Back-To-School clothing ads, 1957

God, but I love advertising art. Those and old cookbooks are better than any history book in terms of capturing a moment in time. I've got some great ad art books (the nice Taschen books) and regional cookbooks that are amazing stores of information.

One year, my mom got me a mumu for xmas.

Ouch, Allyson-- that's just wrong.

I LOVE gift lists! And I always ask people what they'd like, because I'm curious about what they will say. If they say they have no idea, then I just do my best to get creative within my limited budget. But my mom, for instance, and today is her birthday! Happy Birthday, Mom! I always ask what she wants. And it always ends up being a surprise for her because she never ever remembers our conversations about it, when she told me she needed/wanted it. Which is odd, but whatever. But I like making a big deal out of things like her birthday because she grew up in a Jehovah's Witness household, and basically nothing was special. So if she says she wants socks, she gets socks, and they will be the prettiest, most thoughtful collection of sport and dress socks, and most elaborately wrapped ones you'll ever find.

On the other hand, when she asks me what I want, she still often forgets what I said, in a similar fashion to the conversation about what she wanted. Or she'll remember something totally random, and won't think it through to why it'd be an odd gift. Like, my first year in college (in L.A.) I happened to mention that I wanted to get a Christmas tree for my apartment, and the fake ones were only $25 at wherever, and that might be a fun way to spruce up the place, and it'd be fun because it'd be my very own Christmas tree that I could do whatever I wanted with. And for Christmas (at home in N.Y.), which we celebrated on New Years due to scheduling stuff, my present was a 2' pink Barbie Christmas tree. And the rest of my presents were all things to put on the tree, like Disney Princess lights, and Barbie shoe ornaments. And she was like, "It was so much fun shopping for you this year!" And I was like...it's January. I have no need for a Christmas tree, I didn't get to pick anything out, and I can't fit this stuff in my luggage to take back to L.A. to even save it for next year. So, I appreciated where she was coming from on that one, but it still totally missed the mark for me, since I didn't even get the fun of picking stuff out with her. And I had to pretend to be excited about it, since she had such a blast picking it out, even though I was mostly feeling left out. On the other hand, she is the only person who actually believes me when I say that I LOVE gift certificates, since I really can't afford to shop for myself, so I think that gift certificates are the bomb diggity. And they're more fun than cash, since cash I always feel compelled to use in a responsible way.

she is the only person who actually believes me when I say that I LOVE gift certificates

I believe you, Alibelle! I DO!

I love gift cards. They stress me out. I finally got stuff from Lucy from Allyson and QPB's gift card. And it was good I waited because the Lucy in Pasadena is going out of business and everything is 50% off clearance! until tomorrow, I think.

A friend just got engaged to this guy.

Have you considered an intervention?

Have you considered an intervention?

No! She'll get sued! He'll skip straight to the State Supreme Court!

Hi, Kat! Thank you for believing me!

Also today: My friends Jay and Michael got married! And I got them some cupcakes (Yummy Cupcakes, of course) as a present. I thought the Happy Day ones made the most sense. And, of course, I left the cupcakes at home, since I was also their witness, photographer, and florist. And I tore the straps on my dress on the way to the wedding. So I was the stripper too.

And now I need to get my car washed because, no joke, the birds gifted me with 23 presents while I was gone. Disgusting.

I like the newly elected county CEO, but at the moment I don't know if he's brave or nuts. He just sent out an e-mail giving out his home phone number.

And I tore the straps on my dress on the way to the wedding. So I was the stripper too.

O my goodness, Alibelle, this made me laugh so hard!

Brenda-- that man scares me. I feel that man is actually someone who would go for me, and if I were less cranky, I would be engaged to him, though.

Alibelle, is this ballroom Jay? Best wishes to both of them!! so fun! I'm taking Noah here which seems your sort of place. Also, I need someone to see Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 with. Are you up for it?