Mom to the Screaming Masses

The Saga of the Dress, Part 72

On the suggestion of a great reader, I checked out a website that offered custom made dresses for very inexpensive prices. Eshakti offers customization for $7.50. That seemed like a really reasonable price to me on dresses that were reasonable already - think $50-$65 for nice, higher level look dresses.

I need to clarify why I spend so much time buying online. It's tough for me to get to stores with my husband's schedule and kids home, and when I do shop locally, I can never seem to find things that I like that fit me well - I almost always come back with a bad case of body hatred. I find stuff I like online all the time. Plus, there's that whole Package in the Mail!!!! hyperventilation that goes along with mail order.

So I picked two dresses.

Project Dress Me

So far, is an abysmal failure.

I bought this dress from Garnet Hill. The reviews raved over it, and in fact, one reader here told me that she has this dress and it's amazing.

Deep Thoughts and Deep Breathing and Letting Go

This has been the summer that I've let my big kids go. My son went to Europe with my mom - and we all know the experiences that they went through there! - one daughter flew to Texas to visit my dad - and she had a phenomenal time and can't wait to go again - and today I sent another daughter off on a trip with her friend to New York. They return the day before I leave for Blogher. Also in New York.

Today I went to the water park with my kids. I bought them season passes for Christmas at a reduced rate and it was the best thing I ever did. My kids love to go there and I've seen great jumps in both swimming ability and confidence.

When my spectrum kiddo was in therapy, it was all about making her do the things that she didn't like. It was about forcing her to face the actions and activities that caused her to scream uncontrollably, bang her head and bite her fingers until they bled. I watched the therapist force her in tubes and down slides, cover her with sand and coat her hands with shaving cream. 

Whoo Hoo!

I have a very good friend designing new business cards for me for Blogher. She wasn't happy with the resolution of the picture that I sent her, and she couldn't get the header of this blog to load correctly, so she asked if I'd be open to her taking new head shots.

Duh. Yeah. Except for the whole "She'll be here at 8 a.m. and I need a shower and some makeup and it'd be great if I was dressed and had some coffee inside me" reality. THAT was tough.

So, if you are going to Blogher, here's what I look like. And, if you aren't going to Blogher, here's the latest pic in my saga of "I'm growing out my hair and it's taking forever and ever and ever" drama. Cuz there's always THAT to discuss.

 

Breakfast of Champions

I struggle with what I should eat for breakfast. Well, no. I don't struggle with what I should eat - I know what would be a good choice. Most times, I just have no desire to cook it or create it or even, really, eat it. Breakfast is just not my strong suit.

I've also, weirdly, just about stopped drinking coffee in the morning. It's odd, but it no longer appeals to me. I make a cup of iced coffee - a 16 ounce cup - and most days I have 8 ounces left for the next day.

When I went to the fancier grocery this week - I love to buy my fruits and vegetables there, as they are much more fresh and tend to last a bit longer - I had a couple of kids with me. They LOVE to go to that store, as it's full of samples. This day was no different. Strawberries, canteloupe, taco dip with tortilla chips, lunch meat, bread, cheese, rotisserie chicken and cheese danish - they literally made lunch of it.

And I'm a-ok with that. 

While they were noshing away, I took some time to look through the bakery section. I was really looking for something that would appeal to me for breakfast and would be healthy. I passed by the cakes and breads, because I knew that they a) weren't healthy and b) were something I could make for myself. I briefly debated the high protein granola clusters but, again, I like my own recipe best.

Then I saw breakfast cookies. And I've gotta admit - the concept drew me.

My Submission for Project Mom

The producers of “Project Mom Casting”, a reality television concept, are looking to connect with moms on Friday, August 6th and Saturday, August 7th while at BlogHer ’10 in NYC. We are looking for a diverse sampling of online moms in different niches to interview on camera.

This is my submission. What makes me different? What makes me unique? Why should I be interviewed? The video should be accompanied by a one sentence (I did two - I couldn't help it) describing why I should be chosen - am I in the  middle of a journey of some kind?

I'm Carmen, mom to six kids. I watched my kids train Muay Thai boxing and decided to train for my black belt, and I'm pleased to say that I'm now a brown belt - just under a year left.

Yet Another Reason I Love My Internetz

I know you aren't expecting it, but this is an upbeat post. Unusual, but try to stick with me.

When I started this blog, more than 8 (!!) years ago, I had no idea where it would bring me, or for that matter, WHO it would bring into my life.

I've done some crazy, crazy things - things that I never expected. Flown across the country to meet virtual strangers. Stood up in front of crowds, so nervous that I hoped no one could hear my heart rattling, to tell my story. I've gone on trips to different states thanks to the goodness of companies who want my opinion. I've appeared on tv shows and radio shows and seen my words appear in lots and lots of places.

But the best part, for me, has been the friends I've made. And yesterday one of them, a woman I've known since I had my very first blog hosted on Blogger - a kind, generous woman who has always been an uplifting supporter - which makes her sound kinda like a bra - really went above and beyond. I now have the vast majority of my travel expense to Blogher covered because....

I GET TO ROOM WITH KALISA!!!!

And yesterday, I spent an hour on the phone with another wonderful friend, Headless Mom, who, although she's headless, always makes time for me and my drama. She listens like nobody's business and always makes me feel like I'm an important person.

With friends like these two, a girl couldn't be happier.

And thanks to those of you who contributed to my Chip In to Blogher, I can eat while I'm there. AND I found a dress to order, thanks to your wonderous recommendations.

So, so happy right now.

Subject to change. Probably 12 more times before bed tonight.

Find THE Dress For Me

Ok, help. Help, help, help.

I need to buy a dress for Blogher. I'm searching around, but I have so many parameters and not much time that I'm hoping you all can share your knowledge.

It needs to be:

a) knee length or a bit below

b) tank top or short sleeves - no spaghetti straps because

c) I have to wear a bra, so it can't be too low cut

Can be Empire or fitted in the waist. Would prefer that it not be skimpy in the top, since I have the whole bra issue going on.

I like the looks of both of these, but not the prices:

So, lay it on me. I have both boobs and a butt - my daughter says that I have quite a "donk"- so short, tight stuff isn't going to work, and I'm not a huge fan of the Maxi dress, especially as every one that I've seen has spaghetti straps and there's that stupid bra issue to contend with.

I love vintage stuff, for what it's worth.

But I need something to wear to Blogher, since I'm a finalist and all, so do you have a link that you can share with a girl? Please?

Things I am Confident I Will Never Do

There's not much that I'm certain of, but I know good and well that I will never do some activities, no matter HOW much you might pay me. Some of them are things I've already done, and the love just.wasn't.there.

I know that I will never:

• go camping. Seriously. I did tons of it as a kid and there is no excitement for me in sleeping outside, among the bugs and animals, on top of roots and pinecones.
• Bungee Jump
• Deep Sea Diving
• Sky Diving
• Sword fight - after watching 2 of the instructors during a performance and at the end, one needed 9 stitches across the hand, I pretty much decided that was not for me.
• Eat Sushi. I KNOW I'm in the minority, but I can't stand it.
• Win the Energizer giveaway. Nope. Not me. Augh.

Now this is the part when you a) tell me that I'm missing an enormous amount of fun by avoiding camping/diving/sushi eating. OR - you tell me what you'd add to the list.

Wordless Wednesday - The Reason I Will Never Be Thin