The Antidote to Grand Funk Railroad

Wow.

I didn't realize how dire my previous post sounded until I re-read it this morning. And then all you lovely people left me kind, "come down off that ledge" messages, and Rob came home and gave me a big hug while whispering, "I read your post, honey."

I also didn't realize how many people have never heard of Grand Funk Railroad. I always thought that name had a great ring to it. Just like Bachman Turner Overdrive or Electric Light Orchestra. Or maybe I just listen to too much classic rock.

Anyhoo.

Thank you so much, my friends, for all of your supportive suggestions both here and on Facebook (which, by the way, I still haven't figured out so please don't be offended if I don't respond quickly.) I think it really was nothing more than a glorified bad mood. I still feel a little funk-ish, but it is waning.

I still don't have a good handle on the whole school situation, but I have decided to take people's advice and stop watching the news, at least for a little while. The news won't change my vote, but it will make me dyspeptic (what a great word, we should use it more often).

I also got my hands on some chocolate and some good coffee, and then I went grocery shopping alone, which may not sound like an escape, but there are aspects of it that can be very therapeutic. Like racking up so many extra reward points that I will get seventy cents PER GALLON off at the gas station. I will be getting my petrol for the bargain basement price of $2.65 per gallon this week. Oh, be still, my heart.

Also, in my continuing effort to find the silver lining, I recommend to you this movie:

I slipped Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day into our Netflix queue one day, and then promptly forgot about it until it arrived in our mailbox. I hadn't heard much about the movie, but I enjoy Amy Adams and Frances McDormand ain't too shabby either, so I decided to give it a shot.

I am so glad I did, because this movie was a pleasant little surprise. I started watching it as a treadmill diversion while the babies were napping, with the intention of stopping the movie and getting some work done after exercising. Yeah, that didn't happen. I just kept watching the movie.

The movie, based on the book by Winifred Watson, is set in London on the brink of WW II. Guinevere Pettigrew (McDormand) is the "nanny of last resort," and she has just been dismissed from yet another job. Penniless and facing life on the streets, she begs for another placement, to no avail. Desperate, she steals the calling card of a woman looking for help from the agency, thinking that this woman needs a nanny.

When she arrives at the home of Delysia LaFosse (Adams), she learns, through a comedy of errors, that Delysia doesn't need a nanny, she needs a social secretary. Miss Pettigrew tries to explain, but Delysia begs her to stay.

From then on, Miss Pettigrew is caught up in Delysia's world of parties and affluence. Having lived through WW I, she knows the hardships that await these spoiled and selfish people. She does her best to help Delysia discern what is best for her future, and in the meantime, she manages to find her own path to happiness.

There are adult themes (codeword for s*x), and there is some very brief nudity (a man's backside), so watch this when the kiddies aren't around. The costumes are great (why don't we wear hats anymore?), and the music is terrific.

This movie goes down like a glass of champagne: fizzy, frothy, and fun. It's like a little piece of cinematic dessert, and it hit the spot for me. Just thought I'd pass it along.

(Have any of you seen it? What did you think?)