“Puffed sleeves are so fashionable now. It would give me such a thrill, Marilla, just to wear a dress with puffed sleeves…I’d rather look ridiculous when everybody else does than plain and sensible all by myself,” persisted Anne mournfully.
Oh, how I love Anne Shirley. But seriously. Those sleeves.
All of you Anne-with-an-E fans: Am I alone in this aversion to her dress? Don’t get me wrong – I was thrilled when she got the dress of her dreams. I had myself a right ugly cry when she thanked Matthew for buying it. I mean, I’m not a monster.
But those mega-inflated sleeves. She looked like a linebacker, albeit wearing a lacy dress. A lacy-dress-wearing linebacker with a tiny head.
And then I came across this photo:
I don’t remember this dress. I don’t remember being this young. I don’t remember being so smiley.
This looks more like the me of today: You lookin’ at me?? You’d better not be lookin’ at me.
Apparently, my cute-as-a-button cousins didn’t get the memo about the dress code (sidenote: I think I look like Elvis Presley in this photo. Uh uh huh.)
And speaking of birthdays, today is my so-called day. What’s on my to-do list for today?
Write a post for my often-neglected blog. check.
Shave legs. check.
Find an adult version of puffed-sleeve dress. I’m on it.
Have dinner with friends who are excellent cooks, and request paella as my birthday dinner. Request pending. Four hours and counting.
And…Work. You heard right, you beautiful people! At the beginning of 2016, I managed to get two jobs with the help of incredibly supportive friends. One is a short-term contract job that is kicking the butt of my brain in a good way. The other? Well, it’s too early to talk about that one, as my role isn’t quite defined yet. But I’ll say this: Being myself finally paid off during the interview. I guess the others couldn’t handle the truth. (Wow. Seeing myself in that puffy dress is somehow giving me delusions of grandeur. It’s the attitude…it’s all in the attitude…)
jane in training 
sounds like fun, cant wait to hear about your new jobs!
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Right now I’m in that it’s-a-new-job-and-I’m-overwhelmed-and-I-don’t-think-I-can-do-this phase. Sort of training myself, so of course, I’m extra lost! I hope to have a better handle on things in the next several weeks!
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…anne of green gables? it’s the only victorian-era anne i can think of…how old were you in those pics? you look very happy in that first photo (although your outfit reminds me of those inflatable sumo suits)…
your photo reminded me of something i wanted to ask you: do you remember being a happy child? not necessarily having a happy childhood, but, more precisely, being (overall) happy as a child? i’ll tell you all about my curiosity and this line of interrogation the next time we talk…
…so how’s the new job working out so far?…
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Correct! Have you ever seen the mini-series?
In those photos, I’m about 42 years old. I look pretty good, don’t I?
Yes, I remember being a happy child. Until someone crossed me. But yeah, overall, I’d say I was happy.
Re. the new job: same response as I gave G$ – until I get in the flow of things, I don’t think it’ll be “fun” per se…but I’m appreciating all of my super nice co-workers!
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Oh my goodness, a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Yes, you sure do look awesome for your age, Ms. Puff Sleeves…and AGREE on the Elvis look there in photo #2 (did you have blue suede shoes?)
Reminds me of the photos of my sisters in the late 80s and early 90s where we had the mandatory foam in the shoulder clothing. Even sweaters had those darn foamie pads…ahhh fashion.
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Holy moly – I’m just reading your comment now. I’ve time-traveled back to February 12th, 6:00pm, so hopefully that makes up for my slow response (and I hope all of this is confusing and distracting you from my slow response). Oh man, I had some of those shoulder pads, too. Cringe…
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I love your description of a “lacy dress wearing linebacker with a tiny head” lol. I can’t say I’m a fan of this Anne Shirley characters dress. I think mini Jane pulls it off a bit better 😉
I hope you had a wonderful birthday! My blog has become a bit neglected also since I started my new job in October… I’m up at 6am, on the bus by 7:15 and I get home anywhere between 5 and 7pm and in bed usually by 8pm. It doesn’t leave me many hours in the day!
I have the half term off this week so I’m playing a bit of catch up 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more about your new job! Glad you’ve found a position where you can be yourself cause you’re awesome! Now I’m intrigued to know what it is.
Best wishes 🙂
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I can’t believe I overlooked your comment, about 8 years later… Hope you’re well and adjusting to your new surroundings!
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I am well thanks! But neglecting my blog as this university course is absolutely kicking my butt… my other half has been wonderful supporting me but its a real struggle. I hope to reclaim some semblance of a social life next year lol hope you’re doung well 🙂 x
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Totally get your MIA-ness! But glad to hear from you and that you are doing well (although incredibly busy)!
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