failed attempt

Barbara asked me to make three summer nighties for Maria. It was a daunting task, simply because I'm not a good seamstress. But, bravely, I took it on.

I finished laying out the pattern, cutting, and marking the fabric. While sewing the facing onto the armholes, it occured to me, "I haven't had to rip out anything (common for me) yet." Two seconds later it hit me...I forgot the sleeve ruffle! That's when I began to doubt myself. Did I attach the wrong lace? Is it going to be too long? Did I use the wrong color thread? And then there was the bottom ruffle fiasco! I finished the little nightie and am vowing never to attempt another garment.

I never said I was a good mother.

take your time

I had a merchandise credit card since Christmas and had the time to do some serious shopping, and pick out just the right thing.

I slipped into a parking spot and headed for JCPenney. I was uncharacteristically methodical as I selected the items I wanted to try on.

• pants that would go with shirts purchased last year
• tops that would match skirts and pants in my closet
• several sizes of the same style...to cut down on time and energy spent dressing and undressing

It worked for awhile.

I must have dressed and undressed seven times...but it was still OK.

I meandered over to the shoes...chatted with a friend, and strolled over to the purses and jewelry...tried on and dropped several pairs of earrings...still nothing.

Maybe something for Jerry...I quickly squelched that notion. I spied a pair of pants in the petite department and walked back to the fitting room and picked up a few more pairs... as long as I was disrobing again.

After about two hours of unfettered shopping I finally settled on a pair of pants.

I waited in line a few minutes...she put the pants in a bag...I gave her the merchandise card and she said with a you-poor-thing smile,

"This particular card is for "Younkers".