What I did today instead of working

1. Was read to by a few second-graders in D's class
2. Ate lunch at Cheesecake Factory (pistachio swirl cheesecake this time)
3. Bought a few things at LUSH (catastrophe cosmetic & honey I washed the kids soap)
4. Went to Trader Joe's (chocolate-covered almonds, beer, etc.)
5. Got coffee at Caribou (iced soy vanilla latte)
6. Cooked dinner (baked tofu, mashed sweet potatoes, salad)
7. put off grading for another day...

I'll also be watching The Office later, but only after a honey bee bath bomb.

Looking for some closure

Yesterday, I packaged up the maternity clothes that I had ordered and put the boxes in the trunk of my car. This morning, I dropped them off at UPS. I also put away some other pregnancy things: the B6 lozenges that I never needed because my morning sickness ended early, the pregnancy information book from the doctor's office, the couple maternity clothes that couldn't be returned, ultrasound picture of the baby at 8 weeks, some morning sickness tea, etc. It's put away in the back of the closet where I won't see it all the time. I was out all day today- starting with my weekly visit to D's class. I went shopping and met my sister-in-law at Cheesecake Factory for lunch (we shared a piece of chocolate coconut cream cheesecake for dessert). I also finally visited the nearest Lush store (I now have two bath bombs to try out once the doctor OKs baths). I wanted to cash in my Talbot's gift card, but their spring clothes were a bit too colorful and pastel for my tastes, so I'm hanging onto it. I used part of my Kohl's card on a new Calphalon stir fry pan and lid. On the way home, I picked up Thai food (which I probably won't even eat until tomorrow, because I'm still full from lunch). I'm feeling a little down, despite the retail therapy. I know it will take time to heal from this. It's been over a week since we got the news. Tomorrow will be one week since the "event". I am looking forward to getting more weeks between me and all of this. 

Shopping advice? updated

Is it worth spending $100 on a maternity suit from Ann Taylor Loft? It is on sale... It pains me to spend too much on clothes that I will wear for only a few months in the fall, but I will have to have something to wear to work!

UPDATE: Well, I caved before I even heard from anyone, because this dress was on sale for $9.88 (from $84.00!!) I got the suit, too and one other top (in black). Thanks for helping me rationalize my retail therapy, Dr. Brazen Hussy!

New shoes!

I've been wanting to post a picture of my new shoes, but I can't find them on the web anywhere. I bought them from the DSW clearance rack, so they are clearly not a new style. I love them! They're much higher heels than I usually wear and my bunion is telling me so (my other foot feels great, though). Here is a picture of D trying them on. It's frightening to me that her feet don't really look all that small for my size 10 shoes!

D started school today. Here she is waiting for the school bus:

Yes, that is corn in the background
(I don't call it Small College Town for nothing!)

RBoC: Semester Imminent Edition

Sorry, I've been so sporadic with the blogging and not really posting much substance. While I was traveling, I didn't have much time to blog and since getting home, I am just trying to get something done before all of the students invade Small College Town again.

• I didn't finish that paper I started back in May. I am not going to finish it before my dossier is submitted, either. Nothing actually leaves my department until October, so I will be sure it is in review by then, but the distractions of summer got the best of me again. I was so productive in May when D was still in school- even when MM arrived, but by July things just started to fall apart. It's OK, though.
• I set up up my GIGANTIC (I will take a picture today) new office computer yesterday. I still need to go install all the software today. We do have a tech person to do all of this, but since I know how to do it myself and I don't want to wait for him to return from being out of town, I just went ahead. The CPU box weighed 70 pounds! I also got a 24" monitor. I couldn't afford to get a second one and I planned to keep one of my old CRTs, but there are NO drivers available for Vista, so I will have to go to a single monitor until our grant money comes in (my U bought the computer because of the grant, since we had to trim our budget)
• I did a lot of cleaning projects this summer. I cleaned out every closet in the house (guest room, our room, D's room, hall closet, pantry) and yesterday donated a ton of stuff to the Vietnam Veterans. We also cleared a lot of stuff out of our basement. We've been in this house for four years, which is the longest I've lived in the same house/apartment since high school! We still had a lot of baby stuff for D and I will still be making a trip or two to Goodwill to get rid of the rest. I used to think we might have another baby at some point, but now it doesn't really seem desirable (D is almost 8). I've also been trying to jazz up the house with some minor decorating (new curtains, throw pillows, finally replacing my college stereo cabinet from 1990!) Summer just seems like the time to do these things!

All of our crap!

New curtains (JC Penney) & throw pillows (Meijer)

• I am avoiding thinking too much about classes until I absolutely have to. I have to finish revising my dossier and get some research things organized before classes start in two weeks, so I will wait until the last minute to get syllabi in order. After classes start, I can get back to that paper that I meant to finish over the summer.

I'll post some more photos later of the monstrous tower.

Goodies

Arriving today:
I think my current handbag is hurting my back. Do you think if I put all the same crap in a different shaped bag, my troubles will be over? I don't either- but this one looks cute!