Practically Fearless Living

Summer's comin' ... let's sit a spell

Here in the Texas Gulf Coast we have citrus trees in the back yard, pools you can swim in from April through October and an almost 12-month growing season. What we don't have? Hills. Not.One.Hill.

If I did have a hill, and my house sat on said hill, I'd have a delicious porch/deck on the back like this one. It belongs to Susan at Between naps on the porch. You want to visit her blog. You really do. You'll learn something on Metamorphesis Monday and be enchanted by Tablescape Thursday, among other things. I feel like one of the cool kids when I hang out over there. You'll see what I mean. 

 

This is a picture of the inside:

 Don't you want to grab your book, your glass of wine and sit a spell? I hear crickets and kids playing in the distance. Far off, I hear the hum of a lawnmower, which always says "Summer's here!" to me. (Notice I said it was far off. Not in my yard!)

It's cool and rainy here in Texas. I'm ready for some nice days.

Why you should care about your bra

Who cares about their bra unless it's falling apart and you have to go bra shopping?

If you're like me, and your not--ahem--particularly blessed, you probably have never given a thought to how your bra fit. Ten minutes in Target and you're set until the elastic gives out in two years.

If you are blessed, you probably have spent a little more time getting the fit right. But how much time?

Who cares? Why bother?

Ladies--it's time to get real about the girls. I know, in these difficult economic times, bras are not a top priority, but as time advances, the right bra, and the right fit becomes even more critical. Even ladies like me have to think about "the girls" and their garment.

So what am I saying? Sometime in the next couple of months, get yourself professionally fitted. Department stores sometimes have "Fitting Events" (which sounds like a group activity, but isn't...). Make an appointment and go. Or find a specialty store in your area and visit it.

Throw caution to the wind, let a perfect stranger -- a well-trained one -- examine every aspect of the way your girls snuggle into the foundation garment. I guarantee you, you'll walk out wearing something that makes you look younger, less or more well-endowed (depending on your area of concern), and more comfortable than you ever thought possible.

Yes, it will cost you. But think about this, virtually everything else you put on hangs on or wraps around that bra. If it doesn't fit well, how good is that sweater, blouse or t-shirt going to look? See where I'm heading with this?

Trust me, it's worth your time. And worth your money. Here's how to justify the expense (a good bra may run you $60). If you're buying clothes at Target, thrift shops or Marshall's to save money, shouldn't they be shown off to their best advantage?

Where to start? Well, here are a couple of places to look:

• Mystic Lingerie  (In the Houston area -- Where I was fitted) 

• The Bra Specialist (In the Houston area)

• Bra fitting check list (If you just can't spend the money, read up and get out your tape measure)

Whadday think? Am I crazy to spend money for this kind of stuff? Or am I the last woman on the "get yourself fitted bandwagon?"

Ah, yes, and today's three things I'm grateful for:

1. I'm grateful it's supposed to rain tomorrow.

2. I'm thankful my children still want to be seen with me in public.

3. I'm grateful my dogs have both learned to catch a Frisbee^tm on the fly, without the benefit of any instruction from me.

Photo: Google Images

Who took my year? Act II

   

Suddenly, it's December 31.

2008 is over. Gone. With all the drama and carrying on of a Wagner opera, how can I be sorry to see it go. And yet, I am. It was so short.

Numba 1 Son turned 21, and his mother felt much, much older.

Rugby Dude underwent major shoulder-repair surgery, six months of rehab and a voluntary position change his senior year in football and still started every game of the playoff run -- all three of them -- a record for our high school!

The Daughter Unit got taller than me (and I ain't short, folks), made the high school dance team and will soon get her driving permit.

And in the middle of all that were a presidential election, record high gasoline prices, the banking crisis, a housing downturn (serious business in our homebuilder household) and that amazing $50 million Madoff Ponzi scheme.

So, what to do? Well, I tried to celebrate the end of 2008 by taking a few days off to organize my life. That didn't work. I caught a nasty cold instead. Well, at least I didn't burn valuable sick days!

So, I'm not going to end 2008. I'm going to start 2009.

First, I'm going to forget resolutions. They don't work for me. I think they're part marketing, part wishful thinking. Who do they work for anyway? Probably over-achievers who don't need 'em anyway!

So I'm going to start 2009 by reflecting on the gifts I've been given. Not presents, gifts. The things I should be grateful for.

I invite you (anybody out there???) to join me. Put your grump sister aside and Channel your inner contemplative. I promise, five minutes of your time and you'll be back at those crunches, that diet or other virtuous 2009 endeavor you've set for yourself. (I'm proud of you, by the way. Soldier on!)

Today...

• I am grateful my family could all be together for the holidays.

• I'm STILL grateful I have a job, and I can pay my bills.

• I'm grateful we had a tiny bit of snow a few weeks ago, so everyone could enjoy the gorgeousness of it all.

(c)Michelle Yard Photo