Saturday, August 30, 2008

Danger Zone

I did something today that no father should have to do with his kids.

Think a minute.

It's worse than what you are thinking.

Yeah. Back-to-school shoe shopping.

Brings chills right?

I have a 15-year old daughter, a 13 year old son and a 9 year old daughter. Pretty formidible task, I'd say.

We first tried our luck at a place called "Famous Footwear." See, to me that name means you're likely to find name-brand shoes right? In reality, that place carries one size in every style. Thousands of shoe boxes on the shelves, and only one size to choose from, at least where the girls' shoes were concerned. It's not like they're sold out, they have very few empty spaces on the shelves. It's ridiculous to see 20 pair of size 3 shoes in one style, unless your school allows kids to wear silver shoes, that is. Those you can find in any size.

My son managed pretty well. He's not too particular in his choices...luckily I did check his selections and found 1 size 10 shoe in the box with a 10 1/2.

For me, it solved the mystery of where all the crack-heads disappeared to: they're all merchandise managers at "Famous Footwear."

Kohl's made it easy. Every shoe in the department was loose on the floor. A good chance to play Treasure Hunt. Find an actual pair of shoes.We found "High School Musical" brand sneakers for the 9 year old.

PayLess was more like "Buy Less" in my case. Walked out of there practically empty handed. I mean, there's a Lippy in the store just looking to fork over cash, and they didn't want any of it from me!

The 15 year old found a pair of black flats at a store called Mandee's. And then a woman I quickly grew to love informed said 15-year-old that the "Converse" Chuck Taylor's were up front. What an eye-opener that was though. When I was 15, those suckas were $9.99 a pop. Now they're $49.99. Incredible what a desperate man will put up with in order to just go home.

Forgot to get myself a pair though.

Oh, and Blogger still thinks I'm a Bot.

11 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:11 AM

    Ouch... I bet your wallet is wondering what hit it! You're a good dad! I bet the kids enjoyed being out and about with you.

    Jackie

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  2. Wow...and I thought I had it bad trying to find uniforms (that fit)for my kids...wow.

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  3. What a good dad you are!

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  4. Wow. I don't even like shoe shopping for myself. :)

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  5. Sounds like a lot of fun shoe shopping. Funny how things aren't that way when we go alone. I walk in... look around.. find a pair.. and I buy.

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  6. Ohh you gotta love the back to school chaos! The weekend of tax-free shopping, San Antonio looked like some dropped a stink bomb. Everyone running everywhere looking for something before another person grabbed it. Craziness! You are GREAT!

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  7. Anonymous11:43 AM

    ((((Jimmy)))) Howdy, Sir. Oy vay...the back-to-school-behstehd-ness'...I feel for you. We have been back in school for nearly a month now. My kiddies (13, 10, 8) were SO not ready to return to classes! Aren't we glad it only happens once a year?...hehehe.

    Say, Mr. Writerwriter...nudge.

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  8. Back to school shopping.....I always enjoyed buying the pencils, compasses, binders, and yes--trapperkeepers (those were awesome). Nowadays they have the coolest things for students. I'm a little jealous....

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  9. I'm with Kristen...I liked the office supply part of the shopping, never the clothes and shoes though....

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  10. You are brave to take on the duties of shopping and with all 3 of them in tow. Good Man! It's also all about getting into the right mind set....you have to get your game face on. It sounds like you did!

    Hope everything is going well!!

    Michele

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  11. I... am... so.. sorry... lol

    That's something you learn about when you work in a gift shop in a place that's a major rip off of Disney. Kids are really hard to shop with. And store buyers suck. They never give us enough anything. We literally have an entire shelf of XXXL shirts, and not a SINGLE L or XL. Sigh.

    We're supposed to get some in... I'm supposing before Armageddon.

    ~Lily

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