A tale of survival ~ After Christmas Shopping

Toys are scattered everywhere. The refrigerator and cabinets are starting to look bare. And the only thing left in the huge bowl of Santa candy is one extra large chocolate bar that belongs to Honey.

None of the littles are brave enough to touch that.

Now is the time when I should be taking down and putting up the massive amount of Christmas decorations I decked the halls with but ain’tnobodygottimeforthat!

One of my favorite blogging ladies, Amy at Atta Girl Says, did a great post about 20 Things to Buy After Christmas Clearance Sales. Her checklist isn’t just bows and wrapping paper. She has mapped out the entire store of discounts to search for.

Thinking about all those awesome deals I was missing out on was killing me. So I had to go to Target.

Even if I had to drag my three children with me. 

I made my list and gave myself a budget of $50.

Then I pep talked the children about how I would bribe reward them with one small thing if they would good.

Then is was like flashing lights from a horror movie.

Children were yelling like crazies, making circles around the buggy. Running into, in front of, and over other shoppers. Tootsie smacked Big Boy will a magic wand. Big Boy thought he was racing his red Target buggy in the Indy 500 (with Tootsie in it). Little Boy disappeared to play with “SkyLanterns”.

Good Gawd.

I knew I should have passed out nerve pills before we left. At least, I should have taken one.

When it was all over my total was a smidge over budget. Just a teeny weeny bit.

Like $150 instead of $50.

I had no idea what I paid for until I got home. Lucky for me, I did get a few deals.

Let me show you the goodies I got.

With a little embellishment and stuffing, these placements will be turned into Christmas pillows.

Speaking of pillows… here’s one all ready to go! Plus a few small boxes of mini ornaments.

In some book there must be a name for girl-who-loves-linens. It is probably right underneath girl-who-loves-stationary. The green houndstooth table runner will be on my dining room table by tomorrow.

For months I have wanted a tray for the coffee table. As soon as the Christmas disappears, I’m styling this baby up.

Okay. The too cute metal houses were not a deal. They weren’t even on sale. But they are adorable. And my favorite color.

Our family, friends, and all 5 teachers got cutsie little treat boxes full of goodies this year. But I am not so sure this was a deal. Hobby Lobby had packages of treat boxes for $2 before Christmas.

Without know the price, I threw these drink cups in. (sorry for the horrible iPhone picture)

I thought they would make a sweet pre-Christmas treat. But at $2.50 a piece they are going back.

Now look. Don’t start adding up all my buys and think there’s no way I spent $150. I didn’t think you wanted  a picture of my heartburn medicine. Or the children’s treats. Or my wine.

Hope you made it to the shops before all the goodies are gone! Wonder if Hobby Lobby has anything left?

Leave me a note if you found something fabulous.

I love to share my projects with these fabulous blogs: @ Just a Girl and Her Blog, Make Monday @ Kitchen Table Art, Inspiration Monday Party @ I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Too Cute Tuesdays @ Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Pin Me Linky Party @ Diana Rambles, What I Whipped Up Wednesdays @ Sugar and Dots, BeBetsy, It’s a Party @ A Creative Princess, Southern State of Mind, What we love Wednesday @ Soda Pop Avenue Work, It Wednesday @ The Blissful Bee, Give Me the Goods Monday @ Rain On a Tin Roof & So Much Better with Age, Shine on Fridays @ Young and Crafty,  Inspire Me Tuesdays @ A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style, Crystal and Co. with The Mommy Club: Share Your Resources and Solutions , The Chic and Crafty Linky Party with The Frugal Girls & Share Your Creativity Saturdays with Aimee at It’s Overflowing, My Love for Words Lovely Ladies Linky Party.