Yay! I think I had a successful shopping spree. And spree is was. I probably spent more money on clothes in a single day than I did all last year (granted, I usually only by clothes from Fred Meyer or Costco, like a shirt at a time). But I had a plan, knew I wanted quality basic pieces and knew that this was a gift of a day. My two boys, husband and new puppy were all gone for the whole day and I had no other time obligations. So I basically shopped from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. I pre-shopped at Nordstroms for two hours then invited my daughter to join me to make final big decisions - thanks girl! - had lunch together, then went off on my own to shop for shoes and cheap tops at Value Village, JC Penny, and Target.

It would be funny to take outfit pictures like one of those fashion bloggers I know, or even pictures of what I got but I'm not that motivated. Here's the printed rundown: two pairs of nice fitting trousers from Gap in black and charcoal, a khaki military-style short jacket from Michael Kors, a cream color flouncy top from Michael Kors, a charcoal shirt dress, a purple long cardigan, a great new winter coat, four new tops, and a new pair of Dansko shoes. One change in my shopping pattern I noticed was just mentally admitting that I'm a bit bigger than I want to be and just pulling one size up in everything. It's just too depressing to have everything you try on too tight. Just practicing letting go!

OK, along the lines of simplification, I want to pair down my wardrobe. Very often when I'm looking at changing what I where it is "Gee, I wish I dressed more like a grown up - you know, pumps, dresses, tailored jackets." Ugh. Here I am at 52 and really all I like to wear is T-shirts and jeans, and flip flops. I'm just all about comfort. Don't put my in an uncomfortable shoe or anything that is close fitting or, for that matter, to bold in color or style- I'll be in a rotten mood all day. I am 52 after all, and I should have earned the right at this point in my life to know who I am and wear what I want. But what I DON'T want is to look dull, dumpy, old, washed out or boring. I'm not afraid of edgy and youthful. I just don't want to look like I'm trying too hard.

But the new school year starts next week and I do have to look what I would call semi-professional. But on the other hand, I'm in in middle school library for goodness sakes, which doesn't have a lot of expectations fashion-wise. So my goal is to find five looks that are simple, colorful, comfortable, interchangeable, and grown-up like (that sounds like it could be a "More" magazine fashion spread). I'm thinking a basic dark shirt dress that I could wear alone, with a top over, or wear as a "long jacket", another pair of black dress pants, a great cardigan or loose jacket, a plain well fitting skirt, a blouse in a great color and style. I'm really hoping my daughter will come with me a help me! I tend to always pick up white t-shirts and plain everything else.

The simple life

Simplicity. It's what I'm missing in my life. Why do I have so many things, big things, things that require maintenance, attention, money and stress like houses, cars and toys? How did life get this complicated. Every detail of life, sucks the life out of life. I remember being 20 and thinking one of the most important values in life was to simplify. I don't even know how to get there from here.

And also contentment. Why is it that I so value what I don't have and so devalue what I do have? Every time I want for something more, I'm so unhappy. And then when I get it I'm still unhappy only maybe more so because the expectation isn't even there anymore. I'm not content with my family members and their behavior. I'm not content in my spiritual life. I'm not content with my body. When, in reality, all of those things are really just fine, even better than fine when compared to most situations.

It's a mystery to me.

I've been absent from this blog a long time. But watching Glen Beck tonight I saw an interview with three ladies that have "come out of the closet" as conservative moms and have started their own blogs or movements for moms. I was reminded of the outrage and the aloneness I felt that lead me to start this blog last year. It's possibly time for me to get to that place again.

There's no place like home

Home. It's good to be back in my house and hometown after six weeks away. June and July did prove to be very restorative months. What a great summer. But, alas, the lazy days have come to an end and I began my new job yesterday. School for my son starts in a few days and then it will be back to schedules and carpools and grocery shopping. But, I'm excited for a new beginning and grateful for the lovely change of scenery I had for the last six weeks. I feel like a got to take a huge deep breath and let go of all the stress and ugliness of the last year. I can hardly remember what it felt like to be so overwhelmed by those two jobs. This is definitely a good thing!

Blues blues

Ok so after painting my wall the third time, I think I got what I want. Here's the difference. The first one is the lighter shade that I didn't think was right.

 

The second picture is the color I'm happy with. Finally. I'm obviously on vacation since I don't seem to have anything better to do than to obsess about paint color and redecorating the house.

 In two days, I'm going to get in our RV with two of my kids for a two week trip around Oregon and Washington. Haven't exactly planned out the itinerary yet, but it should be nice to have a change of pace. My family took a three month RV trip two years ago across America and we didn't want to quit. We became RV junkies. It will be interesting to see how we like it this time around.

Lazy Daze

I'm currently living the live of leisure at a vacation home for, gulp, six weeks. Yes, I fled my northern environs and have set up housekeeping here on the Olympic Pennisula with my three almost grown kids (Hubby is back home working for 4 weeks so we can afford this little piece of paradise). It's a wonderful spot, beautiful and peaceful and right on the water. I'm learning to take each day as it comes with no real agenda (well, maybe one or two "to dos" a day) and letting the kids do the same. Who cares if the 15 year old plays six hours of Xbox and is on the internet the rest of the time? The opportunities to stroll along the beach, ride a bike down the road, sit on a bench and watch the boats roll by are there for the taking. 

Me, I'm enjoying painting rooms that I've been meaning to for years, although I seem to be having a hard time picking the right paint colors. I think the kids think I'm crazy for going to the paint store everyday and repainting the walls twice. It's just a different vibe here and perhaps my personal color pallet is just off by a degree. I don't care. I'll get it right even if I have to repaint it again three or four times. Heck I got the time! So this first picture is the living room, which is one I've painted twice now. I like the beach-glassy color but I think it needs to be more denim or gray blue...

This is the guest room which is a lovely bright shade of coral. My husband thought it was too bright but I think it's pretty. We installed carpeting in this room too which makes it fee more cozy.

I feel blessed to just hang in the same room as my kids enjoying my 15 year-olds sweet teenaged presence, my 20-year olds days here on earth that are each a gift, and my 22-year olds wonderful creative companionship. I miss my husband who is my best friend but he'll join us soon.