The Fleece of Many Colors

When I was dating Sam, he always wore this fleece jacket. We called it the "fleece of many colors." I used to borrow it and wear it to school when I was cold and it smelled like him. It was big and cozy and super ugly.

Here is the only picture I can find of him wearing it back in the day. We were at a rodeo in Sun Valley with my family (circa 1998). Those were good times:


Sam and my brother picked up beer bottles off the ground to hold in the picture. It seemed soooo funny at the time. Now, not so much.

About two years ago, the thing went missing. Sam accused me of giving it to the DI. I adamantly denied it. He never believed me. A few weeks ago, he was cleaning out the garage and guess what he found? Yep. It's back and no worse for wear. I haven't seen Sam wear it since, but he can't bring himself to throw it out. I can't bring myself to throw it out either because it reminds me of Sam when we were dating, and life was easy and we didn't have four kids and a mortgage...

Then I started thinking about all the clothes I can't seem to part with...the "skinny jeans" that aren't even in style anymore but they will always be THE standard of skinniness for me. My old work suits, because you just never know if Sam will get hit by a bus. My tan suede jacket that I bought at the Nordstrom sale in 2002 and used to get sooo many compliments on. Never mind the fact that I haven't worn any of these items in over 5 years, I'll probably never unload any of them.

What are you hanging onto in your closet for sentimental reasons?

ps. This Monday through Wednesday I'm attending a work retreat with Sam. I don't know exactly what we will be doing but Sam mentioned a spa day for the women and I stopped listening after that. I was on board. I do know there will be some nice dinners. I want to wear dressy white pants with a black top. Does the old school rule still apply about white pants after Labor Day? Be honest.

And to All a Good Night

Recently Sam started a new job. He took an in-house position with a company that he loves and it has been a dream job so far. I'm so happy to see him leaving for work happy everyday.

Last night was the company party at Thanksgiving Point. I'm three months pregnant and officially in the awkward stage. I no longer have a waist of any kind and am basically just looking chubby, but not pregnant. The fact that I'm naturally built like a chicken doesn't help.

So finding something to wear to the party (to meet all of his new coworkers and boss) was a bit excruciating. After trying on all of my too-tight party clothes and then trying on all of my frumpy loose fat clothes. I ended up dragging out the maternity bin from the basement and decided to embrace the maternity thing.

Here is the result:


I also wore my long red coat for as long as humanly possible to disguise the awkward outfit. I ended up having a good time and realized no one cared what I wore.

When I got home last night, Luke and Sammie had convinced the babysitter that they could both sleep in our bed. (Moving them is a total pain and look how comfortable they look:)


On to today:

I threw a baby shower for my darling friend Brittney. Brittney was one of my laurels when I was young women's president and has also done all of my overnight babysitting for the last two years. When she got married her cute husband babysat with her. Yes, you can hate her for looking this good with less than a month to go:


The food turned out well and I think my spray paint job on the plate stand was well worth it!:


This this seems to be a random post with a bunch thrown in, so here are the kids in their Christmas pjs:


Sammie and Luke love Mr. Peeks. He is the elf that comes to visit our house each December and watches the kids and reports back to Santa.


The kids take good care of him. This is how I found him tonight tucked in with a place mat as a blanket:

Membership Has its Priveleges

I just became a Gap Silver card member. This is a BIG deal to me. You don't just wake up one day and say I'm going to be Gap silver. You set your mind to it. You make a goal and you stick to it. You blow lots of money on kids' clothes they don't really need. You leave bags in the car until you can bring them in after the hubby has gone to bed. When he asks about your new turtleneck, you say "this old thing?"

Then you become Gap Silver.

My obsession began last year when I saw my mom using her Gap Silver card. I had the regular white and blue card. Hers was just so pretty. Then I found out she got free shipping--no minimum purchase. I was sold. I was doing pretty well plodding along through the year spending a little each month. Then it came right down to the wire. I was about $60 short in December. I bought Sammie a hot pink parka and snowsuit for next year and it put me over the top.

Thar she blows:


The card actually sparkles.

I took her to the Gap yesterday to christen her. Nevermind the fact that Sammie started screaming that her legs didn't work and made me hold her for 30 minutes while I shopped. I pushed Ryan in the stroller and my mom and I piled up the merchandise. Some of my favorite things I bought for Ryan:

The only thing I bought Luke: (poor kid)


My favorites for Sammie:

My mom actually bought Sammie this rashguard and the cutest pink polka dot swimsuit. It is sold out or I would show you a photo.

However, when we got home, Sammie told me she HATES this dress. She means it. I love it and I'm returning it because I know she will win the battle come this summer when I try to put it on her.

Back to Gap Silver. Just think how much I'm going to save this year on free shipping. I couldn't afford not to get it!

Spring Fever

The minute January hits, I'm done with winter and I'm looking toward Spring. I know I have awhile to wait but how cute is Janie and Jack's new spring line? I have to have that outfit for Sammie. Ryan will be adorable in the coordinating boy version. Here's the dilema--is Luke too old to wear the plaid shorts and yellow shirt to church? He's 5 1/2 (going on 6 in the spring). I know my sister Ashley and my husband Sam will think he is. Please tell me he's not because I really want to buy it. Be honest.

My Uniform

This is my uniform. Loungewear at its finest. I picked this set up at the Gap outlet two years ago. If I'm at home, I have it on. On bad days, I've been known to wear it to pick up the carpool at school, and maybe to the store. Alas, it has seen better days.

About a month ago I started looking for something to replace it with. Now, there is a fine line between pjs and lounewear and I'm not interested in pjs. My rules are that the loungewear top cannot under any circumstances require a cami. The material has to be soft, cozy and somewhat flattering. Oh, and I have to be able to get the top and bottoms on in under 10 seconds flat when the doorbell rings. Preferable, I should be able to leave the house in it in a pinch, or a house fire, whatever the case may be.

I knew I would wear this thing into the ground so I needed to take the time to really find something special. Behold, my next uni (it is velour and it's from Old Navy):

Do you have a uni? Are you people actually wearing real clothes at home? One friend admitted to me recently that she wears shoes at home! (the horror!) I am a slave to comfort. How about you?