Monday, January 17, 2011

The Magical Place

I pushed open the door and...

...there it was. The new book and coffee smell.

I love it.

I had arrived in Barnes and Noble, one of my favorite places. And I was alone. No kids. No husband nagging me to hurry and pick out a book because he’s bored.

It was just me, alone, with all these fabulous books.

But the adventure didn’t start with the books. No, it had started at Target, another one of my favorite places. Well, technically it started when I dropped Natalie off at preschool. Then I went to Target, because rumor had it that a bunch of toys had been marked 75% off.

It was true.

I grabbed a cart, went back to the toy section and there were the glorious 75% off signs.

Plus two other women who had carts filled with toys.

HEY!

At least Old Lady Hog wasn’t there. She’s an older woman who loads up carts and carts filled with the toys. And she’s not doing it for a good deed either, she’s re-selling. Not that there is anything wrong with re-selling—times are tough, a person needs to make money how they see fit—but taking all the deals isn’t right. I love a deal and I always leave stuff behind to share in the deal excitement.

One of the ladies had already gone through both of the lanes since her cart was filled, but she kept going back and taking other stuff. So I figured if I wanted something, I better hurry.

I managed to find the following:





And no, everything is not for my kids. I donate some, and every year I give to Toys for Tots.

Then it was time for Barnes and Noble. I walked slowly down the aisles, my fingers bumping against the spines of all the books. I’d pull a few out and read the back, and then flip through a few pages.

The quiet was bliss. I live in a house where quiet doesn’t always happen.

I ended up just buying a Writer’s Digest magazine and then I wandered into the cafĂ© area. I wish I liked coffee. I mean, the smell of it is amazing. But the taste? Not so much. So instead of a coffee drink, I got a hot chocolate and a Godiva double chocolate slice of cheesecake to go.

I settled down at a table and just savored the peacefulness. I could spend all day in a Barnes and Noble.

As I sat there, hands around my hot chocolate cup, a guy sitting nearby glanced up. We locked eyes and I said something like, “Isn’t this great?”

He blinked at me. “Is what great?”

“This place.” I bit my tongue to keep from adding, “Duh.”

He just shrugged. “I guess,” he answered and went back to the magazine he was reading.

He probably doesn’t appreciate it because he can come to Barnes and Noble whenever he wants. But when you have young (loud) kids, you don’t always get the luxury.

I had to leave an hour later so I could pick up Natalie.

But I’ll be back next month.

I still have $18 left on a gift card that is just itching to be spent.

And I could go for another slice of cheesecake.

47 comments:

  1. Awwwwww what a Wonderful day!

    LOL about that guy!

    Glad you get some time to enjoy some bliss and rejuvenate yourself!

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  2. How did you manage to not buy any books??? I've pondered forwarding my complete paycheck to the bookstore of my choice and try to get a book flatrate instead... *lol*

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  3. I love Barnes and Noble! Although I spend way too much money there for my husband's liking. :-)

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  4. There's a rumor going around that my town is getting a B&N. Dare to dream!

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  5. I agree about the smell of coffee. I just love it, but I can't drink it. Sounds like you made a great compromise, though! Hooray for finding a favorite peaceful place to hang out.

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  6. Gosh, I love my morning routine of checking my blog love and emails before I hit my work day. Your shared experiences make me chuckle and grin and I just love that I stumbled across your blog. Keep up the honesty and hilarity and you'll be sure to go far!

    Best,
    AmericanBridget

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  7. I was just in B&N yesterday and I went back and forth between feeling euphoric around all the fabulous books and feeling sad that my budget does not allow for the purchase of dozens and dozens of books.

    And you're right - that smell never gets old!!

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  8. What - quiet doesn't always happen at your house? (I didn't realize it ever did, unless Natalie is asleep)

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  9. Mmmmm, Barnes & Noble. I love that smell too! After I read, I usually spend a while salivating over the journals. There's just something about a book with blank pages ...

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  10. About 2 years ago when the ex-husband only had a two hour window for supervised visits with the kids (VERY long story) it left me with no time to get anything done before I had to meet up with them at the mall. So I did the same thing.

    Twice a month, I'd wander into Borders, grab a cocoa, and a book, and sit. Un-interrupted. For almost two hours. Bliss.

    I don't miss those days, but I definitely miss the moments. :)

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  11. I love book shopping! These days I just go with a pen and paper to write down titles for my Kindle though.

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  12. Sounds dreamy. And I used to feel that same way about coffee until my second son got me so sleep deprived that I had no choice but to drink it. Now I'm addcited but I have to have fancy creamers like amaretto and french vanilla. You should try that.

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  13. Awwww.. Barnes and Knoble.... my daughter and I everytime we step into one, take a second to just breath in the smells. Nothing quite like it. The smell of new books just waiting for us to explore, the smell of coffee and rich desserts.(though I am with you..love the smell of coffee but don't like the taste!!) Yes our trips to B&K are very much savored!!

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  14. I loooovee B&N. Too bad the closest one to us is at least half an hour away in the city. Ah well. I have a nook and absolutely love it. I also subscribe to Writer's Digest!

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  15. That is actually my idea of heaven - being alone in a bookstore and sitting down alone with a hot drink. Good for you!

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  16. I would have totally answered: "Yes! Yes! This is awesome!"
    Stupid man.
    Such decadence though, you've made me want to do the same thing...and I don't drink coffee either, but the cheesecake works for me!

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  17. I've never been to a Barnes and Noble up here in Canada, but that sounds lovely. I like to retreat to Chapters or Starbucks... actually, they are usually combined!

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  18. Apparently we all share the same idea of heaven! I love Barnes & Noble. Or any bookstore actually.

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  19. Sounds absolutely blissful! Mmmm, a bookstore, a quiet cafe... no kids... sounds like heaven to me!

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  20. It is so important to create ME time and better yet if it involves sales and B&N!!!

    I am so glad you made the time to enjoy it.

    Thanks for stopping by, please come back often!!!

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  21. As a Barnes and Noble employee, I love you love it!

    (I also love you put the books you looked at back right where they belong!)

    The Target I stopped at was pretty wiped out when I went discount toy hunting, but I did get some talking WWE wrestling belts my boys had on their Christmas lists. I wasn't going to pay $30 each in December, but I'm OK with paying $7.50 each in January!

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  22. Stupid guy. I love bookstores and coffee as well. A simple pleasure. I also LOVE going to movies alone. I don't want anyone near me.

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  23. Two of my most favorite places as well!!

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  24. I could feel the peacefulness ooze from your pores. Shweet!

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  25. Add my vote to the list of people who love the smell but not the taste of coffee. Like Rita, I like the blank journals. I tend to use them for first drafts.

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  26. Awww...burn. He was lame. And Barnes and Noble is fantastic! Target is equally wonderful. So nice to know we both love those things. I could really use a piece of cheesecake right now...

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  27. I'm glad you had a wonderful day to yourself. We all need it once in a while. Yeah for preschool!

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  28. I'm a new follower. Love Target, Barnes and Noble, and your post! :)

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  29. Target/B & N without the kids. I do this when Phin watches football all Winter. I know he's ignoring my daughter, but hell, bargains and books beckon, right? Good for you.

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  30. This sounds like a PERFECT day!! FUN!

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  31. Shopping completely alone sounds like pure bliss! Glad you got to!

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  32. I miss Barnes and Nobles. I used to go there all the time.

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  33. You know, I now have a real desire to go spend a few hours there. I think I need to "go write my paper..."

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  34. Barnes & Noble is like a library without the Be Quiet rule.

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  35. I aren't many things more peaceful than an alone trip to Barnes & Noble. You kind of just made me long for it.

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  36. since I read all my books electronically now - i never feel the urge to go to the bookstore. but now i miss it.

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  37. I worked at Barnes and Noble for almost 12 years...it's like a second home and now I know too many people to spend a quiet night browsing. They have no idea who I am at Borders though...

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  38. OMG!! I hate the taste of coffee too! I thought I was the only person in the world! It's nice to see I have a companion :)

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  39. I'm with you. . . there's nothing better than the smell of fresh coffee and new books. And deals ;)

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  40. I love Barnes and Noble and/or Borders. I could spend hours just browsing in the peaceful quiet. After I retire from my school library job, I'd love to work in a book store (if they still exist in a few years)

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  41. My only wish is that my Kindle should of came with a coffee scent and a book smell. Nothing will ever replace the experience of entering a book store.

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  42. Guys just dont get the awesomeness of peace and quiet!

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