I Survived

Yup. I survived the pilgrimage to the KoPM. Survived and then some. Despite the thick traffic on Mall Blvd., there was plenty of space in the parking garage on the bottom level. We knew how to get through the first building to the crosswalk to the second, and upon arriving at the second, were greeted by a pleasant soul wearing an untimely Santa Claus Hat with his guard uniform, and he asked if he could help us. He provided simple directions to the Apple Store. That place was populated by three bazillion folks surprisingly of various ages (i.e., we weren't the only bewildered geezers), and about 10% were wearing blue employee shirts. We found the iPad cover and also got a cleaning kit and quickly we were on our way back to the first building; Santa Claus told us on our way out that our next destination was on the top floor. And, indeed it was. While I went in to exchange the slippers (and yes, they had the correct size and the clerk and guard were cheerful and pleasant), Joe went elsewhere to begin another errand.  I then went on to find the Rockport store all on my own and again, was greeted by a charming, knowledgeable and energetic person.  This one was named Christine and she helped me find brown shoes to wear with dresses and black shoes to wear with pants, both of the things on  my list.  There was a sale in process:  Buy two pair, save $50; buy three pair, save $100.  I had Christine hold my two pair and went back to find Joe, who had said he needed shoes.  And, behold, they had just what he needed and off we went to the food court for a scrumptious salad.

And then it was time to go back to the errand Joe had begun -- at the Verizon store. He'd bought us each an iPhone. Friends, you have to know what a leap this is for me. I've had a couple of different pay-as-you-go phones that each cost fewer than $25. I feel like I've been promoted! Because I'm [slightly] familiar with the iPad, learning this gizmo is not going to be so hard. It's very, very cute, with a little soft pink protective case and my very own data plan. As my sister said, "Welcome to the 21st Century!"