I have sat down to write this post at least eight different times, but Hazel has decided that tonight is a fine time to turn into a wolf/jackal. One of the lesser known qualities of the wolf/jackal is that it is happiest when someone is chasing it through the house and/or trying to make it come out from under the bed. It is also unusually fascinated by dryer sheets and likes to rummage through the laundry room (or the laundry) to find a stray sheet that clearly must be ripped apart immediately.
The wolf/jackal also barks incessantly while doing all of the above.
But now, finally, SHE SLEEPS. She barked one last time and then collapsed next to a pile of clean towels on the guest room bed. AS YOU DO.
And while I’d like to think that I could create some big connected story right now (with transitions and, lo, A POINT), I do not have that kind of brainpower tonight. So I’m gonna LIST IT UP and hopefully write some connected paragraphs next week.
1. Yesterday I got all of the bookmarks and bookplates in the mail, so those should be in your mailboxes in the next couple of days. I hope I didn’t mess up any inscriptions; I tried to be super careful and thorough and whatnot. However, if I made a glaring error, just let me know and I’ll do my best to get it fixed in time for Mother’s Day.
2. This video made me laugh so hard. I think there may be a little language in the first song – just FYI if there are little ears around. But OH, HAVE MERCY at the second song. Emma Stone is adorable.
3. Earlier today I convinced my fellas that we really needed to go to supper tonight – and then make a pilgrimage to a certain grand opening.
As you can imagine, it was like going home.
We also got tickled as we were walking in because just look how this car was parked.
It was like they just stopped in the middle of the parking lot and ran in. They were too excited to even pull in a parking spot. And listen. I GET IT. It took a year to re-build the store. A re-opening was cause for serious celebration.
Within five minutes I had an armful of stuff to try on. David, on the other hand, had found two packs of white undershirts and was ready to go. He and Alex must have been able to tell that I was off the charts excited to be back in my Steinmart element again, though, because they offered to walk down to the bookstore while I finished shopping. I tried to make the most of my time (though obviously I will have to make a return visit this weekend so that I can commit the new store layout to memory), and I found a couple of really cute things.
As an added bonus, the store was full of wide-legged linen pants, and after three years of digging through racks full of skinny jeans or straight leg jeans, my heart was very happy indeed.
4. For the last few weeks I have been trying to find a new dress. It has been one of the most frustrating clothing-related shopping experiences in recent memory because let me tell you what apple-shaped people don’t want in a dress: a drawstring or elastic around the waist. And let me tell you something else that apple-shaped people don’t want in a dress: a band of fabric running underneath the chest area. SO. I have decided that I am wearing maxi-dresses for the rest of my earthly days. What does the fashion industry have against a cute shift dress that hits around the knees? I don’t understand.
5. Thanks for being mighty patient with me this week. Hope y’all have a great weekend!
That clip from Jimmy Fallon may or may not have been played on my computer about 50 times in the last few days. She is absolutely adorable!
Emma Stone’s arms. She’d better appreciate them while they last. (Not to mention that she has an actual visual on the existence of her ribs.)
Where do you find the maxis, Sophie? I’m with you on cute shifts for apples, but I need arm and knee coverage too, and they just don’t exist. We may have to get to sewin’.
I love the picture of Hazel ( aka wolf/jackal). So true, all worked up & then collapses into dreamland.
Well, I’m pear shaped, but I cannot find a dress that works for me either! Except in black….where has all the color gone? And, most importantly, where have all the sleeves gone? Why is it that every dress (be it summer or winter) is sleeveless? My upper arms no longer need to be seen! Yes, I really do know the answer to this…..the clothing manufacturers just want to sell me a second item to wear over the sleeveless dress! But, I’d gladly pay a little more for a dress with sleeves! No cover-up needed!
“(I’m So) Fancy” should be your theme song. I get frustrated while looking for things that fit right and look cute, too. Why oh why don’t fashion designers get that there’s a need for clothing for middle aged women that isn’t too frumpy or too young looking either? Can’t there be a happy medium? I can never seem to find what I have in mind when I go shopping.
Check lands end for the kind of dress you are searching for. I love mine and it fits so well! I’ll add another comment with a link.
I was going to suggest Lands End as well :-)
http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-sleeveless-ponte-sheath-dress-with-pockets/id_242219
Here you go!
Happy Weekend!
Ooooohhhhh….wide legged, linen pants…..I’m headed to Stein Mart today! Hope ours has some of the same stock!
H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S. Does your momma say “cute as a button”? ‘Cause that fits Miss Emma. Years ago when Macy’s was Rich’s in B’ham – Sunday afternoon trip to the mall…I happened upon a car in the parking lot with the driver’s door standing wide open. I looked around and not a soul in sight. I peeked in the front and back seat – no one – so I casually closed the door. “Bless her heart” thinking it was surely some sweet little old lady who had her mind on some great buy inside and not on shutting her car door.
Shifts can’t be found for any shape. Very disconcerting. Now, you leave that sweet little old lady alone. Just as soon as you giggle about her it will be some teenager rolling about you leaving the van door open at the Wal-Mart. Twice. Oh and that sweet giggling teenager goes to school with your kid! Gotta love getting old. Happy Friday
Oh my. Thanks for posting my beloved Jimmy! I missed that night as we had no power. Been meaning to go back and watch and hadn’t yet. Now I have seen the light. That was awesome!
I like some Maxi dresses from Old Navy but I pair almost everything these days with a sweater or cardi. I have some 3 quarter length sleeve and some short sleeve. I like to hide the upper arms as well.
And your dog? Adorable. Even tho I’m sure sometimes you don’t see it (insert barking and chasing and chewing here) but it’s just like a toddler. Which, you’ve been through that before!
I understand completely about trying to find a dress that is attractive and without a drawstring. I am looking for a dress to wear to a wedding ON THE BEACH and I have gotten terribly frustrated. So many are not enough top to cover “the girls” adequately or they are WAY too short. Then throw in the fact that I have a foot with hardware inside and have a limited shoe wardrobe. So whatever dress I find must work with Chaco sandals. Period.
Hazel is adorable and is really a toddler. We are grandparents to a giant snoodle (part poodle, part schnauzer) and she is hilarious, too. She barks. She has stopped eating everything in sight-like the roll of toilet tissue–so some of her things will be vanishing as she gets older. I would suggest you take her to dog obedience school. Having a dog trainer work with you makes a BIG difference. I was amazed at much Zoe has changed in her obedience to us. I am so proud of her. I am proud of myself too because I am now trained too!!!! Gosh, I sound like a proud parent of a new kindergarten student!!!!
Sis-TA! YES! Apple-shaped mommas unite! No big bands, no tight waists ANYWHERE!
Thank you so much for the beautiful bookmark and bookplate!! I can’t wait to read your book!! Happy Mother’s Day to you!!
Oh My Goodness…laughing hysterically at Jimmy and Emma! That was great!
Thanks! I needed that:)
Apple shaped people also don’t want thin crepe y material that clings…I hate dress shopping. With a vengeance. to the point that I have been basically down to one or two wearable dresses for the past three years. I finally broke over and ordered a couple from an online Apple-shaped store. They come to just below the knee and I think I might like them, but they are not top-notch quality as in they may just be for hack about. I just think that people who design clothes for apple-shaped ladies must think that we are all 6 foot tall. Most dresses come to just above my ankles and the neckline seems to plunge near the belly button area. And, if it fits through the middle, then it hangs off the shoulders. And long sleeves – forget it – look like I’m playing dress up. Short sleeves – forget it – I do not like to show my upper arms flapping in the wind. Ok, I should stop before I raise my blood pressure. Can you tell you opened a can of worms when you said dress shopping?
I found a seamstress, a pattern of a “Lily” style shift and fabric in pink and green floral and also a couple of solid colors. Since these dresses are fitted to me they fit great. I just add accessories. All for less than $200.00 ——- Have a great weekend!
I received my bookplate and bookmark today (Saturday). Thanks so much for being so thoughtful!
My girls are going to flip over their bookmarks and bookplates- you are so kind for sharing these with all of us! I have your book to put itin for Mother’s Day- I always get my girls a little something- just to say how privileged I am that the GoodLord chose me to be their mama! Thank you for your gift of writing!