Friday, March 28

Up at 7:30 to get ready to go to a bridal shower at 10 a.m. Skipped my exercises and just went ahead and showered and dressed.

It was frustrating trying to find something to wear suited to this in-between weather that threatened rain later. Finally settled on khaki slacks with a three-quarter-length-sleeve orange sherbet knit shirt, and a white cotton sweater. Wore canvas flats with a pink and orange sherbet floral pattern.

At 9:30, Mother and I headed to the Extension Services office for the shower honoring the agent for Extension Homemakers and 4-H. Mother was comfortably attired in black slacks, with a white mock turtleneck knit shirt and a fleece jacket with a blue and beige floral pattern. This is a jacket Hubbie and I gave her for Christmas.

It was a nice, sunny morning, though rain, and maybe storms, were predicted for later in the day. This morning, though, we could see that the earth is waking up after a long, cold winter. Everywhere spring is in evidence...native purple ground cover, Bradford pear trees blooming bridal veil white, magnolia trees in showy pink blossoms, bright yellow forsythia bushes, and riots of jonquils and daffadils along roadsides and in yards.

The ES agent is to be married in May at the arts museum in the capital city. When we arrived, she handed me an invitation to the wedding addressed to our scrapbook club. I doubt any of the ladies will want to attend this evening wedding an hour and a half away, but I'll relay the information to them anyway.

The conference room of the ES office was quite chilly, so it was good that Mother wore that jacket, and I wore a sweater. We could tell by the varying attire of the other women that everyone had as much difficulty as we did choosing something to wear that would be comfortable, yet festive.

Around 25 ladies attended the shower, so the honoree received lots of nice gifts. Most of them were ones she had listed on registries around town, but a few were originals, like a beautiful hand crocheted afghan in her chosen household colors, her wedding invitation professionally framed, a potluck dish carrier monogrammed with her soon-to-be married name, and four dryer balls (these are yarn wound around something...I don't know what...that will prevent static in the dryer).

The refreshment table was very nicely decorated in the bride's chosen wedding colors of yellow and coral. Refreshments were a potluck of spinach dip and crackers, sausage balls, two kinds of roll-ups, fresh fruit, orange and yellow cupcakes iced in orange and yellow flowers, brownies, snicker doodle cookies, mini-blueberry muffins, etc.

There wasn't much I could select, since a lot of it contained yellow dye. I don't eat sausage, so the sausage balls were out. The roll-ups included yellow cheese, so those were out, too. I stuck with the fruit, mini-muffins, and spinach dip and crackers, and a brownie. Mother, though, was able to sample most of it. We were encouraged to bring cupcakes home with us, so I did, since I knew Mother and Hubbie could eat them. I snared two brownies for myself.

We were back home shortly after noon. Mother really enjoyed this outing, which allowed her to visit with ladies she hasn't seen in a while. At 92, she was no doubt the oldest lady there, so the other ladies wanted to pat her and hug her. Later, she said they "hovered" over her.

Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle this afternoon, while Hubbie went outdoors to dig plants in our yard to offer at the plant sale later in April, and I went shopping.

I stopped first at the greeting card shop, where I bought a jigsaw puzzle, using a 30% off coupon, and a gift card given to Mother for her birthday. She still has enough on that card to buy another puzzle when new ones come in. A store staff member took my name and number, so she can call me when new puzzles arrive.

From there, I went to a department store. I took the intimate apparel back that I bought a few days ago, so I could return it, then purchase it again using a $10 coupon we got in the mail. I used another $10 coupon to buy an on-sale lightweight jacket (wish I'd had it this morning for the shower). The jacket is in muted floral tones of coral and beige, and is reversible to an animal print.

I browsed petite blouses hoping to find one for Mother, since she has a gift card to this store. I did find an on-sale chambray shirt in her size, but wanted to check with her first to see if she wants it (she does).

In the misses department, I saw a coral plaid blouse that I like, but decided to come home and print more $10 coupons from the store's online site before buying these items. I plan to go back tomorrow and get the two blouses (Hubbie can go along and use one of the coupons).

From this store I went to a dollar store to buy vitamin E face cream. I doubt that I'm looking any younger from using this cream, but does make my face feel smooth and hydrated. And the cream is only $2 for a large jar. While I was there, I found a really nice graduation card.

Back home, Mother and I went to the kitchen to begin supper preparations. She diced onion, mushrooms, and bell pepper, which I sauteed for Ziplock bag omelets. Hubbie helped by washing large red potatoes for baking.

Later, I cooked the omelets (using egg substitute), and put sliced and buttered French bread in the oven to heat. The omelets, potatoes, and bread were a very good Lenten Friday meal. But unfortunately, one of the potatoes was bad, so the three of us had to share the remaining two. They were large enough to serve the three of us, though.

Mother was ready to go home shortly afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he watched NCAA basketball games on TV, while I played on my laptop and read my novel.