LaurenandLloyd.com

where our wasted time becomes your wasted time

day of fun

Missing: Lauren’s Day of Fun. If Found, Please Call…

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Lauren asked me to go to Lincoln with her yesterday. As I was assured that (a) we would only be going to Kohls to buy some pants and shirts and that (b) I could take my traditional Sunday nap on the way in, I graciously accepted. I did not mention that I was looking for some shorts.

I didn’t nap on the way into Lincoln, instead we talked about putting yet another bed at an angle and all of the other things that people talk about.

While we were in Kolhs, I mentioned that I thought we were going to that other store. So after we went to Kohls (where I picked up 2 pairs of shorts and a shirt for $37), we went to Gordmonds (two pair of dress shoes $50). I’ve been wearing the same pair of black dress shoes since Samith & Stephanie’s wedding some 14 years ago, I was due. From there we traveled on to Barne’s and Noble’s (two hardback books $12), a thrift store (iPod to TV adapter $4), another thrift store (2 CDs $8), and Sam’s Club (both nose and butt wipes $24?).

And I got to pick the songs on the way home.

P.S. I’m trying some new plugins to see if I can make the site load a little faster. Let me know if you notice a change or not.

Lloyd’s Gigantic Day of Fun

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Well, we went looking at computer monitors at Nebraska Furniture Mart. I never thought that Lloyd could out-Mart me. I went looking at all their cool stuff while he stood in a trance in front of a bank of monitors, looking stoic. Apparently he has been thinking about this decision for quite a while, and had his choices narrowed down to six. NFM had three of those choices, so it took him two and a half hours to scrutinize their features: number of ports / does it have t.v. or not / resolution / blah blah blah blah blah. (I saw some cool toasters! Thanks for asking.)

When I’d check in on him every fifteen minutes to make sure he was breathing, he’s say, “Look at these. Which one looks better to you?”

Me: “That one. It’s red.”

Lloyd: “No. The picture on the screen.”

Me: “The pictures look identical. Get the red one.”

Lloyd: “What do you think about the dot pitch resolution?”

Me: “Ooo! Is that a toaster?”

We took a lunch break at the Burger King inside NFM, and I just have to say that it is genius for large furniture stores to take care of all your physical needs so you never have to leave. We could eat, pee and shower there. Genius.

Anyway, after lunch Lloyd asked, “Is there a clearance section here?” By that time I had already visited it three times, so I took him back there where we found a GIANT monitor that Lloyd had never added to his Original Six lineup because of it’s prohibitive price. It was marked down 65%, so he chose that one. Good thing he stared at those others for so long, right?

It is larger than our television.

Y’know, looking back on the day, I don’t think that I was supposed to shower there.

I didn’t even want to go.

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The day started off poorly enough. You see, yesterday was a work day at school, and I spent 5 hours grading student videos of sometimes dubious quality (for which I will share a little of the blame). But I finished grading them, and that was nice. I don’t know why I mentioned that. It really doesn’t relate to the story at hand. I could have just said, “on my way home from school.”

On my way home from school I was listening to NPR, as I am wont to do, and they started in on YASATMPC (Yet Another Story About The Miraculous Plane Crash). Having heard enough of those already, I changed to another station. They were playing Sweet Caroline, so I had to leave it there and sing along. Then they played a Billy Joel song, so I kept right on singing. Then they said that I could see Billy Joel and Elton John at the Quest Center on May 21st.

Two years ago I had tickets to go see Billy Joel, but I got a heart failure, and couldn’t go. I got home and found out that tickets would go on sale in 16 hours.

16 hours later I decided that I didn’t want to buy floor seats 20 rows back. It turns out (a) $400 is alot of money, (b) I’d have to listen to Elton sing that stupid Princess Di song and (c) hello? heart failure. So the day started off poorly enough.

Lauren wanted to go to Lincoln. I didn’t. I thought I might get to stay at home and do little to nothing. Instead, we went to Lincoln and it turned into Lloyd’s Day Of Fun. At Lauren’s first stop, her store was out of business, but the game store across the street was moving and had games for 75% off. I bought some gifts, some games for my gamer friends and I to play, and some 4-way chess boards for school. Oh, and Lauren bought a game.

Do you want to play a game?

Second stop was the mall. They didn’t have what Lauren was looking for in the right size, but Yonkers had clothes for Lloyd for 75% off. Oh, and there was a huge used book sale. I bought a book for a fellow teacher and a few books for myself. Oh, and Lauren bought a book.

Take half off, then take half off again.

Remember that twilight zone episode?

Next stop was lunch. I found out a few weeks ago that one of my 8th grader’s parents own a restaurant, We stopped by today. My food was really, really good. Lauren didn’t like hers very much.

mug shot

Lauren tried a few more stores, but nothing came of it.

Lauren’s Day of Fun

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It was a good Saturday. Several good things happened, but I won’t go on about all of them because I need some post material for later days.

The day began with another Ron Paul sign-waving party south of Lincoln. This time was much more pleasant than last, because the sun was shining, hardly any wind was blowing, and it was about 10 – 20 degrees warmer. Plus, the shopping was right behind us! (We were on the corner by a major outdoor shopping mall.)

Lots of people honked, and very few gave us the finger. We had about 10 – 12 supporters, and once again – nobody asked me any serious political questions. Whew!

Lloyd looks rapturous, but his eyes are just closed for the picture.

Come for me, Ron Paul! Take the faithful!

I’m sure you noticed our not-yet-of-voting-age supporter. Her name is also Lauren! She was pretty funny, and I’m sure was the source of most of the friendly honks. She grew tired of holding her sign, so I rigged up a sandwich-board for her. How cute is she?

Vote for my future!

As the time wore on, she used the signs for a sled on the little hill behind us. Smart girl.

Lauren’s Day of Fun

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Every so often I declare that we are going to have “Lauren’s Day of Fun”. That means that we get to do anything I say without Lloyd complaining or balking. Usually it’s just as benign as going to Lincoln, but sometimes it’s going to Omaha. Today it was going to Lincoln to go to the thrift stores, Hobby Lobby, get haircuts, and perhaps a movie. Now that doesn’t sound so terrible, does it? The worst part for Lloyd is Hobby Lobby  He says every minute he spends in there sucks another year of life from his soul. Big baby.

Well, the first stop was actually haircuts. We’ve only had our hair cut together once  Last time Lloyd had a nice lady, but I had a creepy lady who kept whispering lyrics from 80’s hits as she cut.ÂToday was no better. Lloyd’s lady was nice, and he was done in less than ten minutes. In that time, my girl – who turns out to be a trainee – was still combing my hair. She took FOREVER and when I kept asking if she was going to do ‘that choppy thing at an angle’, she assured me she would – then never did. (Turns out I need to ask for a ‘point cut’.) It was a seriously bad cut, so we did the thrift stores and Hobby Lobby quickly, then got out of town – no movie.

How uneven can you get?

Look how uneven that is! (It’s not a triangular shadow – it’s hair.)  Lloyd had to help me try to fix it. (Brad, are you proud of my first haircut post?)

I’ve got to quit calling the day that. It always turns out badly.

Walkin', & Thriftin', & Thriftin', & Walkin'