Ten Days In

For my granddaughter's 5th birthday, I went with the gang to Las Cruces to see a movie, Migration. We also went shopping. The only thing I bought was an additional gift for the birthday girl. A tri-fold covered notebook with a cute pen that slides into its holder. Pink fake leather with hearts. $7.99. I knew the kids would be a weakness. Luckily, Christmas is over and Calvin doesn't turn 8 until June.

But the better part is that we went to my favorite stores and I shopped but didn't actually pick up anything. In other words, I stared at items I wanted. A sale on bath sheets almost got me. I saw what was happening and walked away.

Truth is, there may always be something that grabs my eye. I just need to build my walk-away muscle. I would have probably put away the pink notebook too but it was in her hands already and she likes to pretend to take orders at her pretend restaurant. Need I say more? I couldn't break her heart like that. This isn't about breaking hearts.

this isn't it, but you get the drift

It's about discipline.

But today we travel. To Bakersfield for my husband's birthday. One of my favorite trips to go shopping. I think I like shopping without buying. But let's be honest, I love picking out that special few items. It's like getting practical souvenirs when I travel (I say as I sip coffee from my Florida Starbucks cup, the one I got visiting my sister Amy a couple of months ago. It might as well say Amy on it).

So if I do buy something this trip, I see the thing and think, aww, I got that shopping with Sandi. (Sandi is Bill's daughter, and, I might add, a fellow shopping lover.) I may allow myself one thing. And anything Bill wants is also a go. Birthdays are like that.

See how it works? How sneaky?

I do adore the awareness I'm building on. That is the main point. And I'm finding it helps to not tell anyone what I'm doing. I'm accountable only to you. And you seem pretty close-lipped. Thank you.(