Strawberry Fields Forever

In one of my earlier posts I mentioned that I would not stay inside during my days off, and that I intended to get the kids out of the house to enjoy Mother Nature.

So, this morning I googled "you pick strawberry" and found info on a strawberry farm very close to our home. Thinking that the rest of the family would be as delighted as I was to learn that we could pick strawberries fresh on the farm just a few miles down the road, I went into the den full of enthusiasm and announced,

"Who wants to go strawberry picking this afternoon?"

(crickets)

"Ahem, who wants to go strawberry picking on this lovely afternoon?"

At least this time they responded,

"You must be nuts, it's 92 degrees outside."

"Mommmm, I'm on the black level of my Harry Potter Quidditch game, really now." (yes he actually talks like that)

"It's hot, and it rained, and like, I'll get sweaty and muddy."


Obviously, they did not share my enthusiasm for strawberry picking. Time to change tactics.

Still full of enthusiasm, I tried again,

"Who wants to eat some strawberry shortcake?"

Their responses were much different.

"Yummy, I didn't know you made one this morning."
"Awesome, Mom."
"OOOhhhh, I love your strawberry shortcake."

I chuckled.

"Well, he who eats must first pick. The mommy mobile will be departing for the strawberry fields in ten minutes."

Suddenly shoes were being donned, water bottles for post-picking drinking were being tossed in a cooler with ice, sunscreen was being applied, sunglasses and hats were on, and the dog was leashed and ready by the door. I actually didn't let pooch go... too bloomin' hot today.

And off we went.



The field was HUGE. The owner told me she had 80,000 plants out there. I believed her. It was a bit muddy, but they had tossed straw in the middle of the rows to soak up some of the water.

I showed the kids how to tell if the berries were ripe and off they went to their own rows. We picked and picked until our buckets were full and then headed back to the entrance to have them weighed and pay for our harvest. We picked just under eleven pounds.

Here's our harvest...




Didn't get a chance to take a picture of the strawberry cake cause the hungry pickers got into it before I could take one.

It was a fun day, y'all.

She Feels Pretty, Oh So Pretty...

For reasons that I'll leave for the therapists to decipher, my best friend has generally projected a slightly more masculine look rather than girlie girl, yes, like me. Not that I have a problem with this at all. Mind you, she is always impeccably dressed - starched Ralph Lauren shirts, tailored slacks, polished Italian leather loafers, stylish, nice jewelry from Tiffany or David Yurman - very professional, very polished. Honestly, if I could afford to wear the type of clothes she does, I would consider giving up the girlie girl image! But, occasionally, I think she lets her clothes determine how she feels about herself as a woman, and I think that deep down she'd like to explore the girlie girl side a bit more. Anyway...

Recently, best friend tried on a dress she was to wear in a wedding. A gorgeous dress. Strapless, beautiful, formal gown. While attempting to help her zip up the dress - another giggle-filled story there - I asked her if she had a strapless bra, corsette, bustier, basque, or any type of garment that would suck you in, push you up and out, and create curves.

Her: "Uh, nooooo."

Me: "Uh, time to go shopping."

'Cause we all know it's what lies beneath the gown that makes the gown, right? RIGHT! So, we went shopping to find the perfect "first time" suck you in, push you up and out, create curves undergarment.

A brief aside... I'm a lingerie junkie. If it sucks you in, pushes you up and out, creates curves and is made of lace, I WANT it. Lace and garters and underwire, OH MY.

Ummm...back to shopping.

Nothing too over-the-top.



UH... no.

Nothing too edgy.



UH... NO.

Slightly demure, lacy, and sexy.




Uh, YES!!!

Well, this isn't the exact garment, but it's close. Perfect first-time underneath secret.

When she tried it on, she bit her lower lip and said, "Wow."

And I said, "You go, girl."

My stylish-yet-slightly-masculine best friend had just felt the transforming power of lacy undergarments. Oh yeah!




So.... I got a call from the wedding after she had her nails done, and her hair done in an up-do, and had dressed for the wedding, and had taken the first wedding pictures.

Her: " Oh my GOD. I feel so beautiful! I look beautiful! Everyone says I look beautiful. Thank you for making me buy this lacy suck me in, push me up and out, create curves thing. Oh my GOD. I feel like... like ... like a sexy, beautiful woman."

And she is.

*******
Cost of gas for shopping trip: $35

Cost of lunch for shopping trip: $30

Price of lacy undergarment: $50

Hearing your best friend scream with delight because she feels sexy and beautiful: PRICELESS.


Here's to you, Babe!

Fancy Feet

I confess. My feet are incredibly dry and cracked. It's terrible. I use a pumice stone daily, moisturize them, sleep in socks with vaseline on my feet, etc., etc., etc. But nothing has ever really worked on them...until NOW!!! Ladies and Gents, meet my new best friend..




A friend suggested that I try this and WOW! This little device is the most incredible thing I've ever used, and believe me, I've used plenty of foot products. Now my feet are smooth, now my feet are soft, now I can wear stockings without worrying that I'll get a run in them before I get them up! I'z happy people. I'z very very happy.

Sandals, come to mamma!

A Little Motivation

Saw this on Hipbones website, and thought it was quite good. At least it made me think about things.

Work Your Fingers to the Bone

Hello, I'm Southern Femme, and I'm a workaholic.

There... I've said it. Restated - I like to work.

Is that so wrong?

I've made the decision to take three days off these week, and with the holiday next Monday, I will have been off work six days.

GASP!!!

I agreed to take a few days off, but not without stipulations.... and I will stick to these!

1. I will NOT sit around the house and wait for others to wake up while they sleep until noon.









2. I will NOT do housework the entire time I'm off work. I hired a housekeeper for that, YOU told her not come every week.










3. I will NOT take off work to do YOUR work. I've given you advice and plenty of suggestions to help you along your path. It's up to you to put them to work.










4. I will NOT deny the kids the opportunity to get out and enjoy the beautiful HOT (much too soon this year) weather just because you don't want to go outside. They deserve a chance to get to know the great outdoors.









5. More NOTs when I think of them.


Have a nice day. Y'all.

The Simple Things

He crawls up into my lap and says,

"Why are you always so warm and cozy? Are mommies just made that way?"


Why, yes, we are.