That, My Friends, Is Love

My husband and I are attending a wedding today.  It's being held outdoors as is the reception.  Since it's the bride's third marriage, it's not a formal affair but one does need something nice to wear.


Last Wednesday, returning from our trip to the coast of Maine, we stopped at a mall so I could look for a nice summer dress.  We went to The Loft, the Ann Taylor store of less expensive frocks.  My husband has great taste and he began to pick out dresses and tops he liked. I was hoping to wear a size 10 as I've been on this workout/nutrition plan since March and, per my post of  May 7th, I had lost 8 inches & 3 lbs.  Well, the 10s were still out of reach but I thought the size 12, which I've been wearing, would work.

Anyone who has ever shopped Ann Taylor knows they run small.  I say this not because I'm trying to lose weight but as a former devotee of all things Ann.  The clothes run small whether you're a 6 or a 12. I have been both.  Suffice to say, the two dresses he and I liked most did not fit my hips in a size 12.  He wanted me to go up a size.  I refused.  My sales girl, a young, sweet and quite helpful soul, thought I looked good in the 12. And I did.  But it was literally squeezed over me after she'd helped me into a body slimming piece of underwear.  Wearing dresses tight and accentuating curves is the style right now and I have curves galore.  Luckily my bosom balances out my ass.   But from the standpoint of comfort, the dress was killing me. 

An older (my age), wiser sales lady took over from mine when she went on a break.  At this point, I was sweating profusely and had to sit down in the dressing room to keep from fainting.  I think I was having an anxiety attack.  Nothing fit and I felt terrible about myself.  I mean, what was the point?  I looked in the mirror and I saw flab and fat; not the newly redesigned body I've been molding.  She sensed my despair as did my husband who took off for the sales floor to pick up a beautiful blouse for me to try.  He brought it back to me and it looked pretty.

He said, ""Wear this with a pair of black slacks and a long strand of pearls.  It'll look great."

I was mollified enough to agree and we walked towards the sales counter.  En route, he picked up a gorgeous piece of costume jewelry to compliment the top.  I agreed with him and we were suddenly enveloped by several older, well dressed, very kind sales "ladies" who wrapped and untangled and soothed me.  I walked out with my purchases, holding hands with my husband, thanking him for his kindness.

Later that day, while unpacking at home, I thanked him again for helping me out.  He turned to me and said,

"After all you went through in there, I wanted you to walk out with something.  I wanted you to feel it was worth it.  I wanted you to feel good."

You know what?  I did and I do!  Isn't he the guy?  This is what love is really about.

Artwork by Laura Trevey.

Happy Memorial Day!

Live Maine Lobster by Laura Trevey

My husband and I are on our way to dinner in the darling coastal town of Ogunquit.

It's Memorial Day weekend and he surprised me with five days in a cottage in one of the most picturesque and quaint towns of coastal Maine.

The cottage is a converted barn, three levels, two decks, one covered where we eat and one on the top level on which to sun.  The place was rehabbed a few years ago.  A large lovely multi-paned window with old wavy glass serves as the frontpiece to the living area.  The kitchen is galley-style, fully equipped, the decor is early American and there are three bedrooms in the upper reaches of the barn all quite nautical in decor.  Two bathrooms make this a perfect getaway right in the middle of a lovely little cove on a peninsula.  Everyone walks or bikes or drives by on the street below.

The weather has been spectacular and promises to continue which is a great beginning to what we northern New Englanders hope will be a sunny and satisfying summer.  Fingers crossed!


Can you guess what we're going to eat tonight?

A Perfect Valentine's Day

The perfect night begins with the perfect dress.  This one?

One of these?

 

Perhaps something more fanciful to honor the occasion.

 

Shoes to match.

 

A bouquet of flowers; tulips are always appreciated.                                                     

An out-of-the-way inn...

 

...or a table with a view...

and a lovely cup of coffee, tea or nightcap.

 

Sounds like a perfect Valentine's to me. 

Art by Laura Trevey

Writer's Block or Depression?

Caribbean Holiday by Laura Trevey

I have been unable to find a topic I wanted to write about this past week.  I may have writer's block.  I may just be depressed.  I usually have so much I want to write I keep a list so as not to forget my topics.  However, that is not the case of late.  I post once a week to Empty Next Evolution thanks to Theme Thursday. But that blog is suffering too. This blog, so often a mixture of political POV from the female perspective, is stumping me right now.

I am still reading the book "Game Change" but it's slow going as I come home tired from work and just flake out.  The news has been so depressing of late, what with Haiti, the President's many dilemmas, the economy.  I find work to be difficult as well.  We've had strange weather in the east, heavy snow followed by torrential rain.  Doesn't do much for the economy in our ski town.  People seem to be walking about in a daze, unsure of tomorrow and worrying, worrying, worrying.  Me too.

I need a vacation.  I chose this piece of art by Laura Trevey because the title  reflects my desire to get away from it all.  I'm getting ready to watch the State of the Union.  I don't expect to hear anything I don't already know.  But I would like to hear that the vision is there and a plan is in place.    One constantly has to reinforce one's sense of values. This goes ten fold for the President.

You know, if you look closely at this water color, it has a very stormy appearance.  Trees in a strong wind.  Perhaps I picked an appropos painting after all.

Ch Ch Cha Changes

Hosta III by Laura Trevey

As most of you know by now, my husband and I put our house on the market 10/25/09, sold it 10/26/09, closed on it 12/04/09 and were already moved in to my MIL's farm house.  After a hasty preparation for Christmas, our older son's visit home and our younger son's return from Europe, we are now preparing for the new decade with a whole lotta unknowns ahead.

If last night is any indication of what to expect, it will be a happy one.  We celebrated the coming of the new year with close friends at an elegant wine bistro, a four course meal paired with wines, a fireworks display at the park across the street and snowflakes the size of small ornaments, fluffy and falling all around us.  There was a glow in the village from the blue moon hiding behind the clouds, the lamp lights decorated with red velvet beribboned wreaths and the streets were full of happy visitors and locals wearing 2010 tiaras and hats, blowing little horns and laughing.  Everyone seemed to be in good moods.  The sense of anticipation was palpable.  Many are thrilled to see the old decade depart.

My husband and I both felt it was the best New Year's eve of our adult lives.  He described it as "magical".  We were with friends, we had wonderful food, beautiful weather, gaiety and love.  We closed the night out in our favorite bar owned by friends, drinking champagne and chatting about skiing, family and just plain stuff.

We are blessed and we know it.  So many are not.  But I choose to be selfish today and share my happiness.  Tomorrow I will think again of those less fortunate and my contributions to changing the world.

Autumn Afternoon by Laura Trevey

Laura's work is light, bright and full of color. It lifts my spirits.

For more of her watercolors, go here.

Enough Politics!

Time for some pretty flowers and artwork, courtesy Laura Trevey.

Classic Blue