LITTLE ROCK — The date was entered in my calendar and etched in my mind.
It was the day I had been awaiting, for more than a decade. The day that marked an exciting and promising beginning. The day that would change everything for the better.
The day the enormous shoe outlet opened in west Little Rock!
And I was going to be there. No, I was going to be the first one there! After years of pilgrimaging to other cities and a year of whimpering at the "coming soon" promises for our location, there was no way I'd miss this event.
But then I did.
It was raining. And, eh, I just didn't feel like it.
Besides, I had plans to commemorate this very special occasion the following evening with girlfriends anyway. (You bet your Betsey Johnson Harley Floral Pattern Platforms I originally intended to sneak over there beforehand, scope out the goods, plan my attack, mark my territory and then pretend I hadn't visited yet.All is fair in love and Lucite slide sandals.) I'd just cash in all my coupons and bring home my new fabulous footwear haul the next day.
But then I didn't. After donning, fastening, modeling, vetoing and then retrying every shoe in my size - save for anything practical and comfortable, because, regrettably, I only like shoes that give my dogs the Michael Vick treatment - I left bagless and fighting a case of nonshoppers remorse.
But, I reminded myself, it didn't matter that I didn't get to the shoe store on the first day. It didn't matter that I didn't luck out on my first attempt. It didn't matter that time was ticking on my savings passes. What mattered is that the store was nearby now and it wasn't going anywhere, and I could stop by every week - heck, every day - if I desired.
Which apparently, I haven't.
I finally returned three weeks later, took a quick lap around the store before meeting friends for dinner, spotted nothing I couldn't live without - or at least nothing to justify spending $50 to save $15 with my soon-to-expire coupon - and left. After all, I told myself, I can always hurry back the next week.
But I won't.
The same thing happened with me and that home furnishings store. I'd want to beam myself into the catalogs they sent. Yet since the store opened here years ago, I've browsed in it exactly twice.
Same with the storage store. I couldn't wait for the emporium of all things orderly to open so I could begin to systemize. I haven't been organized enough to fit in a second visit.
Same with the cooking store. I vowed I'd be a regular shopper and gourmet chef if an outlet opened here; I'm still living on Lean Cuisines.
My relationships with these businesses have changed as they became more accessible to me (though this has not been the case with the cosmetics store; my wallet wishes otherwise). They're no longer the long-distance loves I pine for. But they can be familiar friends or at least casual acquaintances I can see whenever the mood strikes.
Still I'm sure I could find the way to keep the blazing passion burning if we were to get the boxes-and-bins store. And the assemble-it-yourself Swedish furniture store. And the cheesecake and fondue restaurants. And .... Talk shop, and e-mail: jchristman@arkansasonline.com What's in a Dame is a weekly report from the woman 'hood.
Style, Pages 27 on 08/25/2009