This month has been so packed that some of my story lines have gotten lost. I just know that Chuck over at redneckin is dying to find out if I found a suitable bedspread for the condo.

Yes, gardener-boy, I did, but not without a lot of effort. (Go see his pictures from the garden. He grows pretty flowers.)

Let's preface this by saying that I do not like to shop. I don't revel in spending money, and I never buy something just to say I bought something after visiting a store. I start out with a specific need in mind, and shop until that need is fulfilled, which can turn into a wildly frustrating experience.

There were several criteria the bedspread had to meet:

1) it had to be a throw style bedspread

2) it had to coordinate with, and not overwhelm the numbered print in the bedroom where it would be used

3) it had to coordinate with the colors in the rest of the condo

4) it had to be reasonably priced (think replacement in a few years)

5) it had to have a "beachy" theme

6) it had to be king-sized

7) it had to machine-washable

You'd think that in condoland such a task might require no more than a run to the nearest Wal-mart, but you would be wrong. We started at Old Time Pottery. No throw bedspreads, many bed-in-a-bag values, most without a suitable theme or color. Then it was on to the outlet mall in Foley, where WestPoint Stevens disappointed with another large collection of bed-in-a-bags and a small collection of unsuitable throw styles. They did carry about six very pretty inappropriate comforter sets that I would see over and over again until I finished shopping. We spotted a place called "Tropical Linens" that was closed when we went by, but would later be revealed to have custom-made bedspreads in the $400 to $600 range -- something I wouldn't put in my own house, much less a rental unit.

Having exhausted the stores in Alabama, we drove over to Pensacola and started at University Mall, where there is a Sears, McCrae's, Penny's and Beall's outlet store. I came within a size of what I could use at Penny's. The only throw styles at the other stores were 100% light cotton cottage-style throws (think Martha Stewart) that would soak up every stain and particle of dirt on the beach. Linens & Things, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Dillard's were no better. That exhausted Pensacola.

It was too late to shop more. We drove back to the condo and had a drink (and I mean an adult beverage, and I mean more than one).

The next day we were going to have to use some imagination. One place we didn't visit was a Sleep Shop in Pensacola. Hey, they sell mattresses, maybe they sell bedspreads, too. So we pulled out the Yellow Pages and looked for stores that sold bedding. The first place I called was Henry's Furniture, which offers Sealy bedding. They had three king-sized throw style bedspreads in stock. We drove over to the store on Canal Road, maybe five miles from the condo, and were introduced to Charlotte -- a very good-looking beach grandma -- who showed us the spreads. Voila! There it was. A spread with a graphic pattern in colors soft enough to coordinate with the rest of the furnishings. She even allowed us to take it home and try it on approval. It worked!

We got the side benefit of seeing the rest of the shop, which has many things appropriate for our unit. Best of all, we found Charlotte, a budget-minded, practical, tasteful woman who can help us in the future. I think next year we'll replace the other bedspread.