Our Mary Tri-Fecta

Lilly and Mary have been friends for a long time. They actually share a room. When Mary comes to Iowa, Lilly helps get her room ready for Mary...and the, Mary leaves her money. $4 is the going rate...We've done many things together, Lilly has attended a Ya Ya Sister show.

Lilly has shared some deep thoughts with our friend Mary...

Wow...I barely remember those days...when Lilly would let me dress her up in a velvet Christmas dress...

So, when Marimekko came to Target, Lilly knew we were on a mission for Mary Mulari. Although, she had a hard time pronouncing the word "marimekko"....she just couldn't get it right...there were too many vowels, and it was frustrating for her...

Finally, I said, "say it like a name, hon. Mary Mekko."And that fixed it for her...TOTALLY.

As we ran through the store, Lilly would spot something like this and say, HERE SHE IS, GRANDMA...

I FOUND MARY MEKKO..!!

We called Mary Mulari from Target to make sure we had the right stuff...

Then, after spending the WORLD SHAKING amount of $165 at Target -- we headed to the Goodwill store...

We cold never actually BE in town and not stop at a thrift store...

Here, things are much more reasonably priced.  This big guy could be had for just $2.88...

Of course, it's just possible that nobody wants a life-sized sock monkey...but you've gotta admit -- IT IS A BARGAIN.

Lilly found him, and immediately said, "TAKE A PICTURE FOR MARY FONS, GRANDMA!!"

During our trip to Chicago, Lilly's new friend, Mary Fons, introduced her to her sock money mascot...Pendennis...

OF COURSE, I took the picture!!

When we got in the car to drive home, Lilly said, "We've had a very merry day haven't we, Grandma?"

Surprised by her choice of words, I said, "what do you mean?..."

Then, with a broad smile, she said, "Mary Mulari, Mary Mekko and Mary Fons..."

We both laughed...she was SO PLEASED with herself.