Wichi Dude posted about Good Time Tonight. I'm following up with Good Time Today. We've all had days when everything went wrong; but, how often do we have days when everything goes right? I did it! I did it! I did it! (With a little help from my friends and family.)
My day got off to a wonderful start with my reading e-mails from Buffy who is trying to infect me with the quilting bug (I think she's succeeding!) She is so patient with me. I'm having great fun learning from Buffy. She originally set her hooks into me by posting a photo of a jewel-colors quilt top that she was making. (You'll need to scroll down to see the photo.)
Then I cruised the blogs that I normally read. Bogie filled us in on the current site for Carnival of the Vanities. If you haven't read Ronni on the Supreme Court's ruling concerning suits filed for age discrimination, today, go back and do so. (Time Goes By is The Pick of the Day blog at the Guardian UK.]
Dudette and I had agreed to meet for lunch, today--cause enough for my day to be bright. Since I was ready a couple of hours, early, I decided to stop by a local mall to start the shopping for an appropriate costume to wear to Wonderful Granddaughter's wedding. Knowing that it would take me weeks to complete the tasking, I wasn't really thrilled at the prospect of getting started. First stop: Dillards. I get into the area of the store that stocks women's clothes and go to the place where I last saw "matronly", tasteful dresses as would befit the grandmother of the bride. Well, now that place was filled with clothing for women with fuller figures than mine. I started wandering about in a daze. I found some wonderful prom-type dresses, but of course that won't really do the trick, will it?
Eventually, a sales clerk noticed me and although she was busy carrying things back-and-forth, she asked if I was finding "everything". "I am finding nothing." I explained my mission to her, she led me perhaps 40 feet to the east, and said to (paraphrasing here) knock myself out and to call her if I found anything. I did a 360 turn, found a nice, crystal (sheer) fabric over blouse that is a reddish mauve, with a large collar and lapels that wrap and close with a tasteful, black frog (no, guys, that isn't an animal--it's a particular type of button/loop closure made out of cording). In the next rack was a nice, black Georgette skirt with a couple of bias-cut flounces at the bottom. I yell the sales clerk's name. No response. I go to the fitting room to try it on. The combination not only fits, but it looks good with the black shell that I had worn into the store. Eventually, I find the sales clerk, force a credit card upon her, and tuck the clothes into my car within 15 minutes (well, maybe 30) of arriving at the store. Can this be? (Oh, and did I tell you? They were on sale for 40% off. The two pieces were under $100!!!) The only alterations that will be required is to have the skirt shortened from full-length to tea-length! The wedding is an afternoon affair.
Back into Dillards--to the shoe department. Since I have such trouble fitting my feet, I know that I must buy a sandal of some type--preferably with black silk straps. Immediately, I espy a low-heeled, black silk strapped sandal that fits. Well, the day couldn't be perfect. The price was $175! I don't think so. I went next door and was able to find a pair that will do the job (well, the shoes won't have a high priced name on them!) for $25. Who ever heard of dressing for a wedding for just over $100?? Even in 1962, I had to spend more than that to attend Hunky Husband's sister's wedding!
Lunch was even better. When I met Dudette for lunch, she had brought Wonderful Granddaughter with her. And Dudette picked up the check! We had a relaxed, lingering lunch (we met after the working crowd had left) and they invited me to go with them to pick up WG's wedding dress. Of course, to be sure that the alterations had been properly accomplished, WG tried on the dress. What a lovely vision. She is gorgeous in the dress! (Of course, she is gorgeous regardless of dress, but you get the picture.) Life just doesn't get any better than this.
Updated 4/06/2005: This is the link to Dudette's dress while this is the link to the bride's maids's dress.
I dressed for my own wedding for $25. WS was about $60 (he had to get shoes too).
I've been wondering what kind of affair this is - guess I know now! Now all I need are some hints on presents for the bride and groom!
Posted by: bogie | April 01, 2005 at 03:35 AM
What a fine idea - a day that goes well. Too often - for me, anyway - it's the bad ones that stand out. And now that I think about it, yesterday was a fine day for me.
Posted by: Ronni | April 01, 2005 at 05:20 AM
Bogie--Your $25 attire looked like $1M, before taxes, on you. You had good clothes sense--and your attire was suited to your garden wedding. I am beginning to wonder, however, how you and Tim did all of your own planning (and how Dudette and Wichi Dude did all of their own planning) after watching how much effort Dudette is putting into Wonderful Granddaughter's wedding. You did a great job of it!
Posted by: Cop Car | April 01, 2005 at 05:09 PM
Thank you for the lovely link! I'm glad that I was part of your pleasant day. I truly hope that I've infected you with a zest for quilting! The blocks in the picture that you mentioned have been sewn into a full sized quilt, and are off being machine quilted. When it's back, and the edges have been bound, I'll post a picture of it.
Congratulations on the incredible shopping spree! How nice to have your outfit, and be ready to go long before the day of the wedding. Do we need to have you talk with Elegant Mother about how to make a quilted clutch purse to go with your outfit??
Posted by: Buffy | April 01, 2005 at 11:28 PM
Thanks for the offer, Buffy, but I shan't need a purse. That's why a husband goes to social affairs with his wife--so that she has pockets! ALL of my day-to-day clothes have pockets--it's a REQUIREMENT; but, when we go out, Hunky Husband's pockets get pressed into service. (He not only LOOKS good, but he's useful--LOL!)
Posted by: Cop Car | April 02, 2005 at 07:01 AM
It was so nice to read about your grand shopping experience. I dislike having to shop at a mall. Until I find something that I want to try on I am exhausted already.
A dress and shoe purchase on the same day and the price was right!! .That was truly a great day.
Millie
Posted by: Millie Garfield | April 02, 2005 at 07:54 PM
Sounds like you had a wonderful day. There's nothing like finding what you need and at a good price.
Will you post a picture of the gorgeous outfit?
Posted by: Susan | April 06, 2005 at 06:55 PM
If I ever get a picture of the outfit, I'll try to remember to post it, Susan. I don't "do" digital photography (or much of any other), so I have to depend upon others. Come to think of it, I can add a link (in an update to the posting) that takes you to Dudette's dress and a link to the dress that the bride's maids will wear.
Posted by: Cop Car | April 06, 2005 at 07:59 PM
Sounds good! You should try digital
photography. It's easier than film and you can download pictures easily, and then post them.
Posted by: Susan | April 10, 2005 at 10:23 AM
Oh, Susan, if I only had time to do all things; but, even being retired, I don't. It wouldn't be so bad except, if I don't do something for a while, I forget how to do it. There's just no sense in going through the pain of learning to do something if I'm not really going to do it quite a bit. Having a digital camera (or trying to use Hunky Husband's) would do me no good unless I used it a couple of times per week. *sigh*
Posted by: Cop Car | April 10, 2005 at 11:50 AM