Dirty Dancing

♥D generally makes me laugh. She just has her own way of doing things. And I should never be too surprised when it comes to her. ♥D just moves to the beat of her own drum. All the time!

Our cleaning lady has this week off. She is traveling to visit her family. I am not worried like I normally would be. ♥D does a good job of keeping everything together. She is a little OCD and I think that she actually does a better job than our cleaning lady. No, really she does.

Today when I got home, I just had to pull up a chair and watch what was going on. ♥D had the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing blasting in the background. She was singing and dancing around the house. All while cleaning. Did I mention....♥D was in one of my T-shirts, panties, and socks. Can you say I hit the jackpot? And she hadn't realized I had gotten home.

I found out later, it was also laundry day. Seems like ♥D ran out of clothes. But in reality, that is how ♥D cleans. She usually has a pair of shorts on . But she dances around the house. All I can really say is, Thank goodness the girls were with my mom. Because there is something irresistible about a woman dancing to Dirty Dancing in my t-shirt. I am a lucky man! D

Making Her Feel at Home

H pretty much moved everything into her new house last Friday. But she hasn't unpacked. Unless you consider opening up a box of clothes and putting out some shampoo and soap unpacking. The movers got everything to her house, put up the furniture, and put the boxes in the right rooms. But H had not gotten past that stage in the move. So after work today, I went to help her out.

D was a good sport about it too! He brought dinner to us...pizza, salad, and sodas. D even ate with us and helped put the electronics together. After 2 hours, he left. I know he is feeling awkward about all of this. Being that T is one of his closest buddies. We are kinda stuck in the middle. But I stayed to help H.

We unpacked and put away all of her clothes. Except the stuff that has to be ironed. That is one chore that I am lucky to do for myself, much less my friend. We got things in their place...then realized we needed some more stuff. We hit the local Target and eventually the Wal-Mart. We bought 3 rugs, some throw pillows, bedding, towels, kitchen essentials, curtains, and some decorating odds and ends. Eventually we did some grocery shopping too!

I feel bad for my friend. She has never lived by herself. She didn't want to take stuff out of her and T's house. So she has ended up with D's old furniture and stuff. And honestly, my friend could not put a house together if her life depended on it. She also can't cook. So I made sure to buy her things that she could stick in the oven or microwave. Next week, I will go by and help her make a few things.

But I managed to decorate the house to at least feel comfortable and inviting. I put up shelves, pictures, and mirrors. I carefully placed candles around. We put everything in the kitchen together. I really tried to focus in there. Because H has no clue what she is supposed to have in a kitchen, or what things are used for. Now she has canisters filled with food, all the kitchen basics you might need, and an inviting area to begin cooking.

H's bedroom was another place that I wanted to really focus on. We put up the new bedding and curtains. I found a comfy chair to put in there too! We put a bunch of nice lamps and candles in there for good lighting. And just made it an oasis for her to recharge her batteries.

Although this is a tough time for everyone, I am trying to make it easier on our friends. Sometimes it is difficult. But we are all trying to be respectful of each others feelings. I wish that I could have done more, but I had to leave. I have a busy day tomorrow at work. And I have a day of traveling ahead. When I get back, I will check on my friend. And see if there is anything else I can do to make her comfortable.

XOXO

♥D

Be Our Guest

Not everything got done this week. Apparently, they did not get all of our stuff here. But that was OK. Until this morning. When both D and I had to rinse the shampoo and body wash bottles to shower. Then I used the last of my deodorant. D got the last drop of toothpaste. And we ran out of food staples. So, I thought I would make the 20 minute trip out to Target for some supplies. Things to hold us over until Monday. Because for whatever reason, everything ran out this morning.

I was actually really excited about my adventure to Target for my shopping. I am a big fan of Target! You can ask all of my friends and family, and they will tell you how much I LOVE to shop at Target. I actually worked there a few years ago. But the stores are always so clean and stocked full. The employees are usually friendly and excited to help. Usually! Until today, when I needed some help. I couldn't find anyone to ask for help on the floor. So I walked to their "Guest Service" counter and the girl was both annoyed and unfriendly. So was the GSTL.

I was actually shocked. And after waiting for 30 minutes, I said forget about it. I just picked up a few things that we really needed. And headed for the checkout line. It wasn't so bad. The line was short. But I was pretty disappointed in my adventure. And had to make another stop at another store. I will not stop going to Target just because of this one day. But I will second guess my instinct to just stop by. I left Target on a "not so good foot" but I thought it was just because of the management. Apparently, it is more widespread than that.

After many, many bad experiences at Wal-Mart, I have stopped shopping there. I go once in a while when I can't find something that I really need. But I try to avoid Wal-Mart. I personally don't have tons and tons of money, but I am willing to spend a few cents more for my basics...if I get a good shopping experience. I sincerely hope that Target is headed back in that direction. Because I might just have to find some other place to shop. Hey Target Chiefs...get it together. Because I was not the only unpleased "guest." And I know how much you value your "Guests." When I worked at Target, I would always think about that song "Be Our Guest," because the service was just that good. I hope it returns.

XOXO

♥D

The Cleaning Queen

♥D really is. I am not lying. I have come to realize that it is in her blood. I. Am. Not. Lying. I. Am. Not.

I realized this when I woke up this morning and looked around. ♥D was called into work late last night. She had already gone to bed. But when I woke up, I saw her Pjs neatly folded on the bench thing. Her slippers were MIA. I later found them in her closet. On my side, my clothes made that snakelike trail to the bed. That's the difference between the 2 off us. It's not bad. Just different.

Her cleaning and organizing has come in handy. Our closets look like the fancy NYC stores. Everything hangs by color, style, and well I don't actually know the order in which she has put things. But I am never hunting down that pair of jeans or shoes that I used to have missing for months. The linen closet looks like a store display. Everything is perfectly folded and organized. I am even at a loss for words at how ♥D organizes all of her lotions and that type of thing.

On occasion, I have wondered if ♥D suffers from OCD. But "suffers from" makes it sound like it debilitates her. It does not. She just focuses on it. Does it make life easier in the long run? Most certainly. Does it drive me nuts at times? Most definitely! There have been nights were I am sleeping. It is 3AM. I can hear noise. What is it? ♥D organizing shoes in her closet. Or organizing canned food in the pantry. Or making sure that the wrapping paper is organized perfectly.

My Buddy T is another one of those neat freaks. I should be used to this type of thing. I am not a slob. But honestly. If there is a pair of shoes at the door, a few dishes in the sink, or the bed is not made, I am cool with that. ♥D not so much. It doesn't bother her if she is doing something. But if she is just sitting around, she will go wash the 2 dishes in the sink. Or hang up the jacket that has been laying on the sofa. I appreciate the organization. But is it really that necessary to life? D