Shopping

I really didn't intend to buy much today. The Belk near me is moving -- even closer to me -- and is having a clearance sale. When I walked in, I didn't think I'd find much. All the merchandise was pushed into two or three corners of the store. Amazingly, I did find a few clothes for work: a pair of slacks, a skirt, and three shirts. I also spotted a pair of shorts and a pair of jeans for my granddaughter. For all of this, I paid fifty dollars. It's all high-quality stuff. I saved nearly three hundred dollars. Fantastic! This shopping experience led me into further temptation.

My friend and I moved on to Bath and Bodyworks, where she bought several items and I bought nothing, despite the annoying overtures of the sales clerk. At Penney's I found an adorable pair of black booties; I had to have them. As we moved through the mall, I accumulated a few more things, mostly clothing nice enough to wear in class. When I got home, I was happy to find that most of it fit. One dress -- black with hot pink flowers, knee-length with lace at the bottom -- wouldn't go over my chest. I was having a hard time finding sizes on some things, and I don't usually like to try stuff on at the store. So that one's going back. Otherwise, I'm happy with what my small treasures, and especially about having a nice outfit to wear for my first day back to teaching in a long time. It goes a long way to making for a better first impression, and a more confident first day.