Your link to Northwest Indiana. tm

[sidebar.htm]		Power Shopping By Thomas 5-6-06 Does the “apple fall FAR from the tree”?  Can the ‘Power Shopping gene’ be transferred from generation to generation?  Thomas’ mother, the ‘Queen of outlet malls’, passed away a few weeks ago.  To answer the questions that I just posed …NO, the apple doesn’t fall FAR from the tree and, thankfully, YES, the ‘Power Shopping gene’ can be passed on! Thomas’s father, who passed away 8 years ago, was the ‘King of outlet malls’.  That makes Thomas a ‘double recipient’ of the ‘Power Shopping’ gene’! Thomas ‘inherited’ their savvy for finding a bargain, their knack for finding princess parking, and their ability to take-out any person who stands in their way of the ultimate sale rack.   (OK, Thomas threw that last one in…Thomas parents were mild mannered…Thomas learned to body-check the ‘enemy’ on his own). The ‘goal’ of getting the ‘most-for-your-dollar’ was instilled in Thomas at an early age. I learned the value of a dollar before I got my first haircut.  I knew how to write a check before I started walking.  I knew how ‘make change’ while still in diapers! I think my ‘education’ into ‘Power Shopping’ began at age 3.  My parents would plan the family vacations around outlet mall shopping! My parents would ‘intellectually’ plan their attack of a shopping venue by using maps and charts. They subscribed to an Outlet Mall magazine (they called it the power shopping bible) so that they could ‘bone-up’ on the latest bargains.  One time, I saw them ponder over weather maps, so that we could hit outdoor malls without the threat of rain!  We traveled all over the United States.  Each year, they chose a different direction (north, south, etc).  At the time, I thought I was visiting places like Yellowstone Park, Mount Rushmore, Washington D.C., and Disneyland.  My parents made sure that my education included the cultures of art, music, and history, as well as, ‘power shopping’! I thought the Lighthouse Mall’ in Michigan City, IN was an amusement park! I thought the “Visit Wisconsin Dells” shopping bags were our new luggage! You mean the sales clerks at Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL, weren’t my aunts and uncles? I witnessed many ‘Power Shopping moments’ in my years of training.  I vividly remember a trip to the Perfumania store, around Christmas, where my parents racked up over $13,000 worth of colognes, perfumes, and lotions for $1,000. His staff and friends were lucky recipients of their ‘bargain hunting’.  I think the sales receipt was over 7 feet long!  A trip through North Carolina, yielded Allen Edmond shoes for $25 (they start around $250).  And Dad got them to ‘throw-in’ addition laces, polish, and shoe horns.  I think Dad bought 12 pairs.  Mom bought enough clothes to fill the trunk of the car. The back seat was filled with housewares.  They had a flat tire on the way home and had to take everything out of the trunk to get to the spare tire.  Passersby pulled over, not to assist them in changing the tire, but they thought Mom and Dad were having a rummage sale! Both of my parents transferred additional genes to me.  I am confident that there is a ‘clothing fetish’ gene in my DNA!  I KNOW I have a ‘jewelry fetish gene’, ‘luggage fetish’ gene, ‘shoe fetish’ gene, and the ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ gene.   However, I don’t know where my ‘body-blocking-take-no-prisoners-fight-kick-bite-for-a-bargain’ gene came from…must be in the water supply. Thomas has an overabundance of ‘Power Shopping’ genes! My brother and sister aren’t so lucky…they still pay full price. Poor Mom…she did the best she could with those two. What about future generations? Well, luckily the “Power Shopping Gene” was passed on to her grandchildren.  My niece, with a college degree in business marketing, is quickly learning the ‘family business’!  We even had to delay the start of my mother’s funeral because her granddaughter was shopping at one of my mother’s favorite stores…TARGET!  Mom would be soooo proud!! As they say, knowledge is power, and my parents dispensed a lot to me.  I only hope that I can honor them by continuing to be the ‘Ultimate Power Shopper”. Thanks Mom and Dad. And now… DON’T DOUBT THOMAS! THINK SHOWER/OUTDOOR SPA COLLECTION! Speaking of Target [nationwide], they have an item that would be perfect for your backyard pool.  On sale for $77.99, is an 831/2-inch high outdoor shower with adjustable pole and foot faucet.  For an additional $27.99, you can get a 53 ½-inch high towel bar or a 12-inch x 24-inch x 18-inch deep spa step. THINK STRETCH KNIT TOPS FOR WOMEN! Meijers [nationwide] has misses’ stretch knits, by Massini, for $5.99.  Choose from Polo or Henley styles. THINK SUIT AND TUXEDO SEPARATES! Value City [nationwide] is offering an extra 25% off their entire stock of men’s suits and tuxedo separates.  Final costs for jackets range from $44.99-$59.99 and pants $22.99-$29.99.  A formal shirt and bow tie set is on sale for $14.99. THINK PROHEAT CARPET CLEANER! Also at Value City is a Bissell Proheat carpet steamer for $119.99.  Even though these are remanufactured, they come with a manufacturers warranty. THINK DIGITAL CAMERA! My readers know I have a camera fetish!  Office Depot [nationwide] has a Kodak special purchase.  The Kodak EasyShare V530 digital camera is on special for $139.99, saving you $90!  It comes with a 3x optical/4x digital zoom and uses secure digital or multimedia cards. THINK JEWELRY! My readers know I also have a jewelry fetish!  Sears [worldwide] is offering 40%-50% off all fine jewelry and 20%-30% off on all watches.  They have a special introductory offer of a ¼ ct. TW diamond/oval or emerald/diamond pendants. THINK DOONEY & BOURKE PURSES! Carson Pirie & Scott [various locations] has the Dooney & Bourke signature anniversary small domed pocket satchel, in brown, for $225.  The signature anniversary north/south bucket bag, in hot pink, is $195.  The signature anniversary flap wristlet, in hot pink or brown, is $55.00.  THINK 6’ BANQUET TABLE! Menards [nationwide] has a 6’ banquet table for $29.88.  The sale price is $34.88 but there is a mail-in $5.00 rebate.  The table has a rust-resistant frame and is suitable for indoor or outdoor use.  The top is durable stain-resistant polyethylene.  There is a 2 limits on the rebate for this 30” x 29” x 72” table. Did I mention that I have my 2006 Christmas presents bought and wrapped?  Mom would be so proud! Thomas