Sunday Samplings: Remembering 9/11

Friday marked the 8th anniversary of 9/11. I thought I would reflect on that horrible day, where I was, how I felt, its impact on my life.

I had just turned 21 and was a-waiting my entrance into the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT to begin my mission for the LDS Church. I had only one week left and was spending my days packing, shopping, etc to prepare. I got up early that morning and turned on the Today Show. On the screen were images of the Twin Towers burning. What happened? What's going on? I couldn't believe it. I ran upstairs and got my parents out of bed. We all turned to the TV and just stared, we were so dumbfounded. All those lives lost, people missing, in danger. I just bawled. I was too young to be apart of any wars, except for the Gulf War, but I was seven and it never really hit home for me; 9/11 did. My country was attacked, my fellow citizens were dead and dying. My parents and I got down on our knees and prayed. Yes, tragedy does bring one closer to God or it can bring one down to the bitter depths. I chose faith.

Life is so short, I realized. I also came to vivid realization of war, at least in my own sphere of reality. My desire was to be more tolerant, more forgiving, more charitable, and to live my life better in general. We're all humans, we're all brothers and sisters in spirit. I know I don't live life like this all the time, but it's something I try to do each day. I hope we can remember the lives lost, the families torn apart, and the lessons learned from this tragic act of terrorism.

More Crazy Crozier Updates!

Nothing too exciting around here...OK, yes, things were tough these last couple of weeks. Archie headed off for 12 days up to Boise for work and left me to fend for myself! I also hosted my friend for a week and a half.

I also attended a heart-wrenching funeral for little Lucas Nelson who passed away at the innocent age of only 8 months after fighting cancer for three months. I now hold my son a little closer and have a more grateful and forgiving heart. They are an amazing family and am so grateful to be apart of their lives and our prayers go out to them.

Archie is now home, my friend has moved on, and life continues to whirl and spin us around. I am so grateful for my wonderful husband who supports me in all that I do and loves our beautiful son, Gabe.

Since Gabe is sooo cute I'm sharing more photos and short videos of him!

Boog feeding himself some carrots!

More Carrots, yum!

Prunes, glorious prunes!

Frodo and Wolfy sniffing Sarah's feet!

I went out to water my plant and discovered this spider had made its home here between the plant and our barbecuer! Sarah had to capture it and set it free for me so I could actually water the plant! Spiders freak me out!

This is of Boog eating Prunes...

Everything Austen Challenge: Book Review: The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy by Maya Slater

The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy by Maya Slater (2009)

One Line Review: He catalogs his own books, hangs out with Lord Byron, and sleeps with prostitutes and serving girls.

I like the idea of a diary from Darcy's perspective, but though it was more detailed than The Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy, it portrayed my beloved Darcy as rather boring and a bit too free with the opposite sex than I would ever imagine, and the friendship between him and Lord Byron was a bit too much. I don't think they would have ever gotten along; it seemed forced.

And from this Darcy I can't understand why Lizzy would have ever fallen for him! Oh, well. I still have Pamela Aidan's novels on Darcy's perspective to keep my company and I have yet to read Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy's Diary. So hopefully there are others out there worthy of my Mr. Darcy!

Sunday Samplings: Old Journal Entries

I've been sorting through my old journal entries from when I was eight and nine years old; they're pretty hilarious. So I thought I'd share some thoughts with you...

Tues. May 2, 1989

My bro. played Friday the 13th. It was real fun.

Really? How is playing a psycho killer real fun?

Date unknown

Dear Diary,

This Evening was wierd, me and Janali and Tiffany had a water fight. Then my dad and my mom came home. So I told Jan that I had to go home, so I went home. And I had Two oreo coockies. Then it was time for dinner and I ate outside

The End
Heather

Not quite sure what was so weird about this day...

July 5, 1988

Dear Diary,
Today was fun. I got in a fight with Mary.

Yup, fights are always soooo fun!

October 7, 1988

Dear Diary,
Well I don't like Tiffany and Nikki. Drews a geak. My mom keeps hiding Cinderella. Me and Candace found a cat. It climbed up a tree. It was scared to come down. Travis had to get the cat down. Its name is Cutey emarie tighty Frisky. I wish I could clean my room. Cheryl dosn't get along very well. She fights a lot. I wish I could ride a bike.

See Yea!

I love what I named that cat...that'll be my next cat's name! And I love how I wish to clean my room! Huh?

October 8, 1988

I watched Freddy Crouger. He's a buthed. But I don't believe in him.

As I kept telling myself that all night while wide awake and freaking out...

October 9, 1988

Dear Diary,

I was real miserable today it was boring. Sundays are always boring. My Mom & dad think my breath smell like garlic. todays been real, real, boring. Cheryl's really rude today, she always grouchy and I hate it. well my sister went back to college. I don't know why my sister always says rear. School's tomorrow.

Sundays and miserable and boring...looks like life hasn't changed that much!!! ha ha! And I'm still smelly!

Hope you enjoyed the amazing thoughts of my past; I was such a deep and thoughtful child...

Grumpy Face and Jumpin' Gabe!

Here's a couple of cute, short videos of the Boog!







He's sooo adorable!

Everything Austen Challenge: Movie Review: Miss Austen Regrets

This movie was smartly written and greatly acted. Olivia Williams makes a great Jane Austen as well as Greta Scacchi as her sister Cassandra. These were definitely the positives.

They decided to focus on the what-ifs of Austen's life. We only know of one marriage proposal that she received from Biggs-Withers. But this movie throws in a few more from some eligible gentleman. They portray Austen as turning them down in order to be independent and focus on her work. It's an interesting concept, but I don't buy it. I really don't think she found anyone she wanted to marry. I think she would have married had she had an excellent man to marry. So while the film itself is well done, I just can't agree with the concept. I just don't believe Miss Austen regretted...

Everything Austen Challenge: Book Review: Intimations of Austen by Jane Greensmith

Synopsis from Goodreads:

This collection of nine short stories includes backstories, sequels and what-ifs to Jane Austen's beloved novels. Greensmith provides sympathetic insights into characters you love to hate. Her what-if stories are realistic, true to Austen’s characters, and delightful to sink your teeth into. And always, Greensmith, Romantic that she is, calls forth the power and beauty of the natural world to heal, bless, and nurture the wounded, the misunderstood, the lonely, and the confused on their journeys through life.

My Review:

These short stories were amazing!

1. Rainbow Around the Moon-

The snow has stopped and the cold has set in. It's growing dark. I light the lamps and make the fire roar. I stop my work and go outside to read the skies and pay my homage. And there, low on the horizon, hangs the moon, still full but waning. Its halo speaks of coming snow, or sore, rain. Its halo is iridescent, a rainbow around the moon. A promise of peace. Peace at last.

Just a taste of her beautiful imagery. This story was inspired by Persuasion.

2. 3 Sisters- Is a bit of a mish-mash of all of her novels!

3. The Last Baby- We learn more about Mrs. Bennett and her side of the story and how she fell in love with Mr. Bennett and her anguish over losing her only son; a very touching story.

4. Bird of Paradise- Inspired by Mansfield Park. We learn more about Fanny and her relationship with Edmund and how she grows into her role as Mrs. Bertram.

And by this stream, Edmund kissed me as if for the first time. He ran his fingers through my hair, catching them in the curls that bobbed about my neck and throat. We went inside and went upstairs, and used up three candles complete that night. My feet never got cold.

5. Color of Love- Inspired by Pride and Prejudice.

His marriage banns were blue, and gold , and green. He never took for granted the kaleidoscope that was Elizabeth. Even in old age, when his eyes began to fail him and he had to squint to see the contours of her sweet, loving face, Darcy felt her yellow candle warmth caress and love his blues away until all the world was Eden once again, and all the light was the soft green of newly mown hay. Sunrise, sunset. Waterfalls in dark forests. A meadow filled with flowers. Craggy heights and distant vistas. Elizabeth was the color of his love.

6. Remember We Are English- Inspired by Northanger Abbey. We learn more how Henry defied his father and fell in love and married Catherine! It's very romantic.

7. When the Fates Conspire- Inspired by Persuasion. This one is pretty humorous! Two fates actually conspire to bring back together Anne and Frederick!

8. Heaven Can Wait- Pride and Prejudice. We learn about Jane's first love who wrote her poetry and how Bingley helped her to move on.

9. All I Do- Pride and Prejudice. This puts a different twist on the events of P&P. Lizzy marries Col. Fitzwilliam rather than Darcy! That's all I'll give away!

This book was such a treasure to find. My only complaint is I wish Jane Greensmith would write all of these short stories into actual novels! They are amazing. I recommend this book of short stories for any fellow Janeite!