breaking dawn

Anyone interested in discussing BD visit Book Blog for Girls.  Shauna set this up for us so we can talk about our favorite parts without spoiling it for those who haven't finished yet.  But I wouldn't go over there until you are done reading!

joining the madness

After Chris and I got back from a fun dancing date night on Friday night I shanghaied the babysitter and took her to our local Breaking Dawn party!
There were several lines, we ended up in the line for people that hadn't pre-ordered the book.  We got there just before midnight, so we missed the trivia, dress up contest, and goody bags...
But I still ended up with the best prize of all! An awesome weekend reading! I LOVED it! And I was surprised again and again. What did you all think?

I called my mom on the way home. She was in a carload of people fresh from their own midnight party and someone was reading it aloud to everyone in the car! Too, funny!

You know what I keep thinking?  How insane it must be for Stephanie Meyer. To think that all over the country millions of people were lined up to buy something she wrote.  That has to be a little intense. I wonder how many sold that first night?  And the first day.  The coolest thing about it is that she dreamed it first, was a stay at home mom, a literature major who never had tried to write something of her own.  I love her story.  

Cheer

I have been so pouty this week over my fabric design computer troubles. Its very isolating with no one who knows what they are doing nearby to trouble shoot with.  But I have had some other things to cheer me up.

Riley is here to stay for a few days.

We have chicken duty again.

My little sister is headed my way.

so are my parents, 

my on line video rental is sending me the good version of Pride and Prejudice

Mandee called to tell me about the Twilight preview she found here.

Well life isn't always as easy as we wish it would be, but there are still good things to look forward to.

Speaking of good things. I'm pleased to report that I loved Jane Eyre! Great ending.  And I'm moving on to Romeo and Juliet.  Should I be embarrassed to admit that I'm reading Stephanie Meyer's book list.  Yes, I probably should. But of course you can't go wrong with Romeo and Juliet.

BFF

FYI

Adobe Illustrator is my new best friend. I love it even more than I love Edward Cullen (hehe).

Currently reading Jane Eyre as my penance for liking the Twilight books a little too much.  

But unfortunately it is turning out to be equally addictive.  I need to forgo real books in exchange for audio and maybe I could get my bathrooms clean.

As for the progress on the fabric design...it is going so slowly it is making me crazy.  I sat for a few hours and cried in front of my  monitor yesterday.  Which in turn prompted an embarrassing plea for help.  Hmm, really wish I had installed Illustrator first thing instead of last thing.  I think it will be invaluable in getting my drawings into a workable digital format.

I'm thankful for progress however small it may be.  It's better than being stuck!

what we did

besides swim in freezing cold water....
Chris played a lot of volleyball with the guys.  Did I mention that we went with Derek and his whole extended family. Parents, brothers, sister the whole deal.
Chickie became fast friends with Kaylee, Derek's niece.  We had a lot of fun taking them shopping and to the movies.  
Lindsay took some really cool family pictures of everyone, of course.  More to come on that hopefully soon. Lindsay took THE most awesome picture of Chris and I.  This isn't it...but she did take this one on my camera.  Fun huh!
I had to get some while wearing this white trench coat that I am still very excited about.Lindsay tried to teach me some things on my camera.  And I practiced mercilessly on my family.  Even breakfast wasn't off limits.  This picture of Chickie cracks me up.

Look at B holding that little fluffy dog. So cute. 

I think I may need to stick with the auto pilot for now.  But I'll definitely be practicing. 

But seriously, mostly what I did was read the Twilight series.  Heather, Beth, and Katie were right. Totally addictive. I'm glad I saved it for vacation. But I should get a book light next time.  I spent two nights laying right outside a bathroom door slightly cracked open for light. So I wouldn't wake anyone.  I read the last book the whole way home. Chris wins the prize for being the most supportive husband ever.  He drove the whole way home just so I could read and completely ignore him. When it got dark I used my cell phone for light.  He's my own personal Edward.  

I didn't think Bella was stupid.  Is that bad?  I could kind of relate.... maybe I won't say in which ways....

Out! of the black hole

What a week of complete and total insanity. Misery, flu-y death.  I did feel like I was going to die for a few days and then felt only good enough to read.  Doesn't reading feel so completely and totally indulgent. Almost wicked, really. To be so consumed in a novel to completely ignore those around you.  It doesn't matter when everyone else is too sick to notice or care.  I guess.  I read Emily of New Moon in two days and I loved it so much I got the other two books from the library on the one day this week I dared to lurk out of my cave for supplies.  Then, I read Emily Climbs in nearly a day, but I was so tired I had to finish the last twenty or so pages this morning.  Finally, I felt better enough today that I had to contact everyone who thought I blew them off this week, do laundry, and make dinner.  But in between I couldn't help myself but to finish the last book, Emily's Quest.  It was a short one. But, urgh how insanely painful.  I just can't stand being tortured so. Really, has anyone read these books? They are by LM Montgomery. After the first two I definitely wanted to read her Anne of Green Gables series, but now I don't know.  The third book reminded me of Wuthering Heights.  I had a friend who wrote a song about Wuthering Heights and how she, "wanted the book to be (her) life."  So of course I had to read it. I felt completely and utterly tortured and never would want to be haunted by my own life like that. I wish I had read the last measly four pages first (of Emily's Quest) and then maybe I wouldn't have been so completely irked by the first 231!  I just couldn't relate I guess. This last one dealt with the romance of Emily's life and I could never let my pride get in the way of my own happiness. I'm too much of an open book, really in all matters.  And to go on completely miserable for years and years.  Without even trying to do anything about it.  I would much rather make a complete fool of myself and have no regrets. And that is what I've done, time and time again. 

But now that the spell of the last book has been broken I have a sudden surge of energy and I will have to venture out into the world tomorrow if I can at all help it! Please, let Bentley feel better tomorrow!  If only his mother wouldn't feed him popcorn and pickles for an after lunch snack.  OK, it was his own choosing. But I allowed it!

But I am thankful for the first two books. They painted such a happy picture of a girl with such a singular drive for her craft (which was writing);  well, it was absolutely inspiring.  I find myself with a strong urge to improve my vocabulary and I just can't help myself with all the italics.  But that's an inside joke between me and anyone else who has read Emily Climbs.  And today I finally found the clamp for my favorite lamp for my drawing desk and in the process I found a perfect little stretcher that really is aching for a fresh canvas and a lovely new painting. Hmmm, what to paint? I need just a little inspiration and hopefully it will strike soon. 

Glorious Wednesday

Wow! Can you guys believe it's Saturday already?! I hope you all have had productive weeks. I had one day that was superbly ideal. In the morning I finally learned Viennese Waltz. So fun! Chickie got to play with a friend and have her come over also. In the afternoon I got to paint and then that evening we had dinner with a friend. I loved that day. It felt like a glimpse into my perfect life. Every day filled with dancing, art, happy children, and good company. Which made me think of an audio book I listened to recently. Have any of you listened to or read The Secret by Rhonda Byrnes? I found it to be interesting and a lot of it seemed very truthful to me.They talk about the law of attraction and how it is the Law of Love. That makes a lot of sense to me, because in my own life I've seen the power of love work miracles. And it falls in line with my beliefs spiritually. But other things such as eating and losing weight. Some of it made sense, but she said, and I paraphrase that, "Food won't make you fat. Only if you think food will make you fat, then it will." But that thought seems to defy another law of nature. I think more likely the way you think about food will change the way you eat food. Has anyone else read it? What do you think?

Penelope the Movie Trailer

Buffy found this. It looks like the cutest movie ever(we hope), but it hasn't come out yet. So sad.

Sam made his top ten movie list on his blog. I started to do mine, but then I realized that I already had them on my profile. Although, I did leave out Empire of the Sun and Gone with the Wind. I also really like Sweet Home Alabama.

While on vacation the girls went and saw Becoming Jane. Buffy and I LOVED it! We went to this cute little theater. The kind that only plays one movie at a time. It even had a balcony. Very cute. It also had Vegan propaganda in the lobby. I (loving anything resembling a magazine) helped myself to a vegan "starter kit", and now I really don't know if I can ever eat chicken again. So sad. The funniest part of the evening was when we put Preston in a van with 5 kids under 5 at bedtime. He was definitley the hero of the night. I wish I had a picture of that. Popo was there at home to help him out and when we called to see how it was going the two year old was feeding the baby a bottle and the older kids were eating shrimp for a bedtime snack. Very funny!

And as for books, I finally finished Great Expectations. I really loved it, LOVED IT! I am waiting for my great expectations. I know exactly what I will do with them. I was inspired on my trip....

Today I'm thankful to be home!