One Stop Shop

Yesterday I took a trip to Costco. Let me just say, for the record, Costco and I have a very love hate sort of relationship. I mean, how can you not love Costco? It's the only place you can drop off your photos; buy electronics, jewelry, housewares, clothes, and groceries; sample your potential purchases; have an eye exam; pick up your prescriptions; get your car fixed; eat lunch (or order dinner to go); and gas up your car all in one place. Not to mention the fact that you can buy all the 2 year storage supplies you might ever need in one quick sweep or walk away with 32 cans of sweet & condensed milk all for a ridiculously low price! Just a few of the reasons Costco is great and I'm in love with it.

But let's face it. Costco is still my arch enemy too. Costco is also the only store that can convince you you actually need 32 cans of sweet & condensed milk as a single person. I mean, how often do I really cook with sweet & condensed milk...how often do I cook period? But somehow, when I'm there, I suddenly need it. And not only that, I also need those 4 books I won't read till next year, the 10 lbs of fruit I will never--in any stretch of the imagination--be able to finish by myself, and the 64 pack of candy bars that will only end up on my hips.

It never fails that it will be busy--either with small children running amuck and cutting in front of my cart or old people moseying along causing me to see all the things I don't need and then putting it in my cart. And no matter how hard I try, I can't leave without spending at least $50...usually it's a lot more. Here exists the hate part of this volatile relationship.

So, yesterday, when I knew I needed to return a dress to Costco (which I have put off for sometime) I pepped talked myself into the notion that I would simply return the dress and then run to my car with superhero like speed. I would conquer Costco's mystical pull.

I failed. It sucked me in. Fresh raspberries had just arrived...I needed them.

It was the middle of the afternoon, on Tuesday. The old people were there. I moseyed. I ate samples. I found 2 new books. I put a shirt in my cart and then put it back (one small triumph). I bought raspberries...and blueberries...and a bag of veggie crisps that I had sampled (they're tricky and very smart).

Then, in the freezer section, as I tried the "new black angus blue cheese burgers they just got in," the cute little lady at the sample table stopped. Our conversation went something like this.

"Ooh, that top is so cute."

"Thanks. My friend just bought it for me for my birthday. Doesn't she have good taste?"

"Yes! It's just so feminine and flowy and pretty. And just looks so good on you. And it doesn't hurt that you're so pretty too. And anything looks good on a size 5 like you. You just look so young, like your 20."

"Well, thank you. I think I'm gonna keep circling this area and coming back to see you."

Let's just say, that yesterday, the love side of things won out for Costco. In fact, I think I might go back next week...my berries will probably be moldy by then and I'll need new ones.