The School Supply Scramble

I don't know about everyone else, but I think I'm going to boycott Staples, Wal-Mart, Target and Office Depot. I've personally visited each of these stores probably three times in the last couple of days...five or six for Staples. Yes, I was part of the mob of people grabbing up 1 cent notebook paper, and anything else I could get my hands on. I hadn't even planned to do my shopping until this weekend - our tax free weekend - but once I was there...

My problem is I've been spoiled for the last several years. At the school the girls used to go to I could buy a box of supplies that magically appeared in their classroom the first day. Yes, I was one of those people who would stand on the fringes of the melee at Wal-Mart and laugh at the poor people scrambling for that last 10 cent notebook.

This year? Well, this year I've been the one driving from one store to the other looking for Fiskar scissors (why the hell don't these stores carry the right brand if they know we're all gonna need them?) and plastic brad folders, 6 of them, in different colors that my child will actually agree to carry. At one point in this process I spoke to the manager of a store I won't name and told him I was looking for plastic brad folders. His reply? "Good luck." Unfortunately, he was right. Not in his store, not in the two down the street. I did eventually find them one town over.

I seriously want to go back to paying for my box. I've already spent way more money than I have in years past and I still owe the school their fees. However, I guess I can't complain too much since I'm no longer paying for their education.

My girls start school next Monday. They are not excited for summer to end but mommy is. Baby Girl starts Kindergarten. No, I will not be one of the parents crying in the hallway. Sweet Pea is in third grade. They're both starting a new school and very worried about it. But I think everything's going to be fine. They, however, have not learned that mommy is always right yet and are a little panicked. We're going shopping tomorrow (tax free weekend here I come) for some clothes and then I'm taking them to have their nails done. I'm hoping a little girl time and shot of confidence will help.

Have you ever started a new job? Gone to a new school? Moved to a new place? Do you find it easy to make new friends, find new places and settle into the new environment? Or are do you have a hard time putting yourself out there?

Instigator

P.S. Congratulations to Karen and Marcy, Lynn’s winners from her guest blog with us yesterday. Please send your info to her at lynn@lynnrayeharris.com to claim your prizes. Colleen is Playground Monitor's winner from yesterday. Please email here at playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com with your info. As always, prizes not claimed within seven days will be re-awarded.

Egads!

I completely forgot that today is Thursday. My days are all messed up. I can't remember if I'm supposed to be coming or going. And I can't for the life of me remember to write 08 on my checks! And I write checks for three organizations. That's a lot of shredding.

I'm backwards and upside down not to mention sleep deprived. But I did watch something amazing last night. We went out to eat with DH's family since we really haven't been able to all be together over the holidays. Nothing fancy just a chance for everyone to relax and chat over salads and pizza. However, when we were almost through a man walked into the restaurant with a remarkable resemblance to Santa.

The girls began to ask questions - namely if it really was him. He, obviously being used to the reaction, stopped and asked the girls if they'd been good on the way to his own table. It wasn't long before both of my girls were convinced that the man a table away was Santa taking a nice vacation after his long journey on Christmas night.

The man was wonderful. He pulled out a card - a picture of himself dressed as Santa - and told the girls they could come speak with him. He was so sweet. And it was wonderful to see the excitement in the girl's faces. Sweet Pea talked of nothing else until bedtime. What touched me most was to see her go from a little girl who was beginning to question to a little girl who believed wholeheartedly in magic once more.

Instigator

P.S. Anyone else hoping that the return of late night TV might mean a looming end to the strike? I'm really not excited about all the reality TV shows that seem to be popping up.