Your link to Northwest Indiana. tm

[sidebar.htm]		Power Shopping By Thomas 4-8-06 The Power Shopping gods WERE (and ARE) out to get Thomas! My plans in Los Angeles, CA over this past Spring Break involved multiple shopping excursions.   I had never been to the fashion district in Los Angeles so that was on my agenda.  Shopping at the Beverly Center, The Grove, Santa Monica, and Century City malls were extensively planned. Shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills was a must. A trip to South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa was required.  Let’s not forget…Ross Dress For Less stores (I mentioned them in previous articles).  No self-respecting Power Shopper would go to California and NOT shop at every Ross store they can find! The Power Shopping “gods” had a different idea! I arrived in Los Angeles in the late evening, where it was a very comfortable 65-degrees.  The attendant at the car rental place assured me that the week would be sunny and comfortable.  The hotel desk clerk confirmed his statement. Never underestimate the “power” of the “shopping gods” when it comes to the weather. I awoke the next morning to a 40-degree foggy morning.  I had to be in Santa Monica by 11:00am, so I put on my WINTER coat (luckily I brought a coat since I left Chicago in 30-degree weather) and headed to Santa Monica.  It was warmer in Santa Monica (50’s) so I shed the coat in the car, grabbed my sweater, parked in the parking garage at the mall, and sat out in the sun waiting for my guests to arrive.  Then the sky became overcast, the winds picked up, and the temperature dropped!  OH, and I bought NOTHING! What was next…rain? The next day, I decided to drive the 45+ minutes to Costa Mesa to shop then visit a friend in nearby Newport Beach. It started to drizzle (dang those Power Shopping ‘gods’), but it stopped before I reached the mall.  I decided to go to Newport Beach first, and then hit the mall on the way back to Los Angeles. I never made it to the mall! I was having a delightful time visiting when my friend stated that I should get back on the highway before ‘rush hour’.  It was only 2:00, but in California…rush hour is 24/7!I decided to bypass the mall until the next day.  OH, and she knew what she was talking about…the 45+ minute return trip took 2 hours and 45 minutes.  It started to rain the closer I got to Los Angeles.  My nephew was meeting me for dinner in Manhattan Beach. I found a Ross Dress for Less on the way back to my hotel!  Yeah!  I found a dress shirt for $5.99, but when I got to the checkout line…it was 30 people deep.  Thomas walked out.  It rained all through dinner! The Power Shopping ‘gods’ were just getting started! The next day, I decided to go downtown Los Angeles to the fashion district and to the Beverly Center.  So did the 500,000 illegal immigrants that were protesting the proposed changes in the law!  Thomas couldn’t move! I stayed in my rental car attempting to get out of the city.  OH, yes…I also urinated in a cup.  When the high school students walked out too, I figured it would be faster to walk back to the hotel (8 miles).  Eventually things started moving, so 3 ½ hours later, I arrived back at the hotel and downed 4 aspirin and took a nap. The television news showed the downtown area was thinned out, so I got back in the car and drove 12 minutes back to the fashion district.  I was determined to shop the hundreds and hundreds of boutiques.  The Power Shopping ‘gods’ had something else in mind…rain…and lots of it! Try record down pours and floods in…the fashion district! All the streets were flooded and the traffic lights were out.  I took that as an omen to go back to the hotel.   3 hours later, I made it to the hotel, took 4 aspirin again, and passed out.  OH, and I bought NOTHING…but I was getting ‘cup urination’ down to a science! The next day, the skies cleared and I decided to relax in the sun awhile.  The temperature was in the 60’s, so I head to the hotel pool for a little rest and relaxation. Around 3:00pm, it was starting to turn hazy and the temperature dropped.  I took that as a sign to get dressed and go shopping!  I took a quick shower, grabbed my map, and headed out the door. It started to rain…again! I went back to the room and ordered in my dinner. The next day, I decided to go to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and Century City Mall.  Remember, I have bought NOTHING so far.  Between the road construction and protesters (they were down to about 150,000), I never made it to Rodeo Drive.  I did manage to get to Century City, though, and bought…NOTHING! I must have really ticked off the Power Shopping ‘gods’.  A shopping Mecca of the world and Thomas has nothing to show for it. The following day was my return to Chicago.  My flight was at 9:55am, so I figured I could shop in the airport until boarding time. Wrong! I was waiting in line to check in at the E-ticket counter, when they announced that the Chicago flight was cancelled.  I got to the counter and there was an alternate flight that I could take…but instead of a non-stop, it flew through Newark, NJ then to Chicago.  So I took it, thinking I could shop in LAX and Newark’s airport. The ‘gods’ thought differently. The lines to security were 6 lanes wide and about a quarter of a mile long.  The extended out the entry doors to the departure terminal.  By the time I got through security, 1 1/2 hours had passed and they were calling ‘final boarding’ for my flight.  Obviously I had no time to shop. The flight to Newark took 4.5 hours.  We circled airport 2 times before landing.  I got off the plane to find a store when they started calling for boarding on my Chicago flight. Am I paranoid or are the ‘gods’ putting a hex on poor Thomas? I arrived in Chicago around 8:00pm.  NO luggage.  It was still in Newark.  My luggage was taking a better trip that I was!  I arranged delivery with baggage claim.  I check my pockets for my bus ticket back to Northwest Indiana…it was not in any of my pockets.  Neither were my car and house keys! I had an extra set of keys…in my checked baggage! Thomas had to purchase a one-way ticket to Northwest Indiana, my brother had to pick me up, and I had to stay at his home until my baggage arrived with keys.  I swear, the greatest invention is the Cellular Phone! My luggage arrived at 6:00pm.  I drove home, took 4 aspirin, and called it a night.   And, did I mention I lost a contact lens? Those Power Shopping ‘gods’ have some major explaining to do! And now… DON’T DOUBT THOMAS! THINK PORTABLE DVD PLAYERS! Circuit City [nationwide] has a 7” portable DVD player, by Nexxtech, on sale for $99.99. THINK JEWELRY! Kohl’s [nationwide] has a ‘super buy’ on diamond pendants.  The entire stock of ¼ ct t.w. diamond pendants, in 10k gold, are $99.99 each.  The entire stock of gemstone birthstone rings is $59.99 each.  All other fine jewelry and sterling silver jewelry is 50-55% off. THINK STEAM CLEANERS! Yes, it is that time of year again…time for Spring-cleaning!  Thomas was in the mood to purchase a new carpet steamer (my old one is over 20 years old…hmmm, I think I got my moneys worth).  Meijer [nationwide] has an Easy Steamer Deluxe, by Dirt Devil, for $94.  But I searched the stores to find the best price on a Deep Cleaner with built in heat and fuller brushes, by Bissell.  I searched out Kmart, Home Depot, Kohl’s, Meijer’s, and Menards [all nationwide], but the best price was at Wal*Mart.  I paid $166.72 for it but if it last 20 year like my old carpet cleaner, I will be a happy camper! THINK FOLDING BANQUET TABLES! Target [nationwide] has a new item.  For $32, you can get a folding 6-ft. banquet table with convenient carrying handle, making it easy to store and easy to use.  This molded fiberglass table is perfect for buffets and extra seating for holiday or family meals. THINK FABRICS! For those of you who do their own sewing, JoAnn Fabrics is having a 50% off sale on the entire stock of 54” home décor fabrics.  Choose from famous name designers and suppliers like Nautica, Waverly, Solarium, Liz Claiborne, and Better Homes and Gardens. THINK LUGGAGE! What is with Thomas and luggage?  I buy it, I use it, the airlines lose it…it is a vicious circle!  Meijer [nationwide] has a 4-pc set, by Oleg Cassini, for $59.99, regularly $99.99.  The set, in black or blue, comes with a 16” shoulder bag, a 20” carry-on flight case, a 25” and a 29” rolling suitcase.  Did I mention that I have already mowed my lawn…5 times!  Oh, and I have my Christmas gifts bought and wrapped!  Thomas