Randomly Tonia

Just last week I had to go get my son to complete a project here at the office.

When I picked Mr. up, well after noon, he was just beginning his chores and was still only half dressed, which reminded me of our recent back-to-school shopping trip.

I had one weekend to get everything Mr. needs for the coming school year, one day really, and sadly, it seemed that shopping was not high on his priority list.

He. Was. Not. Thrilled.

Still, we left the house that Saturday before nine, fueled up, and picked up Grandma (the one bright spot in the day for him) with just one loud argument.

While I am a huge proponent of shopping locally, there are times when even I cannot get everything I need in Kimball, so we were on our way to Cheyenne.

Fast forward to our first stop, as we enter the store (and with witnesses to ensure less of a scene) I announce that Mr. would be trying on all clothes before we purchase them.

He. Was. Not. Thrilled.

But still, he held it together and we began our search as Grandma wandered off (abandoned me) to find her own treasures.

We found cargo pants (two sizes), dress pants (two sizes), a button down shirt (two sizes), two ties, gym shoes and a belt.

We did not find jeans or t-shirts that he would wear but as we approached the fitting rooms he assures me that he has “13 jeans at his dad’s house that fit, he just needs six gray t-shirts!” (I only see him in the same three pair and ‘sagging’ does not count as fitting).

He tried on the first button down shirt and it nearly took three of us to peel it off his shoulders. The next size up was barely better and there were no larger shirts.

After trying everything on we left with cargo pants, one pair of dress pants, two ties, gym shorts and shoes and a belt, plus a few things for me – I have been a very patient mom!

Store number two netted us black trousers, three gray t-shirts (compromise is key), and two button down shirts made specifically for lumber jacks (Mr.’s shoulders are massive!)

Hour 4, to this point Mr. has held it together, but it is apparent that his nerves are as frayed as Grandma’s and we have yet to get supplies, jeans or hoodies. So it is off to store number three, where there is a tent sale and BOGO bargains galore. (Hallelujah!)

Jeans (that fit) are purchased on clearance, two hoodies for the price of one, and a great pair of boots for me – I have been a very patient mom!

We added a few school supplies and headed home exhausted but victorious after just five hours...then, “Mom, I forgot a backpack.”

ARGH! We flipped around and headed to the one place I had avoided all day, Satan’s Superstore. Once there, Mr. convinced me that the tiny backpacks in the back-to-school section would not do.

At this point, Mr. could have said he needed three piece rolling luggage set and I would have gladly paid for it just to be done!

Instead, we got what Mr. calls his ‘multi-purpose’ back pack in the sporting goods area (in case he has to leave for a two-week camping trip immediately after english?). I gave him the okay, at $30 more than the “just for books backpack” and I reminded myself, he has been a very patient Mr.

Really, I am thankful for these last few years of doing this with Mr., as I know that annual back-to-school shopping trips will be over before we know it.