2009-07-31
7/31/09
I admit, when Bill told me that we weren't camping this weekend, I was disappointed. And ticked off.
I've taken vacaation time here and there this summer, but none of it was "me" time. Even when Mike and Lindsay were here, I spent most of my time being "Mom, when do we eat? Mom, where are the clean towels? Mom, have you seen my car keys?" It was fun, but relaxing? Not so much.
Wednesday night I was knee deep in a self pity party. Then I began to think of things I could do...JUST FOR ME.
Yesterday I slept in. I did my usual morning routine of coffee and straightening up the house. Then I packed a bag with a towel and a good book. I got directions from Shelby to the local "beach." It's really just a pond with a man-made sand beach around it.
I hit the mall first. I had vague ideas of a few things I wanted. Mostly I just wanted to look around and enjoy myself. I looked at the sales racks at Macys and JCP. Nothing grabbed my attention. Then I went to my favorite store - Barnes and Noble. I spent about an hour there. I found three books on their clearance table. I had planned to buy a few paperbacks, but these books were hardback and cost less. These bargain table books are how I find new authors. I carry a list of my favorite authors (yes, I'm that much of a geek) with me. That way when I'm at a used book store, I know who to look for.
I had planned to have lunch at the *bucks cafe in B&N, but the line was lloonngg. I headed over to the food court and grabbed a bite to eat. I read a chapter or two of one my new books while eating. (Insert smile of happiness. Nothing goes better with a good meal than a good book!)
When I finished eating, I went back to JCP. I've been wanting a new purse and they usually have a great selection.
Last summer when I was in OKC visiting Mike and Lindsay, he took me to a Coach Bag Outlet. I fell in love with a purple leather bag. HARD in love. But, even at the outlet prices, I couldn't make myself pay that much for a purse. I left without buying. I've regretted it ever since.
AT JCP, I found a purse that looked so much like the one in OKC, I couldn't believe it! It wasn't real leather and it didn't have C's all over it, but the basic design was the same. I couldn't reach it because it was on the highest shelf. I found a saleswoman to help me. When she handed me the bag, I looked at the price tag. $55. I must have gotten a look of disappointment on my face, because the saleswoman reached out and turned the sales tag over to show the sale price. $24.99. There was no thinking about it...that purse was mine. When I paid for it, the cashier said "That will be $14.99." I said "I thought it was $24.99?" She said something about everything being an additional $10 off for a few hours. SCORE! I liked the bag when it was $55. I loved it when it was $24.99. I ADORED it when it was $14.99!
Then I left the mall and drove to the pond. I laid my beach towel down and enjoyed the (somewhat) quiet and view. I read for a while. I people-watched for a while. I read some more. I stayed for about 2 hours.
On my way home, I decided that I deserved just a bit more "me" time.
I stopped at Mickey D's and had a $1 hot fudge sundae.
It's just not a vacation without ice cream!