January 19, 2006
does this justify new shoes?
My friend Molly called the other afternoon, which was lovely as we’ve been playing phone tag for a while (okay, she’s been calling me and I haven’t been calling her back, but I swear it’s not because I don’t want to it’s just that every time I pick up the phone someone starts crying or whining or bleeding, which makes it hard to actually have a conversation). Anyway, she said, ‘I just voted for your blog!’
Then I was really sorry I hadn’t called her back sooner. Because look how useful she is! I have such nice friends.
We got all caught up, and made a dinner date for Saturday, with our husbands, because, oh, did I mention that I HAVE A BABYSITTER THIS WEEKEND? Yes. Yes I do. Envy me. But not too much, because I will be paying her $10.00 an hour to watch cable TV while my children sleep. And she’s a Baptist, and we know how Charlie feels about Baptists.
While Molly and I were on the phone, the boys were entertaining themseves by playing some elaborate game that involved running from one end of my house to the other while wearing their pyjamas and their superhero capes. At one point, Charlie came running into the kitchen and announced, loud enough for Molly to hear, ‘Goldilocks pulled my cape off on PURPOSE!’ And then he ran away. Molly called me back yesterday and asked if I ever got the full story about Goldilocks and the cape, and I had to say no. I still have no idea what exactly went down, but Charlie didn’t seem to scarred by it.
Then Molly told me this story: one morning, while she was still in bed, she heard her sons talking together. Her five-year-old said to his brother, ‘Let’s make a volcano!’
‘Okay,’ she heard her seven-year-old say. ‘But be quiet! It’s a surprise!’
At that point, Molly said, she decided she had best get out of bed before the surprise volcano became a reality. This is the same son, by the way, who asked her if they could clean out their attic so he could use it for a laboratory. To make surprise volcanos, apparently!
See? Other kids are just as wierd as mine! Ha ha!
Anyway, now I’ve got this date, with my husband no less, and I can’t decide what to wear. I could go with something dry-clean-only! And chances are it would survive the evening without any snot or peanut butter being rubbed on it! I wonder if I have anything nice that still fits?
On a related note, the New York Times had a piece yesterday on the return of the slip as a wardrobe staple. Not the slipdress, which never worked for me, as I have absolutely no cleavage, and which always seemed impractical for winter, with the cold and all, but the slip. You know, slips! Remember? Yeah, me either.
I like this article because, in typical New York Times fashion (get it? FASHION?) it includes moments like this: ‘”We’re beginning to see a new generation discover the slip,” said Marshal Cohen, the chief retail analyst for the NPD Group, a market research firm. “For now slips are an undercultural movement by women shopping in more affluent stores.”‘ What the hell is an undercultural movement? Is that an underwear joke? I really, really hope so.
I also love this woman: ‘”Slips have a kind of sophistication, a sexiness that makes you feel more womanly,” said Lauren Martin, a psychoanalyst in New York. She shows off her wardrobe of traditional slips under sheer blouses and skirts with slits.’ Imagine having her as your therapist. What would Freud say about her slip? Hoo, I’m so funny.
The thing about slips is this: they seem essentially impractical, both for daywear and as lingere. For me, at least. During the day I wear pants so I can play baseball and run at the park (or chase my children into a parking lot, whatever the moment calls for) and at night I wear sweats so I don’t freeze. The slip seems to call for high heeled shoes and high-end vodka, neither of which are part of my day-to-day routine (although I can understand the appeal–a nice pair of Manolos plus a couple of Cosmos and you’re pretty much out of comission, at least as far as mommying goes). Of course, this once again confirms that by the New York Times’ standards, I am completely unsexy. Which I already knew.
But! I have a babysitter! Which is about the sexiest thing to happen around here in a long time.
Posted by Susan @ 4:44 pm • Uncategorized
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January 19th, 2006 at 5:51 pm, MJ Says:
Yes, this does require new shoes. No justification needed. And, perhaps, a new dry clean only outfit. Strangely, my husband and I are also going out this Saturday night and paying $10 per hour too.
That is very interesting information about the slip. About a year ago, we met our babysitter (not the one who’s coming this Saturday) while walking to the park and she was wearing a slip. As a dress. No, not a slip dress. An actual polyester-like-your-mum wore-slip. In the middle of the day. On the street. Now, she is an artist (hence the need to babysit for extra cash) and I’m all for individuality but I did think that wearing lingerie as your only item of clothing was a bit extreme.
January 19th, 2006 at 6:02 pm, mom on a wire Says:
If we were friends in “real life” I would totally babysit for you.
January 19th, 2006 at 6:08 pm, Nothing But Bonfires Says:
Are babysitters hard to find? Perhaps I should advertise my services as one; I’m the best babysitter in the WORLD. I only go through your cupboards ONCE looking for junk food, because then I get freaked out that you’ve put cameras in the kitchen and I only watch educational programs while your children are sleeping. Like The Bachelor. (Educational in so far as it teaches you WHAT NOT TO DO.) I never eat all your cheese, only a slice or two so you don’t miss it, and I make your children brush their teeth no matter HOW MUCH they whine about it.
Where do I sign up?
January 19th, 2006 at 6:25 pm, Susan Says:
Holly, I am FedExing you a plane ticket. You can help me pick an outfit while you’re here–but bring the boobs.
And–I have GREAT junk food.
January 19th, 2006 at 6:45 pm, The June Cleaver Diaries Says:
Slips still don’t take care of the updraft, people.
January 19th, 2006 at 8:01 pm, Misfit Hausfrau Says:
Hey Holly–I need a sitter next week. Just for a couple of hours. Should I bring them over, or would you like to come by?
Have fun Susan–and show some pictures of the new shoes and outfit you ARE purchasing for this special evening!
January 19th, 2006 at 8:19 pm, Kristen Says:
I have no fashion advice. For me, it’s an accomplishment to get to work with no dried food or boogers smeared on my shoulders.
But I do know that after weeks of no non-kid time, a new outfit for a REAL date is highly warranted.
January 19th, 2006 at 9:49 pm, CarpeDM Says:
Wait. There’s a slip movement? Slips are the most annoying piece of clothing out there (okay, actually it’s the bra but they’re close). And isn’t it against the rules to expose your slip? I am so confused when it comes to fashion.
$10 an hour to sit around and watch cable television? Wow. I considered myself lucky when I got $2 an hour. Of course, that was many years (23) ago.
Have a great evening. I would babysit for $5 if you had good cheese and bought me my favorite pop and had great books that you would lend to me.
January 19th, 2006 at 10:31 pm, Susan Says:
We have lots of good cheese, DM. And lots of good books! You could finish The Other Boleyn Girl for me, if you like . . .
January 19th, 2006 at 11:21 pm, adria Says:
Congrats on your date night! We have one next weekend. Daria will be off to the grandparents for the whole night.
I agree with you all the whole slip issue. I do not even think I own a slip anymore. My wardrobe consists of items that are machine washable and comfortable!
January 19th, 2006 at 11:47 pm, Jenorama Says:
OH! Congratulations! A slip? This all explains why I see college girls in bars wearing camisoles.
I admit it. I hate them.
January 19th, 2006 at 11:47 pm, Meredith Says:
Woohoo! A date! Pretend you had a slip on and enjoy a meal not interrupted by superheros. Man, I am jealous - when I pay babysitters to watch TV when my kid sleeps, it costs $14/hr!
January 20th, 2006 at 7:19 am, kyra Says:
woohoo! a date! and a night time babysitter! i would be dancing in the streets in my heels and slip if had either thing, alas, i do not so i will now go dance to the kitchen in my pink polyester job lot bathrobe and my LL bean slippies!
yes. new shoes absolutely.
January 20th, 2006 at 7:41 am, Felicity Says:
OK. I am SO glad I am apparently the only one who caught this…or maybe I am the only one who’s clever enough to point it out? “Chase (my) children INTO the parking lot?”
ROFLMFAO.
Also, new shoes never require justification. You deserve them simply because you’re alive. And because you make us all laugh.
Have an aweseome time, but never let me come babysit, because then your kids will love me more than they love you and they’ll ask how come you never make cookies from scratch with them. (Really. I did this with some children who were over for a playdate, because it was either that or listen to everyone bicker over what to do. Their mom never brought them over again.)
And, I really like wearing slips. They help eliminate that sausage thing I got going on in skirts because I insist on wearing real underwear, not thongs. But then that’s only when I’ve finally changed out of the falnnel men’s pj bottoms that I wear for days at a time.
January 20th, 2006 at 8:17 am, Susan Says:
Felicity, you do realize that I’m trying to CATCH the kids, not push them under a car, yes? Well, most of the time, at least.
January 20th, 2006 at 9:05 am, Andie D. Says:
I got a “hall pass” from my husband a couple of weeks ago so that I could meet an old friend for happy hour. Simple enough, but it had been OVER a year since I’d done that! I was giddy with the freedom, and can’t wait to do it again.
New shoes? Easy. New shoes AND a new outfit. Getting out without the kids is cause for celebration in and of itself! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Oh man I need to get out.
January 20th, 2006 at 10:45 am, Angela Says:
$10/hour… wow! I wish I made 10/hour (well, I do have one family that pays me like 8-ish…) I’m usually lucky to make $6-7, depending on location, and how far they are from my house… I actually earn less than that at my every day job! And, I’ve had people lower my pay after the kids are asleep…
January 20th, 2006 at 11:02 am, Susan Says:
Angela, how about if YOU come babysit for me? I promise not to pay you less when the boys are sleeping. And I have good snacks!
How on earth did we end up paying so damn much for babysitters? When I was in grad school, I babysat occasionally, for $5.00 an hour (for two kids, even).
I would pay this sitter $8.00, except that my mother-in-law gave her $10.00 to watch our niece, who is only one child and is less of a handful than my two. So you see my dilemma . . .
January 20th, 2006 at 1:08 pm, The June Cleaver Diaries Says:
Susan– I pay $10 and hour for my kids (twin toddlers and a 3 yr old, for those that don’t know). AND I live in NY (state, but still)AND the babysitter keeps insiting on giving cash BACK because I’m “paying too much.” Sweet. Love that girl.
You’re in Oklahoma with TWO kids who know enough not to eat the houseplants. You should DEFINATLY be paying less than me!!!
January 20th, 2006 at 1:36 pm, Susan Says:
Katy, is this the same sitter who BEGS to babysit? Some girls have all the luck . . .
Although you do deserve it, what with the twins and all. Yes, yes you do.
January 20th, 2006 at 2:24 pm, theyellowwallpaper Says:
I’m with you Friday Playdate - I’m set to taste freedom in T-minus three hours when we pick up our sitter…sigh.
As for slips. Cripes I can’t even remember the last time I wore one.
January 20th, 2006 at 3:21 pm, Laura Says:
Hmm, slips. I may still own one that fits. I remember the days of the camisole with sheer Laura Ashley tops with lace and big collars. And I never could wear the slip dresses either - they have that pregnant look about them, and I always felt like everything would spill out of the top.
Definately, though, buy shoes!! You never need to have an excuse to buy new shoes.
Also? My best friend’s mom always used to tell her, “Only sluts wear half-slips.” To this day she only owns full slips. Hee.
January 20th, 2006 at 3:44 pm, Susan Says:
Oh my god, I LOVED those Laura Ashley dresses! Which is funny because now I wouldn’t be caught dead in one. Which is probably good, as I am closer to 40 than to 14.
January 22nd, 2006 at 1:03 am, Gracencameronsmomy Says:
I am new here and LOVING it!! But I hae you all beat on the cost of babysitters…Here in San Francisco, where everything cost an arm and a leg, I pay $15.00 an hour! No, we don’t go out much…
Lisa
www.smithpartyf6.blogspot.com