Archive: Weekendery

At 10:30am on Saturday, I set out on a shopping mission. I was armed with a memo on my PDA detailing my total budget for the day, targeted purchases (separated into primary and secondary objectives), stores to visit, and item numbers for online finds I wanted to try on. I completed preparations by suiting up into my usual shopping uniform: fitted black t-shirt — for fitting under sweaters and jackets — and jeans at flat-length, since flats were one of the primary objectives. I put my hair half-up, confirmed that I had both a Christmas gift card and a cake plate to exchange, and off I went. This trip meant business. No messing around.

I very rarely go to an brick-and-mortar store, much less a mall, so when I do, I take great pains to make sure that the sheer effort of driving, parking, and walking is worthwhile. I know that it sounds psychotic, but the only way that I can deal with meandering mobs, incompetent employees, and hordes of Ugg-wearing, willowy teenagers is to know that I have an objective to fulfill, and no kid in Heelys will get in my way. Of course, one can’t account for the possibility that a woman in the food court would mention to her mother that “this little girl” (i.e., me) wanted to get by. Or that, due to poor crowd control at a checkout station with multiple registers, three people would cut in front of me with no notice from the staff. These were annoying scenarios, but minor setbacks in the big picture. Carry on, soldier!

Over the course of five hours, I walked my red flats into the ground, and my arms ached from hauling around my purchases, plus the porcelain cake plate I had exchanged. By the time I trudged out to my car with my purchases, my feet were crying out for rest. Somehow, I developed a bruise on the top of my right foot from, what, aggressive walking? Or shoe-trying-on? Wonders will never cease. But, wait — I need to keep my eye on the prize, that is, the massive amount of loot I brought home, all made possible by Christmas money:

• 3 pairs of shoes
• 2 sweaters (plus 1 for JG)
• 2 pairs of pants for work
• 1 jacket
• 2 pairs of yoga pants
• 1 pair of pajama pants
• 2 camisoles
• 10 pairs of earrings
• 1 necklace
• 1 calendar

I fulfilled almost all of my goals for the day: to find pointy flats, to expand my jewelry collection, and to find pants for work I could get altered for flat shoes. However, I failed to find affordable, black wedges in which I could walk without toppling over, so that’s disappointing, but the excitement of amazing deals will carry me through.

In my opinion, JG doesn’t have the appropriate level of appreciation for what I like to call The Parade of Purchases (and subsequent commentary about original vs. purchase price or how hard I had to work to find this exact item). Half of the fun is telling the shopping story, so I trotted out my proudest bargains for their very own photo shoot, as if my obssessive PDA memo weren’t crazy enough. As I put everything away, I was rather stunned by the volume. Three pairs of shoes? Ten pairs of earrings? It was all very unlike me, but so satisfying.

Today, I’ll bask in the glow of wearing my new jacket and black chandelier earrings, as I catch up on twenty missed days of my word-a-day daily rip-off calendar and try to incorporate stultify, esculent, gruntle, and hypocorism into my conversations. New clothes and new vocabulary! Monday could not get any better.

#88

• On Friday, I stood in line for the free holiday staff lunch, served by the management, where I ate a serving of dry roast beef, a twice-baked potato, limp green beans, and half of a brick-like wedge of cheesecake. I was not convinced that bringing in that piece of leftover meatloaf would not have been better, easier, and just as free.
• That afternoon, I fought the food coma and attended the annual awards ceremony to recognize people who had been with the company for 5, 10, 15, 25, 30, and 35 years. Sure, the numbers tapered off toward the end, but I could not get over the fact that over a dozen people had been working at this company for longer than I had been alive. Then, my ears were assailed by the daycare children’s rendition of “The Night Before Christmas” and two nurses singing a show tune. Let me just say that I am not thrilled about the prospect of the department holiday lunch tomorrow.
• At the end of the day, a company-wide announcement came out that those of us working on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (ahem) get to leave at noon! When you have to work every day except the corporate holidays, you take what you can get. Yay!
• JG’s blue-and-gold-themed birthday extravaganza of pizza, wings, yummy Funfetti cupcakes, and presents (UD football jersey, two CDs, and a tailgating caddy) went off without a hitch! Unfortunately, the team didn’t get the memo about it being his birthday and all, and the game was disappointing, even aside from the loss. I do not stand for poor sportsmanship, Blue Hens. Well, there’s always next year.
• After a marathon session at the coffee table, I wrote out and sent off forty Christmas cards on Saturday. Then, I crouched on the floor in one of the spare rooms (which is now covered in wrapping accoutrement) and finished almost all of my gift-wrapping. Usually, I check these things off the list much earlier, so now I feel just slightly less under the gun. At least there are presents under the tree now. If only Ted wouldn’t go for the pretty packages with twirly ribbon…
• Last night, I baked the first batch of cookies for the week; I’m delivering a silver gift bag full of them to my old office in honor of their annual cookie swap. I’m making another batch of cookies tonight for my contribution to the department luncheon, and then I’ll start in on whatever I’m bringing to my parents’ house. Next year, I need to look into freezing cookie dough that I can bake at any time — this whole business of producing freshly-baked cookies is getting old.
• Lest I get too high-and-mighty about being a competent pet owner, I was humbled last night when Ted got away from me during our evening walk. I was fiddling with something in my pocket when Ted was startled by a milk jug rattling across the street from the gale-force winds. He bolted and ripped the leash out of my hand. I shouted for him as he took off down the sidewalk; visions of Ted getting hit by a car flew through my head, and I ran for five blocks after him … right to our house. Ted had taken a direct route straight to our front stoop, where he sat, lightly panting, with an innocent look that said, “What took you so long?” Oh, Ted.

For probably the first time since football season began, JG and I managed to have a weekend that balanced fun and productivity. Usually, we’re so sacked out from yelling or heavy lifting or tailgating in the rain to be good for anything and we spend the rest of the weekend alternating between sleeping and watching football on TV. Then, we feel like slugs, which is not pleasant, and the weekend has flown by. This past weekend was a refreshing change and a jump start into the holiday heyday.

I braved the new stylist and came out with a sassy haircut, which I love. The salon itself was very chic and modern, so much so that I felt almost underdressed in a sweater, jeans, and ballet flats. My new girl sat me down, listened to my crazed spiel about my hair, paused thoughtfully, and said, “So, it sounds like you are in the mood for a change, but you’re not sure what that is.” Um, yes. Thank you for summarizing two minutes of babbling into one sentence. She agreed with me that the length was weighing me down, but she understood that I wanted to be able to put my hair up if I needed to. Ultimately, I ended up with a cut that looks basically the same from the front, with just about an inch off of the overall length. However, in the back and around my crown, she did some trickery with layers that somehow gives me volume! And body! I was amazed to see myself in the mirror. A few days later, I am slowly getting the hang of this styling thing, but I think I can handle it. If nothing else, I have a cut that is miles better than what I was getting before, so that will make all the difference. I have also learned, from this experience, that taking pictures of my own hair is a skill I do not possess. My arms are just not that long enough.

We bought new bedroom furniture! We scouted out sets online and I was relieved that, when we found the one we liked the best, I liked it as much in person. The wood is a darker cherry finish, and I think we’ll go with the brushed metal knobs rather than the wooden ones. Thanks to a tricky scheme for people who don’t pay off their credit cards, we managed to get 12% off and come in under budget for a bed, two nightstands, two dressers, and a mirror! JG is uncharacteristically excited about the prospect of having somewhere to store sweaters other than the wire closet system we have now, so the December 1 delivery date can’t come soon enough.

JG and I went out for free drinks and appetizers, courtesy of friends who won a giant gift card to a local microbrew chain. JG sampled lagers and ales while discussing the state of college football while I sipped mojitos and discussed the wedding of a newly-engaged girl. Laughs were had when I was unable to push myself into or out of the table; I am simply too short to sit in pub chairs! For the small cost of chipping in for a tip, we had a really excellent time and I am so glad we went. We are usually weekend homebodies because of cost, tiredness, or lack of interest, but this time, I actually felt like a twenty-something, young professional out on the town.

I finally finished a book for the first time since September, which is more of a score for dignity than an actual accomplishment.  I wrapped up the somber Angela’s Ashes and immediately jumped into The Pilot’s Wife, which I didn’t know was about a grieving widow, but now I am completely sucked in.  So much for some light bedtime reading, I guess.

Now comes the time to start executing all of the holiday-time lists I have going, starting with the Thanksgiving packing list. JG has parent-teacher conferences this week, so our schedule is kind of wonky, but we’ll settle in at Mimi’s soon enough for all of the Thanksgiving rituals.

Hosted my book club at our house on Friday. Shakily led a discussion about Eat, Pray, Love.

Made marscapone cupcakes as part of our Italian dessert theme.

Was very disappointed in them. Shook fist in the direction of Giada De Laurentiis, her toothy grin, and overly busty wardrobe.

Took solace in the pretty cupcake wrappers.

Left at 8am for the Delaware/James Madison game at noon.

Took an inordinate number of pictures and ended up with a few nice ones. Screamed my face off during a game that was too close for comfort. Breathed a sigh of relief when Delaware pulled out the win. Made sure to document the scoreboard so as to rub it into brother-in-law’s face because he is a JMU alumnus.

Further confirmed my love of inexpensive flowers and made Walter pose for a photo shoot.

Went to dinner with friends at the cheesiest, loudest Tex-Mex place ever. Realized that my throat was too hoarse from the game to shout over the music. Shouted anyway between sips of sangria.

Ordered yummy fish tacos. Couldn’t eat the beans or rice due to excessive spiciness. Loved the place anyway. Will order fries next time.

Sang on the worship team at church the next day. Bad move.

Enjoyed chili with friends afterward. Shared wedding stories and registry tactics since they’re getting married next summer.

Played with Ted while JG graded a stack of papers.

Drank tea this morning to soothe the still-sore throat. Regret that I sound like a 60-year-old smoker over the phone. Am looking forward to leftover chili for lunch.