What is that thing you say when you can't think of anything to say?

First, the good news:

I got the job!

Now the weird news:

I {probably} got exposed to chickenpox.

No one in our family or extended family has ever had a case of the chickenpox. Until the first day of my first job is nigh. "Irony, Mr. Collins." I was scheduled to start nannyness this Monday (Yay!) but my sweet little wards haven't had vaccinations and I don't know whether their mother will be fond of the idea of me possibly bringing a batch of chickenpox to their doorstep. What a ridiculous sort of Mary Poppins trick that'd be:

"Is that a carpet bag?"

"Yes, and I've brought you a pock. How would you like another five-hundred?"

Somehow I can't see that endearing me to the little sweethearts. There are two options open now: A.) hope the person who exposed me is actually just stricken with chiggers or an allergic reaction, not pox or B.) email Sharon and cordially invite her to a plague-party hosted by moi. Can a vaccinated person be a carrier? I don't even know. This has thoroughly befuddled me but I know it came as no surprise to God. Therefore, I can only assume He actually knows what He's doing and proceed per usual. I am so excited to begin work with the Downey family. My interview last Tuesday went quite well and I was informed the following day that after prayer and deliberation, I was chosen out of the proposed candidates as the next nanny/lass-of-all-trades to join in their family! I will be working Tuesdays and Thursday with Monday as a swing-day (And the occasional Friday). I am quite excited despite perplexity about our car situation and now this whole chickenpox ordeal. Good heavens. It never rains but it pours, does it? Anyway, striking out on faith that I will be going to work on Monday (or will still have a job if she doesn't want a pox party and needs me to quarantine myself till the case is over), I have compiled a list of advice from famous nannies that I must keep in mind:

When in doubt, put on a puppet show or have a picnic.

And sing. Always sing. Also, cut up your employer's curtains.

 

It's a good idea to always check your employer's attic for insane wives before accepting a position. 

 

Never give references, teach your charges long words their parents don't understand...and win horse-races. It encourages affection. Also, like the graphic says, never explain anything. In addition, flying kites and jumping into chalk pictures is always an acceptable outing.

 

Have a nose like two potatoes and a large black stick to bang. Makes an impression.

 

 

Dosing medicine and giving baths is very important for the growth of healthy charges.

 

Making friends with your charges and being careful to heed their parents' {sometimes ridiculous} concerns is a grand way to form a life-long relationship. Also, if you are still unmarried by the time they are all grown up, they might turn out excellent matchmakers.

Multiples can be handled and told apart one from another. Even when there are ninety-nine, all with spots.

 

Say everything three times so it will stick, stick, stick!

Well, wish me luck! I'll be keeping all this advice in mind. If you have any more, leave it in a comment!

"Excuse me, sir, he is a Prince!"

Would you go with me if we rolled down streets a fire? Would you hold on to me tighter as the summer sun got higher? Oh, and would it be okay if I didn't know the way?

-Josh Turner

The fun part of life is that it never turns out how you think it will. Sometimes it is just a little scary in a "I think this is good for me but it isn't my hobbit-hole" way. In the past week, I've applied to be a part-time nanny (and will be interviewing early this week), Sarah heard that she was accepted for a summer internship for Generation Joshua (meaning she'll be living in Leesburg all summer), we got our own intern/apprentice for our landscape business, I committed to a rather complex out-of-town fundraiser for our Romania Missions Trip, and I saw an old friend get married to her sweet man. (And they had homemade soft pretzels there. SOFT PRETZELS. The way to my heart is through soft pretzels.) In between these things, I have been editing my next novel, running errands and working for Dad, and trying not to freak out about scheduling. Oh. And we're down to one car for the whole entire family. I'm trying not to panic about the fact that if I DO get this job, it means that I will be thrown into the world of I Have To Get To Work And I Have No Car. Ahem. But God kind of just placed this in my lap and Mama thought I should at least step into it and see what's what.

Because sourdough toast deserves a glory-moment

I told Abigail Taylor today that I have a funny strain in my character: I like adventure and I like new challenges. But I will step forward into something and then get paralyzed with fright while I'm waiting, realizing I left my safe shore and can't touch bottom anymore and I'm not even certain if the other shore will hold weight. I'm very hobbit-like that way. About this nanny-job, I told her: "What's the worst the woman can say, 'Yes'?" But I'm trusting that if God brought this about, He'll bring me through, and if it isn't the right thing right now, He'll cut off the opportunity. Still, it's stressing me a little bit. Sheesh. I mean, I love my cozy little rut of earning no money and being a writer and not having to worry about an employer outside my Dad...even though I've often thought it'd be fun to have some sort of job. 

Anyway, that's an odd little rant. If you think to pray for me, it would be much appreciated! I realize I've been a little spacey and vague on this blog. If you have any questions about particular aspects of my life that I have forgotten to address, do, please, ask me about them and I'll do my best to update you! I've been getting a bit of reading done. My nose is currently in Jenny Freitag's work and P.G. Wodehouse: A Life in Letters which is fascinating. I love reading authors' letters...a person's letters give such great insight into who that person was, and how they viewed themselves, their work, and the world around them. It's almost better than a journal, really.

Let's see what else I can think of....oh! I saw Divergent and really enjoyed it! In my opinion, it was better than the Hunger Games movies...more hopeful, somehow. And Triss is a more relatable character than Katniss, for me. I also watched Northanger Abbey for the first time last night and--apart from a couple minor things--it was fabulous. Henry Tilney is such a chump. <3 A man who would tease me like that with a smile like that and a heart like that....eeeeeesh. And if a guy ever quotes his line to me during a dance, my heart will be gone:

"You must allow me one smirk, then we can return to being rational again."

(Incidentally, the title-quote has nothing to do with this post.) 

Doppelgangers: "WHO DOES HE LOOK LIKE?"

So many of you responded to my post about loving vintage movies that I thought I'd continue the conversation in future posts. What I didn't realize is that I would have something to say so soon. Not only did you respond on the blog, but a couple friends messaged me on Facebook with links to old movies I need to see, one of which is I Was a Male War Bride. (Ann Sheridan and Cary Grant 1949) On Sunday, Matthew and I drove to Pinnacle, NC to drop the girls off at Daughters of Destiny.

Since they're away at camp I thought I'd use a little bit of our internet-data to watch a Netflix movie - something I'm always careful not to do when there are more people around to need the internet. Since the ratio of family-members-using-data dropped by about 75%, I figured I could splurge. Tonight, I parked myself on a terribly uncomfortable chair in the office (feeling much like Cary Grant himself trying to sleep that first night in the film) and the internet behaved and I watched I Was a Male War Bride all way through and laughed a ton. The only thing that would have made it better is my sisters there watching it with me. Even so, it is well with my brain to watch something mindless, sweet, and hilarious like that. This isn't a film review, though. This post is taking a strange and drastic turn and you know what I'm about to say?

Did anyone else realize how much Ann Sheridan looks like Lucille Ball? The whole film I sat there thinking, "Gosh! She looks just like Lucy!" And in the end I made a collage of their faces side-by-side and I still see a striking resemblance. What do you think?

I'm not just talking about physical things because of course I realize Lucy is taller and lankier, but even their facial expressions and movements. (When Lucy isn't trying to be comedic.) And this got me to thinking about ANOTHER celebrity look-alike duo, only that the gals in this second pair are not/were not contemporaries:

 Meet Lily Collins and Audrey Hepburn!

I am monstrously pleased that in all these pairs I discovered how much they looked like each other entirely without the help of Pinterest, Google, or anyone else mentioning it. I just thought you'd like to know I have facial recognition skills. ;) Here are some more examples of the comparison:

And may we all just stop and admire Lily Collin's adorableness?

(and yes, everyone, I realize these were part of a photo-shoot to show her Hepburnism)

Doppelgangers here. Of course I do recognize differences between the two, but they're close enough to be sisters, certainly. Another pair my sisters and I always discuss are Kiera Knightley and Natalie Portman:

Or Rupert Friend and Orlando Bloom. Wickham and Legolas for the win. (Kidding.)

^ Look. They even have the same accusatory cheek-bone expression. ^

I could go on. Like how I think my friend Jill looks a little like The Black Widow, or how my friend Julia resembles Amanda Seyfreid. But I won't. I'll leave you alone and only ask"

 Have you found any celebrity look-alikes?

The Scarlet Pimpernel: My Dream Cast

Oh my dears. Oh my deary-dears. You all know (or ought to know, or can imagine) that I love The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. Recently I converted a friend onto the First-Timers campaign and experienced all the honest pride of a mother exhibiting her favorite child. I can't imagine how it would feel to have written such a book! There was a film made in 1984 starring Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour which I really do love, but I haven't seen the newest version. That being said, I have been putting my wits to the question for a long time of what my TSP Dream-Cast would look like, and here is what I have:

Sir Percival Blakeney:

Benedict Cumberbatch

He could so swing this part. Perhaps a little small-framed, but nothing worse than Anthony Andrews. He could nail the foppishness as well as the intensity, and I cannot think of a better person for this part. Seriously.

Chauvelin:

Andy Serkis

(sans crop of crazy-curly hair)

Small, intense, scheming, and evil to the core, Andy Serkis would OWN this role. 

Marguerite Blakeney:

Romola Garai

Romola. Beautiful, beautiful Romola. Ever since I saw her in her stunning role in Amazing Grace, I have pictured Marguerite Blakeney thus. Don't think Emma Woodhouse, think Barbara Spooner. I think she could carry the gravity, the heart-break concealed under the wit and mockery. She could do this if given the chance.

Armand St. Just:

Rupert Evans

Because Armand's largest fault is his bull-headed, blind passion for a stupid dancer, I think Frank Churchill (aka Rupert Evans) would do the part justice. I like his acting. I like him. And seeing Rupert and Romola in another movie together as brother and sister would be pretty great.

Lord Anthony Dewhurst (Lord Tony):

Dan Stevens

I know he's done with Downton Abbey, so whaddya think: would Dan like a nice side-gig as leaning-post for Benedict Cumberbatch as Percy? I think he'd be perfect for the role. He's just such a nice, solid Brit. You know. He couldn't be mistaken for coming from any other country. He's just....wholesome looking. Perfect for jolly, bluff Lord Tony.

Sir Andrew Ffoulkes:

Tom Hiddleston

He needs a happy-go-lucky-yet-important role, doesn't he? Because from all I've heard, Tom Hiddleston is a pretty sweet guy, and he never gets to play happy roles. He would be really great as an essentially-English man. Truly.

Suzanne DeTourney:

Rosamund Pike

Because she's gorgeous, a fabulous actress, and looks a mite French.

Other Characters:

Robespierre:

Rufus Sewell

Ew. Yeah. He'd do the job. He always looks French to me no matter what, and I think he has cold, fishy eyes. Plus he's a good actor, and has played in a period drama set right about the same time (Amazing Grace again, anyone?) but I chose him for this role because his coloring is right for Robespierre in my opinion. Seriously. He always looks kind of half-crazed. Exactly the sort of guy who could aptly play a character like Robbie. ;)

The Prince of Wales:

Tom Hollander

Because he's little and dweeby but harmless.  And the PoW needs to be little and dweeby and harmless. :)

This late at night my mind forgets what other side-characters there are on the French side, but I will state that Ciarin Hinds needs to make an appearance as a Frenchie. He just looks French. I'm just sayin'. And if I could stick Ioan Gruffud in there somewhere as another Frenchie, it'd make my day and the day of several of my friends. 

So this, my friends, is my Dream-Cast List for a remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel. I tried to be true to what I recall from the book about the various characters. (i.e. Marguerite is clearly stated to have reddish-gold hair. NOT BLACK!) All the actors I have listed are well-known BBC (or closely-related to BBC) actors, and I think would work really well in a film together. All of them have done period-drama work in their careers, and some of them are actively "Period-Drama-Actors". :) I think it's rather perfect.

 So. Who wants to bring this awesome list to the attention of the BBC? We really should. Because I would pay my life's savings to see a film with a stellar cast like this. :)

Hairstyle Tutorial: Lady Mary-esque

The Downton Epidemic has not left our family unscathed. We were very very late to the Downton game, and only just crammed seasons 1 & 2 into the weeks between Christmas and now. :D After hearing some awful things that happen to favorite characters in Season 3, the jury is still out on whether we'll continue or just leave it at the hopelessly wonderful ending to Season 2.

At any rate, if the story of Downton wasn't enough, the costumes and hairstyles are gorgeous, world without end, amen. That being said, I've been thinking a deal about Downton-inspired styles, and when I threw my hair up this morning, I thought I'd take a picture and show you how you can add a little Lady Mary flair to your twist-up. :)

Do realize that I was not intending to recreate one of Lady Mary's hairstyles--this style is simply a nod to the Edwardian period in general, and Cora, Sybil, and Mary (not the mention Aunt Isobel) wear similar styles. And though I'm far and away from being as pretty as Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), I thought the style turned out pretty well. :) 

I started with the basics I learned in this video:

But I didn't have time to curl my hair beforehand, and I didn't tease the front. Instead, I parted my hair to the side and twisted two strands together, then pinned it behind. The rest of the hair I did exactly as the video showed. I finished by slipping in a hand-painted Russian barrette. Voila! A soft, black shirt, a long pearl necklace, a pair of coordinating earrings, and you have an outfit even the Dowager Countess would approve of!

Aaaaand the side. At this point I had changed twice while wearing my hair up, so it was a bit fuzzy and the pins were showing. I didn't bother spraying my hair for a day at home. :P

Have you been inspired by Downton in your fashion?

Next year on the 20th of May... :)

It's finally here!!! Props to my sister Sarah for reminding me of this fabulous holiday!!!

"It has always been my belief that them what pinched it, done her in!" ;)

Happy Eliza Doolittle Day, everyone! Go sing "Without You"! ;)

♫"...Next year on the twentieth of May, I proclaim Eliza Doolittle Day!"♫

-"Just You Wait" from the musical My Fair Lady

Go ahead, get trampled by a rhino!

In honor of my mother (who really knows best :) and all the other Mamas out there, this is for you! Happy Mother's Day! Love you Mama, and I am so glad God has given you to me.

Swing-Time! :)

Well, I don't know about you guys, but I absolutely love to watch Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance. They are crazy-good, and so cute together! Plus,  I cannot imagine dancing like she does in high-heels on a slippery floor. This is my favorite dance I've seen them do together--I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! :)

Hilarity, Plain and Simple. :D

Well, I have never really made any sort of button before, but this Period Drama Button contest over at Yet Another Period Drama Blog was  too hilarious to pass up. We are supposed to couple pictures from period dramas with quotes from another part of the movie (and/or) different period-drama movie. :) These are my entries. Even if I don't win, I had loads of fun and giggled myself silly. :P

(And yes, if you are wondering, all of these quotes are from period dramas. :)

...because Lizzy was a bit too hard on poor Darcy...

...because the poor girl looks tormented here, rather than madly in love...

...because this fits Mr. Collins far better than it does Emma. :)

...because of the expression on Lizzy's face...

...because Miss Bates mashes her sentence so amazingly...

....because I can so see Mr. Knightley saying this to Emma with the exact same smile! :)

...and last but not least, [and though I hate to mix Sir Percy up in *any* of this sort of thing] it was too good to pass up, in this fellow's case. So... because you know it's true... ;)

Movie Review: "Much Ado About Nothing" :)

When I watch a movie and then spend all night dreaming about it (not to mention all morning) I know it has captured me heart and soul. Kenneth Branagh's version of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing was such a movie for me. At first I panicked, thinking I would never be able to understand the Elizabethan English the characters used, (It is strictly Shakespeare's play. No modernizing, thank you. :) but by the end of the first scene it was clear the stellar actors of the cast would take care of me. They understood what they were saying and were so phenomenal in their performances they made you understand. The key to deciphering Shakespeare? Don't listen too hard.
The plot is a delightful mash of two love stories: one sweet and simple, the other fiery and sarcastic. Meet Hero and Claudio:

Played by the winsome Kate Beckinsale and Robert Sean Leonard.

And Beatrice and Benedick! :)

Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh

The latter couple were my absolute favorite--their witticisms and banter were hilarious and brilliant. 

Benedick overhearing talk of Beatrice's "love" for him

I don't want to spoil the plot for you--I'll only say it contains a good prince, a jealous brother, lots of hilarity, and a couple of nuts who will have you dying of laughter.

Dogberry & company

 The friendships will have you smiling...

the lovers will make you sigh happily....

.

.....the treason will have you wanting to strangle Mr. Good-lookin' Prince-Man...

Don John--the villain!

There is abundant wit and cleverness throughout. I loved the music and dancing and costumes and setting. This movie was amazing. :) It's a sweet, lovely, happy-ending but lots of danger movie. I went to bed smiling like a loon and dreamed all night in Shakespearean English....I was so brilliant and had sharp, sparkling, witty repartees with everyone...too bad I can't remember a stitch of it this morning. :D

There are, however, a couple things I must warn you about.

Cons:

• After the very first picnic-montage, the entire cast and crew take it into their heads to bathe before the Prince arrives....they do so...and there are back-shots of everyone in the process. We were forewarned so we fast-forwarded and were none the worse for it.
• There is a false scandal against Hero that would suggest she was unfaithful to Claudio resulting in a grand kerfuffle...apparently they show a bit more of that "scandal" than is comfortable. We were forewarned about this so we skipped it, and again didn't miss anything of the plot.
• At the masquerade you see a fellow "tickling" a lady but he goes a bit farther. Fast-forward for about five or ten seconds and you'll be just fine. [Random Elizabethan obscenities, anyone? :P]
• Shakespeare's English and ours is much different. He liberally uses words we would not use now (such as Ass, Bastard, etc.) but in the context they are not as offensive. Back then they weren't bad words and in keeping with his original works, they didn't bother me.

Pros:  

• This movie showcases Shakespeare at his best. The acting was Brilliant. That is all I can say. Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh were Beatrice and Benedick. That's all there is to it. 
• Purity is highly, highly prized. Pretty much, this is what the plot swirls around. Purity before marriage.
• The family in the movie have ultra-close relationships. I love it.
• The scenery and music were gorgeous, as well as the simple, yet lovely costumes

This movie, since I've given you fair warning and told you where to fast-foward, is now one of my favorites. I can recommend it heartily with those cautions in mind. :)  I love it to death, and I plan on watching it again very very soon! :)

In closing, here are a few (so hard to choose!) favorite quotes from Much Ado About Nothing:

Claudio, speaking of Hero: "Can the world buy such a jewel?"

Benedick: "Yea, and a case to put it into!"

Dogberry: "Thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this!"

Don Pedro: "Officers, what offense have these men done?"

Dogberry: "Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover they have spoken untruths; secondarily they are slanderers; sixth and lastly; they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying knaves.

Don Pedro: "What is your offense, masters? This learned constable is too cunning to be understood."

Bwahahaha!

"I see our hands have betrayed our hearts!"

                   

                              "Trust God, love me, and mend...." *heart breaks* :)