ste_noni | A Potterrific Day!

Yesterday was an almost picture perfect day. It was a local holiday so Joe and I did not have to work, BUT Ellie's daycare was open. We dropped her off at almost the regular time and then headed to Starbucks for THREE HOURS! It was awesome. I just sat and sipped chai and hot chocolate and finished re-reading HP6 and started HP7. (What a beginning! but I'm not done yet so don't spoil me!!!) After hours of just sitting and hanging out, we got lunch at Subway and headed to the beach. The plan was to paddle around on Joe's surfboards. (NO actual surfing for me.) The weather was very nice, warm but with a breeze. Unfortunately, there was a rather strong current and withthe breeze, the water was rather choppy. I don't have much upper body strength, but we paddled around some and then went it. Joe got me a virgin pina colada while he got the car and we rushed home to shower and go see HP5. After that, we picked up Ellie at the normal time, got groceries, and headed home.

Joe and I figured out that we have not spent a day alone like that since Novemeber 2004, before he went to Iraq. It was so much fun. I'm going to try to plan days off during the week like that more often.

Here's some thoughts on the movies and books. AGAIN, I'M NOT DONE READING THE LAST BOOK SO PLEASE DON'T RUIN IT FOR ME!!!!! (Sorry, just wanted to be sure everyone saw that.)

One of the things I don't like about the HP movies is that they have to leave out so much. I always feel like the plots in the movies don't really stand up on their own. Plus, I thought the whole Snape subplot got sort of lost. Still, I love the HP movies for the way thy can show what JKR can only write. It's fun to see stuff moving and glittering and flying. And, I absolutley love Alan Rickman (that's Snape, right?) and Emma Thompson. Oh, and getting a visual of Umbridge's office was fantastic. But I didn't like how much they had to simplify the Weasley twins' exit from Hogwarts. See, that's what I mean - there was more to that!

I'd read this before, but it was two years ago. It was really fun re-reading. Two years ago, I was studying for the bar with tiny noodle Ellie. My reward to myself for having made it through the bar and childbirth was to allow myself as much time as I needed to just read all the HP Books 1-6. So relaxing. It dind't take long but I loved it. She would naps hours a day and I did nothing but read.

I haven't read enough of the Deathly Hollows to know yet, but one thing struck me on my re-read. If Dumbledore was really unhappy (or didn't want) that Snape was about to kill him, I don't think he would have "pleaded" as JKR says. That doesn't seem to be in his nature. I know I'm not the only one to think there was nore to that, but that was the clue that stuck out to me the most. It's funny - obviously I remembered that Dumbldore died, but I had completely forgotten that it was right after the search for the Horcrux (yay, I remember what that is!) until the Dark Mark appeared. I'm glad I re-read, though.

Wow, what a beginning! I was worried there for a bit and it's sad losing Mad-Eye. And poor Hedwig! I forget where exactly I am in the book - Godric's Hollow, I guess. This book has a much different feel than the others - so much less protected. No teachers to guide or limit Harry and his friends. No worries about detention or Quidditch. I thought Dumbledore might reappear, sort of like Gandalf, but now I'm thinking no. Avada Kedavra is supposed to be permanent, right?

Hopefully, I can read another big chunk tonight.