I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind but now I see.

As you know, I've been looking for a jogging stroller. I found one! It was advertised on Craigslist for twenty-five dollars. I got the pictures, and though a bit faded from the sun, it was in good condition. SO, the lady and I made plans to meet each other on Wednesday night at 6:00 PM at an Outback Steakhouse.

The lady sends me the address, and I sit around all day waiting patiently for the time to go and pick up my new ticket to fitness. Jon gets home from work, I jump in a hot shower, and we head out. I plug the address in my Tom-Tom. Great! We're 43 minutes from our destination, due to arrive at 5:48 PM. We chatted happily as we navigated the turns and exits of Northern Virginia's messed up interstate system. Ilyssa was napping in the back in her carseat. Everything was hunky dory. I was excited...

Fast-forward 43 minutes. We're at Manassas Battlefield Park. While this place is very cool, it is clearly no where near our destination, even though the Tom-Tom said we'd arrived. Brilliant me decided to forget to write down the lady's number. I told Jon that since we were on Lee Highway, and the address was for Lee Highway, we would just keep driving until we find the Outback. We drive for about fifteen minutes, and we stop at a convenience store to ask if there is a nearby Outback...To make a long story...not as long...we had to stop twice more before we ever found the Outback, and I had someone check my email and get me the lady's number. WE WERE AT THE WRONG OUTBACK. We were in Centerville, at least twenty miles from our destination.

Jon was grumpy, I was upset, and Ilyssa was awake and tired of her carseat. So, after almost two hours, we FINALLY find the place. The guy is super apologetic, and he ends up giving us the stroller for fifteen dollars. And wouldn't you know that our TomTom would die and our TomTom charger would crap out and we were in Fairfax, VA, with no idea on how to get home.

Our friend Eli is a really great guy. He called, and Jon explained that we were lost. After a few questions, Eli had us going to a Walmart by using Google maps and zooming to street view. Honestly, if not for him, we would have spent most of the night lost. Walmart had our charger, and TomTom guided us home, safely, even if it was, by that time, ten thirty at night.

It was a long day, and it was frustrating, but it had some really great moments.

I love my life, but I hate being lost.

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

I'll admit, there were a few minor glitches in my perfect weekend. I can't really even begin to dwell on those, though. I mean, I had good company, good food, and good shopping. Can a girl truly ask for more?

Before I get into my perfect weekend, I'll sum up the few glitches. Ryan's buffet was out of food and our service was horrible, Creepy guy in Buzzy's playpark watching the kids (he got up and left when security showed up....we were the ones that got up and left to notify security), having to buy a 16w bathing suit top to fit over my dang breasts, and the racist lady in Dollar Tree.

The beauty of my weekend? Saturday, Jon had EMT class. The instructor's wife is truly my new best friend. Her name is Jennifer, and she is the best. She and I spent the day shopping and gossiping. Ilyssa loves her. I've always believed a child can tell a lot about a person upon first glance, and if that is true, Jennifer and Bobby (her husband) are truly wonderful people. I think so anyway, but Ilyssa is really taken with them. Especially her Jemma. She was so thrilled to see them, and this coming Saturday, she's going to be like..."Where's Jemma?" We ate at Allman's BBQ, which is absolutely amazing BBQ. We shopped at Kohl's and the Mall and Wal-mart. She bought some adorable Bermuda shorts. She was afraid that she looked like an old lady, but Bermuda's are all the latest crave, and I think they make her look younger and hipper. I got Ilyssa two outfits, got Jon three shirts, and got myself an outfit. Most of it was on clearance, the rest of it was on sale.

Speaking of Kohl's and Sales....If you sign up for Kohl's email alerts, you get a five dollar in store coupon. If that isn't enough go here http://www.facebook.com/#!/kohls?v=wall&ref=ts and become a fan. You can enter your story of savings on the receipt contest and be entered to win a 100 Kohl's gift card. How cool is that?!?! Kohl's is a really awesome place, and I feel their clothing is so great in price and quality. You just can't beat them.

Okay, Sunday. Sunday was my birthday. I'm 22 years old, and I feel more like fifty. Anyways, Jon made me breakfast that morning. It was delicious, then told me he was taking me out to shop. This is super exciting to me, because my wonderful Mamaw sent me some birthday money. I bout a crock-pot for 19.99. It was marked down from 44.99. I was so excited. I've been wanting one forever. I also bought those Wonder Hangers you all see two posts back.

After Kohl's, we went to Target. This is another of my favorite stores. This is also where I got my bathing suit. Like I said, it is a 16W, but it is cute, does fit me well, and was on clearance for 9.98. This is also super exciting to me. I think I'm going to dub myself Clearance Diva. It seems appropriate.

My total savings this weekend, with clearance and sales, was 216.19. That's pretty remarkable, I think. Especially considering I didn't even spend 150.00. Yay me. I didn't even begin to tell you guys what all I got.

For Jon
Helix Shirt
2 Apartment 9 shirts

For Ilyssa
2 pair of Capris
2 shirts
Kite
Bubbles

For Me
(I'm not selfish, it's my birthday money!)
5 shirts
1 pair of Union Bay shorts
1 make-up thing (Marked down from 20.00 to 11.00, hurry to Kohl's and get yours)
1 bathing suit

For the House
2 packs of Wonder Hangers
1 Slow Cooker
2 Reusable shopping bags








After all the shopping, we came back home and had pizza from Pizza Hut. Eli, Kim, Caroline, and Angel were here, and though we didn't do anything super exciting, it was so nice to just be among friends. I hope our friendships continue to grow, and though I miss my family back home, I'm really glad I had a few special people to share my birthday.

I love my life.