Recently the frailty of life and the shortness of time on earth has been brought home to me in sad ways. My Scrabble buddy, Michelle just lost her 23 year old daughter Sarah to a brain tumor. Sarah's current condition and prognosis had been a topic of discussion at many of our Scrabble get-togethers. It had also been a reason for scheduling a few last minute games (Michelle needing a diversion for just a bit of time). Sarah passed away on the evening of February 7th, surrounded by family and friends. Peg (my other Scrabble buddy) and I arrived at the hospice shortly after Sarah passed to support Michelle in whatever way we could. Michelle is an amazing woman who never judges anyone, has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known and the fortitude of a rock. This is the third family member she has lost to this particular syndrome with its incidious genetic strand. She lost Sarah's older brother when he was only 5, Sarah had to undergo chemotherapy as a toddler, only to finally succumb to it recently and the children's father died from it two years ago. That is alot to ask one person to bear.
I didn't really know Sarah all that well, but she was quite an amazing young woman. She lived her life to the fullest because she always knew that the sands of her time here were limited. She was truly her mother's daughter. The local Ballard newspaper did a nice obituary (with Michelle's help) and this caught the attention of a sports writer for the big Seattle newspaper the PI and he also did a beautiful write-up about her. Here's the link:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/moore/351431_moore15.html (I hope it works). There was also a write-up in the Tacoma newspaper.
The memorial service was held at Whitman Middle School (where I work) but also where Michelle substitute teaches on a regular basis and Sarah attended school. It was a very special service as person after person approached the mike and paid tribute to a girl who lived life all out. She had a huge impact on many lives.
It all made me think about why we are here on this earth and what we should be getting out of the time we have. I haven't made any drastic life changes as a result, I've just been slowing chewing and processing thoughts about what I need to change and make better in whatever time I have here on earth. I'm grateful for the faith I have in a life after this one, but that doesn't lessen the need to make the most of the one right now! I think there have been several books written with the theme of living your life like you only had one year, or one month or maybe even one week to live. What would you do differently? It's worth thinking about. I don't know that I could live EVERY day like I only had a short time to live, but it would be worth trying to live as many days as I could that way.
I will be playing Scrabble with Michelle again soon and I will be drinking in as much of her generous spirit as I can, and enjoying her warmth and wisdom. I will also be remembering Sarah and the importance of living life to its fullest!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
The Fitting Take 2
When I got my new bras I was informed that it might take a little getting used to the additional coverage. After two days of feeling like my chest was in a vice grip and my skin was getting chafed, I had to buckle under and return my glorious purchase. When I came to Nordstroms with their swanky bag in tow, perky retail clerk number two was quick to offer that sometimes could take a few weeks to get used to. I kindly pointed out that difficulty breathing and red, irritated skin just was not worth it. After a small bit of back and forth banter I was persuaded to once again enter the back room to try a few more on. The fact that I had come to the mall sans proper boobage containment may have played into my willingness to venture into the dressing room once more. (I just couldn't bring myself to put on one of my old too small bras to go to the mall--I figured I could properly disguise my bralessness with my fleece coat.) After bringing me three very sad attempts to recoup their loss (I had already gotten my refund), she offered to bring in an expert who had been doing this for 10 or 12 years, "one of their best fitters". Meanwhile I put on one that seemed like it just might serve.
See, the ones I had returned had an underwire that I swear would be capable of holding the San Francisco bridge suspended, all on their own. I think they were the major contributing factor in the feeling not being able to breath that I had been experiencing. The prickly lace was the chafing factor. I was also convinced that 34 was the size I needed if I was suffering from severe blood loss and they needed to apply a tournequet around my rib cage to save my life. I did like the shape of the first set but that was about it and not enough of a plus to compensate for the lack of adequate air.
When the expert returned with perky number 2, she confirmed that yes indeed I was a 34. She adjusted the new bra I had on here and there, and declared it was a great fit. It DID feel better than the vice grip set. The underwire, still firm felt slightly less...restricting lets say. Before she departed though, she did offer again that it took some time to get used to the new fit but in the long run it would be better.
I informed P2 that I would take two. She was even kind enough to let me wear it out of the dressing room since I had come sans. The best news in it all was that the new set was cheaper than the first! What a deal.
I have worn them all week and am willing to give them time to break in. But I DO have to admit that I breathe a big sigh of relief each night as I release my boobs to drift southward again!
See, the ones I had returned had an underwire that I swear would be capable of holding the San Francisco bridge suspended, all on their own. I think they were the major contributing factor in the feeling not being able to breath that I had been experiencing. The prickly lace was the chafing factor. I was also convinced that 34 was the size I needed if I was suffering from severe blood loss and they needed to apply a tournequet around my rib cage to save my life. I did like the shape of the first set but that was about it and not enough of a plus to compensate for the lack of adequate air.
When the expert returned with perky number 2, she confirmed that yes indeed I was a 34. She adjusted the new bra I had on here and there, and declared it was a great fit. It DID feel better than the vice grip set. The underwire, still firm felt slightly less...restricting lets say. Before she departed though, she did offer again that it took some time to get used to the new fit but in the long run it would be better.
I informed P2 that I would take two. She was even kind enough to let me wear it out of the dressing room since I had come sans. The best news in it all was that the new set was cheaper than the first! What a deal.
I have worn them all week and am willing to give them time to break in. But I DO have to admit that I breathe a big sigh of relief each night as I release my boobs to drift southward again!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Fitting
I think that I have established through past comments that I am no fan of Oprah's. Too much of what she does is all about her, but that is beside the point. Today however, I have to give her a sheepish thumbs up for her advocacy of getting fitted for a bra. Now I know this is a delicate topic to introduce (no Dennis pun intended), but since I know that about 95% of the people who read my blog are women and most of them related to me, I feel free to expound on the topic. (Men if you're squeamish or embarrassed, stop reading now.) I have been planning for months to make a trip to Nordstroms to have one of these bra fittings she advocates. The only thing I could contemplate with more shopping dread is going in for a new swimming suit. Although this seemed like a treat and I could never invision anything that would make shopping for a swimming suit seem like a treat. This was a different kind of dread.
Mind you, I am not typically a Nordstroms shopper. In fact, I can honestly say that I have only purchased two things from Nordstroms in the past and that was only because I had gift certificates. Actually, truth be known, I am not much of a shopper in general. If you can't find it at Fred Meyer why bother. Oh yes, my wardrobe wreaks of fashion slavery!
In preparation for the journey to this den of polished nails, pointy shoes and snooty sales people I did take a shower, but I did not apply any makeup. This only accentuated the bad hair day I seemed to be having. I just put on a head band to pull it back and sallied forth anyway.
The lingerie department of Nordstroms at Northgate Mall is located on the 3rd floor so naturally I had to parade my naked face through the whole store. The girls at the makeup counter could tell that it was pointless to even approach me.
When I got to the top floor, before me streched a veritable sea of multi-colored brassieres. I knew that white ones were out but was positively floored by just how out they were. I looked around for a few minutes until the one lone salesperson asked if she could help. I blurted out "I am here to get a bra fitting!" like you might exclaim "I just won the lottery!" Glad we got past the impression that I might be cool and sophisticated, but I think she could tell by the casual attire. Her name was Kelly, about 21 or 22 I'd say, cute short hair in the popular red tones.
We proceeded to the dressing rooms where she measured me around the rib cage and had me raise my hands in the air. At which point my badly fitted, self-selected bra proceeded to ride right up over my boobs, causing Kelly to exclaim "See that's what happens when your bra does not fit correctly. We'll take care of that!" She then looked at the tag (36B in case you are wondering) and said she would be right back some fitting bras. She comes back with two and proceded to tell me that I was actually a 34DD. Perhaps I was stuck in a time warp where I could only remember the size of the bra from my first bra fitting. I don't profess to have ever really tried to figure out what size I was since then, I would just grab ones that looked about right and try on a bunch until I found something that felt comfortable and didn't make my breasts look like two torpedos. So imagine how shocked, amazed, even embarrassed I was to find out that I was a double D. It just doesn't sound right! The cups looked gigantic compared to my pitiful bra lying on the chair.
Kelly then proceeded to bring in bra after bra until we got things packaged just right. I won't go into details about what getting packaged right involved. I don't think I could do justice to how funny and yet surreal it all was. I found myself wishing that I lived in 18th century England, where I would have a maid that came in each morning to help me dress. Only then could I imagine getting things packaged right each morning. It was the very last bra she gave me that finally did the trick. It was almost a magical moment when it all fell into place (all puns, innuendos intended). Having all that coverage may take a bit of getting used to, but I could instantly see and feel the difference. Who knew??
There are are couple things I learned from this adventure. 1. It is amazing how sometimes our perception of ourselves is very different from the reality (36B to a 34DD??) and sometimes it takes an outside observer to point out the reality. 2. That despite the advice coming from Oprah, you do have to treat yourself to something special once in awhile.
Now, if only buying a new swimsuit could turn out so pleasant and surprising!! (If you haven't been fitted for a bra girls, go out and do it!)
Mind you, I am not typically a Nordstroms shopper. In fact, I can honestly say that I have only purchased two things from Nordstroms in the past and that was only because I had gift certificates. Actually, truth be known, I am not much of a shopper in general. If you can't find it at Fred Meyer why bother. Oh yes, my wardrobe wreaks of fashion slavery!
In preparation for the journey to this den of polished nails, pointy shoes and snooty sales people I did take a shower, but I did not apply any makeup. This only accentuated the bad hair day I seemed to be having. I just put on a head band to pull it back and sallied forth anyway.
The lingerie department of Nordstroms at Northgate Mall is located on the 3rd floor so naturally I had to parade my naked face through the whole store. The girls at the makeup counter could tell that it was pointless to even approach me.
When I got to the top floor, before me streched a veritable sea of multi-colored brassieres. I knew that white ones were out but was positively floored by just how out they were. I looked around for a few minutes until the one lone salesperson asked if she could help. I blurted out "I am here to get a bra fitting!" like you might exclaim "I just won the lottery!" Glad we got past the impression that I might be cool and sophisticated, but I think she could tell by the casual attire. Her name was Kelly, about 21 or 22 I'd say, cute short hair in the popular red tones.
We proceeded to the dressing rooms where she measured me around the rib cage and had me raise my hands in the air. At which point my badly fitted, self-selected bra proceeded to ride right up over my boobs, causing Kelly to exclaim "See that's what happens when your bra does not fit correctly. We'll take care of that!" She then looked at the tag (36B in case you are wondering) and said she would be right back some fitting bras. She comes back with two and proceded to tell me that I was actually a 34DD. Perhaps I was stuck in a time warp where I could only remember the size of the bra from my first bra fitting. I don't profess to have ever really tried to figure out what size I was since then, I would just grab ones that looked about right and try on a bunch until I found something that felt comfortable and didn't make my breasts look like two torpedos. So imagine how shocked, amazed, even embarrassed I was to find out that I was a double D. It just doesn't sound right! The cups looked gigantic compared to my pitiful bra lying on the chair.
Kelly then proceeded to bring in bra after bra until we got things packaged just right. I won't go into details about what getting packaged right involved. I don't think I could do justice to how funny and yet surreal it all was. I found myself wishing that I lived in 18th century England, where I would have a maid that came in each morning to help me dress. Only then could I imagine getting things packaged right each morning. It was the very last bra she gave me that finally did the trick. It was almost a magical moment when it all fell into place (all puns, innuendos intended). Having all that coverage may take a bit of getting used to, but I could instantly see and feel the difference. Who knew??
There are are couple things I learned from this adventure. 1. It is amazing how sometimes our perception of ourselves is very different from the reality (36B to a 34DD??) and sometimes it takes an outside observer to point out the reality. 2. That despite the advice coming from Oprah, you do have to treat yourself to something special once in awhile.
Now, if only buying a new swimsuit could turn out so pleasant and surprising!! (If you haven't been fitted for a bra girls, go out and do it!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)