Julie Gentry's comments

Top Ten Family Movies of 2006 - The Fammy Awards - Blog Entry

31 Dec 2006 02:15 PM

Thanks! I haven't seen that one, but have added it to my Blockbuster queue. Esther is one of my favorite Biblical characters, and I'd be interested to see how they portray her.

Be Sure to I.C.E. Your Cell Phone! - Blog Entry

30 Dec 2006 09:19 PM

Great idea!

Apgar Test - What does it Mean? - Blog Entry

29 Dec 2006 02:05 AM

Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, and Respiration. #3's were 9/9. "We only give 10s to doctor's babies; otherwise he'd be a 10 :-)."

Gifted Programs and Honors Classes - Blog Entry

27 Dec 2006 09:09 PM

I went to a gifted school in elementary school. Well, our wing of the school was for gifted students. The rest of the school was the poorest in the district. Having the gifted wing gave them additional funding. The education I received there was odd -- we could use calculators on our math tests, choose which books to read, write our own educational contracts, and build our own environments. It felt a lot more that they were proctoring us rather than teaching us, similar to what some now do with unschooling. What I *did* learn was that who your parents knew and how much money you had made a lot more difference in that atmosphere than how intelligent or diligent you were.

The pullout programs were a lot more effective. They give gifted children the extra stimulation without ostracizing them. Education, like life, is most effective when it's freedom within form. Both freedom AND form are required.

Holes - Blog Entry

27 Dec 2006 08:39 PM

Love this movie! Yes, it's implausible, but it's fun. The way everything is intertwined is brilliant.

Re-Gifting: Frugal, or Just Tacky? - Blog Entry

27 Dec 2006 05:41 PM

Okay, I'm guilty. But I don't regift thoughtlessly. We just did an ornament exchange in our local co-op. Of COURSE, I drew the bubbly, classy person with specific tastes. Last year, my SIL bought me a lovely Lenox ornament. Those who know me know I'm more the stainless steel and Tupperware type. Voila! SIL had the joy of giving, and exchange person loved receiving it.

Regifting is tacky when you give a gift that has nothing to do with the person. Or when you leave the original tag on. Or when you give it back to someone related to the original giver. But what is the difference between my running around trying to find out where to return something, then spending the money on a similar gift vs. simply saving it until an occasion arises where it's a good fit?

I think it's much worse to give someone a gift and have them tell you it's not really their style or they don't drink coffee or chocolate gives them hives. Gifts ought to be received graciously, with a "thank you" no matter what they are. What's done with them after that is up to the recipient.

PS I wonder who the Talking Homer Santa will be a good fit for ;-)

How Far Will You Go to Be Frugal? (2) - Blog Entry

27 Dec 2006 05:33 PM

Funny thing is, my father grew up in a household where it was the norm to leave it. "If it's yellow, it's mellow; if it's brown, it's down." Yeah, I know, gross. I guess if I was at that point, I'd rather go and pick up aluminum cans to make up the difference. lol. But we don't suffer for water here in the Northwest ;-).

I am a Frugal Queen, though. I reuse food storage bags. My neighbor thinks that's the ultimate cheap :-D. I just use the cheapies to store meat, then put the cheapie bag (that will be thrown away) into a larger, heavy duty bag that gets washed.

Don't Throw that Food Out! Ways to Save Food Gone Wrong - Blog Entry

27 Dec 2006 05:28 PM

I like the cereal crumb idea! Will have to try it with the next fried chicken dinner. We usually just end up "feeding the forest" (our backyard).

One of our leftover favorites (well, I call them "rollovers") is a staple here. We always have spaghetti the night after tacos. All the leftover meat and tomatoes get rolled into the spaghetti sauce. It gives it a real good flavor!

Gattaca (1997) - Blog Entry

27 Dec 2006 05:24 PM

Yes, definitely! Even though there is wonderful cinematography, the movie relies on the story line to carry it. It would be just as brilliant stripped down to nothing. This is one of my "keepers" :-).

Rudy (1993) Movie Review - Blog Entry

27 Dec 2006 05:20 PM

Thanks, Libby; I hadn't connected him!

Mary Ann, I haven't seen Pride and Prejudice, but I phoned a friend who says her 17 year old loved it, but her 13 year old wasn't captivated by it. Now I guess I have to watch it!