No excuses.  Well.  That tree limb falling on the roof.  The dead zombie squirrel.  The surprise visit from the mother.  The writing conference.  Sure.  I was busy.  But no excuse.  Fall has come.  Temperatures are a bit more tolerable here in the midwest after a summer of hell-like days. It is easier to breathe when it falls below 100.  We are still suffering from drought conditions and water the lawn every. other. day.  Great news on that front:  one of our good friends is dropping off some plants that were salvaged from a big landscaping job he is working.  We will be able to replace some of the sad plants that were burned up under Sol's relentless glare.

More fashion from the fashionmaester himself:

Patrick is sporting a sporty Izod pink "skort".  More than skirt! More than a short!  Patrick can wear this hot pink Size 12 "xtra-dry" material on the court! In the car! Shopping at the Dollar Store! He can wear it to "Wear Your Pink Kilt To Work Day"!  With an 18 1/2" waist and a 33" length, it is foxy enough to wear on a date! Don't leave Patrick!  Stay and watch the Game!  If you are interested in this perky pink pretty....email me at emilywriteswords@gmail.com.  For only $5.99 plus a little bit of shipping....It can be yours, along with a signed photo of our model. 

The Start of the Week

I won't call it Monday, but, here it is, the absolute agreed start of the week.  Monday. (Ok, I DID call it "Monday")  There are scores of songs about Monday..."Monday, Monday. Can't trust that day".  "Come Monday, it'll be alright".  "Sunday, Monday Happy Days!" "It's just another Manic Monday". And so on.  For me, Monday is a welcome return to a routine that is pleasant.  I love the week"ends", however, Monday is good.  We had a birthday party for one of the seven young adults that included a visit from one set of grandparents.  Fried chicken and mashed potatoes.  All the food fit for a Southern Table.  Outdoor chores, car washings, grocery shopping.  And the welcome return to a gentle pattern of chaos that somehow makes sense.

Patrick is sporting a lovely Ann Taylor cream colored 3/4 sleeve sweater.  Speaking of the South, this is perfect for our so-called Fall weather that remains in the 90's!  This is Size "L" and made of 85%silk, 13% Nylon and 2% Lycra/Spandex.  There is a tiny little hole at the seam in the neck, but otherwise, this perfect, sexy sweater is a must for your wardrobe!  I think you can see how happy Patrick is about it!  This can be YOURS (yes, you!) for only $11.99 plus shipping from our smoke free home.

As always, thank you for looking and participating in our experiment in fun and finance!

We have been BUSY!

OHHHH!  One of the things I promised myself when I started this project is that I would be consistent!  Bad Mother! Bad Mother!  It is NOT a good example!  We have both been busy, though.  That is a fact.  Patrick is doing well in school.  Having a little trouble with the Spanish teacher that does not speak English.  Hmm.  And so, we just bought this book, not necessarily listed as "course material", but we are DOING WHAT IT TAKES!

Here is the latest little number from The Closet.  A Talbots, Size 10 snappy little blazer.  For tea with the girls.  A casual fall walk with the dogs, or over slacks for the office.  The shell is made of 43% silk, 40% rayon and 17% linen...a perfect weight for any season.  We are asking $19.99 for this (think of it as one-fifth the cost of Patrick's Spanish book...seriously).

The closet cleaning is going well.  As usual, the bigger narrative happening here is that as I clean out my closet, so also...my life.  Magic happens as the dust settles and the eyes see through to the truth!  Philosophical today, it seems! 

I am putting a lot of items on Amazon.com.  Mostly books and CD's.  Please check out those as well.  Patrick will be modelling the occasional obscure non-clothing items here as well.  Another view of this great jacket!         

Saturday Edition

The project is going great!  I've had lots of views and even a few tentative inquiries!  Patrick has also had some real honest to goodness headshots taken by a great photographer:  Wendy Mutz, Mutz Photography http://mutzphotography.com/.  She is dynamic and professional. 

This is a beautiful, soft brown Express wrap sweater.  Patrick looks pensive, thinking about the upcoming fall events: Football, the sorority parties, his reading club, (50 shades of Gray....mmmm) and his Mother's homemade chili (want the recipe?  let me know).  The fabric is 55% Wool, 34% Mohair and 11% Nylon and is a size "M".  Selling this wonderful wardrobe addition for $15.99 plus $4.95 shipping/handling. 

Classes have started for the college kids.  I'm so proud of them.  Heck, I'm proud of all of them.  As you get to know all of us,  I look forward to you becoming a part of our lives. 

Phase One!

Coming Out of Mother's Closet....As I dug through the stacks, piles and towering corners of clothing I had accumulated through years of dieting, fads and fandangos, I saw a vision of myself being the star of the next "Extreme Hoarders".  I saw the faces of my family, who would refuse to participate in such a fiasco. I saw my sanity start to slip away.  It was time.  In the infinite wisdom of the Universe, another problem arose that left me needing another solution: how to pay for two college educations (and save for the completion of my own!) without going into debt.  Here we are.  As Anne Lamott suggests, you do it "bird by bird"....one at a time.  I plan on selling every item of my overcrowded, overabundant, over purchased, outdated, unnecessary, seldom used, carefully curated life that I can absolutely live without.  And with the help of my very handsome son, Patrick, and future guest models, you will get an idea of the items usefulness and look. 

I haven't firmed up a plan whether to sell on Ebay, Craig's list or right here from the site.  This is my first attempt at online marketing.  I may change.  Get it wrong.  Get it right. Evolve.  All of the above.  A little more about me:  I am a married mother of seven....four fabulous children of my own and three amazing stepchildren.  Three have graduated.  Two have married.  Two have divorced.  Two are in college. Two need to be.  All seven work hard and take care of themselves.  I want to provide a little safety net for things like:  Ramen Noodles by the crate.  Sam's Choice Cola.  Textbooks ($841.00 for one semester of books.....WHAT?).  Gasoline to drive to school.  If I can figure out to put a donate button on here eventually, I am not too proud to ask....if you become interested, involved and want to help...But mostly, I want to get rid of the Stuff.  Good stuff, but no longer necessary to my life. 

I am all about the power of the bargain.  Let me know.  Suggestions, offers....welcome.  Also, Patrick is a real, honest to goodness model.  If you have a legitimate gig, contact me by email.  We are located in Central Oklahoma. 

Our first item:  Patrick rocks this ivory Cable knit sweater form Harolds.  100% cotton, Size ladies M.  Price is: $29.99 plus shipping and handling of $4.50.  I will be posting more items here and locally on Craigs List OKC.  I have more photos of the sweater if you are interested.  Please send all requests to:  emilywriteswords@gmail.com 

SMOKE FREE HOME! but we do have lovely dogs.  Thank you everyone for helping our dreams come true in this crazy way!