As of right now, Iíll tell you where I am, in our beautiful home, drinking coffee and watching movies with my family. Iím certainly not out shopping, Iím not allowed to anymore.
You see, itís been a whole year since we drove down from Yellowknife to visit my partnerís brother and sister-in-law for Christmas, a trip that was so needed.
ìWe are going to Calgary, I need to be back in civilization,î was how that one-sided conversation went.
So we packed up and drove the 18 hours ñ happily drove the 18 hours ñ to civilization, Starbucks, shoe stores and family.
It was a balmy -2∞C when we arrived, and again we brought the cold weather, which made the week a frigid -20∞C, a little too much like home at the time.
We were both happy to be with family, I was happy to stock up on all the every day items we need ñ and a few that we didnít ñ and spend my days happily shopping.
We had four days, which included Christmas eve, Christmas, Boxing day and the day we left to drive home.
So, trying to find time to do all the medial tasks was a bit difficult as I didnít want to interrupt family time, with much needed shopping.
Iím sure you can see where Iím going with this now.
The only day ñ and I stand by this ñ that we could shop was Boxing day. At CrossIron Mills mall.
The only day, despite what my partner says.
Now, what you need to realize is Iím the city girl, heís the county boy and I love it that way. He bring his strengths to the table as I do and it makes us a better couple and better people.
He was raised in a small town of 500 people, then moved to the city of Yellowknife with 22,000 people, I had to do a lot convincing to get him to move to ìthe big city.î I was raised in a small town of 80,000 people.
So 10 a.m. came on Boxing Day and he ñ as unimpressed as he was ñ and I got in the car and drove from his brothers house in the north to CrossIron Mills.
The drive was going OK until we hit Deerfoot and Stoney Trail and came to a standstill.
ìOh, there must be an accident up ahead,î he said.
I didnít have the heart to tell him that we were all going to the same place, so I deceitfully agreed, ìyes, there must be.î
Best to let him figure it out on his own, than me getting ìthe look.î
It took about half an hour for him to figure it out, and another 20 minutes for him to talk to me again.
ìDonít ever say I donít do anything for you,î were the few words he said to me, that werenít explicits about the traffic, parking or people.
We finally parked and went inside, and it was mayhem, even for me.
ìThere are just so many people,î he kept saying over and over again. ìIíve never seen anything like this before. Thereís just so many people.î
It was pretty cute actually, but you have to be focused in that situation, and thatís where I shine.
ìGet out of my way, that duvet cover is mine, thank you very much.î
The deals are good, but Iím not a huge fan of the pushing and what felt like to greed to me. Again, my excuse was the timing.
After we finished and bribed him with dinner and beer ñ lots of beer - he looked me straight in the eye and said ìIím never doing that again.î
Fair enough really, if you have a non-shopping partner, best to ease them into those types of situations, not throw them off the deep end.
While I still find myself looking at the deals, Iím much happier at home, with the only shoving is between me and my dog over the couch.
And this way, I donít get ìthe lookî nearly as often.
Enjoy the shopping.
