Big City Adventures

Last Saturday I headed off to the big city, with a critter needs list a mile long. With the addition of seven.. (shudder) cats to the farm and one new dog, I had several products to purchase. Ashley wasn't too needy, just a smaller choke chain (Boone's spare was ridiculously large on her),a name tag and perhaps some special treats to celebrate her coming. The kittens however were a different story. My Mom is helping foot the bill on the kitten/cat situation, since we kinda signed up for this little project together. Although, really I'm not sure we signed up, but maybe just got drafted? Anyway... Butterfly and the kittens needed some good quality food stuff, so off I went to PetSmart to stock up. I'm sure the checkers think I run a huge cattery or something, as they scanned can after can and bags of food...after all my cats have to eat too.

I went into the store armed with pen and notebook, and coupons, but forgot to use the coupons! I also was on a mission to find some treats that Heidi Jade would eat. She also needed a name tag too.

Mastering the name engraving station was an ordeal in itself. Who knew it could be that complicated. I've used their machines before, but since then they have put in a completely new outfit. Unfortunately there was a feller behind me that was waiting, although I will say he was very nice and patient. Once I got the first one done (where not only did you have to have all the info you wanted on the tag in mind, but also the cash register receipt to pull numbers off of), it was a breeze to do the second. The only big snafu was when the machine deposited the tag into the little slot that I was suppose to get it out of. I couldn't figure out how to get it out! I was a little panicky, I even enlisted the help of the next in line fellow... eventually though I calmed down and realized you pull out the handle instead of push in. Huh....

After spending most of my money there, I headed over to Lowes and then Target. I priced mailboxes and then decided to just use the old one I have in the garage for awhile instead. I bought a big 'beware the dog' sign and a solar spotlight. In case you wonder, I'm very concerned about 'security' right now after the mailbox incidents, and a neighbors house getting broken into. I like this solar light, because it sorta looks like a camera too....

While at Target, I couldn't help but pick up some school supplies. It just happened. One minute I was in the main aisle and the next...school supplies. Clean new notebooks, and folders. I'll just add them to my stack of other notebooks.. Please don't tell my niece.

Then it was time for the fun stuff--books! I went to Barnes and Nobles and ended up splurging and buying three paperbacks. I actually had five in my arms, but better sense prevailed and I put two back. I said better sense, not the best sense! Then lunch at Panera's and I left the big city.

I had to stop in the little city on the way home and load up on dog treats at MFA (where they sell them by the pound) and a couple of pig's ears. One last stop at the Mennonite store on the way home, to get some fresh produce and Unker's Salve (I swear by the stuff) and I was ready to be home.

The day also included my ten seconds as a middle aged, hillbilly terrorist. Seriously. I mean I think I look pretty harmless, but sometimes I just don't think ahead. One of my intents of going to the big city was to look for a security camera system. Not sure I was going to buy, but I wanted to do some hands on shopping. Lowes didn't have them...even after I asked where their 'home security' products would be. I got locks and safety bars out of that one. So I go to Target, where by the way I bought way too much stuff. So I'm cruising along, circling through the electronics aisles a few times trying to find them on my own. I notice as I make my first pass, a young sales chickie, talking to another youngish sales feller. There was lots of flirty, sweety surgery conversation going on between the two, so I continued on my search. After circling the department the second time, with no luck, I noticed that the little chickie was now alone and seemed to need something to do, so I started smiling and pushing my cart towards her. After all, I'm harmless, and needy. Once I got up to her, I blurt out..do you have security cameras? Only after noticing her blank, turning to confusion, bordering on panicky stare as she scanned the building for security cameras and offered a hesitant yes, did I realize how the question sounded. Then I quickly added, 'for-sale, do you have security cameras for-sale?". Poor little teenage chickie. I bet her heart rate went up pretty high. Once I added the for-sale line, she was all breathy relief and was happy to tell me they didn't and even called sales feller over so he could join in the happiness of not having a product on hand. So back to the internets I guess for security-cameras-for-sale.

I'm now cash poor, but wealthy in critter food...and critters. Today (Monday) it is raining. Blessed, blessed rain. At first I thought it was only going to be a light misty rain, but it's been a good steady rain for about an hour now. We really, really needed it. The pastures were turning into dust bowls. I love the sound of it and the smells as it washes the dust off everything. (We ended up getting almost two inches!)

If anyone has any recommendations on an outside security system..primarily a remote camera or something like that, I'd sure like to hear. I'm not looking to put too much money into it though...cause they'd probably just steal it. It's been a busy week...I'm not even sure where to start on the next post!