We are going to meet the challenges facing us.

We are going to exceed expectations.

We are going to emerge victorious.

When I was in high school, there were a few vocational classes, but not a full curriculum. There was a vocational school, but a lot of districts seemed to use it as a place to send the troublemakers they didn't want to deal with.

At my high school, it was pretty much expected that everyone would go to college. Every year, there were a bunch of people who had just never been interested in or good at academic stuff who went to college because it was expected, then dropped out after a year or two and went into construction or something like that. (It seems like more of the girls finished -- I can't think of very many girls in my grade who dropped out of college, but I can think of a bunch of boys who did.) The high school releases stats each year showing that something like 96% of graduates go on to a four-year college, but I've got no idea if they keep any stats about how many graduate.

Oh -- I should mention that Coldwater Creek is having a 70% off sale right now. SEVENTY PERCENT.

This shirt, which I am totally buying in red, is $23.85. That's less than a tank of gas! (Well, not anymore, for my little spud. But still.)

This sweater, which I am totally buying, also in red, is $14.85. That IS less than a tank of gas! Hm. Maybe I should buy it in black, too. t edit Damn. Not in my size in black.

Anyway. Use this code when you check out: WXH6452.

Methinks Steph reads the same blog I do! I almost went a little crazy with Talbots women's petites, but I restrained myself. I do keep meaning to buy a nice suit there.

ETA: Coldwater Creek's 1X goes to a bust 45 and the 2X starts at a Bust 47. I am a Bust 46!?!?!

Methinks Steph reads the same blog I do!

Actually, they e-mailed me. Although I don't buy a ton of stuff from Coldwater Creek (a lot of it is too matronly for me, and also WAY too expensive when not on sale), I do buy a few things a few times a year. Their clothes are generally very well-made (at least, everything I've bought has been), and their plus-sized clothes fit very, VERY well (i.e., not regular size just made bigger all over, but sized for a plus-sized Steph).

So since I buy stuff from them, they tend to e-mail me with their siren songs of 70% off.

ETA: Coldwater Creek's 1X goes to a bust 45 and the 2X starts at a Bust 47. I am a Bust 46!?!?!

Sophia, do a 2X, then, unless it's a knit item (sweater, knit tee, etc.). Well, if it's knit and you want it loose, also do 2X.

I see. I was reading a Manolo blog which listed all sorts of after X-mas sales, including Coldwater Creek (and Talbots!)

Apparantly, my size does not exist at Coldwater Creek, though.

Apparantly, my size does not exist at Coldwater Creek, though.

When I fall in between, I always go up, unless I know for sure how a store's clothes fit. I think you and I wear about the same size, and I almost always go 2X for tops at Coldwater Creek. (One very baggy sweater notwithstanding, and I was too lazy to return it, so I just shrunk it in the dryer and wear it when I want comfy and loose clothes.)

I'll have to check out the Coldwater Creek sale. Thanks for the heads up, Steph.

This NYE I'm throwing a party. So far one person's said "yes" on the Evite page, although a couple of others have said they're coming. I seem to recall that last year was kind of similar. So it could be three of us (and 4 bottles of prosecco—wee!) or it could be 40.

I got lucky at Lucky Denim outlet the other day and scored a pair of my One True Jeans.

And today produced one more deep, deep discount bargain.

I call it my Betty Draper dress

With just a touch of Joan.

Now if that's not inspiration to get working on the arm machines at the community center, I don't know what is.