “s” after http – the “s” stands for secure page. o Check for a note from the retailer about their security policies, or a logo like “Verisign”, a company who protects consumers. o
The FCC offers more
tips Online Holiday Shopping FAQs:
So sit down, take a deep breath, have some cocoa and cookies, and do all your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home this year! You deserve it! November 25, 2003 Want to find some fun activities for the kids on
Thanksgiving Day? Fun facts about
Thanksgiving to share with your relatives over dinner?
Check these great links out! Gobble
gobble!
Payson Road is excited to welcome back Jodi Beuder, Editor for the Corner and the Weekly Catch. For those of you who did not see the pictures of Brody on the news page...Jodi has been on maternity leave since giving birth to her beautiful baby boy Brody. We are so happy to have her back. Welcome back Jodi! Time Management Skills I decided I needed a lesson in
prioritizing my time. I thought
I’d share a little with you about what I learned today…
And now, resources on the Internet for
helping you manage time, stress and other such issues:
House/Apartment
Hunting Tips and Info As
the regular PRers know, we like to correspond the Catch with the Corner articles
so we have a bit of a theme going on. This week on the Corner I've written
an article called Obsessive Anyone? that
deals with two issues, house hunting and my satiric look at my own slight case
of OCD. So we've included a little bit of both for the Catch this week. House
Hunting--Looking for somewhere to live is enough to drive even the sanest person
nutty. Here are some quick links to
help you along the way. First and foremost, know your rights. Some
good sites online to look for your 'dream home' are: And
if you are just looking for a great vacation rental, check out these sites: Now
on the other hand, if you are identifying more with OCD these links might be a
little more helpful: For
those of you who read my article on the Corner this week, know that I put some
humor to my obsessive behavior, but all kidding aside, OCD has varying degrees
of seriousness, and oftentimes just putting a name to those 'quirky' habits we
have (checking your door locks 3 times exactly, extensive hand washing, for
example) makes us feel more at ease. For more information about OCD and other Compulsive Disorders please check out these links:
With a Little
Help From Our Friends at NPR
Surviving
Football Season It's NFL Season once again. I don't know why they say
women get upset about it. Because they don't get to hang out with their
"sig" other on Sunday? Who cares! Shopping!
Birthing
Classes My husband and I have
been taking a birthing class for four weeks.
We were told to take it much earlier in my pregnancy but I blew it and we
couldn’t get in until now… I
understand why they want moms to take the class early – I’m nine months
pregnant and it’s getting very difficult to get around.
This birthing class
has been quite interesting and challenging in many ways.
The first night our “teacher” gave us strong opinions about birthing
methods, nutrition, and interventions (drugs during labor like epidurals).
She subjected, us unsuspecting moms and dads-to-be to her strong opinions
of how "bad" certain things were. We all were looking at each
other in confusion – our doctors had told us otherwise about many of the
things this teacher was discussing. She
was making threats and telling us horror stories about decisions that we were
contemplating. It was very
upsetting. It turns out, this
teacher of ours wasn’t even an R.N. She
is a Doula (a birthing coach) with no medical school background.
My husband and I were so upset with our first class we almost didn’t go
back. But we told my OB/Gyn who got
very angry and made some calls, and now we have a new teacher! This lady, an R.N., is presenting the subject matter with
basically no opinions unless asked for. And
she is presenting options with both sides of the spectrum so we can make our own
decisions based on what side we feel most comfortable with.
What a difference this has made! I still get angry when I think about at first teacher instructing 16 couples, all about to be new parents, all clueless about labor and delivery, to make decisions based on her opinions. I strongly recommend to any first time parent about to choose a birthing class to do the following:
For more information about birthing classes and methods, check out these following resources:
Bottom line:
I think the best thing for a new mom and dad, when trying to make proper
decisions for yourselves about pregnancy, labor & delivery, and child care,
is to talk to your doctor.
We are lucky to have such a terrific OB/Gyn.
We feel very comfortable with her and because we have been seeing her
frequently for the past 9 months, we feel we can trust her and she knows us well
enough to be able to really assist us with making the right choices. Sure, you can read up on everything, and you can talk to everyone, but so much information is out there that it can become too confusing. Believe me, this is what we’ve been dealing with! If you can get lucky to find one person, hopefully your doctor, that you can trust, you can feel so much more comfortable about making good decisions. Listen to your body, your heart, and your conscience. You’ll know what’s right – no matter what anyone says. Don’t let them tell you otherwise! Insurance –
No Longer a Comforting Word It’s a Catch-22 –
if you don’t have insurance you could be arrested, fined, and royally screwed.
But with insurance you’re paying way too high a premium just to have
that peace of mind in case something
should happen someday. “Insurance
companies are raising automobile, homeowner, renters or business liability
premiums by 20% to 100% or more. The insurance companies blame mold, terrorism,
fires, drought, too many lawsuits, etc. They say they are losing money from
paying claims. That’s kind of
scary to read, isn’t it? Well
here are a few tips to help you research the insurance world:
Good luck, and may the force be with you all!
Wine Tasting
Here are some great books if you’re ready to learn more about the art of wine tasting:
And here are some great locations for cruising around and exploring the beautiful world of wine tasting and vineyards in the United States: If you're traveling abroad this summer, check out some of the incredible wine regions around the world: And check this great resource out:
Be safe and enjoy! Are You Ready for the
Summer? Hey! Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the good times? (Anyone remember that song? If you can name it right now I’ll give you a dollar. Still can’t think of it? I’ll give you two more seconds… OK! Too late – it’s from the movie Meatballs, one of my all-time favorite summer flicks!) But for real – summer is just around
the corner! Summer starts June 22nd!
Have you made plans? Are you
so busy seasons don’t make a difference in your life anymore?
Well it’s time to make a change! Take
a summer vacation! Do summer
things! Bring yourself back to a
place where you used to feel as a child, when school would get out and all you
had were lazy days and fun in the sun to look forward to! OK, maybe you have a full-time job and
a family to raise. But it’s
summer, so make something of it! It
can be as simple as cutting up some watermelon or making homemade lemonade for
your kid’s stand at the bottom of your driveway.
Here are some ideas to help you get into the sunny spirit of summer. Movies – these are my all-time favorite summer flicks. Watch these and you’re sure to find inspiration to begin your summer off with a bang:
If you want to venture out to the
movies, check out our list of Summer movie reveiws. Vacations – try something different this year. Take advantage of the hot months to visit some cool places that may bring you back to when your family went on trips together:
Food – what could bring you back more to your summers as a kid than that first lick of a homemade ice cream cone or sno-cone? Check out these classics: Lazy Days at Home – So you don’t have a ride, or you’re short on cash and need ideas to keep yourself and your kids busy at home… Now get out there and enjoy! Summer Movie
Preview and Review Have you been saving up? Because there are so many good movies coming out, starting TODAY, that everyone should go see!
Jodi has put together a great list of movies that have been released and will be
released this summer. We've added our best
Ebert and Roeper commentary to the films and as we see the films, update the
commentary with our review. So keep checking back as this is
updated frequently. (Please note this
is a partial list. For complete list visit Yahoo!
Movies.) OPENED
IN MAY: X2: X-Men United (May 2) – New opponents, new allies, new tricks and magic. I still haven’t seen it, but I’ve only heard good things. Great action, and Hugh Jackman rocks. I was surprised by the first X-Men, that I really liked it. I’m going to see this one in a matinee. - Jodi I saw it, and it ROCKED. It's getting better buzz in terms of story line vs. MATRIX RELOADED. It's got a good script, it's stylish, well directed and Wolverine just makes the movie. He's worth it alone. - Sarah The Matrix Reloaded (May 14) – The most anticipated release of the summer. Supposedly there’s a 14-minute car chase. That’s enough to get my husband to go. But Ralph on KROQ couldn’t say enough good things about this film, that the script was fantastic and the action scenes were breathtaking. I’m there. - Jodi I saw it. I loved it! I had been looking forward to it for so long then so many people told me that the plot sucked but the action was great. Being a stickler for a good plot, I adjusted my hype level accordingly. But I have to tell you, I don't agree. I thought it was great. The thing to remember is that this is a trilogy. There's a part three involved and so this one does feel somewhat incomplete but if you look at it as a piece of the great picture, you won't be disappointed. I even thought Keanu was great in it. Check it all by all means. The action and effects are unsurpassable. - Sarah Down With Love (May 16) – Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor star in this film which takes place in NYC in 1963. She’s an advice columnist with rules for love, and he’s a ladies man. She has a hard time not falling for him. I love Mr. McGregor, so I’ll be sure to drag my husband! - Jodi It's gotten a lot of great buzz as a fun, light summer romantic comedy. It was designed after the pillowy Doris Day/Rock Hudson comedies of the 50s. Even Tony Randall, their favorite side-kick, makes an appearance. And Renee and Ewan cash in on the success of their vocal talents with a song and dance number to end the picture. Looks like a winner. Not sure if I'll hit it at the big screen or not. But it promises to be a fun get away. - Sarah Bruce Almighty (May 23) – I liked this movie a lot. I truly think Jim Carrey could be up for awards for this one - he was adorable. And Jennifer Aniston was very good as well. I did wish they'd have shown him saving the world a little more, but at the same time, I accept the way his selfish means got him in trouble. You should see this movie, matinee or not.- Jodi I was very disappointed. Jim Carrey is given the power of God and all he can do with it is give Jennifer Aniston bigger boobs? The script was lacking in imagination. But Carrey is always good for a laugh. - Sarah Finding Nemo (May 30) – A Disney/Pixar film… A family favorite… This movie is based on the world of the sea, and it looks absolutely adorable. - Jodi I loved this film! It's sweet, it's touching, it's funny. Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres are hilarious. And Willem Defoe adds his signature - touching yet sinister mood to the whole thing. And Geoffrey Rush is delightful as one of the shark's with a heart. Go see it! - Sarah THE IN-LAWS (May 23) - starring Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks. The orginal starring Alan Arkin and Peter Faulk is one of my favorite films. Why did they remake that classic??? Anyway, Albert Brooks is a scream so this may be entertaining. It's about two sets of in-laws on the eve of their kids marriage. Douglas plays an undercover CIA agent and Brooks an unsuspecting dentist. My big recommendation here is to skip this one and go rent the original. - Sarah The Italian Job (May 30) – I haven’t heard a thing about this film, but the cast is pretty great (love Edward Norton!)… It’s a summer caper/heist movie and looks to be somewhat interesting… We’ll see… - Jodi It's not the most plausible
plot. But I still really enjoyed this film. It's got a great
cast and it's fast moving and very entertaining. You'll want to run
out and buy a mini cooper!. - Sarah Opening
in June: 2 Fast 2 Furious (June 6) – Yep, that’s right, it’s the sequel to The Fast and the Furious. My hubby liked the first one, so I may have to go see this one. There’s no Vin Diesel, but Paul Walker is a looker. This film is directed by John Singleton, and the word around town is the action sequences will blow you away. - Jodi Not sure how it will do at the box office without the Vin Man. I saw the trailer for it and it looked like a winner amongst the ever coveted 18-25 male audience target. But I think I'll wait for DVD.. - Sarah Prozac Nation (June 6) – Christina Ricci plays the main character, Elizabeth, drowning in a world of depression and the wonder-drug Prozac. The film is based on Elizabeth Wurtzel’s best-selling book of the same title. I have to see this one! - Jodi This one I must see for myself. Just as a point of cultural curiosity if nothing else. I also think Ricci seems well cast as Elizabeth. - Sarah From Justin to Kelly (June 13) – I’m not an American Idol fan, but I always hear the news about the show every week when I get into the office. This is sure to be the teeny-boppers movie of the summer. Stars Justin & Kelly from the first American Idol. - Jodi I'm a HUGE American Idol fan but even with that, I don't think there's much that will get me out to see this one at the theater. But it will be interesting to see if reality TV can penetrate the big screen as well. Let's hope not. - Sarah Hollywood Homicide (June 13) – Ahh, finally another Harrison Ford movie (he’s my fave). And it co-stars Josh Hartnett! These two play LAPD cops who moonlight in other jobs. Their biggest case in the movie surrounds the rap world. I can’t wait! - Jodi I must admit I am curious about this one. The last Harrison Ford film I liked was K2: THE WIDOWMAKER and that was not well received. I think he's got some hits left in him though. And I'm curious to see the two, Ford and Hartnett matched. Interesting choice. We'll see if the chemistry is there. - Sarah The Hulk (June 20) – Eric Bana (who?) stars as the main character, and Jennifer Connelly is his love interest. I’ve seen the previews and am not impressed with the “new” Hulk monster. Why couldn’t they stick with Lou Ferrigno? Anyway, Nick Nolte plays the villain. That’s pretty good. - Jodi I still haven't decided whether I liked this film or not. It was, by point of fact, a well made film. Ang Lee, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON, directed it. I guess I question whether he was the right one for the job. He brought some interesting aspects to the whole comic book thing and tried to explore the characters like a real movie does, but I'm not sure that's what I was looking for with the HULK. I'll have to say, all in all, it's a good film and I do recommend seeing it. But just keep this in the back of your mind - it's not SPIDERMAN. - Sarah Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (June 27) – The first one was cute. This second one has Demi Moore in her comeback role as an Angel gone bad. Bernie Mac is the new Bosley. And Crispin Glover returns. Sounds like a good time to me! - Jodi I only saw the first
one because of Bill Murray. Now that he's gone, I don't know. I can't say
Demi Moore is as big of a draw for me. But the action sequences look pretty
cool. - Sarah OPENING IN
JULY: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (July 2) – Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as the Terminator, this time to help the 20-something John Conner (Nick Stahl) fight the world of machines. Of course we’ll go see this – it’s Arnold! - Jodi Okay,
I saw it and I dug it. Can't say that it's as good a
film as T2 and definitely not as good as T1 but it was
definitely entertaining. It's less about the effects
and more about the car chases, and of course Ahhhnuld.
You gotta see this one on the big screen. It's worth
it for a summer flick. - Sarah Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (July 2) – Reese Witherspoon is back again as Elle Woods. This time she’s found herself in the world of politics in D.C. fighting against animal testing. She got paid $15mil for this film. It better be funny! - Jodi The
plot is pretty contrived but if you put that aside, it's a
likeable film predominantly because of Reese Witherspoon.
She's just plain likeable. Should you go see it on the
big screen? That debatable. But definitely worth
the DVD rental. -Sarah Pirates of the Caribbean (July 9) – We saw the preview for this film and though it looks a little corny, I’m still drawn to seeing it. The special effects look cool, and Johnny Depp looks dreamy. And what could be cooler than a movie about your favorite ride at Disneyland? -Jodi The one time I've been to Disneyland, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride was closed! So I'm not missin this one too! It art design is spectacular and I love Johnny Depp. I'm in! -Sarah Bad Boys II (July 18) – Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return as two cops in Miami investigating a drug ring. The last bad boys was surprisingly entertaining. But will one be enough? You decide… - Jodi I agree with Jodi, BAD BOYS worked. It was everything a buddy movie should be. Let's hope this one can deliver the same package. -Sarah Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (July 25) – I never saw the first one but it was a blockbuster, too. Angelina Jolie created quite a following of drooling young men after the first one… This sequel’s story surrounds itself to the mysterious Pandora’s Box. -Jodi One
word...NOT. -Sarah Buffalo Soldiers (July 25) – Joaquin Phoenix. Enough said. OK, really, this film looks pretty good. It’s about the criminal drug world of the U.S. Army in the 80s. -Jodi |
