Sunday, February 27, 2011

Meet Klaus

After weeks of patiently waiting, I was finally able to adopt the newest member of our family - Klaus.

I first met Klaus at TJ Maxx when my mom was in town visiting. It was she who introduced us. Rescuing him from the heap of winter accessories he was so carelessly tossed into. The moment I laid my eyes on him, I knew we were meant to be together. Even the classy lady, shopping close by, admitted we were a match made in heaven.

(bumming around downtown Seattle)

However, he was a high price to pay and I couldn't swallow the costly ticket to make him mine. I began listing the options in my mind, determining the most plausible solution to my plight. Of course! I would exercise my rights as a customer and use the 30-day return policy in my favor! Surely I could secure the funds I needed to make Klaus forever mine in thirty days.


(enjoying one of the twelve donuts Wyatt bought me for Valentine's Day)

That first night I brought Klaus home, Wyatt expressed his voice of concern. “Real fox fur?” he would say, “We live in Portland. Someone is surely to douse you with red paint.” I stifled his unease with sound reasoning. “It’s not like I bought Klaus at a fur store. I’m not perpetuating the demand. Instead, I am saving the fox’s dignity. It did not die in vain because I decided to purchase Klaus at a secondary store. Imagine had I not bought Klaus, he could very well end up on the next shipment to Africa. An unwanted item, forced to become a donation.”

“But 70-dollars?” was Wyatt’s next dispute. My rebuttal was simple, “I’m going to return him in thirty days.” Though Wyatt didn’t know it (but I’m sure was very aware of the possibility) that I had every intention to keep Klaus.

(exploring the Seattle Public Library as Wyatt maintains his usual heavy reading)

The days passed as I formulated a plan to rescue Klaus from bonds of TJ Maxx. First, I determined I would sell my shoes. Surely someone out there would want to purchase them. I listed them on eBay allowing fait (and the free market) to determine their value. Next, the most serendipitous thing happened. I was granted a 25-dollar Visa gift card from my work! The gift card alone would result in a 35-percent savings!
(so that is where Oregon is...)

I counted the days until the online auction would reveal my earnings. Finally, a $30 price tag was agreed upon. That meant an additional 43-percent savings! I knew that although Wyatt (or I for that matter) would not agree to a $70 fox fur hat, he couldn’t say no to a $15 fox fur hat. So, with Wyatt’s blessing, I made my way back to TJ Maxx to officially adopt Klaus. I returned him at the $70 value and immediately repurchased him using my $25 Visa gift card and $30 earnings from eBay. Finally the papers were signed and Klaus was mine forever!

And we lived happily ever after…

(don't tell Wyatt I posted this picture, he specifically told me not to)

Epilogue:
I consider myself a very conservative person. I am of the bread that has a set value for each article of clothing I buy and refuse to purchase anything for more than my predetermined price. Jeans: $25 or less. Shoes: $20 or less. Shirts: $15 or less. So it is beyond me why I was so determined to purchase a hat for $70. It was very much uncharacteristic of me to become so impulsive. Really, I get buyers remorse when I purchase our weekly groceries!

However, it is the advice my mom has continued to give me over the years. The same advice my friend Phoebe continues to reinforce: “Sometimes you have to ask yourself, ‘will this bring me joy?’, and if the answer is ‘yes’, hold onto it forever.” You better believe Klaus, my fox fur hat, brings me joy! And I can guarantee he will be hugging my head tight for many years to come.

And for the record, Wyatt told me that he thinks I look very cute in my new hat! All is well in the Wilson home!


Saturday, February 5, 2011

String of Events

There is more to my life than funeral planning. I'll prove it!

Two-weeks ago I received a phone call from my momma seeing if she could visit us for the weekend. Of course I said "yes!" and as a result we had a fun-filled weekend. Poor Wyatt had to study, so it was just Mom and me painting the town. Since it was an impromptu visit, we didn't have anything planned. I just dragged Mom around with me to run my errands. And we ate like we were in hog heaven! It was wonderful! Of course, the only picture I have to document her visit is the terrible self-taken shot at the temple.

We also went shopping at TJ Maxx where I met Klaus for the first time. (More about him to come later...) We also went to the fabric store and found a cute spandex print to make my latest swimsuit. Mom helped me design the pattern, which was a HUGE help since it's easier to do with four hands (especially when two of them aren't my own!) Thanks for your help Momma! I love you! Here is what the finished product looks like:

I was aiming for a retro 50's style. However, Wyatt informed me that it reminds him of a little girl's swimsuit. Humpf! Oh well. I'm still happy with the outcome. My only bit of frustration is that I made it a tad-bit too small. In the sense that if I gain more then five pounds it'll be too small. Waaa!

I finished my swimsuit just in time for Wyatt's family's annual adventure. This year his parents rented the entire local community swim center! Yay! I would share the picture of Wyatt and me together, but Wyatt requested that I not share a picture of him in his swim trunks on the world wide web. Instead, here is a picture of me on the rope swing...

Wyatt's family was also in town to celebrate his Gramma Beasley's 90th birthday! You read it, 90! Her kids planned a birthday party and invited anyone and everyone who knew Gramma. It was a wonderful celebration seeing all of the people and lives she's touched in her lifetime. I think the party made her week, month, year, and life! She was on Cloud 9 the entire afternoon! It also made me feel so lucky that even I have been able to be a part of Gramma's life. And most importantly, the influence that she has had in Wyatt's life. I know he is a better person because of her. We love you Gramma Beasley!

That pretty much sums-up the past two-weeks of my life. Not the most exciting two-weeks but pleasant none-the-less. And two-weeks I wouldn't want to trade for anything else!