What-The---*WHITE*OUT..?!!

F.Y.I. - For Those of You Who Have NEVER Experienced the WHACKY-WICKED-WILES-of-WINTER-WEATHER:

IT can *CHANGE* - Literally -

"IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE"!!

And, be totally "DIFFERENT" just a Block away...

Anyhoo... There's suppose to be the ODD FLURRY Tonight. TEMPS will be DROPPING *AGAIN*, followed by another bounce-back UP so IT *can* SNOW some more later Tomorrow! - Likely, right AFTER I've CLEARED-UP *Tonight's* Allotment...


EARLIER... IT was "CLEAR" Out when We headed for MICHAEL'S... Although, I could SEE a BAND of SNOW-CLOUDS approaching... *QUICKLY*!

As USUAL, We had spent MORE Time in There than We "needed" to! -- I just picked-up These "TIN"-TILES... [They're actually more COPPERY...]

crap. -- FLAKES are FALLING! - The Roads are going to get *MESSY*! - SOON!

nuts! -- We still have to go over to WALMART for some GROCERY-"SPECIALS" *and*, I wanted to CHECK Their "SUPPLY" of Those STORAGE BOXES! - [SEE 16JAN2014 POST]

YAY! - Found ONE! - But, *ONLY* ONE! - No matter, there might still be some at the OTHER STORE..?

whatever... TIME to *GO*!!

The Roads were getting SLOPPY and the FLAKES, "Faster"... We Arrived at THE-MALL just ahead of another SQUALLY-bout!

In an effort to [haha] "TIME-MANAGE", I Let-Off MOTHER to go into the GROCERY-STORE to begin "THAT-Bit", whilst I would head over to WALMART. - However, by the Time I Parked, the "FLUFF-FEST" was *already* upon Me!!

THANKFULLY, there were a FEW BOXES Available! - I got TWO... Plus, some Additional-Stuff. THEN, had to "Sledge" BACK to THE CAR... And, fit the OTHER BOX into THESE BOXES as the WHIRLING SNOW tried to *FILL* THE VEHICLE...

seriously?! -- *WHAT* is IT with **SNOW-STORMS**

screwing-UP My "SATURDAY"-Shopping THIS Year..?!!

EVENTUALLY, We got the "GROCERIES" *done*! - "NOW", it was the RACE-to-CLEAR-*OFF*-THE-CAR-ENOUGH-to-*SAFELY*-DRIVE-AWAY-BEFORE-IT-GETS-*COVERED*-AGAIN!!

Fortunately, We only Live about a KILOMETER away. - YET, *SAFELY* NAVIGATING the UNPLOWED ROADWAY, in the BLOWING-SNOW, while HOPING to NOT *SLIDE* into Anyone and/or FALL "VICTIM" to *Their* Driving-PROWESS, just made the "DISTANCE" that more *LENGTHY*!

MEANWHILE, as We pulled into Our Laneway, the SQUALL *STOPPED*!?!
-- ohh-kaay...

Needless to say, with much HASTE, I proceeded to UNLOAD *STUFF* and get THE CAR into the GARAGE *while* I had the CHANCE! -- Surprisingly, I actually managed to squeeze in a QUICKIE-SHOVEL-MOP-UP of the FRONT-WALKWAY, so as *not* to Track-In any EXTRA SNOW into the HOUSE.

There was only a FAINT-Falling of FINE-Flakes as I put away the Shovel, just inside the Front of the GARAGE... But, in the scant "SECONDS" it took for Me to do so and TURN to go OUT, I was *SUDDENLY* facing a WALL-of-*WHITE* blowing across the THRESHOLD!!

really?!

It took Me about 10-seconds to CLOSE the GARAGE-DOOR, and FORGE My way *against* the SWEEPING-WIND, *into* the HOUSE!!

...gonna be a LOT of *DRIFT*-SNOW, Tomorrow...

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So You know, SNOWing-up as a SHOP-FARI-*SHERPA* was NOT on My SPEND-SATURDAY-SCHEDULE!

ESPECIALLY, WHEN *NO* YARN WAS "INVOLVED"! -- [What's THAT about?!]


FIRST OFF, I wasn't really certain about Today's WEATHER... FRIGID-TEMPS are One-Thing, however, SQUALLS and FLURRIES are *another* Matter altogether! -- Honestly, I really wasn't THAT keen on going OUT...

*BUT*, MOTHER "INSISTED"!

SNOW-PELLETS had just begun to Fall when We left the HOUSE on the Way to Our First "DETOUR"! - There was a "DOLLAR" Store that She wanted to GO TO...

oh. LOOK!

BIGFATFLUFFYFLAKES-*COVERING*-The-CAR-in-*SECONDS*!!

We did *not* Stay for long...

Once past the Short-lived SQUALL, We managed to CAUTIOUSLY make Our Way to MICHAEL'S... She wanted to *Checkout* those "CLEARANCE"-Items for Herself! -- [I *knew* I shouldn't have mentioned Them...]

However, as MOTHER pillaged through the LAST of the "CHRISTMAS"-CRAP-STUFF, I scavenged-up These SCRAPBOOKING BRADS for SISTER....

*OVER* an Hour LATER, They were ALL that *I* came away with - [The YARN was ON-SALE, just NOT at a Price that I felt like Paying FOR - This Week!] - whilst MOTHER, *FILLED* a Cart-worth of CRAP-For-SISTER-That-I'm-NOT-Sure-She's-Going-To-*WANT*!?

Not to mention, that IT was *also* a tad infested with GLITTER - [I *HATE* GLITTER!] - and, somewhat awkward to Pack into THE CAR, *IN* the FLURRY-of-SNOW-That-I-Could-Hardly-Keep-AHEAD-OF-to-*REMOVE*-From-SAID-VEHICLE!!

Although TRAINYARDS had *not* been ADDED to MY "DAILY-SHOP-PLANNER", had the WEATHER NOT been *so* MISERABLE, I probably *would* have Ventured over to That WALMART to Check on Their "Supply" of Those New STORAGE BINS - [SEE 16JAN2014 POST] - However, the Time *was* getting ON and We still had to get to THE-BIG-MALL...

THEY were having a "SIDE-WALK-SALE", that had been on BOTH of Our "ITINERARIES"!
-- At least, there's COVERED-Parking!

Browse.
Peruse...
Didn't Buy.
Don't "Need"!

Eventually, We ended up at HUDSON'S BAY - [formerly THE BAY] - and MOTHER wanted to See "IF" there were ANY of *Their* CHRISTMAS-STUFF "Left"..?

okay. Now THAT, I *didn't* have a Problem with. The Store usually has some GREAT-Stuff. -- It took a Few Minutes to finally Find the tiny Display-Area...

Oooo... And, EVERYTHING is ON-SALE! - Plus, *another* 15%-OFF if You Use THEIR "CHARGE-CARD"!

hmm...

There were TWO of These STEEL-Plate PLATTERS
- [down to about $7.50!] - but I only Bought ONE...
A Decision that is likely to Haunt Me *Later*, I'm sure!
-- Then again, IT does weigh about 5-Pounds!

This STEEL CANDLE-"STICK" was the *only* RED ONE remaining! -- There were Several WHITE Ones of a slightly Different "DESIGN", but I didn't get Any...

At just over $3., that was no doubt Another BAD Choice on My part!





The TIN TREE was also the SAME PRICE!

Athough, seeing as IT's almost 2-Feet High and I had ALL of that OTHER METAL to TOTE around, I didn't get a Second One...



Once PURCHASING was Completed, I then had to DEAL WITH being LADEN-DOWN with Several POUNDS of *STUFF*!! - And of course, THE CAR was on the OTHER-Side of the MALL!

No worries. MY Stuff. My "PROBLEM". -- I'll *COPE*...

But THEN, a Few Stores further along, We came across CRABTREE & EVELYN. -- MOTHER hasn't been in "THERE" for quite some Time... And, usually enjoys Looking at WHAT They have during the SIDE-WALK-SALES.

ahh... The Store is "CLOSING"..??! -- [They've been Here for DECADES!] - huh.

*ALL* there's LEFT... a Couple of Shelves of "PRODUCT" that We *don't* USE, the "CASH"-COUNTER, and TWO-NICE-YOUNG-BUBBLY-PRETTY-CLERKS in the rather EMPTY BRIGHTLY-LIT Store... "CONVERSATION", naturally Ensued!

Actually, THEY really didn't "SAY" Much - *Then* - however, I've since Noticed that a Handful of OTHER BRANCHES have also CLOSED. Leaving ONE remaining, waaay across TOWN over at the *MEGA-MALL* of "BAYSHORE"!! -- I haven't been THERE in Decades, either!

MEANWHILE, as MOTHER was Chatting-Them-Up, I was Scanning some "FIXTURES" on a Back-Shelf... -- You know Me, I'm always on the LOOK-OUT for possible *USEFUL* CRAFT-SHOW "STUFF"... I asked if THEY were *FOR* Sale..??

"..No...Someone is suppose to come by to remove them.."

"..Do you want any of them?.."

[INSERT - MOTHER and I *sharing* an "EVIL-GRIN"-Moment!]

SINCE I was *already* OVER-LOADED, I elected to LEAVE MOTHER with Her New "SITTERS" whilst I, *HAULED* back to THE CAR with My Bought-TONNAGE and, subsequently move IT over to a CLOSER Parking-Lot. -- I just HOPED that there would be "SPACE" for the Future *FREE*-LOAD!?

We got about a Half-Dozen of These SLOTTED-SIGN-FRAMES.
Along with as many Small LUCITE-BOXES and Round DISPLAY-STANDS.

It was probably a "GOOD-THING" that THE-BUBBLY-TWINS *didn't* have any "BAGS", hence LIMITING Us to using Our own! Or else, We would have walked out with MORE "BOOTY"!! - [..or NOT... My Load-CAPACITY *was* Teetering...] - Besides, as it stood, I was already PAST the Part where We MOTHER would have to "EXPLAIN" to FATHER about *WHAT* We had just "ACQUIRED"...

well... at least IT's *STOPPED* SNOWING!! -- For now...

Sooo... The "GOOD PART" was, considering the Time SPENT on the FREE-STUFF and the FULL CAR, all Thoughts of Checking-Out the REST of THE-BIG-MALL seemed to have *slipped* from MOTHER's Mind! - [yay!] - Which, left Us with an Hour or so to make Use of the "NO-TAXES"-DAY at LOBLAWS...

ah! Some "needed" APPAREL for FATHER! -- That might Divert His "ATTENTION"..?!

*HOME* at last!! -- And, 20-Minutes of Sneaking-In UNLOADING. Then, SHOVELLING! -- Remember those BIGFATFLUFFYFLAKES from EARLIER??!!

yeah. The WHITE-STUFF, IT's *ALWAYS* around...

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keeping to the "PURGE"-PLAN...

...sorta..?

DESPITE being considerably TEMPTED by the MEGA-SALE-ish Pricing, I did NOT Buy *any* MORE Clothes while at OLD NAVY! -- However, I DID *succumb* to the "Spend-$15-or-More-Get-a-FREE-$5-GIFT-CARD" Deal at BULK BARN on "Junk-Food" - [it was the Last Day on the COUPON] - And, AFTER "YESTERDAY", I was in *NEED* of a bit of *BINGE-ING*!!

ah. ANOTHER "GOOD"-WEATHER Day! - WOOHOO!! -- So, *eventually*, I was off to COSTCO for the MILK-RUN... Although, when I left There, a few Suspicious CLOUDS were moving in..? Hence, I kept My subsequent SHOP-FARI-ing somewhat more Closer to HOME.

Time to hit THE-MALL...

hmm... Now THOSE look *USEFUL*!?

I came across some ON-SALE STORAGE-BINS at WALMART that are just slightly Larger than the Ones I'm currently using for My CRAFT-SHOW STUFF... THESE are a bit more squarish *and* have a really Great LID with Double-Fasteners that can actually be Secured! -- Ooooo...

Granted, even at THAT - [$10] - Price, They're *more* than what My OTHER-ONES Cost... BUT, with the Way that They "Lock", I won't have to keep buying MASKING-TAPE - [that really doesn't work well any more] - to HOLD the LIDS down! -- THAT alone will SAVE Me at least 10-Minutes when I have to PACK-UP at the end of a SHOW! - Not to mention, the SKIN-LOSS off of My FINGERTIPS!

yeah... I'm gonna have to keep an Eye out for FUTURE SALES on THIS "MODEL"!
I would've gotten MORE - [just got TWO TURQUOISE ONES] - but there's **NO** ROOM at the Moment!!

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?!? *NOW* What?!! -- okay. enough. I'm Blaming IT *ALL* on that DAMN COMET!!

yeah... yeah. THAT'LL WORK! - [something has to!!]

 

Then again, Those THREE *DIFFERENT* OAK LEAVES

- [btw, there are NO Oak Trees close by] -

in front of the Garage look mighty Suspicious...

 

 

So. Have You ever had "ONE-OF-*THOSE*-DAYS" when *EVERYTHING* around You just goes - [to put it "Politely"] - **AWRY**..??

 

-- ahh.. "WHERE" do I Begin..?

 

 

The ONLY "GOOD" THINGS that Happened...

• We ran into One of MOTHER's COUSINS - [Who's just a few years older than Me] - that We haven't seen in Ages!
• Had a FULL Tank of GAS!
• Actually had a BLANK-CHEQUE on Me. Although, *enough* CASH would have SOLVED *MUCH*!
• *THANK YOU!* little "SWISS ARMY" KNIFE!
• The POSTAL-LADY was Nice. And, DIDN'T *BLAME* Me!!
• I found a DIME...
• NASTY WEATHER held OFF...
• Long enough to Get HOME "SAFE & SOUND"!

 

 

"WHAT" *DIDN'T* - But, could very easily have - GONE WRONG...

• I didn't have to Shovel that little bit of Leftover SNOW on the Laneway.
• The PRECIPITATION held OFF *until* We got HOME.
• CAR-TRAFFIC was actually surprisingly "Moderate"!
• MOTHER didn't "b*tch" about being left on Her own at MICHAEL'S for so long.

 

 

*STUFF* that I'm going to Blame on THE COMET for... [seriously, "why not"? Has ANYthing *good* ever come from THE OORT-CLOUD?!]

• MOTHER had Decided to "come along" on MY "SHOP-FARI-DAY"! - [I could have Left at least 20-Minutes SOONER...]
• Granted, I would have MISSED out on seeing COUSIN-H, but, I also would've Saved another HALF-HOUR at COSTCO! - Despite the PARKING-LOT-TRAFFIC...
• My CHARGE-CARD was acting hinky There... [just the FIRST *OMEN* of Day]
• BTW, did I *mention* that there's a BIG STORM Coming..?
• And, that Tomorrow is "PENSION-DAY"..?
• hm. My OTHER CHARGE-CARD seems to have KILLED the CARD-READER at the MAIN POST OFFICE..?!
• Of course, a LINE of CUSTOMERS has just appeared out of NOwhere...
• For *over* 20-Minutes POOR-*NICE*-POSTAL-LADY has had to tear down the MACHINE to get at the Plug and then REBOOT...
• okay. THAT didn't work...
• NEITHER did the IDIOT on the Phone at TECH-"SUPPORT"!
• POOR-POSTAL-LADY is about to go "postal" with Her USELESS-CO-[non]-WORKERS, but, still LIKES Me! - [screwdriver-part on Knife was extremely Helpful!]
• "NEXT TIME" - I *will* bring CASH!
• nuts! - I DON'T have *enough* Money in That Account! - Hope She doesn't "cash" THE CHEQUE right away!?
• really? - Now the WALMART RECEIPT doesn't want to Print-Out... [hey! I used a DIFFERENT CHARGE-CARD!]
• The WEATHER is slowly "Starting"...
• There's "SOMETHING" at MICHAEL'S that I just KNOW that I'm "FORGETTING"...
• Only have Time for ONE more Store.
• great. The Shelf of the "ON SALE" MEAT I came for is EMPTY!? - [but, LUCKILY *more* was being prepared!]
• Can I get any *more* RED LIGHTS and STOPPING-SCHOOL-BUSES on the Way HOME..? - [got FUNDS to Transfer... And, to pee!]
• "WHY" is My SIDE-MIRROR hitting the PLASTIC-[thank you!]-TRASH-CANS in the Garage..?

 

 

 

Got ALL 7 of what was Left of THESE "LAVENDER" BALLS.
Not that I actually *need* Another BOX, but, I thought IT was CUTE and, IT was only $1.66!

 

crap!! - I just REMEMBERED that I had FORGOTTEN about SENIORS'-DISCOUNT-DAY!!
I could have SAVED a Few Dollars!!

aarrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

 

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