Singing Those Back To School Blues ! !

Well, here it is, another summer about come to an end for my child.

I must admit, I'm whipped. He played a heck of a lot of baseball this summer, and I'm not used to eating McDonald's around midnight, especially on weeknights. Yet, that was dinner many a night this summer. Sigh.

Those dog days of long, hot, humid southern summer have arrived and I simply cannot fathom going outside during the day.

But, it had to be done, either this week or next. I chose this week. Yup, I bit the bullet and churned on ahead, and am ahead of the game now.

On Thursday, I took both boys, the 20 yr old and the 14 yr old to town and got school clothes. The mall was actually quite pleasant, not many people mingling about.

The stores had super sales going on which really made me feel good. We made good time, and didn't quite get to the point where I was ready to abandon ship, but did come close!

On we trudged, dragging heavy shopping bags laden with jeans, shorts, tees and shoes and socks.

As we got back to the car, heat engulfed us and it took quite a while for the a/c to cool the car. I knew that I still had more shopping to do and decided to pursue it on Friday.

So, up and at 'em at a pretty early time, hoping against hope to beat the major part of the Wal-Mart crowd. As I drove into town, it was still pleasant enough to enjoy, but I knew soon, the intense heat would catch up.

I simply shook my head as I pulled into the parking lot. It was packed. I had forgotten that many of the factories were only working 4 days a week now. And I believe everyone had the same idea.

In I trudged, gaining momentium with each step. I should be in and out in no time. Not much in the grocery part, just enough for a dessert and spaghetti.

But, soon I was singing the blues. Workers were scrambling to unload school supplies onto the 'special' isles and shoppers were whipping buggies to and fro not watching where they were going--so intent on reading the sheet of paper they carried, aluding to what each child must bring to school.

I got confused for a bit, then realized that there were 3 sections of school stuff. I manged to hit the jackpot right off and find the 5 cent 70 count notebooks, and I loaded down the buggy with about 15 of them suckers. I knew that both sons were serious about 5 subject notebooks so grabbed a few of them and on I charged. Here a 3 subject, there a calculator, everywhere a pen, pencil and highliter. On and on, sheet protectors, organizers and day planners, protractors, loose leaf paper, and 3 inch binders.

Then, things turned into slow motion. There was the prettiest purple binder. I immediately knew that this would go to my oldests girlfriend.

You guys have got to understand, I love all the frilly, girly things they have for girls to take to school. Just never got to get any of them. So this purple binder took on a deeper purpose for me.

Suddenly, I didn't mind the crowded isles anymore, I smiled at the child who pushed her buggy into mine, and stopped and let others pass.

I felt great. Finally, I was able to buy something pretty, frilly, girly for back to school.

I know, I know, this all sounds like a bunch of balony to you. Yet, deep inside me, I felt something fall into place.

I didn't even mind the wait to check out.

I've had the best experience in getting back to school supplies I've had in a long time.

Thank you lil purple binder...