Contrition of a Maxxinista

       I attended South Run Baptist Church this morning! They had me at "south."The college group was wonderful, and I was challenged and inspired by the pastor's sermon. I was greeted and welcomed the moment I stepped in the door. "You're a visitor!" a man said. Gotta love small churches.
       After church, I planned on going to TJ Maxx. I had a gift card, and I really wanted some work-out equipment (thank you to the Nike Fit app for requiring kettle bells). I am no TJ Maxx novice. I like to hit up the Maxx once of week when I'm home, and I've been deprived of the spectacular shopping/scavenging experience for about 3 weeks. Well, more like 2, but I was experiencing symptoms of withdrawal nonetheless.
       I definitely got my TJ Maxx fix this afternoon. I'm ashamed to say that I attacked that place like a ravenous wolf. I grabbed a kettle bell and a yoga ball, but before I knew what was happening, I had swiped a buggy and was filling it with blouses and sweaters and more blouses. When I had sufficiently loaded my buggie, I ambushed the fitting room. My strategy is to grab everything and eliminate by trying things on.
      I narrowed my items down surprisingly well, and added up my purchases. Now, lately I've been carrying around cash- with my debit card for emergencies. As I loaded my purse this morning, knowing that I would be going to TJ Maxx, I purposefully left my debit card out. I had the gift card, 20 dollars cash, and a visa gift card (which ended up being empty).
       At the register, I realized that I didn't have enough dough. It was a big ordeal to cancel my purchases, remove items, and ring it all up again. I left TJ Maxx with everything EXCEPT what I had actually gone into the store to purchase. I was very disappointed in myself to say the least, and I was angry. There's nothing like standing at a register, long line of people behind you, without enough money to let you know that you have a problem. And I still have no kettle ball to work out with. I guess I could just use something heavy in the apartment.

       I made two big mistakes Friday morning. I sat facing the back of the metro and found myself reading about last week's metro accident. For most of the commute, I was a nervous wreck with motion sickness. Thankfully, my day at the ABA office was really great. I talked to more detainees and met some cool new people, including another Commission on Immigration intern. I probably won't make a habit of going in on Friday because I wanted to do absolutely nothing on Saturday. You guys won't get interesting blogs from me that way!