C: Freedom!!
These pearls are real. The gen-you-wine thing and, therefore, priced higher than I am accustomed to forking over. But their authenticity was part of the allure for me. I am, after all, a Southern Girl (yes, it is capitalized!). And you know what Southern Girls say:
Your smile can be fake; your hair color can be fake; your boobs can be fake; but your pearls must always be real!And, girlfriends, I subscribe to that.
I purchased these from J C Penney (of all places), having spotted them as I strolled past the mark-down jewelry counter. They were marked down 65%. Why they had not sold before is beyond me, other than to think that God was saving them just for me, and at a price I could swing. I love, love them, and I wear them with my lawyer duds as well as with my khakis and jeans on the weekends. They are the kind of jewelry that just morph into whatever style they need to be. Classic.
And paying “too much” (even on sale) for my budget was something I just did—for me, purely and simply. It is not something I would have done in the past, having to take another into consideration. If I want to overspend on jewelry now and shave a little from other areas of the budget (say, eat grilled cheese instead of real groceries for a while), then it is totally my decision. And this, folks, is good.
I thought about other symbols of change and freedom I have collected since the breakup of my marriage. There’s Chili, my Belgian Malinois.
When I purchased Chili, I think my need to have something to sort of fill the hole hubby left was obvious to others. One person observed: “Ah, trading one dog for another…” Yes, and I kept the loyal one…
I could go on and on listing, for the symbols are many. You can see some of them on my “Power Accomplishments” list in the sidebar. And, you will note, that not all of these symbols are purely of hedonistic, single life such as buying jewelry and pricey dogs. Some of them bespeak of struggle; but, you know, I’ve come to understand that these are movements to freedom, too.
I guess you can call these the silver linings to the dark clouds of my troubles; or you could say this is the way God is working all things to my good, which I also believe. In any case, as you can tell, I’m feeling really good about these pearls and my dog…and my freedom! -C
PS - Okay, the ogress in me is coming out ...after this dissertation on my new freedoms, I cannot resist observing that my hubby, on the other hand, now has a newborn baby--just months shy of his 60th birthday. Sound like "freedom symbol" to you? Not!!
Comments
A friend of ours raises Belgian Malinois. They are terrific dogs. Hers are national champion trackers.
As for the baby at at 60 - 'nuff said. His stress and misery are assured. Raising a teenager at age 76 is payback enough. HA.
Hang in there C and V. We've got your back.
Symbols are wonderful, tangible reminders of what we have faced and overcome. No wonder the Israelites stacked white stones and built alters-testimonies to all God had done for them.
Divorce is just plain awful no matter the how, when's and whys, but it does not signal the end of life, so it is so healthy to see your sense of humor and interest in things you love and make you feel good . Hope your MIL is doing much, much better .
More pictures of your dog Chili? Have you obedience trained your dog? How old was Chili when you got him?
This freedom was not your choice, but since it has been granted you,you SHOULD enjoy it with a clear conscience,pearls , puppy, and all!"This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
You deserve those pearls and you wear them 24-7 if you want. Kathleen's comments about the pearls were spot-on!
Sorry, have to laugh about the baby. Poor baby. He may not live to 76!
stopping by.
I'm glad you were able to spoil yourself and get those fabulous looking pearls.............
.......and for what it's worth, my DH is throwing in his 2 cents by adding......"and I guess he thinks it's HIS baby!!!!!"
Hey girl, get on that stick horse and go have a wonderful life now - you've earned it!
The pearls are terrific and I just love that you are doing things that you would not have done in the past. You are on your way to being who you are without him influencing what you buy, eat, do, say, etc. I like your idea of literally putting something on your body everyday that symbolizes that new life.
My dad always influenced how our house was decorated (of all things), my mom didn't get to have the house the way she wanted. When he left, (after a year or so), she completely redecorated in pretty colors and furniture that she liked. Years later when he saw it, he was obviously surprised that it looked different. I guess it was hard for him to see she moved on and wasn't hanging on to the past or he never saw her as an individual.
Love the pearls, love the dog (why is it that I can never even housebreak a dog? I love 'em, get 'em, and then can't do a thing with 'em.)
Which reminds me. Is Chili ex-husband trained? you know -- to attack?
Sorry. Sorta. Couldn't resist.
Thank you for coming by and leaving me such a sweet comment.
I so love your pearls and your new Belgian Malinois, I enjoyed reading this post, and of your new found freedom,
Sue
I also thought how much I'd prefer your freedom to his; that 60 something new father - - a struggle of an altogether different sort!
The sassy part of being a granny is something I relish; that and the fabulous other sassies I've encountered here in cyberspace.
Thank you for the intro!
Blessings,
Kathleen