Ks Are Wild

After a marathon of shopping yesterday in Portland for my bridesmaid’s dress (another post), I spent my day shopping for and with Kosette.  We went all over – Payless Shoes, TJ Max, Famous Footwear, Ross, Target, Old Navy, and Kohls.  Kosette had her very first taste of Slurpee (sorry Icee) and fell instantly in love.  It was mine…cherry…and I let her share it with me feeling guilty to be drinking it myself, feeling extra guilty to be poisoning her with excessive sugars and Red Dye No. 5.  But it was supposed to be “Kosette and Mommy’s Day of Fun!” and I’d promised her ice cream like last year.  Only, “mommy” didn’t feel like ice cream.  Mommy felt like sugary crap that she hasn’t had in at least15 years.  Bad mommy.  But it was uncomfortably warm (Hee, Hee you LAers – that means mid-upper 80s here) and that looked so refreshing as I walked into Target.  So I prefaced it to Kosette that Back-to-School shopping was the ONLY time she could have a Slurpee – ONCE a year – so enjoy it.  I described it as a Cherry Popsicle, only you drink it through a straw.

Mission accomplished – got shoes, socks, leggings, tights, pjs, belts, jeans, and a couple of cute dresses to wear over leggings.  BUT, not a sweater, sweatshirt, or long underwear was to be found.  Considering you need a sweater at night by September I was surprised.  The stores were always swamped with sweaters and turtlenecks in LA when we were still in the sweltering heat of summer so I don’t get it.  Now I’ll have to do a delay trip to pick those things up.  I resisted shopping for myself, save a pair of earrings to wear with the bridesmaid’s dress.

I couldn’t resist one extraneous purchase (deviation from my list but still needed) for Kellen (he’s next on the shopping list) a tshirt.  This Chewbacca long sleeved tshirt, in my humble opinion was a total find, totally worth the full price I paid for it at Old Navy of $12.50:

Now ,  Hear this relatives and Christmas present buying friends – - – Kellen would LOVE every freaking piece of this collection.  Maybe a good time to buy it and set it aside until then.  Hell, I even considered trying on an XL of the Wolverine to see if I could squeeze into one for myself.  They are SOOOOOO soft too.  Like you’ve washed them 500 times.  Why don’t they make this in adult for women!!!!  I would want to own them all too.  Kellen, immediately put it on and only removed it when threatened.  I liked these ones too:

Here’s the link to all of them in case you’re interested:  http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5954

Aren’t they RAD?!  I feel bad shopping at all these big chain stores, but I’ve already hit two used clothing stores and Goodwill.  I scored so well at Goodwill last year that Kosette is able to wear all the jumpers I bought her last year and almost every long-sleeve tshirt so I didn’t have to buy too much there.  But she needed all new tights, jeans, and leggings and still needs sweaters and sweatshirts.  But she’s good to go for the start of school.  Here’s a couple of her shoes, thanks to Payless’ buy one get one half off deal.  She was down to one pair of sneakers and one pair of ugly sandals.  And hey, while I’m on the subject of Payless, when the HELL did it get so expensive there?!!!  Target is cheaper if they weren’t having the sale.  That was the whole point of that damned store, to pay LESS.  It’s kids shoes people!  And payless!!!!  Give me a break!  She was down to one pair of sandals and one pair of tennis shoes that have seen better days.  And oh, for the relatives who were wondering about sizes, they have EXACTLY the )same sized feet now.  12.5 would be almost perfect but I bought 13 on everything but the silver flats (12)to make them last longer.  They’ll just have to wear thick socks or put a piece of cotton in and they’ll be fine.  God, I sound like my mother.  I mean, that’s what she did with us.  I get why – 2 kids with all new shoes practically every season, at the very least every half year – that’s crazy expensive.  Man, I sure wish I could get a brand new wardrobe like they do so frequently.  Can you imagine?  As a grown-up?  Cool in theory, but I can see how losing your favorite wardrobe item because you outgrew it (ahem, my favorite J.Jill skirt due to all my summer cheese and alcoholic beverage consumption) could be a little upsetting like it was with Kosette outgrowing her pink suede boots.

To be shared with Kellen

I swear my little sister had nearly identical shoes "back in the day".

So freaking cute. Now, why don't they carry it in my size 7 too?

My cousin, Rachel, passed along this book to me, and I passed it on to Herma. Thanks Rachel. It was an excellent recommendation. I read it last summer and LOVED it. It’s one of the few popular fiction novels I’m going to keep around to keep on loaning out.

Reviewing a book a year after reading it is difficult when it comes to the details, so what I have to say is more about the overall impression and the experience of reading the book. Because, it is one of those books where reading it is truly an experience. It haunts you when you’ve finished. It’s lovely and melancholy, with funny notes, and aged in a barrel of anxiety. Bitter and sweet; with time, leaving more of a sweet finish on your memory.

Here’s my reading experience:

Audible gasps, silent dropping tears, agitated ankle wiggling, can’t read fast enough to get to the bottom of the page, to complete a scene, can’t put it down, there’s a permanent furrow between my eyes from anxiety, – When’s going to be the next time he jumps? Now? The tension is too much, I have to take a break. I put it down, only to pick it up 5 minutes later because I can’t stand NOT knowing. Loving so hard, so real, it hurts. Reminders to enjoy and savor even the smallest of moments, the most urbane and trivial, the little details. Giggle. Sigh. Frown. Smile. Ponder. Spoon your partner in bed, taking in their scent and the touch of their skin, and fall asleep with your arms wrapped around him or her not wanting to ever let them go.

I once read it described as “The Notebook merged with Back to the Future” which I think is the PERFECT analogy. Read it. It goes very fast and is good vacation, airplane reading.

It was recently released as a movie starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana so I just had to see it. Great casting. Good movie. Read the book before seeing the movie would be my recommendation. It’s one of those rare ones that doesn’t disappoint in the transposition from book to screen. However, the movie might feel lacking in depth and be a bit confusing in the leaps of time. But you got more of a sense of their whole-hearted, unequivocable, love and and acceptance and devotion to one another and the humor from the book. They didn’t leave any critical scene out. I mean, I didn’t leave there saying, “I wish they had included….” It was fun to see the drama of the page reenacted, and so wonderfully at that. Bring Kleenex, there was lots of sniffling sounds around the theatre, and not just from my seat. Not as bad as The English Patient though – where all the couples left the theatre desperately clinging to each other, with mottled red faces, and even the guys were wiping the corner of their eyes with the backs of their hands. So yeah, it was good, go see it, AFTER you’ve read the novel.

Official Movie Website: http://www.thetimetravelerswifemovie.com/

Here’s the trailer:

I saw it Friday, August 14th, with my friend, Herma. Actually, we pulled the old-fashioned “unofficial double feature” and squeezed in Julie and Julia afterwards. We giggled like teenagers comparing naughty stories of yesteryear. I routinely did that at the Universal City Walk while in high school in order to review all the films for my school newspaper. I was the Entertainment section editor but could never have afforded the cost of all those films that I reviewed. Back then, my friends and I squeezed in 3 every friday night. We could never get away with that now, especially there; nor could my butt or bladder take that many hours in a seat.

It was a very fun night; as most nights with Herma are. She is my compadre, my partner-in-crime, my stress-relief ball, my girlfriend. I am so lucky to have one of my best friends live just two doors away. It’s almost like living in a dorm again. Chances are if I’m missing something or need something, Herma has it. A wine glass, a spoon, spackle, painter’s tape, a cool top to match my skirt, drill bit, eggs, sandwhich bread…. I miss my other girlfriends from home and college. I miss that daily interplay. But I am so glad to be getting that side of my life back after that big period of isolation that follows having babies and really young children (not to mention moving around a lot). That side of me, of my personna has been lonely. Not anymore…I’m getting a grown-up social life again; not one that revolves around my kids and their friends. Now I feel blessed with a small clan of women that I can talk with, trade music and movies with, practice making gnocci from scratch with, drink with, dance with, paint furniture and rooms with, wander gardens with, shop with, trade recipes with, take turns watching each other’s kids, and help and be helped through sicknesses and surgeries. I meant to review the book and movie and somehow this has turned into a thank you note. I guess I’m feeling very grateful right now, for all the girlfriends in my life, ladies with whom I can digest what I’ve seen and read and then make my recommendations. So, thanks to all you gals who have helped pull me out of the mommy nest, made me stretch my rusty wings, and remind me that I used to like to fly and still can, and should, every now and again: Herma, Michelle, Lisa, Kriste, India, Kelli, Julie, Jesse, Betsy, Jenny, Trina, Leanne, Nicole, and Emily – Even you guys I haven’t heard from in a while like Beth and Holly and Heather.

Never Mind: There’s not enough time to get it made since it conflicts with their Halloween projects. But the patterns, and the company are still cool. Thought I’d share those. Now I need to make a trip up to Portland to go to the Nordstrom’s rack to find something suitable. Wish me luck on that. Hopefully, I won’t have the kids with me for that task. That would suck, royally.

Speaking of shopping, Kosette starts first grade on September 9th! So it’s back-to-school shopping time. She’ll be in school with the big kids (literally, she’ll be in a mixed age class of 1-4th graders) until 3pm and eat lunch there daily. The thought of being responsible for packing my kid’s lunch daily, makes me feel old. There have been lots of moments in this parenthood gig where a line from the old tv show Mad About You (I loved it and watched it all the time – Come to think of it, I could totally watch that again now) with Jaimey and Paul where she freaks out at impending mommyhood saying, “Oh my God, I’m the mommy. I am the mommy!” Wish I could find the clip. Here’s the theme song:

I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “What’s she freaking out about, she’s already done the first day of school thing last year with Kindergarten.” Yeah, but that was “just” kindergarten, the true pre-school not the the Pre-Preschool that Preschool is. She’s going to have homework and actually NEED to use her backpack. It’s not going to be just a prop. And I’m going to have to make sure she has a nice nutritious lunch 5 days a week. Not just the after-thought, makeshift pbj,…the who cares it’s just 1 day a week, I’ll feed her better tomorrow. I’m really, truly, in charge now. I am the mommy. Poor girl.

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I need your help ASAP in choosing from Vintage patterns to have a dress made for myself for my sister, Kelli’s wedding. The dress would be in black no matter what color, or print, you see on the pattern. I envisioned something pretty comfortable, shortsleeved, casually/cocktail, and highly danceable (swing dancing friendly), with little black flats or kitten heels. My hair will probably be parted 3/4 on the side with a large fresh flower pinned up behind my ear or a red white or black fabric headbandy thing and sorta bubble flippy hair. Please leave a comment and vote your two cents. I love all these retro inspired looks and for some reason can’t get the picnic scene “Once a Year Day” from the Pajama Game out of my head. I especially love the surprising detail of the colored petticoats – great pops of color, especially when paired with colored flats.

Two things to remember are that I’m busty and short waisted and could easily have it a little shorter than shown (like at the knee or above the knee) if you think that would be better.

Here’s the awesome website I found all these terrific vintage patterns on: http://risingfeenix.com/

Style 1

Style A with NO collor.  Black dress with sheer black overlay.

Style 2, WITHOUT chevrons

Style A, with red crinolines underneath

Style A.  The black and white polkadots is sorta cute as a fabric choice though.

Style 1 with white frills and belt.

Style B.  But I sorta like the idea of a sheer black lace over the body as shown in style A.

Style 2

Style A with White color and belt and buttons and red crinolines.

Daddy dearest spoiled me by passing on his old laptop (Dell Inspiron 1100 for those who care about such details)! Big smackeroo to you Dad. Sure it has a messed up screen that goes turquoise all the time, needs a new battery, was riddled with viruses, and the harddrive is full of photos of family and fishing trip but, those can be deleted and the turquoise is a mere annoyance. Hey, it’s pretty nice and more importantly, FREE! And wireless! And has a power cord so I can hold out on getting a battery that lasts past 20 minutes. You know what this means? I don’t have to be holed up in the office in order to check my email or post a blog!!! It will be nice to be able to watch the kids play outside while I look up a recipe, or how to do____, or remind myself the growing size and conditions of a plant. I’m excited. I have so much to post about too. It’s been a full summer, despite our staycation. Now, I just need to delete most of his photos and load my camera software here and I’ll be good to go. I don’t really feel like I’m part of the 21st century until we go digital with our music one of these days we’ll get an ipod. Hopefully, before our cds are too scratched up to upload.

Tons of posts but this poster doesn’t want to sit up in the office on the desktop when there’s a wonderful summer to be experienced outside.  Well, not the last week with the 109 degree weather, but you get my drift.  We’ve been out and about, doing things Corvallisonians and Oregonians do like: the Oregon Country Faire, Da Vinci Days, the Benton County Faire, slip and slide, growing our own veggies, and tomorrow….FaerieWorlds near Eugene, OR at the beautiful Mt. Pigsah!!!!!

Mommy Daughter day with Kosette and it’s gonna be a total surprise.  I can’t wait!  She’s such a daddy’s girl, I’m really looking forward to us bonding over something special like this.  She’s at such a sweet, poignant time in her life…there are so many forces (neighbor boys, classmates) at work trying to disillusion her and tear down her fantasies and imagination and belief that it’s probably going to be the last year she’ll REALLY believe in faeries (like experiencing the last Christmas a child believes in Santa Claus) so I feel extra blessed and critical to make this happen for her.  Heat be damned, we’re going.  We just won’t stay as long.

How cute is this little family?!  Ah, it just gets my creative crafty, sewing, makeup painting, hair braiding juices flowing….I’m already thinking ahead to next year and I haven’t even been yet.