Kid Exchange
My mom asked if I would mind driving my son up to Tacoma this weekend so that they could bring him back to their house for a visit. I agree but said I wouldn't be staying the night. I told them I would be there at lunchtime on Saturday (jokingly saying that would be 4pm). My real goal was to get out of town by noon.
I was up early enough and we would have been out the door right on time except that I started fooling around with creating a playlist on my DJ comprised of the songs my son was listening to the other night and a few of my own. It ended up taking about 45 minutes!
We were finally ready to go and headed to the gas station to fill up. While there my mom called asking where we were. They actually thought that lunchtime was going to be noon! I laughed and said we were on our way. Then my son realized he had left his wallet behind and we had to go back to the house (thankfully that wasn't really out of the way).
We were finally on our way around 1pm. The drive was relatively uneventful. There were a few patches of down right pouring rain (one where visibility was decreased) but overall it was nice weather. There was the incident with the guy in a beamer who suddenly decided (somewhere in Tumwater) that he needed to take THAT exit and he crossed 3 lanes of traffic, cut between an SUV and a Dump truck hauling a tractor cutting the latter off and barely made the exit (all this in a few seconds and without any maneuvering). I can honestly say that at that point it would probably have been a better idea to just take the next exit and turn around (especially given how expensive his car is!). I was just about dumbstruck though, some people!
We got to the house and moved my son's stuff into my mom's car. Then after a quick pitstop we headed to the always-predictable Arby's for lunch. Because we were such a large looking group other workers came to the register thinking there was more than one group that needed help. The people behind us looked at Bo and said "Are you with them!?" I didn't say anything but her attitude about it really rubbed me the wrong way. YES he's with me what's it to you!? Bo wasn't bothered and I let it roll of my back without incident but it did strike a chord. I don't think she was playing with a full deck anyway.
After a meager lunch (because I just can't eat Arby's food anymore) we headed back to the house where my son left with my parents. Bo and I headed over to Costco to look around. I had invited my parents but they were in a hurry to get home for some reason.
At Costco I saw this awesome small stack stereo from Phillips. It has a glass like look to it, two speakers, a tuner, a CD player and an MP3 hookup. All this for $150 (plus a $30 off coupon). I seriously considered it. The whole system looked pretty cool. Instead I picked up a battery charger and rechargeable batteries.
After Costco we hit the mall. I found a good parking spot and as we were walking in I saw Mall security on a segway! ^_^ We hit Suncoast first and I picked up the last two DVDs of the Disgea Anime on a buy one get one free deal (basically both for $30 total).
Next we headed over towards Hot Topic. Bo suggested we go into Spencer's gifts first. I agreed but I haven't been able to find anything in there for a long time. They changed their stuff from novelty items like Coke to novelty items like beer, sex and stupid things. We did find, however, an AC/DC figure set of Angus Young and the lead singer. I decided I had to mention that to Debby in the event she felt like she should go and pick them up. ^_^;;
After that brief stop we moved on to Hot Topic. I stopped just inside the door because they had Bloo from Fosters on a T-Shirt! I really wish they would sell things in my size. -_- That's ok I went looking through the store and found more things like stickers, patches and pins (as well as purses and more from Fosters). ^_^ As I was looking at the stickers one of the clerks came up to me and asked me about my shirt (I was wearing my ATHF Never Forget shirt). I almost didn't hear him. We conversed a bit about it and he loved the shirt (asking where I got it). ^_^
I picked out a few pins, a Zelda pin for my son for Christmas, and Bo found a Zelda wallet for himself. I found that they had Hello Kitty steering wheel covers and floor mats. I got my Transformers steering wheel cover from a Hot Topic and was suddenly wishing they had matching floor mats (my driver's side one is in need of being replaced).
I went to the counter to purchase my stuff. I just have to say that I always feel good when buying things at a Hot Topic store, especially the one in Tacoma. The staff always seem to be friendly and helpful. I don't know how to better explain it but I feel good about shopping there. That doesn't happen for most places I go (especially out of town).
After Hot Topic we headed to Orange Julius because I don't have one in town and was craving one. Before I thought much about it I had bought a large Julius. As we were walking out of the mall I realized that our planned next (and last) stop was Red Robin. I had just picked up this huge Julius and now I had to drink it in a few minutes time. -_-
We drove to the Red Robin parking lot and sat in the car until I finished the drink. That actually didn't take too long and it was good to sit for a while (not cold or warm either). Once I finished we headed in side for dinner. Bo got the Cheese burger dip chips appetizer which was really good. I also noted to Bo that the staff at Red Robin's all seem really cheery each time. I am sure that's a prerequisite to the job. I don't think I could do that job for more than a day! Don't get me wrong it's REALLY nice to have a place where people are good natured and willing to be helpful. I just couldn't smile that long with out cramping. ^_^;
After dinner we headed out. I was going to have Bo drive home but decided that since I wasn't tired that I would just be bored. So I drove all the way home. There were no interesting things that happened on the way home which in my opinion is a good thing. We got back around 9:30. I have been online since trying to pay my Dell bill. I am sure I will get it taken care of by tomorrow. ^_^;
I was up early enough and we would have been out the door right on time except that I started fooling around with creating a playlist on my DJ comprised of the songs my son was listening to the other night and a few of my own. It ended up taking about 45 minutes!
We were finally ready to go and headed to the gas station to fill up. While there my mom called asking where we were. They actually thought that lunchtime was going to be noon! I laughed and said we were on our way. Then my son realized he had left his wallet behind and we had to go back to the house (thankfully that wasn't really out of the way).
We were finally on our way around 1pm. The drive was relatively uneventful. There were a few patches of down right pouring rain (one where visibility was decreased) but overall it was nice weather. There was the incident with the guy in a beamer who suddenly decided (somewhere in Tumwater) that he needed to take THAT exit and he crossed 3 lanes of traffic, cut between an SUV and a Dump truck hauling a tractor cutting the latter off and barely made the exit (all this in a few seconds and without any maneuvering). I can honestly say that at that point it would probably have been a better idea to just take the next exit and turn around (especially given how expensive his car is!). I was just about dumbstruck though, some people!
We got to the house and moved my son's stuff into my mom's car. Then after a quick pitstop we headed to the always-predictable Arby's for lunch. Because we were such a large looking group other workers came to the register thinking there was more than one group that needed help. The people behind us looked at Bo and said "Are you with them!?" I didn't say anything but her attitude about it really rubbed me the wrong way. YES he's with me what's it to you!? Bo wasn't bothered and I let it roll of my back without incident but it did strike a chord. I don't think she was playing with a full deck anyway.
After a meager lunch (because I just can't eat Arby's food anymore) we headed back to the house where my son left with my parents. Bo and I headed over to Costco to look around. I had invited my parents but they were in a hurry to get home for some reason.
At Costco I saw this awesome small stack stereo from Phillips. It has a glass like look to it, two speakers, a tuner, a CD player and an MP3 hookup. All this for $150 (plus a $30 off coupon). I seriously considered it. The whole system looked pretty cool. Instead I picked up a battery charger and rechargeable batteries.
After Costco we hit the mall. I found a good parking spot and as we were walking in I saw Mall security on a segway! ^_^ We hit Suncoast first and I picked up the last two DVDs of the Disgea Anime on a buy one get one free deal (basically both for $30 total).
Next we headed over towards Hot Topic. Bo suggested we go into Spencer's gifts first. I agreed but I haven't been able to find anything in there for a long time. They changed their stuff from novelty items like Coke to novelty items like beer, sex and stupid things. We did find, however, an AC/DC figure set of Angus Young and the lead singer. I decided I had to mention that to Debby in the event she felt like she should go and pick them up. ^_^;;
After that brief stop we moved on to Hot Topic. I stopped just inside the door because they had Bloo from Fosters on a T-Shirt! I really wish they would sell things in my size. -_- That's ok I went looking through the store and found more things like stickers, patches and pins (as well as purses and more from Fosters). ^_^ As I was looking at the stickers one of the clerks came up to me and asked me about my shirt (I was wearing my ATHF Never Forget shirt). I almost didn't hear him. We conversed a bit about it and he loved the shirt (asking where I got it). ^_^
I picked out a few pins, a Zelda pin for my son for Christmas, and Bo found a Zelda wallet for himself. I found that they had Hello Kitty steering wheel covers and floor mats. I got my Transformers steering wheel cover from a Hot Topic and was suddenly wishing they had matching floor mats (my driver's side one is in need of being replaced).
I went to the counter to purchase my stuff. I just have to say that I always feel good when buying things at a Hot Topic store, especially the one in Tacoma. The staff always seem to be friendly and helpful. I don't know how to better explain it but I feel good about shopping there. That doesn't happen for most places I go (especially out of town).
After Hot Topic we headed to Orange Julius because I don't have one in town and was craving one. Before I thought much about it I had bought a large Julius. As we were walking out of the mall I realized that our planned next (and last) stop was Red Robin. I had just picked up this huge Julius and now I had to drink it in a few minutes time. -_-
We drove to the Red Robin parking lot and sat in the car until I finished the drink. That actually didn't take too long and it was good to sit for a while (not cold or warm either). Once I finished we headed in side for dinner. Bo got the Cheese burger dip chips appetizer which was really good. I also noted to Bo that the staff at Red Robin's all seem really cheery each time. I am sure that's a prerequisite to the job. I don't think I could do that job for more than a day! Don't get me wrong it's REALLY nice to have a place where people are good natured and willing to be helpful. I just couldn't smile that long with out cramping. ^_^;
After dinner we headed out. I was going to have Bo drive home but decided that since I wasn't tired that I would just be bored. So I drove all the way home. There were no interesting things that happened on the way home which in my opinion is a good thing. We got back around 9:30. I have been online since trying to pay my Dell bill. I am sure I will get it taken care of by tomorrow. ^_^;