End of a Great Day

Today was a very busy day. I was up with the sun to photograph the tables at my service club's annual spring luncheon. With the budgeting I have been doing for the Paris trip this, was my only contribution to the event and I wanted to make sure that I did a good job.

Of course, the pictures turned out great, which was no big accomplishment on my part since the tables were all decorated so beautifully. The theme to follow this year was All Things Disney and, the hostesses did not disappoint.

I expected at least one Tinkerbell table and was truly surprised that there wasn't one. I'm sure that would have been my theme had I decorated a table.

After photographing the tables, I rushed home to attend the Man-Cub's doubleheader. The team did great, in fact, they were far enough ahead in the first game to allow the Cub to play second base and to bat, rather than just running. The score of the second game was a bit closer, but, we still won.

After the games, The Teenager and I went bikini shopping (for her) and washed my car before meeting Hugh and the Man-Cub for dinner at one of The Teenager's favorite patio restaurants. It's been really nice to have The Teenager home and it is especially nice to see her and her brother enjoying each other's company.

It was just a really great day.

Friday Favorites: Prettiness

Today has been a really good day, which flies in the face of the whole Friday the 13th superstition nonsense, for sure (I'm kidding, Universe! Please don't smite me!). For one thing, the trial that I received a jury summons for was cancelled. For another thing, The Teenager is heading home, even as I type this. And, finally, I got both a pedicure AND a massage today.

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

Other wonderful things? Why, some Friday Favorites, of course! Today I am sharing a few items that I find especially pretty, or, that contain magical properties that make me feel pretty. Unfortunately, the magic may be subjective, so, if it wouldn't work for you, I take no responsibility.

Anyhoodle, here they are:

Ion Hair Glaze. I've been using the clear formula because I don't want to mess with all the hard work that my colorist does. The clear glaze seals the color in, adds shine, and makes my hair feel super soft. This product literally saved my hair from a date with a pair of scissors, that's how much it has improved my relationship with the color and style.

Moroccanoil Treatment. I started using this several years ago and I have barely put a dent in the bottle; a little goes a long way in taming frizz and making my hair look good on the days that I want to wear it straight. I am thinking that it will come in really handy in Paris, where I plan to let my hair dry naturally as much as possible.

Too Faced Bronzer Collection. I use every one of these shades at some point during the year, depending on how much I want to look like I have been out in the sun. The bronzers are a great way to fake a tan without the damage. This collection of travel-sized compacts is perfect for both travel and for owning the shades that I use the least often without feeling like I am wasting money on a regular-sized compact.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and Urban Decay eyeshadow singles. The mascara makes my lashes look impossibly thick and long and I have found that my sensitive eyes don't react badly to the formula. It also washes off fairly easily despite not smudging, smearing, or flaking during the day. The eyeshadow singles are a fun way to try new colors without spending a ton of money on a pallet that may contain colors that you wouldn't use. The singles pop into a compact that you can purchase separately, if you want to carry them all together. The colors that I am enjoying right now are fun for spring and include SWF, Psychedelic Sister, and a combo of Sin and Mushroom.

This awesome card, handmade by my sister, Barbie. I think she is a tad bit excited about our trip. What do you think?

Recently, I purchased several ridiculously inexpensive rings in the costume jewelry department of the Hellmouth; I like to change them up to compliment my outfits, so, they have gotten a lot of wear. I am always amazed by the compliments that I get when people see them. I'm also amazed by the fact that the people complimenting me actually think that they are real; for fakes, they sure do a good job of fooling people. *The square-cut blue topaz ring, while also costume, belonged to my Grandmother Pauline. It was passed down to me when she passed away and I wear it a lot. I have no idea how old it is or where she got it and no one in the family was able to answer those questions when we met at our family reunion last summer, so, I guess it shall remain a mystery, a beautiful, sparkly blue mystery.

The cutest sandals in the history of footwear. Ok, maybe that's being a bit dramatic. Still, they are pretty awesome, and, thanks to today's pedicure, I have cute toenails to go with them. And, yes, the weather is still a bit iffy, but, it can't be bi-polar forever, right?

Please tell me I'm right.

Thursday Throwback: All In the Family

Mayberry High School continues to scan and share old yearbooks on Facebook and I have had a really good time mining the contents for photos of old friends and family; I really hit a treasure trove of photos featuring my mom and her siblings.

The pictures reminded me of my Grandma Molly's house, where formal portraits were displayed, with pride, on a wall in the hallway leading to the bedrooms. When I was a little girl, I used to look at those pictures with such curiosity about the young people that they depicted, because, after all; my aunts and uncles were...old (yes, family, Present Day Me will gladly reach back in time and throttle Young Me, if you like). It was hard to imagine a time when they were young and crazy school kids with not a care in the world.

Thanks to the pictures from those old yearbooks, imagining that has become a lot easier.

Aunt Lucille, the oldest of the ten siblings.

 

Aunt Pat

 

Aunt Connie

 

 

Uncle Donald, known as Donnie

 

 

Uncle Ronald, known as Ronnie

 

 

Uncle Jerald, known as Jerry (are you sensing a theme, here?)

 

 

My mom, Dorothy

 

 

Aunt Laurie

 

 

Aunt Debbi, the baby of the family

 

The only sibling missing from the yearbooks is my Aunt Rose, the second eldest of the girls and the only one to choose not to finish high school, although, I distinctly remember there being a portrait of her in the hallway. I mean, I think I do. Hell, I don't know, I was a kid.

 

Anyway, the formal portraits were nice and all, but it is the candid photos that I discovered in the yearbooks that intrigue me the most. The photos show a family that enjoyed sports and academics as well as social activities. The fact that they had a lot of school spirit is also pretty apparent, which, brings me to the blackmail material good stuff...

 

Dorothy, the cheerleader on the upper left

Uncle Jerry, King of the School, apparently

Aunt Pat, cheerleader on the left

Aunt Connie, cheerleader on the right

 

Aunt Laurie, yearbook club, second girl from the left

Uncle Ronnie, wrestling, first row, on the left

Dorothy...midair

 

Aunt Connie, Queen of the Sophomore Class (and doesn't she seem thrilled with the honor?)

Aunt Pat, on the right, Traffic Counsel....Was this really a thing? Did they have cars back then?

 

Dorothy, on the left....I have no idea what this was...dance club? Inquiring minds want to know

 

 

Aunt Pat, on the left, Snowball Queen? Princess? Royalty of some sort, anyway

 

...I have twenty-seven cousins...I wonder how many of them have seen these pictures...(you can buy my silence with home-baked goodies, Aunts and Uncle. Just a thought).

 

 

As an aside, of all the beautiful portraits hanging in that hallway in my grandparents' home, this was my favorite.

 

Still is, actually.

 



Life Lately

I haven't had a chance to write lately because the Man-Cub's baseball schedule is kicking my ass. Ok, that's not entirely accurate; my ass is being kicked by the addition of the Man-Cub's baseball schedule to my already busy life.

Oh, and Daylight Savings Time, that shit messes with me, too.

Anyhoodle, I think I have a handle on all of the things that I need to do this week and next, prior to leaving on my trip abroad (that sounds so...continental. And, kind of pompous; remind me not to do that again), including tackling the chores involved in squaring away my duties at work, and, ordering euros so that I have some appropriate spending money while in Paris (so as not to look like a stupid American (I'm sure there are a million other ways that I will accomplish that feat)).

I plan to do my packing next Sunday, before The Teenager leaves for her return to school following her spring break, so that she can offer me her particular brand of fashion advice, and; I've located and purchased a selfie stick with which to ensure that my mother, sister, and I will all be present and accounted for in photos before the Eiffel Tower.

Priorities: I haz 'em.

Speaking of priorities, today I wrote a letter to the school, opting the Cub out of this week's PARCC testing. This is the first time that I have felt a need to opt one of my children out of the standardized testing process and I did it after much consideration and research. I feel good about the decision. Oh, not as good as the Cub, who will get to sleep in for the next two days, but, good, nonetheless.

The Cub will have to attend at least two periods of class on each day in order to remain eligible to practice baseball so that he can play in the double-header on Saturday, but, two hours a day beats sitting in front of a computer for six hours, taking a test that has absolutely no bearing on his academic record or instruction. At least, that's how I see it.

The Cub? Well, he just wants to sleep in and play baseball. Because, of course he does.

Those Pants Will Never Stay Clean

Baseball started on Saturday. The Cub made the varsity team, where his first duty was that of designated runner. The team's brand new uniform pants are white. I'll let you fill in the blanks, here.

The Cub will also be playing for the Junior Varsity, where he will take his usual position on second base. He may also be called upon to pitch again this year as the coach is in the situation of having to replace three pitchers-all seniors-next year. The Cub doesn't love pitching, but he is willing to do it if it means more play time.

So, we are looking at two jam-packed game schedules, with games most Saturdays as well as several evenings during the week. Hopefully, the weather will be as cooperative as it was yesterday and I won't be forced to break out the winter coat and thermal blankets that I threw in the car. On the other hand, if the weather turns to crap, I threw a winter coat and several thermal blankets in the car, so, I'm prepared either way.

Now, to buy some OxyClean so I can prepare for the dirt and grass stains.

Really, Coach? White?