It has been a wonderful weekend. It started off Friday at 10:30 when I skipped class to go with Mary to the “Run of the Brides” event at Filienes Basement. The event happens once a year at only three locations in the country. Basically a bunch of designer dresses are marked down to either $250, $500 or $700 and are all loaded into one store. Girls were there from all over, and were literally stripping down to their nothings and trying on dress after dress. At first we were quite unsuccessful- except for the fact that we were able to snag a dressing room. But then after trying on around 15 dresses we found the one! 100% raw silk, and drop dead gorgeous the dress was a complete steal. When Mary tried it on, everyone marveled at its unique style and stunning quality. Mary looked gorgeous, and the decision was made! I love the dress. I had tried on several raw silk dresses back when I was looking for wedding gowns and would have loved to have had one, but at the normal price: eight to ten thousand, they were out of my price range. I have to admit, I would have been much more tempted by the $500 price that Mary got her’s for.
Cassie and Doug came into town Friday night. And just took of this afternoon. We really enjoyed having them here. We felt a bit bad that our house is still in such a rustic state, but they were understanding and supportive. Saturday we drove down to Columbus where Doug and Cass met and had lunch with the judge Doug will be working for next year. Tom and I spent the afternoon at Easton Mall. It is the largest mall I have ever seen in my life! I couldn’t believe the expanse of the place. We were really grateful for a solid excuse to get away from the house and really have a “break.” We enjoyed walking through the home decor stores and thinking of ways to recreate the looks on a much more meager budget. I had P.F. Changs for the first time. The lettuce wraps were scrumptious! Then we spent a couple of hours working- I on the gettisaccessories website, and Tom on his micromanager software. (Image us- both sitting on a bench in the middle of the mall, each with a laptop, typing away. We’re such nerds!) By the time we got back to Cleveland it was dinner time. So we made some squash soup and headed up stairs to watch an Inspector Morse episode. I’m afraid with two sets of seminary teachers, our late night energy was lacking, it’s was a laid back night and we were all grateful.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of my fall break! I only get two days, but hey- it’s two days. My goal is to have the kitchen primed by Tuesday night. After having Cassie and Doug here this weekend, and then my visiting teachers this afternoon, I have felt a bit more of a push to work on the house. Our house is really in quite an alarming state. I have gotten so used to it, I can kind of block it out, but when others come over the reality becomes clear and I am suddenly a bit embarrassed by how how dirty everything is. It’s funny I have always considered myself a clean person. I’m not obsessive, but my dorm was always neat and tidy. I love a clean atmosphere, it makes me feel put together and in charge of my life. Living in this house has really expanded my abilities to suspend my desire for cleanliness in order to place my priorities on more important things. For example, I really would have loved to have the house nice and clean for Cassie and Doug this weekend, but I just felt like it was more important that I spend the day with Mary. However with the goal of having the first floor finished by Thanksgiving looming large in my mind, I am starting to feel a bit more pressure to get some things done.