For the Jane Eyre Fans

"****"

(4 stars) - well, maybe 3 1/2...

The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey

I read a book this weekend that a friend recommended to me and I thought I'd share it because I just couldn't put it down.  This novel is a modernization of Jane Eyre (by modernization, I mean set in the 1950's-60's.)  I thought it was very well written (for the most part- more on that in a minute), it was very compelling and fun to wonder how she is going to fit the parts of the Jane Eyre plot into this version and how they will be changed.  I'm not going to spill the whole book and how she did it, but I will tell you a few things.  This Jane (Gemma) was born in Iceland and is brought to Scotland by her uncle when her parents die.  So most of the book takes place in Scotland instead of England and "Mr Rochester" lives in the Orkney Islands.

Now I'm going to explain my "for the most part" in hopes that if you know going in what I do now, you may be less disappointed.  1. there is no Bertha equivalent......... I KNOW!!!  I waited and waited for something crazy in the attic and there is nothing, she chose to leave that out entirely, so don't wait for it. How could she have left that out?  I have no idea.  2. (perhaps this is just my own opinion) but I thought the romance between the leads fell pretty flat.  We can discuss this further if you read it, and I don't want to go into more detail, but they didn't quite sell it to me.  Perhaps I just find Jane and Edward's relationship so adorable it's hard to live up to. 

Those grievances aside, I really enjoyed reading this book.  I really liked Gemma's childhood and school time.  I also loved what the author did after Gemma left the Orkney Islands.  I liked the tale modernized.  It all was very compelling and like I said- hard to put down.  An enjoyable little read I'm sure I will go back to.

Does anyone still check this thing?

Well, if you do, I have a story for you.

So tonight Scout was in our bedroom playing on the computer, Rob was in the living room watching the football game, and I was in the kitchen reluctantly cleaning.  Elle's eating corner was atrocious, I had made 2 batches of jam this afternoon and had made dinner, etc.  Anyway, the kitchen was quite the job to get into shape and all I wanted to do was watch a movie and eat ice cream.  But I dug in and I got all the dishes scraped and to the sink area, filled the sink with hot soapy water, and got on my gloves.  I opened the dishwasher with my first ready plate and........... it was full of clean dishes.  (Did I mention that emptying the dishwasher is my WORST kitchen chore? Well, I HATE it).  I especially hate it when I am all set to load it and am surprised with the need to unload it first.  So, when I made my unwelcome discovery I said (very loudly) "OH NO!" and I heard Scout yell something from the next room, but my ipod was playing and I didn't quite hear it, I just figured that she was wanting to know what was wrong, but Rob came into the kitchen laughing so hard with the obvious intention of sharing the laugh.  So I stopped my ipod and asked him what she said and he answered, "Tivo pieces".

HAHA!  Man that girl makes me laugh!  I bet Mike Birbigula would get a big kick out of knowing that he has a little 7 year old fan.

Very Pinteresting

This post is mainly for Em, but everyone can laugh at the pictures.

Yes, Em, there are a LOT of headband tutorials on Pinterest. But the thing I've been noticing that's here to replace all the ridiculous poof skirts of the past few years is... tulle tutus. I went looking for an example of one, and come across this beauty....

Definitely the worst I've ever seen. It's actually supposed to be a wicked witch costume (hence the broom, smoke, and tiny witch hat that I thought was a butterfly until just now), but I bet this mom will find any excuse to parade this masterpiece out. 

But then I came across this one. 

And minus the wrist and hair things, wouldn't Elle look cute sitting in a mountain of Cookie tulle? (Trick question, Elle would look cute sitting in a mountain of garbage).

And now, for your viewing pleasure... Ridiculous Things Moms Do To Their Children!!! 

A 9 month old flapper?

Caption "Presh!!" That flower is the size of her FACE!!! 

Ooh, this mom is trying to be DIFFERENT by not using tulle!!! 

The caption on this was "First Birthday Outfit!!!" 

 

This girl is so darling, but that bow distracts from her whole face!! 

Just thought I'd share. As with all things on the internet, Pinterest has it's wonderful sides, and it's gag me with a spoon sides. I've personally really enjoyed it, and my budget has loved all of the recipes and household tips I've come across. Just thought I'd put that out there. 

MERRY CHRIMAS EBAH!!!!!!

YEAH!

YAY!!!!

Guess who just got cast in the next Woody Allen movie!?!?!

scroll down for it..............

YAAAAAAAY!  That is some nice casting Woody! 

Remember this Matt?

I found this in a random little notebook buried in Scout's things.  She must have used it as a journal for a few days.  I about died laughing when I found it. 

Relax Pops!

I wanted to take a little time and call some attention to Dad/Husband/Uncle/Grandpa George for the recent change in his life. He has decided to retire at 74 years old! I don't know what it is like to have lived and worked that long... but I can imagine it wasn't always easy to keep going as long as he did. As one of his sons I can personally say that I am forever grateful for supporting me financially through life with always having a meal on the table, clothes to wear, Christmas presents, vacations, a warm house, school, my mission, and just for the occasional 20 bucks or a surprise gas take fill up or even a quick trip out to lunch ALWAYS on Pops, even if I really wanted to buy. This list could go on forever, but it overwhelms me to think of all the ways he supported me... and that is just me. He had 7 of us!

We all know I was the spoiled one though... haha

I am probably not the one to speak of this, as I wasn't really around for a huge chunk of it, but his employment has been broad, extensive, and all around impressive. I can't believe how many skills he has developed and knowledge he has acquired because of all of the different carrier paths he's gone down. Whenever people ask me what my Dad does or has done, I don't know where to start! And it's hard for people to believe it when I go through the list of things he's taken on at full bore.  I'm sure he would be the first to say that not all of them were successful, or proved to be very fruitful or however he'd say it, but he was always trying, and trying hard, and ALWAYS provided for us and did whatever he could. But more important than the financial stuff, he never let his work get in the way of spending time with us whenever we needed him. I could always talk to him, always ask him questions, and when I had a problem he would drop everything to help. Even if it was to epoxy one of my ghostbuster toys or something. :) 

I guess what I am saying is no money in the world would ever replace the feelings that came from that. Just good old parenting and unconditional love. 

Sappy sap sap sap. 

Dad, I'm so glad these last 8 years or so at the airport were so great. You seemed so happy there, and your boss and co-workers were so happy to have you working with them. It always made me smile to see how much those guys respected and treated you.  

Congratulations Pops! Enjoy yourself! Keep golfing and walking Bruce and playing Plants vs Zombies! LOVE!

Can you do something with these Dingoes?

Haha. Inside joke from the super, happy, fun, giggly, trip of greatness to Phoenix.

An Idiot Abroad

Ok, so we have only seen a few episodes of this show but it seriously is so funny. My brother and sister in law, Nia and Skipper recommended it to us. Marcus and I both laugh out loud the entire episode. Ricky Gervais  and Stephen Merchant are the creators and they basically send Karl, a really miserable, hesitant, and cranky Brit, around the world doing crazy things. They just laugh and laugh at him and make him do the things they know he will hate the most. Karl is so funny and his reactions and perspectives are just so funny. You must check it out if you have not seen it. There is some language because they seriously torture this guy and he gets so mad, but they bleep most of it out. Here is our favorite scene so far. The premise is he is in Uganda and his task is to prepare dinner for the King of this tribe and his attendants. Here you go:

RIP, Davy Jones

RIP Davy Jones.  You were a big part of many a member of this family's childhood, and we will miss you!

 

If you haven't heard, Davy Jones died today of a heart attack, at 66.  

Way too young.