I'm So Dizzy My Head is Spinning

 I've been called dizzy before, but this ain't that!

I'm starting to see a pattern that the day after taking Danny out driving, I get a killer migraine and vertigo. I suspect all that looking around as he's backing up, taking turns, etc. is doing a number on me via my messed-up neck and spine. In a way, that's a relief , but it does mean I need to figure out a better way of being in the passenger seat. He's progressing so well now that we're doing less parking practice and are focusing on actual road driving, so perhaps that will help. We won't talk about him side-swiping our other car pulling out! At least it was our car, not the neighbour's.  I feel so utterly useless sometimes, but what can I do? Hopefully he'll be able to have proper instruction this summer when everyone is vaccinated. Then, I can spend the rest of my life being driven rather than driving. 

I might have made a mistake telling him to drive fast and then quickly hit the brake. I wanted him to experience what that feels like as it is important to know how to deal with sudden stops on the road-I just forgot that I'd be in the car experiencing it along with him! I hope he'll be a good driver. Most of the time I'm pointing out the dangerous/stupid things other people are doing on the road. 

After all that snow and arctic cold, we suddenly warmed up in Omaha and predictably, the spring ice jams/floods have started. I live at the top of a hill away from the river, so it isn't an issue for me personally, but I do feel for the people impacted by this. It happens year after year and there still doesn't seem to be a good way of dealing with it. Hopefully, we won't get terrible rains this spring as people are still rebuilding from spring of 2019. 

Getting dressed this time of year is still complicated by the fact we can experience four seasons in a day-but that's the Midwest for you! Here, I've layered a knit dress over a skirt and added a cropped jacket. Still need the boots though, as there's melting snow and sand everywhere. 

The jacket is difficult to describe as the stiff fabric is somewhere between upholstery material and toweling. For something so strange, it has turned out to be a rather useful wardrobe piece that works in summer as well as winter. I think it is a 60s piece, but can't swear to it. The handbag I'm holding here was a Goodwill find several years ago. The young woman at the till couldn't figure out how it opened, and when I showed her the "kiss lock" she looked as though I'd just performed a magic trick. I'm glad I still possess useful knowledge that can be passed along to the younger generation. I remember being similarly perplexed by things like glove stretchers. Just last week I mentioned to Dan that sardine tins used to require a key to open them. Thank goodness I can just Google an image rather than try to explain that!

The belt is indeed as heavy as it looks as there are gemstones affixed to a substantial meatal base. Why would someone make something like this? Why would someone (me) buy something like this? The mysteries of the vintage thrifting world don't always have answers beyond, "Why not?" I was pleased to see these 80s monstrosities now sell for hundreds of dollars, so perhaps now that I've indulged the desire to wear it a few times, it can be moved along. There was a LOT going on with this outfit, but I rather enjoyed the effect.

The other accessories are a mix of new and old with the black plastic bracelets being the new. The shell bracelet is a bit sharp, but put together cleverly enough that I haven't cut myself wearing it. Earrings and brooch are not a set, but certainly look the part.

Because I can't ever leave well enough alone, I cut my hair into fringe. I don't exactly regret it, but I don't love it either. My hair is very thin, but thankfully it grows quickly and I'll soon forget all about this until the next time I decide to do it again. It has been about four years since my last adventure with fringe/bangs. 

I was joking on Instagram that this look is "70s Normcore" and it really is! The small, tasteful hoop earrings, the scarf, the gold chain-I mean, there's nothing wrong with it, but it isn't the typical 70s look I go for. Hardly a stitch of polyester in sight😁

I've had this bracelet since the 70s. I think it was a gift from my sister. I wear it quite often as it is the sort of thing that goes with nearly everything. Classic 70s anyway. 

This outfit was much nicer in person. The satin blouse and skirt done in a 1930s style are so lovely in person, especially when they catch the light just so. The slouchy sweater has metallic thread shot through it for a nice sparkling effect that unfortunately was also lost in the photos. You can just make out the velvet boots.

And suddenly, the weather turned spring-like. 

Might as well embrace it, as it could very well be short-lived. 

Anyone else think of navy blue handbags and shoes as a spring look? I don't know why I have that association, but I do.

I wasn't kidding about digging deep in the wardrobe after a year of not shopping-this striped suit hasn't been worn in ages. The shirt gets a bit more wear, but not much.

I honestly don't know why I neglect it. 

Time to remedy that!

Spring also means lucite bangles, though again, I have no idea why I make that association. Maybe in the depths of witer no one can see my wrists under sweaters and cardigans. 

We are slowly inching into the better time of year for outdoors photos, which I'm looking forward to. In anticipation, I did a bit of cleaning the front garden today, mostly picking up people's illegally  dumped trash that has now blown into it. Styrofoam pellets are the WORST. They're so tiny, and they blow everywhere. I found them half a mile down our street on my walk today. I'm also noticing more and more dog turds on the sidewalks, grass, pretty much everywhere. In the bad weather people can't be arsed to walk their dogs so they just let them out, and open the door when they return. I like dogs, but I sure don't like some of their humans. As the snow melts, we're seeing the full scope of just how bad it is. 

Did I tell you about the shovel thieves? After our last big snow I saw a group of kids by my window, they quickly grabbed BOTH my snow shovels, and those of my neighbour's and made their way into a waiting "getaway" truck and off they went-too quickly to chase even though everyone saw it happen. I'm sure they were at the neighbourhood pawn shop selling them for a few dollars each. I'm furious, but also kind of impressed at the nerve. As they were very young kids (maybe 8 or 9) I'm guessing it was at the direction of parents or older siblings driving the getaway. That's the first time we've had anything stolen( other than a car break in where there was nothing for them to take)-and in broad daylight with everyone outside clearing snow too. Sometimes I feel like my life is out of control but it will never be bad enough that I'm leading a band of small children through the neighbourhood stealing shovels,, so I guess there's that.

Enough about that. In other news, I've been trying to get through my perfume collection deciding what I like and don't. So far I've been posting a bottle a day over on Instagram, but they're not really reviews in any real sense-the format doesn't lend itself to in-depth writing. Sometimes, there simply isn't enough to say anyway. These Bvlgari Omnia fragrances are OK, except for the amethyst. That's the purple one, and it is noxious. It smells like something you'd spray in a restroom, but worse. Honestly, the Omnia Coral is the only one I really love, and I have several bottle of it now (including the stupid double circle shaped one they had that takes up far too much room on a perfume tray). 

Omnia coral is juicy and melon like which I ought to hate, but just adore. I guess my tastes aren't as set in stone as I'd like to think. 

Another, "No" for me though I don't hate it. I was lucky to find it in a thrift store for $3.99, but it isn't lucky if I don't wear it, and I really can't imagine ever wanting to. Caron fragrances don't get on well with me, except for Nuit de Noel, Tabac Blonde, and in a very rare mood, Yatagan. Just as well I suppose, as Caron fragrances don't come cheap (unless you find them at the thrift store). 

Another big bottle of, "Nope".

This one was an enjoyable surprise. I don't like regular Venezia, but this flanker is actually pleasant. Very light, perfect for spring. 

Anyway, expect more 'fume talk as I make my way through the stuff. The only thing I wear regularly now is Amouage Bracken Woman because I enjoy smelling like the decaying floor of a forest. If they ever discontinue it, I will die. I should probably stockpile extra bottles but it is so bloody expensive. 

Speaking of expensive things-I won an auction for a vintage Georg Jensen ring at a price I could happily agree to. That was really very lucky, and as I've admired Jensen pieces practically all my life, I'm beyond excited. I hope it looks as good in person as it did online. I'll post a picture when it gets here. 

This Egyptian necklace was another lucky auction piece, though it cost considerably less than the Jensen ring! I had so many necklaces like this in the 80s, and still have a faience one that needs a few small repairs to be wearable. The shape is nice on this one, and the longer length makes it easier to wear. 

I haven't cooked anything terribly exciting, but this lemon/garlic baked chicken was well received. 

Served with a spinach salad made with turkey bacon, and my "famous" red cabbage it made a colourful meal. 

Tonight I made a top sirloin roast I've had in the freezer for close to a year. It turned out perfect (I'm always afraid of overcooking beef as I just don't have a lot of experience cooking it-and it is so expensive. I don't care if I overcook chicken that's .99 cents a pound). I'm still learning, and adapting to everyone's dietary requirements (that keep changing, but OK). I think of it as acquiring skills, and who doesn't like to learn something new? 

That's actually better cooked than the "almost still moo-ing" roast beef I was served as a child. My mother would insist this was overcooked! 

Another colourful meal, but at least it wasn't bloody!

Speaking of new things, how about growing new leaves from the tops of root vegetables? 

Not all of those are edible!

But these are-parsnip and radishes...

And thriving turnip greens. It is so satisfying to grow plants from something that would have otherwise been thrown away. 

My garden journal tells me that I planted peas and spinach last year on 1 March. I still haven't decided if I plan to do that this year, but I do know that I must plant sunflowers again as all my neighbours have told me how much they've enjoyed them. That's a small thing I can do to bring a little happiness in a difficult time. It isn't like a gang of kids are going to be able to make off with that! 

Stay safe and have a good week everyone.