Love It, Like It, or Back on the Rack?
June 27, 2012
Shiny black swimsuits draped from hangers on each finger.
Thirteen of them, to be precise. With a $10 promotional gift card that came in
the mail, and needing a replacement bottom for my swimsuit, I hit the clearance
racks.
Thirteen of them, to be precise. With a $10 promotional gift card that came in
the mail, and needing a replacement bottom for my swimsuit, I hit the clearance
racks.
It was my husband’s idea. When your man notices that your swimsuit
bottom is too frayed and suggests you go shopping, you know you’ve waited too
long! I agreed and raced off to the store.
bottom is too frayed and suggests you go shopping, you know you’ve waited too
long! I agreed and raced off to the store.
Piped in music joined me in the carpeted cubicle, as
swimsuit after swimsuit took its turn in front of the mirror. The store had
cleverly arranged three hooks across the dressing room walls with the captions “Love
it,” Like It” and –far to the right—one that simply said,“Back on the Rack.”
After trying on several of the swimsuit bottoms, I thought they should have
added a fourth hook, reading, “Wow, that’s an unattractive place to put
elastic leg bands!” What a humbling and hilarious adventure swimsuit hunting
is, huh?
swimsuit after swimsuit took its turn in front of the mirror. The store had
cleverly arranged three hooks across the dressing room walls with the captions “Love
it,” Like It” and –far to the right—one that simply said,“Back on the Rack.”
After trying on several of the swimsuit bottoms, I thought they should have
added a fourth hook, reading, “Wow, that’s an unattractive place to put
elastic leg bands!” What a humbling and hilarious adventure swimsuit hunting
is, huh?
Moving swimsuits from the Maybe/Like It category to the Love
It slot, or throwing them on the “Back on the Rack” hook, I narrowed the
options. Finally, trying on again the options in the Like it and Love it Category,
I chose a winner.
It slot, or throwing them on the “Back on the Rack” hook, I narrowed the
options. Finally, trying on again the options in the Like it and Love it Category,
I chose a winner.
Today God whispers to me that I treat my spiritual life like
a swimsuit hunt some days. Some attitudes and thoughts that I pick up are
obvious “Back on the Rack” choices. Others attitudes, actions and thoughts
border the line, though, and I find myself holding onto them in the Maybe pile. I know, God, that it’s not quite something
you love, but perhaps it’s a maybe? I hem and haw to him. Items pile up on
the Like It hook, some sin, some fine, but none of them Love Its.
a swimsuit hunt some days. Some attitudes and thoughts that I pick up are
obvious “Back on the Rack” choices. Others attitudes, actions and thoughts
border the line, though, and I find myself holding onto them in the Maybe pile. I know, God, that it’s not quite something
you love, but perhaps it’s a maybe? I hem and haw to him. Items pile up on
the Like It hook, some sin, some fine, but none of them Love Its.
Lord, give me wisdom to discern, and the desire to send things
back on the rack.
back on the rack.
(The swimsuit, by the way? I got it for only $4.99 after
clearance and the promotion card. Don’t you love a good deal!)
clearance and the promotion card. Don’t you love a good deal!)
I love hearing from you. If you are reading this via email
you can click here to leave a comment. What’s the best deal you got recently?
Or, if you are feeling braver, what are some things on your Like It hook that
you know you need to send Back on the Rack?
you can click here to leave a comment. What’s the best deal you got recently?
Or, if you are feeling braver, what are some things on your Like It hook that
you know you need to send Back on the Rack?
Vistaprint offers magnificent deals – free stuff out the wazoo! I've gotten free magnets, rack cards (for publicizing my studio at local motels), a ball cap, a pen with my name on it (hopefully that will keep one in my possession for a change!), letterhead, notecards – all kinds of stuff with my art on it. They are hoping that I will increase the orders from the free quantities to more substantial orders. Maybe someday. . .
Anyway, if you want to publicize your speaking or writing with stuff, they are The Online Printer! (unspoken – "for cheap people")
Cabinart/Jana,
I agree. I get my stuff from them too, but at your reminder, I stopped by their site and picked up some of their recent free stuff.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
nice analogy….i hear you on settling for the like its instead of the love its…
think i will go the easy way…went to the used bookstore the other day and with trade in…had credit left over so donated it…so free…ha…
I like the analogy.
I hope I could send back to the rack the things I tried on…. which don't look good on me.
If not, I will shake my head and never try them on.
Those on the like and love pegs, I think, I can handle pretty good.
Thanks for this Jen.
I also like the analogy.
I have fewer options for swimsuits because I am overweight, though less overweight now than I was the last time I bought a swimsuit. I found one in colors I love–jewel tone greens, blues and purples AND it was two sizes smaller, fit to be snug.
In fact, I went shopping at Goodwill to buy some "interim" clothes because the clothes I had been wearing were getting too baggy and I needed more incentive to continue losing weight. I bought four capri pants for $15 and I had to go two sizes smaller before they became snug.
I love used book stores and used book sales. A homeschool co-op had a huge used curriculum sale. I never find stuff for my curriculum there, but I did find some great books that didn't cost a lot. At another one, I found a Pro-glide French program for $5. One daughter wants to learn French, so I bought it.
I don't put myself through the agony of swimsuit shopping. My swimsuit days are behind me 🙂
Congrats on your deal! Great analogy about what we do with our thoughts…Blessings, Jennifer 🙂
Dolly at Soulstops.com
Brian, "Settling for" is the right term too, huh?
Credit at a used bookstore is always great too! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by,
Jennifer
wwwjenniferdougan.com
Hi Lolita,
Thanks for saying hi.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Hi Tandemingtroll,
Jewel-tone greens, blues and purples sound lovely. Greens are my favorite.
Finding clothes in the in-between stage is trickier, isn't it? The payoff for the hard work of exercising is rewarding though.
Used books are always wonderful! Is your daughter enjoying French? We have enjoyed using Rosetta Stone for the family.
Have a great week.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Cheryl,
(Smiling with you.)You are lovely, lady.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Dolly,
Hello friend! Nice to hear from you. 🙂 Thanks for the congratulations. We are so excited.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
you always make me think, jennifer. hope you have a blessed summer! enjoy that swimsuit! e.