SHOP-IN-A-BOX: PROGRESS!

Well, I decided to let Stitch Fix take another stab at becoming my fashion soul mate last week. The first time I gave them free reign, but this time I got a little more specific. I told them I could really use a lightweight, waterproof jacket for travel -- one which wouldn't take up too much space in my suitcase -- and that I'd love a Frenchy top and scarf combo.

When I opened the box, I was simply delighted with what I found.

Still, there were some issues. First of all, skinny jeans again? Seriously?? Well, at least I could get these on and zipped, but that did not prevent them from making my legs look like chicken drumsticks. So, no. Just. NO!

The cargo jacket was pretty cute, and would look great over either top, but, as with the little sundress they sent me last time, the waistline sat more at "empire" level instead of my natural waistline.  Don't know if these are "Junior" sizes, or if it's just my long torso and larger-than-average chest, but that was another "NO!" (Plus I'm fairly certain it wasn't water resistant either, which would kinda defeat the use I had in mind for it.)

The third problem was that, cute as it was, the little French sailor top was kind of spandexy, and really hugged all of my curves and bulges. I look so much better in tops that are, not big and flowy, but which just sorta skim my curves.

You'll be happy to know, however, that I did actually keep two things this time -- the slouchy grey-green sweater, and the beautifully soft-but-not-itchy scarf, so we're makin' progress!

And, now that they are helping me define just what I want and don't want, I'm thinking I might be able to go out and find the perfect jacket all on my own. 

Now, if only I had bought one of those cute French sailor tops when we were actually in Marseilles!

 

THROUGH HIS EYES

Many moons ago, when I first moved up here full-time and started blogging about our adventures here, a local chef and cooking instructor left a comment on one of my posts. She said she enjoyed reading my blog because it reminded her of what it felt like when she first moved to the Texas Hill Country -- when everything was new and exciting, and she could not wait to explore it all. I remember feeling sad that she had somehow lost that fervor, but couldn't imagine it ever happening to me!

One of My Early "To-Do" Lists

Back then, I was all about learning to live "The Good Life" -- making my own cleaning products, hanging my laundry on a clothesline, cooking with real food and getting to know the people who raised it and grew it, maybe even growing a bit myself, and, in the process, finally finding a tribe who cared about the same things I did. Most of all, I was obsessed with exploring my new environment and having adventures as often as possible!

So, I got a bit melancholy a while back, when I realized how long it had been since we'd taken a day-trip just to go splorin', and how set in our routines we had become. Whatever happened to that girl in my early blog posts? Well, she's ten years older, for one thing, and came close to losing her hubby several times. Our kids turned into adults who married and started families of their own. Change is inevitable, no? But, often, change is just what you need.

Remember this grandma journal I made at Lucky Star Art Camp last fall? Well, ever since Lex announced that we were to be grandparents, I've been jotting down notes about fun things that my friends do with their grandkids -- things like High School Debbie's Grandma Camp, and my BFF's list of rainy-day activities.

Which led to thinking about other things I want to do with Little Goober some day, like taking him to the Blue Hole, or going over to Outdoor Woman's house to gather some eggs, so we can cook together.

And, it was as I was transferring all these notes over to Mima's Journal that I suddenly realized something. I was once again feeling that same sense of exhilaration and anticipation that I used to feel in those early days! Why? Because I knew I would be seeing it all again as if for the very first time, through HIS eyes.

MY RIGHT TO GET GRUMPY

My hubby just doesn't play fair. We rarely ever fight or argue, but I do occasionally get into a seriously self-righteous snit -- usually when his hoarding habit starts encroaching into my personal territory. It's no big deal, it's no big deal, and then one day I wake up, and suddenly it is a big deal, and I get gloriously grumpy. This time it was the little balcony porch where my BFF and I always go to sip wine or a mug of hot tea, whilst sorting out all the problems of the world. Hubby claimed the downstairs porch and the stone patio, but this little space just off the kitchen is mine, and I went to a lot of trouble to get it decorated just so. But then he started using it as a dumping ground for this and that. And he filled all the cute, colorful flower pots with really ugly, half-dead plants. Then he used my precious vintage lawn chair as a potting bench, and left if filled with dirt. And then, well, then I turned into the Wicked Witch of the West, and let me tell you, it felt good. But then he had to go and spoil it all by doing this!

Apparently he had already ordered these hanging baskets, and was going to surprise me with them.

Dirty Pool, John Lane. Dirty Pool!