Saturday, June 6, 2009

confessions of a targetholic

My name is Patrice, and I AM a Targetholic. And yesterday... yesterday... oh, I can't even say it... Yesterday, I went to Walmart. That's right. Don't judge me. The worst part is - I didn't totally hate it. True, we had to go through three carts before we found one that actually worked and wouldn't wake the slumbering beast Jonah, and when we did find one, I squirted about a half a bottle of hand sanitizer on the handle and rubbed it in (I didn't have any anti-bacterial wipes), but still, it wasn't half bad. Don't get me wrong, I still love Target and would pick it over Walmart any day of the week, but desperate times call for desperate measures (translation: I want an inexpensive TV for the basement). I did however get my beach presents (we have a big birthday party for - count 'em - all thirteen of the cousins (ages eight and under) every year), looked at TV's and clocks for the basement, and when Jonah started screaming, was able to grab peanut butter, jelly, and Gatorade on the way out before total meltdown ensued. It was still really crowded with people pulling out in front of you all the time (ahem, Melissa), but check-out was actually a breeze. I pulled up to aisle 11 (which only had two people ahead of me), and just then, out of nowhere, a sweet angel wearing a blue vest said, "I'll get you on 12." Just like that - POOF - I was done and outta there (total meltdown was ensuing in the car with Granny at this point). So, friends, this is my confession, I am a Targetholic (whowillgotoWalmartwhenthethingshewantsissignificantlylessexpensive).

Did reading that just hurt your face?
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In other news, I was recognized in public yesterday! (WHAT?) Granny, Jonah, and I went to meet Matt for lunch at Dairi-O in Stanleyville (soooo tasty), and we were waiting on our food, and a lady came up (Hey, Allison) and said, "I recognize you from your blog. Do you think I'm crazy?" Honey, I define crazy so no worries there. And then, she got to meet Jonah (who, unfortunately was way more interested in the fan than any human being on earth at that specific moment, but whatever). It was really neat and crazy and awesome. Jonah's famous!

Today is Maddie's birthday party, and we are very excited. Jonah let us get eight hours of sleep last night (not consecutive), and I'm glad because I bet today will be a loooong day. Totally pumped, but really hoping he cooperates. Granny is going to help with dressing change around 1:00 before she heads back to SC, so that we can have it over and done with and enjoy the party.
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And a few random things -

Someone said a long time ago that they couldn't find the hands-free pumping bustier I have at Target. They had looked everywhere. Sorry to make you search. It's not from Target (GASP!). You can find it at
easyexpression.com, and it is the best thing ever. Seriously, if you pump and don't have one, order one today. It will make your life sooooo much easier. How do you ever think I get a post up? A sweet blog reader got mine for me (Thanks, Elaine), and it's wonderful.

Secondly, if you haven't received your magnet yet and think you should've, please contact Matt's Uncle Chris at jonahs(dot)support(dot)group(at)gmail(dot)com. He can help you out. (Kelly in GA - I didn't have an email address or blog to get in touch with you, so just email Chris, and he can let you know the status).

Also, if you are a Wake Forest fan (which, of course, we ALL are), Jonah's magnets now come in
black and gold too. I know. I know. Too good to be true. But friends, WE are in the business of making your dreams come true, so there ya go.

And lastly (but certainly not leastly), please check out
Jonah's Support Group Blog to see some other beautiful and wonderful kids with EB from other parts of the country who have done us the honor of sending in photos with Jonah's magnet for that blog. Please remember that Jonah is not alone and that EB is a big problem. One of DebRA's slogan's is, "The worst disease you've never heard of." That is so sad. How can people NOT know? How did I NOT know? Please, help us raise awareness about EB (whether you buy a magnet or not), and take a second to go see some other beautiful kids who need your prayer too.

23 comments:

momma said...

this was funny to me that you said you were "totally pumped" about your day in the same post that you talked about your pump!! you always make me laugh - today, just a little bit more :)

Unknown said...

Oh my.. if I had only known about the pump holder thingy... I recently finished breastfeeding my daughter.. but all that time wasted pumping and holding the containers.. if I had only known. :)

Angela said...

Welcome to the world of Wal-mart. It's not as clean or visually appealing, but it's cheaper and for me, there are two more huge perks:

1. It's *very* close to my house and in a different state than my Target with cheaper taxes, esp on food.

2. I do price comparisons at Wal-mart, where I bring in the weekly ads from other stores and Wal-mart honors their prices. So I get the best prices on everything.

But I do agree that Target is appealing and much nicer. :)

emily ebeling said...

ahh, target......there are 3, count 'em THREE walmarts (currently) closer to my house than any Target (a super target is being built in place of my old target). Yet yesterday, I went the extra miles just because I love it. I know that I won't get run over- and all the carts work!
And I like their baby stuff, too ;) I got my Josiah an awesome baby beach hat with a little monkey on it. Couldn't resist.
I hope you have a fan-tastic time at the beach!
Eph. 3:17b-19
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Jessica K. said...

I just clicked the link to that pumping bustier I dont need one I was just wondering what it could be and that picture just cracked me up!
I mean is seems like a great invention.
Her sitting in a photagraphers studio, pumping, reading a good book and smiling just made my day!! I am sorry but I had to laught the pic is too funny!!

I know one day I will hopefully be in need of that thing and will be enjoying pumping, reading a book, calling friends and getting my picture taken all at the same time!! :)

Erin said...

I, too, am I Targetholic and also went to Walmart yesterday. The thing that gets me about Wal-Mart is that to get to the yogurt, you first have to go through vitamins, tires, men's underwear, and swimsuits!

Anonymous said...

I clicked the link for Jonahs support group and got a page that said page not available.

Laura A said...

Good morning! I wish I had gotten one of those bustiers - I don't think they had them when I first started down the pumping journey.

I know exactly how you feel about Walmart. I only go there if I absolutely have to, but on the whole it's not an awful place. (And my 3-yr old loves the happy face stickers the greeters give out!)

Thanks so much for sharing everything with us about Jonah, and for making us aware of EB - am trying to get the word out here in TX!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and a great time at the birthday party!

Continuing to pray!
Love,
Laura

Mendy said...

We got our magnet today. I plan on taking a picture and sending it to you soon!

We love you and are praying for you.

lov said...

1. the new walmart down peter's creek is really nice....but...it isn't target :)

2. it is nice to go into walmart and actually have them open a line for you, that makes me happy ... oh so happy!! :)

3. i do hope that when the day comes i see you around town, you continue to think that i (or any others) am not crazy for coming up to you...and thanking you for all your time and words....
it is like you are all our best friend...
and that god brought us all together!!

4. thank you for your sweet, blog writing, target loving, jonah adoring self! :)

RLR said...

Another great post as always! Glad you have had such a great time our and about lately!

jandkland said...

I hope the party was fun and you were able to enjoy being out! It makes SUCH a difference for any new parent, and I imagine it's an even bigger deal when you are limited in where you can take your baby.

You're so funny about WM and Target! We live less than a mile from WM, so I use it ALL THE TIME and spend WAY too much money there. But when I do make the trek to Target, I always buy more than I intend. So much cute stuff!

Thanks for the info about the magnet. I certainly didn't give to get something in return, but I like the idea of the magnet for raising awareness. I will make contact to see what the issue may be.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

--Kelley in GA (my blog address is queenkelley.com)

Anonymous said...

god news on the magnets. now we can replace our carolina blue magnet for the right color ones :)

Anonymous said...

You never cease to encourage me. Even with all you have going on you put others first. I have not traditionally been an "internet enthusiast" but I check your blog everyday because it blesses me beyond measure! Thank you for your witness.

Melanie said...

I can't believe you were at the Dairi-O in Stanleyville. We are frequenters of Dairi-O, and we live in King (where Dairi-O originated). Ours is still a walkuptothewindowandplaceyourorder kind of place, but there is rumor that that is changing soon. You should venture to King sometime. I know I'm biased, but our Dairi-O is better! Hahaha! I would love to run into you sometime, and would definitely recognize you and have to come over to meet sweet little Jonah. I know you're not ready for it yet (germs and all), but you need to plan a "MckPicnic" of your own. I'm sad that I can't got to MckMama's picnic - you know because it would require either flying or a REALLY long drive. However, I go/come to Winston all the time. We could call it a Jonic (you know kind of like Jonut). It would be a blast! I think we could give MckMama and her crew a run for their money. We southerners like to eat - I think we could do it up right! In the meantime (while I'm waiting for the Jonic plans), I will be praying for Jonah and for you guys always.
Love, Melanie
kevandmel@hotmail.com

Sashka said...

I'd probably be a targetholic too, but there are no Target stores in my entire state (scary, I know! The stuff nightmares are made of...). In fact I just checked and it's the only state where there isn't one. Clearly, this oversight must be corrected.

I don't like WalMart, but there is one near here that just opened a year ago so it's still fairly new and clean, that one is okay.

Matt Stead said...

Well, targetholic, we have a friend who is a graphic arts designer and one of her designs has just been picked up for the Fall. It's called Harvest Blessings. You can see it here http://dondenise.blogspot.com/2009/05/yay-god.html
Matt

RaisingOlives said...

Thanks for the EB awareness. I'm also part of a group of people with something that most people have never heard of. It is a birth injury called Erb's Palsy or Brachial Plexus Injury. I was at very, very high risk (can you say 3 babies with broken bones and 2 others with problems)before our youngest was more severely injured (broken right arm and paralyzed left arm) and I still did not know about it. It was preventable and NO ONE told me.

Sorry for the rant. Just when you asked, "How did I not know?", it struck a cord. That is exactly how I felt. Thanks for spreading the word about EB and I'll keep telling people about Brachial Plexus Injuries and Erb's Palsy.

Erb's Palsy can be, in many cases, prevented. Once injured the child can face life-long disability.

Blessings,
Kimberly

Sandy said...

I know the blogger who saw you in public was blessed! I can't wait to run into you, Jonah, Matt and whoever someday. I have not doubt that it WILL HAPPEN!!!

Love and prayers,
Sandy

Jen said...

I LOVE Target.
Jonah is the cutest little man ever.

Marie said...

I have heard of EB many times, but never met someone who has it. I think a lot of people know what it is if you call it "cotton wool baby" disease.

Hey if you get a chance to look for the dvd "My Flesh and Blood" it's a documentary about a woman who adopted 16 special needs children. 2 of them had EB so maybe you'll be interested in seeing it.

I once met someone whose blog I follow, it was very exciting! It was a 12 year old boy who battled cancer all his life. He was most unimpressed at being recognized, but his mom was thrilled! I got an email from her a few days later. I also went to the funeral of a child I never met but followed her blog for 3 years. It's amazing how "close" you can become to someone you see every day through the computer screen.

PS. I love Target too! It's better than Walmart (Walmart is called Big W in Australia, who knows why. Burger King is called Hungry Jacks here too. Exact same places though. Weird.)

Sara Denslaw said...

I probably shouldn't mention that i have worked for Target since high school! (it'll be 15 years this October) The 10% discount is nice on diapers, clothes, formula, food, etc... If things don't work out working at home with your other job, maybe check out Target:)

Preppy Coastee said...

You know you are on the lillypulitzer.com website right??? They are trying to raise awareness w/ there clothing out right now. It's called a colorful clause and part of the profits go to EB. That's where I found your blog. On lilly's blog website. xxoo