There's That Four Letter Word Again!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!  

I didn't miss it, I just forgot to defrost the corned beef.  I'm celebrating today instead!!

This is definitely one you don't want to hear when in Arizona trying to enjoy the sun and warm.  SNOW!! Yup ... there's that word again as it got down to 34 degrees, overcast and starting to rain.  The blue morning hour reflected just how cold it was going to get.

This storm moved in quickly and began dumping flakes of the white stuff.  So much for the days plan of mowing the lawn.  It's getting quite tall now, almost six inches in spots.  No matter, I'm NOT going out in the wind, cold and wet.  

Not much gathered on the ground since it was melting as soon as it landed.  I don't think these poor little cactus are ever going to grow if it doesn't get hotter.

At last the storm passed and it warmed all the way to up 50 degrees.  Woohoo!!  I decided rather than mowing the now very wet lawn, I would try for that elusive tuxedo I am required to have for the Elk's Lodge initiations.  I mean really, can you imagine the Queen of Levis and boots having to not only find, but actually WEAR a tuxedo?  Me either.

It was a lesson in futility.  JC Penneys in California has tuxedos.  Not so in Arizona.  How about Macy's?  Closed down permanently.  Dillards!!  There is a Dillards in Tucson.  Nope, closed down permanently.  Good heavens ... where do you go to buy clothes when all the stores have closed down?  Steinmart ... Beales ... all closed.  The only OPEN store I could find was Kohls.  They make throwaway clothes.  Wear them once and throw them away.

While driving around I finally spotted a Bridal Shop.  They should know, right?  Well, she says ... there's a Men's Wearhouse two doors down.  Oh great ... that's going to be rather awkward!

The very nice girl met me at the door and said yes they did have tuxedos and yes they could be altered to fit ... well you know ... the upper portion.  If you are flat chested, you have it made.  If not, good luck!!

Undaunted, I tried on about five.  Of course the $599 one fit the best, but there's no way I'm paying THAT!  Here's the good news ... the pants fit perfectly!!!  I can sew and I used to MAKE men's suits.  Most likely I can make any alterations myself.  If not, she pointed out a tailor just across the street who could help.

To make it even better, she found THIS $200 one that fit better than all the rest.  That works for me!  When she checked me out, the price came to only $150.  I didn't say a word.  They threw in a nice bag to keep it in and suggested a cedar hangar to keep the moths away.  WHAT?  Yes, it is very lightweight, but made of wool and polyester.  They don't guarantee you won't get moth holes.  

Honestly, I think that was the easiest purchase of clothing I've ever made.  I was in and out the door in 30 minutes.  As to the required white tux shirt, there was no luck there due to the same "upper" requirements.  I'll have to try Amazon.

Here's one of the meals from the last box of Hello Fresh.  I think someone got their wires crossed.  This was supposed to be Spanish sausage and pasta.  Turns out they included no sausage, just a big piece of barramundi.  What the heck is barramundi???  Some kind of fish?

Yeah that fishy fish didn't exactly go with the spicy tomato pasta, but I ate it anyway.  Waste not, want not.

I have only one of their meals left to cook, then I'm on my own.  I'm hoping to use up most of what's in my freezer because there's no way even a quarter of it will fit in the tiny RV freezer for the trip to the other residence.

In the meantime, we are praying for warmer weather!!!