Trip to Noblesville

 A few weeks ago Michelle, my friend Susan's daughter, asked on FB if there were anyone who would be able to finish a quilt her mother had started for Katie, Michelle's daughter.  I commented that if she couldn't find someone closer to Evansville to do it, I would but I lived in the northern part of the state.  Well, that did it.  She asked me if I would finish it, that it would mean so much to her, to Katie, and to her dad if I would do it.  Today I met her in Noblesville, at the exit off of I-69 where Duluth Trading and Cabela's is located.  It was move-in day for Katie at Ball State, and since they traveled on I-69 to go to Muncie, it was a perfect spot to meet.

Gary and I left home after 11 because today Blaine had an appointment in Winamac in the morning and we wanted to be sure he would be home in time for Owen's pre-school bus.  I drove into town this morning to buy a sleeping bag/tent combo for Owen's birthday gift at Kohls. It turned out that they didn't carry that item, but I learned that if I ordered it while IN the store, there would be no delivery charge to have it sent directly to our house.  So that is what I did.

The drive to Noblesville was a different one than we usually take.  Plus there was an unexpected detour at a round-about within 2 miles of our destination.  But we finally made it.  I was hungry, so looking for a place for lunch was our first concern.  Gary spotted a Red Robin and that was all he needed to pull in the parking lot!  He doesn't like Chuy's AT ALL and that was going to be my choice.  I think he knew if he found a decent alternative, I would be happy with NOT going to Chuy's for their famous chips and creamy jalapeno dip.    

Red Robin was nearly deserted.  I think there might have been 5 other tables in use.  The hostess cleaned off a table with disinfectant before she seated us.  Silverware and napkins were in sleeves, and we were given paper menus.  Our server was attentive, and our food was quickly delivered and HOT.  The restrooms were very clean too.  I was pleased with the experience.

Next stop was Duluth Trading Co.  I was looking for sale items, specifically underwear.  I do like the two pairs of hi-cuts that I have.  I did find one pair, on clearance, plus another 40% off.  My main mission though was underwear for the boys for their Christmas tubs.  No such luck with the boxer briefs.  All of them were at regular price, and I really don't feel comfortable spending nearly $30 on ONE pair of boxer briefs, no matter how comfortable they are.  I am sure there will be more sales before Christmas.

I usually enjoy shopping at Cabela's.  The last time was after the girls' basketball state finals in early March, just before the quarantine started.  I bought a pair of denim leggings that I really like (in fact, I wore them today).  I also bought two tops that were on a sale table, but when we returned home and I checked the sales slip I discovered that I had been charged a different price than the one on the signage.  I called the store and was told that those two particular shirts were NOT included in the sale pricing even though they were on the same table.  I questioned that practice, was told that the sign said only the striped shirts, which I hadn't noticed and I know I didn't see that because another shopper and I stood there and looked at the sign and picked up those shirt because it didn't say anything specific like 'striped shirts only.'  The gal I talked to on the phone said I could return them ONLY if I had the sales slip (and I had told her I was reading the stock numbers off the sales slip--stupid woman) and within four weeks.  I planned to stop there after we dropped off Karen and Clay at the airport in two weekends, but that didn't happen because of the pandemic. So I was stuck with the two over-priced shirts.

This time we found a few items, some on sale, a few at regular prices.  I discovered a rack of cards and picked out one for Mike and Angie's anniversary.  I always check the prices and this one was $3.59.  As we were checking out, I was glancing at the scanned prices, but I wasn't paying close attention.  I thought the card might have been scanned at a different price, but I wasn't sure and didn't check it before we left the store or even the parking lot.  I should have.  When we arrived home, I pulled out the receipt from the bag---and I was charged $4.99 for the card, which was the price in Canada.  Are you kidding me?  

Now I know that I should have checked everything immediately, from past experience, but I was thinking about meeting Michellle and checking my phone for messages from her, and I did receive one in that time period, so I didn't check until we were home.  And it is too far to return a card and demand an adjustment in the price.  I would spend more in gas than the difference in the prices.  

But what I can do is not buy anything else at Cabela's.  Gary and I talked about that, and while Cabela's was bought out by Bass Pro Shop and we do like shopping there, the quality of merchandise and the availability of items I like is much better at Bass Pro.  

Meeting Michelle was a good thing.  In all the years that we have heard about each other, we had never met face to face.  It was good to chat with her, to share stories about her mom, and to go through the boxes that contained the quilt blocks that Susan had finished and try to imagine what she had planned for the final quilt.  It will be fun to work with the blocks and try to create something that will be memorable for Katie.

On the way home we took another route. Who knew that there were so many options when traveling between Noblesville and Colburn?  Our original plan to stop at the Cracker Barrel outside of Zionsville were squashed when we turned onto 31 and headed north toward Kokomo.  Light bulb moment---there is a Cracker Barrel on the south side of town where Becky Groff and I ate during a snowstorm after adjunct orientation one January.  But it was full---people standing outside, waiting for a table.  Across the street was an IHOP and that is where we ended up.  Only three other tables total from the time we entered until the time we left.  Gary had a breakfast platter and I enjoyed a stack of hot blueberry pancakes.  One thing about the smaller number of customers at a restaurant --service is usually quick and the food is always HOT!  Most of the time (not at the Clifty Inn for sure).

All in all----a fairly good day.  Great cheeseburger and sweet potato fries at Red Robin.  A new pair of underwear from Duluth.  A pair of leggings from Cabela's (that were not overpriced).  A nice visit with Michelle and plans for another quilt (that will be sewn with love and tears).  

Plus it was good to get out of the house and do something different. 

We needed that!