Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Monday, March 21, 2011

Big Girl Panties

google image
I saw her coming up the street, hair blowing in the wind from the convertible, make-up all in place (since she used to be a make-up artist for the stars, she makes sure she looks like one) and a smile on her sun-glassed  face.  I walked over to assist her from the passenger's seat.  She handed me her hot pink cane and I helped her from the car.  I turned to pull out her purse and started to laugh. She was carrying a canvas bag lined in polka-dotted material and trimmed in hot pink boa feathers.  I told her how much fun her carrying bag was and she explained, "well this cocky-young-good-looking male has to carry my bag for me from one therapy treatment to another and I thought it would be funny for him to have to carry this!"  I just burst into laughter imagining my own 20-plus year-old, muscle-bound, young sons having to carry this purse.

I expressed, "I love it!"  She said, "well you might not if you read the other side of the bag."

google image of what was on her purse

Now don't you just love her?

I flashed back to my friend who embraced me when we moved  to our new city 13 years ago.  The Lord had provided me with a kindred spirit within weeks of our move.  So it was not unusual for me to ask to come to my new friend's house to help her pack for her upcoming adventure of a new home purchase.  As I set on the couch she said, "well, while I am doing this, could you....fold the clothes?" I was delighted to serve her in that way as we continued to get to know each other while chatting.  As I went through the clothes basket, I came to an item that so many of us moms neglect.....can you guess?

Panties!
Yes, hers resembled so many of us mom's panties (or should I say underwear... panties sound pretty)....they had stretched-out elastic, faded with hoses and were far from sexy!  I turned with loud laughter and said, "okay, if we are going to be friends and you are now getting this big house, don't you think it is time for new PANTIES?"

Our friendship was forever cemented together as we both laughed over a garment of clothing that most people don't see and so easily neglect.  Through the next 12 years she would turn to me over and over again and say, "Pull up your Big Girl Panties and Deal with IT!"

Fast Forward to today.  That friend and I have both had some major life changes.  She just recently dissolved her marriage after 20-plus years, leaving her a single mom to continue to raise two children.  We both got together recently to just love on each other and remind each other that we have been with each other for years...even though visits are rare these days.

While continuing our babbling, we strolled through a store where she turned to me in a teenage girl squeal....."LOOK!". It was a sign for her new life adventure bedroom!

google image
I now have a lot of friends who have pulled up their big girl panties and dealt with the blows of life. I am sure many of you have done the same.  My neighbor again reminded me of the lesson my friend taught me over and over again, "Pull up your big girl panties and deal with it!"   What a fun way to just smile and deal with life or maybe I just need to go buy some new PANTIES!!!  Are you a member of the "Big Girl Panties Club"?


This post is dedicated to two of my favorite "Big Girl Panties Club" girlfriends.  Both have birthday's this week....Diane, aka Ethel, hits the double nickel and Beth, welcome to the 50's club. Love you both!

33 Joining in with more words:

Unknown said...

I say this all the time. CRACKED ME UP-first thing this morning. Thank you for the laugh. Also thank you for your precious card. We are still praying for Brandon for healing but that may not be what God has planned for some or many reasons in Brandon's life and ours. Time will tell what will happen-I am just hopeful that we will not have to endure 3 more surgeries and the pain and uncertainty that goes with all of that. Please pray his leg with the rod in it would start growing to be even with the other leg-it is a fraction off right now (which when this all started they were the same) that is why he is limping a little now. He isn't in pain and she has released him to do PE and Recess all except jumping and high impact so he is happy while I chew off my finger nails while he is at school.
Thank you for your prayers and for your friendship.
Love you dearly and I am thankful for you.

Mary said...

yep, sometimes this is exactly what is required...

now do we need to replace our old panties like those pot holders???? lol

I'm walking away from this post with a huge smile on my face Janette!!

Lorie said...

LOVE this!!! This so perfectly describes the attitude we need to deal with this life; toughen up, quit whining and laugh.

Thanks for the laugh this morning. :)

Debbie said...

Oh Janette I am laughing out loud over here this morning. What a perfect way to start the morning!! It's just soo true. Pull those BIG girl panties up!! haha love it. Someone would have a BIG laugh if they were stuck folding my undies, lol....I was just thinking (seriously) yesterday, I need to replace AT LEAST 5 pairs of them. Have a wonderful day! HUGS

Kathleen said...

It takes a certain courage to live life so intentionally. Conversely, there's great temptation in living as the victim of this or that, them or they.

I donned my big girl gear some years ago. It finally fits fairly well (though I do notice I'm bulging at the seams at times).

:)

Kathleen

Cindy said...

Oh, I'm laughing too. Thanks for a fun and true post.

Farm Girl said...

Well, I have to say I have never heard this saying before. :) I think it fits so many things in just a perfect way. I am so thankful that you have those kinds of friends that you can share things like that with. I am glad you have both had each other to learn with and go through this too.
This is very cute. I need to make a sign like that and hang it in my prayer closet.
I don't think I would ever say it to anyone though. :)
I cringed too as it is laundry day and you described my laundry perfectly.

Theresa said...

Oh my, that is so funny! I will be thinking of it when I fold my laundry. LOL.

Sandy said...

I actually heard this expression
for the first time a while back
when a preacher I like a lot was
giving his Sunday morning sermon.
He said, "It's time for everyone
to pull up their big girl panties
now and just deal with it!" I can't
remember what he was referring to
big the congregation roared with
laughter.
I went to Target just last week and
bought myself a nice new six-pack
of pretty pastel colored big girls!
Thanks for the smiles, Janette.

Anonymous said...

well girlfriend, it is my bday on Friday, and even though I don't hit the big 50 for two more years, I think it is time for new big girl panties! Love you so much :)

Sonii

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

What a great story! Happy Birthday to your friends!

Yep... sometimes we just have to 'pull 'em up and keep going!'... :)

A multi-dimensional life said...

I'll never look at panties the same way again! :)
Isn't it wonderful to have these long-time friendships and to know each other so well?!
Thanks for the smiles today and happy birthday to your dear friends! xo

Anonymous said...

OK, Janette!... What a great reminder! I shall remember you for always for this "encouraging" statement.

moreofhim said...

LOVE it!! How many times have I said this very thing? That sign was just too adorable and I'm going to have to have one for my bedroom, too!! I'm definitely a member of this exclusive club (although some days, I wish I weren't) and it's so great to know that there are other ladies out there that are in the club with me. :) I just giggled so hard when you described the bag...I can just imagine one of my sons having to carry that bag..oh, the humiliation of it all. lol Thanks for the big laugh this morning!

God bless you - Julie

Deborah Ann said...

Haha...big girl panties. I can't believe your friend actually wanted you to fold her underwear. Well how reserved and shy must I be? You're a hoot, Janette...

BECKY said...

Too cute, Janette!!! I say this quite often myself!! Guess that makes me a member of the "Big Girl Panties Club!!! LOL!!!

Thanks for the grins. Please tell your friend that this blog friend is praying for her.
Love and hugs,
Becky

Anonymous said...

I love it, Janette. You are too much. I am definitely a member of the BGPC (Big Girl Panties Club) and the initiation process was grueling but worth it.

Sorry to hear about your friend's marriage but glad she has the right attitude and a good friend like you.

Enjoy your day.

Unknown said...

Was reading your comments and saw where Mary was asking if you needed to replace those like your potholders-I draw the line at making pot holders! lol I don't make panties so your on your own with replacing those. hehe
Hope you had a great day!

Anonymous said...

Janette,

Oh my! :)

-LR

Sue said...

Janette, Janette, Janette,
What a hoot you are!!! Have you been called that before? I laughed and related through out this whole post, while remembering what was folded in my panty drawer.Now that is a true friend to allow you to fold her stretched panties.
Tell me who got the sign, I would love to have bought that and placed it around to remind me, as I am always needing to pull my big girl panties up and go on.

Wishing your dear friend the happiest of birthdays, If possible go celebrate life with them !1
Much love,
Sue

Please tell Benjamin that Benji is really growing, and I hope to send him some pics.real soon

Debbie said...

What a great post to come home to at the end of a very, very long day today.

The students were in the doldrums; I had 4,728 errands to run, none of which were of my choosing. I walked around Lowes getting the assistance of two 20 something males only to discover when returning to the car that my pants were unzipped the entire time.

Long day...
So, Debbie, pull up those big girl panties and deal with it. Just remember to rezip the old pants after you do it.

Sigh...

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, I love this Jeanette, both the humor and the truth. I've recently had to put on my big girl panties and deal with an issue and it is certainly not the first time nor will it be the last. Praise the Lord He is always there to see me through. Happy week!

Ginny Marie said...

Oh, just thinking of that good looking boy carrying a bag with pink feathers has me smiling!

I never heard that expression before, but I have certainly had my share of days when I have had to pull up my big girl panties and deal with it! :)

Unknown said...

What a sweet, sweet tribute to your wonderful friends. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have friends like the ones you describe.

Sharon said...

I'd like to think that I've earned every single thread of my Big Girl Panties!

Wearing them with pride!

This was a delightful post, and just what I needed to read on this very long day! Thanks for sharing it.

And Happy Birthday to your friends!

There are some things about the 50's that are fabulous. Ill-fitting bathing suits is NOT one of them...

xo

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

Caute! Love the descriptions. Thanks for the smiles. Yup, I say that and don't get your knickers in a knot!
hugs,
Leslie

Miss Janet said...

(You don't have to publish this post if you so choose.) ;)

Love it love it love it!!

:) Yes, I have my big girl panties on. When your husband is a pastor you are forced to put them on. People come around you, grab your legs and shove you in! Over time, they can try to shove you into a new pair (or even an old pair) over and over. Finally, you curl your legs up and screem NO MORE! I can put my panties on myself!

And I do.

:) I wish I knew your friend.

Janet

www.homeward4.blogspot.com

no spring chicken said...

So very well stated! What a delightful way to laugh through a life that we are sometimes apt to take too seriously!

Vee said...

What a fun post and what a sweet friendship you describe. It's wonderful to have a like-minded bosom buddy. As for panties and pulling them up, who can argue with the logic of that? ;>

Canadagirl said...

LOL, I loved the saying. [o=

myletterstoemily said...

ok, now i'm in the club! that's a great saying
for most every situation and a very sweet
story to illustrate it.

sometimes we just have to "do it!"

Cora said...

I now feel like an offical member of the BGP Club!! Thanks for linking me to this...so funny and so true to many of our lives. We just have to see the humor and go on and ....well just deal with it!!

Thanks my friend!! :)
Many blessings to you!!

So, I Begin this Journey...... said...

How did I miss this post???!!!! LOVE IT!
Yes, "Gracie" and I are official BGP members!
What's next? Wearing our Big Girl Panties with Depends?! Sadly, if I continue to gulp down coffee and ice tea I will need too!
What a fun post!!!

Love&hugs,
Lis

Related Posts with Thumbnails