Bridget Jones's Diary - Everything Austen Challenge 2

When I announced my participation in this year's Everything Austen Challenge, there were quite a few comments of utter disbelief over the fact I've never seen "Bridget Jones's Diary"!

My BFF sought to remedy the situation... so a few weeks ago I headed over to Angie's for an afternoon of movie-watching.

Even thought I hadn't seen the movie before (nor had I read the book it's based on), I did know it was a retelling (of sorts) of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. And I knew the character played by Colin Firth was named Darcy.

What I didn't know was how much I would like this movie! I'm not much of a Renee Zellweger fan, but thought she played the character well... not only with a believable British accent, but in the way her character came across as someone who is very down-to-earth, though somewhat ridiculous. Colin Firth and Hugh Grant were fabulous, as well (tough choice as to which one is dreamier)

Now after watching the movie, I'm adding the book to my "to read" list!


Have you seen Bridget Jones's Diary? Read the book? Who do you prefer: Colin Firth or Hugh Grant?

The cat's out of the bag.

I've mentioned before that I do not like surprises.

Funny thing is, I like giving surprises to other people.

But when it comes to keeping the surprise a... well, surprise... I don't do so well.

For example, for Shane's birthday, I bought tickets for the two of us to see Dave Matthews in concert. I bought the tickets about a month or so before his birthday... and managed to keep it from him for all of three days.

It's not that I want to spill the beans! But I get so excited knowing that the recipient of the surprise is going to love it... that I can barely contain myself and end up revealing the surprise (Oddly enough, I am able to keep my mouth shut when it comes to Christmas presents. Go figure.)

So about a week ago... Shane and I decided to surprise Hannah and Michaela with a trip to Disney World for fall break. Our first family trip to the House of Mouse was 3 years ago, and we've been wanting to go back ever since! The opportunity to go this fall presented itself, so we jumped on it. It was late at night when we first discussed going, so we couldn't tell the kids our plans until the next morning anyway. But then I had the idea of surprising the girls... not telling them until it was closer to October, or even waiting until the night before we are to leave! Shane went along with my idea and we started planning...

And the past week has been torture... I went back and forth to Shane:

"Should we just tell them?"

"No, you're right, let's just keep it a surprise."

"But I can't wait to tell the girls! I think we should just tell them."



You do know how this ends, right?

Summer Lovin'

A few things I've been having a blast with this summer...

• We enjoyed our mini-vacation to Memphis and Hot Springs. I can see why the Memphis Zoo has been rated as one of the best in the country... it's very nice!

• While we were away on our mini-vacation, my sister-in-law had the audacity to go into labor. So we missed being there for the arrival of Baby M!

She is tiny... weighed only 5 lbs, 12 oz at birth! My girls have dolls bigger than that! But Baby M is much cuter than any doll.

• The girls did really well in their swim lessons!
  

I think we may have a future Olympic diver on our hands!

Or maybe not.

• I can't believe this summer is almost at an end... school starts back in just 19 days!

How has your summer been?

Update!

I've been able to cross off a few items on my 101 Things in 1,001 Days list!

Home Improvement

1. re-do hall bathroom

(it's still a work in progress... just a few touches here and there to be done)

8. have prints of Shane's photography framed

(another work in progress...the goal is to have his photos on both sides of the stairwell)

9. wall decal in hallway

(This quote was used in our wedding... I bought this decal awhile ago and finally asked Shane to put it up!)

Hobbies

30. attend at least one art exhibit

(While in Hot Springs last month, we attended an Ansel Adams exhibit at the MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)... but I would like to attend more, so I think I'll keep this one on the list)


Personal/ Misc.

76. grow my hair out (yet another work in progress!)

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Looking over my list, I haven't had much luck in the Travel, Cooking, or Health & Exercise categories. Ooops. Guess I should make a conscious effort in getting some of those items marked off.

girls just wanna have fun

side note: Nintendo really needs to come out with cordless nun chucks. It wasn't fun whacking myself in the face whilst getting my groove on.

Look what was in my yard *this* time!

Oh, wait.


After chickens, goats, and horses... maybe this isn't quite so exciting:

Cut me some slack, sis!

The following is an email I received from my sister:

*****

Dear Ma'am,

I am writing you today to voice my disappointment towards your latest installments.

I understand it is summer; but come on! Posts about Jane Austen and magazine covers is unacceptable.

My nieces are 9 and 7! I am missing out on the best years of their lives and all you have to share about them lately is their dirty laundry?! Seriously? Seriously! I get no phone calls, no sweet baby letters from home. Your blog is (or should be) a place where I can go to feel a little included in their lives ...not yours (okay, yours too...even Shane's)

I would appreciate a humorous anecdote sometime in the near (like this week!) future about how wonderful and funny those two girls are, and about how they magically fill your day with rainbows and lilies (are lilies too much? okay, how about dandelions?)

Happy writing and please, no more Jane Austen!

Sincerely,

Your sister Heather

(aka your ONLY sister)

(aka the girls favorite aunt)

(aka Shane's favorite sister-in-law)

(okay, maybe those last two are only in my head)

*****

Unfortunately, I'm afraid I shall disappoint her yet again, as I don't have any funny anecdote to share.


Oh, well.