November | 2014 | BulgingButtons

November 19, 2014
by BulgingButtons 6 Comments

Snovember

photo credit Derek Gee

Poor, poor Buffalo. No matter how many great things happen in and around that city, it will always be located exactly where it is, and that particular spot on the planet happens to be a perfect place for snow.

My Buffalo connections downplay the role that weather has on the region, but I think they only do it as a coping mechanism. After all, they can’t ALL leave the area, can they? Someone has to stay there.

And there are many good reasons to stay there. It has the nickname “the city of good neighbors” for a reason. People in Buffalo help each other out, just because that’s what you do. Especially under difficult conditions, like during snowstorms.

Buffalo is also affordable. Considering you have to pay New York State taxes when you live there, it’s still a good deal. And let’s face it, those tax dollars are used for things like education. Just saying.

Buffalo also has a lot to offer. Honestly, a ton of options await anyone with a desire to get up and do something. There’s theater, concerts, sports, family events, museums, festivals, and more. The local paper publishes a separate section each weekend just so you can keep track of everything going on. And if you like to eat and drink, well, Buffalo has something wonderful for every taste and budget.

The city’s history provides an interesting backdrop for its architecture, landscapes, and neighborhoods. Garden walks are popular, and so are tours of historic old buildings, like Buffalo City Hall. While the city is ever-changing, it holds on to its hard-working, hard-playing traditions.

If you want to visit a place with loyal sports fans, check out Buffalo. If you want to celebrate Dyngus Day or the feast of St. Joseph, Buffalo’s your place. If you want to enjoy great outdoor concerts for free all summer long, head to Buffalo.

In case you weren’t sure, I love Buffalo. I just wish the weather was a little warmer, sunnier, and dryer. Oh, and a little less snow would be nice too.

November 18, 2014
by BulgingButtons 2 Comments

Is It Really Only Tuesday?

I’m ready for the weekend. I feel like I’ve put in a full week already, but a glance at the calendar (as if I really have a calendar) confirms that today is actually only Tuesday. Dammit.

Like most people I have certain little routines and rituals that take me through the week. Yesterday I decided to revisit an old one, the Monday night Weight Watchers meeting. Oh yes I did.

I’ve been watching myself balloon up to a scary size with a correspondingly scary weight, and I’m tired of it. My giant sweatshirt doesn’t look giant on me, but it does make me resemble a giant. My airline seatbelt days were looking like they were on the path to extender city, a destination I would rather avoid.

There is no shame in going back, at least that’s what they say, because face it, most people who lose weight don’t keep it off. They count on people going back. They make good money on us.

The way I see it is this: I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again, and one of these times it will stick. Maybe it’ll be this time. I would like that a lot. So here I go again. Wish me luck.

Another Monday night tradition has become tv watching. I know I said I was going to reclaim my time, but I’m hooked on both Dancing With the Stars and Sleepy Hollow.

Good thing we have a DVR, because by the time the meeting was over and we had cooked dinner DWTS was almost over. We got comfy and started watching the recorded show from the beginning. By the time it was over, I was ready for bed. Sleepy Hollow would have to wait until some other time.

And writing? What about writing? Um, well, uh… there hasn’t been too much of that lately. Aside from blog posts, that is. I’m terribly behind on my word count for NaNoWriMo. I’m starting to feel like it’s NaNo-NoGo or NaNo-TooSlow. I’m not giving up, though.

Then there’s all the usual stuff that happens in a week. Mine all sort of seemed to happen yesterday and today. I’m beat, I truly am. I did have some great conferences with my son’s teachers this afternoon. They told me things that I already knew, but it felt good to hear it from someone else.

There’s more, too, but I can’t keep my eyes open. Maybe tomorrow I’ll edit this post and maybe tomorrow I’ll decide that it’s garbage, but for tonight it’s my daily offering.

November 17, 2014
by BulgingButtons 8 Comments

It’s Official – I Look Awful in Everything

Getting dressed this morning wasn’t fun. First of all there’s the issue of the weather changing. It’s chilly in the morning, and today I’ll be spending half an hour on the playground supervising the little cherubs, so I don’t want to start my day cold. Later on, though, it heats up. I don’t want to spend my afternoon melting either.

The obvious solution? Layers, of course. Except when you reach a certain size there are only so many layers you’re willing to encase yourself in. Still, I headed to my closet with the idea that I would be dressing in layers today. First I needed a base. Skirt? No, not for a playground duty morning. Pants it is. Hmmm, the dress pants are all too tight, the capris are all in the wash, and the season has passed for the brightly colored summer pants.

That leaves jeans and leggings. Jeans are usually a Friday thing, but these are nice jeans, in a dark wash with no extra stitching and a flat front. I could wear them on a Monday. On they go, along with a long coral top. I look in the mirror and am horrified. I look awful. It’s the jeans. I look like a sausage about to explode out of its denim casing. I can’t do it.

Off go the jeans, and on go the leggings. The ones I’ve been wearing off and on all weekend. Yesterday I went to the theater in them with a big white button-down shirt over the top and ballet flats. I also went to brunch in them with a big, bright orange long sleeved t-shirt and ankle boots. I love them. They’re comfortable.

As far as looks? Well, let’s put it this way, my shirt is really long. It has to be. Nobody wants to see what’s under it, or if they do, they would regret it if they actually got their wish. It’s not pretty.

I feel like I have slipped over the line into the territory where nothing looks good, but really that’s not true. I looked cute at brunch. I looked good at the theater too. Maybe instead of giving up on fashion, I should just do my laundry.