They Had Better Not Screw This Up...

Just read that they are making an adaptation of Lady Susan.  They are calling it Love and Friendship.

Lady Susan is one of my favorite Jane Austen stories.

It is short and delicious, featuring the main character, Lady Susan, who is evil and devious.  And yet, you can't help but admire her wits and daring.

Lady Susan is a fantastic character, mainly because she uses her evil wits to fight against the path that was available to women.  I'm not saying I agree with her manipulative methods or that I condone her schemes.  But...she stands out as a different kind of woman in the regency era.  She doesn't faint dead away at the barest hint of an impasse.  She charges forward like a brave, if not also crooked, commander on a battlefield.

The story is an epistolary novel which means it is told in letters from one character to another.  Like I mentioned it is very short, only 44 letters if I remember correctly.  But is filled with twists and turns with an able sister-in-law ready to match Lady Susan wit for wit, as Catherine tries to protect her family from Lady Susan's naughty machinations.

With regard to the adaptation...

Thus far I find the title change worrisome as it seems they plan to take great liberties, the casting dubious with only one or two characters that seem to make sense, and a little seed of doubt growing ever larger the longer I think about it.

Please, please don't ruin this story...

Proud Iowan

 Look who is finally fitting into his Christmas outfit from his Grandma?

The shorts are still a little big which makes them fall down a little when he runs.  Which reminds me of growing up in the 90's.  What were we thinking?!

I remember my grandpa looking around and telling the young people to pull their pants up.  I can't help but agree...which makes me like an eighty year old at heart.  Not much surprise there. 

Still Prince Ev is adorable and so proud of his roots!

Guess Who is Becoming as Addicted to Panini Cafe as I am...

I dare you to try to take his pita and hummus away from him.  He'll probably bite your hand clean off.  Seriously.  And he just discovered that delight in November from our friend BMB.  It looks like he is just as enamored of the shish kabob and rice platter. That's our boy!    

Brothers in a Hammock

Funny Kid

New Digs

The King and Queen have decided to move their court to a slightly larger castle.

The Princes are very excited as the new castle has a pool and a putting green.  The Queen is excited about more space, the orange and lemon trees, a master bathtub, and a private courtyard.  The King is excited for the three car garage so he can have adequate room for his bike stuff.

We've finally got a moving date and we are ready for a new adventure!

Email, text, or message me for the address so you can keep sending us awesome Christmas cards.  Or so you can stop by.  Unless you are a stalker.  Then please don't ask for the address.  Unless you plan to come bearing treats.  Then I'll think about it.

My Rotten Friend, Iris

I know I am usually pretty fond of people that I refer to as friends.

However, we all have that friend that sticks around, demanding things that seem obscene, refusing to disappear.  Trust me, we all have that friend.

Well, my friend, Iris, gave us a gut punch this week.  Even though we share 35% of our income with her yearly, she is demanding tens of thousands more for this last year.  I'd really like to punch her in the face.  Greedy jerk.

She's the worst!  She changes the rules of her friendship every year, sometimes retroactively.  (Although in dear Iris' defense on that last charge, I should admit that it was the people around her egging her to commit that last offense a few years ago here in California.)

Nope.  Nothing to do about a friend like Iris.  Except pay up.  Or go to jail.  Yeah.  She sucks.

I need to get more on task with abolishing friends like Iris.  Right after I write a whopper of a check.