Blah, Blah, Blech

The only word to describe the weather of late is: BLECH!

I would much prefer snow than this infernal rain. And it's not even pouring, just drizzle and showers off and on. But it keeps everything wet and cold, and that keeps us in the house. All the time. I think I'm getting cabin fever. And to exacerbate the problem, I have no vehicle. Adam commutes to work for this rotation and the kids and I are left home with no transportation and nothing really in walking distance.

Lizzy is bored with being home, I am bored with being home, and Gabe doesn't really know the difference.
We were going to go to the park today, but it started raining again.

I can't wait until we move again in a couple weeks back to Oregon for our last rotation. We are going to be close to some very awesome friends (the Swifts), so we will not lack for entertainment. Also we will have lots more friends a half hour away. Yay! Friends nearby! Lizzy is counting down the days until she gets to see Conrad again.

So, until then we must contiue with the blah, blah blech weather and boredom.

"Duty And Desire" book review

This is the second in a trilogy by Pamela Aidon that covers Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's point of view. The first is called, An Assembly Such As This, which I also gave 4 stars to.
If you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice, you will also be a fan of the "Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman" series.


Duty and Desire by Pamela Aidan



My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great sequel to "An Assembly Such as This." Duty and Desire covers Darcy's "silent time" in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, when he is away from Elizabeth and among his friends and family.



In this second book of the trilogy we get to learn more about Darcy and especially about his relationship with his sister, Georgiana. There is also an added mystery plot that is very intruiging, but made me think more of Austen's Northanger Abbey, than Pride and Prejudice.



Although Elizabeth doesn't make a physical appearance in the novel, she is very much there in spirit haunting Darcy's daydreams and thoughts, as Darcy tries to get over her, but ends up even more in love.



I am very interested in reading the conclusion of the trilogy and can't wait to get started.



View all my reviews >>

A Walking Advertisment

Lizzy has started quoting lines from commercials and movies recently. It's amazing the little things that she picks up on. Here are a few of them:

Lizzy was being loud as I was putting Gabe down for a nap. I told her (kind of harshly) to be quiet so Gabe could sleep. She looks at me and says, "Don't get mad!" Then she runs away. A few seconds later she runs back and says, "Get Glad!"

This morning Lizzy was coughing. She said to me, "I think I am sick becuase I coughed."
"Well," I say, "make sure you cough into your arm or into a Kleenex."
She then says in a slightly mechanical voice staring straight ahead, like she was reciting, "Germs spread easily. Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth." (That was from a flu commercial).

She is also easily swayed by advertisers. She wants whatever the commercial is selling or is easily impressed by statements they make. For example:

After seeing a Netflix commercial. "Mom! Mom! You can get whatever movie you want!"

After seeing an Injury Lawyer commercial. "Mom! That man said he'll be there for me!"

After seeing a SlapChop commercial. "Mom that man smiled at me! He likes me! America's going to be skinny again!"

Budding Photographer

Lizzy loves to take pictures with our camera. She usually just takes pictures of random stuff throughout the house; here's the couch, here's the door, here's my toy on the floor - that sort of stuff.
Here are a few of her pictures:

Some presents under the Christmas tree.

The light in our living room.

I think this is my Dad's ear.

Self photo.

The laundry.

Fashion Diva

Lizzy loves to play dress up, wear makeup, and put fun things in her hair. But, most of all she loves to dress herself in the morning. She usually does pretty good, but once in a while she will put on as much as she can so she can be a princess or something. She will come up to me and say, "Don't I look beautiful?"
Here is her choice for today. A pink heart dress underneath an orange t-shirt. Over the shirt, a blue shrug/sweater. Underneath her dress is a purple skirt, and underneath that, pink pants.

Showing off the pants.

Here's an example of putting things on her head. "This is my beautiful hair!" Usually, for beautiful hair, she wears one of her skirts or shirts on her head.
My little fashion diva! She is always wearing something interesting.

Gabe's Awesome Hat.

Thanks to our friend's the Jahn's for this awesome hat! We love it! And so does Gabe.

Christmas

We were lucky to be able to go to see Adam's family in Salmon Arm this Christmas. We had a wonderful time visiting and the kids really enjoyed playing with their uncles and aunties. Here are a few pictures.
"Look what I got Mom!"

Christmas morning playing with some new toys and wearing their new pj's.

Two great-grandmas!

Gabe's first Christmas and having fun opening presents.

We did a nativity and Lizzy just loved it. She was Mary, Gabe was baby Jesus, and Uncle Jesse was Joseph.