Well, I'm home from a productive trip, I guess...
Got DGS some clothes for his birthday, and will finish out his present with money.
Treated myself to Chick-Fil-A * PEACH MILKSHAKES ARE BACK * and then went by the Chicken Salad Chick for supper (take home pack in the refrigerator now.)
The hard part of the day --
looked at tombstones. I will most likely go with the most expensive place, but I just had a better feeling there, you know?
The first place I went, I didn't like the upkeep of the area around the business and I didn't like the owner's personality. He was kinda a take it or leave it, if you want to buy with us good, if you don't that's fine too, and I just didn't have a good feeling. They have been in business over 50 years, but this guy, son of the original owner, is NOT much of a salesman.
The second place I went was highly recommended by dbil's friend who does engraving. LOTS of engraving, on grave stones, but also at high end businesses and even our largest state university. He did NOT recommend the out-of-state bargain place where I am sure my uncle will be going, and where my parents' stone was purchased. My grandparents' stones were purchased there and are still fine after 30 years... but I just kinda feel like if I buy dh's there, I will always feel like I sacrificed quality for the dollar. This business has been operating in our state since before 1900, a great-grandson runs the office in Next Town where I went today, and his wife was the lady I was talking to.
So -- I may spend twice as much -- in the $4000 range as compared to the $2000-$3000 range... but the lady there was sooo nice (not pushy, just conversational, and fully answered all my questions.) The best thing is, I can pay whatever I want to, as often as I want to, until it's paid off in the likely 8 months it will take to arrive. She said it had to be paid in full before it was set at the cemetery, but otherwise, they realize that not everyone has $4000 lying around to pay today.
So anyway, I'll try to get DS to go over there with me next week and get this settled. Still going to be after Christmas before it arrives, and I hate that, but it can't be helped.
Seriously, y'all, I didn't do much at all at that Job Fair... I just hung around and talked to friends, basically. I did smile and greet applicants in a friendly manner, and send them off with an encouraging word, but I was DEFINITELY a VERY small piece in that whole puzzle.
One other good thing for my day -- started off with a phone call from my great-aunt. She just called to talk to me, check in, tell me how she hated to hear about dh. She said she loved him, and she had enjoyed so much talking with him at my aunt's birthday party last fall.
She said she had called my uncle, and he didn't answer, so she would just let him call her if he wanted to; she thinks he's depressed. I know I need to be doing something about him, for him, etc... but right now I just feel like I don't have the bandwidth to deal with him. If the subject of these tombstones comes up, I know he'll be planning a trip to TN to get one for himself/daunt, and if I tell him I'm buying right here in Next Town, he'll act like I am Ms. Moneybags or something. Which you all know is FAR from the truth. I just feel like if I can spread it out over 8 months, I can handle this. And unlike credit card debt, I won't be incurring interest charges.
I have things to do, but I'm going to reward myself with the newspaper and some tv time. I've done hard things today.
EDITING FOUR HOURS LATER...
Kinda having second thoughts... do I really want to spend that much more when 50 miles away I can probably get the same thing for half the price?
Or... is it true, you get what you pay for, and the quality IS better in Next Town?
OTOH... if our stone lasts 30 years, that's probably going to go past my lifetime, isn't it?
These are the kinds of things that a person needs to discuss with her husband.
