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Learning to drive... at age 41!

...I've had many a misadventure in the past few months while learning to drive at the almost semi-ripe age of 41! Shocking, yes, I know but believe me there are still women out there like me who don't drive. When I tell people my 'dirty little secret' they are literally awestruck and but I'm not alone. I come from a family who's Mom never drove, my neighbour didn't drive, a few friends of mine don't drive and when you I share my noncompliance with the norm...others just like me crawl out of the woodwork!

Really though, NOT driving hasn't been the worst thing that hasn't happened to me in my life. In fact you can't miss what you've never had so, experiencing the freedom that those who drive brag about isn't something I've ever missed. I get my jollies by going for a walk, riding my bike, taking a cab and even public transit is an experience in itself. Not that the last two options are overly exciting and the taxi business gets rather pricey but eh, whats a girl to do with her arm full of shopping bags, it's -20 and home is five blocks away...'taxi!'

So, this is how the story goes I've had my learners license 4 times now, yes 4 but I just have never grown the set I need to take me to the next level. I get this sort of panicked feeling that washes over me and I can't seem to shake it. Not that I haven't driven mind you 'cause I have, just not enough to gain the confidence I need, at least in my opinion. But now, I'm 41 and living in an area where the nearest bus stop is 2.5 miles away and the bus ride itself takes an hour to get to the mall or anywhere else intriguing and with that normally taking only 10 minutes by car that is a huge...ouch!! Time is a factor and at my age and I just don't want to waste anymore time, it's far to precious. Not only that but, I want my freedom, the freedom to go where I want, when I want for as long as I want...uh, duh blondie (that's me talking to me) it's time to remove the noose from your neck and dive in, there will be NO more dickin' around!

My other challenge at this stage of my life is that the only vehicle I have access to is a standard. That's a manual transmission ladies, a stick or stick shift. The knobby thing that gets in the way when you're trying to snuggle your man. The thing that forces you to sit cockeyed and half sideways!? So, not only am I learning the rules of the road as a driver (not the back seat non-licensed yappy thing sitting beside the actual driver again) but, I also have to learn the ropes of a third pedal (the clutch) and the big H (the gear shift)!

How do you say sweaty, white knuckled, blonde lady behind is a comin'...well, you just look for the big red L on the back of my SUV and say nothing (please) just bite your tongue and be patient, we all have had to learn at some point, right!?

Yesterday for example, I stalled on a left hand turn in the middle of the freakin' intersection and missed the light. Another time, coming up the hill too slowly for 3rd gear the dang thing stalled on me and I had to get 'er going again or just sit there all red faced and scared...7 tries later I got us up the hill. Those were my two most recent and I needn't go into the jerky motioned whip lash scenes that occur or the stalling because I forget to put in the clutch when I braked, or how I hate it when the vehicle begins to roll down hill and there is a cliff right behind me...whew, nerve wracking to say the least but I'm gonna do it and when I get it, when I finally clue in to how the whole works I'm sure I'll just love it, right lol! right!? 

The infamous Boudreaux's Butt Paste...where are you?

This post brought to you by Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

Diaper rash is something that us 'soon to be wrinkled folk' will need later in life (when we regress into diapers) but for right now, it's all about the babies!

Well, at least for me to make my point in this article :) and my point is that Boudreaux's Butt Paste is a product I'd love to get my hands on to pass on to friends with little ones in the nest..yet, I've only just heard about it and have never ever seen this product in the stores. Perhaps, with all the attention it gets from Oprah, the Today Show, the Tonight Show and even ESPN it's always sold out? I don't know but it's seriously like the Where's Waldo of butt rash creams!!

Thankfully, I can just visit their website and get my own free sample (and pssst. you can too) but in the meantime...I'm stumped as to where I can buy it, any thoughts?!

Just so you know, Boudreaux's Butt Paste is recommended by respected pediatricians for more than just diaper rash, it also soothes irritated skin (and wipes on, off and up easily which is great for excessive, messy people!).

Why is it special? Like, what does it do? Well, B's Butt paste contains zinc oxide which forms a gentle barrier between babies super soft skin and harmful agents such as urine which is what causes diaper rash. I've used similar barrier creams on my own skin to protect myself from harmful detergents and cleaning agents and although it wasn't this product, the function was the same...protection!

So, if you can find it grab a tube, jar or container today and slather up and protect that skin albeit yours or babies...I'm no doctor but how can we go wrong when Oprah says it's okay?! :)

p.s. ...and no, there is no age limit on this product . Meaning, if are wrinkled and in need of protective undergarments then by all means get some for yourself! I know when my day comes, I'll be reaching for it or if I'm lucky someone else will and they'll also put it on for me, lol!!

Is it Wrong to Give a 'Used' Item to your Wife as a Gift?

Scenario -

I've just recently been asked by a male friend if it's okay for a man to give a gift to a woman that has been used by someone else?... "Such as" I asked "pawned jewelry, estate jewelry or a used appliance?" ...he laughed and wasn't sure it made a difference but I assured him after a few moments of deliberation it makes a difference and is just a wee bit complicated a) because every receiver is different and b) the gift itself would also play an important factor.

Personally, I think that depending upon the sincerity or reason behind the gift then the end result would play out accordingly... such as...lets say your spouse came home with a used Kirby vacuum that has no box, no instructions, no extra pieces, is crusty dirty and looks well, used!... I'd think a big fat no is in order if he thinks I'm going to clean it, then clean with it!

But, lets say for arguments sake the gift is estate jewelry like a stunning bracelet or a pawned diamond ring or a gorgeous pair of earrings, would it be okay to gift a 'used' item then? Remembering that it is always the thought that counts...I say 'go for it' but please be sincere with the gift and the reason behind buying it and giving it (and perhaps don't advertise it came from smokey Joe's as opposed to Tiffanys!)

p.s. by the way boys, do not under any circumstances bring your wife home an appliance as a romantic 'gift' at any time of the year unless, you want to sleep on the couch for the rest of it!!!    

...so please, my awesome readers...let me know what you think and feel on this subject so we can help out our fellow man!

Pier 1, it's a one stop shop for all your Christmas needs (and some ;) !

This post brought to you by Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

Well ladies and gents, 'tis the season to be jolly!...What, you haven't found your jolly let alone your holly?...Then perhaps you need to get out and do some shopping?...And guess what, I've found a fantastic place to go, you've got to check out your local Pier 1!...have you been yet? I've just visited their website and not only do they have some gorgeous items for the Christmas season but they have amazing products for year round style that I'm definitely going to be asking Santa to tuck under my tree! 

One of my favorite items is candles and they've devoted an entire section to just that, ambiance created by wax and wick, how cool is that!? Beautiful tapered ones, colored ones, scented ones, seasonal, fat, skinny, short, narrow, decorative, natural something for every room in the house...yes, even the bathroom! As we all know a bubble bath by candle light is absolutely exquisite and suits the end of any day...it's also one of my must have dinner party decorations ('cause everyone looks better by candle light ;) 

 Another great thing about Pier 1 is that they have decor that matches my 'unique' decorative style. I'd consider myself an eclectic decorator and if I want wood, wrought iron, pretty and or functional all in one, they've got it!They even have these rattan Papasan chairs with playful fabric style cushions that I could totally see myself snuggled up on while reading a good book...Santa psssst, are you listening? 

My guess would be that you may not have bought gifts just yet for everyone in your life so, why not visit Pier 1 for some holiday gifts that will even put a smile on your Mother-in-laws face! Perhaps a nice clock that will enable her to count the excitedly anticipated minutes between this visit and your next or the seconds if she so desires...lol! Yes, even she may laugh if you use that line when she thanks you.

p.s. Before you vanish, I must mention to you that during the months of November and December when you 'like' Pier 1 on your Facebook account (meaning, become a fan) Pier 1 will donate $1 to Toys for Tots. Plus, you can drop off any new, unwrapped toy or make a cash donation at any in-store cash register! 

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas, lets share some smiles and let the love grow... :)  

Carrie Underwood - Undo It! - Music Video & Lyrics

Gotta love a blonde spitfire (and yes, I'm another one ;) ...Go Carrie!...and as for you King *ink!...this song is posted especially for you to let you know I've taken my happy back and am so abso*uckenlutely proud of myself for doing so!

p.s....when you watched me walk away you saw my ass and if you were good enough I'd consider letting you kiss it good bye, but you're not!

Music video & lyrics to Undo It! by Carrie Underwood



I should have known by the way you passed me by
There was something in your eyes and it wasn't right
I should have walked but I never had the chance
Everything got out of hand and I let it slide

Now I only have myself to blame for falling for your stupid games
I wish my life could be the way it was before I saw your face

You stole my happy, you made me cry
Took the lonely and took me for a ride
And I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it
You had my heart, now I want it back
I'm starting to see everything you lack
Boy, you blew it, you put me through it
I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it

Na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na

Now your photos don't have a picture frame
And I never say your name and I never will
And all your things, well I threw them in the trash
And I'm not even sad

Now you only have yourself to blame for playing all those stupid games
You're always gonna be the same and, oh no, you'll never change

You stole my happy, you made me cry
Took the lonely and took me for a ride
And I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it
You had my heart, now I want it back
I'm starting to see everything you lack
Boy, you blew it, you put me through it
I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it

Na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na

You want my future, you can't have it
I'm still trying to erase you from my past
I need you gone so fast

You stole my happy, you made me cry
Took the lonely and took me for a ride
And I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it
You had my heart, now I want it back
I'm starting to see everything you lack
Boy, you blew it, you put me through it
I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it

You stole my happy, you made me cry
Took the lonely and took me for a ride
Boy, you blew it, you put me through it
I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it