Source
aka Fantasy Land
It was the stuff of fantasies–a Saturday, kids at the zoo with my in-laws and my husband and I were left peacefully alone to tackle our massive to-do list. Despite the stymieing length of the list, there was hope in the air. We had a boatload of errands to run, sure, but we could attack them without having to dedicate 16 minutes after every stop trying to wrangle children back into their car seats.
The mood was light, giddy with the potential of completing an entire task before the sun set. Stopping on our way for coffee to celebrate our good fortune, we were off.
Two hours into all our running, we were still cheerful as we pulled into Sam’s Club. Upon walking through the doors, I proudly yanked my membership card from the depths of my wallet and flashed it front of the bouncer. “Look at me! Leaving the house without kids! Getting things done on a Saturday morning!”, my head shouted. I was majorly bummed when the sweet elderly lady didn’t seem as impressed with me as I was.
Whatevs. This shopping trip was ON. We had driven in separate vehicles, as we thought the van might have to be left for the day so it could be suited up with new tires. Surprised to learn it would only take 45 minutes, my husband suggested we leave, cross a few more things off our list, and then return to pick up the van.
Yes! Me! I want to be organized!
“But,” I ventured, wild possibility boiling inside me, “Can I stay?”
“You mean stay here while I leave? What would you do?”, he struggled to make sense of the insanity.
“I think I would shop.”
“Will you get bored in 45 minutes?”
Eyeing up some adorable new oven mitts in the corner of my eye right next to a fabulous pile of margarita-maker ball gadgets, I breathed, “No, no I don’t think I will…”
Shooing him away, I immediately realized my error of not grabbing a cart. What a fool I’d been!
Cart the size of a small flatbed secured, I dove into my glory and BEHOLD. The things! Clothing! Not all of which looked like something my grandmother would have worn in the 70s! And the most adorable pair of flipflops and a perfect baby gift for my sister.
Speaking of my sister, I’d better check to see if she needed any road atlases. Or cucumbers. So very many cucumbers. Do I eat enough cucumbers? Lots of quick texts sent to her.
I’d better send my husband and his friend a pic of the beekeeping novel I found too–might be fab for them to do some light hobby-relevant reading together?
And the Lysol–Holy Cow! What an amazing price on Clean Linen scent spray. And such a super deal on kids’ vitamins…now, actually, I was starting to get a little ticked, feeling as though I’d been thoughtlessly left in the dark. I called my sister, “Why have you never told me how awesome this place was?!”
“I thought you knew.”
“Well, I knew in the way I knew all things before I had kids. You were supposed to keep me updated.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You should be. Do you want more books about The Civil War?”
“I don’t have any. I don’t want any because I don’t read about it.”
“Fine. I’m stocking up on pizza in case you get hungry.”
“I don’t live with you.”
“You still might get hungry.”, Gracious, I hate it when she’s so illogical.
Blissful meandering continued, delightful treasures at every turn. This was the best Saturday morning of my life.
And then, right there before my very eyes, I saw It. The Post-it aisle. I think my heart actually skipped several beats. I whipped out my phone and immediately texted my husband and my sister, horrific feelings of being foolishly unaware flooding my being, “WHY HAS NO ONE EVER TOLD ME SAM’S CLUB SOLD SUCH CUTE POST-ITS?!”
Can you EVEN IMAGINE all the cute notes I could write with these?
Here’s the thing: if you can stash your Sam’s Club haul in the passenger side of a Honda Civic, you’re a good woman. A very good woman.
My sister wrote back, “Jared, I’m so sorry.”
As I continued to shake my head in disbelief before the glorious stock of Post-Its, my husband returned from his errand run and walked up beside me.
“Jared…,” I exhaled and grabbed his arm.
“I know,” he said, “I know.”
Beautiful, beautiful Sam’s Club.
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Ashey @ 3 Little Greenwoods says
Oh My Word! To be left alone at SAMS {or any other store} with nothing to do but shop. Ah ~ what a perfect Saturday indeed! My only complaint with SAMS is that I has been known to blow the entire grocery budget in one trip.
I giggled about the clothes because yesterday my entire outfit came from SAMS. One day I will boutique shop again!
~ Ashley
Meredith says
Ashley, so if we ever actually IRL meet, sounds like a date at Sam’s is on the books? And dude, I was drooling over some of the maxi dresses they had–CUTE!!
Janine Huldie says
It is funny the things that excite us once we get out of the house sans kids. Nothing bores me anymore if I can shop solo and can find the sheer pleasure in the simplest of things, like Post-Its, too. I mean what is not to like about peace and quiet in shopping without two screaming, whining little girls!
Meredith says
It’s like a mini vacation, right Janine? 😉
Kathy Radigan says
I have never gone to Sam’s Club, but being left alone in a store is a heavenly experience. I love that you called your sister and had the desire to buy pizza for her even though she doesn’t live with you! Great post!
Meredith says
I’m very dedicated to my belief that there can never be enough pizza!
Chris Carter says
Ahhhhh!!!! It’s a bit like Disney for moms, isn’t it? SQUEE for Sam’s CLUB!!! (Or really? Any store that has bulk supplies!!!!)
Meredith says
Disney indeed!!
Notsosupermom says
I am SO jealous. And I am totally NOT being sarcastic. I am currently “on vacation” at my in-laws. Which just means that I am doing everything I would be doing at home (with all 3 kids), except with the added twists of being slightly unfamiliar with where everything is/belongs and having ZERO childproofing.
SO, SO jealous…..
Meredith says
Isn’t vacationing with kids amazing? So sorry the week is so tough and hope you sneak in a few moments of relaxation!
Sisterhood of the Sensible Mom says
Your restraint is amazing. I bow down to you. Ellen
Meredith says
Please highlight this restraint to my husband and we’re all set 😉
thedoseofreality says
I feel like you did exercise some restraint…I think that most people just wind up purchasing one of those car roof carriers there to get all their goods home! ;)-Ashley
Meredith says
Whew that they don’t sell those there or we would really have been screwed! 😉
Kathy at kissing the frog says
“I think I would shop.” Umm, duh! OF COURSE you would shop. Oh, I wish I would have been there with you! We belong to Costco, and my Hubby loves it as much as I do.But don’t tell anyone. 🙂
Meredith says
My husband is just so foolish sometimes 😉 Now go enjoy a Costco date!
Gina Valley says
I LOVE the Post-Its aisle!!! I could blow a months wages there easily!
It’s so amazing shopping all alone. Such a rare, decadent delight! For me, the only problem is, I get to the front, with my giant score, and there is no one to help me unload it or to put it into the car. Worse yet is if I get home and there is no one to carry it all in! Still, it’s worth all the trouble to be able to do something uninterrupted.
Meredith says
Chalk it up as a workout? Then we can really feel victorious about our trips, Gina!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
When my friend lived in the States, she always went on and on about how much she loved this place! I’ve yet to go but this post has me even more curious about going 😉
Meredith says
It’s an experience, Lisa! I think I’ll have to go into training to prep myself before I go back 😉
Rachael Boley says
Absolutely hilarious!! Love this…. I’ve yet to do Sam’s alone but I imagine I’d get lost and come out completely broke! I come out broke anyway, but it’d be even worse!
Meredith says
But still, relatively, a cheap vacation when you add it all up, Rachael 😉
Rachael Boley says
Haha, such a strong point you make! ☺
Meredith says
Go enjoy!