Kim Says

Typically I am not a labels wearing person. I do not normally shop in specialty boutiques or require a name brand on my apparel or furnishings. However, there are times when I want something so specific that I have to find it wherever I can. I may also pay more for the item than on a regular shopping trip, but it really has to be worth it to me and still be a good value. For example, I saw a lighting fixture in a magazine several years ago. I was determined to find this light fixture, but within my modest budget. It took me two years of stopping into stores, visiting websites and sifting through catalogues, but I found it. I paid just under $200 for it (but the one in the magazine was well over $2,000). I felt good about my purchase and
everyone comments on my unique Moravian Star light fixture. I love it.

So I decided I really wanted an authentic Irish Fisherman’s cable knit sweater. I began searching for them in stores, online and in catalogues. So far, I have not been able to find one that is close enough to the original that is also within the price range that I feel still makes it of good value.

Then Hubby asked me to give him a Christmas list…

Yesterday was my birthday and he gave me a sweater as my
present. He explained his disclaimer before allowing me to open it: “I know that you put that item on my list only because you couldn’t find it on your own. I am giving you this sweater for your birthday instead of Christmas because I
know it’s not the right sweater. I know you will return it. I know that with each of the dozens of stores I physically entered; with every salesperson that told me NO, you were laughing.”

So today I am wearing the sweater to work. It’s a perfectly nice sweater. It definitely is not an authentic Irish Fisherman’s cable knit sweater, but it is a sweater.  And
it will forever be my sweater… to wear… often… while I secretly laugh…just a
little bit…

It had been a long time since I have been to a nice salon
to get my hairs all done professionally. Been doing it myself with a box of
color and visiting the cheapy trim shop for trying to keep the dead ends at
bay. But yesterday the Boss declared he was bored with work and was going to
the movies for the afternoon. I dashed right over to my favorite salon and
sheepishly asked if anyone was free to “fix” me without an appointment. Daniel
bounded across the floor. He wore brand new cowboy boots; hair perfectly gelled
and a Burberry scarf knotted at his neck.

“Are you sure you can squeeze me in without an
appointment?” I ask.

Daniel had a smile ten feet wide and actually took my
hand to lead me to his chair. “Whoa, back it up. BEEP! BEEP! We are going to be
great friends”, he says.

It’s true. Daniel was incredibly sweet and gentle and I
was in and out within the three hour limit to my patience (any time longer than
that and the tip dips dramatically right along with my good humor). He managed
to make my hair look exactly like the photo I brought with me and I did not
have to sacrifice two arms and a leg for a hairstyle and an eyebrow wax! BONUS!

New and improved Kimmer for her next birthday…

Hubby, Boy and I all went to the Eye Doctor together. We
booked our appointments online and when we arrived in person, we introduced
ourselves as the Blind Family.

Boy hadn’t been to the eye doctor’s offices in over a
year. He has a nice pair of glasses, but hasn’t had contacts in a long time. He
came out with a slightly stronger prescription and 30 day contact lenses. Good
to go.

I had not been to the eye doctor since the first time I
was required to wear glasses over 4 years ago. I had purchased a very expensive
pair and I was determined to squeeze out every last penny of value out of those
things! The first pair were also very minimal: wire frame in a brown bronze
color, frameless lenses. I tried to make them as unnoticeable as humanly
possible. And I only wore them at work. I became very good at saying, “I don’t
have my glasses on, can you read this to me please”.  While reading “The Chart” at the eye doctor’s office, I was reprimanded for squinting.  Then after a thorough exam I was told I have a white spot on my left eye that has probably been there since birth, it will not  worsen but it will always be there. I also have astigmatism and I now wear Progressive bifocals. Who knew? No more squinting because I am required to wear my glasses all the time now. Which prompted Boy and Hubby to rally for all new, super cool, celebrate wearing glasses, bigger than life frames! No more hiding them, just show them off! I tried on a very similar pair to my old pair with a brown/gold wire frame that had cute little pearls at each hinge.

NEXT!

I tried on bright red Prada frames, but the lenses seemed to magnify my eyebrows. NEXT!
I tried on DKNY cat shape frames with rhinestone bling, but I swear I saw my
Mother (from 1968) in the mirror staring back me.

OMG NEXT!

Then I was introduced to the Tiffany & Co. wall of glory. I heard angels singing “Moon River” as I basked in the glow of Tiffany Blue; every girl’s favorite color. Ahhhhh…They are a plastic frame, black on the outside and Tiffany Blue on the inside with the signature silver Tiffany’s hearts at each temple. They are comfortable and cute and I am accepting of the fact that I am sufficiently blind now.

Finally, Hubby emerged from his doctor’s appointment with
only a slip of paper. He did not get a new prescription or new glasses, the
poor guy got a referral and an appointment at an eye surgeon for next month. He
has cataracts and must have surgery to improve his eye sight. He didn’t tell me
until after we got home. I assume he didn’t want me to worry about the cost of
my fancy schmancy glasses as opposed to the cost of his NEEDED surgery.

Let the savings begin!

I woke up this morning to a stranger sleeping on the floor. Funny thing is, the ONLY hardwood in the WHOLE house is in the front foyer. There is one small area rug at the bottom of the stairs. The rest of the house is covered in a shaggy thick
pile carpet. There are 3 unused bedrooms and there are 4 couches/loveseats. One loveseat and a chaise lounge is just inches from this person’s head. But this person is rolled up in the small area rug, on the hardwood floor at the bottom of the stairs.

At first, I thought they had fallen down the stairs and died there. But I didn’t see any blood that I would be stuck cleaning up, so I didn’t worry about it. A little later, the person actually moved; removed his belt and shoes and rolled over and went back to sleep. Rolled up in the small area rug, on the hardwood floor at the bottom of the stairs.

It is the last day of the month. I tried my best to post something every single day, but things got in the way. I dunno what happened to some of my posts. I was in Texas for a few days and I am pretty sure Texas doesn’t like the interwebinblogoshere. Somehow Pretty Pathetic is blank. It was an anecdote about hostess gifts; even had a picture! And All I Want For Christmas should have posted for Black Friday. Anyway, so I missed a few days and didn’t win any grand prize, but I did have a lot more things to say than I thought I would. Is that good or bad?

December is a busy month for all of us. I know I celebrate many birthdays, holidays and special occassions all month long. So if I don’t have very much to say this month it’s probably a good thing.

Happy Holidays!