Friday, May 9, 2008

Mommy's Losing

Lately I've realized that I've become that kind of Mom I swore I would never be - frumpy, disheveled, and on-the-brink-of-out-of-control. If you read yesterday's post, its needless to tell you I've been busy.

I had the opportunity to come home from work a bit early today, so the boys got to continue napping (novel idea, I know) and I was home just as Jay needed to leave. I walked into something I don't think I've ever experienced since having kids. Silence.

I had volunteered to make up laminated bookmarks for my Grandma's funeral, which is this afternoon, and as with everything else in my life, I was running behind with them. So I plunked myself down in front of the TV and got out all the bookmark-making materials and started working.

I forgot how great that is - to have time to myself. It felt so good. I was amazed to realize that while I've been good about making time once a month to get together with a friend or two and to also go out alone with Jay. But I've not made time to do anything by myself in months.

With the exception of getting my hair cut last week. It had been four months since it was cut last. Are you gasping? And I went to a place different than where I usually go, thinking I'd save a little money. I did, but there's a reason why the difference in cost was $50. Not totally diggin' it. the color's good, but its a bit choppy.

Then, today, I went to no less than four stores looking for dress shoes for Nick. FOUR! Can you believe that? I thought, it's May. There are weddings, graduations, etc. etc. etc. in May/June/July, how can they have NO DRESS SHOES for little boys?!? Girls, there's 56,000 options, but boys, you're out of luck. We finally found them at Sears - a store I've never in my life been to looking for shoes. I didn't even know where their shoe department was.

While running these errands, which involved multiple exchanges of load-kids-into-car, drive, take-kids-out-of-car, 15-minute-fruitless-shopping-trip, repeat, I realized I was wearing jeans with paint on them and a sweater that is short enough for my belly to hang out if I should stretch in just the right way. Which happened to be often. Damn it.

However, in my Mommy-defense, I must tell you that I've never had good hair or good style. Well, except when I was a very little girl. It seems that at first my hair behaved:

Me & my brother, Al - we're 16 months apart.
But what the hell am I wearing?!? A handkerchief?!?

Then pigtails worked for awhile. Even when wearing such monstrocities as this:
Is that Ronald McDonald on my pants? Wait, I think I see Big Bird.
Another common thread carried throughout my childhood photos is nudity. Either we were so poor my parents could only afford to clothe three of the four of us at any given time, or I was rebelling against the horrid clothing choices they made for me.

See? Naked WITH bad hair. And Mr. Potato Head glasses. I'm ready for the red carpet.



Another thing my mother insisted I always wear were bangs. Only I have 52 cowlicks in my hair in the front, so my bangs usually looked like this:

Are you diggin' the sweater? It was sparkly!
Honestly, most days, I'm fairly put together at work. I wear jewelry even. And sometimes make-up. But when it comes to me, not so much. I'm much more comfort than style, but this is getting ridiculous!

12 comments:

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

I enjoyed your post!

Let's see. Sports. Never played an organized one in my life. Except t-ball like twice when I was 6.

But I have a good idea for this one. Will be another sentimental college journey. :)

Mama Smurf said...

Love all your old photos! This is fun!

The Buntens said...

Great post, great photos!

Whiney Momma said...

Wow, those are some pics. I have to admit I was one amongst many bad hair styles too growing up. I don't think I could EVER post pics...yes, they are that scary.

I agree with the fact that getting time to yourself is so rare as a my, oh how I would love to do more quiet things like crocheting and reading but I guess it might have to wait a few years!

Suzie said...

You are not alone I cant remeber the last time I got my hair cut and now I am wearing mommy jeans. I really am

Anonymous said...

LOVE IT. And Colleen, you are REALLY pretty. I had some photos out for Flashback Friday, but they were so horrorfying that I was positive I would end up in one of those chain emails where everybody laughs at the dufus in the pictures. So, I opted out of this weeks's challenge.

Jenny said...

I am so glad you had some time for yourself! I honestly believe it's one of the best things we can do as mothers.

I love your photos and the whole post!

I look forward to the sports theme next week!

Happy Mommy said...

I posted my picture last week, and I just thought I would share. What a cute baby you were!

Lisa said...

Just found your blog and getting a big kick out of your Friday Flashbacks! What a fun idea! I may have to try and get in on this one...

Marni's Organized Mess said...

What a GREAT Flashback I LOVE it. I really want to do these, but I'm just too lazy to pull out my photos and my scanner only feels like working on SOME days... and I don't get to pick them.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy those kind of moments - unexpected but really appreciated. I managed to complete a whole scrapbook page the other day!

I'm sorry but calling a fringe 'bangs' is a tad strange to me. Any clue as to why 'bangs' I can understand it being a fringe.

Great photos.

Happy2bme said...

Ohmigosh I am laughing so hard over the hankerchief. Great post.