no

I find it ironic that as kids, the easiest word to learn is "NO" and yet as adults, we can't seem to say it so easily. Unless it's to kids.

So, I'm sure you're all wondering what happened with that 10k. No? Too bad, I'm telling you about it, any way. What happened was, my pal Hannah couldn't do the Corporate Cup. One for me and luck. But then she could indeed do another 10k the following week. And there's the wash. I kept texting her riveting and very funny messages, "Okay, this isn't like high school where you tell me about a party and then I go and you nor the party are there. It's not like that is it?" She swore to me she was in it. Fine. I resolved I would run as much as I could, walk until I felt like I could run again, and then run and finish the stupid 10k. I refer to it as stupid because it is a subject, not an object - which is the rule in our house, and also because of my bad attitude.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we announced we were taking Lucy school shopping. Something about cold weather and her pants not quite long enough for jeans, not quite short enough for capris. She keeps insisting they are totally okay to wear. We try ever so delicately to stop her from our own childhood tall kid fashion faux pas. It just takes us a while to get it, y'all.

I asked her where she'd rather go: Kohl's or Target. Mind you, I just upped the ante with choices of Kohl's over Walmart, but I think it's time. And that's when Lucy (future poker winner) called my bluff and announced she'd like to go to Justice. Justice is a really crappy rip off store. By crappy I mean, it's dirty, it's overpriced, and all the kids go there, Mom. Dang it. That's just my humble opinion. For the last 9 years, I've gotten away with clothing my children in hand-me-downs, resale shop clothes, Sam's Club, Target, and Wal-mart fashions. Look, they wear clothes because it's the law. And they destroy them on their own accord. DESTROY THEM. So, I haven't been real excited about dropping coin on high - or even mediocre - dollar items. When they don't destroy them, they grow right out of them anyways.

However, Lucy's embarking on an age. An age when little girls notice what you're wearing. I don't need Lucy to wear Versace just yet, but I do want her to feel good in her clothes. Something I've never quite been able to do myself. Probably because as I type, I'm in some sweet Target yoga loungy pants, a tank top from Walmart, $5 flipflops, and a fleece pullover that I only got from Old Navy because it was on clearance. Let's be real, it was on clearance because no one would buy it. Y'all get my drift? Lucy probably has the better idea. I have no hope, but we can help her out. If the child wants to go to Justice, let's do it. I've kept her out of this store as long as possible. It's time to go.

By the way, have you ever been to Justice? Cute clothes, but seriously, it's disgusting and messy there. I don't like it. The check out resembles Wal-mart with all the candy and perfume and pink wigs. I've been there twice, there's trash on the floor, and it's just gross. I was sure to point it out to Lucy. She wasn't fazed by my tactics. Still, we did find some really cute jeans. I let her grab whatever she wanted and try it on. The problem is, she's super adorable in everything. Every color, every style, the kid is a rock star in fashion. Girl can work it. After we tried it all on, I decided to check the price tags, I mean, it can't be TOO bad, it's a kids clothing store, right? UH WRONG.

So, we had to stop our shopping frenzy, and really have her slow down and pick out just a few items. I explained budget and that we can come back later and pick up a couple more items, but that for now, for our whimsy "OMG, it's chilly out and Lucy has no warm clothes" shopping trip, just a few pieces for today. She was totally cool with it, because she's awesome, and also because she won't forget I said we could go back later.

The girl got a pair of jeans more expensive than mine. But they are super cute. And really, while she can, and while there's one of us in the family legally capable of wearing Jeggings, she should have them.

The next day, I went to sign up for the 10k - and it was $50. Now I've never run a 10K, and I don't know what I was expecting the price to be, but that's a little steep right? Even more so, I'd just had this great talk with Lucy about budgets and spending. I told my daughter she couldn't have clothes. To warm her body. And I'm about to throw down $50 for a 10K that I'm pretty sure I can't even run half of? And I had to pull the plug. Now I'm an a-hole because Hannah has signed up for the 10k - and I'm bailing. Nice. It reminds me of the time I did the Olympic Distance triathlon and met the guy who's buddies all bailed on him.

My point was this, do I say no to Hannah and make a baby step to contribute to our budget plan? Or do I stick to my agreement that I'd do the 10K and let my family down. Now, really, I wouldn't be letting my family down. But I'm a mom, and I've just set myself up to feel guilty either way.

So, I told Hannah no, I couldn't do it. I am sure Hannah thought I was a little wacky since I was talking that big talk and seriously, what's $50? Well, it's a baby step in the right direction, I think. My policy is: I do not break promises - and I did promise Hannah I'd do a 10k with her. But perhaps I should learn a new policy: do not make promises you're unsure of like if you can afford it, or if you can effn even do it, silly pants.

I promised Hannah I'd do a race with her next season - allotting me plenty of time to train, or procrastinate, whichever. And apparently, save up for it. Hannah, a very cool chick, was more than gracious and sweet and didn't even talk smack back to me which I so richly deserved. She will be glad to know that the $50 spared on the 10k went to a worthy cause - rhinestone skull & crossbones jeans for Lucy.

It feels good to take one small step for budget and humanity. I wonder how long it will last. Because I could really use some new running shoes.

That's how I roll.
Song of the Day: Sticky Situation - The Jane Carrey Band