Shopping Spree

Faced with the possibility of an interview with a company that consults to Fortune 100 companies, I realized that I had no choice but to go shopping. I do not always enjoy this, getting particularly grouchy during the shoes portion of the trip (fewer than 10% of the shoes in a typical shoe store are even available in my size - 11W, and of the shoes I try on that are ostensibly the right size, about 75% of them still don't fit right). However, by taking a "money is no object" approach, and driving all over the metro area to find the shoes, I was able to get everything I wanted. I started out in sweats and tennies and walked out of the first store wearing a full black wool-blend skirt, blue silk blouse and black/white vest. With the thick gray socks and tennies, which looked ridiculous. Then I went to Wilson leather, where I exchanged my distintegrating canvas purse for a sleek black leather one. Tried every shoe store in Southdale without finding a single pair of black shoes that didn't pinch or hurt. Drove to Maple Grove (from Southdale) because I had once found a pair of stylish, comfortable shoes at the Schuler's on their silly little fake Main Street. They had a perfect pair of black shoes in ALMOST my size - (11N but no 11W), but called another store that had them in 11W and put them on hold for me. Then, on the way out the door, I spied a pair of beautiful black leather boots with a wide enough toe that I thought they might fit. By a miracle, the 11N fit almost perfectly. A little tight on the right foot, but the leather is so soft I think it will stretch. The tall boots looked really spiff with the long skirt, so I bought them and wore them out the door. But I still wanted the low boot/shoe, which I think looks more corporate, so I stopped at Miracle Mile on the way home and bought those too. Whee!

I then spent the rest of the day going through my closet, trying things on with the new skirt, and even throwing out a few old things. I'm going for a black/cream/blue look. With the new pieces to pull it all together, I have quite a few outfits now that look to my unpracticed eye like I could wear them into the most corporate setting. Today I plan to throw out some shoes. Because it's so hard for me to find shoes that fit, I have a very hard time throwing out the old ones, even when they are falling apart. I've been attacking this problem gradually by trying to throw out at least two pairs of old shoes for every new pair I bring in. Some day I may be able to see my closet floor again!

I managed to spend an incredible amount of money on this - almost the equivalent of my first two unemployment checks (always assuming I manage to qualify for unemployment). But I feel a lot more prepared for job-hunting now. No matter where I end up, I just might go into a phase of dressing up a little more at work.

Not Getting Sick

Today has been devoted almost entirely to the task of Not Getting Sick. I am clearly on the verge of a cold, of the type that starts with a dry cough. This is my nemesis - the October cold. Any other time of the year I barely notice getting sick, but if I get a chest cold in October I'll be coughing all winter. I'm bored and restless and vaguely uncomfortable, but I can't go outside. Must avoid cold air at all costs. It looks soooo nice outside....

Only 2 hours and 45 minutes until Survivor. What can I do until then? Don't feel well enough for job-hunting. Don't want to talk to anybody on the phone 'cause it makes me cough. I think I'll go take some more Vitamin C. And hunt through my drawers to see if there is anything left of my hoard of phenylpropanolamine.