I have a birthday coming up. It’s not a milestone – just another year tacked on that moves me further into the 50s.

So what’s a good gift for a person of my advanced age? A bicycle, of course!

You know those girls who stick up their nose at used clothes? They absolutely refuse to wear hand-me-downs and wouldn't be caught dead shopping in a consignment shop.

Well, I'm not one of them.

While I'll admit my thrift store experience is still pretty limited, I have recently been introduced to consignment stores and am pleased with some recent pick ups - a dress and two shirts for $25. Not too shabby.

However my ultimate jackpot came this weekend on a trip home to visit the 'rents. Sitting on the unused humidifier in the hallway was a 2-foot stack of clothes awaiting me.

As I sometimes do, I was giving The Youngling a bath last night. It's a common occurence after a messy supper as it's both necessary and easier than an extensive clean-up.

After the tub's water was up to the appropriate level I lifted the little girl into the excessively large tub and she proceeded to splash around and throw her duckies. That's when I noticed a certain matter at the bottom of the tub. Having seen her poop in the tub once before (which is one time too many) I quickly flipped the lever for the drain and snatched her from the tub.

I'm excited for Oscar night tonight! A late-night viewing of "The Blind Side" brought the Oscar night menu together. I came close on my mission. But, never made it to "Imaginarium" and didn't secure a copy of "In the Loop."

However, I thought it was a really great year for movies, and left more of the Oscar-nominated films with a smile than in recent years.

I'd love to hear your comments about Oscar night!

Here's tonight's Oscar menu:

I saw "Crazy Heart" on Monday, and I have to admit, my hatred for Jeff Bridges shrunk one size that day.

I'd give Crazy Heart a full Downey Jr. (which is 3 stars). I liked the movie. I laughed, I cringed. It should definitely win for best song. "The Weary Kind," is important to the movie and it's a good song.

I am thinking about happy things: sweet treats, hand sewn aprons, and goats. After spending the day at Moses, an organic farming conference, my head is buzzing and dreaming. I hope to make more time for sewing what I love, eating what is yummy, and dream about animals I would like to have nibbling on the farm. Farm and dirt but fashion and art too please!

I was reminded once again that life can be too short this past month when a past college classmate and co-worker died suddenly. This is my third reminder since May 16, 2007. I've made promises to myself to start working on a passion project more times than I can count, but it doesn't sink in until I another friend's life is suddenly cut way too short.

Corset Styling is featuring a “Pack a Stylish Suitcase” sales event running through March 31. Customers can now shop the new spring apparel at Corset Boutique, 715 Mainstreet, Hopkins, and take advantage of the featured sale: buy one new spring item to get the second at 50 percent off (item must be of equal or lesser value). Discover bright cardigans, tops, skirts, scarves, jewelry and more. Visit www.corsetstyling.com.

The Scott County Library System is celebrating Oscar-winning and Oscar-nominated films with free movie showings at all its branches.

The library is showing past winners and nominees in February with new nominees in March. Select snacks and beverages will be available.

+ “The Wizard of Oz” 6 p.m. Feb. 22 in New Prague.

+ “Chocolat” 6 p.m. Feb. 23 in Savage.

+ “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” 6 p.m. Feb. 25 in Prior Lake.

+ “The Lion King” 6 p.m. Feb. 25 in Belle Plaine.

+ “Mary Poppins” 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in Elko New Market.

OK, so I've been falling down on the blog over here. As I'm inching closer to completing my movie mission, and as Oscar night looms in a mere two weeks, here's a look at a few of the action movies that have been crossed off the list.