WHERE DO THE AMISH BUY SWIMSUITS?

A couple of months ago, I joined 24-Hour Fitness which offers a water aerobics class on Saturday mornings. I peeked in on the class one Saturday morning and found it to be full of women my age and older. At first, I thought “Perfect!” but quickly realized I haven’t had on a swimsuit since 1993, which was also the last time my legs were exposed to sunlight. Ugh! I was dreading having to try on swimsuits. The last time swimsuit shopping was fun, I was 21. Gathering the will and determination to go swimsuit shopping was a monumental endeavor. A Sports Authority store recently opened in our neighborhood. After considering it for several weeks, I decided that would be the perfect store to purchase my swimsuit. I knew they would certainly cater to people who need to work out. I felt good as I entered the store and found several racks of swimsuits—most of them one pieces. I picked three from the rack and bounced into the dressing room. I managed to get one of the swimsuits past my hips, but couldn’t get it up over my shoulders. WHAT?!!! I checked the tag again. It was definitely a size 12. I went back to the rack and could not find a one-piece in a size 14. Frustrated, I started leaving the store. As I was walking out, I saw a sales clerk who was a big woman in her mid to late 20’s, weighing close to 200 lbs. I thought she would be able to help me because she would know where the large swimsuits are hidden. I voiced my frustration to her. She walked me over to another section of the store with even more swimsuits. She pointed out which brands I needed to choose from – the ones that were NOT cut high on the thigh (some all the way to the waist). I was beginning to feel hope again. As we searched through the racks, I realized Sports Authority does not cater to people who need to work out at all. The sales lady gave me the largest swimsuit in the store to try on. I could not believe it! I went back into the dressing room which was not my friend that day. I tried on the one swimsuit in the store I thought would fit. It went over the hips and up my shoulders just fine, but I was unable to stand in a full upright position. As I stood crouched over looking in the mirror, I felt like crying as I mourned the death of my girlish figure. I looked ridiculous. The suit mashed my boobs flat, and instead of clinging to my body as a swimsuit should, air was between my boobs and belly. It was not fit for public display. After exiting the dressing room, I seriously needed counseling.

E-K-O

I kept the grandkids last night while Trey and Geneva went to House of Blues to see a concert by Satisfaction, a Rolling Stones knock-off band. Of course, we had a blast. Echo and Kobe shared their fav iTunes with me: Echo - "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns 'n Roses; Kobe - "So What" by Pink, "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry, and "Ain't No Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani. Echo played a little Guns 'n Roses on the drums for me. He is so talented. Kobe showed me a few dance moves and even learned how to do the helicopter. I was the first to witness her doing it. She's a natural. If I looked away for even a little while, Ocean pulled a chair up to the counter and got into the suckers. Those kids ate at least 3 suckers each. They were pretty wired by the time Mom & Dad got home. I can't believe I forgot my camera. Never again! I was wishing so much that I had gotten videos of the kids.

It's As Cold As Ice

I'm pretty sure it rained ice last night. My car door was frozen shut this morning. It took about 40 minutes for me to get my car door open and enough ice off of my windshield so I could drive to work. My windshield wiper had a block of ice on it that I tried to break off, but it wasn't happening so I drove to work with close to zero visibility. But, God is good, and I arrived safely. I still don't have any sick/personal days and I missed almost 2 full days last week due to illness so I can't afford to miss anymore. I drove 20 to 30 MPH all the way and it only took 1 hour and 5 minutes. Is all this really worth it just to have enough money to pay bills and buy food. When the month is gone, so is the money. I got to work at 8:45 and was the first to arrive - not only in the office where I work, but on the entire floor. I was starving so I went to the cafe to get a bowl of hot oatmeal, but the cafe was closed also. People finally started showing up around 10:00.