The Persuasions of Wal-Mart

Walk into Wal-Mart immediately after Halloween, and what is the first thing you see? Well, the first thing I see is not seen at all. I hear Christmas carols; Christmas carols before Thanksgiving! I hate to see the seasons rushed, but boy, listen to them. Doesn’t it just put you in the mood for the holiday season? Be remember, Bobbi, you are just here to pick up some AA batteries. Christine, my 6 year old, and I must move on. I don’t have time for Christmas shopping today. No, Christine, we are not here for cookies, or candy or chips, for that matter.

Let’s see … batteries … batteries … where are those batteries? No, Christine, you can’t have a candy bar. Oh, I wish they didn’t stock the candy on such a low shelf she sees everything. Ok, ok, just stop crying and you can have one candy bar. No, you can’t open it now. Wait until later. Now, what was I looking for?

Look at those cute little shirts! Wow, they are on sale. Well, the sign says they are on sale, but I can’t find the shirt I like with a sale tag on it. But this one is so adorable. My middle daughter, Marie, will just love this; she just loves Cookie Monster. Can you imagine, a 14 year old that still loves Cookie Monster? $24.95, I’ll just let them find the sale price when we check out. Hey, maybe she needs a new pair of pants to go with the shirt. Hmmm, these are perfect, $19.95. I hope these are the right sizes, I just hate to return things, especially at holiday time.

How did we get way over here? I don’t think I’ll find batteries down the video aisle. Look at this! X-Files: Fight For the Future, wow, and it’s the wide screen version, just what my hubby was looking for. This will make a wonderful gift for his Christmas stocking. $16.99, what a good price. And look, here is the new Shania Twain CD, my oldest, Amber, has been wanting this every since she saw Shania in concert. I guess I had better get it now before they are all gone.

Excuse me, Miss, where is everyone going in such a hurry? Sales special! In the bedding depart. Come one, Christine, let’s check this out. Sheets, blankets, towels, we could use plenty of these $22.99, $13.95, $6.50 each. These will come in handy.

Christine … Christine? Now where is she? Christine … oh, there you are. No, you don’t need a new craft kit. You still have one at home that you haven’t finished. Please get up. No, I let you get a candy bar, so you can’t get a craft. No! Please stop crying, honey. Ok, pick out a small paint set, and I mean one of the small ones. And, you had better stop that crying right this minute! Come on, sweetheart, let’s find the batteries so we can go home.

Ok, Bobbi, you’ve got to get out of here before you spend all your money. Let’s see. I still need to get some shampoo and soap. No, Christine, you can’t get a toy. No, I just let you pick out a craft kit, and you’ve got a candy bar. No, no toys. No, not even a book. I know, they’ve got the new Christmas books out, but it’s too soon to buy one. Ok, you can get a book, but you have to take the craft kit back. Please, don’t start whining. Come on, honey, you can’t have everything you want. Please don’t start crying. Ok, ok, one coloring book and that is it. No you cannot have new crayons. Pick out a coloring book and be quick about it.

Wow, look at the pretty Christmas lights. I shouldn’t be looking at these, I just got through carving pumpkins last week. I’m not ready to switch to Christmas so soon. Oh, my, there are the twinkling lights that I wanted last year. I never got any because they were all sold out. Maybe I’ll just get a few packages now while they’re in stock. Yes, Christine I see the Winnie the Pooh ornaments. Aren’t they the cutest things? Oh, I just can’t resist ornaments. I sometimes think I’m as bad as the kids are. I think maybe I’ll get one or two. I don’t know, maybe we need the whole set. I’d hate to get one or two and then not be able to get the rest. This is definitely the last thing I’m putting in this shopping cart. But I feel like I’m forgetting something.

Gosh, now I have to wait in line. Oh yeah, I forgot, we need a TV Guide. And I can never find a lighter to light my candles. I’d better get some gum for the older girls. $127.43! My hubby is going to kill me! I can’t believe that I spent this much money. Things are so expensive now a days.

Come on, Christine, let’s go home. Yes, now you can eat your candy bar. Just don’t get it all over everything. You know, you really wear me out when I take you to town. No, we can’t go to McDonald’s for lunch. We’ll eat a sandwich at home. Gosh, I feel like I’m forgetting something. I knew I should have made a list before going into Wal-Mart. Oh well, I guess I’ll remember what it was later. After all, I make three to four regular trips to Wally World every week. And who know, with Christmas coming …

© Bobbi Rightmyer