Friday, August 20, 2010

Shopping Runs in the Family

Well, blog, it's date night once again. I am so excited. Dinner and a movie, plus tonight, we're having cookies and milk. I know, it sounds childish, but these are my honey's special, homemade cookies that are baked with tender loving care, cooled and scrumptious.

Ring ring ring bling bling baaaring… Oh, it's dotty [my daughter, Kim] and her daughter [my beautiful granddaughter] here at the front door for a surprise visit. I'm loving it. Tomorrow, little miss (that's Alexandera's nick name) is off to college, again. It's her second year, and this year she is apartmenting with 3 girl friends. How fun is that?

Little miss had much to say about her major and classes. Yikes! Either she's really smart, or I'm… let's not go there [smile]. She mentioned shower heads. Hmmm, that reminds me of toilet day. Odd, that topic came up, too.

It's so nice and totally expected... that her Uncle Steven assisted her "on the spot... instantly, immediately" with her auto challenge. [Dad's out of town.] Now, the girls are off to pick up the little miss car from the Mr. fine-tune-it shop… It's jibbed and jazzed, ready for her [little miss] big education trek. Four years, 91,000 miles and climbing. Yikes. You tell that car to take good care of you, little miss.

I love to see family members, especially when smiles are so big, it's white-teeth glows and rosey lips standing at the door... but I confess that I was sneaking an afternoon nap when the door bell went wild. See! This is exactly what I mean when I say as a self employed woman of the 10's [sounds odd, doesn't it?] I can stop, nap and visit whenever I want. Even on date night. (This means that I'll STOP computering early tonight, blog.) Date night is work-free!

BTW, I am totally amazed that every time I see little miss, she is simply more and more beautiful. Good genes I guess [humility speaking] Ah Hem. She takes after me.

Well, I wave goodbye as this proud mom and daughter are down the front walk of our home, in dotty's SUV and off to shop. Okay, she definitely takes after me on that note. No one loves to shop more than me. I am a shopper. Shopper me. And… although I love to mall shop… with the Internet… shopping is really easy easy easy. I am in front of my computer working most of the day anyway, so how quick and convenient is it to open a new browser window, snap up Amazon or some such website, mouse around like a fly on the screen, zipping here and whizzing there. Click click clickity click. Browse and buy. Or just browse. Whatever strikes my fancy. The internet is my playground.

I am an Internet junky. Love it love it love it. I guess that's why I have made it my business. But for shopping, it is fabUlous. When I buy something for myself, no prob. I do make a lot of purchases for Bailey. Dog toys. I find unique dog toys and he loves them. But when I shop for gifts to give, I get my magnifying glass out when it comes to the shipping and delivery fees.

Internet shipping fees have dropped considerably from even a few years ago. That's when even Ebay sellers padded the shipping to try and squeak in a bit more profit on each sale. [I did it. I am guilty of adding a couple of dollars to my Ebay store items.] But now, especially with the sucky economy, fees are much more reasonable. Even the US Post Office has jumped in with their 'ships for one low fee' campaign. "If it fits, it ships!" Yeah! But when do you get it. I've had a package take 2 weeks to land on my front door. UPS would have the same package in my hands in days. In fact, I can place an order with Amazon, choose the free shipping (the take a very long time) option, and SURPRISE, get it day after tomorrow. It's probably because Amazon has a warehouse right here in Carrollton, Texas.

I guess the girls are not concerned about shipping today. They are using the old go-and-get method. So I'll say "Off to college with you little princess. Dancing wishes surround and protect you like God's beautiful butterflies. Have the best experience, make lots of memories, study hard and have fun. You live in my heart, and I am a cheer leader for your success in all you do."

I am so proud of my dotty. What a great mom she is. I am blessed with such an awesome family.

Goodbye blog. I'm off to date night with my honey.