a sartorial problem

I have a shoe problem.  Or, a foot problem.  Maybe it's a budget problem. 

Whatever I call it - I need shoes.  BADLY!

A recent inventory of my closet yielded a shocking truth:

I own two pair of summer shoes that fit comfortably.  TWO!

Summer is nearly over, but my winter shoe situation isn't much better. 

I own one pair of cowboy boots (too hot till at least November), two pair of black flats, and several pair of gorgeous heels that I only wear to church. 

This, my friends, is a problem. 

I realized how much of a problem when I wore my new (very cheap) red patent leather 

loafers last week. I got a compliment from nearly every person I passed.  

Wow, I kept thinking, I have got to start wearing cute shoes more often. 

OK, time to buy shoes.  No, wait.  I can never find anything that I like and that fits.  UGH!

I hate tying shoes; so I have only slip-ons. 

I can't stand something between my toes; so there go flip-flops.  (Fine by me, I hate them anyway.) 

My arches are super high; so no shoes that come up far on the foot.

My heel is terribly narrow; so backless shoes work best.  

I stand on my feet all day and chase around small children at recess.  

Shoes that are cute and cheap are out because they also must be comfortable.  

Those red loafers had me limping for two days.

See?  I told you - I have a shoe problem!

I want my feet to look like Sarah's.  (See above.)

But.

I need the comfort factor that make my shoes look more like Nurse Ratchett's. 

What's a girl to do? 

What about you?  Are you a shoe fiend?  Do sacrifice beauty for comfort or the other way around?  What brands are your favorites?  Do tell. 

Photo by Sarah Vickers on Classy Girls Wear Pearls blog.  

making time for technology

I got an iPhone a little while ago and haven't spent much time playing with it.

Until today. 

This awesome (if I do say so myself) picture was taken with my iPhone

and gussied up with the excellent Half Tone app.

I love it!

Love the picture and love the fun I had creating it. 

So, tell me, friends, 

what other fun apps should I make time to play with? 

tell me what you think

I have been pondering a blog redo for a while now.
As I get started on that, I wanted your input.
From time to time I read something about people not liking blogs with playlists.
I've even been told that there are people who won't stay for a visit if there is music playing.
That got me thinking.
I wonder, what do you think about music on a blog?
I love my playlist, but I love my readers more.
Is a playlist irritating?
Should I keep it or delete it?
I am not sure which way I am leaning, but I did want your opinions.

Please?

Lurkers, you too. Won't you please just write a two sentence comment.
Something like "Keep it" or "Toss it" would be fine.

Thanks, friends.

Whining - only a little though

You know what really gets me? What makes me laugh, but with mild frustration? Well, I'll tell you. It bugs the fa-zizzle out of me when someone looks at my pictures and says, "Your camera takes good pictures."

Seriously???

I want to respond, "Actually, I take good pictures. But, thank you." Too tacky, I know. So I just let it go. I smile uncomfortably and wonder what to say. The good camera helps, of course it does. But, the best camera in the world can't create composition or knowing just which moment to capture. That, my friends, is all up to the photographer. If you doubt it, visit my friend Susan, who has a very simple camera.

How should I respond to comments like that? Come on. Let me have it. Tell me what you think please.

gettin' my gumption back

You know that expression, "My get up 'n go done got up 'n went."? That's me here lately. I tell you, teaching summer school is harder work than you might think. I don't know if it's because my body knows it's time for a break or if my mind does. Either way, I feel flat out of gas. Most nights it's all I can do to mange the supper dishes and laundry. That's not me. I'm usually up for anything and ready to play.

Hmmmmm... Obviously, it's time to take myself in hand. I think some help is needed.

Being a teacher, I am a fan of homework. I'm also a fan of teamwork and collaboration. So, I have an idea. Please give me an assignment: a bit of homework designed to spark my energy and get my juices flowing. Maybe you would be willing to ponder what revs you up and gives you a jolt of energy. Maybe you can suggest some things that might help me get my gumption back. I would be ever so grateful.

Happy day, friends, happy day.

all that was worth knowing

I sat quietly and listened to all she said. Deep down I had the feeling that Oletta most likely knew all that was worth knowing, not in book-learning ways, but in the ways that really mattered, ways that let you hum songs during the day and sleep peacefully at night. ~ from Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

I've been thinking lately about wisdom. I've been wanting to collect more of it. We all have wisdom that has been hard-gained. And wisdom that was handed down along with our breakfast cereal and mother's milk. So tell me, what lets you hum songs all day and sleep peacefully at night? What do you know is true?

I'll start...

• Write thank you notes immediately; for every little thing.(still working on this one)
  
• Wear sunscreen.
• Own at least one pair of bluejeans that fits perfectly.
  
• It is always better to be overdressed than under-dressed.
• Owning a dog = a happier life
• People become more beautiful in direct proportion to how much you love them.
• A day without laughter is a sad, sad, waste of a day.
• You really can smile your way into a better mood.
• What we believe about ourselves most determines how others see us.
• Be the one your boss/customer/client can count on.
  
• Never, never, never, never, never, never, never give up!
  

Your turn. Please?

Whaddya Think?

I'm stumped. I'm looking for a few great movies to watch. My Netflix queue has 87 movies on it and nothing is getting me excited. In fact, half of them are movies I've already seen. Plus, you know that I am terrific at picking duds lately. So, I thought I'd ask you to pick for me. How 'bout it? Will you give me a recommendation or two? I'd love to know your favorite movies. Please tell me three, if you will. I want to know your all-time favorite movie, a golden oldie, and a new one you enjoyed. Will you? Pleeeeeeeease???

Since I'm asking, I thought I'd give you mine. But, you know me and favorites. I am constitutionally unable to choose just one favorite of anything, much less an all time favorite. I do love this one. That's the one I put in when I need to cheer up. Or when I am feeling good. Or when I want to sing along. Or when I want to feel like a teenager again. I just love it. My golden oldie pick is not really old, just a classic to me. I completely adore it. As to a new one I've enjoyed. Hmmmm... Well, this one was fun. Not great. Maybe not even all that good. But fun.

OK, your turn. Pretty please? With cherries on top?


Witty image above was created by Udronotto.

A Change of Pace

Summertime has officially arrived in these parts. Maybe not according to the Earth's calendar, but according to our school calendar. One week ago was the last day of school. It feels odd to begin summer vacation in May, but it is wonderful to get enough sleep each night. I've been spending a lot of time this week working on my blog, not that you can tell it. My head is bubbling with ideas and I have about 12 partially completed posts. I've also reorganized the garage, begun to deal with mammoth piles of paper that seem to gather during the school year, put together Sloane's first grade memory book, started Sloane on her summer reading program, and more. Best of all, I've read 4 books. And that's just during the Me Time.

In June, we have summer school for Sloane, which is much more like summer day camp, complete with trips to the pool and the amusement park. We have a trip to Oregon in July. Other than that, we have a lot of time to just be. To play, to read, to laugh, to explore. Sounds like heaven doesn't it? My version anyway.

My chore for this afternoon is to create a loose schedule for our summer. I've told you before that I'm a girl who likes schedules and loves lists. I find that if I am somewhat organized, things happen. Otherwise, the creeping laziness of summer sets in. Of course I want summer to be full of long lazy days full of play and laughter, water and books. I want it to be a time of exploring and memory making for our family. I got to thinking that most of you probably felt the same way. And so, I offer you two things.

A brief list:

Summer Fun List

~ road trips ~ zoo class ~ rainy day movie marathon ~ Koolaid Popsicles ~ naps ~ hammocks ~ book lists ~ slip n slide ~ participating in the library programs ~ drive in movies ~ water fights as you wash the car ~ backyard gardening ~ trips to the Farmer's Market ~ days at the pool ~ hikes back to a cold water creek for a dip ~ chasing fireflies ~ baseball ~ fireworks ~ picnics ~ growing your own salads~ girlfriend dates~ finally getting to that item that's been on your To Do List since last September ~

And a question:
What did I miss? Please tell me some your favorite summertime activities.




I believe this vintage image came from an art journaling workshop I did last summer. Not sure. Sorry.

My Kind of Facebook

I've been invited a few times to join Facebook. So far I've resisted because of the massive time sucker it seems to be. I love my blog and I'm happy in this little corner of the Internet. But. I wonder.... I wonder what I'm missing. Anything?

So, what are you thoughts? Do you Facebook? Why or why not? If you do, will you tell me about it?

Do tell.



Evocative image spotted here, photographer unknown.

Ok. I admit it.

I love romantic comedies. I do. I know they are cheesy and prepackaged, slick and unrealistic. I don't care. They are fun. They are funny. They are hopeful. And. They are perfect for these sweet days following Valentine's Day.

Relyn's Top Ten Modern Romantic Comedies
(I figure classics like Roman Holiday deserve a list of their own.)

Titles listed from left to right, top to bottom

Strictly Ballroom Absolutely one of my favorite movies. Ever. In any genre.
Beautiful Girls Natalie Portman at 13 and full of promise.
My Cousin Vinny Funny. Very funny.
Sleepless in Seattle Is there anyone who doesn't love this movie?My Big Fat Greek Wedding Watch it sometime with Nia Vardolos' commentary.Pretty In Pink I don't know about you, but I was rooting for Ducky. Who wants a guy who takes you to a horse barn instead of to meet his parents?
The Mirror Has Two Faces The last scene is just what falling in love should feel like.
Dream for an Insomniac I have never met anyone else who has watched this movie, but I love its quirky charm.
Cutting Edge Have you ever seen this one? I love her sniping attitude. And, that he loves her anyway.

#1 Bride and Prejudice The homage to Grease is one of my favorite movie scenes ever.


So, what did I miss? Which movies are your favorite romantic comedies? What about my list? Do you agree? Disagree? Opinions, please.

Ode to the Tote

I am a not really a purse girl. I am more of a tote bag aficionado. In fact, I have so many tote bags that both Jeffrey and Sloane just grab my hand and pull me away whenever I stop to look at more. And, I always stop to look at more. (I also love smalls. You know, the smallish bags for sorting and organizing all the stuff in my enormous bag.) I am the kind of girl who carries nearly everything with me and then leaves it in the car. I grab only what I really need at the moment and haul that inside.

At this moment my cornflower blue tote bag sits by the door, like a faithful dog, ready to accompany me anywhere. Here's a peek inside:

• a magazine or two
• usually just one of the books I am currently reading
• my journal (I never go anywhere without it. I even take it to concerts and antiquing.)
• a hot pink, rubber pencil case full of: pens with brightly colored inks, a highlighter, a pencil, a good eraser, a pair of very cool folding scissors, paperclips, rubber bands, and sometimes whiteout...
• a raspberry colored beauty bag with: 2 lipsticks, lip gloss, face powder, blotting paper, a few band aids, emergency nail care items, Advil, sugar free peppermint gum, and Walgreen's cucumber and aloe vera hand lotion
• an adorable light blue mesh bag for my techy toys: digital camera, iPod, Sloane's Shuffle
• a similar, but larger mesh bag full of letter-writing paraphernalia: note cards, book of stamps, letters I need to respond to, list of thank you notes to write, pile of post cards pre-addressed to my new students, copies of pictures and Sloane's art to include in the letters, and good pen, just in case my pink bag doesn't have the right color
• a folder full of papers to grade whenever school is in session
• whatever random things I think Sloane might like to do in the car
• datebook
• wallet
• sunglasses
• sunglasses cleaning cloth
• cell phone
• keys

I guess you could say I believe in being prepared. Some day I'll have to tell you about my Car Bag and what I always have on hand in my car's glove compartment. Anyway...

Totes are just so handy! Not only do I use the smaller ones as my grab-it-and-go purse, I stock them (depending on random whims and current activities) and use them as sort of kits. I have a brightly colored orange floral tote that is bulging with things for summer swimming jaunts. It holds all our suits, beach towels, water rings and other diving toys, cheap sunglasses, swim goggles, and a ziplock full of sunscreen, combs, shampoo for the pool shower, lip balm, etc. My gorgeous Dash and Albert rug bag makes a cram-it-all-in carry all for days when we are going to town and doing many errands. I have an absolutely enormous black canvas Coach tote that works beautifully for weekend trips. I have a plain, sturdy, bulging, little tote that we use for library jaunts. (Eventually, I will replace that one with a cuter version if I can ever find one both sturdy and attractive.) I've found some adorable versions on Etsy that I would like to add to my collection. A bag similar to this one might make a great library bag.

In spite of all this tote bag love, every summer I like to switch to a large straw purse. I am fairly finicky about said purse. The straw needs to be straw colored and the design simple. Straps are preferable to handles and the whole thing needs to be capacious.

I got out my summer purse a few days ago and the strap promptly broke. (As I read the list above, I thought, "No wonder my purse strap broke.") Sadness abounded. I mean, I spent hours last May and June trudging from store to store searching for the perfect straw tote-cum-purse. And, hours the previous summer, but I did not succeed then and had to be purselesss. There are always many, many straw purses. Inevitably, they were too small or too expensive. Finally, I found the pictured purse, which was nearly perfect for me. Then it broke! I've checked already and the strap can't be repaired. It wasn't real leather, which explains the fact that it also wasn't hugely expensive.

So, here's where you come in. HELP!! Do any of you know of a source for a bag like I've described? If you do, please tell me as soon as you can. I am a desperate woman! I am having to carry a non-straw tote, and it just doesn't feel like summer.

And, I'm curious. What's in your bag? Are you a schlepper, like me? Or, are you a basics only kind of woman? What's in your purse?

Sursum corda. Happy Sunday.