Zombies?

This past weekend was a birthday for me.  I can't accept a year has gone by, to be honest.  It seems like the last few years have really sped through. I've been swept up and although not a person of high impact decisions or weighty directives, I think "if my life seems to be speeding, how do folks who are feel?" I mean,really, some days my toughest decision is if I am wearing jeans to work or the other jeans. 

As my birthday drifts off the calendar for another year and I recap, here's what I know.  I received two grandsons since my last birthday.   That's awesome, isn't it? I went from working part time at a job that I really love, to getting to be there every day.  Some super wonderful people have come in to my life.  I became less introverted and more introspective.  I am also less skeptical, more trusting.  I have had some absolutely fantastic conversations coming off of three or so years of barely speaking to anyone outside of a trusted circle.  I have my days, oh yes, but all in all, I've begun to rebuild trust.  I don't hide.  Not me, not any more. 

That gets me to zombies. I push to do new things, try new places.  This past weekend of my birthday we drove north to visit a couple shops and breweries we heard about over the last year.  Made a full day of it, the weather was beautiful, the color change in full swing.  We got to a destination spot and the town was attempting a record setting, verified, Guinness Book worthy Zombie Walk.  Now, even though I have a night or so every once in a while of not being able to sleep, and hubs gets up too early, I don't think we qualify as zombies.  Families and young people out in force, in full zombie garb and makeup, to be counted and certified for the attempt with numbered wrist bands.  I am not sure they made it as we cleared out before zombies and their offspring, yes, even some little zombies in strollers, over ran the town...but, it was about as organized an event, with live music, that I have ever seen. 

Who knew?

The ever growing list

This past weekend was like many others, like many of you had, too much to do and too little time. I finally got to the “big city” with some time to spend on trying to complete my growing personal shopping list. Here’s a reminder

My list:

• A black pencil skirt 
• A white blouse (no collar!)
• Black boots
• 2 pairs of jeans
• New foundational garments
• New socks

The maybes: 

• Brown boots
• 1 or 2 dresses
• Off white lace shirt
• Good walking/training athletic shoes 

Recent additions: 

• New black clogs
• Grey boots or “booties” 

So, I looked down at my feet the other day and was mortified to see the seam up the center of my right shoe, which I like a lot ~ a pair of black leather clogs ~ had split open! I don’t really know how long I have been walking around with a big ol’ split in my shoe but I was not too pleased. The left one has the start of a split as well. I am bummed. Now, I have worn the heck out of these shoes for the last year, but still.  I need to replace these shoes and pretty soon. 

Since I found myself in the big city with a bit of time on my hands, alone, I decided to go for the foundational garments. Ugh. What a chore. They change styles and fabrics all the time and why? Furthermore, you know you have to try on about a million bras before you find the right size and style for you. Yes, I know they have bra ladies at fine department stores. I was not at one of those. I’m just a tad frugal at times and quite frankly, bra time is one of them. 

  

I trekked into the dressing room with 10 bras at a time, 3 times, 2 stores. I felt beat up. After I conquered bra land, I tackled underwear…panties (for a lot of people, this is not a favorite word for some reason). Why have they stopped making all cotton panties? What was wrong with all cotton panties? I found them to be functional. But, failing at all cotton, I settled on just a few pair of some sort of blend or another by Vanity Fair. They are fine, thank you. They are underwear ~ enough already. I am super glad to have new underwear folks, and if any of my male readers are embarrassed or uncomfortable at this point, I do apologize but seriously, boxers or briefs and that’s it? You have no idea. 

  

I did a quick run through the shoe department at two stores, looking for boots, clogs and whatever else caught my eye. My plan was to head to DSW to check out a big ol’ selection (and where I got my clogs last year) but ran short on time after the tremendous amount of trying on bras I had to suffer. I also looked briefly at dresses in one shop and did a very superficial search for a black pencil skirt, but hated all the material I felt. That’s how I shop…glance over the colors selection, left to right through the entire displays. Zero in on colors and then feel the material. Many, many items do not get pulled from the rack as I don’t like the feel of the material. I stay 100% away from acrylic sweaters…I don’t care how they feel or how great they look on the display ~ their life is limited. No black skirt on this pass. I did see a crazy print skirt that I may have to find online as they did not have my size. 

  

Earlier this year I picked up a little “bohemian” style sleeveless top. Now, I am not into sleeveless so much but did pair this top with a cotton cardigan and really like it. I stopped in to the same store to see if they might have this shirt in other colors, on clearance and in my palette. They did and even though one was not quite in the palette, I bought it. It’s almost in the palette and I already know I like the shirt. So, a bit of overkill, but I have 3 and next summer is not that far off (ha!). I splurged on a red blouse that just screamed to me as I walked by. If you know me, you know I love me some red. Even on sale it was a bit pricey but made well and great material. May push back the white blouse and besides, you know I’m not sold on that idea anyway. We’ll see.

So this shopping trip went pretty well. I like what I bought, although I will go through everything one more time before tearing tags off to wear. While I was in the dressing room with all the undergarments I noticed my pants were at least 1” too long and pooling around my black clogs. How did I not know this? That looks super dumb. I really need a full length mirror.

Ah, the midwest

A few months ago hubs turned 60.  He’s a good 60, I am happy to say.  It’s a big deal but he is not one to like a lot of hoopla.  I wanted to do something pretty special and just around the right time, a coupon offer came across my email that was just the right thing. 

After some schedule changes and some of the family not being able to attend, we made it in to Chicago over the weekend to embark on one of the sight-seeing boats to travel the Chicago River on the architectural tour.

The weather was perfect and the tour the same.  If you get a chance to go, do it.  It’s informative,  fun and entertaining.   The guides are well rehearsed and probably have some theatre background.  Ours, a lovely young woman named Ali, talked the entire 75 minutes.  She was good, and I imagine they all are.   She didn’t break stride as my 3 year old granddaughter performed the Dance of the Seven Veils or something with a scarf belonging to her aunt ~ pretty much at Ali's feet.  I’m sure not all the boat passengers were amused but I also know some of them were charmed, and Ali just kept right on. 

A long walk down Michigan Avenue, some ice cream and a welcome train ride back to Indiana completed our excursion.  We decided not to eat in the city on this trip as we had the grandchildren with us and instead picked up some favorite food to go once we got home and enjoyed the remainder of our day around our own dining room table.   Hubs and I have decided we’re going back to do it again and eat a great meal following the boat ride.  A real date. 

The day that followed brought an impromptu trip to the apple orchard, some great laughs, great pictures and, I hope, great memories.  Get  out there and enjoy it, friends!

Two steps forward.

I really do have more going on in my life than shopping and cooking.  It just seems these are time  munchers.  I spend an awful lot of time thinking about things I need to purchase, or would like to purchase, either for myself or others.  I also spend a fair amount of time thinking about food and what to make for dinner. 

I get frustrated over not having the right thing to wear, or cook ~ recurring themes here in this blog, I know.  I’ve started a list of things that I would like to buy and everyday there is a new item added to the list.  What’s happening now is that there are food preparation items taking the place of clothing! My lists are starting to intermingle…maybe even inbreed! What happens when my underwear hooks up with that omelet pan I’m checking out?

This past week, because I had really whined about doing all the cooking around this place, hubs said he would make a big pot of chili.  I had spent the entire morning planning out the menu for the week and making out the grocery list.  I was happy to turn over a meal.  More than happy.  I thought “Someone has finally heard me! I really don’t want to be the only one!” I was stoked, grateful and sure, gleeful over it. He noticed!

Fast forward to later that day ~ groceries put away, chili is being stirred, ready for serving.  Digging around in the fridge, hubs says “So, were you making these crescent rolls for tonight?”  I laughed and said “Really? When in 35 years have I ever served crescent rolls with chili? That doesn’t even sound good!”

 

He said “When in 35 years have I ever paid attention?”

And, there ya go.

Couple things

I had a very nice conversation with someone this week who I was surprised to hear felt almost exactly like I do about collarless shirts, only for different reasons.  She was a customer in the Gallery Shop and was trying on jewelry.  She explained to me she likes to wear v-necks and boat necks to show off her fabulous collection of necklaces but also because, although petite, she felt like she was wide across the top of her shoulders.  Now, I didn't see that at all but she felt pretty strongly about it so I wasn't going to try to convince her otherwise. 

I did share with her that I also prefer collarless but because I have a short neck.  She said I did and then placed her finger on my upper chest and said "Here's your center.  Yours is a bit lower than mine, so you can wear a slightly deeper V." I just nodded like I knew what she meant. 

I don't.

But I found the conversation really interesting and I especially started to catch on to a little of what she saw that I didn't as I watched while she tried on necklaces of various sizes and lengths.  She knew exactly what she wanted and what would look right.   I asked her what she thought about the basic white shirt.  She replied she didn't know as she's never had one "I think they always mean one of those white button down collared things and I can't wear those." 

I started to question whether I need a white shirt after all and was more confused than ever.  However, I like white.  I think I need white, so I am obtaining white.  You can see a white blouse I am considering here:  http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=72302&vid=1&pid=329636&scid=329636012 

or this one http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=72302&vid=1&pid=251984&scid=251984052

I prefer the second one but am not convinced on the polyester.  These may strike you as more casual than I meant originally and they are.   Part of this process has been to figure out my style, what I feel good in. It just works better with my wardrobe;  I like the looser, "peasant" look but I am not into embroidery too much and I usually don't care for lacey.  Although, there is a blouse in a store that is ALL lace and off white.  I thought it would be a great piece to add to the mix, actually.  It does have a collar however and I haven't even tried it on. 

Part of the whole discovery of who Cindi is has been accepting that I have not always presented Cindi. So I have invested some time in seeking out items on the internet that fit into my style.  I have gone through my closet with a fine tooth comb.  It's a wonder I am able to get dressed at all, really.  As I went through pages and pages of white blouses on site after site, I thought of just getting a dang white, button down collar shirt to point at and say "This is what EVERYone must have, and I have one".  I could take people in to my closet and show them as I'm pretty sure I'd never wear it.

Point is, I have realized at this late, great age that I have shopped for years by what's on the racks and what the "office policy" or more accurately, office politics, said I should wear.  Those days are behind me! It takes a little longer to ferret out what I want, but, I'm getting good at it.  I am comfortable sharing with you who I am and clothes help write my speech.    

I ran outta time!

I have had a busy few days and am a bit behind of where I like to be in my week. That may sound like I am an organized person, but those who know, know I ain’t.


First, there is the shopping thing. I didn’t get to that because I was busy hugging on grandchildren. But, I have returned home and will get to it this weekend.

Secondly, and this is a riot if I do say so myself…I have a Fantasy Football team. It’s silliness really because some of you may know that I swore off the NFL last year. Why, then, do I have a team? It’s a long story but let’s just say family coercion and now I get to watch my son in law lead a bunch of women in the fine art of Fantasy Football. Oh, and hubs. He has a team, too, but is as clueless as I am at this point. Soon, however, he’ll be leaving me in the dust of the chalk line as he gets it far better than I. And its only week one. We did spend well over an hour last night talking strategy and that kind of unexplored thought. While I would love to say I am in the middle, I am in last place.

Finally, we have been busy at work. A First Friday shared with an opening of a new exhibit. Always fun, always energetic. Said goodbye to one of my favorite exhibits yet with the close of the paper and book show. I wish more of you had taken the opportunity to see it, but, I am not in to arm twisting and threats. Just stay tuned as there is always something good.

For now, this is my update.  But, I'll have more in a few days!

A tale of two skirts

So, I have a little confession to make.  You remember I have been going through my closet quite a bit of late and getting rid of things I will never wear again or are just in the wrong color, cut, whatever.  I’ve got a pretty nice closet.  Generous in size and not so bad in shoe space and overhead storage.  I like it.  We put wire shelves in and they curve around the corners.  Convenient.  Clothes just slide right on around those corners on plastic hangers but they can get a little bunched up there if you aren’t paying attention.

In one of those corners, on two hangers, I discovered two skirts I have never worn.  I bet I bought these two skirts 7 years ago.  One is denim and one is khaki.  I like them.  I have no idea if people wear denim skirts or not, and I don’t really care.  I will wear this one.  I see myself in it already and know where I’ll be going and maybe even what I’ll be thinking.  The khaki one, too, although it’s a bit harder imagining the accessories I’ll wear with the khaki. 

I’m not going to get in to why I never wore these skirts; it’d be a long, difficult and boring story ~ a story I rise above.  Just trust me when I say, I was unable to wear them at a point in my life. 

So, the discovery of these two skirts changes things just a bit.  I don’t feel pressure to find the pencil skirt of my dreams so much as I have this denim skirt.  I am more compelled to look for the perfect boots.  Did you know I’m going to buy boots? Yes I am.  I can’t decide between black or brown and I may even get both! I know I need the black pencil skirt; I’ll keep looking, but I am serious about boots, people. (I just realized they need to be black so I can wear them with the black pencil skirt)

Here’s something else on my list.  A red wool blazer/jacket coat thing.  Not a dressy blazer and not really a coat.  I have it in my head. I know precisely what I want.  I will wear it with my denim skirt, I swear I will.  And my boots. 

One more thing I learned this week is I needed to rethink the white blouse.  I had in my head that my white blouse was suppose to be a collared blouse with long sleeves and cuffs.  You know, a white blouse.  It dawned on me this week that the white blouse I need does not have a collar! Remember how I reported I accept my short neck? Why would I try to wear a collar? The reason why the white blouse of my past is uncomfortably stiff is because it had a stinkin’ collar! This came to me in one of those cloud opening, sun beam radiating, angel singing, kind of moments.  And Nicole Richey on QVC. But, I know what kind of white blouse to look for now and I bet I find it within a week.