I brought down the house at Toys 'R Us tonight. Well, the customer service department, anyway. I had to exchange a camera I'd gotten Sabrina for her birthday, because it's pink and as of this minute she's into blue and, yes, catering to the kids' color obsessions has become my new occupation.
I forgot to bring the receipt and credit card I'd bought the camera with, of course. "If I tell you the card numbers, will that work?" I asked the store manager. He nodded, and I reeled off the 16 numbers from memory. He and the other person behind the desk cracked up. "How'd you remember that?" he asked.
I don't have a shopping problem. No, really, I don't. I'm a mini shopper—I mostly buy small things here and there. A lip balm, a wicker basket to hold papers, a purple t-shirt for Max (unlike Dave's shopping expeditions, when he comes home with some new tech toy, a moped or some green vitamin drink that he thinks is going to make him instantly healthy). Sure, I love a trip to a museum or photo gallery, but visiting Target at 9 at night is inspiring in its own way. Half the time, I don't even get anything. I'm probably Tarjay's worst nightmare. Perhaps my face is on a poster in the store's back office. "Strange woman alert—fondles votive holders but doesn't buy," the sign might say.
After Max was born, CVS was part of my therapy. I'd leave Max with Dave, drive there and stroll around, soothed by the neat rows of products—proof that there was still order in the world. I found the bright, sunny baby goods especially reassuring: Max had a stroke and was at risk for terrifying things, but he could have that sweet, intoxicating Johnson's Baby Shampoo smell just like any other baby in the world. He could still have that silky soft Baby Magic skin.
Shallow indulgence? Pathetic escape? I'll take it. When you've got worries on your mind, it's good to get away.
Photo by arfblat
I do a lot of my shopping at the local Walmart. I do love those Target stores but there's none nearby. I know lots of people look down on Wallyworld, because it has taken over a big chunk of the US landscape and they're political clodhoppers at times, but it's close and big and has everything in one stop and they don't overcharge. The only other stores nearby (not counting the thrift shops) are a drug store and a discount store that sells all sorts of discontinued or fire sale stuff they buy in bulk (good stuff cheap, too, but you never know what you're gonna get). The Walmart is very orderly, but it is way too big and I hate the lighting (what is up with store lighting at some places? It's like torture!). The discount store is cheap and has fewer lights, so it's more comfortable to shop in...plus, it's way smaller. It's also more messy, though, so you have to scrounge for your bargain winter ski outfit or designer bedsheets!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, the only place I can go to be alone and not have anyone bugging me is the grocery store. I hate to admit I look forward to the solitude at times! I love going during "off peak" and there are days when I feel like I'm the only one in the place, almost. I take my time, too.
Nothing wrong with looking and not buying either. I spent a couple of years in that mode out of pure necessity! It's amazing what you don't really need! I have retained that "think about what you buy" POV even though times aren't as tough nowadays. It helps me save a bit more every month, so that's a good result from it.
I don't get out shopping much these days, aside from grocery shopping that is. Never thought I would see the day that I would consider grocery shopping 'me time' but it is and I have a cup of coffee while I am out. I think I would go mad without that 90 mins a week!! I know my credit card number too lol. Jen.
ReplyDeleteHow funny - I used shopping as therapy too when my girls were little. Although most of the time I was wandering around I was having flashbacks to their experience in the NICU. But it was still helpful to have that time out.
ReplyDeleteUmmm, I know most of my credit cards numbers, too, including the 3digit code on the back. I just have a thing for numbers.
ReplyDeleteOh Ellen,
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up, girl! But I have to say, Target is my drug of choice. The closest one is over an hour a way, but in the same town as therapy, so every Monday and Wednesday, you can find me there! I am anti-Wallyworld!
Target is my therapist. And she's only 3 miles away, which is dangerous. I would say I'm there at least once a week. Even the kids are calm in Target, as long as we go to the Cars aisle. Unlike you, I do buy. Usually more than I planned. Small items. But I do love a good deal and get a thrill to find my $40 worth of placemats on sale for $2 total!
ReplyDeleteI know my Visa number by heart too! :) Hey, you never know when it might come in handy!
ReplyDeleteThat's cool to hear that Sabrina has fallen for blue as her colour of choice.
And the comment about the reassuring "order" of the baby products when you were dealing with the aftershocks of Max's stroke was poignant.
I love to watch the seasons change in Target. I love to stroll thru that corner of the store and see the barbeques, back to school, Halloween, Christmas, well you know. Its amazing how fast it goes. One minute the patio furniture is there, discounted and back again! Its almost scary. Felicia I totally get the Wal-mart lightening thing. Ours just reorganized nicely but the glare off the floor from the lights is an instant migraine for me. Its like a tanning bed!
ReplyDeleteI practice store therapy as often as I can. A girl has to stay sane after all!
ReplyDeleteSuper post...very true!
ReplyDeleteWe actually just came home from a Target trip! And here I was, thinking we were the only ones who relax by wandering around a giant discount store.
ReplyDeleteI love doing store therapy at my favorite thrift store. I pick up craft supplies, books, and "new" jeans this way.
ReplyDeletehi i found you on knowledge safari i am an young adult with Cerebral Palsy and i too blog i'm college educated
ReplyDeleteI love the library. So many goodies and they're all free! Some days I come with a list, other times I just browse. It's great there.
ReplyDeleteBefore Isaiah was born, Walmart was my place. But in the last several years, Target has earned the #1 Therapy Spot in My Heart award.
ReplyDeleteIt's so bad that when I told the cashier at the Target near my Tacoma home that we'd be moving to the East Coast, she came from behind her register to hug me.
The looks on the faces of the 7 people in line behind me were priceless. :)
"TarJay" is my second home!
ReplyDeleteWait, you can go to Target and not buy anything? How? I go for paper towels and come out with lamp shades, kitchen towels, and scarves.
ReplyDeleteWell, then you probably get why strolling through the WalMart for an hour all alone it like therapy. I don't buy much, but I look (smell, touch) everything. My husband doesn't understand why I don't get in and get out like him.
ReplyDeleteduring maternity leave, starbucks was my comfort place. i was at home all day with a newborn who just suffered a stroke. i was living a nightmare (still am) so i'd go to starbucks carrying my baby boy in the baby-bjorn and pretend that nothing at all was wrong. people would come over and nicely ask, "oh wow! a newborn! how old is he? he's adorable!" and i'd smile and say, "he's 2 months old! he's wonderful!" and just act like nothing was wrong even though inside, i truly just wanted to die. sorry, that sounds so horrible & dramatic but it's just really how i felt & sometimes i still do feel like this is not really happening & i still feel like dying.
ReplyDelete