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Shopping Extravaganza
Dec. 3rd, 2005 05:35 pmI'm not much of a shopper, but today Robin and I spent all afternoon shopping.
It all began at the annual gem and mineral show. I enjoy looking at all the sparkly crystals and fossils, although I no longer want to own these. I got some strings of small pearls and gave Robin an idea for a present for his sister that I think she will like, although usually I am wrong. But I have the exact stones, and I think she complimented me on them several times, although I might be mistaken.
Robin got some fancy rubies he's been wanting. For a long time. He made settings for them fifteen years ago in his jewelry making class. The rubies are synthetic (real, but man-made), by a company that's gone out of business, and he's seen these uncut rubies at the show several times already. Now he has the money and has found someone to cut them and everything.
Rubies are his birth stone and Ruby is also his nickname from when his sister couldn't pronounce his whole name. Also he really likes them, especially these that are a rich, deep red rather than the hot pink color that most rubies are.
My birthstones are garnets, which I also really like, although they are so affordable that they're only called "semi-precious" gems. They come in red, like rubies, and also green and other colors. No one has called me "garnet" for a nickname when they couldn't pronounce my real name, though (only "Duppie!"), and I have not been salivating over exquisite garnets made by one awesome company. In fact, they are so easy to find that no one would ever synthesize them. Not that I've ever found one myself. That I know of.
Robin also got several strings of beads. He has a whole box to store them in, because I ingeniously suggested that what he needed was a fishing tackle box. (I stole this idea from people who sew because fishing tackle boxes are cheaper than sewing boxes and have better compartments.)
Then we came home and sat in front of the computer ordering things from L.L. Bean that we've been fantasizing about for at least a year. They have free shipping until noon on the 22nd this year. And free shipping from them is definitely a good deal.
We each got flannel-lined pants--oh, they are so awesome. At least the flannel-lined jeans we got last year are awesome, so comfy and warm. (Warning to new readers--we are middle-aged and like pants that go too high on the waist and do not flair enough.) We also each got leather shoes, which Robin tells me are awesome. And we both got belts. These are all presents, actually. I am also getting pima cotton t-shirts. And a wind-up flashlight that doesn't use batteries. And Robin is getting a canvas and leather backpack.
So, that was fun. (Especially if things actually fit when they come. I know the pants will!)
Nanowrimo Update
(But Debbie, isn't that finally over?)
Now I'm getting ready to go to the NaNoWriMo thank-goodness-it's-over party. It could be really interesting. We have been instructed that we can bring munchies, music, stuffed animals, and excerpts from our books. And besides parking, we have been issued the following challenges:
1. Come dressed as a character or object in your book, carry something your character would carry, or wear a hat, silly or serious.
2. Read a short excerpt from your book, or allow someone else to read it for you. This is not as scary as it sounds, and it was great fun last year.
We are meeting the parking challenge by walking there and back--it's probably about two miles from my house, although we do have to cross a freeway. I always dress like characters from my book, but I am also wearing a nice hat I have that I normally don't have a good excuse to wear. Robin's got a stuffed animal. I'm bringing brownies, not the burnt ones I made an hour ago, but the good ones I just finished cooking.
So it could be interesting, or it could just be a bunch of people standing around talking in cliques with a few boring and pretentious readings. I'll let you know.
It all began at the annual gem and mineral show. I enjoy looking at all the sparkly crystals and fossils, although I no longer want to own these. I got some strings of small pearls and gave Robin an idea for a present for his sister that I think she will like, although usually I am wrong. But I have the exact stones, and I think she complimented me on them several times, although I might be mistaken.
Robin got some fancy rubies he's been wanting. For a long time. He made settings for them fifteen years ago in his jewelry making class. The rubies are synthetic (real, but man-made), by a company that's gone out of business, and he's seen these uncut rubies at the show several times already. Now he has the money and has found someone to cut them and everything.
Rubies are his birth stone and Ruby is also his nickname from when his sister couldn't pronounce his whole name. Also he really likes them, especially these that are a rich, deep red rather than the hot pink color that most rubies are.
My birthstones are garnets, which I also really like, although they are so affordable that they're only called "semi-precious" gems. They come in red, like rubies, and also green and other colors. No one has called me "garnet" for a nickname when they couldn't pronounce my real name, though (only "Duppie!"), and I have not been salivating over exquisite garnets made by one awesome company. In fact, they are so easy to find that no one would ever synthesize them. Not that I've ever found one myself. That I know of.
Robin also got several strings of beads. He has a whole box to store them in, because I ingeniously suggested that what he needed was a fishing tackle box. (I stole this idea from people who sew because fishing tackle boxes are cheaper than sewing boxes and have better compartments.)
Then we came home and sat in front of the computer ordering things from L.L. Bean that we've been fantasizing about for at least a year. They have free shipping until noon on the 22nd this year. And free shipping from them is definitely a good deal.
We each got flannel-lined pants--oh, they are so awesome. At least the flannel-lined jeans we got last year are awesome, so comfy and warm. (Warning to new readers--we are middle-aged and like pants that go too high on the waist and do not flair enough.) We also each got leather shoes, which Robin tells me are awesome. And we both got belts. These are all presents, actually. I am also getting pima cotton t-shirts. And a wind-up flashlight that doesn't use batteries. And Robin is getting a canvas and leather backpack.
So, that was fun. (Especially if things actually fit when they come. I know the pants will!)
Nanowrimo Update
(But Debbie, isn't that finally over?)
Now I'm getting ready to go to the NaNoWriMo thank-goodness-it's-over party. It could be really interesting. We have been instructed that we can bring munchies, music, stuffed animals, and excerpts from our books. And besides parking, we have been issued the following challenges:
1. Come dressed as a character or object in your book, carry something your character would carry, or wear a hat, silly or serious.
2. Read a short excerpt from your book, or allow someone else to read it for you. This is not as scary as it sounds, and it was great fun last year.
We are meeting the parking challenge by walking there and back--it's probably about two miles from my house, although we do have to cross a freeway. I always dress like characters from my book, but I am also wearing a nice hat I have that I normally don't have a good excuse to wear. Robin's got a stuffed animal. I'm bringing brownies, not the burnt ones I made an hour ago, but the good ones I just finished cooking.
So it could be interesting, or it could just be a bunch of people standing around talking in cliques with a few boring and pretentious readings. I'll let you know.