Shopping with mom, day trips with mom, more shopping with mom, alone again
Monday mom and I went to do some shopping in the morning. We went to Dillards where we both got new bras and panties. Actually I got another of a bra and 5 more of some panties I bought in December because I like them so much. Mom also got a really pretty versatile green dress, shoes, and a white shirt that is really nice. That afternoon we went to see The Other Boleyn Girl. It was a really good movie but the book was far better. Monday evening we made dinner together and ate here - corned beef brisket, boiled potatoes, and sugar snap peas. I felt like I was back home again :o)
Tuesday was the big shopping trip to Austin. On our way out of town I stopped by the post office to put a little Easter package in the mail for Chris. Then we headed down to Georgetown to Yankee Candle where my mom bought a couple of jars for my s-i-l and I got her a tart warmer and tarts for her birthday. Her bday isn't until April but it is just easier to send that stuff home with my mom with the gift bag, tissue, and card. I got her the tart burner on the left, mom got herself the one on the right:
The last time i bought tarts for someone I just started at one end and worked my way across sniffing everything and putting a couple tarts of each scent I thought they'd like into my basket. I did the same and ended up buying too many tarts. I kept some for myself which is ok since my supply was getting low ;o)
After Yankee we popped over to a couple other shops before heading down to the Domain and mom just loved it there. We went to Starbucks to get a snack and yummy lattes before heading to Brighton. I bought myself a new spring/summer bag and mom got herself a watch and a pair of earrings.
There is a ID tag holder (pictured on the right) that I am thinking about for our moms for Mother's Day. Mom said she'd love one and I know Chris' mom wears an ID around her neck too. When Chris and I were at Brighton during R&R he thought his mom would like it but I need to double check before buying it.
After that we went into Macy's where mom had a blast. We don't have Macy's in Canada and they were having all sorts of great sales. Mom got a pair of CK jeans for $35 and I got a short little jacket. We went upstairs and there was a great sale on girls' Easter dresses - 40% off - so mom got my nieces each one.
Time was ticking and we had to head out to meet Lisa and Chris for dinner at Steak N Shake. We made it early so we were able to go into a couple shops at the outlets. We went into the Disney store where mom got Alanna her gift. When my mom asked my nieces what they wanted Felicia (7yrs) named a specific DS game. Alanna (4yrs) said "surprise me". My mom wracked her brain but didn't really know what to get her so I suggested the Disney store and we found something cute. We popped over to CK Underwear where I got my brother PJ pants and a modal tshirt for his bday and my mom bought something for dad and my brother too.
Dinner at SNS was good. My mom enjoyed Lisa's company. She was quite amused by her over the weekend. We certainly enjoyed our food and shakes. After a long day shopping it was time to head home. Once home we sorted our purchases. I got my s-i-l's and brother's gifts all ready for the trip home with mom. I made sure the cards were signed, I had picked appropriate gift bags, included the tissue paper and mom and I figured out how best to assemble the gifts once she got home. I also got Felicia (niece) her 1st Communion card and wrote a cheque to put in her college account. I wasn't sure how much to give her, I hadn't heard from Chris, but I though Communion is a big deal and I wanted to make a good contribution to her savings so I put in $200.
The next day (Wednesday) we headed down to San Antonio. We had a fabulous day. We did the boat tour, had lunch and margaritas at Casa Rio, and toured the Alamo. Chris called while we were in SA and suggested I take mom to Dick's but I said no way. We'll save a trip to that place for when Hubby is home. On the way home we stopped at Bess Bistro on 6th Street in Austin for dinner. I had the best macaroni and cheese ever in my life :oÞ
Thursday was a chill day. We read books and relaxed at home. Friday we had a bit more shopping to do. We hadn't had much time at the outlets since we were enjoying the Domain so much so it was back down there again. We did make a stop in at Yankee Candle where I switched out a tart burner I had bought a few months ago. It is a soapstone burner and the tarts don't stay melted in it so I exchanged it for a nice spring-y one. I liked the one that I bought my s-i-l but since they no longer had it in stock I got the same pattern but in the other style. This is my old one (I had a deeper burgundy colour) and my new one:
After Yankee we headed to the outlets. We made the loop. I stopped in at my favourite store Le Creuset where I got a new little tea pot with a removable infuser.
Mom thought I should get the salt and pepper grinders too but I'm not sure if I want to spend so much money on them. I know I need a s&p set and I do want a grinder, but are they worth the cost? My parents decided they wanted to help us buy or buy for us something for the house for Christmas. The plan was for mom to shop with me during her visit here so at Christmas time they sent us some nice "smaller" gifts with the intention of buying a "bigger" gift in March. During R&R Chris and I found a kitchen set we really liked:
It is $800. My dad said to give us $500 towards buying it. Then when mom got here she said it didn't matter what we spent the money on, it's a Christmas gift so we can spend it on anything, even split it to $250 each and get my s&p grinders. Chris wasn't much help as when I told him what mom said he said spend it on whatever. I'll probably just stick it in the savings and when we buy new kitchen or livingroom furniture it can be applied to that.
After the outlets we headed home. On the way home we passed by the emu farm where we saw the little baby emus, so cute! Once home we let the dogs out, freshened up, and Leonie picked us up for a yummy dinner at Chili's. It was a nice meal and afterwards mom and I headed out on our own so she could get the last few things she wanted. Pat had sent me a thank you card for last weekend and included $40 for shopping with mom and so I bought myself the new Jodi Picoult book and some new magnetic bookmark clips. That evening at home I prepped the little Easter package for Chris' niece. It was a little hand-made 3" doll:
I had bought a tiny little 4" gift box that it just fit in and some crinkly yellow paper shreds. I nestled the doll in, put in an Easter card and then wrapped the package up in brown paper for shipping. That evening I realized although my AC was working the air was only trickling out of the vents. It was a warm but manageable night.
Saturday morning mom and I ran our last couple of errands. At the post office I handed over Sydney's little package and the guy just went on and on about my packaging. How little it was, how nicely wrapped, how small and neat the address was printed, how I trimmed my address label to fit the box (he felt the need to repeat this part twice) and generally gushed so much I turned crimson. It was funny :oD
We stopped by the rental agency where I asked about work orders and my order would be seen Monday morning. We made a couple other stops and headed home. We watched a movie and packed mom's suitcase up. Then we listened to the tape from the medium I saw back home in August. I may post about my notes from that later. Then it was dinner at Texas Road House and an early evening. The AC started to work all on it's own and then the upstairs toilet stopped working. Grr. I just heard from a plumbing repair place and they'll be here on Thursday some time before 2pm :o[
Sunday morning we woke at 4am and were on the road by 5. Audrey got very upset that we were leaving, Puff looked like she just wanted to go back to sleep. So we gave each of them a big cookie and that made them happier and forget about us leaving. The drive down went fine, I saw mom off, and picked Lisa up for breakfast at IHOP on my way back home. It was a really nice breakfast and at 7:30am it was empty there. Not bad for a Sunday. Then once I was home I napped and relaxed during the day. In the evening I changed my bedding and tidied up the house. It is nice to have things back to "normal" but it is lonely here again. Only 9 more weeks (hopefully) :o)
Speaking of hubby, he called this morning. I told him about my visit with mom and we had a nice chat. We'll actually be having a date today. The past couple weeks haven't been great for communication: he's been very busy, I've had house guests, I've been out a lot, the time change is a bugger. Hopefully that is all going to be straightened out now. It's spring break so no work for me. Hopefully my flexible (empty) schedule means we'll be able to talk more :oD
Tuesday was the big shopping trip to Austin. On our way out of town I stopped by the post office to put a little Easter package in the mail for Chris. Then we headed down to Georgetown to Yankee Candle where my mom bought a couple of jars for my s-i-l and I got her a tart warmer and tarts for her birthday. Her bday isn't until April but it is just easier to send that stuff home with my mom with the gift bag, tissue, and card. I got her the tart burner on the left, mom got herself the one on the right:
The last time i bought tarts for someone I just started at one end and worked my way across sniffing everything and putting a couple tarts of each scent I thought they'd like into my basket. I did the same and ended up buying too many tarts. I kept some for myself which is ok since my supply was getting low ;o)
After Yankee we popped over to a couple other shops before heading down to the Domain and mom just loved it there. We went to Starbucks to get a snack and yummy lattes before heading to Brighton. I bought myself a new spring/summer bag and mom got herself a watch and a pair of earrings.
There is a ID tag holder (pictured on the right) that I am thinking about for our moms for Mother's Day. Mom said she'd love one and I know Chris' mom wears an ID around her neck too. When Chris and I were at Brighton during R&R he thought his mom would like it but I need to double check before buying it.
After that we went into Macy's where mom had a blast. We don't have Macy's in Canada and they were having all sorts of great sales. Mom got a pair of CK jeans for $35 and I got a short little jacket. We went upstairs and there was a great sale on girls' Easter dresses - 40% off - so mom got my nieces each one.
Time was ticking and we had to head out to meet Lisa and Chris for dinner at Steak N Shake. We made it early so we were able to go into a couple shops at the outlets. We went into the Disney store where mom got Alanna her gift. When my mom asked my nieces what they wanted Felicia (7yrs) named a specific DS game. Alanna (4yrs) said "surprise me". My mom wracked her brain but didn't really know what to get her so I suggested the Disney store and we found something cute. We popped over to CK Underwear where I got my brother PJ pants and a modal tshirt for his bday and my mom bought something for dad and my brother too.
Dinner at SNS was good. My mom enjoyed Lisa's company. She was quite amused by her over the weekend. We certainly enjoyed our food and shakes. After a long day shopping it was time to head home. Once home we sorted our purchases. I got my s-i-l's and brother's gifts all ready for the trip home with mom. I made sure the cards were signed, I had picked appropriate gift bags, included the tissue paper and mom and I figured out how best to assemble the gifts once she got home. I also got Felicia (niece) her 1st Communion card and wrote a cheque to put in her college account. I wasn't sure how much to give her, I hadn't heard from Chris, but I though Communion is a big deal and I wanted to make a good contribution to her savings so I put in $200.
The next day (Wednesday) we headed down to San Antonio. We had a fabulous day. We did the boat tour, had lunch and margaritas at Casa Rio, and toured the Alamo. Chris called while we were in SA and suggested I take mom to Dick's but I said no way. We'll save a trip to that place for when Hubby is home. On the way home we stopped at Bess Bistro on 6th Street in Austin for dinner. I had the best macaroni and cheese ever in my life :oÞ
Thursday was a chill day. We read books and relaxed at home. Friday we had a bit more shopping to do. We hadn't had much time at the outlets since we were enjoying the Domain so much so it was back down there again. We did make a stop in at Yankee Candle where I switched out a tart burner I had bought a few months ago. It is a soapstone burner and the tarts don't stay melted in it so I exchanged it for a nice spring-y one. I liked the one that I bought my s-i-l but since they no longer had it in stock I got the same pattern but in the other style. This is my old one (I had a deeper burgundy colour) and my new one:
After Yankee we headed to the outlets. We made the loop. I stopped in at my favourite store Le Creuset where I got a new little tea pot with a removable infuser.
Mom thought I should get the salt and pepper grinders too but I'm not sure if I want to spend so much money on them. I know I need a s&p set and I do want a grinder, but are they worth the cost? My parents decided they wanted to help us buy or buy for us something for the house for Christmas. The plan was for mom to shop with me during her visit here so at Christmas time they sent us some nice "smaller" gifts with the intention of buying a "bigger" gift in March. During R&R Chris and I found a kitchen set we really liked:
It is $800. My dad said to give us $500 towards buying it. Then when mom got here she said it didn't matter what we spent the money on, it's a Christmas gift so we can spend it on anything, even split it to $250 each and get my s&p grinders. Chris wasn't much help as when I told him what mom said he said spend it on whatever. I'll probably just stick it in the savings and when we buy new kitchen or livingroom furniture it can be applied to that.
After the outlets we headed home. On the way home we passed by the emu farm where we saw the little baby emus, so cute! Once home we let the dogs out, freshened up, and Leonie picked us up for a yummy dinner at Chili's. It was a nice meal and afterwards mom and I headed out on our own so she could get the last few things she wanted. Pat had sent me a thank you card for last weekend and included $40 for shopping with mom and so I bought myself the new Jodi Picoult book and some new magnetic bookmark clips. That evening at home I prepped the little Easter package for Chris' niece. It was a little hand-made 3" doll:
I had bought a tiny little 4" gift box that it just fit in and some crinkly yellow paper shreds. I nestled the doll in, put in an Easter card and then wrapped the package up in brown paper for shipping. That evening I realized although my AC was working the air was only trickling out of the vents. It was a warm but manageable night.
Saturday morning mom and I ran our last couple of errands. At the post office I handed over Sydney's little package and the guy just went on and on about my packaging. How little it was, how nicely wrapped, how small and neat the address was printed, how I trimmed my address label to fit the box (he felt the need to repeat this part twice) and generally gushed so much I turned crimson. It was funny :oD
We stopped by the rental agency where I asked about work orders and my order would be seen Monday morning. We made a couple other stops and headed home. We watched a movie and packed mom's suitcase up. Then we listened to the tape from the medium I saw back home in August. I may post about my notes from that later. Then it was dinner at Texas Road House and an early evening. The AC started to work all on it's own and then the upstairs toilet stopped working. Grr. I just heard from a plumbing repair place and they'll be here on Thursday some time before 2pm :o[
Sunday morning we woke at 4am and were on the road by 5. Audrey got very upset that we were leaving, Puff looked like she just wanted to go back to sleep. So we gave each of them a big cookie and that made them happier and forget about us leaving. The drive down went fine, I saw mom off, and picked Lisa up for breakfast at IHOP on my way back home. It was a really nice breakfast and at 7:30am it was empty there. Not bad for a Sunday. Then once I was home I napped and relaxed during the day. In the evening I changed my bedding and tidied up the house. It is nice to have things back to "normal" but it is lonely here again. Only 9 more weeks (hopefully) :o)
Speaking of hubby, he called this morning. I told him about my visit with mom and we had a nice chat. We'll actually be having a date today. The past couple weeks haven't been great for communication: he's been very busy, I've had house guests, I've been out a lot, the time change is a bugger. Hopefully that is all going to be straightened out now. It's spring break so no work for me. Hopefully my flexible (empty) schedule means we'll be able to talk more :oD