The Elusive Little Black Dress

1) Could this be the one? I wondered while I slept if I would wake with a headache. After all, four beers and not getting to sleep until after 1am, it was a good bet. However, I was smart enough to take two Advil just before jumping in bed. I woke initially around 6am and didn’t feel that great. I slept a couple hours longer only to wake feeling fine. In fear of wasting away a perfectly good morning, I leaped to my feet at 8am sharp ready to begin my day. Mindy acknowledged my rising but opted to sleep a little longer. I closed the bedroom door behind me in hopes of shielding her from any noise that have might otherwise woke her. I put on some coffee and then jumped head first into my morning exercise routine. I felt a little sluggish – almost assuredly from the Friday night beers. I managed through my workout then bundled up for a walk with Ykraps. It wasn’t nearly as cold as I thought it might be. In fact, it felt mild in contrast to the last few mornings. Upon our return and a quick check of the weather, today looked to be a fluke warm-up that would be sandwiched between another dramatic cold snap. Even though rain was forecasted, Bob was going skiing and invited us to go along. But the potential for rain and the desire to have a “do nothing” day were a greater pull on our psyche. For the next 1.5 hours I sat at the PC with coffee in hand updating my Friday blog. Mindy didn’t get out of bed until sometime between 10-10:30am. I was just prepping to run when she came downstairs. We chatted briefly before I departed, including confirming that we weren’t going skiing. She asked if I wanted breakfast, and if so, what. She agreed to make bacon and pancakes while I ran. I took the outer loop this morning putting myself in traffic’s way for the better part of it. However, I was careful to venture deep into the easement as cars approached. I was back just after 11am. The smell of maple bacon and pancakes encompassed the entire home. It smelt wonderful, and I was very hungry! It wasn’t long before we were eating at the island counter. While eating we discussed our day and what we hoped to accomplish aside from rest. I wanted to visit the mall to get a new pair of running shoes. Mindy wanted to look for a new special occasions dress along with getting Bella an adoption day cake and gift. The day was moving fairly fast. It was already afternoon. I took a shower first while Mindy played on the PC. While Mindy showered, I played guitar and took care of a few other miscellaneous deeds. We left for Tuttle around 12:30-1pm. At the mall, we parked by Macy’s. And since we entered by the juniors dress section, Mindy looked at dresses right out of the shoot. We spent the next hour or more looking at, and trying on dresses. We found some really pretty ones, but each ended up not being the one for this reason or that. Finally, she threw in the towel and we made our way towards the Finish Line. But we had to cut through the Men’s department at Macy’s along the way, where I looked briefly at jeans but only for a few minutes. We were at the Finish Line in no time at all. While I shopped running shoes, Mindy looked at Buckeye jersey’s for Jacoby. I found what I needed quickly. The same running shoes I have right now were on sale for $59, plus I had a $10 off coupon. As long as they had my size, I was in business. And besides, it was too early to consider white running shoes. They’d just get sloppy dirty over the next two months. Black holds up well in wet and wintry conditions. They had my size, so I was set. I went to find Mindy. She found a #10 Buckeye jersey for Jacoby. He’s wanted one for a long time. We proceeded to checkout. Our total was $99.98, and my coupon was $10 off of a $50 purchase, or $15 off a $100 purchase. The young lady was nice enough to charge me the extra $.02 to allow me to use the $15 off coupon. No prompting either! After buying the shoes we found our way to Ruby Tuesday’s. Mindy was feeling “protein deprived”, and I was hungry too. We both ordered the same thing – The Smokehouse burger. It was very good but also very messy. We were there about 45 minutes. After leaving there I suggested we visit the Tuttle furniture stores on Britton Rd. We stopped in all four. We stopped in Sofa Express, Kittles, Macys, and Front Room Furnishings. Above all else, we saw lots of nasty looking furniture, and very few pieces we both liked. We learned that our tastes differ significantly, especially when it comes to accessorizing (art). Somehow, though, I know that in the end we’ll come to agreement. It was hard to believe but it was already just short of 5pm. We headed home. I was tired and thought that I might read & nap. Mindy suggested going tanning, dress shopping, and to Kroger to get Bella’s cake and a few missed grocery items. I walked Ykraps before she left. Once we were back, Mindy called the neighbors, Pat & Lisa to invite them over later. She didn’t get an answer so she left a VM. I sat down at the PC to work on my 2006 highlights. With beer in hand, I got to writing. Last visited, I left off in August. I picked up right where I left off and got the entire year, minus December in draft. I worked on it much longer than I originally wanted. Next thing I knew, Mindy was home. So much for my reading and nap! Mindy informed me that she heard back from the Shultz’s and that they’d be stopping by sometime after 7:30pm. It was 6:45pm. Where did our free day go? We figured we’d have a simple gathering with the neighbors – no laborious appetizers. We’d simply order a pizza after they arrived. It wasn’t long before they were at our door. And even though they live only three houses away, they drove! We all got a big laugh out of that. Alena, their 10 year old daughter, came along too. She’s so grown up and participated in a lot of our conversation. Lisa brought their new laptop to keep her somewhat entertained. We never did get around to cards or a movie. We sat and talked. Something each of us are very good at. :) Come 10:30pm, the Shultz’s left. We agreed to do it again some time soon. I had forgotten about the Buckeye basketball game, but remembered after they left. There were just a few minutes left when I joined. We blew a 20 point lead in the second half, but squeaked out a two point victory. Mindy was tired and went to bed after the game and just a few minutes into Mad TV. I stayed up a little longer only to dose while watching TV. Twenty minutes later I was in bed, too. Unlike normal, Mindy didn’t budge! She was out cold.