When Pooldad's Away. . .

. . .Skippy does play. Along with Wallene, of course.

It's the annual Pool and Spa convention on the east coast and all poolmen and women worth their salt tablets [or chlorine, depending] are gathered in Atlantic City to eat, drink and oogle the latest in swimming pool technology. [Yes, I know. Don't you just WISH you could be there too? giggle]

It happens once a year, every year and it is really a nice shindig for Pooldad and his co-workers. They stay at a 4 star hotel, eat at one of the newest and nicest restaurants in town and on the second night they are treated to a wine and sparkling spirits tasting by their boss.  Last year Pooldad came home, having taken 96 pics of his 3 day adventure, 93 of which were too out of focus to see what they were. Can't tell if that was because he was having an exceptionally good time or he didn't know how to use my camera.

It's the only time of year we have ever spent apart and as much as we miss eachother, Pooldad has a fun, relaxing time and doesn't have to worry about a thing.

Last year, well we all know where I was last year - but this year?  I am upright and I have an OSCARZ. YES!

So what do you suppose Miss Wallene and I did?

We went shopping and out to dinner, of course.  It was so warm [relatively speaking compared to last week and single digits, it was 40 degrees] that we got all fancied up - hair, make up, clothing, shoes - and descended on our local mall.  Wooohooot Skippygirls on the loose!!!

Now I know this sounds like an actual snoozefest to most of you, but it is a pretty big deal to us.  Besides it taking 2 hours to get ready [that is a patient teenager that waits on her Momma to get ready when she has been finsihed for an hour already] I was able to walk around the mall and shop for another 3 hours. Go me! I don't usually do anything remotely like that without my husband. I would be afraid that if something were to go awry while at the mall Wallene wouldn't quite bear it.  She's been through a lot with me, and knows what to do, but it doesn't mean I want it to happen with my baby. Y'know?  Alls well tho' and if our purchases are any indication we had an excellent time. :D

The sales are amazing.  Besides all the Christmas stuff that is left - did anyone go shopping in December, because there is still a lot of stuff left - all the winter clothes are up to 90% off.  I bought two pair of corduroys - one skinny cut with a boot leg and another skinny all the way to the ankle LOVE! - for $10 a pair. They were 80% off.  These excite me because we still have two more months of winter left and I need pants. Plus, they fit like a dream which should make my husband smile. [That is code for "Look! Skippy almost has an a**.]  Wallene scored a hoodie, three shirts and a pair of boy shorts for $23. I added a new pair of pants for her and she is all excited to dress up for school today. Oh, almost forgot - on our way out of the mall I stopped and picked up a pair of caramel colored boots, shorties with a folded cuff, that are so cute - for $15. They go great with the pants. YAY!

On our way to IHOP Pooldad called and laughed when Wallene answered my phone.  He figured we were up to something at that hour, since we answered from the car.  I told him that he was the guilty party because he left us the money to go play. He laughed and said "Nope, you can't put that on me Skippy. You have plenty of access to money at home. And I didn't say that was fun money."  Well, what did he think we were going to do with extra cash that was just sitting around? ::wink::

IHOP was fun too. We were the only customers in there at 8:30 pm on a Monday night. I am not exaggerating. The only ones. We had a very [cute] fun waiter, ordered our usual breakfasts. The food came up piping hot and fast.  It really hit the spot. So good. For under $20 [with a great tip] we had an excellent dinner that we didn't have to cook, serve or clean up. YUM! Makes me want pancakes, eggs and sausage for breakfast this morning.

Hmmmm, come to think of it. . . .well, gotta go. Wallene will be up in a few and I think a little IHOP at home is on order.

See ya' on the flipside Tadpoles. Make it a great one. :D