Everything Austen Challenge: Movie Review: Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Pride and Prejudice (2005), Grade: A+

I absolutely love this version of Pride and Prejudice! I enjoyed all the actors' representations of the characters in the novel as well.

My favorite parts:

1. I loved how real the costumes were and how the people looked. Most of the women weren't wearing a lot of makeup and they sweated when they danced. It didn't feel stagey to me.
2. Bingley was awesome in this. Just very fun and happy and loving like I always had pictured him. And Jane was actually a beauty in this one. Sorry but I didn't get that sense of her beauty in the P&P 1995 miniseries version (Lizzie was way better looking, IMO).
3. I just loved the chemistry between Matthew McFadyen and Keira Knightley. I felt their passions and prejudices and all of that. I loved the depiction of the first proposal, in the rain with the music and the passion! Love it!
4. Mr. Collins and Lizzie when he's proposing to her at the breakfast table; Lizzie at first is sitting behind the huge ham like she's the meat to be had by Mr. Collins! And the longing that Mary has on her face when Mr. Collins leaves after being refused by Lizzie!
5. Darcy and Lizzie's dance scene, just awesome. I love how everyone else dancing falls away at the end and they're the only two in the whole world!
6. I also love the scene where Lizzie, Jane, and Mr. Collins are dancing...so hilarious, Jane and Lizzie speaking to each other and Mr. Collins trying to dance (not doing very well) and talk to Lizzie! Hilarious!
7. The scene where Lizzie is with her aunt and uncle and they visit Pemberley and she sees the statues. They're beautiful and most of them are naked and it's just a great scene.
8. The scene where Darcy comes walking across the field at the break of dawn with that music after he finds out what his evil aunt did...!!! So amazing and beautiful and romantic!

My favorite version ever! Loved it!

Everything Austen Challenge: Book Review: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler, Grade: C+

The story starts out with Courtney Stone waking up two hundred years in the past and in a new body, that of Jane Mansfield. She's trying desperately to figure out how to get back to her own time and yet not screw up Jane's life too much in the process. She can't stand Jane's mother and isn't sure about Jane's suitor Mr. Edgefield either. Does she get back and can she assimilate while she's here in Jane's time? Her only comfort is the two published books of Jane Austen Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice.

SPOILER ALERT

I really wanted to like this book since I'd heard a lot of great things about it, but I hated the ending, absolutely hated it. Does Courtney get back to her life, does she get together with the person she should be with in her own time? NO! Basically, once she lets go of her individuality then she forgets really who she is and she falls in love with Edgeworth and gets married and then says that she has a vague dream of being somebody else, but she's not sure what it means or what it was. Sorry, but gag. I don't like the idea of us all being one and our individual lives are nothing. I assume it's the same way in her sequel Rude Awakenings..., but with Jane Mansfield in Courtney's body and life. I'll still be reading it, however grating it'll be...

I like being me and I would be devastated to have to be someone I'm not. I know it's just a novel, but I hate the idea of her philosophy...grrrr....

END SPOILER ALERT

But on a good note, it was still fun to see her reactions as a modern woman in a society where women don't have a lot of real power.

I Call For A Parents' Sick Day....

If only...I didn't sleep well at all last night and now today I'm so tired and grumpy and anything and everything little Boog does or doesn't do just really annoys me! I know, I'm such a great mom. Too bad I don't have that village that helps raise the kids! Maybe I'll just drop Gabe off next door....she would love that since she babysits two little girls and has four of her own as well! Hmm, maybe the basement....HA HA! Or I could just leave him in his crib all day and turn off the monitors and only go in for feedings and diaper changes!!! HEE HEE! Well, I guess that's life as a parent. There are no sick days. Hopefully, he's not too traumatized by my grumpiness today...So we'll both just deal and I pray for better sleep tonight!

New Shnazzy Haircut!

I've been dying for a new look since I had Gabe and I was finally able to get it yesterday! I feel like a whole new me!

Here is my before shot!

Eyes half open

My new eyes wide open haircut!!!!

I got a highlight and a lowlight that are both mild cuz I didn't want to go too drastic and I got lots and lots of layers with a bit of bangs! I haven't cut my hair like this in years and years! I love it! A big thanks to my friend Mandi for giving me an awesome color and haircut! It was a very nice day to relax all for myself while Archie watched Boog! A big thanks to him as well for watching him all day!

Quiz From Autumn

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope, my padres just like the name Heather. But my middle name is Marie and I think they really liked Marie Osmond at the time...so maybe!
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Thursday.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? No way!
4 . WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? One crazy baby boy!
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I'd like to think so...I think I'm pretty awesome!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? No way....ok, yes I do all the time.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope, got those things out at seven!
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Nope, it would have to be for a lot of money!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Only when wearing tennis shoes after exercising!
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Not really.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Cookies and cream and peanut butter anything without chocolate.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? smiles or lack of them.
15. Favorite Color. RED OR PINK? more of a pink person than red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I complain and whine way too much.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Archie when he works late or is gone for something.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Or post it on their blog.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? jean capris and am barefoot.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? vanilla pudding pop.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Boog's exploration and learning helicopter music!
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Navy Blue.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Rain, peanut butter cookies, Boog after a bath!
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Mom
25.. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS? I love Autumn! She's the best!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? basketball
27. HAIR COLOR ? Brown
28. EYE COLOR? green
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No nor glasses! 20/20 baby!
30. FAVORITE FOOD TYPE? Italian, Mexican, thai, Asian, peanut butter and chocolate (not ice cream) ice cream, gummies...oh, I could go on!
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings!
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Pride and Prejudice (2005)
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? white
34. DO YOU LIKE SUMMER OR WINTER? Spring and Fall! Perfect temps!
35.. HUGS OR KISSES? depends, hugs and kisses from my hubby and hugs from friends, and nod of the head to people I don't know or just meet!
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Ice cream or black tie mousse cake from Olive Garden!
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ???
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ???
39. What book are you reading now? Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, Letter Perfect, and Woe Is I.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A kitten and a doggy!
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Don't have TV signal. But watched on the internet Mental.
42. FAVORITE SOUND? Gabe talking up a storm!
43. ROLLING STONES, BEATLES, OR JON BON JOVI - Bon Jovi...DUH!
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Canary Islands!
45. ANY NEW NEWS IN YOUR LIFE? Boog likes peas!
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Provo, UT
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everyone
48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? 9:15 am

Everything Austen Challenge: Movie Review: Lost in Austen

Lost in Austen (2008) (UK TV miniseries), Grade: A-

I loved this miniseries! I've always wondered what it would be like to go back in time to the land of Austen having all my modern ideas and manners. What fun!

Amanda Price is obsessed with Jane Austen and specifically her book Pride and Prejudice. She wishes she could find her own Darcy (her boyfriend proposes to her drunk and with a bottle cap)! Finally one night Elizabeth Bennett shows up in her bathroom claiming that there is a door from her home in Longbourne that has led to Amanda's bathroom and as such the trade places. Amanda assumes she'll be able to get back through the same door...nope!

She arrives in Longbourne at the beginning of the novel! She tries to do everything she can to make sure the novel proceeds as it is written, but alas, all heck breaks loose!

It's fun to see how things turn out differently with Amanda in the picture and Lizzy gone! I don't want to give anything away, but there are surprises for all of Austen's beloved characters! And the wet scene with Darcy is just, well, yummy!!!! Plus plenty of good kissing in the end and I'm happy!

This movie actually isn't on my original list, but it looked too good to pass up so I think I'm up to 13 or 14 now on my challenge. So enjoy!

Gabe Videos

A video post of Gabe eating prunes for the first time and tummy time and eating tags!

Onto Solids Now

Gabe has just started on baby foods! It's been exciting to see how he reacts to each new flavor. So far he hasn't been a big banana fan, but I'm wondering if it's because of the texture. I guess time will tell. He also enjoys rice, carrots, applesauce, and prunes so far!

He loves his carrots!

He's sooo serious, but he was enjoying them!

We're trying more tummy time now that's he's not so colicky!

Wolfy and Frodo and Eeyore all cuddling, so cute!

Archie and I are off to see Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince tomorrow with Ty and Cristi! We are sooooo excited! I'll give my review either tomorrow or Sunday!

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, Free Signed Book Giveaway!

The author Amanda Grange of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre is giving away a free, signed copy of her upcoming book! All you have to do is post about it on your blog, website, or on Twitter! Actually, you only have to talk about the book, not the giveaway! For information click here.

I will be reading this book for the Everything Austen Challenge I'm doing and am hoping to win this free signed copy just for this purpose!!!! Yeah!

Everything Austen Challenge: Movie Review: Persuasion

Persuasion, Grade B+:

It's been awhile since I've seen the earlier version of Persuasion, so I can't really compare it to that one other than I remember loving it as well! I really enjoyed this version too. It's one of my favorite Jane Austen books. The story of Anne Elliott who eight years previously had broken off an engagement with her true love Frederick Wentworth due to the persuasion of her godmother and father. I enjoy this book because Austen shows us what happens when the upper class choose to marry "beneath" themselves. She was young at the time and thus easily persuaded and has regretted her decision ever since. She is soon thrust back into Captain Wentworth's society and thus face her feelings for him once again and her decision to not marry him.

I love Anne's character. She has to put up with such a horrible family! I think all of Austen's heroine's must do that, but she's able to bear the burden with grace and style!

I didn't enjoy the lack of passionate kissing at the end from Wentworth. But other than that I think it was a great adaptation and I highly recommend it!

Read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

vvb32 reads is hosting a giveaway: To enter you must read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith by September 5, 2009. I just read this book about a month ago and found it very hilarious! I love pure Austen, but I adore Austen-inspired lit. as well! And this one was too good to pass up when I saw it sitting on the shelf at Target! For more info on what to do to enter the giveaway click here. I hope you enjoy!

Mastiff Neighbor Dog Almost Eats Wolfy!

About two months ago a couple moved in across the way and their giant Mastiff dog! His name is Sampson for obvious reasons and he's a really friendly dog and loves people and children (no not to eat them!). But apparently he loves to chase small animals including cats. My poor kitty Wolfy had quite the living daylights and his innards scared quite out of him yesterday. Boog and I were coming home from a walk and Sampson and his owner happened to be outside. I always remove Gabe's car seat from the stroller first and bring him inside and then bring in the stroller. This involves leaving the door open while I do this. So Gabe is on the couch in his car seat, door is open, Wolfy is in the kitchen, and Sampson comes bounding over to say hi...with his owner trying to say something to be about be careful....and then boom in runs Sampson and starts chasing Wolfy all across the kitchen while me and the owner are desperately trying to get Sampson out of the kitchen! Sampson even got some of his mouth on Wolfy before I desperately put a stop to it! We finally got him out the door with nothing actually broken. But with my poor kitty Wolfy scared to death hissing at me and his fur and tail looking electrified! No skin was punctured, just some fur drooled on so physically Wolfy is fine, but his psyche on the other hand...He still is having a hard time coming downstairs. His tail gets big as silenty sneaks downstairs to make sure there is no more Mastiff Sampson dog. I'm sure he'll be fine in a few days, but it was very scary and stressful on an already stressful day! Sampson's a good puppy, but his owners said he loves open doors and loves to chase cats, though has never harmed one. They were very supportive and horribly embarrassed by Sampson's behavior and made sure that I'd tell them if anything was broken, etc. Now I know to not leave the door open when he's outside! He's still a good puppy...but boy was I scared for my kitties!

Everything Austen Challenge: Movie Review: Pride and Prejudice, A Latter-day Comedy

This is a very funny modern take on Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The writer thought the Utah Mormon culture for singles would be a funny modern update to Austen's world. And I would definitely have to agree since I'm a Utah Mormon who happened to be single at one time! So the jokes and references, I think, are a bit more funny if you know something of the culture, but I still say it's universal enough to watch for those who don't.

The story follows 26-year-old Elizabeth Bennett who is attending BYU and trying to get her first book published. Her roommates are Jane who's Argentinian, beautiful, and her best friend. The others include Lydia (the landlord of the home) and her sister Kitty (who's not so bright) and finally Mary (very religious, socially awkward and not much of a dater).

They end up at a ward dance hosted by the Bingleys where we are introduced to Darcy, a very snobbish Brit who thinks all the girls at the party are vapid and boring.

It's a very fun and interesting twist on this beloved tale! The acting can be a bit cheesy and the editing is a bit rough in a few spots, but overall I enjoyed this modern remake and I really enjoyed the fun music as well!

Everything Austen Challenge: Movie Reviews: Sense and Sensibility & Emma

I just watched two of my movies for the Everything Austen Challenge! I've watched these movies many times before and so it was fun to watch them again!

Sense and Sensibility: I watched the one with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. This is my favorite rendition of Jane Austen's classic. The acting is superb and many at least four of the actors went on to play various characters in the Harry Potter movies! OK, I was wrong, there are at least five! Elinor and Marianne's mother Mrs. Dashwood, the actress is Madam Pomphrey in the movies!

I love the story how one sister Maryanne must learn what true love is and the other Elinor must learn to be patient and forbearing concerning the one she loves. To me it's a timeless tale that I can relate to in these modern times, which is why Austen's books and their movie continue to be so popular today.

Emma: I watched the one with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam. Definitely my favorite Emma rendition. I thought the one with Kate Beckinsale was a little dry and boring. I also really enjoy this book by Austen. Emma is so different than many of heroines. She's already rich and as such she doesn't need to get married if she so chooses. She's prideful and somewhat vain. Austen shows how it takes someone her equal to help her be her best self. Gwyneth and Jeremy do an excellent job of portraying these traits and their chemistry is amazing!

4th of July and Gabe's Blessing

It was a very stressful, yet very fun weekend! Archie took Friday off so we could finish getting the house all ready for Gabe's blessing on Sunday. We cleaned, shampooed the carpets and made food like crazy all day!

Independence Day Archie's mother agreed to watch Gabe and Ty and Cristi's two boys while we went off for lunch at Olive Garden and to the movie "Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaur." Excellent movie in 3-D! Then we all came back to our house for some games and fireworks! It was very exciting! Gabe loved the fireworks, though, he didn't last too long since it was his bedtime. He was glued to the light show the whole time!

I'm very grateful to live in a country where I can worship how, where, and what I may; vote for my leaders; and raise my baby boy how I see fit!

Sunday was Gabe's special day. We dressed him up in his little blessing outfit and Archie did an excellent job and we had so many friends and family that showed up to give him and us support! I didn't know if our little town home would hold so many adults and kids, but most stayed outside and the Wii occupied some as well! Thanks to everyone to helped with food, preparations, set-up, and take-down! Your help made the day go a lot smoother!!!

Update To Everything Austen Challenge!

Another lady has announced she's upping the ante to 12 things Austen and I've accepted the challenge! Here are my updated 12:

Pride and Prejudice (2005) movie

Sense and Sensibility (Emma Thompson)

Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Emma: (Gwyneth Paltrow)

Persuasion: The most recent BBC version

The Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy by Mary Street

Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-day Comedy (Modern LDS version)

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Sense and Sensibility: The most recent BBC version

Intimations of Austen by Jane Greensmith

Pride and Prejudice (1995 version)

Wow, I have a lot of watching and reading to do before the year's over! Wish me luck again!

The Everything Austen Challenge

I'm a huge Jane Austen fan and I heard about this Jane Austen challenge called The Everything Austen Challenge from Kim and her book blog The Queen Bees Book Club. If you would like to join the challenge click on The Everything Austen Challenge link.

I am very excited to start up! It was actually "Sense and Sensibility" that got me going on my love of Jane Austen. But my all-time favorite (no surprise here) is "Pride and Prejudice." I've read multiple sequels and Austen-inspired books on it through the years! For the challenge I'm to read six or watch six or a combination of them both Austen-inspired books, her actual novels, or movies by January 1, 2010. So here it goes:

Pride and Prejudice: The movie with Keira Knightley!

Sense and Sensibility: The movie with Emma Thompson

Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Emma: The movie with Gwyneth Paltrow

Persuasion: The most recent BBC version

The Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy by Mary Street

Wish me luck on my Austen journey! Woot!