Archive for the ‘of course’ Tag
May 03 2012
Yesterday, with a bit of time to waste, Abby and I visited a thrift store with my mom. I’ve always been fond of finding a good bargain. I get giddy, actually. As seen in my closet, where, as just one example, my favorite sweater is a treasure from Goodwill, bought for $3 a few years back.
Our trip yesterday was another score. I came away with 3 shirts, a pair of capris, and a pair of jeans. All 5 pieces for $25. It wasn’t the cheapest of thrift lots, but I was still very impressed with my purchases.
I was eager to try the new-to-me items on when we came home. Especially the jeans. I had been going back and forth on those in the store, but I decided to take a chance. I slid them on, and I was instantly glad I had. Like butter. My thighs said aw, yeah.
It was like they had been waiting in that thrift store just for me.
They fit where they were supposed to fit. There was a bit of stretch so I could move without being pinched, or having rolls escape. The length couldn’t have been better, either, cascading to my heel. I’ve never had a pair of jeans fit this well.
I was seriously giving myself a mental high five.
Still wearing the jeans that I now refused to remove from my body, I bent down to sit. And that’s when we had a difference of opinion. They ripped.
Right down the crotch.
I know I bought these jeans on a discount, but that’s not exactly what I bargained for. It’s a good thing I’m not that easily offended.
April 27 2012
I am participating in Momalom’s Five for Five. Today’s topic is on Listening. Also linked up with Six Word Fridays.
Ah, the serene sounds of spring.
—
Spring is not my favorite time of year. I’ve never been one to hide my adverse feelings towards it. I would gladly go through a million winters if I never had to deal with another thunderstorm or tornado warning.
Although for all the negativity I feel towards this season, I do admit there are perks. When the days are nice, they are very nice. The weather is a comfortable medium, the grass is green and lush, flowers begin to bloom. It’s as if an artist came by with a paintbrush and added color.
And the birds, they sing.
The other day was one of these such days. The sky was a crisp ocean of blue, a slight breeze drifting past in a rustle. It was the kind of day that begs for open windows. Which I obliged. I sat on my couch and just listened, to nothing and everything. To nature enjoying its sunshine.
The trees were swaying lightly and birds chirp chirped in tune. And I sat and listened. With a cup of coffee in hand, eyes closed, and my legs tucked under. It was a beautiful day. And the birds, they continued to sing their music, filling my home with harmony through the open windows.
I sat and listened.
And then I heard Jedi yell from his bedroom.
“Shut up you stupid birds!”
Ah, the serene sounds of spring.
April 17 2012
In one afternoon, my son can transform from the Incredible Hulk to G.I. Joe to Darth Vader. Then instantly revert back to my little boy with the shed of a costume and cape, faster than a speeding bullet.
Buzz is big on pretend play. His imagination carries him to galaxies beyond, yet he’s intently focused. When he has a set character idea, he wants to see the story develop through to fruition like a driven lead. It’s not the same if it’s not just right, and there is no rest until it’s on his own terms.
Yet, even with all the old getup from Halloweens past, designated costumes and select accessories to choose from in a vast arsenal that tends to overflow in a familiar pile, we simply don’t have every disguise for every occasion.
Like your friendly neighborhood Spiderman.
There are Ninja Turtles and skeletons and Buzz Lightyear galore, but alas no webbed avenger. And so, as only the best can do properly, he takes matters into his own hands.
As such, Buzz retreats to his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. I hear him opening dresser drawers, and shoveling clothes. I picture him biting his bottom lip, deep in creation. A few minutes later, he emerges.
With a pair of Spiderman underwear over his head, his mask. Thankfully clean. His eyes peering through the corners of the leg holes.
“I am Spiderman”, he says. I believe him.
April 12 2012
My neighbor came over yesterday, a young woman in her early 20′s. I tend to keep to myself around here, but I’m not against being nice. With her, was her toddling 2 year old daughter, bundled in a hooded jacket as it was a little cool that early afternoon.
I gathered Abby and we headed outside for the girls to play. But if I’d seen what was about to meet us, I would have come up with some reason not to. Any reason at all.
Because that little girl’s nose was dripping snot like a faucet.
What is the proper protocol in this situation? Would screaming and running back inside be too much? while holding out a cross and holy water to ward off the evil germs? Offered a friendly bottle of cold medicine, or at least some good, old fashioned, eye-rolling parental advice?
Take your sick kid and go home, lady!
I bit my lip, and shielded my mouth, as they sat and played together with chalk, however. Infecting the purple and pink colors, especially. All the while I was hoping it would be over very quick. Careful not to touch her, or be near her, except she was keen to smear snot everywhere all over my porch.
Finally, my neighbor seemed to notice her daughter in need of a tissue, or a Hazmat suit, to put it lightly, and picked her up to take her home. Abby and I then came inside. Where I hosed us both with disinfectant and added new chalk onto my list of things to buy.
February 29 2012
We make an excellent first impression.
After school and the kids were playing outside. As usual, they’re ramped up and ready to go. Like wild animals let loose from a cage. Darting back and forth, tackling one another. Laughter always quickly turns to tears, then vice versa.
I tell Abby for the umpteenth time not to climb up the slide. You’ll fall and hurt yourself, I warn. She never listens. Meanwhile, Buzz reckons 40 degrees is perfectly warm enough to take off his coat, unzipping it to the grass. I disagree. Except he’s still akin to a lion on the loose, thus making him very difficult to catch.
He tries to make a quick roar past me, which is when I reach out my arm to grab him.
It’s also when the neighbor who just moved in directly next to us emerges from her door.
“My son says he saw our neighbors out here playing and he wanted to come out, too”, she said nicely enough looking around at the devastation in front of her. A scene that included a savage Buzz dangling from my arms with all his monstrous might, his feet defiantly kicking in mid-air. The weight of him almost knocking me over, his screeches blaring loud.
Then, my daughter, who I told not to climb up the slide, tried to do just that. Falling head first off the ledge, tears immediately streaming down her cheeks.
“I… uh… told him not today”, she concluded while hurriedly retreating back to the safety of her house as I tried my best to politely smile through gritted teeth and wave through chaos. “But maybe some other time.”
Some other time, yes. Don’t worry, I wanted to assure, I won’t hold you to that.
I'm Crystal. A 30-something mom to 3 young kids living in the Midwest USA. When I'm not chasing my children, I'm a freelance writer and web designer. I like to tell stories from our days and share what we enjoy...
