Me, and Mini Me

Today both older kids have ROTC commitments, and that just leaves me with Little One.

I had it all planned: we would go early to the outlet mall, have something to munch on while I took her to her favorite stores, checked out Soma for more PJ’s, then lunch at Johnny Rockets.

The reality? She slept in, decided she didn’t want to go at the last minute. So, I decided to just read a bit before starting to finish folding the clothes waiting by my bed.

So what happens? After I tell her she needs to stop watching TV and clean her room, she then decides that the outlet mall is a great idea!

Convenient, huh? But that’s ok, because she gets to clean her room after we return.

There’s a price to pay for fun in the Sith Empire 😉

Sometimes My Kids Forget How Cool I Am

Yesterday I was cleaning out my jewelry stash, preparing to let the girls go through my discards of fashion baubles prior to giving the rest to my nieces. Sometimes I do wonder whatever motivated me to buy certain pieces of jewelry. No, I have nothing with skulls and crossbones in the lot. Not yet, anyway. Suffice it to say, most of it is usually appreciated by the girls, so it’s never a loss. But the cascading shell earrings were a wash for sure.

Anyway, as I was reorganizing my treasure chest the lot, I came across certain pieces that Hubby acquired during a conference he attended in Scottsdale, Arizona. I usually wear the earrings and necklaces, but had completely forgotten about this one:

Those who know me will probably be surprised that I own a “slave bracelet”. They would be more surprised to find that I own more than one. And let’s not start on the ankle bracelets. That inventory can take a while.

That’s right, kidlets: your momma is way cool, and she has the creds to prove it 😉

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!! 😀

When It Rains….

This past weekend, Eldest informed me that the battery in her laptop needs to be replaced. That’s nothing unusual, since the battery in my laptop has needed replacing for a long time now. But yesterday Son informed me that the kids’ computer no longer reads discs or memory sticks.

So now it seems certain tech thingies can’t wait for Hubby to get home. I have been wanting to upgrade the kids’ computer for a while, but Hubby is bringing the one he is using back, so I’m not sure if I should go ahead and get a new CPU, and install the other PC in the main reading area.

Of course, Son is all for a new PC in his room, where he thinks he can limit access to his sisters. And Little One is all about having her very own laptop in her room. That won’t happen for a few years, though. The gnashing of teeth will continue unabated until then, I’m sure. I swear, this house is fast becoming a computer and videogame system graveyard. I just wonder if there will be enough room for a new iPad 😉

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 😉

It’s a Party, and I Can Cry Because I’ll Have Waterproof Mascara

Quick confession: I used to sell Mary Kay Cosmetics™. The judging stops NOW!

Moving on. A friend of mine has invited me to a Mary Kay party. It has been roughly ten years since I have been to one, much less used their stuff. That doesn’t mean I don’t own some still, though mostly perfumey stuff. Usually I dread going to these parties because I have awful skin, and usually buy into the hope that this time I will find something that will make my skin look perfect and flawless. That is silly, of course, but I can still hope. Prayer doesn’t hurt, either.

Surprisingly, I am looking forward to it. I have come to the realization that I am a homebody. I don’t go out much, and when I do, I tend to come home early because of the kids. I do my chores around the house in total silence, forgetting about the radio or the CD player, and sometimes feel like I’m in a tomb, at least until Little One comes home and watches Disney Channel. I need to get out more, and make new friends, and if that entails going to a make-up party and buying something that guarantees to take years off your face, I will do it!

I just hope that stuff isn’t botox 😉

I Need an Intervention, or More Space in My Closet

So y’all are familiar with my quest for the perfect tote bag, and how it happened that Vera Bradley finally had a print that I really, really like. Well, I didn’t just buy the tote. I had to buy the stuff that matches, too. And they also had another print I liked, one that was more… autumn. Anyway, now that I have acquired my tote bags and purse and stuff, I have to make room for them in my closet, which means I have to get rid of the stuff I don’t use.

Last night I started to clean out the “purse stockpile”. Now, I am not one to buy purses just because they are pretty and have a fun print or it’s on sale. Ok, maybe the “on sale” bit is true. But I did go through a period where I was looking for the “right” purse. My sister has a really nice one that looks like a tote bag (heh!), one I gifted her (double heh!), but one that would be way too big for me. As I took stock of my purses, I noticed that they were all roughly the same size, and same color: small to mid-size, and shades of brown. Brown goes with everything, see? So does black, but I only have one, and it’s an evening bag. Go figure.

Now, I have made a rule for myself: for everything I buy, two things of equal volume and/or mass have to go out*. Hubby can’t stand having a lot of “stuff” in the house, so this rule will help with the clutter. I wanted to count furniture in that rule, but our furniture he likes, so that’s out. But pretty much knick knacks and sundry is fair game. This Spring will sure be fun….

*Except fashion jewelry. That’s on a one-to-one ratio 😉

Because Plans Go Out the Window Once You Begin Execution

Last night I was awakened by the sound of rain. At first it was very nice, but soon enough it turned into a racket, my headboard being against the outside wall being pelted by it, and the thunder adding to it. Most people would sleep right through that, but not me. Why? Because I have a fraidy cat for a dog. I just knew she was going to be upset and whiny, and wanting to have company. Sure enough, she was at my door, whimpering until I got up and went to lay down with her until the storm passed.

Two hours later the storm was still going strong, and I am so grateful we got the rain, but the dog…. she would NOT let me sleep. So I stayed up with her until about 3 AM, when it turned into a more steady rain. I got in bed just in time to get a text message from Hubby, telling me it was snowing so hard where he is at that he couldn’t see the river. So we conversed by text for a while, finally letting myself fall asleep just in time for the alarm to go off, since Son has a drill meet today.

And what does this have to do with planning anything? Well, I had planned to go out and do some clothes shopping for the kids, groceries, Goodwill™ run, and of course, shopping for the Red Dress. For once my day was planned to the minute. Now I have to wait until the people around here stop their raindance so I can go out and manage to salvage the day. That is, if Hubby doesn’t Skype today. If he does, I will just put everything on hold until tomorrow. I do have my priorities straight.

Seems like a great time to make some brownies. Oh… I’m out of eggs.

Sigh….

Ladies in Red

Some of you out in the Blogosphere may know of The Bloggess, Jenny, and her Travelling Red Dress. It is a wonderful project done for the purpose of bringing a woman’s inner beauty into the open, celebrating one’s life, or a milestone, or just to give a woman the feel of magic. There is even a Facebook page to bring women with red dresses together with women who need them.

Yes, I admit I am a maudlin sap. I can’t help it. And most of you know me well enough to know that I don’t subscribe to feminism as defined by Gloria Steinem. My feminism was defined by June Cleaver. But the magic of the Travelling Red Dress is one that transcends all walks of life. It has a purpose, and there is never a downside to having a Red Dress moment, because as soon as you slip it on, you are filled with magic and love and hope, and guess what??

ALL THAT STAYS WITH YOU, FOREVER!!

And so, I am taking a step, and getting a Red Dress, and I will wear it, and believe in the magic, and then pass it on to another who needs the magic. And so on, and so forth, until it falls apart.

And then I’ll get a new one. And start the cycle all over again!!

PS: Yes, I will model it here. And if any of my readers are interested in having it, send me an email, or leave a comment on this post. All I ask is that you send it along to another gal who needs the magic, too 🙂

Sweet Tart

It is nearly time again. The holiday most dreaded by men everywhere. Yep…Valentine’s Day!!

Every year it’s the same excruciating headache, and every year we are exposed to every kiss beginning with Kay, when really a lot of them begin with liquor. Hubby has learned to avoid the pitfalls of this holiday quite well. How, you may ask? Simple: he gifts me an appliance. No, I’m not kidding. Florists jack up the prices on arrangements, and for the price of a few blooms, I can get something I need. This year I went ahead and got it early!

Isn’t it just cute?? And yes, I did get it in that color. Now, you may ask why I got this for myself now, rather than let Hubby order it for me. Well, he is going on a trip to Hungary, and as usual he likes to bring me something from wherever he visits.

Hungary is famous for wine (which he can’t send me), and desserts (which he can’t send me), and for its chickens. Admittedly, I am speaking of porcelain sculptures, but a chicken is not something with which I want to decorate. Besides, those chickens run in the hundreds of Euros, and my mixer is a steal at less than $70. So really, I just saved him a lot of money, right??

Best wife ever!!! 😉