You are Pinked Out!

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You are Pinked Out!

One of my favorite magazines, Domino (I am so glad you are back!), has a section called “10 Things that Make me Happy.” This section of Domino has inspired my post for today.  I am never quite ready to say good-bye to summer  (i.e., insisting on wearing shorts rather than pants until November on my cold Wisconsin college campus), but feel the calendar and Labor Day pressure me to do so.  In efforts to build a bridge between what I desire and reality, I am starting the transition here by looking back on the top 10 things that made me happy this summer.

1.  Being told by an 8 year old girl that I was “Pinked Out!”

Scene:  Me, in non-stop fun, pink heart sunglasses shopping with friend who is also wearing said sunglasses. I notice I am being watched by an 8 year-old girl.  Me, standing in front of the mirror trying to decide whether or not to purchase a pink scarf.  Her, clinging to her mother’s side watching me.  Me, trying on scarf and holding it up to my face, for skin tone color match purpose.  Her: mouth dropping open.  Me, deciding mouth drop could not go undiscussed.  Me:  “Do you like pink too?”  Her:  No longer clinging, steps away from her mother and shouts “Yes!” and a few seconds later “You are pinked out!” with enthusiasm. Smiles and laughter all around.  And that, was my favorite moment of summer. Connecting with enthusiasm, while being silly and shopping! Doesn’t get much better for me.

2. An individual I worked with learned to say my name.

D. (name abbreviated for privacy) is an adult with Autism. During our first meetings, he utilized echolalic speech, repeating much of what I said to him. For example, I would say “Hi D.!”  and he would repeat back “Hi D.!”  Each week we tried to master this greeting, with me hoping he would insert my name after saying “Hi” instead of repeating back his own.  There were times along the way when I thought he was about to get it. Like when he paused right after saying “Hi” and right before incorrectly saying “D.”  He was learning and did learn.  By the end of the summer, with continued effort and determination, when I greeted him with “Hi D.!” he responded back with “Hi….. Ms. H.”

3. Riding the Alpine Slide, slow lane, in Big Bear Lake, California.

4.  The Mötley Crüe show at Hollywood Bowl in July.

Their tour title “All Bad Things Must Come to an End” makes me laugh every time I see it, hence one concert tee and one concert tank purchased. I kind of missed the Tommy Lee roller-coaster drum kit (not part of this show due to space restrictions at the Hollywood Bowl). However, that didn’t stop me from singing along with my favorites or from feeling transported back to the 1980’s and 90’s.  Now if only the muscles in my body would feel the same way.

5. My brother + girlfriend visit in July, and Fourth of July celebration with extended family.

This included the Hollywood Bowl Steve Martin, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Edie Brickell show.

6. Trip to the East Coast for friend’s milestone birthday party, to spend time with family, and our anniversary.

Our flight attendant served us complimentary champagne in celebration of our anniversary during our flight out.  I also enjoyed a rental car for the first time I can remember (other memories include wild vibration and shaking by the car while driving on the highway and Barbie toy home style mirrors; stick-on shiny silver paper). This summer’s rental was a Red Ford Fiesta, and it provided the most fun I have had driving in a long time.  I can very happily report that it is not your 1990’s Ford Fiesta.

7.  Julia Child’s kitchen at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

Thank you to whomever is helping to keep the Smithsonians and other museums in Washington D.C. free to the public!

8. Peter Frampton’s Guitar Circus including Buddy Guy at the Hollywood Bowl.

Flashback to one of the few movies I opted to see twice in the theater, Reality Bites, and separately Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago.  Frampton’s (original) version “Baby I Love Your Way” is used in Reality Bites, which is when I first fell in love with it.  Seeing Frampton live has been on my list since then, check – completed. Being a Chicago native, I recommend a visit to Buddy Guy’s Legends, a Blues bar.

9.  Home and office redecorating supply inspiration and shopping at Mood Fabrics,  Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Michael’s.

Also finding inspiration from websites like My Fabuless Life for said projects and Craft Night at the Craft and Folk Art Museum.

10. Taking care of my feet and eyes with age-appropriately fun and good-looking gear.

The Birkenstock Yara and La Font Black Cat Eye glasses.  Ultimate compliment situation: young fashionably dressed European woman approaches my husband and I to compliment my look.  I was not only relieved that she had something nice to say (I have had the opposite occur here in L.A.), but was extremely delighted by what she had to say.  Sigh of relief, another Pink Unicorn moment found!  Gratitude ahead.  I may not have a summer house (lol… or a house at all!), weeks spent other than working hard, or an exotic vacation to share (all the aforementioned are, by the way, parts of what I picture to be the ideal summer), but I do have great family, friends, colleagues, individuals I work with, and moments of connected enthusiasm to be grateful for this summer.

Oh, bonus..

11.  After a delicious, atmosphere-rich, and enjoyable evening at Petit Trois in July, I am looking forward to Trois Mec in September!


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