Thanksgiving, Plans, Sad Goodbye, Dream Car

We had a pretty good Thanksgiving. Though it was only me, Charlie, the kids, and my mom. My mom cooked the turkey. Well, she tried. The directions said 3-3½ hours at 325°, but it was still bloody. So she cooked it another hour at 350° or 375° and brought it over. But when I cut into it, it was still bloody. So I cooked it about another hour and it was finally done.

While the turkey was cooking, we went ahead and ate the sides while they were still warm. I made mashed potatoes and gravy, black eyed peas, stuffing, green beans, and crescent rolls. Dessert was apple pie, chocolate pie, and pumpkin pie.

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Kelly and I are still thinking about going to the mountains. We were going to go today, but that's probably not going to happen. I've been busy this week (busy for me) and don't think I feel up to a trip. We also haven't decided for sure where we want to go. We'd like to do the Parkway (Fancy Gap to Boone), but we also really want to go to Biltmore in Asheville. We may end up not going at all if we keep putting it off though. I don't know. We'll see.

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I told Charlie and the kids a few days ago that I'd like to go see the Christmas lights at Tanglewood. We haven't been since the kids were little. Kelly's excited to go and mentioned it yesterday. Hopefully soon.

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I got an email a couple days ago from our vet saying they're closing for good on the 30th. (Yesterday.) That makes me so sad. We've been taking our pets there for several years. I really liked them and will miss them. From what I gather, their closing was sudden/unexpected for them. They didn't say why. When I went there on Wednesday to get Pippin's prescription food, one of the receptionists (Karen from England) said something about circumstances beyond their control. I didn't want to pry, so I didn't ask what happened. When I went back to my car, I sat there for a minute with tears in my eyes, trying not to cry too much. I felt so silly, but I really am going to miss them.

So I'll have to find a new vet soon. There's one closer to our house that I may try.

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On Wednesday, in addition to going to the vet (twice; I had to go back to get Pip's prescription), I also had to bring the kids to the dentist. That was Sean's last appointment at the pediatric dentist. Neither had cavities, but both have wisdom teeth that may have to come out. They said Kelly can probably wait another year, but Sean may have to have his out sooner. I reckon when he goes to the regular dentist, they can decide.

After coming home from bringing the kids to the dentist and going to the vet a second time, I fell asleep on the couch for about an hour and woke up about 15 minutes before time to leave for church. Oops! We were a little late (it was just me and Sean), but service didn't start until right after we got there. So it was okay.

I picked up a few things from the store after church before coming home. It was nice to change into my comfortable house clothes. :-)

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Yesterday, after bringing Sean and his girlfriend Ashley to their school (a local community college), Kelly and I went first to a station to get my car inspected. Then we went to the DMV to pay the taxes on my car and Charlie's car hauler. (Inspection and taxes were both due by yesterday or there would've been a late fee.) From there, we stopped by Cato (got nothing) and then went to Brixx for a late lunch. We were really hungry and it tasted really good!

After leaving Brixx, we went basically across the street (diagonally, several lanes) to the chocolate shop to get some cherry cordials. She asked if I wanted a ribbon for my box and I chose my favorite color - green. :-)

By then it was just about time for Sean and Ashley to get out of class. (Nearly 5:00.) So we went to their school and waited for them to get out. We finally came home after bringing Ashley home and I made supper - chicken giardino.

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Speaking of Sean and school. He's been going to a math class twice a week. He's done now until January. In January, he'll be going to several classes five days a week. Two or three of those days will be all day. From about 8:00/9:00/10:00 AM until about 5:00 or 5:30 in the evening. He has to take one of his classes online (English, I think) because the one at the school is at the same time as one of his other classes.

I don't remember what all he's taking. A more advanced math than what he just finished, English, Psychology, Human something or other (Humanities?), and I don't remember what else.

After he's done with all those classes, he'll finally be able to start the actual aviation mechanic stuff. Either in the spring or summer. Hopefully he does well in his classes and can start the mechanics course when he expects to.

Ashley is going to school for computer technology or something like that.

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The reason Kelly and I went to Cato is because Kelly's best friend Rene (she'll be 21 in April) is getting married in February and Kelly is a bridesmaid. Rene and her family don't have a lot of money and Rene wants to keep things simple. So she told Kelly to just find a light gray dress. (Her colors are gray and pink.) We've been to several stores and have found nothing that will work or that Kelly likes. (She's very picky.) We've been to Stein Mart, Macy's, New York and Company, Dillard's, Belk, Kohl's, Target, Charlotte Russe, JC Penney, and of course Cato. There a couple more stores we may try. If we can't find anything then we'll have to look online. But we've got to hurry so there's time to order, wait for shipping, possibly have to ship it back if it doesn't work (I hate shopping for clothes or shoes online because you can't try them on before buying them), order something else, etc. :-/

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Speaking of shopping, I bought a cute jacket about 3-4 weeks ago at Stein Mart. It was originally about $40, $78 at other stores, but I paid $29. :-)

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For years I've wanted a Mini Cooper. Well, I've recently fallen in love with something else - Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. I don't know why, but I just love them. Kelly said she's surprised I would want a vehicle like that. It's kind of rugged and some look like military vehicles almost, but I really want one. However, the price for a new one is much more than I'd want to pay and I really don't want a car payment. The car I have now (2007 Honda CRV) has been paid off for about 5 years and I've loved not having a payment. Of course, we'd want to check how reliable they are and all that. But if it's good, maybe someday. I want either a black one, a red one, a dark gray one, or dark green/olive green/army green one. It's possible though that by the time we're able or ready to buy one I may no longer be interested. lol


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~*~Nocturnal Queen~*~
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School Starts, Breakdown, Joyous Events

Yesterday was the first day of school for my kids. (Sean is in 8th grade and Kelly is in 5th.) They met their teachers on Tuesday at their open houses. They were both excited, Sean especially. I think Kelly was probably more excited than she let on. She's said for a long time that she hates school and that it's boring. Yesterday after school she said she had a really good day. Sean too had a good day.


We got their supplies on Wednesday. What a madhouse Walmart was, but that wasn't a surprise. Unfortunately I forgot the small supply list from Sean's Spanish teacher, so I'll have to get those couple things today when I go grocery shopping. Hopefully I won't forget.

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Charlie has been in Oklahoma City for a few weeks now. It doesn't help that his truck broke down in Louisiana. He went back to Shreveport the other day because they said his truck was fixed, but when he got there it was still broke down. *sigh* So he had to get another rental car (after bringing the first one back) and drive back to OKC. I'm not sure when he'll be home. He's ready to come home and the kids and I are ready for him to come home. We miss him.

Last night when I was fixin' to cook supper, Charlie sent a picture message of some shirts and a pair of shorts. He wanted to know which shirt he should buy to go with the shorts he was buying. lol I guess he's running out of clothes. Though if that's the case I don't know why he doesn't go to a laundrymat.

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A little update on "The Situation", keeping things vague, as usual. There was another baby step in the right direction recently. I was happily surprised, nay, thrilled! Sometimes it's the little things that bring the greatest joy. It makes me believe even more that God is going to finish what He started and make things completely as they ought to be. :-)

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Speaking of joyous events. Sean got baptized on Sunday! I'm so happy and proud!

New Sheets and High Cats

The kids and I spent New Year's Eve at home. We watched some TV and saw the ball drop. I got a little choked up and had to hold back my tears as I saw people kissing the New Year in. I wish Charlie had been here to kiss the New Year in with me. :-(

We got groceries yesterday. After which we picked up a pizza for supper from Mario's and brought it home. I then fell asleep on the couch watching TV (shocker) and woke up about an hour later to Sean playing a video game.


I had a little chunk of money left over from Christmas, so the kids and I went to Target today so that I could buy some sheets for my bed. I bought the same sheets (Mon Ami, by Simply Shabby Chic) for my daughter either for her last birthday (February '09) or for Christmas the year before. I thought they were so pretty and comfortable that I wanted some just like them, but I figured Charlie wouldn't want to sleep on pink sheets with little pink flowers on them. When I had mentioned this to him, he said that he didn't care what the sheets look like as long as there are sheets on the bed. lol So today I bought them. Now I just need to buy the quilt that goes with them. It's $100 before taxes though, so it may be a few weeks.

Target also has a set of sheets with blue stripes on them that I'd like to get. They too are by Simply Shabby Chic.


Our cat Sam never uses either of the cat condos we have in our house for scratching. He likes to scratch boxes and books. :-/ This morning he woke me up scratching on the spines of my photo albums (his first time as far as I know; there is no damage that I can see), which sit on the bottom shelf of my bookcase. *insert angry face here*

So when the kids and I went to Target today, I also bought a scratch pad for Sam. It lays on the floor and is made of cardboard, just like the boxes Sam likes to scratch. The scratch pad came with a packet of cat nip, which I sprinkled and rubbed into the cardboard. Sadie was the first to investigate. She looooved it. She was rubbing it and laying on it. Evie was next to investigate and had the same reaction. I hope they don't develop a nip addiction. Sam looked at them like, "What is wrong with you?" because apparently cat nip doesn't affect him the same way. He sniffed at the nip-laced scratch pad and walked away. He probably would've shrugged if he could have.


I've had a somewhat lazy day today. In addition to going to Target, I've been doing laundry and will clean the kitchen soon. Hopefully I can get the tree and other Christmas decor taken down and put away in the next couple days. That's right. The tree is still up.


School starts back on Monday. The kids are dreading it and looking forward to it at the same time. So am I. I hate early mornings and I do still worry about my kids when they're not with me (does that ever go away?), but I also want them to be educated and prepared for adulthood.

Our Christmas Eve

I've spent most of the day today cleaning, doing laundry (which reminds me, I need to put a load in the dryer and get another load washing) and wrapping presents. I made spaghetti for supper. I didn't plan for Christmas dinner when I went grocery shopping, so it will be leftover spaghetti for supper tomorrow. :-/ I had originally planned on cooking a whole chicken for Christmas, but it slipped my mind and I forgot to buy one.

I let the kids open one present each tonight. Sort of a Christmas tradition. Sean opened this Bumblebee Transformer thing that you wear on your arm and pretend to shoot with. Kelly opened a Three Musketeers Corinne and horse.

They were watching Home Alone 2.

I cut my dog's hair late last night while sort of watching (mostly listening to) Fool's Gold. Pippin looks so much better. The poor little guy was in bad need of a haircut.

As for how I'm doing, I'm still a little sore and I still get twinges of pain in one or both ovaries. But pain is something I've lived with everyday for a few years now. :-/

Snow Pictures

Taken early this morning.

All bundled up.

Sliding down the driveway.

Eating snow.

This and That

I've had a relatively good couple days. I went Christmas shopping for my kids on Thursday. (Kelly was sick with a fever and so was with my mom. Sean was at school and then my mom picked him up when he got out.) I got much of what was on their lists. Kelly has a birthday in less than two months and Sean's is in less than four months, so I can get the rest of what they want then.

Before going shopping, I took our cable box and all the cables back to Time Warner. I was nervous that they would give me a hard time. I really don't like dealing with people. But all went pretty well. They gave me a different box (apparently the other one wasn't a pure HD box or something; I don't know) and cables, and I hooked everything up after going shopping, getting Kelly some medicine from CVS and then picking the kids up from Mom's.

It was so great to not only be able to see the channels, but also hear them. Unfortunately, not all our channels were showing up, even after rebooting, so I called technical support. They had me reboot it again (re-reboot?), which still didn't help, and then they did something on their end and all the channels came back. Yay! The lady who was helping me laughed at the reaction of me and my kids. :-)

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Snow and possibly other wintry precipitation was expected to start around noon yesterday, so I did my grocery shopping earlier than I usually do on Fridays. It wasn't easy getting my day started however.

At 5:30 AM, I got a recorded call from the school board stating that schools would be closing three hours early due to the coming winter weather. After which I had a hard time going back to sleep. Then my mom called at 8:14 wanting to know if I'd taken Sean to school. (Kelly was sick with a low fever.) I hadn't. And if I had, we wouldn't have left the house quite yet. Yes, I was a bad mommy and let my son stay home from school. I didn't want to have to get him from school if the weather was really bad by the time they let the kids out.

After Mom's early morning call, I only slept lightly before finally getting up at 9:30 AM. I was so sleepy, but I had to get up and get out so that I could get back before the snow started falling.

The kids and I finally got out of the house at around 10:30. We went to Target where I got some of the groceries (oh, how I wish there were a Super Target around here) and a present (Bakugan) for my brother's step-son Zack. Then we got gas, went to Food Lion for the rest of the groceries and came home. It started snowing as we were leaving Food Lion. It was so pretty to see.

As you can see, this is a night shot. Unfortunately, my camera doesn't take good night shots. I'll try to take a better picture today.

I got online for awhile after getting home before lying down on the couch to take a nap. I ended up sleeping for almost four hours! I couldn't believe it. It was nearly 7:00 PM when I got up. The snow was a few inches deep by then. I quickly got supper started. I figured it was a good night for chili.

The kids and I then just hung out watching TV. I especially enjoyed that since I hadn't been able to really for a few weeks. The Holiday came on TV and I let the kids stay up late to watch it. (They had never seen it before. And it has Jack Black in it. Is there any kid who's seen School of Rock and/or Kung Fu Panda who doesn't like Jack Black?) I know, bad mommy again. :-/

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My daughter said something sweet to me last night. (Not surprising really considering she's such a mama's girl. Or mother's girl, since she calls me Mother.) She asked me, "What else do you want for Christmas besides Daddy and a new camera?" I said, "Books and Blu-Rays." Then she said she wished she could get them for me. Awww.

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The need for something new and wonderful in my life hit me again a little while ago. I think I've written about it before.

This horrible situation I've been in for seven months now is taking its toll. I'm trying to get the victory, but it's putting up quite a fight and refusing to go down. I tell God sometimes, "I hope what comes after this is just as wonderful and beautiful as this current situation is horrible."

Wouldn't it stink if when I get through this all that's waiting on the other side is some little piddly thing? lol Not that I wouldn't be grateful just to make it through, of course. But, well, without going into detail (I have my reasons), just making it through wouldn't really be enough. There must be restoration on the other side.

I cannot tell you how badly I wish I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?'”

This and That; Bad Tooth Fairy

My brother Del came over with his step-son (7 year old Zach) on Saturday to remove the flat tire on my car and put the spare on it. Sean, Kelly and Zach played outside for a little bit and then played a game on the PS3. Del and Zach were here for about an hour or so before going home. Zach was wanting to go swimming in the pool at their apartment complex. Sean liked the sound of that, so I let him go with them. Del brought Sean back home a few hours later (close to 5:00). Sean was a little sunburned on his back. Forgetful me didn't even think about telling Sean to make sure he puts on sunscreen. It's not a bad burn though. He's not hurting from it.

Saturday was also the 65th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. I watched the first couple episodes of Band of Brothers (on Blu-Ray) in honor of that day. I've been watching an episode or two a night, after the kids are asleep. Just three more episodes to go.

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The kids and I went to church Sunday night. It was a good service. I especially enjoyed the singing and worship.

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Yesterday was Field Day at the kids' school. Kelly came home with a sunburn on her face and arms. :-/ Seems like she got a sunburn on last year's Field Day also.

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My brother said something about getting my flat tire (which has a screw in it) plugged or patched. I'm going to try to get that done today. I haven't been driving a whole lot on the spare, but it makes me nervous. I also need to pick up a few things at the grocery store.

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Charlie is supposed to be leaving Texas this morning and coming home. He thought he might have to go to Iowa to replace some guy who apparently has a real attitude problem and was sent away because no one on that job site wants to work with him. Thankfully Charlie gets to come home instead. He should be here sometime tomorrow.

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I don't remember if I wrote here that Sean failed his math EOG a week or so ago by one problem. He has to retake it this week. His teacher says he's confident that Sean will pass, but I'm nervous about it. Fifth grade graduation is this Friday and I'd really like for Sean to be among those moving on to sixth grade.

Thursday is awards day for all grades except fifth. (They probably get their awards on Friday.) Kelly usually gets several awards.

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My aunt Wanda, who lives near the TN/KY line (though I can't remember which state she lives in), flew in yesterday. She's my mom's oldest sister (and I think the oldest among them and their siblings) and is staying at her house. They'll be going to Fayetteville in a couple days to visit the rest of their clan.

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Kelly lost a tooth last night. It had been loose for quite awhile and the permanent tooth was coming in behind it. (The last two baby teeth she lost also had the permanent teeth coming in behind them by the time she lost them.) Apparently, she had bent over while lying on her bed and somehow hit her mouth on the metal bed frame and made it looser, to the point that it was bleeding a little and the tooth was sticking almost straight out. *shudder* Well, I don't do teeth. No tooth she or Sean have ever lost has been pulled by me. I just can't handle it. Call me a wimp if you like. Whatever. It just gives me the heebee jeebies.

So I called my mom (who has pulled all my kids' teeth, except for the one or two that came out on their own) and she and Aunt Wanda came over for the second time last night. (She lives less than 2 miles from me, so it's not a hassle for her really.) It didn't take long. Mom said she barely touched the tooth and it fell out in her hand.

But now I have a problem. I don't have any money to leave Kelly for her tooth. She knows I'm the Tooth Fairy and she'll ask me in the morning (in a few hours) why there wasn't any money under her pillow. Well, she'll just have to wait until I can break the twenty I have. The last couple times she's lost a tooth (the last one came out when she bit into a breadstick at Olive Garden) I've forgotten to leave money under her pillow until the second or third night. lol If I were a real Tooth Fairy the boss fairy would fire me.

Care Level - Near Zero

I don't care anymore. Unless there has been violence, they need to learn to settle it themselves. Any other mothers feel that way? My kids are 9 years old and almost 12. I used to have something to say to the offending party when the other came tattling (usually Kelly), but now I say nothing beyond "I don't want to hear it". If violence is involved (again, usually Kelly; but not often), then I get involved. It's not that I don't care at all, it's just that they argue over the most ridiculous things. And, as I said, they need to learn to settle things themselves.

I really hate the tattling and arguing. After a few tattling trips, I send them to their rooms for awhile. It's not a cure, but it does buy me a few minutes peace.

This is a nearly everyday occurrence. It could be worse, I realize that. I've seen siblings who argue a lot more and just really have at it. Thank God mine aren't that bad. I'd have to find the nearest bridge and commit Hara-kiri.

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In other news (*wink* @ Joni), someone who works with my mom knows someone who wants our old couch. They're supposed to come get it soon. I'll be glad when it's off my porch.

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A little tidbit I forgot to mention:

I ordered our new furniture on my birthday and it was delivered on my husband's birthday. :-)

Christmas, Sickness, DH

I picked Charlie up from the airport on Tuesday. He was supposed to be there at 12:00, but his flight was delayed and he wasn't there until 12:30. After leaving the airport, we went to Target to get the kids' bikes. We got Kelly's (purple w/butterflies), but they were sold out of the one Sean wanted. (An orangey-red Tony Hawk.)

We came home from there and Charlie put Kelly's bike in the storage building, took a shower and changed clothes. We then went to another Target on New Garden to get the bike Sean liked. There's a Books-a-Million in the same shopping center. We went in to see if they had any of the classics I want in hardcover, but they only had them in paperback. I did see a globe I liked (tan, not blue) as we were about to leave, so at least I didn't leave empty-handed.

From there, we went to Olive Garden for an early supper/belated anniversary dinner. I had wanted to go to Bianca's, but they weren't open yet and I was too hungry to wait as I hadn't eaten yet.

We came home again and Charlie put Sean's bike in the storage building. I then picked the kids up from Mom's house.

I made pecan ball/butter ball/Mexican wedding cookies on Wednesday/Christmas Eve and wrapped some presents. We then ended up at Applebee's for supper. We had wanted to go to Pizzeria L'Italiano, but they were closed. As were our second and third choices, Mario's Pizza and Monterrey's. I didn't really care for the fajitas I ordered, so I didn't eat much of it.

My mom, brother and his wife came over after we got home. We opened our presents from them (bunch of stuff for the kids from Mom; Bratz doll for Kelly from Del & Jennifer, Hummer for Sean; money for Charlie & me from Mom; a framed wedding picture from Del & Jennifer) and they opened their presents from us.

After they left, I wrapped the rest of Sean and Kelly's presents. Then we let them open one of their gifts. Sean opened the Batman sword and Kelly opened the Bratz guitar. They loved them.

By late that night, I was starting to feel bad. I took my temperature, because I was feeling kind of achy and sickly all over, and I had a low fever.

The kids opened their presents from Charlie and I on Christmas once we got out of bed. They loved everything. After they had opened all their gifts that were under the tree, Charlie brought their bikes in. They were surprised and happy.

I didn't make a special dinner. I felt too awful. I sat around taking medicine, feeling crappy and trying to take it easy. I was fevered still, achy, had a sore throat and hardly had a voice. I didn't sleep well that night (sniffling, runny nose, sneezing) or last night (coughing).

Charlie's sister Sheila, her ex-husband David and their children Matthew (from his previous marriage; that wife died from cancer or something) and Samantha came over yesterday. I was in bed with a fever, little voice, sore throat, sneezing, sniffling, fatigue. I didn't see them and they didn't see me, but I could hear a little of the conversation and laughter. I wish I could've been with them, but I just couldn't. They left a couple hours after arriving. Samantha stayed here. Her dad is supposed to pick her up tomorrow afternoon on his way back from fly fishing in the mountains.

I've felt a little better today. No fever, aches or as much fatigue. It's mostly just the sniffles and an annoying cough. We ordered pizza from Mario's for supper and Charlie picked it up. We watched the third Mummy movie after eating.

I have to bring Charlie to the airport in the morning so he can fly back to Texas for work. From there he might have to go North Dakota and Iowa. I don't know when he'll be home.

I was too sick to get groceries on Friday, so I'm planning on going this Monday. I should be well enough by then to do that. I also have to bring the leather jacket I got Charlie for Christmas back to Belk so that they can remove the security tag (which didn't beep when I left with it) that they left on. It's a nice jacket. (Marked down from $280 to $89.99.) Charlie really liked it.

I'm going to put the money Mom gave me for Christmas in the bank and then order a few of the books I've been wanting. (In hardcover, of course.) I'm thinking I'll order Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte, Villette by Charlotte Bronte and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte.