Yesterday I had an appointment to go get outfitted in an Indian party outfit for the wedding reception I am attending on Saturday! I have always envied pretty saris and other Indian dress. And the pretty bangles!

So, my appointment was with a very sweet lady, Meenal, who helped me pick from her basement boutique full of hundreds of salwar, leenga choli, and saris. The adult size small salwar pant suits were all pretty big on me, so she pulled out some teen-sized lehenga skirts. This pretty aqua and magenta one was our favorite.

Meenhal went through all her tikas (head jewels) and found one that was almost perfect – just gold instead of silver. It was the best choice though. And, my favorite part – the bangles! Can I wear them every day?

The outfit was still a bit long in the skirt and wide in the blouse, but we were able to go straight to the apartment of Nuzhat, an Indian seamstress. She was very interesting – a strong Indian lady who lives with her daughter. I think she is used to having people obey her – she has the kind of tone in her voice that you just don’t question.

When I told her I needed my outfit altered before Friday, she sighed and said she was very busy this week. I stood there with a hopeful smile on my face, but looking a bit crestfallen. She looked me over for a long moment then said, “Take it off and give it to me, then go wait.”

I assumed she was just going to look it over more closely, so I asked her how long she needed as I handed the lehenga and choli over to her. When I went out to wait with Danny, he was a little annoyed that I didn’t know for sure what I was waiting for. I told him Nuzhat was a bit intimidated, but I couldn’t really explain how. I ended up asking her daughter if she was already altering it. She was – she put the custom outfit she was sewing aside to kindly do my alterations in just a half hour while we waited.

Both homes we were in smelled like delicious Indian food. We caved in to our cravings and stopped at our favorite little Indian restaurant for dinner. I brought in my new clothes to show the owner. Indian restaurants are the only place where I’m not a cheap date becauseI want one of everything! I have tasty leftovers waiting for me for lunch today. Yum!

Last night I finished redoing my last few braids. All done!! Now I can concentrate on packing and cleaning for the next two evenings. I can’t wait to get to California!!