Four to Go!

Four more days! Four more days and then?... I have a few ideas!

Today our pediatrician called and said that Leo's throat culture from LAST Monday cam back positive for strep. So that's a whole week Leo's been around other kids and people, giving him many opportunities to infect them! Yay! I guess the rapid strep test has around a 5% percent chance of a false negative. And here I thought that Leo might just be one of the lucky folk who are immune to the streptococcus bacteria.

So, could this be what I've been fighting? I don't think so, because my throat doesn't hurt, but I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow to see if I could be carrying strep even if I don't have symptoms.

Why am I so interested in finding out, you ask? Because one of my dearest and loveliest and most creative and amazing friends is moving across the country in three days with her family, and I would hate to get them sick, even if I feel like I'm fine...

Outfit:

Since I'm not at work this week I don't have to worry about what I look like! I really only have one goal: Do Not Repeat! I think I'm in the clear, but I shouldn't jinx myself!

Dress: Thrift store. This was a puffy, ruffled, shoulder-padded dress that I deconstructed.

Pants: Thrift store. Bottom half of an adorable jumpsuit I cut in half for some strange reason.

Jacket: Goodwill. Ann Taylor. I have promised this jacket to a lovely lady up north who adores it. I like it fine, but I am not super attached to it!

Shoes: Capezio. These are dance sandals I bought when I was playing Eve, as in the first woman, in a show seventeen or so years ago. Frightening! I was in college. Seventeen years ago... I'm old!

HaHa is attached to her skirt. I convinced her to wear it on her shoulders so that it wouldn't get destroyed in the park!

A Mess!

Oh. My. What has wearing a different outfit everyday turned me into?

A person who experiments.

A person who has to think about what they wear.

A person who looks ridiculous.

I have had many a day up here where I look at my photos and say, "What was I thinking?" (Today, anyone?)

However, I do have to admit that I've been pretty pleased with some of my outfits. And, I would like to reiterate that most of my outfits are "new". That is, I've never worn them before...

I guess my primary thought is, "Did I wear this combination yet?"

And not shopping? It's pretty easy, especially since I can't. And, contrary to expectations, I have not channeled my shopping urges into sprees for HaHa or the boys. They have closets full of hand-me-downs too. And, like me, they're fine with it!

Outfit:

Shirt: Salvation Army. I got this in high school. I love it. It had big huge shoulder pads that I removed. Shoulder pads and I do not mix. Chaus.

Skirt: Friend hand-me-down. Ella Moss. Dress worn as skirt.

Shoes: Capezio. However, I wanted to wear these lovely heels. Working with first graders, I just can't wear heels all day!

HaHa sitting with Daddy in the back room! She's my smile bear! I asked her to say cheese, and she obliged!

Better!

Oh, what a Hot Toddy and a long night of sleep will do! My nose has stopped pouring like a faucet, and I feel well enough to go to work and flourish tomorrow! That said, I was still pretty ornery today. Maybe because even though I was not feeling well, I still had to do many things I did not want to do, which included buying groceries. That is the only reason I got dressed today.

I guess that's life when you're a grown up. No playing hooky anymore...

I remember the days when I was single in New York. No one to answer to. No bed time. Sometimes I could sleep all day. Although I rarely did. Not my style. I could go out every night of the week and do whatever I wanted. I only had me to think of. I never cooked and I rode my bike home across the Brooklyn Bridge at the craziest hours of the day and night. I only had me to think of.

Once, when I was riding across the bridge at 3 a.m.,  I heard some wheels behind me. I was a little bit startled, but the cyclist passed me, and a while later we caught up with each other at the red light near the end of the bridge where the street began. We said "Hi," and talked about how nice it was to ride on the bridge when it was quiet and empty. We continued talking as we rode further in to Brooklyn and talked for at least a half hour when we stopped in front of his place. At some point he asked me if I wanted to come up for tea.  I said, "What if you kill me or something?" He said, "Don't you think I would have killed you by now if I wanted to?" I realized he had a point. So, trusting my gut, although now it sounds crazy, I went upstairs to his place and had a cup of almost 4 a.m. tea. We talked about California (he was from there too), The Beach Boys (he was a huge fan), and about exes. He was in the process of separating from his girlfriend even though he was still in love with her. I had also just gone through a tough break up, so I guess we were kindred souls.

I rode home when the sun was just coming up, and I never saw Mr. Brooklyn Bridge again. Crazy, huh?    

That's New York for you.

Outfit:

Shirt: Goodwill. Banana Republic.

Dress: Hand me down from friend. Ella Moss. I'm wearing it backwards. This project has made me much more experimental with my garments. It's freeing!

Shoes: Capezio.

Applause!

Okay. I wrote the title of this post and proceeded to fall asleep while sitting upright! Yikes! I guess it was a long day.

Aren't they all?

I got out of the house early and alone so I could prepare for my  8:30 a.m. performance. Much to my surprise I was able to hit the high notes without having talked all day.  Yay!

The outfit that I wore today was also my "costume" for the performance.

*Note. I just took a two hour nap on the couch. It is now 1:13 a.m. Richard is still awake and he just woke me up so I could post. He tried twice before. Rather than write in this fog, I am going to put up my pictures and go back to bed!







Outfit:

I wore this combination before, then I threw another dress! Clever, huh? I was supposed to be a Russian peasant circa early 1900's.

Shirt: Goodwill. Forever 21.

Skirt: Hand me down from friend.

Dress: Hand me down from friend. Ella moss. I really love this dress. It is so comfy and easy and versatile.

Shoes: Capezio.

See the original outfit in Gathering!

HAIResy!

 From Wikipedia:

"Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma...The founder or leader of a heretical movement is called a heresiarch, while individuals who espouse heresy are known as heretics. Heresiology is the study of heresy. 

 Etymology: The word "heresy" comes from the Greek hairetikos "able to choose" (haireisthai "to choose"). The term heresy is often perceived as a value judgment and the expression of a view from within an established belief system."

I am pronouncing myself a Hair-etic. Despite popular opinion, I believe that my children, with their wild and crazy locks, are fine. I don't feel the need to tame or control or style their hair. They are little kids, and they are fine. All yesterday, I kept looking at HaHa, and thinking she looked like a boy with her new fancy hairdo. I like her crazy curls just the way they are. And yes, they do get frizzy when she sleeps on them, or rubs her head against the car-seat, or puts food in her hair. 


As for Charlie, he happens to have some of the thickest, most dense, hair I have ever seen. When it gets wet it glistens as if it had dew drops on it. If you pour a cup of water on his head, his scalp doesn't get wet. When he sleeps on his hair, it gets extra frizzy and dry. I have been looking for product to put in his hair in the mornings, but I haven't found the exact right thing yet. However, the reason why I keep Charlie's hair longer than some people care for, is because he likes it. He doesn't want me to cut it short, although the more people talk about it, the more I'm sure the more he will get self-conscious about it. 


When I was out with my sister and the kids on Saturday night, she was surprised when a stranger complimented Charlie's hair. He gets a lot of compliments on his hair, actually. However, he also gets a lot of negative comments as well. I really don't understand why people are so concerned with the hair of my children. When they are older they can decide what they want to do with it. And, I do comb Charlie's hair, by the way. We'll see what happens after he turns seven tomorrow!


Outfit: 


Print shirt: I got this in the Bronx a few years ago.

Striped shirt: Goodwill. Banana Republic.


Pants: Goodwill. I.N.C.


Shoes: Capezio.

To The Cleaners!

Today my clothes were held hostage at Hollyway Cleaners. Richard and I had "won" four $25 gift certificates to the cleaners at an auction at Leo's pre-school. I took a boat-load of clothes (11 items) to the West Hollywood location. I was excited at the prospect of getting these much soiled items tidied up at a "green" cleaner. I haven't been to the dry cleaners in years, so it was about time.

Imagine my shock when I went to pick up my clothes and the total was $90.86! Now, that was before I applied the credit we had left over from last year, and before applying our auction gift certificate, but I was still surprised. I also thought it was pretty funny that it was so expensive to clean clothes I had paid so little, or nothing, for.

The people behind the counter did not want to honor our certificate, so I got into a heated debate with them where I explained that we already paid for the certificates, and I wasn't going to pay again. Phone calls ensued, with little resolution,  and one of the clerks told me they would honor $25 dollars, of the $100 that was owed to us. Again, I explained that we had paid for these in an auction, and we weren't going to pay again. If we didn't have the certificates, would I have taken my clothes there? I think not.

After arguing for a long time with the kids in various stages of calm and crazy, I finally told them that I would take a few items, and leave the rest there. They could figure it out, but I was not giving them a penny! So there, in West Hollywood, sit my clothes. Waiting patiently to come back home!

Outfit:

Brown Shirt, worn inside out. Clothing swap. Old Navy.

Skirt: Goodwill.

Dance sandals: Capezio.

Flower: One of my students walked into class today and handed me this! It matched the outfit perfectly, and we were talking about flowers and pollination! Synchronicity!

Here are my three angel/devil babies!!!

Father's Day!

We had a lot of Father's Day festivities, so it was go, go, go around here. Richard's mom returned home, and we were sad to see her leave, and sad also that we apparently gave her some form of the sickness we had. Every time she visits, we get her sick. We also expose her to more noise, mess and chaos, than she probably gets all year in her lovely Northern California town. What can I say, we are a wild and crazy bunch! I'm sure it will calm down here in a few years.

I only took three pictures of myself in my outfit before I dashed off to the car, so please forgive me for the lameness. One of these days I'll get it together. Famous last words...

Outfit:

I was going back to fourth grade today- rockin' the pink and purple! I wore so much p and p it hurts to think about it!
Purple Shirt: Emma & Sam. This was a bubble shirt that I deconstructed. I am wearing it inside out because I like the effect. I will never, ever wear any bubble clothing again. It's a look I don't think most women can pull off. I call it a "nut storage shirt." Here is the original in Facehook! but it's hard to see...

Purple cami: Old Navy.

Pink Skirt: This was given to be my friend, but it turns out she got it from her amazing mother Maia. I love the movement of this skirt, and I always feel earthy in it!

Sandals: Capezio. Same as yesterday.

I'm including some family photos in lieu of writing about our day!

Take Me Away!

Today was one of those "Calgon, take me away!" days. When I was a child, I used to be mesmerized by those commercials. There was something captivating about them. The chaos and exasperation, perhaps. They gave me a glimpse into life as an adult that I could only wonder about: "Is it really that bad?"

Turns out, it can be. When it is, most of the time, I blame hormones.

I have learned in my old age that hormones are VERY powerful. I actually learned this little golden nugget when I became pregnant for the first time. I was all about my immediate personal needs, and my needs were dictated by my body. I had never been so in touch with my physical self. When I was hungry, I was ravenous. When I was tired, I was practically narcoleptic (Luckily never at my job or on the road). And, when I was cranky, I was a mega-nasty bee-otch. It's hard to believe Richard and I survived those nine months. But in truth, I was really happy for most of my first pregnancy because I just couldn't believe that it was happening. With Leo, not so much. With HaHa, I was in total shock, and I was completely paranoid that she was going to be deformed, or that something was wrong with her due to the fact I took antibiotics not knowing I was with child.

So, that's three pregnancies in 6 years, and lactation for approximately four and a half years (and counting). And, all the while my hormones have been wacko. I am assuming it's normal given the circumstances, but sometimes I wish it weren't so. Just the other day, I came up with an equation: PMS + Rambunctious children = The fifth circle of Hades.

I just can't wait for menopause!

Outfit:

Striped tank: Goodwill. Abercrombie & Fitch.

Black shirt: Hand me down from cousin.

Skirt: Thrift store. This is another skirt that used to  be a dress. I don't know why I cut it, because it was totally cute. I think I just got tired of it as a dress, but I liked the print.

Shoes: Capezio. These are so, so comfortable!

I've included some photos of HaHa bear because she has some fans! And one of Lee-lo and his shadow.

Open House!

We went to an open house for a stunning camp very, very far north of L.A. called the Bar 717 Ranch - Camp Trinity. It has been in business since 1930. We are hoping to send Jordan there for a week or two this summer, and we might even go to family camp all together!  It is very rustic, with outdoor sleeping, a swimming hole, and animals a-plenty! The idea of being able to be out in nature and away from the city is very appealing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Richard rolled in this morning at 4:30AM, not so fresh from his monthly Saturday night poker game. I let him sleep as late as possible, then we had to head out. I got to spend the night alone, which was quite nice and allowed me to finally watch the original Grey Gardens. This has been on my list for years, and I wanted to watch this one before I watch the HBO version with Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. It has been on my DVR forever.

Later this afternoon we are going somewhere that I really can't talk about right now, but I will later! It inspired me to wear this flow-y skirt. Richard, who claims that he doesn't need a lot of sleep, just nodded off in the middle of a question I was asking. I guess I'll be driving!

Yesterday was the first time I got a little worried about repeating, and I have to figure out how I can get a page up where each outfit can be seen by date quickly. I also need to reiterate that this is NOT a fashion blog. It is a lifestyle/style blog, with the main focus on non-consumption.


Outfit:

Tan Sweater: From Cousin. Mossimo.

Print Wrap Skirt: Thrift store find from long ago.

Blue Halter Dress: New York street fair many, many moons ago.

Shoes: Capezio dance sandals. This outfit would be great with the sandals I left at my mom's!

Non-Buyer's Remorse!

I had a fine time with the 7th graders. They were quite funny and mostly polite. They did try to pull a few "fool the sub" stunts, but I'm too old to fall for any of that. Right as I was waiting for the class to come in, the Director of the middle school saw me and asked where the regular teacher was. I said I was subbing and he informed me that there was a visitor from another school who was going to observe the class. She was the head of the drama department at her school, and I was mortified! Not only was I teaching middle-schoolers in a subject I've never taught before, I was going to be "observed". I quickly explained the situation and suggested that the visitor might want to lead some exercises, as she was an expert, but she had recently undergone a throat operation and declined. I was a little unnerved, but I was prepared and I do know how to lead a class. I'm nothing if not bossy! A few times I asked her if she had any thoughts or comments to add, and she had some great advice for the kids. After the class, the woman was very complimentary to me, so I thanked her for her input and secretly hoped she would pass her thoughts on to the director. Good press never hurts.

Last night I had a moment of regret when I realized I should never have passed up the Lacroix jacket. Not for me, of course, but I'm sure I could have sold it, or given it away to the right person. I went back to the Goodwill with Hollis hoping it might be there among the rubble, but, alas, it was not. I even made a second trip back with Hollis and Leo, still, nada. I may, if Richard gets back early enough, go back one more time today. Three's a charm, right?... And hope springs eternal!

Outfit:

I thought it was time for a dress, so I started there. I needed to rush out, so it was a quickly thrown together outfit. I realized as I tried to find the right shoes, that I should have purchased a neutral-toned flat. This is one of the missing pieces in my collection. I had these great snake-skin flats that were the same style as the red shoes I wore yesterday, but I got rid of them because they were pretty worn. I'm wishing I hadn't. I'm sure I could have squeezed another year into them!

Dress: This dress is exactly like the green dress I wore on MLK. It is by Ella Moss. It was given to me by a friend.

Shirt: I got this orange poppy print from Goodwill when I was working in admissions. Jones New York.

Shoes: My Capezio dance sandals circa 1993. I wore them when I was playing Eve in The Apple Tree at NYU.

Rusty, formerly known as Cocoa Butter Formula, got cozy with my coat as I was taking pictures. He's a great kitty!