"If I saw something clever like a coffee table in the shape of a yin-yang, I had to have it"

I dragged Steve to the outlet mall yesterday on numerous quests that had eluded us. Most of them continued to elude us, alas.

Desired: casual non-jeans slacks, garter belt, moderately-casual fall/winter dress, black skirts, winter (dress) coat, next book for the Artists Way group (me); black lug boots, suit that fits, work trousers (him); small frying pan, weekend-trip-sized duffel bag, new cellphone plan (us).

Acquired: blouse, lots of silk undies, winter coat, comfy yet stylin' sandals (me); suit, 2 wondrously soft button-down shirts, work socks, work shoes (him); large umbrella, duffel bag, sm. frying pan, sundry kitchen utensils, small cutting board, and oh God a pizza stone please shoot me (us).

One of these lists is not like the others. Though my failures to acquire were not my fault, thank you. ( Begin rant. )

Steve marched along dutifully, in spite of the fact of still being sick and having various oppressions visited upon him during the course of the day, and even maintained a reasonably cheerful countenance through most of it. I have given him permission to hit me over the head with it if I fail to get our $7 of use out of said pizza stone in the next two months.

Bla bla careful what you wish for bla

I took thought this morning and realized I had less than two weeks 'til my 4th Kyu test, four days of which I'll be in London. This, when I still haven't even done a few of the techniques. PANIC PANIC PANIC

Upon arrival at the dojo today, however, there was a notice saying that the tests had been pushed back a week.

Which means they're now on our wedding anniversary.

Anyways, mild class today, as I was paired up with our resident almost-hopeless-case. This may seem cruel, but he has been coming off and on for several months now and is still at about the level of a pretty-unskilled newbie in first week of lessons. This is not his fault; he has a lot of physical hurdles to overcome, for instance. I'm just reportin'. I think he may be able to get past it all but it's likely to take a very VERY long time. Of course, I'm not the world's best explainer, either--not by a long chalk. But so many people were exceedingly patient during my dunce period, I feel it only fair to put in my time with the beginners in turn.