Fashion Friday and other "Junk"

Did I tell you that Race is home??!! Oh my goodness, I can’t tell you the relief that I experience after he gets back from a trip. And this was definitely our most difficult deployment to date. So, we are getting adjusted to all being together again. We haven’t had any time off to help him adjust back into civilization, so he has been thrown head first into the quagmire that is our daily schedule, without even so much as a minute to de-compress. But the kids are beyond delighted to have their dad back home, and I am continually amazed at how differently our family functions when Race is gone. And how much more COMPLETE it is when he returns home.

Why, just last night the boys experienced this first hand. Race and the boys were in the car on the way home from a baseball game. ( No sooner than he had stepped off a plane, Race was thrown immediately into the position of head baseball coach for Austin’s high school team. ) They had just lost a hard fought, close game, and Race had kept the team up-beat and the playing was fun. They pulled out all their tricks and it was just a great game, so they were all feeling pretty good.
Jackson was discussing with his dad all the equipment that he needed for baseball this year, and mentioned that he needed a new cup. To which Race answered, “A new CUP? Whadya mean…..is your junk getting bigger or something?” Now this resulted in loud guffaws of laughter, with Jackson managing to spit out, ”Wwwwhat do you mean “junk”?” (Having never heard this term before used in that particular way………because his mother is a lady and doesn’t speak of such things. Right, mom?) Race quickly explained, as only a father can, “Ya know……your. junk……Your boys…... The twins…..” Riotous laughter ensued, and the boys knew that all was once again right with the world.
Dad was home.
Apparently this sort of banter continued for a bit of the car ride, but thankfully, no one felt the need to fill me in on any of the REST of the details. And I am absolutely ELATED that I do not have to haul my son to the store to buy a bigger cup.

Now, since it *IS* Fashion Friday, I thought I’d give a nod to one of my all-time favorite spring pieces. I didn’t even own one of these until 3 years ago, and I can tell you, life was bad. I didn’t know it. But looking back, life was definitely bad. Now I own 2 of these beauties, and I have my eye on one more.
SO. If you were only going to buy ONE piece this spring, may I humbly suggest that you consider the TRENCHCOAT.



This one is on sale at www.bananarepublic.com for $149.00, but www.target.com has some EXCELLENT, colorful and tailored trenches for less than $25. and www.oldnavy.com has some that are less than $50. (too lazy for linking right now...sorry)
I bought my first trenchcoat 3 years ago, it is from Banana Republic, and it is kelly green. I also own an alabaster colored one that is slightly less classic, and more feminine. Hands-down these coats get more wear in spring and summer, than any others. They keep you dry(but not hot) and can really help you look a little more "pulled together" even when all you have on is a t-shirt and jeans underneath. You know how, some times you depend on your sunglasses to hide what you just didn't have time to do??? Well....the trenchcoat works the same way.This makes a wonderful pull-on for those pouring-down-rain-church-mornings. It's a great staple for this time of the year, and you will wear it over, and over, and over.
I have a dinner date tonight with a hot baseball coach and our kids. Of course, it's over cast and dreary, but we are going to a nice restaurant to celebrate being together again as a family. Can you guess what jacket I'll be grabbing?
Cheers!
melissa