Today, I spent the day with my mom and my cousin (who’s visiting us from Poland until the end of August). My sister was working, my brother is in Atlanta for work, and my other brother is avoiding my father. Hence, I was the only member of the family under the age of 50 who was available to accompany them on their explorations.

We took her to our local Polish butcher/grocery store and she got some magazines to keep her company (they’re planning a trip to the beach tomorrow), then we went to Montclair and stopped at Montclair Beadworks where I bought a gorgeous chunk of coral to use as a pendant, and my mom and cousin each got some pretty charms and beads and stuff that we’ll make into necklaces later in the week. Then we popped over to Copabananas and looked at all the fun stuff there, THEN went to Doin’ Dishes a nearby ceramics studio) and showed my cousin the various ceramic things she can paint up… so we’re planning on doing that some night this week since they’re open late during the week for “Ladies’ Nights”.

We did some food shopping and then returned home to make dinner. After dinner, we decided to go clothing shopping and I scored another fabulous pair of shoes at Marshall’s - bright pink suede Coach heels, with a moccasin-inspired fringe at the toe. Originally priced at well around $150, they were on clearance for $36. That’s right. I think that bright pink suede isn’t exactly suited for the folks in the usual Coach demographic… so I can understand why they’d end up on clearance. But I’m glad because I scored a FINE pair of shoes.

After that trip, we met my brother at Applegate Farm for some ice cream. I had a small cup of chocolate peanut butter - delicious. Mmmm. I’ve been drinking water for a while now to prevent post-dairy phlegm from forming. So ladylike, I know.

Anyway, since my parents and cousin are going “down the shore” tomorrow, I plan on enjoying a day of utter peace and quiet. I might even go outside and lay out on the reclining chair on the deck and “catch some rays”, read a book, that kind of thing. On the other hand, I might just stay inside with the air conditioning and do some cleaning, organizing, etc. Perhaps take a bubble bath and give myself a manicure and pedicure. I have about twenty pages left in “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri, so I’m sure I’ll finish that. It’s another great book by her - this one almost made me miss my train stop on the way home since I was so enthralled reading it, I didn’t notice it was my stop… I got up at the last minute and RAN to the door. Crazy. But it’s pretty great when a book has that effect.

Either way, it will be nice to spend a day quietly pampering myself after expending so much energy and mental resources being pleasant and personable to my family today.

It’s quite a drain on a girl.

Now I’m going to watch “The Jerk”, starring Mr. Steve Martin. It’s kind of late, but it’s not a marathon-length film, and I think I can handle it. I’m not terribly tired anyway.

Edit: Here’s a picture of the shoes (from someone selling them on eBay for $99! Ha!). A quick search online revealed that the style is called “Jude” and that the regular retail is $198.00. Coach shoes at 81% off! Sweet!