Consumer Me

If you've been reading my blog for more than a couple of weeks, you've probably discovered that I'm quite the consumer (you may remember my shoe post from back in February). I come by it honestly, from my mom, who doubles the garbage output at our house when she comes to visit (or so Eddie says). Most of the time I call myself "goal-oriented" or "project-oriented" but when it comes right down to it, I just like to shop.

So now that the nursery is mostly decorated, I've needed something else to focus my attention on. I'm about halfway done with the Halloween costumes. When we were on our Pottery Barn excursion a few weeks ago, my mom put this on Isaac, and the only way we could get him out of the store was to pay for it. The good news is that if it is hot on Halloween I can stick a black t-shirt and shorts on him and call it good.

Annie has been planning her Annie costume all year. My mom and I bought the fabric for a red dress a few weeks ago, and I've picked up the black mary janes and ruffled socks since then. But I'm still working on a child-size red wig, preferably one that won't be "oochy" (this from the girl who won't wear socks with seams in them). Any suggestions?

Finally, Bryce wants to be a zookeeper (does that surprise anyone?). I'm looking for a zookeeper vest or costume. So far I've found one at the San Diego Zoo website for $45. I may be a spendthrift, but I'm still not that much of a spendthrift.

The last few nights I've moved on to planning for Christmas. I've made an excel spreadsheet with the names of everyone on my list, along with ideas of things I think they'd like (and columns for the cost of the item, whether or not it has been purchased, and its wrapping status). I've been sitting with my laptop on the couch at night, trying to find the perfect thing for each person on my list. I use the excuse that I'll either be 39 weeks pregnant or have a newborn at Christmas to justify my early shopping, but to tell you the truth, I was doing the same thing at this time last year.

Yes, I do realize I am sick.

--originallly published 9/12/06