After 10

Day 90

Did you guys know that the fitting rooms at Wal-Mart are closed for business after 10 pm? I didn't know that until today because I don't think I've ever actually tried something on there- they have such a rockin' return policy that I always figure I can bring it back if it doesn't fit. Anyway, I decided to make sure I had truly exhausted all my options before buying the painfully expensive pair I mentioned last night, and Wal-Mart was one place I hadn't considered yet. But to my surprise-they lock their fitting rooms after 10...in a 24 hour store. One employee actually said she didn't even know where they "hide" the key at night. I'm usually pretty good about letting things go. I hate when people abuse the, "let me speak to your manager," line, and I absolutely hate when people think that rules can be bent specially for them. But this was just too stupid. Do you know what this manager's solution was? She offered to escort me to the restroom and supervise me as I tried the pants on. She was suggesting that I lock myself into a tiny, poo-smeared stall with an automatic toilet that would be flushing in reaction to my every move, while she stood at the door supervising me. I couldn't even respond. I just stared at her in disbelief and apparently the horrified look on my face was all it took for her to "find" the key to the fitting room. True story.

Janet

Jeans and Genes

Day 89

It is in my genetic code to be tall. My mom is 5'9'' and my Dad is 6'5''. I am 5'11''. That has always been a problem in the clothing department. When I find a pair of jeans that fit and are long enough, I treat them with the utmost respect. I have maintained a pair of jeans that I've had since high school and recently found an unpatchable hole in the back pocket (and not the so-called fashionable kind of hole). Another pair of oldies-but-goodies, would have lasted longer, but I tripped and ripped the knee clean out of the right leg. Every other pair I own are either too big, too short, or so small that I suddenly have the "muffin-top" phenomenon going on. It was my goal today to find a pair of jeans. No- the pair of jeans. It is no exaggeration when I say that I tried on 23 pairs of jeans. Yes, I counted...mostly to prove a point to my husband. You're probably thinking I'm just overly critical of myself, and that's probably a little true, but I really do have the WORST time finding pants that look acceptable. I would rather shop for bathing suits than pants. But the last store I walked into, the Buckle, welcomed me with open arms. I was suddenly surrounded by walls dripping with extra long (36''inseam!) jeans. They had every color and style imaginable-and they all came in extra long. And if you haven't already guessed-I found the jeans. They do all the right things for me in all the right places. Angels sang. The only inappropriate thing about them is the price. I have always been secretly judgemental of people who spend exorbitant amounts of money on such worthless items-but today I learned, in a very literal sense, that the value of something is so completely relative. And I am repentant for the judgement I've passed in the past. If you're wondering, I didn't buy the jeans yet. I plan on making a date out of it on Friday. Maybe I'll even treat them to dinner and dancing.

Janet

Sleepy

Day 88 (Tuesday, April 6)

Okay-I didn't post yesterday because I have been more tired than I think I've ever been (barring pregnancy) the last couple days. I'm the kind of tired that forces me to literally hold my eyelids open with my fingers. I fell asleep last night at 6:30 and slept through the night. So I guess what I learned yesterday is that I have the most understanding and compassionate husband. He didn't disturb me once to help with the kids last night. Or maybe he did and I was just too tired to acknowledge him.

Janet

Day 87 (Monday, April 5)

I instructed my two year old to "hold on" today and she actually asked, "to what?"

Janet

Where I Am

Day 86

I am not ashamed to say that there are still times that I wonder who I'd be if I had made different decisions after high school. I had the opportunity to go to a music school in New York City-even got a scholarship (puny as it may have been). I would have arrived at my dorm in Manhattan in late August of 2001 right before the attacks on the World Trade Center. I had been rocking back and forth for several weeks on whether or not I was going to make that leap. It wasn't until my mom called me at work to let me know that the school had contacted her and needed a response that I finally knew. It was one of those pivotal moments where my life could have gone so differently. It just wasn't my path. I can't tell you how much I upset my teachers at the conservatory, dance studio, and friends that had been so encouraging-but I knew it wasn't right. I decided to get my degree in Communication from a state college, live in England, get married, and now I am the mother of two beautiful children. I know there are some people from that time in my life that view me as a sell out. And there are still days, especially since the invention of Facebook, that I am confronted with friends that did choose that path and have been very successful- and it makes me wonder who I'd be. But then I have days like today- where I can step back and realize I am exactly where I should be. What could possibly be better than genuinely loving and being loved by your best friend and having brought two, gorgeous, extensions of you into the world? I realized today that I didn't give anything up- I gained everything!

And don't worry...I'll still be on that stage somewhere, someday.
Janet

General Conference

Day 85

Keeping with the warm, fuzzy feeling of General Conference, I read this talk by the President of our church, Thomas S. Monson. His advice in, "Three Goals to Guide You," is to

1. Study diligently
2. Pray earnestly
3. Serve willingly

You can read the entire message here- http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=73b81b3e50cf5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Power Tools

Day 84
Until today I had never used a compound miter saw. Yeah baby!


Janet