Wow! I Feel Speshul Today!

Thanks to me commenting in Stacy Julian's blog about my last post... she sent me a very kind email.

And then she linked to that post in her blog and sent some people over here to read it too.

So that was lovely. Plus she answered some questions in her blog about LOM and I am always interested in more reading on that subject.

This week I am going to San Antonio with two friends -- a birthday gift of a trip. And I am thinking.... I am thinking.... that I would like to make a mini album for one of my friends featuring pictures of him and the girlfriend, to say thank you for such a lovely birthday gift. And I have these pictures leftover from the NEO LO I wrote about in my last post, which I had very tidily tucked away in my category drawers, which feature him and the girlfriend, and I had some other random shots I'd put in the drawer behind the "Friends" tab (see how well I'm doing... pay no attention to the GIANT MESS in the room... no no lookhere!!!, LOOK HERE!!), and a black mini album I got as a gift which I put into my 12 x 12 color drawer for "Black/White/Silver" and a bunch of hearts and love stuff in my 12 x 12 color drawer for "RED".

It's Monday night and I leave here Thursday afternoon and I betcha I can have it done and in my bag for the trip. Go, me.

In non scrapbooking news.... today started with a Sadistic S.O....ooooh wait, I actually have people potentially reading this thing now. I better stop being myself and actually display some manners.

Okay well actually it was with a personal trainer, and he's a charming lovely man, and I recommend him. His name is Lee. And Lee, in fairness, began my day by treating me gently because I've been in bed sick for a week. And I, in my infinite wisdom, opened my mouth and inserted my foot by saying, "Gee this is really easy! I hardly feel it at all!" (marveling at how I had improved since our last meeting). And Lee, not being a slouch in the P.T. Dept, said, "Oh it is! Well we'll have to fix that! How about THIS!!! mwahahahaaaa..." (he didn't actually laugh aloud - this is what's called artistic license). And he introduced me to the Evil Exercise Ball of Doom.

I left the gym with arms and legs made of spaghetti, so I guess Lee did his job.

And Lo! For the skies had opened up and were pouring, and I ran to Target thinking, Gee, I really need to buy a new fall jacket at some point... and I bought everything except a jacket there, for they had none to tempt me.

So then I ran to Michaels, again in the Lo-the-sky-is-pouring, and yea, I shoppeth, but there were no jackets at Michaels because, duh, Michaels.

And while I hacked and coughed and wheezed, I also thought This is ridiculous, I'm just going to go shop for a jacket. (*scream of terror*)

And then I went to FIVE OTHER STORES, each time in the Lo-the-sky-is-pouring-where-is-your-jacket-doofus!, and each time left with the Man-I-HATE-shopping-for-anything-except-for-craft-supplies Blues. And I even drove to the Dreaded MALL, and yea there was weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. And getting more soaked, too.

And the whole time I was trying to persuade myself that my old, trusty fall jacket was Good Enough and it would Do For One More Year, even though, obviously not, since I'd rather be out in the rain sans jacket than wear it. I mean, I love that jacket and it has been perfect for the over-ten-years I have worn it. It's black, it's lightweight, it's reversible, it's got a water repellant side and a fancy textured side, it's got zippered pockets I love and, well, I am used to it and I like how it fits and looks.

But since 1) the zipper is now broken so it would have hung open in the cold and 2) it has no hood so rain would have pelted my head and face anyway... it really doesn't work as a Fall Jacket anymore.

I HATE IT when that happens. Don't you? I wore that jacket across Europe for my 30th birthday! I've worn it every year since! It was Just Right!

Last spring was my first foray into replacing the jacket. Back then I did the fiscally wise thing of shopping the End of Season Sales. I got a fantastic light coat for a mere $23.00 then, which will work for all but the coldest days. Except... well... it is too heavy to be a lightweight jacket, and it's also A-line and fastens with buttons, which is great for work, but not for dashing out to walk the dog in the rain.

This time I was forced to shop when things are not yet marked down. I went to five stores. Each time I had problems finding something Just Right. I was like Goldilocks in the the House of the Three-Plus Jackets. THIS one is brown cordoroy and makes me look like a mudslide. THIS one claims to be lightweight but I am sweating already with it on. THIS one claims it is my size but the shoulders constrict when I lift my arms. THIS one is fastened with buttons down the front and will be a PITA to take on and off. THIS one is (gulp) $250.00! THIS one is only $34.00 but it makes me feel like a suburban soccer mom (no offense but I'm not, and I don't wish to mislead the public).

But then...aaaahhhhhhh...Shopping Nirvana! For then I saw it -- The One. On the outside, a drab little number in camel, water repellent like a rain coat, with a hood, and I liked its shape and line. It was my size, cut well, with a belted shape, and hung correctly on me. It had a hood to protect me while walking the dog in the rain. It closed with a zipper as well, and had pockets where they needed to be. Not perfect and it was more than I'd hoped to spend but very very good. I debated...

But! Then! (I know, you are dying to hear) It was (is) reversible. I turned it inside out, tried it on, and..... (The Heavens Opened and Angels Sang)

Oh! It was lined with this creamy fake fur and when I put that side on the outside.... suddenly, I glowed! I looked chic! It's completely impractical like that but I looked like the most adorable little snowbunny! I could put this jacket on over a dress and high heeled boots and head into the City for Dinner or Shenanigans! And if it snowed or rained I could even pull the fur hood up over my head and look flirtatiously out at a Certain Gentleman! (I looooooooove clothing which does the flirting for you.)

So I took it to the area where one pays for such delights, and I showed it off in its reversed state to the sales clerk, and put it on like that, and her eyes got big and she said, "ooooOOOoooooo..." (you see, it's not just me)

And I refused a bag and wore it outside to my car.....

Where it was BRIGHT and SUNNY and WARM and NOT RAINING and NOT REQUIRING OF CHIC NEW JACKET!

Such is my life.

Well I came home and I took my old Fall Jacket and I said a fond thank you and farewell before sticking it in the Goodwill bag (along with the 4-5 other disgusting, dowdy garments masquerading as jackets which I've collected here and there to wear in lieu of Fall Jacket along the way) and I have hung up my Spanking New Fall Jacket (cream fur side OUT) so I can admire it.





By the way, did I forget to mention that as I was leaving the MALL my very favorite song of the moment began playing over the store speakers so I wandered through the closest purse section for no reason, just to listen to it (honest to blog), and I was thinking "Gee it's too bad I had to buy this jacket because I really need a new purse for this trip..."

(This is not justification for spendage, really. I want a "purse" that can be rolled up and stuffed into a carry-on tote for the flight, so I can bring 2 bags on the plane, and then taken out and used as a purse while in Texas so I don't have to use my carry-on tote as my purse all weekend. I already have a fantastic, perfect bag for this which I've used all summer. It's made of thin cloth, can be folded or rolled, has a long shoulder strap, is spacious, and is open at the top. Unfortunately...it's hot pink with green polka dot lining! That just will not do in October.)

ANYWAY... just as the thought crossed my mind...I saw it! The bag! A cloth hobo bag, open at the top, with a long strap and interior pockets... and it's brown. AND! And!! It has OWLS on it! yes! Little orange and green OWLS everywhere (I so totally and completely love owls, it's not even funny) and in little print here and there it reads: "Friend of Nature". *squeee!* Oh the cuteness!

Oh the cuteness with a big red CLEARANCE price tag on it! Super squee!