End of Term

Just updating a bit on the end of term, some of my adventures that I had... 

We had a Twilight Marathon one weekend... and before you go gasping and denouncing me... I will say that I think that the movies are way over rated, particularly the first one.  I still had fun!  Edward made me laugh, I was with a bunch of friends and to top it off my roommate had a Disney Princess coloring book!  ^_^  You can't beat Princesses.

Our Christmas party was lots of fun.  We built two gingerbread houses, had a white elephant gift exchange and then played a couple of games.  Following the party my RA for whatever reason decided that she was going to run from room to room taking things from people and hiding them either in other people's room or dumping them in the hallway. The pranking ended with three of us taping together sheets of paper and covering up another girl's door so as you walked down the hall towards it, it looked like it wasn't there.  It worked too. She was so confused... ^_^

A night or so before I left it started snowing again, my roommate and I were in our room and the girl who lives across the hall had been wandering in and out.  It was about 10:30 I think when she looked out and said that it was still snowing and my roommate and I joined her at the window.  There was a lot of new snow, so we decided then and there that we were going to go out and make snow angels.  We ran outside and flopped down in the snow and made lovely angles, and then the other girl remembered about the perfect climbing tree that I had found.  As She loves to climb trees, we headed over there to tackle it.  I was right about it being the perfect climbing tree... but it was only the perfect climbing tree after you managed to get yourself up there.  She had a bit of trouble, being on the shorter side, plus the branches were a bit icy, but after 15 minutes of jumping my roommate and I pushed her up and then she climbed all the way to the top.  After she sat up at the top and climbed down, we collected snow balls and through them at the windows on our dorm.

Lots of winter fun... when we go back we have plans to buy a sled and go sledding down the steep driveway that leads to the athletic section of campus...  I'll let you know how that goes. ;)

ReginaCon - Day 2

ReginaCon Day

And here is the events of the second day of ReginaCon, also known as The Fairy Tale Novel Get-Together or The Fairy Tale Novel Fan Gathering. ReginaCon is much shorter.

These would be pictures from day 2, because I'm afraid I have no pictures from Day 1 - at least not at Regina's house.  Day 1 was mostly spent in touring Manassas Battlefield and Arlington Cemetery with my grandparents, who provided our transportation to Virginia.  The Battlefield - sight of the first major battle of the war and a second battle just prior to Antietam - was quite lovely and rather different than Shiloh and Gettysburg.  I knew something was different, but I couldn't figure it out at first.  Then I noticed - no monuments.  Well, there was one that was erected by the soldiers who fought at First Manassas, but the usual monuments and markers for all the regiments who fought and died on this piece of ground were absent.  Also the only statue in sight was a large and impressive sculpture of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.  It was simpler, but no less profound.

Arlington Cemetery was just - amazing.  There are soooo many grave sights there, it's just so sobering.  I had the good fortune to witness the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unkowns... was that beautiful.  The extreme precision and detail and respect that goes into it is just awesome.  For me though, the highlight of my visit was Arlington House.  To think that General Robert E. Lee lived there, walked on the exact same ground that I walked on... I know he was at Gettysburg, and I went there to... but on a battlefield you can't be sure exactly where everyone was because it is so big.  But there... to know that I was on the same ground as a man whom I admire so greatly - it was a very powerful experience for me.

And then of course there was arriving at Regina's house.  No one heard us drive up, so we were able to walk in on them all eating dinner and see their surprised and (hopefully) delighted faces.  I was thrilled to finally meet my dear brother and sister, Paul and Elena, and meet Laura who is an amazing girl.  Lanta showed up a little later and knocked me over.  I was very happy to see her too, and meet Dayandnight and Miss Eliza Bennet.  We talked for a bit and then after the sun had set we all went swimming in the pond, dubbing ourselves "The Midnight Swimmers".  Three more people arrived and joined us as well.

Now to the day that I have pictures for.  (I do have pictures of Manassas and Arlington, if you want to see them later.)

After praying the Rosary, we all packed into the cars and drove down the road to pick blueberries.  'Twas very hot, but there were clouds for some of the time, so it wasn't that bad.  We picked lots of blueberries, some of which Paul kept throwing at me *frowns at Paul*.  I did hit him a few times though!  David found a lonely pair of little girl's sunglasses at the end of one of the rows, and we adopted them.

We finished picking and drove back, during which I had a lovely conversation with Regina, and found that five more girls had arrived!  Greetings and introductions were exchanged and made and then after lunch we listened to Regina talk on "Evangelizing the Imagination and How to Create Evil Characters if you are a Devout Christian".  What a wonderful and helpful talk! 

The rest of the afternoon was free time and some of us went shopping for more food while the rest watched "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (1982).  That was an awesome movie!!!!  Made for TV, so a little long... but was it good!

The day's events concluded with a talent show during which yours truely performed "Upside Down" (a recent forum adventure) along with Kathleen, Yaviel and some of our friends who where there.  The talent show finished with a lovely theatrical reading of "The Importance of Being Earnest" by the Shirefield Players.

And that concludes the events of Day 2!  Hannah, I hope that was enough detail.  ;) Day 3 coming soon.

Back from ReginaCon!

I have returned from the lovely Shirefield and a delightful stay at the Black Cat Inn!  As many of my long time readers will probably recall, I was crushed to not be able to go last year - so the five days I spent out east were a total blessing and joy!
I'll be taking this week to rest up and post lots of pictures and updates of my stay there, along with a review of "Alex O'Donnell and the 40 Cyberthieves" which I found AMAZING!!!!!
Right now I'm going to start working on uploading my pictures to Picasa so I can post the links on my posts for each day.

You know, as much as seven siblings tend to quarrel and yell and fight on what sometimes seems to be a constant basis, you know your siblings love you when you and the other three eldest siblings return from a week long absence and the three youngest run out of the house, jump on you and say "It was sooo boring here with out you!"

Of course one of the second things they said was... "I am so glad I don't have to do your chores anymore!!!!"

When your basement becomes a drain

for the window well full of water, 'tis very, very helpful to have LOTS of towels on handy.  And a few buckets to catch the water in, or at least re-direct the falling water into via a towel.  (That works well, by the way!)  And if the previous residents of your home left a HUGE fan almost as tall as you and one of those commercial, yellow bucket mops with a ringer in the basement... well, you'll probably find out why sooner or later!  =P
The only damage I believe, was to an empty cardboard box and the piece of carpeting we had under the computer desk.  We saved everything else!

Are YOU Regina Doman's Biggest Fan?

 

It's time to prove it!

Promote Regina's books, and you could win some cool stuff - and have fun doing it!

You have the entire summer to chalk up all sorts of points doing things like writing reviews, wearing FTN T-Shirts, asking your library to carry the books, and many other ways!

Find out all the rules and differant ways you can earn points here: http://www.fairytalenovels.com/main.cfm?....r3=0.00&r4=0.00

There are also some pretty cool prizes, including signed copies of "Alex O'Donnell and the Forty-Cyberthieves" and the film of "The Shadow of the Bear" when it is released!

Not only is this your chance to show how much you love Blanche, Bear, Fish, Rose and the other FTN Characters, but this publicity will also really help get the word out about the amazingness of our favorite author, Regina Doman! 

So join in the friendly competition today!

Giveaway and Event Heads Up!

I thought I'd let all you girls know about two fun happenings over at AmandaBeth Online.  The first is Second Hand Fashion Week, which can be explained in better detail than I could write if you click HERE.  I may be participating in this, but this week is pretty full for me, so we'll see.

The second is a gift card giveaway from Marie-Madeline Studio.  They have some GORGEOUS products - that are modest too!  If you're interested in entering to win this gift card, you can head on over to THIS LINK at AmandaBeth's.

Have a Blessed Holy Week!






Ps. On the topic of modesty, I have a new page up on my website! Check out the link on my sidebar!

I Could Have Danced All Night

Finally, it was Saturday, the day of the Annual Daddy-Daughter Ball, a night that Rose and all of the other girls in the homeschooling group had been looking forward to for weeks now.  It was the night when they all dressed up in their very best, did their hair in elegant twists, braids and curls and went out for a special night with their fathers and friends.  A night of dancing, food, friends and fun.

That morning was spent in a flurry of preparations.  As soon as Rose awoke, she went to the kitchen and began to make the dessert, munching on various bagels and handfuls of cereal for breakfast in between.  That finished, Rose proceeded to do her usual Saturday cleaning chores, which her mother strangely insisted must be done.  About noon, Rose began to curl her two of her sister's hair while the rest donned their ball gowns.  Hair curling finished, Rose put on her gold 'Cinderella' gown, brushed on her makeup, selected some jewelry and rushed out the door.

This year her mother was the official photographer, and as Rose's father had gone earlier to fix the lighting and backdrop, the girls rode with their mother to the ball.  They were also going early, so the other two girls and Rose could have their hair done and so Rose could assist with doing the hair.  They arrived, parking next to a car with a license plate from MI.  Rose briefly wondered who could be here from MI, but shrugged it off as someone's relative who happened to be visiting.

The girls secured their purses and dishes, wondering why their mother insisted on them all walking in together.  Yaviel had not heard this instruction and had gone in ahead, resulting in frustrated sighs from Mother and questions from Rose that went unanswered.  Yet they did not suspect a thing.

As they walked in, Rose and her sisters were greeted by friends who were there doing hair and having their hair done.

"Oh, where is Kathleen?" friend Sarah, inquired.

"Ummm, right there," Rose said, slightly puzzled as Kathleen walked in behind her.

"Oh, I'll take your coats!" another friend offered, grabbing Yaviel's coat.  Rose thought this a little odd, and went to hang up her own coat.  She had nearly reached the coat rack when seemingly out of no where, a vision of her dear friend Vicki stepped out and said "Hi guys!"

Rose stopped and stared.  What on earth?  That wasn't Vicki... Vicki lived up in MI... that was Vicki!  Then Vicki's sister Hannah stepped smiling from the Lady's 'Power Room'.  Half dropping, half throwing her purse and coat (and in the process breaking her fan) Rose shrieked Vicki's name and threw herself on her friend, as Yaviel and Kathleen yelled and threw themselves at Hannah.

For several minutes, all Rose could do was just hug her friend and cry and stammer out "How?" You're" "Vicki!"  Eventually the story of Hannah and Vicki's miraculous appearance came out.  Two weeks prior to the ball, Claire - the main hairdresser for the ball - had been wishing for a helper who really knew how to do hair.  Someone like... Vicki.

"Well, why not invite her to the ball?" was Claire's mother's reply.  So off an e-mail was sent, and a reply came back saying that the girls and their dad would be happy to come down for the ball.  At that point, some brilliant angel had the wonderful idea of having the visit be a surprise for Rose, Kathleen and Yaviel.

And indeed, a surprise it was.  For hours the initial surprise, Rose continued to look over at her friends, still marveling at how this all came about.  Yaviel periodically giggled while she had her hair done.  It was all too wonderful to be true!

Rose also had the pleasure of surprising someone that night.  Several months ago, Rose realized how much her friends Vicki and Jo March had in common and decided that even if they couldn't meet in real life, they should at least get to know each other via e-mail and promptly ordered them to become pen pals.  (She was successful).

Jo came in a while later and went over to give Rose a hug as she was holding a container of bobby pins for Vicki.  Jo semi-glanced at Vicki on her way over, but it was not until  Jo was in the middle of starting to give Rose a hug when she stopped, did a double take, and said "Wait... you're Vicki!"  And so at last, the two were able to meet.

The rest of the night was a glorious blur of dancing and bliss.  Rose danced nearly every dance, enjoying especially the dances with her father.  This was Rose's first time dancing in her first pair of high heels, and she was very pleased to discover that she could indeed dance polkas, the Cotton Eyed Joe and just dance safely with heels three inches high.  Vicki, Hannah, Rose, Yaviel, Kathleen, Mystica, His Little Butterfly and Jo all took a 'forum family' photo. 

At one point that night, "Love Story meets Viva la Vida" was played and the girls stood in the middle of the dance floor, singing along at the tops of their lungs and making up dance moves to the rest of the song.  Later, Rose and her fellow seventeen-year-olsd took their annual group photo shoot.

At last, the clock struck nine thirty - or something like that - and the ball drew to a close.  The final dance was played and heads bowed for the final prayer.  Then the hall burst out again in noise as everyone participated in taking down the decorations and cleaning up the room.  Little by little, farewells were given and the families departed.

For Rose, Yaviel, Kathleen, Vicki and Hannah though, the party still went on.  When they arrived at the house, the girls were promptly given a tour of the house - the bedrooms, the upstairs, the finished basement and...

"You guys have a BAR!" Hannah couldn't believe her eyes.  "Oh man, I need pictures of this!"

Once the excitement of discovering the bar had died down, the girls played around with the video effects on Hannah's FBI laptop and eventually fell asleep. 

As Rose lay on the floor, trying to ignore Yaviel, who was talking to herself, she thanked God for the wonderful blessings she had been given that day.  It hadn't started out so well, her knees and ankles had hurt before she even got to the dance and she had been feeling a little down because she didn't think she looked that good at all.  The dress looked weird... her face looked blotchy... her hair looked blah... the typical nonsensical woes of any teenage girl, silly but potentially harmful to a good evening.  Yet she had been saved by the love of her parents and her friends.  She fell asleep happy, and thankful and she could have danced all night.

Christmas Tags!

I got these from Olive Tree, and hereby tag anyone who want's to do them.  Actually, I just decided that I'm going to save the other one for after Christmas, so if you want to do it then go ahead!

What is your favorite Christmas carol?

Carol of the Bells and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Do you have an artificial tree or do you get a real one?

Artificial.  We got a real one once, but us kids missed setting up the fake tree, so we went back to that.

Where you live do you get snowy Christmas's?

Not every year, alas.  Last year was though! 

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Decorating the house and buying Christmas gifts for one of my siblings

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas, and then Easter because they celebrate Christs' birth and resurrection

Do you go caroling?

We go every year with the KofC's to a nursing home, we don't really carol, but we do hand out little gifts and sing a song or two. 

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer, the 1964 one.

Do you like listening to Christmas music?

Oh yes!

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

*cough* No.

What is your favorite Christmas meal?

Breakfast on Christmas morning.  We always have cinnamon monkey bread, it's soooo good!

Do you write people Christmas cards?

Yes I do!

Do you have a manger scene?

But of course!  We have the lovely breakable one in the piano room, and then I have a Playmobiel set that I put in my room

Will you wish anyone Merry Christmas?

I most certainly will! 

Liked the tag?

Sure, it was fun!

Your turn!

5 Quick Takes Saturday - Vol 23

~ 1 ~

I really need to get back into the swing of doing this every week... so I could do the Teen Girls Daybook, that looks fun. Well, regardless, I probably won't have much time for either of them the next few Saturdays, but we'll see.

~ 2 ~

Aha! Inspiration! I do the daybook as part of Quick Takes. =) Yay for me.

~ 3 ~

Date... November 21st, 2009

Starting time... 4:11 PM

Mood... Um... normal?

Outside my window... The sunset

I'm thinking... About my next forum-inspired facebook page

I'm reading... Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

I'm listening to... My siblings watch a Little House on the Prairie episode

I'm wearing... my green mock-turtleneck and green skirt w/ my bell earrings my friend made for me.

Yesterday, I... went to the Miles Christi Evening of Recollection

I'm excited for... moving, I think

I'm sad because... I'm not sad today!

I'm hungry for... Fudge

The song stuck inside my head is... Alright, by Darius Rucker

I want... to get a Facebook account

I love... my friends.

I loathe... crickets

This week, my goal is... to pack more boxes

Did I meet last week's goal?... no, I didn't have a goal last week!

Ending time... 4:16 PM

~ 4 ~

So the latest fad on the FT Forum is creating Facebook pages for our characters. I made a page for the adventure when I was a wee lass of ten, gone back in time with my triplets Jo and Therese to Attolia and lived for a time with Eugenides and Irene. =) Gen taught me how to be a theif and I eventually became the Kings Thief. Here is the link: http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp248/catholicrose/other%20pictures/RoseMarchenfacebookcopy.jpg

~ 5 ~

Here is a random signature that I made for the moderators on the forum. =)

Totally Awesome Tag

First, list twelve characters from any fandom, then answer the questions below.

1. Matthias of Redwall

2. Sir William Wallace (as in Wallace from The Scottish Chiefs NOT Braveheart)

3. Rose Brier

4. Pippin

5. Elizabeth Bennet

6. Will Turner

7. Saruman
8. Martin the Warrior

9. Eowyn

10. Rachel Durham

11. Edmond Dantes
12. Smaug

1. Who would make a better collage prof, 6 or 11?
Mmm, sorry Will, but Edmond Dantes wouls soooo be a better professor than you!

2. Do you think #2 is hot?
*snickers* Hot? No, but William Wallace is definitely a bubble!

3. 12 sends 8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed?
HA! Smaug the dragon sending Martin the Warrior mouse out on a mission... probably to kill the dwarves. And I rather doubt it would succeed, Martin being so noble and all would probably try to kill Smaug.

4. What is or what would be 9's favorite book?
Eowyn's favorite book... The Scottish Chiefs, because Helen secretly loving Wallace is like Eowyn secretly loving Aragorn... only Helen is absolutely NOTHING like Eowyn.

5. Would it make more since for 2 to swear fealty to 6, or the other way around?
Oh, definitely the other way around. I cannot see William Wallace swearing fealty to Will Turner.

6. For some reason, 5 is looking for a roommate. Should (s)he room with 9 or 10?
Oooh... toughie... hmmm, Elizabeth Bennet and Eowyn or Elizabeth Bennet and Rachel Durham? Oh, probably Liz would room with Rachel.

7. 2, 7 and 12 are going out to dinner. Where do they go and what do they discuss?
ROTFL!!!! Sir William Wallace, Saruman and Smaug??!?!?!?! Oh my gosh... well, Smaug and Wallace would probably have no objection to eating outside, but Saruman would probably want to go to Olive Garden so they'd all argue and Saruman would get killed, then Wallace and Smaug would start discussing the freedom of Scotland and end up battling because Smaug would want to take it over.

8. 3 challenges 10 to a duel, who wins?

Oh this is toooo funny! Rose Brier challenges Rachel Durham to a duel.... Hmm, Rachel would probably win.

9. If 1 stole 8's most precious possession, how would (s)he get it back?
Oh man, the random order I picked these people is HILARIOUS!!!!! So let's see, if Matthias of Redwall stole Martin the Warrior's most precious possession (AKA, his sword), well, Martin might go ask for it back and tell Matthias to just wait for a little bit because he's gonna get someday anyhow.

10. Suggest a story title in which 7 and 12 both attain what they desire.
Of Rings and Gold

11. What kind of plot device would you have to use if you wanted 1 and 4 to work together?

A plot device... well, let's see with Matthias and Pippin I'd probably have to stress the adventure side of it to Matthias and promise Pippin a huge Redwall feast.

12. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would it go?

Well, if I told Saruman that I liked that actor who played him much better than the actor who played Gandalf, we might be at least tolerable for a little bit. He might get a little mad though when I tell me that if he had just been nice things would have worked out so much better for him.



13. If you could command 3 to perform any service or task for you, what would it be?
Well first, I wouldn't command Rose to do anything for me, because hopefully she would be my friend and I could just ask! As for what I would ask.... I would ask if she would pretty please steal Fish's hat for me. =)

14. Does anyone on your friends list write or draw 11?
Umm... I don't think so... at least if they've ever written about or drawn Edmond Dantes they've never told me!

15. If 2 had to choose sides between 4 and 5, what side would (s)he choose?

Hmmm, I think that Wallace would probably side with Pippin over Elizabeth Benent... Scottish accented people hafta stick together. ;) Plus Wallace would agree more with Pippin's cause then Lizzy's...

16. What might 10 shout out while charging into battle?
FOR FREEDOM!!!!!

17. If you had to choose a song to best describe 8, what would it be?
This is Home by Switchfoot. Very Martin the Warrior song. Very.

18. 1, 6 and 12 are having a dim sum at a Chinese Restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left, and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets it?

Hmmm... Matthias of Redwall... Will Turner... Smaug... well, given the fact that Smaug is the biggest, he'd probably get it.

19. What would be a good pickup line for 2 to say to 10?

Okay.. William Wallace and Rachel Durham... er, um "Have you ever been to Scotland?" I don't know.

20. What would 5 most likely be arrested for?
Elizabeth Bennet? Ha ha.... maybe for abusing the rich people of England?

21. What is 6's secret?

Will Turner... I think you mean secrets? Well, there was the time was one of the times he made secret deals with Beckett.

22. If 11 and 9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first?

Edmond Dantes and Eowyn? Hee hee... mmm, probably Edmund, but Eowyn would be close behind.

23. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, who would you feel more comfortable walking with, 7 or 8?
Oh Martin the Warrior, most definitely. I would not feel comfortable walking with Saruman.

24. 1 and 9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4's sinister secret organization. 11 volunteers to help them,but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for 4. Meanwhile, 4 has kidnapped 12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of 5, they seek out 3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fic?

Oh wow... Matthias, Eowyn, Elizabeth Bennet, Smaug and Rose Brier up against Edmond Dantes and Pippin? War of the Worlds!

------

Aw man, that's it? That was sooooo fun! I now tag whomever wants to do this!

~ Rose

Announcing the First Ever Lord of the Rings Blog Week!

Attention all Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits! Starting on September 22nd, we shall be hosting the first ever Lord of the Rings Blog Week!

Last year, Vicki , Lizzy/Hannah, and myself came up with the idea (due to being very into Pirates of the Caribbean at the time) to have a Pirate blog week to commemorate the five year anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean coming to theaters. This year we did the same thing, and while planning, decided it would be fun to do a Lord of the Rings Blog week to commemorate Frodo and Bilbo's birthday. (The 22nd).

So we would like to invite anyone who is a fan of The Lord of the Rings to join in!!! What it involves:

A) You give your blog a new look, which means changing the background, the colors, and title if you wish.

B) Every day do at least one post on something Tolkien-ish, such as last year we did caption contests, video clips of the movie, stories that we wrote, ect.

C) Last but not least, give your self a Lord of the Rings name! You may choose a character from the movies, or simply create your own LotR name.

If you are going to be participating, please leave a comment, with your name, to let me know and i'll put your name and a link on my sidebar when the time comes!

A Lovely Night

The other evening, my family and i were wonderfully fortunate to be able to attend A CIVIL WAR BALL!!!! It was simply lovely - the weather was absolutely perfect and i was able to wear the skirt i'd been working on and finished that day. (Thank you Saint Ann!)

We got to the battlefield just in time for the candlelight tour, which was quite fascinating and informative. Because it was dark out, we were able to see just how far the flames can shoot out from a cannon. (If your wondering how far... at least 4 feet.)

The dance itself was just lovely. We met up with some friends, met new people and danced a lot! I realized later... this was the first dance (other than the Daddy-Daughter Ball) that i've ever been to! That was the first time i'd ever danced with a guy... and the first time a guy had ever asked me to dance! So what if there was only one guy that was anywhere close to my age. *cough* I danced with him twice. (Hee hee, and got to use my southern drawl - he was a Confederate.) All my partners were very nice. =)

The dances - period to the Civil War - were quite fun as well. I hope i'll be able to remember some of them and teach them to the homeschooling group. (We only know the Virginia Reel. =P )

We didn't take any pictures from the ball, (too dark. =P ) but here are some of my sisters and i and my outfit!

Our period no smiling photograph.

Me as a fainting southern belle. ;)

HOOPSKIRTS ROCK!

Hopeless Romantic Tag

What two qualities do you want most in your future husband?
Hmm, well, i'll put my essentials and my preferences.
Essentials: i'd like him to have a strong faith in God and devotion to the Blessed Mother.
Preferences: it would be very nice if he could and liked to dance and didn't mind humoring the mushy romantic side of me. ;)

Is there a fictional character you see as a model for your future husband?
Well... Fish, Bear and Paul Fester. =)

Where do you want your wedding?
I'd like to be married in a beautiful church or cathedral. (Saint John Cantius?) I'd LOVE to be married at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, but that's not possible, alas.

What are your views on courtship?
I think that courtship as opposed to dating is a very good idea. It seems much more family oriented, instead of just couple oriented. I'd like to get to know his family well, and i want him to get to know my family. (I think...) Of course a couple of "dates" on our own would be fine with me. (Ha ha, my list of places to go on a date is quite, er, unique. 1) To a cathedral for Mass and adoration, 2) a big library, 3) a beautiful forest preserve and take a walk, 5) historical museums, ....)

What are your views on your first kiss?
Well, i'm not so sure i like the "wait until my wedding day" idea. I mean, it's a nice idea and if my future spouse wants it that way then i'll probably agree, but i don't really care for that. I'd really like my first kiss to be right after he says "Will you marry me?" and i say "Oh certainly you most wonderful man! I'd go to the ends of the earth and back with you!" Or something like that. Knowing me i'd probably just say "Yes" and burst into tears. So yes, the first kiss when i get engaged, and then wait until the wedding.

Do you have or want a purity ring/locket?
I have two rings, actually. One is a Claddagh ring and the other is a heart ring that i was given on my 16th birthday. The Claddagh wasn't given to me as a purity ring, but i count it as one anyhow.

Do you have or want a hope chest?
Unfortunatly, i don't have a hope chest. I do want one though!

Will you wear a veil at your wedding?
What kind of question is that!?!?!? Of course i'll have a veil!!!!

What kind of wedding dress do you want?
Oh gosh... umm, well, i think i still want the Civil War huge skirt look, wait no. I want my dress to look just like grandma's on my mom's side. She had an amazingly beautiful dress!

What flowers do you want in your bouquet?
Roses. Red and white ones. They won't really go with my wedding colors (mint green) but who cares? It's my bouquet! Ooh, and maybe some pansies... but no, there stems aren't strong enough. =( That's too bad, i adore pansies.

What do you want to name one of your daughters?
Mariel Rose. Isn't that a lovely name? I actually want all my daughters' first names to be either Mary or a version of Mary. (Marie, Maria and Mariel.... Mariel is the Scottish form, i believe). Mary Alyssa, Maria Chiara and Mary Anasatisa are some more.

What do you want to name one of your sons?
Joshua is my first pick, after Junior of course. Joshua Michael. I would also like a Martin, a Robert, a Matthias and a Marc Gerard.

Do you believe in the 'knight-in-shining-armor' view of courtship?
Well, it depends on what you mean by that. Do i think the perfect man is going to ride up, sweep me off my feet and we'll gallop off into the sunset? No, that'd be silly, especially since most people don't ride horses anymore. They drive cars and driving a pick-up off into the sunset is terribly unromantic. I don't expect the man i marry to be perfect - though i want him to have perfection as his life's goal - and i don't expect his armor to be shinning and undented. Our relationship won't be all sunshine and roses, but if it is what God wants, then it will be beautiful.

So no, i guess i don't quite believe in the 'knight-in-shining armor' view of courtship.

What music do you want to play at your wedding?
Well, at the actual ceremony, i haven't quite thought out.
At the reception: Instrumental or quieter music for during dinner. (Lord of the Rings, Pride and Prejudice, Amazing Grace, Therese, Little Women, Pirates of the Caribbean (yeah yeah, it's not quite, but it's instrumental!) Enya.)
During Dancing: Lotsa country songs! Josh Groban, Hayley Westenra, The dance from the 2005 P&P movie, the very first one that they do at Merryton Town Hall since i sorta know how to do that (That would make an awesome bridal party dance!) ooh, and "Time to Say Good-bye" for the last dance.

Are you a hopeless romantic?
I am, and proud of it!


And i shall tag.....

Bracie
Bethany
Emma
Katie
Nessima

Photo Shoot

A week or so ago i realized that i just so happened to possess a "Rose outfit". (AKA, something Rose Brier wears in the Fairy Tale Novels)

He wandered around aimlessly when suddenly he caught sight of Rose. She was carrying her violin and wearing a gypsy outfit, with a full red skirt, white shirt and a multi-colored headscarf.
~ Waking Rose

Quite naturally, when i realized that Rose and i had the same outfit, i simply had to take some photos! My dear sister Yaviel willingly obliged me by trekking down to the 'coyote-infested' creek ;) and taking lots and lots of photos, some of which i decided to share with you. (Though i shall be honest and confess that i don't actually play the violin. Some of my siblings have, but quite frankly, i was never interesed. Vive the Piano!)

Click on the photos for a larger veiw

Of course, in return for this favor i had to "insult" her (The Mikado word for a bribe) by doing a photo shoot of her in her medieval dress. Now that i had a lot of fun with, because when she is think she makes the goofiest faces so i can't but help to take pictures of them. I don't do that, hence the reason there are goofy pictures of her and no goofy pictures of me. And also the fact that Yavi still looks pretty when she's making weird faces and i don't.

Again, click on the photos to view larger

(Ha ha, for those out there who have seen the movie "Ever After", we captioned the last photo as "There was a bee." )

And those two would be captioned "You shall not pass!" and "Galadriel". (She'll probably kill me for putting up her Galadriel moment, so if you never hear from me again, that's why!)


So that was that! We had a lot of fun, i hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures, and Kathleen before you remind me, i know i still have to take pictures of you - i'm just waiting until it snows. Okay? Great!

And so it begins...

Now me fine readers, here is the tale of one of the many adventures i have engaged in with me mates Elizabeth and Jack -er - CAPTAIN Jack. Elizabeth and i decided to take up our pens and record the tale, each telling his or her part in their own style and preference of writing, so if the form of narration seems to change drastically, that be why! Be sure to check out Liz's log after readin' mine, for if ya read both ya'll have the FULL story!

Now d'ya ever hear tale of the time that three notorious pirates went in search of the Fountain of... well, you'll find out what that fountain was called in time. 'Tis a bold tale, full of adventure and piracy! Read one, fearless ones, should ye wish to know the full story.

Now, to start it off...

William Fox Turner pushed open the door of the tavern and glanced carefully around the crowded room. He was in search of one man in particular... Jack - er, Captain Jack Coon Sparrow. You see, Fox'd received a messege from Coon, tellin' him to be meetin' him at their usual Tortuga Inn. But as Fox entered the place he was wary. Not because of the pirates, heavens know that Fox was used to those, bein' one himself and all, but because lets just say Coon had gotten Fox involved in some rather... unpleasent things before. Anyhow...

Old Jack spotted Will crossin' the room at the same time that Fox laid eyes on Jack's perpetually half-drunk self. The pirate staggered across the room, callin' out "William! So you're here lad, I knew you'd pull through."

Fox followed him to a table. "No idea why," he muttered to himself. He addressed Coon as they sat down. "So what do you want this time? If it's anything to do with the East India Trading Company..."

"Wot, them?" Jack waved a hand. "Never a worry lad, I am through with the bloody lugs. Now, 'ow would you like to set sail with me to find somethin'?" He lowered his voice, a glint in his piratey eye.

Fox regarded him stiffly. "It depends. What?"

He raised an eyebrow. "So then you don't trust old Jack, eh?"

"I didn't say that."

"Essentially you did. You see the essential you as in the you that prefers not to take risks and not in the non-essential you that does is currently in control of both the essential and non-essential parts of you, and so there fore is essentially saying, you don't trust dear old Jack."

Will blinked, a bet befuddled. "Right. So I don't trust you. You've gotten me into some tight places Jack, and quite frankly, I'm getting tired of it. "

Jack gave a winning smile, lowering his voice. "I knew you'd warm up. Now, what we are looking for is..." he checked over his shoulder, than leaned forward whispering, "the Fountain of Youth."

(Naratorr's comment: See, I told ya you'd find out wot it was!)

"The Fountain of Youth". Fox sat back in plumb astonishment. "Honestly Jack, you don't believe that it actually exists."

Jack sighed. "You can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest, honestly!"

"Get to the point Jack." Fox did not want to go through that line again.

"If you so insist. But why not? Why wouldn't the Fountain exist? Far worse things do, er, did, such as the former owner of your admirable ship."

Will shuddered at the memory of that fearsome captain. "Why would you want me to come with you? If this fountain really does grant eternal youth, why are you inviting me along? I can't believe you are 'willing to risk' that I get some of the water too."

Jack's face took on an injured expression. "I assure you it is out of the generosity o' my heart."

Fox snorted. He wasn't goin' to take that. "I'm not going to fall for that lousy excuse."

He rolled his eyes and leaned forward. "Because you have something that I need to find the Fountain."

"What?"

Just then the talkin' of the two gentlemen was cut short by an all too familiar female voice screeching, " You aren't going anywhere with out me!"

The next part of the tale shall be told by Cap'n Swann at http://pirateweek.blogspot.com/

Calling All Pirates!

My partner in crime, Cap'n Coon, already posted a notice about this on her blog, but i thought i ought to give my readers (who may or may not be different than hers) an announcement as well. (And if you don't read Coon's blog, you must!)

Anyhow, this is just a heads up to let all piratical bloggers out there know about Pirates of the Caribbean Blog Week, which will be held from July 13th to July 19th. I assure you, it's a lot of fun!

To read up on all the details of the event, check out Coon's blog post!

And if you're curious as to what i did last year, you can check out my posts by clicking here.

In Honor of Saint Philip Neri

whom i am told had quite the sense of humor,(even appearing to the cardinal in charge of Saint Philip's canonization long enough to make a funny face at him and then leave. No really! I belive it was because the cardinal wasn't sure how someone who liked to joke as much as Saint Philip could be a saint) i decided to share the below article with you all.

From Inside Catholic, via A Maiden's Wreath.




WHETHER NAPS ARE NECESSARY FOR SALVATION

(Utrum Siestae Necessae sunt pro salute)

Objection I - It would seem that naps are not necessary for salvation. Salvation consists in becoming like to God. God is most actual. Hence, we must be actual. Now, naps are opposed to actuality and are hence opposed to salvation.

Objection II - Besides, the Apostle says, "Be watchful and awake, for your salvation is near at hand." Naps are opposed to being watchful. Hence, it follows that naps are opposed to salvation.

Objection III - Furthermore, Aristotle says that virtue consists in activity. Naps are not activity and are therefore not counted as virtuous. Hence, it follows that naps are opposed to salvation.

On the contrary, the Psalmist says, "He pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber." Now, salvation is a gift, and we must sleep to receive the gifts of God. Hence, naps are necessary for salvation.

I answer that naps can be spoken of in two ways: naps in a relative sense (secundum quid) and naps simply speaking (simpliciter dicta).

Relatively speaking, naps are neutral in that they can be used for a good or a bad purpose. Naps, simply speaking, are those naps which give us the rest that we might wake "refreshed and joyful" to praise God (as the Roman Breviary says). To this end, naps are necessary for salvation, since praising God is necessary for salvation.

Furthermore, contemplation is said to be "rest in God." Now, contemplation flows from Charity, and Charity is necessary for salvation; it follows that naps, which are also a kind of rest, are necessary for salvation. Likewise, contemplation is said to be a foretaste of heavenly beatitude. Naps are a foretaste of heavenly beatitude.

Furthermore, Jesus slept in the boat. Hence, we are to sleep in the Church, for the boat is a type of the Church. Hence we are to sleep during church, often during homilies. Consequently, it must be said that naps are necessary for salvation.

Reply to the first objection - One cannot mistake immobility for potency. For a man acts even in immobility; for instance, the liturgy compels us to times of silence. Sleep is perfect silence. God is all perfection. Hence, God is most actually napping.

Reply to the second objection - The Apostle spoke figuratively, not literally. For Saint Joseph was watchful in his sleep, that is why God spoke to him in a dream. So also God spoke to many Saints in dreams. Hence, we are to nap watchfully, that God might speak to us.

Response to the third objection - Aristotle was a pagan and cannot be expected to have understood the deep mysteries of God's napping. Had he known the revelation, he would have slept much more than he did.

Narnia Fun

In honor of today being the one year anniversary of the release of the movie "Prince Caspian" (YAY!!!!) i am doing this Narnia Tag that i got from Vicki's blog. =)
(And as an added bonus, here is a link to the review i wrote about it.)

Fav. Narnia Book? The Horse and His Boy (shall reffer to it as HHB)

Fav. Character? Hmm, from the whole series - Aslan of course. And from HHB - Bree!!!!! Who else? ;)

Fav. Pevensie? Lucy is my favorite. Sorry Peter dear!

Fav, King or Queen? Alsan, naturally

Fav. Talking Animal? REEPICHEEP!

Fav. Gift from Father Christmas? That healing juice that Lucy got! Very handy!

Fav. Weapon? Oh lets see... Peter's sword!

Fav. Bad guy? Ooh... hmmm... well, NOT that monkey from The Last Battle. *shivers* Ick. I'd say i like the villian from HHB the best. (And i can't even remember his name. =P Aren't i a wonderful Narnia fan?)

Fav. "added scene" in movies? Okay, some people (a lot of people actually) are going to be mad but... i'm going to have to say the Susan/Caspian kiss. While i don't think they would have worked out in the long run so its fine with me that they got seperated, i do like that part.

Fav outfit (in movie)?

Lucy's going home dress from PC, above and beyond! And then the girl's coronation gowns from LLW

Fav. Line or quote from book or movie?

1. "Yes, i am a mouse" ~ Reepicheep
   
2. "I was so tall!" "You were older then" "As opposed to know, hundreds of years later, when you're younger" ~ Lucy, Susan and Edmund
3. "Don't you ever get tired of being treated like a kid?" "Um, we are kids?" 'Well i wasn't always." ~ Peter and Emudnd
4. "I wish you would all stop acting like grown-ups!" "I am a grown-up". ~ Lucy and Trumpkin
   
5. “Tell me Prince…” “King.” “Pardon me?” “It’s King Edmund, actually. Just King though. Peter’s the High King. I know. It’s confusing.” ~Miraz and Ed
6. "Beaver also mentioned you planned on turning him into a hat" ~ Aslan
7. "Shut up! You think you are dead, but you're not!" ~ Edmund, in the bloopers. ;)
   

WHO DO YOU LIKE BETTER?

~Mr. or Mrs. Beaver? Oh uh... Mr. Beaver

Orieus or Glenstorm? Mmm, Orieus. He has more clothing on.

Peter or Edmund? I shall shock you all and say that i like Edmund better. =)

Susan or Lucy? Lucy!

Jadis or Miraz? Oh i like Miraz better. At least he's not some half-giant person. And he has a cool accent.

Jill or Eustace? Eustace

Reepicheep or Trufflehunter? Reepicheep!!!!

Trumpkin or Nikabrik? Trumpkin!

Polly or Digory? I like Polly better

Bree or Hwin? Bree! And he should have married Hwin!

Aravis or Shasta? Shasta. Cooler name, cooler person.

Rilian or Tirian? Tirian!

Coriakin (the magician) or Ramandu (the star)? Ramandu i guess


Awww.... that's it? Oh well. It was fun! Happy-Anniversary-of-Prince-Caspian's-Release! (Ha ha ha)

*sits and waits for someone to ask: So if Peter isn't your favorite Pevensie, king or character and you like Edmund better ... then why did you marry Peter!?!?!"*

Blog Awards!

Vicki dearest kindly gave me two new awards for my blog!



Thanks Cooney!

I now award both of these awards back to Vicki. "Against the Flow" i award to Hannah, the Evil Twins, Master Paul, Claire and Clare. "One Great Blog" i award to Delaney, Addie and Ella.

Crazy 8's

A new meme! This time courtesy of my mom, from Homeschooling with Joy. =) Looks like fun, but there is one thing... only five catergories??? I thought this was Crazy 8's. Hmm, i guess i'll just have to add three more then!

8 Things I am Looking Forward To:

1. Ave Cor Mariae Summer Girls Camp 2009! If you girls out there ages 13-16 have never gone (17+ is by approved application) then i suggest you consider looking into going this year! This will be my fifth year going, and i assure you - it's a lot of fun!
2. Filming to begin for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
3. Bilbo Baggins to be cast for The Hobbit. And they had better pick someone just as good as Ian Holm, or i shall be terribly upset and disappointed. (That means NO James McAvoy!)
4. Friday. Going to be spending the day and night with some friends! =)
5. Meeting my Fish or Bear. ;)
6. Going back down to The Shrine - sometime - soon - i hope.
7. Next years March for Life
8. Getting to Heaven.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Woke up - Praise be!
2. Went to Mass
3. Did school
4. Listened to two Hayley Westenra CD's that i got from the library
5. Fell in love with her voice and got "Wuthering Heights" stuck in my head. (It's still there.)
6. Went to bed
7. Listened to my MP3 player
8. Tried really hard to fall asleep and didn't succeed until 12:30 AM. But i'm not tired today... hopefully i am tonight.

8 Things I Will Probably Do Tomorrow

1. Wake Up (I hope!)
2. Do a science test
3. Get ready to go to my friend's house
4. Laugh
5. Yell at someone
6. Sweep the kitchen floor
7. Go to bed
8. Have fun

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Live near The Shrine, or at least go to a college by there.
2. Sing just like, um... Hayley Westenra, Celtic Woman people, Carrie Underwood... well, just better than i can sing!
3. Act in a movie
4. Act in another play sometime soon
5. Get married
6. Fall in love (*snickers* I guess i should have put this as # 5 and #5 as this one.)
7. Visit all the filming locations for The Lord of the Rings
8. Go to Rome and the Holy Land
   

8 Shows I Watch:

1. I don't watch TV
2. I haven't since i was... 5?
3. Only movies
4. Mmm, actually, we do have a few shows on DVD so
5. Little House on the Prairie (We're on season 5 now. Only four more to go!)
6. The Andy Griffith Show
   
7. The Dick VanDyke Show
8. And that's it!
   

8 People that I Admire

1. My parents
2. Pope Benedict XVI
3. Pope John Paul II
4. General Robert E. Lee
5. Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
6. J.R.R. Tolkien
7. Saint Dominic, Saint Isadore of Seville, Saint Christopher, Saint Jude, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Anthony and Blessed Father Damien,Blessed Mother, Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Elizabeth of Hungry (Ok, so i kind of cheated on this one, but honestly... how could i leave them out and how could i choose just two?)
8. My fairy Godmother
   

8 Things I Want To Be

1. A Wife
2. A Mother
3. A Grandmother
4. A Great-Grandmother!
   
5. Loved
6. Humble
7. A Saint
   
8. A photographer

8 Tags:

1. Addie and Elly
2. Dayla
3. Cap'n Coon
4. Fizzy Lizzy *cracks bottle on her head*
5. Lampy
6. Bridget
7. 'Lena
8. Carmie *gasps* You don't have a nickname! *gasps* And neither does Bridget! Oh deary me. Must remedy that...

Have fun!