Saturday, August 01, 2009

It Must Be Teh Stress


1. I am overweight
2. I never ever want to admit that I am overweight
3. It's been hot and I want to wear semi-skimpy, yet modest, summer dresses that flutter in the breeze
4. I am aging
5. Everyone is aging
6. I am not aging gracefully
7. Everyone else is aging gracefully
8. feh
9. I thought I could make a dress pattern for an overweight, aging gracelessly woman that has no experience making dress patterns and almost as little experience sewing clothes for herself
10. I wanted a classic look, loose, pretty, practical, flattering, quick and easy
11. What I got was a look I call: Swiss Alps-Heidi Escapes The LDS Compound

(new subject)

A. I worry
B. I am insecure
C. I am one of the luckiest persons alive and all I can think about is how scared and overwhelmed I feel
D. Even wonderful events can bring stress
E. Buying a house is really really really stressful
F. We need packing tape
G. Seepage pits are very deep
H. What would Heidi do?

16 comments:

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

Hang in there! So does packing tape on your list means that the house purchase is going smoothly?

And yes, it is most definitely super stressful. We had a horrible time buying ours. In the end we hired a real estate attorney to make sure that we weren't screwed. He was worth the money.

Sara said...

It's a pretty summer dress. I bet it looks better on you than you imagine. I cannot see any FLDS compound escapees in that dress! Put on a hat with it and you'll be stylin!

And, finally, I empathize, cause I deal with those same struggles.

nikkipolani said...

I dunno, I think E and F are distorting your view on life a little bit. Just hang on, Natalie. **HUGS**

campbellgirl said...

Ah Natalie, that's life all over. While we each think we're the only one, these things assail ALL of us! Just keep on being yourself, because we love you the way you are - warts and all (not suggesting in any way that you have warts!)

Very happy to hear you need packing tape.

Why don't you cut the top off the dress, make a casing - voila - drindl! xxxoooxxx

Lesley said...

#1. The moving thing. Moving is moving. It's ALWAYS going to be hard yakka, and yes, it can be stressful.
No surprises.
You. just. have. to get. on. with. it.
Make lists, get organised, get the kids and the husband either helping constructively or out of your hair and just. do. it.
(Try moving from SoCal to Australia ... and hoping you find a house to move into before the furniture truck arrives!)
#2. The dress in the picture. NATALIE! You are younger and prettier than that dress implies. Much younger and prettier.
What were you thinking?
Where is the colour? The SHAPE?
And though you may not be SoCal skeletal (you're far too sensible), you are not a frump, nor could you ever be one.
Here endeth the sermon.

So don't do yourself down and dress like one.

Lesley said...

#1. The moving thing. Moving is moving. It's ALWAYS going to be hard yakka, and yes, it can be stressful.
No surprises.
You. just. have. to get. on. with. it.
Make lists, get organised, get the kids and the husband either helping constructively or out of your hair and just. do. it.
(Try moving from SoCal to Australia ... and hoping you find a house to move into before the furniture truck arrives!)
#2. The dress in the picture. NATALIE! You are younger and prettier than that dress implies. Much younger and prettier.
What were you thinking?
Where is the colour? The SHAPE?
And though you may not be SoCal skeletal (you're far too sensible), you are not a frump, nor could you ever be one.
Here endeth the sermon.

So don't do yourself down and dress like one.

Laura Jane said...

I agree with Lesley.

Colour? Strong red is recommended! Take it from me. DO NOT try and fade into the background when feeling o'weight. You've EARNED any of those pounds with the pleasure of travel. They will now sustain you while you move house. AM I convincing you?

To remedy this floaty lightweight and somewhat shapeless dress I prescribe a Necklace. A Serious Necklace. In white beads. It need not be expensive, but it must be scoopy shaped and around an inch wide/heavy, possibly shaped with weight towards the lower end. ANd consider a cuff as well. With more white, and some metallic detail.

Shall I come and deliver something?

I'm sure you know where to buy packing tape. NOw frock up and push on darlin'! (ooh WV is rockame)

Susan said...

My dear, please don't be so hard on yourself! You are so pretty and you look like a real woman, not some cardboard cut-out pretend woman. In every picture I've seen you since I started following your blog, you always look prettily and comfortably dressed and your smile is so beautiful.

If you want to lose some weight for your health's sake, then that's a different matter and something that I also need to do. Getting your house in order and packing to move will probably help you lose a few pounds simply because you won't have time to eat! :)

I agree with campbellgirl on transforming your "Heidi" dress into a skirt. Pair it with a nice fitted tank top in white and you'll look cool and summer-y.

Moving IS very stressful, but with your family's help, everything will be okay. Just happy to hear that you WILL be moving into your new home. Definitely invest in one of those big packing tape dispensers. They are INdispensable!

Anna Banana said...

Listen to Lesley! Um, seepage pits???

Julie said...

One of the reasons I love your blog is your vulnerability mixed with your fun humor. We all wrestle with insecurities and the stresses of life. But it'll pass....I am curious what Heidi would say! If you figure out the answer to that one, please let us know. :D

judy in ky said...

Well, just so you know... I am not aging gracefully either. I have whiskers growing out of my chin while the hair on my head is thinning. And now I have cellulite on my arms! It's hot and I feel like like can't wear anything sleeveless anymore.
You are not alone...

Tiglizzyclone said...

I think the color of that dress is ok... but maybe those sleeves are for school girls.


But I don't want to pretend to be a fashion expert.... I am a fashion disaster! I have made plenty of dresses that I hated after I made them.

Tracy said...

Heidi would put on her pretty dress and sing to the Alps... Put on your very, very pretty dress, Natalie (it IS very pretty! :o) and sing your little heart out...sing, cry...do what feels right at the moment. But I agree with some of the others about the dress...a punchy color would jazz it up, add a trim perhaps. The shape is great! And you are lovely just as you are--you have the loveliest spirit too! We are all aging... I'm 36 but if I didn't color my hair you might think I was 63 for all they gray in it...*sigh*...Don't get me started on gray hairs elsewhere...*ahem*... Moving is serious stuff. Is it stressful. It's more than boxes and tape, it's raw emotion--excitement, fear...so much all in one. Take it one step at a time. ((BIG HUGS))

Nell said...

Just keep going. You're gonna get through it!

Simone said...

At last you MADE a dress! I don't even know how to work a sowing machine...
I agree with Laura Jane: adding a necklace and colourfull sandals will make you stand out!

Mari said...

Oh my god, you are me. I am enjoying your blog!