Wednesday, I went school shopping with the girls after Sarah's follow-up visit with Dr. Sindel. We visited numerous stores and got lots of clothing that can pass for uniform. Our school district requires a dress code. Khaki and navy pants, along with polo shirts in red, blue and white primarily describe what the girls must wear to school each day. Personally, I don't believe in uniforms. I could care less what the kids wear. I just don't want to look at anyone's thong or butt crack while attempting to instruct my class. Still, it is a requirement of our district, and I teach my girls to follow the rules, even if they are stupid. Well, actually, that isn't entirely true. I teach my girls to know what the rules are so that they might know how far to push the envelope. I mean if "rules" are blatantly wrong, like discrimination or animal cruelty, we stand firmly against those societal rules. But, if something is simply an annoyance, we try to work within the system. I have also taught my girls, (and sometimes this has come back to haunt me), that good kids can push the uniform code more than badly behaved kids. This might be unfair, but it goes to basic teacher-nature... The girls are well-mannered and do what they are asked to do. Given that, they are generally allowed to wear clothing that fits the basic color and style without too much hassle. Thus, our shopping experience usually involves going to various stores that do not sell the approved uniform brands.
We visited Parisians first. The girls informed me that Kristine, their step-mom, takes them there all the time. So, I weaved in and out of very lovely clothes for about a minute and a half before spotting a pair of jeans that cost $140. The next blouse I spied was $90. I cautiously crept over to a beautiful sundress and looked with one eye squinted to see a pricetag of $260. At this point, I think I began to hyperventilate. I was praying to click my heels together three times and be magically transported to a T.J. Max. Alas, when I opened my eyes, Parisians still surrounded me. I instructed the girls to keep their heads down and run stealthily through the store as not to be tempted by anything before we made our way out into the mall. Thankfully, as we exited, there was a Payless to the left. We went in and browsed. We didn't purchase anything, but it calmed me down a bit, so I was able to continue on the shopping venture.
Next, we went to J.C. Penney's, which always has a good selection of khaki pants. We were able to buy several pairs for both girls. I still felt entirely confident at this point. J.C. Penney is within my realm of experience. I'm comfortable. I shop there for myself. Nice, fashionable clothes, at nice affordable prices... Maybe they should contact me to do a commercial.
We left the safety and comfort of J.C. Penney to venture into the rest of the mall. I visited The Children's Place with Sarah, which left me feeling nostalgic for a time when I could dress my girls in cute little clothes, as long as they didn't itch. We went to Aeropostle, which has hip, cool clothes that are not exactly my style, but the girls love them. Then, we made our way further down the mall toward Abercrombie and Fitch. I have been in there before. It is a weird shopping experience, but nothing compared to Hollister. We arrived at Hollister before Abercrombie. Kacey, Dan's friend was with us and she said, "Oh look, it's Hollister!" Dan replied, "Where?" I could understand Dan's question since the storefront had no name identifying it, with the exception of a partially covered name behind a large palm-type tree and two ratty-looking chairs in the store entry way.
"What's Hollister?" I inquired as I walked up the steps into the store. Immediately, upon entering, I had to stop and stand still for a moment. Mind you, I wasn't struck by the majesty of the clothing displays. My eyes had to adjust to the dark. I thought for a moment I had accidentally entered a nightclub, but the lack of cigarette smoke tipped me to the fact that this was something different all together. The only illumination shining came from spot-lights strategically placed around the shop. The spot-lights focused on ratty, torn clothes. The shirts are three-sizes smaller than the size on the tag. The shorts for girls are beyond short. They could best be described as cotton bikini underwear. As I gained my bearings, I realized I was in a surf shop. I'm a Florida girl! I am familiar with surf shops! Numerous visits to Ron Jon's are memories from my youth. I fondly remember this little skirt I owned that was probably obscene for its time. It was a peach Jimmy Z wrap skirt that hooked by means of velcro at the waist. We had vans... We bought blocks of Sex Wax to chew in lieu of bubble gum. I know about surfing. I dated surfers. My brother was a skater. So, this was the modern-day surf shop. I should be in my element. But, gosh it was dark. I looked hopefully around and noticed that the girls were all thin and blond and beautiful. Dan and Sarah fit perfectly. I looked down at myself. I was wearing a sheer gypsy-style paisley shirt and crop pants. When I purchased the shirt at Sears, I thought it was really groovy. It expressed my bohemian tendencies. As I looked down at my shirt in Hollister, though, I was reminded of someone's grandmother. Slowly, a horrible realization was beginning to dawn on me. I'm not that young bikini-clad girl that strolled Cocoa and Daytona and occasionally rode in small waves on my boyfriend's surfboard. As the moment of clarity further descended upon me, the young, hot twenty-something boy sauntered over to me. I perked up momentarily until he asked, "Ma'm, can I help you find something?" I looked down at my grandma-clad body and humbly mumbled, "No, Dear... I'm just looking."
On a brighter note, Sarah's visit went well. Her lung functions have improved after two weeks of I.V. antibiotic. Her line was removed yesterday. We had a rougher time with this I.V. therapy because her mid-line went bad last week and we had to visit the E.R. to have a regular periferial line run. Still, she was able to finish her therapy. Dr. Sindel said she isn't as healthy as the PFT indicated in April, but that is somewhat of a blessing. She didn't qualify for the TIP study that Dan is currently enrolled in because her lung functions were too high. Now, Dr. Cowan is going to try to requalify her for the new drug study. We are excited and grateful for the possibility. Sarah is also more willing to participate in the study since she has seen what a great thing it has been for her sister.
Speaking of sisters... I would like to ask everyone to hold visions of perfect health and wellness for my dear sister, Micki. I don't want to say anymore at this time, but if you are reading this and you pray, please just take a moment to hold my sister in love and light.
I am taking an online class called "Unity for Today". It has been wonderfully enlightening. I would eventually like to go on to become a Licensed Unity Teacher. That means a lot more spiritual development on my end. I believe that God can use me... Even if I am just a grandma-shirt clad lady cruising surf shops in the dark.
~Namaste'~ Christy
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