Two Peas in a myPod

Preliminary Note: ELC’s FunnyHubbyMan bought himself a MP3 player about 8 years ago. Filled it with his electic music—also borrowed some CDs from ELC and TLC—(what we lovingly refer to as “the good stuff”)—and listened to said MP3 until last Fall, when it finally crashed. From the moment he bought it, he called it his “myPod.” We simply had to give up correcting him—did no good. Last Christmas, ELC gave him a new iPod. Even had it engraved with: “You’re the song in my heart.” All together now: Awww. Still intimidated by iTunes, he once again loaded it with music from CDs. He calls this new iPod his… (pause for dramatic impact)—myPod. Were you thinking he finally got it? Nope. ELC and TLC call their iPods the same. In his honor.

Background information: One evening last week, ELC and TLC were actually talking on the phone—not just texting back and forth—about something interesting that is occurring: we’ve discovered we’re thinking the same thoughts. ELC will email TLC or call her about someone or something—and TLC will declare: “Shut the front door! I was just about to send you/say the same message/thing!” Spooky. We do seem to be connecting on some higher level lately. Are we getting psychic? Doubtful. Maybe just more intuitive? Possibly.

image via Pinterest via Etsy

When TLC was born, ELC wasn’t awake. Didn’t see her for over three hours. Once ELC came to, she was begging every nurse/medical person in sight to bring TLC to her. At that point (it was after midnight), about fifteen people had seen TLC, including ELC’s Mom and one of her sisters. She asked her Mom: “Does she look like me?” Her Mom got an almost embarrassed look on her face and said, “Ummm… not really.” “Nothing about her looks like me?” ELC asked, incredulous. Mom apologized and said “No, nothing that I can see. She looks exactly like her Dad.” Well, luckily for everyone involved, ELC loves how TLC’s Dad looks.

TLC continued to favor her Dad, and bits and pieces of her four older brothers, for many years. The only thing she and ELC really had in common was their blonde hair (yes, ELC’s may not have been “natural” since her early college days—but it started out quite real).

Then TLC hit high school and, suddenly, a lot of peeps started telling the two of us how much we looked like we could be twins (well, twins who were, miraculously, 30 years apart). Really? We didn’t see it. Still don’t, to be honest. TLC does have ELC’s mouth/teeth/smile and the shape of her face. Her eyes are brown—like her Dad’s. ELC’s are a sort-of greenish. She says she has ELC’S nose. She doesn't say it like it's a compliment. She says it kind of cranky-like. We know we sound a lot alike and have very similar mannerisms. TLC’s much shyer than ELC has ever been. ELC is not as smart as TLC. It’s fine. ELC is extremely proud of TLC’s intelligence! And, finally, TLC’s hair will never be as BIG as ELC’s. Hopefully.

So during this conversation, TLC said: “We’re just two peas in a pod, aren’t we, Mom?” ELC laughed and started pointing out all the “pods” we are NOT in—together. But then we came up with several that we share. Here are eight (for, yes, August!) of both shared and not-shared Pods:

The Louboutin myPod: This, of course, is the “shoe” Pod. TLC is by herself in this one. In fact, here’s how ELC pronounces Louboutin: La-boot-un. Say each syllable with an exagerrated hick-like Texas accent and really emphasize boot. No matter how many times TLC corrects this pronunciation, ELC forgets. Frankly, it’s quite an amazing feat ELC remembers the name of these uber expensive shoes at all. Oh, wait. That’s right. TLC talks about them at least once a week. She can spot a pair of Louboutins from one hundred yards away and without even seeing the red sole. It amazes ELC—every time. TLC doesn’t own a pair of Louboutins, but she dreams about them—a lot. In her dreams she has dozens of pairs. Like Oprah. ELC’s dreams involve comfortable tennis shoes with mega-arch supports. Mother/Daughter (M/D for short) will never share this Pod.

image via Pinterest

The Prada myPod: Yep—the “purse” Pod. TLCs first love, actually. Over shoes. Although it is very close. ELC has no earthly idea where her child has gotten this obsession. TLC grew up watching her Mom use a purse until it fell apart. Yes, ELC has received a couple of Dooneys or Brahmins in the past 34 years. They were Christmas, birthday or anniversary gifts. TLC yearns to own a Prada someday. Maybe she’ll win the Texas Lottery (buy a ticket, Girlfriend) and then she can purchase one for herself. Until then, when she sends emails to ELC from Nordstrom or Coach of lovely, but unbelievably expensive purses, ELC will continue to pretend said emails got lost in cyberspace.

The Baubles myPod. Jewelry. Jewels. Sparklies. M/D are absolutely in this Pod together. Forever. ELC has loved shiny bracelets, rings and necklaces since she was a toddler. You’ll remember her Nana nicknamed her Miss Got Rocks. TLC clearly got this addiction from her genes. M/D don’t always agree on what is pretty/beautiful/perfection. We do both adore David Yurman and anything from Tiffany’s, James Avery and Brighton. Not that we get a lot of trinkets from any of those fabulous places. M/D have tres fun merely looking at jewelry—in magazines, on TV, on friends’ hands and/or necks and/or ears. ELC is thrilled with “hand-me-down” jewelry from TLC. TLC prefers NO hand-me-down sparklies, s’il vous plait.

image via Pinterest via Nordstrom

The Paula Deen myPod. M/D are in this Pod together—with a few minor exceptions. This one is about food, of course. We both love/adore/cherish/need sugar, white flour, cream cheese, chocolate and butter (or we did until Dr. Dukan took over our lives). ELC, however, wants all of these yummies to be cooked/baked in dishes that others have prepared for and served to her. It’s the whole “Queen B.” thing, apparently. And if there is no one around (and by "no one" she is referring to her Fabulous Chef Hubby!) to do the cooking? Sandwiches, cereal or drive-thrus are totally sufficient. TLC, on the other hand, loves to be the Preparer/Cook/Chefette. She hearts cooking and eating. ELC hearts eating. Close enough.

Paula's Volcano Cake

(TLC will make this for ELC when Dr. Dukan gives us the "thumbs up!")

image via Pinterest via Paula Deen

The Meg Ryan myPod. The “movie/entertainment” Pod. M/D absolutely do like many of the same movies. Our favorite flicks involve “chick-y” stuff: love, pretty clothes, great music, laughter, a few tears, happy endings. Although TLC is still young enough to go along with movies her Hubby wants to watch, ELC says, to her Hubby, “Nope. Not going to watch/buy/rent that one, Honey-Bunny. Sorry. How about puttin’ in Something’s Got To Give?” ELC refuses to see anything that involves explosives, people being killed, wars, violence, sharks, and/or general scary/horror topics. Did she mention wars? Caveat: If the movie has Tom Selleck or Bruce Willis in it, ELC will consider watching it. Some of ELC and TLC’s most favorite movies? Serendipity. When Harry Met Sally. While You Were Sleeping. Pretty Woman. Sleepless in Seattle. Our all-time favorite movie (and we’ve probably watched it no less than thirty-three times together)? You’ve Got Mail. Marvelous.

The Pansies/Peonies myPod. This is the gardening Pod. ELC has taught everything she knows about gardening to TLC. True—it didn’t take long because it’s, unfortunately, not her greatest talent. But it’s enough to keep some pretty pots/flowers alive and well during cRaZy Texas weather. M/D both dig (ha!) putting on our gloves, getting’ down in the dirt and nurturing our plants. We want them to thrive and grow and color our lives with smiles and joy! M/D each have our “specialities.” ELC’s: impatience, caladiums, periwinkles and pansies. TLC’s: coleus, periwinkles, rosemary (she’s just beginning to learn how to grow her own herbs), and violets. M/D encourage each other to expand our knowledge of horticulture. Yes, we actually know the word horticulture. Duh. Our favorite flower pots? Dixiebelle, of course!

The Estee myPod. This Pod involves lipstick. ELC believes it’s one of the most important things a woman—from 14 to 100—can wear.  A girl/young woman/mature woman should wear it every day. Even if she’s home alone and no one is going to see her. ELC wears it for herself—her cats (she is NOT, however, a “Cat Lady”—she just has two)—her husband. TLC refuses to wear lipstick consistently. Or at all. She’s been known to swipe some colorless lipgloss on her sweet lips as she’s driving up the hill to her parents’ home. Just to keep ELC off her back and to avoid having to listen to The Lipstick Lecture—Vol. 55,566. ELC believes TLC will be in this Pod—eventually. She may be forty. Or fifty. And ELC will definitely have it smeared up to her eyeballs by then. But it’ll happen. Oh, yes, TLC. It’ll happen.

The iPod myPod. This is the music Pod. M/D have quite similar tastes in songs, artists and genres. TLC was brought up listening to Country and may not have known there was any other kind of music until she was thirteen. She loves everything now (with the probable exception of opera) and tickles ELC when she can sing along with Beyonce, Martina McBride, Fergie, Bon Jovi, Pink, Zac Brown Band or Taylor Swift—never missing a word. She’s come to love her Hubby’s hard rock as much as she loves Abba and anything by the Glee Gang. (TLC’s Hubby, however, is not interested in our Il Divo tunes. Shocking.) ELC does find Pink intriguing. And, guess what? ELC introduced TLC to Lady Gaga. Cross-our-hearts. When they’re traveling in a car together, ELC is not one bit afraid to demand (oops, that should be ask) that TLC please “turn that horrible, disgusting noise off. STAT!” TLC usually complies. This is a Pod we share approximately 85% of the time.

M/D have many more compatible/non-compatible Pods, but we’re certain we’ve worn y’all completely out. Bless your hearts. Look for a “Pods—Part 2”—down the road . . .

ttfn…