Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

The elusive 3-drawer filing cabinet

Saturday was the first weekend in a long time that The Gryphon and I didn't have anything planned. So we got to sleep in, at least as long as our animals, doggie Una and kitty Luke, would allow. They get restless if we sleep past 9 and start being playful and even licking our faces.

We had a light breakfast at home, and then we played Dance Dance Revolution for about an hour. After showers, we ran some errands together.

My sister and my mom are coming next weekend so we can look for a wedding gown for me.

Since the plans include taking them to lunch, The Gryphon and I thought we'd look for places close to the David's Bridal shop where we're going. We're going to try a place called Einstein's Bagels we remembered being near Starbuck's, but it's closed.

So instead, we went to the Springfield Mall to see what was available. I happen to know there's also a nearby Subway, so I know there will be at least one good option, but I wanted to give them a choice.

We ended up eating at some sort of bistro, and I wasn't impressed with the quality of the food.

Afterwards, we were going to buy some wine at the Chadd's Ford Winery store, but they had the gate down and a sign saying they'd be back in a few minutes. So we decided to browse other stores and come back.

We looked, with no luck, for a music store and finally checked out a Waldenbooks before circling back to Chadd's Ford Winery. This time they were open. The Gryphon wanted to get several bottles of wine for next weekend: one to cook with and at least two for our guests. In addition to Mom and my sister, we're inviting the entire bridal party and their spouses to join us for a dinner party so that everyone can meet each other.

The Gryphon had a definite idea of what he wanted, so we tried a couple types of wines and then selected a few that met our needs.

Next we drove to Target. I want to do some massive reorganization in my office, and I needed some new cabinets and files for that. Since we've moved, I've had a number of boxes and things stowed in the closets, which isn't the best way to store things, especially for accessibility.

I bought a couple two-shelf units, a couple two-drawer units, and a small cabinet. They didn't have a three-drawer filing cabinet, though. I'd been hoping to replace mine, which only has two functioning drawers. All they had were two-drawer filing cabinets, and although they look nicer, they wouldn't make much difference for organizational purposes.

We tried the Kmart, too, but they didn't even have two-drawer filing cabinets. I got one plastic tub there to replace one I'm using to store memorabilia in the basement.

Then we stopped at the video store and rented Lucky Number Slevin to watch later. At the grocery store, we picked up some food for The Gryphon to cook us a dinner.

Back home, The Gryphon made a delicious seafood pasta dinner while I put together first the shelves and then one of the drawer units. That was a big more complicated, since it involved more parts.

We ate dinner and I put together the second drawer unit before we watched the movie. Lucky Number Slevin is very interesting; the sort that keeps you guessing. I'd call it a hit man con movie.

Sunday morning, after we went to the local diner for breakfast and bought weekly supplies at the grocery store, I completely emptied out one of the two closets in my office, vacuumed it, dusted the shelves, and then installed the two drawer units.

Unfortunately, the shelving unit didn't fit on top of the shelf at the top of the closet, since it was two tight of a squeeze. I'll have to figure out something else to do with it. Maybe on the floor of the other closet.

I made certain not to put everything back, but to get rid of things, such as a broken sewing machine, music box and mobile. I'd been holding onto my New Year's outfit from 2001, as my "fat clothes", but The Gryphon convinced me there's no need. After all: I have pictures if I want to demonstrate my progress. I'll be donating them to the Salvation Army.

Today I went looking for a three-drawer filing cabinet at Staples, thinking I'd find one easily. Not the case. Turns out the standard filing cabinets now are either two-drawer or four-drawer. The only way to get a three-drawer filing cabinet is to order one online for a pretty hefty price, compared to the cost of a four-drawer cabinet. I think I'll pass, at least for now.

Ah, well, One closet down, one to go. (Plus, some stacks of items, papers and boxes that have accumulated in a corner over the summer.)

Copyright 2006 by Alyce Wilson

November 2006 Index

Musings Index

What do you think? Share your thoughts
at Alyce's message board (left button):