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Friday, July 22, 2016

The Dark Twisty Place



Since about October of last year I’ve been perpetually stuck in Meredith Grey’s dark twisty place.  I’ve tried personal dance parties to work it out and yelling at the man always makes me feel better for about 10 minutes and then I find myself back in the gloomy spot.  I’ve gained a good 15 pounds, but lets be real, this down time from working and all this Netflixing and snacking is probably the cause of my weight issues.  A can’t say no to queso and tacos.  I just can’t.   My butt has a permanent dent mark in Big Chief’s ugly brown chair and my cute sassy self is now draped in old ratty tee shirts with that weird grease stain from the washing machine and jogging shorts.  My cute little Manolos are all tucked away in the closet next to Kate and Sam.  You know its bad when the tiny human runs by me on the days I actually do get dressed and says…wow momma why ya so fancy today?????  And by fancy she means, why did you wash your hair and use make up.

I thought maybe it was my age.   I mean with all the weird black and gray hairs and the weight gain and irritableness it surely has to be my age and hormones.  Before we left little Mexico I had a physical.  It seems as though all my levels were good.  No thyroid, nothing strange in the blood.  The advice they gave me was drink more wine and walk.  Really???  Let me tell you where you don’t want to walk and drink wine….. Corpus Christi.   Because it’s literally hotter than the hinges on the gates of Hell there and Ebola from the red tide could literally mame you.   I’m not walking anywhere.    I’m starting to think Big Chief may be right, maybe us girls are all crazy???   NAH!

So I naturally went to the next possible cause, the kids!  All the pieces are starting to fall into place.   Things you aren’t supposed to say out loud but I’m going to.  There are days where the mere sounds of the kids coming from the other room make me want to punch babies in the face and tie Big Chief to the tree outside upside down like an opossum.   The constant fighting, the constant moody Judys, the constant wanting things like food and water.   WHEN does it stop?  My daughter is 7.  She cries.  A lot.  It’s really to the point that every time I see her tear up I run.  I’m running towards wine, but we’re poor folk these days so wine is limited.  This adds fuel to my emotions.   My 14-year-old boys are so moody I don’t know if I should wind my butt or scratch my watch.   And they smell.  Really bad.     And then if I’m really lucky one of them will want to talk, which is a rare oddity around here.  No one likes to use their words.  But every so often one of the boys will decide they need to speak about something they shouldn’t speak about.  Usually it’s around company and they want to tell everyone about how they feel politically.  That’s fun.  OR sometimes they will wait until you are engaged in your own thoughts just chilling on the couch and then wonder into the living room and want to tell you stories that never end.  Because they can’t find words.   And I just sit there praying in my head…Dear Lord make it stop before I slit my wrists.  Again, things we’re not supposed to say out loud.  I’m really not crazy.  One day, I’m told, they wont be moody or smelly or dumb anymore.  I’m going to need more wine and a Sam’s Club membership.  

I thought it was my old environment.  I do believe living in Hell played a big part in that.  We were all miserable there.   It didn’t take long for everyone to hate everyone while we were in Texas.  It was hot, the people were rude, I had very few good friends, but the ones I did make Im still in contact with and glad to have them.  We also lived in the ghetto.  The entire town was the ghetto and it smelled.  It’s hard to find your happy in a place where you literally wish every day that a terrorist attack would take out an entire city you lived in.  But it was so bad, even terrorists were sitting there going…you know what we’ll just leave them be that’s the worst thing that could happen to them.  We were ecstatic about moving to Fort Rucker.  And for a few weeks I was happier than I had been in months.  Our house is beautiful, we have a pool, the kids have a nice school and my dog can poop outside with out being eaten alive by a coyote.  Good times.  And then life happens.  I’m still dealing with grown up issues and dumb people who love to make sure you’re as miserable as they are.  No matter how hard you wish crazy would take a vacation, it just doesn’t.  I wonder how those people live so long?  It must be even worse on them to spread that amount of hate to other people.  How do you have that much energy because being on the receiving end is exhausting.  Taking the high road, is exhausting.   Trying to be the bigger person and just get through is exhausting.  I do a lot of praying and there are days where I can’t imagine if I’m being punished or if God just isn’t listening to me.  I keep saying, this too shall pass, just keep going.   But I’m exhausted.  I don’t want to fight, I don’t want to argue, I don’t want to be in a position that requires me to have to work so hard at being a good person and setting a good example.  Being good shouldn’t be this hard.   For the last nine years I kept telling myself, this will die down.  At some point when you don’t respond and you ignore they will get bored and move on.  But they haven’t.   Over the last year I have an amount of hate and rage I didn’t know was possible to have.   I go and hide in the bathroom and cry.   I don’t sleep.   I can’t sit still.   All I want is peace.  A peaceful mind.  But 2 people in this world have decided that their own world is so bad and so miserable that they have to spread it.   I wake up everyday and say to myself, you don’t get to control my emotions today.  Today I choose to be happy.  That’s a lot easier than said.   Maybe one day, I can find that place, but boy it’s a struggle today.  People in general, really do just suck.

Fort Rucker is a great place.  It’s no New York City and it’s not home.   But it’s a community that I’m really happy to be in.   I miss working and hope to get back to it soon.  Being out in the real world with other people made me feel like I had a purpose and was contributing to the family.    It’s been nice to be here with the kids and take some time to breathe but I need to be productive again.  It’s hard when you’re a military spouse to find a good job with all our moving.  We’re seen as an employment risk.  I get that.  Why hire someone for just a few months  or a year when you could have someone who’s going to be around for your business as long as you are.  It doesn’t make the disappointment that less painful.    Why oh why was I in such a hurry to grow up and be an adult.   My mom should have smacked me. 


Today I woke up in a cheery mood.  My dark twisty place is still there with the porch light on tempting me to walk in.  But today, I think I’ll stay outside and enjoy the sunshine before the storms come in.  One day at a time, that’s all we can do.  We pray for our health, we pray for our children to be healthy and successful and safe, we pray for peace of mind and today I will pray for peace in my enemies.  Maybe if someone steps up and tries to be the good guy it will become a trend.   I will pray for my family and my husband for having to deal with me.  And last but not least, I will pray that the UPS man doesn’t lose any of my precious packages from my twisty place shopping spree that Big Chief doesn’t need to know about.   And I will dance it out to the Bee Gees.

Monday, July 18, 2016

NORDSTROM ANNIVERSAY SALE EDITION!!!


Nordstrom
All right Nordstrom Lovers, its almost time for the public to begin the madness of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  #NSALE to the rest of the world.  If you’re new to this phenomenon let me school you.  This is the sale to end all sales.  Dedicated shopaholic fashionistas wait all year for this one!!  It’s the sale that you literally make a list, map out your route, plan your protein powered up breakfast and put on the best Addidas jogging suit you have and you GO GO GO!!!  If you’re like me and not fortunate enough to live close enough to an actual store then you have the Internet.  The last couple of years I’ve had to use the Internet and I’ve found, I think I almost like that better.  I can sit in a fashion coma for 12 straight hours in my polo jammies and drink Mt. Dew and stalk.  For a week before this sale starts I begin loading my cart.   A lot of their exclusive sale items won’t even be on the website until the sale opens, but at least you can get a heads up.  If you're a Nordstrom Rewards shopper you will get your catalog a few weeks beforehand.

SO, what are we getting???  This is the time of the year you want to examine your closet and inspect your basics.   Because this is the best time to get your layers and staples.  Don’t be an amateur, you really want to stock up on these items first because they will go fast.   You’re going to be looking for soft layering tees, turtlenecks and shells, cardigans, leggings and jeans.  Nordstrom has a lot of brands that are exclusive to their store.  I was skeptical at first being a “name brand snob” but I have to tell you, that for the price and the quality, you cannot and will not go wrong with their brands.  I absolutely LOVE, their Leith line, Halogen, and Socialite.  And this year B.P. has taken over the sale and I’m excited to try their stuff.  Oh yes, it’s coming this week!   Next, designer items that are HOT are the next thing to go.  Tory Burch riding boots are over a $100 off right now, Hunter Boots are significantly reduced, Vince Camuto Booties are under $100, Ugg has a GORGEOUS knee high boot right now for $149.99,  and there’s a great new leather watch that’s showing up in EVERY blog, the Nixon Ragnar Square less than $150!!!  Also the Tory Burch mini cross body in burgundy is only $234 (normally $350)!!!! WHAT????  I know!   Its at this point my husband is reminding me we’re not rich.  I just ignore him.  But seriously, these items, especially the Tory Burch and Hunters you need to grab, because once their sold out they’re gone and if they restock, they will never be this price again the rest of the year, well, until the next sale next year!!  You feelin me????

With the Fall approaching its really hard to go from Summer to Fall but the styles and colors this year are going to make that transition so much easier.   Quite frankly this is the first year that I’m embracing the white pants after Labor Day!!  The struggle was real people.   Just about a month ago I acquired the all-elusive Stuart Weitzman OTK boots in a beautiful neutral not quite grey not quite beige color.  I’ll be wearing those over the aforementioned post Labor Day Hope My Grandmother Forgives Me white skinny jeans.    What can I say, they had a 40% off sale and when Stuart Weitzman boots are under $400 you don’t ask permission ladies, you ask for forgiveness….later…..much later!  But if you just can't bring yourself to do it, the Steve Madden dupe is also on sale for a great price, go ahead, you know you want to!!  The colors of Fall are beautiful this year, warm earth tones and dark burgundies!  I love a red, so when I saw that the dark burgundy was back in again this year I literally jumped for joy!  Halogen has a gorgeous OTK boot, considerably cheaper than the Stuart Weitzman for $109.00.   You’re doing yourself an injustice if you don’t look at it.   Not an OTK kind of gal? No problemo, there’s a gorgeous bootie by Alexander Wang making its rounds if you desire a luxury designer shoe.  If you’re a girl on a budget or the man has you on that leash, no worries…B.P. is a HOT brand this year with Nordstrom and they have a beautiful bootie for $79.00.   Booties are still the trend, in case you didn’t notice.  Embrace the bootie!  Tom’s has a really cute, every day lace up wedge bootie that I bought last year.  It quickly became my favorite shoe.  You can wear these with EVERYTHING. 

Being back in the south where we have seasons I really wanted to focus my own wardrobe on items I could wear on the weekends out with the kids, or on a fun date night OR the Event of the YEAR the annual Peanut Festival.  I wanted to be able to layer because you never know if the day is going to be 80 degrees and end up being 57 degrees by the time the sun goes down.   I found that there are 2 great finds you most definitely have to check out.  The B.P. Adorandak Cargo Jacket and the  Thread and Supply Utility vest.  Both are in olive green and very on point for this year to be layered with those staple soft tees I told you about and also flannel shirts!  Flannel shirts are back again.  I personally went with the vest because I’m hot natured and coats weigh me down.   But I can pair this really cute vest with the new blanket scarf, which is on sale for under $20 (normally $38!!).  I got the pretty beige and burgundy to accent the green.  The perfect things to add to your AG jeans that are ridiculously cheap this year and the chestnut Vince Camuto Booties.  These booties are the "IT" bootie this year.  It sold out within minutes everytime I put it my cart!  I did end up getting it.   I also splurged on a new Fall beige wool fedora wide brimmed hat under $20!  


It took me three days to achieve all my Nordstrom Sale items that I wanted and needed and to justify in my head WHY I needed them.  Multiple times my cart would say an item I had added had sold out before I could check out.  Don’t get discouraged.  Do not delete these items from your cart.  Just move them down to the SAVE section and when they restock or someone returns an item it will show up as available in your cart.  Believe me, I had heart palpitations over those chestnut Vince Camutos and my soft burgundy Cardigan!!!  I felt like I was back in a bidding war on Ebay, when Ebay was new.  The items you really didn’t know if you wanted but then they were gone and that’s how you knew you couldn’t live life with out that windowpane check Leith Blouse.  I stayed the course and ended up with my prizes!  So stay strong!   I’m going to showcase what I felt were the big winners in this sale and maybe this will help you to make your game plan.  You have a couple of days left to plan.  AND the catalog is online so that you can sneak peek everything and make your list.   I hope you get FABULOUS FINDS and please, share what you got, I’d love to know how your trip went!  And post a pic I’m dying to see how everyone is styling your finds!  I’ll be blogging my finds soon……as soon as all my packages arrive and I’ve snuck the evidence by Big Chief!

STAPLE FINDS:

All of these are great because you can layer, layer, layer and add on the accessories!  Big scarves, watches and bracelets!  Don't forget a cute hat!

 BP Open Front Cardigan
BP Open Front Cardigan
AG Jeans Legging Ankle
Leith Shawl Collar Cocoon Cardigan
BP Stripe Crew
Lush V-Neck Crepe Blouse
BP Plaid Tunic



























TRENDY:

All the bloggers are dawning the shift dresses and bell sleeves.  Great to add a cardi to and dress down or up with your new cute booties!  A pair of tights and knee boots takes this look to nighttime. Play around with them, add cute strappy flats or this would be a good time to wear those leopard flats.  Big piece of gold jewelry like a bracelet and a monogram necklace. These jackets are my faves this year.  I can't wait to add this vest to some cool jeans and my blanket scarf!  

BP Anorak Cargo Jacket
Lush Whitney Bell Sleeve
Leith Doman Dress
Thread & Supply Utility Vest


SHOES/BOOTS:

Ugg, Tory Burch, Vince Camuto, Steve Madden, Halogen....I can't really say anything else about these.  HUGE, I mean YUGE SAVINGS here!  I wish I could have every color in every brand!  The brown leather on those Tory's are to die for!

ToTory Burch Ashlynn
Halogen Noble OTK
BP Tandem Bootie
Ugg Ava Tall Boot
Vince Camuto Feina bootie
Halogen Flat
Hunter Boots
Steve Madden OTK boot



























ACCESSORIES:

Every girl needs a statement piece and a great handbag.  You shouldn't leave the house without either. And invest in good quality.  As we've just learned this year, your handbags could be an investment!  I never leave the house without a GREAT bag and my Movado!  Its my signature.  The two bags I've tagged are the go to styles this year and from last year as well, so it seems to be sticking.  You really can't go wrong with classic styles.

Rebecca Minkoff Vanity
Tory Burch Mini Crossbody
Plaid Blanket Scarf
Wool Fedora
Wool Hat
Nixon Ragnar Watch




Saturday, July 16, 2016

Give us your Pokémon or Die


There are few things in this life that I devote hours upon hours upon hours that I can’t get back.  TV.   If there were a self-help group for people who watch ridiculous amounts of TV I would be a lifetime member.  Everything I do is literally planned around my TV shows and meals.  I am the real life Peggy Bundy.  There are people in this world that can boast all kinds of great attributes and talents.  My talent is that I can tell you in great depths about every single episode and the music that was featured in every single episode of Miami Vice.  I also can tell you the fictional address of the house that Roseanne lived at in Lanford, Illinois.   What can I say I have a gift. 

Right now I’m in limbo in this crazy thing called life so I’ve had some extra unwanted time on my hands during our transition, and with the Summer here, I’ve found myself wrapped in my new TV toy the ROKU stick.  I’ve discovered a whole new level of TV watching I didn’t know was possible.   Not only can I watch series’ that I missed out on and wanted to catch up I can also take a trip to the way back…circa 1992 and started watching Melrose Place again!  Because that’s what I needed in my own life…more cray cray.   I do miss those 1997 Ally McBeal skirts and pastel suits though!   My possibilities are endless on this little stick.  I even have a channel dedicated Lifetime Movies…for those times when you’re not depressed enough and the Xanax hasn’t quite kicked in yet.

But a few days ago while I was in the middle of Kimberly blowing up the apartment complex at Melrose Place and planning my Nordstrom Sale shopping cart online this new phenomenon was sweeping my Facebook feed.  Pokémon GO.  What is a Pokémon GO?  Well the first thing I did was download it.   That was the worst thing I could have done.

I’ve been playing the Pokémon GO since last week and I can’t tell you what one is as I never played or watched this as a kid.  I’m sure there’s some unwritten rule in the world of geekdom that is chanting SHAME, SHAME, SHAME right now, but it is what it is.  I liked going to the mall,  boys and madonna videos when I was a kid, not a red and white Japanese ball that eats critters.  But look at me now, I’ve found myself chasing these little boogers everywhere.  I’ve become addicted to the Pokémon! 

I have found myself sneaking out in the middle of the afternoon to drive all over the city to look for Pokestops to get my eggs to hatch the Pokes.  I’m sure all my lingo here is wrong but bare with me.  During dinner tonight we ate at an actual Pokestop.  So every ten minutes I was spinning my big neon blue wheel to get Pokeballs and potions and eggs!!!  At one point the man actually yelled across the table….DEANA RAE!  Now normally that would be about the time I might throw beer cheese on him but I realized, that this whole Poke phenomenon had sucked me.  Was I too deep?  I joined the local PokeGO Facebook group.  I realized, I’m not alone.  There are people out there way more dedicated than I am that have Pokémon hunting expeditions.  Who knew???   AND then the mother of all ads popped up, on a military spouse page of all areas…..the dependa have found new ways to make ends meet.   They will actually drive you around and be your chauffeur to hunt the Pokémon!  OH, you have to go to work, no problem, for a $100 a nice lady in Missouri will take your phone and drive around all day and catch the Pokémon, she even promises that she knows where all the rare sightings are and can “guarantee” you she’ll get those.   Seems legit.   Maybe I should rethink my career options!  And here I thought Uber driver was my ticket to get rich quick! 

It wasn’t bad enough that I drug myself and my 3 kids into this world.  Yes, I may have lured them out in the town (cause they HATE town) with the impression that we were going to get Ice Cream, all along we drove to the Jehovah Witness Temple so that I could claim my four balls and potions!   Oddly enough, churches seem to be the hub for Pokestops just in case you’re out there being crazy with me.   They were all into it for about 15 minutes until their spidey senses picked up that we weren’t driving anywhere near where the coveted ice cream is!  THE ONE TIME you need them to not be observant of anything going around them, they pick this day!  I also decided, along with a co-conspirator who will remain nameless, that my husband needed to join in the fun.  Because you see, at some point I may need him to “transfer” his loot to me!!!   All along he had publicly shamed me on my new addiction but my instincts told me I would eventually get him on board.   Eventually my constant demeaning and refusal to ever cook him anything that didn’t contain sour cream or mayonnaise won.  He’s on board.  I’ve reeled him in.  Welcome to the club, darlin….We’re going to have so much fun! 

Now that the whole family is on board and we’re all out looking like maniacs walking through the neighbor’s yard and stalking the local churches at least 10 times a day the real fun can begin.  As long as my daughter doesn’t take my phone and burn through all 83 of my Pokeballs on one rattata again, we will all be just fine.   There really is nothing more pitiful than a grown woman on the verge of tears because all of her Pokeballs are gone.  I bet there’s a self-help group out there for people like me.   Lord knows, we don’t need to relive the great Mafia Wars and Farmtown incident of 2009!

Pretty soon the kids will be going back to school and the man will be in his routine knitting that blanket of freedom and I’ll be able to start  the three new TV series I have loaded up in my ROKU and will be able to go roam the city all willy nilly by myself hunting these wiley critters!    So to that I say…Game on Fellow Nerds!