Guess Where I Am? 2
Guess where I am?
Shopping with Teenagers
The day after Christmas the girls and I set out for the outlets. They had Christmas cash in their pockets and they were ready to restock on clothes and shoes for school. As we walked around, I noticed that they would only go into certain stores. Those stores were Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Polo, Wet Seal and Aeropostale. They shunned more economical places like Old Navy. I thought I would use this as a teaching moment about getting the most value for your money. Here is how the conversation went:
Princess: “Mom, you don’t understand. I can’t just wear anything. People will talk about me.”
Me: “What people?”
Princess: “I have an image. It’s like when you tried to get me One Star Converse. I can’t wear that.” (Side note: I know my daughter likes Converse sneakers. We were in Target and they sell Converse. I didn’t realize that One Stars are Converse’s country cousin. The one you can’t take anywhere. The horror.)
Diva: “Yeah, she can’t walk around in Skechers like you. She can’t wear Shape Ups.”
(Side note #2: I like Skechers. My girls like to talk about my sneakers but I go for comfort every day. When they were young and had no opinions whatsoever they wore them too. And liked them.)
Me: (still trying to maintain a teaching moment) “Why do you care if people say something? It doesn’t matter if you wear a name brand or not. You’re still the same person.”
Princess: “See, you can wear anything.”
Me: (teaching moment forgotten at the perceived insult) “Are you saying I don’t know how to dress?”
Princess recovered quickly: “No, mom. You have some swag.”
“Swag” means stylish in teenage language. I have to add this term to my teenage dictionary. See my earlier post on bilingual kids.
Diva gave a quick second. I knew I was being played but I liked the thought that I could rock Skechers and still have swag so I let the speech go for the moment. “Okay ladies, let’s get some lunch.”
We enjoyed the rest of our trip. The girls got some cute outfits for school. I actually picked out a couple of things for them that they liked. And I made it through the day without being called “lame” which was a first. It was a Christmas vacation miracle.
Any experiences shopping with teenagers? Please share.
>Savannah Reunion
>What’s Playing on the iPod right now: “Remember the Time” – Michael Jackson
What I am reading now: “Getting to Happy” – Terry McMillan
This Labor Day weekend I met up with Elaine Johnson Farrar. All through middle and high school, Elaine and I were what the kids today call BFFs. (Best Friends Forever). This means we talked on the phone everyday, navigated the terrain of high school life and hung out at each other’s house. We knew each other’s secrets and all of our dreams. But as is sometimes prone to happen, life gets in the way. We haven’t really talked or seen each other since the summer after high school. But through the magic of Facebook, we found each other again. So, this weekend, we decided to met in Savannah, GA.
Driving down I realized that it’s been over twenty years since I’ve seen my friend. I can’t help but wonder, how much has she changed? The last time we hung out we were kids with big dreams. Now we are adults knocking down 40 years old. People change over time, right?
I arrive at the bed and breakfast that Elaine found for our visit. The Park Avenue Manor is simply lovely. Elaine hasn’t arrived yet so I get a tour of the home by the gracious host and I am immediately made to feel at home with the offer of brownies and sherry and freedom to use the parlors and courtyard at any time. I have chosen the Savannah Room and I am transported back in time when all homes had hardwood floors and big picture windows. I relax in my room until I hear a car door outside and go to the window to get a glimpse of my friend.
She looks exactly as I remembered. Her heart-shaped face and petite frame are the same. The hair, a twist of natural curls, is new but accents her grown woman style.
As I wait for her to settle in, I wonder will we have that same chemistry? Conversations over the phone were easy. Face to face will be the true test. Would we be able to connect the way we once did as kids?
I open the door and we hug like long lost sisters. All reservations vanish as we slip back into the rhythm of long time friends. We have established no set time table so the weekend is open to possibilities. We stroll and explore the historic streets of Savannah and get updated. We talk about family and jobs and adventures that have taken place in the space of our lives. Relearn each others likes and dislikes. Lay the foundation for trust to grow anew. And by the end of a weekend that went by too fast, I am glad that I came. I am glad I found my friend.
We make plans to make this an annual event. My BFF is back and we have the next twenty plus years to create new memories.
>Some Time Away
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What’s Playing on the iPod right now: “My Prerogative” – Bobby Brown
Spent the weekend with hubby in Hilton Head. Sometimes you just need to get away from the regular routine (and the kids) and just be. We made the drive down to the island on Friday. Of course, on Saturday it rained. This is the view from our balcony:
But we made the best of it. Stayed in and did what grown people do. And then when we had to leave, this is how pretty it was:
I had a nice, relaxing time though. On another note, I wasn’t able to work on my novel but I did work out a scene. I don’t know about other writers but my story is constantly in the back of my mind. Sometimes, whenever I get a quiet moment (in the shower, washing dishes, etc.) I can see a scene with extreme clarity. I have found that I have to stop immediately and write it down or it is lost. So, I did work a little. With the day off tomorrow, I hope to be able to get a lot accomplished.
Peace.