My kids were at their dad's for most of the weekend. I decided to make a trip to the "local" outlet shopping area. It is the typical place you may see off a major highway that is usually in the middle of no where. I thought I could take the afternoon and browse for some deals. Our outlet shopping place is pretty large. There is a large playground and large indoor food court. I did see one large motor coach tour bus as well. I was able to park close so if I had alot of bags I could easily walk to the van and drop off my goodies and head back into the stores. Usually the place ws mobbed so to find a place close by seemed odd. BOY was I DISSAPOINTED!
Half the stores were empty. Most stores were having clearance sales and selling the entire stores. I saw this in the Misaka store and the large bookstore. Everything-including the fixtures were being sold for 40% off. I saw a few make shift stores. I am pretty sure that the biggest sellers on Saturday were the Auntie Em pretzels and candy at the candy store. The Corningware store was also popular to walk thru.
I guess the economy is that bad or people are being much more thrifty. I saw some people with lots of bags but that was very rare. Mostly I saw browsers like me.
It was really interesting to go there.
On the way home I stopped at the Dollar Tree and another wonderful outlet store that has been around for years and years. I found some reasonable items for Christmas stockings.
Grocery shopped today and washed sheets.
Did alot of relaxing. I was able to go to church with my kids....that was nice. Heat is off....I hope to have it off all week since the weather will be very mild.
I did take food for the City Mission to church. We were all asked last week to help for Thanksgiving. I was very sad to see that I was the only person who contributed. In fact no one knew where to put my contirbution, as a bin was not out in the lobby. Finally they found a box hidden away. I thought that was kinda sad. I hope my rather large church family remembers to bring some food.
The economy is very tricky right now.
It seems like everyone is hurting somewhere...somehow. Even outlet stores are hurting. Today, the young man who packed my groceries stood there and complained about his job as he packed up my things. I finally said...."young man...be glad you have a job and take your money and save it....as someday you could have a nice nest egg." I think he thought I was insane.
Things are only going to get tricky and more tricky with the economy. There are no easy politically correct answers. I think we all have to take on some personal responsibilty and yet there are times when we do need to try to lend a hand along the way. Maybe the days of outlet shopping are done. Maybe the days as we knew them are done as well.
Outlet Shopping
November 6th, 2006 at 03:32 am
November 6th, 2006 at 03:42 am 1162784571
November 6th, 2006 at 03:52 am 1162785171
November 6th, 2006 at 03:05 pm 1162825553
November 6th, 2006 at 03:34 pm 1162827298
Yes...one must be careful. VERY CAREFUL-----