So Over It

I sound like my daughter -- "I am SO over it"!  But, I am.  My allergy situation is beyond any help whatsoever.  I am fed up with sitting here feeling bad, giving into it and just generally having a big old, sniffly, snotty pity party.  So, I decided yesterday to just ignore it (hard to do but....) and get on with things.  I have a lot of things to do and I am tired of dealing.

So, what is any sane, grown woman to do under these circumstances with this mindset?

Clean out her dusty, over-stuffed clothes closet, of course. (Not really a good idea with the dust and all.)

Yesterday I started pulling out everything and throwing it away.  Yes, throwing it away.  I have about six knit shirts that have been hanging on the hangers for so long (yes, I know, fold them) that you can't recognize their original shape.  I have a number of blouses that have embroidered details that just scream "middle age".  I am middle aged -- no, I am older than middle aged -- in my body, not my mind and I just can't handle sweet little embroidery.  Out! In the pile.

I have found slacks I forgot about that have never been worn.  I found jackets I forgot about.  It was a mess.  Marie Kondo would have been in decluttering heaven.

So, I got to thinking -- AGAIN -- about wardrobe, body type, personal preference, comfort, climate, who I admire as a fashion role model.  All those things and I have finally come up with an answer.

I shall buy a box of 33 gallon garbage bags, cut appropriate holes for head and arms and be done.  A cute pair of flats and some pearls for church should work, don't you think?

Ok, maybe not.

So, I have decided that a neutral wardrobe is best.  My options are obvious -- denim, black, gray, beige, white, navy and taupe.  I think solids are good for tops or geometric prints -- stripes and polka dots.  I have several pairs of slacks and capris that fit in these categories so I am good to go.  I am overbought on jeans so I won't be buying any more.  In fact, I have just purchased a pair of white ones and black ones so I think I am done on the pants.

Tops seems to be my big problem.  I don't like short blouses or shirts so I have to opt for the longer, tunic style.  I can't wear t-shirts because I am an "apple" and "apples" just look dumpy in t-shirts.  I don't mean to offend but it is true.  I have had to be brutally honest with myself during this little exercise and that is my conclusion.  I also don't care for these "fitted" or "shaped" shirts that are popular these days (thank you Lands End).  I have several and will keep them as they are practically new and in very good shape due to the good quality (thanks again, Land's End).  With that said,  all those seams to bring the shirt in and fitted are  where I go out and are uncomfortable. I am high waisted but it seems like the waist of the shirt is still higher and I keep wanting to pull it down.  First world problems, what can I say.  Be thankful I have a shirt -- lots of people don't.  Shame on me for complaining.  Anyway, think I have narrowed down the style of blouse or top I need.  My daughter doesn't care for my choices but I am not the tall, willowy person with the gorgeous flowing locks that she is so...be quiet.   I have to work with what I have.  I am a shrinking, apple.  Not an easy thing.  As far as color goes I am sticking with neutrals there as well -- white, black, ivory and blush.  Now, I have a lime green shirt in my closet and I don't know why.  Oh, I bought it.  It is a solid.  It is a good brand but.....it is lime green.  I don't "do" lime green -- what was I thinking but since it has been worn possibly once the idea of just tossing it is giving me pause.  It is in my "dazed and confused" pile.

So, shoes.  I have arthritis.  I can't wear heels.  I never wore really high heels but I did like dressing up and can't now.  So, I have settled in on flats.  I have a couple of pair of Clark's that are really comfy.  One is black and one is camel.  I have a pair of Tieks in taupe that I wear all the time.  All. The. Time.  I need to buy another pair (or four).  I also recently bought a pair of New Balance flip flops.  Being the sort that needs to have her shoes strapped to her feet I was hesitant but they are so comfy and they don't fall off my feet and I haven't tumbled over yet so I say they are a go.  Shoes are problematic as well  -- one foot is a medium and the other a wide.  I have my dad's high arches and really can't stand anything going across the top of my foot (trainers are torture) so flats it will be.  Plus, heavy shoes make me feel like I am walking through quicksand so the Tieks are great.  My husband is just going to have to cope.

I only carry one purse -- a Longchamp nylon zipper tote -- LePilage -- in gunmetal gray, the medium size.  I have other options but that is the easiest to deal with and comfortable for me.

I used to love jewelry but not so much anymore.  I wear the same things every day.  I guess I am like my Aunt Linnie that way.  She had some "signature" jewelry that she wore all the time and didn't deviate from it -- I am the same way.  I guess I am just not very creative.  I am thinking of buying something turquoise to compliment the taupe and white stuff that I am planning on wearing.  If I think about it.

So, as I ride out the allergies I am determined to make my closet look like it belongs to a member of the human race.  I have discovered that I am going to have to start ironing again.  That doesn't make me happy.  I don't like to iron.  But, I am going to like being able to go in and get dressed!

So, yeah.  Now I have to clean up the bedroom floor where I dumped everything.  Bother.

PS -- In case you are wondering who my fashion icon is -- well -- hee hee -- Judi Dench.  She is short, roly poly, wears long, loose blouses and shirts and has gray hair -- what's not to love!  And she has a wicked sense of humor from what I have read.
 

Ok, So I Lied! I Didn't Mean To!

In my previous blog-- a meme -- I said I didn't have any pet peeves.  I didn't really think I did but now I think I do.  I guess I lied although I didn't mean to. Ok, listen up, it is like this.

PBS and BBC have done a nasty thing.  A DANG nasty thing!  When they first aired "Home Fires" I started watching it and then didn't.  A few weeks ago I picked it back up and was really into it.  Last night was supposed to be the season finale.  It was, however, the SERIES finale.  Yes, it just ended.  No storylines were concluded all neat and tidy.  The characters were going about their business like it would continue.  But....it just stopped.

There was supposed to be a season 3 but BBC and PBS decided to just not do that.  So, nobody knows how anything ends.  After a little google search I learned that the author who wrote the book the series is based on is going to write three more books to bring it to completion.

So, I went to B&N today and bought the original book that the series was based on.  I figured that I may as well start from the beginning.  The next book is due out in July.  This is so annoying!!! 

Ok, rant over but honestly, HOW RUDE!!!!!

Sunday Stealing: The Chicago Crazy Questions

Here is another bare-all, confessional sort of meme  called Sunday Stealing.  It is fun and if you would like to participate please go to https://sundaystealing.blogspot.com to participate.



1) What was your dream growing up?

Don't know that I really had one.  Thought I might be a writer.


2) What talent do you wish you had?

 I wish I could draw

3) If I bought you a drink what would it be?

I don't drink alcohol so I would be a cheap date -- water
  4) What was the last book you read?

This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  

5) Worst Habit?

Well, let's see.  I have given up cookies and soda and practically all caffeine.  I don't smoke, drink or cavort -- so I guess I don't have any.  Maybe not taking all makeup off before I hit the sack.  Oh wait, I have given up makeup as well.  Well,blah. I guess I don't have any.

6) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?

If I knew you, of course.  If not, sorry, who knows who you might be.

7) What is your favorite sport?

Not the sporty sort but I like watching gymnastics and Texas A&M football.
 

8) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?

Freak out.  It's not you, it's me -- don't care for elevators for that exact reason -- the possibility of getting stuck in said box attached to a rope.

9) Worst thing to ever happen to you?

I would have to say losing my parents.

10) Tell me one weird fact about you.

I have had what I feel are visitation dreams from my father. Also, a couple of disturbing recurring dreams.


11) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?

I would ask you in.  But don't ask for refreshments as I haven't really fully grocery shopped for about six months.  It is not that I can't grocery shop but rather that I really, really hate grocery shopping -- not my idea of good time.  I might start ordering online.

12) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?

I would be thinner.  You would think I would be with my grocery shopping situation.

13) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?

Depends


14) Ever been arrested?


Ha! No.  But I did get a traffic ticket once for something my husband did -- or did not -- do.  It involved license plates.  I had to go to court to dispute it.  I made him go with me and I made sure everybody within earshot knew it wasn't my circus or my monkeys.  Still a bit miffed about it but you probably can't tell that.

15) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?

I would  put part of it in the bank and use the rest for a good cause.


 16) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?

I could say reading or cross stitching or watching British tv  -- all viable options --but with the amount of time I spend on the computer I guess being on the computer is what I do the most.  That isn't good, is it?



17) Biggest pet peeve?

Eh, I am not a peevy sort of person.  Is that a word?

18) In one word, how would you describe yourself?

Blessed


19) Do you believe in/appreciate romance?

Oh, sure, I suppose. Not terribly realistic but makes for good movies.






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May? Is This A Joke?

How could it possibly be May?  I know that time passes quickly as you get older but it seems to be going at breakneck speed for me!  Somebody posted on Facebook about how many days it is until Christmas!  No, no, make the madness stop. 

In other news, we have had two cold fronts which have make our temps cooler than they have been in a long time.  I mean turn-on-the-heater-and-grab-a-sweater cooler.  Very jolting to the system for sure.  I can handle it but somebody needs to do something about the gale force winds and the pollen swirling around our heads.  I know, complain, complain, complain -- I will try to refrain.

On the reading front I have finally finished "This Side of Paradise" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  "Paradise" was his first work and quite notable.  I enjoyed it and thought it outstanding for a first work (many first works are quite forgettable) but I did have to read more slowly than I am used to and pay more attention to what I was reading.  It is definitely a book to be read, not glossed over.  It isn't as finessed as "Gatsby" but still quite enjoyable with it's main character, Amory Blaine, going through life's loves and losses.  I think my favorite female character was Eleanor Savage -- wild, free, lover of literature -- so different than the other female characters -- social debutantes living under the social dictates of the time. I recommend to anyone, especially somebody wanting to experience literature of a bygone era -- much different than today's offerings.

I have now picked up the first in the Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber -- "16 Lighthouse Road".  I rejected this series early on because it just seemed so predictable.  I even refused to watch the television program.  However, during one particularly lean tv viewing time, I did start watching on Netflix and enjoyed the series a good deal.  So, now I have picked up the book (it has been on my Nook forever).  So far, so good.  I doubt I will read the entire series at one time, I tend not to do that, but rather shift between several series that I am reading "at".  I also want to start the Hamish MacBeth series by MCBeaton.  I have listened to one or two on audio book and think I would enjoy the series.  The Agatha Raisin series and the Elm Creek series are due a revisit as well.  I see this being a "very reading summer". 

For now that is all I have.  Our little Daisies are bridging to Brownies later this month so there is a lot to do for that.  I will post pictures of the ceremony to be held on my daughter's driveway.  Hint..it will involve a real bridge.  And balloons.  And cake.  It will be glorious.

So, for now that is all.  Hopefully something exciting will happen soon -- not TOO exciting though -- I am too old for TOO exciting! Ta!  Later.

Update on New Routine

How long does a new routine have to be followed before it isn't new anymore?  As you know, we have been following a new routine and it is working well.  The last several days have been challenging but we have managed to eat our main meal at lunch although a few of those meals were restaurants which we are trying to avoid.  However, we did keep to our plan to eat our large meal at lunch and I think we are both feeling better for it.

We were remarking, on our way home from our daughter's house today, that neither of us was ravenously hungry.  When we were eating breakfast and a light lunch we were starving by the time we were leaving our daughter's house for home and would then still have to cook which sent us to the restaurants every night.

By eating lunch we don't have that long stretch without food so we are able to make it until we get home and can have a light dinner.  I think it is a win-win.  I have lost a bit of weight and I just think going to bed on an emptier stomach is a good thing.

The last several days have found me cleaning out the closet and I have taken two bags to the drop off place for donated items.  I have two more bags to take as well.  Then randomly I am going to tackle the kitchen drawers -- they need it.  I am very excited to be getting things cleaned out and organized -- it makes me feel good and I have come to realize it is a never ending job so I don't need to feel bad about it not being finished -- it isn't ever going to be finished!

I am still reading the F. Scott Fitzgerald book but I am about done and I am ready to be done.  I have enjoyed it but it hasn't gone quickly and I am wanting to get started on some of my other new books.  I am reading books lately rather than my e-reader because the e-reader books have gotten so expensive! I really love Half Price Books and I can find whatever I want most of the time.  I have decided that during the summer I am going to visit the library, as well.  I miss the library and would like to go more frequently.

I am proud of myself that I have kicked the cookie habit.  I am a serious cookie addict.  I can pass up anything else but cookies are just too enticing.  But, I have managed to stop eating them and haven't really had any (except for the madeleine at church) for almost two months. I feel so accomplished! I have weight issues and honestly, sweets are the problem.  I have broken the addiction to sodas (that was a big one) and now cookies (the other problem) and I feel so much better for it.  Not that I feel better physically but emotionally because I actually took hold of the problem.  Yay!

I have been binge watching "As Time Goes By" on Britbox and am loving it.  I have watched this series many times but never in order and it is quite fun.  I think I might start on Dr. Who when this one is done.  I would like to start EastEnders but I don't know how easy it would be to start a soap opera.  I did watch Coronation Street a bit when I had Hulu but I stopped.  I will see how that goes.

So, that is me up to now.  Oh yes, Bean decided to write a book -- her life up to now (she is 6).  On the first page she said "I was born when Mommy got me out of her tummy".  And then asked me what happened next.  Not much progress has been made but she makes me smile.

The Little Couple

For the last several summers we have had families of cardinals living in our yard and the one next door.  I noticed our latest couple a few days ago but managed to get some snaps this morning.

They are very pudgy and the cool weather this morning has made them very frisky - if you can call a bird frisky.  At any rate, they are all over the yard and burrowing down in the jasmine -- I wonder if they are what is stealing my strawberries?

So, anyway, meet the little couple!

The Mister

The Missus

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos but I was inside the house and every time they saw me move they took off so this was the best I could do!

Temperature

My husband and I have always been a pretty good match in all areas.  I guess that is why we have stayed together for so long.  However, as we have gotten older we seem to have different ideas of temperature.  He is always cold.  I am always hot.  Now, during the day that doesn't seem to be a problem but at night....totally different story.

I have always liked comforter sets  -- you know, with the matching components but I really don't like pillow shams.  They are a nuisance.  So, three or four years ago I bought an American made heirloom bedspread.  I had two of these when I first married and I really liked them, too.

This is the exact bedspread that I bought-- a Bates-style bedspread which you can get with pillow shams or long enough to cover the pillows.  This was important because my husband is paranoid about having the pillow covered. He seems to have a "thing" about dust.

The only problem with this is that my husband wouldn't sleep under it -- he said it was too heavy even though it is one of the "lightweight" bedspreads offered.  So, he would roll it all the way down to the foot of the bed and then pile a quilt on top of him.  Sometimes two.  No, I didn't understand either.

Because he is so cold all the time we also have two cotton blankets on the bed as well.  Needless to say that I -- in my permanent hot-flash state -- was miserable and I told him we had to do something so off came the quilts and I have forced him to sleep under the blankets and the bedspread.  He has adapted.

However, I have been thinking about a down alternative comforter and a duvet cover.  I like the way Europeans use a bottom sheet and the duvet and that is all.  Simplifies bed making for sure.  However, not a problem here because our rule is the last one out is the one who makes the bed and it is NEVER me -- I am an early riser -- or at least early enough to not have to make the bed.  Haha!

So, we went looking and then I went to reading.  After reading several articles I have decided to stick with my bedspread/blanket combo. There were a lot of negative reviews of duvets and honestly, I can't imagine wrestling to get the comforter back in the duvet each time I wash the sheets.  Yeah, no.

So, I have decided to stay with what I have but I still have the problem of too-cool-hubby and too-warm-moi -- So, what did we do about that?

Since it is now early summer here in Texas (seems we didn't feel the need to do spring or winter this year) I have insisted on turning on the ceiling fan.  I woke up to find Hubs with all the layers of bedclothes pulled up to his chin.

However, he isn't complaining so I am leaving well enough alone.

I Have Failed at the Art of Tidying Up

I have read articles about Marie Kondo and the Kon Marie method of keeping yourself together.  My cousin even bought me the book which I have read.  However, the book didn't address the concept that some people might be drawer-dysfunctional.

That would be me.

If I can't see it, I forget I have it.

Case in point.  Two days ago I went looking for my pajamas.  I have taken to retiring in athletic shorts and t-shirts because they are quite comfy for this perpetually-too-warm body.  However, I decided that I need to sleep in real pajamas and I knew I had them but where?  After a brief study of the situation I went out to buy some more sleeping duds -- not athletic shorts.  I came home to put them away and when I opened the very last drawer in the dresser in the closet what do you think I found?  Yes.  My pajamas.

No, I didn't return the new things. 

So, yesterday I started cleaning out the disaster that is my closet.  Here in Texas they tell us to go into the closets during a tornado.  My closet look likes the tornado followed me in.

Not anymore, though. 

However, I have a large dresser with 8 drawers (my husband has a matching one with 12 drawers -- yes, it is a large closet) and I am unable to store anything in them because I forget it is there.

I found t-shirts neatly folded in the Kon Marie method -- they look lovely.  I have my personal garments folded the same -- except for what I found lost with the pajamas.  And I uncovered six pairs of shoes.  I guess I didn't need them since I wear the Tieks most of the time.  However, I feel a little crazy.

My husband's side of the closet is an equal disaster but it is a disaster with his own stuff.  My side of the closet has also been turned over to things like extra blankets and quilts, the boxes of family photos, the Nintendo Wii box, you know, stuff like that.  I am going to be merciless and just ditch it all. 

I was so good yesterday.  I had two grocery bags (paper) full of neatly folded clothes for donation.  Remember when you could donate things to the little donation bins in the grocery store parking lot?  Well, those little bins have been popping up all over the place again so I thought it would be easy to find someplace to donate the clothes.  I was wrong.  There were two in our Target parking lot just a few weeks ago and now they are gone.  We actually drove all over the place looking for one.  I finally found one but I am not sure it was a good idea to leave things there. I need to find another place because that one gave me the heebie-jeebies.  All I did was open the chute and I felt the need to drown myself in hand sanitizer.  When I opened the chute I was met with all sorts of food trash -- is somebody living in this thing?  I don't know but I will find someplace else.

So, this morning I am back at work re-inventing my closet.  Oh, and the shirts that are too big?  Well, I uncovered one that is the smaller size (never worn, BTW, but it was neatly folded in the drawer) and it fits perfectly.

I have decided to keep the larger shirts because when I tried to re-order them in the smaller size they didn't have any of the designs I wanted so next time I order things, I will remember to buy the smaller size.  Blah.  Maybe they will shrink in the wash.

So, today I am continuing to tackle the closet -- hanging everything in my sight so I won't lose things.  I am sort of beginning to worry about forgetting things.  How can somebody forget their pajamas?  Just doesn't seem right.

However, now I am well stocked on pajamas.  Yay.

Annoyed

Yes, two posts in one day by moi! The world must be coming to an end!  But, I am annoyed.  I buy most of my clothes online.  Why?  Well, I don't enjoy shopping and they have closed all the reasonable stores close to me like Dillards and Macy's.  So, since I don't like to shop anyway and I don't particularly like driving across town in DFW traffic, buying online seems to be a good option for me.

So, in March I placed an order for several things and I got them in a timely fashion.  However, I didn't try them on in a timely fashion.

I tried them on today.

The slacks fit fine but the shirts are too large.

So, what am I complaining about?  Who complains about too large?

Seems I just assumed they would fit so I threw all the packing material and return labels  away.  I have the pouch they were mailed in but no paperwork.

I contacted the company and they assured me there was no problem, just print a new label from the website and send them on.

I really wanted these shirts -- so I jumped online to just re--order them in a smaller size and guess what!!???

None of the patterns I purchased is available anymore in a smaller size.  Not sure if they ever will be.  So....that is why I am annoyed.

I would be less annoyed if it was THEIR fault but it is my fault so I am REALLY annoyed.

Guess I better go print that label.

Sheesh.

Little Bo -- the Story of Bonnie Boadicea by Julie Andrews Edwards

I am still chipping away at "This Side of Paradise" (not such a page turner but not willing to give up) but I decided to take a second-long break and read a children's book titled "Little Bo--The Story of Bonnie Boadicea" by Julie Andrews Edwards.  Yes, that Julie Andrews.

It is a children's book and it is large and has pictures which I guess qualifies it to be a picture book but it is lengthy for a picture book, almost 100 pages so I think it is a tad more than a picture book.  My granddaughter brought it home from the school library so I had to read fast as it is due on Thursday.

In any event, it is the story of Sarabande and Bounder -- she being the gorgeous Persian cat belonging to Mrs. Edge and the street cat -- Bounder -- a sort of feline Lady and the Tramp, if you will.  Sarabande has a litter of kittens and Mrs. Edge who is very hard-edged decides to keep the one that looks like Sarabande and tells her mean hearted butler to take the rest to the pet store.  As it happens the pet store won't take them and the butler, who didn't like them anyway, had a bicycle accident and the kittens all get away.  It was a dark and rainy night and they all scattered for parts unknown.

The story focuses on Boadicea -- or Bo for short -- as she is the smallest and most helpless.  Lest you think she drowns in the gutter or something I will tell you that she is rescued and goes on an unbelievable adventure and scores herself a human that has strong values. I won't say anymore, however, because it is a good book and I recommend you reading it for yourself.

I did think it ended rather unceremoniously and a bit flat, leaving the reader to want more.  However, after a bit of research, there is more.  There are other "Bo" books out there and I, for one, am going to read them.

It Is All in the "S"

Sorry I haven't been here in a few days but I have been nursing the latest allergy attack along and really haven't felt like doing much.  However, I am bored with not doing much so I am ignoring the allergies -- seems like the thing to do!

One thing I have been doing the last few days is surfing the internet about skin care and how French women take care of their skin.  Several months ago I stumbled across an American skincare line that I really like, First Aid Beauty, and have sort of gotten on the skincare bandwagon.  My skin was never, even in teen-age years, tragic.  I never had a lot of problems with it and that hasn't changed.  The thing I have always had a problem with, however, is makeup.  I don't play nice with makeup.  So, I decided to see if I could improve my skin to the point that I don't actually need to wear much makeup.  I have been told by skin care "people" that I don't need it but I was never comfortable.  I always have always felt like I need to do something and I decided that something would be skincare.

So, I was doing a little study of the products that French women use and I ran across micellar water.  Now, I have used micellar water before but I wanted to try what the French women used.  Seems there are two brands --Bioderma and Vichy.  So, I ordered the Bioderma online because it can't be purchased locally and this is what I got--

cute little wrapping paper in a plain brown box

more packaging-- bottle wrapped in brown paper, tied with cream and black cord and nestled in copious amounts of black tissue paper -- felt elegant

Viola -- the bottle

Two days later I walked into Walgreens and found the entire Vichy line right there -- no ordering!!! That sort of thing always happens to me.

So, I have been doing the skincare thing but in reading about French women I learned that they always choose a signature scent and stick with it.

My aunt, who was very glamorous and a fashion buyer for a large department store, had a signature scent.  It was called Fleurs de Rocaille (Rock Garden).  This is a scent that I will never forget -- ever.  She wore it so much it permeated everything she owned.  I loved it.  At some point it became difficult to find so I asked my husband to buy me some on one of his trips to France.  He did.  It was wrong.  It didn't smell the same -- AT ALL.  Apparently there was a new (1994) formulation aimed at the American audience and that is what he bought.  I went to a perfumerie here to by some of the "original" stuff for my cousin and was assured it was the original formulation (1934)  but it wasn't.  I bought it anyway thinking I just couldn't smell anymore.

So, the other day when I was doing all my research on French women I started looking for this perfume.  It seems that the 1934 formulation was called FLEURS de Rocaille.  The 1994 version is FLEUR de Rocaille -- just one fleur.  So, I went to a site called Lucky Scent and found the 1934 version which is still being manufactured and I promptly had them send me a sample.  I was ecstatic when I got it in the mail today.

I just knew I was going to pop the lid off that tiny vial and be transported to my youth and be in the presence of my aunt again.  I didn't even smell it in the vial I just put some on my wrist and guess what -- it is WRONG.  It isn't anywhere near the scent that I was so familiar with. I was so disappointed! After a while, it was so strong I had to go wash it off.  So, I decided a little spritz of Chanel #5 was in order.  Even that was too strong.  I haven't really worn perfume in a long, long time for a lot of reasons and I guess my poor little nose just can't handle it anymore.  By the time I got the Chanel washed off I was sniffling and my eyes were running and, well.....

I guess I am just never going to be a French fashionista.