Accolades for Thrift Store Shopping

Thanks to my wonderful sisters, I had the chance to rediscover my passion for Thrift Store shopping this weekend. DH was happy as well because the bags I took out of my house to drop off were bigger than the bags I brought into the house J. We all had our reasons for going – reducing our carbon footprint by reusing, looking for that clothing item that cannot be found in stores today, or just looking for a good bargain. I was specifically on the look out for replenishing my supply of turtlenecks and skirts.

I spent $50 total (thanks to tax-free DC day) and this is what I got:
· Camel-colored cotton turtleneck from the GAP
· Oatmeal wool turtleneck sweater from Old Navy
· White Wool turtleneck sweater from Limited
· Tweed wrap skirt from Express
· Wool-cashmere long gray skirt from Old Navy
· Long plaid pencil skirt
· Pair of Banana Republic Khaki Pants
· Pair of Carter’s athletic pants for my son

Back in my high school and college days, I got almost all of my clothing from Thrift Stores. Granted, it was in the days of grunge. But, what I loved about it is being able to find something that is fashionable, but that everyone else isn’t wearing right now. I love the hunt. I love sifting through endless racks of minimally sorted merchandise in order to find that item that is just right for my wardrobe. I love finding a classic vintage item that with a few simple alterations can be brought up-to-date and become a one-of-a-kind unique apparel.

And although I have not done this yet, on my list is to find not-so-great sweaters that are made out of great yarn and recycle the yarn to support my knitting and crochet habit. I found some great instructions online. I especially like the picture on the instructions because for some unknown reason, it has the VHS of “Some Kind of Wonderful” in the photograph, which is one of my favorite movies.

Happy Hunting!

Vindicated?

Charles Krauthammer has an excellent op-ed piece in the Washington Post regarding the new discoveries regarding manipulating stem cell from human skin cells. To quote:


Bush got it right. Not because he necessarily drew the line in the right place. I have long argued that a better line might have been drawn... But what Bush got right was to insist, in the face of enormous popular and scientific opposition, on drawing a line at all, on requiring that scientific imperative be balanced by moral considerations.


There is so little that Bush has gotten right in his presidency. This is one thing for which he deserves great praise. Technology and advancement should never come about by devaluing human life or by valuing the lives of those in th present so much more above the lives of those in the future.

Bears ARE Alive!

When I was younger, someone in my family (I can't remember who) received a gift of a wonderful exercise audio tape for children. Based on the music of the Bee Gees, this "Bearobics" audio tape had teddy bears singing to Bee Gees hits with words adapted for the Teddy Bear band, the "Bear Gees". I loved this tape. How can you not love such classics as:

• "Bears Are Alive" (ah, ah, ah, ah, Bears are Alive, Bears are Alive)
• "Disco Teddy Bear" (do disco Teddy Bear, You know how to do it)
• "Teddy Bear Love" (it's Teddy Bear Love, it's Teddy Bear Love, we really need to love)

I loved this tape (if you cannot decipher this already). So, I was discussing this with my childhood friend during a playdate and she prompted me to look online for it (Thanks, Millie!) I had tried this many times in the past with no luck. This time, though, there was a single auction on eBay for the audio tape in excellent condition. I "Bought It Now" right away.

I cannot wait to post up a song!!!

Ever Felt Silenced By Your University?

Well, I certainly did. I remember during RA training and throughout my whole experience of being an RA that I was chastised for having a differing point-of-view than the extremely rich yet socially liberal majority. And I went to an extremely conservative college as far as non-religious colleges go. I think I'm probably not the only one who has had this experience.

Someone I know from college has created a documentary on the topic called Indoctrinate U. I have seen much of his other work on You Tube and it is pretty hilarious. This documentary is screening at the Kennedy Center on September 28th and I can't wait to see it. It is something I feel so strongly about that I am sure I will have a something to blog about after it premieres!

Which Harry Potter Character Are You?

http://piratemonkeysinc.com/quiz.php

Looks like I am Minerva McGonagall. ENTJ. Is she a super geek know it all to? I wouldn't describe her as geeky, but know-it-all, surely.

Who are you?

Deep Thoughts

"You know, Daddy, some people just don't like green eggs and ham."

Ms. Bliss

Yesterday, as I was watching Cinderella with my toddlers, I remarked to my husband that the ugly step sister, Anastasia, sounded a lot like Smurfette. Today I received an IM from my husband which stated "Lucille Bliss played both Smurfette and Anastasia". Now this represents two things. 1. My husband and I clearly don't have enough real work today. 2. You can get all your questions answered on the Internet.

I thought, "wow, Cinderella and Smurfette were decades apart, this woman must have been doing cartoon voices for a long time". So, I took this a step further and looked up Lucille Bliss on Wikipedia. It took all of 30 seconds for me to learn that Lucille Bliss, a woman in her early 90s, has been actively working as a voice actor from 1950 through 2005 and has been a part of some of my favorite movies and TV shows including "The Smurfs" and "The Secret of NIMH". With a quick 45 second jump to IMDB, I learned that her Cinderella voice work was uncredited in the movie. How would I ever have known this without the Internet? Can you remember the days when if you didn't know an answer to something you just had to accept it? Can you remember a time when you had a question about some trivial minutia and you just had to accept not knowing the answer? It seems so distant and archaic.

I just love the Internet.

Freecycle

I just have to put in a plug for Freecycle. I think it is the best thing ever.Whether you are sending something you don't need anymore to a good home, or requesting something that you need very much and someone else may be able to part with, it is a win-win situation!

Everyone should go and join their local group now: http://www.freecycle.org.

Smile.

This Monday morning, as I am sluggishly driving into my parking lot under my office building – no make-up, no coffee - I flash my I.D. badge at the security guard as routine and policy dictates. Before the guard will grant me the wave that acknowledges I am free and clear to pass through the check mark, he looks at me disapprovingly, uses his two forefingers to draw a semi-circle upwards from his chin and commands me to “smile.” So, I begrudgingly grant him a small curve of the lips which I intend to imply not that I am happy, but that I am doing this only so he will leave me alone and let me pass without incident. As soon as I am out of his sight, my lips return to their comfortable pursed and intent position.

Why is it that men (and it is always men) feel the need to tell young women to smile. Is it our job to walk around with an artificial cheery disposition from the moment we awake for their viewing pleasure?

In the appropriate situation, I am all in favor of smiles. A smile is a wonderful thing, an expression of joy. But it should come from a sincere place: a smile reflecting happiness on a sunny spring day, a warm and reassuring smile to a stranger as you hold the elevator for them, a smile because it is Friday afternoon and you are free to enjoy the lovely weekend.

But in the appropriate situation, I am all in favor of not smiling. Whether it is a moment of deep deliberation regarding the state of your cash flow, or a time of mourning after finishing the last page of the 7th Harry Potter book, or simply because it is Monday morning and your weekend is over and you have not yet had your coffee…

Two Things

I just received this link for a little game called "Two Things". The concept is that every topic can be summed up to two main points. It is pretty funny...

http://www.csun.edu/~dgw61315/thetwothings.html

Here is mine. What's yours?

Two Things About Love
1. You can't get too much
2. You can't give too much

Carmen

All Wet

I've been to so many showers, weddings, etc. that I am soaked! I actually love showers. I love celebrating these monumental and happy times in people's lives. I love sitting around eating finger food and sipping coffee. I love watching the showeree open up the same diaper champ and boppy pillow that I have seen so many times before.

That part I don't like is getting through that awkward planning process. This is when all the ladies close to the showeree attempt to work together to plan a nice event without stepping on toes or offending each other. Don't get me wrong, I love planning in general. I could plan all day long (in fact, that's my job, it's what I do all day). It is the awkwardness of dividing the responsibilities and agreeing on an approach between all the opinionated ladies involved that I don't enjoy.

The whole process makes me feel like I am back in school working on a group project. You all want to get an "A", but you all want to get it your own way. Some people want to work on it 24-hours a day, some people want to throw something together. It is never much fun and most of us would just rather do it ourselves. And all this negotiation, biting our tongues, pushing our agendas happens in short interspersed emails or distant phone conversations. "I was thinking of hand-knitting baby booties and filling them with bottle-shaped candies for the favors" "OK, that's fine.... I guess... I was thinking of making my own paper, forming it into a box, hand stamping it and putting in a single Godiva truffle." "That's OK, too..." "Well, whatever you want is okay." Blah, blah blah...

I may just not play nice with others. All I know, is I will be happy when planning season is all done and I get to enjoy all the new babies and couples that we have sprinkled with love.

No More Braces for Me!!

After 6 1/2 years, my braces are finally off!!! We just eventually gave up that my stubborn roots would ever move where they needed to go. So, while I don't have the straightest teeth in the world, I am very glad not to be a metal mouth anymore.

This was my second round with braces. I had them in elementary school as well. That round ended thanks to a very powerful "Sugar Daddy" from Tricia's Candy Kitchen. This time, I left removal up to the experts.

Now, once I get a bridge in place, I should have a full set of moderately straight teeth and I can finally get that family portrait I have been putting off for so many years.

Geek Couple at Work

Yes, I IM with my husband from time to time while we are at work. Here is an example of how geeky we are:

Husband: Here's a brain teaser for you.
Husband: 1=5, 2=25, 3=125, 4=625, 5=??
Sent at 10:05 AM on Tuesday
Me: Oh come on
That is too easy
3125
Husband: Or is it...
I didn't ask for the next number in the series. If you look back 1=5 therfore 5 must = 1
Me: Assuming it was an equation
Assuming it was pattern matching, or an equation to solve
If it is pattern matching, that is the wrong answer
If it is a mathematical problem, that is the right answer
Even then it is not the right answer. In math 5 cannot equal 1
The whole premise of the question is flawed if it is not a pattern matching question.
Husband: Someone sounds bitter.
an even worse answer would be ? since it also said 5=? but I won't go there.
Also there are no units shown 1 can equal 5 depending on the units.
Me: I'm not bitter, just right
If no units are shown, there are no units.
Husband: You're right. Also if the units are different than they are not equal they are equivilant.
Me: who gave you this "brain teaser" you should harrass them
Husband: Coworker. I will
BTW. I answered the same as you.
Me: Good, because that is correct :)

Sums up our entire relationship.

New Year Resolutions

1. Stop Procrastinating (clearly I do not have a good start with this one since I am doing this well after New Year's)
2. Be a better hostess
3. Write more letters
4. Spend more time outside
5. Organize my bedroom
6. Deal with my crisis of faith