Best damn weekend ever...
and not just because I got to sleep in until 10am each morning.
Friday night was wonderfully low-key (after a doctor's appointment and some grocery shopping) with a nap, some Firefly in the basement, a simply skillet meal for me and my sleepy sweetie, and X-Men: The Last Stand on On Demand. It was the awesome, and I was even in bed before 1am.
Saturday I slept in until 10:20am. Oh the luxury. After caffeine, a quick snack and some HGTV, I suited up to mow the lawn, which was in dire need. I was pleased to note though that while ours was a bit tall, it was still shorter than both our neighbors prior to cutting. In all with the reel mower, since you have to cross cut the grass, it takes about an hour to do the front and back lawns. I don't do edging, but I did trim the main forest back a bit, and get in some exercise while it was still cool. Then Alan and I had brunch of turkey bacon and cheesy eggs before I popped in the shower, intent on spending the rest of the day shopping. Well, I got there eventually, but I did spend an hour or more cleaning approximately 100 items out of my closets and drawers, amassing quite a pile for donating to the Salvation Army and Dress for Success. After all that work, I required a nap, which I took prior to shopping.
But around 4pm I was off to Rockville, primarily to hit the Crest Cleaners to make my donation to Dress for Success, and then onto the Old Navy there and then who knows. So I waste about an hour in Old Navy, but come out with one pair of dress pants (wearing today!) in a dark charcoal grey, as well as some denim shorts and capris. Slightly disheartened by the lack of substance and cool tops, and completely lacking in the patience that a Marshalls or TJ-Max would require, I then decided to cruise up and down Rockville Pike until I saw something (other than the siren call of the Container Store) to lure me in. I coincidentally popped into the Container Store shopping center, but first went to see what the heck they carry in a Chico's store. One look told me that it was not for me. I spy the shoe store next door, and then an Ann Taylor Loft. I decide to try the Ann Taylor, clothes for skinny women store, and then soothe my sore pride with shoes afterward. Little did I know that not only did the store have stuff in stock that fit me like a glove, they also had a bunch of stuff on sale. OMG. This was a total shock, and had me practically dancing the aisles after my first session of trying on stuff. Ann Taylor has always been more of an ideal than a realistic goal. Think all of a sudden being able to walk on water. Okay, a bit much, but still, practically a miracle to me. I actually had to wean my purchases back a bit from the bevy of stuff I tried on selecting just one pair of dress pants, one pair of casual pants, two cute skirts, one nice silk blend shell, and a knock your socks of little black dress of insane sale proportions. They all fit, I felt like a pretty princess, and it felt so good for less than $200. I didn't even care about shoes once I had my purchases in hand. Must go back. I finally dragged home happily laden with purchases around 7pm, pleased as punch, ready to hang up all my new stuff in my newly emptied closet. Ah! the power of retail therapy.
We rounded out the evening with a lovely and late dinner at Harry's with Roland and Theo and some hanging out and chatting until sleep eventually took us all, Alan first. Again, in bed before 1am, and I again slept in until 10am. Dude, seriously, oh the luxury.
Sunday morning broke, and again after caffeine and a quick snack, Alan and I decided on brunch at Ram's Head prior to meeting with Evil at the storage unit to drop off the prince's throne and other stuff from Crown. Our timing was impeccable, and the Harbor Brunch (crab cake, scrambled eggs, breakfast spuds, fresh fruit and toast) was the perfect start to the day. We even met Evil right at the appropriate time, and got stuff dropped off and stowed away easily. Afterward, holding the reins of the vehicle, I convinced Alan that we wanted to see Spidey 3 and then possibly go shoe shopping. Luckily we got to the theater with 10 minutes to spare to see the movie (v. good, if dark, but typical Spidey. I'm not sure my feelings on MJ's new more realistic red hair color). Again with the excellent timing. Then Alan and I headed over to DSW so he could get some new loafers to replace the ones with cracks in the soles, and also a new pair of cross trainers. I ended up taking longer, refusing to be seduced by the pink Sketchers on sale, or the pink crochet flats with brown trim or the black sporty Kenneth Cole's..., and picked up a pair of simple black Merrels on sale, as well as some cute quilted silver ballet flats by Rampage (wearing today- uber comfy!) Upon arrival home we tried on our new shoes and took a nice walk around the neighborhood in the wonderful spring weather, ending in a chat on the back patio discussing the pond, the prolific irises, the desire to move the A/C unit to the side of the house, and need to get new brakes on the big truck prior to Sapphire. Again with a nap, and some lazy hanging out, cop out of peanut butter sandwiches for dinner and dividing for our different TV types. Alan retreated to the basement to watch more Jeeves and Wooster, and I stayed in the den to watch Dexter and the Tudors. High-brow comedy vs. blood and gore. I'm not terribly fond of the Tudors, and yet I catch myself still watching it. Dunno why. I also got one napkin finished for Padragin's fundraiser, and the second one is cut out and ironed in prep to being hemmed, hopefully tonight.
So, I had a wonderfully productive and relaxing weekend, and I could use like three more months of the same, (although it could get boring in time I imagine.) If anyone has a pond, or bucket of water, they want to put bright happy yellow irises in, just let us know. Come fall, we are happy to share. Seriously. Also, I'd love recommendations of new places to shop that carry 14's that I've never been bold enough to try before now, for both casual and dressy/work clothes. To top it all off, I was down another 2 pounds this morning from last week! Do I have to work this week?