Today, I Shopped
Along with every single person in America, I went shopping. One thing about me you may not know: I'm not a shopper. Sure, I go to the store if I need something. I find what I need and I leave. Every once in a while I find a bargain or something else I can't live without and I buy that too. But usually, I have no desire to go shopping. Especially malls and big box stores. I walk around in a haze, looking at everything, and get so disoriented that I don't buy a thing. You should hear me whine if Howie says he has to go INTO the mall to buy something and wants me to go along. I make him promise to take me out to lunch or something special afterwards just so I feel justified for actually stepping into the mall.
So today.... Howie had to go into work from 8-12 today. Not fun on a Saturday morning, but necessary to be a "team player". He works near Freeport: Outlet Shopping Capital of the Universe. So to be a good wife, and to share in his misery (and also to get some dreaded Christmas shopping done) I volunteered to drop him at work, then shop for four hours and pick him up again.
So, with one giant cup of coffee in me, I made my way to L.L. Bean. The original, the flagship store, the one that never closes. That's right, no locks on the doors. It was crowded at 8:15 am! Lines at the registers and all. So I bought something real quick and checked out. Next stop, the Bean's outlet store. But that didn't open until 9. So I waited in line with about a million other crazy people. (I can't believe I just typed that.) Again, couldn't stand the crowds, didn't find anything I wanted (oh wait, I bought a pair of Keen's for myself - they were cheap and I couldn't resist).
That's how it went all morning, in and out of outlet stores. I did end up buying a few gifts, but mostly walked around and just looked at all of the stuff! I know this isn't very Christmassy of me, but the shopping part really gets me down. I love the holiday spirit of giving, and I love giving gifts, especially when it's something I know the person really wants or needs. It's just the shopping part that is a chore for me. Know any personal shoppers? That's what I need.
Anyway, I was out of there before 11 am. I just couldn't stand it anymore. And when I was leaving, there wasn't a parking space left in any of the lots. I think I escaped just in time! I got back to Howie's work early, hung out for a few minutes, and then we were free!
And of course, he took me out to lunch on the way home.
Comments
I've been doing "stealth shopping" by hitting stores around 4:00 when there is a bit of a lull. Out by five and I chip off another tiny piece of the list.
Other people have a right to live on the planet...but that doesn't change the fact that I hate shopping with them. ;)
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | December 2, 2006 11:47 PM
I loathe shopping. Except if it is a yarn store. But crowds really get to me. Like at Rhinebeck, I really didn't buy a dern thing.
I've only been to Freeport once. I think I spent 2 hours in the Patagonia store, and walked out empty handed... I still have my North Face sleeping bag that I got in Freeport.
But, yea, shopping is weird. It does funny things to my brain.
Posted by: pippi | December 3, 2006 09:03 AM
You are such a good wife! I am no fan of shopping either (except in yarn shops) and I'm not sure I'd have braved the outlet stores in Freeport for my hubby. Well, depends where lunch was :)
Posted by: Julie | December 3, 2006 06:08 PM