Lunching And Thrifting And Laughing And Crying And The Joy Of Jumpsuits

That picture is just to catch your interest. We'll get there in a moment. Meanwhile, check out the shoes.

Jessie and family are leaving on Saturday for their North Carolina summer. This is something I dread every year while at the same time, I cheer them on because the boys are so lucky to grow up knowing both the gators and manatees of Florida and the bears of North Carolina and the families who live in those places. 
Also the love of those families. 
And also, Vergil gets to go home. And if anyone in this world knows what that means and feels like, it's me and he deserves that and he deserves to be able to spend time with his North Carolina family. So all I can do is say that I love them, I will miss them, and I am thrilled they get this experience every year. 

Which does not prevent me from weeping frequently when the time comes close to their departure. 
So last night, knowing that Lily has Wednesdays off and Jessie is leaving soon, I suggested we go to lunch today and so we did. Lauren was able to come too before she had to go to work and it was a very good time. We talked about all the stuff, of course, and the food was pretty good and the iced tea was righteous and we were able to sit outside and it wasn't too hot. Can't ask for a whole lot more than that.

After lunch, Jessie and Lily and I decided to to to Goodwill. There's a large one about two blocks away from where we were eating and we stormed it. 

If there's anything more fun than thrift store shopping with your girls, I don't know what it is. They hit the dresses first but I decided to peruse the glassware and kitchen stuff. I found a very lovely vintage tea pot with no lid but it had to be bought and it was not expensive at all. 

Since I knew it was going to be used as a vase rather than a teapot, the lack of a lid was no problem for me. Here's what it looks like right now.

The magnolia tree continues to bloom. I've never seen this many flowers on it before. 

That was all I got in the glassware section although this leaf platter sort of called to me. 

It was made in Italy and I took its picture for pottery class ideas and returned it to its shelf, hoping that it will catch the eye of some other discriminating shopper. 
Haha!

The girls found some good things. Some they bought, some they did not. 
Here's a closer look at the shoes Jessie is wearing in that first picture. 

Y'all- they were velvet. 
Be still my heart. 
No, she didn't buy them but aren't they sort of magical? 

Lily found a jumpsuit in what we around here would call Publix Green. All of the Publix employees wear some version of a uniform which is this exact same color. 

This is a little long but when she got it home, she tried it on with her pink platform Crocks and they were perfect. 
She had to buy it, of course. We all agreed that it would be a fabulous look for the manager of the Publix liquor store. At the very least, she wants to go grocery shopping wearing it with her apron on. I think she should. I guarantee you that people would come up to her and ask what aisle the pickles are on.

Jessie too, found a jumpsuit. This one was one of those garments that you just know is somehow worth some money. Unique, very well made, and somewhat eccentric. She didn't even have time to try it on but Lily and I convinced her she needed to just go ahead and buy it. 
So she did. 
And when she tried it on at home, she sent us this picture. 

She'll probably wear it for some sort of costume but I think it's adorable. And she looked up the brand online and a new version of that one minus the stars is like a hundred and eighty dollars so...
You cannot fake good construction. 

And me? Well, besides the lidless teapot, I got a dress and a pair of shoes. While Jessie was looking at the dresses, I asked her to look out for something she thought I might like. And she brought me this.

Linen, pockets, my color. 
Yeah.
She also pointed out these to me. 

They're Dansko's which is a brand known for their craftsmanship and durability. Also comfort. Many people who work on their feet all day wear Dansko's including May. I would have bought these particular shoes at retail price and here they were, at a Goodwill price. Not much wear on them, very simple, comfortable as slippers, and a step up from even my best flip-flops. 
You have no idea how much this thrills me. 
Thanks, Jessie!
And thanks, Lily. 
While we were walking back to our cars, we talked about how much fun we have together. How in our pictures taken when our family is all together, we're always smiling. How glad we are that we do not have the sort of family that makes you dread going to family events.  
We don't just love each other.
We like each other. We are funny and we make each other laugh. 

I did not laugh when I was telling Jessie good-bye. I was crying a little bit. 
"This is so hard for me," I said. 
"It's hard for me too," she said. We held on to each other for awhile. "Will I see you again before you leave?" I asked. 
"Maybe," she said. 
I needed to hear that maybe. It made today's parting a little easier. 
And we'll be going up to see them in July. That's not so far away. 

I feel that I should add that I did indeed close off all Maurice-access to my room last night and I had a better night's sleep than I've had in forever. When I got out of bed this morning, I barely had to pull up the sheet and quilt to make the bed. I don't think I moved all night long. 
I believe I will try that again tonight. 
Mr. Moon called from the dock on Lake Seminole a few minutes ago and he is a happy boy, back to work on his dream cabin. While we were talking, he caught a catfish which he sent back to its watery home. So all is well with him which brings me a sweet sense of peace. 
And we made each other laugh.
Once again I must say- I am the most fortunate. 

Love...Ms. Moon