<p>Bags came, yay. </p>
<p>Older S off on a ten day international trip this morning. I may need a few spiked somethings to quell my nerves about his 3 flights, the terminal changes, the customs, etc. I refuse to BE a helicopter mom-- but I reserve the right to think like one!!</p>
<p>Pulling my people up from pg 2.</p>
<p>Ohmigosh, SB I will join you in that drink. I would not wish traveling this weekend on any one.</p>
<p>Yesterday D had a “brilliant idea”. </p>
<p>D: Mom, do you want to come with me to Barnes and Noble? Since you have a discount card, I can pick up some books for my class next term. We could dash to 34th street and see what they have at Lord and Taylors (I know that they e-mail you coupons every week).</p>
<p>M: Chicky, do you have any idea of how crowed the city is going to be today? Between people going to shows, the tourist and the shoppers, no thanks. I know that there is someone, somewhere who is saying to themselves, “Macy’s is open around the clock unitl christamas, we’ll probably go about 2 am”. But that person will not be me.</p>
<p>D: Pleeezzzzeee???</p>
<p>M: All right, but I am not staying long. Why didn’t my peeps from the alley sing in chorus- Sybbie!!! DON"T DO IT???</p>
<p>We go to Lord and Taylors, where it looks like a mob scene both in and out side of the store. Then not to be outdone, she starts to tell me about some hot pink Tory Burch ballet flats. Who is kidding who here? I know that this chick is not going to wear any hot pink shoes, anytime soon, so WHY did I agree to walk up 5th Avenue to Saks to go see them?</p>
<p>There really should be occupancy limits in the city. How do they manage to get sooo many people in such a small space? It’s not cold outside so everyone is traveling in one big mass walking like they have no where to do. Whoa Sybbie, that NYer always racing to get some where is kicking in on ya. </p>
<p>We get to 48th street and you must stay on one side of the street as the streets crossing the other side of 5th ave are closed off so you cannot cross to the other side of 5th ave until you get to 51st street. We get across 5th ave and start walking toward Saks. I am now saying to myself, “shoot me now for not following my gut and staying home”.</p>
<p>We get to Saks, and Chicky is acting like she has reached the promised land and starts babbling about how good it is to reconnect with her people. Right there on the first floor, there are racks of designer sun glasses on sale for $140. (Alu… Why aren’t you here with your east coast kid?) After rummaging through all of these sunglasses, she says, I’ll have to come back.</p>
<p>We take the elevator upstairs and get off. She see her favorite words; Take 40% off ticketed price and charges straight toward Theory (which looks like the rack exploded). She takes me to a chair, parks me in the shoe department with 1 hot pink Tory Burch ballet flat and say’s you can stay here because I know how much you hate going through racks. I am now rolling my eyes at this shoe, shaking my head and saying she’s not going to get these shoes.</p>
<p>Black belt shopper that she is she comes to show me couple of dresses, a jacket and a sweater. </p>
<p>She then turns to me and asks: Mom, is the one gift rule still in effect?<br>
M: yes, I will buy you the 1 item that you want.</p>
<p>D: good, just checking because I am going to look for this coat that I really want to get.</p>
<p>M: Chicky, I don’t think you will have time to look for a coat as the store is closing at 8:30. We have been out now about 6 hours, so much for this going out and coming right back. Who in the world did I screw over in a past life that this is now payback?</p>
<p>We get to the coat department and she squeals that her coat is on sale !!! (Mom, you know I have been checking the website of the “coat maker” every day and the coat has not dropped in price). This is going to be my one gift. Can I have it? Knowing defeat and having aching feet, I say ok. </p>
<p>We get to the counter, the sales person rings up the coat, I start to pay for it and she yells, “Wait a minute. Mom, they have one with a hood, I would really like to get a hooded coat”. Not to be out done, I apologize and let the woman behind me ring up her stuff and she then does the same thing- starts to ring out her coat, changes her mind and wants to see something else (my heart really goes out to sales people, because I know I would be unemployed if I had to do this for a living). After some back and forth, Chicky decides that she is going with the original coat. I purchase, she thanks me and says she still has time to look at a pocket book. Now back to the first floor and she tells me about how much $$ she has saved up. She can purchase this bag (which is on sale) but really does not want to spend so much money. The sales woman tells her to come back at 8am the day after christmas as there will be a 4 hour door buster sale and the bag will be 50% off the ticketed price. With a gleam in her eye, she says “mom, we should come back so I could get this bag”. Has she lost her mind!!! I need a day after Christmas sale like I need a hole in the head.</p>
<p>You know what is really not fair? This would never happen if I had a TSFH. I feel sooo cheated.</p>
<p>So lets have some big drinks and remind ourselves that on-line shopping is your best friend.</p>
<p>Great story, Sybbie!!!</p>
<p>Love it Sybbie. Happy to take your D shopping on the West Coast any day. However, she has to park the car if we go to SF.</p>
<p>When you have a D on a Mission, I think your strategy is the best. Get the heck out of the way. Preferably in a comfortable chair. And hold on to your wallet. You did good.</p>
<p>But it’s clear you are not a shopper yourself. What did the coat look like for goodness sake? At least the color if you can’t tell us the style, empire waist, pea coast, 3/4 length;).</p>
<p>Honestly I 'm not really a shopper myself. But I read a lot of magazines…</p>
<p>Not a shopper either. Though who doesn’t love a bargain?</p>
<p>I thank my lucky stars my one D was not a “shopper.” ;)</p>
<p>And the boys, of course, never were and never will be.</p>
<p>Alu,</p>
<p>Why did I know that you would want details, details? Appealing to your kindred shopper’s spirit. She has had her eye on a Burberry toggle button coat (the coat she purchased is in black).</p>
<p>[Burberry</a> Wool Duffle Coat with Toggles - Burberry Coats - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2941739/0~6006558~6006559~6007240~6009080?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6009080&P=2]Burberry”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2941739/0~6006558~6006559~6007240~6009080?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6009080&P=2)</p>
<p>She wanted to swap out for this mini duffle coat</p>
<p>[Burberry</a> - Women’s: Top Coats: MINI DUFFLE](<a href=“Burberry | Official Website & Store”>Burberry | Official Website & Store)</p>
<p>But when she tried it on, she liked the first coat better.</p>
<p>This is the coat that she had on her back when she walked in the store (2 purchased 2 seasons ago, got it on sale from Burberry after Christmas)</p>
<p>[Burberry</a> - Women’s: Top Coats: BRENKLEY](<a href=“Burberry | Official Website & Store”>Burberry | Official Website & Store)</p>
<p>This is the bag (color Sabbia) that your east coast D is going back for as it will be 1/2 the day after christmas (but she is going alone!!)</p>
<p>[Miu</a> Miu - Vitello Shoulder Bag - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446165797&FOLDER<>folder_id=282574492707188&ASSORTMENT<>ast_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1198429155027&ev19=1:2]Miu”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446165797&FOLDER<>folder_id=282574492707188&ASSORTMENT<>ast_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1198429155027&ev19=1:2)</p>
<p>This is why I keep telling her that she needs a really good job after graduation!</p>
<p>Cute bag–but the price made me wince. Even at 1/2 off!</p>
<p>What is it about purses lately? If the US gov’t put them on the list of prices they are tracking, inflation would be reported at way higher than it is!</p>
<p>Sorry to divert from the shopping theme, but I never really thought we had one of those-TSFH-except that at 2:11 a.m. our phone rang last night. It was S#1, informing me that he had missed the last train home from the city out to the 'burbs where we live. He was stranded. He suggested taking a subway to get closer to our home, but I said “absolutely not, I will come get you!” (Subways at 2:30 a.m. through “sketchy” neighborhoods-I don’t think so, even if he is a young adult.) So, I went running around the house in the dark, trying to find my pocketbook, my sneakers, etc. I drove down to the city to the main train station and picked him up. While we were on the way home, around 3 a.m., my cell phone rang. It was H, wondering where the h*ll I was. He had been sleeping in another room, unbeknownst to me as I tiptoed around in the dark, because S#3 accidentally woke him around 1 a.m. when he was walking around the house looking for S#2, who was not asleep in his own room. (Pay attention, there’ll be a quiz later ;).)
Anyway, H woke up around 3 a.m. and looked out the window to make sure that S#1 was home, since S#1 had taken H’s car to the suburban train station. When he didn’t see his car, H figured that something was wrong, so he went downstairs and looked outside and then realized that there were two cars missing. That’s when he called me. We got home around 3:30 a.m. (at least there’s no real traffic in the middle of the night in this major metro area) and I’m sure that S#1 slept soundly, but I was so rev’d up that I couldn’t even sleep. We have told all of our kids that they are to call us if they are ever stranded-no questions asked. I guess I brought this on myself.</p>
<p>Love the bag and the coat - but the prices make me glad my D favors Delia’s, Mandee’s and Urban Outfitters…lol.</p>
<p>My D favors Goodwill and Salvation Army, although she would look great in the red jacket with the toggles. she is a major bargain hunter. Decided prom dresses were too expensive and not to her taste, so she made one out of red silk. It was stunning.</p>
<p>Son’s favorite store is Gamestop, where he can always pay list price. His key fashion question is: “which t shirt to wear today with my jeans?”</p>
<p>OMG those things are cute to DIE for!!!</p>
<p>I have wanted a peacoast for the past two years. We ARE spiritual sisters. If Chicky says it’s duffle time however, I’m going to follow her lead:). And love love love the purse.</p>
<p>I don’t talk like this in real life but here in the Alley I am tossing my long hair and flinging out the “Whatevers!” like there was no tomorrow.</p>
<p>Honest I love Chicky’s taste. Does she want to go into fashion?</p>
<p>And ALSO love the Feydeau H+S’s at momof 3’s house…</p>
<p>she’s kinda into red, your girl, huh m&s???</p>
<p>momof3sons, I read your posting. Could only hear one melody/lyric, “Sleep in heavenly peace…” NOT HAPPENING.</p>
<p>Pour me a stiff one. S#2 has indicated he <em>might</em> want to consider transferring from the school we (and he) thought was the school of his dreams. People change, majors change, and things may have to…change. </p>
<p>I knew it was too good to be true…the lull between kids/college searches was going to be too long. No way do I get 3 years off to not pay attention to things. I realize a transfer is mostly the kid’s job, but still…if it happens I will be somewhat involved. Certainly financially! :eek:</p>
<p>When I lived in New York, I had a “we do not go into midtown from Dec. 1 - Jan 15 rule.” Now I remember why!</p>
<p>Alu…</p>
<p>Hey remember me, the one walking around the alley with the chicken bucket on her head!! </p>
<p>Out of everything you tell them and they don’t listen do, why is the only thing that they listen to is put a good coat on your back and good shoes on your feet. I am not a bag lady by any stretch of the imagination so I don’t know where she got the bag and sun glasses thing from. </p>
<p>Chicky says:</p>
<p>Mom, remember I will soon be going out in to the world of work and these things are staples and classics which will last me forever. </p>
<p>I am transitioning our of my college wardrobe to my adult wardrobe. </p>
<p>Cheap clothes cost a lot of money, buy the best thing you can afford but get it on sale and don’t give into fads. </p>
<p>Did I tell you that when we went to Barnes and Noble I paid for the books for her comparative lit class (broke college student), but she had no problem buying a copy of Harper’s Bazaar Great Style: Best Ways to Update Your Look.</p>
<p>Do you ever have to days that ya wish that for a moment we could be members of MA, (Moms Anonymous)? </p>
<p>Perhaps we just need a good old fashion tent revival meeting. We’re backsliders that need to repent I tell ya! Backsliders. </p>
<p>Maybe were just getting plain old gypped because we all of our friends told us about all of the stuff we would not have to do once the kids got older, they went off to college.</p>
<p>Line em’ up and call our union reps: Slugg, SB we need to look over our contract! Do you think we can file a grievance?</p>
<p>Lets see if I’ve got the recap:</p>
<p>Me: going into midtown like a fool to do christmas shopping I said that I wasn’t and not to be out done, got invited to the aftyer Christmas sale.</p>
<p>M3S: Gets up in the middle of the night, leaves home to pick up son who misses the last train home. And how many times did she tell him that they were responsible for knowing the time table andit was their business to make the train. And what about those famous last words: If you miss the train I am not coming to get you!!! Now he’s sleeping like a log and she’s tossing and turning, and Is probably going to be the good mom, who got up and made breakfast for the boys.</p>
<p>MM: Flashback, we were so happy that our kid found a school that they love and loves him back. But now, same kid is coming home talking about transfer? I don’t remember this being listed in our contract. I agree with ya, just when we thought that we could set our sights on more interesting things like menopause and chin hair, kid pulls something like this. I am with ya MM. Keep passing on those drinks! Now is not the time to have our buzz ruined.</p>
<p>Hey if we can’t get no satisfaction, and we can’t run away to join the circus, I suggest that we should at least get rich and have some great spa days. I think we should all get together and collaboratively write a parenting book about all of the things our friends never told us about when we first became parents. We’ll tell out best stories and the title will be “Ya can’t make this stuff up.”</p>
<p>But in the mean time keep them coming because you know that we can come up with some real doozies once we are seeing clearly through our haze of those little umbrella drinks.</p>
<p>hey sybbie,
I plead guilty as charged as to getting up and making breakfast for all 3 sons following my sleepless night. Challah French toast, a Sunday morning tradition here. He’s never missed the train before, so I couldn’t invoke any previously made rules!</p>
<p>“Transfer? Transfer?!”</p>
<p>I think I’d feel like the wife in Brokeback Mountain, scrubbing the sink, “Jack TWIST? Jack NASTY!!”
She didn’t want to even hear the word.</p>
<p>I agree, somebody should write a book with all our unbelieveable stories in one place. Proceeds go to refurbishing the Alley, naturally.</p>