Butterfly Baby

i am henry viii i am

2010-01-06T17:38:28Z

If you've my blog for any amount of time then you know that I am a huge, geeky fan of history and as such, a huge, geeky fan of The Tudor's. And with their fourth and final season coming up, Showtime has been showing the first season every Sunday from 8pm - 10pm. I started watching and realized I needed to own this DVD series.

Off to Amazon.com I went to search out the Complete First Season package and I scroll down to the comments out of curiosity and see this:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dazzlingly beautiful, and a great invitation to study the period, May 12, 2008

By	Anne Rice "Anne Rice, Author" (Little Paradise, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Yes, there are inaccuracies, as others have pointed out here. This is a dramatization and this is elegant popular entertainment. As an armchair historian, in love with the stories of Henry VIII, I find it absolutely gripping. The acting is for the most part marvelous, and the idea of doing these great personages as compellingly attractive people is a brilliant one. I think there is plenty enough here to draw a person into good books about Henry and the English Reformation. One thing I do like very much is that Anne Boleyn is being presented as the complex woman she obviously was; and Catherine of Aragon has been presented with immense dignity and respect. But the reason I've signed on here to recommend this series is that I really think it will encourage serious study on the part of many as to what really went on when Henry broke with the Catholic Church, and when popular entertainment invites us to study, to learn more, as well as giving us delight, well, that is worth something. The portrait of Thomas More is excellent, and the actor playing Anne Boleyn's father is quite remarkable. Finally, let me confess: there is something delicious about this series, something thrilling. I find myself charmed by it. Of course I wish the Catholic Church was presented with considerablly more understanding on the part of the writers. But in spite of that I continue to watch the second season, as enthralled as I was by the first. And I've ordered a whole slew of new books on Henry just because of this series, so I'm proof myself of what I'm suggesting here: this will encourage the serious study of history. --- The art direction and the costumes are gorgeous. The lighting is breathtaking. --- The sets are glorious. I hope Showtime gives us more of this top notch entertainment.

ANNE RICE COMMENTED ON THE TUDOR'S ON AMAZON! Do you know how I worshiped this woman in high school? While the cheerleaders who mercilessly teased me read Sweet Valley High, Sharon and I read The Vampire Lestat and a lifetime obsession began.

Anne Rice.

ANNE RICE.

ANNE FREAKING RICE.

Holy Cow. I was star struck. By a comment. If I ever get to meet her, I'd probably cry. A lot. How amazing.

K. Gushing complete.

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out with the old...

2010-01-03T15:28:59Z

2009 was quite a year. For me at least, it was a year of adjustment. In January, I had to go back to work and although I was lucky enough to go back 2 days in the office and three at home, it was quite an adjustment for me to split my attention the way working mom's must. Adjusting to motherhood was a surprise. I naively thought that once I had Drew everything would magically fall into place. I wanted him. I tried for him, how could I NOT be ready to be his mother. Well as ready as I was to be Drew's mom, I was not prepared to be his primary care giver. It never occurred to me that though Andrew is very much a part of his life, let's face it, he works in the city, and is away from the house more than he is here. Drew's care falls on me. I also was not prepared to always have a piece of my mind at home. What is he doing? It's 11, is he sleeping? Is he having lunch? Did he eat well? Questions for every second I am away fill my mind. And for me, it was rough to adjust to that guilt. The guilt of not being the one to take care of him 24/7 and the guilt for enjoying my time in the car alone or at work.

As the year went on, I adjusted to motherhood better and work started going much better. So much better that at December's close, I can honestly say I am thrilled with my performance and I hope that it continues. I know I'm going to bust ass to make sure it does.

2009 was the year of freelance for me as well. Though I've pulled back in December, through November, I was published at Flaimahmy.com as well as HappyDogConnections.com and there is something next month that may or may not happen. I have to see... So I can't mention it but I'm praying it comes through. I hope to continue with freelancing in 2010 and to build my brand so that one day, I will be able to make my dreams come true.

And along the writing path, I started a novel in 09. And I won't say what it's about or even how far along I am, I will say that I am excited. That I've posted excerpts at professional writer groups and it's been well received with even some nice interest from freelance editors providing some much needed advice on plot and storyline. Apparently my character development is stellar.

So now, 2009 is over and I of course have resolutions for 2010. I prefer to keep them private but I do like taking stock in the year that has passed. It's nice to see what I've accomplished and though much of the accomplishments center around my professional life, I couldn't have worked so hard without the support from my husband and my family.

I hope that in 2010 I can make their year as wonderful as they made my 2009.

Happy New Year Voxers!

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the best lesson i learned from my mother...

2009-12-29T21:14:06Z

When I was younger, I was much more giving with information about my life than I am now. If I was in a relationship, not only did everyone know but everyone knew every fight, make up, conversation etc that happened. When I couldn't figure out why no one really liked my boyfriend at the time, my mother wisely told me:

Jennifer, you are your friends and boyfriend's PR to the world. You control what people in your life see by what you tell them. If you tell us crap, we think they're crap. If you tell us nothing but roses, then they're roses.

Since then, I've lived by that. I keep a lot close to my chest and try to select who can handle the bad stuff without allowing it to taint their vision of people. And to others... well, if you want me to have fuzzy feelings for someone in your life, then do the proper PR work first.

This message has been brought to you by the letter E. (Too much Sesame Street???)

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the letting go

2009-12-27T14:03:32Z

Over the holidays, I was talking with someone whom I trust a great deal about "letting go". You know, it's the time of year that you reflect on what's happened and look forward to what can be and though I wasn't talking about that particular thing with this person, I thought the conversation was timely. We were actually talking about the past and how some people feel that to move on you have to "forget" about what's happened in order to move forward peacefully and with a smile.

But here's the thing about the past, at least for me. Just because I forgive for what's happened in the past or apologized for my own actions in a situation doesn't mean I forget or expect others to forget the instance. My past has made me who I am and though I may move on from people, situations and things, I don't forget anything. To me that's not holding on. To me holding onto pain from the past would mean to continue to be broken, to hold grudges, to move through life with anger. I don't think I do that... and though I may have problems in some relationships, I don't think the issues in those relationships stem from holding onto some form of anger or resentment. I think problems in relationships stem from the inability to change with time. People get stuck and have trouble changing their ways. I think that knowing a problem but the inability to change your actions to make it better cause problems in relationships when both parties have agreed to try to make something work.

For the record, the conversation was a good one, it was with agreement on both sides and both myself and the person I was speaking to felt like letting go simply meant forgiving and moving on and that maybe other people had different definitions. It was actually, for me, an eye opening conversation and one I could have only had with someone close to me. Someone I trust. So thanks...

I just thought that it was interesting to hear how differently people can define letting go, moving on and how it can affect a relationship.

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white out

2009-12-22T23:58:06Z

Mama and Drew

This weekend was a white out if you were in the Northeast anywhere. We wound up with 2.5 feet of snow. Yes, You heard me. 2.5 feet. I cannot even remember the last time that happened.

So we took Drew out and to be honest, he could care less. He kind of looked at it and was all like, Okay but is that my little tykes house over there? OOOH!

Then the wind picked up and that was it. He wanted none of it.

So we went inside. It was fun while it lasted though...

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pictures of me

2009-12-19T15:41:22Z

I got a brand new iMac from my wonderful parents for my birthday (talk about turning it around huh) and it has a "photobooth" application on it with a built in web/still camera... so cool. Needless to say I've been having a blast with it and usually I hate pictures but I've been working out and eating better and feeling better about me... so um... I just might be changing my mind about pictures. Besides, I love the colored pencil and black and white effects!

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miss you most

2009-12-16T15:14:36Z

Life has been so busy. And while that's no excuse to be ignoring my blog, it was the one thing that wasn't paying me in some form. So, I let it go. And while I am posting now, I have no idea how often I will be posting... so...

Mariah Carey - Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) + Lyrics

I was in the car this morning listening to Christmas music and one of my all time favorite songs came on, Miss You Most by Mariah (I know there are many eyes rolling now). But the song is about the melancholy part of the holidays that is a bit more difficult to talk about.

The two people I think about most at Christmas are my grandparents. My grandfather was such a jokester. He loved having the family around him every holiday, wearing funny hats and making everyone laugh. I truly think it was his heaven on earth.

My grams was a tough lady. One time when the family was sitting down to play a board game she peered over her glasses and stated very plainly that she "didn't play games." I adored her though. I liked her cut and dry, black and white mentality. You always knew what she was thinking and where you stood and how far back you needed to be! I think through having my mother and my uncle, she learned a lot and was the most amazing grandparent for it. She was strong yet nurturing, a bit hard from life but soft in the middle.

And they were both pure love. It's what I miss the most this time of year. The simple expectation to see me. Parents have expectations of you -- to be a good person, be contributing to society in a positive way, to treat others well blah blah blah. But grandparents, well mine anyway, never expected anything other than love.

They were the only grandparents I ever had and I never knew I was supposed to have two more. They loved me enough for 10 sets of grandparents and expected nothing from me. And though there are many days I have thought of them and missed them through the year, the moment I see the Christmas lights I want nothing more than to crawl into my gramps' big lap, rest my head on his shoulders and sit next to my grams and chat.

Miss you Grams & Gramps... Hope your Christmas is just as good looking down as it was looking up.

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bubbles

2009-12-03T17:58:05Z

I know I've been mum for some time and a few of you were awesome enough to go leave comments on my article over at Flaimahmy, so THANK YOU!!!

New article up and this one is much easier to read! It's a product review... Enjoy!

http://www.flaimahmy.com/2009/12/03/product-review-california-baby-aromatherapy-bubble-bath/

Remember to leave a comment or 20!

Thanks!

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one woman's journey...

2009-11-27T17:19:50Z

Quick update to let you know I'm not dead... just seriously not into blogging at the moment. Second article has been published over at Flaimahmy...

Check out... One Woman's Journey Through Recurrent Miscarriage

Leave a comment or 8! It helps to get future articles published quicker and with better placement.

Thanks!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

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my birthday is an omen from hell

2009-11-11T19:51:14Z

My birthday is at the end of the month and I have come to the critical realization that my birthday is in fact an omen that hell will rule my world until it passes. Evidence? You want evidence? Mmmmkay.

1. Andrew proposed November 16th 2002. You think wonderful right? Nope. Grams died of a massive heart attack November 23rd. My birthday? November 28th.

2. I was married September 14th 2003. You would think that's enough time before my birthday for people to remember but nope. The year I was married, my birthday went unnoticed. At thanksgiving they had a little cake as my family always does but the day of my birthday, my brand new husband, forgot. My parents were the only people to remember. Funny though, Andrew got a nice dinner out with my parents for his birthday that year. Me? Nada.

3. My birthday is around Thanksgiving. It sucks. It sucks big. Why? Because no one is ever around. My last birthday party? I turned 16. I'm going to be 36. 20 years of no parties honoring me. I don't even remember that. I can't remember a dinner for my birthday that wasn't even tied into Thanksgiving.

4. This year, we have some things going on that might be great or not so good with Andrew. I can't exactly elaborate right now but when will we find out which way it's going to go? 8 days BEFORE, yep... MY BIRTHDAY.

So, I've come to the conclusion that I was not meant to ever be celebrated. This year, I will not acknowledge my birthday because apparently the day of my birth sucked.

And now back to your regularly scheduled upbeat, less pessimistic and woe is me programming.

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