The Magic Jeans

About a year ago, I wrote a post about my frustration in shopping for jeans.

Back in May, I wrote about the magic jeans given to me as hand me downs from Ashli. The jeans are about done. The fabric is actually starting to wear through. I know I need to replace them. I have a pair of black jeans and a pair of dark denim that Ashli gave me. They are heavier denim so I don't feel like they go with every look. With the magic jeans starting to show signs of wear and thining in the inner thigh area, I knew I was going to have to start the search.

I was scared.

Last time I went shopping for jeans, I literally tried on a dozen or more pairs and hated every time I stepped into that leg of pants in the dressing room. No style, no size, no design was right. Size 16 was too tight. Size 18 was too big. Some had stretchy material that made me look like a sausage. Some were hard denim that stood on its own around my flesh. I reached a point of such desperation that I even tried on men's jeans. It was depressing and frustrating. I knew this would be another venture into territory that would take time and patience. I also knew I needed jeans.

Friday evening, we went to Target. It wasn't were I intended to start my project. I was trying to find a day to go to a shopping center or mall and visit a variety of stores and department stores. I knew that my body had changed enough that it should be a more normal experience- less frustrating and depressing but still a hard task.

I was wrong.

I picked out 3 pairs of jeans in 3 different styles, all size 14. I stepped into the dressing room, took a deep breath, and took off my magic jeans. I stepped into the first pair. It was a standard pair of boot cut jeans. They were too big. Specifically too big in the waist. When I sat down, they would gap out in the back. The other pairs had wide elastic sewn into the waist to prevent that from happening. I'd found a similar waistband in pairs of capris this summer so I knew I liked that fit. I pulled on the 2nd pair of jeans. I'd found them. They fit exactly right. They fit in the legs, the waist, and the butt. My body was a size 14 normal body. There was no weird gaping or rolls of sausage. I didn't even try on the 3rd pair because I loved the 2nd pair so much.

I wore them Friday evening. I wore them Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Turns out, those size 14 jeans in a trouser, boot cut style with the elastic sewn into the waist band... are too big.

I went back to Target Sunday evening after dinner. I grabbed a size 12 from the rack and headed for the dressing room. They fit. Like magic. I have new magic jeans.

And now I have a pair of size 14 jeans that I can't return and can't wear. They cost $25. Anyone want to buy them? On sale for $20!

 

The 7 Year Itch?

Happy 7th Anniversary to me and my husband... 7 years ago today, Jeff and I traveled to Gatlinburg, TN to become man and wife. Last year, I finally compiled all my notes and journaling into some blog entires- detailing our entire weekend. I love going back and reliving it. I look forward to someday spending an anniversary back there, maybe even in our same cabin.

The Drive Down- Adventures in Marriage Licensure

It's funny to go back and read this post and remember the people who came down to TN to be with us when we got married. Some are people we rarely see anymore (due to taking time off from our theatre involvement) like the Murello-Todd Family. Some are people we have cut out of our lives since having children like Jeff's mother. Some are people no longer attached to us (and we continue to be very thankful for that) like the person who is now Jim's ex-boyfriend.

Our Wedding Day

The preparations, the pictures, the adorable little chapel...

The Reception and Our Night Out

The reception at our cabin and an evening out with friends and family at Sweet Fanny Adams.

The Day After and The Long Hike

Sunday was a day in Gatlinburg spent with friends. And Monday was a day that will be forever known as "The Day Liz and Christy Decided to Torture Themselves."

***

As of Sunday evening, we haven't done anything to celebrate. We aren't big celebrators, I suppose. We would have made plans to go out Saturday night. We had a sitter (Christy, of course). But it was Jeff's 25th high school reunion and there were weird things going on and he ended up being a major part of the whole thing running smoothly- he provided equipment, music, took on a photo project at the last minute. So I basically didn't see him from Friday evening until Saturday evening. I did go to the reunion- I drove separately and only stayed 2 hours. Jeff's focus was on his responsibilities at the reunion and not on keeping his wife entertained or introduced. Which is fine- neither of us were thrilled about the reunion in the first place. I do think he had a great time- I just think I didn't need to be there. Which is kind of sad, I guess. I kind of thought my "appearance" was so that he could introduce me to people. But that didn't seem to be on the list of priorities. The only compliments I got on how I looked were from a photographer, Christy, and my kids. I wore make up, did my hair, wore a dress, heels, earrings, pantyhose- I never, ever do that. I wanted to look nice for my husband. I wanted him to be proud to have me by his side. I didn't feel any of that when I decided to leave.

Wow, I'm getting whiney. This isn't something I'm upset about, really. This is just not how I'd wanted the "date night" for our anniversary to go. Hard to reschedule it- next weekend is Zach's birthday and the weekend after is Halloween. So this will be a more "down home" kind of celebration and recognition of the day. And I'm fine with that because that is who we are and how we are. The best part of this anniversary is that I like where we are. Sure, we disagree and sometimes we even fight. But most of the time, we are a team, we are on the same page.

Bottom line is- we love each other, we trust each other, and we laugh together. What more could I ask for?

Crazy Week

Gotta say... this week is kicking my booty. Training starts at 8 a.m. each day. Breaks and lunch don't give you time on your own and are too brief. The subject matter is brain intense. I'm not bored- but am sometimes overwhelmed. This training is all week long and is squeezed into a week long training from a curriculum that was originally 3 weeks long. And it could easily take 3 weeks to master this stuff. So I'm tired. I'm brain dead. I don't have much to give to anyone once we get the kids in bed. Good chance the blog will be quite the rest of the week because my time doesn't slow down until Sunday evening. Anyone wanna guest blog? E-mail me a post to gentlemomlc (at) gmail and I will schedule up posts. I only have access before 6:45 am and after 7:30 pm. G'nighty-night.... Zzzzzzz.....

I Was Wrong

Jeff and I both had a rough morning yesterday. We were frustrated and it led to anger and we weren't very nice to each other. The details are unimportant. What is important is that I was wrong. Not in my argument. But in how I let my anger impact my kids. I was mad and frustrated and angry and I let all of that be first. My kids wanted hugs and kisses- which I gave them as they were getting strapped in to go to school. But because of the anger and stress playing out for about 3-4 minutes in front of them... they needed more physical reassurance that things were ok and that they were still loved. I failed them because I stayed focused on my being mad instead of giving them what they were seeking. I tried... but Jeff and I both failed as a team. We're better now. We've made up and I fixed my part of things with the kids. I have a plan in place to make the morning go smoother and reduce the frustration and avoid boiling down to anger. I'm human. We all have times when we make choices we aren't proud of and I definitely had my moment yesterday morning as my kids were crying for hugs and kisses and my husband was racing off with them strapped in carseats. The important thing is what we learn from it and how we work to make it right. I think it's good for kids to see parents argue and disagree and even fight. But most important is for kids to see how parents make up and compromise and get along again. Most important is making things right again between each other and between the family as an entire unit. Negativity flowing from one person impacts all in the family unit. And it can be an ugly and fast spreading disease. Figuring out how to stop it when it's flowing is a challenge and not something I can do by myself. I was wrong. And I'm working to do better.

Sharing A Room?

For more than a week now, Zach and Teagan have been sharing a room. It started last week when they were bestest friends for an afternoon and then Zach was just heartbroken to go to sleep by himself. We have a thick camping mat and we put that on the floor in Teagan's room with a sheet on it, Zach's pillow, and Zach's comforter. They have slept that way every night since. Part of me is fine with the chaos of the room being taken over by this mat on the floor. Part of me desperately wants to go clean up the bedrooms. I've scheduled some time off in a couple of weeks. I'm going to have 1 day to do major home projects. I'm thinking about creating a big change. I want input from parents who have been there, done that. I'm thinking about taking everything out of both rooms. Then, one room would be 2 beds, 2 dressers, bookshelf. The other room would be a play room. Shelves, play tent, dollhouse, basketball hoop. Is there an issue if the kids share a room for a year? For 6 months? Is this too much work for a short term situation? At what age is it really important for a child to have their own space? At what age is it important for opposite sex kids to be in a separate space? Right now, privacy isn't much of an issue in our house. The kids still bathe together 90% of the time. They get dressed in the same area pretty regularly. One will use the toilet while the other brushes teeth. There isn't much discussion about private parts- they are far more focused on farts and saying "poop" in weird voices. The adults get privacy for the most part. Jeff has always had complete privacy- he has his own bathroom, shower uninterrupted, uses the toilet without kids walking in. I share a bathroom with the kids. I sometimes have a kid come in while I'm showering if there is an urgent potty need or... well, just because they need to tell me that Sesame Street is on TV. I often have company with me in the bathroom, too. They don't see my private parts. So there is privacy in our home but it isn't something we make an issue out of. I really want to hear a variety of opinions. Do you think you wait until you see signs from your kids to institute privacy measures? Do you think there is a specific age? Do you have (or did you have) opposite sex kids who shared intimate living spaces?

Add It To The Thumbs Up Menu List!

I made meatloaf for dinner and it was a hit!! I loosely followed the Classic Meatloaf recipe in The Joy of Cooking. I used 2 lb of ground beef, 1 box of stove top (classic sage), 1/2 a chopped onion, 2/3 c ketchup, 3 eggs. The recipe calls for a variety of spices and using oats. I used the Stove Top in place of all that. I mixed all ingredients by hand (which was really gross) and smooshed the mixture into a loaf pan. Baked at 350 for an hour and then took it out and added a "drizzle" of ketchup on top and then cooked it another 15 minutes (until the loaf reached an internal temp of 160). I think I actually overcooked it a smidge because it fell apart a bit when I served it. But it was darn tasty. I had mine with A1. Jeff and kids had ketchup. Brian was here to hang out and enjoyed it as well with no added sauce. Zach ate a few bites and liked it fine. Teagan ate every bite. I enjoyed all of mine. Jeff declared it "good." Brian had 2 pieces. Jeff went back and had more after the kids were in bed. So I'd say we have a hit on our hands! Simple, classic and home cooked!

This And That

I'm feeling somewhat scattered as I face the week ahead so I'm using the blog today to just get some of my scatters out! 1. I got new running shoes! I went out for a run Saturday morning and my old shoes were a detriment to my run. I went out intending for it to be a longer run/walk (3-4 miles) and ended up doing 2 because of the pain in my arches, ankles, and shins. The tread on my shoes was pretty worn so I knew it was time for new shoes. I went back to The Running Company and talked to a guy about what I want and about what I didn't want. Tried on 4 pairs of shoes and am back in Mizuno's. This time I'm in the Mizuno Wave Elixir 5. It's a lighter weight shoe that I can fore/mid foot strike in but that will still support my foot when I get tired and heel strike. Plus, better support for my arch which I could feel the previous shoes were lacking. Mizuno seems to be my brand- I could feel the difference as soon as I put the shoe on. 2. I have a busy week ahead of me. I am in training at work- my entire department is in this training along with salaried employees from some other departments. Lean Six Sigma- buzz words that some are famimliar with, I'm sure. The training is off site at a hotel. Which means no computer access. I'm thinking of taking my laptop from home so I can jump online during breaks. I will have my phone, at least, so I'll be connected that way. 3. The biggest hardship with the schedule for the week ahead is figuring out where to fit in working out. I won't be able to go to the gym on our lunch break- they will be feeding us at the hotel. I'm hoping we get breaks where Christy and I can walk laps around the hotel at least. It's an Embassy Suites so it is very pretty inside and the hallways all overlook the lobby so are natural laps. I might be able to get out for a run on a couple of evenings but that is really difficult to fit into our evening routine. 4. My kids have been best friends for the last week (most of the time). They are sleeping in the same room (Teagan in her bed and Zach on a thick camping mat on her floor). They go out and play on the deck together for hours on end. They are agreeing on things and playing together. Teagan is reading to Zach and the share snacks and trade halves of sandwiches. It's all too adorable and it melts my heart every time I see and hear it. I get so wrapped up in watching and listening that I haven't snapped any pics- except in my heart! 5. I want to thank you all again for your responses on my "I'm an Ally" post. The comments have been very positive and there has been a little conversation in there, too. I invite you to go read it and comment if you haven't already. I'm also really touched by how many of you have shared this on Twitter and on Facebook. Hopefully more people will share it and more people will be willing to step up for what they really believe in- loving all people without judgement.