18 April 2008

A Day with My Girl

So Kendra drug me to the mall today. She's had birthday money burning a hole in her pocket, and a mother so reluctant to endure a day of shopping. I am not sure why in the midst of feeling so not myself that I decided to make a day of it with her - but out we went.
Our conversations in the car were interesting. She was telling me how she has really no desire to have a boyfriend but doesn't mind the idea of dating. It is really hard to let her grow up. Somehow we got on a conversation about men's idea of what a woman should look like, and how hard it is for a woman to measure up. It was a little tense at one point when we disagreed about my opinion of women wearing make-up because of men. She says we do it to feel pretty. I suggested that is because it is what our culture tells us that pretty is, and she disagreed. Eventually we agreed to disagree. It's okay. I'm alright with allowing her to be wrong.
We went to lunch at a great new Mexican place that a friend had recommended. The lunch prices were very inexpensive. Kendra had a chimichanga, and I had a beef burrito and a chicken enchilada. Terrific. After lunch, we shared a dessert. We decided to branch out and try something new - so we got Flan. It was pretty good - but neither of us were CRAZY about it. The best part was hanging out together, and eating and talking.
The shopping wore me out. Stepping into the mall is like sensory overload. The smells, sounds, the people. It is an artificial environment. I had to make myself remember that the day was about enjoying my girl - and that I did in spite of any post-traumatic stress disorder that may linger afterwards. I even went into Merle Norman with her! I didn't stay long - I had to make an emergency exit. Imagine that.

3 comments:

  1. I'm so glad that you had some girl time. Cassie has been craving that but Jared is pretty attached so it is difficult. I know this is just temporary though, pretty soon he won't want to come with us.

    I wear make up for me :)
    Jason says I don't need it and he doesn't really care if I wear it. I do my hair and make up for ME, I do have a few days when I don't but I'm usually sick or in so much menstrual pain otherwise I wear it even if I do not plan on leaving the house. I think it's personal preference but yes society does weigh in on it I just ignore culture and society they can kiss my butt, I'll do what I want, thank you very much.

    I also can't go to the mall, I get paralyzed and dizzy and anxious, it isn't pretty.

    Although this is something I hope to cure, I also want to be able to drive without an anxiety/dizzy episode, I don't need malls, thank God for internet shopping!

    I have never tried Flan either, maybe someday but if it's not chocolate I'm really not interested.

    Well that's enough from ME!

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  2. It's so much fun to have girl times. At least I think so. I don't enjoy the mall, because I'm usually on such a tight budget. Just once, I wish I could go and blow.

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  3. I applaud you, Julie, for being willing to put aside your own preferences, just to hang out with your kid. What a great way to show love.

    I'm struck with the question: How many times must Father do that for us? Come into our "mall" of preference, just because He loves us. I think many times He has come with me into my "mall". And I can't think it's a place He'd choose to be, apart from love.

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Awaiting your words......
♥ Juls ♥