Pretty in Pink

I am not a sneaker wearer by nature.  I mean, I wear them for working out, but I'm not a fan of jeans with your workout sneakers.  Now a pair of cute Pumas, that's a different story.  But last weekend I had to concede that my feet needed some TLC.

I was preparing Easter dinner for my family and didn't anticipate I'd be standing in my kitchen for 6 hours.  My feet and back were ACHING and the next morning, as we were dressing to take all the food to Mom's house, I had no choice.  Yep, I donned jeans and my new hot pink Asics.

I love Asics.  They are my go-to workout shoe.  They are so comfy and I can always find them on clearance at DSW.  So when my niece and I saw these two weeks ago, I had to get them.  Especially since I had a merchandise credit so they would be free!  And I have to admit, I'm still not a fan of jeans with workout sneakers but these beauties certainly did brighten up the kitchen!

And from now on, I won't judge people who are sporting this look.  Maybe they spent 6 hours the night before cooking too!

I Have Enough Shoes?!?

This morning I was in my closet picking out my clothes for the day and suddenly a realization hit me like a thunderbolt... I have enough shoes. Now I know enough is a relative term and some might say I have more than enough. But I think I simply have, well, enough.

And you should know I have been downsizing. In the past few months I have purged clothing and shoes alike. Purple Heart and Vietnam Vets of America have certainly benefited.  But I also benefited as I took advantage of consigning for the first time. Chic Envy - a fabulous shop - opened a location less than a mile from my house.You can consign 20 items at a time and I couldn't believe they chose 16 of mine. Including some shoes that I just don't wear anymore even though they are still fabulous:

Tahari Ivory/Black Patent

Via Spiga Camel Patent with Ivory Piping

Calvin Klein Micro-Suede Strappy Sandal

It's not that I don't love each of these it's just that I don't wear them so why shouldn't someone else enjoy them (and I'll enjoy the 50/50 split!)? So yes, I think I have enough. I know T is worried that this purge means there will be a later surge but I don't think so. I think I'll just live with what I have for a while. Unless of course something REALLY special catches my eye ;).

It's a Sign

I don't have any hobbies. Well, unless you count shopping, napping and drinking wine (which I know my gal pal Luanne totally counts!). Oh, and I watch TV and read.  But I don't have hobbies. Like my guy - he golfs, he drag races, he works on cars. I mean, I've scrap booked a few times but that can hardly be called a hobby since I need a cocktail just to get through a session (Every year I make T a homemade Christmas gift. Who knew this was the gift that keeps on giving?!).

So we've been talking about a hobby we can do together and I came up with hiking. Now I have no idea whether or not I will like hiding - especially since I don't like heat or bugs - but I said I'd be willing to give it a try.  We haven't yet but I've got a girls' trip next weekend that may involve hiking if the weather cooperates.

I have a credit at DSW so popped in to see what was available.  And I found this (kinda cute but very comfy) pair of J-41 Trail Blazer sneakers.  On clearance.  And with my rewards certificates they only cost $2.06.  Yep, you read that correctly.

So it's a sign right?  God and/or Mother Nature is telling me I should try hiking.  And if I hate it, I'm only out 2 bucks.  But with these awesome shoes I'll love it, right?  I mean, how can I not?  Especially with a bunch of hysterical girlfriends who believe our reward should be wine, vodka and the like?

Now what hobby do you have?  I've ruled out stamp collecting but am always looking for something new!

These Old Things?!

Last year (it seems so weird to write that!), I had the privilege and honor of being the Social Media Host at our Annual Meeting in Denver.  By the end of the week I was even promoted to Maven!  This meant being on stage at our general session each day and asking our members to tweet, text and Facebook about their experiences at the conference.  Oh, and I was talking in front of a few thousand of my closest (not really) friends.

One of the highlights of the experience - and there were many - was when I read a message from one of my Academy classmates.  She talked about good friends, making the most of the week and even going home with a new pair of shoes.  Of course I commented I hoped I could go shoe shopping too so my chair, who was on stage with me, pointed at my black patent leather Calvin Klein Mary Janes with the red tortoise shell embellishment and said, "those?"  And I replied, "these old things?!"  (yep, the crowd even laughed!)

And, quite literally, they have been in my closet for a few years.  I wore them when I finished the Leadership Academy experience in 2010 and they are my excuse to wear a red dress and feel sassy and confident in front friends, colleagues and complete strangers.  These old favorites never let me down!

A Christmas Miracle

Tis the season of miracles. If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have believed it. It hasn't happened, well, ever. This Christmas, my grandparents, parents, brother and wife, pups, niece and nephews and the love of my life gathered to celebrate the holiday.

Faithful readers know that I have struggled being out of contact with my brother for the better part of the past decade. A few months ago, he emailed me.  The emails turned into texts. The texts turned into phone calls and I saw him for the first time and met my two youngest nephews shortly after Mom came home from rehab after her big surgery. When my 3 year old nephew walked in, handed me a turkey made from a pine cone and said, "I made this for you, Aunt Messy", I was in shock. He acted like he had just seen me last Tuesday.  Truly amazing.

So I really didn't think the next event would happen - this early Christmas celebration. I was so suspicious it was real that I said we have to photograph it. So my sister-in-law (yep, finally got to meet her!) brought the camera and tripod and we now photographic proof thanks to the above family portrait.

I don't know why he reached out. I still don't know what happened to cause him not to talk to me. But what I do know, true to my word in earlier blogs, he has been accepted with open minds, open hearts and a hint of trepidation. You can't blame me for that, can you?

It has been an incredible holiday season for me so far. I have been blessed with friends, family and fun:

• Early Christmas with the family - including Zoo Lights with brother, sister-in-law, niece and 3 nephews
• Cookie swap with a new group of gal pals - including an early baking date with a great friend
• Shrek the Halls with my niece, nephew and their mom
• Dave Matthews in concert with T
• Wonderful birthday date for my special day - and don't forget my Jimmy Choos!
• Annual Christmas shopping and breakfast with Dad
• Christmas with my bestie and her family, parents and aunt and uncle yesterday - including awesome Christmas ornaments made by my beautiful goddaughters and a surprise from my bestie - recipe cards written by my grandmother that she gave Mel for her bridal shower.  She copied them and gave me the originals.  Yes, of course I cried.  You would have too!
• Still to come - Shrek the Halls and dinner double date with friends
• National Christmas tree with T
• Christmas day with my family

Can you believe all of this? I can't! 2012 is ending beautifully for me and I can't wait to see what 2013 holds.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. I wish you health, happiness and blessings in the New Year. 

I CHOOse You!

Yesterday was my 39th birthday and I must admit I was not thrilled about it. Don't get me wrong, I have much in my life to be thankful for and I am - especially having another birthday! But it's hard not to reflect on the first half of your life and wonder how you got where you are, what you could have done differently, what the next half will be like. And so, I got a little melancholy.

T doesn't stand for that. He hates to see me sad and was so excited it was my birthday he sang to me at 2:00 am when he took the doggies out. Then again at 5:30. And at 7, we were up! He saw that look in my eye and said it was time to open my presents.  The first was an ornament with our picture in it to hang on our tree. I loved it - nothing better than a homemade present. Well, almost nothing...

In box #2 were the long lost loves of my life. The classic, 4 1/2" heel platform black suede Jimmy Choo pump. I almost wept with joy as I hugged them to my chest. And kissed T of course! (And then wore them all around the house with my fleece pants and pullover.)

When I first met T, he said he could never see spending that kind of cash on shoes. After all, he beats his to death. For goodness sake, think about how many golf clubs or engine parts you could get for what one pair of high-end shoes cost. And yet, he did this. He took a tape measure into my closet to try and get the size right (my closet includes shoes sized 8.5 - 9.5 so it can be very confusing) and sought expert advice (from our good friends at Saks) before taking the plunge. He did his research!

Here's the thing:  this isn't just about getting my first pair of Jimmy Choos. It's about what is behind the gift.  That we can strive to be better people because we want to deserve the love we have. That the person you love's happiness can sometimes be more important than your own. That seeing a light come on behind sad eyes because of what you have done makes it all worthwhile. These aren't just shoes. They are a symbol of a love that has grown because two people are intentional about communication, respect, kindness. They may as well be a diamond ring because these beauties are proof positive that T chose me. And I will continue to choose him everyday for the next half of my life and beyond. Happy Birthday to me!

How Old Is She?

Yesterday the Next Day Blinds Consultant came so that I can finally get the blinds for the bedrooms.  They all have window treatments but the blinds will complete the look of the house.  Not to mention the fact that the Golfice is the hottest room in the house because the sun just sits there in the afternoon.  The pups love it, the man does not.

So we walk through each room and she measures and writes the name of the room down, "master bedroom, Mom's room, Golfice".  And then we walk in to the Daisy room and she says, "What a bright and wonderful room!  How old is she?"

The sound you hear is my heart sinking.  And the reality is I decorated the room this way because I had always wanted a room based on the Gerber Daisy painting my friend Whitney had done for me years ago.  But I didn't say any of that.  I simply said, "5".

And I don't know why.  Somehow, it just seemed easier.  And I realize I am perfectly justified in decorating my house anyway I want.  After all, it is my house.  But seeing this room through the consultant's eyes, it just seemed sad. So I lied. And then I felt sad.

The truth is, that a 5 year old does sleep here a couple of times a year with her 8 year old sister - my Goddaughters.  And I knew they would love how girlie it is when I decorated it.  But that doesn't justify the lie.  Why is it, on the eve of my 39th birthday, I somehow feel "less than" because I'm not a mom?

My internal clock ticks loudly these days.  So loudly it seemed to drown out the truth yesterday.  In all honesty, I could have said 7 and 8 because, as you can see, Stella and Sophie love the daisy room.  And, yes, my mother would say, "You are a Mom - to Sophie and Stella."  And I am and I love them ferociously. But you and I know it isn't the same.

So if you want to stay in the girliest place in town, just let me know.  No one else is using it.  Sophie and Stella don't mind sharing.