A Post About the Husband

I'm having a slow brain period, so I'm taking post prompts...

My Husband

1.What's his name? Scott
2.How long have you been married? 10 years 4 months
3.How long did you date? 5 months, including engagement
4.How old is he? 39
5.Who eats more? He does, but I try to keep up to my detriment
6.Who said "I love you" first? I did.
7.Who is taller? He is.
8.Who sings better? I do. But he can sing if he's not paying attention or trying to hard.
9.Who is smarter? He is. But I have the monopoly in certain areas.
10.Whose temper is worse? Mine
11.Who does the laundry? Usually me - but he helps whenever he's available.
12.Who does the dishes? Usually me - but he helps whenever he's available.
13.Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does. And we're pretty set in our ways at this point.
14.Who pays the bills? What bills? People pay those things?
18.Who is more stubborn? I am.
19.Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Him.
20. Whose parents do you see the most? Are we talking quality time? That would be mine.
21.Who proposed? He did, by the Provo Temple. After messing with my head and waiting way too long to do it.
22.Who has more friends? I do. Though neither of us are exactly social butterflies.
23.Who has more siblings? I do. By a lot.
24.Who wears the pants in the family? Well, neither of us wears a skirt!

Jane Austen in Real LIfe

I recently had to ride in the car with someone I wasn't exactly happy to be in close proximity to. I worried about my ability to make conversation (I never was a good small talker or a good actress) and act like everything was cool. Thankfully there were a few others in the car as well.

Conversation did take place. We discussed the cold snap and forecast for snow on the valley floor. We talked of how sad it was that summer was over and how the heaters had to be turned on. Then we spoke of the construction on 8th North - wondering why the cones where still blocking lanes when the line were painted and everything seemed in order. The grass and the median were all considered in our deep and thrilling conversation which had taken us all the way to the freeway.

This is where a movie quote (I can't be certain it is from the book because that is the ONE I haven't read) popped into my head and made me smile for the rest of the drive. This is a quote that I had previously thought was outdated - could not be applied to our day and time. But I was so wrong. You see, I had instinctively followed the advice of Mrs. Dashwood (and I won't quote it accurately I fear, but I'm lazy) when she said, "If you can say nothing appropriate, please limit your remarks to the weather and the condition of the roads." (The roads part may actually be taken from a different part of the movie, but it mattereth not.)

I was quite pleased with my Jane Austen moment and thus endured the remaining of the ride very amiably.

Review: The Blue Castle Review by L. M. Montgomery

The Blue Castle
by L. M. Montgomery
Classic, Fiction
218 pages
published: 1926
4 of 5 stars

I finished reading this book awhile ago...and loved it! I had no idea what it would be about, the back didn't even help much, so I just jumped in.

I was a little worried at first because the tedious and sad beginning seemed to go on and on, but if it had not I doubt I would have enjoyed Valancy's rebellion quite so much. Valancy got some news one day that changed her life - she decided to not do anything to please anyone else anymore. She would only do things she wanted to do. Well, her world fell apart and then got put back together again. And the ride was very enjoyable.

I loved the part near the end when the author started going on about "30 seconds to change everything" and I was imagining horrible, bloody tragedies...but it turned out much more mundane, surprising, plausible, and indeed life changing. Perfect.

My complaint: it got a bit long-winded in the descriptions of the scenery. But I survived. I knew it was important, and in fact a theme of the book, and forgave the author her indulgences.

My bigger complaint: the idiot who did the cover art should be shot. It says specifically in the book that Valancy never wore white except as a very young child. In fact, her clothes were few and deatiled and could easily have been pictured. And her expression! Like some expectant "young" maid who knew she was desirable. Valancy knew she was anything but desirable. But worse...why does Barney look like some prep from the 1980's? He was often dirty, unshaven, and had longish hair! Even if the artist wanted to go for when he did shave, he still wore overalls, not some sweater swung over his shoulder! Okay, I know this is a small thing - but...but...IDIOT!

Things I loved:

• Valancy's snide remarks
• that service released her
• that "love comes softly"
• that the beauty of nature is more valuable than the artifice of "traditions"
• how there was good in even the lowest in the community
• how divine forgiveness is
• how valuable it is to love - even if that love is not returned
• how personality is what makes someone beautiful
• the proposal scene
• the irony of the letter
• that she cut her hair short

I even made my poor husband read it so we could talk about it. It truly is "chick lit" but even he enjoyed it.

Yesterday at School

Throughout my school experience yesterday, I was struck again and again with how beautiful our world is. Walking past a bush I saw a complete and perfect spider web that formed a funnel down into the bush, and couldn't help but smile at the ingenuity, hard work, and loveliness of that spider's web. Then I turned toward the mountains and could see all the red dotting the mountain sides and smiled again at the contrast of color and the vibrancy of Fall. Later, while walking back from the bookstore, I saw the whole mountain range reflected in the glass wall of the JFSB. I could see those red bushes and even the Y captured seemingly inside the beautiful building. And just to the right I saw Mt. Timpanogos peaking over the JKHB, covered in snow and providing a resting place for a few fat, puffy and quite innocent looking clouds.

It was a relief to see that this place is beautiful, even if it's not the kind of beautiful I would have chosen. It was relief to notice all these things and remember that things are good, and peaceful, and beautiful...even during times of stress, business, worry, and illness.

I'm grateful for those moments yesterday. The natural world loosens the knots in my chest that I don't even realize are there until I suddenly feel myself able to breath again. And it was a tender mercy to drive home thinking of the mountains and trees instead of dinner, bedtime, and papers due.

Tagging

The rules: You can only put one word answers. Good luck.

1. Where is your cell phone? nope 2. Your significant other? wonderful 3. Your hair? short 4. Your mother? spiritual 5. Your father? Practical 6. Your favorite thing? sleep 7. Your dream last night? forgot 8 Your favorite drink? juice 9. Your dream/goal? published 10. The room you’re in? front 11. Your hobby? creating 12. Your fear? evil 13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? home 14. What you’re not? motivated 15. Muffins? pumpkin 16. One of your wish list items? cellphone 17. Where you grew up? California 18. The last thing you did? class 19. What are you wearing? casual 20. Favorite gadget? laptop 21. Your pets? kids 22. Your computer? essential 23.Your mood? hungry 24. Missing someone? Melanie 25.Your car? dirty 26. Something you’re not wearing? dress 27. Favorite store? book 28. Like someone? doubtful

Tag: Jen, Michelle, Kerri, Andrea, Amy, Alison, Cynthia...