Weekends are my addiction. They are my temptation, indulgence, salvation and joy. I cherish them while they last, longingly await their imminent arrival throughout the week, and relish them fiercely when they sneak up on us again five days later. They’re the spring break I don’t have. They bring so many simple, easy pleasures like yummy weather, sleeping in, playtime, and the invitation to do nothing at all together if we so choose. They are freeing and demand nothing of you except pure relaxation, fun, and a chance to catch up on the art of appreciating life (or, you know, taxes). They’d make the killing if they could bottle this euphoria. Here are the highlights of our weekend:
Friday
- We scored big at the UC Blockbuster’s going out of business sale! Ted pocketed Leatherheads, The Invention of Lying, and The Interpreter and I snapped up An Education, Away We Go, Once, and 500 Days of Summer at very budget-friendly prices. Cheap cinematic excellence? Yes, please.
- We caught a free opening day showing of Tornado Alley Friday night at the Omnimax. My job has some perks. Ted’s been anxious to see it since he heard about it. I’m a pansy and predicted I’d be scared out of my skull. The movie was really cool, actually. In larger-than-life size and with a 3D feel it took the viewer inside the life of storm chasers, showed off their vehicular tornado tracking beast tanks, and then stationed cameras right inside the center of a fierce tornado. Ironically, the weather outside was nasty that evening – thunder, lightening, driving rain. How appropriate.
- I made crazy-spicy jambalaya for dinner (uh, oops) and we popped in the movie Wall-E. Then we sleepily shuffled off to bed like old people.
Saturday
- I slept in (oh, sweet rapture!) and awoke to a brilliant day outside!
- We headed over to Montgomery Cyclery and Oakley Cycles to inspect their inventory of bicycles, looking for a perfect selection for me when the time is right. Ted examined and explained the technical specs of each bike, advised, and occasionally coached my biking skills while I test rode a few models before honing in on a sweet retro-esque hybrid path bike with mountain tires. It was stylish, comfortable and smooth riding, functional with 21 speeds, shocks and built to ride in nearly all terrains, a great reputable brand, and on sale. I was instantly smitten with this contender. But like good non-impulse buyers, we left the bike with the intention to “think about it” and drive over to Kenwood to snatch up the goodies we actually planned to get that day.
- Ted picked up an awesome new Apple wireless mouse for his laptop and iPad that we immediately noticed saved him a ton of time and greatly increased his working productivity while at home on the computer. Using a 30% off coupon, I finally picked up a new and desperately needed pair of lounge pants to replace the worn-to-death pair with at least eight major holes in them. I considered posting a picture of the old pair on here for you because they really are that ridiculous, but decided it was too humiliating. They were ratty, folks. I’m very appreciative of this new, warm pair of lounge pants.
- We enjoyed a lovely evening at home eating Mac n’ Cheese for dinner and watching a movie while we finished a game of Scrabble.
Sunday
- We went to mass, did the grocery shopping, and dropped off the recycle.
- We took my wedding jewelry, engagement ring, and wedding bands in to get inspected, buffed and polished. They sparkle again and look absolutely gorgeous!! I LOVE having them cleaned! I also got a free 2011-2012 planner using Ted’s ink cartridge recycle rewards money at Staples. Ted deemed this day “Lara Day.” But it’s okay because when the iPad 2 was released last Friday it was “Ted Day.” Sometimes you just gotta treat yourself and each other to an Us Appreciation Day.
- While at Eastgate we decided that the sale on the bike was too good of a deal to pass up after calling the store and learning that the sale would end at 5 pm that day and that it is the annual sale – the only time this year the bike will be so steeply discounted. We raced to the store and bought the bike. Sometimes an offer for something you’ve been longing for and planning to eventually purchase comes along sooner than expected, but it’s so good that it would be financially foolish to refuse!
- At home Ted built a fire in their fire pit and readied the Christmas tree and wreath for burning. I threw together a dinner of rotisserie chicken and Caesar salad for us to eat fireside while we burned the last of the Christmas pine as the sky turned to dusk and the sun set. A perfect day!
P.S. More on the bike and pictures to come later!
