This was my submission:

I gave birth to my beautiful daughter on November 30, 2004. Little did I know that over the past 14 months, I would almost stop caring about what I look like. I say almost, because I care enough to try to buy clothes and makeup and get my hair done, but I always find a better use for the money. And I still complain that I look like crap.

Before having my daughter, I wore suits to work everyday. I looked sharp, put together, professional. Now, I consider myself lucky if I am able to find a pair of hose that have no runs and shoes that match.

My clothes are ill-fitting (even though I lost more than my pregnancy weight) and usually what I find on sale. My make up is either more than 3 years old or hand-me downs from friends and family that bought a wrong color. My husband still tells me I'm beautiful everyday, but I find it harder and harder to believe him because I don't *feel* beautiful. I look frumpy and dumpy and bedraggled.

I am trying to be more accepting of my new shape. I have a wonderful daughter to show for it, but I need to know how to dress my new shape so that I can look how I feel - proud to be a new mom and proud to be shedding my body image demons.

An exorcism is need. But without the pea soup.

Aimee

I just listened to a song the infant Teppy wanted me to hear, and my MusicMatch thingie was open. Most of the songs on there right now are theme songs from 1970s and '80s sitcoms, but I noticed the one right before the song Tep sent through YouSendIt was entitled "Abc". I couldn't figure out what it was. I didn't remember downloading anything, and well, old Jackson 5 songs just make me sad, these days, so I clicked it to see what it was.

It was Owen. Saying his A-B-Cs. I'd forgotten about it until it began.

Ded of the cute, am I.

Can I go home yet?

No! Bastet and Toto still have a big mess to clean up from all their nefarious plotting. But, you are welcome to come here to wait them out.

Aimee, that's a great submission.

I just listened to a song the infant Teppy wanted me to hear

Ha ha ha, Methuselah.

Hey, I'm going to be 39 (for the first time) in about six weeks. Get offa my...what's that green thing called?

Aimee, that's a great submission.

Thanks!!

I also just applied for a New Mommy Makeover.

I didn't get called in today, so no money this week. The upside is the bitchy boss answered the phone when I called, and I really like to avoid having to see her whenever possible.

Oh, and important things taken into consideration, there are four Trader Joe's in the city. And there is a huge farmer's market there. A girl has to have her standards after all.

Oh, good. That means we still get farmer's market updates. You are very brave to be doing this Cass. All the best wishes to you. I have always wanted to visit Oregon, and now I will have a very good excuse.

Remember the big project for work from a couple of weeks ago? I finally finished the first step! I have a meeting about it this afternoon. Go me!

Go, vw!!!

I like my tea with milk and sugar. At least black teas; I usually take green tea or white tea plain or with a little bit of honey.

That's a great letter, Aimee. I hope you win. The only problem I see with you winning is that you are already too pretty to need a makeover.

That's a great letter, Aimee. I hope you win. The only problem I see with you winning is that you are already too pretty to need a makeover.

::blush - in the completely wrong color:: :)