Facing My Fear

I knew it would happen one day and it had to be done.  I had to face my fear to find out what I was really made of.  Did I have the jam to go in and emerge unscathed?  Taking a deep breath, I plunged -- through the door and into the cavernous expanse of.....COSTCO:  Mecca of Impulse Buying.  I was confident and going in armed -- list in one hand and...no buggy.  If I couldn't carry it, it wasn't coming out with me.  Then, a near fatal error just inside the door.  Without thinking I took the coupon sheet from the extended hand.  Don't look, just hand it back, I screamed in my head (at least I hope it was only in my head).  But I couldn't stop myself.  I glanced at it.  Whew!  Nothing called out to me.  I tossed it.

There were only four items on my list and I knew roughly where to find them.  I shot furtive looks down the aisles, not daring to venture in too far.  But damn -- the sample people were out in full force. I'd pledged to myself, no samples, NO SAMPLES, but my hand shot out and snagged one before I fully realized what I was doing.  You have to understand, I was hungry.  I couldn't help myself.  And it was only a couple of small cracker chip type things.  Something whole grainy.  That's a good thing. Hmmm, with a mango curry seasoning.  Crunch, crunch....Oh rapture!  So tasty.  I slowed, looked over my shoulder, even took a hesitant step back.  They were soooo good.  Maybe just one bag.

Suddenly, I shook my head, breaking the trance.  I bolted from the aisle making a wide berth around the popcorn samples.  I began to chant the items on my list:  parmesan cheese, craisins, tortellini, white nitrile gloves.  I plucked them from the shelves and made a beeline for the checkout, staying as far away from the baked goods section as the store would allow.  The lines at checkout were mercifully short.  No time to examine other people's buggies to see what tasty morsels in mega size packages I was missing out on.

As I approached the exit and the receipt checking ritual, I could feel the smile beginning to spread across my face.  Head held high I emerged into the afternoon sunshine.  I had done it.  I'd stuck to my list and spent less than $60.  A Costco miracle!