Thrifty Shopping

Today was definitely full of interesting events. Not to go into too much detail, but we went over to my Grandma's house to meet her new boyfriend.

But that's another story...

The best part of today was our thrift store shopping. I love this sort of shopping, and haven't done it in quite some time. It's a thrill to see something super cute and see your size on the tag. You try to suppress your feeling of excitement as you critically survey the item, trying to spot any holes or stains that will rule out the item as a possibility.

When the item, whether skirt or tank top, passes this first test, you move on to the dressing room, to see that the item actually fits. Sometimes you'll find the skirt doesn't go above your hips, it's too tight. Or that the shirt hangs on your body like drapes, or gives you an unattractive pudge somewhere. And that's when you callously hang the item up and move on to the next one. But that's the thrill of thrift shopping: the knowledge when you slip on the perfect dress or cutest pair of capri's that the chances of it actually fighting you were next to none. It sends a thrill of joy down my spine when I look in the mirror to see the perfect fit.

But then you begin to sweat. You can't remember if you checked the price of this perfect dress or cute pair of capri's. You're scared you picked up the priciest item in the store, and that the only reason it's still out on the racks is because of it's price, not some beautiful gift of God. You steel yourself for the fatal look that will decide the items destiny. Sometimes the answer was not worth the anxiety, and dry throat. But sometimes you drop the item like a hot coal, recoiling form the extravagant sum. And sometimes, the worst times, is when you can't decide. You argue internally trying to rack your brains for all the prices of that particular article of clothing that you've seen recently. You mentally go through you're closet, trying to envision what you would wear with it. Can you really justify your buy? Sometimes you shove it back on a rack and walk quickly away from the temptation. And sometimes, sometimes you clutch it to your heart and resolutely walk up to the register to purchase your new treasure.

Thankfully I did not experience this mental turmoil today. And I was fairly successful in my search.
-A Forever 21, lovely blue top for $8. Most Forever 21 tops were between $15.80 and $27.80 on their website.
-A Kirra (Pac Sun brand)lace camisole for $6. Most of the similar ones were listed for $9.50 and $19.50 online.
-A Derek Heart purple and blue dress. Derek Heart is a Kohl's brand, and most of the similar styled dress on the website were between $36 and $40. I bought mine for $8.
-A beautiful blue Old Navy tank top that was $3.50, originally priced at $8.50. It still had the tags on it.
-And the crowning glory: A pair of Delia's capri's for $6, compared at $44.50 on the website.

Tears Are Telescopes

"Tears are often the telescope by which men see far into heaven." -Henry Ward Beecher

Review of "Bath Tangle" by Georgette Heyer

I have read at least 20 books by Georgette Heyer, and for the most part have enjoyed them all. But this was by far the most frustrating book of all. It seems obvious to the reader from the very beginning who should end up with who. The whole book is like trying to untangle a necklace: if you don't manage to get the knot out on the first few tries, it begins to get more and more complicated. The book starts complicated, and by the middle it's such a huge knot, it seems impossible that there is a solution that will end without someone being made miserable or completely ruined.

Rotherham and Serena were engaged to one another before the book even takes place. But remain close friends due to close family connections, even after Serena breaks it off because "they don't deal well together." The reason for this is they both have hot tempers and domineering personalities, and have a tendency to argue every time they see one another. They both despise weakness, in either resolution or physical ability. In the book they each carry on serious love affairs apart from one another, and it's clear to the reader that neither would ever be happy with these significant others. Serena's Major allows her to trample all over her, and treats her like a goddess. He believes she can do no wrong, he is obsessed with an image, a creation of his mind. And Rotherham's Emily is a silly baby, blinded by wealth and splendor who lives in absolute fear of him. Fanny, Serena's step-mother, says of Rotherham and Emily "that no two persons could be less suited." Both these relationships are obviously unhealthy and neither one has the potential for a truly respectful and mutually happy, honest marriage.

I will not go on from there, because it would spoil the ending, but I will say the tangle is a very bad one, involving secret loves, elopements, and reckless engagements. I was shocked Heyer was able to untangle this mess in a satisfactory way in less than two chapters. The ending, though not a complete shock, surprised me. I was unable to anticipate every plot twist. The plot, though at times seemed a little unbelievable, was well thought out. The characters each held strong personality traits, but they did seem a little one dimensional at times. I think that the strange thing about this book was there wasn't one character whose mind we entered often. In the other Heyer books I have read, it usually focuses on the one character's thoughts, but this one skipped about, so I came away feeling as though I didn't know all the characters as well as I should. Despite these minor setbacks, the book was still well written, and a fun read. I love Heyer now more than the first time I picked up Arabella.

Little Things

So I have managed to post something on this blog, or really journal, every single day, for the past 4 days. I felt it would be a shame if I broke this spree by being lazy tonight. No, I don't have anything too profound to say. But here is a few random thoughts I had today:

I came to the realization that it is the little things this summer that are going to get me through. This summer has been, at least up to this point, consisting of things like work and school. Neither of these things is really what I had in mind for my summer. I have no plans for vacation or camp, while everyone around me plans on going out of state for a week, and to the lake for the weekend. And I'm just left to keep up with my online class and work usually 5 days a week.

But there are a few things that have made me smile the past few days, and I thought I should keep that in prospective. So I've listed here a few things I thought of that have made me smile:
-My bright blue fingernail polish.
-my best friend, Amanda, singing "Red and Blue," and changing lyrics to fit her situation.
-The sun on my skin, I could feel myself tanning.
-My pink plaid pajama shorts.
-Seeing my name at the top of the list of cashiers for ELMS scores. I beat my nemesis this week. lol.
-Free Coca-Cola at work.
-My mom paying for my $7 worth of Gatorade randomly.
-Getting tipped a $1 by a sweet old lady who came through my line.
-My Mom being in a random cooking mood, making ribs, pound cake, and enchiladas.
-My super cute summer dresses <3
-Seeing hummingbirds out the window of our kitchen almost every day.
-Boomer, my dog's, hilarious ear expressions. He uses his ears like some people use their eyebrows.
-My favorite sunglasses.
-and I love all the summer songs that are coming out.

Upwards

"I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward." -Charlotte Bronte

Review of "The Silent Governess" by Julie Klassen

"The Silent Governess," despite it's intimidating 50 chapters, was a truly interesting read, and despite some drawbacks, I would recommend it for a light read.

Klassen's plot was beautifully weaved into a complete web that is difficult to fully anticipate. Her plot line was definitely the strongest part of the book. From the beginning to end every event had significance. But her character's lacked true development and consistency.

The two main characters, Lord Bradley and Olivia, have a very odd and semi-abusive relationship. Not to give away the plot, but Olivia overhears something about Lord Bradley that would be disastrous for anyone to hear. She is caught in the act, though innocent of devious intent, and he forces her to stay on as a nurse so that he can keep an eye on her. He's afraid that she will give him away, or try to blackmail him. And because of his fear he is highly abusive to her. He threatens her verbally many times, and accuses her of horrible deeds. She has just come from an abusive situation at home and it seems to me she would be unlikely to put up with his behavior towards her, especially since Klassen tries to portray Olivia as a strong, independent woman, almost like an Elizabeth Bennet.

Some of the dialogue is truly atrocious, and the situations a bit unlikely. But despite that the plot really was redeeming. You can't help but read it to learn what is really going on in this tangled web of relationships and events. I, of course, love the Regency time period, and the back of the book stating that Klassen loves everything Jane: Jane Austen and Jane Eyre, endears me to her.

I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn't mind ignoring the characters and dialogue in favor of the truly complicated plot line.

Little Spots of Sunshine: How To Add a Little Joy To a Cashier's Day

-Keep in mind I am a person. This will get you far.
-Phones make you an idiot. If you want me or anyone else in my line to think well of you, get off your phone.
-When I ask you if you would like your milk in a bag, a simple yes or no will do. I don't need your whole life's story involving milk and bags.
-Instead of leaving food items, especially perishable ones, on the a display or the candy rack, just hand the item to me. I don't mind taking care of it.
-If you don't speak the language, and you want to use coupons, either learn to read English well, or hire an interpreter. I am not going to learn your language just to tell you that I can only accept one coupon per item. And just because the brand on the coupon and the brand on the item is the same doesn't mean I can accept it. It has to be the right product of the brand.
-And thank you, but no. I really don't want to touch your sample cups covered in germs and nasty foods. Find your own trashcan.

The Beginning

I have decided that I'm a bit bored with Facebook and Twitter and that I need something new and fresh to express myself with. Thus the beginnings of this blog. I really expect few to know of it or read it, but I love a clever book review or interesting little scribble, so I thought maybe I'd toss in my two cents.

But let me warn you before you read on. I am slightly obsessed with the Regency period (Anything Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer I have read, am in the process of reading, or plan to read in the not so distant future). I love a good science fiction TV show so I am a bit of a nerd (Nathan Fillion is one of my favorite actors right now). And I am homeschooled so I have some strong ideas about education. Well, I guess I just have strong ideas in general.

I hope someone out there enjoys this little trial run, and if not I always was bad at keeping journals, so maybe this will give me inspiration and a bit of motivation.