A day to play

DH got up at 5 like always and went off to work.  I had my breakfast, tidied the kitchen, and started to play on the computer.  I had been through e-mail and Facebook and was just catching upon blogs when the door opened, and DH walked back in.  "They sent me home for lack of work."

So I recruited him to help me shop for some young great nieces and a nephew.  Tuesday morning at Toys R Us on Dec. 7 was not nearly as dreadful as I had anticipated, and DH had a ball!  The kids are 3, 5, and 7.  The remote-controlled jeep may get played with more by Grandpa Den and Uncle Alex, and the talking doggie may drive everyone nuts before the 3 year old tires of it. I chose some jewelry-making kits for the 5 year-old, because I always wanted kits to make things, and if I have no idea what to get her, at least I can get something I would have loved to get.

Since it was so quiet, we headed off to the mall to have a bit of a look around. (This was entirely his idea.  The mall anytime after Thanksgiving scares me.  He goes on Christmas Eve just for the fun of the crowds.)    We stopped at the gourmet olive oil store and got some Strawberry balsamic vinegar which will make killer salad dressing.  then he marched me into the department store and said, "For Christmas, I am going to get you a new formal dress for our April cruise.  Let's shop."  Swear to God, if I could clone this man, every woman in America would want a copy!

Unfortunately, we couldn't find anything appropriate for a 61 year old woman.  When I was young and slender, I could wear anything.  Now, my skin is crepy, my upper arms are drapey, and sophisticated basic black makes me look like a corpse.  Moreover, everything is cut clingy, slinky, and strapless.  With ruffles. I got so bummed out that we gave it up and went out for lunch.  And right across the street was David's Bridal.  Mother of the bride dresses?  Sure, we can look.

I found four possibilities.  The dear clerk took notes on all of them, helped DH find things in other colors, and will help him when he goes back to make a selection.  So it will be a surprise for me!  He is even talking about accessories. After all the time in the mall trying on things that made me look like mutton dressed as lamb, or like six pounds of pork in a four pound casing, or like someone you might see on the CSI autopsy table, it was a treat to try on pretty clothes that made me look like an elegant lady!