Friday, September 26, 2008

Trader Joe’s from Chicago

I was recently graced with a ten day visit from my sister and brother in law.

Me to sister: Where is your additional luggage? Did the SAS lose your other bags?
Sister to me: Oh, there is a second bag inside the first bag, and we figured we just buy a third and if needed a fourth one here.
Me to sister: ????
Sister to me: Well, we have a few things we would like to purchase giving the US-SKR exchange rate.

Global knifes, Organic ___[fill in blank], Ralph Laurent towels, Lexington, Trader Joe, US$ vs SKR, I.D. make-up, Pancakes, iPod, Whole Foods, More shopping, Starbucks overdose while shopping…

For just anyone, words in random order. For my family, these words have become the definition of “Family Vacation” in the states. There seem to be a bond [borderline obsession] between our family, decorating, and household applications. You can say it is our version of hiking, biking and whatever it is other families bond over?! We decorate and we like shopping.

[Side note: Confession. When entering a room I mentally redecorate it. A few weeks ago I reached my low. In the midst of a church sermon, deep in thought, frantically scribbling on a paper napkin, while the pastor was preaching the good Lords words…there I was, redesigning the altar. Yep. Pretty low.]

During their, we (sister and I) fell madly in love with this tote bag from Trader Joe. For no apparent, nor logical, reason my brother in law added a “from Chicago”, accompanied by a dance move, every time Trader Joe was mentioned. First I thought it was sarcasm for the family he married into. As it turns out, it is part of a song by a Swedish jazz musician. Since I love my brother in law I decided to label it as cute. Unfortunately, I find it hard passing a Trader Joe store without a “…from Chicago…” leaving a smile on my lips. So there you have it.

With Love, “Trader Joe from Chicago”