The weekends are always wonderful. Yesterday, after driving back from the 'burbs, I changed clothes and (because the weather was so incredibly perfect), C and I went to Watertower and to other places in the area to shop, look at books and drink enough coffee to make us entirely too jittery. Shopping with him is relaxing and fun--there are stores we enter together and other places that we keep to ourselves.

An Example:
CA: Let's go to Banana Republic.
AXR: No!
CA: Okay, you wait outside.
AXR: This is a trick; you know how much I desire this store.
CA: Then come in.

CA: How high is your credit limit here? They just raised mine.
AXR: Let's not talk about it; I pretty much only buy clothes from here.
CA: That's why you don't wear patterns.

To smite him, I purchased a dress with patterns. Granted, it's red and black but whatever, it's a pattern. AXR: +1.

Then there are stores where we split up.
CA: I want to go look in the Oakley store. Maybe I can find you goggles.
AXR: I'm not wearing goggles, shut up. I'm going to buy lipstick.

AXR: Lipstick is a depreciating asset.
CA: Yup.
AXR: So are ski goggles.
CA: Touche.

We walk around for hours, purchasing clothes, drinking entirely too much coffee and CA trying to force some banana pudding into my body. He compliments me on my outfit (popped collar and all) and we head to the bookstore. He and I wandered the store together for almost two hours. It might have been the happiest I have been thus far in the new year. I purchased "What is the What," "High Fidelity" (because he and I watched the movie on Thursday and I fell in love), and "Norwegien Wood" (another Makurimai book). We return home, lie about together and then go to Quartino's for dinner. It's a wine bar and Italian "tapas" which was PERFECT. I even ordered dessert which never happens. We go home, play guitar hero and he attempts to teach me tennis on the Xbox360. I'm learning--albeit slowly. Eventually, we realize it's extremely late and go to bed, talking. Eventually, I tell him what a good day I had and he confirms the fact. I feel so good knowing that his body is even near my body.

For a while, as S had put it, it was like he was in a war--but we're really settling into knowing each other and having time to spend with each other. I've talked to him about valuing my time and he's understanding of it.

Now if only I could get my school life to correspond to my home life. Things there are hectic, but I think I'll make it through. Before the time we go on break, there's field trips and so much more. I'm looking forward to it immensely.
It's looking like this
January 31: Payday, spend all day at the library with 8th graders
Feb 1: conference dinner
February 6: Field Museum field trip
February 9: Skiing in Wisconsin
February 10: Super-freaking-bowl!
February 11: No school for me since the 5th and 8th graders BOTH have field trips I'm not going on
February 14: Not allowed to celebrate Valentine's Day
February 15: Head table for Shabbat Lunch and then IMMEDIATELY leave for TAHOE!!!!
February 19: Return from Tahoe (hopefully without broken bones)
February 21: Go to Michigan to see SAI!!!!

Good. Times. Kids. Now, I am going to go to sleep/read "You Shall Know Our Velocity." I like that there are times when most of the things that are important to me align. S and I just need to watch some American Gladiators and all will be well.