Update to Buyer's Remorse

So, I finally got around to returning the jellies to Old Navy that mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Here's a basic account of what happened this morning.

Me: Hi, I need to return these jellies.
ON: Okay, you can go pick out something else and exchange it.
Me: Actually, I'm really frustrated with the quality of these shoes, as this is the second time I've had to exchange the pink pair. So, I would like store credit.
ON: Alright, I can do that but unfortunately, the computer will only let me send you the credit in the mail.
Me: Really? Okay, thanks.

I couldn't believe it! Their crappy shoes and I have to wait 10 days for them to send me my money!

Crappy shoes. Crappy return policy! At least it's not as bad as Target, you know?

Hiatus Terminated

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted-notice that I'm assuming there are as many people out there interested as I may think there are. Anyways, for those of you who do read and are wondering what's been going on, here it is:

First, I went to Texas to clean out my grandfather's house and help it get ready for sale. I brought the Reagan and she was awesome! My mom and I drove out and started in. We cleaned, moved out furniture, and peeled wallpaper, while Reagan watched movies and played with toys from the 60's (which I know were probably a hazard since they were made of metal or wood). Really, Reagan was amazing. A perfect angel, which is really just a huge shout-out to God for blessing me with a great kid and a great week.

We returned. I recovered briefly from the 15 hour drive, and went to work. That's right. I've rejoined the work force. I honestly can't believe it. After four years of SAHM status, the part-time working mom thing is taking a bit of time to get used to. I am working as an intern for a private law-firm who do personal injury. And no, they do not rent the back of the phone book for ad space.

Which leads me to something that I guess I'll just put out there. I am taking the LSAT's on June 16th. It's always been a dream of mine to go to law school, and I realized that if I didn't try to get in I'll always wonder if I could. So, hence, the internship and the studying.

In the meantime, the girls are bouncing from my MIL to my mom, to staying home with Daddy on his flex day.

Buyers Remorse

I am no stranger to buyers remorse. I'm usually filled with guilt the moment I've spent any money on myself which I have not budgeted. (Please, no comments about budgeting-I've heard it all. It's like the whole "Diet Coke is going to kill you someday if you don't give it up" argument. I've heard most of it and I agree with it. And someday I'll get better at it.)

Anyways, yesterday after a rather rough morning with the girls, in which Matilyn proceeded to whine for about 1.5 hours straight, I went to Old Navy. I love that stinking store. Never mind that the sizes are not consistent from one season to the next.

Except, now I'm hating that store. After I perused through the women's section (where I found an adorable black wrap dress for only $16!) I went over to the kids' section. Low and behold, there were jellies. You know, the plastic shoes that girls where? Well, for $10 a pair I thought they were worth it. So I bought a pink and green pair. Once home, the girls wanted to put them on. Within minutes the pink pair's snap broke. I promised a very devastated Reagan that tomorrow (today) we would go back to the store and exchange them for a new pair.

Today, we got into the car and went back to ON to exchange them. I got the new pair, cut off the tags (saved them of course) and put them on a very happy Reagan and then we went to the gym. By the time my yogalates class was over, the pink ones broke again. I'm not kidding. So, Reagan is flipping out. So much so that she wouldn't even put the shoe on since it wouldn't snap. And then Mati starts flipping out; apparently something was wrong with the green ones too. Darn it. I hauled them off to the car, took their shoes off, and told them that for throwing those fits, they are not getting jellies at all. I'm taking them back for a FULL REFUND!

And that leads me to the real remorse. Crappy shoes from ON. You get what you pay for, I guess.

Another One

Yes, I remembered what other movie I just saw. (Don't you love when you remember what you forgot?) Anyways, the oh-so-economically-minded Erik and I went to free screening of "Prince Caspian", the next in the Narnia series.

It was very good. I love, love, love C.S. Lewis, and what a treat to see this fine adaptation. And on that note, I have the highest respect for Walden Media, the makers of the film. They take great family books and make them into fabulous, mostly-family, movies. So, please go see this movie. Your kids will love it; you will love it.

One scene that I remember in detail enough to discuss was where Lucy is looking for Aslan so he can help them in the war against the Tellmuns (I don't remember their names...). Well, Lucy finds Aslan and they sit and talk for a moment. Can you imagine? The battle is raging, and Aslan is concerned about Lucy and why she waited so long to come find him. For the first time I realized that Jesus wants the relationship so much more than a victory. He wants us to come to Him, and then go fight together. He already won the war, why rush into the battle?

Anyways, great movie. Wonderful story. See it.

My Version of Productivity

Inspired by my friend, Katie's, Productivity post, I thought I would list out all of the movies I've watched in the last week.

First, the most-attentive Erik and I rented "Lars and the Real Girl". It was fantastic. I would categorize it as more Steve Carell than Will Ferrell, and better than Steve Carell at that. Ryan Gosling plays a relationship-impaired man, who purchases a life-size doll who becomes his girlfriend. I know it sounds hoaky, but it is really a good story. With completely original characters and an unique story this movie is worth the time it took to watch.

Secondly, I watched "Miss Potter" with Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. It is a movie based on the life of Beatrix Potter, the author and illustrator of the "Peter Rabbit" books. You can imagine how much I loved it, a movie about a woman who writes books! Loved it! The director included some bits of animation to portray how the animals (like Peter Rabbit, and Jemima Puddleduck, for example) actually came to life for Potter, and I think it worked very well. Also, it's always a treat for me to see Ewan McGregor with Zellweger as they seem to work so well together. (Reminds me of Doris Day and Rock Hudson.)

And I think there was another movie that I saw, but I can't remember what it was. However, I did finish an excellent book this week. "The Pact" by Jodi Picoult was superb and I highly recommend it.

What a perfectly wonderful Mother's Day I had! I have to tell you, the most honorable Erik really won me over this year. Allow me to brag a bit.

First, he woke up at 6 am, on Sunday. Oh yeah. Do you know what I woke up to hearing? Not screaming kids. Not the Disney Channel. Oh no, I woke up to the sounds of dishes being done. Oh baby. How's that for titillating? (We are a dishes-can-wait-till-morning family, especially on the weekend.)

Then, he brought me breakfast in bed! My girls came into the room also, Reagan saying, "Happy Mother's Day!" and Mati saying, "Mommy, get out of bed!" Needless to say, I ignored Mati. And then, I turned on the TV. That's right, I watched TV, in bed, with my breakfast. Reagan wanted to stay with me, but I told her that we weren't watching Disney, we were going to watch the news. And then I proceeded to do something which I haven't done in years. I watched "Meet the Press"! Oh Glory Be! (Who doesn't love a little politics on Sunday morning?)

Then came the best part. The oh-so-wonderful Erik took the girls with him to work! Oh my goodness! A whole morning just to myself. I gave myself a pedicure. I watched "Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace" (My favorite of the Sunday morning talk shows). I watched last week's episode of "CSI: NY". What a wonderful morning.

Lastly, I went to a tea baby shower in Mesa, and I didn't even mind the drive.

Okay, so that was my awesome Mother's Day. I am a new woman!

Still Captivates Me

Even now, with Reagan almost four, she's still so sweet. Will I ever get tired of watching her sleep?

Insanity?

One definition for insanity is continuing to do something and expecting a different outcome. This occurred to me on Monday morning while in aerobics.

I have been doing step aerobics off and on for over 9 years. I have been working out, most recently, for over 18 months and I pretty much stick to the same routine. Monday: 8:30 step aerobics/sculpt; Tuesday: Either cycle or kickboxing; Wednesday: Step/Sculpt; Thursday: Either cycle or kickboxing; Friday: Step. Sometimes I mix in some extra weigh-lifting, but it's not consistent.

Anyways, on Monday morning I looked around the room and saw the usual crowd who normally goes to the gym on Mondays and I realized that not one person in there was smaller, thinner, buffer. And sure enough, I looked at my reflection and yep, definitely not smaller in the right areas.

I had had it. What in the world? For 18 months I've been sweating out the calories, and it turns out that I was just maintaining. Talk about insanity. I was so mad, I almost walked out.

Well, I almost gave up working out. But I don't want to do that. So, after a healthy talk from one of my friends, I have switched up everything. I'm only going to the gym for classes that I want to do. (Warning: RANT COMING!) No more obligatory workouts! No more not enjoying it! I'm going to pilates, yoga, and weight-lifting. And I'm doing the machines! No more of this class stuff, I can't be bored one more minute! I don't want to be frustrated with my workouts!

Also, I am doing Turbo Jam. Okay, it's crazy and I look hilarious shakin' my booty. But it's fun and NOT BORING!

Alright, I need to go have a brown rice cake with a smidgen of peanut butter. The diet, after all, has to stay a little boring...