The Miss Elaine-ous Life

random acts of life, family and photos

The GAP makes crappy shoes and other things you learn by the time you’re 40

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Being tired and ready for bed at  9 p.m. is okay.

The days are long but the years are short… and any time in the doctor’s office with kids feels like years AND days.

Chores for kids are a really good idea.

A good-fitting bra is important… and should be off your body no later than that 9 p.m. bedtime.  Actually 5 p.m. is good too.

When in doubt, don’t buy, especially when it comes to shoes and lipstick.

Sometimes you take your kid to Disney on Ice because you know THEY will really love it, not because you will. And certainly not because you like paying $7.50 for that souvenir mug of tepid hot chocolate.

Stale popcorn is also very expensive at Disney on Ice.

You can totally do your own pedicure but it’s much more relaxing to have someone else do it.

Exercising is essential but so is eating a bag of kettle corn popcorn occasionally. It’s all about balance.

According to your kids the “good old days” are any of the days that were pre-internet.

Red paint takes 3-4 coats.

Mirrors are kinda dumb, but good for convincing your kids that you have eyes in the back of your head.

Cookies are not dumb at all.

However, laundry is THE dumbest.

The size of your house does not matter but the size of the love inside its walls does (cheesy but true).

Marriage is no piece of cake. But it is worth it to get to taste the anniversary cake.

You are old enough to be the mother of the cute lifeguards at the pool.

Having babies is a big deal but raising them to be adults you admire and respect is a MUCH bigger deal.

The term “low rise” on clothing can be translated to “no buy”.

Mom jeans (my version is jeggings) have their merits.

Eating an entire pint of cookie-dough ice cream on the first day of your period is totally acceptable.  And if it isn’t, TOO DAMN BAD!

Your period is the devil.

Being yourself is the best person to want to be, and to actually be.

Drop-off birthday parties are the best.

It’s better to have your husband talk to your pre-teen son about the “hair down there.”

Writing your thoughts down right away is a really good idea because otherwise they could be gone in less than the blink of an eye.

Wrinkles are sneaky.

A good hairdresser is key.

(I may have mentioned that one before).

Quality time spent really listening to your loved ones is priceless.

And…

40 is just a number.

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Me, just a couple weeks shy of the next decade of my life…

 

 

As far as the title of this post goes, I just want y’all to know it took a few shoes purchases from the GAP for me to realize this. Apparently I am not a quick study.  Or I had hopes that they would eventually get it right, but every pair of shoes I have bought from there have pretty much been crap.  I like their other stuff.  It’s just not a “shoe store”, you know? They do a good job with jeans however… 😉

 

P.S. Old School Blogging is going on RIGHT NOW! So link up!

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

    • Don’t do it. 😉 They are cute but they do not last for very long. So you know, if you like “disposable” shoes…

  2. Oh yes yes yes. I can attest to each of these. Oh those GAP shoes. I bought several pairs in high school and college…they were always so cute but SO uncomfortable and fell apart so quickly. 🙁
    I am knocking on 40’s door. So grateful for my “older and wiser” friends who are telling me it’s okay 😉 haha!
    Kim recently posted…The one about schoolingMy Profile

    • Yeah, usually like flip flops or flats. And the GAP kids has them too. My daughter still missed her “Kitty” shoes that only lasted a couple of weeks. 😉

  5. Cookies are never dumb….now did you freeze part of your wedding cake? Someone told us to freeze the top of our wedding cake because we had to thaw it and eat it on our anniversary. Because we were dumb we did…and it was horrible.
    I am so happy that we have a boy because I don’t have to do all the “down there” talks. Score!
    Confession: I don’t like the gap. Not that I don’t like it on other people. I just don’t like their clothes on me. Plus, they don’t sell shoes at my Canadian gap…I guess we aren’t missing out eh?
    You are maaahhhhvelous my dear xoxo
    Kimberly recently posted…His HeartMy Profile

    • We did freeze it, after my SIL wrapped it like 5 times TIGHT in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. I kid you not, it tasted JUST like it did on our wedding day and we ate it ALL!! I’m so sorry yours did not turn out as well. I believe it was all in how she wrapped it up for us… because we too were skeptical! ;D

      Thank you! xo

  7. I love this post so much and I totally agree about Gap shoes. I stay away from buying shoes other than in shoe stores. Lesson learned! I will be closer to 40 than 30 with my upcoming birthday… Getting there but not too worried about it. Ask me again in a few years! 🙂
    Susi recently posted…Old School Blogging – RandomnessMy Profile

  16. This is all so true! I am a year ahead of you and had a year of learning a big lesson the hard way. The wisdom we gain as we age is priceless.
    Kami recently posted…I knowMy Profile

    • It is so true. Why is youth wasted on the young? How awesome would it be if we could be young AND wise at the same time…?

      P.S. How are you?

  18. Wait, kettle corn isn’t healthy?

    “When in doubt, don’t buy, especially when it comes to shoes and lipstick.” That might be my favorite. I’m 34 but I learned this through parenting and having no money. I used to just buy it all. Now I wait a day and see if I even think about it again. Usually not.
    Cookies are the least dumbest!
    Tamara recently posted…Taking Care of Business.My Profile

    • My Mom taught me that one. She used to always say it when I was trying on clothes. I think it’s okay to return clothes sometimes but not those other two things…. 😉

  19. Age is nothing but a number….YOU get to choose which one to act like. 40 is nothing…wait till you climb over 50 and approaching 60
    Cookies are not dumb they are ESSENTIAL to writers block and stormy moments.
    My philosophy of all time is Be True to Yourself….Its too hard to copy and be someone else…when being yourself you dont have to remember how to act…you just DO.
    Happy Approaching 40..the New Fun AGE!!

    • I know! They are so cute so I want to buy them but it’s just such a bad idea every time! gah!

      Thanks Christine! You made ME smile. 😀

  30. I totally agree—cute shoes but not quality or usually comfortable. 40—I thought you were 29? 🙂

  31. I have my own favorite phrase about being 40, “The filter between my brain and mouth began to disappear, and I am perfectly fine with that.” : )

  32. When painting something red, use gray primer first.

    And yes, nowadays, periods are indeed the devil and on that note, soy ANYTHING is not your friend! Starbucks finally gets this. Their marketing personnel must be perimenopausal too. 🙁

    Really enjoy your work. Thanks for your poignant blogs. 🙂

  33. I’m 43 now, I don’t even remember my 40th birthday….. probably because I was chasing a 2.5 year old around the house. Yup, just a number! LOL

  40. I love this, Elaine. So perfect. Very good words of wisdom.
    Forty is sneaking up on me too. Birthdays usually don’t bother me (it is just a number) but there is something bizarre about turning 40, isn’t there? A little crazy. Good thing 40 is the new 30. 🙂
    Kat recently posted…The Big OneMy Profile

    • I think it’s because when we were kids 40 sounded “old”, you know? I’m not even sure why but it did! ha!

      Thank you, friend! 🙂

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