Big Box Retailing

Several months ago we found out they were putting in a Target store where the old Home Expo was located, just minutes from my house. The Albany/Richmond Target isn't that far from my house but you have to avoid going there from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. because you have to jump on the freeway and endure the absolute worst traffic ever. Hearing that there'd be a new Target store a mere 20 blocks from my house had me excited and giddy as it really is one of my happiest places on Earth.

As I drove by two weeks ago I saw a sign go up that said its grand opening would take place while we're on vacation. Drats. I always love visiting a store when it's fresh and new. Then yesterday Alan read a local blog that said they'd have special preview shopping on Wednesday. TODAY! So you can imagine I was excited to hop in the car and head on over. In addition to some staples (flour, sugar, candles) I also picked up some adorable graphic print file folders for my desk, two new solid color waffle weave(ish) curtains for the living room (simplify!) and a $14 tan suede ottoman for the office - something I've desperately needed since we first purchased the leather chairs. Finally, a place to put my feet up and relax! Oh, and I picked up a jaunty little straw fedora to wear in Hawaii since I commandeered Alan's while we were in Jamaica last year. I love hats.

Across the street from Target is Home Depot. I stopped in to return the grill cover we bought this weekend that was too small (who doesn't put the size on the box?!). While there I purchased a cheap 8x10 area rug. We'll see how this one does for me and my terrible allergies. It's a low pile so there won't be any shedding and I sniffed the model in the store like a blood hound and didn't detect any of that nauseating burning rubber smell our current rugs emit, so hopefully I've found a cheap fix for our rug problem. It's also a solid color so hopefully it helps in simplifying our living room as well. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be too monochromatic.