Seven something or others

1. This might sound kinda weird (okay it DOES sound kinda weird), but do any of you live in or near Dubuque, Iowa? Turns out this thing I really really REALLY WANT can only be purchased in person, in a gift shop, in a MONASTERY, in Dubuque, Iowa. If you happen to live in or near Dubuque, Iowa, what are your preferred bribes? I AM SERIOUS.

2. Charlotte Pants, whom I adore, wanted to know what I'm thinking of wearing to my Anniversary Dinner and/or Thirtieth Birthday Dinner. I resist these questions because even when I think I look good I'm positively terrified that I DON'T and perhaps you are one of the seven zillion people on the internet who either write a clothes/shoes/style blog or contribute knowledgeably in their comment boxes AND I AM SCARED OF YOU. I much prefer to take a picture of myself with my cell phone and send it to the sister who knows about these things. But then I tried on the top I want to wear and HOT DAMN I look skinny. So I have just the tiniest smidgen of confidence to tell you what I'm thinking of wearing and if you think it's godawful I do hope you'll say so, the only condition being that you suggest something else!

(No pictures. See yesterday's post re: broken camera, marital strife.)

I want to wear a top like this (the one I impulse-bought a while back isn't there anymore.) Mine is exactly like this shape- and style-wise, but it's black with random white polka dots (with a matching fabric belt I may or may not wear because I intend to EAT while wearing this thing.) I have to find a short-ish black skirt and then wear these shoes and pray I don't fall flat on my face. Do I have approval?

3. Sleep continues to be had in this house. The only annoying thing this week is Molly waking up so early in the mornings (I'm going to try blacking out the window somehow) and only sleeping an hour or so in the afternoons and waking up her brother (who usually goes back to sleep BUT SOMETIMES NOT.) I usually fly up there, yank her out of the crib and stick her in the pack 'n play in the living room. Then I go sit on the front step and read a book. Sometimes she goes back to sleep, sometimes not. I don't expect her to sleep as long as Jack, but that boy has developed a Two-related attitude problem and while I suspect he needs his sleep, his MOTHER needs it more.

4. It's taken me a while, but I've finally decided that my favorite VeggieTales song is 'The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything'. That song just really speaks to me. Also, note to builders of TiFauxs everywhere: when you are Updating and Reworking and Installing New Operating Systems ETC. on the family TiFaux please make sure that your wife can access VeggieTales, aka How Things Get Done In This House, otherwise you may come home to 1) crap everywhere 2) no dinner 3) cranky children and 4) a seething wife.

5. I keep forgetting to say this and this spot is as good as any so: OKAY OKAY OKAY. It probably wasn't a BOX. It was some kind of CONTAINER and maybe I wasn't being quite as observant as I should have been and when writing the post went for the nearest container-like word in my head and out came BOX and HAD I KNOWN that's what people would glom onto in that post I MIGHT HAVE LOOKED IT UP FIRST.

6. I ordered a swimsuit today. Wait. That sounds like it's one thing. No, it's TWO THINGS. A (deep breath) bikini top and a (sigh of relief) "skirted bottom". Does that sound completely dorky? It looked cute on the Victoria's Secret website. And possibly like it might fit. I own a bikini top which I've used primarily for acquiring suntans in deserted parks and back yards. The swimsuit I bought for my trip to Hawaii 3 years ago (a "tankini", I hate that word) (and that I loved, and that fit me at a heavier weight than I am right now) looks AWFUL. I may be thinner, but the impromptu swimsuit fitting confirmed suspicions that my shape is... different. LE SIGH. Anyway. I need something for our various trips and outings this summer and I am fully prepared to purchase and return until I find something I like. (None of the swimsuits in actual stores are working out. In case you were wondering. And now I have written WAY MORE about my clothes than I ever care to.)

7. Right next to my computer is The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2009. Because, uh, WE ARE GOING TO THERE.

More quick takes at one of my favorite blogs.

Comments

[Charlotte]

Lovely choices and no you will not fall flat on your face. Pencil skirt or trouser on the bottom? I vote for pencil. Yes, I do so get a vote.

Might I humbly suggest getting a regular old bikini and purchasing a coverup skirt? Ralph Lauren swimsuits, while pricey, are quite nice and last forever. J. Crew also does a marvelous job of mix and match.

At least you called it a box. When I'm trying to describe things I just use wild hand gestures and random noises in shallow hopes that the person in front of me a) doesn't think that I'm a mad person b) understands my wild Charlotte code.

[el-e-e]

Oooh, Disney!! The Happiest Place on Earth! You will LOVE IT. I have all kinds of a--vice if you are interested.

BIKINI TOP? You're my hero!! I haven't braved one of those since, oh... college or thereabouts.

[Liz]

The Unofficial Guide is the BEST. Also try here ... www.allearsnet.com everything you wanted to know or didn't about Disney.

Love the shoes, but I would fall down. A lot. :) My 2 year old wears heels better than me.

[Kels]

Cute top, fabulous shoes. A black pencil skirt would look so cute :)

[Jess]

How did you even FIND OUT about this thing in the monastery? Anyway, I don't live in Iowa (obvi), but Black Sheeped does, though I don't know what town. I'm sure she'd be glad to help. Her site is http://blacksheeped.com.

[Sarah]

I will be driving through IA next week and will be going near Dubuque (although I'm not sure at what time). How late does a monastery stay open?

[Jessica]

Outfit: HOT. Very very sexy. I would be worried about a 3rd baby Cheung if I wore that outfit (okay, not ME because ME would never wear that outfit... I have way broad shoulders and have been advised to never EVER wear anything strapless.)
The shoes have straps, that should help the falling down factor. Just make sure to scuff them up outside on the sidewalk before you actually wear them out somewhere.

[charise]

i am curious as to what you are after from the dubuque monastery. my grandfather (who lived in cedar rapids, ia) died in april, and his cremation vault was this gorgeous handcarved wooden box made by the monks at a monastery in dubuque. i hope it is nothing that depressing!

[Elsha]

LOVE the top and shoes! I don't even own stuff that cute.

Also, Disneyland? I am SO jealous! I love that place and I haven't been in years.

[Kate P]

2. Hot hot HOT.
3. Yay for sleep! And light-blocking shades, apparently.
5. It's not you; we thought we were helping you feel better once you knew the word!
6. Sounds cute. I wish I could show my midriff and I don't even have any kids!

[annie]

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything is one of my absolute favorites. It's right up there next to Disneyland. :-) Are you driving down? You guys should stop by for a visit!

[Maggie]

I live pretty close to Dubuque, but I'm being induced to have a baby on Wednesday :-) I can ask around if any friends are going to be in Dubuque. What do you need in the monastary?

[Christiana]

I think the dinner outfit sounds fabulous. I'm jealous. We need pics post-event, even if you have to scan in a polaroid. :)

I think the bathing suit sounds cute - VS bathing suit bottoms always fit so much better than most, IMO.

And Disney... ah. I've wanted to contrast and compare the east and west coast disney's - we frequent Disney World, of course, as we are 2 hours away from Orlando. Hope you have a blast.