I want to buy a book

That declaration in itself took me by surprise. But maybe Jennifer knew that if she said that I'd practically be throwing the car keys her way to go to the book store.

She came back with Pride Prejudice and Zombies for me, and The Last Lecture for herself. Oh, and conned dad into buying her a $60 pair of tennis shoes after her org. pair were stolen last week out of her locker at school.

Trip to the mall

After last night's fashion stand off, I had promised Jennifer a trip to Aerie, so it was time to deliver.

And actually, we did fairly well, and got out of the store for $38, and out of the mall for that as well!

We actually got discounts of up to 30 percent on some items, reinforcing the concept to my daughter - never pay full retail for anything!

We even browsed through Forever 21 and H& M, and didn't buy anything. I looked at a $60 silk blazer that covered my butt, but it had a smudge or two, and I wasn't willing to pay full price for that.

"Mom, I agree, don't pay $60 for, it, but you have a fine butt, show it off."

OK, almost willing to go back and buy the $50 sweatshirt for that remark. Thank you darlin.

Off to shop

Even tho Apolo shows up on NBC in about a half hour. Daughter has priorities you know, and it doesn't seem to be watching the Olympics with mom.

Mom we need to stop at the store

"We just stopped at the store yesterday, and dropped about $120 in groceries for the week."

"Well, I need some hangers for my new poster, and dad and I just want something like."

"Why couldn't you have decided this yesterday? "

"Jeeze mom, cool out. You don't have to be so grumpy."

"Yes, in fact, I do."

I pointed out that every time we drop by,it's another $50 drain on the checking account. And they whine when I tell them there's no $$ left until payday.

She tossed her head at this and said I was overstating things.

But after the grocery bill came to $45.27, she was quiet.

"I guess you're right."

Off to the races

Jennifer was just determined to go hit the stores early today. She wanted to do the 3 am madness, but I talked her into 5:30 am madness,and then, after not getting asleep until 3 am (must have been reg. coffee?) I begged for an extra hour or so of sleep when she went bounding out of her bedroom like a kid on Christmas morn.

Annoyed, she went back to sleep. But I could hear her counting the minutes, so at 6:30, I gave up and told her to get ready. We were at the mall by 7:30, so no doorbuster gifts for us, but at least the parking gods were kind, and we found slots easily, and managed to avoid the horrific Kohls' check out line, but purchasing a single piece of jewelry and then sitting in that line for 10 minutes instead of 60.

Nordies Rack for a pair of my shoes, and then she picked up something at Macy's (shoes again), and then home. And bed again.

Glitter sale, maybe next year.

The Goodwill Glitter sale took place this weekend, and Jennifer and I drooled. But alas, the week before payday is as usual, slim, so we took a pass. But we plan to go full bore next year.

And actually she suggested it (the pass) and I was glad to hear it.

If I see anyone in here, I'm leaving

So said the daughter as we entered Plato's Closet near Southcenter mall in Tukwila. Think Nordy's Rack for the teen set.

And actually they take this a step farther and will pay you for new and gently used clothes a la the Hollister, AE, Forever XXI and the rest. Jennifer got $30 out of the deal on Saturday, and went back and bought jeans at $15 each (that would normally cost $40 or more each) on Sunday. I also convinced her to at least LOOK at the Vans, and the shirts. She didn't find anything she liked, but at least she wasn't looking to see if anyone was looking at her.

Since she was spending her own $$ for once, she was more interested in keeping as much as she could in her own wallet (since I made it clear I wasn't going to fund this trip.)