waited up for me.

i came in late tonight and these two had waited up for me.

so i rolled into their room and recounted the funny story from this morning.

the minute i began to tell it, nonie realized she was the star in the story and perked up a bit.

this morning,

i opened the car door to let nonie out at school and she'd fallen backwards into the car.

when i swung the door open, all i saw were mary janes and heart speckled tights floundering in the air.

it was her backpack that kept her in that position for a few seconds.

it was as if a turtle was lying upside-down - flailing its legs.

my laughter was immediate and i was relieved to see that she was laughing too.

i laughed out-loud again this evening recounting the story.

and once more earlier today sitting under the flourescent work lights of my desk - i'd let my mind wander for a bit and found it took me right back to my little girl flailing like a tipped turtle.

my co-workers wondered briefly what it was that had made me laugh.

now, late in the evening, the kids were belly laughing too.

it helped that nonie re-enacted the pose right there on her bed in her purple flowered pjs.

Then I kissed them a million times each and snuck downstairs.

Declan tiptoed down the stairs about 45 minutes later with breaking news:

I've seen extra long feet in nonie's bed.

huh?

So, a bit nervous, but realizing this definitely falls under my mother job description, I followed him upstairs. We bravely made our way to the edge of Nonie's bed where she slept soundly.

I stepped forward and pulled back the blankets and revealed

A straight line of stuffed animals were standing guard by Nonie's toes. She'd positioned them just so. Most of the barrier was made from hello kitty kat stuffed animals. Together, Dec and I laughed...we laughed out-loud.

A good laugh is like candy for my soul.

My soul had lots of sweets today.

Then, as he crawled into bed I thanked Dec

for waiting up for me.

"That Guy"

Yes to all the sistas who were there for the story.

Let it be known that "this is the picture that Maddy took".

Model Behavior.

For a little less than 5 hours last week, I was a fashion model.

***
HAIR
My hair was straightened, curled, straightened.... then slightly curled again.
It smelled divine once the darling woman at the sophisticated salon had worked her magic on it.
And I had soft wavy ringlets. She even gave my last ringlet curl a little ribbon coated clip to wear on my way from salon to show. "You know? To keep it just so...."

Oh yes. I knew. I knew that even my one ringlet curl in the front of my head felt doted on.

***
MAKEUP
Once at the venue, the makeup artist made my eyes "smokin".
Every time I thought she was done, she reached for another glob of shimmer, or sparkle, or misty shadowy powder, and laid on an additional thick coat. When she was finished with me, I struggled to keep my "smokin" eyes open from the weight of the makeup.

***
RUNWAY
First, the obligatory champagne. Then, the walk down the runway.
I stood tall. I smiled. I tried not to race (gallop, sashay, swagger....)
Then the quick help out of - and in to - and adjusting the clothes.
Then the jewelry.
Then the escort down the step of the stage out to the runway for a stroll down the runway. A second time. (Wow! is this funny!).

Next comes the FINALE. Women spill out from behind the curtains.
Cheering, clapping, flashing cameras. Stepping in tune with the clubbing music.
Circle back.
More cheering.

***
NO REALLY. A MODEL.
I was a model and I didn't hang a piece of clothing nor did I wear Spanx.
(Bri, sorry - did that catch you off guard?).
Fashion show, fashion show...fashion show at lunch. (Someone had to write that).

And we all know it was an honor to be asked to strut my stuff to raise money for a great cause alongside 17 inspiring women.
And yes, let it be known that I (really) enjoyed wearing the fur.
Roar.



***
NEXT TOP MOMDEL?
So, I came home late that night, tucked my sore toes into bed and just a few hours later two of the cutest munchkins in the world woke me up.
Cherub smile faces with giant blue eyes were peeking at me. (Me, the model).

Nonie & Dec, good morning! Thanks for starting the day with your incredible singing (WAY) out of tune accompanied by crazy dancing in the kitchen. Both behaviors serve as a powerful reminder to me of my real modeling job. Smokin' eyes optional.

Wednesday Smiles

Here are two pictures that should bring a smile to your face.


I've always wondered what "shape face" I have when you see those magazine articles about what kind of sunglasses to wear if you're oval or round or whatever it might be. I've wondered but I haven't really done much research. Well, my questions was answered today when one of my boys gave me this portrait of yours truly.


In other news.
Drake gears up for the winter cold.