Julia London's Blog, page 15

Weekend Reading: Sense and Sensibility

‘The more I know of the world, the more am I convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!’

A tale of two sisters. I’ve read all of the Austen books over and over, and my favorite varies depending on mood (though it’s usually Pride and Prejudice). The other night, Sense and Sensibility was in a Jeopardy final answer, and I’ve been in the mood to revisit it ever since.

My paranormal romance two book series, (the Gods Behaving Badly series, To Hell with Love and Naughty or Nice) was loosely based on Sense and Sensibility. I love the dynamic with the sisters, one who needs to be a little more expressive, and the other who really needs to rein it in. I’ve always preferred Marianne. Better to throw it all out there and take risks, even if you nearly pay with your life. Plus, she ended up with… well, I won’t spoil it if you haven’t read. Go read it!

Sense and Sensibility:

Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor’s warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love—and its threatened loss—the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.

Have you read all of Jane Austen’s novels? Any of them? Your favorite? Are you an Elinor or a Marianne? Would you choose Edward, Willoughby, or Colonel Brandon? 

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SH*T HAPPENS

Yesterday was quite the banner day at Casa D’Alessandro that encompassed the good, the bad and the ugly.  It started off with the ugly in the morning when the DH went into the attic above the garage to make sure it was clear because the electricians were coming to put in some additional outlets and lights and would need to access the area. The attic isn’t finished–which means no floor–just beams above the garage ceiling. Which means if you go up there, you have to be very careful where you put your feet or you risk putting your foot (or your body) right through the sheetrock. Normally the DH is very careful. Yesterday? Not so much. The good news is that, except for a few scrapes, he’s fine. The same cannot be said for the garage ceiling which now looks like this:

Our big hole and precariously hanging light. We're calling the incident the Epic Ceiling Fail--for obvious reasons.

As Roseanne Rosannadanna used to say, “it’s always something!”

At least he wasn’t hurt–thank God.

The bad came at dinner, this time courtesy of the kid. We made bugers for dinner–big, gorgeous juicy burgers topped with the works–sauteed mushrooms, blue cheese, onion, lettuce and tomato. We dressed our burgers in the kitchen then were carrying our plates into the sunroom to eat when the kid’s towering burger toppled like a house of cards and slid off his plate to land right on the floor with a big, fat splat. Dear Lord, someone please open a bottle of wine!! Luckily, the burger landed on the wood floor (as opposed tothe  carpet) and the kid philosophically employed the three second rule.

But the day did have some good in it–the kid’s college diploma arrived in the mail. So it’s really official–he’s a college grad. Can’t carry a hamburger worth a damn, but he’s got his degree. Yay!

So, what’s your latest good, bad and ugly? Anything happen lately that you just had to file under sh*t happens? 

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This is why all those 50s’ sitcom couples had separate beds…

I have always had really vivid, bizarre dreams.  The less sleep I get, the more bizarre these dreams get.  And because I’ve been staying up until 2 or 3 a.m. for the last few weeks, trying to meet a deadline, I’ve had some pretty over-the-top entries in the dream journal lately.

Just last night, I dreamt that I was at a water park with Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, from Downton Abbey.  And while we were on one of those obstacle course climbing bridges over a deep pool, angry killer whales broke through the drains at the bottom of the pool and tried to knock us off the bridge so they could feed us to their young. It was dreadfully unfair to Cora, who was wearing one of those old-fashioned full-body bathing costumes that absorbs three times its weight in water.  She was orca-feed in minutes.

And fortunately, for my husband, David, I am also a sleep-talker, so he gets a running narration of the dreams.

He’s been woken up by screams of,  “There’s a panda in the shower!” and “Zombies!  They’re are breaking through the dog door!”  I thrash and kick and jerk awake, swinging the pretend anti-zombie baseball bat at the invisible undead, only to whack my husband in the head.

He’s learned to sleep around it.

The only problem is when the kids get in on the act and come to our room in the middle of the night.  Of course, they come to my side of the bed because it’s closer to the door – which, come to think of it, is probably why David chose the other side of the bed at the beginning of our marriage all those years ago.  A few months ago, I woke up to see the dark outline of a small figure standing over me and in my sleep-addled brain, I thought our house was haunted.

Laugh if you want, but imagine waking up to see a girl in a long nightgown, with long, straggly hair hanging over her face, standing in the exact posture as the little girl from The Ring.  You would shout, “Mother of God!” and scramble back across the bed, clambering over your spouse, too.

“Can’t you just sleep-walk and wake up under a pile of empty ice cream cartons like a normal person?” David grumbles as I lead little Samara Morgan back to her room.

So, do you have any weird sleep quirks?  Am I the only person who has full conversations with her husband that she can’t remember the next day?

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Tuesday Dish

The Inauguration festivities are over, but I loved watching. Love Michelle’s red dress. Not crazy about her bangs, but she’s awesome anyway. I also loved the purple coats on the Obama girls. 

It’s snowing here. Again. (Pretty, but… I’m over it.)

The Patriots lost to the Ravens. Well done, Ravens. But I’m still excited about the Superbowl. Brother vs. Brother, how cool is that? There’s a Harbaugh coaching  for each team (San Francisco 49ers vs Baltimore Ravens, for those not in the know). And even though they beat my beloved Pats, I like the Ravens. And I like the 49ers. So, tough call on who wins that one. 

My poor dog has been wearing the Cone of Shame for two weeks now and she gets it off later today! So happy for her (and for me! we both gain some extra freedom). She had surgery to repair an ear hematoma. Fingers crossed that she’s all better now. 

Kate and Wills are having a baby, but Prince Harry is in the news again. Mostly to remind us that he’s not all about naked romps and shenanigans, he also fights with his fellow soldiers in Afghanistan (20 weeks, and he’s on the way home). Bonus, he’s adorable.

I have a very important deadline tomorrow (and I can almost tell you all about my next exciting project– Downton Abbey fans, get ready!)

And speaking of Downton, have you been watching? Free Bates! Isn’t it time we busted him out of jail? All right, here’s a picture of a younger Mr. Bates. Care to join me in busting him out now? Lucky Anna.

Did you catch Dowager Lady Grantham’s advice to her granddaughter Edith? 

Um, whining is an important activity. But she’s right. Edith needs something to do. Has she found her calling with the newspaper? Perhaps being jilted at the altar was a good thing after all? 

Tom Branson, man or mouse?

Are you excited about the Super Bowl? Do you like Prince Harry? Any new nominees for Whine Person of the Year? Perhaps Edith. Or Violet. Or any of our favorites from Downton Abbey?

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What’s Up?

It’s snowing here. Again. (Pretty, but…)

The Patriots lost to the Ravens. Well done, Ravens. But I’m still excited about the Superbowl. Brother vs. Brother, how cool is that? There’s a Harbaugh coaching  for each team (San Francisco 49ers vs Baltimore Ravens, for those not in the know). And even though they beat my beloved Pats, I like the Ravens. And I like the 49ers. So, tough call on who wins that one. 

My poor dog has been wearing the Cone of Shame for two weeks now and she gets it off later today! So happy for her (and for me! we both gain some extra freedom). She had surgery to repair an ear hematoma. Fingers crossed that she’s all better now. 

I have a very important deadline tomorrow (and I can almost tell you all about my next exciting project– Downton Abbey fans, get ready!)

And speaking of Downton, have you been watching? Free Bates! Isn’t it time we busted him out of jail? All right, here’s a picture of a younger Mr. Bates. Care to join me in busting him out now? Lucky Anna.

Did you catch Dowager Lady Grantham’s advice to her granddaughter Edith? 

Um, whining is an important activity. But she’s right. Edith needs something to do. Has she found her calling with the newspaper? Perhaps being jilted at the altar was a good thing after all? 

Tom Branson, man or mouse?

Are you excited about the Super Bowl? Do you have any new nominees for Whine Person of the Year? Perhaps Edith. Or Violet. Or any of our favorites from Downton Abbey?

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ACK!

So (for the first time), I actually forgot that it was my day today.  And sadly I have no defense.  Except that I am not the spring chicken I once was which means I now have the retention of a gnat.

I have always been a list maker.  It satisfies me to write things down and then methodically (and with some glee, I must admit), cross them off.  As a young girl/woman in a non-computer age, I did this on paper.  Usually with a purple pen.  (I love colored ink, but that’s another post).  And using legal pads with lovely lined paper was an equal turn on to me.  I still write with green pen a lot of the time, and there is a stack of fresh legal pads in the cabinet (cupboard apparently if you’re from Canada –yes, I’ve been watching too much HGTV) as I write.

But as time passed, first 3M, and then Bill Gates and Steve Jobs gave me new and improved methods for list making.  The first of these was the sticky note.  A nice and colorful piece of paper that could adhere  (non-permanently) to anything.  And you could make your lists portable.  (of course there was also the back pages of a Filofax but that also dates me beyond belief).   Still lists were making advances.   But when some office bound geek created virtual sticky notes for the computer screen, I was in heaven.   And I immediately made one to go on my screen (widget side-bar in my Microsoft days — the widget screen on my iMac).  It lists the things I need to do each month.  And top of that list are the blog dates for each month.  But even better is the new, synced across devices, notepad for iProducts.  It even resembles a yellow notepad!

Of course the only real value in a list is if you actually read it and use the information there to perform the listed task.   So the fact that I didn’t even check the list yesterday is indicative of the fact that I’m not only distracted, I’m leaching brain cells.   I guess I’m going to have to do reminders with reminders of the reminder.  Thank goodness for the purring noise and the multiple chances to be reminded on iCal.  At least that way one of the FIVE (yes I bought an iPad mini) devices I have will surely beat me over the head until I remember my obligations.  (Syncing across devices has got to be the coolest thing ever!  Now my lists can go everywhere with me.)

So how about you?  Are you a list maker?  Do you still use old fashioned paper and pen?  Or have you given-in to new-technology and make your lists there?   And more importantly do you like purple ink in your pens?

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Weekend Reading: Lady Most Likely

What happens when three beloved best-selling authors join forces? A fun anthology! Two fun anthologies! I believe they’re working on a third. Well, they’re calling them novels “In three parts” because even though all three of them (Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Connie Brockway) are involved in writing separate parts, they are all joined into one smooth flowing novel that is as easy and delightful to devour as a box of chocolates, or lemon bars, if you’re allergic to chocolate (some people are, poor souls).

The Lady Most Likely:

Hugh Dunne, the Earl of Briarly, needs a wife—so his sister hands him a list of the very best young ladies on the market. And then, because he refuses to tear himself away from the stables where he trains Arabian racehorses, she invites all those ladies to a house party, along with some other bachelors, of course. So who will Hugh choose? The Botticelli-esque, enchanting Gwendolyn? The outspoken, delightful Katherine? If he doesn’t work fast, he’ll lose those ladies to his closest friends, and then where will he look for a wife? Perhaps, just perhaps, toward a lady who’s not on a market at all, and would require a great deal of persuading…

The Lady Most Willing:

During their annual Christmas pilgrimage to Scotland to visit their aged uncle in his decrepit castle, the Comte de Rocheforte and his cousin, Earl of Oakley, are presented with unique gifts: their uncle has raided an English lord’s Christmas party and kidnapped four lovely would-be brides for his heirs to choose from …as well as one very angry duke, Lord Bretton. As snow isolates the castle, and as hours grow into days, the most honourable intentions give away to temptations as surprising as they are irresistible.

Are you a historical romance fan? What’s your favorite setting/time period?

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Double Danger

ON SALE December 18th!

As the newest member of A-Tac, a black-ops CIA unit masquerading as Ivy League faculty, ex-SEAL Simon Kincaid races against the clock to save lives—and outrun his wrenching past. But preventing a major terrorist attack will plunge him and the one woman he’s never forgotten into a desperate fight for survival.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE

Ignoring his instincts once cost Simon a vital op—and the life of his best friend, Ryan. Now as escalating, violent attacks hit A-Tac, another person he loves is in danger. Homeland Security agent Jillian Montgomery’s investigation has brought her back into Simon’s life, and unless they can learn to trust each other, their dangerous mission will fail.

After her husband Ryan’s death, Jillian dedicates herself to saving others. She can’t afford to be tempted by Simon, even though his every touch reignites the desires they once shared. But in the last desperate minutes before disaster strikes, their second chance at love might be the most lethal trap of all …

Don’t miss the other books in the series: Dark Deception, Dangerous Desires, Desperate Deeds, Daring, Deep Disclosure and Deadly Dance.   And watch for the final installment (Avery’s book) coming in July – Dire Distraction.  For more information check out www.deedavis.com

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Tea Time!

Did you have tea parties when you were a little girl? I did. My older sister seldom wanted to have much to do with me, and I preferred my own company anyway. But one year, we got Lucy’s Tea Party Game for Christmas, and I had a ball with it.

Sometimes, I could even convince my sister or a few neighbor kids to play with me. But most of the kids in my neighborhood were older and friends with my older sister. The ones my age were boys and not so into the idea of tea parties. Don’t you love that you can find some of your old favorite toys online now?

Then I got a porcelain tea set for my birthday and moved on to fancy teas with my dolls. We were all princesses, of course.

What is it about tea? There’s a ritual, a comfort, the feeling that it’s something girly and lovely and fancy to do with your friends. I like tea, yes, but the idea of having a tea party is something that I still adore. Tea sandwiches. Tea cakes. Now, I have real friends to enjoy tea with, and in my mind we’re all still princesses. Some things will never change.  

Today, we raise our cups to celebrate a Whine Sister success. Writing as J. Kenner, Julie Kenner has made the New York Times and USAToday Bestseller lists with RELEASE ME! And we’re all so happy for her, congratulations Julie! Cheers!

Have you picked up RELEASE ME? Do you love tea? Have you found any of your old favorite things online?

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What are your movie award pics?

Once again, it’s movie award season, and once again, I saw next to nothing in the theaters.

Sigh.

The only two movies I’ve seen in the last few months, in fact, are SkyFall and Finding Nemo in 3D. I seem to recall going and seeing something else with my eleven year old daughter, but darned if I can remember what it was … either I’m getting old or the movie just wasn’t that great.

But nominations and awards have started, and I’m curious.

What’s out there folks? What are the must see movies? What were your favs? And what’s coming soon that you’re looking forward to?

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