Monday, November 16, 2009

The Weird Date

Well. Here I am.

Overdue for a post. Under due for a comforting Little Debbie cake.

Overdue
for a nap. Under due for some (thrift) shopping therapy.

Overdue for filling some boxes with stuff. Under due for a day just to stare at the ceiling and be in My Happy Place.

Under. Over. Whatever. I'm here. That's what counts.

You're here. And I'm so glad!

If you weren't here, I'd be writing endless blog posts to myself and that would be so boring since I already know what I'm going to write about and therefore I already know what I'm going to read about. (yawn) So thanks for being here!

We got an email from the realtor who showed the house this morning but there was no comment made so we have no idea how that showing went. We're hoping to hear this week from the people who were interested last week.

Wednesday, our house in Manteo will undergo a major inspection so that any red flags can be uncovered before Moving Day. Hopefully that will turn out with well without too many alarming finds.

And speaking of Manteo, we were there part of the weekend without Sarah so we decided to go on an exciting date. Would you like to hear the details?

No? Yes? Well then, here we go!


First we went to the church to do a little work. (I told you this was going to be exciting.) Part of the work included putting the letters on the sign out in front of the church.

I felt for all the world like I was on a TV quiz show and was about to say, "Vanna, I would like to buy a vowel." (And by the way, I hadn't washed my hair or done much to my face, so I apologize in advance for any "scaryness" involved in this photo.)



I was working on one side of the sign and Steve was working on the other side. It was soooo romantic to peak around the sign occasionally and catch a glimpse of my consonant-placing date.





Here is our finished product. (Steve's sermon was based on the Scripture, "Blessed are the peacemakers.")



From there, it was off to Ace Hardware to purchase a few church supplies. We hadn't yet been to Manteo's hardware store so it was quite a big moment for us. (Steve is as much a connoisseur of hardware/home supply stores as I am of thrift stores. If you can, indeed even be a connoisseur of a thrift store. Sounds oxymoronic, somehow.)

Anyway. . .

We walked into the hardware store and I immediately fell in love with their little Ace Hardware baskets. I was pushing mine all around cooing, "Oh, how cute is this?"

Steve decided to take a picture of my "walking, pushing, cooing" self. Unfortunately, he was laughing so loudly at my antics that in the first picture he caught me in the middle of saying, "Shhhhhh!"

Here is the unattractive shape of my mouth when I am caught in the midst of a "shhhh" moment.

And here is my "unshhhhh" moment.


As I said, the little baskets were so darling, the way they sat on the carts. You could either pick up the basket and carry it on its own or leave it on the cart. But I was so in love with the cart, there was no way I would have left it behind and just carried the basket.

Just. Way. Too. Cute. (And my two male readers are now rolling their eyes.)

From that exciting moment, we drove back to the church to "install" a few of the things we bought. And then it was on to a romantic walk on the beach.

Under a gray, overcast sky. Bundled up in coats. Surrounded by flooding, and broken buildings, and erosion.

Not exactly the picture for the front of tourism brochure but still, it had its own beauty.














Next on the agenda was a drive down to the harbor front downtown area of Manteo where we ate at this wonderful restaurant.






Their tortilla chips were homemade and incredibly delicious. If you ever go to Manteo, go order their chips. If fact, even you're not even planning on going to Manteo, go anyway just so you can eat those chips. You will not be sorry.



We split an entree and got out for a very reasonable price which made our bargain lovin' hearts very happy.

And then? Then it was on to the local coffee shop so that I could get Internet access to post a pre-written blog entry.





I must say that this little spot is one of my favorite places in all of Manteo. We met the owner when we went in Saturday night and introduced ourselves. She was getting the place ready to host a trio of musicians who were coming in a little later to do a concert. What a lovely, quaint and creative part of our new town!

From there, it was back to our borrowed cottage where we spent about 45 minutes working on a chord chart for the Sunday morning rehearsal.



And that was it. The weird date. The fun date. The memorable date. The Steve and Becky Smith-style date.

DO try this at home.


18 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Lizz said...

I LOVE the little baskets too! Oh how fun!! I remember we were in MO once and I had my 2 youngins with me at the grocery store. They had baskets shaped like cars and the kids loved them! I think I got just as excited as they did! :) And as for the date! My hubby and I are real adventurous too when we get a date night! The most recent one we went grocery shopping! It is so nice to go grocery shopping without young kids once in a while! :)
Lizz

inadvertent farmer said...

My son works at ACE here in Washington and I have never seen those...I'm going to complain to the manager!

I must say that I had to stop in the middle of your post and go get some chips and salsa, I really did, you picture of the chips on the table reminded me I hadn't had lunch!

I can't wait to see your new house!

Anonymous said...

I was worried you forgot the second "r" in Surprise for a minute! Whew!

Your date sounds about like my husband and my kind of date! Rare there is not a teen around, and then we end up doing some sort of chore and eating out! We take what we can get and enjoy!

I wish Target and Walmart had those little baskets so I would not buy so much...
Jill

Anonymous said...

"Vanna, give me an "e" to replace the "a" in peak."

sorry, I couldn't resist!

I was certainly hoping to read that your Smithfield home was getting new owners....

I have photo to send Sarah... maybe tomorrow.

Mrs. Pam

lesley said...

So here's what I am pondering-Where are the people? Is the town vacant? Was there a storm warning and an evacuation and you were not privy to this information? Does no one eat out, shop at hardware stores, stop at cafes or check out the beach?
Where are the Manteonites?LOL

Anonymous said...

your "shhh" moment made me LOL
:)

~Kim from Kingston, TN
W8k@aol.com

Anonymous said...

We have those shopping carts in our local (pricey) grocery store. When I shop there I use those, so I buy less.

Cindy from Sonoma

lesley said...

Mrs. Pam! Hilarious :)

Anonymous said...

Gee, I WOULD try that at home, except that a) We don't have a sign that we could throw letters on, b) we are NOwhere near the beach, much to our chagrin, and c) neither one of us knows a chord chart from a chore chart. So, we'll just revel vicariously in the spontaneous joy that is the Smith family...

Buff said...

It is pretty funny that there are no people anywhere! Restaurant, Coffee shop, Ace, beach!

I love that beach! Sad to see the erosion...but it's part of life down there..

Will see it "in person" on Dec. 29....can't wait!

Have a great day...praying for your house to sell and hope you found a great couch on Craigs List...I LOVE Craig's list!
Buff

Lisa L said...

I saw a church sign the other day on the way to work Becky....it said, "God accepts knee mail"...loved it!

adidas nmd said...

packers jerseys
ugg outlet
coach outlet
versace shoes
ray ban sunglasses outlet
adidas nmd
michael kors uk
yeezy boost 350 white
nike trainers uk
pandora charms

raybanoutlet001 said...

michael kors bags
longchamp handbags
nike trainers
louboutin shoes
ugg boots
coach outlet online
michael kors outlet
ray ban sunglasses
adidas nmd
ugg boots

Unknown said...

jordan 11 retro
nike polo
michael kors outlet online
jordan retro 12
yeezy boost
true religion jeans
jordan shoes
yeezy boost 350 v2
cheap jordans
longchamp

raybanoutlet001 said...

new york knicks
reebok shoes
coach outlet
coach outlet store online
coach outlet online
replica watches
coach factory outlet
ralph lauren outlet
coach outlet online
cheap ray bans

Unknown said...

WWW0508
michael kors outlet
coach factory outlet
longchamp handbags
coach outlet
michael kors outlet
ferragamo outlet
jordan shoes
canada goose jackets
air jordan release dates
oakley sunglasses

jeje said...

coach outlet store online
canada goose outlet
kansas city chiefs jerseys
canada goose outlet
kate spade outlet
rayban sunglasses
moncler jackets
coach outlet online
online nike shoes 75 off

zzyytt said...

michael kors sale
adidas superstar
lacoste polo
harden shoes
goyard wallet
yeezy boost 350
michael kors outlet online
michael kors purses
nike flyknit
nike hyperdunk