Miscellaneous Observations

After three book posts, I have officially added the catch-all abbreviation, "etc." to the name of my blog, not because I have no other books to report on (in fact, since I started keeping track in 1997, I have read 750 books...but I do plan to focus on my current reading with only the occasional nostalgic look back at all-time favorites). The reason I added "etc." is to justify the occasional non-book post and today's is just some back-to-school miscellaneous observations:

1. I have a 5th grader and an 8th grader and we spent $248.93 on school supplies. When I was in 5th grade I think we had to bring a notebook and a pencil and $248.93 would have covered my parents' mortgage for two months with enough leftover to take us out to dinner (which meant driving through at the McDonalds on Commercial Blvd. in New Hartford, NY circa 1972).

2. As my new friend Laura (we met at Starbucks yesterday, me with my 13-year old daughter and her with her 1-year old daughter...two anti-Boca babes tossed in the sea of materialism that is so much of Boca...see above...am I the only one appalled at spending that much on school supplies!) points out in her blog, Lost in Kids, Safety Patrol is now "cool" at our sons' elementary school. How did this happen? So much of what we thought was cool growing up is so NOT and this former bastion of geekism is now personified by the "rule the school" fifth graders wearing day-glo yellow belts.

3. And I read with guilt Laura's description in her blog today about taking the 1-year old in the stroller along with (I'm assuming) the dog to wait for her son's bus on his first day as a busrider. Now granted, my son rode the bus home last year, but I have to tell you that while she was waiting expectantly in the hot Florida sun, I was sitting on the couch aimlessly surfing the internet, not even noticing that my son's bus was a half-hour late! And as for meeting him at the bus, didn't even occur to me when it was pouring rain a couple hours before. I blandly and blindly assumed that my friend Peggy would probably pick him up at the bus stop if it was still raining. Bad Mother of the Year...I'm starting to accumulate points early!

4. If they came up with a drinking game (which I'm optimistically hoping that my 8th grader and her friends do not!) for Laguna Beach (which, yes, I let my 13 year old watch...remember I'm accumulating Bad Mother of the Year points) where you have to take a drink anytime anyone says "like" you would be completely wasted by the first commercial break.

5. Can someone please tell me how it is that an adult medium polo shirt at Abercrombie & Fitch (and no, I will NOT put a link to them...they represent all that is evil) is too small for my daughter who weighs around 90 pounds???? If I were to shop there, I would apparently wear a super tremendously extra large (STEL).

6. My salon, Salon Oasis where I spent way too much time and way too much money (I hope my husband doesn't read my blog) today, is going to be featured on a TV show called Trading Salons or something to that effect. A colorist, Jodi, who is apparently VERY Boca will be filmed at Salon Oasis and then sent to an undisclosed location, which you know is going to be in some podunk town (hmmmm...maybe Fuquay Varina, NC!) and a colorist from there will be sent to Salon Oasis.

7. Here is a picture of me after my day at Salon Oasis:

Please note that this is not a usual occurrence, but the day included make-up by Debbie (I needed new make-up, so she put it on me to show me what I needed), pedicure by Mindy, hair by Julie and bikini wax (and yes, I WILL spare you the photograph) by Luz.

I'm feeling so glamorous that I am making Hurley take me out to dinner...can't waste all this beauty spooning up mac & cheese to the kids!

8. While I was driving from Salon Oasis to the mall (to return the aforementioned polo shirt) Amy was driving to the dump somewhere near Boston. Sucks to be her!!!

Must go read now so I can spare you my miscellaneous musings and get back to the subject at hand...BOOKS!!!!!

 

Comments

[laura]

You cannot place in the same post that you are not a Boca Babe while discussing your day at the salon. Your friend was at the dump and I was getting my tile Stanley Steemered. You are SO Boca

[DiNeer526]

Does the fact that I spent a good part of today dealing with ridding our rental house of bats get me off the hook? AND I let someone pull out in front of me on Glades Rd. That really lets me off the hook!

[amy MacDougall]

It does not exactly SUCK to be me, though the contrast of you getting all glammed up in Boca while I was recycling, well, garbage at the dump, was quite an interesting observation. The fact that my makeup consists of sample sizes from clinique specials circa 1987 (when I was still gainfully employed) and that the last time i wore said makeup was over a year ago when I was trying to look like a grownup while interviewing for an intership at a counseling agency (boy, were they shocked when i showed up for the first day of work wearing my usual collection of colorful beads, flowing skirts and clumpy earrings), i find it fascinating that I am best friends with someone who wears make up almost (if not) EVERY DAY.

How did i get on a make-up tangent? so, dear readers, i think it is our job to convine diane of the reality she IS a boca babe...albeit a phi beta kappa boca babe who not only looks great but has a mind to match. she can also do the NYT crossword puzzle in an hour, while I have trouble figuring out what the clues mean.

but do not pity me, those-who-read-diane's-blog. i spent most of july out on block island reading, running, kayaking, cooking, sailing, riding my bike and boogie boarding at the beach, then rode my bike cross-state for a 2-day charity event, and just got back from cape cod. no work, no schedule, no make up, happy kids, and a big fat box from Barnes and Noble awaiting its opening--life is good.

[Di]

Point taken Amy...and why don't you throw in there that while merrily biking cross-state you raised thousands of dollars for cancer research. And please, just to make me feel even smaller and less significant, mention that you work out every single day and probably have 10% body fat (that will make everyone hate you!)So, I agree, dear readers, Amy does not deserve your pity, she deserves your homage, your worship and your constant adulation! She's had that from me for over 20 years!
Di