Jane Austen

I've just finished watching 'Becoming Jane' - the movie apparently about Jane Austen's life. I am also currently attempting to read two well-known books about the famous author. So, I am not sure how accurate the movie is regarding her life as I've not reached her adult life as of yet. But, the movie was excellent. I truly adore Ms. Austen's works having read them all. I say this not in the sense of those who think it fashionable to read Jane Austen, but from one who loves 19th Century literature. Her novels may always have happy endings, but they are an insight, none-the-less, into and of the social world of the 19th C.

I've tried many times to get a book group together made up of people who enjoy 19th C works, but alas, with no luck. One time I was close, but people today neither enjoy longer works of literature (preferring to read what Oprah or other pop-culture stars remark as good...and who are often wrong!) or anything with any sort of thought. Too bad really. If people were more well-read in the classics, they would understand how the world has not changed (social, political, wars, famine, greed, love, etc), and we continue to fall prey to repeating history. Ironic and comical all at the same time. C'est la vie.

Highly recommend 'Becoming Jane' - both the story and the music are beautiful!

Over Heard in New York

Just when you thought the world couldn't get any more stupid and pathetically funny, there comes a website devoted to just this. It is a twisted sort of website that I have recently discovered. It is called 'Overheard in New York'. You've got to check it out!

Link:http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/

Have a great weekend!!!

The Tricycle is jack-knifed....

"....the tricycle is jack-knifed in the driveway, my blocks are all over the place, and all of my books are scattered every where, so hold my calls Mommy while I crash for a little bit..."

Okay, so this picture was actually taken in April 2008, but I came across it again, and it is so perfect for today. I'd love to take a nap while in the middle of some project too!!

National Sleep Week

Yes, it is true. This week is National Sleep week. Gotta love how there is a week for everything! Wow, why was this not the case when I was growing up? Imagine all the fun everyone would have with some new reason to celebrate every week?!?!

Visit www.sleepfoundation.org for more fun facts about this important National event.

So, sleep away...zzzzzzzzzz

Skylight, Strawberries and fun YouTube video

We've been busy the last week or so with some home improvements. One such improvement was the replacement of the skylight in our bedroom (see pictures of it being installed). It is about three times larger than the old one, and we love it!!! Also, the squirrel situation is under control.....squirrels in the roof, but no more and without the loss of life on any one's part.

Some other news: Our strawberries are doing really well. Aside from the ones eaten yesterday, we picked in this round over 2 lbs of strawberries and I've made some homemade Strawberry Jam. Wow, does the house smell great! And, there are more strawberries on the way. Our blueberries and raspberries look like they will be a bumper crop this year too!! Al's garden looks like the cover of Victory Garden. And, my herbs are growing beautifully. Made Mojitos with freshly picked mint - what a difference.

Here are some candids of Isabelle. We have not seen Bunny (a/k/a Frodo) for a couple of weeks. Isabelle still goes around the yard calling 'Bunny. Almost got a rabbit for her!

(She feel asleep on our bed after removing many of the pillows and the quilt. Tough to be a toddler!)


(Helping Daddy wash Mommy's car. Now this is constructive toddler work.)


I found this item on another Blog. You don't need to have children to love the irony and cynicism...to view click on the following link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TY4LSdjLI Enjoy!

Happy Post Friday 13th

Okay, it's been a few days since my last posting and I apologize. I was visiting my Mom in CT Monday through Thursday and then yesterday...on Friday 13th....I pulled a muscle (or two) in my back. Oh joy. Needless to say, I was not in any condition to do much of anything. Not easy with an active toddler ;-)

I am feeling better today, though not perfect. Al notes that it is nice to keep up with me at last....making special mention that I am moving slower than normal.

Enjoy the day and I'll post more tomorrow!

Travelling to CT

We are off on another journey to Connecticut. So, my blog may be a little slow in getting information to you until the end of the week. Spending time with my Mom, and hopefully getting to have lunch with my sister in Litchfield. I have not been to Litchfield since my Dad passed away - too hard and too many memories, especially for my Mom. So I am very eager to go as the center of Town is quaint and fun. Later this summer, I'll be going to visit my Dad's cousin (and only Vorisek relative) in Warren. She has a farm and some beautiful land in town.

It has been horribly hot. On Friday is was only 58 - Saturday it was almost 100!! This mini-heatwave is to stay with us until Tuesday or Wednesday...then down into the 80's. Ahh, Spring in New England - blink and you miss it ;-)

Later this week I'll be posting some pictures of Isabelle washing my car. I'm going to send one to the editor of The Profile (WMC-BMWCCA's publication). Maybe she'll make the cover again! If anyone wants to check out her last cover, visit www.wmc-bmwcca.org, and click on the 'Library' link, then click (on the right-hand side) the Profile Newsletter link. Isabelle is on the cover of the February 2008 issue. The picture is from last August, but still she made the cover of a publication.....maybe being SEC (Social Events Committee) Chair and knowing the editor who also has a little one helped.

Enjoy the weather were ever you may be!!!

Tidbits and Odds and Ends

Another dreary day in New Hampshire....cold and rainy. And to think, this weekend will be in the 90's!! C'est la vie.

Okay, I am full of odd and useless knowledge today. Did you know it is National Donut Day? Nope...nor did I. I never knew the donut was such an American icon that we have dedicated a whole day to its yummy goodness. Of course, I have to learn about National Donut Day when I am trying not to eat such items.

Also, I discovered that lobster is a bug. That is utterly disgusting...especially as I really have an aversion to bugs. It is in the insect family...maybe not a true bug, but none-the-less I am going to think twice before I eat another lobster. Just the thought of it sort of makes me feel less hungry. I learned this exciting tidbit of knowledge from a cooking show on Food Network when the host was attempting to tell everyone that killing it is no different that killing a spider or cockroach. That was an analogy that I did not need to hear.

That is it today from me. I'll be heading to CT on Monday, so my posts may be a little sporadic.

Wait....another news flash...have I mentioned that I really like shopping at IKEA.com? Never thought I'd ever go there, but the items are well made and reasonably priced. How can that be a bad deal?!

Speaking of deals (my mind is flushing itself of useless knowledge at the moment), there is a good website for checking out good deals - www.dealnews.com. It was written up in the WSJ (Wall Street Journal) a few months ago, and it is pretty good.

Have a great weekend...plant a garden, paint a picture or write a book.....do something you have never done and wanted to do....life is short!

Bonjour Mes Amies

Another gloomy and rainy day....ah, life in New England. Despite the rain, nothing slows us down here in Hollis. This morning Isabelle and I are off to have breakfast with some friends.

Later this month, I am having dinner with some friends and it is an International theme. I am bringing something French to the dinner. My thought right now is to make cheese straws
(hopefully get them out of the house before Isabelle and Al eat them!) and a twist on the classic Cherry Clafauti....make it with pears instead. Any suggestions?


Okay, to brighten the day, I've added a couple of pictures from our Sunday excursion to the Hollis Elementary School's playground....it was hot, sunny and humid....lots of fun :-)

Have sunny thoughts!!

Happy Birthday 19th Amendment

Today is a special day for many women in the USA. It is the "birthday" of the ratification of the 19th Amendment....and I truly hope that anyone who reads my blog knows what the 19th Amendment is and there is no need for me to explain it......

So, how appropriate is it that I mention this during the 2008 election year?! So, everyone (male or female or whatever) get out and vote this November. There is the correct candidate to vote for, but this is not the purpose of my blog, so I will not tell you the correct answer ;-) Another great thing about the voting process in the USA - it is anonymous....at least so far......

Get out there and enjoy something deliciously decadent to celebrate the 89th year of the 19th Amendment....and just remember that there are some women who are older than the amendment, though probably very few (if any) who never had the right to vote.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 19TH AMENDMENT!!!

Busy Day

Another action-packed day is ahead for Isabelle and I. Some mundane, some fun. Gizmo (our 15-year old cat) has a thyroid condition, so he is going to the Vet this morning to have his routine thyroid check. That is quite fun - a 37+lb toddler on one arm and an almost 20 lb cat on the other...yes, Gizmo is a little bit fat. Needless to say, I'm beginning to feel like a weight-builder in regards to my arms!

Then we are off to lunch with a fellow ex-Board member from the Shelter. We're meeting downtown (Nashua) and should have a wonderful time. Cheryl is a wonderful person, and I am thrilled that we have been keeping in touch post-Shelter Board experience. Oh, that could be a blog in-and-of itself!

Afterwards, the day is ours....sort of....I need to focus on the golf tournament and Summer newsletter (print version) for CAI-NH. Being the Executive Director of the chapter has been rewarding, frustrating and interesting - sometimes all at the same time! For anyone who is interested, visit our website (www.cainh.org) for info about the chapter.

Enjoy your day!