Is there a support group for scarf hoarders?   If there is, then count me in.   I've figured out why I like scarves so much.  They help you to be the master of disguise.   They shout "look at me!  You would never know I'm covering up this mom's discount Target tee and her muffin top because I'm an awesome pop of color at her neck."   So as much as we all loathe winter, the summer season that we sing the praises of does not have an accessory that has our back like the scarf does.  A scarf takes one for the team.   Summer clothes slap us in the face (and the muffin top for that matter.)

The funny thing is, even though I own a lot of scarves,  I:

1)   Can never seem to turn one away, and
2)   Don't really look great in a scarf

Some people admire others for their smile, their laugh, their wealth, their friends.  I will look at someone and think "now that girl can wear a scarf!"   You're either born with a nice long neck for scarf-wearing or you're not and yours truly was not.  I am reminded of this when I have those times that I feel like I'm drowning in one!

In 2016, I lost a very close friend to nasty, ugly cancer.  One of those very special friends that is in your life everyday, especially because we lived two houses away.  I can't count the number of times I have thought of her, wanted to call her and heard my children speak her name this year.  She too was a scarf hoarder and looked amazing in them.  When she knew her death was coming, she decided to leave her scarves to her friends, who in turn wore them to her funeral and now wear them in her memory as they live life.  She was so selfless and generous in life and now she continues that from heaven.  It was a very special gift (its the one with the turquoise pom poms.)



My soul is brightening as I wear your scarf Lucy.

This is a great time of year to buy scarves - they're all on sale and there is still lots of time to wear them!  Here is a link to one I just purchased and it comes it lots of colors.  Be sure to use the extra discount code for more money off.  

J Crew factory

Stay warm friends (and look lovely at the same time!)

The best of 2016

Last year, we started a new tradition in our family - making "Best of" posters for the old year.  I wanted gratitude and appreciation to seep more into our family.  I want my children to realize how blessed they are and also how the little things in life are just as memorable as the big things.   Just like last year,  when we sat down to start working on them, the big trips come to mind first.  Everyone sits and thinks quietly about their year.  And then all of the sudden, everyone starts writing and then there are a lot of "oh, that was fun!  I forgot about that!"  Its really fun to watch the process unfold.  I hang them up for the month of January and then save them for the future.  Its a little time capsule for our family.

My favorite of William's- his roller skates that Santa brought

Caroline's discovery of watercolor painting this year

Bart's love of William's drum playing

Owen's love of his scout hike at summer camp

Finn's in general!!

And mine was the new craft room!

Looking forward to 2017 and living all of the fun times that we will write on our posters next year.  Happy New Year!

Sherman

Santa struck a huge victory this year and his name is Sherman.  A discontinued, hispanic skin, dark haired bitty twin boy named Sherman.  Hallelujah!  Not since Baby Jesus himself has a baby been more longed for.  (just kidding, but not really)

Back track to a few weeks before Christmas.  I go to the American Girl store with Caroline and Finn to buy a gift for my niece Emma.  Caroline and I are in heaven.  Its been a few years since we've been into the AG store and we are giddy to have a reason to go back.  Trying to prolong our stay there, we decide to have a treat in their cafe.  The sweet manager brings out her personal doll from the back that looks like Finn to sit with us.  She calls him Sherman.

Of course you know the rest of the story- Finn falls for Sherman, Sherman was not only part of a twin set but is now discontinued and I make it my personal mission to find Sherman.  I take a close up picture of Sherman for reference and we kiss him goodbye.

I post the picture on our local Facebook Swap and Sell site.  What luck!  A mom from school has him, although in a lighter skin tone, and brings him to school the next day.  I have him in my car!!!  I am on my way to pick up Caroline from one of her finals - excited to tell her that we have lift-off!   Then an email comes- can I return him?  Her daughter was not ready to part with him.  Of course, what am I to do.  I can't be the source of a little girl's sadness.   The mission continues.

I call the American Girl number.  No luck.  In fact, not helpful at all.  The woman on the other end of the phone did not even consult the computer.  Last ditch effort - I called the St. Louis store and told them the sob story, being sure to emphasis how nice they were in the store.  Do they have an extra in the back?   She says no but consults her computer.   She shows one in the warehouse!!!!   She takes my order with the warning that they may call and tell me that the inventory was incorrect and that they don't have one.  She asked me if I want to pay $30 in expedited shipping.  This is where I draw my line between determined and crazy.  I say no, hoping that since I am in the same UPS region as the warehouse,  Sherman will arrive in time for Santa.

I wait for the phone call........instead I get an email that it has shipped with tracking info that says it will arrive before Christmas!  I decide that Sherman needs to arrive in style with a bed from IKEA and a homemade quilt.  Obviously, I am reliving my daughter's childhood and admitting it means I don't need therapy.  Lets face it, trains and superheroes are fun but after three rounds of the boy stuff, I do miss the dolls and tea parties sometimes.

but maybe those things can co-exist.  Evidence below - Catboy holding his very own Sherman.


And since we were leaving the next day for Maryland, Finn decided Sherman needed a suitcase of clothes.   A quick trip to the craft room where I had a little suitcase and up to the attic where Caroline pulled down some old doll clothes from her Bitty Baby and Sherman was the best dressed cross dresser on the East Coast!   Being a boy though, sometimes its just funny to be naked.



Finn + Sherman = childhood.   Welcome to the family Sherman!