I’ve really tried hard not to complain about the heat. And I’m sure there are at least sixteen of you reading this, shaking your head and thinking “REALLY? TRY HARDER NEXT TIME”. But, y’all, it is so hot. This isn’t that different from every August in South Texas in the history of forever, but it’s compounded by the fact it’s been steadily hitting 100 degrees every day since late May.
Now, as if things couldn’t get worse, we’re headed towards Stage 3 watering restrictions and the temperatures are forecasted to be as high as 107 degrees on Saturday. That’s not an exaggeration. Remember the days when I’d say it was like 143 degrees yesterday and we’d all laugh like HA HA that could never happen? I’m afraid it might be a possibility at this point.
So I guess I’m going to spend some time outside today and Friday and enjoy the cool 100 degree weather before it gets really hot on Saturday.
And I hate to sound cold and heartless but I’ve decided to go ahead and give up the fight to keep the plants in the urns on my front porch alive. I made a valiant effort, but there are times you just gotta let that dead horse lie. Or dead liriope lie. Whatever.
In a supreme act of faith that God will have mercy on us, I bought a sweater coat and a jacket yesterday. Not a heavy jacket, mind you. I’m not insane. Just a nice lightweight blazer-type jacket. I plan to wear them just as soon as the temps get down to a frigid 85 degrees.
Gulley and I spent the day shopping. It was our last hurrah before she goes back to work at preschool next week so we made a big day of it. We met at Starbucks right at 9:00 a.m. and walked through the doors of Nordstrom Rack at precisely 9:42. I found a long maxi skirt that I think I’ll love just as soon as I figure out what to wear with it and the aforementioned sweater coat and jacket.
We ate lunch at Nordstrom because they have those skinny fries with the olive aioli dip that I’m sure will be served in heaven and then we headed home because it was time to pick the kids up from school.
I got Caroline and we headed straight to Michael’s since the first school project of the year is due this Friday. It’s an ALL ABOUT ME poster. I’d forgotten or perhaps mentally blocked out that our teacher is a BIG FAN of letting the kids get their craft on in the form of multiple projects that require pipe cleaners and glue and even the dreaded glitter.
We walked in the store and Caroline was immediately distracted by all the Halloween decorations. All of a sudden the ALL ABOUT ME poster was forgotten in her need to acquire some sort of battery-operated spider that drops down on your Halloween guests. I sensed that we were getting off-track and that I needed to get this train back on the rails if I had any hope of getting out of there before I blacked out from the sight of all those craft supplies.
“You have ten minutes to find what you want for your poster. TEN MINUTES. Then we’re leaving.”
“Does that count the time it will take me to go to the bathroom?”
“Why? Do you need to go?”
“Yes. I really do. Right now.”
Did you know that Michael’s has passcode protection on their bathroom doors. They do. It’s very convenient. I’m not totally sure why but I’ve always suspected that people who enjoy crafts might also occasionally shoplift a skein of yarn or something just to keep things interesting.
Eventually she picked out all her supplies and we came home with the tools to make an ALL ABOUT ME poster that will make a Vegas showgirl say, “Wow. It’s a little flashy”. But that’s how we roll.
Subtle and understated.
That’s right in our wheelhouse.
Just like Charo on those old episodes of The Love Boat.