Grand Forks, I heart you!

I've been home two days now and spent all of today out of town. It couldn't be helped. My version of mecca has always revolved around a small town in North Dakota - Grand Forks. And sometimes Fargo. Seriously. They have a Target Store, Kohl's and TJ Max. And let's not even get started on the grocery stores and the prices for a lot of stuff that I couldn't possibly bring back with me all the way to the nation's capital. Having grown up spending many a long weekend going back and forth to Grand Forks, it seemed the right time to return today.

I was so excited. RJ's godmother and I made the trek in her car. The Red River has already crested but my goodness there was a lot of water filling fields and the flood way is looking pretty full. A few roads were closed but not the main highway.

But I digress. Target! And not *just* a Target store - it was a SUPER Target. When you actually don't have to shop for groceries, I find walking the aisles to be a very zen like activity. The place was fairly quiet for a muzak filled store, and we cruised through with our bright red Target carts marvelling over all the unique items in the aisles and despairing of the prices and me thinking how am I ever going to get a cart load of groceries all the way home. Oh wait... I'll go check out the luggage and just buy a suit case that will be good enough to haul back all this stuff!

And at this Target every item was classified by department on the receipt - grocery items, clothing, electronics, or home so when we arrived back at the Canadian border and declared our goods, it was very easy for the border guards and custom agents to apply the right taxes. Now how is that for service?!

What I could have bought but didn't.

And then there was Kohl's... I SAVED $158.65 today! That's right! Just think how much MORE I could have spent if I had known what I was saving?! I must have had 30 things in the dressing room with me - dresses, t-shirts, skirts; never mind trying things on that I was going to get for Rebel but not sure if things would fit. My newest cheap cell phone doesn't have a camera so I couldn't send pictures for approval. I am winging these purchases, but how could I resist since I was SAVING so much?!

And it even gets better because North Dakota will refund the state tax on my purchases so I will SAVE even more.

Grand Forks - a love story. So much retail love to give, and so little time.

Next blog - a little less retail and a little more family!