My Sunday was suppose to be productive but I haven't felt well today so I am making way through the third season of Gilmore Girls. So continuing on with my nonproductive-ness (not a word I know) I found one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs "Tim McGraw" with Rory and Jess scenes. I know it is completely sappy but I love finding these kind of music videos. I know Rory an Lorelei probably did not listen to Taylor Swift, she is too main stream for their taste I think the joining of Taylor swift and Gilmore Girls is great.
I love this blog but I have been thinking that I haven't had that much time to write my story... and that's not really the case. I have time to write this blog, my post from Thursday took more than an hour. If I took that time and wrote my story at least once a week I would write a lot more.
It might take awhile because like I said it in my Hand and Handwriting post I write things by hand then type it up. But I want to write more and share my story more. Everything is in it's first draft form so please give me advise or corrections, thanks!
What was to happen later Emmy would know nothing about till months later. That night after dinner Julia watched Caleb escape into the library alone. Ever since the ball Caleb and Emmy had been inseparable. Julia even over heard Laurel getting made at Emmy for them sneaking off into the gardens alone before breakfast. To Julia it now seemed as if nothing would come between Emmy and Caleb and that vexed Julia more than anything to see her penniless cousin making such a good match, a match she had wanted. Julia knew the only thing she could do was throw herself at Caleb and she would suffer whatever consequence mother would throw at her.
....
"You don't know. You're love didn't tell you. The Cromwell girls are penniless. They have been since the day my aunt married a Mr. Jefferson Cromwell. He was going to be a lawyer but his father's publishing business needed help but it just tanked. He left his girls ruined being nothing but a charity case that my Grandmother and father have been covering up for the last eight years. Their only hope is a well marriage, everyone thought it was Laurel's burden to carry but when you started showing attention to Emmy, they all started whispering that you could be the one to relieve them from their rotten fate."
"I think you have said too much," he had a mix tone of coldness and disappointed.
"It is true all of it."
"Well rest assure Miss Danford. I am not in love with Miss Emmy, I am not in love with any one," now he sounded a little sad.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And now...
After that Caleb seemed distant and with any warning he left by the end of the week. Julia cared little that in doing what she did she broke off her cousin's chances of happiness. No one knew the facts, not even his lovely sister but Caleb James was not the big successful business but a few months ago it had gone sour and Caleb had sadly never learned how to manage his money properly. He still had his livings of the Upper East side, a few good suits, and a loyal butler who kept up the appearance that everything was fine but things were not well. Caleb was desperate for money. When he came to Danford Hall he thought he could marry one of the girls, out in this country side no one knew of his disaster. At first he believed Laurel was would be the one after his heart but she seemed cold to him the minute he walked in the door. But the middle daughter, Emmy, was full of spirit, and much more of a delight to be around than any one he had ever met. She was young that was true but with that youth she had not been taught to be a proper woman, the women Caleb usually found to be a bore. But she also had a great love of books and could keep up with him in intellectual conversations and the outer improvements Kathryn had helped with were just an extra addition. He found it to be a perfect match, she being related to the Danford family he was certain she had wealth at least enough to keep him in the life style he was comfortable in. But then to learn she was penniless not even to have a dowry. He could not marry her and live a penniless existence so he left. He was not blind he could ell Emmy favored him and found it best to leave her and not lead her on.
Though Caleb was not blind to Emmy's feeling he was blind in many other ways. Everyone saw the fondness Emmy and Caleb had for each other and most of the house believed this fondness would lead to an engagement. Even Brandon, who knew Caleb's short attention span believed Caleb had finally found a girl who had tamed him, a girl who had at last made him want to settle down. And when Caleb took off before breakfast with only two lines to explain his actions it was Brandon who saw a crushed Emmy. After Caleb left Emmy was a changed girl. She sort of sulked around the house and she barely had an appetite. While she pretended to be all right it didn't take long for appearance to show the truth. Her eyes were red from crying and she hardly kept her hair in a perfect up do as she had been doing and her skin was pale from the heart ache she felt. She also barely made an appearance during the day until when Grandmother's rules dictated that she be present.
"Oh Mrs. Cromwell, I do wish I could something to cheer up Miss Emmy's spirit," Kathryn said nearly a week after Caleb had been gone.
"It is her first real heart break I don't think anything could cheer up her spirits."
"Stupid Caleb for leaving so abruptly if only he had given a proper goodbye or waited out the season maybe then-"
"I do not even think that would help Miss James. Emmy knew he was only here for a short time but the time he was her changed her world," Fiona looked over her daughter who had sunk down deep in her chair. "That is what first loves do no matter how long they last."
" Well if Caleb loves Emmy half as much as she seems to love him then I am sure no distance could separate them. I believe he will go clear up whatever problem has hit and be back in her arms," Kathryn said the words and wanted to believe them more than she actually did.
Perhaps they could reconcile in Boston Kathryn thought to herself, both Laurel and Emmy would be generously invited to the wedding. They are Nicholas' cousins and it would only make sense to have them at the wedding especially since Emmy has become a particular friend of mine, Kathryn thought. Yes that will be perfect, everyone knows weddings are a good place to meet your future mate or re-meet as the case may be.
Kathryn shared her thinking first with Nicholas, he did not seem enthused by the idea. He said that the Cromwell girls hardly traveled and were unlikely to travel for such a short time. But Kathryn casted off his negativity for he was a man who hardly thought of romantic ideals. So he kissed her forehead and told her he was happy doing anything that made her happy. Victoria agreed with Kathryn in stating they would of course be invited to the wedding but also agreed with Nicholas that the Cromwell girls probably wouldn't come. Kathryn did not think this to be true, of course they would come. Emmy would leap at the chance to see Caleb again. Everyone in the household except Julia believed Emmy and Caleb belonged together. A wedding would be perfect place to rekindle a love, everyone is more, so it was settled in Kathryn's mind.
"Boston?! Really?" Emmy cheered up, it was the first sign of happiness since Caleb had left two weeks ago.
"Of course you have to see Nicholas and I get married, we will be cousins."
"It sounds too good to be true."
"Well your mother still has to approve."
"Oh she will! She wanted to send us to Boston to stay with Aunt Iris?"
"Another sister?"
"No Aunt Iris mother's dearest friends. She cared for us when father passed away. Her husband is Alfred Dumont."
"Dumont?"
"Do you know them?"
"By status only. They are just slightly above my social range and I have never met one of their children."
"They don't have any. Aunt Iris is always so kind to look at us Cromwell girls like her own daughters but believe me they rather have a son to pass on their estate to."
"Well with your mother's approval it seems like all we have to do is pack up your trunks, you are always welcomed to Boston."
"No we have to continue Laurel. she does not seem so thrilled with the idea of going to Boston and mother would not let me travel to Boston."
"Well how hard would it be to convince Laurel?"
"Pretty hard mother mentioned us going to Boston the night of the Taylor ball and she absolutely refused."
"Do no not worry I will think of a plan. I will make sure you get to Boston."
Emmy was so over joyed she threw her arms around Kathryn's neck.
I have been thinking about this for awhile. I love this blog but sometimes I worry it makes me a little bit self involved. I read other blogs and I find them inspiring when I am writing this blog it is all about my life. And maybe that is what a blog is?
I mean more and more people are writing blogs to share their lives with people, we feel a need for a connection even if it is complete stranger. My pastor once said people's deepest desire with in us is to have connection, he said that is why Starbucks started making their coffee shops more relaxing with tables and chairs where people could hang out with and not just get coffee. And even with all our technology and social media we still need a personal connection. I guess a blog is another way of seeking a personal connection.
Some times my blog is sometimes like a personal diary, but I most of the time it is about what I am doing through my day, and I am sure only my mom is interested in that. As I am blogging more I find myself thinking about things going on in my life and how I would write them in my blog . And I feel I find myself thinking about me more... and life isn't just about me. I mean I have lots friends but even when I write about them I know it is all from my perspective.
I know a blog is suppose to be my take on life but I don't want to be completely self involved I forget about about other people. I remember in the film Julie and Julia, Julie's husband gets mad her for only thinking of herself. And she says with her blog it is all about her. I don't want it to come to that...so I am wondering how do I do that.
If you are a blogger out there and have wrestled with this issue please let me know what you did to conquer this. If you are still dealing with this please let me know. I just re-read this in order that to make sure that it didn't sound like I was whining.
Also re-reading it I thought maybe I could have guest post. I don't have a big blog following so I am not sure if I could promise a big blog reading population but I would love if any one wanted to guest post. Please contact me if you are interested. Even if you are not a blogger but just want a chance to write I would love that. I would also be honored if you are a blogger to share your icon or buttons.
It is only 11:40 AM and I feel I have so much to post. So this will be a long one...
First I want to post a video from Mindy Gledhill in my countdown to Valentine's day. I like this song because I feel this way when I have a crush on a guy. (Yes I am 25 and still say crush.)
The point of these music videos wasn't really just to share love songs but new performers I am discovering. I used to think that people who spent time on YouTube had too much time on their hands but as I am trying to add music to this blog I am discovering some cool music through YouTube and Spotify. It is adding a great mix to my music. So hope you enjoy the music too. I am always willing to take suggestions so please feel free to contact me.
Second a few weeks ago I entered a giveaway contest at Live.Laugh.Rowe
She was having a guest writer, LA Kuehlke, who was writing about her passion in life. Here is a little snippet...
I have many things in life of which I am proud and with which I am fulfilled. I am a wife, a mother, and an experienced teacher who still enjoys what she does. The one thing I hadn’t done, though, was something that I’d always said I’d do “one day”. For some reason, “one day” just never seemed to arrive.
What was this thing? you ask.
Oh, to write a novel, I answer.
While I am not a mother or a teacher, I know the feeling of "one day" I want to write a novel so I really loved this post. She talks about her passion being writing and how she pursued that passion (click here to read more). I was moved by her post that I entered the give away to win a coy of her book... and guess what I did. So I guess I have more books to add to my list.
Speaking of my book list I have finished The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin. It is 465 pages and I think I found it my biggest but fastest read. I mean I have read bigger books than this but I was surprised how fast I got through the book. Even though it was big I found it easy to read on the T. A lot of bloggers I saw this that mentioned this book called it a good read as we wait for season 2 of Downton Abbey to begin and interestingly enough the main characters name is Cora. Like Lady Grantham in Downton Abbey, Cora Cash, is an American Heiress who marries for a title. But Downton lovers this is not a prequel to Downton Abbey, it is just a good book to get lost in the world of English Aristocracy. I should say you can like this book with out having ever seen Downton Abbey.
Be careful what you wish for. Cora makes a dazzling impression on English society—followed by a brilliant match—but finds that the chill in the air of magnificent ancestral homes comes from more than the lack of central heating. As she gradually learns that old-world aristocrats are governed by obscure codes of conduct and loyalty that can betray even the most charming, accomplished outsider, Cora must grow from a spoiled young rich girl into a woman of substance.
That is a good description of the book. Cora while she is not as eager to marry a title as her mother is, she wants freedom from her pushy and over bearing mother and sadly it doesn't seem like English society is a good place to find freedom. She seems more surrounded by rules, servants who don't obey her and every one is waiting to gossip on her failures. Her mother in law despises her, her "best friend" is plotting for her ruin, and I personally had a hate love relationship with her husband who though wanted to embrace her "new world behavior" turned cold at any mistake she made. Aw to British. With my little insight into Vanderbilt world this seemed like a good fictitious story of Consuelo Vanderbilt.
If you like getting lost in the world of the "Gilded Age" I also recommend the book Alva. That Vanderbilt-Belmont Woman. A fictionalized biography of Alva Vanderbilt-Belmont (Consuelo's mother) and the builder of the Marble house in New Port, RI.
I could not help but imagine Marble House as Cora Cash's house, where the story starts off in New Port. Of I course I couldn't get Downton Abbey AKA Highclere Castle out of my head when I imagined Cora Cash's house when I thought of her new dwellings as Duchess of Wareham.
Now that I am done with The American Heiress I have four new books to read as I listed in my Button and Books post (click here). I will be reading Beth Moore's Praying God's Word recommended to me by Colleen at Soundtrack to I do.While I love fiction I think I can get easily swept up and lost in that world. I need to come back to earth every once and awhile. Plus I want this year to be full of new books, though I love re-reading books, I am going to read new books... good thing have a good list ahead of me.
