Accomplished.

I accomplished something today that I never thought possible.

Disclaimer: Despite that sentence normally preceding an actual accomplishment for a person is justifiably proud, that is not at all applicable here but the sentence remains true.

I have a love for Lululemon.  Forget the recent negative reports of quality issues with their products.  I have always found their products to be long-lasting, extremely well-designed, attractive, almost magical and addictive.  Whenever I peruse their website or store, I typically want to buy about 90% of their offerings.  There are only two factors that hold me back, one more than the other.

First, cost.  Lulu is not cheap.  $75 for a pair of crop leggings.  $40 for a tank top.  And those are the bare-bones basic models.  Get fancier and the costs rise.  But, I amortize it, as I do with most purchases.  Because Lulu lasts longer than your average workout attire and because I work out frequently, I figure that my cost per wear is significantly less than $1 (for the pants).  Totally worth it.

Second, that for some inexplicable reason, the business casual dress code required by my job does not include leggings, tank tops, hoodies, etc. within its confines.  The limitation on possible wearing opportunities factors into my amortization calculus and thereby constrains my purchases.

However, today I wore a Lulu tank top to work.  Lots of caveats: (1) it was a casual, jeans-sanctioned day; (2) I wore it under a perfectly business-casual appropriate cardigan; and, (3) it was barely visible.  Lulu has always posted pictures of its staffers wearing their clothes out in the non-gym-work world, looking all cute, stylish and comfortable.  I never thought I would get to be like one of those girls but look at me, wearing my Lulu to work.

So, yes, my big accomplishment was wearing a tank top.  Next post might be about tying my shoes or something.

Better Late Than Never.

Last week, I received a shipping notification from a UPS store in Colorado.  I had not ordered anything but the Colorado part told me who to ask.  My parents are in the process of buying a UPS Store franchise.  As part of that process, my mom has been doing training.  Last week, she was training in a store in Fort Collins so I texted her to ask if that email notification was just a test or if she had sent me something.  Her response was "MYOB."  Yes, my mama loves me.  So, I assumed that she actually sent me something and happily awaited delivery on Friday.

As it got toward 5:00 on Friday and still no parents' package delivered, I tracked the package only to find that there was a delivery exception saying that more address information was needed.  So, I got in touch with UPS and provided an overabundance of information on my office location -- firm name, floor on which I sit, cross streets, etc.  I was told I would be contacted within an hour by the Chicago service center.  Four hours later, I received a voicemail on my work line that said that the information was received but because I hadn't provided the information until after 7:00 pm, the package would not be delivered until Tuesday.  Seeing as how I had provided the information at 4:45, I once again called UPS. After two more phone calls and getting a manager involved, they acknowledged that I did meet the deadline and assured me it would be delivered on Monday and that I would receive a call on Monday confirming that.

And, I did.  At 7:57 am, I received a call saying that they had the additional information and the package was on the truck.  But, when it was 4:00 pm and still no package, the tracking information told me that they were missing information and was being held.  AGAIN.  So, again, two phone calls later, I get assured that the package will be delivered on Tuesday.  Of course, on Tuesday, I had to make two more calls because the tracking information still indicated that UPS was confused.  However, this time, they made a second attempt and actually delivered the package.  It was at 8:00 pm or so but it did finally get to my office.

I got it this morning.  TOTALLY worth the frustration and accumulated phone time and complaints:

Peanut brittle, toffee, caramels, mini chocolate bunnies and  jelly belly beans.

I might have diabetes by tomorrow as I love all things in this Easter "basket."  And, my parents' card was a little too prescient and appropriate, considering:

Reads "When it comes to chocolate, does it really matter who brings the basket?"