Happy Halloween!

My teenage dream of being Madonna has been fulfilled. I'll have a full-length picture soon. The outfit is truly glorious...includes lace skirt and legwarmers.

It's like...totally awesome.

Boots

The following conversation took place in Practical Ann's head when Free-Spirited Ann was trying desperately escape the confines of pragmatism. You see, F.S.A. promised to give her not-really-that-cute boots to Sophia to wear with her Halloween costume (a gypsy, fortune-teller, vampire combination). P.A. was not feeling good about the decision.

Practical Ann: "Hmm. Maybe you should hold on to those. You remember how hard it was for you to find boots to fit over your cows...er...calves?"

Free-Spirited Ann: "Are you kidding? I've lost nearly 40 pounds. If Kim Kardashian can get boots to fit her calves, so can I."

P. A. : "You DO realize that HER boots were custom made and cost as much as your car, right?"

F. A. : "Whatever."

So, Free-Spirited Ann embarked on a quest for cute boots after ridding herself of the oldandnotverycute ones from her past life. Much to her dismay, like Cinderella's evil step-sisters, not a fit could be found. NOT ONE BOOT WOULD ZIP PAST THE ANKLE. Upon closer examination and zipping the boot up to examine the size of the opening that would not contain the power of her calves, she was shocked and, yes, dismayed by the size of the boot top. As if the demoralization of the non-zipping boot were not enough, the size of the hole was amazingly large.

"How can that NOT fit?!"

Seriously, every single boot failed me. Every one. And there were witnesses.

P.A. has banished F.S.A to the basement for awhile to tend the cinders of her ego. Now the only boots she has are the ones from her Mrs. Incredibles costume, and those are definitely notverycuteboots.

Seeeeeeriously...

Look at him. When did he become man-sized? My nephew is THE greatest kid ever. E-VER. I miss him a real lot. On November 6th, he will reach the ripe old age of 14. What?! Yeah. 14.

P.S. Please ignore the somewhat regrettable selection of the Jack Daniel's stocking cap. I blame his mother.

Halloween

We dashed through Target tonight to get "necessities" (does anyone EVER just get necessities at Target?!) and the kids needed to stop at the Halloween costumes. Good gracious, the selection is interesting. Now, my friends, I have never in my entire life purchased a costume for Halloween. When little Susie and Annie were growing up, we begged for store-bought costumes; however, we were, according to mom, "far too creative and smart" for that, so we had the "opportunity" to make them.

The lead-in here might make you think that you were getting a story about an awesome costume I made and the realization that I had created something totally cool and was the envy of every kid in Glendale.

Nope. My costumes were LAME-O. Seriously.

And as I heard my mother's words about creativity and intelligence escape my lips as I said "no" to a rather slutty cat costume, I bit my tongue...and told the youngsters that Dad would LOVE to take them costume shopping.

T.V., I love you...

As we've already discussed, my heart belongs to Glee, but I'm beginning a not-so-illicit affair with Community. The characters are goofy and sweet and SO funny...just like my long, lost love Freaks and Geeks. If Freaks is unfamiliar to you, rent it, Netflix it, buy it. You won't be sorry.

All are great shows that make you laugh and get all misty-eyed at the same time.

Ow. Pusch Peak and Motherhood

I'm a hiker, and I really love it. It is an enjoyable type of physical activity--you're outdoors, you can set your own pace, get some nice vitamin D from the sun. Lots of positives. I and my darling, precious husband "hiked" (really "climbed") Pusch Peak on Sunday. The reason it's taken me so long to post is that today is the first day I can actually lift my arms high enough to reach the keyboard. :)

Did I love THIS particular hike? Not really, but I did it, and IT WAS HARD. The thing that strikes me about it is that there was no doubt in Scott's mind that I COULD do it. He was completely confident in my ability to make it to the top...despite my obvious struggle to get there. The summit was an accomplishment, though the journey was filled with cacti, skree, huge boulders to climb--lots of challenges. We made it because we worked together. He was patient, and I asked for help.

I have to look at my stepmom/mom situation in the same way. Scott is completely confident that I can do this...despite my obvious struggles. No question about it. I, on the other hand, second-guess myself at every turn. He is patient, yet I allow the "cacti, skree, and boulders" of everyday life get in the way of my confidence. Asking for help is not in my nature; I always feel like I'm admitting defeat or highlighting a flaw in my character if I can't do something I've set out to do. My life at home feels foreign. It shouldn't feel that way, right? I'm a teacher. I am, after all, with kids day in and day out. My job is comprised of building relationships and communicating, so what's with the EVERY DAY struggle in my own family?

I know we'll get there together. Scott is my other half--a slightly messier other half, but still! :) Just like our hike, the journey may not be the funnest, but the peak will certainly be an accomplishment.