Enjoying the Day

I have had some chores to do today, but for the most part, I have been able to sit back and enjoy the day.   I bought a lot of stuff to cook on the grill, and sat out to watch it cook, make sure a wayward cat did not try to get on the hot grill (some came around and sniffed) and in general enjoy the outside.   The weather started out grey, but became sunny, and remained cool.  I put on a light jacket when I was sitting in the shade.

I had planned to cook and then package some of the meat to freeze. I did not realize I did not have much foil, and I like to wrap the meat in foil before I put it in a bag.   Oh well, I decided not to get to the store today, and I can get there tomorrow on my way home from a meeting, and work on this one night during the week.

A few years ago, I was visiting my brother.  He was raised Roman Catholic, but eventually converted to being a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He made the comment to me that he really tries to keep Sunday, and not do any commercial activities. He might golf on Sunday, but mostly does home or family things. We grew up in a part of the world where most stores were closed on Sunday, although movie theaters, bowling alleys, restaurants and the like were open. So, this is not really a totally foreign idea.

At the time I mentally scoffed at the idea. But, as time goes by, I have begun to adopt that practice more and more.  I still go to a concert, kayak, visit with friends, go to the library.  And, I do occasionally do commercial things, but have really decreased my Sunday commercialism. 

In addition to groceries, gasoline and the library, my other semi-regular weekend activity is to go to the craft store. I prefer Hobby Lobby http://www.hobbylobby.com/ to Michael's http://www.michaels.com/, Jo-Ann http://www.joann.com/joann/home/home.jsp, or Hancock http://www.hancockfabrics.com/.  It used to irritate me the Hobby Lobby is not open on Sunday.  Now, I do not even think about it.  If I am going to the craft stores, I am going on Saturday. No matter which one.

I appreciate having access to stores on Sunday, but Hobby Lobby is an example of a chain that can survive and be closed on Sunday.  So, while I like knowing I can have access to stores on Sunday, more and more, I do not access them.

What I Miss

I hate shopping, and I am generally what I call a "tunnel shopper."  If I am looking for something specific, I am not browsing around at what else is out there.  There was a time in my life when I enjoyed going to flea markets to browse, or to the mall and browse, but no more.  I even used to watch for sales and go from store to store to get the best bargains.

I do not do that anymore.  I am a "one stop shopper" which means more often than not, my one stop is a Wal-Mart Supercenter...There I can get pretty much all of the basics that I want.  I am a habitual buyer:  I tend to buy the same things over and over again, without varying my purchase habits.

Just recently, I had occasion to go to the mall, because I wanted something I could get at Barnes & Noble, which is now located at the mall. I go to Barnes & Noble fairly regularly as the mystery book club which I attend meets there.  But, I rarely go further than that.  A couple of weeks ago,though,  I had to go to the eye glass store, but that is just barely in the mall, using the entrance near the Barnes & Noble.

Well, while I was at the mall, I decided to go to the Hallmark store, because I could not find the exact card I needed, although I had looked at three other stores.  I thought the Hallmark store would have the card.  So, I walked around the mall.  I went the wrong direction, and did some extra walking through the mall.  I was amazed at the sales and products that I was not familiar with.  I did find the card I was looking for...I guess one lesson is that go to the specialist for a specialty product.   And, remember that if you do not spend time expanding your horizons, you really are in a tunnel....

Shopping

I hate shopping for clothes.  Part of that has to do with body image, but most of it has to do with not being much of a clothes horse and being real happy to wear slouch: loose, baggy, frumpy, and not necessarily fashionable.

I hate to pay full price for clothes, because there is an outrageous mark up on clothes. 

Consequently, I frequently go shopping and find it to be an unsatisfying experience.

On the other hand, I can spend hours in a book store, not buy anything but be very happy... And, I can spend hours at a library, not find anything (rarely) and be perfectly happy. 

I do not think it is the browsing thing so much as the object thing.

Tax Free Weekend

I do not know when it started, nor where it started, but the State of Texas has adopted the practice of having a tax-free weekend in August to help families prepare for school. Clothing, shoes, and backpack items less than $100 dollars are exempt from state and local use tax.

Additionally, the State of Texas has recently included school supplies under $100, purchased by individuals (not businesses, unless they have an exempt certificate) in the tax free status.

This can be quite a savings, of usually about $8 on the hundred, for families with many children, or even one child.

Because it is difficult to screen for use, many non-students benefit from this weekend.  Whether or not that is right, it happens. 

This was tax free weekend in Texas.  I was shopping late Saturday afternoon, and it was sort of crazy in the store:  lots of crying children, people stopping in the middle of the aisle without regard for the fact they were blocking traffic on either side of them, full parking lots, scarce shopping carts, and security being extra careful... Normally, the cashiers do not bag things like multipaks of soda, but today they did.  It made sense:  bagged items were cashed out and payed for, but non-bagged items were suspect.  Entering and leaving the store, the "greeter" was stopping and watching people with non-bagged items, checking everything very carefully... The increased traffic in stores makes security more difficult, and shoplifting easier...