I have a dream…Plus Size Leggings and Tights

It is that time of year again. Fall is here and my quest for comfortable leggings and tights is upon me. Not sure how I became the woman who wears dresses and skirts all winter long, but if last year is anything like this year, I am going to need some new leg adornments. In the past, I have been hopeful about plus size tights only to find that it seems they only considered the length of the tights. Hello people, I am short and fat…adding 3 inches to the length does nothing for me. I need ample hip coverage, thighs that don’t create a tourniquet, and the proper length. Any suggestions form the plus size ladies out there would be awesome. Oh, and I’ll tell you which don’t work as I go through my quest.

mulitgenerational

When my son was 6 months old I had to drop him at a near-stranger’s house to watch him while my husband and I went to work.  His little man-faced self was already pushing to stretch is circle of influence.  The daycare provider we chose was recommended to us by some of our closest friends.  These many years later, our families have surpassed a professional relationship and developed a friendship. Her son and mine are soul swore cousins who can’t wait to be in Jr. High together next year.  We revisited that professional relationship for a second last week when I took my nephew to her house,  I handed him over to Christy, much like I had mine.   His little 3 month old self was beginning a journey that my children laid the groundwork for over 10 years ago.  My ever expanding community is amazing.  My sister lives a short walk from me.  There are days I believe my life is exactly how I hoped it would be.

The boys, best friends, or cousins as they tried to convince me when they were younger.

Here they are a little older than before. I believe a 3rd birthday party…

Here they are at 10 and 11. Silly little men.

September Sun

As I walked the Chicago streets to work this morning, I remembered my official move to Chicago.  A Hoosier transplant to Illinois, I found a downtown Chicago job and moved to the western suburbs to live with my grandparents.  I knew nothing about the city except the Sears tower, Cubs baseball, Fields’ holiday windows and other black Friday tourist shops.   To get to work, I would take the Metra  train.  It was an odd commute for me, sharing the double-decker car with briefcase carrying business people.    If it rained, my grandfather would drop me off at the College Avenue station.  Once in the city, I would join the fast walking mob carrying a grandma packed brown bag lunch of pretzels and fat free brownies.

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This is a picture of my grandfather and my cousin that has been on my desk since 1996.

There is something about this concrete shimmering late summer sun that takes me back to the days I lived with my grandparents.   Little did I know the tendrils of my life had started to twist and anchor me to the city…much like my grandparents’, sister’s, and husband’s.    A little over a year ago my grandfather passed away.  I think about him every day. But for some reason, on days like today, I feel compelled to talk about him….. his smile, his laugh, his kindness and his strength.  I miss him.

School started

The kids were actually excited about school! I am relieved to have a bit of a schedule! The new room decorations and some organization is going a long way. First soccer weekend last week too. look at these guys from the first day. Jonah’s last first day of elementary school!! Don’t miss Aida’s gloves and fleece on that 90 degree day. I think she fully thought fall should be here when she woke up!

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Aida’s Room tips

Well, we finished the room and so far, she has actually slept in the loft every night minus one for a sleepover and another when she really just wanted to snuggle with me.  I think the room is fabulous.  Here’s what we did…

I took her 1st grade clay self portrait and using and IKEA frame and paper from home, made this cute wall hanging.

Since our trips to Door County this year, she has insisted her favorite animal is a goat.  So, I bought some goat art online and some frames from goodwill.  I painted and decorated the frames.

We bought a new dresser and a small shelf for her pop up books.  She does want a new bookshelf entirely so that she can organize her books.  That will have to wait till this weekend.  The magnetic board and light are straight from IKEA.  Homework goes on the board.

I used a paper cutter from Martha Stewart to help with the little window garland.  I was lucky to get this at Goodwill for $3.

I bought the bedding, rug and wastebasket from CW Price (I usually call this place crap warehouse, but we got a pretty good deal)

She is so happy with the room.  I totally appreciate my niece, sister and brother in law for giving us the bed.  And thanks to my husband for driving all the way to Indianapolis on a Friday evening to pick it up.