Shopping Adventures

The kids needed some summer clothes so last week I decided to be brave and take them both to the mall at the same time. Dave had a soccer game so he was planning on picking up DJ on his way to his game and taking him with him; so I figured it wouldn’t be too bad.

When we got there I looked for clothes with DJ while Dee went and looked in the girl’s department. DJ picked out one shirt and one pair of shorts and he was done. There was nothing else he wanted. That left us with a lot of shopping time before his dad got there and I knew he’d get bored quick. I also knew he’d be leaving when his dad did arrive so I took the shorts and the shirt from him.

Dee on the other hand was anxious to shop but she’d gotten taller and thinner since our last shopping trip so we weren’t sure what size she was and she wanted me to come help her look. DJ of course had no desire to stand in the girls department while we searched through an endless assortment of racks in search of the perfect outfit. (Ok, Dee doesn’t relish that either, but it’s just got to be done.)

DJ said he’d just go stand outside and wait for his dad but I hated for him to do that since it would still be a while before his dad arrived. I asked DJ if there was anywhere else in the mall he’d like to look. There wasn’t.

I knew he needed shoes and ‘Penny’s didn’t have any he liked so we thought we’d try another store in the mall and see what they had. I figured we’d go back to Penny’s afterwards and shop for Dee’s things.

I forgot all about the shirt and shorts, which were still on the hangers, lying in my arms. We walked out of the store halfway across the mall, past the security and info desk until we found a mall directory. Then we took the escalator to the second level walked halfway back across the mall again and just as we reached the other store I happened to look down and to my horror saw the shirt and shorts with the anti-theft devices still attached lying in my arms. I just about had a heart attack.

I couldn’t believe I’d walked out of that store with those things in my arms! I also couldn’t believe no one had stopped me. I’m sure the Lord was looking out for me because I don’t think anyone would have believed I’d accidentally taken those things from the store or that I had every intention of going back and doing more shopping.

I sheepishly walked back into JC Penny’s, found a sales associate, told her what I’d done. I explained to her that I still wanted the clothes but had some other shopping I needed to do first and asked her if she would hold the clothes for me until I returned so that I could purchase them then. She had the funniest look on her face but she took them and didn’t call security on me. (I don’t know what it is with me and funny looks from store clerks.)

The clothes were still there when we finally made it back to retrieve them and I didn’t get arrested. However I did notice a young man who was trying to look like he was folding and straightening clothes sticking kind of close to us.

Then today at the grocery store – the same one I had the memory lapse in as I was signing my check – I was checking out. I’d unloaded my buggy (for those of you unfamiliar with that term that’s a shopping cart.) and pushed it through the lane so the gentleman bagging my groceries could start putting them in it.

After a second the checker looked at me kind of funny (I’m telling you I’m getting a complex about the funny looks) and asked, “Do you want your mushrooms?” I looked back at her blankly and said, “Huh?”

She repeated her question, “Do you want your mushrooms?” Now I was confused. Two thoughts ran through my mind almost simultaneously: 1) Do I want my mushrooms where? and 2) Does she mean do I want to hold onto the little treat I was buying. You see, when you buy a candy bar or something they always ask if you want to keep it with you or if you want it in the bag; so I was expecting that question but the mushroom question totally threw me.

When I looked at her again this time with a totally baffled look on my face she said as she pointed to my cart, that I’m telling you just moments before was completely empty and said, “Do you want your mushrooms?”

This time I looked where she was pointing and to my surprise saw a package of mushrooms, sitting pretty as you please, in my cart. Somehow I’d missed them and pushed them through the line without paying for them. Feeling sheepish once again, I apologized and told her I hadn’t even realized I’d missed them. Then shaking my head I proceeded to tell her about my little adventure at JC Penny’s. I somehow don’t think that lent much to my credibility.

The moral of the story – always check your arms, shopping cart, top of your purse or anywhere else you might have laid something before exiting a store and think twice before sharing your “adventures” with uninterested third parties.

Has Anyone Seen May?

Where did May go; has anyone seen it? Mom use to tell me that the older you get the faster time goes. When I was a kid and the days just seemed to drag by I couldn’t imagine how that was possible. Now I find myself wondering where the time goes!

May was a very eventful and busy month for our family. At the beginning of the month I got to go with one of my friends to the BYU Women’s Conference. Let me just say that that many women in one place vying for limited seating at each venue is a scary thing. The event itself was terrific. I loved listening to Sheri Dew and Julie Beck. After listening to them you felt like you could take on the world or at least beat it back for a while.

I also listened to wonderful presentations on discovering and nurturing your personal gifts, the power of personal prayer, creative family reunions and blogging (hence the creation of this one – Thanks Travelin Oma!)

We also got to attend a family reunion for my husband’s mother’s side of the family. It was wonderful seeing relatives we don’t get to visit with very often. I wish families weren’t so spread out these days.

The kids love going up to the Chalet, playing games, exploring the countryside and watching for the train after leaving pennies on the railroad track. This year the kids got to tie dye t-shirts and break open a piñata. But I have to admit my favorite part was watching “the sisters”, Dave’s mom and her six sisters, compete in a sack race. It was marvelous and they were all such good sports about it!! We always cap off the day by roasting marshmallows and hot dogs over an open fire. You might think the kids would be getting too old for it, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dave and I also got the opportunity to go to a seminar, “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey and we had a blast!! – at least I did. I think Dave enjoyed it too but I know he was a bit worried when we first got the tickets (my friend gave them to us for Christmas). He wondered what in the world we were going to do for six hours while some guy talked to us about budgeting and finances.

Dave Ramsey is from Tennessee and he was hilarious. For me it was like a little taste of home. I loved the accent, the jokes and the references to things I grew up with. My friend who was there too came up to me during one of the breaks and said, “This is so funny. He keeps saying things and I keep thinking – that sounds just like something Wendy would say!” I had to laugh because I’d been thinking the same thing.

DJ is driving now. I have to admit it was very weird to sit in the back seat and look up and see my son in the driver’s seat while my husband sat on the passenger’s side. I finally told Dave, “Okay, you need to take your seat back because this is just too weird!”

DJ’s doing pretty good. He insisted that he go get his permit first thing in the morning on his birthday and then be allowed to drive home on the freeway. I told him that if I took him that was not going to happen. I remember how I felt the first time I drove on the freeway and I knew my heart couldn’t take him doing it his first day.

His dad however is more laid back than I am and he was willing to do it. Dave did have him drive around on the streets for a while after he got his permit and then drive half-way home on the back roads before he let him get on the freeway.

They made it home just fine. Dave said he did pretty good. He got to drive on the freeway three times that day and the only thing we were concerned about was when he almost challenged an eighteen-wheeler for his lane on a curve at 65 mph. We told him that was a battle he couldn’t win and we advised him to let the trucker keep his lane. He did.

DJ wanted to go see the new Indiana Jones movie for his birthday so he got to drive the family to theater as well. The movie was good and the kids seemed to really enjoy it. I could have done without the ants! Sorry to those of you who haven’t seen it yet. I won’t say anything else except – EEEEWWWW.

Dee (one of the nickname’s I call my daughter), decided to take the summer off from karate. She loves Karate! She’s been begging for us to let her take it for the last couple of years or so. So last November we let her drop out of dance and sign up for karate. She is now a yellow belt with a white stripe – she’s advanced two belts so far. It’s fun to see her self-confidence grow along with her skills.

A couple of the kids at school knew she was taking it and sometimes she’d have boys that didn’t know come up and start to teasing her (in fun). The boys who know about the karate would say, “Hey, you better leave her alone! She knows karate and she’ll beat you up!” Which is really funny because for the most part Dee is pretty easy going. But I have to tell you I’d hate to rile her, karate or not! She may be easy going but you don’t want to tick her off – I just can’t imagine where she gets that from.

Dee walked up to me the other morning, got nose to nose with me and said, “Woe mom! You’re getting short!” I think I’ve only got her by an inch now. I can’t believe how tall she’s getting. It won’t be long before I’m the shortest one in the family and I’m not really that short at 5’7.

Those are a few of our highlights for May. Throw in the dentists appointments, soccer games (Dave’s not the kids), church callings, hair appointments (DJ does not take his hair lightly), Mother’s Day, service projects, Dave and DJ’s races and all the other day to day activities and you’ll probably understand how I seem to have misplaced May.

All in all it was a great month. I hope all of you had a great month too!!