Pam: Kelly really likes to online shop. Soooo, I felt like I wanted some new clothes. I mean, I just, I wanted to, it just, I felt like it was time, to maybe um... just get new clothes.

I love "The Office."  It's amazing how many life situations/events can be summed up with an Office quote.  Genius.

I decided that it was time to get some new clothes.  With the weather warming up and spring in the air, I got to the point this week when the thought of putting my sweaters on again and wearing closed-toed shoes with socks made me want to gag.  Especially after spending a week in Panama City Beach, FL and breaking out the capris, skirts, short sleeves and flip-flops... coming back to freezing temps and having to wear my winter coat for another few weeks felt like corporal punishment.  So, today was the day...

I'd forgotten just how much fun it was to get trendy new clothes!  This is the first season, in the last 3 years or so, that I don't have to completely rebuild my wardrobe just so that I'd have clothes that fit.  It was cool for a while, but it got really old REALLY quick, b/c every season meant finding simple, basic pieces that I could do different things with, so as to multiply my options; I knew that the next season those same clothes would no longer fit.  I didn't want to get attached to something that I'd only wear for a short time.  So much for creativity and risk.  Boo.

Not wanting to get too excited and out of control once I hit shopping mode, I took some time the other day to evaluate and remind myself of what I already had (that I could still wear!), and narrowed down my list of wants to a few things: I wanted to get a new skirt, a pair of trouser jeans, some cute tops that I could mix and match, a new black bag, a brown necklace, and some sassy sandals.  That's the planner in me, I guess .  It was an incredibly successful, bargain finding shopping day!

After grabbing breakfast with Christine this morning at one of my favorite restaurants in WC, Market St. Grill, I picked Erica up and we drove to Exton, the closest shopping mecca we could get to; after all, we were on a mission and on a schedule.  We hit Kohl's, and had fun challenging each other to step out of our comfort zones as we raided the endless clearance racks, being drawn to the orange 70%-80% off signs like moths to a flame.  Then, it was over to TJ Maxx, Payless Shoes (where Erica took advantage of their occasional BOGO event), and Target.  I wanted to burst into random song and choreography as I walked out of every dressing room with another treasured find.  In the last couple of days, I've found everything on my wishlist without breaking the bank.  Sweet satisfaction.

I found it interesting that as I was shopping today, I was drawn to more of a business/casual style, especially b/c the dress code where I work is uber-casual, with the goal being to blend in and be mistaken for a college student.  For me, this was stepping a bit out of my clothing comfort zone... so I ran with it.  Unfortunately, I can't wear a pair of sassy heels every day on the crooked sidewalks of WC, at least not without risk of serious or potentially fatal injury; but I now have a few things I can wear "off-the-clock" when I want to feel like a grown-up professional.  Kinda fun.  Now I just need to make some plans and get out there...

Part of me can't believe I just blogged an entire entry about clothes shopping.  It's part of the high I'm currently on, I guess.  Oooh, the possibilities! 

Stepping Out,
LBa

-chicken stock
-carrots
-celery
-green onions
-apples
-turkey
-OJ
-hummus
-tomato
-avocado
-oscillococcinum

I recently heard a commercial on the radio, during which several names of celebrities, athletes, and a handful of "regular people" were read and identified as "The Faces of Influenza."  Above is a grocery list representing just one of the many faces of influenza: mine.

I haven't had the flu for years; and by years, I mean not since elementary school.  That was the worst.  I think I spent several days laid out on the couch in front of the TV, wrapped in a Tom & Jerry blanket, drinking ginger ale and choking down a ridiculous amount of saltines.  To this day I still have a hard time drinking ginger ale, which, contrary to popular belief, doesn't contain any ginger.  But, that's beside the point.  The point is, I now realize why my mom always took my sister and me for our annual flu shots.

Saturday morning, I woke up with a scratchy throat.  I didn't think anything of it then, because not only had the last week been characterized by the coldest temps. of the year, my thermostat died and I was without heat for a couple of days.  So, logically, I thought it was just some random sinus business from going back and forth between warm and frigid environments.  I popped a vitamin and went over to the Wallins' to hang out with Alison and their 8 month old son, Benjamin.  Then the guilt set in as I started feeling feverish on my way back home; not only did I feel miserable, I felt like a jerk because I'd spent part of my afternoon playing with and holding a baby.

First, I blamed Dave, one of the guys on my staff team, because he had the flu last week.  However, after a somewhat humorous email in which he went to great lengths to prove his innocence, his name was cleared.  I now hold the school-aged kids sitting behind me at the Andre Kole event I attended on Friday night solely responsible; I distinctly remember their parents telling them to cover their mouths after every cough.  Poor kids, I can't really blame them; but theirs are the faces that I currently associate with influenza, besides my own .

After sleeping my life away this weekend and getting a thorough ab workout by way of coughing my lungs up yesterday, my fever finally broke this morning, and I'm ready to rejoin the living world.

It'll be good to be back.

Because Mom Was Right,
LBa