But, but....SHINY!!

[bloodsong1]

Went to the Maple Festival in Marathon yesterday, a yearly thing for SNB's mom and something he wanted to share with us. Since class didn't end until almost 2:20, I was concerned we wouldn't have the time to do much. I had also overestimated the sunshine I had seen and worn a skirt.

Marathon was cold. Queenie was cold. Cold Queenie = Impatient and slightly cranky Queenie.

In fairness to SNB, I tried to play cool. HAH!

Ahem.

I have now had elephant ears. They taste almost, but not quite, just like funnel cakes. Cuteness and IDK got balloons and we checked out the various indoor vendors so I could warm up. Lots of soaps and jewelry and pottery, with occasional useful things like mittens made from recycled sweaters and leather goods. I still owe SNB a belt.

I ended up getting something pretty for myself and two friends. I really hope the friends like them. There is a bit of concern.

After I had warmed up, we went to SNB's old high school so the kids could enjoy the discovery center. I stayed in the room keeping an eye on Cuteness happily bouncing from station to station and occasionally being fed curly potato strips by an elderly couple sitting next to me. IDK and SNB went to explore for a while.

Right about there is when I started feeling extremely lonely. I watched Cuteness, I watched the stream of high schoolers coming to chat with the art students manning the face paint booth, I had a brief chat with another family that had a 9 month old. None of this helped the loneliness and I kept catching myself watching the hallway and wishing my boys would come back. It took me a while to realize most of the loneliness wasn't mine. High schools are weird and I'm glad I'm done with them.

Dinner was to be at Rose's church, another tradition. We decided to walk, as it wasn't that far and the clouds had cleared a little, so it was a trifle warmer. We sat with Rose and her beau. I had to wait for my food because the kitchen's pasta station wasn't keeping up with the crowds. SNB made sure the kids got fed, which I was glad to see, but kept the third plate for himself and then went back in line. Rose chased after him and made him cut because I had already been paid for. She's an impatient person.

After dinner, IDK and SNB went to get Sexy. I stayed and listened to the older generations chat, which quickly turned to conservative politics. Cuteness and I beat a hasty retreat and entertained various strangers by doing the bunny hop dance down the street. My fabulous red hat continues to garner favorable comments.

Today was supposed to be planting with Sammi, but she spent the morning in the hospital. So I left her the pots and headed back. I made a quick stop into Pier One out of curiosity before doing the grocery shopping and heading home.

The Pier One stop was a bit of a mistake. Pier One is full of pretty, shiny things in bright colors and sparkles and gleaming metallics and most of it is Absolutely Useless to me. I really don't need dishes (although if the breakage rate continues, I will need plates and bowls again soon), the chair cushions weren't to my style and there's a contention point about them I'm not ready to address, the coat stand was $99, WTF?, the outdoor stuff is kitschy, filling my corners with storage units will only attract more clutter and while the wind chimes were tempting, I DO have to keep a handle on spending, as I don't know if I'm getting extended benefits and I had spent enough money at the Maple Festival.

My inner girly girl was lunging for more aprons, big colorful coffee mugs, dark wicker chests and various wind chimes to replace the black candle lanterns on my front porch. I had to wrest her back by the scruff of her neck and haul her out of the store. We agreed to try Something New for dinner, which is why I have a tomato-avocado salsa getting happy in the fridge and will be heading into the kitchen soon to cook up orange-garlic marinated chicken. The sweet potatoes are already roasting in the oven.

It's a little depressing, admitting I LIKE shiny pretty things but since I'm not a big fan of jewelry and am seriously considering getting rid of the 4' tall freestanding chest I have, the only other viable options are in decorating or clothes. I'm just as strict about clothing, so decorating becomes the last outlet. But I don't want my house full of STUFF either.

What to do, what to do...

Comments

[page-of-swords.livejournal.com]

See what you like and wait a bit. If you still like it later you will have thought about it, where it goes, do I really need it.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know that. Hence dragging myself off by the scruff of my neck. I'm inherently practical, responsible to a fault and keep my impulse purchases to once a month.

This does not help.

[sammisnake.livejournal.com]

I developed a habit somewhat accidentally at garage sales that I find helpful. In order to prevent setting my purse down somewhere and forgetting it-an EXTREMELY common occurrence with me- I began leaving it in the car, only going back to get the money out if I really found something. I now use this little trick whenever I am "just browsing" for enjoyment, and it has saved me probably thousands of dollars. All those sparkly, shiny surfaces bedazzle me, but just that few minutes interruption between my exposure to the glitter effect and the cold reality of the parking lot really seems to help me put things in a different perspective. Boy, I sure like to wander through there, though- enjoying the perfectly arranged, decorated and dusted displays, that I didn't have to arrange or dust!!! (Or find somewhere to FIT!)

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

That too. Did you find your present?