June Gloom!

Today was one of those foggy, gray days. I wanted to read in bed and stay cozy, but HaHa had other ideas. We did read a bit though...

I  guess it was better I didn't lounge in bed because I had to vote, pick up Leo, stop by Charlie's school, then come home to bake cookies for a family picnic. My baking mojo has been off for a while,  so I decided to try a new recipe. We only had brown sugar, so I googled, "Brown Sugar Cookies". I found several recipes that were pretty much the same. I think they were all fashioned after a recipe from America's Test Kitchen.

They came out perfectly! Yay! It was a relief. By the way, as I am typing this (at 10:21 p.m.), HaHa, is hobbling around with two legs in one pant leg that she worked very hard to pull on. I think I will have to put this post to bed in order to see that she gets to bed. Oh, here is the link to the recipe, in case you're interested: Brown Sugar Cookies. I have been writing my posts later and later, so that I can fully focus, but I guess that just isn't possible tonight. I think HaHa is off schedule because she had a late nap on account of the picnic. Anyway, I better go. Sorry for the sloppy post!


Outfit:

Butterfly Shirt: Thrift Store. Vintage. I believe this is from the 40's.

Sweater: From cousin. Mossimo.

Pants: Thrift store. Moda International.

Shoes: Mossimo.

Freddy's Dead!

First of all, I got an email from one of my New York buds informing me that Freddy's, a 70 year old bar that was hugely important to me post-break-up of my second serious relationship, is closing in the coming week. I am so sad. To think of lovely, dive-y, Freddy's being demolished is disheartening. It is especially so when it is being demolished to make way for yet another billion dollar development project that is promoted by tycoons and fought by the locals. For 7 years many community members in this section of Brooklyn have protested the Atlantic Yards Project, but alas, it seems that Goliath won this time.

When I hear these stories it makes me not miss Brooklyn as much as I used to. On my last visit to New York, I walked from Time's Square all the way downtown and over the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Slope. The city had changed so much, and so much of it was shopping related. Target, K-Mart, Bed, Bath, and Beyond. These stores were stores I did not want to see in the city. I felt like I was an "alien in New York", as Sting said so many years ago. Oh, well, the good old days are gone, I suppose.

Outfit:

I was going with a color theme. However, when I saw the photos I took today I realized that this is a very Fall ensemble. It was chilly today, so I can pretend it was fall! The fashion police will kill me, I'm sure!

Satin Shirt: From friend. I.N.C. I have a friend who is into Feng Shui and color therapy (or something of that nature). She got rid of a bunch of her very nice stuff because the colors did not work for her anymore. Lucky Me! The orange Tracey Reese sweater I wore in Oral Hygiene! (another brown/ orange combo. I better watch it!) However, I am thinking this shirt doesn't work for me, either. It will be in the out pile soon!

Orange sweater: From cousin. Mossimo.

Brown pants: Goodwill.  Moda International.

Jacket: Goodwill. Allegory.

Shoes: Mac & Jac.

Oral Hygiene!

I wish I could say I went to bed early last night, but I didn't. I also didn't make lunches like I should have. I decided I would do it "in the morning".  Famous last words. "In the morning" is just another way of saying "I'm not going to do it". Or, "I'm going to put it off till the last minute." I got up as late as I could to make Leo's lunch (which is pretty easy because he doesn't eat anything), then I decided that I would drop Charlie's lunch off on the way to the dentist, so that I could secure 45 extra minutes of sleeping. They were delightful!

At the dentist, I was met by a new hygienist by the name of Britney. Britney of course had dazzling pearly whites, was super young, and I immediately felt the shame of my horrible teeth. My teeth weren't always horrible (I had no cavities when I got my braces on at age 16), and I won't go into the whole story here, but a visit to the dentist always sends me into a mild depression. However, I am able to snap myself out of it by remembering that there are people out there with serious problems. Teeth are important, but they aren't that important. At this point, I am living vicariously through my children's teeth. They don't have any cavities, and I hope they never will!

Outfit:

Started with the pants and worked my way up!

Pants: Goodwill. Moda International. 

Sweater: Clothing swap or Goodwill. I can't remember.

Brown tank: Friend hand me down.

Orange Sweater: Plenty by Tracey Reese. This was procured at a clothing swap, believe it or not!

Shoes: Mossimo. You've seen them before, but I wanted to show off my birthday pedicure that Richard got me! Thank you, Richard!

Will Rogers and Me!

"The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them."

"Never miss a good chance to shut up."
                             
                                     -Will Rogers

My friend Erin invited us to Will Rogers State Park for fun and fresh air today. I was excited, but I had to force the boys out of the house. Literally. Partly because they wanted to stay with Grandma (who arrived yesterday), and partly because they are homebodies... or at least one of them is. I also think that on vacation they need a lot of down time because pretty soon it will be back to the daily hustle and bustle. I wouldn't ordinarily force them to do something they don't want to do, but I thought they could use the exercise and it was a beautiful day.

Now, interestingly, there was unlimited space for the kids to run and play, but we had to constantly tell them to go off and enjoy the space. When we were at the zoo yesterday they were running and climbing on things and I kept having to stop them.  Go figure. Today, the thing they enjoyed the most was kicking and throwing dust on each other in the stables. That, they could have done for hours, but we stopped them after 30 minutes because they were getting dust in the babies eyes and making a mess.

Together, Erin and I have six kids. She has two girls and a boy, and our kids are very similarly spaced. I find that Erin, more than most people I hang out with, understands the crazy of my life. She gets the constant movement and noise that comes with three kids. The dressing and undressing, spilling and cleaning, yelling and managing, chauffeuring, preparing, explaining and calming, and constant, constant need. As soon as someone's needs are met, there are usually only a few moments before the next person has new and unmet needs and it goes on and on. I suppose this is why I hear "I don't know how you do it" so often. Actually, I usually hear that when one of the kids (or all of them), is falling apart or up to no good. I think "I don't know how you do it" is code for: "You are crazy for having three kids lady!" However, I do it, we do it, because along with all of the chaos is a lot of fun and love and humor and purpose. I also have friends and family that help me through the really crazy times. And Richard, who does a lot. Jordan helps out too.

I have another brilliant friend named Shaughn who also has three kids about the same age as mine. She too, understood the madness. Not only did she get it, but she made homemade meals, and banana bread and kept a clean house and was always glowing and hilarious. She moved to Atlanta where her sisters and mother are, and although I was distraught at the thought of losing her presence, I knew it was the right thing. I miss her and her and her lovely family so, so much. I hope that right about now she is sitting down, after putting her babes to sleep, and enjoying her first few moments of silence in the day.

Outfit:

Printed Shirt: I am fairly sure Pollyanna gave this to me. Then again, it could be from a clothing swap.

Pale green shirt: Definitely clothing swap. Old Navy.

Pants: Goodwill. Moda International. Also seen in: Thursday's Child! and Passive Hairgressive.

Shoes: Fit Flops. I would have preferred other shoes, but I knew I would want to go barefoot in the park. The flops make it easier!

Weird Science!

I am subbing in science again, and no, it isn't weird, but I needed a title. When I was a kid I watched Weird Science a million times with my best friends Pollyanna and Sarah. We loved it, and we were in love with Ilan Mitchell Smith. At least I was. I think we all were. So cute, that one! To this day, I can still quote choice lines from the film, such as, "You're stewed buttwad!", or, "In your race for power and glory, you forgot one, small, detail." Why is it these lines come with ease, but I can't remember the birthdays of some family members?

Interestingly, we were working on tornadoes in science and that's just what my morning was like! Everything was a rush and a blur, and I grabbed this green sweater  and worked my way down. I am a tree today, mirroring the browns and greens of one of our earthly ancestors. My shoes also have flowers, so Mother Earth is my inspiration!

I just made that up, but I do love me some trees and Mother Earth!

Also, I would like to thank those of you who have been kind enough to look at this blog and share it with others. It really, truly, means a lot to me!

Outfit:

Green sweater: From Cousin. Old Navy.

Brown Beaded Collar Shirt: Hand me down from stylish friend! I.N.C.

Brown Pants: Goodwill. MODA International. I have 5 pairs of brown. I bought 3 and two were given to me.

Shoes: Predictions.

Following Up

First of all, I can't believe I left aunts and uncles off of my love list! Some of my first loves were my aunts Diane, Janine, Julie, and I adore my uncles Van and Broderick! I also have much love for my Aunt Mary and Aunt Mona. My life would be very different without them all. I am so thankful for their wisdom and warmth, their humor and kindness, their support and influence, and of course, their love. When I think of their lives, I am amazed by the many accomplishments and contributions they have made to the world! They are truly an amazing bunch!

Next, I wanted to explain my comment about doctors in yesterdays' post. I was feeling peeved because the doctor who saw Hollis in urgent care, was very dismissive when I told him I suspected a UTI. Even though I explained that her fever had gotten worse over four days, that she hadn't eaten, that she was lethargic, and that she had cried painful cries then said "Pee-pee", he diagnosed her as having a "virus", and only gave me a bag to catch Hollis' pee in because I insisted. He also did not leave follow-up paperwork, so that I could not get Hollis' urine analyzed without seeing another doctor in urgent care. I had given Hollis some unsweetened cranberry juice after we saw the doctor and the following morning my friend called to find out how Hollis was. After I told her our saga and that Hollis still had a fever after 5 days, she told me about something called D-Mannose and I thought that rather than go back to urgent care I would try it.

I went to Erewhon to pick up the remedy and I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the day. The sun was shining and I smiled thinking that it is winter, and yet, here I am wearing sandals. I gave Hollis some D-Mannose mixed with cranberry juice, and a few hours later her fever was gone and she ate food for the first time in four days. She also played for the first time in several days! So, although I have no way of proving that she had a UTI in addition to her viral infection, I am pretty sure her very high fever was caused by one. Actually, I still have her urine in the fridge. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get it analyzed just to prove my case!

Outfit:

Stayed home today, still on the mend!

Grey tank: Urban Outfitters a million years ago!

Turquoise Cami: Goodwill. From Express.

Brown pants: Goodwill. Moda International.

Shoes: None! I always prefer being barefoot!!!