How to Get Brownie Points on Mother’s Day

Yeah, I’m still operating at impulse power, and what better way to use impulse than to go shopping, right?? Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and I know some of y’all tend to wait until the last freakin’ minute overthink about the perfect gift.

Well, that’s what I’m here for. I am your Fairy Aggie. Oh, shut it, and read on.

Jewelry and knick knacks tend to be perennial favorites, but there comes a time that they become run-of-the-mill, and totally expected. Try to think outside the jewelry box. As y’all know, I am a big, BIG fan of PJs. Nothing better than wearing comfy PJs and relaxing, in my opinion. If the mom in your life is like that, she would looooove these:

As always, model not included, so don’t bother asking.

It’s Not Just a Job. It’s an Adventure!

Ok, so for me, shopping isn’t exactly a job. I do enjoy shopping a bit. Ok, quite a bit. FINE!!! A LOT!!! Anyway, sometimes shopping doesn’t go the way I plan it. This past Sunday we went to the outlet mall in search of Timberland boots for Hubby. His were quite old and worn, and he was in desperate need for a new pair.

And since he was getting new shoes, I saw a window of opportunity!

I have been toying with the idea of acquiring cowboy boots. I know, I know…. I live in Texas and don’t own cowboy boots. In my defense I could never make up my mind over which style/ leather/ heel I like. But I think I found a pair I could really enjoy wearing.

Yeah!!! Aggie boots!! And let me tell you, that toe can do serious damage. Anyway, I decided to go look for them at the Cavender’s Factory Store. Full disclosure: I have never been in a “cowboy store” that sold women’s wear. I was bedazzled by rhinestones everywhere!! Jeans, shirts, sandals (yes, sandals at a boot store), candle holders, wall hangings, even cowhides had rhinestones on them. Once I got past the blazing kaleidoscope, I made my way to the women’s shoe section. I had little hope of finding the boots, since we live in relative proximity to three major universities. But look I did.

And ended up questioning my presence on this planet when I saw these:

These are actually rain boots made to look like cowboy boots. My question is WHY?? I just don’t get it. Rain boots don’t need a makeover. It didn’t help matters when I witnessed several women fawning over them. Hubby said they looked like Vera Bradley had metastasized, which is another story altogether. We had gone to the Vera Bradley outlet and his first words in the store were, “It looks like a unicorn beshat the place,” and “This is what happens when a leprecaun vomits.” Needless to say, shopping that day came to an abrupt halt.

He is so much fun to have around 😀

GUESS WHAT????

HUBBY IS HOME!!!!!

I had to keep quiet about because the kids read the blog, and couldn’t spoil the surprise!

Of course, my sister and my Mom were upset that I didn’t tell them, because had my mother known he was coming she would have prepared a feast.

In retrospect, maybe I should have told her. Nah!! My jeans fit now, and I don’t need the temptation of her food to challenge the bounds of denim 😉

Because More of a Good Thing Is a Good Thing

You know the feeling when you find a pair of shoes that are comfortable, or jeans that fit you so well that you wish you had more in every color??

Yeah, I get that feeling, too. I just take it further sometimes. Last year I found really comfortable sweat pants, so what did I do? I bought five pairs, two in the same color. That was either because I forgot I owned them in that color already, or because I was a little over zealous. This applies to lipstick and nail polish, as well. There have been a few times when I have found a beautiful shade of rose only to find out it was a limited edition nail color. This last week I found the perfect summer pink and bought three bottles of it.

This past month I was at the Soma™ store, and found a really nice dress. It was on sale, but they had a medium, which was too big (WHOO HOO!!!!) and an extra small, which fit rather clingy. Clingy can be good, but I tend to avoid it. I like more “flowy” dresses for two reasons: 1) I can move more freely, and 2) well….let’s just say I prefer no one else to know my sizes in everything. Sadly, there was no size small, so I thought my search for the dress was over. Until I went online.

Model not included, especially since she is wearing an extra small.

THEY HAD IT IN MY SIZE!!!! And that’s not all. They had two other solid colors!! So of course I have to get those, too!! It’s one thing to have two pairs of black sweat pants, and quite another to have two dresses in the same print. Just not done, right? And since I am so short, the dress comes down past my knees, which makes it perfect.

Of course, this means now I have to go find the perfect pair of shoes. More than likely three pairs, in different colors 😉

Tattoo You

Full disclosure: I don’t have any tattoos. Nevertheless, I love the intricate works of art that can grace someone’s body. I remember back in the early 90’s, the Dallas Museum of Art had a photograph collection on display of 114 tattoos by 68 different artists, and I was mesmerized. It is different than painting on a canvas. The precision, the detail, and the no-room-for-mistakes make for some beautiful work, and sometimes for major drama when the artist does makes a mistake. Unlike tattoos in the past, nowadays you can correct mistakes a bit more easily, though not without added discomfort!

I had briefly toyed with the idea of either getting a tattoo, or a (SHOCK!!) belly button piercing when I lived in Germany. It seemed everyone was getting one. And Hubby wasn’t opposed to it either, as long as it held some sort of significance.

Me: Significance? Like the kids’ names?

Hubby: No, something oblique that only you and me understand.

Me: Kids’ names in Sanskrit??

Hubby: (big sigh) No, no names. But you do have a lot of moles on your back. Maybe like Connect the Dots? Or hey! How about the Big Dipper? You do have moles that look like the stars in the Big Dipper….

Me: ………

Needless to say, that never came to fruition. And in retrospect I suppose it’s a good thing. But sometimes I think wistfully of the remarks a Big Dipper tattoo would have generated 😉

Feeling Pretty

When Eldest was very young, she liked to wear pretty things. Like all girls do. We’re talking flowers in her hair, dresses, frills, the works. I loved to take her shopping and dress her up. It was like having my own living doll. Which was awesome, because most of my dolls were Barbies that I bent in half to make into “guns”.

Then Hubby decided to take over. And the feminine little girl transmogrified into a snake-charming, target-killing, bug-loving, dirt-digging tomboy who, like her father, preferred the comfort of black clothing and jeans. My sphere of influence shrank into a miniscule ring the size of a penny almost overnight. I was crushed, but hey! At least I had Little One still in my so-called grip.That lasted…oh, about two weeks. Once she saw that Eldest had her own unique style, she too, was done with me.

I just gave up...

So, imagine my surprise when Eldest asks me to take her shopping for new clothes. Now, normally I try to instill a bit of influence over what my kids wear. I am adamant about modesty, but have pretty much given up on the whole feminine thing with the girls, since every time I would try to get them in a dress I would get the inevitable eye roll accompanied by the always popular, “Moooom!!!”

Eldest: Mom, can you take me clothes shopping?

Me: Do you need jeans again??

Eldest: I want a new dress.

Me: …..

Eldest: Maybe some pretty tops to wear at school.

Me: You mean in other colors besides black, grey, or more black?

Eldest: *rolls eyes* Yes…

Me: LET’S GO!!!!!!!!

So, a dress, some tops, and heels later, she is enjoying her new look.

I don’t know how long it will last, but I will be enjoying it the whole time!! 😀

Why-Oh-Gee-Ay: YOGA!!

As most of you know, I am not the most active gal around. I hate exercise. Well, I hate running. I hate doing the stair machine. Elliptical is the devil’s work. You get my drift. Even Sweating to the Oldies was a bit too hectic for me. I used to have a membership in a gym a long time ago, and while it was nice to get away for a while, I always felt intimidated by the people working out. It seemed to me like I was crashing a Gold’s Gym commercial.

But I’m growing older, and I’m starting to feel the aches and pains that come with the grey and the wrinkles. Several friends have suggested I try Yoga. Now, I’m in no shape to be twisted like a pretzel so that I can achieve inner peace. I have balked at trying it because I don’t have elastic ligaments and don’t relish the thought of trying to do a Chinese split or bend over backwards to touch my toes with my nose. However, my new friend Elizabeth (who photographed me for the TRD) is getting her certification as a Yoga instructor, and it just seems like Fate is pointing me in that direction. Either that, or this Lent thing is really playing havoc with my head.

So, I think I will try Yoga, with the possibility of either becoming very fit and flexible (SHUT. UP!!), or relegating myself to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum as the world’s only living pretzel.

I’m hoping for the former. But the latter could bring fame and fortune. It’s a toss up 😉

Yorling: It’s Not Just For Breakfast Anymore

Every time I think I can’t possibly find something way cool that I can’t live without, I find it.

I love pajamas. I must own a LOT of pajamas. And if I have a special attachment to one, I will NOT give it up. I still own the Winnie the Pooh™ nightie my mom got me at Sears™ when I was 6 years old. I still own the one set I got for my hospital stay after my son’s birth. I don’t know if I should be happy that it still fits. During the closet cleaning I found several sets that were so very worn, I cut them up for outdoor rags. It hurt, y’all. I felt like Travis did when he had to shoot Old Yeller, only there was no rabies involved. Or a shotgun.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I went to the outlet mall with a friend of mine, and we spied the Soma store. Now, I have heard of this store before, but never went in, mostly because if I’m at the outlet mall, I go to where I need to go and get out. Too many people around. But as we walked by they had this in the window:

Flutterbys, y'all!!!

For the gentlemen that read this here blog: no, the gal wasn’t in the window. Just the sleepshirt.

Anyway, we went in, and lo and behold, the sleepshirt felt like the most soft cottony silk!! That pajama got under my skin, and I came home and cleaned out as many PJs as I could possibly donate, just so I could go back and get my flutterbys. I managed to clear out eight sets, which means, as per my dictate, I can get FOUR!! No, not of the same style and print, people. So, today will be a good pajama day for me!

At least I will feel good in my PJs as I give up everything worth having for Lent tomorrow 😉

Guilt is a Great Motivator

Last night as I was going through clothing I haven’t worn in a year to donate to charity, I had an epiphany of sorts: I tend to keep clothing that doesn’t fit, either because I plan on losing a bit of weight to be comfy in it again, or because I am far too lazy to lose a bit of weight, and need comfier clothes to accommodate me. I felt a bit guilty over having an “escape route” for my laziness, and finally realized it was time to change that habit.

Luckily for me, Lent is coming up. And as is my custom, I don’t give up just one thing. I give up many, many things.

I give up drinking booze.

I give up sweets, including chocolate.

I give up fatty foods.

And I even give up caffeine.

Check it out! I come with a warning sign!

Usually Hubby steps around here on eggshells during Lent. He’s a smart cookie, though. He gives up cooking for Lent. But since he won’t be back until after Lent, he will get a reprieve. Last year I lost almost 17 pounds. This year he will come home to a more svelte wife. And if he’s smart, he will be carrying a bar of chocolate when he gets off the plane 😉

Well, I Did It

And I had a wonderful time. Yesterday I had the Travelling Red Dress™ photo shoot (info on the TRD is here). I had an amazing time with the photographer, Elizabeth, of Amakua Market Photography. She is a young woman who has an infectious love of life, and a wonderful personality, as well as that rarest of rare things: a love of her job. Grateful for the warm weather, we decided to go to the Japanese Gardens and walk around taking pics and laughing while enjoying the scenery.

And this is me. In the Almost Red Dress.

Yes, pixelated to protect my secret identity.

I found that this dress has a secret: it’s a magnifying glass. I started off wearing this dress to give myself a bit of magic, and found that the dress didn’t give it to me, it only let’s it show through. For that hour when I wore it, I saw myself like a court jester, and a petite flower, and a queen, and a little fish in the big pond full of Koi, and I loved it!! Big or small, I liked what I saw. It took me a long time to realize that I like who I am, and this dress helped me to see that others have always felt the same way. No, not everyone likes me, but at least I can see why some people do.

And the Converse All Stars™ were definitely the finishing touch 😉