Laughing Out Loud

"Laugh-out-loud hilarious!"

"...deliriously funny comedy..."

"Sharp comic edge."

What's the movie about? A mother who's dying of cancer gathers her family and their respective loves for her last Christmas. Yes, "The Family Stone," starring Diane Keaton as the dying mother. While watching the film, DVD in my hand, I kept wondering if the writer of the ads had some serious mother-hate going on because...well...in my day and age, a person dying of breast cancer just isn't funny. There was no way anyone could see this movie and say, "deliriously funny comedy." In my day, we called this, "drama," or even a "dramedy."

Oh I'm sorry, did I just ruin the spoiler? If so, I'm sorry, but I'm just warning you for your own good. I spent my lunch watching it - a last minute rental - a desire to see the uptight Sarah Jessica Parker. Luckily, I had prior warning. I knew what it was about, but did not expect the cover of the DVD to lie so openly. Strange. Quickie review: it had funny moments, SJP did a great job as the tightly wound fiancee. That's it, folks. Not worth the time.

At least I had company: my husband.

D took a much-deserved day for himself and allowed a substitute teacher to manage the kids at school. Our lovely day started with breakfast at the Vault restaraunt in Glendora, a small cafe that has the intriguing history of once being a bank. Today, a part of the vault is still there and it serves as a fine curiousity to the local residents. After lunch, we wandered the quaint main street, hand-in-hand, peeking in windows, happy to be free of the little ones.

I'm always amazed at how easily we capture our old friendship when we separate from our chain-gang. Makes me look forward to a time when we can get more of this kind of time. There are moments when I think the friendship is strained to the point of breaking - I worry for that time in the future.

In the meantime, we celebrate together Cinco de Mayo - back when my mother was alive, I used to tease her on this day by saying, "Happy Independence DAY!!" She'd get so angry because of course, the independence day for Mexico is September 16. Today, on the other hand, is a day to celebrate the unlikely triumph of the burdened Mexican army over the arrogant French in a famous battle - they lost the war, but the battle still survives as a reminder of strength and spirit. It is a day of beating Goliath. Oh she'd get angry at me! Funny, funny, funny.

Well, happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone. Here's to independence!