Shel's musings

I'm generally pretty obsessed with clothes, though you probably wouldn't know that just by looking at me on a day to day basis. I'm not really the snappiest dresser. In fact, I'm so not stylish at all. I try to avoid trends and buy things that are classic pieces, or at least ones that are basic and can't be screwed up.

I've recently become obsessed by toddler clothes. Naturally, this is because of Lu. I try really hard to not get wrapped up in all of the hype, but that doesn't keep me from trolling the internet in search of cute, but reasonably priced clothes for my little man.

Right now, I'm fretting over fall clothes. I want enough so that I don't have to worry about laundry constantly during the school year. I don't think, however, that this will go over well with my husband, who could care less about clothes.

Off to look at shoes for me. I desperately want at least two new pairs of shoes for school.

Our neighbor is a pretty weird guy. He's a 40 something elementary school custodian named Rusty. He's married to a woman who's my age named Julie (I'm 29). They are nice enough neighbors-- never too loud or too crazy, but Rusty is one strange dude.

He keeps a workshop in their garage. This isn't any workshop though; it has a woodburning stove for winter and an air conditioner for summer. Rusty can usually be seen working away on god-knows-what in his garage/workshop, usually with a smoke dangling from his right hand and a beer in the left.

Rusty collects things-- cars, bikes, pop cans, antiques. He's been trying to sell this monster truck looking vehicle for months now. It's super loud, so I can't imagine why anyone would buy it. He's has several people interested, but no buyers as of yet. Maybe it's because it's a truck without a bed. Or maybe it's because it's a crazy truck.

Well, today, a high school kid rolled up in a sporty little late model Mazda, Toyota, or Nissan. I can't really tell which. This curly haired, naive soul has been looking over the crazy truck for about an hour now. Rusty has been looking over the kid's car with interest. It appears as though a trade might be going down.

Somewhere tonight in CR, a set of parents are going to shit a brick. Somewhere tonight in CR, an elementary custodian will have scored the deal of his life.

This is my new guilty pleasure and I've drawn C in as well. Goodness, I'm evil!

My little Lu is a pretty gentle soul. He laughs a lot and likes to hug me during the day. Sometimes, though, his darker side comes out. When that happens, WATCH the F OUT! Good lord, can that boy scream!

I was looking at CNN on the computer when he started sucking on our cell phone charger. Umm... no. We don't do that. So, I fished the cord out of Lu's mouth and prop him up next to a dining room chair while I entered the place that I hate most (my kitchen) to do some cleaning. I'm am not kidding when I say that Lu took in a deep breath and wailed for approximately three minutes straight. He had the whole show going-- red eyebrows, big fat wet tears, balled up fists, quivering lip. I scooped him up and placed him the safety of his crib. I will not raise that kind of child. I just won't.

Five minutes later,all is quiet.

I think Lu has my personality when it comes to anger. I liken myself to an Iowa summer evening-- things can be calm and serene, but them out of nowhere, a huge thunderstorm can develop and blow things up. Then just as quickly as it developed, it disapates. That's me. That's also my son. Sweet (insert sarcasm here)!

Hmm... I'm thinking that I should do a little introduction. So, here goes:

• Grew up in Iowa
• Went to college at Central College and Iowa State University
• Married a man I fell madly in love with at a kegger (is that possible? YES, it is!)
• Teach HS English
• Live in a cute house
• Have an equally cute dog
• Got knocked up and have a gorgeous son

I think that explains things well enough for now. I have a blog that I share with my husband, but I kind of want a place of my own, so I'm setting up shop here.

Things I love:

• the men in my life-- C, Lu, and Bernard
• really good music
• books, books, books
• food
• travel
• art
• shopping

And here it is... Thanks to Kelly for the invite.