Sunday, February 19, 2006

Deja Vu

Almost a year ago, Kristi and I went on the fabled Quest for Shoes.

Yesterday: the sequel.

Kristi was way overdue for new workout shoes; since we've moved the elliptical trainer down to the (currently-being-repainted) computer room, she figures she'll be using it a lot more. She hadn't found anything in her local searches. So yesterday the three of us piled into the car and headed out on Quest for Shoes II.

First, however, we had to drop by Restoration Hardware. They're discontinuing the bath accessory line we chose for the upstairs bathroom, and we wanted to grab a towel ring, double towel bar, soap dish, etc. while they were on sale and still available.

Dang. Towel ring -- out of stock. Double towel bar -- out of stock. Hmm. Okay, single towel bar? Out of stock. (We already have one; we thought we'd just grab a second.)

So we have our names down for the floor samples when they tear the display down. I hope they don't forget about us.

Then a stop at Chipotle for much-needed food and caffeine.

Finally, on the road to the outlet center. But which outlet center? Kristi flatly refuses to decide, so since I'm driving, I make an executive decision: the outlets in Woodbury are much closer than the ones in Albertville, and that's where we're going.

Twelve miles later, surprise. The outlet center in Woodbury has disappeared, replaced by retail shops and a Wal-Mart. Damn you, Wal-Mart.

We turn around and drive back through the Cities and most of the way to St. Cloud. We get to the Albertville outlets, which thankfully still exist. We immediately spend an hour in the Children's Place outlet buying spring clothing for Emma -- necessary, sure, but not on the to-do list. Then Hanna Andersson's, where Kristi picks up a lovely dress. Wamsutta, where we look for sheets and towels for the upstairs.

Notice anything missing from the shopping experience thus far?

Finally we get to the heart of the matter: the Reebok outlet (where last year I got the lovely sweatshirt I'm wearing right now). Kristi goes in while Emma and I wait in the idling car; it's now about 7pm, and Emma and I are both cranky. Kristi comes out sans shoes; she's picked some out, but there's a "buy a second pair for half price" sale, and do I want some shoes too? So we all trundle in and I grab a pair of walking Reeboks. Yay! The shoe buying is over!

Ah, but there's a WestPoint Bed, Bath & Linens outlet, and Kristi hasn't yet found the towels and sheets she wants for upstairs. Emma and I take a vote, and send Kristi in alone again. Twenty minutes later she emerges with a tablecloth for the kitchen. Sigh.