March Madness is always a fun time around here. Since we first met Jason and I have always filled out the brackets and played for bragging rights and choosing the next 5 movies we saw at the theater. We just celebrated the 27th anniversary of our first date this week, so that’s a lot of years of competition. A few years ago Gage wanted to start joining in the fun so we made it a winner’s choice for what the prize would be. The first year Gage won he chose a YES DAY. Last year I won and we watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy in one day as a family (it was Gage’s first time seeing them).
This year I decided to follow our cat’s advice when filling out my brackets and I’m winning after the first round, hahahaha! If you want to see the video Gage made of our cats picking the Final Four, here it is. Time will tell how well this works out in the end. I’m guessing not very well.
On to the books!
I posted about the books we read for Norway week.
I finished only 1 BOOK this week! That is a record low for sure. At least it was one I really liked, Stacey’s Abrams political thriller, While Justice Sleeps. It looks like the heroine, Avery Keene, and her friends will be back for book 2 in a few months and I’m excited to pick it up.
Movies
Jason and I went to the movies last weekend and saw Creed III. I loved the storyline of his deaf daughter, but missed seeing Rocky.
We finally watched Joker last night. I knew it was going to be dark, but not that dark. Joaquin Phoenix was amazing.
Puzzle
Aren’t these pink flamingos gorgeous? And Sammi too!
Plans for the weekend
Tonight, as a family, we’re participating in a local Puzzle Wars. It’s our first time so I’ll have to tell you about it next week.
Tomorrow I head downtown for election training. Elections always need workers, so sign up if you can. I’ve been a poll worker since before Gage was born and he’s 12, so I do my part.
My cousin and her family are also headed to town tomorrow and will be here a few days so I’m looking forward to that.
Any fun plans for weekend?
Stacy's Books 
Celebrating 1st dates is very important, IMHO. My wife and I will be celebrating the 57th anniversary of our 1st date in October. Congrats to you guys for your 27.
Congratulations on your 27th anniversary of your first date. While Justice Sleeps is an excellent book.
I have not seen Creed III. I liked Creed and Creed II.
I agree with you about Joker. Joaquin Phoenix is amazing. However, the movie is uncomforable to watch.
I’ve heard that Stacey Abrams’ book is good — if you plan to read the next one, I assume you liked it! Your family really has some cool ways to do things together.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
It was good 🙂
My mom loves this time of year. She’s a devoted Duke fan, and watches a lot of games during March Madness. Her father went to Perdue, so she was disappointed that they lost last night, but I always love to hear about the Cinderella games.
That pink flamingo puzzle looks challenging! I’ve been working on a fun one this month, but with 1,000 pieces, it will take me the full month, I’m sure.
Have a good weekend, Stacy!
Lots of fun activities! Have a great weekend and week.
https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/2023/03/sunday-salon-mystery-thrillers-new-and.html
Your March Madness tradition sounds fun! Cool that you’ve kept it going for so long.
This post is full of fun things! Have a great time with your cousin & her family! Gage is doing a great job with the videos!
I think your cat bracket sounds like a better method than mine, which was pretty much blind picking. Heck, coin flips might have been better. Maybe I should try that next year.
And I’m doing poorly this year, too. No surprise since I don’t really follow sports.
I recently rewatched Creed 1&2 and am looking forward to 3 (though I’m sure I’ll miss Rocky too). I only managed finishing two books this week…..sometimes it’s the book and sometimes it’s just life….. Have a terrific week!
Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
I love that your cat picked your brackets! Lol. And Sammi is super cute!
Lol, I love that the cat is involved in picking the brackets. Good luck with the election training. I hope you have a great week!
I love your March Madness family tradition and that you guys are participating in a family puzzles war!
March Madness is SO much fun… and it sure has been madness this year! Our library in CT just had (what I think is) their first puzzle competition yesterday. It sure looked like everyone had a great time. Enjoy our week!
My mom loved working the polls. The other day a poll worker saw my maiden name on my driver’s license and asked me if I was any kin to Nancy. “Oh, we all loved her,” she said. Made me happy to hear this.
I love the video of the cats choosing the winners in March Madness. My school, UH, is in the Sweet Sixteen. I’m rooting for UH. Good luck to you all!
I feel like I’ve been hibernating during the pandemic, and I am eager to get out and do things. Reading has taken a bit of a backseat!