Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
Expect I'll be wearing rain boots ALL week...
Sweater: Limited; Necklace: J Crew; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Calvin Klein; Boots: Ugg
Sweater: Limited; Necklace: J Crew; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Calvin Klein; Boots: Ugg
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014: Night Out with BFF
When my BFF said she needed a night out earlier this week, I was (as always) happy to oblige. We always have a good time, even if we do spend the whole time venting! (Then again, maybe that is why we always have a good time!)
We didn't do much, we went shopping, complained about what was bothering us, got some burritos and were home by 10pm. I told BFF that we are turning into old fogeys. She laughed and agreed.
Sweater: Tahari; Camisole: Old Navy; Necklace: Ralph Lauren; Belt: Calvin Klein; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Cole Haan
We didn't do much, we went shopping, complained about what was bothering us, got some burritos and were home by 10pm. I told BFF that we are turning into old fogeys. She laughed and agreed.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014: Shopping
I needed to do some spring wardrobe replenishment shopping. I like to shop, but this I had been putting off: the weather was icky, I wasn't feeling good, Babygirl was tired, etc... Yesterday I decided that today was the day I was going to do it; the weather was supposed to be good, the house was clean, it seemed like a good day, and I planned to get an early(ish) start.
I woke up and there were ants in the kitchen for the second day this week. (The other day was Monday, on which day I was sick with the stomach bug that is going around and the kitchen was a disaster from Easter dinner the day before.) Since I refuse to use poison in my house I once again sprayed all the ants I cold see with my cleaning mixture (roughly equal parts Mrs. Meyers soap, vinegar and water) which kills the ants. I had an easier time today as the kitchen was now clean and I wasn't chasing the ants around dirty dishes (which is probably what they were attracted to in the first place...) After killing and cleaning up all the ants I could see I sprayed the area around the window where they had been coming in (which had been left open Sunday night) with a mixture of vinegar, lavender oil and mint oil. By the time I was done with this, Babygirl had woke up and my chances of a quiet (and therefore quicker) shower were gone. I made us breakfast, then went through the whole killing/spraying routine again. I have successfully used this technique previously, and it does work, but it does not work instantaneously like poison does, so you must have patience and perseverance.
By the time I was done with ant duty, showered, dressed and ready to leave and Babygirl was appropriately attired we just had time to go meet Hubby for lunch. So much for my early start!
We lunched with Hubby at one of Babygirl's favorite restaurants: Noodles and Company. They serve mac & cheese, how can you go wrong with a three year old? Nutritionally they are not Mommy's favorite, but I figure it is ok for an occasional meal. At the end of the meal Hubby asked where we were going and I rattled off the laundry list of stores. He said the wasn't going back to work that afternoon because he is traveling next week. Did I want him to take charge of Babygirl? YES! (and BTW, can you pick up some chicken for dinner tonight so I don't have to double back to the grocery store??)
Needless to say, not having Babygirl in tow makes shopping much quicker (and I can stay out past nap time!) She likes to shop, and I don't mind taking her, but when I need to go to a bunch of places it is much easier to leave her home with Hubby if that is an option.
Several hours later a very tired me arrived home with an armload of shopping bags. Hubby had new jeans to replace the ones that his office chair has ruined (I really hate that chair--Hubby told me this week that it broke and is getting replaced and I jumped up and down with joy!) a new coat to replace the one he put a hole in when it got caught in his suitcase wheel, Babygirl has some new jeans and leggings to replace the ones her legs have grown too long for, new shirts for warmer weather, new shoes for school, and I have new tank tops and a jean jacket.
As I walked in the door Hubby took notice of all the bags and told me I had triggered the security alert on the credit card. For about half a second I thought he was serious, then I realized two things:
1. I hadn't spent enough money to trigger the fraud alert, and
2. There had been no panicked call from Hubby wanting to know if I had spent enough to trigger the fraud alert! Hopefully I don't have to make another shopping trip like that anytime soon...
Sweater: Tweeds; Necklace and Bracelet: my own; Belt: Calvin Klein; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Bandolino
I woke up and there were ants in the kitchen for the second day this week. (The other day was Monday, on which day I was sick with the stomach bug that is going around and the kitchen was a disaster from Easter dinner the day before.) Since I refuse to use poison in my house I once again sprayed all the ants I cold see with my cleaning mixture (roughly equal parts Mrs. Meyers soap, vinegar and water) which kills the ants. I had an easier time today as the kitchen was now clean and I wasn't chasing the ants around dirty dishes (which is probably what they were attracted to in the first place...) After killing and cleaning up all the ants I could see I sprayed the area around the window where they had been coming in (which had been left open Sunday night) with a mixture of vinegar, lavender oil and mint oil. By the time I was done with this, Babygirl had woke up and my chances of a quiet (and therefore quicker) shower were gone. I made us breakfast, then went through the whole killing/spraying routine again. I have successfully used this technique previously, and it does work, but it does not work instantaneously like poison does, so you must have patience and perseverance.
By the time I was done with ant duty, showered, dressed and ready to leave and Babygirl was appropriately attired we just had time to go meet Hubby for lunch. So much for my early start!
We lunched with Hubby at one of Babygirl's favorite restaurants: Noodles and Company. They serve mac & cheese, how can you go wrong with a three year old? Nutritionally they are not Mommy's favorite, but I figure it is ok for an occasional meal. At the end of the meal Hubby asked where we were going and I rattled off the laundry list of stores. He said the wasn't going back to work that afternoon because he is traveling next week. Did I want him to take charge of Babygirl? YES! (and BTW, can you pick up some chicken for dinner tonight so I don't have to double back to the grocery store??)
Needless to say, not having Babygirl in tow makes shopping much quicker (and I can stay out past nap time!) She likes to shop, and I don't mind taking her, but when I need to go to a bunch of places it is much easier to leave her home with Hubby if that is an option.
Several hours later a very tired me arrived home with an armload of shopping bags. Hubby had new jeans to replace the ones that his office chair has ruined (I really hate that chair--Hubby told me this week that it broke and is getting replaced and I jumped up and down with joy!) a new coat to replace the one he put a hole in when it got caught in his suitcase wheel, Babygirl has some new jeans and leggings to replace the ones her legs have grown too long for, new shirts for warmer weather, new shoes for school, and I have new tank tops and a jean jacket.
As I walked in the door Hubby took notice of all the bags and told me I had triggered the security alert on the credit card. For about half a second I thought he was serious, then I realized two things:
1. I hadn't spent enough money to trigger the fraud alert, and
2. There had been no panicked call from Hubby wanting to know if I had spent enough to trigger the fraud alert! Hopefully I don't have to make another shopping trip like that anytime soon...
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Sunday, April 20, 2014
April 20, 2014: Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday went off fairly well. With a cheese plate/pate
appetizer, salad, ham, potatoes del monico, carrots, asparagus, and
other people bringing desserts the menu was pretty low maintenance.
That being said, I didn't cook any of it, Hubby always does a majority
of the holiday cooking and I do the grocery buying, menu planning,
cleaning and setting up.
I wasn't going to buy a new dress for Easter, I was just going to wear one I already own, but then I found one online and decided I really liked it (on Wednesday no less...) I had to spend the money for two day shipping, but when you change your mind last minute, that is the price you have to pay!
Since the dress was a busy pattern I accessorized with simple pearls to keep things from being too crazy. My pearl mesh bracelet does have pale purple amethysts as well as pearls. The plain ballet flats worked for me because I was at home and if I wear heels I tower over Hubby and most of his family! As an added bonus, flats were much easier to walk on the lawn for the egg hunt and otherwise chase after Babygirl. I had intended to also wear a cardigan, but the weather on Sunday was so beautiful that we threw open all the windows in the house and there was no need for a cardigan.
All in all it was a beautiful day. Unfortunately the next morning I woke up to find I had the stomach bug that is going around, my kitchen was a huge mess, and we had been infested with ants overnight! Oh well...
I wasn't going to buy a new dress for Easter, I was just going to wear one I already own, but then I found one online and decided I really liked it (on Wednesday no less...) I had to spend the money for two day shipping, but when you change your mind last minute, that is the price you have to pay!
Since the dress was a busy pattern I accessorized with simple pearls to keep things from being too crazy. My pearl mesh bracelet does have pale purple amethysts as well as pearls. The plain ballet flats worked for me because I was at home and if I wear heels I tower over Hubby and most of his family! As an added bonus, flats were much easier to walk on the lawn for the egg hunt and otherwise chase after Babygirl. I had intended to also wear a cardigan, but the weather on Sunday was so beautiful that we threw open all the windows in the house and there was no need for a cardigan.
All in all it was a beautiful day. Unfortunately the next morning I woke up to find I had the stomach bug that is going around, my kitchen was a huge mess, and we had been infested with ants overnight! Oh well...
Friday, April 18, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014: Movie Theater
We took Babygirl to see her first movie in a movie theater today. We saw Rio 2 at the small local theater. She was thrilled and excited and wanted popcorn! Most of the movie was ok, but at any scary part she would get up and "I HAVE TO GO POTTY!" It wasn't that she really needed to go potty, it was just her escape method! We all had a great time, but I was reminded of how much more comfortable it is to watch movies at home...
Sweater: Mercer & Madison; Necklace: my own; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Calvin Klein; Shoes: Cole Haan
Sweater: Mercer & Madison; Necklace: my own; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Calvin Klein; Shoes: Cole Haan
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014: Lunch with Cousin and Retreiving Hubby from the Airport
Babygirl
and I had lots of fun lunching with my cousin in Chicago. She took us
to an Asian "grocery store"/shopping center. I have never been so
overwhelmed in my entire life... It was like a grocery store with a
shopping mall inside. It was amazing. I am so glad I don't have
anything like that near me or I would probably spend days there. I
really wish I had brought a cooler because they had some amazing looking
yellow tail and red snapper, both of which Hubby loves!
I was also glad to visit with my cousin since I haven't seen her for a while and I really miss her. We used to get together for lunch all the time when I was going to college, as she (at that time) lived in the city where I was going to college. We used to have lots of fun going for lunch and then skipping out of whatever we were *supposed* to be doing in the afternoon and going shopping. Usually we went to the antique stores!
When lunch was done, we went to pick up Hubby at the airport. Babygirl was so excited to see him. She is such a Daddy's girl... :)
Camisole: J Crew; Cardigan: J Crew; Necklace: my own; Bracelet: my own; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Ellen Tracey
I was also glad to visit with my cousin since I haven't seen her for a while and I really miss her. We used to get together for lunch all the time when I was going to college, as she (at that time) lived in the city where I was going to college. We used to have lots of fun going for lunch and then skipping out of whatever we were *supposed* to be doing in the afternoon and going shopping. Usually we went to the antique stores!
When lunch was done, we went to pick up Hubby at the airport. Babygirl was so excited to see him. She is such a Daddy's girl... :)
Camisole: J Crew; Cardigan: J Crew; Necklace: my own; Bracelet: my own; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Ellen Tracey
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
So I'm becoming:1. A three year old girl
2. An aging Labrador
3. My husband
4. My brother
5. My brother's girlfriend
Just a little creepy...
Continuing with cleaning for Easter. Still haven't gone grocery shopping, so that *needs* to happen tomorrow. Picking up Hubby from the airport and lunch with my cousin are also on the agenda for tomorrow. Should be a busy day. On the plus side, other than some miscellaneous dusting and other small tasks the house is clean! (HOORAY!!)
When I dropped Babygirl at preschool today she didn't want me to leave. I stayed for several minutes, finally convincing her that it was ok for Mommy to leave; I would come back and pick her up when she was done playing. She likes being at school, she just wants Mommy to stay too. I wonder if she is just adjusting, or if we started her too early. She really really wanted to go and was very excited, but... I suppose it is my job as a mother to second guess decisions about my child.
Sweater: Polo; Necklace: J Crew; Jeans: Habitual; Boots: Kickers
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Continuing my cleaning for Easter today... For me Easter cleaning is the kick off for spring cleaning, so some of my cleaning is not technically cleaning my guests will even see (unless they are very nosy!) Today after story time at the library I had the intention of cleaning the walls in the library and hallway, but I got sidetracked... I did get the laundry room (typically a dumping ground for anything without a home, or really anything in my house) straightened up, organized the craft and knitting supplies behind the couch (now neatly in bins above the bookshelves), and I built the shoe cubby for the front closet and cleaned up the front closet floor. I would post a before picture, but 1. that would be very humiliating since I like my house to look clean and not like a tornado has just passed through, and 2. I forgot to take one! This is what it looks like now. Don't worry about those empty spots, they will be filled soon enough! We have a LOT of shoes in this house!
I still need to figure out what to do with the rest of my boots (which have been floating around on the floor of this closet all winter) but they are about to get put away until next fall anyway.
I am really trying to get the house straightened out in anticipation of trying to sell it. Hubby and I bought the house 8 1/2 years ago as a five year house. With the way the real estate market has gone, we have stayed a but longer than anticipated in spite of the fact that we have *obviously* outgrown our "starter home".
There is also the problem of Hubby's work; they want us to move, but have not offered any incentives to make us want to move. Both of our families are in this area, and there are other jobs in Hubby's field available in the area; why would we move without some really great incentives to get us to move? Did I mention the area the company's North American headquarters are in (where they want us to move) is a suburb of a fairly undesirable city? No thank you.
Hubby and I have discussed it, and to move us it would cost the company a substantial raise, a promotion, and payment of moving fees. This may sound like a lot, but the only motivation for us to move at this point is that Hubby does like his job.
None the less, Hubby keeps getting cold feet about selling the house. We have outgrown it, the area is not the best for raising Babygirl, it is time to go. Yes, we stand to lose a lot of money because the market was at a much higher point when we bought than it is now. The house we would be buying would also be substantially less expensive as well though.
Plan is to start talking to real estate agents within the next month and make sure this is feasible. If the house value is not approximately where we believe the house value is, it may not be possible. I am keeping my fingers crossed. We know we aren't going to make money, but we also do not want to (and really cannot afford to) pay out of pocket for someone to buy the house. If it is worth less than we owe after a substantial down payment and over eight years of mortgage payments we will simply have no choice but to stay.
On the agenda for later tonight: those walls I meant to clean earlier... Tomorrow: the family room, final touch ups and maybe grocery shopping; oh, and the refrigerator needs to be wiped out at some point before I buy groceries... Thursday we get to go pick up Hubby at the airport and I am hoping to be able to meet up with my cousin for lunch in Chicago beforehand if she isn't too busy. I haven't seen her for a while and I miss her! Plus she is lots of fun! Hubby will be off Friday for final clean ups and food prep... Would love to go through and straighten Babygirl's toys and weed some out, but I don't see that happening until after Easter at this point... Oh well, motivation for another week.
Sweater: Limited; Necklace: vintage; Ring: gift; Pants: Limited; Belt: Calvin Klein; Boots: White Mountain
Monday, April 14, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
Really thought we were done with this snow stuff for a while, but it has been coming down since lunch. It was raining this morning, but as the temperature dropped it started to snow instead. Babygirl was really excited. She will be very disappointed when she figures out that it isn't sticking... Meanwhile I find it hard to believe it was 70 degrees last weekend.
Going to be a very busy week. I still haven't planned the Easter menu. We are doing ham, some sort of potatoes, a green vegetable, an orange vegetable, bread, maybe a salad, a cheese plate appetizer. I'll pin things down a little better after grocery shopping, but I need to figure out what I'm doing with the potatoes before grocery shopping; Hubby suggested the potato recipe my Mom makes for family gatherings. I think that would probably be good, but I'll have to remember to ask her for the recipe...
Luckily the house is mostly in order. It helps that Hubby is in Germany for work this week; I find that the house stays a lot cleaner when he is traveling! I found this cleaning chart on pintrest, and I'm working on a variation for my life. I've run across a lot of these charts on pintrest, and it seems like to keep up with a lot of them you would need to spend half your day cleaning! This one seems far more liveable and doable than most.
I think with some edits I can do this, and it will help me stay on track with housework. There are some things on here that I don't need (a vacuuming day and nightly sweeping: when Hubby is home I vacuum while he bathes Babygirl. Vacuuming once a week is not feasible in my house--whoever made this chart obviously does not live with an 80+ lb dog!) Also, I don't think it is feasible to wash all of the walls in my house in one day, nor do I think it needs to be done monthly! Perhaps this person meant dusting them, or spot touch ups?? Right now, my walls do need to be washed, so I decided I would work on one room per day. As it turns out the leftover pads from my Clorox mop are great for washing walls! They are so great that I think I will keep them around for wall washing even though I don't have the mop anymore! Anyway, when I finish my modified chart I'll post it. I'm pretty sure it will be another week or two before I get around to it.
Sweater: Kenar; Tank: Gap; Scarf: Oscar de la Renta; Bracelet: Banana Republic; Jeans: Habitual; Belt: Calvin Klein; Boots: Ugg
Going to be a very busy week. I still haven't planned the Easter menu. We are doing ham, some sort of potatoes, a green vegetable, an orange vegetable, bread, maybe a salad, a cheese plate appetizer. I'll pin things down a little better after grocery shopping, but I need to figure out what I'm doing with the potatoes before grocery shopping; Hubby suggested the potato recipe my Mom makes for family gatherings. I think that would probably be good, but I'll have to remember to ask her for the recipe...
Luckily the house is mostly in order. It helps that Hubby is in Germany for work this week; I find that the house stays a lot cleaner when he is traveling! I found this cleaning chart on pintrest, and I'm working on a variation for my life. I've run across a lot of these charts on pintrest, and it seems like to keep up with a lot of them you would need to spend half your day cleaning! This one seems far more liveable and doable than most.
I think with some edits I can do this, and it will help me stay on track with housework. There are some things on here that I don't need (a vacuuming day and nightly sweeping: when Hubby is home I vacuum while he bathes Babygirl. Vacuuming once a week is not feasible in my house--whoever made this chart obviously does not live with an 80+ lb dog!) Also, I don't think it is feasible to wash all of the walls in my house in one day, nor do I think it needs to be done monthly! Perhaps this person meant dusting them, or spot touch ups?? Right now, my walls do need to be washed, so I decided I would work on one room per day. As it turns out the leftover pads from my Clorox mop are great for washing walls! They are so great that I think I will keep them around for wall washing even though I don't have the mop anymore! Anyway, when I finish my modified chart I'll post it. I'm pretty sure it will be another week or two before I get around to it.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Apparently I'm having a rather monochromatic day...
Sweater: Gap; Necklace: J Crew; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Calvin Klein; Shoes: Nine West
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
I had the dawning realization today that going to school means Babygirl will probably miss seeing the garbage trucks since Wednesday morning is pick up day in our neighborhood. She has had a thing for garbage trucks ever since we got a new service that uses the trucks to pick up and dump the cans. Most of the time our trash is picked up before I would go pick her up from preschool. That being said, they are late picking up the recyclables today, so she will at least get to see them do one of the cans.
On the plus side, since she is not in the living room looking out the bay window to see the garbage trucks, the dog is also not choosing to lurk in there where he can also view the garbage cans. This is a big deal for me, because according to my Moose, the garbage people are not doing us a favor by taking our trash and recyclables away, they are stealing them! He is just on a mission to alert us of said garbage theft and reprimand the garbage people, but I can certainly live with less barking on Wednesday mornings...
Sweater: Kenar; Bracelets (top to bottom): my own, J Crew; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Ellen Tracey
On the plus side, since she is not in the living room looking out the bay window to see the garbage trucks, the dog is also not choosing to lurk in there where he can also view the garbage cans. This is a big deal for me, because according to my Moose, the garbage people are not doing us a favor by taking our trash and recyclables away, they are stealing them! He is just on a mission to alert us of said garbage theft and reprimand the garbage people, but I can certainly live with less barking on Wednesday mornings...
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Jacket: Liz Claiborne; Shirt: Ann Taylor; Necklaces (top to bottom): my own, Megan Goldkamp; Bracelet: Banana Republic; Ring (right hand): TJ Maxx; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Calvin Klein; Shoes: Cole Haan
I think I need to wear a different pair of shoes tomorrow... lol
Monday, April 7, 2014
Monday, April 7, 2014: First Day of Preschool
Babygirl started preschool today.
She was of course perfectly fine ("I remember this place, there were toys and other kids my age! This is awesome!") while I went home and wondered "What the hell am I going to do now?" So glad for the dog, or the house would have felt REALLY empty. I picked up the kitchen, and filled out most of the paperwork for the school that hadn't already been filled out. I'm going to have to figure something out for the two mornings a week that she is gone so I don't feel so lost. (I checked the antique stores don't open until late morning, which doesn't really leave me much time before I have to pick Babygirl up.)
Babygirl was so excited about school that she got up at 6 am this morning. She normally isn't up until 8:30-9 am. Hubby and I were still in bed; our alarms had not even gone off yet. "I'M UP! ITS TIME FOR SCHOOL!" No Babygirl, go back to bed please... We finally got her to lie down in our bed, but I don't think anyone got much sleep after after that.
Babygirl of course had a great time. She made some new BFFs; she seems to make BFFs where ever she goes. In spite of mostly spending time with Mommy, she certainly isn't socially awkward with children her own age. (Thank goodness. Mommy keeps worrying about that.)
She was also very much in need of a nap after lunch. :)
Sweater: Gap; Cami: Target; Necklace: J Crew; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Calvin Klein; Shoes: Cole Haan
She was of course perfectly fine ("I remember this place, there were toys and other kids my age! This is awesome!") while I went home and wondered "What the hell am I going to do now?" So glad for the dog, or the house would have felt REALLY empty. I picked up the kitchen, and filled out most of the paperwork for the school that hadn't already been filled out. I'm going to have to figure something out for the two mornings a week that she is gone so I don't feel so lost. (I checked the antique stores don't open until late morning, which doesn't really leave me much time before I have to pick Babygirl up.)
Babygirl was so excited about school that she got up at 6 am this morning. She normally isn't up until 8:30-9 am. Hubby and I were still in bed; our alarms had not even gone off yet. "I'M UP! ITS TIME FOR SCHOOL!" No Babygirl, go back to bed please... We finally got her to lie down in our bed, but I don't think anyone got much sleep after after that.
Babygirl of course had a great time. She made some new BFFs; she seems to make BFFs where ever she goes. In spite of mostly spending time with Mommy, she certainly isn't socially awkward with children her own age. (Thank goodness. Mommy keeps worrying about that.)
She was also very much in need of a nap after lunch. :)
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Saturday, April 5, 2014
The farmer's market is back! This is very exciting for us after the awful winter we have experienced here in the midwest. We had a lovely(ish) day for the time of year and enjoyed walking around and seeing all the offerings. They are sparse this time of year in comparison to the summer and fall markets, but we managed to find some goodies none the less!
Sweater: Gap; Necklace: my own; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Calvin Klein; Shoes: Cole Haan
Sweater: Gap; Necklace: my own; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Calvin Klein; Shoes: Cole Haan
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014: FINALLY(!) A new shade for the kitchen
We have been living in our house for just over eight and a half years. Ever since we moved in I had plans to replace the vertical blinds covering the kitchen bay window. I HATE blinds in homes, especially vertical blinds. They just make a space feel like every office I've ever worked in.Just before Christmas, while Hubby was outside playing in the snow with Babygirl I finally decided to rip down the blinds I had been hating for such a long time. Until last weekend we lived with no shade (we don't often close it anyway) and screw holes in the wall. Hubby was not happy; he thinks blinds are fine. This weekend I finally buckled down, got out the sewing machine and made the shade.
I've made roman shades before. They are not easy with my mediocre sewing skills. Making large ones for bay windows are particularly difficult because you are dealing with so much fabric! None the less, I am very happy to have it done. The kitchen looks so much nicer without the hated blinds.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014: Poisson d'Avril
In France, April Fool's Day is known as Poisson d'Avril, which translates to "April Fish". Apparently fish in April are slow and easy to catch (maybe because it is still cold?) The idea is that as a prank you are supposed to stick fish to other people's back without them noticing, then everyone can laugh at them for being a slow April fish. My Mother found out about this on a trip to Paris several years ago and has been amused by the idea ever since. I wouldn't be surprised if my Dad takes off his shirt tonight and finds a fish on the back of it...
My Father's side of the family is rather known for April fool's jokes. (I think it is the sarcasm gene we have that makes us do it.) My Grandmother, who has been gone for nearly five years now, once as a child on a rainy day loaned her brother her raincoat to put over his head. Since he couldn't see with her coat over her head, dear old Grandma offered to lead him home... through the cow field. No, she didn't bother to lead him around the cow pies. I can still remember how she would laugh so hard she cried every time she told that story!
My Dad, who takes practical joking to some extremes at times, was perhaps karma's revenge on my Grandmother for the pranks she played on her siblings. In the house that my Dad grew up in (which my parents later purchased and I lived in until the age of 12) the family commonly entered by the back door. Once you were in the back door there were coat hooks and such, the entry functioned as a small mud room. After removing your shoes and coat you could either go up a small set of steps into the kitchen, or go down a set of stairs to the basement. One April Fool's day my Dad came in, took off his boots and kicked them down the stairs to the basement. He then quickly ran down the basement stairs and laid at the bottom. The noise from the boots brought my Grandmother running. She always laughed about that story, but I'm betting my Dad got yelled at that April Fool's day!
Actually, my favorite prank of my Dad's was not an April Fool's prank. His parents were going out of town and he was going to be left home alone. My Grandmother gave him strict instructions to behave himself while he was gone, and further stipulated that there was to be "no beer parties!" My Father went around to every local tavern and collected as many empty beer bottles and cans as they would give him and piled them in the front yard! (I suspect, given my Dad's love of beer that he probably drank some of them as well...) Needless to say, Grandma and Grandpa were shocked when they came home and Grandma told the story with laughs for many years afterward!
Sweater: Sophia Milano; Necklaces (top to bottom): my own, Megan Goldkamp; Belt: Calvin Klein; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Reef
My Father's side of the family is rather known for April fool's jokes. (I think it is the sarcasm gene we have that makes us do it.) My Grandmother, who has been gone for nearly five years now, once as a child on a rainy day loaned her brother her raincoat to put over his head. Since he couldn't see with her coat over her head, dear old Grandma offered to lead him home... through the cow field. No, she didn't bother to lead him around the cow pies. I can still remember how she would laugh so hard she cried every time she told that story!
My Dad, who takes practical joking to some extremes at times, was perhaps karma's revenge on my Grandmother for the pranks she played on her siblings. In the house that my Dad grew up in (which my parents later purchased and I lived in until the age of 12) the family commonly entered by the back door. Once you were in the back door there were coat hooks and such, the entry functioned as a small mud room. After removing your shoes and coat you could either go up a small set of steps into the kitchen, or go down a set of stairs to the basement. One April Fool's day my Dad came in, took off his boots and kicked them down the stairs to the basement. He then quickly ran down the basement stairs and laid at the bottom. The noise from the boots brought my Grandmother running. She always laughed about that story, but I'm betting my Dad got yelled at that April Fool's day!
Actually, my favorite prank of my Dad's was not an April Fool's prank. His parents were going out of town and he was going to be left home alone. My Grandmother gave him strict instructions to behave himself while he was gone, and further stipulated that there was to be "no beer parties!" My Father went around to every local tavern and collected as many empty beer bottles and cans as they would give him and piled them in the front yard! (I suspect, given my Dad's love of beer that he probably drank some of them as well...) Needless to say, Grandma and Grandpa were shocked when they came home and Grandma told the story with laughs for many years afterward!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)