Saturday evening

Busy day, and I'm not done yet.

The lady from Home Depot in Atlanta woke me up before noon, but that was OK. Now that the kitchen is almost finished, she wants to "close my ticket," and I said OK.

Walked to Flanigan's for lunch shortly before 1:00 and was surprised to see a Christmas tree all lit up in the vestibule. Had soup and fried dolphin fingers. Then drove up to Aventura, first stopping at Bed Bath & Beyond with a 20%-off coupon in hand. Want to upgrade my dish drainer but didn't see anything I liked.

Drove up to Aventura Mall and dropped the truck off at Sears for a tire rotation. (Tires are fine, by the way--I stood by while the guy inspected them and measured the tread.) Then, at Sears, bought a microwave oven for above the stove. I'd wanted to take it with me so it would be in the apartment when the electrician comes next week and I'd have him install it. But they don't stock them there. The soonest I can have it is Thursday--the day after the electrician is here. Damn. So I'm paying $100 to have it delivered and installed here on Thursday or Friday, when I'll be home for the final kitchen inspection (don't know exactly which day yet, but the salesman said that won't be a problem).

The salesman suggested this oven (and it was on sale). Also, by charging it to my Sears card (which I didn't have with me, but that didn't matter), I got an extra 15% off. Plus there's no sales tax on the delivery and installation. (The salesman was making this a selling point, but there's no sales tax on "services" in Florida.) It may not be the greatest oven in the world, but it'll do everything I need it to and looks good.

I had a lot of time on my hands, waiting for the truck to be worked on. (They'd said two hours but it turned out to be closer to three.) So I walked the mall, searching for a simple white vase to set on top of the new bar counter with some bamboo in it. Didn't find one. Bought a smoothie at Ben & Jerry's. I freaked out when it came to over $7, but it was tasty and refreshing (wild berry). (Still not worth it. Jamba Juice is a much better deal for that.) Then I walked down to Johnny Rocket's for a chili cheese dog and onion rings. Had a cup of coffee from Cinnabon later. The mall was pretty packed today. I hadn't been there in months and months, since before B. left, at the beginning of February. Just wished I'd brought my magazine with me.

Later I found an eye mask at Niccolo & Maffeo (no more Bentley's). The old one was falling apart. Didn't get a chance to check out the new Nordstrom's. Will do that another time.

The traffic was heavy today, by the way. I was glad to get home at last. Now I have to sand and prime the ceiling (tomorrow I'll paint) before the ceiling fan is installed on Wednesday.