A Summer Storm

Why, when it rains, do we sit and listen?  Why do we put everything on hold and just watch as it comes pouring from the sky?  What brings us to a standstill?  What is so moving about the crash of thunder and the smell of the wet dust in the air?

Rain doesn't just bring moisture to the earth; it brings memories to our hearts and minds.  Rain washes away all thoughts and cares from our busy lives.  Rain leaves us feeling most vulnerable, brings out all heartache, but gives us the most beautiful reminder of the past and thought of the future.  It's in the middle of a summer storm that we think of what we hold most dear.

I've heard rain called "tears from heaven".  I don't believe it.  I believe rain is made of memories.  As the lightning strikes and the raindrops fall we think about past rainstorms.  We think about that first kiss in the rain, puddle jumping when we were young, running around like children.  We may be reminded of another particular rainstorm from years past.

No matter what it reminds you of specifically, a rainstorm will always stir memories.  I love rain.  I love sitting on the balcony thinking about past, present, and future.  I ponder life - where it has led, and where it will go from here.  I think about love - how I've lived in the past so alone, and how I know I'll never be alone again because I've found true love.  I think about how I can cultivate that love and do little things to make it grow.  I write love letters.  I put together ideas of little gifts I want to send to him.  I think about our future family and about the adventures we will take together.  I think about all the little things I'll do to make sure my family stays together, of all the things I'll do to show my children how much they are loved.

Rain - memories are brought to your mind, you ponder life and love, and you continue to think about the future.  I love rain.

My 22-month goal

Well, we're almost 2-months down!!  I honestly can't believe how fast time is flying by.  So I've come up with another great way to help the time fly by so quickly.  This is something I've thought about for a long time, but have never actually written or made a list for, but now feels like the time is right.

In the next 22 months while Jonathan continues to serve the Lord, I'm going to do something much less productive.  (Okay, I'll be doing other productive things, but this goal is NOT one of those things!)  I, Charity Perry, will watch every Disney movie (in no particular order) that I have deemed "classic".  You have to understand that my definition of classic and the world's definition differ enormously.  There may be movies on here that you've never heard of.  There may not be some (recent) movies that I have eliminated because I think they are really lame and do not consider classic.

So let's begin at the beginning!


1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Fantasia
4. The Reluctant Dragon
5. Dumbo
6. Bambi
7. Saludos Amigos - I don't think I've actually seen this one yet.
8. Victory Through Air Power (War propaganda movie - really excited for this one too!)
9. The Three Caballeros
10. Make Mine Music
11. Song of the South - Oh my heck, I love this one.
12. Fun and Fancy Free
13. Melody Time
14. So Dear to My Heart
15. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (For Halloween)
16. Cinderella
17. Treasure Island
18. Alice in Wonderland
19. Peter Pan
20. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
21. Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier
22. Lady and the Tramp
23. Old Yeller
24. Sleeping Beauty
25. The Shaggy Dog
26. Darby O’Gill and the Little People
27. Third Man on the Mountain
28. Toby Tyler
29. Pollyanna
30. Swiss Family Robinson
31. 101 Dalmatians
32. The Absent-Minded Professor
33. The Parent Trap
34. Babes in Toyland (Christmas)
35. Moon Pilot (I'm intrigued by this one...)
36. Bon Voyage (I really, really want to see this!)
37. Son of Flubber
38. Summer Magic
39. The Sword in the Stone
40. The Misadventures of Merlin Jones
41. The Moon-Spinners
42. Mary Poppins
43. The Monkey’s Uncle
44. That Darn Cat
45. The Ugly Dachshund
46. Lt. Robin Crusoe U.S.N. (I had no idea that this one was made during Walt Disney's lifetime!)
47. Follow Me, Boys!
48. The Happiest Millionaire
49. The Jungle Book (Walt's last animated movie)
50. Blackbeard’s Ghost
51. The Love Bug
52. The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
53. The Boatniks
54. The Aristocats
55. The Barefoot Executive
56. The Million Dollar Duck
57. Bedknobs and Broomsticks
58. Now You See Him, Now You Don’t
59. Charley and the Angel
60. Robin Hood
61. Herbie Rides Again
62. The Strongest Man in the World
63. Escape to Witch Mountain
64. The Apple Dumpling Gang
65. The Best of Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventures (I wonder what this is??)
66. No Deposit, No Return
67. Gus
68. The Shaggy D.A.
69. Freaky Friday
70. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
71. The Rescuers
72. Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo
73. Pete’s Dragon
74. Candleshoe
75. Return FromWitch Mountain
76. The Cat From Outer Space
77. The North Avenue Irregulars
78. The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again
79. Herbie Goes Bananas
80. The Fox and the Hound
81. The Watcher in the Woods (I've never seen this, but Corinne LOVES it - excited to see it!)
82. Something Wicked This Way Comes
83. The Black Cauldron
84. One Magic Christmas
85. The Great Mouse Detective
86. Oliver & Company
87. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
88. The Little Mermaid
89. DuckTales: the Movie, Treasure of the Lost Lamp
90. The Rescuers Down Under
91. Beauty and the Beast
92. Newsies
93. Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
94. Aladdin
95. The Muppet Christmas Carol
96. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
97. Hocus Pocus
98. Cool Runnings
99. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
100. The Lion King
101. Angels in the Outfield
102. The Santa Clause
103. Man of the House
104. A Goofy Movie
105. Pocahontas
106. Operation Dumbo Drop
107. A Kid in King Arthur’s Court (I love this one!)
108. The Big Green
109. Toy Story
110. Tom and Huck
111. Muppet Treasure Island
112. Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco
113. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
114. 101 Dalmatians (Live)
115. That Darn Cat (Sometimes remakes are good)
116. Jungle 2 Jungle
117. Hercules
118. George of the Jungle
119. Air Bud
120. Rocket Man
121. Flubber
122. Mulan
123. The Parent Trap
124. A Bug’s Life
125. Tarzan
126. Inspector Gadget
127. The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story (This sounds stupendous!)
128. Toy Story 2
129. Fantasia 2000
130. Remember the Titans
131. The Emperor’s New Groove 
132. The Princess Diaries
133. Monsters, Inc.
134. Lilo & Stitch
135. Santa Clause 2
136. Treasure Planet (Definitely don't consider this a classic, but I want to see it.)
137. Holes
138. Finding Nemo
139. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
140. Freaky Friday
141. Brother Bear (Again, not a classic, but worth watching)
142. The Haunted Mansion
143. The Princess Diaries 2
144. The Incredibles
145. National Treasure
146. The Greatest Game Ever Played
147. The Shaggy Dog
148. Cars
149. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
150. Bridge to Terabithia
151. Meet the Robinsons
152. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
153. Ratatouille
154. Enchanted
155. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
156. WALL•E
157. Bedtime Stories
158. The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story (I love them.)
159. Up
160. Walt & El Grupo
161. The Princess and the Frog
162. Alice in Wonderland
163. Waking Sleeping Beauty
164. Toy Story 3
165. Tangled
166. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
167. Cars 2
168. Winnie the Pooh
169. The Muppets (Not my favorite, but I need to give it a second chance)
170. Marvel’s The Avengers
171. Brave
172. (Out of order, but thanks to Krystal, I had to add it!)  The Flights of Donegal
173. The Original Genuine Family Band

Plus any new movies that come out that I deem worthy for the list!!

Don't get me wrong, I've seen most of these already... I just want to watch them all again within 22 months.