Well, it's been more than a year since I've posted. I was taking a long break.  My life got very busy, and it had it's ups and downs in the time I've been away. As I'm sure most of your lives have.  I'm thinking about starting fresh, with a new blog. I want it to be a mix of things I enjoy, including cooking, diy projects, Pinterest 'tried-and failed' stories. And in May, after my wedding, the every day life of being a wife to an amazing man.  If any of you would be interested in reading my new blog, I'll be posting a link to it as soon as it is set up.  Of course, being the book lover I am it wouldn't be the same if I didn't do book and movie reviews, so those things will still be included.
Please forgive the terrible grammar of this post. I wrote it in a hurry. Thank you all!

Bucket List: Fountain Play

So, on the surface, I have not accomplished a lot of what I set out to do this summer with my bucket list. 

 By the time summer turns to fall, I will have maybe accomplished a third of the things on my list. 

But one thing I have done, I think, is grasp the idea behind my list. Which is to live this summer to its fullest. 

  And with BBQs, camp outs, a mini road trip (I still need to write a post for...), late night swims, and so much more, my summer has been full!

I'm so grateful for my parents patience with me this summer. Allowing me to be somewhat irresponsible and crazy. They've tried to show me how to balance my summer fun with a fair amount of work. I hope I've learned more then I feel like I have. 

I'm also grateful for friends, old and new. I've forged many new friendships this summer. I've met people every bit as crazy as I am. And when that happens, they aren't so quick to run away when they see how weird you are...in fact, they usually join in. 

I want to thank you guys for reading my posts, and giving me something to look forward to when I write them. I'd love to hear what you've been doing this summer! I hope to catch up on y'all's posts soon, but right now I don't have a computer, and my phone only let's me do so much. 

So comment with your summer highlights! Have you been camping? Swimming? Working? Riding? Or simply chillin in a hammock with a great book? 

These kids are weird... I'm not sure what's with the tongues...

Thanks for reading!!

~~Stephanie 

Bucket List: Sharing Jesus

I was a little disappointed in myself when I thought I had missed my opportunity to finish this item on my list. 

 Every year my church participates in a local parade. We 'dress up' our outreach trailer, part of our "Taste & See" ministry that hands out free coffee and often hotdogs at local events in the city in the hopes of opening doors to witness to people and invite them to church, and we walk the parade handing out Gospel tracts to those watching. But I had been fighting a cold that made it hard to breathe, and my parents were feeling under the weather a bit, the excuses just piled on. Really I just wanted to be lazy, so I stayed home. So I did. 

 I said I was disappointed in myself. I have a confession to make. I wasn't disappointed that I'd not been able to share Jesus. I was disappointed that I'd skipped out on one of the items on my list. I was more focused on my goals instead of God's goals for me. 

 But, as often happens when we take (or try to take) or lives into out own hands, God had a better idea for me anyway. 

 You see, walking the parade is definitely something that fits safely in my comfort zone. I hand these peoe a price of paper that does all the work for me. I don't have time to talk to them and answer questions. I have to keep moving to keep up with my church. Instead, last week at the a I or study I attend, there was a couple of people who admitted they didn't believe in this Jesus we were talking about. And they had some very different ideas of spirituality, of religion, and of who Jesus might be. 

 Unfortunately a lot of half answers were being given. Those that spoke up were speaking the truth to these two, but not always all of it. Missing one important bit here or there. That still small voice kept saying "You know that little bit Steph. It's important. Say it."

 I didn't want to. What if these people came back next week? They might remember my face. And worse yet, what if I didn't know an answer next week? (Cause, you know, perfect Christians know the answer for everything. And perfect Christians exists in the first place, also I must be one of them) 

 No, I can't - 

"You're fortunate enough to have sat under a pastor who, through Me, gives you what you need to lay the whole truth out for these people. And you won't share that gift with others?" 

 But--but... 

"I'll give you the words if you let me. You don't even have to do the work. Remember, I did all the work already. You just have to tell them that." 

I don't remember what was said anymore. I just know that once I said the one thing I felt promoted to, the flood gates opened and all of my peers had answers too. I think that May have been what God used me for that night. Not necessarily to give those two the Gospel itself, but to help Him push my peers out of their comfort zones and to be better prepared to give an answer next time they were called upon. I think in a roundabout way, that is sharing the Gospel. The Good News. 

 For those of you who don't know, the good news is that even though we have screwed up, we've sinned against our perfect Creator. He loves us. And He loves us even when we are sitting there wallowing in our sin. Enjoying it even. But He knows the consequence of wallowing is misery, eventually. So he sent His perfect, sinless Son Jesus (who, by the way, came 100% willingly) to die a horrible death, paying the price, taking the consequence for our sin. Your sin. My sin. He died and took the just punishment for the sins you had commited. The sins you were commiting.  And those who have yet to commit. Because there is a chance that someday, you might look at yourself in disgust and want out of it. And there He stands, ready to wash you clean with the blood He shed. All it takes is admitting you are a sinful person. You did wrong and ONLY God can make it right. There is nothing, no work, that you can do to make it go away. When we are willing to admit that we are wrong and God is right, we become clean and can have the fellowship with Him we were created for. And finally that hole in your heart? That hole you tried to fill with drugs, sex, alcohol, relationships, money, etc.... It's filled.  

That's the good news.  

Bucket List: Under the Stars

 Kicking off my bucket list accomplishments is a night under the starts with a good friend of mine. I went over to her house last night to spend the Fourth of July being awesome, with an awesome person. 

 Her brothers dog Elsie (gee I hope I spelled that right) chased the embers of our little table fire and burrowed behind us when the neighbors started their fireworks display. 

I was also introduced to these delicious sodas. Find them. Find them and try them yourself. Yummy! 

At the end of the day we watched "A Cinderella Story" with Hilary Duff and...er... What's-his-face... tall, blonde, and broody. Chad Michael Murray! 

Then we camped out in the bed of her truck, under the gorgeous starry sky!  

 What did y'all do this fourth? What's your favorite cheesy chick flick? 

Thanks for reading!

  ~ Steph 

Summer Bucket List 2014

Hello all! It's been too long. But I hope that this will change. I've decided to challenge myself this summer to get out with friends more often, so I've compiled a list, with their help, of fun things to do before the summer is over. And I'm going to write a blog post for each and every one of the items on my list that I complete. 

 

My list~~ 

1) Share Jesus

2) Go to a concert

3) Mini road trip with friends 

4) Collect change all summer, and cash it before school starts again

5) Go to the beach and build a giant sandcastle

6) Go to a water park

7) Make a music video

8) Eat outdoors, on August 31st (National Eat Outside Day)

9) Sleep under the stars

10) Visit a photo booth with a friend

11) Visit the pirate's treehouse (a local attraction)

12) Attempt to break a world record

13) Go to the outdoor theater

14) Fly a kite

15) Play in the water fountain (with my niece and nephew?)

16) Have a bonfire

17) Run a 5k

18) Pick flowers from a 'u-pick flower patch'

What are your plans for the summer? Is there anything you would add or take away from my list?

~~ Stephanie 

Fear of Water

Heart pounding in my throat, my palms feel clammy as I look down past my feet. The water ripples and sloshes against the dock. 

I can't believe I'm doing this. Why am I doing this? 

Time has run out and I know I'm being watched as I toe the edge. 

There is no turning back. 

I jump and life around me is moving in slow motion. Voices rise and fall but the rush of blood through my veins impairs my ability to distinguish any words. My toe pierces the water and one word flashes to my brain.

Cold.

Before another word can replace it time snaps back into place and my whole body plunges into the depths. 

The water covers my head. Water is at my eyes, nose and lips. I kick my feet. My hands move over my head. I can't feel the air. 

I'm too deep.

Don't panic. Swim. Don't Panic. Swim.

I break the surface and take a gulp of fresh air. 

I feel the smile on my face. 

I did it.

(I took the cold water challenge, though the thought of submerging my head in frigid water nearly induces a panic attack. However, I won't be sharing the video as I have tagged friends in it, using their full names. But I wanted to take this opportunity to do some writing, hope you find it...interesting.)

Everything is new in the spring....

Springs themselves are always so new, too.  No spring is ever just like any other spring.  It always has something of its own to be its own peculiar sweetness.

Anne Shirley - Anne of the Island

If you couldn't tell by the picture, I'm reading Anne of Windy Poplars. But the only satisfactory quote I could find about spring was in the previous tome of the Anne series.

I took this picture on my break at work today. It was around two thirty in the afternoon and as I was diapering wee lads and lasses (an unromantic occupation, I know. There it is folks, my career choice in all its smelly glory) I looked out the window in front of me and it being slightly opened to freshen the air indoors, I caught a delicious whiff of green grass freshened by yesterdays downpour (And would you believe it? Sunday's snow!) I saw the sun beating down on the baseball field on the other side of the parking lot, I imagined it's warmth on my arms and face and I knew I had to spend my break out in the glorious sunshine. Well, when it came time I garbed myself with my jacket and betook myself to that field with my coworker's warning "Don't get wet", still ringing in my ear.

I walked across the concrete and felt the slight breeze mix with the warm rays of sunlight. As I reached the fence surrounding the field I opened my book and quickly lost myself in Anne's letters to Gilbert.

For the record, Windy Poplars is one of my favorite in this series. Because we have already moved past Anne's struggle to admit feelings for Gil, and we get to see the delightfulness of a real love based on friendship.

Anyway I lost myself in it.... aaaannnnd, stepped right into marshy grass. You see, while it may look  like spring, even feel like spring at times, it is not quiet arrived yet. So, for the next fifteen minutes of my day I paced a short amount of ground in my soggy shoes and imagined I had the toasty-est toes I'd ever walked on and pretended this cold winter was over.

 So I came to earth with a thud and walked into work again with my cold, wet feet. Feeling happier for the few minutes of warm, sunny, imagination I was blessed with today

How is the weather where you are? What are you currently reading? What is your favorite season?

Mrs. Harris: A Character Study

I listened to this while writing this post, so I thought you may want to listen while reading.

She's the one on the right ;)

Mrs. Harris was played by Dame Wendy Miller and appeared in Anne of Avonlea in 1987

I'm not even going to get into the character from the books named Mrs. Harris...oh wait, even if I wanted to it would be impossible. Because she doesn't even exist.

 Now, I'm going to try to keep the ranting down to a minimum. I know that strictly speaking Mrs. Harris isn't in the books, but her character is the compilation of several characters. And while I don't appreciate that people can't seem to stick to a book whenever they make a movie, I do want this post to be full of positive things rather then negative. So I'm just going to move on now....

At first glance Mrs. Harris is an invalid old lady, who, while not being outright cruel, is seemingly unkind to her family at times. Upon further inspection we find that she is extremely manipulative and self centered.

 It is only when we reach the third layer that we discover her seeming cruelty is an act. We have on or hands a mother trying to inspire her daughter to grow a backbone. She is mistaken in the way to go about it (there is hardly a contradictory or disrespectful bone in her body). But because this method of reverse psychology (because yes, that is all it is folks)  worked with her son, she refuses to admit that she is wrong about her daughter and is too stubborn to change her ways at this point.

 I think she is relieved when Anne comes along and sees through what she is doing. Especially when Anne doesn't call her out on it, but instead plays along, helping Polly (for those of you who aren't aware, Polly is Mrs. Harris's daughter) finally stand up to her mother where she should.

What are your thoughts on Mrs. Harris? are you able to look past the fact that she is a character completely made up for the movie adaptation? Do you love to hate or hate to love her? Or somewhere in between?

A little question...

 Hey, just thought I'd pop by to ask you all something. What is your favorite literary character?
  Please answer in detail, with their name, what book they are from, what your favorite traits are that the character possesses. Anything else you can think of.  I'm not going to tell you just yet what this is for, but you will soon find out.  Thanks!

I Know How to Share My Things!

And... That was the best title I could come up with under pressure. Self imposed pressure, but pressure nonetheless. 

 I work with children and this phrase is something I'd like to hear little voices say much more often. I have these titles listed on my paperbackswap account, but I have, and have had, no takers for a very long time. 

Here is a list of the titles and conditions of each book in the picture (below), comment if you are interested in any of them. All of these books I am sending out at no cost, just because I want someone to love these. 

1) Emma by Jane Austen...well loved, creased spine 'old book' smell, 

2) Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte....creased spine, crumpled flyleaf, otherwise like-new condition

3) The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne...Yellowed pages, creased spine, 'old book' smell

$)  Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson...Scribbled inside front cover, yellowed pages, 'old book' smell

6) Mansfield Park  by Jane Austen... creased front cover, faint penciled price on flyleaf

7) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn  by Mark Twain...yellowed pages, 'old book' smell creased front cover

8) Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne...sticker on front cover, creased front cover, 'old book' smell, otherwise like new

9) The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler...like new condition.

10) Ella Enchanted  by Gail Carson Levine...creased spine, 'thumbed' edges and corners

11)Writing Jane Austen by Elizabeth Aston...like new condition

Comment and/or message me for more details or to let me know you are interested. If you comment it makes it easier for everyone to know what books have been claimed alreasy without my having to update!!

Confessions, confessions.....

Hello lovelies!
  As this blog is called Confessions of a Used Book Store Waif....I will be confessing some things in this post.

 You may recall that in November I had planned on participating in NaNoWriMo. Well, confession number one is that, although I participated< I failed in completing my novel. I did however get fairly well along before I because overwhelmed with life details and put it on the back burner. For now.
  Then, I told you that I wanted to do a Post-A-Day challenge for my blog in December, but in the last few days of November my grandmother went to the hospital with severe fatigue and breathing problems, that ended up being due to pneumonia. She was put on a respirator to help her lungs function properly and seemed to be getting better. But a few days later, after the doctor had tried to take her off the machine and her lungs still weren't working properly without it, my grandmother asked to be taken off of it anyway. That night she went to be with her Savior, Jesus.
  So the month of December went a little crazy, but I think it was used for good things by the grace of God.

Now, does this mean I am ready to be blogging again this month? No. I would like to take a short (this time planned) hiatus from blogging. I'd like to use the month of January to concentrate on daily Bible reading, and growing closer to my Savior.

 In February I'd like to work on blogging and writing more. I have a small goal for each moth this year, but I'm not going to share them all right now and risk boring you all to death. But I think this is a better way of doing "resolutions" which I never really to into anyway.

 So for now Tootles! And bless Jesus!
           

Hello-Goodbye

I just want to pop in for a spell and let you know that I won't be here for a little while. I feel a little better about this then usually because I have planned this absence.

I am planning on participating in NaNoWriMo. Maybe check off one of my bucket list items and write that novel. I had originally planned to do a blog-a-day challenge, which I have only moved to December or January. Frankly I'm not sure I'll be up to doing a post every day in December. First I'll be exhausted (or exhilarated) from November. Second, I'll be busy because it will be holiday season. So, I'll be in touch when I have writers block this month, and I'll post a list of my daily challenges before I start the challenge.

So I'm going to go get started on that novel now. Toodles!

An Introverts Guide to Interacting With An Extrovert

By Stephanie W.

Okay, bear with me. This may be a bit of an adventure. And I would love any corrections or advice you have when you are finished reading this! 

I want to begin by saying that I am a work in progress, and that I don't have years of study in the fields of human behavior to back me up, so take what I say here tonight with a grain of salt.

But here are some things I find make it easier to get along with my extroverted friends.

Honestly, first and foremost, I think we introverts can be a little bit snobbish. So to you extroverts reading this, I humbly beg your pardon. 

But, snobbish? Well, yes! Think about it. We get upset when our exuberant friend doesn't understand that we just want to stay at home this Saturday night. And they keep wanting to introduce us to new people, twenty at a time!! Because, yaay, it's fun! (See, there I go, sarcastically judging them...)  

But when have we tried to understand them? There are numerous things like this out there

  

Yeah... and many more... but there are only a few charts for extroverts.  Except the ones that compare introversion to extroversion. 

Why is this? Because we think that others should conform to us, rather then the other way around. I think we should compromise. Because we can't change ourselves and be extroverted and they can't change and be completely introverted. So how do we do this?

First, be patient. Humble yourself a little bit. Know that for some it is very hard to understand that not everyone in the world likes to spend every waking moment in the spotlight.

So, patiently explain that you are tired and the only way you know how to recharge is by being alone.

Second, when they ask if you want to hang out and you know that you just aren't up to it this time, try to make plans for the not so near future. This helps them understand that it's not them personally, and it helps you determine how to plan out your week so you will have time and energy to be social next time.

 That's all I've got for you, but if you have any suggestions or corrections please comment!

A Book Review: The Shannon Saga by Tracie Peterson and James Scott Bell

 Well, it seems like I've done a lot of film reviews lately.

And by "lately" I mean "whenever I remember I need to post I take the lazy way out and think of the movie I watched most recently" 

But anyway, I read awhile ago this trilogy by Peterson and Bell and I meant to review over the summer and failed to. So with only minor ado....

One last thing, I'm switching up my normal review format because this is a trilogy and I don't want to review one at a time. 

Book One: City of Angels

I am a hard person to please when it come to modern historical fiction, because many authors tend to write more "fluff" then the gritty substance that was everyday life in other eras. Authors tend to paint life back in the day as more romantic then it really was. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised by this book and its sequels. 

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean that this series isn't happy, or that it doesn't have a good ending. Rather that it seems a little more true to the hardships of the time then most historical fiction. 

So, City of Angels is about young woman, Kathleen, or Kit, Shannon who moves to Los Angeles with hopes of becoming a lawyer, in a world where women are expected to stay at home, marry rich, and have lots of children. 

Without spoiling it, this first installment is about her struggle to begin and her first trial.

The details of the trial get somewhat explicit (I cannot give you more information because it has been a few months since I read this and I do not own it) and there are some adult themes. But for a mature young adult, this is a good read.

Book Two: Angels Flight 

I was skeptical about reading this because I tend to shy away from book series'. I fell that all too often they get dragged out much further then need be, and don't usually end to my satisfaction. However, I was surprised by this book and by the end, eager to read the third book. 

Of course the main theme of the book is Kit Shannon's second solo trial (She had previously been working behind the scenes with a mentor). She defends a man who is accused of rape and assault, whom she believes to be innocent. One of the things that makes this a big deal in the book is that he is a Mexican in a very prejudiced time and place.

 A minor theme, though one just as important to pay attention to is Kathleen's struggle accepting romantic attentions from a young man she cares for, who does not share her deep faith.

Book Three: Angel of Mercy

  I thoroughly enjoyed this final book in the Shannon Saga. The continuing story of Kit's struggle to bring the young man she cares for to Christ without accepting attentions she feels she shouldn't reciprocate is resolved. (I'm not going to say anything further on that, you'll just have to read it) Also she struggled with the feelings she had for a friendly and well to do young man who not only meets her aunt's requirements for a good match, but also seems to share her faith.

And while the above may make this book sound just like one of the "fluffy" historical fictions I earlier mentioned, it's more prominent theme may make you think otherwise.

Kathleen struggles when an old adversary (an opposing lawyer, who isn't afraid of fighting dirty, and somewhat illegally) asks her to represent him when he is accused of murder. Can she represent a man who she feels may be guilty?

Overall I recommend this series to any mature young adult. With the details of the trials being somewhat explicit at times I would not recommend them to young teens or those extra sensitive to violence.  

Have you read these? Have you read others by these authors? If so, what do you recommend I read next?

A Film Review: Much Ado About Nothing (2012)

****

Four out of five stars

Rated PG-13

Okay, so when I heard that one of my favorite directors was doing another film adaptation of my favorite Shakespearean work, and that the actor who portrayed everyone's favorite S.H.I.E.L.D.  agent would be playing a part in it, I admit I obsessed over it for about six months. Stalking my iTunes store "new release" list, watching YouTube (I know, if I found it I would be watching it illegally....), and Netflix.
But eventually, life trudged on (as is this post, I do apologize and I'll get to it soon) and I forgot about the thing entirely.
So, it took me by surprise when I was searching for a movie to watch last Friday night, there it was! I promptly purchased it.
And.......
Just....
Yes, yes, yes! Elements that make this  movie interesting include (but are not limited to...)
* It's in black and white
* It still follows (almost word for word) Shakespeare's original script--
*Although it was set in modern times!!
*And strangely, it works!!!

And these actors were perfect in their roles. Nathan Fillion as Dogberry. I never thought I would be happy with any other actor besides Michael Keaton in this role, but I was mistaken. I think both actors are equally suited to this role.
(He has most of my favorite lines in MAAN)

See? Doesn't he just look a little bit ridiculous?

COULSON!!
 Erm, I mean Leonato ...
He just made me happy in this role. That is all.

This is hands down, the funniest scene in the film. I laughed hysterically both times I watched it. (Yes, I watch movies two times in the same number of days sometimes... I wouldn't want to review a movie I've only seen once, I may not give a complete review!) 

In conclusion, this movie has a PG-13 rating for a reason folks, aside from the adult themes of extra-marital sex, Joss did maybe take it a bit to far with those scenes, if you know what I mean. But they are easily skipped, and not much is missed by way of conversation. The plot is still easily followed. I heartily agree with it's rating. 

Now, get watching!!

A Beautiful Song

Hello all! I just wanted to pop in and show you all a song. If you only read one last post on my blog, please, please take a moment and listen to this song. It is a beautiful, simple presentation of the Gospel message. If you take just a moment from your day and listen. This song asks the single most important question you could ask yourself in your lifetime. Just food for thought.

Bless Jesus!!

...Clever Title??...

 So, guess who just signed up for several book review sites? That's right, me!  I like free books. I'll do some things for them. Not anything, because even saying that is just stupid. (Anybody else out there watch Once Upon a Time? I feel like if I say I'll do anything Rumple just might pop out and try to make a deal with me) Anyway, I decided it was a win-win situation to sign up for these things. If I get accepted I am sent free books to review and I am forced to post more frequently, if I am not accepted (rejected is just such a harsh word) then I can go back to being lazy with this blog and only post sporadically. Anyway, it was wonderful of you to pop in for a visit and I hope to see more of you soon, dearie.

5 Classic Works of Fiction I Love to Hate

I'm just going to cut to the chase since by the end you'll all be throwing things at me anyway.

5) The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. 

(This was actually tied with Black Beauty but I couldn't find my copy BB, so the Brothers Grimm won)

Now, if you disagree with me I'm going to guess that you have never read most of the fairy tales in this collection, or you are one of those people who love Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid. We aren't talking Disney here people! If the first, run far, far away. If the second, I have nothing more to say to you.

4) Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Now before you throw rotten food and other objects at me, I'll say this is more one of those "I hate that I love it" rather then "I love to hate it" type of things. I love the social commentary, the satire, and even the cute little love story. But, I cannot stand the heroine! She just irritates me so much that I've only read this book two times and cannot bring myself to spend hours of my life in her company any longer! 

3) Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

I find it very sad that the only work of Mr. Dickens that I've been able to finish, I've ended up hating (I'm currently working on reading Little Dorrit, and I'm getting along with it rather well).  I was twelve when I first watched an adaptation of this and read the book. It was depressing and traumatizing. I think it might have been the first time a saw a coldblooded murder happen on screen. Enough said?

2) The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
A story of how guilt eats away at you. Seriously, that's it. There isn't even a scene at the end where everything ends up okay. at least not to my standards. Hey, I'm a Christian, forgiven of my sins by a perfect God who didn't just forgive, he forgot too! He cast them out, they are non-existent now. And this book says you have to work for forgiveness, that you never really fully achieve it anyway. It just doesn't sit right with me. I know it has a good point to present and it wasn't supposed to be happy and flowery, blah blah blah... But it strikes me as a way for the world to point a finger at Christians and say "See, your beliefs are so out-dated. You just look stupid."

1) Wuthering Hieghts by Emily Bronte

A tale of a whole bunch of selfish and rude people who think that they are the center of the universe and hate it when everything isn't going their way. Yes, the Bronte sisters knew how to write dramatic stories. Yes this is a well written book. But really?? Not one situation ends happily, or even satisfactorily. Not one character has a nice personality trait (in my opinion). This is yet another book I've only read twice, because I told myself  "Just give it one more chance, maybe you were too young to understand it before" Well, guess what, now that I understand it better, I hate it more.

In case you couldn't tell, I don't like unhappy endings (I know Northanger Abbey has a happy ending but the others don't)

Alright, go ahead and throw things at me now, or leave indignant comments. Or tell me how you agree with an item on this list. What did I not list that you think should have been listed?  What would you say to convince me that one of these books is worth another shot?

A Wonderful Sunday

Well, my niece and nephew spent the night last night and went to church with us this morning. After we got home we had a water fight, and we had a blast! (Thanks, Dad, for the pictures!!) 

After I took them home I came back and cleaned house! Now I'm relaxing and watching Pride & Prejudice (2005), and I have to say I like this version so much better then I remember it being. While it is full of inaccuracies when compared to the book, it fully captures the feeling of the book and the personalities of the characters perfectly!

A New Look...

A new name, a new identity!! 

Odd's Fish! How did he get here?

Ahem, I got a little LEETLE carries away there, I do apologize.

The truth is that I have been itching to re-vamp my blog, from the name to the post schedules. I mentioned a bit ago that I was hoping to change the content of the posts because my interests had changed drastically since beginning the whole thing, (over? under?) two years ago now.
Pray for me, gentle readers, that I may have the discipline to stick to a good, consistent routine of posting. To start it may be sparse, but committing to a post or two a week is so much less overwhelming and stressful. I was thinking a review (book/film alternating) every other week. They won't all be period films, but the majority will be. Except once a month when I hope to list four to five sci-fi/action films that I've watched, maybe fewer depending on free time. These lists would include my rating from 1-5, the film rating (G to PG-13) I will rarely view a film I know to be R-rated. Even at twenty I don't feel comfortable with it, I almost didn't watch The King's Speech because of that.

Once a month I may also do a post on modest fashion bloggers that I follow, picking my favorite outfits from them. Every other week I'll be trying to do some post on a daycare-friendly style I've worn.

Aaaannnd, that's all I've got so far. But I'd like to hear what you want more of. Also, what are some things you find helpful in remembering to post consistently? What do you like/dislike about the changes I've made? Please comment!