Ladies Who Shop

As consumerist and crass as it sounds, my daughter and I have some of our best mother-daughter bonding moments when we are out shopping or simply looking around in shops.
She has never once turned down an invitation to go a store with me(heck--she even likes coming to the grocery store with me sometimes) and we both like poking around in the shops in the nearby village of Wickford. The last time we were there, I had told myself that we were not going to buy anything this time, but of course......

Miss R had to find this wallet in The Different Drummer and how could I not lend her the fifteen bucks to get it?!

Yup. A vinyl "candy dot" wallet. Almost looks like the real, edible kind.

A pretty good week...

...some pretty good things.
Even though I have been working longer days and even have to work today on Saturday, this week(so far) as been a good one. The workplace atmosphere has been very civil--even downright jolly sometimes!
Of course, I feel like my garden is dying slowly from weeds choking it and lack of attention, but my just bloomed feverfew(see above--I took the photo on Monday) are doing great.
An unassuming plant with a funny name and not-so-nice scent, but nothing seems to kill this flower, it spreads (I planted seeds five years ago and have never had to replant since), looks so nice stuck into bouquets(and the scent isn't all that bad) and sticks around until the first frost.

Another good thing, and one I am mildly excited about:
My finding what seems to me the perfect beach book(if I ever get there again!)for the summer.
Kate Morton's "The Forgotten Garden". I was in the bookstore on my lunch break one day this week, returning some books I had bought for Rachel--I thought she needed two books on her summer reading list for school but found out her school had lent her them so she didn't need them. And, I also had a printed out 33% off coupon that Borders/Walden Books sends me from time to time in my e-mail. I happened to spot this book on the shelf and the title drew me to it(maybe because "The Secret Garden" is one of my favorite books?) and when I read the information on the back of the cover of this fat novel(because, of course, all beach/summer books must be at least 550 pages long, right?),

"A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book --- a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-first birthday they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered and with very little to go on, "Nell" sets out on a journey to England to try to trace her story, to find her real identity. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is not until her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the search after Nell's death that all the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. At Cliff Cottage, on the grounds of Blackhurst Manor, Cassandra discovers the forgotten garden of the book's title and is able to unlock the secrets of the beautiful book of fairy tales."

..I was hooked and knew I had to buy this book! Even better, with my exchange of the returned books and my coupon, it cost me 60 cents. And, I got a seal of approval from the bookshop salesperson who rang up the purchase. She got excited when she saw my selection and told me she had read it and she would like to re-read it again--it's apparently that good. Now, I cannot wait to begin reading this one.

Earlier this week, another good thing:
my lunch date at the Matunuck Oyster Bar with Mr. F on a sparkling, perfect summer day, dining al fresco, and discovering my new favorite wine--Newport Vineyards Riesling(I bought some bottles already at the wine store to stock up for further summer sipping)

Then, yesterday, I was able to leave work at an earlier, more normal time for a change. On a whim, I decided to head over to Marshall's (just to...look, right?), and once inside I noticed there was a wall and more of bathing suits and cover-ups. Usually, I hate shopping for bathing suits and having to try them on. Last year, out of desperation(my favorite tankini was ruined and too old and I felt I could no longer wear my once favorite bikini now that I was over the mid-40 hump and my belly not so firm as it once was) I chose a one-piece suit which fit me okay and I called my matronly "mom suit". I never really liked it, though.
So, I decided this time, to look over the bathing suits quickly, and discovered a few in what looked to be in my size and they were two-piece "tankinis"(silly name, but I really like how they look). I headed into the dressing room with three possibilities. The first was two loose and frumpy looking. The second fit okay, but I decided was just not "me"(dangling gold bead things at the hip, and this gold medallion embellishment at the chest area. But, the third...was just right! It fit perfectly and I thought flattered my shape. I couldn't believe it! And, it was priced at 14.99!

And finally, another good thing--an impromptu cook-out/supper at some friend's house last night. Nothing fancy--everyone came by with something purchased quickly at the store down the street--corn, pre-made potato salad, come wine, some beer, and some sausage and burgers on the grill. The evening was warm, under a starry sky(and full moon) and it was a nice time spent with a few good people.

Of course, I am greedy and want one more good thing-- I wish I could stay home today and potter around in the yard and watch some of the Wimbledon games, but it's off to work I go.

Just the basics

I went shopping at TJ Maxx yesterday. Just thought I would look around in there since I have that seasonal bug right now where I feel I need something new to add to my wardrobe. Something fresh and summery or at least different.
But I could barely find anything! There was nothing in the way of shorts, skirts or jeans in my size. What a sad selection of clothing.
The tops were either cheap and ugly looking with thin material(and what's with all the scissored, ripped details?), or garish prints or ruffles and puff sleeves, or simply too big and loose !
I had to head over to the Juniors area to look over jeans and actually found a simple(and I *think* appropriate enough for this 40-something to wear) pair of skinny jeans that fit nicely.
And, as boring as it sounds, I ended up leaving with a white tee-shirt and also.....

...wait for it....

...a black tee-shirt! Like a uniform.
Well, I figured these were classics and I looked good in them(fit was perfect) I can always accessorize with a sweater or scarf or cute sandals, right?
Still, I wish I could have found something a little more unique.

Early Spring Wickford Stroll - Redux

Before the latest deluge, I spent a sunny, crisp and cold Saturday morning (last weekend) walking the streets of Wickford, after meeting my sister for breakfast(we ended up eating at some crazy redneck diner that was attached to a liquor store!! I swear I thought I saw someone drinking a beer with their breakfast at a table when we first walked in, too..) What's interesting to me is that almost a year ago, I spent a Saturday doing the same thing and blogged about it here, with photos. So, these photos turned out somewhat the same, since it's before Easter as in the April 4th blog from last year.

Even though it was cold, many of the shops had their doors open wide to let the fresh spring air in, and flowers, books and gifts for sale, set up outside on the sidewalk.

Walking down Brown Street towards Main.

A view from inside the shop, Different Drummer--a place I seem to think has been in business since I was in high school. At one time(eons ago), this shop used to sell these handpainted brooches I used to make.

This wooden mermaid is offering a "pearl" of a ball of yarn on the steps of a yarn shop called The Mermaid's Purl.

The window box in front of Village Reflections--another shop that has been in business forever--same nice owner (she told me she's been there for 26 years), with always affordable cotton clothing and gorgeous(and affordable, as well) jewelery.

Easter, right around the corner......

Wordless x 3

Shhhh....a few words, after all....

....A new acquisition from work.

A customer has been making fanciful creatures out of glass marbles and we have been displaying and selling them for him. While mostly he makes snails and frogs and mushrooms,

this wee Loch Ness Monster-like snail was a one-of-a-kind and I had to buy it and bring it home to live with me!

What a Difference a...

*4:00-ish, early December by the sea wall *

*****

....sunny and calm day in December can make.
Yesterday was wild and rainy and cold with the waves crashing right over the seawall. It was grey with icy rain pelting against the windows and the lights had to be on in the house almost all day. If it hadn't been for the fact that it was my husband's birthday(he took the day off and in his typical philosophical and optimistic Sagittarius way, had a great day in spite of the weather), I could say that December is kind of a bleak looking and depressing month, with each day getting darker and darker earlier.
No wonder wassailing and under-the-mistletoe kissing and Glog/Nog/Grog/Gluhwein guzzling and all that Christmas stuff was invented to get the cold humans through this time of year.

On top of that I find myself becoming more and more cynical each year, at this time of year. Working in a retail type environment for over 20 years(and the last 17 as one of the busy elves staying up late to get every one's gifts built for Dec. 24 in the frame shop business) has done that to me. You work up until December 24th, then go back to work December 26th , after all that build-up.
Not to mention hearing the same songs over and over as background music at work, and then in the stores(right now, it's a tie between "It's A Marshmallow World" and that horrible "Man With The Bag" for worst Holiday song),
being assaulted by crass commercials right after Halloween trying to get you to buy more stuff and make you feel out and out guilty that your life isn't as jolly as the singing and dancing perfect people in those ads ,
being tired at the end of the long day(and short days have that effect on a body, too) but also having to bake cookies like Martha,
make sure the house is decorated like the neighbors--it seems like there is so much to do in such a short amount of time.
I honestly don't look at this time of year as my favorite time of year.
There. I said(wrote) it. I am a Grinch. That is the way it is.

I wish I could spend a Christmas in a cabin in a snow covered mountainside forest.
No shopping.
No "shoulds".
No full calendar.
Just a quiet place with a crackling fire in the fireplace, some Christmas carols, and a little contemplation. That image always comes to my mind by the third week of December when things get a little too crazy at work.

But...back to what I was going to write when I decided to write an entry this afternoon. That little bit of December magic started to work it's way into my soul today. Just a little.
Driving in to work, I liked the look of the bare trees and exposed stone walls and the griege colored moss on them. I liked the slant of light that I remembered from exactly the same time last year. A weak sun, but the world looked beautiful under it's weak winter light. A different kind of beauty at this time of year.

I like listening to the left-of-the-dial University radio station this month, too, because the DJ's play those great old jazz and swing Christmas-themed songs and they talk a lot, too, in between the songs, but it is like listening to old friends. The DJ I was listening to this morning as I drove in to work, (thinking that December wasn't so bad after all--when the sun shines on it), was one I had not heard in a while and was glad to know that after all those years she is still doing the Thursday morning show. She has a soothing voice and this morning I loved the way she said "chuckle" and "duet" and that she introduced me to a singer called Kevin Mahogany(how perfect a name is that?!).

And now that I am back home, it's a nice comfort to have my dog and kid here with me in this warm little house, a cup of tea made for me by my *sometimes* thoughtful daughter(we are going through a little annoying uber-teenage phase with her lately)by my side and George Winston's "December" album playing. It was R's idea to play it this afternoon and I had forgotten how this music calms me and makes me love this season a little more.

I'll never be a jolly old soul at this time of year, but I can always try to find those happy and good things, too. And sometimes, I don't have to try, even. Those good December moments can kind of sneak up on you. (like right now...I have to smile and feel happy as I listen to not only the exquisite voice of Ella Fitzgerald singing "Winter Wonderland" but my daughter singing along in the other room)

A Thursday List

Good smells of the day:

* wild grapes(Vitus labrusca). I didn't even expect to smell them yet, thinking it was too early, but yeah--it IS the middle of September and wild grape time. I found a huge heavy vine of grapes on my walk with the dog this morning. Actually, it was the scent of them I noticed first. I looked up and there was this huge vine full of them. And I actually had my camera on me, too!

* my dog's fur-I bathed her on Tuesday, and also brushed in some almond oil in the lower back where it gets dry--she is gleaming and so sweet smelling.

* brewing "Creme Brulee" coffee this morning. Usually, I don't bother with any kind of flavored coffee, but love creme brulee and saw a bag of this at Ocean State Job Lot for 3.00 so I had to try it. Let's just say the smell of it is better than the actual taste of it(which seems to be the case I think with any flavored coffee)

Good names of the day:

* All day long I wrote down the first names of my customers. My first customer of the day was named Flora which I love and she inspired me to start my list(as strange as that sounds). As you can tell from the list, most of our customers are women and women of a certain age--with the most wonderful names that never get used anymore, and I don't know why.
Flora * Annette * Ken * Cathy * Sasha * Libby * Emi * Jeanette * Susan * Marc * Jane * Leslie * Mary Ellen * Thomas * Julie * Phyliss * Beverly


Good Things of the day:

* When a man at work told me, (after I had cut a piece of his own picture frame glass for him, and told him I felt funny even charging him a dollar for such a simple and quick procedure), "Honey, you have made a whole bunch of old men happy!" Apparently, he was in the middle of some kind of project with photos of him and his buddies, one of them stuck to the glass, which is why I had to cut around it.

* These photos

Bad Things of the day:

* my daughter pulling a face and not being impressed by my excitement over the 39.99 "Bearpaws" boots in her size(!) at the great price of 39.99 that I spotted at Marshall's. Because we live in a fairly wealthy community(but not all of us are), it seems that, "Everyone else has Uggs. Some of the girls at school have more than one pair, even. I would rather get Uggs." In case one doesn't know this--Uggs are 140.00. The nearly same quality look-alike Bearpaws are 100.00 less. I wish I could convince my daughter to not have to be like everyone else and want these things at all(she already has a pair of grey suede slouchy boots plus other newish footwear), and that this Uggs trend has been around for at least 10 years already. So yesterday....Uggs. Ugh.

* finding out I'll probably be working quite a few Saturdays in the next few weeks. Ugh.

Treasured Tuesday

As Mr. F 's last day of school is tomorrow and R's is Thursday, this was my last Tuesday off (my day off always, during the work week) that I had to myself (until after Labor day, that is...).

In spite of the continuing oppressive gloom(lights on again in the house because it is so dark all day long!)and woke up yet again with a dull headache because of the low pressure, I have had a pretty good day-slightly indulgent and slow and easy-going--just how I like my days off to myself.
While I never got far with my intended project of cleaning up the desk and all my "piles" in the spare room, I did....

do two loads of laundry,

walked the dog twice(once in the mist and once under almost sunny skies),

got over to the vet's to buy a five month supply of heart worm tabs for the dog,

scooted into the market for eggs and dog kibble and plum tomatoes,

and prepared a meal of slow-cooked chicken thighs in the Crock Pot for tacos.

The indulgence part was ...

catching up with some blogs this morning,

roaming the aisles of Job Lot(where you can always find something you didn't know you needed at a good price),

and having a nice lunch of lobster bisque (although it would have been perfect with oyster crackers which we didn't have , and would have been better without the stale Ritz crackers I DID have in the cupboard) once I got home. I found these "Bar Harbor" brand from Maine cans of prepared Lobster Bisque and Crab Bisque at Job Lot. See? I didn't know before I went in there that I wanted- needed-cans of prepared creamy seafood soups.

My other indulgences--really only having to talk to the dog all day,

sipping a relaxed cup of tea and just staring out the window,

and having NPR radio on all day in the house as I putzed around.

From here on in for the summer with the "other" people around, there will be other noises and voices, so most likely I can't have that(NPR)on all day and be alone with my own interrupted thoughts.
Not that I mind having those "other" favorite people around--it is entirely different, though, when they are home every day. And, me being an introvert and perfectly happy being on my own and in my own brain , this is entirely normal to me, to feel this way.

At any rate, R is home now, and I will sit down and have a cup of tea and a few Almond Cinnamon cookies with her now.

Ten Favorite Places To Shop

Well... the avocado green appliances

With the smell of domestic violences

And the dusty Farberware

And the rusty dinette chair

In the lonely little thrift store

The hard luck little thrift store.... where I go.....

~~~~~~

The Lonely Little Thrift Store-- Jonathan Richman

~~~~~~~

~~~

It's the Ten On Tuesday list time once again. This week was an easy one---ten favorite places to shop!

******

1. The Phoenix
I so "heart" this resale shop in nearby downtown Wakefield.

It used to be more of a true thrift shop, with a jumble of artfully arranged objects from the 1920's through the 90's, with prices so low that it really felt like you were stealing. There used to be a 10 cent table(everything on it just 10 cents) in the basement when the original owners had the shop--two sisters in their 60's who looked so much alike I could not tell them apart. For a while I thought they were the same person and was shocked when one day the usually pleasant owner was short with me when I talked to her! I eventually figured out there were two of them. One was really nice and the other...not so friendly (maybe she was the buyer and the designated scourer and locator of old things for the shop, and usually in the back room for a reason?)

When I found out it was being closed because the sisters didn't want to run it anymore I felt sad about losing this shop. But luckily, it was taken over by some other owners--

a co-operative of several vendors, and while the prices are now higher and there are actually real vintage antiques in there, you can still have a great time just poking around in there and still come away with something special to wear (I recently bought two retro late 60's daisy brooches) or for the house(I have a weakness for teapots and old cookbooks from there). It is always like stepping into a museum of the 20th Century for me, as so many times I have spotted something I remembered from my mother's kitchen(plastic Tupperware salt and pepper shakers in white and pale green, or a 1970 Knox Gelatin cookbook), or a book I had forgotten about from my elementary school years. There is always a box or two of old postcards and family photos(which make me sad in a way that they end up in a shop instead of in a family photo album).

I think I need to do a Phoenix blog entry very soon......

2. Perennials

A resale clothing shop near my work--I like to check in often to see what's "new". It has a true boutique feeling in there, and I can buy gently worn(or in some cases, never worn) and carefully selected clothing, jewelery and accessories for at least half the original price.

3. online at Amazon

Books, music, perfume, etc.--I buy it all from here. I have been good lately, though, and haven't purchased anything there in a while...

4. online at Sierra Trading Post
great shoe and clothing selection and great deals!
tp://www.sierratradingpost.com/


5. Different Drummer
http://www.differentdrummerri.com/
There is so much jammed into this shop(which has been in business for well over 20 years in Wickford), and it is usually quite crowded so sometimes I get claustrophobic and have to reluctantly get out of there. But on days when it is a little less crowded, I like looking through their card and postcard selection, as well as all the artsy ceramic and glass pieces.


6. Spangles
Another shop in downtown Wakefield. Costume jewelery galore--I find something "I must have", at a reasonable price in there every time.
http://www.spanglesfun.com/index.html


7. Trader Joe's
Food shopping made fun and slightly adventurous.

http://www.traderjoes.com/


8. Pleasant Surprise
Apt name for this shop in Newport-- it makes me smile just to browse in this place.
http://www.brickmarketnewport.com/pleasant_surprise.htm


9. T.J. Maxx

I rarely buy my clothes at department stores for the regular retail price, preferring to hunt for it at reduced prices at this place.

http://www.tjmaxx.com/index.asp

10. Ikea
I have to drive miles in either direction to Massachusetts or Connecticut to get to the nearest Ikea , so I don't get there too often, but I feel an urge to make an Ikea road trip soon...

~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, those were the immediate first ten places to come to mind. I could easily pick ten or twenty more...

Earth Day Rambling Thoughts

Carol Collette, " Spring Morning" ,

hand colored etching, 9" x 18"

Today, Earth Day, started out as the most perfect, gentle spring morning. As if Mother Earth was smiling down upon us destructive humans and letting us off the hook(well, around here anyway)for a little while to enjoy the beauty and cyclic wonder of spring in the northern hemisphere. It was comfortably warm, with a little weak sun shining out from behind the wispy clouds. I have noticed for the first time little "leaflets" on a few trees. My backyard wild cherry tree is one of those trees. I know for a fact that this all happened in just a few days, since I remember looking up at the buds on the branches of that tree on Saturday(not a hint of green then). As I drove in to work, there is a place I pass where you can see the hills on the other side of the river and marsh and it was all a soft blur of pinky-red(the maple tree buds) and the mere hint of soft green and/or white. The grass, everywhere, all of a sudden has that almost neon green color. Like the Spring Green crayon in the Crayola box. Of course, as the day went on, the rain clouds came back and it got colder and more raw again. R's track and field meet was postponed again--second day in a row because of rain. That didn't stop R's coach from keeping them after school for an hour and a half practice and a three mile in the rain, though. (My daughter's been grumbling about it, but, she is the one who signed on for the team). I was thinking of how so much has changed in about a year's time, as far as the collective consciousness of most people I know--regarding recycling and simple things like using reusable shopping bags. I have been recycling, composting and trying to purchase things with the least amount of packaging for some time. However, the wasteful American habit of being given a plastic bag for anything in any store seems finally to be a thing of the past, and even I had to get re-trained to not expect one. I remember a few years back, getting so annoyed when you were just about to tell the clerk at a store, "Don't bother with a bag" if I was just taking home one or two items, but before you could say it, they had automatically whisked everything (or even just one thing!) into a huge plastic bag. And if I insisted I didn't want it, I would get this look from the grumpy teenage bagger. Like I was some old, eccentric bat trying to be different or difficult or something, and it was so much trouble to take the item out of the bag.

Now, almost always I get asked if I want a bag in every place I go shopping. This really did change in a year's time, it seems. Yet even, I , who saw the bags as a waste and felt I was swimming in them once I got home, never really considered seriously carrying cloth bags instead. What got me trying to use them was when the supermarket I usually shop at sent me two free ones. This was maybe a year or a year and a half ago. I bought two more and now have a fifth (the German bag from a Berlin drugstore in the photo ) which I always try to keep folded in my handbag in case I need it. No more forgetting my shopping bags in the car--which I used to do as I got used to using them, and taking the store's plastic bags. It has been a kind of deprogramming of my ways in regard to that, as well as lots of other people. Same thing with those plastic water bottles--I hardly ever see anyone walking around with those, thank god. It is a good thing that finally people are putting some thought and effort into being more "eco-conscious", but it is sad that it may be too late. If only we had all been doing this years ago.

Somewhat related--Disney/BBC's documentary "Earth" opens in cinemas today. I heard a very interesting interview with the two directors on Fresh Air (on NPR radio) earlier today.

Check out my comfy new Teva shoes I got in the mail today. 18.99 discounted price at

Sierra Trading Post (my favorite place to get shoes!). Made out of recycled rubber and p.e.t plastic bottles. These are perfect for the summer at work. I can't wear sandals with my toes exposed(because we cut large lites of glass there), so I have to wear something comfortable(I stand the whole time) and "toe covering". I saw these in the catalog (Lent is over and I can shop again--oh joy!) and thought they would be perfect. I ordered another pair of shoes--flippy sandals for when I am not at work--and both pairs of shoes fit right and I am really pleased with them. I thought for sure I would have to exchange one of the pairs.

Okay, now it's couch potato time. The Bruins(always make me think of that Zambonis song, "To Bleed Black and Gold"..heh..heh..) game and American Idol(which has been pretty dull, I have to say--compared to last season's crop of singing contenders) on TV tonight.

Tis The Season...

...for the mail order catalog, even in these more thrifty , cost-cutting times.
About a month ago, the catalogs came rolling in. As a kid, I loved poring over the pages of the Sears Wish Book (pages and pages of toys and those disturbing matching couples outfits) and the Miles Kimball catalog (always wanted the personalised pencils and the bobbing drinking bird but never got one) And, I still love looking through the mail order catalogs, even though I rarely, rarely ever actually buy anything from them.
Just about every day (although it has turned into a trickle now, the closer Christmas approaches), the mailbox has about two or three catalogs--the old standbys like L.L. Bean and Gardener's Supply Company , the "wish-I-could-order-one-thing-from-every-page" clothing catalogs like Boden and Soft Surroundings, and the "fun-to-look-through-but never-order-anything-from" gift catalogs like Signals, Wine Enthusiast and Wireless.

The Signals and Wireless catalogs, especially, have all those T-shirts and sweatshirts with the clever phrases on them. I am not the type that wears any clothing with writing (or logos, for that matter) on them, so I would never wear any of the shirts, but enjoy chuckling at them anyway. They would make great bumper stickers!
Here are a few of the gems from within the catalog's pages:

I Used To be A Millionaire

Then Mom Threw Out My Baseball Card Collection

(which makes me think of my own mother throwing out my sister's and my own bubble gum card collection-baseball, hockey and football cards from the late 60's and early 70's--we still try to make my mother feel guilty about that )

To Err Is Human

To Arrrr Is Pirate

(with a skull and crossbones wearing an eye patch illustration)

I Will Conquer My Procrastination Problem.

Just You Wait!

Some of the gift items are hilarious, too, but really...after the novelty wears off, do the receivers actually use these things? Like the giant baseball bat pepper grinder ,

or
the little red "Going To Grandma's" cape(admittedly, very cute..)

The item that made me laugh the most however, was this:

Because nothing evokes the spirit of Christmas better than a Yoda Santa, right?