***To those who make it to the end of this, there will be a “the more you know” happy ending message.

On the sunny side of the street!

Today, I’m trying to look on the “bright side.” How about a joke?

Is your refrigerator running? (well, you better catch it…)


… (crickets chirping)…


That might be funny again one day, but I’m going to need some more space between Fridge-gate 2010 (part two, that is) and laughing at that. 


To whom it may concern, the fridge/freezer combo do appear to be working again. We tentatively put a few condiments back in, figuring that they have enough preservatives to survive the “spring thaw” over at Chez-go-round. Hooray! I might even go buy some produce soon!


What else did I do today? Why, I thought I’d run some friendly post-holiday errands! How fun! Man-go-round even agreed to help me out. On the agenda:


-new glasses
-new phone (big time credit for being such a loyal Sprint customer!)
-last minute gifts for remaining Christmas celebrations
-liquor for New Years
-shoes


Sooo- this is admittedly a formidable list considering I didn’t get home from work until 6:30. However, I thought we could reasonably achieve at least most of these tasks within a few hours. Here’s what really happened!


6:45 p.m. arrive at liquor store. Cava? Check! Vodka? (Svedka) Check! Icehouse? Check! This is going so welllll!!! I love youuuuu! Yea! Shopping isn’t so bad!!!


7:00 p.m. arrive at mall. Pearl Vision. Wait and wait in line to pick up previously ordered glasses. My patience (and hydration before heading out) are paying off. I smile to myself and try on magenta childrens’ glasses while I wait. 7:15? Done! Ahh, patience is precious. I’m such a good person.

Buy one get one free!

7:15-7:45 Sprint store. I discuss (with increasing sense of doom and gloom) phones, plans, and rebates with velveeta for brains behind the counter. He-who-shall-not-be-named less he hunt me down proceeded to ignore all of my questions while simultaneously trying to get me off of my parents’ plan, which is really quite a good deal. Man-go-round does his best to “reexplain” my questions in idiotspeak for the villain, but to no avail. Finally, he kindly (miraculously) tells the a*& hat that we will “go get a drink and stop back,” and we left.


7:45 p.m. It is best to rehydrate at this point. I bought some animal crackers to cope. 


7:47 Lady Foot Locker- Hey, I can still get some new shoes! Mom and Pop gave me money for new athletic shoes for my birthday. I can cash in before my upcoming trip! So, I beseechingly beg the salesperson for assistance, and she begrudgingly stops accosting the mannequin with hideous knitwear. As excitedly as a child to the dentist, she explains the best shoes for my needs. So, in the interest of getting me and man-go-round home, fed, and bed, I explain that I will try a clearance pair at home and if they don’t work, I will return them. Long story short, I continue to request a pair, ANY pair of shoes. Apparently size 7 is kind of common. 
sigh… no shoes for me tonight.


The message of this story is one that I have been slowly learning and practicing for all of December. Repeat after Mama Meri:


If you don’t do everything on the to-do list, it is going to be okay.


That’s it. If you don’t return every present right away, that’s also okay. Didn’t get to the laundry tonight? Guess what- life goes on. I’m not advocating ignoring daily tasks, but taking a deep breath and taking care of yourself goes a looong way.


So… anyone want to help me out here? When I return to a (different) Sprint store, what should I get? I’m considering an EVO. 


What about shoes? My current ones, purchased at the dawn of time, are New Balance. I like to walk with Mom and Pop when I visit them in Arizona, do some kickboxing/Jillian Michaels style working out, occasionally do some beginner hiking, and that’s about it. Anyone in the know?


For those interested, the remainder of the week/ celebration month shall entail:


Thursday: Ideas for New Years Eve/Day celebrating
Friday: A sort of navel-gazing look at the year in the rearview mirror, and what is to be expected in 2011.


Stay tuned!


Meri