December 26th -- My Favorite Day

Well, maybe not!  I kept telling my wife "It is almost over!"  "Can't wait 'til the 26th!!"  Actually, we had a great Christmas.  Sally does a terrific job in pulling it off each year.  She does the shopping, decorating, baking, cooking -- all with great results.  I try to help!!  This year, we began Christmas with a warm and glowing fire in our fireplace...thanks to Julia, our youngest who really likes Christmas.

Regarding my Sherpa On Duty observations -- December 24th turns out to be a big day for men shoppers.  I happened to be in the mall (last minute gift??) and could not believe the number of men shoppers walking through stores with beleaguered looks! I wish I had a stash of pins to hand out!!! I needed to reward those guys for their shopping diligence.  Actually, even before the 24th, I found many men helping their partners by schlepping packages or just waiting comfortably in the cushioned chairs found in the mall who should also have been rewarded as well. They also need the special recognition of a great Sherpa on Duty pin!

Wishing all of you the very best during this Holiday season as well as the upcoming New Year.

Men shop as hunters, women shop as gatherers - Gender Gap - MarketWatch

There are definite differences in shopping styles between men and women! Here is an interesting article that explains this "gender gap".

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/men-shop-as-hunters-women-shop-as-gatherers

Sandpaper is Cheaper!

I know this sounds awful.  Today, I went along with my wife as she went to her hair appointment as we were going to be shopping later on getting ready for a birthday party for one of our young family members.  As we arrived to the salon, she immediately went over to one of the counters and found a bottle of callous removal lotion.  "Gee, this looks good" she exclaimed.  Upon turning the bottle over she saw the price tag.  "$32.00" she announced.  Without missing a beat, I said "sandpaper is cheaper!"  I know that is an awful response!  I love shopping with my wife as she gives me great material for this blog.  I hope you are enjoying our little trips and episodes.  I guess I am just a regular guy!  Onward and upward with Sherpa on Duty.

What I learned from my wife (about returns)!

My wife is the "Queen" of the returns!  I've learned a lot about returning items that you do not like or want!  I came from the school of "once purchased-then owned"!  No longer is this case.  I posted an earlier experience where I had to select a shirt for a special event.  I value my wife's opinion on my clothes (though I do not always agree but she has great taste).  I ended up selecting several shirts in about twenty minutes and then returned home to pick one.  Now, I know I'm not the only person that does this.  She helped me decide and then I returned the remaining shirts for credit.Last night was another good example of her success at returning an item.  Little did she know that she had purchased a bracelet that was a final sales item.  She approached the salesperson who informed her the bracelet could not be returned.  Much to my wife's shock she insisted on not knowing that it could not be returned.  She had purchased the bracelet as a "back up" item for a dress up event.  She decided she did not like the bracelet. The sales person was surprised that she was not informed that the item could not be returned.  Fortunately, and with her good luck, the sales person called her manager who promptly approved the refund.  It was a good thing as my wife likes the items in this shop and will be a repeat customer in the future, I am sure.

Returning items is a part of shopping.  This is what I have learned, though being a guy, not always easy to do!  Shop on Sherpa!

I Never Met a Pair of Shoes that I Didn't Like!

I love to shop with my wife though she claims I hate it!  Well, I don't really hate it -- just being a guy -- it is not my most favorite thing.  Now, I need to really be tuned in as sometimes she really wants my opinion on things!


We just got back from a trip to Salt Lake City.  Unfortunately, it was not for all pleasant reasons as my son had an emergency triple by-pass heart surgery.  He is only 44 years old!  


We monitored our time with him as he was recovering so we did not want to wear him out.    Salt Lake City was very hot and overwhelming.  We found time to do a quick trip to Park City, the ski area. A beautiful place that we would like to return to in the winter time.


So that brings me back to the shoe comment!  We had time to do some shopping.  My wife loves shoes!  We were 5 seconds into one of the stores walking past shoes on display.  "I really like this pair of shoes!"  I chuckled and said "you never met a pair of shoes you did not like!"  Shoes, handbags and bling.  All important items that in the long run may be cheaper than paying a therapist!  Shop on!

Wow! She bought HER dress at CVS Pharmacy!

I love these stories.  To protect the name of the innocent, let me call her "Shirley".  She is my wife's best friend and as I am typing this post they are both in the backyard enjoying a chat along with some special beverages!  My wife commented on how great "Shirley" looked in her dress and she then told us where she bought her dress!  This is amazing (see earlier post regarding another person who purchased their dress at Walmart!).  Why is this such a big deal to me?  I do not know anyone who shops like this and yet can look great in what they wear.  I was going to take photo of "Shirley" but decided not to as she wanted "first rights of refusal."  So are there any other  shoppers out there with some unique stories and purchases.  (At a later time I will tell you how much my step-daughter enjoys shopping at the thrift stores!).  Another first for "Sherpa on Duty".

Why men hate shopping

Why men hate shopping

You will have to read this article and laugh.  Very clever analysis of why shopping is not a man's favorite thing.  My wife has claimed that I "lied" to her.  Based upon our courting endeavors, somehow I must have convinced her that I enjoy shopping.  Being a true male (and man which she strongly desires), I fall into that category of maybe not hating to shop but begrudgingly will make my best efforts.  The link to the article is: Why men hate shopping