Dad Took Me Shopping Tuesday

My dad took me shopping at JC Penny’s on Tuesday. Yes, I realize that is a rather odd sounding statement since dad died in March but it is the truth.

A while ago, when mom is going through some of dad’s things she found several pairs of pants that he had bought from JC Penney’s before he died. They still had the tags on them, and together they added up to a great deal of money. Mom had set them out in order for one of us to take them to the store to see if we could get a refund. The clothes sat where she had put them for several weeks. Last night I finally had enough of seeing them sit there and decided to take them to the store. Mom and I both hoped that even though we did not have the receipt that JC Penny’s would refund the money rather than giving us a store credit. In the end, due to store policy, I had to take a store credit.

After I was given the store credit I called mom and let her know how worked out. While I was talking to her I noticed that JC Penny’s had huge sales going on. I asked mom if she would mind if I looked for a dress to buy for the cruise and used the store credit to purchase it. Of course, she said yes.

I found a dress that I fell in love with. What made it even better was how much it had been markdown. Originally, the dress was $120. It had been discounted all the way to $47.99. The low cost of the dress meant I still had plenty of money left on the store credit. So I wandered over to the shoe department to see if there were any shoes there that I can afford. I found the perfect shoes for my new dress, and guess what? They were on sale too! I was able to buy a pair of $55 shoes for $35, and there was still plenty of money left on the store credit. That meant I could go to the jewelry department and try to find some accessories for my new dress and shoes. I figured I could probably buy one bracelet or one necklace; however, I ended up being able to buy both, because there were sales in the jewelry department as well.

I love my new outfit, and I really do feel like dad is the one who bought for me since I used a store credit from his clothes to buy it. I know that if dad were still alive he would be getting a great deal of pleasure from how much I love my new outfit. He was just that generous.

North to Alaska

The other night I was told something extremely exciting. My mother, a friend of hers, my grandmother, and I are all taking a cruise to Alaska in September. I can’t believe it! Alaska is one of those places I have always wanted to go, but figured I would never make it.

Going to Alaska is just only part of the excitement. Mom has booked us a deluxe veranda suite on the ms Amsterdam. Of course there’s enough sleeping areas for everyone so we can share the suite, we will even have our own private area to sit outside and watch the ocean. With all the amenities that come with the suite, I am going to feel extremely pampered. Some of those lovely things are:

  • A whirl pool bath – I anticipate looking like a prune several times during the trip.
  • Corsages for our first formal night – I cannot remember the last time I wore a corsage
  • Hors d’oeuvres served before dinner each evening on request
  • A cocktail party with the ship’s officers – How cool is that?!
  • High tea – I have never done this.
  • A special lounge, only accessible to certain guests – I already checked, it  even has wifi!

Our ports of call during the cruise are:

  • Leave from Seattle, Washington
  • Puget Sound
  • Glacier Bay
  • Juneau, Alaska
  • Sitka, Alaska
  • Ketchican, Alaska
  • Victoria, British Columbia Canada

We are currently discussing what types of excursions we would like to participate in. I have one in mind I would like to do.

It is called Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour. You get to watch them crab fish and etc. on the Aluetian Ballad – a crab boat that was on Season II of The World’s Deadliest Catch. The information says that there is a lot of wild life to see, like whales, seals and more. The fisherman also share their fishing stories with you. I will let you know which ones we decide on!

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