An Eventful Day

This was a hoppin' day.

The icemaker died so Mark stayed home to meet the repairman from Schaefer's. We got the usual "he'll be there between 8:30 and 12:30" timeframe. The guy arrived at 10:30, made his diagnosis, replaced the unit, and was gone. A 10-min service call. $230.

Today was the all-school assembly at Cassie's school; 1:45pm. Mark and I attended to watch her receive the Star Citizen Award for all 2nd grade. The recipient has been helpful to the teacher, helps classmates as necessary, is a role model, and exemplifies the five pillars of character. Okay, so I can't recite the pillars but they include integrity, honesty, treating others as you'd want to be treated and includes quotes from famous people such as Gandhi and M.L King, Jr. The pillars are written along the stairsteps to the school. Cassie didn't know she was the winner until her name was called. Her teacher emailed me on Monday so we could make arrangements to be there, and it's been tough all week not to spill the beans.

I returned to work and barely made it into my parking lot as the drive belt came off the van again. This is a routine problem for Dodge Caravans when water splashes up underneath the engine, and this is the fourth time in three years that I've dealt with this (there's no fix for this, the little shield that's in place is useless). Always requires a call to AAA, they tow it to Russwood Chrysler Plymouth, Russwood spends 10 min getting the belt back in place: $80. So I work hard to avoid puddles (no more fun for me sloshing through puddles in the street). But the melting snow on the streets must have created enough moisture splashing around. And you know that without a drivebelt you lose hydraulics and you nearly break the steering wheel (or your arm) trying to turn the wheels. But lucky me, the AAA guy was able to get the belt back in place and didn't have to tow me. I called Russwood back to let them know the van was not on its way (and they couldn't get to it until Monday anyway so I'm not without a van for the weekend). Yea AAA!!!

After work I picked up Mark and Cassie for a frantic dash through several stores to finish Christmas shopping. For my gift I'd asked for the heavy spike thing (that's a technical term) that you can use to break a vehicle window to get out and you can use it to cut through a seatbelt if necessary. Mark said he had no intention of buying that. So I'm thinking the lightweight, cordless drill was out too. So we hit Target for bath soap and a few other things plus I picked out a flannel winter nightie. I needed a new one but I preferred the weapon or the drill.

On to Gateway. I dropped Mark and Cassie at the Food Court so I could hit Jo-Ann's for beading/jewelry-making supplies for Cassie from Santa. I don't do that stuff so I was lost as to basic supplies. I had glanced through a beading book but still, there's so much out there. If she wanted quilting stuff count me in. But this? Enter Danielle A. from the library - my hero. This morning she gave me a long list of stores, requisite supplies, and purchase suggestions. And lucky me, the stuff was on sale for 50%-off!

Met up at the Food Court again then headed all over Gateway to find a few more last minute items. Very crowded and very definitely the Christmas shopping season. When Cassie and I were there last (the Monday night after Black Friday) the place was dead.

We returned home at 8:45pm so I could get Cassie ready for bed while Mark went to Best Buy for the two movies I'd chosen (bye, bye cordless drill; hello "Madagascar" movies. But then, I love the penguins and King Julian REALLY had to grow on me). I sorted through the bags and purchases, read through Christmas cards, Cassie EXCITEDLY read her letter from Santa, I heated some soup for me for supper, and got a little girl to bed.

My feet are killing me, but only have a few stocking stuffers left to pick up and the shopping is done. How did I end up so late with my shopping when I was mostly done before Thanksgiving? Tomorrow I can concentrate on wrapping, and maybe even get my baking done!