I HAVE AN ADDICTION!

In my younger years, I was deprived of buying "cool" pants, or pants with name brands on them.  I know that I coveted my friends' pants and the cute clothes that they wore.  I remember desiring to just have ONE PAIR of "cool" pants and I eventually got them. Now that I am in a financial position to purchase pants, any pants....I do. 

  

I don't even check prices. Bill's ways have rubbed off on me, as his philosophy is, "If you like it, just get it."  So that is what I do.   I try them on and if they have a good fit, I take them straight up to the counter and pay the price of the pants without looking at the price tag. If I look, I become a cheapie and tend to talk myself out of getting them, but if I pretend that I don't know that they cost $120.00 then all is well. 

Well, the other day I was in my closet and was a little stunned at the amount of pants(some are capris) that are stacked in my closet.  Some well worn, some with tags still on them and some quite a bit big because I had to go on a shopping spree just days after delivering Amber and now they are huge on me.  I admit that I love jeans.  If it was allowed, I'd wear them to church, weddings, formal functions, funerals etc.  I just love the way they fit, the way they feel and how they slim down my behind a bit.  There is one problem though......I am addicted to buying pants for myself. I spend way to much money on them and it's pretty bad when I walk into the Buckle and the employees call me by name, lead me to the latest jeans and then swiftly shove me into a fitting room, with 5 pairs of jeans that he knows I will like. My other problem-I hate trying on jeans and not getting any after all that effort of straightening my garments over and over suffering the rest of the day with stretched garments that sneak up to the top of my thighs. There must be some reward for the awkwardness of it all right??? 

I vow to spend less money on pants and wear out the ones that I have.  I just simply own too many and will not buy pants for at least 4 months(that's my goal anyway).  I counted my pants and I have 32 pairs!  One for every day?  That's ridiculous.  It needs to come to an end.  Thanks Bill for not complaining, or even saying anything about my many pairs of jeans.  I will do better by not buying impulsively.  Better yet, I'll stay away from the stores that I love.  

MY SWEET MADDY

I feel compelled to post on this darling picture of an older sister(Madison), who loves and cares for her youngest sister(Amber).  We had been at the lake for most of the day swimming, snorkeling, tanning & picnicking. We have spent many of our summer days out there where it is nice and cool and very relaxing.  As many do after a long day of activity, we just wanted to sit.  The kids wanted to veg on the sofa with a cartoon, mom & dad needed a nap and apparently Amber too!

I just love this picture!  Maddy was watching a cartoon and Amber snuggled up to her and that's all she wrote.  It took a while for Madison to realize that Amber had passed out on her leg, because she too was zoned out, just in a different way.

  Madison is one of my sweet, caring daughters and I am thankful for her.  I love her, I just do.  I am thankful for the help that she gives me when I so desperately need it.  She is my sweetheart who can giggle and laugh with me when I need it most, especially when I am on the verge of a breakdown.  She senses my inner feelings and tries to do what she can to help me out. She is the one that teaches me many things and reminds me of what I am doing wrong.  I love her for that.  Thanks for being my daughter Maddy.  I love you.