Tribute to a Beautiful Story

So, I watched the newest film adaptation of Jane Eyre. I have waited to watch it because I was nervous about it. Most book based movies don't live up to my expectations, save a few. Jane Eyre is one of my favorite novels. I've read it so many times, that I could probably quote the whole thing....possibly...maybe. I've seen most of the Jane Eyre film versions. Since it seems like there are several HUNDRED, I haven't seen them all. I thought the newest one was ok. My favorite so far, is the one from 1996 with William Hurt as Edward Rochester. But no movie could ever beat the book. Which is usually the case in these situations. The book always makes me cry..not because it's sad, though parts of it are very sad. It's considered to be an important early feminist novel. I believe that Jane Eyre's character portrayed feminism in the right way. She's highly moral, passionate, and individualistic. She has a deep personal trust in God. She suffers things that I can't even imagine, yet she is never portrayed as a damsel in distress who needs saving, for she is highly self-reliant. What I admire most about her is her compassion. Even though she has nothing herself, she is always forgiving and compassionate. It's a beautiful novel and watching the movie just made me want to read it again. I'll probably be a better person for it.

"Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs" -Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will." -Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre

A Shout Out to the Suby

I don't know if this post will officially put me on the weird list, but I've made a goal recently to focus on what I'm very thankful for. I'm thankful for many things, but I'm especially thankful for my car. I've had my share of clunkers in the past. My very charismatic Mazda..I was the only one who could drive it being the only one who knew it's funny yet annoying little glitches. Until some toothless redneck from the back woods in his huge truck rear-ended me, practically smashing the trunk into the back seat, it was a pretty decent car. From that accident, came the Ford Focus. Blehhh. *shiver* Don't even want to talk about it. It got me from A to B, and after I got married it got my sister from A to B. I think she probably enjoyed it more than I did. Any high school student would appreciate a motor with four wheels and a seat. We bought our Subaru, fondly called the Suby...pronunciation(soo-bee). It had over a hundred thousand miles on it, but Skylar guaranteed that it would run forever. I also had never driven a manual transmission...and I had to learn in a day...that was fun. I got the hang of it after weeks of resenting the car for being impossible to drive. I love my car now. It has a lot more miles on it, and it still runs like it's new. When we're ready for another vehicle we'll definitely be buying another Subaru. Subaru love :)

My Most Prized Possession....for now..

Let me start by saying...I HATE my phone. I have had some rotten luck with phones in the past and this one I have now is just the cherry...it is red after all...on top. I mean, it was twelve dollars on eBay..and for twelve dollars, it's still crap. It's funny how situations change and you have a different outlook on things. This past week and a half I've been contemplating super-gluing it to my hand. It is my most prized possession in that it's the only connection I have with Skylar. And, seeing as that I have NO CLUE when he is going to call, if my little piece of crap phone isn't by me I start to have a panic attack. It's probably pretty comical to onlookers when I notice my phone isn't within arms reach. I immediately go into hysterics and run around tearing the house apart looking for it. I'll tell you why...it was the Sunday after Skylar left for basic training, and I assumed that he would probably call. Sunday is a pretty low key day, and from what I had heard it was when he would call. I was on edge all day just waiting for the little red phone to ring. No call...nada. So I went to bed feeling really miserable and fell asleep with the phone in my hand. Monday was Labor Day and I didn't think he would call. I had just finished working out and was relaxing in the living room. I knew the phone was in my room. I kept telling myself that he wasn't going to call. But, as I sat there I started to feel this growing panic...a feeling that I should get my phone. I shrugged it off because I'd been a panicky mess all week because of this phone, and I wasn't going to let it send me over the edge. The anxious feeling grew, and I kept getting this small feeling that I needed to check my phone. I was tired from the workout, and I didn't want to get up and check....but then the feeling came so strong that I literally jumped up and booked it to my room. I picked up my phone and I had...3 missed calls. I almost screamed. I pressed the call button and it went straight to his voicemail...*panic*. I tried again...and again, all while yelling for my mom and starting to ball my eyes out. But then it rang! I answered. I wish I could have recorded the beginning of that phone call, because it was hilarious. His first words were "What the HECK?!" I felt bad that our first phone call with him away started with me sobbing, haha. Needless to say, that phone hasn't left my side since. I am grateful for the technology we have today, so that I can hear his voice every week. Even if it's with the little crappy red phone.

Nothing Like the Great Outdoors..

This Labor Day weekend, my family and I went up to Greer Lake and had a picnic and enjoyed the fresh air. It was SO beautiful! You can see the damage caused by the Wallow Fire, but you can also see the growth since it has passed. It is sooo green and gorgeous. What was really interesting to see was how close the fire came to homes in Greer. In some places it was within a hundred yards of huge, beautiful cabins. There were some lucky people, let me tell you. The lake was really pretty, but the mosquito's or "Satan's insects" were biting. So we bathed in OFF and enjoyed our time. It was really nice for me because it took my mind off things for a while. I got some good pictures of the pretty flowers growing everywhere, and also of Jonathan and Amanda and the yucky things they found. They had the time of their lives! Haha. I'm glad I get to spend this time with my family while Skylar is away.