Connie Onnie

It is a truth universally acknowledged...

2012-01-18T13:19:00.002-07:00

You may remember me talking about the book Austenland by Shannon Hale here, even here, maybe here, and yes here. But did you know that there is a sequel called Midnight in Austenland coming out January 31st? Obviously being such a fan of the first I have been dying to read the sequel. Well Shannon decided to have a contest on twitter and the winner would receive an advance readers copy (ARC) of Midnight in Austenland.

When pondering what I should add to the famous opening line of Pride & Prejudice "IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." I thought of a conversation I had with my friend Melissa while waiting in line to get our books signed by James Dashner. I belive we were talking about Inception & Tom Hardy when I said something about how a British accent can take a marginally good looking guy and make him hot. It seemed like a perfect "Connie" truth to proclaim as universal.

Maybe Shannon thought so too or maybe she just picked me because I bugged her about never announcing a winner for the contest.

Look what I got in the mail yesterday!

*note this is my third copy (2nd signed) copy of Austenland I have a paperback copy to loan & that I can mark up.

At work we are getting a new server and there is little work that can be done with out my computer so I got to go home and read while my new computer was getting hooked up. I had to stop by my library to pick some things up and decided to read outside since it was a beautiful day here. I strolled through the Riparian Preserve that is around my library. And found the perfect spot to sit and read an Austen inspired novel.

While reading I laughed out loud more times than I can count, which is why I decided to retreat and finish reading in the privacy of my own home. I loved the Gothic appeal and twist to it, I would highly recommend reading or at least watching Northanger Abbey before reading. While reading I realized that I had a grin permanently on my face except for the suspenseful parts, well sometimes even during those! It was a great read I am so happy I was able to go back to Pembrook Park!

Paper Glue & String

2012-01-16T10:04:00.003-07:00

I wanted to make Mimi something to help her remember our trip to Europe (she complains about forgetting things). It wasn't till I saw Debbie's Christmas card that I knew that I wanted to make a book and draw/write the places we went.

I also made the cover which I forgot to get a picture of maybe I can get a picture of it and post about later.
I actually made it rather fast I drew the pictures in pencil then just used pen to go over it. Glued on the pictures and hand stitched the book together.

That Time I Met Jason Schwartzman

2012-01-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Last week I watched The Fantastic Mr. Fox and was thinking about good old Wes Anderson and wondering what he was up to. Today I found out exactly he has been up to

I can not think of Wes Anderson and not think about that time I met Jason Schwartzman.

The year was 2002 my sister Debbie & I decided last minuet that we were going to go see Phantom Planet who were opening for Elvis Costello. If you watched The OC you know at least one of their songs but this was pre-OC.

Everything just seemed to work out magically that night first with these guys letting us sit in their front & center seats while Phantom Planet was playing. Then the lead singer jumped down from stage and sang with Debbie. Then before leaving the stage he came over and gave me a drum stick.

Jason was the drummer of the band and through the whole concert he did not look up once he just was beating on his drums. After such an awesome night we decided to see if we could get our CD signed. We were walking by buses trying to guess which one was theirs when we hear a guy yell "hey"(it was a nice hey I know you kind of hey) we turned to see the lead singer. We had to hang around a little longer to met the rest of the band but when Jason finally showed up he said to us. "Hey I know you girls, you girls rock hard." I asked him how he knew since he never looked up once. He replied with "oh I see all." We told him we were fans of Rushmore and I had to ask him if he was one of the announcers during this scene in The Royal Tenenbaums

He told me no, that is was actually Wes Anderson along with the other Wilson brother Andrew. I still think it sounds like him but he did tell me I wasn't the fist person who thought so.

We didn't have a camera with us but here is a picture of the signed CD Jacket.

And here are a couple of pictures of Debbie & I that were taken that year.

Hip Hip Hooray

2012-01-09T23:42:00.001-07:00

My parents decided they wanted to treat us all to dinner and while we were gathered for dinner my brother Mark found out his grades for his first semester at Law School were all A's & B's, good enough that he is in the top 25% of his class!
Once my brother in law Russ mentioned that getting a group of people to follow you in a cheer of hip hip hooray is good fun. I decided to give it a go and while at the restaurant called "three cheers for Mark! Hip hip hooray... and by the third round I got a good number to join in. It was good fun, I highly recommend cheering people!

I have resolved to try and improve my artistic abilities and get over my fears of them being seen. So you may be seeing more of my little doodles on this blog.

Out With The Old In With The New part 5

2012-01-06T18:19:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year!!!

Guys can you believe that I have been blogging for over 5 years now? December was a busy and fun month and I feel like my holiday's just finished and I can finally get to posting my traditional end of year favorite movies post. (I know you all have been waiting for it.) ;)

My favorite movie of 2011 with out a doubt had to have been Harry Potter Deathly Hallows part 2. I think I saw it three times in the theater & know it is going to be one of the movies that I will remember seeing in the theater for years to come.

Next up was The Kings Speech, really what is not to like about this movie, a marvelously talented cast & a story that pulls on your heart strings.

In my opinion the X-Men movies are what made comic book movies kick up their game and X-Men First Class did not disappoint. I believe I said this in a blog post already but a comic book movie that can make me cry is a good comic book movie!

Movies I liked were Super 8, Midnight in Paris, Jane Eyre & Like Crazy, even with its indie ending.

As for the New, 2012 is going to rock our socks off with movies! So many movies I am looking forward to seeing!!!
Obviously The Dark Knight Rises

My brother Mark and I were texting today about little things in the trailer, WE CAN NOT WAIT!

The Hobbit

The Hunger Games

I am also looking forward to The Avengers, Snow White and the Huntsman & Disney's Brave.

The Christmas Post

2012-01-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve my parents little brother Eric and I all went to Debbie's house where we had dinner then went and saw the Mesa Temple lights.

My BFF wanted me to hold her (as usual) and she enjoyed telling everyone Merry Christmas!

After my parents and Eric headed home but I spent the night instead of waking up and just driving back over for Christmas morning. It was fun to help get everything ready for the morning.

The beginning of December Debbie called so stressed because she couldn't think of what she was going to do for the kids for Christmas, and I reminded her of things she wanted to do like a play house for the kids. Part of me wondered it would happen, and can I just say I am super impressed.

Then we went in to open presents! Debbie has better pictures on her blog.

Joe is just a pooh bear himself.

I helped Gracie make the Captain America shield and think it turned out great.

After opening presents we went to church then headed for my mom's for breakfast lunch & opening more presents. Gracie helped me make the stuffed french toast she is such a little good helper.

You guys would not even believe how excited I got about this steering wheel cover. My parents have one and I love it, I am so glad they remembered how much I wanted one. I also received a tiny porcelain tea set because if Grandma couldn't get one for each of the grand girls then the second best was aunt Connie.

Ain't no party like a tea party!

My cousin Amy sent us a link to a video of me, Debbie, my our cousins Chris & Steve singing "Everything I Do I Do it for You."

I would just like you all to see what a giant I was as a kid. My cousin Chris is six months older than me and I am like a head taller than him.
I am going to share the video but it is not all that embarrassing. I loved hearing Debbie's little voice talk and seeing how out of control thick my hair was. My little brother Eric does some nice dancing and singing after us.

The White Elephant In The Room

2012-01-02T14:07:00.002-07:00

Our family tried out a new tradition this year, we decided to do an adult dinner and then a white elephant gift exchange. Personally I stressed over picking what present to get. I had bought Warrior before my brothers decided to come over and watch it. But I wanted it to be funny as well, then I saw that Anthropologie had Emma with this quote on the back. True it probably wasn't funny to anyone but me but I thought it was funny.

I am happy because Debbie & Ashley were fighting over it and I really wanted a gift people would want. While I watched Warrior with my brothers the night before I wrote all 16 numbers out (yep that is my parents, siblings and in laws).

After dinner we all went back to my condo for presents and desert. But first Mark and Ashley asked if they could use my bed room, when they came out they were dressed like this...

Here is my other brother Ryan modeling one of the fake mustaches he got.

There was lots of laughing and fun to be had, I am already looking forward to next years!

The Tom Hardy Weekend

2012-01-01T22:05:00.001-07:00

Being the Batman fan that I am I went to IMAX to watch a special 6 minuet trailer of the The Dark Knight Rises before Mission Impossible 3. Here was my Instagram...

and here was Debbie's

In the clip they showed men being loaded onto a plane with their heads covered, I knew which one was Bane (Tom Hardy) by just his back.

I knew who Tom was from Wuthering Heights and I know most British male actors. But I of course fell for him in Inception.

So when my brothers wanted to watch Warrior together I said come on over.

It was fun to discover that my brother Mark has a man crush on him as well.

Lucky Britt's got this Kleenex commercial of Tom & his sensitive side.

I am really looking forward to This Means War

Has anyone seen Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy yet?

Leaves

2011-12-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

Here in the Valley of the Sun winter means fall and fall means playing in leaves. My brother Mark and his family moved to Nebraska so he could attend law school there. It has been so good to have them home for Christmas break. How thankful I have been for Skype so we could video chat with Mark, Ashley and Sam boy. They always try and get Sam to say Connie but either I couldn't hear him or he would say it but when he first saw me he said Connie & it melted my heart.

Sam loved getting leaves thrown on him.

We had so much fun playing in the leaves and being together.

It's that time of year

2011-12-13T10:42:00.001-07:00

My sister Debbie and I decided that we needed to enlist the help of an expert to help get our Christmas projects done. So this past Saturday we went out to our mom's and had a Super Saturday. I made our traditional popcorn cakes, with help from my mom of course.

The recipe we use is:

1gallon of popcorn

1 stick of butter

1 lb bag of marshmallows

1 cup of candy of your choice

I decided to use dark chocolate & mint m&m's for my friend Melissa's popcorn cake and she seemed to really like it!

Stolen from her facebook page, this is after having it for 3 hrs.

My best friend decided to help me out with the cakes and ran with me to pick up some supplies. We are super fast tough girls so watch out.

Here is one of our finished small cakes.

After we went and watched one of our brothers little girls dance recital, here are the sweet ballerinas.

Gracie had declared it the greatest day of her life, and I have to admit it was one of my favorites. I love working beside my mom & sister and spending time with my nieces and nephews. I think one of the reasons Christmas time is so great is the traditions we keep they remind us of past good times & make making new one sweet because we know we will look back at them with love next year.

Tennis, Tigers & Ballroom

2011-12-09T11:09:00.001-07:00

I read about the band Tennis on a blog, their story is what got me to listen to them. The couple met in college after graduation they saved up money bought a boat and spent a year sailing the eastern coast. I had imagined them sailing & writing music but according to this interview with NPR they wrote the music after as a way of documenting their experience.

When I asked Mimi if she was interested in going she said she liked the opening band Miniature Tigers so it was perfect. I was excited to try out the newest venue The Crescent Ballroom. Which I liked very much it has some risers in the back which we went and sat in towards the end. Also if you are wanting to attend a show I would buy tickets online, there was a pretty long line waiting to get in.

Miniature Tigers

The lead singer of Tennis was pretty much the cutest person I have ever seen on stage, a girl from the audience even yelled out "you're adorable".

Tennis has a new album coming out on Valentines day this coming February, I am digging it, give it a listen.
Deep in the Woods by tennisinc

Origins by tennisinc

My Daddy-O

2011-12-07T11:53:00.000-07:00

Sixty nine years ago my dad was born (a year after pearl harbor). On Thanksgiving I was riding with my dad when he called another driver on the road "old man", I had to remind him he is no spring chicken. I don't see him as an old man, even if he is getting a little grumpier :). Growing up it is hard to see your parents other than anything as parents but looking back I see now how their tastes influenced me.

For most of our youth Debbie & I we shared a room, which we had a hard time keeping clean to my mothers dismay. On Saturdays she would often try and banish us to our room till it was clean. Some of my favorite memories are from those Saturdays, I will just say that Debbie and I have always been creative and could find lots of ways to not clean. I remember one of those rare Saturdays that we were actually cleaning we had brought our dad's record collection into our room and would play them and sing along, at the tops of our lungs I am sure.

My dad, Mike (in the chair) with his brothers Tim, Danny, Pat (we are not Irish or anything)

One summer as a pre-teen the video rental store was doing some sort of special, I don't remember what exactly. But I remember my dad taking me probably every week and over the summer I think I rented every "classic" movie they had. I would ask my dad about a movie and he would tell me about when he saw it and could usually tell me where he saw it as well.

A few years ago I put together that all my dad's favorite movies were done by the Cohen brothers and just this year while my brother said a movie that sounded like Bottle Rocket my dad asked "does that have Owen Wilson in it?" Apparently after my dad retired he started to watch Wes Anderson films as well. It is sure fun finding more reasons to love my dad, the original hipster.

December is here

2011-12-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

It is December the busiest month of the year and this weekend was just the beginning. Friday I heard about Crafeteria (a craft fair) from Angela Hardison's twitter and thought it would be a good place to get ideas for Christmas.

While there I saw these branches covered in scrapes of material. I had already wanted to use branches to decorate and liked the idea. So when Debbie called me on Saturday to say that she and William were sick I grabbed some material and headed over to help with the other kids since Russ was working & it was also Gracie's Dance recital.

When I got to Debbie's I went and got some branches and went to work in covering the branches.

Then Debbie talked me into covering some not very pretty ornaments in yarn.

Now I have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

My mom came in and took us all to Gracie's dance recital. Here is the excited princess ballerina tough girl elf (she told me she was all those things).

After we went to go visit our nephew, cousin & grandson Miles grave, he passed away three years ago. It was a sad and hard time but how blessed we are to be part of a family who are there to give each other strength.

Sunday we celebrated my dad's 69th birthday that is coming up on the 7th and this little guy was dressed like this.

And grandma had made these girls Christmas dresses. If you can't tell these girls were very excited!

Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-12-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

Over a year ago my mom decided she did not have room for her piano and gave it to me. Thanksgiving we finally worked out getting it moved. While my brothers were over I also had them put up my picture ledges.

Thank you Laini Taylor for giving me the inspiration I needed.

It is amazing how homie my home feels now.

After eating and naps Gracie got out the dress up & Joe loved making us laugh.

I can't believe how big William is getting

Friday night William & Gracie came over for a sleepover.

Gracie had fun playing with my Jane Austen & Legolas action figures. A wedding even took place.

Such a beautiful match, she can help him gain a sense of humor and he can take Jane on adventures.

Saturday we got together with my dads side of the family.

Debbie and her kids waiting to ride the train.

Joseph hitting me with Williams wand...stupefy

How stinking cute is that caboose?

It was such a lovely weekend my mom out did herself with making a marvelous meal, check out Debbie's blogs for pictures.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

2011-11-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

A woman at church once had us write down a list of our favorite things, I wrote a new list of some of my favorites and things I am grateful for.

I transferred the list to a site that makes word collages. I thought I had Family down but left it off, I have my nieces, nephews, mom & dad but left off my brothers (who deserve a huge thank you for helping me move my parents I mean my piano to my home) my sister, sister in laws and brother in law I love you all, more than words can say.

I also would like to say how excited I am that I will be seeing Radiohead in a few months!!! Every time a Radiohead song comes on (at least once a day) I get a huge grin on my face.

Sometimes I pretend I am the bear.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Snow Season

2011-11-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

I always wonder why it is that things seem to come in waves, it wasn't that long ago everywhere I turned I saw Alice in Wonderland. Now it is Snow White...

ABC has a new series called Once Upon a Time and Ginnifer Goodwin is playing Snow White one of the main characters on the show.

There are two movies coming out as well.
Snow White and the Huntsman

and Mirror Mirror which is a comedy

I am thinking the movie minus Julia Roberts plus this guy (Chris Hemsworth aka Thor)

AND a Hot British Male in it (Sam Claflin)

will be the one I like best.

Unrelated (other than Gale is brothers with Thor) I hope you all saw the trailer for The Hunger Games!

UK Loving

2011-11-07T22:18:00.003-07:00

First I just need to say that I listened to No Light, No Light by Florence & The Machine three times in a row while driving to my parents yesterday.
No Light No Light by uidnewmediaberlin

I have listened to Shake It Out a lot as well.

I like that the music video is a less creepy version of THIS video.

Second I need to confess that I have watched some Doctor Who at least two episodes from each season (spoiler). Well of the newer Doctor Who, oh and I have not seen any of the current season. I was hesitant to watch the show first because the only thing I knew about it besides being a long running show on the BBC was that Ricky Gervais on Extra's did not want to play an Alien on the show.

But I kept seeing and hearing things that got me curious.
And after Community did a spoof on Doctor Who or should I say Inspector Spacetime, how could I not.

and

Their fake British accents kill me! Speaking of fake accents the episode of Doctor Who where they go to New York and you get to hear British actors doing New York accents is pretty awesome. Actually Andrew Garfield (future Spiderman) did pretty good with his southern accent.

Guess what I have realized, for the majority of our stay in London we were by the Earl's Court tube station and guess what was out right in front. Oh just the Tardis...

Also I saw an episode that had Harry Lloyd who I met while in London after seeing him in a play.

Boom, that practically makes me married to David Tennant.

I always love when he puts on his glasses.

The show can be silly but in an entertaining and fun way.

Potter Party

2011-11-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

A year ago I gave William the movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone and can I just say my plan worked out brilliantly!
This year William invited a few close friends to his Harry Potter birthday party. There was way to much awesomeness for me to document so I will just share a few pictures. Keep an eye out at Debbie's blog for a full report.

The Quidditch Pitch

This is just Debbie's pomegranate tree, it made me happy so I took a picture.

I saw this lady made a Marauders Map of her house for a party & William is obsessed with maps so I stole her design and made one for the kids. My hand hurt the next day, it was a lot of writing, but totally worth it.

Here is Professor Snape & Professor Joe teaching Potions.

The surprise of the night was when William got the Elder Wand he was literally speechless, finally a little dazed William said "it's good."

My favorite part of the party was when I was pretending to be Professor McGonagall I was speaking with a British accent (I know it should have been Scottish but it was impromptu) then for the rest of the night when he was thinking about it William also spoke with a British accent. It melted my UK loving heart!

Here is Gracie playing with the potions kit I gave to William for his birthday.

Joseph loved it as well. I bought the box at Hobby Lobby and painted it myself & found all the bottles, jar & little caldron at thrift stores. Yes I did know the kids would want to drink out of them don't worry I washed them.

Truly Outrageous

2011-10-25T16:47:00.001-07:00

My friend posted a link on facebook to the complete Jem and the Holograms series on DVD. Mimi then commented on how I would love it & she is right I do love it.

Obviously I grew up watching Jem & wanted to be the pink haired, awesome eye makeup rock star with magical star earrings. But I want to share a story that shows that I was also awesome as a teenager.
When I was a freshman in high school I had PE first hour, which sucked but what didn't suck was a girl in our class found her Jem cassette player & cassette tape from when she was a kid and she brought it in so we could not only listen, but sing along too as well. I know what you are thinking it is just like that Saved By the Bell episode with the girls singing I'm so Excited in the locker room. You are right it is almost exactly like that!

Yes I still do know the words to the theme song thanks to my freshmen physical educations class.

While looking for a picture of the cassette player I found this picture online and it was crazy how suddenly I could remember exactly how the plastic felt and what the plastic mask smelt like. I can't remember if my mom bought me the costume or if I just wore it at a friends but I know I wore that costume. It is so crazy how I had no memory of that costume a few minuets ago but now I can tell you what it smelt like.

Piles

2011-10-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

Next to my bed are three piles of books the first is my pile from the library, the second is books I have borrowed from friends & the last is books I have bought. The reason these books are in piles next my bed and not in the two bookshelves next to my bed is they are my to read/currently reading books.

(note these pictures are two month old the shelves already look different & I have another bookshelf in the living room)

I always feel guilty returning books to the library unread, hence why the piles are causing me to feel overwhelmed, which could be why I have been watching the tv series Wonderfalls instead of reading.

Wonderfalls was created by Brian Fuller before his Pushing Daisies days, but it only ran one season. Maybe I will talk about it on another post. But I will say that it does have these two gentlemen in it.

I had never seen the guy on the right before but he was adorable & yes Lee Pace does wear his shirt buttoned very low in one of the episodes, and I didn't mind at all. Oh also the series ended with a Travis song, it could be love.

James Dashner - The Death Cure

2011-10-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

I am so excited Melissa finally came to a book signing with me! We drove up to north Scottsdale to see James Dashner talk about the last book, The Death Cure in his Maze Runner series. I didn't mind the drive especially since I got to see one of my friends named Jen, who came with her son.
James is very informal and has a great dry sense of humor. He joked about loving Lord of the Rings more than his children. He would also go off on tangents like when asked about movie casting he joked about Justin Beiber and then went onto talk about "Beiber Fever Forever" and how he is actually a good basketball player.

He did a question answer and even told us some of his secret projects which I won't post about but if you want to know I would tell you. He did tell us a script has been written and that they are working on getting a director.

When it was time for the signing James spent time talking to the fans and even asking us questions. Melissa has finished reading while I am only on chapter six. So I stepped away so she could ask her spoilery question.

While leaving we ran into a fan who told everyone we could call him Thomas, I had wanted to get a picture of his shirt, which he made himself. Thomas also asked to get a picture with us his fans. After Melissa commented how fun it is to go somewhere and find your people.

While in line I got my books ready to be signed, sticking the flap of the dusk jacket to the appropriate page and sticking the sticky note with my name on it where it would be easy for him to see. It kind of blew the Barnes & Noble employee away, Melissa told her "this obviously isn't my first rodeo."
I had heard of James Dashner's book The Maze Runner while at a Changing Hands event and found out he was coming so I bought the book, read it, loved it and went to the signing for The Maze Runner the next week. I love that I was able to get my other books signed, it feels wrong to not have every book in a series signed.

Time Traveler - The 20's

2011-10-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to what I hope will turn into a series of posts I am going to call my "Time Traveler" posts and in them I will highlight time periods I dream of traveling through time to see. It will help me narrow down which ones are my favorite so if the opportunity presents its self I will know which time to visit first.
There are many things that come to mind when I try and decide on an era, like personal hygiene practices for example, but probably one of the main things to consider is the fashion.

Watching Midnight In Paris made me want to be a flapper for Halloween again. I had something come up and had to leave the movie early and wasn't actually able to finish it but what I did see I enjoyed. The opening shots of Paris are reason enough to see the movie.

I love the 20's jargon, it is all the Bee's Knees and the Cat's Meow, and a really fun movie to show fashion, music, jargon & dancing of the 20's is Thoroughly Modern Millie.

I am not sure what is so appealing about gangsters but I do love a good gangster movie and even more so if it is funny. Oscar has great lines that my family like to quote, not to mention a huge cast. I especially love Tim Curry as Dr. Poole...

This isn't one of my favorite Dr. Poole moments but there is a shocking lack of good Oscar clips on YouTube in English.
I have not read a lot of books that involve the 20's I am not a fan of The Great Gatsby although I did read it and see the movie (Robert Redford & the 20's of course I watched it).

And I am sure I will watch the remake with Leonardo DiCaprio & Carey Mulligan just because I am sure the dresses & movie will be pretty.

I am already looking forward to picking my next era to explore.

Two Gentlemen and a Lady

2011-10-12T11:30:00.002-07:00

I found this picture

on Tumblr and then found the artist Nan Lawson's ETSY page and found lots of things I loved, for example...

Harry Potter love

Katniss love

This picture could be Debbie & I.

Margot & Richie love

I really wanted the Darcy & Elizabeth portraits but I am weird in that I don't like shopping online and it just didn't happen. Until I saw that Nan on her tumblr & twitter asked for suggestions and I suggested Ned, The Pie Man from Pushing Daisies. And guess whose suggestion she used...

Guess what I got in the mail today?

The title of this post "Two Gentlemen and a Lady" is a quote from the movie Pride & Prejudice (BBC) and is referring to Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley & Darcy's sister Georgina. Don't you think Lee Pace (Pie Man) would make an excellent Mr. Bingley?

Elizabeth Bennett is probably my favorite female in literature, because we so much alike. My sister in law Angie got my brother Brett to watch the Jane Austen movies with her, after she told him about the online quiz of which Jane Austen character you are. She asked him to guess which one I was and he guess Elizabeth, I got a huge grin on my face when Angie told me.

I love that the pictures are of Elizabeth & Darcy because what I love most is how perfect they are for each other. Although I think Lost In Austen had it's fun parts it disturbs me that Elizabeth and Darcy don't end up together and that Elizabeth ends staying in modern day to become a nanny, how progressive of her (insert sarcasm font here). Speaking of Lost In Austen did you guys see that Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle & Julie & Julia) is going to be writing and directing her own version? You can read about it here.

Speaking of fictional boyfriends yesterday I found out that actor Milo Ventimiglia who just happened to play two of my fiction boyfriends Jess from Gilmore Girls & Peter from Heroes

is on Twitter & Instagram. Like my friend Lauren pointed out following crushes on twitter is most likely not going to end with unfollowing. But instagram on the other hand just allows me to look at pictures like this.

You're welcome!

Spooky Scary

2011-10-07T15:31:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon a video of Ellen scaring her guests a few weeks ago and it made me laugh so hard I cried a little.

I think what I love most is how Ellen gets so much pleasure out of it! In my family we also enjoy scaring each other. My dad has a knack for knowing when to scare you in a movie. He made my mom bust her button on her skirt when they saw Frankenstein (I think that was the movie). My brother Mark likes to sneak up behind you and pull your chair so you think you are falling. Mark also started a kind of war with my mom by hiding a fake cockroach around her house. It would go back and forth hiding in each others houses, and scaring each other. Who knows maybe they will keep up the tradition.
I hope you all have a wonderful October, with lots of pumpkins and scares. I have already had a pumpkin muffin, maybe I will get pumpkin shake this weekend!
And it just isn't Halloween with out a little Spooky Scary!

Another Signing

2011-10-06T10:51:00.001-07:00

It is no secret that I am a fan of Janette Rallison and her LDS romance pen name Sierra St. James. There is only one I have not read and am only missing a few before my collection is complete.

Tuesday night was her book launch for Slayers, under the pen name for her fantasy books, C.J. Hill. I had bought Slayers the night before and was reading before I left for the event. That was a bad idea, it was really hard to put the book down so I could go. But I am glad I went, I got to find out my Slayer super power! And Janette was entertaining and charming as ever!

Books & More Books

2011-10-04T10:38:00.002-07:00

Last night was Scott Westerfeld's signing at Changing Hands for the last book in his Leviathan series Goliath. I have really, really enjoyed this series and have loved the audiobooks and really recommend them. Alan Cumming just does a perfect Scottish accent (I am being cheeky he is Scottish) but does the other accents really well too. Deryn is Scottish and says such wonderful things like "barking spiders" and calls people "bum rags". You can get a little taste of the audiobook in this video of Scott & Alan talking about the last book.

I haven't ever made a list of favorite female characters in literature but if I did Deyrn Sharp would be on it. She dresses up as a boy so she can fly and goes to war. One of my favorite complements was when a friend told me in Lord of the Rings I would be Éowyn, because I would dress up like a boy and go to war.

Leviathan is an illustrated series like books from the time would have been. He showed examples one of them being Persuasion by Jane Austen (bonus points for Scott) just like my Pride & Prejudice.

He talked about how illustrators had a lot of power for example...

He asked who this was a photo of, everyone of course answered Sherlock Holmes. He explained never in the text will you find mention of Sherlock wearing a hunting cap and in fact he despised the country & would never and worn one but the illustrator lived in the country and changed the way we see Sherlock.

Scott explained how the camera put a lot of illustrators out of work. He wished he could go back in time and tell whoever drew the camera "Don't draw it dude it will eat your job."
It was a good time I got my book signed and I was able to pick up a couple other books as well.

I almost asked Scott to sign my Lola not that he has anything to do with it but Stephanie is on tour right now with Maurine Johnson and they had all been at some conference, I am just jealous of everyone who got to attend.

C.J. Hill is really Janette Rallison and her signing/launch party is tonight at Changing Hands as well. I really want to go but we will see if I can swing going to Tempe two nights in a row.
I have STACKS of books to read by my bed and I just keep requesting books from the Library WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I think I just like to have options who knows what I am going to want to read.

The Awesomeness Continues

2011-09-28T16:52:00.002-07:00

As you may remember my design for the Team Adam button contest won! Yesterday my prizes arrived in the mail!

I really hadn't expected to win, so all the fun little perks have just been such pleasant surprises. Emailing back and forth with Gayle has been really fun, she also changed her Twitter photo to the design & did a post explaining what Team Adam is all about. It is just so fun to think that there are so many girls/women out there who are in love with Adam and we are united under something I made, it is pretty sweet! I am loaded with a bag full of Team Adam Badges and want to give them to everyone I see. If you want one send me an email with your address and I will get one to you. Or just next time you see me ask.

How awesome is it that they are square? When Gayle said she wanted to keep them square I didn't think it mattered circle or square, but I love that they are square!

The Daughter of Smoke & Bone

2011-09-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today is a great day to be a reader! Today Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone is released into the world (or at least the US). I am so excited for everyone, because I loved this book and I think all my book friends will love it too!

I did not always know I liked to read, it wasn't till I found "my books" around the age of 14 that I became a reader. Like a love sick bibliophile I wander online sites like Goodreads, visit my local library and bookshops looking for those books hoping that the next one is going to be "my book". While reading The Daughter of Smoke & Bone I kept thinking "this is the book I have been waiting for." I would read a passage that reminded me of other books that I really loved but were lacking in other areas. Reading Laini's book was such a relief, it never let me down or disappointed, it was reading Magic! (no not like reading magic it was reading magic)

Make sure you go and check out the Daughter of Smoke & Bone site, you can meet the characters & even listen to the first chapter.

I'm a Mormon

2011-09-20T23:26:00.001-07:00

Some of you may have noticed on my side bar I added a link under My Faith called I'm A Mormon.

For my google readers who can't see my sidebar.

The link takes you to my profile for a site called Mormon dot org, it is by my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. With the church getting more and more exposure in the media (The Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, Presidential Candidates and just references on TV (just heard it mentioned on Zooey Deschanel's new show New Girl, we are like the new Vampires) it is a easy way for people curious about Mormons to see who we are and ask questions.

My profile explains a little about me (what I like), why I am a Mormon & how I live my faith. If you are curious go check it out, I kept it short and to the point so if you still have questions please feel free to ask. If you don't want to ask in the comments email me, don't worry I have yet to be offended by honest curiosity. If you are looking to argue I am not one to bash so if that is what you want I wouldn't bother. You can see others profiles as well and watch videos of different members around the world telling about themselves and why they are Mormon.

I love my church, the more I study and search for answers the more my convictions are strengthened. I know that I would not be the person I am today with out it. It has made me a better person and blessed my life in every way.

What I Have Been...

2011-09-13T23:32:00.003-07:00

My friend Jenny B (made my birthday cake) does this thing at the end of her blog where she lists what she has been; Listening to, Anticipating, Reading, Snacking on & Wearing. I have been liking some new jams so I decided I would steal Jenny's list and maybe tweak it, we will see what happens.

Listening to:

Generationals - Ten Twenty Ten

These guys are coming to Tucson, who goes to Tucson?

Slow Club - Two Cousins

I don't think I have listened to Slow Club before but I really liked the song & music video.

Theophilus London featuring Sara Quin - Why Even Try remix

I know what you are thinking I only listened to him only because his name is Theophilus London you may be right.

Anticipating:
Author Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone

For television shows to start up again. Project Runway started and has got me excited for my other shows. The two shows I never miss are Fringe & Community. I went to go see what movies are coming out in the next month or so & there wasn't much that caught my attention. It makes me really sad.

Reading:
I have been working on the books I got for my birthday (thanks again) and LOVED Divergent by Veronica Roth. It took me a good 50 pages to get into the story but once I got there I was hooked. The story was fresh and kept me on my toes, it is a series but the book did not leave you hanging like other trilogies.

FYI Scott Westerfeld (I really am loving the Leviathan series) & James Dashner (Maze Runner series) are both coming to Arizona next month if you are interested in going, I would go. Both are very entertaining & very nice, if you want to go with me just let me know.

Snacking:
I am so boring when it comes to food, um grapes, does that count?

Wearing:
I wear a cardigan almost everyday to work, year round.

Today (September 11, 2011)

2011-09-11T22:38:00.001-07:00

Today I started my day off reading accounts of those who experienced 9/11 first hand in New York. Tears fell from my eyes as I read stories of last goodbyes, courage, fear and kindness. My heart was heavy as I thought of all those mourning loved ones and whose lives were forever changed ten years ago today. I prayed that those mourning could feel the love that was in so many of our hearts this day.
The different accounts from different perspectives moved me, made me want to do something more. I decided to drive to Tempe Town Lake and visit Healing Field.

Most flags had a name attached and their story, one of the flags I read was for a woman named Suzanne Geraty she was 30, the age I am now. Sadly because the sun was so bright I could not see that the picture was cut off when I took it.

Thankfully I was able to get the info from the New York Times...

Suzanne Geraty: The Kiss Monster

Published: September 21, 2001

Her four nephews christened Suzanne Geraty the Kiss Monster for obvious reasons: when she wasn't chasing them around the park, she was smooching them. Or tickling them. ''She was the best aunt,'' said her sister, Erin Durkin. But Suzanne, 30, had numerous outlets for her playful nature. She always scooped up any extra concert tickets at the Cantor Fitzgerald office, where she worked in system support, and regretted missing Madonna at the Garden. She couldn't hold a tune, but she danced with abandon. She loved dining out and drinking red wine, and she was a devoted shopper for accessories: she filled her closet with shoes, hats, pocketbooks. Her collection of potions and lotions was encyclopedic.

Suzanne's flag was just one of almost 3,000 but it was very easy for me to imagine what her life had been kissing her nephews & going to concerts. I thought of her nephews and what they are doing today.

I am glad I went and got to read about a few of the many people who lost their life. I am also glad because although I didn't speak to anyone, I felt connected to those there also mourning. While walking by a family with two young children I heard the son telling his father about Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter. It was nice to find a reason to smile and in the words of Albus Dumbledore "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light."

My Amazing Mom

2011-09-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

Today is my mom's birthday and I thought I would list some of the things about her that I find amazing.

- Her selflessness, she is always thinking of others and puts her needs last behind everyone else.

- Her energy, she can out work me any day of the week.

- Her sewing abilities, I have often thought about posting on facebook asking who has worn something sewn by mom particularly wedding dresses.

- Her talents and knowledge seem limitless to me.

- Her strength, I consider myself a strong person but when I break my much smaller mother can hold me and make me feel safe.

- Her natural beauty, she has never been one to wear much make up & she has the most beautiful complexion.

The older I get the more I see how I am like my mother and I could not be more proud! I hope that I can only continue to become like her.

Coming Back Full Circle

2011-09-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

While I was in Europe back in February 2010 I had some books on my mind, one of those books was Elizabeth Eulberg's The Lonely Hearts Club.

After my friends and I had crossed Abbey Road and got a look at Abbey Road Studios

we headed to The Beatles gift shop.

(this is not a great picture of Chelsea or me but it is us inside the shop)

While in the shop I saw some buttons or badges as the British say for St. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

(my library bag I mentioned in another post)

Which made me think of this lovely passage from The Lonely Hearts Club...

I bought badges not only for some friends and I, but one to send to Elizabeth as well. Then Elizabeth wrote Prom & Prejudice, which also went so well with my trip to Bath, and the I Heart Darcy badge I bought.

While in Paris I had a book I had never read on my mind. I was so excited to read Stephanie Perkins debut novel Anna and the French Kiss and thought how awesome it would be to visit places then read about them. Can I just say what a genius I am, because it was not only awesome it was like making dreams come true before you even dream the dream. I am so lucky Stephanie is so nice and took the time to send us a list of places we should see, because it made Paris all the more special.

For example I would have never gone to Shakespeare & Company book shop. But after going to Paris & reading Anna I often see pictures of Shakespeare & Co and see the picture above on the left and see people commenting on how they dream about going there. And look there I am in the chair in the famous book shop fulfilling a future dream.

Both Elizabeth & Stephanie are on twitter and if you didn't already know I adore these woman. When I found out that there were going to be an a panel together I was wishing I could be in Georgia. But because these woman are awesome they fulfilled another wish for me and took a picture of them together.

While in Europe I didn't buy a lot of things for myself but I saw the Lonely Hearts Club key chain and thought it would be a great way to remember my London trip and remember that "this lonely hearts club was the opposite of depressing. It was alive." After I got the beautiful "I left my heart in San Francisco" key chain from Stephanie I put it on my key chain and sent her this picture along with my thanks.

When things come around again in full circle, it just makes me feel a peace like good things do happen in the world and I am lucky to be apart of them.

More Austenland - The Movie

2011-08-29T17:44:00.004-07:00

At my book birthday party (see post below) some of us talked about how excited we are for Austenland the movie and I promised a friend I would send her links to some of the fun things I have found. Which I did but I have seen a lot of traffic coming to my Austenland post so I thought I would share the links with you all as well.
The following pictures came from Jennifer Coolidge twitter account...

Keri Russell is in the brown dress as Jane Hayes and Jennifer Coolidge as Miss Charming is in the pink dress.

Here is Keri & Jennifer again with the director Jerusha Hess.

The following picture of Bret McKenzie as Martin was taken from a film extra's twitter account.

The fan site Absolute JJ Feild also has posted pictures supposedly from set, I just didn't see where they got them so I am not going to say they are for sure. Although I think he does look very Darcy/Nobley.

There are more if you click on their link.

Screen Daily also did a great article that I already posted on facebook awhile ago about their on set visit. Here is one of my favorite parts...
"I witnessed Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Conchords grinding up on Keri Russell, all the while wearing regency finery. Oh, and did I mention a Nelly song was playing? What more do you want from a film, people?"
What more could you want indeed.

Ricky Whittle twitted about production if you want to check out his twitter. He tweeted a picture, of some possible swim trunk wardrobe???

Mr. James Callis tweeted the following picture of himself as Colonel Andrews from his trailer...

If you want more you can read Shannon Hale's (author of Austenland book & co-authored screenplay) blog for her on set adventures.

I really want to see Austenland get picked up by a studio soon so I am going to do everything in my power to get the word out there!

30 Rocks!!!

2011-08-28T10:33:00.001-07:00

I was not feeling so good about turning 30, every time I would think "30" my heart would get a little tight. But thankfully I am very blessed to have people in my life who helped me completely forget about my twinges of anxiety.
My birthday was Thursday, I started off the day by receiving Hey Tell messages from William & Gracie telling & singing me happy birthday. I took the day off of work & spent the day with my mom & sister. My mom picked me up and we met Debbie, Gracie & Joseph at Liberty Market for breakfast.

Then we headed up to Last Chance to do some shopping. After we went to Le Grande Orange for lunch. Other than the heat the day was perfect we all found some clothes, ate good food and had fun just being with each other. Debbie also gave me my own personal Library Kit, thank you Pinterest! I have always wanted to be a librarian & now I get to! It was also the start of my "book birthday party".

Saturday night Debbie threw me a book birthday party. It was such a fun & cute party! I should have taken more picture of all the cute things but I did get a picture of my food. Which was a huge hit, yeah for spaghetti squash!

And my friend Jenny Bradford, made the most awesome birthday cake EVER!!! Those are all my favorite books, and I am still just so amazed, thank you Jenny!
My other friend also named Jenny but Whipple is her last name made me these, again my mind was blown.

Dude you guys that is me!!! On a ladder, in my LIBRARY!!! Debbie mentioned something about seeing my face while watching Beauty and the Beast when he gives her the Library. AND THEN JENNY ALSO MADE THIS...

When Jenny got to the party she told Chelsea she would have to apologize to her later. I was confused since Jenny had never met Chelsea, but then we understood she had taken Chelsea out of the picture. Not that she hadn't tried, poor paper Chelsea just ended up looking like this...

I can not even begin to explain the laughing that went on over poor sad paper Chelsea. Then Chelsea said she looked like a death eater & you couldn't have a death eater in the picture. Which only made us all laugh more.

Debbie throwing a book party was pure genius, I mean look at all the pretty books I got!

I have to tell you about the book Melissa got me. It is a fifth edition of Pride & Prejudice Volume II printed in 1902 in London England! I just can't get over how pretty it is, I showed Debbie and she said the same thing, it is so pretty. It has pictures and can you see how uneven all the pages are? Melissa swears she did not spend a lot of money since it was only volume II but I love it, it starts with Darcy's proposal, just when things start to get good!

Mimi got me these adorable Jane Austen pocket pads, they are so tiny and perfect. I always carry notebooks to write notes in. Each book is after a dance in a book & each have a little dance card in the front. I always wanted a dance card.

When I got home I tried to decorate with the new HUGE London & Paris books Chelsea got me. They are so pretty and I stuck my cake topper in a bowl filled with black beans until I can get a shadow box to put them in to go besides these...

One of my friends named Jen wrote in my card that I was going to rock the 30's, and I have to say so far 30 has been pretty amazing! We had planned to make some book crafts, but once we get talking, there is no stopping us. I really had such a lovely time and felt so loved and grateful for such amazing friends. After everyone was gone and Debbie and I were relaxing on the couch after kind of helping clean up (thank you Russ you are made of awesome) I said to Debbie "I love all my friends".

No! Frodo!

2011-08-25T05:52:00.002-07:00

Remember when I talked about vlogging here? Well on Saturday I was watching Debbie's kids and when William walked in first thing he says to me is "I want to watch Lord of the Rings". They stayed with me a few weekends ago and sadly I don't have many toys, but William likes to play with my Legolas action figure.

And maybe I also let him play with my bow & arrow.

After asking I grabbed my Lord of the Rings and headed out to my moms house. There we watched the second half of the extended edition of The Fellowship of the Ring. It reminded me of one of my favorite vloggers Elmify's vlog called No! Frodo!.

If you don't want to watch the whole thing you can skip to about 1:50 where 14 year old Elmify is acting out a scene from Lord of the Rings and yells "No! Frodo". (But you should watch the whole thing because she is hilarious) Then last night I went over to Debbie's to watch the kids and guess what they were watching. If you guessed Two Towers, good job. Gracie was going crazy about Golum, who she calls the slimy guy, telling me she hates him when he is bad but loves him when he is good.

I showed Gracie & William the "No! Frodo! clip and they kept wanting to watch it again.

I started writing this yesterday & decided to share the video with Ms. Elmify herself on twitter & guess who responded?!? You can also see her comment if you go to the youtube page.

Today I would like to remind Lauren & Lindsey how much I would love for them to start a vlog! And since it was Lauren's birthday I have been remembering the trip we took to California the weekend of Lauren's 18th & my 21st birthdays. So if you need a subject for your vlog, there you go. Consider yourselves birthday challenged!

Unexpected Gift

2011-08-22T09:13:00.001-07:00

After I did my last post, Team Adam, explaining how I won author Gayle Forman's contest to design a Team Adam button. I found out my friend Stephanie Perkins was one of the judges on Gayle's expert panel. Here is the comment Stephanie left on Gayle's blog.

Ha ha ha!!! When I voted for Connie’s design, I had no idea *my friend* designed it. I’m quite giddy. GO CONNIE! Congratulations!

—Stephanie Perkins

Sometimes it just blows me away how awesome Stephanie is & that I have some how managed to be friends with her. Did you know that she did a panel at Comic Con? Yes I have a friend who was on a panel at Comic Con!

We have recently upgraded our friendship to sisters, which Debbie & I both feel really good about!

naturallysteph Stephanie Perkins

@connieonnie @SassyCassinasty @debsfreckles I now declare us all sisters. Hugs for everyone!

(Shout out to my other new sister Rachel, I can't wait for you blog to be rolling!)

If this wasn't enough awesomeness, Wednesday I went to check the mail and found a unexpected gift from Stephanie. Her new book Lola and the Boy Next Door comes out September 29th, which I have been counting down the days (see widget on my blog, just look to your right).

I was so touched that Stephanie would take the time to mail me a copy and even more touched by her inscription

And the beautiful key chain, the book takes place in San Francisco.

Let me just say I not only left my heart there, it was stolen! I am not going to go into to much detail because I don't want to ruin any of the fun BUT, I'll post this picture to show my love for The Boy Next Door & Lola.

Edit... In case you were wondering there were more sticky notes than Anna.

Team Adam

2011-08-11T16:15:00.004-07:00

I have some great friends who also love books & we love to go to book signing events together. At one of our many trips to Changing Hands we were sitting at a table talking about, you guessed it books! My friends Jen & Espe run a site called Late Bloomers where they do book reviews & Georgia is part of the site Eve's Fan Garden and they were all gushing about getting the ARC (advanced reader copy) for Where She Went & then asked if I had read If I Stay. I had not read it, and they all began gushing about how I would love it and needed to read it. I trust my friends so I soon got If I Stay and read it & loved it. I was heading out of town, driving to Utah a ten hour drive, so I asked Jen if she would let me borrow her ARC of Where She Went. When I picked it up from Jen she told me to text her along the way. It was so much fun reading & texting my favorite parts (I wish I still had those texts). Sadly I finished another book before starting Where She Went so I didn't get a chance to finish reading before we got to my aunt & uncles house. You should have seen me at my cousins house filled with my family sitting around talking and me sitting on the floor kind of hiding behind a plant reading. It wasn't that I didn't want to talk to my family, it is just that I found it really hard to put the book down.
When I saw the author Gayle Forman announce on her blog that she was having a Team Adam button design contest I felt it was just up my alley. If you have read my blog you probably know that I collect rocker boyfriends & fictional boyfriends so what could be better than a fictional rocker boyfriend? I knew exactly what I wanted to do, one of the scenes Jen and I text about involved a specific guitar. Soon I came up with this and sent it off to Gayle.

I don't have photoshop I just used picnik so it is not exactly what I wanted. For example the pick with the heart in it, this is the closest shape I could come up with. I really wanted the pick to be in the shape of a heart, but look like a pick. For the most part I was very happy how it turned out.
It was a lot of fun to be a part of the contest and see people vote for it, I told a handful of my friends but I wanted to leave it up to fate. So thank you to everyone who voted for me, when I get my winning buttons or badges (as the British or want to be British say) let me know if you want one I will be happy to share! I know where mine is going, right next to the "Boys in books are just better" badge Melissa gave me, all my badges are on my library bag. What a happy way to start off my morning by reading an email from Gayle Forman telling me I had won the contest, I have been smiling all day!
I just remembered that after reading Where She Went I went to Gayle's website and watched a video she made that is a tour of the New York City that is in the book & in the video she is wearing a shirt that says "Fictional Character". I am not sure if it was on her blog or in a chat but someone asked her about the shirt and she said she got it from Changing Hands, as in the bookstore where I was convinced to read the books. I love when everything comes full circle.

Kindred Spirits & Reading

2011-08-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

My brother Mark & I like to debate about owning books vs electronic readers. He is pro-electronic readers and never having to move boxes of books. My rebuttal always consists of how personal a book is. You can get it signed, share it with your friends, stick sticky notes in it and maybe even hug & smell them.
The other night I was hanging out with some friends and the conversation turned to books, something we do not normally talk about. I asked what their opinion was on books vs. readers. One said he liked having books and then jokingly added how it made him feel like he was better than other people. He asked if I ever felt having books made me feel superior. I just laughed and explained how I use to read books that others considered intelligent and although I could appreciate them I just did not love them. Then I found books that made me love reading again, and I have never looked back. Although I am not ashamed of the books I love, I realize that most people are probably not impressed with my books. I was kind of surprised when he confessed he was impressed that I read.
That conversation took place Monday night then today a blog I follow did a post called My Taste in Books , where she lists what she looks for in a book. I could pretty much copy the whole post over here because I loved & related to it all. But here are some that especially resonated with me...

I like reading the truth, being moved and authors who get under their character's skins.

I have noticed that characters who feel the most real to me are characters who authors say had a mind of their own, making choices the author did not want them to make.

I love hope and redemption and life.

I believe in Hope as in the song The Cave by Mumford & Sons "I will hold on hope".

I love books that somehow manage to peek into my soul.

There is such comfort in reading a book where a characters shares your insecurities, fears or joys.

I want to read books that have characters worthy of me spending my time with them.

Exactly! I can not read books where there is not someone I would be friends with in the book.

I found the blog after reading a review by Nomes on Goodreads, she had said exactly what I had wanted to say about the book. After clicking on the "compare books" in Goodreads I found we have 64 books in common and are 86% similar. Nomes lives in Australia, we don't even live in the same country and still have that many in common, she is definitely a kindred spirit.

"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world." — Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)

One of the last things she says in her post is... "No one has the same taste as me. No one will 100% love what I do. And, I like that."

Isn't it funny how we both love to find people who love or hate the same things we do but we also love the little things that make us us.

Anne of the Island

2011-08-05T13:04:00.001-07:00

I have really been loving the Audiobook app Debbie told me about. Recently I finished listening to Anne of the Island my favorite from the Anne of Green Gables series. The following quote describes exactly what it felt to visit Anne again.

"I feel as if I had opened a book and found roses of yesterday sweet and fragrant, between it's leaves."

I read the Anne of Green Gables series when I was in Jr. High but I grew up watching the movies. Listening brought me to a time when I could easily use my imagination & pretend. While driving home from camping William was looking out the window and saying what all the clouds looked like. How long has it been since I looked at clouds and saw anything but clouds?

"You must pay the penalty of growing-up, Paul. You must leave fairyland behind you."

Not to long ago my niece wanted me to play house with her. I told her alright, but was soon at a lost how could I not remember how to play house? I can remember being at the neighbors playing and using the vacuum cleaner as a microphone and seeing before me a stadium as I did a sound check before my concert.

"In imagination she sailed over storied seas that wash the distant shining shores of "faëry lands forlorn," where lost Atlantis and Elysium lie, with the evening star for pilot, to the land of Heart's Desire. And she was richer in those dreams than in realities; for things seen pass away, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Returning to Avonlea is returning to my childhood and helped me remember the girl I use to be and the woman I hoped I would some day become.

"No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond."
— C.S. Lewis

Debbie and I made a promise as young girls that someday we would go to Prince Edward Island, we will wear long skirts and walk to the beach in the tall grass. I even painted a picture of it for Debbie one year. The poor ugly painting, but these pictures are what I wanted it to be.

accidental post

2011-08-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

Man I hate when I accidentally post a post that is not suppose to post because then it is on my reader forever. Sorry guys.

Gracie Girl

2011-08-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I got up to help Debbie get ready for Gracie's birthday. When I knocked Gracie answered the door, she was jumping up and down, so excited to tell me she was four. I was going to give Gracie a pre-party present it was suppose to be the Tangled soundtrack but I guess you can not just pick that up at Target or Walmart. But I saw some princess paper dolls and I loved paper dolls when I was little.

Here is Gracie with her "girls" she wanted them to all hold hands.

While Debbie was getting ready Gracie helped me add the rainbow & clouds to her cake. She told me she was going to sing a song for me & and proceeded to sing a beautiful song about me. I told her how I had always wanted someone to sing about me, well at least nice things about me. (I am looking at you Clint, singing that song about how I was the meanest girl you have ever known.)

Gracie wanted Tangled figurines for her birthday, this girl loves playing with figurines. Debbie was nice and let me give the easy thing.

Gracie also wanted a rainbow, what a four year old means when she says she wants a rainbow is anyone's guess. But Debbie found a wood rainbow that Gracie could paint and play with.

After getting Joseph dressed I saw this little hat and had to show Joseph how cute he looked in his little hat, front ways, sideways & backwards. I am not sure I will ever be able to give this little guy enough kisses.

After the party some of the family went to Liberty Market then to Krispy Kreme so Gracie could get her free birthday meal & donuts.

Mark was packing up the moving truck getting ready to move to Omaha for Law School. I asked Gracie if she could take a picture of Mark packing the truck, with out him knowing. She was sneaky like a little ninja.

Austenland - The Movie

2011-07-24T09:10:00.005-07:00

One of my favorite novels Austenland by Shannon Hale is getting made into a movie! I have always wanted it to be a movie and two years ago I heard hints that it was in the works & even more promising news a few months ago. Then on July 5th the announcement finally came with the cast as well. Here is the movie description taken from Fickle Fish Films Stephenie Meyers production company's site.

“AUSTENLAND” is a romantic comedy about 30-something, single Jane Hayes, a seemingly normal young woman with a secret: her obsession with Mr. Darcy—as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice—is ruining her love life; no real man can compare. But when she decides to spend her life savings on a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane’s fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined.

The Cast (taken from Shannon's blog / IMDB)
First as Jane Hayes we have the lovely Keri Russell

I use to watch Felicity back in the day and liked Keri from that. But more importantly she is from one of my favorite movies a Hallmark movie called The Magic of Ordinary Days. (I wish I could find a real trailer for the movie but can't, if you haven't seen it I would highly recommend it)

Mr. Nobley is being played by JJ Feild who I found extremely charming as Mr. Tilney in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, here is a little taste.

Mr. Tilney is so sweet I was wondering if JJ can do the proud Darcy type, it looks promising.

I am also very excited to see him in Captian America.

Martin is being played by Bret McKenzi as in Bret yes THIS Bret

and this Bret

Let's not forget this Bret

Maybe one more he was in a music video for The Black Seeds called So True

Miss Charming - Jennifer Coolidge
Miss Charming was written for Jennifer Coolidge
The first thing that will always come to mind when I think of Jennifer is snow peas.

We have so much in common, we both love soup and snow peas, we love the outdoors, and talking and not talking. We could not talk or talk forever and still find things to not talk about.

Colonel Andrews - James Callis
Was in Battlestar Galactica but more importantly Bridget Jones Diary (love connections to Colin Firth)

Mimi don't you think he looks a little like Desmond

Mrs. Wattlesbrook - Jane Seymour

Do I need to say anything more than Dr. Quinn?

Lady Amelia Heartwright is being played by Georgia King

She played Rosamond (she loves St John) in the 2006 BBC miniseries Jane Eyre
She was also the mean girl in Wild Child not that I have seen that movie twice.

*Edit if you want more see my post More Austenland - The movie

First to understand why I love Austenland by Shannon Hale you need to understand why I love Pride & Prejudice. I am stealing from a post I did in October of 2007 called Liz On Top of the World.

When I was younger around the age of eleven or twelve I loved to stay up late on Saturday nights and watch whatever black and white movie PBS was playing. One night PBS played Pride & Prejudice (the 1940 version with Greer Garson & Laurence Olivier). I loved Elizabeth with her sharp whit & pert opinions and of course was smitten with Mr. Darcy. The funny thing was I had never heard of Pride & Prejudice and did not realize it was even based off a book. Then a few years latter the BBC version came out all 300 glorious minuets. It was incredible going from an almost two hour movie to a five hour movie. For Christmas the next year I asked for all of Jane Austen’s books.

The description of Austenland from Shannon Hales website is as follows...

Pride and Prejudice

It is true I love Mr. Darcy/Colin Firth I mean come on what other Austen hero in any of the movies can pull of those britches like Colin? (Not Mr. Knightly, you know what I am talking about Debbie)

*Edit if you want more see my post More Austenland - The movie

Camping 2011 Edition

2011-07-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

This is the fourth year our family has gone camping at Oak Creek Canyon just past Sedona and again it was great! We get to enjoy cooler weather, great food, each other & nature.

You know what happens when you let your niece borrow your phone? It gets sticky finger prints on it & you get a lot of picture of her making funny faces.

Unlike other years we interrupted our trip to go see the new & concluding Harry Potter movie. Here is William waiting to have his mind blown!

After the movie William was so excited he kept saying he was Harry Potter & was casting spells left and right. My favorite was when we were walking out he went to a door and said "alohomora" which of course is the unlocking spell.

I didn't take any picture except on my phone and only had it while going to the movie & didn't pull it out again till we were packing up to go home. To see more picture you can go and see Debbie's posts. Oak Creek Camping and The Creek

Is it just me or is this guy just to cute to handle?

I was so shocked the first time I handed him a wand he started to wave it around and jabber up a storm.

Here is a video in case you missed it on facebook.

Gracie really is my best friend, she even slept in the tent trailer with Vaeh & I. She even told me about her plan for when she grows up to live with me. Debbie had told me she had told her but it made me smile to hear her say it. She even let me braid her hair, something she hardly ever lets me ever do.

You're a Wizard Harry Potter

2011-07-13T23:18:00.001-07:00

I am going to share how to make your own shirt/bag using freezer paper.

First step is to transfer (I traced) your design onto the freezer paper.

Next you cut out your image with an x-acto knife.

You will also need to decide if you want to use the negative or positive

See when I made my Muse bag I painted the negative.

For this you need to buy the spray fabric paint.

Then you put the shiny side of the freezer paper down and iron on your freezer paper template.

Next you paint your shirt.

White on black takes several coats but any mistakes can easily be fixed with a black fabric marker.

Once you have applied as many coats you desire you remove the freezer paper

and voila!

You can even put the left over cut outs to good use!

Alright I am out tomorrow so let me wish you all a very Happy Harry Potter!

Oh Yes!

2011-07-11T21:43:00.001-07:00

I am getting ready to go on our families yearly camping trip up by Sedona that is later this week. I feel more relaxed just thinking about spending four days up in the pines reading and having fun with my family. My brother Mark and his family will be leaving for Nebraska so soon and I am extra glad for this time to spend with them. I am going to miss them terribly.
Some of us will be taking a short break to drive to Flagstaff and see the new & final Harry Potter movie. Debbie text me on July 5th and asked if I thought it was possible to finish all the Harry Potter books by the time the movie came out. I gave her my ipod that had all but the third book on it so she could listen/read. Last I knew Debbie was on the fifth book, but she may have finished it today. I know this will sound silly to some but I am so proud of her. I was thinking I would like to make a shirt for the movie and was glad when Debbie had the same thought and was already working on it. I think I am just going to do simple and I really liked this idea.

Here is a link to other Harry Potter t-shirt ideas I liked over on Pinterest (why are you not on Pinterest yet?).
I had to steal this from Debbie's blog it was just to cute.

As much as I love Pinterest, Blogs, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram it is always nice to take a break. So if you don't see me around Thursday - Sunday you know why.

And for no reason at all here is Gracie as a princess witch (witch like Hermione), while I had to be Darth Vader.

This Week

2011-06-30T23:26:00.004-07:00

At our Sunday family dinner I had a lot of fun showing off my new iPhone with my nieces & nephews. We took pictures of ourselves then used an app to make our faces fat. We listened to Tangled songs & can I just saying singing with my nieces to Tangled is one of the best things in the world. Their passion for singing & amazing ability to sing produced the biggest smile on my face.

The last couple weeks when I have had spare time I have been sewing bows to help my mom. And earned some extra money as well. Here is about 70 of the 170 I have sewn so far.

I am determined to finish the last few I have so I can read the books I have this weekend. I had been waiting for these books to come from the library but have been to busy sewing or other things to read them. But I have listened to free audiobooks on my iPhone, Pride & Prejudice & Persuasion. Thank you Debbie for telling me about that app.

I also babysat Debbie's kids while her & Russ went to the Temple

Yesterday I was driving to Debbie's we were going to go see the movie 17 Miracles our cousin Kim & her kids are in it. While driving to Debbie's I saw these beautiful clouds. When I see clouds like this I always think of a little boy Debbie had babysat for back in jr high who saw similar clouds and told his parents "shhh Jesus is going to talk."

Then out of no where it started to rain with the sun still shinning & had pretty much stopped by the time I got to Debbie's.

It was so much fun to see Kim & her kids on the big screen, here are two of her boys Kaleb & Kalvin.

Every time Keaton was on the screen everyone would awwwhhh over his cuteness. Ok maybe not the time he was eating the cow pie.

(stolen from facebook page)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Independence day weekend (those in the States at least). I plan on dividing my time between reading & swimming.

Saturday

2011-06-27T09:45:00.001-07:00

Saturday morning my friend Melissa, her baby Gavin & I went out to my parents house. Melissa is taking some sewing lessons from my mom & I took Gavin swimming. I know this is going to sound crazy to the rest of the world but I don't go swimming in cold water so I wait until the temperature reaches 110. This past week was the first week of real hot weather so I was looking forward to swimming & the water was lovely! My brother Mark & my nephew Sam where at my parents as well they came out and enjoyed the water too. Sam is getting so big & saying words it is so much fun. Gavin is such a happy boy he was just happy to chill in the water. He also loves singing, he looked tired as I was pushing his little raft around so I started to sing. That did not work he got the hugest grin on his face and got all excited.

When it is summer all I want to do is eat fruit. Which helped me invent a strawberry sandwich. It is really simple a baguette, a little balsamic dressing, fresh mozzarella cheese, your choice of greens & strawberries of course. I also added a little salt & pepper on the cheese. It might sound weird but very good.

Best Friends

2011-06-25T01:30:00.001-07:00

Thursday was Debbie's in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. I helped out by staying with some of the kids while they slept. Debbie also brought Joseph to put him to bed as well and brought a surprise. Gracie decided she would rather come play with me than stay at the party with her cousins. See I told you we were best friends! Gracie also helped me break in my new iPhone.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Matt & Kim 6/14/11

2011-06-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

I am really happy we were able to go to Matt & Kim especially since when they came last October I had told Mimi I didn't think it would sell out & could just get tickets at the door. Well it did sell out, thankfully fate gave us another chance!

Matt & Kim gave a great show full of energy & persuaded us to join in on their fun.

It was Kim's birthday and we did a lot of celebrating

Matt talked about walking around Tempe early that day he then said "Arizona is tougher than heat." I love it!

Everyone was so pumped and Matt & Kim did such an awesome job it was a great show.

Lumos

2011-06-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

I have heard others talk about how looking at blogs can get them down. It can make them feel that their life is not as perfect, exciting, fun or whatever the case may be. I once followed a link to a blog and it felt very I am going to all these places so I can blog about it and make myself seem cool. But other than that one blog (which shall not be named) I never feel down by the blogs I follow. It is not that I never get slight pangs of envy but you know what feels way better than envy? Happiness for that person & when I am sincerely happy for someone & they feel my sincerity it strengthens our friendship or makes one grow that was not there before.
It is hard for me to believe that anyone would look at my blog and feel envy. (Wow that Connie, she sure does read a lot, man I hate her.) It is just hard to see it when I am sitting her with hmm what am I going to do, blog, read, watch whatever TV show on DVD I borrowed from the library or do some laundry. Not that I am complaining, I absolutely am not I love my life. It is not perfect I have struggles just like anybody else but I choose to focus on finding the light/happiness in my life. If you are staring at the light when darkness comes the light will stay with you. Go ahead stare at your light then close your eyes, the light is still there.

Tied To The 90's

2011-06-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

Do you guys have folders of pictures on your computer of things you have found on the internet and wanted to save? You know things like...

or this

(No this did not come from a folder called boyfriends, it is just called new folder)

Well the point of Pinterest is while you are perusing the internet and see something you like you just click the little pin on your toolbar and it will save it (or pin it) to one of your boards. I only wish I had realized others could see my boards first, I may have to make a secret one.

While I was perusing Pinterest today I saw someone had created a board called Forever 90's. So many things bringing me back to a funny funny time. I want to know what some of the first things that come to mind when you see these images.

Hotel - Motel - Holiday Inn

Man I love this movie & the soundtrack. I never had a huge fan girl crush on Leo like some of my friends. But I did get extra credit for seeing it.

Clueless, one of the best things to happen to the 90's

One of my favorite parts of the movie.

"Melrose Place is a really good show"
Ethan Hawke I still love you.

Speaking of 90's crushes I was so in love with Preston Meyer from Can't Hardly Wait

"But then she reaches in her bag and pulls out a strawberry Pop-Tart - the very same breakfast pastry I was consuming at that moment! What was I to do? How was I to proceed?"

So many more great things from the Forever 90's
Encino Man
My So Called Life
90210
DMB
My friend from high school who was a huge Dave Matthews fan posted DMB the other day I was instantly brought back to some fun times we had together.
No Doubt
A few years ago we were playing Rock Band and Spiderwebs came on & Debbie came in from the other room dancing and pushed who was ever singing out of the way and rock the song.

Change of Plans

2011-06-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

The plan had been for my sister Debbie & her husband Russ to try and fly standby to New York to visit our friend Lauren but it didn't work out. Since we had the time off & Debbie & Russ had a babysitter we did our backup plan. We drove to California instead, and although we were extremely disappointed about not being in New York & seeing our friends, but you can only be sad in San Diego so long.

Debbie & Russ got iphones and Debbie is a instagraming fiend so these are all her pictures & you might have already seen them at her blog she broke them down by day I am just going to do one huge one.

On our way out of town we decided to stop at Lo-Lo's in Phoenix

Which is kind of funny since we normally go to Roscoe's Chicken & waffle when in California. I have said before & I will say it again I like Lo-Lo's waffles better.

Debbie finally got a picture of the big creepy baby that you pass when leaving Phoenix heading to California. Way to be creepy Phoenix!

Friday we went to Coronado Russ had some friends who were staying there

We went to lunch and hung out on the beach

Here is Russ trying to get Debbie into the water, Debbie does not get into cold water

I spent my time looking for sea shells

Saturday was got up and went and saw X-Men First Class

Mr. McAvoy & Fassbender in vintage clothes was delightful! A comic book movie that can make me emotional is a GOOD comic book movie!

Then we went to Torrey Pines beach.

While looking for sea shells the day before my hair kept getting in the way. So I got a scarf to wear to keep my hair pulled back. I had a lot of fun putting it on different ways.

I had brought a few beach options and here I am wearing all of them at once and looking like a pirate.

After the beach we headed to La Jolla for dinner. This also were I dropped Russ's iphone on the sidewalk and gasped so loud I think I gave everyone with in a block a heart attack. Thankfully the phone was alright and we could laugh about it instead of cry.

If you have plans to go to dinner with Debbie & Russ I would wait till their phones are not new anymore or you will spend you meal looking at this.

I had a great time & realized I needed a holiday. I learned that I am way more relaxed & laugh a lot more while on vacation, hopefully I can figure out how to be relaxed more of the time.

There and Back Again

2011-05-19T10:37:00.003-07:00

When I was a child I remember my older brother Mark watching the cartoon movie of The Hobbit.

I hate to admit this but as a child I did not like movies that were not pretty. Needless to say I was not a fan of The Hobbit, I mean look how ugly he is, he has to be one of the ugliest cartoons. There are other movies & tv show I did not like as a child because they were not pretty, most filmed in the 70's. The cartoon completely turned me off of The Hobbit.
In high school Debbie's class was reading The Hobbit but she had been absent so while everyone else was taking a test or something she had to catch up on reading out in the hall. While she was reading in the hallway one of the hottest guys* in school came up and started talking to her about The Hobbit. Then my senior year in High School right before graduation I went camping with a bunch of my guy friends & on that camp out we explored what they called a Hobbit Hole, it was just a cave in the ground. Even with a hot boy & my guy friends fans of the book I still had no interest in reading it.
A year later I saw the trailer for The Lord of The Rings, it was just a teaser with the fellowship crossing over a mountain, & I was sold.

I soon became a huge fan of Lord of the Rings, I read the books, bought the extended editions, listened to the commentaries & spent a lot of time talking about the movies & books with friends. We would often play who would you be in middle earth. Who doesn't want to be an Elf but it seemed we mostly were hobbits.
Debbie had my mom make her an Eowyn costume which of course is beautiful even though I have never seen it on Debbie.

My friend Jenny even gave me a Legolas action figure for a gift & dude his bow & arrow works not to mention if you squeeze his thighs his arm does a stabbing motion (think the movie Physco).
So you would have thought that I would have eventually just broken down & read The Hobbit, nope it took for the casting of the movie for me to even buy the book. I think Martin Freeman will be a perfect Bilbo. But it took them dangling some of my pretty movie boyfriends to get me to bite.

John Thornton I mean Richard Armitage

Remember on North & South when he says "look back at me." What you have not seen it yet, what are you waiting for I own it you can borrow it or better yet why don't you come over and we can watch it & swoon together.

Alright I have not actually seen Aiden Turner in anything I just know he is Irish and plays a Vampire in this BBC series I have always meant to watch. You know me, I just like to keep up on hot guys from the UK.

I saved the best for last Lee FREAKING Pace is going to be an Elf and not any Elf but Legolas's dad. When my friend Melissa text me telling me to look online for the cast news (bless you Melissa). I text her back saying Lee Pace being first cast as a vampire & now an Elf, it is just proof that God loves me!

*Even my sister in law who went to a different high school had heard of this guy.

French Lessons II

2011-05-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

Back in October 2009 I did a post about songs I like that have French lyrics. I posted a little video by Coeur de Pirate & my brother in law Russ fell in love with her voice. Then Mimi added three songs from Coeur de Pirate to the video she did for Debbie & Russ's family shoot. After watching the video a hundred times we all pretty much have the songs memorized, so here are the translations to the songs & I will add a few more of my favorite French lyrics songs.

Sorry nobody has made a video for the middle song Ensemble.

Quelqu'un m'a dit by Carla Bruni (you might remember from 500 Days of Summer)

This video is creepy! And Carla is also Frances "first lady"

London Town by Emily Loizeau & Andrew Bird

A song about London in French = Love

These are songs I was always sorry I had not added to the first post
Complainte du la butte by Rufus Wainwright

Michelle by The Beatles

Sorry this post most mostly so I could share the translation videos with Mimi, Debbie & Russ.

Je t'adore

2011-04-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

Do you ever find yourself so full of love & happiness that words fail you?

My sister Debbie asked our friend Mimi to do some family pictures, I am not sure whose idea it was to do a family video as well but the results are perfection. Mimi did such a great job filming & I love the editing. I came along and got to hold the butterball while they went on rides, you can see me stealing kisses from baby butterball in the video.

Debbie from Mimi Leavitt on Vimeo.

Here are videos from our Europe trip last year in case you have not seen them yet.

LONDON

England from Mimi Leavitt on Vimeo.

PARIS

Paris from Mimi Leavitt on Vimeo.

Hair Revolution

2011-04-25T19:27:00.001-07:00

I have a confession, I have not used shampoo, a curling iron, flat iron or any other products in my hair other than a alcohol free gel & water downed conditioner for over a month. I could not be happier about it!
I knew this fact that washing my hair everyday dried it out and that my hair always looked better the day after washing it. So why was I hesitant to listen to the no-poo revolution? I know why because I thought it meant I would not clean my hair and I had visions of me becoming a greasy hippie with dreadlocks. Then my sister switched to no-poo and she didn't turn into a greasy hippy with dreadlocks. But I still didn't think I would want to go to the trouble of making my own shampoo. Then my sister went to a salon in Gilbert, Curls Gone Wild that specializes in curly hair where they taught about care for curly hair & where she bought the book Curly Girl. You can see her post debsfreckles: Curly Girl with before & after shots. All my life my hair acted like it wanted to curl but it just never would but then I went to Europe & my curling irons stopped working but it didn't seem to matter.

Europe equaled moisture

Debbie thought I should try the curly girl method. I bought the sulfate free shampoo (see you do clean just not with poo) and conditioner & alcohol free gel. I saw a difference and the more I moisturized my hair the more curl I saw. Then Debbie & I went to a book signing for The Curly Girl (follow the link to see Deb's post). After being there and hearing Lorraine Massey talk about it I have become completely converted. Lorraine summed it up nicely when she talked about how the more she simplifies her life the happier she becomes. If you are interested in seeing Lorraine in action I really liked this video.

This is a weird picture I know but I want you to see my hair this is the day after I washed it. I have been outside almost all day. All I did to it after waking up was spray some water downed conditioner and scrunched. I don't think this revolution is just for curly hair I want everyone to realize how much softer their hair will be after they stop using the harsh detergent (the same as you use for your dishwasher & laundry) on their hair.

Would You Think Less of Me

2011-04-19T16:06:00.000-07:00

If I started collecting Paper Dolls?

Tom from 500 Days of Summer

Margot from The Royal Tenenbaums

Elvis

Gob from Arrested Development

Edward Scissorhands

Thom Yorke from Radiohead

Yeah I think it would be awesome too! They will go nicely with the Elizabeth Bennet paper doll

we printed out for the Jane Austen Tea Party we had for my sis in laws birthday.

Arcade Fire

2011-04-14T20:02:00.004-07:00

Went and saw Arcade Fire last night in Phoenix. Some of the highlights were...

The Harry Potter trivia that played on the screen before Arcade Fire came on.

During the opening song suddenly we hear a drum really loud behind Mimi, Britt & I.

We turned to see this guy beating a single drum RIGHT behind us so I whipped out my camera and took a picture of Will Butler before he headed up to join the rest of the band on stage.

The lights &

graphics were so pretty.

Eventually the audience began to wake up & enjoy the show

I had such a great time, everything was lovely!

Oh & some of the members of the opening band Local Natives came out and watched the show right by us as well.

A Vampire Wizard who lives in Narnia

2011-04-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

My last post was inspired by a few things but one of the main inspirations was this picture.

My friend Melissa once said that she wanted to be a vampire wizard who lived in Narnia. So for Melissa's birthday I decided to make her own vampire, wizard & Narnia sign. But I could have not done it on my own, with a little help from my friends I went to work. My friend Jenny has a vinyl lettering machine, which she let me use & did most of the work herself. Then I went to Debbie's to find wood & use Russ's saw to cut the boards. Russ showed me how to use the saw & added the sings to a tree stake while I picked up Mimi so she could take the pictures. The shoot went great and Mimi emailed me the pictures I added Melissa's quote to one & sent them to Sam's Club to be printed. The next morning Sam's Club called me and told me they had to ask if they photo's were "copyrighted". I got a huge grin on my face when she asked, so proud of how awesome they turned out!

I was happy with the way they turned out pretty & kind of spooky at the same time, the shadows I LOVE the shadows!

Fantasy Vacation

2011-04-05T20:48:00.001-07:00

Yesterday on twitter I saw a hash tag ConfessionsofStrandedTimeTraveler. When I saw it I thought yes, yes that is me! It also made me think of this quote from C.S. Lewis...

Which is pretty much the reason I love to read & watch movies, I get to escape to a world that I feel like I belong in. Which worlds do you like to escape in?
Narnia? Especially if Mr. Tumnus is James McAvoy

Perhaps it is Hogwarts

Or if you are like me, Pemberley

I wouldn't mind be locked in Penelope's bedroom

Or maybe Coeur D' Coeurs aka Pushing Daisies

Do you want a Hobbit Hole for yourself?

Well Cassandra Clare's latest came out today so I am off to Idris or more likely New York, see you later.

A Pony Tale

2011-03-26T22:36:00.002-07:00

I saw this picture of two sisters both with Debbie type hair braided together and with lyrics from the song Changing Colors

'cause when the wind takes you, it takes me, too

I posted it on Debbie's facebook & before I cut my hair we went outside to take our own sister hair braid picture.

Several years ago my brother Mark was on his mission & I decided that I was not going to cut my hair until he came home. Well a year or so after that I decided that I would donate my hair to locks of love. Now a few years later I am finally doing it!

I am lucky to have a sister in law who is a great hairstylest & is willing to cut my hair for an audience. Thanks Ashley!

Gracie wasn't sure about me cuting my hair, it was the hardest part of the decision.

Here is my brother Ryan telling me I was going to cry myself to sleep that night.

Little did he know how great it feels to get rid of 17 inches of hair.

Why is hair off your head so creepy? The kids thought it was funny especially since it looked like a ponies tail.

Vaeh demonstrated the pony tail, she is such a funny girl I sure do love her.

Soon it was Vaeh's turn to get a trim.

Then Gracie had a change of heart and decided she wanted short hair as well.

My hair cut is just what I was hoping for!

Mr Darcy, Community, Mission Bells & Utah

2011-03-18T10:26:00.001-07:00

You know what happens when you never finish any of your blog posts? You get one post full of bits & pieces. Sorry.

I started doing a post after the Oscars about Colin Firth. I was so happy with all the extra coverage with him. Here is one of my favorites...

He was also on Inside The Actors Studio, which is also delightful. His smile & laugh still have me swooning 15 or is it 16 years later.

In other exciting news I just finished watching the first season of Community. I started watching at the end of the first season so I am all caught up & I am very excited it got renewed for season 3.

Even more exciting I am going to go see Jane Eyre today!

You may remember me posting about Coeur De Pirate in my French Lessons post. Coeur De Pirate is Béatrice Martin and she has teamed up with Jay Malinowski to form Armistice I had their song Mission Bells playing in my head for days. I guess my grandma's love for mariachi bands rubbed off on me.

In sadder news I was in Utah this past weekend for my uncle's funeral. Although I do have many thoughts & feelings about my uncles death, this is just not the post for that. On a happier note I just wanted to share one thought I had while on my trip. I realized how thankful I am for blogs while on my trip. I not only got to see family but a few of the girls I was companions with on my mission. As I was talking to Nadja she asked who I still kept in contact with, everyone I named had blogs. And when I saw Jill she talked about how she reads my sisters blog, they both love vintage. She took Debbie & I to an estate sale, it so much fun to hang with Jill & Debbie together.
The same with my family I gravitated towards the ones who I had contact with either with blogs or facebook. Say what you will about social networks I am grateful to have a way to feel apart of my friends and families lives I don't get to see very often.

Time Keeps On Slipping

2011-02-16T23:44:00.000-07:00

Monday I won tickets to see Pete Yorn & Ben Kweller in concert. It kind of blew my mind when I realized it had been 9 years the last time I had seen either of them in concert.

Here is a picture of Pete Yorn I took at Coachella 2002

And a picture of the CD Jacket Ben Kweller singed when he came to Tempe in 2002.

Seeing these guys again brought back a lot of memories...Like driving & Lauren saying that she needed to Sha Sha again. Or being at the Porterhouse (yes I found the old website) and hearing Chris play Falling on the piano. Or when we bought Pete Yorn"s first CD (yes remember CD's) based on looks alone, no we are not shallow. Or when we were at the first Pete Yorn concert in Tempe not Coachella & Debbie coming up to me asking for money so she could buy the opening band's (Minibar) CD, convincing me by saying "come talk to them Connie they are British". Needless to say we bought their CD, being the suckers for accents that we are.

Listening to Ben was fun because his music has grown up as we have grown up, I just looked it up and we are in fact the same age. Both Pete & Ben look a lot the same did not seem to age much at all, the jerks :).

Also a year ago today Mimi, Chelsea & I embarked on our European adventure.

Today I was invited to go to Williams school as a "special guest" and have lunch with him in his class. It was so fun to see have him show me around his class room & I also got my very own one of these.

Guys where has the time gone, how did he get so big?

Time exists just on your wrist so don't panic - Travis
Don't waste time or time will waste you - Muse
Closing walls and ticking clocks - Coldplay
All these places have their moments - The Beatles

The Mean Reds

2011-02-08T19:19:00.003-07:00

Have you seen Breakfast at Tiffany's? I remember watching this with my sister Debbie & our neighbor and friend Jennie after we put on this old trench coat my mom had and walked down the street saying things like "step on it darling" & "I'm crazy about Tiffany's."

Lately I have been thinking about the "mean reds" and Holly's cure for the mean reds.

Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?

Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?
Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?

Paul Varjak: Sure.

Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!

When I went to New York back when I was a senior in High School I had my best friend Erika take a picture of me standing in front of Tiffany's.

But Tiffany's is not my cure for the mean reds my cure is Jane Austen & anything Austenesque. Although our cures are different the reasons for the cure are the same...

"The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there."

After having a really bad start to my new year I found myself tired & down and desperate for something to lift my spirits when I remembered that Elizabeth Eulberg's new book Prom & Prejudice had come out. I drove straight to Barnes & Noble & got myself a copy.

I read Elizabeth's Eulberg's first novel The Lonely Heart's Club before going to London last year and loved the message of girls staying true to themselves and not doing things because of guys. The Beatles references didn't hurt either. Reading Prom & Prejudice was extremely fun. I loved seeing how Elizabeth made Lizzy & Darcy fit into modern day high school and her twist on things. I only wish I could have gotten more.

Some of my other favorite Austenesque type books are Shannon Hale's Austenland. I don't even know how many times I have read this book or listened to it, yep I also have the audio on my ipod. Not to mention how much I love what Shannon wrote when she signed it...

Another is Enthusiams by Polly Shulman which is a book I have never actually read. I have only listened to it on audio since the library only has it on audio, silly library. I am not one for ordering books online so I was so excited that I found it at Bookmans on Saturday! I gave it to Debbie the Enthusiast in my life. This isn't a modern re-telling it is just about two friend who love Jane Austen & long to find their Mr. Darcy and crash a dance to find one for themselves.

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, I have not read that the 5 sisters in this fantasy/fairytale retelling are based of the Bennett sisters in Pride & Prejudice but it just seemed obvious. So if you like fairytale retelling & Pride & Prejudice I would check this out.

Ok this is not a Pride & Prejudice-esque book but if you like fantasy/fairytale Shannon Hale type books check out The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal.

February Fourth

2011-02-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

Twenty Seven years ago Debbie came to our family, and although it is her birthday I fell like I am the one who got the present.

Some may not know this but after I was born my mom had decided to be done having children & with six children she certainly deserved to be done. But one day while she was at the Temple she received a strong impression that our family was not complete. How thankful I am for a mother who not only seeks guidance from the Lord but who follows it as well.

I have always been happy to stay at home and watch a movie or read a book. Debbie on the other hand is an enthusiast and helped me to have some great adventures. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious & having Debbie around always making things more fun!

When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us? ~Pam Brown

I really love this quote because I feel it is true & I thank my Heavenly Father for Debbie because she makes me a stronger person. I know we were meant to be sisters & I know we were suppose to be apart of our family. Happy Birthday Debbie I love you more than words can say.

A little help

2011-01-30T05:47:00.001-07:00

This is my google home page besides being able to check my email (gmail) & weather I get to check my google reader. I was shocked to find not everyone uses google reader.

Maybe you do not know what you are missing, let me explain. Google reader allows you to to check all your favorite blogs & websites in one place. You simply add the web sites you want to follow & when the sites update or posts the reader will show you. For example I know some people do not want to twitter or get twitter but might want to follow a band, celebrity, author, or company you can add their twitter to your feed, no need to sign up for twitter.

Here is a picture of my Google reader in list form, you can also show expanded and see the full post. No more having to go to your blog and click on the links that you follow, or signing into blogger to check only the blogs you follow there. Best of all you can blog stalk, no committing to blogger that you are following them. It is easy to remove feeds & no one is the wiser. You can follow yourself to see how many subscribers you have but it does not tell you who is following. No pressure you can try following a blog but if you get tired of it you can unsubscribe with no one being the wiser. You can learn more about Google reader or sign up for it here. Go my friends who do not already use this go and have your world changed, you will love it.

Speaking of blog stalking I would just like to say, following a strangers blog is not stalking. That is what blogging is for, putting yourself out there & finding others like you. Don't be afraid to comment on other people's blogs, because maybe they would love to blog stalk you as well. How glad I am that after meeting Stephanie Perkins at Project Book Babe I stumbled upon her blog & commented. I not only have made one new friend but others as well. Remember

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one." ~ C. S. Lewis

Don't let the friendship just be one sided chances are they want to know they are not the only ones who love something as well.

With A Little Help From My Friends by currancy

Out With The Old In With The New part 4

2011-01-28T09:24:00.002-07:00

My favorite movies of 2010
Inception

I would have loved this movie just based on the fact that it has a bunch of good looking boys in it (Joe Gordon-Levitt, Cillian Murphy & Tom Hardy) who are doing a heist. I love heist movies with a bunch of boys and one girl, Oceans Eleven, Newton Boys, The Italian Job & The Brothers Bloom. But Inception was so much more, the amazing details like the waredrobe. How each character had a unique style that fit their personality, especially how Dom (Leo) dressed like an old man, because in his mind he was. Am I the only one who was swooning over Arthur's (Joe) suits, because dang he looked good!
You know how movies about books are never as good, because in a movie you can't easily feel the emotions going on with the main character. Inception makes you walk out feeling exactly like Dom, is it reality isn't it. And for those who say the whole thing was a dream, that is a bunch of hooey.

True Grit

When I saw the Coen brothers were remaking True Grit I was very excited because my dad is a big Coen brothers fan. My brother Mark is as well, he forced me to watch No Country For Old Men edited of course. The movie was dark, funny & intense a good receipe for the Coen brothers. I saw it with my dad, four of my brothers, a sister in law & brother in law after we just kept talking about the movie over and over.

The Young Victoria

This technically came out in 2009 but I did not see it till 2010. If you are reading this chances are I already made you watch this movie with me.

As for 2011 here are some movies I am excited about.
Jane Eyre

I loved that they cast people age appropriate & what can I say I am a sucker for pretty movies. Doesn't it look pretty?

The Conspirator

I have been missing James, so I am very excited that he has two movies coming out!
X-Men First Class

Is that Mr. Rochester I spy as Magneto? James McAvoy will be playing Professor Xavier & look at Nicolas Hoult in the back (I am so happy how tall & handom the akward little boy Marcus from About A Boy turned out) will be playing Beast.

Christmas Time

2011-01-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

Debbie & Russ invited my parents, my little brother & myself over for Christmas eve & Christmas morning. We had a nice dinner & after the kids got to open one present. They both got games, William got Star Wars Trouble & Gracie got Bed Bugs. William & I played Trouble while Gracie & Russ played Bed Bugs, but once they were done Gracie came to help me play Trouble. It was pretty much the sweetest thing because after she would move our guys she would turn and give me a hug. Here is a little slide show I made of some of the pictures of us hugging.

It was a very close game and William ended up winning but I told Gracie we won the cutest award.
Later that night my brother Ryan came by & brought with him these ginormous sparklers they got the kids out of bed and had some Christmas Eve magic.

Gracie saw my Dad wrapped up in a green blanket & said look it is the Grinch. This is my dad doing his Grinch impression, it is also his ghost, monster or pretty much anything that is scary impression.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

William got me I Heart London socks.

Gracie got me an Eiffel Tower necklace

Later the rest of the family came for breakfast and our family gift exchange.

I was really upset that I couldn't think of anything good for Russ when I very last minuet found this cool Abe Lincoln t-shirt. Russ is an Abe fan.

I also had Russ open Joseph's present since his shirt inspired the onesie I made for Joseph.

Joseph's middle name is Lincoln, it was so perfect & I am extremely proud & was singing that girl is crafty like ice is cold when I finished it.

Gracie hugging her Cinderella barbie doll I got her.

I have mentioned before how much William loves Harry Potter so you can tell he was happy about getting his gear from Santa. He also loved that I got him Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets the movie along with some Harry Potter Lego's.

The rest of the day was spent watching Harry Potter & Newsies or maybe....

Gracie came up to me and said she was tired a few minuets later we were like this.

I got some great gifts from Mark I got a camo snuggie perfect for when I go hunting & fishing, also it has pockets the perfect size to hold books. Ashley made me this awesome book holder that hangs from my bed. So much great stuff!!

It was a very happy Christmas

Dear Past Connie

2010-12-28T18:06:00.007-07:00

Do you watch video blogs or vlogs as they are called? Yeah I haven't really either, mostly because I don't know any vloggers. For some reason I have become fascinated with them recently and after watching something else on youtube I saw a recommended video and ended up watching several different vlogs. Watching this little community of vloggers made my heart grow as it always does when I see people find their people & come together.

A very popular vlogger (who I had no idea who he was until a few months ago when he made a music video for Ben Folds) Charlie McDonnell made a video to his 30 year old self. If you can't tell from the video below Charlie is 20, oh and British so he has girls swooning all over. He does fall into the 9 year limit, but it still feels wrong so I told Britt (Mimi's little sister) that she had to have a crush on him for me. Oh and in case you don't know what my nine year rule is let me explain. I found our a female friend had dated a guy 9 years younger than her & was a little grossed out by it. Until I realized I was being sexiest, it never bothered me when my girl friends either married or dated guys 9 years older than them. Equality! Anyway here is Charlie's video...

Now I realize that I probably should make a video response but that just seems like a lot of work & I hate hearing myself on videos. So I am blogging instead advice of what I would say to my 20 year old self if I could.

Meet 20 year old Connie

I am the one the far right (Lindsey, Debbie & me).
Travis - Writing To Reach You by pulatow *

Dear 20 year old Connie,

It is me almost 30 year old Connie, I am writing to share some wisdom with you. First off I would like to tell you that you are not as sentimental as you use to be. It is alright if you go ahead and start throwing away cards, notes & other things you won't want to move around with you for the rest of your life. Also some of the people who you thought you were going to be friends with forever, some you are still friends with, maybe not as close as you thought you would be and some you are not friends with at all (these are mostly boys). Also some who are not really your friends now become really good friends later. I know some of this sounds really sad, but it really is not as sad as you think. Yes the first friendships lost do hurt but soon you realize that people change including you and as your life moves you onto different paths you each find new friends who are traveling the same path as you.

Second trust yourself, in the end you always stay true to yourself but you do spend a lot of time listening to others who think they know what is best for you. They don't mean any harm but listen to you, you know yourself best.

Third sometime you can get your way by being nice. I know who knew you don't have to be a witch to get what you want.

Fourth & last (it is late & I am tired) thirty is not old (so what if I just said I am tired and it is only 10:30), just start telling yourself that now. Maybe then you won't freak out when you turn 25.

Also it is to bad that youtube was not around because Lindsey & Lauren would have rocked it!

*Notice my red highlights (this note is for Charlie who will never read this or Stephanie Perkins)

To My Dad

2010-12-07T11:12:00.004-07:00

Today my dad is turning 68! To celebrate I am adding some songs on my blog along with some pictures.

The Twist by Chubby Checker became his song for Debbie & I after he showed us he knew how to dance at Ryan & Charity's wedding.

The Twist - Chubby Checker by ConnieOnnie

I Like to tease my dad that I was named after Connie Francis, a crush of his.

Connie Francis - Somebody's Fool by ConnieOnnie
Jackson by Johnny Cash & June Carter, my dad likes some country. Thankfully my mom doesn't so we were didn't hear a lot of it.

Jackson - Johnny Cash by ConnieOnnie

Bring It on Hom To Me - Sam Cooke, I doubt this is one of my dads favorite Sam Cooke but it is one of mine.

Bring It On Home To Me - Sam Cooke by ConnieOnnie

Elvis Presley - Santa Bring My Baby Back

Elvis Presley-santa bring my baby back by ConnieOnnie

Sleepwalk by Santo & Johnny is the first song my parents danced to, so sweet huh!

sleepwalk - santo and johnny by ConnieOnnie

Some November

2010-12-05T21:28:00.008-07:00

I don't have any pictures of Thanksgiving but it was really nice. I got up to watch some of my family members run in some Turkey Trots & helped Debbie a little watch the kids since Russ was running. Then headed out to my moms where our turkey feast was well under way. That night some of us watched Home Alone. It was Williams first time watching & man did we all laugh really hard. We watched this part a couple times :)

Debbie, Russ & the kids decided to spend the night at my moms since Russ had to work Friday morning & William talked me into staying over as well. So Friday I spent the morning & most of the afternoon in my pj's I also watched Harry Potter with William. Who says he is going to be a wizard when he grows up. :)

Saturday was the family reunion on my dads side, it was great to be with family & catch up. I especially love talking Muse with Kelly, John & Chris.
We met at a park in Scottsdale that has a train, I waited so I could get a picture of my family on the train but did not see them. I was about to turn my back when I hear "Grandma, Connie" I turn to see little hands stick out of the cattle car. My brother, sister & brother in law are in there as well. Debbie has pictures which I am sure she post some day.

Here are my nieces Vaeh & Gracie after the train ride.

That night was Chelsea & Rajiv's wedding reception, which was at the Phoenix Art Museum. It was just beautiful & fun to catch up with friends. Here are some flowers from the reception.

I was over at Debbie & Russ's the other night & William showed me this.

It is a lightning scar he drew on his forehead. I can not even tell you how much I love talking Harry Potter with him. He is always asking me for spells (sometimes I make them up) and I was just told while taking Christmas pictures he did not say Merry Christmas he said Happy Christmas. Way to go my little brit-o-phile as Melissa likes to call me.

And then there was this little guy, isn't he just the cutest? His little pointy chin is just so cute, I just want to kiss him all the time. But he doesn't like it when my hair tickles him.

23 christmas time (is here again) by ConnieOnnie

Anna & Etienne are here!

2010-12-01T23:13:00.005-07:00

For those of you who are still waiting to borrow my copy of Anna & The French Kiss, you no longer have to wait for the day has come and it is here!

To celebrate I wanted to share some pictures & songs that I thought of while I was reading...The Patheon, the church to the left is St Etienne Du Mont. Mimi & I in front of the steps of The Pantheon

Étienne d'Août (Live) by ConnieOnnie

Etinne d'Aout by Coeur De Pirate
Me entering Shakespeare & Co

Me pretending to read the copy of Jane Eyre I was about to buy.

My book with the Shakespeare & Co stamp

A Napoleon Bonaparte T-Shirt (in my mind the shirt is red, I am not sure why)
01 - Napoleon Says by ConnieOnnie

Napoleon Says by Phoenix

I saw this music video months before reading but since it had a couple making out around Paris it of course made me think of Anna & The French Kiss.

Although reading Anna made me very happy it also made me Paris Blue.

ParisBlue by ConnieOnnie

Paris Blue by Lykke Li