So I haven't been off my street in several days. Snow, snow, everywhere.
With a forecast of at least another 12 inches due last night, I had to get out. I had to get somewhere, anywhere.
The minute my husband got home last night, I jumped in the van and headed to the closest thing I could think of: JoAnn's. I took mercy upon my son and took him with me. He hadn't been anywhere in days, either. It had just begun to snow, but the roads weren't bad yet. "What's the worst that could happen?"
We got to the store just fine. I found my bamboo size 8 24" circular knitting needles easily, too easily, actually; I needed an "outing." I wouldn't be out again for several days. So we had a stroll around the store some more.
Ever the bargain hunter, I didn't stop until I found the clearance aisle. They had a bunch of those big tin stars 70% off. Those stars have never been quite my style, but I don't hate them. Honestly, I think I was desperate for something else to think about, so I went over to look at them. There were about 10 on one rack and one by itself on the other. I cleverly reached for the one by itself so as not to tangle with the rack full. The next thing I knew . . . and I still have no idea how it happened . . . they were all falling. One. By. One. Crash! Bang!! It sounded as if someone was banging two aluminum trash can covers together, over and over. And then these long boards painted with rosebuds and girly sayings also began careening off the bottom shelf. No idea how or why those would even move! The noise seemed to go on forever. It was as if it was happening in slow motion.
Being that we were way in back by the employee stock room, an employee came running out of the break room still chewing her food to see what had happened. She said she thought the roof had fallen in. Ooops I focused my efforts on apologizing profusely while I helped her pick it all up. She then went back to her dinner.
Still not to deterred from our scamper of freedom, my son and I continued shopping. My son could hardly walk for holding his stomach from laughing so hard. The child can be quite the teaser when given some material -- no idea where he got that trait. He was having a field day. And I couldn't really blame him; all the times we've told him not to touch things in stores.
We found a few more things to buy, and reluctantly proceeded to the check out. The checkout clerk rang everything up and suddenly I realize I left my wallet at home. It was sitting on the desk at home (from when I needed a business card from my wallet). In my defense, I am usually fanatical about putting my wallet right back in my purse, but this one time I wasn't -- probably because I didn't think I would be going anywhere for days and days.
Well, I did have my checkbook and asked if that would be alright. Fine, as long as I had a driver's license number, the clerk said. Nope. My driver's license is in my wallet (right where it should be) only my wallet is currently at home on my desk! I pleaded my case. The clerk said she would have to check with the manager. So she makes an embarrassing, and slightly hostile, call over the loud speaker. Who comes . . . you can guess, can't you? Of course, the still-chewing woman from the stock room. She turns out to be the manager. Imagine how happy she was to see me waiting earnestly and perhaps pitifully, at the register.
I again explained the embarrassing situation -- people were now, of course, gathered behind me in line -- and she refused. I offered to call home and have my husband tell it to me. Nope. Then, as nicely as I could, I implored her, it was only $35, it was not as if I was buying a sewing machine. Somehow, that changed her mind. She finally relented, but insisted I call home and have my husband read me the driver's license number (something I had regrettably offered earlier). So, as if I am not embarrassed enough, I now must also bring my husband into the situation. How completely humiliating. But I was not going home to face the next several days snowed under without the specific knitting needle required to make a certain felted bag that had been nagging me for days now. Nope, I neeeeeded this stuff; it was essential. (By this time, my son was practically rolling on the floor with smug laughter, but trying his best to hold it together because I had, by now, explained -- twice -- how this was not at all funny. anymore. And to think I almost didn't bring him. No good deed goes unpunished.)
I finally walked out of that store with my dignity and pride battered and bruised, but I had my stuff, my bag of treasures. I felt a peculiar mix of victory and defeat. All just to get out of the house, once, before the next storm submerged us all in snow. again.
Now we have at least another 12 inches of snow added to the 30 from the weekend. Everything is closed. Everyone is at home. No idea when the snow will stop or how where we'll put it all this time.
Good thing I've got my new bamboo knitting needles.
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