I went shopping on Wednesday- and I bought things!

I had to drive into the city on Wednesday for my 4 yr doctor appointment. ( I have just 2 more to go then I get to go every year just like normal people!) Since gas is 4.17 cents a gallon where I live (!) I decided to spend the entire day in the big city shopping. It's amazing (and sort of sad) what is out there to purchase- and what people will actually wear outside, in public. It boggles the mind.


I wanted to look for a dress for the infamous wedding coming up in a few weeks. I might as well tell you up front that I did not find anything- and I will not settle for "it'll do" anymore. The fit was off on most everything I tried (that happens with me a lot- I am different sized on the top and bottom, if I try to fit something for my boobs, I swim in the waist and hips- fit the bottom and I suddenly have a uni-boob spilling out from my chin) so dresses were out.

Separates, I thought. Separates. Off to search for separates. Like a religious chant I swept through stores in the mall. All the clothes were too dressy (it's an outside wedding) too informal (it's not at the beach though), too young ( because I am not anymore) too old ( I'm not that old either) too frilly, or foofy, or flouncy, or just plain too.

No luck on the wedding front. Then I decided to look for some new shirts. Colorful- or with a pattern. Now here I had some luck. Here is what I got


I love this color green! I tried it on just because of that- not expecting to like it- but I love it. The neckline is fantastic for me, it's slightly longer and a little flared. It looks great on me. Yea!

This one is brown and white- again the neckline is great and the fabric is tissue weight so it feels fantastic. This one came from Target- yes, Target. 12.99. I went in for countertop cleaner, but came out with a shirt! It looks really good with jeans and my slides.

I also bought a black t shirt that looks a lot like this brown one at target on sale for 3.24. (yes, 3.24) It too looks great, but being black doesn't photograph so well.

When I got home I went down to the basement to finish working on the clothes I am culling and putting in the yard sale. I have UNWORN clothes with tags in the sale. I have designer and semi designer stuff. And I priced it to sell-the most expensive thing I have down there is a 5 dollar Dana Buchman coat -that has never been worn :( I honestly just want this stuff gone. I hope this actually ends up helping someone else too- I feel sort of guilty hording clothes that I will never wear again- when they are still in style and in near perfect or perfect condition.

Where was I going with this? Oh yea- when I was grabbing even MORE clothing to price I found 2 of my favorite tunic tops that I had stored at the end of last season. The fact that I had lost 2 shirts bothered me- but I think Karma stepped in a rewarded me for purging so much stuff this week.

Skeletons? Is that what I see in the back of my closet?

Why, yes that's it . My closet is full of them. At least, my downstairs storage area is. I have done a good job of purging my past lives from the closets that I now use everyday. I have a large closet (about 8 ft long) FULL to the brim of stuff that belongs in my past life. I have good intentions of getting rid of it -just not quite yet. I have however, pulled about 50 pieces out of my storage closets and put them in the garage sale pile. If they don't sell at the sale, then off to Goodwill they go!

Some closet skeleton standouts to me are -
1. Cowboy boots. 3 pair- 1 reg. leather, 1 lizard skin, 1 hair-on cow (they are white of all things) from my past life as a western store manager in Texas. You need to understand that I am the least western person I know- so the entire idea of that job was a joke.

2. My suits. Blazers, skirts, pants. Probably 10 business suits. From my past life as a sales/store manager for Franklin Covey. I taught people how to become and stay organized. Seriously. I was good at it too, but people need to want to change their lives- and a lot of my clients were told by their companies to change their lives. I don't know how much of what I taught stuck.



3. My party clothes. These were from my past life as a amateur alcoholic. I never took it professional. We partied a lot- everywhere from the governors mansion in Tx to the Piney woods. If there was an adult beverage and some fun promised to me- I was there. So I have a lot of dresses , heavily embroidered dress pants, expensive shoes with 4 inch heels and the like.

As you all know, none of those 3 categories have anything to do with my current life of taking care of my son, doing my art, and shopping at flea markets and garage sales. I now dress for what I am doing- not who I might see. I wear shoes that don't kill my feet instead of the ones that make me a few inches taller and my calves look thinner. If I get dirt on my coat now it's ok- especially if that dirt came from a playground with my kid.

I think that setting some of those skeletons free would do a world of good. Open me up for new experiences- space to breathe, and room to grow.

Week 7- wardrobe therapy piles.

Accessories. For me, this is a short category. I have two types- jewelry and handbags. I don't have scarves or things of that ilk. I don't know why- but they have never been my "thing". I wear a winter scarf sometimes and that is the closest that I get to them. I have already piled and explained the handbags and most of my jewelry staple pieces. See here -http://justonemorechair.blogspot.com/2007/12/jewelry-i-wear-my-staple-pieces.html

I did find another box while cleaning so that is what I am going to pile today. What I need to figure out is why I don't accessorize. I can't remember ever doing so either. I get dressed, I will even find shoes and a bag that goes with the outfit, but that's as far as it gets. I don't usually change my jewelry- and I never wear a scarf or a broach or a hat or anything like that. Not even in the pashima crazed 90's did I wear a scarf. I owned one or two if I remember correctly, but never wore them. I envy those women (SCB) who not only make that effort, but who try to actively try to figure out what accessories go with the outfit they are wearing and also their lifestyle. I think I just gave up trying a long time ago.

Here is some stuff I found this weekend-

Here is the stuff I am going to keep - the top right is a large strand of amethyst and sterling beads, the bottom right are my fish, the bottom left is my glass jewelry, the top left are some sterling earrings, longhorns and an old daisy cross.
Here is the stuff that is going to be sold- left is stuff for the garage sale- the stuff on the right is all gold- so I don't know if I should sell it for scrap or just put them in the garage sale.
Here is the stuff that is going to be re used in my dolls and/or craft projects. Beads and single fake diamond earrings and a cross that I have no idea where it came from.
This is what I don't get. My house is pretty colorful. Blues, greens, orange and red. My clothes not so much (unless you count black, white and denim as colors) and I wear little to no jewelry- and what I do wear is pretty plain . So what shows my true colors- my house or my clothes??? And how do I fix it so that they are in sync with each other....

Some more garage sale finds.....

The FREE tv cabinet. It cleaned up real nice.....
the doors open all the way across the front- not just in the middle
Real wood tambour doors!!!!!!! FOR FREE!!!!!
7ft aluminum tree WITH revolving base that plays "silent night" I have a few trees already- at Christmas it's going to be a mod forest here at my place.... 10 bucks!
1972 Mod Hair ken, original box, doll has never been played with, but it's been opened and it's little hair pieces are gone. I am going to put it out for sale tomorrow! This was the first 12 inch male doll with rooted hair

15 dollar oak buffet

15 dollar oak buffet
Originally uploaded by thefarmersdaughter

from a garage sale- it's rough- but I can save it (I think) it's my project for the summer. It's going to go into my studio when it's done. I am thinking of a black stain for the finish. I also got a low, modern tv cabinet for ----FREE ------today. All in all I have 2 car loads of stuff from this weekend so far. More pics later- although some are already on my flickr site.

Black outfits at a wedding and the confusion that follows...

This story needs some background information. Please bear with me- there is a point, a rambly story in the middle, and a question at the end I swear.

My Aunt (my mothers sister) is 9 years younger than my mother (damn that ww 2) and her 2 children are much younger than I am- my cousin Jenn is about 9 years younger than me, Matt is about 16 (or more) years younger than I am. Matt is getting married next month. First time, outside and at night, to a wonderful girl. We are all very happy for him.

There is more. About 4 years ago, my uncle divorced my aunt. He left a NOTE on the kitchen counter stating he wanted a divorce. He also turned out to be gay- although he didn't come out of the closet until much, much later (although we all knew because my cousin found some stuff on his computer- stuff that had to do with (hopefully) teen aged boys and men- and my uncle was having at least one affair that he didn't hide very well. He also did something pretty bad at work- that we don't really know everything about- and got fired. ) He was HATEFUL to my aunt. Mean, cruel, just plain awful. He is often mean to his kids and grandkids, totally selfish and only cares for himself. His father was an awful man and passed it down to him- it has nothing to do with him being gay.

My Uncle was my uncle before he married my aunt. I have known him (and loved him) since I was 2 years old. He was my favorite uncle. He taught me how to swim and he took the pictures at my wedding - we go back a long, long time. He was never mean or hateful to me . But I can't forgive him for treating my Aunt so badly. He tried to destroy her- he failed- but he tried. Actually, it's his life that has totally fallen apart. He can't get another job- his romantic life has been nothing short of a disaster. I feel so badly for him- but he broke my aunts heart and was mean to her, tried to destroy her and I can't forget or forgive that. Again, nothing to do with being gay. Actually, if he would have come out earlier (before the cruelty) and just admitted everything, said he couldn't stay married because he was gay - hell, I would have helped him move and I wouldn't be in the dilemma. But he didn't. He chose to be a coward and a bully.

I haven't spoken to him since my wedding 5 years ago.

When my mother was helping my aunt get through this ordeal, my uncle would ask how I was, how my son was. I know that at this wedding he will try to talk to me. He may feel that I am the only safe one to speak to. He is wrong. I can't do anything at this wedding to ruin my cousins day. I don't want to be rude to either my cousin or my ex-uncle. I don't know what to do. I don't want him around my son. I don't want to have to avoid him all night ( I mean, how can I really) but I don't want to take the chance of having a few adult beverages and telling him how I really feel. I don't really know what to do.

Even worse, everyone is in a quandary about what to wear. They are having fits about their outfits . It seems the clothes they have chosen to wear are mostly black.

It's a night wedding and totally appropriate to wear black -but as much as I tell them that - they seem worried. Hell, they are worried. The bride has even approved what my aunt is going to wear (black) but it seems to worry them all still. My aunt, my mother, their friends, all wearing mostly black. That said- I don't know what I am going to wear. I had a nice black and white outfit picked out - black skirt, tank and white and black jacket. Now I don't know. To much black????? I have about 6 weeks to find something to wear and to get prepared to see my uncle. Can I do both? Can I even prepare to see my uncle or do I just have to let things happen?

It's the weekend- so you know it has to be raining...

It's nice right now, but about an hour ago a cold front ripped by and I though we were going to lose a tree.

I have just about everything planted for this season (although the tomatoes I think got a touch of the frost the other day- yes, I said frost). Tomatoes ( 2 kinds) , lettuce ( 2 kinds), spinach, rosemary, basil, cilantro and of course flowers. I will take some pics later this week -everything is coming up nicely. We planted a tree in the front yard and I put flowers in the big planters and the flower boxes. I mowed the entire yard this morning and it looks pretty good. We have some more work to do, but all in all, I am pretty happy with the progress so far......

My knee is bothering me so I didn't ride my bike yesterday or today. My Mr. got a new bike yesterday so I am looking forward to being able to go on rides with him (after we line up Grandma and Grandpa child care)in the future!

I went garage shopping yesterday- got a nice Heywood Wakefield end table for 5 bucks. I will probably re sell it though-I don't really need another table, even one as nice as this one is. I did get a large bag of fur though. Yes, fur. Minks. I got one really nice stole- with the feet still attached, then the next day I got a big bag of minks. Whole minks, head, feet, tail everything. They are kinda creepy. I think there are about 10 of them, plus a large mink collar, mink shoulder pad type things and some other smaller pieces.

Before any PETA people get up in arms- here is my fur philosophy. These are all old minks. These poor creatures have been dead for a very, very long time. I think we have a responsibility to re use and recycle items as much as we can- and that is exactly what I am doing. (I use them in my dolls.) That said, I don't believe in new mink coats. WHY Do you ask? I don't like new minks because we don't eat mink. It may be my native American ancestors in me, but I think if you intend to kill an animal you should use all the pieces of that animal. Cows and pigs, we eat the meat, wear the leather, use all the pieces and parts. Nothing should go to waste. To me, that's ok. Minks, we kill them for their fur only and that's not ok with me. No one goes out and gets a mink steak. There are no mink sausages. Minks are just killed so someone can have a furry coat. If there was a tasty mink meatball out there I guess my opinion on mink coats might change- but there isn't (as far as I can tell )so I'm safe for the time being.

These next 3 weeks are very busy for me. This week we prepare to go out garage sale-ing for Memorial weekend. We will probably hit 30 or so on Friday alone. 2 years ago I got the great Herman Miller orange side chairs- last year I got 5 vintage metal lawn chairs for a buck each. I look forward to the hunt. Sunday is a large antique show my parents set up and sell at and my husband is going to help them this time around. Since my Dads heart thing he doesn't need to be working that hard when it's not necessary. Plus, he's on Plavix and so the slightest cut or bruise is a big deal due to the bleeding. The following week is my 6 mos. cancer check up and my parents are having a yard sale- so I will be helping them set theirs up and maybe even work it a little. The following week is my huge yard, garage and tent sale during our heritage days festival. I have a lot of work ahead of me- after all, I have to get rid of that huge outbox from the cure!

What have I done this week......

What have I done this week- in two words- not much. I have been riding my new bike. Now I go about 5 miles each trip. Here is what I see-

I got the boy into a pre school program for next fall- 3 days a week about 3.5 hours a day. Not a lot, and I am only sending him so that he can learn to play with others. Everything else is taken care of- his ABC 's etc.... I don't need school for that.

I cooked a lot. Here are two things that I made.

The omelet has Morel mushrooms on it and morels, spinach and feta inside. The Morels we went out and "hunted" in the woods. I live in a area with a lot of them. I love them and it's been a family tradition to go out in search for them since I was very young.

The pancakes are apple ,Cinnamon, and banana .

That's all I have. I promise to do better next week. Really.

Matthew McConaughey story #1

As everyone is aware who reads this I lived in Austin for most of my adult life. My brother moved there right after college and still lives there. He's an artist and musician. This is actually his story.

My brother was coming out of a bar and going to his car after a night of drinking. As he got closer to his vehicle he noticed 2 people making out on the hood of his car. This is not actually an uncommon sight in parts of Austin after a night on 6th street or the warehouse district. He tapped the guy on the shoulder, and when the guy came up for air he saw that it was Matthew McConaughey (and Sandra Bullock). Apparently, old Matt said to my brother "Dude, no autographs " and turned back to his "date" . My brother apparently said " I don't want your autograph, I just want you to get off my damn car"

Week 7- Wardrobe therapy leftovers (oh yea- and Mothers day too)

We don't do a big Mothers day here- I'm not a huge holiday person when it comes right down to and this is no exception. But I got a big present- I got a new bike! It's a really nice mountain bike and I actually got it out for a short 2 mile spin today- then it rained so that was over. But I actually got out and rode for the first time in about 10 years. There was a time when I lived in Phoenix that I rode all the time- to Target, to the grocery store, to work, just for fun. Yes, even when it was over 100 degrees. This time around I just hope I can get out everyday after my husband comes home from work for about 30 minutes. We live by a series of trails- what's called a linear park here- and there are literally hundreds of miles of trails to bike.

Wardrobe therapy has been a bit of a challenge for me this go round. What I do doesn't require me to look nice- actually- it works out better if I look kind of gross. Gardening, garage sale shopping, playing with the kid in the yard or at the playscape - these activities all require rather wash n wear outfits that you don't want to be too nice. For example- yesterday I went garage sale-ing (where I didn't find anything at all- and at one place I should have known just to turn around and drive away when I saw the TOILET in their front yard with flowers planted in it) , then into town to meet up with the Mr. at his mothers house so my son could play in her yard with her, then off to A&W rootbeer (for rootbeers of course) then back to my house so my husband and I - dressed in waders, hip boots, and a bandanna around my head that made me look like Axel Rose - could go down into the lower yard and muck out the natural spring area by the river that had backed up and become bracken and disgusting. These are not activities you worry about how you look doing. Knee deep in decomposing plant material and pond water I just worried about not falling on my face or getting stuck in the mud- not what I was wearing or how I looked at the time.

SO here is the short version of week 7 for me.

• Party clothes ---no
• Exercise -------no
• Swimsuit------ yes
• Uniforms------ no
• Bridesmaid ----no
• Luggage------ yes
• Umbrellas ----yes

I don't have piles of these things. I own one bathing suit- a tankini- navy blue. It has a flowered skirt that goes with it to cover your bum, and I bought some swim shorts this year too. I may have an extra bikini bottom somewhere in the drawer.

Luggage- for the summer I use a tote bag and a very large duffel bag that my son picked out for me last year-they are brown with a very small skull and bones pattern on them. ( Pirates- he loves pirates) I love them and they are Jansport and really good quality and will probably look brand new until the day I give them away (because I become tired of the skulls).

Umbrellas- I own 2- a small animal print one in the car, and a larger black plaid one I keep in the house. Both work.

To replace-

I want to look for new athletic shorts and shirt for biking, a new bathing suit (but it's not necessary so only if I like it better than the one I have now which still looks and feels brand new), and maybe a new sports bra if I can find one in my size.

What I will do positively for my self- I will keep up with my skin care regimen- moisturizer, sunscreen etc... what I will stop doing- I am going to try to stop wearing just black and white t shirts this summer and wear some color near my face.

Something different just for me.......

I was going to do Erin's meme, but honestly, thought it was too much work. Plus, trying to guess where movie quotes come from is not a skill that I posses. But it got me thinking about movies and tv shows -what we like, and more importantly- why we like them.

I think that my list of movies (I hesitate to say favorites because I have too many "favorites to list) show many sides to my personality. I don't just like one genre of movies or tv, and I wonder why some people only like one type of movie. I think that if you only like romantic comedies you are missing out- just like you should eat different types of food or read both fiction and non fiction books- I think you can like romantic comedies AND sci fi movies.

I also pay no attention to movie "critics". To me, they are the worst type of scum. People who create nothing, produce nothing, but somehow think that their "impressions" of something are worth listening to. That doesn't mean people don't have a right to love, like or hate something. You do and you have every right to discuss those feelings out loud to other people. Just don't pretend you are an expert. An expert DOES. A critic WATCHES. Movie and art critics, sports commentators and political pundits all belong in a special circle in hell IMHO. People need to make up their own minds regarding art (or politics) based on their life experiences, needs and wants. As you will see, I give my opinions on the movies in my lists. But they are only my opinions and I don't expect anyone reading this to agree with me - ok? Like what you like.

Here is my list- I have given no links. These are in no particular order.

1. Gross Pointe Blank. Oh, I do love John Cusak. This movie especially. I love the idea of a "hired killer" who wants to quit, and wants to visit his "before" life by going to his High School class reunion. Reunions are hard enough without having to figure out how to dispose of a dead body. My favorite line in the movie as to be- "I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork. How've you been?" The soundtrack was great too...

2. Kingdom of Heaven. Directors cut only (it's long but worth it- they butchered the hell out of this movie in the theatres- big chunks that are kind of important to the entire story line just went poof). As I have already discussed- I love Orlando Bloom. It is pretty even handed in it's treatment of those in the middle east during that time. It shows that the problems we have in the middle east are nothing new. My favorite quote- "Godfrey of Ibelin: You are not what you were born, but what you have it in yourself to be"

3. Gone With the Wind. I love the first 2/3 of the movie, but once Scarlett and Rhett get married I turn it off. There is nothing I don't love about this movie, at least in the begining.

4. Fight Club. I love the author of the book this was based on- Chuck Palahniuk. The theme is dark, different and strange. Brad Pitt (before he became the unfortunate Brangelina) and Edward Norton are excellent . It's not my favorite ending (the books is better ) but it all works. My favorite line is "sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken"

5. Identity. Another John Cusak film. I don't know if a lot of people saw this one actually- I think it kind of went to video. Nothing in this film is as it seems-it's a mystery movie and a horror movie and I'm kind of a sucker for those...

6. The Handmaids Tale. This movie is no where as good as the Margaret Atwood novel by the same name. But, if you can't find the book, then this will work. This has been described as a Taliban-like, super right wing, christian theocracy in the future US- where women have no rights at all. Fertile women are trained to be "handmaids" to those families in power- they are to have sex with the husband (with the wives holding their hands) and produce a child for them- just like in the bible. Women have no rights, no power. They are either reproductive machines (clad in nun like outfits in bright red) wives to those in power(dressed in bright blue), or household servants (if they are past child bearing age dressed in drag grey). Little girls are dressed in long white nightgown like dresses. Fornicators, gender traitors or those unable to have children are either killed outright or sent to the "colonies" to work and die. Of course, even in this future men have figured out how to have their cake and eat it too- in this case they have hookers! Strange and sad. The book gives more background info on how this all happened etc... but the movie is good too. Good, scary, sad. It's all those.

7. Brazil. A bureaucrat in a retro-future world tries to correct an administrative error and himself becomes an enemy of the state. Very 1984. This is Terry Gilliam at his best- although the happy ending the studio slapped on the end of this film is a tragedy and bears no resemblance to the film the director had in mind-the directors cut of this film is superior in all ways to the theatrical release and of course, it's the crappy version that makes it to tv every once in a while. Favorite line "let's talk about ducts!"

8. Seven. Brad Pitt when he was still worth watching. Dark and dreary. A surprise ending and the seven deadly sins! Favorite line- "c'mon, he's insane. Right now he's probably dancing around in his grandma's panties, rubbing himself in peanut butter"

9. Requiem for a dream. The film that most depresses me and makes sure I never turn to a life of drugs. Also, probably the best movie I have ever watched. Ellen Burstyn should have won an oscar instead of old Julia Roberts that year- but I guess boob shaking wins out over actual acting every time.

10. Star Wars 5- The empire strikes back. I was 14 and in love with Harrison Ford. Those things stick with you.......

11. From Dusk til Dawn. George Clooney. A great robbery/chase movie that somehow ends up a great vampire flick. A dance by Salma Hayak with a snake that will leave your man speechless. A soundtrack to beat all others. Did I mention George Clooney? Favorite line" I may be a bastard- but I'm not a fucking bastard"


Guilty pleasures.
Movies I know are awful deep in my heart, but I will drop what I am doing and sit and watch them when they are on tv.....

1. A Knights Tale. Listen, it's fun and that's all I have to say about it. I watched it on TV yesterday and it made me sad though- Heath should not be dead.

2. Reign of Fire. Christian Bale (whom I love) and Mathew McConaughey (whom I don't-but I have a funny story about him or two from my days in Austin) go after flying dragons in future London. Stupid and silly and I get sucked in everytime it's on. If you like a post-apocalypse movie (and I do) then it's a good movie.

3. Another Woman . Justine Batemen of all people.(!) A made for tv movie- usually on lifetime- based on a Harlequin romance novel. It's a sweet, simple movie and I like it. So there.

4 State and Main. A movie made in a small town about making a movie in a small town. David Mamet wrote and directed it. Sarah Jessica Parker and Alec Baldwin play the stars of the movie being made, and William H Macy is the director. The townies are all terrific. It's a better film than most and it's too bad it's not on tv more. Favorite line "Joseph Turner White: How do I do a film called "The Old Mill" when I don't have an old mill? Ann Black: Well, first you've got to change the title."

TV.
Not many things here.


Lost. I have 4 years invested in this show and someone better tell me something about this damned island soon!

CSI Las vegas only. I do love criminal shows, and this one is the best. Forensics is fascinating to me- along with detective work. Criminal Minds used to be on the list- but I don't like Joe Mantegna very much so it falls off my "must see" list.

Torchwood- British Sci fi on the BBC America. I love it.

2 1/2 men. Funniest thing on tv IMHO. I was never a big Charlie Sheen fan, but this changed my mind.

That's it. My movies and tv list.

What helps you feel like you're worth taking trouble over

Off the top of my head I have to say that just being a human being should be enough. Young or old, small or tall, fat, skinny, ugly or pretty we are all worthwhile. But that really isn't the question is it? Why should I feel like I deserve to take time out of my day to pamper or take care of me?

I was pretty when I was younger. Very pretty. I learned that I could always fall back on that if I needed to. I learned that I didn't always need to be witty or well read- as long as I looked good. I also knew that it wasn't going to last forever. But taking care of myself- makeup, hair, clothes well then it was sort of a career choice. When I moved to management it was even more important. People (especially the public) listen to you more and do what you say if you look good and sound in charge.

My friends were very nice people, but thinking back, rather shallow. Looks meant a lot to us all as a group. We were rather vicious to others who didn't fit our standards or right and wrong- especially the men in my group. The standards that I had to meet during that time were rather high if I say so myself- and I had to work hard to meet them. I started to go out on my own more and to figure out what I wanted. And I came to conclusion that I really didn't want all of that pressure to be perfect and on trend at every moment. I didn't feel inadequate- but unfulfilled.

When I left and moved up here I broke free of the more shallow life I had before. It's hard to be dressed up in the middle of the woods. Even if I wanted to- there is no where in a 60 miles radius to get a hundred dollar hair cut. There are no cosmetics counters where I live, no Sephora, no department stores within 60 miles. Besides, with everything going on in my new life- the accident, health, baby, new husband- I had too much to worry about and deal with then hem lengths or makeup.

I was raised not to spend time ( or much money) on makeup or clothes. My mother is the queen of flip flops and stretch pants. It suits her life and that's great. My Dad just tries to find clothes that fit because he is freakishly tall. My brother really, truly doesn't care what anyone thinks of him. He needs no one. His life is his own and he will do as he pleases and don't get in his way. I am closer to his way of thinking.

When I say I don't care what people think of me from my appearance it's mostly true. I don't really care. I want to be seen as smart, competent, clean, well spoken and in charge. I would rather be seen as the mother you would trust with your kids than the MILF- but I don't waste time thinking about it. What I really want to do is be (and look) healthy. My style is my own- and I think I am finally getting to a point where my style and it's function are working for me. Well, except the shoes- but I am working on those as we speak.

What makes me think that I am worth putting effort in how I look? Well, because it's me and I happen to like me . I only have one life and it's now. I want my skin to look good, my clothes to fit and look nice , my hair to be clean and flattering to my face. I try to make sure my hair is colored, my rosacea is concealed, my eyes have mascara on them, and I do it for me, not who I see on a daily basis.

Spring cure wrap up.

I am done with the spring cure. There are a few more items to do (maybe) this summer. But here is my final list of what I did.

Sons room.
Here I removed all of his cowboy stuff.

b4

• We took down the shelf system on the one wall and put up a new shelf system on a smaller wall. The shelf system we put up was recovered from the kitchen and the shelf system we took down is going to be re used in the mud room.

b4
• I took the large dresser out of his room and replaced it with a smaller one. The large dresser is going into my sewing room. The smaller one was already in our storage room. I just used paint that I already had to fix it up.

after


• I took a few old books and framed the pictures for the art in his room. The books I had, the frames I had to buy.
• I put up new lighter colored curtains. I made them from Ikea sheets and hung them with rings I already owned. I did need to purchase a new wooden rod though
• I made a few things out of some fabric- a small curtain to put over his toy shelves, and some furry fabric to make the bull horns look more like water buffalo.
  
after

• I bought him new pillowcases. 6 to be exact. He sweats a lot out of his head and I need to change them almost daily when it's warm.
• new lanterns for nightlights.
• we bought him material to make a tent for his safari styled room, but didn't put it up due to the safety issue.

Here is the dollar breakdown.

1. Ikea sheets for curtains- 6.00
2. Ikea tent stuff 5.00
3. wood curtain rod 8.00
4. asst. frames 20.00
5. Nightlights 10.00
6. linens (pillowcases) 11.00
7. fabrics-horns etc 5.00

Total - 65.00

Living room

I put up the summer curtains, cleaned and organized, brought up the big blue rug. My Mr just bought me a new footstool for the plycraft chair this past weekend.

Total $ footstool 15.00




Kitchen.
I tried out a new backsplash color, but in the end just painted it white. I had all the paint already on hand that I used. I cleaned, threw out old food, and organized.

Total- 50.00 for kitchen cart ( I had the paint)

Dining room

I bought a mat for a print I framed using frames I already had. I put up my summer curtains and sheers. I cleaned.

Total $ mat for picture 6.00

Laundry

I repainted the entire room, cleaned, organized, we built the new wall for the heat vent.

Total $ for wall 15.00- the paint was leftover from my bathroom paintjob last fall....

Bathrooms

I cleaned and organized them. I didn't do anything much because this summer the main bath is getting re done- new floor, lights, sink and cabinet (all of which I already have) I bought a light on final clearance for 20.00, the cabinet and sink were on clearance for 30.00 (or 35.00 I can't remember) and the flooring is leftovers from the kitchen. I have plenty of paint to repaint too...but I am not counting the fixtures for the cure since they are still in the garage.

main bath my 1/2 bath

total $ 0

My bedroom

I cleaned, organized, new curtains, tried out paint-decided not to paint for a while.

total $ spent curtains (4 panels) 25.00

SO my fall cure total was 176.00 spent. That's mainly on the footstool, cart, 6 pillow cases, 4 panels of curtains and a wall. Less than I had thought. I was lucky that I was able to re use so much stuff that I already had, and that I have an awful lot of building materials and supplies already. I think that I pulled about 500.00 worth of garage sale stuff out this time around so we'll see how that works out in June. I am pleased with the results. Because I got all the deep cleaning and organizing done so soon this year, I can do more of this......

I was tagged by Wende- here is my list.......

Here we go.....


What accessories do you wear everyday? I wear a wedding ring everyday. Big and gold.

What is your beauty routine? I wash my face, put on tinted moisturizer with a spf 15, mascara, concealer for my roseaca and that's about it. I wash my hair every 2 or 3 days depending on when it needs to be washed- and that is a two shampoo, then conditioner process. I shave in the shower and use a body wash. I (99% of the time) let my hair air dry and put it up in a clip. If it's a special occasion I will use hot rollers to curl my hair and I add eye shadow and lipstick to the makeup.

What was the last item of clothing (for yourself) that you purchased? I bought some shoes, some swim shorts and 2 t shirts. Not very exciting for sure. I am trying not to buy to many clothes for myself right now as I want to lose some weight.

Do you use a dresser, closet, or both? I use both. My closet is very, very small.

What type of earrings are in your ears right now? Small diamond studs.

Do you wear glasses? Yes, sometimes. For reading ,but I think I need to see the Dr again and have that changed.

Do you wear makeup? Yes, see above to beauty routine. Mostly just concealer, tinted moisturizer and mascara. Always mascara.

What is your favorite perfume? Sugar by Fresh. I have been wearing it for about 5 years now.

Is your motto "quality over quantity" when it comes to clothing and accessories? Not always. Quality shoes- yes. Leather items- yes . I like quality jeans. I work on a cost per use theory, so trendy stuff needs to be cheap, but items I like and plan to wear often I tend to spend the extra money. But quality doesn't always mean expensive, and some items you just need more of than others.

Do you wear rain boots? No, are you kidding? I just make sure I don't wear suede. I don't even use an umbrella.

Do you wear socks or slippers when your feet get cold? No. I put them under the blanket or throw. I don't even wear socks.

Do you have a set of travel luggage? I have a lot of luggage, but not a "set" of anything. I too like the idea of just grabbing a bag throwing some stuff into it and hitting the open road. Those days are over with a 4 yr old sadly.

If you are married, did you wear a veil with your wedding dress.? I didn't even wear a dress. I wore white linen pants (like pj pants) a white tank top with a light white sweater, and green rhinestone flip flops. My husband wore a white linen short sleeve shirt with khaki shorts and fisherman sandals. We had an outside wedding at the farm followed by a pig roast and bonfire.

Do you wear a watch? Sometimes. I own a few.

Do you prefer zippers or buttons? I don't care. Buttons I guess, except for jeans. I don't like 501's because of the button fly. That and zippers remind me of my pseudo-punk period of my life.

Drama, Mayhem and Foolishness at my house last night!

Long story short- I found a tick on my dog last night. Just one, I got it out intact and it was flat so it had not fed yet- so I think it was a new acquisition. I went NUTS. Stripped the whole family down, checked out every orifice. Had to muzzle the dog in order to check the rest of his body out ( I found the tick in his ear) I took every linen item the dog was in contact with and hot water washed them and then dried them in a hot dryer for 70 minutes ( I read on the web they die in the dryer , but they are tough little monsters) . All night long I was itchy and feeling like something was crawling on me. Nothing was, but ICK..........
We just walked around the house. That's it. We didn't walk in a field or woods. Just around the perimeter of the house. I am afraid this is a sign of things to come. I don't want my son to look like a goofball with his pants tucked into his socks (or me to look stupid either come to think about it) so I am off today to search out bug sprays and repellents. Anyone have any ideas?????