I LOVE red carpet dresses. Looking back, I truly think it is the reason I felt so drawn to fashion when deciding on my undergrad degree. It's also one of the main reason I've always wanted to be famous, simply to have multiple opportunities to wear amazing creations we call red carpet apparel.
Running dialogue of tonight's red carpet:
7:07pm - Margot Robbins' dress is ridiculous. It's totally sexy without any ounce of overt, in your face, sex. I can't handle the white with the sparkle. Can't handle. Add her flawless tan and perfectly done makeup and hair (no roots thank God), and I'm obsessed.
http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2014/01/12/margot-robbie-gucci-2014-golden-globe-awards/
7:13pm - Bradley Cooper. So hot. So so so so hot. http://www.eonline.com/photos/10866/2014-golden-globes-red-carpet-arrivals/343975
7:15pm - They just showed Olivia Wilde's head. She is the epitome of beauty in my opinion but has some interesting fashion choices at times. Now that she's preggo, I'm totally excited to see her maternity style....let's go E!
7:18pm - Heidi Klum's boobs don't fit into her dress. Again. And she's wearing a choker. And got bangs. Hmmm.....
7:18pm - What is Sophia Vergara wearing around her neck? Because I want one.
7:19pm - I'm pretty sure I like Julia Roberts' and Emma Watson's outfits, but I'm not 100% sure if I should. Too casual for the Golden Globes? (Like I've been there and have a right to judge)
(Commercial. Thank God, I have to pee.)
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Update from the Dirty Jerz
Sometime around Christmas, I read a Facebook post regarding a friend's decision to shut down her blog. I don't remember her exact words, but the summary I came away with was she was thinking about how to incorporate her life events into a blog post rather than actually fully living through the live event. It came at just the right moment for me. I really enjoy writing but I was entering into the holiday season actually concerned about fitting in time to blog and considering taking that necessary time away from friends and family. So, thank you Henna. Your words hit close to home and I stepped away from my computer just in time for Christmas with friends and family, living and enjoying every moment rather than worrying about how to describe it.
But I'm back! The decorations are down, the laundry is in the washer, Bones is on the TV, the cat is in my lap (trying to lick my hands which is utterly annoying), and I'm excited to get my fingers back on the keys
Here's some updates:
Did you have a good holiday? It was a wonderful Christmas spent in Delaware. We had a whirlwind tour, starting at Ameh's house (Ped's aunt) for Christmas Eve. Over the next 48 hours, we spent the night at the Daneshgars, ate breakfast at the Tralas, ate dinner at the Simpsons and spent the night, ate breakfast at the Taylors, met family back at the Simpsons, then headed up to Shady Maple Smorgasbord for dinner. We were exhausted, overly full, and ready to head home but we know how blessed we are to have the families we do and appreciated everyone's desire to host us. The only piece that made it a little bittersweet was not spending our first married Christmas in our new home. While we love coming back to DE, I think there's a small part of us looking forward to starting traditions here instead of worrying about the travel.
Once we were home, we had a steady stream of visitors until New Years Day which also made us excited to start having more guests over. It makes our home seem so much more full of love than it already is. Two of my girl buddies and one dude buddy joined us for New Years. While we suggested possibly going out to celebrate, our evening turned into a eat your face off/yoga pant wearing/ping pong tournament/dance party. And I would not have wanted it any other way. Meggo, Jess, and Mike - hope you're wearing more hats.
How's school? Fall session ended on 12/20 and Spring session begins on 1/21. While it's been a nice break, I am actually looking forward to learning again! What a huge difference from September when I cried every night I had to do my calculus homework. Going into finals, my grades were great - an A in calculus and an A- in Math Reasoning. I was so proud of myself for pulling it together. My big accomplishment for the semester though was getting a high enough grade on my exams to finish with A's in both classes (i.e. a 97 on my Math Reasoning Final and a 98 on my Calc Final). I actually felt like a genius! However, classes start up again in two weeks and it's just going to get more difficult from here. Subjects I have never taken and 400 level courses are in my future so I just have to learn to take those one day at a time. One semester down, three more to go!
What about work? It's been eventful. Towards the end of the year, I was "offered" more responsibility at both of my part-time employers. It was great to see my desire to work hard paid off. While I love my time spent at Pier 1, my ultimate career goal is to be a math teacher. I turned down the ability to post for a management position in lieu of additional hours as a math instructor at job #2. I'm hoping things fall into a good routine this semester so I can start incorporating some volunteer and hobby time in. (Hobby Side Note: I'm hoping to get involved in our church's worship team soon. I also joined a book club which I'm meeting with for the first time next week. I'm hoping the girls are uber cool and fun.)
How are you and Ped? With all of the busy-ness that ensued during the holidays, the best part was spending the whole thing together. We are doing really well and, while it's not always easy, we're learning how to work as a unit. Our schedules are full but flexible enough that we get plenty of quality time and plenty of me time. Things will get crazy once school starts, but even that is something we can experience together if we need a support while focusing on our own individual path. I could go on and on but lovey-dovey stuff can get really old, really fast. I'll end this by saying thank you to everyone who has kept us in your prayers these first few months.
Are you going to have kids?/Are you pregnant yet? Haha, cause I would announce something like that in paragraph 8. I actually am only mentioning it to have a soapbox moment since I don't have the balls to say it to people in person. First, the personal answer: Ped and I would like kids. Someday. We would wait to tell people until we knew it was safe. No I am not currently pregnant. Practicing is fun.
Okay, now my soapbox. Many people I know are waiting to get married until later in life. That often means having children later in life. We all know that it's not as fail-safe of a process to get pregnant when you're older as it is to get pregnant as a young, healthy, fertile myrtle. With that being said, if you are wondering if someone is pregnant or trying to get pregnant, only ask them if they would like to have children someday. If they give you a non-descriptive ("hope so") or one word ("hopefully") answer, that is your cue to shut up. If they want to talk about it, they will. If they don't, it's none of your business regardless of whether you are family or a friend. Trying to get pregnant is a very personal thing for many couples and constantly having to make excuses for why they aren't yet is the last thing they should be having to do. I have had many friends who struggled with fertility and the pain I see in them when they unwillingly get pulled into a conversation about it is unbearable.
We don't know if I'm going to be able to get pregnant once we start trying. Maybe it'll be easy, maybe it won't. Maybe I'll post about it, maybe I won't. Regardless, it's a topic that is solely under the ownership of me and my husband and unless you are a sister, a mother, a father, or a brother-in-law to either one of us, what's going on is really none of your business unless we make it your business.
Whew! Was that mean? I apologize if that came off as rude or confrontational. We have not had any issues with people overstepping that line personally. It's just as you start reading articles and hearing others share their stories, it's amazing how much sanity could be saved if you just provide people their private space they so thoroughly deserve.
Anything else going on?
Well my dad is currently in Peru on his first overseas missions trip. I'm so proud of him and happy that he's having this experience. He'll be home soon and I can't wait to hear all about it.
Jess and Mike are engaged and I was asked to be a bridesmaid. I'm so humbled and honored and can't wait until the special day.
Amanda and Jeff had twins and I am DYING to meet them. We're hoping to get out to Portland soon.
Jonathan and Julie welcomed Caleb earlier this month and he is adorable - a little Jonathan mini-me. I can't believe my cousins are having babies. And getting married. Karen got engaged too!
A kid at work made me feel like an idiot, my first experience like that, so I questioned whether I could be a good educator versus just being a good teacher. There will probably be plenty more to write on that topic.
The Eagles lost their first post-season game. What a bummer. Already looking forward to next season though.
Pitchers and catchers report in 35 days. Bring on baseball!!!
This was a long post so thanks for hanging in there with me.
But I'm back! The decorations are down, the laundry is in the washer, Bones is on the TV, the cat is in my lap (trying to lick my hands which is utterly annoying), and I'm excited to get my fingers back on the keys
Here's some updates:
Did you have a good holiday? It was a wonderful Christmas spent in Delaware. We had a whirlwind tour, starting at Ameh's house (Ped's aunt) for Christmas Eve. Over the next 48 hours, we spent the night at the Daneshgars, ate breakfast at the Tralas, ate dinner at the Simpsons and spent the night, ate breakfast at the Taylors, met family back at the Simpsons, then headed up to Shady Maple Smorgasbord for dinner. We were exhausted, overly full, and ready to head home but we know how blessed we are to have the families we do and appreciated everyone's desire to host us. The only piece that made it a little bittersweet was not spending our first married Christmas in our new home. While we love coming back to DE, I think there's a small part of us looking forward to starting traditions here instead of worrying about the travel.
Once we were home, we had a steady stream of visitors until New Years Day which also made us excited to start having more guests over. It makes our home seem so much more full of love than it already is. Two of my girl buddies and one dude buddy joined us for New Years. While we suggested possibly going out to celebrate, our evening turned into a eat your face off/yoga pant wearing/ping pong tournament/dance party. And I would not have wanted it any other way. Meggo, Jess, and Mike - hope you're wearing more hats.
How's school? Fall session ended on 12/20 and Spring session begins on 1/21. While it's been a nice break, I am actually looking forward to learning again! What a huge difference from September when I cried every night I had to do my calculus homework. Going into finals, my grades were great - an A in calculus and an A- in Math Reasoning. I was so proud of myself for pulling it together. My big accomplishment for the semester though was getting a high enough grade on my exams to finish with A's in both classes (i.e. a 97 on my Math Reasoning Final and a 98 on my Calc Final). I actually felt like a genius! However, classes start up again in two weeks and it's just going to get more difficult from here. Subjects I have never taken and 400 level courses are in my future so I just have to learn to take those one day at a time. One semester down, three more to go!
What about work? It's been eventful. Towards the end of the year, I was "offered" more responsibility at both of my part-time employers. It was great to see my desire to work hard paid off. While I love my time spent at Pier 1, my ultimate career goal is to be a math teacher. I turned down the ability to post for a management position in lieu of additional hours as a math instructor at job #2. I'm hoping things fall into a good routine this semester so I can start incorporating some volunteer and hobby time in. (Hobby Side Note: I'm hoping to get involved in our church's worship team soon. I also joined a book club which I'm meeting with for the first time next week. I'm hoping the girls are uber cool and fun.)
How are you and Ped? With all of the busy-ness that ensued during the holidays, the best part was spending the whole thing together. We are doing really well and, while it's not always easy, we're learning how to work as a unit. Our schedules are full but flexible enough that we get plenty of quality time and plenty of me time. Things will get crazy once school starts, but even that is something we can experience together if we need a support while focusing on our own individual path. I could go on and on but lovey-dovey stuff can get really old, really fast. I'll end this by saying thank you to everyone who has kept us in your prayers these first few months.
Are you going to have kids?/Are you pregnant yet? Haha, cause I would announce something like that in paragraph 8. I actually am only mentioning it to have a soapbox moment since I don't have the balls to say it to people in person. First, the personal answer: Ped and I would like kids. Someday. We would wait to tell people until we knew it was safe. No I am not currently pregnant. Practicing is fun.
Okay, now my soapbox. Many people I know are waiting to get married until later in life. That often means having children later in life. We all know that it's not as fail-safe of a process to get pregnant when you're older as it is to get pregnant as a young, healthy, fertile myrtle. With that being said, if you are wondering if someone is pregnant or trying to get pregnant, only ask them if they would like to have children someday. If they give you a non-descriptive ("hope so") or one word ("hopefully") answer, that is your cue to shut up. If they want to talk about it, they will. If they don't, it's none of your business regardless of whether you are family or a friend. Trying to get pregnant is a very personal thing for many couples and constantly having to make excuses for why they aren't yet is the last thing they should be having to do. I have had many friends who struggled with fertility and the pain I see in them when they unwillingly get pulled into a conversation about it is unbearable.
We don't know if I'm going to be able to get pregnant once we start trying. Maybe it'll be easy, maybe it won't. Maybe I'll post about it, maybe I won't. Regardless, it's a topic that is solely under the ownership of me and my husband and unless you are a sister, a mother, a father, or a brother-in-law to either one of us, what's going on is really none of your business unless we make it your business.
Whew! Was that mean? I apologize if that came off as rude or confrontational. We have not had any issues with people overstepping that line personally. It's just as you start reading articles and hearing others share their stories, it's amazing how much sanity could be saved if you just provide people their private space they so thoroughly deserve.
Anything else going on?
Well my dad is currently in Peru on his first overseas missions trip. I'm so proud of him and happy that he's having this experience. He'll be home soon and I can't wait to hear all about it.
Jess and Mike are engaged and I was asked to be a bridesmaid. I'm so humbled and honored and can't wait until the special day.
Amanda and Jeff had twins and I am DYING to meet them. We're hoping to get out to Portland soon.
Jonathan and Julie welcomed Caleb earlier this month and he is adorable - a little Jonathan mini-me. I can't believe my cousins are having babies. And getting married. Karen got engaged too!
A kid at work made me feel like an idiot, my first experience like that, so I questioned whether I could be a good educator versus just being a good teacher. There will probably be plenty more to write on that topic.
The Eagles lost their first post-season game. What a bummer. Already looking forward to next season though.
Pitchers and catchers report in 35 days. Bring on baseball!!!
This was a long post so thanks for hanging in there with me.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Finding New Doctors
Moving to a new state and getting married results in multiple mundane formalities to do, many of which must be done in a hierarchical manner. For example: getting a NJ driver's license. To do so, I must have a car registered in New Jersey - which I should wait to do until I change my name - which I shouldn't do until my condo in Delaware sells - which will most likely not happen before the bank takes it over - which means waiting for an unknown period of time, possibly years. So obnoxious. (The house thing is a whole other topic that doesn't need expansion upon other than I was a victim of the housing crisis and will be happier once the condo is no longer a part of my life regardless of whether it's the bank or another owner.)
Anyway, formalities. Another one is finding new doctors. I have had the same family doctor and lady doctor for many, many years. Dr. Menaldino was my family doctor. He's kind of quirky and looks like he could play the crazy science teacher in a sitcom. He knew enough about my family to ask about them but not enough to be intrusive or make my appointments all about them. He answered my questions, prescribed what was necessary, and followed up enough to meet my needs. Dr. Smith was my lady doctor. She was gentle and polite, but all about business. I don't need my lady doctor being all up in my business any more than she already was literally all up in my business, so it was a great fit for me.
So what to do when finding a new one? In a state where you don't know anyone to get suggestions? I've heard so many horror stories about bad doctors and reading reviews online is pretty much the best way to figure out who sucks. The last thing I wanted to do was doctor shop too. I'm healthy and really only go for annual preventative appointments. Do I just try a different person each year? That is the LAST thing I wanted to do.
Enter: divine intervention. Ped got a suggestion about a family doctor from a colleague. There will be no doctor shopping here! The staff is so nice and I could actually see myself becoming friends with the young nurses! They don't push pills, which we love, and they wanted to know EVERYTHING about our past medical history. For Ped's scientific brain and my need for logical explanations, we need someone who finds conclusions based off of educated and fact-based hypotheses.
Finally, I was referred to a lady doctor by a woman who I worked with at Pier 1 for about 2 days - just long enough for her to recommend someone. I was a little hesitant to go to a male doctor, but it wasn't as strange as I was expecting i.e he talked about soccer the whole time so as to keep my attention averted. The idea of being pregnant is a scary thing, but when you walk out of a doctor's office feeling safe and confident that everyone there will take care of you when the time comes, it's uber satisfying. (note: not pregnant)
Hey Delawareans, if you are looking for new doctors, see if Dr. Stephen Menaldino (family practice through Christiana Care) or Dr. Kirsten Smith (ob-gyn) are accepting new patients. I highly recommend....and they're down one patient as of this year.
Anyway, formalities. Another one is finding new doctors. I have had the same family doctor and lady doctor for many, many years. Dr. Menaldino was my family doctor. He's kind of quirky and looks like he could play the crazy science teacher in a sitcom. He knew enough about my family to ask about them but not enough to be intrusive or make my appointments all about them. He answered my questions, prescribed what was necessary, and followed up enough to meet my needs. Dr. Smith was my lady doctor. She was gentle and polite, but all about business. I don't need my lady doctor being all up in my business any more than she already was literally all up in my business, so it was a great fit for me.
So what to do when finding a new one? In a state where you don't know anyone to get suggestions? I've heard so many horror stories about bad doctors and reading reviews online is pretty much the best way to figure out who sucks. The last thing I wanted to do was doctor shop too. I'm healthy and really only go for annual preventative appointments. Do I just try a different person each year? That is the LAST thing I wanted to do.
Enter: divine intervention. Ped got a suggestion about a family doctor from a colleague. There will be no doctor shopping here! The staff is so nice and I could actually see myself becoming friends with the young nurses! They don't push pills, which we love, and they wanted to know EVERYTHING about our past medical history. For Ped's scientific brain and my need for logical explanations, we need someone who finds conclusions based off of educated and fact-based hypotheses.
Finally, I was referred to a lady doctor by a woman who I worked with at Pier 1 for about 2 days - just long enough for her to recommend someone. I was a little hesitant to go to a male doctor, but it wasn't as strange as I was expecting i.e he talked about soccer the whole time so as to keep my attention averted. The idea of being pregnant is a scary thing, but when you walk out of a doctor's office feeling safe and confident that everyone there will take care of you when the time comes, it's uber satisfying. (note: not pregnant)
Hey Delawareans, if you are looking for new doctors, see if Dr. Stephen Menaldino (family practice through Christiana Care) or Dr. Kirsten Smith (ob-gyn) are accepting new patients. I highly recommend....and they're down one patient as of this year.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Be Nice
Seriously, just be nice.
I did not feel like working last night. It was one of those "I'll be here but I'm not going to try hard" type of days. Immediately after I got to Pier, a woman needed some input on gifts for her sisters. In my head "I don't know them so what do you want from me? [insert scowl here]"; out of my mouth, "sure let's look at the candles! [insert big smile here]" Twenty minutes later, we had put together a tray of candle holders, votives and ornaments for each of them. The excitement was so apparent on this woman's face, it made my mood turn a little better.
The next customers were just browsing but with one specific item in mind. Of course it's the one thing we no longer carry in the store, which I realized after spending 30 minutes searching for it in between helping other customers. Mood slightly dampened. Mood even more dampened when, another half hour later and after they had left, I find what they were looking for on the clearance rack. Soooo annoying.
Until I turned the corner and there they were!!!! They hadn't left yet!!! It ended up not being what they had remembered and they didn't want it, but I was just happy that I had found the darn thing. I actually thanked them for helping me learn and find something new.
One of the women looked at me kind of stunned and told me I was a great salesperson. Let me just note that I am NOT a great salesperson. I can help and teach and advise, but sell? Nossomuch. But it was her next comment that got me: "You're so nice". She didn't appreciate me because I helped her find a product; she appreciated me simply because I was nice to her.
So lesson to me, lesson to you. It's the holidays. I know it can be stressful. But seriously, just be nice. It may make their day better but it will definitely make your day better.
I did not feel like working last night. It was one of those "I'll be here but I'm not going to try hard" type of days. Immediately after I got to Pier, a woman needed some input on gifts for her sisters. In my head "I don't know them so what do you want from me? [insert scowl here]"; out of my mouth, "sure let's look at the candles! [insert big smile here]" Twenty minutes later, we had put together a tray of candle holders, votives and ornaments for each of them. The excitement was so apparent on this woman's face, it made my mood turn a little better.
The next customers were just browsing but with one specific item in mind. Of course it's the one thing we no longer carry in the store, which I realized after spending 30 minutes searching for it in between helping other customers. Mood slightly dampened. Mood even more dampened when, another half hour later and after they had left, I find what they were looking for on the clearance rack. Soooo annoying.
Until I turned the corner and there they were!!!! They hadn't left yet!!! It ended up not being what they had remembered and they didn't want it, but I was just happy that I had found the darn thing. I actually thanked them for helping me learn and find something new.
One of the women looked at me kind of stunned and told me I was a great salesperson. Let me just note that I am NOT a great salesperson. I can help and teach and advise, but sell? Nossomuch. But it was her next comment that got me: "You're so nice". She didn't appreciate me because I helped her find a product; she appreciated me simply because I was nice to her.
So lesson to me, lesson to you. It's the holidays. I know it can be stressful. But seriously, just be nice. It may make their day better but it will definitely make your day better.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Wearing Pants
What is a girl to do when her absolute favorite thing to wear is also her husband's most hated item in her closet? What could possibly be so bad that I would suggest he hates them? My sweatpants.
Because when I say "my sweatpants", I mean the one and only pair I own. The 3-sizes-too-big/paint-stained/too-short sweatpants. I LOVE THESE PANTS. All day, I pay attention to my posture and suck in to pretend I still have my perfectly flat 20-something stomach. When I get home, it feels so amazing to put on a pair of pants that have no suction to my body. They really are horrendous though and I have begun to feel bad that I'm subjecting my husband to such a complete potato sack of at home fashion so early in our marriage.
But what are my other options?
I, like most women my age, have a nice selection of yoga pants - a couple full length, a couple cropped pants, all black with one or two of them having a touch of color. They are awesome options on Saturday errand days when putting on a waistband just ain't happening; on overnight visits to others homes when it would just be inappropriate to put regular pj's on prior to 5pm; and on that day or two during the month where I pretend it's the start of my new exercise routine (until I start again next month). However, yoga pants aren't my fave. They are made out of stretchy material and often conform to my body (as they are supposed to) rather than giving me the soft, flowy, breathable feeling I'm looking for when I'm just chilling.
Other than yoga pants though, I've been unsuccessful in finding another pair of casual pants that are both comfortable and would fit me well enough to get a thumbs up from Ped. Women in general have a hard time buying pants. Even the smallest of us have bumps and curves in unexpected places that may not fit into our "normal" size or make the crotch of a pant sit at your knees or leave a gap the size of the Atlantic at the waist. A lot of us have big (enough) booties and small (enough) waists that standard sizes just don't fit right. My biggest issue has always been having pants fit my thighs while still sitting okay on my waist. This is a HUGE problem with sweatpants because most are snug at the thighs then have enough material at the crotch where I could incubate a baby kangaroo. Until now.
I just received a pair of sweatpants from Old Navy that had been given a 4% chance of working, but earned a 100% upon arrival. The waistband is loose enough where it feels secure but doesn't feel tight at all; there's plenty of room in the thigh area; they are uber soft; and bonus! they're long! If you have pant problems like me, here's the link:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=36107&vid=1&pid=644363102
I bought the Blue Corsica ones which are really cute in person. I typically don't wear bright pants given the general size of my bottom half, so I'm not sure what drove me to this color, but even that is awesome. It is Old Navy so each pant may be cut a little differently, and some larges may be more snug than other larges. Either way, I highly recommend for us fat-bottomed girls and will probably be indulging in another pair at some point in the future. Old Navy has a million coupon codes and sales throughout the holidays so don't pay full price. I got mine with a 35% off coupon and ended up paying $12.35.
Ped hasn't seen them yet but I'm pretty sure he'll be wanting to burn my old pair in lieu of these ones!
(This isn't some sponsored post - mostly because I have no idea how that would work. I'm just trying to look out for my girls. However, Old Navy, if you're reading this (which you're not) and you want to hook a girl up with some free pants, I have no shame in taking them.)
Because when I say "my sweatpants", I mean the one and only pair I own. The 3-sizes-too-big/paint-stained/too-short sweatpants. I LOVE THESE PANTS. All day, I pay attention to my posture and suck in to pretend I still have my perfectly flat 20-something stomach. When I get home, it feels so amazing to put on a pair of pants that have no suction to my body. They really are horrendous though and I have begun to feel bad that I'm subjecting my husband to such a complete potato sack of at home fashion so early in our marriage.
But what are my other options?
I, like most women my age, have a nice selection of yoga pants - a couple full length, a couple cropped pants, all black with one or two of them having a touch of color. They are awesome options on Saturday errand days when putting on a waistband just ain't happening; on overnight visits to others homes when it would just be inappropriate to put regular pj's on prior to 5pm; and on that day or two during the month where I pretend it's the start of my new exercise routine (until I start again next month). However, yoga pants aren't my fave. They are made out of stretchy material and often conform to my body (as they are supposed to) rather than giving me the soft, flowy, breathable feeling I'm looking for when I'm just chilling.
Other than yoga pants though, I've been unsuccessful in finding another pair of casual pants that are both comfortable and would fit me well enough to get a thumbs up from Ped. Women in general have a hard time buying pants. Even the smallest of us have bumps and curves in unexpected places that may not fit into our "normal" size or make the crotch of a pant sit at your knees or leave a gap the size of the Atlantic at the waist. A lot of us have big (enough) booties and small (enough) waists that standard sizes just don't fit right. My biggest issue has always been having pants fit my thighs while still sitting okay on my waist. This is a HUGE problem with sweatpants because most are snug at the thighs then have enough material at the crotch where I could incubate a baby kangaroo. Until now.
I just received a pair of sweatpants from Old Navy that had been given a 4% chance of working, but earned a 100% upon arrival. The waistband is loose enough where it feels secure but doesn't feel tight at all; there's plenty of room in the thigh area; they are uber soft; and bonus! they're long! If you have pant problems like me, here's the link:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=36107&vid=1&pid=644363102
I bought the Blue Corsica ones which are really cute in person. I typically don't wear bright pants given the general size of my bottom half, so I'm not sure what drove me to this color, but even that is awesome. It is Old Navy so each pant may be cut a little differently, and some larges may be more snug than other larges. Either way, I highly recommend for us fat-bottomed girls and will probably be indulging in another pair at some point in the future. Old Navy has a million coupon codes and sales throughout the holidays so don't pay full price. I got mine with a 35% off coupon and ended up paying $12.35.
Ped hasn't seen them yet but I'm pretty sure he'll be wanting to burn my old pair in lieu of these ones!
(This isn't some sponsored post - mostly because I have no idea how that would work. I'm just trying to look out for my girls. However, Old Navy, if you're reading this (which you're not) and you want to hook a girl up with some free pants, I have no shame in taking them.)
Monday, November 4, 2013
How I Know
How do you know your significant other loves you? What do they do that means more than most people outside your relationship would understand? What is that thing? That special thing?Ped is a great guy. He's funny and outgoing, dependable and loyal. He's opinionated and outspoken, headstrong and confident. He also screws up alot but that's not what this post is about.
We will have been married for 3 months on November 16 and together for 6 years in December. We have had our rough patches and still go through them every once in a while. Shockingly, life isn't perfect just because you get married. Who knew???
I am pretty proud of how good I have become at keeping up our house and learning to cook. Ped has learned to be very vocal in his appreciation of my housekeeping (sometimes too vocal. Dudes, if the word maid is ever used in a compliment, it will not be taken as a compliment. Just some advance warning.) This was not an aspect of our relationship early on, but over the past year or two, he has noticed how I feel better about myself when I know he is happy with me, and has adapted to my need for verbal affirmation. While I am a superlative example for a housewife and he is a superlative example of a husband*, these roles are something we work on every day and what we vowed to each other during our wedding ceremony - to love and serve each other. (*Note my sarcasm)
So how do I know Ped loves me?
You know how guys have one or two things in their lives that make them giggle like a little girl? The show, Arrow, is one of those things for Ped. He talks about the last episode for 3 days after the show then tries to predict the next episode for the next 3 days. He follows the actors on Twitter and is constantly researching obscure information about the characters. The lead's name is Oliver and we may or may not name our son that one day if we have one.
Arrow is on at 8:00pm on Wednesday evening which is about 10 minutes before I typically get home from work. Every week I burst through the door hoping I didn't miss anything good, and every week the TV is on a different channel as Ped waits to watch it with me. That's how I know. It's not something he's supposed to do or something he has to do. It's not the nice thing to do or the most convenient thing to do. Ped waits to watch his favorite show until I get home from work because he loves me and enjoys it more when I'm next to him. It may be a small gesture and seem insignificant to some, but it's my thing not yours.
A few people have told me they read this blog and I really do appreciate my words being read by others. I would like to hear from you though. What is your thing? How do you know that your significant other loves you? Something small, something big, something others may feel is stupid, it doesn't matter. What makes you understand that you are loved by the person you love?
Comment on the post within the blog (rather than Facebook) if you would like to share. Hope to hear from a couple of you. Seriously, hearing lovey dovey things is like getting a big ol' technological bear hug.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
I Have a Job!!
It's been a difficult few months for me in the job area. Before moving from Delaware, I was working as an Investment Advisor with a team of people whom I called family for eight years. I felt I was on a good career path that could have resulted in a pretty high salary. When it was time for me to move, I had to decide whether this would be my career for the long haul or if there was something else out there for me. After a lot of discussions with the hubs, and a lot of prayer, we decided that my current job would give us financial freedom, but the stress and ill feelings I had for the career in general was not worth it.
Thus my enrollment in school and my search for a part-time job began. Fast forward through September and still unemployed. I was doing my best to maintain our household and submerge myself in schoolwork, but I was having a hard time finding complete happiness with that lifestyle alone. After 8 years of earning a salary and being financially dependent, how does one just stop and rely on someone else so completely? Ped did his best to keep my spirits up and never pressured me but I needed to find something else to do.
Soooo....I have a job!!! Well, actually I have two but wanted to wait until I was secure in both before posting anything.
First, I'm working as a math instructor about 6 hours a week. I'm going to school to become a teacher and this has been my first experience actually teaching/tutoring students. The kids are between 2nd and 12th grade and complete a curriculum based on their individual assessments. We also assist with homework and studying for upcoming exams if needed.
The first day was uber intimidating. A lot of the students are working on fractions and percents (along with multiplication and division). The very first question I got though was "would I use the Pythagoream Theorem for this?". What? Where's the "I don't understand 1/2 times 1/2" question??? I'm on week 4 now and appreciate the refresher of basic math skills so much. I really do love being here and seeing the look on the kids' faces when the finally understand a concept that's been eluding them.
Second, meet your newest Pier1 Sales Associate! I'm back to my retail roots and am enjoying it immensely. Mostly because the products we're selling are AMAZE BALLS! Seriously, think about how you feel when walking around a Pier1 store. Now imagine being there multiple hours a week and knowing you get an employee discount. (It doesn't help that Ped's first reaction to my hiring was "when can we start shopping?") I have been good though and haven't bought anything after my first three days.
I feel great about getting out of the house and contributing at least a little to the household income. There may even be opportunities to do more at these places once the new year starts but I'm not thinking too much about that right now.
(FYI if we buy you a present at any point during the year, you can just assume it will be from Pier 1. Just a head's up.)
Thus my enrollment in school and my search for a part-time job began. Fast forward through September and still unemployed. I was doing my best to maintain our household and submerge myself in schoolwork, but I was having a hard time finding complete happiness with that lifestyle alone. After 8 years of earning a salary and being financially dependent, how does one just stop and rely on someone else so completely? Ped did his best to keep my spirits up and never pressured me but I needed to find something else to do.
Soooo....I have a job!!! Well, actually I have two but wanted to wait until I was secure in both before posting anything.
First, I'm working as a math instructor about 6 hours a week. I'm going to school to become a teacher and this has been my first experience actually teaching/tutoring students. The kids are between 2nd and 12th grade and complete a curriculum based on their individual assessments. We also assist with homework and studying for upcoming exams if needed.
The first day was uber intimidating. A lot of the students are working on fractions and percents (along with multiplication and division). The very first question I got though was "would I use the Pythagoream Theorem for this?". What? Where's the "I don't understand 1/2 times 1/2" question??? I'm on week 4 now and appreciate the refresher of basic math skills so much. I really do love being here and seeing the look on the kids' faces when the finally understand a concept that's been eluding them.
Second, meet your newest Pier1 Sales Associate! I'm back to my retail roots and am enjoying it immensely. Mostly because the products we're selling are AMAZE BALLS! Seriously, think about how you feel when walking around a Pier1 store. Now imagine being there multiple hours a week and knowing you get an employee discount. (It doesn't help that Ped's first reaction to my hiring was "when can we start shopping?") I have been good though and haven't bought anything after my first three days.
I feel great about getting out of the house and contributing at least a little to the household income. There may even be opportunities to do more at these places once the new year starts but I'm not thinking too much about that right now.
(FYI if we buy you a present at any point during the year, you can just assume it will be from Pier 1. Just a head's up.)
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