Giving Thanks!

I am thankful for all of the gifts in my life. The good times, the bad times and everything in between.

I am thankful for my amazing family and awesome friends.

I am thankful for the wonderful people I work with. The adults and the children.

I am thankful for the delicious meal prepared for us by the extraordinary and kind chef Palver.

I am thankful that today I got to "unplug" and read magazines, listen to the radio and hang at home. I kept my cell phone off and tucked away my computer. I did laundry, I baked, and I barely ate anything, much like yesterday, so I could stuff myself with all the Thanksgiving foods I love!

This turned out to be a mistake. I think that not eating much in two days made my stomach slightly smaller, so I got full really fast. And, this is the first Thanksgiving I can remember ever, that I did NOT eat desert!!! Me not eating desert is a big deal. I'm not really sure why I didn't. I guess I was too full.

I will have some pumpkin pie tomorrow, though. Actually, pumpkin-sweet-potato-pie! Yummy!

Oh, I am  also thankful for you kind souls who give my blog the time of day! Thank you all, so much! I hope you all had a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving!!!

Outfit:

Shirt: Salvation Army. I got this in high school. I love the texture and color.

Sweater: Fresh friend hand-me-down. H&M.

Skirt: Thrift store. Zara.

Shoes: Old Navy.

Progress Reports!

Howdy. Glad you stopped by. By the way, I have 52 days left! Pretty crazy, huh?
Almost a year has passed.

Just like that.

Outfit:

Maroon shirt: Goodwill. Antik Batik.

Leopard Wrap top: I got this many, many years ago at a store called Le Chateau on the Corner of Bleeker and Broadway in New York. My co-workers gave me a gift certificate for my birthday.

Jeans: Goodwill. Gap.

Sweater: Friend hand-me-down. H & M.

Shoes: American Eagle. I was going to wear heels, but it just seems so impractical working with first graders...

Band Practice!

Nothing warms my soul, or gets my blood pumping, like music! Music, music, music! It's the best! Tonight, my Montecarlo Band-mates and I had rehearsal for a bat mitzvah we are playing for next weekend. We played some new tunes, including Katy Perry's "California Gurlz", Estelle's "American Boy", and Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", current teen favorite thanks to the show Glee. 

They are all fun songs, although the prude side of me thinks that California Gurlz is a little risque for 13- year-olds, but pop lyrics brimming with sexual innuendo is nothing new. I remember "Like a Virgin" playing on the radio when I was a youngin'. I used to sing "Like A Vee-Jo", because I was too embarrassed to say the word virgin. I'm not sure why. I guess because I was aware it had something to do with sex.

We also rehearsed our 10 minute Hora extravaganza! I almost hyperventilated while I was doing it, but it was fun!






Outfit:

Dress: Goodwill. Forever 21.

Bodysuit: Goodwill. Star Cody.

Sweater: Friend hand me down. H & M.

 Shoes: Zoe & Zac.

Shades of Gray!

I love gray. There is something about it that I find appealing. Dark gray. Heathered gray. Light gray. I even like gray days. Perhaps because they are so rare in these parts.

I grabbed the gray when I was getting dressed this morning. Mostly because I knew I hadn't worn these items together. I went to breakfast with my peeps, made my best friend almost miss her flight back to New York, and spent the rest of the day petering about the house, only stepping out to get some onions for a stew.

Speaking of gray, Richard sent me an interesting article about The Pill. The article states that The Pill has an effect on the brain, particularly the gray matter. How important or detrimental the effect is, is still up for debate. The research, it seems, is new and still emerging. I have always been suspect of putting hormones in my body. I did try the Nuva Ring for a spell after I had Charlie and Leo, and, I felt awful on it. Luckily, I never have to bother with it again! This new information only adds to my suspicion of hormonal birth control. That said, I do understand that some women feel fine on The Pill, and, it revolutionized the lives of women everywhere! History, I'm sure, would be very different without it.


Outfit:

Bodysuit: Thrift store. Star Cody.

Skirt: Goodwill. Zara.

Shoes: American Eagle

Sweater: Friend hand-me-down. H&M.

HaHa bee-lined for my shoes and paid the price!

"Hi MOM!"

HaHa has started calling me mom. It's a bit strange for me because she is little, and "mama" seems much more appropriate. Furthermore, when she says "Hi, Mom!", she says it with such verve, she  really sounds like a teenager.

Another current HaHa favorite phrase is: "Bah-bah dees one"(Bah-bah this one). She is still completely interested in nursing despite the fact that I am completely not interested in it. I feel done. I nursed Charlie until he was 15 months old. I was six months pregnant at the time, and I remember him coming toward my boobuses. I said a firm "No!" and pushed him away. I felt really guilty, but it was as if my body had had as much as it could take. I was growing a baby, nursing a toddler, and working full-time as a teacher.  I had reached my limit.

Leo was 18 months when he finally weaned, and that was prompted by his introduction to day care when I returned to work. It wasn't immediate, but it happened pretty seamlessly. I had been hoping HaHa would follow in his footsteps. I guess it's only been two days, so I'll try to be a bit more patient.

On a more serious and very sad note, I learned today that one of my very dear friends lost her brother last night. It was unexpected, and he was only 44 years old. He leaves behind two young daughters, a wife, and a family that I can only imagine is devastated. As my friend so eloquently put it, "the enormity of their loss has no words to describe it".
My heart goes out to them.

Outfit:

I did not sleep very much last night, so I was going for comfort over everything else today.

Shirt: Street vendor in NYC many years ago.

Sweater: Hand me down from Fresh friend. H& M.

Pants: These were given to me by my cousin who has a new One Green Wedding blog! She got pants these at EMS. They are biking pants!

Shoes: American Eagle. Red shoes rock!!!

Aftermath!

I guess today HaHa finally let the other shoe drop. After being well behaved and charming with all of her caretakers the past four days, she was a complete and ornery mess with me for the entire day! I saw her behave in ways I have never seen before, and I realized that she was her way of saying "I can't keep it in any more! That was hard!"

I know she had a ton of fun while I was away, what with Auntie Ayiko, and Grandma, and Aunt Janine and all, but I think it was difficult also. I guess I really didn't think she'd be so upset. I can't imagine what children who are really left by their parents go through.

Anyway, would it surprise you if I told you that it was 11:45 and I went to bed at 2:00 a.m. last night? Probably not, eh? HaHa was in rare form last night, so I was kept awake for longer than I wanted to be. I am being kept awake now, but my lack of focus! I must get to bed now! One day in the near future, I will have a worthy post!

Outfit:

I am starting to have "outfit amnesia". I need to get my outfit photos organized, so I can scroll through them quickly. It was oddly cool this morning when I got dressed. Thus the sweater. This is the coldest summer on record in California in a long time!

Shirt: Hand me down from cousin. Forever 21.

Sweater: Hand me down from friend. H & M.

Pants: Issac Mizrahi for Target.

Shoes: Predictions.

HaHa looks suspicious after my return home from work today.

Comic-Con-A-Rama!

Today, a post in pictures.


 Outfit:

Shirt: I Heart Guts.

Skirt: Forever 21.

Sweater: Hand me down from FRESH friend.
H &M. It is freezing in the convention center! I don't know how the girls in bikinis do it!

Shoes: Fit Flops!

Pollyanna fancied this guy in the skirt. He was very agreeable!

Me with the man of my 9th grade dreams, He-Man! I'm not kidding. I watched He-Man battle Skeletor every day!





Below is an I Heart Guts customer who wanted to show us her elaborate costume made all the more special by her black heart!

Comic-Con!

Wow! This Comic-Con is one amazing event! Costumes, characters, merch and sub-cultures, all milling about aisle upon aisle of convention center mania! Working at my friend's
I Heart Guts! booth was a gateway to a host of interesting folks.

Some of the people I talked to today included:

A renowned OB/GYN who has seen 12,000 patients this year. He also has a twin brother and a very sweet family.

A man who received a kidney from his mother 6 years ago, and is doing swell!

Another man who had both a kidney and pancreas transplant nine years ago. He is getting married next fall.

A girl who's mother is a sex-ed teacher. Said mother greatly embarrassed her daughter when she dropped a bunch of abstinence videos in front of a boy that was over who the girl liked. Her mother thought it would be funny. Said boy thought the mother was crazy!

An actor from HUNG. Not the title character.

Some girls wearing cat ears. And tails.

A boy with a tribble, and many, many others...

Outfit:

I have to wear a gutsy tee of course! Luckily I have a few of these to sport this weekend!

T-Shirt: I Heart Guts.

Jeans: Goodwill. Gap.

Shoes: Fit Flops.

Sweater: Hand me down from  FRESH  friend. H & M. It was pretty chilly here today, especially in the convention center!

The Powerhouse!

I got invited to a reading at The Powerhouse tonight. The writers were all very entertaining and captivating, and the theme was "endings". Hearing stories about death, cancer, prison and the world ending (Cuban Missile Crisis), kind of puts things in perspective. I walked to my car feeling grateful, melancholy, and contemplative. The night was clear, and crisp, and as I walked I remembered what it felt like before, when I was just me, on my own. It's weird to feel the same, and yet not the same. I guess that's life, eh?

Outfit:

Blue Shirt: Walmart. No Boundaries. I got this when I was visiting my mom in her tiny Massachusetts town. I feel like I always have to say this, because I have Walmart guilt. Seen in Comments!

Sweater: Hand me down from friend. H&M. Still fighting the summer chill here in LaLa Land!

Jeans: Big Sunday. Bu from Malibu Jeans.

Shoes: Predictions. Today while I was waiting at carpool on of my students told me I need to wear socks with these shoes or my feet will stink! I love the candor of children!

HaHa Bear and her new baby!

Procrastination!

Why am I so good at procrastination? I don't know. I can't say I was born with this particular talent because, in truth, I was two months premature. I should have been born a Gemini.
Thank goodness I popped out early! Geminis are so complicated.

Just kidding! I don't really know that much about Geminis. I am sure they are no more or less complicated than their astrological brethren. But they are weird. Kidding again. If you are a Gemini, please don't leave me any angry comments...

So, procrastination. A skill I have cultivated and nurtured over the years. Always, always, waiting 'til the last moment. To start. To leave. To finish. To plan. I actually was very worried there was something pathological about my behavior until I heard a lecture by a neurologist who said that procrastination was the norm. I was so relieved. Soooo relieved. I was normal!

And now, I don't worry about it so much. And everything always gets done.

Unless, of course, I forget... But that's another story...


Outfit:

Tie: I pulled out this tie for Leo last week to wear at his culmination, but he said "No thanks". After I found it again, I wanted to wear it. But, I have learned that I have no button down shirts that I can wear ties with. Actually I have one classic collared shirt, but it is dark brown and has some detail on the front that wouldn't work with this tie. So I decided to wear it without a collared shirt. I'm going to start looking weirder and weirder as the days go on, so why not start now?
It was given to me by a friend.  It is vintage and was hand painted. I really love it and I'm glad I've kept it all these years.

Shirt: Hanes.

Sweater: Hand me down from my FRESH friend. H&M.

Skirt: George. I got this at Walmart when I was visiting my mother. I don't usually shop at Walmart for clothing, but, if you visit my mother, you will find that it is one of the only stores close to her town. So when I'm there I go to Walmart, and I find myself perusing the clothing. I was working in admissions at the time I bought this.

Leggings: Don't know where these came from, but I've had them forever. Probably about 17 years.

Shoes: Miz Moos.

Fever!

HaHa is with fever, so I am holding her and trying to type, and it really isn't going well. I think that despite Richard's mandate, I may have to take a pass. I have 218 more days of this blogging stuff, so surely a day or two of slackin' is warranted, Right?  And right now, I am not slackin', I'm comforting and mothering. Of course, as is usually the case, HaHa started crying the moment I picked up my computer.

Maybe instead of reading my blatherings you could go to two other blogs that I have been enjoying immensely of late. One is called Mad on a Gray Sea and the other is called 12x12. They are both written by women who are far more intelligent and useful than me. They can actually grow food and bake bread and make yogurt and stuff. All I can do is tell you how to layer an outfit!  They are excellent writers and very intelligent people so check 'em out! Baby HaHa beckons!

Outfit:

After nursing and holding HaHa all day, I had to get dressed in a flash to get the boys. My primary goal was not repeating, of course. I started with this skirt, worn as a shirt, and built up.

Skirt: Thrift store. Seen in Open House.

Jeans: From Big Sunday sale.

Sweater: Hand me down from friend. H&M.

Shoes: Fit Flops.

37!

Okay. First things first. I failed to mention in my post yesterday that Richard was also an integral part of the TWO surprise party planning. I thought that he helped plan the parties, but I was in a rush and not completely sure, so I just gave credit to Pollyanna. Sorry Richard! You're the best!

As I reach this age where I am closer to 40 than 30, I realize, emphatically, that mother nature, or God or the universe definitely has a sense of humor. When you are a young woman in your late teens and early 20's, you are at your physical peak. Your skin is smooth, your breasts are pert, you can stay up all night and still get up the next day to go to work, you can eat what you want, more or less, you don't think so much about your future, you're idealistic, and life is fresh. However, even with all of this physical power and fearlessness, I felt so horrible about myself most of the time. I was confused and sad and awkward and imbalanced. It was only at the end of my 20's that I started to feel good most of the time. By 30 I was feeling great, and now I feel super duper!

That said, things are bagging and sagging and wrinkling and crinkling, and I feel like I am really starting to look my age... and feel it! After the kickboxing class I took last week, my whole body was sore. That didn't happen in my 20's. Not sleeping. I'm starting to learn it doesn't work. I spend the next day feeling awful and drinking too much coffee. I have many days like that. Anyway, before I ride off on my bike  with Richard, to celebrate my birthday by watching the Clippers, I must say thank you to all for the birthday wishes, and for supporting me with this blog! I am very flattered and honored that people take the time to look at my crazy outfits! And, dinner at Bottega Louie was wonderful! I highly recommend it, and the company was perfection!

Outfit:

I started the day with a bike ride and brunch. I decided to stay in one outfit all day for ease, although I added the beautiful antique necklace my mother gave me today, and fancy shoes!

Shirt: This is the shirt that goes with the belt I wore yesterday. My cousin gave it to me. It is French Connection.

Jeans: These are also from my cousin. Gap.

Brown shirt: Goodwill. Mossimo. 

Sweater: From friend. H&M.

Vest: Eastern Mountain Sports. Very old.

Sneakers: Wanted.

Shoes: Old Navy.

Fried-Day!

The life of a sub is tough. Never knowing when you'll be called, if you'll be called. Going from class to class with different styles and different expectations. Some students are happy you're there, and some can't wait to get rid of you. Then, of course, there are the kids who try to tell you rules and regulations that don't exist. They want to play "Fool the Sub" with you. Luckily, I've been teaching long enough to know how to cut shenanigans off at the knee, and I can smell a rat from far away...

I got called at 6 a.m. asking if I could sub today, and I said "Yes". Then I remembered that Richard has jury duty and I had to take Leo to school, so I said "No". Taking Leo to school would mean getting to work a full hour later than the start of the school day. I said that if no one else could sub, I'd do it, but it would be better to have someone there on time. Wouldn't you know, no one else answered their phone?! I guess no one was expecting to get called on the last day before spring break. This was actually a great fortune for me, and I had a lot of fun. Today was "Dance Anywhere", and at 12 noon the whole school danced wherever they happened to be. I happened to be out on the yard at lunch with the kids, and when we heard Michael Jackson come through on the speakers, teachers, kids, and parents all danced. It looked like a scene from Fame! If the whole world did this, I'm sure we'd have less conflict. Imagine Congress, discussing health-care overhaul, and 12 o' clock comes then, BAM! Time to boogie! It would be hard to argue with someone after that. I can't wait to dance anywhere again!

Outfit:

Everything I'm wearing was given to me, except my shoes. I got dressed quickly, having to get all three kids dressed and fed and prepared and out!I was going for texture.

White shirt underneath: Gift from friend. Mossimo.

Black V sequined cami: From friend at clothing swap.

Gray Sweater: From friend. H&M.

Grey Seamed Jeans: From Cousin. Old Navy.

Belt: From friend.

Shoes: Predictions. Would I dress totally different if I didn't have such stylish friends?... 

Pot Luck!

I stayed in bed as long as I possibly could. I have to thank Richard and my Aunt Janine. We are going to the final parent pot luck for Leo's class. One last time to mingle before we go our separate ways in June.
There will be Margaritas and tacos. What more could a girl want?

I am not writing a lot today. I am hoping the blog police don't report me. I waited until 5:30 to take my pictures, so the light was against me. I went back between flash and no flash, and the pictures were a little dicey.

Outfit:

Lace Empire waist shirt: Isaac Mizrahi for Target. I got it for 7 bucks!

Grey Pencil Skirt: Goodwill. Zara.

Sweater: Friend hand-me-down: H&M.

Shoes: Patricia Field for Payless. I was looking for shoes for the boys and I saw these. They were on sale for 12 smackeroos.

By the way, it just started to pour, so I may be heading to the shin-dig in my handy dandy rain boots!

The Check-Up!

I ran out of the house this morning to get to the doctor's by 8:00 a.m. I missed my yearly check-up last year, so I thought I better get myself to the doctor in 2010. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right? I got dressed in a hurry and I as I drove on the freeway I started to worry that I had worn this outfit before. But I haven't. I checked. I have worn every piece in this outfit, just not together. And, when I wore the tree shirt, I wore it under a sweater that I never took off.

As I undressed and put on the required check-up gown, I prepared myself for the awkward small talk building up to the dreaded moment when I needed to get my feet in the stirrups and "scoot down". I wondered if there are any women who enjoy pap smears. Porn stars, exhibitionists, Annie Sprinkle? (see Public Cervix Announcement) I don't know. But I am assuming most women would rather do anything. I can't explain why it's so horrible, but it is. I guess I should focus on the fact that it could potentially save my life. Right?

After I got two vials of blood drawn, I drove to pick up HaHa and we went to visit a friend that I had not seen for a very long time. She is an amazing woman and teacher and she really opened up a whole new world to me when Richard and I took her Supported Birth class. I learned so much about the physiology of birth, the history of birth, and we had great discussions about parenting, labor and relationships. It was a really fabulous, thoughtful class and I highly recommend it to expecting parents, or people who want to learn more about childbirth.

Outfit:

Grey Sweater: From friend. H&M.

Tree Shirt: This was given to me by the amazing art teacher that I work with. Each child in my class last year made a leaf, and she painted them by hand, on a tree on this shirt from American Apparel.

Green Shirt: Clothing swap. Old Navy.

Brown Pants: From cousin. Gap.

Shoes: Fit Flops