SHOPPING.......Arrrrggggghhhhh!

I must have missed the girl gene that causes one to LOVE to shop.    I pretty much loathe it!!  
I guess I don't mind to shop, as long as it is not for clothes.   In fact, I actually enjoy grocery shopping.
Well, in an attempt to supplement my wardrobe with one or two new options, tonight I spent over 3 hours at several stores AND THEN stopping in most every store in the entire mall.   Part of my hatred for shopping is the depressing feeling that I return home with after spending a LARGE chunk of my time looking and coming home with nothing (or not much) to show for all of that time spent looking.   Half of the time I can't figure out who would ever buy some of the crazy styles out there (not me), the other half of the time, things just don't fit right, cover enough, or they are out of my size (especially when it comes to shoes).  
But here is another issue that I have with shopping.......Does it bother anybody else, that anytime you you go to buy something these days, they ask for your phone number, email address, zip code, or any combination of information.  OR they try to sign you up for their credit card or some kind of rewards card or program.   I guess that to an extent I don't mind this, but tonight my blood almost started to boil.  Maybe it had been a long, boring day at work & I was already tired of shopping (without much luck), but    
I was in a particular store buying a shirt that was on sale for $14.99. When I got to the register to checkout, the sales clerk asked me if I was a member of their rewards program.  It took me about 5 minutes to convince her that I hardly ever shop in that store and was not interested.  THEN she wanted to help me save 10% ($1.49) today by signing up for a credit card when I politely told her, "no thanks, I'm not interested."  She continues to explain that it is a fantastic deal and they waive the annual fee for the first year.  I again tell her "no, thank you." She comes up with yet another reason that I need to sign up for this card.   I am now getting annoyed and just want to pay for my shirt and get out of there.  I start to get a little bit frustrated with her (like what part of, "I'm not interested" are you having trouble understanding),  and she then acts like I am the one being rude.    
What happened to just being able to give a clerk some money, and in return, they give you the item that you just purchased????      

The Song Remembers When.....

I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, but my family moved to Richfield, UT  (or as we called it "Cow Town) when I was 14.  Therefore, I am "city girl" that loves the country life.
Richfield was a completely different world, and I found myself suddenly immersed in a whole new culture & way of life.   Among other things, I learned to LOVE country music!
"The Song Remembers When" is not only a Trisha Yearwood song, but it is also an interesting concept that I have found to be true, more and more over the years.
I remember my mom always talking about how anytime the Elton John song, "Bennie & the Jets" comes on the radio, she get nauseous because that song was on the radio all the time when she was first pregnant and had morning sickness.  
I was a huge Whitney Houston fan back in the 80's, and when I heard that she had passed away, I had to go home and pull out my old cassette tapes.  (Yes, I still have cassette tapes and my home stereo will still play them).  Wow!!   I can picture myself in my bedroom in Sandy, just singing at the top of my lungs to my favorite Whitney ballads.
Well, recently I discovered a 90's Country station on Pandora and found myself re-united with some of my favorite country songs from my high school days.   
Crazy how a song can start playing and can take you back to such vivid memories from your past.   Maybe it is just me, but I can hear a song and immediately, I am back at a school or stake dance, dancing with ______________,  or just takes me back to a certain time in my life.  Many church hymns remind me of my mission, or a particular ward choir that I sang in.  
Also, right after my mission, my family went to Hawaii and we usually had the TV on in our Condo while getting ready in the mornings. I don't know why, (maybe it was the only thing on), but we seemed to always have the TV on the music video channel.  It seemed like every couple of videos was the TLC song, "No Scrubs."   Being mostly a country music fan, I don't think I had ever heard that song, and even though I am not a fan, if I ever hear that song, I find myself back in Hawaii just laughing and having a great time with my family.  Good times!!   

It has been fun listening to some of my favorite songs from my past and thinking back on the good memories that so easily come back to me through music.        

My new toy.....

After buying my bike last Spring and really enjoying riding, I decided I needed a bike rack. After doing MUCH research, I decided to go with a hitch rack (over truck or roof options). I had a hitch receiver installed on my car and after even more research, I ordered the bike rack. It just arrived on Friday. I wanted to go ride on Saturday and try it out, but I had sooo many other things going AND it was SUPER HOT here on Saturday so I didn't end up going. Tonight I decided I had to get out there and try out my new rack.

I was kind of nervous as I drove off, praying that my bike would not fall off in the middle of the road. It worked like a champ. The temperature was perfect, so other than the trillion gnats that I kept hitting my face, and riding into the wind most of the return trip back to my car, it was a great ride. I am very happy with my purchase. Hopefully my rack, my bike and I will enjoy many great years and many great adventures together.