My Summer Uniform Is Green

Happy Birthday Puppies!

Shopping

Now that I have to start thinking about some back-to-work clothes, my shopping rules have to change a bit.  I really do start out the year trying to look cute, but I always end up with five or six favorite outfits.  Now like most girls our age, I have a closet full of clothes and shoes, but I wear my favorites and the rest are taking up space.  No, I can't send stuff to Goodwill because I might want to wear it.  Seriously, I made a huge donation to Goodwill this spring after Mark mentioned that my closet was overflowing.  He had to say it 28 times before I believed him. 

So let's get back to the story because I really do need some therapy over this one.  Shopping options in my town are limited, but I decided to check out Dillard's for some basic pieces.  I walked out empty handed.  Believe me, I tried to spend money.  There was a nice T-shirt for $78...that I could probably find a cheaper look alike at Target for under $20.  There were a few cute dresses, but the cute trapeze wasn't really made for my body shape.  If any designers are reading this, please bring empire waist dresses and A-line skirts back again.  They cover and compliment so many ugly spots.  Overall, Dillard's was disappointing.  So-so clothes that are way over-priced.  And honestly, they are not really all that stylish.

Back to the story again.  I headed over to Marshal's. I found two cute tops and a nice pair of black dress pants.  All under $100 total. 

Where do you like to shop?  Expensive department stores or bargain stores? 

Crazy Pups

It is 82 degress in my house.  The second the air conditioning comes on, this is what happens.  Keep in mind that the current temp is 82.  The air conditioning is set to 80 degrees.  That's reasonable, right?  If only you could hear the grunting and pissy attitude Maggie and Willy give when the air kicks in. Have I ever mentioned how spoiled they are?  But just look at how cute they are.  They deserve to be spoiled.

CTEL TEST- A Poem

Here is my poem about the CTEL Test I had to take on Saturday.

C-Crappy

T- Totally Stupid

E-Excessively Unecessary

L- Lame

Test

sew crafty

I bought an embroidery sewing machine several months ago, but I haven't had time to play until this summer.  I am not an expert seamstress, but I am having fun.  Here are two of my favorite projects so far.

Lean on Me

Everyone needs someone to lean on sometimes. 

      

Interesting and Disgusting

One of my friends was telling me about Skinny Bitch.  Her description made me run out to Target to buy it.  I am so interested and disgusted at the same time.  I love how the authors use shock value in way that makes the reader pay attention.  I think that is hard to do because shock value can be a real downer, but the way they present is that little kick in the rear that is only acceptable from a BFF because the kick is something you really need and will appreciate down the road.  I swear, I really thought twice when I opened a Diet Coke today.  I am so not ready to give it up, but I did have three big waters instead of one.  I did give up soda for three years before my mom bought me a fountain Diet Coke when we were shopping and then it was over.  I wonder if she would have given me some crack or meth if that had been my little addition that I had successfully broken for three years? 

OK, back to the book.  Even if you are not going to become a vegan, I think this a book that everyone must read simply because it makes you think about what you eat.  I don't want to be a vegan, but I also agree that processed meat can be nasty.  I tend to agree more with the Ted Nugent philosophy of eating meat, but not eating crap meat.  I would pick a Boca Burger over ground beef, but I would take ground buffalo over both.  Overall, I think I am going to rethink some of my eating habits.  When I lived with Errin, I could have a plate of veggies for dinner and be really happy.  Why don't I do that now?  Because I use Mark as an excuse.  He wouldn't eat a plate of veggies for dinner so I don't either.  In the spirit of the Skinny Bitch authors' style, Mark pees standing up, but I don't so why do I think we have to eat the same way if we don't like the same things?

P.S. I had to skim the chapter on how meat is processed because it made me want to puke.  The rest of the book has been really good.  I am even going to try some of the recipes from the cookbook.

Scrappy Day

Today was the first summer meeting of our little scrap group because we are all finally on vacation.  Yikes, I have a lot to do!  The thing about scrapping is that I don't really enjoy sitting alone to work on it even though I know that is how I would get things completed.  I am sure there are some people who can scrap alone, but I am not that creative.  I have to steal ideas from the other girls because they are way more creative. 

I completed three pages today.  I might have to take a picture of them so I can put then here.  Then I could make a scrapbook page of my scrapping experiences....

The only sad thing about scraping was that I haven't started sewing today, and that is becoming my real interest as far as craft hobbies.  I'll take some pictures of things I have made to show you. 

Sunday Thoughts

Because I grew up in a small town, I have some interesting memories that other people might not consider memorable because they are just common, everyday experiences for the majority of Americans (who live in larger town or cities.)

1. Going to the mall meant a three hour drive...one direction.

2. It was a big deal when the town put up the first traffic light.

3. The Dairy Queen was the only fast food joint, and it was open seasonally.  In MN, that means it was only open a few weeks out of the year.

4. The first movies I saw in a theater were: ET, ANNIE & TOOTSIE.  The movie theater was about 30 miles from home, it was not heated, and there were rats in the building. 

5. I was 14 when I was on an airplane for the first time.  (My brother was in his 40s for his first plane trip.)

Small towns are a tough place to grow up.  I think that might be one of the reasons that I am such a shopping junkie.  Can you imagine having to drive three hours to just buy the basics that we run down the street to get?  Don't forget, I grew up before Internet shopping so things couldn't just show up at my door like they do now.  Speaking of that, I ordered a new digital camera because it is was on sale and it is cute.  I haven't told Mark yet because there is a slim chance I won't like it and will return it.  VS is having their semi-annual sale.  I love shopping on-line because I hate running into students while we are buying undies.  I don't want to know what they wear, and I certainly don't feel comfortable with them seeing my undies. And I am expecting a new batch of books from Barnes.  More selection on-line and free shipping.  Life is good.  Until I get that credit card bill.  Not working is expensive.

Serious Day

1. California seems to have made history by allowing gay marriages.  I don't really get the current protests because it seems like the people protesting could be doing other things with their time like volunteering at a shelter or some other cause where their time would be put to good use instead of raining on someone's parade.

2. Presidential election again?  Did four years really go by that quickly?  Campaign funding bugs me.  There should be a reasonable limit on spending.  How many times have we had to vote and wished there was a "None of the Above" box to check? 

3. Are championship games rigged?  Someone explained that theory to me, and I think it could be true, especially with series games.  It pays to make the series last as long as possible.  Sad.

4.  The Olympics. I don't really follow the WNBA, but the Becky Hammond story caught my attention.  If she wasn't offered a spot on Team USA, why shouldn't she take any opportunity she is given to play as long as she is not breaking any laws or rules?  I know people are calling her a traitor, but isn't it really American to go after your dream?

So those are just a few of my thoughts about things that have been in the news.