Carrie's Book Blog

You may have noticed a new button to the right over there.... Yep..I did it..I created another blog! I don't know why, but I feel the need to separate the different things that I do...it was bothering me that my book and movie reviews were "covering up" my daily posts... and with signing up for ONE MORE challenge, I definitely needed another place to keep up with them all!

So, click the book blog button and see all my "booky" type stuff!

Snow 2010

It is getting to be a pretty regular tradition to have a snow day in January over the past few years! AND it gets better every year, so maybe next year we won't see any leaves poking through in our photos! Here are some shots of our recent snow days!

The first thing we always do it put out a bowl to catch the snow!

It was falling steadily all afternoon and early evening. But, we never know how long it will stay so play we must right away! (ha, dr. seuss talk!)

Making snowballs from the snow on top of the cars. That was the easiest to gather.

That was last night.
This morning, there was even more snow! I am sure we had more early, but we didn't get out until about 11am. Here is their second attempt at snow angels!

Noah even completed his with a face!

The view at 11am. I almost regret not getting up earlier to get a picture, but I don't sleep well while Corey is gone, so we didn't get up very early. The front of our house gets sun all day, so a lot of it was already melting and falling off of things. Can you spot the snowmen in the this photo?

We made two TINY snowmen.

Katie tried to write 2010. We haven't officially started school since the new year, so we hadn't learned how to write it. It is funny how they apply the knowledge they have about how things go.... after a quick lesson she had it down!

Noah did the same thing...

Awww...we don't get many photos like this in Georgia!

Last shot of the day before I appalled them by making them strip down right inside the front door! ha ha! Warm clothes from the dryer, a warm fire, and hot cocoa to warm up!

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

I finally have read Jane Eyre! I think I probably attempted to read it at some point in my life before, but never finished or got into the story.
I truly don't know why I have never read this novel because it immediately drew me in this time. Perhaps it is because I skimmed the synopsis on Cliff's Notes (.com) before starting! ha ha! No, I did not ruin any surprises, because that is impossible to do for me. I do NOT enjoy plot twists that take me totally off guard, it actually ruins a book (or movie) for me because I get so freaked out by them that I end up hating the book.... so to me, to know the "surprising twist" is to make it more enjoyable for me...I know..I am weird!

So...on to Jane Eyre. I actually read this book over three days. It is a slow time for me because we haven't started back homeschooling for 2010 and I am not currently leading a book for my other book club, so I have plenty of time to devote to it. Also, my husband just went out of town for business, so the evening last night was totally mine till 2am when I finished the novel!

For anyone who happens to have not read the book, here is a snippet from the back:

"Jane Eyre begins life as a lonely orphan in the household of her hateful aunt. Despite the oppression she endures at home, and the later torture of boarding school, Jane manages to emerge with her spirit and integrity unbroken. She becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she finds herself falling in love with her employer-the dark, impassioned Mr. Rochester. But an explosive secret tears apart their relationship, forcing Jane to face poverty and isolation once again."

I enjoyed the fact that this novel began when Jane was ten years old and did not skip any time periods in her life, telling the complete story with no jumps. I mean, of course it doesn't tell day by day, but many novels attempting to tell a life story will skip and only tell one major period, either childhood, adolescence, or teen/adulthood. Going through each stage, I could see how Jane's character changed yet stayed the same in many ways. How her thoughts, though similar, were more matured throughout her life. I have to say that the circumstances that arose in the last part of the book were pretty far-fetched in the way it all worked out, but that is what is so great about these types of books as well...all the twists coming together like a soap opera. The more I think about it, the more I see similarities between this novel and plots I have seen played out on soaps. Maybe they use old Victorian novels for their inspiration sometimes!

My favorite era was when Jane was homeless and poor and begging for food, then taken in by the Rivers' family. I liked that Jane was able to completely be herself and finally have "girlfriends" who were honest and loving.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and think that the plot, though "soapy" was interesting and well thought out. Even the names chosen for each character, I thought, were well planned and suited to their roles in the book. Though it had twists, the ending easy in coming and did not wrap up too quickly like many novels do at the end.

Oh, one more thing I meant to say about Agnes Grey as well. I got the versions of the Bronte books I am reading from Barnes and Noble. They were having a "buy two get one free" sale on their Barnes and Noble Classics editions, so I got all three Bronte books for $11. I am really enjoying these versions of the books because they include footnotes on every page that explain any out of date terms or words. For example, Jane Eyre uses the term "surtout*" and the footnote explains that it means "overcoat." Also, it gives notes when a word that is used that has changed meaning over time, like when she writes, "What, in short, is his character*" The footnote explains: "Here meaning moral qualities or reputation, rather than personality in the modern sense."
These notes make the reading so much more enjoyable because there would be so many terms that I would have no clue what they mean without research (especially with household objects and vernacular terms) and some things I would misunderstand because the meaning would have been different when the novel was written.


When I finished the book, I found an instant play version that I could watch on netflix. It was a very long BBC episodic version, so I just chose a few episodes to see some of the key parts played out. It was okay, but I thought the girl who played Jane overacted. Her hair also annoyed me..it seemed like it wasn't put together well, but I guess that may have been realistic? It did stick very closely to the book, word for word in fact, but I just didn't love it because the scenery wasn't very elaborate and the acting just not as good as it should have been for such a rich story. Her clothes were awful too! I know she was supposed to be plain, but they could have at least tried to make her a little attractive since she is the heroine of a romance novel! ha!
I have another version in my queue to watch, but I have to wait on it to be mailed, so maybe that one will be better!

Agnes Grey, by Anne Bronte

Prior to reading Agnes Grey, I had not read any of Anne Bronte's writing. Truthfully, I have only ever ready one Bronte novel at all: Wuthering Heights.

This is the description from the publisher of the copy I purchased this weekend at Barnes and Noble:

Written when women—and workers generally—had few rights in England, Agnes Grey exposes the brutal inequities of the rigid class system in mid-nineteenth century Britain. Agnes comes from a respectable middle-class family, but their financial reverses have forced her to seek work as a governess. Pampered and protected at home, she is unprepared for the harsh reality of a governess’s life. At the Bloomfields and later the Murrays, she suffers under the snobbery and sadism of the selfish, self-indulgent upper-class adults and the shrieking insolence of their spoiled children. Worse, the unique social and economic position of a governess—“beneath” her employers but “above” their servants—condemns her to a life of loneliness.

I was prepared for a long and slow read before I started the book. I took on this reading challenge because I did truly want the challenge of reading something that I might not just read on my own and that I also thought would be good to round out my exposure to some different styles of writing. I really have always enjoyed the plots of Victorian novels and I usually enjoy the movie adaptations as well, but the wordy writing style always ends up boring me and I put it down.

This novel did not have that affect on me at all. I found the plot very interesting from the beginning as it tells about poor Agnes and her horrible experiences as a governess. Maybe I sympathized with her with it taking me back to my own horrible two years as a first grade public school teacher! ugh! I loved how Anne Bronte developed the personalities of all the characters...and how uncomfortable and sorry I felt for Agnes Grey in all her troubles!

Then, there is the love story plot. Developed so slowly and therefore so much more believable! It was beautiful and interesting and I finished it in three evenings of reading time...the first one being just the first two chapters. This was a great way to break into the Bronte and Victorian reading challenges. It was only a couple hundred pages and easy to finish, so I feel inspired to keep going now since I already have one under my belt!

End of the Year Meme

I am late on this, but I saw on another blog that had copied it from me last year and I decided I should do it again! You can click HERE to read last year's answers...I eliminated a couple of questions that didn't apply to me.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Traveled to Amish country, Pittsburgh, Hershey, and Philadelphia! (and Delaware, blah!)

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I am sure mine were partially done and partially a failure...as always. Probably the same for this year! ha!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, but a good friend will in April, so I am excited about that!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. But, we did experience the loss of a pregnancy. :(

5. What countries did you visit?
The good old U.S.A! ha ha! (kept the same answer as last year!)

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More control over our finances!!! (same as last year) and more time working in the basement/house on projects!

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December 18th and 24th....the dates connected closely to our miscarriage news.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Traveling and schooling! Oh, and mastering the coupon thing! That has been an awesome achievement for our family!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Putting back on MUCH of the 30 pounds that was my BIG achievement last year!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Agh...

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Not sure...school stuff is always fun...

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My wonderful friends! They are so good to me and bring so much support and encouragement!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The people who ran the field trip at Hillcrest Orchards and hollywood stars in general.

14. Where did most of your money go?
To pay for bills and Disney trips!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Planning our trip to Disney World. ha ha!!! Christmas! (same answer as last year!)

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
This is always so hard for me. It is hard to do right after the year is over and I think would be better to ask many years later...that's when you can really tell.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) poorer or richer?

(a) Sadder (just because of our recent experience)
(b) Definitely fatter :((( Boo hoo!
(c) Richer and Poorer! ha ha!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Playing games as a family

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying about things I can't control and spending money.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with the kids! (same as last year...)

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I was already in love!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office and Community

23. What was the best book you read?
So many great choices, again! I loved Believing God, by Beth Moore, and Mary (a novella in the Francine Rivers lineage of Jesus series).

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
10th Avenue North!

25. What did you want and get?
A trip for just Corey and myself to Disney!

26. What did you want and not get?
out of debt...hmmmm....looking at number 25. ha ha!

27. What was your favorite film of this year?
I saw several funny movies, but really enjoyed Up a lot!

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 28 this year. I had a bunch of friends over for a combined birthday and 31 party! Got tons of free stuff! I also went and painted a picture at Sips n Strokes which was fun!

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting out of debt... celebrating a pregnancy at Christmas instead of mourning the loss... and as always...winning a million dollars!

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Whatever fits.

31. What kept you sane?
Bible study/book club, my friends and family.

32. Who did you miss?
My husband. He was gone for longer periods of time this past year.

33. Who was the best new person you met?
It wasn't someone I had never met, but I did really get to know someone, a friend, named Debbie. I am so glad to know her better now and hang out!

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch! Lesson of the year, as cliche as it is!

35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. from "By Your Side"

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

An Ideal Husband

I completed the first movie in the movie mini challenge portion of the Victorian Reading Challenge, hosted by Our Mutual Read. You can read the review I posted on that blog HERE or just continue reading below...



I watched the 1999 film version of An Ideal Husband, starring Rupert Everett, Minnie Driver, Cate Blanchett, Jeremy Northam, and Juliane Moore. This film is an adaptation of the 1895 Oscar Wilde Play.

Since I am terrible at describing the plots of period films (I am easily confused!) I will copy from IMDb:

"Sir Robert Chiltern is a successful Government minister, well-off and with a loving wife. All this is threatened when Mrs Cheveley appears in London with evidence of a past misdeed. Sir Robert turns for help to his friend Lord Goring, an apparently idle philanderer and the despair of his father. Goring knows the lady of old, and, for him, takes the whole thing pretty seriously. Written by Jeremy Perkins {jwp@aber.ac.uk}"

I especially loved Juliane Moore's character as the "villianess" Mrs. Cheveley. She is beautiful and does a great job as the wicked blackmailer! Also, though she plays a minor role, Minnie Driver (as Chiltern's sister) was cute and sweet as the quirky sister. I wished they had done more development of the relationship between her and Lord Goring (Rupert Everett).

This was a cute film and had beautiful costumes and buildings that truly showcased the time period!

10 Goals for 2010

It has been ten years since the Y2K craze! Ten years since Corey and I started dating! And who knew that I would pull my 7 year old daughter's 8th tooth on New Year's Eve just ten years later!

We got together with friends last night and had a really fun time eating home fried chicken fingers, chili, baked potatoes, and then enjoying some chocolate fondue. We played games and just had a fun time. We ended the night with a sparkling grape juice toast for 2010 and for a "Mo Betta" year this year than last! Not that 2009 wasn't great, but who wouldn't want a BETTER year every year, right?! And after the December we had, I am certainly on board for some happy days!

I hardly ever succeed in keeping resolutions, but I guess I should at least make some kind of goals....

1. Park in the garage at some point.
2. Organize all the closets in the house.
3. Get fit.
4. Eat better.
5. Cook at home more.
6. Have a regular family game night.
7. Block out time to accomplish home improvement goals before other things get in the way every single weekend of the year.
8. Start picking up Christmas presents throughout the year.
9. Sew something else on the machine I was given.
10. Be more disciplined in my daily quiet/Bible/prayer time.

These are just a few goals. They aren't that different than things I strive to do all the time, but writing them out hopefully may help.

Here's to letting God plan this one!