Had A Little Change In My Pocket

It has taken every bit of will power I could muster, but I have refused to shop or drive any place that wasn't necessary this summer. I have done really well. We have condensed every possible trip that we could and we have only driven the car when it was absolutely necessary.

However, with school just around the corner I realized that shopping was a must. The boys are desperately needing new shoes and Big Guy had to have some new shorts. Yesterday morning when I woke up I informed the boys that we would be going out.

Now some women get manicures. Some women go to tanning beds. Some women get massages. Some women go to therapy. Me.... I prefer retail therapy. So when I realized that I needed to go shopping, my adrenaline started pumping.

Oh, you should have seen the look on my guys faces when I first informed them. I saw the words on their lips, "Do we have to?", but I set them straight fast with a calm little speech:

"Look here, guys. We have swam. We have baked. We have played games. We have ridden bikes. You haven't seen the inside of a grocery store or a Walmart all summer. You have even been to the beach. These next couple of hours you are going to go with me to do the things that I need to do. You are going to be polite, pleasant, support and happy. Any unkind word or whine will be added to my list and for every one I hear, you will trade it in for a chore when we get home. Are we all on the same page?"

They nodded. Accepted their fate and we piled into the car.

I was so giddy with the thought of being able to shop I didn't know where to start. First to Old Navy to find Big Guy some shorts. Score.... 4 pair of $39 shorts on sale for $9.99.

When we walked out, the Kirkland's sale signs were screaming my name so we walked in there. I love home stuff. I love decorating for each season, but seriously, everywhere we went was decorated for Halloween. Halloween? Oh, well, since they started so early with Fall and Halloween merchandise they were having great summer clearance. I spotted this frame. I just loved it. Big Guy walked to see how much it cost but he said it was $80. He said, "It doesn't have a sale price on it." I told him I was going to check any way. Took it to the register and she scanned it. It rang up $18.00!!! Mine. All mine!! Isn't it pretty? I sat it next to my piano so you can see how tall it is. It holds 35 4x6 photos. I plan on putting all my photos I have taken of my three guys in it.

At this point, the boys are doing so great that I decide that a trip in Michaels will do their spirits good.     They love Michaels as much as I do.     While they are looking at model cars I do some browsing.    I found these great marker sets with art pads in zippered cases to add to our car bags.     They will be great for the boys to use when we are driving or when we go in restaurants.      They were a STEAL at $2.00 a piece.   

The boys did their own bargain hunting while we were there and found some great model car sets in the super clearance section.    They are both building "Fast and Furious" cars.     I'm sure I will be taking pictures when they finish those. 

Ran into Marshalls (wow they have revamped that store) and found Little Guy some really nice Tevas for school at a sweet $15.00.      Shoes are something that we are picky about.    We want good shoes.    Hubs has problems with his feet because he had to cram his feet into shoes that weren't the right size and not a good fit.      Still looking for Big Guy.    I can't believe he is measuring a men's 9 1/2 shoe.     

There were a few things we needed at Kroger so we ran through there VERY QUICK because I don't consider groceries retail therapy.      BUT while I was in there I found hubs a paperback copy of the Grisham book he hasn't read.     It was on sale for 40% off.    Since it was only $5.99 to begin with.... not a bad deal!

On the way home we grabbed some Happy Hour drinks from Sonic.    You have just got to love a cherry limeade to finish off a day of retail therapy!

Oh, therapy (whatever your method)...  I highly recommend it!