Go To Da Joe Sto'

"Mommy, I go shopping at da Joe sto' by my felf."

(Lemon Meringue along for the ride)

 I was too busy steering her away from toppling the displays to take a

picture inside, but she did well, and the cart only tipped over one time. :o)

(at Trader Joe's)

Oh, Mojo, Where Are You??

Happy Valentine's Day

I've had a blank "create blog post" screen up for a few days now, and can't really seem to think of anything to fill it with. Sorry.

I'll tell you, though, since I know you are hanging on pins and needles, that I have decided to KEEP the bag. I really appreciate everyone's comments, and I did take each one to heart. Thank you, seasoned moms, that told me that, as Mookie gets older, I will be carrying less stuff in a bag. Thank you, seasoned moms, that told me that I should take it back because if I'm not 100% satisfied with it now, I won't be in a week, a month, or a year.  All too true, I know.  But in the end, I decided to keep it because, well, at the end of the month when I look at the pennies in the bank account and then look around the house to see what it is that I traded Dave's hard-earned money for, what will I see? Usually I see nothing. Nothing that makes my heart happy, at least. Yes, I've bought food, and laundry detergent, and put gas in the car, and new clothes on Mookie...all of these things make me happy...but there's just something about having something SO pretty be so functional for me, too. Why, just yesterday, I was in a small (bridal) boutique, and the owner said "Wow! What a pretty purse!" And I said, "Oh my gosh. It's not a purse, it's a DIAPER BAG!!!!"  And she said "No way! Seriously?" And I took it off my shoulder to let her feel it, and hold it, and love it. She was stunned. And she knows pretty stuff, too, what with all the wedding and bridesmaids dresses she dances through each day. So, yes. I cut the tags off. Lest anyone confuse me with Minnie Pearl.

And I was in a bridal boutique because my best friend, Angela, is engaged, and we're shopping for the MoH dress. The wedding is in May, and I'm the only attendant, so that should make it easier, but I'm having a hard time with it. I love love LOVE a pretty dress (or three). And, yes, I'm back to my original size, so I can pull off quite a few styles. But do you think they would make the style I want in the color we want?? For less than $200?? No. Of course not. I'm cheap, I admit it. Some people are more loosey-goosey with their money. But remember my quandary about the PPB bag? And that was only $50 for something I will use every single day for who knows how long!  But $200 for a dress that I will wear two, maybe three times? I KNOW it's a one-time, very special occasion, and I am very glad that Ang is getting married, and has asked me to be her Matron of Honor, so it's totally worth the cost. I know that. And maybe it's not as much about the cost as it is about the "market" of bridesmaids dresses.  I left the store today very frustrated because I know the color we want, but don't think that a 2x5" swatch of fabric really represents what the entire dress will look like on me.

Yes, that apple tissue taffeta is a lovely color, but do you have a dress made in it that I could try on to see if it would look as lovely on me as it does on that little sample card?  No??  Okay, well, then howsabout I try on a dress or three to see if one of these styles is flattering. What? They're all size 12, and you're going to use binder clips to cinch up the back? And that's supposed to be an accurate indication of how a properly fitting dress will look on me?? And you want me to order this randomly-fitting dress in this as-yet-unknown color from you, 1200 miiles away so that when it comes in, you can ship it to me?  Um. No. Thank you for your time. You have a lovely day, now.

Sigh. It's discouraging. I just want a pretty dress...is that too much to ask? :o)
Maybe I spent all my shopping mojo on the PPB bag.

Should It Stay or Should It Go?

Interesting.

Very interesting.

So far the debate is 50-50 to keep the bag. (read the previous post)

Kelly and Julie say "take it back," while Megan and Jen say "keep it."

We've driven up to Denver for the day, and I brought it along (tags and all!) to, you know, test drive it. So far, so good. Except, still, it doesn't fit the Moby. And when we went to the mall, I accidentally left the Moby on the table. And I don't have a stroller here, so I was kinda stuck! In the mall with a baby in her carseat. What to do?? I had to pay $5 to use one of the icky, manky, germ-infested mall carts. Ew. So, in that regard, it's not worth keeping.

But my inner-jury is still out.

Anyone else want to weigh in?

Petunia Pickle What?

I need help.

I need some validation.

I need some encouragement.

From someone other than Dave, who, bless him, doesn't seem to understand that a diaper bag can do more for a new mom than just carry diapers... :o)

See, Saturday, I had to go to TJ Maxx for an undergarment, and as I walked in the door, there was a small rack with a handful of Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags. Did you hear angels singing the Hallelujah Chorus at about 2:15 MST?

Because, have you seen these bags? The fabric, it is dreamy. It is yummy. It requires and demands that you touch it. The accents are perfect. Bold, yet understated. Contemporary, yet classic. The bag, no matter the style, somehow leaps onto your shoulder and begins to bond with you.

And, above said rack was a sign that said $59.99. I've only ever seen PPB bags for $100 or more on sale. So, $60? For a PPB bag? Hello! Come on over here and bond with me, baby.
And, also? I've been kinda thinking that I needed a larger diaper bag now that Mookie is getting larger, and requires more, and larger, things. So, not only are they GORGEOUS, but one of these heavenly, discounted delights might also fill an need? That, my friends, sounds like justification. Pure, unadulterated, justification.

So, The Bag and I bonded as Mookie and I wandered throughout the store. Periodically, I would take it off my arm and just, you know, gaze at it. Muse over how the fluorescent store lighting brought out the delicate undertones of the brocade. And, yes, convince myself that everything in my current diaper bag will, in fact, fit into this beauty.

Feast your eyes upon this piece of creative genius.

Whadya think? Lovely, no?

Needless to say, I decided that (a) I could afford it, and (b) I need it. I've been coveting the PPB bags for quite a few months, but never felt like (a) I could afford a $100 bag, or (b) I really need it. :o)  But for $60, I thought I'd at least bring it back to the hotel room and move my current diaper bag contents into it to see, once and for all, that it meets all of my requirements and deserves my love and admiration.

BUT...guess what happened when I got it out of the TJ Maxx bag? I looked at the tag, and noticed that, instead of a 5, there was a 4...so I got that bag, that little slice of heaven up there, for $49.99. FIFTY dollars!! The angels were definitely singing then!

And I began the daunting task of trying to extract encouragement and justification from Dave (who really doesn't care). And at about the same time I began the equally daunting task of trying to coerce the contents from my old diaper bag to fit into the new diaper bag.

And they acquiesced. Mostly. I don't think I need a burp cloth. Nor do I need 5 diapers. 3 diapers is plenty, right? (I've got more stashed in the car)  Sadly, the Moby doesn't fit into the new bag. No amount of coersion will make that happen. Unless I don't put other stuff in there. And don't zip it shut. :o) 

Also, full? The bag does not leap quite as easily onto my shoulder as it did when it was empty.

Dang.

See my dilemma? $50 for a bag that, while stunningly beautiful and unique, is not large enough to hold everything I want it to hold. Also, as Mookie gets bigger and requires more, and bigger, things...this bag will be less and less practical. (However, it will easily transition from being a diaper-carryer to a regular handbag one day)

What do you think? I've left the tags on it. Should I keep The Bag, or should I return it so that it can go make someone else's heart happy?

Rock Me Amadeus

Rock On.
Rock You Like A Hurricane.
Rock of Ages.
I Love Rock and Roll.
Rockin' In The Free World.
I Am A Rock. I Am An Island.
Rocky Top Tennessee.

I'm guessing you've noticed the theme?  Except I kinda lost it with that last one. :o)

Anyways, this blog post is not related to rock and roll songs at all! I just wanted to lure you in. Intrigue you. Pique your interest, per se.

A couple of weeks ago, I finally bit the proverbial bullet, and ventured out in search of a rocker-recliner to put in Mookie's room.  I had test-driven a couple at people's houses, and liked how much more comfortable (and quiet) they were compared to the antique rocking chair that was in her room.

While I love the notion of the antique rocker (5 generations of mamas have fed their babies in this rocker), I do not love the characteristic "creeeeeek" sound that it makes when you rock. And when you sit down. And when you get up. Not so good when you've finally gotten a baby to sleep and now need to rise and put her in her crib.

So, back to the bullet-biting. I had done some online research, but recliners need to be sat in, and rocked in and stood up from and I haven't figured out how to do that over the web. :o)  One Thursday, I put Mookie in the car and went to a few furniture stores. When we got to the store, I put her in a front carrier, and prepared to sit, rock, and stand.  During the furniture calisthenics, I learned something that day that I didn't expect to learn.

Rocking recliners speak.

There was the rocker that said "Don't lean your head back when you are tired because the back of the chair doesn't go high enough. And your neck will hurt. And you won't like that very much."

And I sat in the rocker that had less-than cushy arm rests, seeming to say, "What? Why would you want to put your arm here when you've got your baby's head in the crook of it? That makes no sense to me. Put your drink here, not your arm"

Then there was the rocker that looked nice, and had a nice price tag, but when I sat down, it didn't fit. I swear it was pushing me back out as it seemed to say, "Get up, go do the laundry. Don't relax here. Don't rest your head. You've got WORK to do!!"

And, finally, the rocker that was the right height, and width, and depth for me. When I sat down, I think it let out a comfortable sigh. It said, "Please sit back. Relax your shoulders. Put your baby's sweet little head on my armrest. Between you and me, we'll get her to sleep. And when she is asleep, if you really want to stand up, I'll keep quiet. But if you want to sleep here with you, I'll let you."

It should come as no surprise, then, which one now lives in my baby's bedroom.

What does your recliner say?

Well, I Never!

Today was a day I did something I have never done before.

Well, two things, actually.

One, I know I will do again, and I have been tempted to do in the past, but never felt right. Or worthy. Or bad enough.

The other? Well, I just never wanted to. And I don't know if I really wanted to this time, either, it just seems to make some sense. And I hope it turns out like I intend it to work out. Otherwise, I'll have proved myself right. Or will I prove myself wrong? Huh, I've confused myself. (not hard, I know)

Curious?

Both occurred at my local Target store.

Does that help?

Probably not, since most of my adventures of late occur at my local Target store!

Okay, enough delay.

The first "never before" (and, oh boy, it really made a difference!) was that I used one of the "Rascal" mobility scooters to get around the store while I did my shopping. Normally I am hunched over the handle of the cart after being in the store for about 8 minutes. No one told me that shopping would wear me out while pregnant. Shame on you for with-holding that critical piece of information! Well, anyways...you will be pleased to know that I did not run into any people, and I maneuvered through the aisles just fine. The only time I had a problem was when I was trying to turn beside one of the racks of baby clothes, and I caught my wheel on it's wheel, and, well, I was being followed by a clothes rack for a few feet before I stopped and realigned everything. :o) I'm sure the guys watching the security cameras got a kick out of that! My only disappointment was finding out how slow they go. I wanted to go fast! At least faster than if I was walking in my current state of un-grace! All in all, it was a really good thing. This baby of mine does not seem to like shopping, and makes my life difficult when I must shop.

The second "never before" stems from a recent sleeping (and non-sleeping) trend of mine. It seems that my belly is no longer willing to tolerate waistbands. The belly doesn't like them at all. Two feet wide, surround the bump? Nope. Millimeters wide, underneath the bump? Uh uh. This is just not cool because, well, I'm kinda a modest person, and prefer to wear clothes. When I'm sleeping, this includes shorts or long-pants, to be exact. Now, during the day, I can situate my shorts or pants in a way that's moderately comfortable because, well, I'm conscious. At night? Not so good. I wake up way too frequently as it is, I don't need more interruptions to readjust my waistband! Sheesh! I've pretty much always been a pajama's kind of girl. I know I had nightgowns when I was a kid, but once I started making my own sleeping-attire decisions, they always involved two pieces. One on top, and one on bottom. With legs. I guess I'm a fidgety sleeper, because nightgowns always ended up around my neck, or twisted 4 times around my body. And I would have got get up out of bed to rearrange my nightgown before I could get back into bed to finish sleeping. So, I have come to a point of dilemma. I, being the modest one, must wear something to sleep in. (Make whatever comments you like, think whatever you want...this is just the way I am wired.) Do I continue wearing pj's that irritate my belly? Or do I venture into the land of nod wearing an actual nightgown? Well, today at Target, I drove my little Rascal through the...um...nightwear? department, and came to a rack of nightgowns that I thought I might could tolerate. And I wanted one that would continue to grow with me. And I wanted one that was (maybe?) long enough to not end up around my neck 13 minutes after I go to sleep. And I wanted one that I thought was pretty. And I wanted one with a particular kind of bodice layout. And I wanted one that wasn't too expensive. And I wanted one that... :o) Whew! I found a couple that I liked, and tried them on. One was not so good, and the other one looked like a pretty dress. That I could wear out (with a slip, mind you!). And it met all my other criteria.

So, today, for the first time in all my adult days, I purchased a nightgown.

And I put it in my little Rascal scooter.

And went on my merry way.

Tomorrow? It's a beach party. And the weather looks fab. F. A. B. Mmm...gotta love southern California!

You Know You Want One Too!

I didn't want to do it.

I didn't want to need one.

I didn't want to want one.

But then I saw It.

You'd want It, too.

See, in my Master Plan of Pregnancy, I planned to go from petite to grande during the warmer spring months. (Meaning that I wouldn't have to spend money on big clothing items like heavy sweaters and coats).

But I found out this weekend that, even though I live where it's sunny and warm most of the time, it still gets chilly enough at night for me to want to be wearing a jacket of some kind. And all my favorite jackets are shrinking. :-(

And then, like a sign, while shopping at Tarjai Boutique yesterday, I saw It. If I remember correctly, there was a faint sound of angels singing, and a gentle light shining down from above illuminating It. It is new, I've not seen It before in any of the Tarjai's I frequent. It is laaahvely.

I don't generally like spending "whole" money on clothes (or anything, really!) I much prefer to buy clothes on sale or clearance. It makes me feel jolly inside. (You know you feel jolly, too, when you score a bargain!) But, Tarjai Boutique has been stingy with their maternity clothes sales of late, and so I had to decide if I wanted to buy It at regular price now (sigh), or wait, hoping that they put It on sale soon, and that the one left in my size will still be available when It goes on sale. That, my friends, was a risk I was unwilling to take. But I still didn't want to spend whole money on It, lovely as It is.

Enter le gift card. I've been hoarding a gift card to Tarjai Boutique since Christmas...and I decided that NOW was the time to execute, carpe diem (or, rather, carpe tunica) and Buy Buy Buy!

la tunica

It's got teeny white polky-dots, and big buttons, and it should grow with me, and it's light-weight enough for California, and I felt all trendy and hip wearing it!

Thanks, Mom!

Admitting...

...that I'm a nerd.

Most of you knew that already, but I'm just 'fessing up to it.

Dave and I started "planning to start planning" for a baby about a year ago. Which is to say that it took me quite a while to work up the courage to actually start planning, and then (gasp!) start "trying."

But we knew we were going to start trying, so I, in all my shopping opportunities and wisdom (and nerdiness), decided to start buying. :o) When we were in Italy in April, I bought a silk maternity skirt thinking how cool it would be to remember that wonderful trip anytime I wore that skirt. Then when we were in Greece in July, I bought a really pretty, really practical dress. And a couple of times, while working at the thrift store in England, I bought maternity clothes that I liked. I only got a pair of jeans and a shirt, but I am really really glad I did now because I'm having a horrible time finding jeans here! I know some superstitious people out that that are saying I'm crazy for buying stuff before I was even pregnant and somehow jinxed myself...but I think they're wrong.

As for shopping for the baby, the only thing I bought pre-bebe was a moses basket. I liked it, and thought it would remind me of oldey-worldey England. I had to hide it from the cat, though, because she thought it would make a really comfy little bed for her! :o) Silly kitty!

Anywho...all that was to say that I bought something(s) for the baby yesterday at Old Navy that I think are pretty stinkin' cute. We still don't know the gender, but these are neutral, so it's okay.

Check out the little stripe down the side! Little Baby Chucks. Awww...Aunt Tash would be so proud!

Someday I'll tell you about my very laughable experience trying on maternity jeans!

Done Due Diligence

I'm back in Denver now from a short, exhausting trip to the city of icky, filthy, overpriced and stinky houses (LA). I'm disappointed because I was really hoping that I would find a diamond in the rough. Well, there was sure a lot of rough! No diamonds, though!

I'm laying low for a week. Gonna spend Monday with my best friend, Angela. We're going to shop and eat and try on clothes and shoes we would never buy. Maybe see a movie. Big fun! :o) She gets me, and never, ever judges me. And she's about the least selfish person I know. I like that in a friend. (lets me be the selfish one, you know.) :o) No, really, just kidding. Being around selfless people makes me want to be more selfless, not more selfish.

Life is pretty quiet these days. Which. Is. Nice. There's been too much going going going going-on of late!

With that, I hope everyone has a great week!

I'm HERE!

I made it, I made it, and now I'm paying for it!

I woke up at 4:03 this morning. (grr)

At 4:32, I decided to start up my laptop and re-connect with everyone. I didn't have too many emails. I've caught up on most people's blogs, and read today's comics.

My clock says 4:57 right now. It's 11:57 in Dave's world. He should be on his way back from the airport right now because he had to drop Alley and Gypsy off at BA World Cargo so they could get on a plane and come home to Mama. I really hope he did better than I did 3 years ago when I went through the same thing sending the cats to England. I honestly do not think I have ever cried so hard in my life as I did that day. Gypsy was just yyyyyoooooowwwwwwllllling (as cats do) at the top of her little lungs. So upset! And Daisy (our sweet little peek-a-poo/Shi Tzu that has since passed away)...Daisy was climbing the door of the cage trying to get out, or get closer to Mama. And Alley, who is normally totally calm and collected (unless she's hungry - then she's a pain in the kiester!)...Alley went to the very far back corner of her crate and just faintly mewed. I knew I was doing the right thing taking them with us for the 3 year journey, I certainly couldn't leave My Girls behind...but it was SO hard! So, I wonder how they did today. One major difference is that BA allowed us to put them in the same crate, together, which the other company did not. So, at least they get to snuggle together. I get to pick them up at the Denver Airport tonight at 7:30 and bring them to our temporary home. I know they'll be fine, but it still breaks my heart when they are so upset.

Last year when I came back to the US for a visit, I didn't struggle with jet lag at all. This year, apparently, I am. I woke up yesterday morning at about the same time, and laid awake and laid awake...finally I made a deal with myself that if I was awake at 5:00, I would unpack my suitcases. Hee hee, magically, I fell asleep! :o)

I'm staying with family friends named Pam and Ralph, and yesterday (Day 1 after travelling for 23 hours), Ralph tried to wear me down so I would sleep all through the night. (no such luck, I'm afraid) At about 9:30, or so, we drove to Morrison to a little 5 table cafe called Base Camp Cafe. Yum. Meee! Then we drove up Parmalee Gulch Road to the base of what Ralph called a "baby hike". I'm sure it's a baby hike for someone who is used to living at an altitude of 6000 ft (as opposed to me...Guildford was, like 150 ft above sea level). I only complained a couple of times. :o) The weather was perfect, though! It's so good to be home. Wide. Open. Spaces. The sweet wildflowers. The junipers with their dusty-blue berries. The rattle of the grasshoppers' wings. We got home about 1:45, and I turned right around and went to visit my grandfather in the hospital. He had surgery in late July, and due to some complications, he's still in a hospital. Poor guy. He desperately wants to go home, but knows he's got to pass a few more tests before he can do that. So, we chatted, we watched (the good part) of the Bronco game (the good part being the beginning, where they were actually winning!), and then at about 3:00, I had the strong urge to lay down on his cold, tiled, hospital floor and go to sleep...which made me think that maybe, just maybe, I ought to go home. :o)

But first, I had to make the obligatory stop at TarJhay. Ah, my old friend welcomed me home with fanfare, pomp and circumstance, and some awesome clearance racks! :o) You wanna know what "hardship" is? Try living 3 years without Target. I love the font. I love the red and white. I love the marketing strategy. I love that store. I tried to restrain myself, though, and only buy necessities. (Well, considering the clearance rack, it was more like "necessi-Tees"...) $2.24 for a tank. $4.24 for a cute green t-shirt. $4.24 for some new shorts I will get to wear next summer in LA. Sweet!

Then home. I called Dave, I called my mom, Ralph called me up to dinner.... :o) And then, after dinner, I watched a little Desperate Housewives (yip-yip-yippee!). Then I crashed out. Darn tuckered after a VERY busy Day 1. Did it work? Did it help me sleep through the night? Nope. Sure didn't. Oh, well, there's always tonight.

I think my camera is in the car, so I'll have to post pictures of our hike tomorrow. For now, I'm going to try to get some more sleep. Good morning/night!

Grateful Fridays

Just a few more days till we leave for Italy, and we've got a lot to do before we go! It's going to be a busy, laundry-filled, house-cleaning, bag-packing weekend. But we're both looking forward to, and needing, a vacation. It will be a busy one, from here to there to the next place, but that's life in the fast lane! :o)

Here's what I'm thankful for this week:
1. H&M: there's a new H&M in Guildford. It's fashion that I can buy! (well, most of it!) Like: (a) I can afford it, (b) they've got some cute things, and (c) their clothes actually fit me! And, bonus, Madonna is now designing for H&M, so if I really really wanted, I could buy something to wear that she designed! It's not Madonna's, but I bought a yummy wrap dress today...never mind that I had to try it on over my long johns...

2. Jobs Done: I've been working on a new scrapbook project, and got Stage 1 mailed off this week. I'll explain it more some other time, but the short version is this: Dave and I sponsor 2 kids in Ecuador through Compassion International, and rather than sending them random letters and pictures, I decided to send them scrapbook pages. Once I finish, I put the pages in plastic page protectors for safe-keeping. I got the first 2 pages (1 protector) done this week, and sent them off. I plan to send 2 pages a month. It's not a scrapbook in the sense that most of us think, but for them, it will be a wonderful thing, and by sending it page-by-page, it will pass through the Customs inspections, which a proper scrapbook would not. I've still got a lot of work to do, but it feels good that Stage 1 is on the way. (photos of one page below)

3. Nice People: Like Enriqué, for translating the English to Spanish for the Ecuador book.

4. Friday Night Lights: I know I've said it before, but we like this TV show. Dave really gets into it!

5. Fancy Plans: I've got a date set for a chance to wear the lovely dress I found in January. I've got a weekend planned with the Girlies in August. Now I just need to find the right pair of "peep-toes".

Well, have a good weekend!

The January Sales

The "January Sales" are in full swing here, and while there are some bargains, they are few and far between! I was able to find something warm and well-fitting at The Gap, but I can't say there was much else I had seen or that screamed "buy ME!" when I was in the shops.

(Oh, and I say "January Sales" as opposed to "July Sales" -- they really only have 2 sales times a year, and everyone has "huge" (hah!) sales in January and July).

The shops here are all in the Guildford town centre, there isn't a mall to browse around in (and stay warm and dry!), so shoppers have to walk up and down the High Street. And since we live close enough to walk, you might think I would be shopping more often! But, no. I just can't bring myself to do it!

People said that after a short time I would stop converting pounds to dollars and I would adjust to the economy here...well, that's never happened. (which is probably for the best!) I might think "This green and pink polka-dot sweater is a steal at £26.99! I should snap it up right now!!"...but then the calculator in my brain fires up and says "Hold it, Blondie. If you were in America, would you seriously pay Fifty dollars for that? Fifty? Really? I didn't think so." and I put it back. Of course it is easier for the Calcu-Brain to over-rule the weaker side of me when it's a green and pink polka dot sweater, and when the bargain isn't really a bargain! But since I am an absolute sucker for a good deal, I got drawn into a new store (Phase Eight) the other day. I don't usually shop at this store because (a) it's just too expensive, (b) I don't live the lifestyle that the clothes are designed for, and (c) The Gap clothes fit almost every part of me and my life! :) But there it was in the window...The Pretty Dress. It's called "Beth" and they had it in red or black. The original price was £120, but it was on clearance for £32...and when the Calcu-Brain whirred into gear, Weak-Me was able to convince it that, yes, if I was in America, I would spend $60 on this dress! $200? No. But I would pay $60. So, thank goodness for the January Sales! (And maybe, just maybe, I'll keep my eye on Phase Eight because they seem to have plenty of pretty dresses made just for me!)

Now all I have to do is find The Event to wear this dress to!

(I bought it in black)