Shopping Bonanza!

Do you have a really good friend who you can always count on? Who you can go without seeing and sometimes even not talking to for days or even weeks at a time, but get back together and have it feel like no time has passed at all?  A friend who has the same sense of humor, likes the same type of TV shows and books as you, but is still different enough in other areas to keep things interesting?  Can you drive/shop with her for 18+ hours and still feel like you could keep going?

I'm lucky enough to have two friends like that.

Yesterday, Gigi and Misty and I had a pre-Spring Break Shopping Bonanza.  And It Was Awesome.

And while the shopping was good (well, great for me - I found several things I needed!), it wasn't the best part.  The best part was being able to spend so much uninterrupted time with my friends.  Because all three of us have such wonderful (and I mean that in all seriousness) husbands, we didn't have to worry about the kids or the house or anything else for the day.  We talked and shopped and talked and ate and talked and maybe got lost a little bit here and there because of stupid Google Maps and the fact that every street in that area has 8+ names and talked and shopped and perhaps ran a couple of red lights although I'll never admit to that and shopped some more and talked and talked and talked.  And then we talked.  Oh, and laughed.  Lots and lots of laughing, because that's what friends do.  They talk and laugh and enjoy being around each other.

And that's what we did.

Thanks for such a great day, Gig & Misty.  I really needed it!

Since I am under a sworn oath of silence as to what we talked about (Actually, you probably wouldn't be interested in most of it... no, I'm lying - you would, you really would!!!) I'll just show you what I bought.

Actually, I'll just show you one thing that I bought at IKEA.  Mainly because it's the only interesting thing - most of the stuff I bought were basic household goods.  Anyways, BEHOLD!

My new cubby for the front entrance!

I have been wanting one of these for what feels like ages now.  See, Spencer always dumps his backpack on the floor and it seems like we're always missing it or things that should be in it or whatever.  And the problem was, we had no designated spot for it.  (Unless you count the middle of the living room.  Which I don't.)  I had thought about hanging hooks on the wall there, but decided I didn't really like that.  So I searched and searched and searched for something like this, but all I could find were ones with only three cubbies, which is one cubby too small for me.  Or they'd cost over $1000, which is about $800 more than I was willing to spend!

Anywho, we came upon this at IKEA and I could have done a little dance of joy!  Actually, I probably would have done a little dance if they had had it in the light birch finish to match my book shelf, but no such luck.  So no dancing for IKEA this time.  But I did bless and praise them because it was only $179!!  Hooray for IKEA!!

*Side note: Misty was an IKEA virgin until yesterday.  I do believe we now have a true convert.*

We also did quite a bit of shopping at various clothing stores, but nobody even found anything until we went to - wait for it - JCPenneys.  I know.  We totally have a Penneys here in Lafayette.  But the one in Schaumburg is a good three times as large.  It was pretty impressive and pretty decently priced.  (Well, in most parts.  We decided the children's clothing was still overpriced.)  I ended up buying an Easter dress, matching shoes, and some new running shoes. (Which will be explained in another post.)  ((I am all about the parenthetical comments tonight, aren't I?))

Anywho, I was on the fence about the dress and shoes - especially the shoes - but Misty and Gig totally peer pressured me into buying them.  I believe their exact words were something along the lines of "Do it!  Do it!  You'll be cool and people will like you!"  Or something like that.

So I bought them, because I really want to be cool and have people like me.

Plus, they were super cute and I haven't bought anything like that in years.  Pictures to come around Easter.

So, that was my day.  I now feel ready to take on a whole week of Spring Break with my kids.  We should do this every year.  I think we will. :)