I Hate the Hunt

When I was much younger I always thought I would enjoy hunting. I have a rather large intolerance for animals and a hearty temper, and so hunting seemed to be naturally up my alley; shooting an animal the perfect hobby. I have yet to try hunting, but I'm guessing my lack of patience might be a bit of a hindrance. When it comes right down to it, it's the kill I think I would love, but not the hunt. Shopping has helped me come to that conclusion.

I have to admit that I really do despise shopping. It's just not a fun thing for me at all. Because it's not in my nature, I hardly ever randomly shop stores seeking "good deals" and so it always comes down to there being a dire need that necessitates shopping, and inevitably, a hunt. (Yes, I'm sure I end up paying more in the end than all of you "shoppers" but I'm also saving a bundle on all those "deals" I'm constantly missing out on!) Take the last couple of days for instance as I have been frantically searching for an Easter dress and white shoes for my size 10/12 dress and size 5 shoe picky eight year old. This is no easy task. And the hunt has taken me to about a dozen different stores on all sides of town; even with having been "browsing" the shoe departments for weeks. Apparently my eight year old daughter is the perfect size of a crazy hoochie mama - the dresses are hideous and way to old for her. Every dress I love comes, at most, in a size 5T for toddlers! Most shoe departments only carry girls shoes up to a size 4, but one store graciously opened up to me that by next spring they would be carrying a new girls line size 5-7. I'm sure by next spring she'll be a size 8 with my luck. So try shopping for a size 5 shoe for your little girl in the women's section. I wanted either a cute white flat or sandal - no strappy straps, she needs a back on her shoe for stability, and a heel would kill her in a minute flat. I finally found a shoe that, though not perfect, would do - and better do all summer long! Then came the job of convincing my daughter that the hoochie mama shoe she liked was really a dress-up shoe, or could be worn when she was over 16, and that really she does like the shoe I chose. Manipulation complete; our hunt a success.

As we were leaving the final store last night, I lamented to my daughter how much I truly hate shopping. She swiftly agreed, "I like having the stuff, like clothes, but I don't like trying to find the right stuff." I know! It's the hunt that we hate. But we take great pleasure in the kill.