Collateral Damage!!!

Hi all. This is Richard.

Shelayna has slowed her posting schedule, so I thought I'd stop in and talk about what has been going on since she completed her project.

Here is a picture of our bedroom from this afternoon.

These are all of my clothes.

For some reason, a year of only wearing the clothes that are on her side of the closet has made Shelayna very introspective, and today she decided that I had too many clothes. Did I ask for this munificent behavior? No. Did I get it anyway? Yes.

Since I work in technology, my normal clothing is a polo shirt, and jeans. Dressing up means wearing a white button down shirt... and jeans. However, I do have some seldom worn clothes that I love - my suits, my party shirt (buttons optional), that sweatshirt I used to wear all the time in 1999. All of them went into the out pile. Now, I'm going to have to go clothes shopping for myself - something I really dislike. And I'm going to be really upset if I see my favorite patterned shirt on some homeless guy.

Even poor Jordan got pulled into this craziness, and was forced to do a fashion show of his old jeans.

Anyway, I'm significantly clothes poorer, and Shelayna has been to Goodwill twice this month. Maybe this is a subtle move to get more closet space?

Highs and Lows!

Today, I must say, I experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. My day started at 5:00 in the morning with a nurse telling me not to allow HaHa any food or drink because they wanted to give her a CAT scan in a few hours. I did not know why they wanted to perform this test, but it was so early that I simply went back to sleep. At 7:30, a new doctor came in to talk to me about the scan. I asked a few questions, and found out they had felt a rather large lump in the back of HaHa's throat. They had taken an x-ray, but it was inconclusive.
At any rate, the following 4 hours of not letting HaHa drink or eat while we were waiting for our pediatrician, the attendings, and the radiologist to decide whether or not a CAT scan was warranted, were a series of low moments. I won't even get into the fact that this whole ordeal could probably been avoided if HaHa's doctors listened to us more carefully, and didn't misdiagnose her in the first place (but that's another very long story).

Now the highs. HaHa did NOT get a CAT scan, we were discharged, and I got to celebrate my fabulous friend Jaime's birthday! Even though I was exhausted, I would not have missed the chance to celebrate this amazing woman! She really is the best! Her party was also the best and I got to dance and revel in the glorious company of humanity!

Another low: Seeing a limping raccoon with a missing tail run down my friend's block.

Another high: Richard and HaHa were awake when I got home at 1:00 a.m.!

Outfit:

Yesterday Richard brought a few jackets for me to wear so that I could avoid a repeat.

Shirt: Emma & Sam (same as yesterday).

Jeans: Goodwill. (same as yesterday).

Shoes: American eagle.

Jacket: Goodwill.

For Jaime's party I decided to go all out with my leisure suit madness. After all, it was a special occasion!

Suit: Goodwill.

Shoes: Patricia Field for Payless. I got these bad boys for 12 bucks!

Done II!

After two days straight of writing, I am finished with my reports!!!!! Yay! Actually, it wasn't two days straight. It was two days of trying to write while watching the kids, which means I stayed up all night writing, and finished today only because I let the kids watch more episodes of Shaugn the Sheep,  than I care to think about. They probably lost a few brain cells.

What can I say? I overestimated my kid's ability to take care of themselves, and I underestimated the amount of time I had. Or is it the reverse? I don't really know because I am am knackered.

Richard, my brave and shining knight, is at The Clippers game with ALL of the kids right now. He really is my hero! I asked HaHa if she wanted to stay home with me, but she said, "I wan go with Daddy." So lucky me, I may get to bed before 11 for a change!!!



Outfit:

Kept it comfy as I was home all day.

Cream sweater: Cousin Hand-me-down. Forever 21.

Print Shirt: Forever 21. They do have some amazing prints!

Pants: Thrift store. It used to be a jumpsuit, but I cut it in half for some strange reason!

Shoes: American Eagle.

HaHa put a band aid on her nose because she bumped her nose! She is funny!

Antidisestablishmentarianism!

The political party went on without a hitch. That is, Richard got acquainted with some alcoholic beverages, told people his ideas about the ballot measures, and proceeded to provide what I hope was insightful entertainment and discourse. I am not sure if he did because I had to drop Jordan off at a party, and I was hanging out with the kids for most of the party. I make myself scarce at these things because I tend to get prickly when Richard starts getting tipsy...

Politics aside, the highlight of the day was seeing our long lost friends! Now that we're older and busier and married-er, we don't see each other as often. A couple of our friends brought a bottle of homemade organic wine! And my brilliant cousin made these delicious lemon-coconut shortbread cookies. Yum!

There were babies and newlyweds, parents-to-be, and grandparents, new friends and old couples, and two crazy little boys! There was a mass exodus at 6 o' clock, but a few people stayed to discuss ALL of the ballot measures and candidates. The most disheartening thing is that the candidates are so disappointing. Maybe one day we'll have more options than the two-party disaster we have now.

And, Charlie successfully spelled "Antidisestablishmentarianism"! I owe him a dollar.


Outfit:




Tank: Clothing swap. Express.

Pants: Hand me down from cousin. Gap. Same as yesterday.


Sweater: Clothing swap. Plenty.


Shoes: zoe & zac.
 

The Pants!

I finally decided to break out the awesome pants from my thrift-store-leisure-suit-score of yore. In addition to them being ultra-awesome, they also have the excellent quality of being an unworn element! This makes it extra-easy for me to know that I have not inadvertently repeated a combo of clothes! I have a few of these unworn items left, and they are my lynch pins as I get closer to the end. Heaven knows I'm going to need them!

Richard and I finally went out for our anniversary dinner. Thanks to his mom for sending us, and my aunt for baby sitting! We went out early because it had been a long day. A fun day, but a long one. This morning I had the pleasure of playing "Apples to Apples" with First Graders. A little girl brought it in, and it was hysterically funny helping them navigate the adult version. 

I have to mend my prom dress for tomorrow, so I need to keep my post short! Happy Friday! Until tomorrow!!!




Outfit:

Shirt: Hand me down from talented and stylish cousin.  Old Navy.

Pants: Thrift Store. I bought this so long ago, I don't remember which one.

Shoes: Fit Flops.

Dr. Laura Redux!

There were many insightful and illuminating responses to my non-insightful and illuminating post about Dr. Laura yesterday. In reading these intelligent responses, I realized that I may have been too flip in my handling of the subject matter. In trying to be funny, I guess I missed the sad reality of the situation, which includes many of Dr. Laura's listeners hearing that phone call and thinking, as Dr. Laura implies, that black people who don't like racist commentary are "hyper-sensitive".  Or, that there is such a thing as "black thought". Yes, Dr. Laura, it is a fact. We DO all think alike...

One of my friends posted a worthwhile link on Facebook to a Morning Edition interview with John Ridley and Steve Inskeep.  There was also an article from npr's "The two-way" that made an interesting point about Dr.Laura's "Black guys say it all the time" defense. The fact that she would use this defense is an arresting one, given that she is not a "black guy". Obviously, she got issues.

She also has gall. To claim that she is quitting radio because her First Amendment rights are being infringed upon is disingenuous. She did and does have the right to say what she wants to. However, there are and were consequences. The fact that she doesn't like the consequences doesn't mean that her free speech is being taken away. Callers, readers, sposors, and listeners also have the right to say and do what they want to.

Anyway, I'm done with Laura Schlessinger. On a side note, Richard and I got into a debate about the N-word because he said "It's just a word", and I disagree. I said that "there is no worse word in the English language". Other racial slurs, while upsetting, still don't pack the punch of this word. Am I wrong, or just biased? Can anyone tell me a worse word? Inquiring minds want to know! Thank you! And thank you for the excellent comments!

Outfit:

This outfit is pretty lame, but I did not go out in public, so the world was spared the eyesore. I stayed at home and cleaned up today, so it was fine for that. I also got to visit with my talented cousin, and I think I get t be a bridesmaid at her wedding! I've never been a bridesmaid before!!!

Shirt: Gap.

Skirt: Thrift store. This was a dress that  I cut for some stupid reason. I truly wish I hadn't, but I didn't save the top so I can't put it back together!

Shoes: No shoes on these tootsies today!


Below is the scene I walked into when I came back from taking my pictures. Oh, those crazy kids! My camera is still broken as you can see...

Dr. Laura!

A few days ago Richard sent me an article about Dr. Laura and a little meltdown she had on air last week. Well, not a meltdown, per se, but she did manage to use the N-word "11 times in under five minutes". She was giving "advice" to a black woman who was asking "about how to handle her white husband’s bigoted relatives and friends." You can listen to or read Dr. Laura's "advice" on Deceiver.com, or, check out her blog for her response to the events of last week.

I have to say, I was very disappointed when I read the Deceiver article, but mostly because I didn't know Dr. Laura was not a real doctor! I feel like all those times I've listened to her disseminating "words of wisdom" to her hapless listeners are somehow tarnished (as if they weren't already). I don't really care if a person is a doctor or not if they have good advice, but I don't see why she has to pretend to be one... I guess I'm getting off subject.

When Richard and I were driving, we happened to catch a radio program in Sacramento where the host was interviewing a comedian and director named W. Kamau Bell. He has a show called "The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour." He had a great point about the N-word. He said that Dr. Laura's use of it doesn't necessarily mean that she's a racist. It does, however, mean that she's a jerk. He pointed out that some white people go crazy when they get the chance to say the N-word because it is so taboo and inappropriate.

I'm not sure I'm doing justice to what he said, but he had some excellent points about racism. I will definitely try to see his show one day. As for Dr. Laura, I really don't think I want to listen to her anymore, especially now that I know she's not a doctor.

Outfit:

Trying to come up with "new" outfits after my summer travel weeks. I came up with this little ensemble!

Shirt: I got this at some cute little knit shop on Jay Street in New York about 11 years ago.

Skirt: Goodwill. Forever 21. This is actually a dress, but I dropped the part that should cover the torso, and tied the straps behind my waist. I liked the way it worked out.

Shoes: Fit Flops.

I've included a photo of my little lovely HaHa sleeping on DaDa. I just think she is so precious!

Sac-Town!

After one night in Paso Robles, we continued up north to get to Sacramento. One of Richard's oldest and most handsome friends lives there with his beautiful wife and amazing children! Richard has known him  since 9th grade. The Browns are a very sweet and kind clan, and one of the most striking things about being around them is their joy and humor. They are always smiling. They were even smiling when we arrived at the awful hour of 9:15 on a school night!

It is really fun spending time with them. And, they have recently acquired chickens! I have wanted to get chickens for a long time, so we'll see if this inspires me to get my act together. By the way, speaking of inspiring, I apologize for not having more inspiring fashion of late, or have a total lack thereof (fashion, that is). Having been traveling, and posting out of a suitcase has made me rather lame.

Take today for instance. I knew I would be driving in a car for five hours, so I went for comfort. Nothing fancy, just sheer practicality. With some colors I enjoy together!

Side note: Last night as I was getting ready for bed I picked up what I thought was my contact lens case. I opened it to rinse it out and by the time I realized it was not my case, I had already droped one of Richard' s $300 lenses down the sink! Talk about money down the drain...

Richard was very sweet about it and his calm in the face of terribly annoying things is admirable, and very sexy!

Outfit:

More New York repeats. But in new combinations, of course!

Shirt: Goodwill. Express. I think I said it was by Old Navy last week. I was mistaken!

Pants: Salvation Army: Mossimo.

Shoes: zoe & zac.

The Loud Family!

We drove up the coast today to the beautiful and placid Paso Robles, where my beautiful and placid mother-in-law lives. Placid, that is, until we showed up with our rowdy bunch of extremely loud people.

I am loud by nature, I think. In fact, when I was a young girl enjoying Christmases with my mom's side of the family, the decibels would reach such magnitudes as to practically shatter one's inner ear. The working title of my mom's clan was "The Loud Family". And we were. We would play games and erupt in such a cacophony of excitement that the walls would literally vibrate. Literally.

Now, my father is also loud. Extremely loud. Loud like he shouts when he is excited and he is talking to you loud. I  have a loud voice and the ability to project my voice on a very grand scale. However, one thing I believe I have that other people in my household don't have, is the ability to tell when being loud is not appropriate. And it is not appropriate in Paso Robles. At least not in many of the places we spend time.

Now, lest I get into trouble,  I would like to state that Richard is pretty good about reading social cues. However, there are times when he gets so caught up in an idea or moment, that he forgets to turn down the volume. Very much like my father. Hmm...

The boys are so loud that we've had their hearing tested. They shout instead of talk. It can be quite embarrassing. Especially when we are around mild mannered children who use inside voices when they are inside. What a concept. This concept however has not made an impression on the Espy kids.

As I write this I wonder if Richard thinks about these things, or is it something only a woman would do?...Analyze and pick apart their offspring's behavior. Do guys do this? I need to know. Maybe it's time for another poll...

Outfit:

Shirt: Under layer. Forever 21. This was a pregnancy purchase a few years beck.

Shirt: Top layer. My mom gave e this shirt a very, very long time ago. I believe she got it at a thrift store. The thread is faded, and I dyed the shirt long ago because it had some paint stains. I love it even though it is very worn.

Belt: I made this by pulling off a bow on a skirt that I didn't think worked. It's two pieces tied together.

Skirt: Thrift store. I washed some of my New York clothes yesterday, and I pulled out my trusty skirt that I wore twice while there!

Shoes: zoe & zac.

With my red, blue, and gold I felt like I was channeling wonder woman's color palette!

Below I have included a photo my stepson Jordan made for me. He just took a photography class at SMC , and he got an A! He took some lovely portraits of the kids and he shows some promise as a photographer! You can see him in the photo if you look closely! Thank you, J-Dawg!

Technology 1, Shelayna 0

To all of Shelayna's loyal followers, this is Richard. I'm sorry to report that there is no new High Fashion on The Hudson post for tonight. Her internet access is down at the place she is staying, so she can't update tonight.

She called me around 9pm for some technical support. After I figured out that the problem was with the internet service in the apartment, I gave her all the options:

1. Knock on the neighbor's door and tell them to reset their router.
2. Walk around the apartment building with her laptop and see if there are any unlocked networks around.
3. Go out and find a McDonald's or Starbucks and use their wifi.

Needless to say, she was not pleased with these choices. 

Sooooo, as a "compromise", I "volunteered" to put a post up tonight.

What Shelayna wore today: her salmon skirt from the Throwin' in the Towel!, a tank top, and gold sandals.

She gave me a much, much, much more detailed description, but tonight is poker night. I had seven guys listening in on our internet and fashion discussions - and laughing, of course. I lost track of what she said because I was dealing at the same time I was trying to take dictation. Just like a man... never listening! Sorry about that.

Ah well... look on the bright side - tomorrow you get double posts!

Outfit:

Tank: Goodwill. Old Navy.

Skirt: Thrift Store.

Shoes: Zoe& Zac.

Polling!

I realize that I never addressed the poll results of my "Did You Vote?" question. The total number of votes was quite low, especially in comparison with the last poll. I can't say that I am surprised. It is actually quite apropos.

When I saw the number of votes on the June 8th elections, I was shocked. In a city of millions, the votes were in the thousands. To be more precise, out of 1.6 million registered Los Angeles voters, 290,000 of them actually managed to vote on June 8th. That's fairly discouraging considering you have the opportunity to cast your vote by mail. You don't even have to get to the polls anymore...

I must say, I am not surprised, but it is a bit disappointing. How do we take our right to vote for granted? How do we not vote when the city and state is in such crisis? What happened to the overcrowded polling places of November 2008? Where did the hope go?...

I guess the hope, like everything else in politics, is going down the crapper. And why wouldn't it? Almost two years into the Obama era, and everything feels pretty much the same as before. The hope that was palpable that November eve feels lost and empty. Afghanistan. BP. Health Care. Bail outs. Our further estrangement with our "allies", Guantanamo Bay, Don't Ask, Don't Tell...

I'm not asking, but I'm telling you, something's rotten in Denmark.  

Outfit:

Thai Skirt: I decided to wrap this and wear it as a shirt while I was fooling around with what to wear today. This was one of the first gifts Richard gave to me. He got it while he was touring South East Asia.

Sweater: Hand me down from cousin. Merona.

Jeans: Hand me down from friend.

Shoes: zoe & zac.

I've included a family "portrait" that shows what I have in store for me when parenting HaHa.  She is crying because I am holding on to her while she is perched on the four- foot slanted wall. She wanted me to let go...




 

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!

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.

Blursday...

This week, (with the full-time working, and three-kid wrangling), has been a blur. I actually don't know how I went back to work last year when Hollis was 4 months old. I'm sure I was a mess, but hopefully I held it together pretty well. I think of the haze mothers of newborns live in and wonder what would happen if we had a better national family leave policy. I know America is a huge country, but a Canadian teacher I connected with on Etsy, said they get one year of paid leave with the option of taking a second year off (with no pay), and they get their job back. I guess we can't afford it now, but maybe one day!

I'm rushing to finish now because I have to get back to class. Could this be my lamest post ever? Could be. But I don't have time to worry about it!

Outfit:

Sweater: From cousin. Mossimo. She gave me an identical one in cream.

Shirt: From Goodwill. I got this when I was working in admissions. I love the bluebells!

Pants: From a thrift store. Not sure which one. These are brown and they have a plaid print to them that's very subtle.

Shoes: These are dance sandals that I wore in a play many moons ago. I cut the ties so they just tie in back.


This is Richard "watching" Hollis. He claims he is never tired, but this picture suggests otherwise.