5/13/2013. - Day 48 - A Day in the Life of Naperville. Pitfalls in Shopping. And Patrick ruins my life.

 5/13/13. - Day 48 -
A Day in the Life of Naperville. Pitfalls in Shopping. And Patrick ruins my life.

Today we all piled into the car early to take off for the York Mall. Well, Patty, Lana and I wanted to go to the mall. Grandpa and Patrick probably were not excited for this trip. We started at Von Maur which has now become my favorite department store. I was previously blind to its existence and now am smitten. Lots of lovelies there that wanted to be taken home with me. Having no job makes that a hard experience.

We went to D.O.C. for lunch where the Bridger’s are basically famous. We enjoyed sampling a great many items and then left the boys alone again to fend for themselves while we shopped just a little bit more. I think Patty took some pity on the boys at this point, and suggested they explore the outdoor store in our absence.

Forever 21 occupied a lot of our time but did not ultimately take any weight off our wallets. We poked around the mall a bit more and then decided to call our chauffeurs for a ride back home. Scratch that—a ride to downtown Naperville for more shopping.

This drive was the best part of the day in my opinion. And at the same time the worst. While waiting at a long stop light, we noticed a young gentleman in the car beside us. We couldn't see much of him so we put in a request for our driver to inch up a bit so we were even with his car beside us. Upon closer examination, a handsome young specimen occupied this car. It might not seem like it, but you can deduce a lot about someone from only being able to view a portion of them (the side of their face and one arm) and a small area of their car. We observed a cross hanging from the mirror which we assumed placed him somewhere in the faith of God. He was rapidly tapping his fingers so he was clearly enjoying some sort of music, which is great. The car was older but the interior was not cluttered, so presumably he's not too messy. And we also decided he was fairly tall given the length of his arm that protruded out of the driver side window and kept the beat of the music as he drummed his fingers on the door.  As we discussed what his and my children would one day look like, Lana became emboldened and rolled down her window. In doing this, she sent Patty and I into squeals and shrieks of terror, as we feared she planned to proposition to him directly right out of her window. We had made a show of talking big about how we might wave him down or have someone beckon him from the car, but Lana called our bluff as soon as she hit the window button.  After the light changed and we began moving, she revealed that she simply wanted to know what type of music he was listening to and was going to inquire. Since she couldn't even hear it, we then declared another observation and concluded that he was a very considerate individual who does not blare his music and subject those around him to the sound unwillingly.

As we drove on and the gentleman's Saturn began to lose ground behind us, I encouraged Patrick to be more strategic about this and slow down so that we could once again be even with my future husband's car. Patrick did not see the worth in this idea and continued on. Patrick, when given a chance, will choose speed over someone's fate apparently. As his foot pressed further into the pedal, I continued to protest. I then threatened that Patrick could be responsible for my eventual spinsterhood if he kept up his behavior. This did not deter him and he completely blew off my date with destiny from a car window in Illinois. My life is potentially ruined and Patrick is carefree.

Fine, I said. You can buy my first can of cat food.

The gentlemen dropped us off downtown and departed, after Patty strictly instructed them to empty the trunk of all of our shopping bags from our previous stop and carry them into the house. Patrick replied, “you guys plan to walk back home, right?” Ha. Yes we do and luckily it’s only a few blocks.

We made a few more stops are various boutiques downtown that were either missed yesterday or warranted revisiting. I was still coveting a dress with navy stripes and a bright coral accent ribbon from a store we cased yesterday. Upon returning I had to try it on. Now the thing about shopping with Lana and Patty Bridger is this: They have amazing taste, they shop at all the stores I would shop at, and this is a dangerous combination. We had already been through several scenarios where I would try things on and ask for their opinion and it was always positive, it looks great, you need that.

Now maybe I do need all those things, or at least I want all those things I tried on. And possibly they do look quite nice because far be it from Lana and Patty to be untruthful—but I also have in the back of my mind the reality that I have no job which equals no dollars. This again is a frustrating concept when you like to shop as much as I do. The Grindens and the Bridgers love food and we have discussed today that you either eat to live, or live to eat. I eat to live and I don’t care much else for food unless it’s cheesecake or PB&J. On the other hand, these folks live to eat. I more or less eat to live, and subsequently live to shop. So again, this predicament with the nice clothes and the great shopping companions coupled with the wallet that is short of funds was so unfortunate.

So I try on the dress I have been lusting after for the last 24 hours and again the dynamic duo exclaims over it’s beauty. I love it too. But I also threaten them that I will try on something ugly next just to make sure they are being honest. Lana comes back with an awesome surprise that the dress is my birthday present! I'm overwhelmed with gratitude at such an unexpected gesture. When we return home Lana asks grandpa if he would like to see the dress he got me for my birthday. Ok, it’s a surprise gift for me and a complete surprise to grandpa. But he approves J.

Later we enjoy chatting and relaxing and just generally enjoying each other’s company. Patty makes sure the tunes are rocking so that it can be confirmed she is well versed in her musical selections. Patty and I share a love of music so this cannot really be a better situation-- being surround by great people and great music. A hour or so passes before grandpa and Patrick are again hungry, so they take orders for hot dogs. When they return the girls take to the basement with our food and tune into The Voice. Before I go to the basement I spy grandpa with a jug of chocolate milk. Upon requesting some I am instructed that I may have a small amount. Grandpa loves chocolate milk so it’s probably impressive that I am allowed any of his half gallon riches. He pours me my allotment and I descend into the basement to join the ladies. Later, as we are holed up downstairs, he reappears carrying the jug and empties the contents into my glass and then silently returns upstairs. For those of you who know John Grinden, you can appreciate this simple gesture for much more than it appears. My Grandpa is sort of a special dude.

We spend the rest of the evening critiquing the sounds and wardrobe choices of the individuals on The Voice. We are not regular watchers so we make up our theories on some of the aspects of the show and just generally enjoy the vocalists. Patty and Lana are exploring old photo albums where they “look so young” and other such things (Patty and Lana still look "so young" in my opinion).

Relaxing at the Bridger's house, I take time to sink into my thoughts and reflect. I am finding out that I am lucky as a grandchild to have so much time with my grandparents, and more, so many great memories and the opportunity to get to know their friends and share in so many experiences with them. I share this with Lana and Patty and then reflect on the other side of the coin. They remark that while they can see why I’m glad we are all able to spend so much time together and have become so close-- the downfall is that I am now also privy to their shenanigans on their various trips. I believe the next time I am allowed to spend time with this group, I may be asked to sign something to the effect of "what happens here, stays here. Or else."

The night winds down with some Skype with Jamie- we've been apart over 48 hours now so withdrawals are setting in. We rehash my Saturday night escapade with unnamed male and comment on how ridiculous the whole thing is. I also talk with Dodger a bit about protecting the house from cockroaches and spiders, and about having some regard for that dang tennis ball instead of losing it all the time. I can’t believe only two days ago I was luxuriously basking on the beach in 85 plus weather and then arrived on the Notre Dame campus to a frost warning and 40 degrees with a need to dig out my winter jacket. NOT COOL. But today was a little warmer (60?) so I’m holding out hope for some sunshine in the cities tomorrow when I'm back on the road.