Confessions of a Shopaholic(s)

Yes. Yes. I am a shopaholic. At least I must confess to being one this past week. When my mom, my daughter and I get together and an enormous outlet mall is thrown into the mix disaster can strike...well, if you describe a drastic downturn in the available credit limit of my charge card a disaster. I'm sure none of you have ever fallen prey to the fan-tab-u-lous sales at an outlet mall, now have you? My most favoritest store EVER, Banana Republic, was having a great sale on Thursday. And wouldn't you know, we just happened to stumble across their threshold on this most wonderful of days. Three and a half hours of dressing room mayhem and 5 shopping bags of loot later and we felt like we had hit the fashion lottery! The dressing room staff became our new best friends. (We will be exchanging Christmas card this year. LOL!) Of course every item we each tried on had to pass the scrutiny of the other two. Color, fit, price and where it would work wonders in our current wardrobe were all points of discussion. We actually even offered our not-so-humble opinions to other shoppers who were unlucky enough to fall victim to the three of us. We were out of control!!!

You would think that would be enough to satisfy any shopaholic. But it got even better. Our new dressing room staff friends informed us that on Friday additional mark-downs would occur. Every single item in the store would be on sale. Every. Single. Item. We kept trying to figure out the best way to stash our selections until Friday and again one of our new-found friends offered up a wonderful bit of information. All we had to do would be return to the store on Friday with our receipts and they would do a price adjustment. So Friday became another shopping day. After they told me I saved an additional triple-digit sum, I was more than glad we went back. Several of the items I had purchased were original price but had been marked down 40% on Friday! Woo and double hoo!

In addition to our shopping marathon, we spent our time laughing until our sides ached, eating somewhat healthy food, getting our exercise in by walking around the campground and resting from said exercise by taking naps throughout the day. One of my most memorable moments was the 30-minute drive back to the camper after our shopping trips. Keri cranked up her i-pod and we sang our hearts out. Something about music leaves my heart feeling all warm and fuzzy. Sharing it with 2 of my most favorite people....ahhhhh! Good times. Good times.

I must also share one other memorable, scare-the-socks-off-of-me moment. It was rather late Thursday night when we returned from shopping but we were determined to get in a good walk that day so we headed out with a flashlight with not a care in the world. As we passed the pool area, Keri slowed down and walked toward a stick on the ground. She rather excitedly informed us it was a snake to which we said "No Way!" and she quickly responded "Yes Way!!!" With all the children that run around the park, I didn't want to take any chances by leaving the snake but I had nothing with which to kill it. The fact that I was a total chicken and wouldn't get close enough to kill it anyway is beside the point. Leaving Mom and Keri to stand guard from a safe distance I ran down to the pool where there were 2 families still hanging out. This is where I have to jump on my soap box and ask the question, "Is chivalry dead?" Neither of the 2 men was willing to help despite my very convincing argument that we needed to kill the snake to protect the children. I secretly hoped they couldn't sleep well that night but something tells me they slept like logs. (stepping off my soap box now)

Knowing several copperheads had been killed in the park in the past, I wasn't eager to frighten Mom or Keri any more than they already were. Still not sure of what to do, I spotted a few more people in the laundromat. Here is where the white knight steps in to save the damsel in distress. I approached these guys and asked who wanted to be a hero. We had a snake to kill. A young, rather muscular young man jumped at the chance. Grabbing a rock as his weapon he became our rescuer. Several attempts to kill the snake with the rock and all we had was a very threatened and ready to strike serpent. To the young man's credit, it is terribly difficult to strike a moving target with a rock. Not to be defeated, he replaced his rock with a boulder...one he could barely lift above his head. Nervously watching him get too-close-for-comfort, he hefted the boulder above his head and dropped it, totally obliterating the slimy poisonous varmint. It was in fact a copperhead. The security guard arrived on the scene as the slaying occurred and confirmed the type of snake. She (we have female security guards) had seen it earlier and avoided it for fear of getting struck???? Not sure I understand the logic in leaving an angry snake unattended but that's what she had done. No worries, Mr. White Knight stepped up to the plate and proved that chivalry isn't a total thing of the past.

So how about you? What has everyone been up to? I am so very behind in my blog reading but I plan to work on making some major head way in getting caught up this week. Internet service was very sporadic this time at the campground. I made it to 3 or 4 blogs, getting kicked off repeatedly with each visit. Now I'm home and I'm ready to log some blog hours! Can't wait to see what has been going on.

Before I go, I thought I would share one of my layouts I did for the design team call.

This is the layout I submitted about me. I know I had promised to share which team I am trying out for so here goes...Serendipity Scrapbooks!!! Several of my blog friends are members there and by following their blogs I have come to realize many of the wonderful benefits of this site. Lots of challenges and contests, the gallery is teeming with inspiration and I am extremely impressed with the products offered in the store. And the kits are amazing. I mentioned in my last post that making the team is my ultimate goal, but taking that first step and just trying for the team was my greatest accomplishment. Make the team or not, I know that I've found a wonderful place to hang out and play.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and remember I will be stopping by to say hello. And if you feel the urge, please leave me a little comment letting me know what you've been up to in my absence. I love hearing from you all!

Hugs & Love,
L.