Fight the Frump Friday

This is my first foray into Fussy's Fight the Frump Friday. Though I've lurked for awhile. Find more at Fussypants.

Today is all about a key make-up trick.

Match your lipstick to your nail polish.

I can't stress enough how important that is. It gives you an "I care how I look" appearance. And all us SAHM's know how important it is to appear put together before we walk out the door.

You know how much you like it when the other, not-so-put-together moms envy your style and grace when you walk up to the park. It makes you feel so good.

So here I am the other day, before I put my face on (as we say in TX - where I grew up).

I even allowed a close up, for posterity.

Scary isn't it. I can't believe my son even came that close. He's a brave one, that kid.

Lucky for him, I took the time, just that extra few seconds, to show that I'm not frumpy. I love the results...*


See how the colors really tie together and give that put-together look? It's amazing what it can do for your self esteem. The right cosmetics can even camouflage that facial hair while you wait for your waxing appointment. See? You hardly even notice my gnarly beard.

*Freemont Troll dressed for Summer Solstice.

The Doldrums

While I was taking my shower (seriously, I do my best thinking in the shower. Not in a bath. Don't know why, that's just the way it is) I got to thinking that I am in the adoption doldrums.

definition:

Noun

the doldrums

1. b. a state of inactivity
2.a. A region of the ocean near the equator, characterized by calms, light winds, or squalls.

It makes me think of sailors that are stuck out to sea with no wind, but they are most definitely still in the process of their journey.

That's where we are with the adoption. Stuck in the middle of the journey with no wind.

It's really hard to keep our spirits up when we feel like we aren't getting anywhere. There seems to be nothing to do but wait.

I think the muppets really get at the heart of what we feel...

Wordless Wednesday

For more go to Wordless Wednesday.

Fireworks!!

We had so much fun on Friday the 4th. Last year we moved into our new home just a week or two after the fourth of July, so we didn't know how much our neighborhood celebrated. We got the full experience this year. Starting early in the evening several people were out with small firecrackers.

I have never been one for firecrackers. I love to watch a good fireworks show, but playing with them at home has always scared me. That is why I love that my husband is there to give our son the firecracker experience, and teach him how to use fire safely.

Here they are starting the small firecrackers. At first Brian wasn't so sure about them.


A few years ago we took Brian to see the fireworks in downtown Seattle. They were beautiful and amazing to watch for an adult, not so much for a 2 year old. Since then he has been afraid of the noise.

This year my husband picked out firecrackers that were sparkly and fun, but not loud. (And also the thunderstorm that we had roll through here a few days prior that got Brian used to the loud noise). Brian started to really enjoy the firecrackers.

He still wanted to keep a good distance between himself and the firecrackers. For which I, as his mother, was very grateful.

Sparklers...

As it started to get dark the street came alive with several families setting off their own fireworks.

Our street has several families with teenagers. So they were shooting off fireworks that were significantly louder (read: setting off car alarms). But by this point Brian seemed to be doing quite well with all the hoopla.


But the real fun came after dark. I've never lived anywhere that fireworks were legal. It was nice to pull out a lawn chair and a glass cup of wine and watch the show from our own home.

I loved this shot. We were sitting with a few neighbors looking up at the end of our court where most of the big fireworks were being set off. I loved how it shows the full effect of the fireworks, from the ground to the sky.