I awoke Saturday morning with visions of flip flops dancing in my head. Only a dollar, and every one could buy 5 pairs. That meant with Makayla, we would be bringing home 10 pairs. This time I wanted color, as opposed to my usual black and brown. I was thinking greens, blues, teals, maybe a red or hot pink. I hopped out of bed, showered and dressed both my kids in record time. My friend Emily called at 9:00 letting me know that there was already a long line at Old Navy, and to hurry up. I raced down Pacific ave. not hitting a single red light, if this wasn't a sign of something meant to be, I don't know what is. Parking lot, not too bad, considering the mall didn't open for another 45 minutes. We scrambled into the stroller, and moved our little legs as quick as we could to get into the mall. We rounded the corner, and WOW! so very many people crowded around one small store. (Emily's telling me about a "long line" was more than an understatement) I found Emily, and we waited...... The security guard came over and warned that if anyone pushed, shoved, or ran, they would immediately be escorted out. I am sad to say that the 60 year old mall cop did not give me the sense of protection from being trampled one would hope for in a situation like this. At two minutes to 10, a very thin, nervous looking, young sales associate rolled up the big old navy gate. And all (you know what) broke loose! Emily held on tight to Makayla, and I held on tight to the stroller, as we attempted to enter the store. I have not been that squished, pushed, stepped on, or covered in other peoples sweat, since I was in the mosh pot at a Limp Bizkit concert. It was unreal. Remember, we're talking about flip flops here..... I kind of made my way to the center of the store where the flip flops were, but only caught a glimpse of all the pretty colors as they disappeared in seconds! The only thing louder than the shouting was the clanking of the metal display racks, being destroyed and falling to the ground. I saw two men fist fighting (over flip flops?), a pregnant woman being helped out and in tears from being elbowed very hard in her stomach, flip flops literally flying 15 feet in the air in all directions, and sadly a 3 year old boy was trampled and his leg broken. I wonder, did some of these people think that their $1.00 flip flops would go up in value, like this was some sort of investment? Or maybe, sporting some red Old Navy flip flops would earn them some sort of street cred.? I don't know what the thinking was, but I just sat back and watched. (mind you, I live in Stockton, so imagine for yourself the crowd of folks i was in.) The line to purchase our victory, if you call more brown, black, and grey, flip flops that, wrapped around the entire store. I was lucky to get a spot some where in the middle, and waited an hour for my turn. (we came away with 8 pairs total) Was it worth it, no way. But, it was an experience my kids and I will not soon forget. I mean, we saw crazy people, the police, firemen, and even had a women ask Gavin to buy her another 5 pairs of flip flops, all before noon. What more do you want from a saturday morning? Cartoons and cereal are way too played out.......
Now that's just an awesome name.... I don't care who you are!!!!
Clean, cut, and mash strawberries until you have 4 cups. (measurements are important here)
Mix 1 1/2 cups of sugar with 1 packet of fruit pectin. (again, measurements. level your sugar with a butter knife.)
My all time favorite is Ball brand Freezer Jam fruit pectin. It uses half the sugar as sure-gel, and taste better too!
Mix it all together and stir for 3 minutes.
Ladle into jars and store in your fridge for 3 weeks or freezer up to a year.
