It's a Good Idea...Wedding Edition

It's a good idea to have several equally talented women as your bridesmaids in case your maid of honor regularly has to go out of town

It's a good idea to leave yourself plenty of time to decide on just what kind of favor you want. It could take three weeks for the containers to arrive.

It's a good idea to pair conversations between you and your guy about wedding details with a homemade meal, dessert and a yummy beverage.

It's a good idea, though it may seem crazy, to take a few full weekends off from planning, even one just shortly before the wedding.

It's a good idea to have a second reception for the family that all lives in the same state far away from the wedding location. It's especially good if the groom's family plans this reception, as it keeps them rather busy in the time before the big day.

It's a good idea to find a place for the two of you to live together before the wedding.

It's a good idea to practice any silly things you may have planned several weeks before the wedding when you still have time to change your mind.

It's a good idea to take your mom along for several small shopping trips to get all the odd little clothes you'll need on the day of the wedding -- shoes, undergarments, shawls, etc. Don't try to do it all at once, unless, of course, you want to drive yourself crazy.

It's a good idea to be incredibly flexible and understand that, unless you want to become a bridezilla, there's no way in he** you're getting everything you want on your wedding day.

It's a good idea to have your bachelorette party several weeks before your wedding so that the bruises will have cleared up by the time you walk down the aisle.

Things I Learned in Oklahoma

1) No matter how much a woman thinks she has hinted at getting certain types of presents, the only way a man will actually know, without a doubt, that getting things will not get him in any kind of trouble, is for a woman to TELL a man what she wants.

2) It is possible to buy a 2600 square foot home with four bedrooms, three full baths and a second floor game room for $219,000, brand new in Oklahoma. In five years, chances are the house will still be worth $219,000 and will most definitely still be in Oklahoma.

3) The coastal states have the best produce. Oklahoma is not a coastal state.

4) It's kind of nice when a minister opens an NBA game with prayer.

5) It's rather odd when Christmas isn't at my house, and, thus, all about me, but it is quite survivable.

6) I don't suck at jenga.

7) There is traffic in Oklahoma, especially on the two days before and after Christmas when people are populating the malls to excessive proportions.

8) In Oklahoma, teenagers rebel against their families by becoming Texas fans, but almost everyone roots for the Dallas Cowboys.

9) Family comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and legal varieties.

10) I can spend seven days in a row with WG and still not get sick of him :Þ.

Top Five Reasons I Am Not Attending My High School Reunion

5. It's today, and we were all told about it a whopping three weeks ago.

4. It's in the high school gym. Seriously? Ten years out of high school, and we're relegated to the "don't you dare scratch that precious floor" gym where we circulated around in P.E. clothes? Couldn't get a restaurant reservation for 165 on three weeks notice? Fancy that.

3. Facebook. I know what's up with everyone I need to know about already.

2. My mom's best friend's daughter, a girl I've known since the fourth grade, is getting married today. The reunion starts when the reception will just be getting good.

1. I'm over high school, and, amazingly, I'm over it enough that I have no need to parade my boyfriend and my master's degree around the high school gym, introducing them both to the people who made fun of me, the ones who dropped books on my head, the popular girls who are planning the reunion (who have, in fact, planned everything that ever happened with my class at the high school), groveling for approval.

Cheers, though, to the class of 1998. We've made it to adulthood, fairly unscathed. Congratulations to us all!

Real World Wednesday

The Gratitude List, final edition...for now.

1. For parents who understand, even when they'd rather just tuck their heads in the sand and prefer no changes were headed their way.
2. For a boyfriend and friends who didn't laugh at me when I twisted my ankle twice in the last half an hour of an entire weekend spent camping and hiking.
3. For that same boyfriend, who after the second fall, demanded that he carry the sleeping back strapped haphazardly to my back.
4. For new, shared memories with a treasured friend.
5. For showers.
6. For my loud, crazy cat back in my apartment after a weekend with my parents.
7. For the fear that makes me cautious as I consider major life changes in the coming months.
8. For that little voice in my head that monitors my actions and keeps me from driving people nuts.
9. For the end of a wonderful but somewhat life interupting photography class.
10. For running water.
11. For indoor plumbing.
12. For the quiet that is only found outdoors.
13. For the aches and pains in my body that remind me what I'm here for.
14. For the ability to let go, even when it hurts.
15. For pretty dresses and pretty, satiny shoes.
16. For walks with Daddy.
17. For easy answers to what I thought were difficult questions.
18. For new friends.
19. For peace of mind.
20. For blogging.

Because Lists Really Are the Best Way to Express How I Feel

This weekend was a marvel amongst weekends...probably because it's one of the last two day weekends, let alone three day (woot!) that I'm going to have until May.

So, here goes. The best parts of this weekend.
1) Having WG and Sarah time after two weeks of having to share ourselves throughout the weekend.

2) Watching The Illusionist while eating pasta he cooked, sipping yummy red wine he bottled and otherwise enjoying a Saturday evening in.

3) Dancing with my mom to ABBA in the living room after she'd opened up her birthday gift from me...tickets to see Mamma Mia. We were truly dancing queens.

4) Screaming my head off for the Giants, even though they lost. Even when they lose, it's still such a treat to see my boys. Especially on opening day. And, yes, Bengie Molina does look just a bit like Forrest Whitaker.



5) Overall, just spending a weekend feeling utterly and completely loved.

Real World Wednesday

Inspirational Women

Famous Women I Totally Dig

There are some women, actresses, authors, activitists, that I think deserve even more praise than they already get. So, on the off chance that you're not entirely aware of the awesomeness of these ladies, I wanted to make sure that even more people in the world know about them.

Ann Brashares

- The author of the acclaimed Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series really caught my breath with The Last Summer of You and Me. I'm thrilled that this talented woman has branched out from Young Adult Fiction, and her current book is the one that inspired me to go back to the keyboard.

Patricia Heaton

- She's an emmy award winning actress and the spokesperson for Feminists for Life. She's married with three kids, has a career and speaks out in support of more resources for student mothers. What's not inspiring about that?

Laura Bush

- There needed to be at least one librarian called to the front of the line this month. Forget who she's married to if you must, but we must give Mrs. Bush the credit she deserves for the attention she's brought to libraries nationwide, particularly school libraries. Additionally, she continues to ensure that the libraries hit by Hurricane Katrina get the renewed resources they need. Libraries are infinitely important sources of information and assistance, particularly in communities that have suffered in the way those hit by Hurricane Katrina have suffered; Mrs. Bush makes sure they get what they need.

Three real-life women making strides and inspiring other women to action, however great, however small.

And here's a Real World Wednesday Barista Update!

Real World Wednesday

Continuing with Inspirational Women.

Let's take a brief look at women around the world who should inspire us all.

Betty Makoni, of Zimbabwe received support from the Global Fund for Women for her Girl-Child Network. Ms. Makoni's organization creates girls' clubs throughout the towns and villages in Zimbabwe. These clubs provide a place for girls to gather, learn and become empowered against pervasive sexual and domestic abuse in their nation. Because of the Girl-Child Network, more than 15,000 girls have gone to school and 65% of the participants who have been abused or who are otherwise disabled received a score of "excellent" on their 7th grade exam. Ms. Makoni recognized a strong need in her community and sought to actively address the need.

Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work with The Green Belt Movement. The Green Belt Movement, based in Kenya, works to plant trees and improve the environment for everyone living today and tomorrow. With a 30-year-old organization as one of her accomplishments, Dr. Maathai is proof that women can inspire and foster long-lasting change.

Joanne Sandler is the Ad Interim Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). While I don't know much about Ms. Sandler on a personal level, UNIFEM is a program that should encourage all of us to get involved in global women's issues. UNIFEM provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies to foster women's empowerment and gender equality. Peppered throughout UNIFEM's site are resources that activitists can use to research and act on the issues in their own communities. Most recently, UNIFEM wrapped up the 2008 Commission on the Status of Women. A global organization acting in the interest of all women...take a look.

Three Revelations

1) I love my job when I am not required to work with the general public. It's the not knowing just who will sit down in front of me and what exactly they will ask me that drives me a bit batty. Visiting schools? Count me in. Book club? You got it. So, now I need to find a library job that allows me to keep doing the stuff I love but lets me have less of the unknown entities and more of my weekends.

2) Marriage is not a solution to an uncomfortable home life. A third person in my middle school cohort group has just gotten engaged, and, like with a few before her, it's an escape from awkwardness. It's an answer to her guy not being welcome in his parents' home because of shacking up with her. I'm hopeful that, despite the negative circumstances surrounding the wedding, she'll still have a happy marriage.

3) WG comes alive when he's around other people. He craves social interaction, and, poor guy, we've been lacking that a bit lately. We had the chance to go out hiking with one of my co-workers on our mutual day off yesterday (hurray for President's Day!), and he was just...on...the whole day. I really must keep in mind that he truly needs a healthy balance between downtime at home and out and about (but still relaxed) time. It is amazing to me that I get to keep learning more and more about him as time goes on. As he told me after one conversation during which I got angry because he told me something I hadn't known before, "If I'm lucky, we'll be 80 and still not have run out of things to share."

Three Days

Oh what a difference a day makes.

My two day trip to Arizona felt hurried, with no moment to just calm down and enjoy my surroundings.

But a three day weekend trip to Oregon. Oh, just the thing I needed.

Three days and (a narrowed down list of) three beautiful things.

1) Snowshoeing! My new favorite sport! The snow was powdery and soft. The air was crisp and clean. And I never fell down. Not even once. Okay, once...but that was on purpose.

2) Enjoying a new place and adding Eugene to my list of possible living destinations. It's green and cold and an hour from the snow. It's not a definite, but it's certainly a place I would consider.

3) A peaceful drive there and back, through snow and dark and some beautiful weather, as well. I've also now officially driven WG's car. There was no way I was going to let him drive 10 hours all by his lonesome! Still, after a hectic trip involving airports a week ago, I was more than happy to hop in a car and go on a little roadtrip.

4) okay...one more...being served by the bassist for the Cherry Popping Daddies. Seriously, those dudes don't make enough money. Still and all, it was kind of a treat to get my Philly Cheese Steak from a bass guitarist holding a baby (I don't think the baby had anything to do with him being a musician...).

Random Beauty

1) Coming home at 6:30, full of frustration at your property manager who you are beginning to suspect stole two packages and always closes the office early, and taking a ridiculously hot shower and feeling completely refreshed.

2) Eating artisan cheese and then falling asleep with your boyfriend on the too small love-seat, for two hours, waking up, having dinner, and actually going to bed.

3) While napping, telling yourself to remember this moment, to remember being wrapped up together and vaguely uncomfortable on the too small couch. Being aware that there will be a time, with a fancier couch and more responsibility, when remembering this will feel incredible.

12 Days of Christmas

I'm not sure I get 12 full days of Christmas, but I do get several "Christmas" sort of days.

1) A pre-Christmas with WG before he heads off the icy weather in the corral. The pre-Christmas was quite fun. We exchanged gifts, had yummy steak dinner...and now...well, though I'll miss him, it'll be a bit easier for me to handle it, now that I have one these. I do have the best boyfriend ever. And I told him so. Yes, I am exceedingly excited about this present. Yes, I am 27. Ah well, such is life.

2) Three full days of Christmas wonder with Mama and Daddy. Movie watching, game playing, a little bowling, a fine meal. I'm excited.

3) Monica and Sean arriving for our eleventh annual Christmas extravaganza. There will be a potluck. We will "do presents." And we will talk fondly about the past and with curiosity about the future.

I love the holidays. I love being surrounded by the ones I love, filling my days with tradition...oh...and singing Christmas carols at the top of my lungs.

Merry Christmas! May you spend time with the ones you love, not have to go to work and, quite simply, be happy.

A Beautiful Weekend

1) Starting out Friday evening with dinner at my parents' house. A fabulous time was had by all - there was roast beef, and perfectly done potatoes, and these loverly brussels sprouts. Then we watched Heroes. It can't get much better than that. It was also quite endearing to watch WG explain to my dad the he doesn't really want to see American Gangster (the movie my dad and I have been going on and on about to each other for months).

WG: Eh, I don't really want to see it. I don't like those kinds of movies.
My Dad (with an open mouth and an unbelieving expression in his eyes): You DON'T LIKE THOSE KINDS OF MOVIES? How can you not?
Me (trying to change the subject just a tad): They had an article with the real life guy's daughter in Glamour...
My Dad (now mumbling to himself): Sarah and I love those movies...
WG: Well, I'll see it...
My mom (perky in the background): Maybe we can all go together!

2) Pumpkin Carving with fabulous library friends! Yay! Our wonderful hostess provided the pumpkins, the carving gear, the yummy snacks...the works. A fabulous time was had by all. That seemed to be the order of the weekend. I greatly enjoyed getting dressed up with my blue wig and the rest of my martian costume, and it was fantastic to hear WG laugh heartily at himself as his costume makes him look just a tad silly.

3)Bridge School Benefit Concert- hearing Regina Spektor live for the first time and John Mayer live for the fourth time was amazing. I sang along, listened to the music and said to WG (my own personal band geek who can play three instruments well), "You know, I may not play music, but I listen to music. Just as there are leaders, there must be followers. There are those play music and those who listen. I listen." During the concert, with a perfect Hollywood movie blue sky speckled gently with whisphy white clouds, I worried that I would wake up from a dream. I also realized fully and for the first time that I have been with this man for over a year, that we are a couple, that I have survived a year with a man in my life, and I was happy.

Star Gazing

Three things.

Not necessarily beautiful.

1. If even one more person asks me if my possibly (possibly) moving to the same city as WG means we are moving in together, I may well scream. I didn't realize living in the same city as my boyfriend meant that we had to live together. It might just be nice to live in the same city for a while, right? Sheesh. Good thing I haven't mentioned this to one of my co-workers. She'll demand to stare at my (going to be naked for a while) left ring finger, to confirm that I have not, in fact, gone and gotten engaged without notifying her.

2. Facebook still manages to freak me out. I saw, months ago, that an old crush/old friend (yes, he was an actual friend) from high school was on the great timesucker, and I refused, refused to "friend" him myself. Then, this morning, I see the message in my inbox, "Old Crush has made you a friend on Facebook," and I felt oddly flattered.

3. Last night, walking the dogs with WG while my parents are out of town, I looked up and saw the Big Dipper in the sky, so close I felt like I was looking at a projection of it at the planet-A-rium (kudos to you if you get the cartoon reference). The sky was so clear. I saw Cassiopeia and Orion's Belt, and then I stopped staring open-mouthed up at they sky and looked ahead to see WG trying to trick my German Shepherd, Bailey. Bailey never walks in a straight line, but the person walking him usually does. But WG was behaving like an adorable six year old and decided to try walking a crooked line, too, so when Bailey would turn back towards WG, WG would already be there, and Bailey would run smack into his thigh with his head. WG found this amazingly funny, and I found it strangely endearing. The dog just found it confusing and kept walking his crooked little path.

After an Excellent Weekend

A wealth of beautiful things...

I like when I make you laugh out loud, and you seem so surprised at your own laughter.

I like that I know that you hope to name your future daughter something that starts with an L, because you like the way a cursive L looks when it's written.

I like that you think I'm beautiful, even when I question your sanity.

I like that you make me believe I'm beautiful.

I like when you suddenly but slowly reach for my hand when we're walking, especially when it's been a while since you held my hand.

I like that you cook for me.

I like when we can have a conversation when I actually stand up for my opinions and you end up agreeing with me (as these are rare conversations, I cherish them...though they become less rare as time goes on).

I like that you say you want to take more time for yourself but you find yourself wanting to spend that time with me anyway.

I like that you don't really question why I spout out random statements, interludes, in between conversations.

I like that I know where you want to eat.

I like that I know just where you to kiss you on the back of your neck.

I like that my touch can give you goose bumps and yours can give me them as well.

I like that I miss you when you leave (even though I hate that as well).

I like that you have come to enjoy spending time with my parents.

I like that you are strong (if sometimes stubborn) about your opinions.

I like the way you smile at me when you seem me walk in a room.

I like the way it's a slightly different smile when you think I look better than usual.

I like that we can now share strange, close details about our lives with each other that we wouldn't have shared a few months ago.

I like that we survived six weeks of living together when we both knew we weren't ready for it.

I like that we both agree that was a bad idea but can forsee a time when living together (though not "living together" in the shacking up sense of the phrase) will be a possibility.

I like that you are planning to take me home with you for Thanksgiving.

I like that you already know what you want to get me for my birthday (especially because such advance planning is so out of the ordinary for you).

I like that you insisted I tell you what's going on with my mom's health.

I like that you said you would pray for her.

I like that you are craving winter in the same way I am craving fall.

I like that you have made me cry happy tears.

I like that you have stood by me as I've gone through various epiphanies in the past several months.

I like that, before me, you had never had a real, long-term relationship -- that puts us on common ground.

I like that you love me.

I like that I want you to read this but know that I won't let you, at least not for a while.

A Five Star Weekend

1. Friday. Watching the Giants. Even as they fumbled and bumbled, they are still my Giants. And I love them.


2. Saturday. Following a years' long tradition and seeing Harry Potter with my best friend from college and her boyfriend. Having my own boyfriend along for the first time.

3. Quite simply, realizing the joy that comes from no longer being a third wheel. All. The. Time.

4. Sunday. Doing nothing and everything. Appreciating that my parents have, officially now, been married for a (mostly) happy 29 years. Truly enjoying the moments of my life, including the glorious weather, the meal prepared by WG and a rousing game of Settlers of Catan (I won).


5. Monday. Having a real day to myself but still choosing to go spend time with Mama, Daddy and the dogs. Baking muffins. Being at my apartment to enjoy the shadows dancing across the living room floor.

And I'll Gladly Stand Up Next to You...

It's the Fourth of July! And as some folks out there were ever so happy to celebrate Canada Day not too long ago, I'm thrilled to be having Independence Day...and not just because it gives me a day off.

Here are Three Beautiful Things About the Fourth:

1) My family's (continuing) tradition of eating barbecue for dinner and then getting Taco Bell on the way to the parking lot where we watch fireworks. I say, without sarcasm in my voice, that the Fourth of July celebrates my right to eat fabulously delicious junk food while watching beautiful, loud, dog-frightening fireworks and listening to Country/Americana Music on the radio. (the Taco Bell, my friends, is only on the Fourth of July). This year was no different, and it was a treat to sit with my mom, my dad and my two dogs and watch the show. We also were entertained by the adorable group of little boys (think four years old or so) as they did the play by play on each one, "Oh, there's a firework!" "I like the red and green ones." "That one was purple, though." "I like the Christmas colors." "Just so you know, there's no Santa Claus or elves or anything..."

2) It symbolizes the true start of summer around here. I know it's supposed to be Memorial Day, but it's not. And at 105 degrees, I'm now convinced that it's summer.

3) Singing "And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free..." at the top of my lungs as we drive home on roads crowded with others who have come from similar fireworks experiences all around town.

Daddy's Girl

It's no secret that I'm a Daddy's Girl. I mean, my mom and I have a fabulous relationship, but I am always Daddy's Girl. I love my mom to no end, but there is something different about the love a daughter has for her father, especially when she has as good a father as I do (though, being somewhat biased, I find it hard to imagine that anyone could have a better father than I do).

I applaud my mother for seeing the man my father would become in the boy he was. I thank her, to no end, for recognizing that he was the best husband for her and the best father for her future children.

It's also no secret that, to me, my father is a hero, nor that, for better or for worse, I am entirely his child.

In honor of Father's Day, some stellar things about my daddy:

Three Beautiful Things About My Father
1) He loves me without question and without judgment. He listens to me as I make my decisions and gives me advice when I ask for it. He lets me make my own mistakes and live my own life, stepping only when he sees me making the same mistakes he did, cautioning me about the possible negative outcomes.

2) He loves my mother wholeheartedly.

3) He is a good and honorable man. He taught me to give my all, to try my best and to always, always, act with honor and justice.

Three Beautiful Things About Being My Father's Daughter
1) I get to have his hair color, his eye color, a feminine version of his build, and his walk. This means my legs are strong, that I'm built for running and swimming, that I may be described as long and lean. My feet are not big. My knees are knobby and distinctive. My ankles are weak. I wouldn't change a single thing.

2) Being both an only child and a girl close to her father, I have learned a great deal about what to look for in my future husband. I would never date, or moreover marry, a man my father did not respect. I hope I have even a fraction of my father's judge of character.

3) I also inherited his style of thinking, which means that I am not alone in seeing the world with my own particular, peculiar perspective.

Three Beautiful Things About Being a Daddy's Girl
1) My father would do anything for me. Anything. Anytime. Any place. Thus far, this has involved picking me up from out-of-the way places, lifting heavy objects, having a house filled with a menagerie of pets and threatening to beat up one particularly obnoxious teacher in high school.

2) I know the proper way that a gentleman should treat a lady.

3) I know a heck of a lot more about cars and sports than a lot of women (yes, my love for baseball also comes from my mama, but what can I say, she chose well!).

Three More, Just for Good Measure
1) Watching Daddy walk through the hallway at work, proud, strong, confident in his ability, and seeing people toss admiring glances his way.

2) Knowing that I already know the song for the Father-Daughter Dance at my far-off wedding and knowing that it is the absolute perfect choice (and I'm not telling anyone until that day comes).

3) Knowing that he's saved me a hundred times or more from danger I didn't even know existed. No matter what, no matter what husband may enter my life, Daddy will be my hero.

The Three Best Pictures
1) In the NICU in the hospital where I was born. Me, as a newborn, several weeks early, looking like a tiny little eggplant in his large, solid, dependable hands. Him, young (younger than I am now), with no gray hair, no wrinkles whatsoever, wearing a yellow hospital cover-all and a look of complete and utter excitement on his face as he ponders the future of his brand new baby daughter.

2) The backyard in our first house. It's him, me and our beloved dog Fanny. He's kneeling on one leg, and I'm scooted in close to him with my elbow on his bent knee. Fanny's on his other side. He and I are grinning, and Fanny looks pleased as punch to be getting the attention.

3) My college graduation. Side by side. He's in his black leather jacket and a Cal hat (Go Bears!), and I'm still in my graduation regalia, blonder-than-usual hair (something I'll never do again). He looks proud. I look relieved. We both look a little bit scared about getting back in the caravan of vehicles and heading back home to deal with the mish-mash of crazy relatives.

I Hate These Kinds of Posts

I had it in my head that I could write this as a kind of three beautiful things. And so I will, but be warned, if you have a pet, had a pet or cried when you saw Old Yeller, you may not like this post. I know I don't.

Three Beautiful Things about Timmy

1) Knowing him when he was just a little ball of gray and black fluff at 11 hours old, eyes closed, mewing quietly. Seeing him for the first time and knowing that he'd be the kitten I begged my parents to let me take home. Bonding with him and playing with him for the five weeks before he came home with me. Feeding him formula for the next few weeks, because his mother's owners hadn't wanted to keep the kittens any longer than five weeks. To his very last day, to his very last hours, he was happy to sit on my lap, knead my stomach and nuzzle against me, purring.

2) Hearing his lovely little meow whenever I saw him. He would talk. Other animals of ours whine and complain, but Timmy talked (how hard it was to type "talked" instead of "talks"), chattered and had full-fledged conversations with people.

3) Being with him at the end as I was with him at the beginning. Being able to kiss him, sing him his special songs and help him pass on peacefully to a heaven I believe is populated by the other animals we've lost and a wealth of great-grandmothers and others who will happily listen to his chatter and hold him in their laps. Keeping a promise I made to know him his entire life and to not let him be alone at the end.

The Beauty of This Weekend

My mommy's birthday, Easter Vigil Mass (my possible favorite amongst all Catholic masses, when done right) and Easter itself. All provided ample opportunity for me to find beauty in the days...and here they are.

1. My mommy laughing, crying, smiling and otherwise truly enjoying her birthday week and her actual birthday-day. She was beautiful and happy and very, very loved. And we all got cake.

2. Steak, lots and lots of sugar, a walk with the dogs and two and half hours watching Matt Damon, Leo and Mark Wahlberg...in other words: Easter Sunday was a blast.

3. Saying we love each other with the lights on, not on a text message, and much, much earlier than the first time at about 2 a.m. Saying it into each other's eyes, when we can actually see each other's eyes, somehow makes it seem oh so much more real.

Three Crazy Beautiful Things

1. My throat hurts. My throat hurts, because I laughed ALL weekend. And this weekend, that means three straight days on top of Friday evening. That's a great reason for my throat to hurt.

2. Oh, my gosh, the weather! I have felt like a little spring elf running around, giddy with joy at the fact that I don't have to wear a sweater, can go out barefoot on my patio without my shoes and have planted some wee little tomato seeds in a window box. Rock on!

3. I was dying to go shopping, and when I finally did. I bought a skirt that doesn't match anything I own, hangers, dish soap and a movie I don't really care that much about. This is called retail therapy, and it is a beautiful thing.