There are so many crazy and sad stories about Hollywood actors these days that it is refreshing to see someone who is trying to take his faith seriously and trying to live it in their everyday life as best as they know how. I especially love when the story includes the person coming out of a very dark place and into the light of God's grace and mercy. Here's a snippet of an interview with Mark Wahlberg where he talks about his family, his faith and the importance of prayer in his life.
Since I didn't get to see the new Downton Abbey until last night, I missed the Twitter party on Sunday night. Yet, I had plenty to say when I did watch it so here is my unpublished twitter feed while watching Downton Abbey. Feel free to share your thoughts!
BTW, if you missed the show you can watch it online here.
UPDATE:Brian just got home from work. He was talking to a coworker from the UK. She has already seen the entire season. She said there is even more drama and turmoil coming and that Vera Bates gets even nastier. After this season there is/was a Downton Abbey Christmas special that wrapped up many of Season 2's conflicts, yet leads into new stories in the upcoming Season 3. Something to look forward to!
The kids are asleep. The lights are dimmed. I am so ready for Downton Abbey! #DowntonPBS
Laura Linney looks as excited as we are.
How did anyone make it out of there alive? #war
That's why we love Downton, Michael. "Seems like another world." (Yet, we can always relate to the human nature.)
Ethel is a cheeky little thing.
The best lines are always from Lady Dowager. #whatisaweekend?
Brian, "What kind of name is Lavinia??" #villianousname
Dearest, Sybil. I just want to hug you.
No one eavesdrops like O'Brien.
Wow, I wasn't expecting Cousin Isobel and Lady Dowager to be agreeing on something.
Aw, Bates. I've loved your character in the last three movies/series I've seen you in. (Downton, North & South and Lark Rise to Candleford.)
Will those two sisters ever stop being nasty to each other?
Poor Mary. Nothing like regret.
Of course Lavinia looks sweet but we'll not stop wishing Mary and Matthew come to their senses.
Poor William. He needs a hug too.
Lord Grantham/Papa always seems to be the last to know.
Oh, no! Mrs. Vera Bates is in the picture now? I thought she was dead or long divorced. Noooo! The writing is on the wall...
BTW, Bates, what kind of proposal was that?
How many times have I said that to Brian, "I'd give you a smack if I didn't want to kiss you so much."
Oh, no an Anna/Bates kiss to tug at our hearts before it is broken.
Quotable: "My my. You are very well placed if you are ever in trouble with the law."
O'Brien the Cat has a new mouse to tease.
Oh, yes, Matthew. Mary is so pleased to be "friends."
Anna and Bates are making plans. Anna is blissfully happy. This can only mean one thing. Disaster is right around the corner.
Mary and Matthew, you are breaking my heart.
There it is. The bombshell. And a nasty piece of work she is. #paininthearse
I can physically feel my blood boiling. Why can't she be thrown on the battlefield in the line of fire?
Mrs. Hughes! You shock me. I thought O'Brien was the master eavesdropper. #nosybodiesunite
No, dearest Anna. Don't be willing to live in sin with him. Think of Jane Eyre. If it is meant to be it will work out in the end.
Oh, Anna. Your tears have brought me to tears. #heartbreak
Daisy, that's one way to cheer William up but be careful, little one!
Hmm, Daisy. Was that look saying, "Oh, yes!" or "Oh, no!"?
How do people live in such conditions? #war
Lovely. First Vera. Now Thomas is back.
Quotable, "If I was a gentleman, I wouldn't want to know." "But you're not." "Fortunately."
Quotable: "Flattered is a word posh people use when they are getting ready to say no."
Be patient, Branson. She may come around.
Oh, God. I guess that bullet had his name on it. #irony #war
Poor Papa. I smell another major let down.
And there it is. An honorary position.
Is Lord Grantham ever going to find out about the scandal?
Checking for vapors? Classic, O'Brien.
Edith, don't be so annoying. Leave Mary to her praying. #pest
I love how the love of a good man can change a selfish heart. I'm rooting for you, Mary.
We're seeing a whole other side of Thomas. Is he going to be less hateful now? #hopeful
Well, that's one way to get off the battlefield. Ouch.
Lang seems like a decent chap. I like the look of his eyes. I hope I am not disappointed.
Is Ethel into Lang? I'm not used to O'Brien being nice.
With a single look O'Brien says, "Give it up. Mosley. It's never going to happen."
Edith, you never looked so good as you do on that tractor! Good for you.
I guess Thomas isn't turning over a new leaf. He's as nasty as ever. #dashedhopes
Don't even think about it, Ethel.
Why does Sir Richard look so familiar?
"Her uncle and I are old friends..." Oh, no. I smell another scandal.
And the longing glances continue. #maryandmatthew
Dear Carson. Don't you dare die on us.
Never mind the blasted dress, Edith! #pest
Another showing of O'Brien's softer side. #newleaf?
Sir Richard...Sir Richard...what do I know you from? I can see you...but it's hazy in my mind...younger...threatening someone...grabbing her by the wrist...that voice...
I can't stand it. Must look him up quickly... That's it. Mr. Preston from Wives and Daughters. Now I can see the scene clearly. #imdb
Is that why you are so nasty, Thomas? Lack of real love?
Sir Richard/Mr. Preston has the same MO. Grabbing a young lady by the wrist and threatening her.
At first I thought the farmers were brother and sister. Then I thought, how sweet. Edith is falling in love with a farmer.
Brian just informed me that he is the sick farmer from Season 1. What? They better stop flirting with each other! #thatsnotyourwife
Oh, no. The poor soldier. Brian wants to know if Thomas gave him the razor as an "act of mercy." I don't think so but who knows?
Oh, Sir Richard you are just bursting with romantic notions, aren't you. I've seen more sentimentality from a block of cheese. #dumphim
Branson is getting hopeful again with Sybil.
Mary can't bring herself to tell Matthew what's on her heart. A letter, Mary. Pouring out your heart is traditionally done in a letter.
I liked Mr. Molesley in Season 1 but he is like a pesky gnat in Season 2. #shooflyshoo
I guess it's not only the posh that say "I'm flattered but..." #rejection
Oh, Edith, I finally started liking you and now you are a blasted homewrecker. And you, Mr. Cheeky Pig, your life was not spared so you can cheat on your faithful wife. Zip it up and get back to your house.
Quotable: "What then? Amputation in the dining room? Resuscitation in the pantry?" #ladydowager
Quotable: "Now come and give me a kiss!" "We'll have none of that!" There are many others that should have been told that!
Daisy, I guess that previous look was "Oh, no."
Of course you shouldn't accept him, Mary. He stinks to high heaven. #dumphim
Read between the lines, Edith. "Get your nasty hands off my man."
Noooo...it can't be two hours already. Blasted. Now I have to wait another week. Oh, well. Let me know what you think! #downtonwithdrawal
Hosted by Jen at Conversion Diary.
Happy feast of the Epiphany! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year's. We have been out of town last week and I am still catching up on unpacking the suitcases and packing up the Christmas décor. I think that is why I am so reluctant to clean everything up...I don't want to box up my favorite time of the year. (Well, truth be told, I'm actually a procrastinating messcat but the other scenario sounds so much more romantic...)
For Christmas I bought Brian a Kindle Fire. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am always the first one to get an electronic toy and then later Brian joins the bandwagon. However, I wanted to get him something special and being a book lover I thought this would be a nice match. He was very excited and has been using it frequently.
I have been holding off buying one myself because I have been saving up for an ipad instead. However, the more I think about it; maybe I should get myself a laptop - one of those sleek, thin ones that you can carry in your bag. It may make more sense than an ipad. However, it will take me awhile to save up extra money for that so I may just use some gift money I have saved up and get a kindle for me as well. Brian said that I could have his Kindle Fire and he could get one of the basic Kindles since he mostly uses it just for his books. Tempting, but I don't know. Doesn't it seem like I am taking back the very gift I gave him? I'll have to think about it.
Speaking of electronic toys, a few months ago Brian and I both needed to replace our old iphones that weren't working. We bought the new 4s and I love mine! (Should I admit that I even sleep with it? Hmmm. No, I better not.) I happen to also like the new Siri and I'm always telling her to set up reminders or asking her to read me new texts when I'm busy. I showed Brian how to use Siri and he swears his iphone is defective. He asks her a question and she almost always responds, "I'm sorry. I do not understand what you are saying." I don't know if he is speaking too close or talking too robotic but he insists it is not his fault. To prove to him that his phone was fine I used it and asked Siri a number of questions. She always gave me the correct information. So I don't know what it is. He thinks it's a conspiracy. You know, the same conspiracy/evil plot that allows things to be hidden from his sight. Yet, when I walk into the room to look for the hidden object it is always right there in plain sight. (Yes, Siri and I have it all worked out.)
The one thing I do not like about the iphone is how delicate it can be in the hands of young ones. I bought a cute decorative case cover for my iphone and I loved the personal touch but it gave no protection whatsoever. If I was the only one using it, that would be fine. However, the kids will often use my phone to play games or watch videos, especially in a long line at the market. (One lady at Costco was amazed because I handed my phone to John-Paul and at the age of two he was able to zip through pages and folders and open up his games. It's second nature.) So my cute but worthless cover had to be replaced. My brother suggested that I get one of those ToughSkin rugged rubberized tread cases or one of those military grade ones made out of tires but that seemed a bit extreme.
Instead I settled on the Marware SoftGrip Core Case, available in black, white and pink. I like that it has a protective silicone skin, textured dimples on back to minimize impact shock and extra coverage around the display. It makes the phone slightly bulkier and it doesn't slide easily into my pocket - I have to shove it in because of the silicone traction - but it is sturdy enough to handle the drops it has received so far.
Okay but enough talk about the electronic gadgets. How about a quick take about sewing something crafty and beautiful? (Obviously, not something I did.) My sister-in-law Maria is not only an incredible artist as you can see from this painting she gave us a couple years back...
... but she is also gifted at the sewing machine. Look at some of this handiwork!
She even made her own gift tags, gift bags and bows. And did I ever post what she gave me for my birthday last year?
A card with one of her sketches and matching magnets. So pretty! I'm trying to get her to open her own etsy shop and maybe when she gets over the tough first year of having a newborn, she will. I'll keep you posted. ;-)
I could make my last quick take about the cute aprons my other crafty sister EL made but she may want to post about that herself. Besides, all this sewing talk is depressing me. (I'm getting flashbacks of when I hemmed my pants with duct tape.) So instead I'll put one last plug for Downton Abbey, Season 2 coming Sunday night. Jen mentioned it on her Quick Takes and I was elated to see others are as smitten as I am. Brian and I will still quote lines from it to each other. ("What is a weekend?" hahahaha! Love it.) Okay, here are some closing photos for all you on Team Mr. Bates & Anna. ;-)
Okay that is it for now. I'm meeting up with some local Catholic moms this afternoon - something I've been sorely missing! Have a great weekend! xoxo
Brian & Bobbi
Brian and His Packer Buddies
Bella
Andrew
John-Paul (JP)
Matthew
