THREE-SEASON STORE
It was his last day of the extended break from school. We hadn’t done anything in particular this entire weekend, so I asked him if he would like to go to Starbucks.
I had been awake early again and finished the majority of my work before we left. By the time we actually made it to Starbucks, it was close to noon.
My son ordered a peppermint mocha and a snowman cookie with a blue scarf. I ordered a latte and a pumpkin loaf. The place was not as welcoming as it used to be before they remodeled and removed the tall upholstered bench seats that the children used to sit in when they were toddlers. Now, it’s basically an open space with chairs and tables scattered about.
After a while, a man came by and placed a book on a seat across from us. I recognised the book, ‘Exactly What to Say: Your Personal Guide to the Mastery of Magic Words’ by Phil M Jones, as I have it in my own library. When I mentioned this to the man, he said he was part of a book club and had to read it by Thursday. He only started reading it today.
At one point he laughed out loud at something he read. I was curious to know what was so funny. He mentioned the part where it talked about a know-it-all and how they talk all the time. How he knew someone just like the book described. I then laughed to myself, as I also am quite familiar with a person such as was portrayed.
My son and I then left, saying a quick ‘goodbye’ to the man. We walked over to Trader Joe’s and got the seasonal mini chocolate mint star cookies that seem to start making its way on the holiday shelves earlier with each passing year.
Though we both wanted to get home, we stopped by REI to see what winter clothing we could find for our trip. I quickly walked over to the shoe section to look at snow boots whilst my son immersed himself in camping gear land.
The snow boots I saw online were nowhere to be found. In fact, there were not many winter boots at all. I walked over to the winter coat section to see if I had better luck with this part of our required outfit. I needed my son to try on some coats. At one point, a saleslady came over to see if she could help us. I asked about the boots and the rest of the clothing we would need. Something for subzero temperatures.
‘We’re a three-season store,’ she explained. This meant that they do not have the type of clothing we would need, but they did have a few base-layer options. She mentioned that there will be more options online and that we do have time to buy online and then return or exchange the items if they did not fit.
She also showed us how to choose a hat for that type of weather. Not a stylish knit one with a pom-pom, but one that will not let in the cold air. Overall, she was very helpful and told us to come back after our trip to let her know how it went and what worked for us in the cold subzero climate. She said that would help her in assisting other customers for their adventures. She also suggested I read other people’s experiences on the online forums for the places we will visit.
As we walked around some more, my son noticed a display full of mini tents. Perfect for stuffed animals. I got him one as it was too cute not to have one. Once we arrived home, my son went to his room to build the tent whilst I sat at my computer and did some more trip planning. I cancelled some reservations. Looked at alternative ideas. Planned for future trips.
Some people have an abundance of money, but they hold onto it as if they will be able to take it to the grave with them. In so doing, they miss out on wonderful life experiences and pass up opportunities to spend quality time with their children.
I believe that if we truly want something, we will find a way to make it happen. If that means paying off a trip over the next few months, that’s absolutely worth the experience and memories that one gets to make.
