"Meant to Be" Shopping?

Have you ever had one of those shopping trips where you found everything you were looking for at a really good price? It was like it was "meant to be" for that day. Today was one of those days for us. We went out to get Daddy's b-day present and while I was out, I figured we'd see what Goodwill was up to these days.

I had a list in my head of a couple household items I wanted to see if they had but I never expected to find almost ALL of them! We needed a place for Rich to put his keys/wallet/phone when he comes in. I needed a towel rack in the kitchen for the new cloths I started using to save on paper towels. I also wanted something with a little color to spruce up Nathan's playroom a little more. And we needed a coat rack. (which I didn't find)

I found a hanging basket for the keys, a wooden hand-carved "Towels" rack, a bright purple star picture holder and a wooden shelving unit in the shape of a house that I know I can make a cute picture frame out of. I also found a photo album for a Christmas project I am doing for my Mom and a book on ideas to do with Toddlers.

But the best part was...we found a kitchen for Nathan. As soon as he saw it, he almost leapt from the cart. (Good thing he was strapped in!!) I quickly unfastened him and let him play. He was opening and closing everything and I thought "Here we go again!" A couple weeks ago we saw one at Once Upon a Child and I literally couldn't get him away from it. He has NEVER had a tamtrum in the store before but he was kicking and screaming and throwing a fit! It was only $15 but it was in terrible condition and there was no way I was buying it. I did some rearch online and found one I wanted to get him for Christmas but it was $150+! So when I saw this one at Goodwill, I couldn't believe our luck! The decals were perfect. No signs of wear and it was in excellent condition. (Doesn't it look GREAT in the picture!!) I closed my eyes before looking at the tag. I was expecting it to be about $50 and I really didn't have the energy to fight Nathan to get out of the store again. (We didn't have that much budgeted this month!) It was only $9.99!

And if that wasn't enough. We found a "kitty cat" that looked fairly real for $.49. Nathan clung to that thing with dear life. (I'm allergic or I'd be buying him a real one in a heartbeat!)

All in all, we spent $12.96 after using a $10GC I had gotten from my Mom. (We also got 5% off everything.) I had to call her on the way home and tell her she just bought Nathan a kitchen AND a cat. :) I know when she bought the GC for us she never dreamed she'd be buying him all that! (She's so sweet! She left it here for us after her last visit with a note that said for us to have a fun shopping adventure one day. We love you, Mom/Nana!) Gifts out of love really are the best!

Ever have one of those almost perfect shopping trips? Doesn't it almost give you this all-day happy feeling?