Us Loebenbergs love a
bargain. There is something about a sale that attracts us like moths to a
flame. My cupboards are full of BUY ONE
/ GET ONE FREE specials that I will never use. I have so many clothes hanging in my cupboard that I will never wear,
but it doesn’t matter – it was SLASHED TO 50% SALE!! A bargain!! Like other people dream of sex; I dream of
Sales.
When the Woollies sale
comes around, excitement nears fever pitch. Sister Mel and I strategize weeks
in advance and we have an advanced two-way communications systems set up where
by we can attack two stores at once, keeping in constant contact while we
uncover FABULOUS FINDS.
“I have two sets of age
3-4 PJ’s in my hand, what have you got”
Woolies, the store we
like to call ‘home’, is busy with their sale at the moment. Now, you don’t just go to Woolies and buy
willy nilly. No, you need to strategize. Stake things out. Know that on
Wednesdays, the next 25% comes off. Buy
too soon, and you will pay. Buy too late,
and it will be gone. It is a skill that takes
years to master, but once perfected, will reward you many times over.
However, as good as
Sister Mel and I are, my mother shows that nothing beats experience. This year my mother took the crown. She found a bargain so fabulous, that it will
be forever written into the annals as BEST BARGAIN BUY OF THE CENTURY.
Last Wednesday everything
was reduced by a further 60%. Things
were so disgustingly cheap, it was almost obscene. Of course by this time, most of the good shit
is gone and all that is left is size 0’s and size 100’s. But hidden away among the size XXL maroon high-waisted
regular fit corduroys and the 32AAA lacy bras in leopard print and lime green trim was Rupert.
Somehow the planets
aligned in such a way that this life-sized, one of a kind Teddy Bear that was
R1500 (a ridiculous price to pay for anything, never mind a teddy bear)
was reduced to THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE RONT!!!
My mother said that
she started running, in slow motion towards the bear while Chariots of Fire started
playing in the background; launching herself in the air to cover the last few
meters as she grabbed on Rupert; snarling at the other shoppers to BACK OFF, HE’S
MINE. Bystanders were pea green with
envy when they realized they had slipped up. My mother wrestled Rupert into her shopping cart, held her head up high
and strode out of there; exhausted but victorious.
There are few things
as rewarding in life as being the one to claim the coveted prize of BEST
BARGAIN BUY OF THE CENTURY and it is without doubt that my mother wins this
prize. I am not sure anything will ever
compare to the find that is Rupert.
Rupert, we love you.
Even Pops loves Rupert
![Medsitters Au pairs](<a href="http://medsitter.com/" title="Medsitters"><img src=" http://www.tertia.org/medsitter.png" /></a> ){kind=link}
That is one hell of a find, and one hell of a deal!
Posted by: Boulder | 27 August 2007 at 09:54 AM
oh my friggin word! you are all going to be competing for the rest of your lives to outdo rupert the bargain!!!
Posted by: angel | 27 August 2007 at 10:35 AM
OMG his is HUGE!!!
Well done Mimi - that's going to take some beating in the bargain-hunting stakes!
Posted by: Julie | 27 August 2007 at 11:11 AM
Wow, you were not kidding when you said Rupert was "life-sized." Your kids look so excited sitting in Rupert's lap!
Posted by: cardiogirl | 27 August 2007 at 11:30 AM
Oh my that is one BIG bear!
Posted by: Jazz | 27 August 2007 at 11:35 AM
It's 6:40 am here and I'm sitting in my dark office all alone, and reading how your mother sprinted (in slo-mo) to the theme of Chariots of Fire to grab this teddy bear... it made me laugh out loud, several times. Thanks for the smiles. SO FUNNY!!!
LOVE the bear. That thing will go down in your family history as the coolest stuffed animal EVER.
Posted by: sarah cool | 27 August 2007 at 12:41 PM
When you said life size I thought you meant maybe the size of the kids. But - WOW!
Need a currency conversion though please (into US, I can convert into Aussie from there).
Posted by: Kez | 27 August 2007 at 12:52 PM
What a divine pic of Dad! Don't forget this Wednesday EVERYTHING will be R25! I will find something I need even if I have to squeeze myself into those tiny sizes that remain on the wrack. Yay!!
Posted by: Sister Mel | 27 August 2007 at 01:12 PM
That's incredible! How amazing! I want to be a kid again... I'd FEEL like a kid again sitting against Rupert!!!
Posted by: amy | 27 August 2007 at 01:17 PM
That's roughly $51 in America :P
Posted by: Angie | 27 August 2007 at 01:22 PM
Australian $62.75 - fantastic!
Posted by: Edna B | 27 August 2007 at 01:23 PM
that is awesome!! :D
Posted by: K. | 27 August 2007 at 01:26 PM
How gorgeous. Now, does he stay at Mimi's or do you have it at your house?
I think that makes it $252.00 AUD. I'm not sure how Edna got $62.75. Anyway, great buy.
Posted by: Helen | 27 August 2007 at 02:09 PM
Definitely worth the R375! What a bargain. He is humungus. I'm sure kids will adore him for many years to come.
Posted by: Dominique | 27 August 2007 at 02:33 PM
Holy crap that is a big bear! Looks like the kids are going to love climbing all over him for years to come. Or cuddle in his lap while mom regales the story of "Mimi's BARGAIN OF THE CENTURY". :)
Posted by: Missie | 27 August 2007 at 02:51 PM
Holy cow! That is one big bear! LOL
I have a question - why do you put clothes in your cupboards? That is were dishes and dry goods go. Clothes go in the closet. LOL - You know I'm joking - just a difference in language, though it did make me giggle.
PS: How's your boobs?
Posted by: Stefanie | 27 August 2007 at 02:54 PM
That's a HUGE bear! Awesome find!!!
Posted by: sweetisu | 27 August 2007 at 04:12 PM
Picture of your dad is priceless - what a sweetie!
Posted by: Sue at nobaddays | 27 August 2007 at 05:06 PM
The bear is adorable and will bring years of fun.
The image of your mother launching herself through the air to secure it is priceless. I may never get that out of my head.
Posted by: 21stCenturyMom | 27 August 2007 at 06:02 PM
Excellent find! My MIL has a teddy bear that size in dark brown at her house and all the kiddies love it!
Posted by: Heather | 27 August 2007 at 06:41 PM
Oh my goodness, that's awesome...I want one too...
Posted by: Adeleida | 27 August 2007 at 06:49 PM
Oh wow!!! That is a REAL bargain indeed!!!
*Envious that our Woolies didn't have a Giant Bear on sale!*
Posted by: Lauryan | 27 August 2007 at 08:54 PM
according to http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html R375~$52.
Posted by: thrice | 27 August 2007 at 09:04 PM
I want one!!!!!!!!! I was totally cheering for your mom when I read this. :o)
Posted by: Carrie Jo | 27 August 2007 at 09:46 PM
That bear would take up my son's entire remaining bedroom floor space. But for that price, I'm not sure I could pass him up either!
Posted by: kristylynne | 27 August 2007 at 10:33 PM
Holy shit. That's a big ass bear.
Posted by: Kirby | 27 August 2007 at 11:54 PM
Rands to Aussie dollars is usually roughly around 6 rand to 1 dollar so Edna is correct that it cost $60 odd dollars.BARGAIN! My mom always tells me (sale addict) a sale is not a bargain unless you get something you actually needed (WHATEVER!!!!!)
This post brought back some memories!The first time I went to a Wollies sale (in Joburg)was when i was pregnant with my first daughter...oh the bargains I got!!!I stocked up on clothing from baby to age 2 (though half of it was stolen by the removal idiots who packed my house up for my move to AUS).
Sadly,Woolworths in Aus is more like a Pick n Pay!! (and Woolworths in England is like CNA with some household stuff and clothing)
Posted by: vanessa | 28 August 2007 at 12:48 AM
That's a huge effing bear... I think Mega would just be scared shitless, as being "a-fear-ed" of everything is his latest deal. LOL I am glad your kids were not afraid of this stuffed, humungous bear! Woo-hoo! Especially because he was such a STEAL!!
Posted by: Heather | 28 August 2007 at 02:59 AM
That's a huge effing bear... I think Mega would just be scared shitless, as being "a-fear-ed" of everything is his latest deal. LOL I am glad your kids were not afraid of this stuffed, humungous bear! Woo-hoo! Especially because he was such a STEAL!!
Posted by: Heather | 28 August 2007 at 03:00 AM
I thought you were done with Woolies after the disappointment of last year;)...
Rupert is really adorable though.
Posted by: Becky | 28 August 2007 at 03:46 AM
And I was just wondering this week where Pops has been? Glad to see he is busy at work at your place acting as "Mascot Keeper"! Priceless shot!
I loved your visual of Mimi running in Slo-Mo to Chariots of Fire! Great work Mom! I have a similar big bear i picked up at the thrift shop for $5.00, but, my kids ignore him! Shall i send him so that Rupert has company?
Posted by: Suzie-Q. | 28 August 2007 at 04:05 AM
62 bucks for that?
Wow, once again!
That is one big-ass (pun intended) bargain.
I am the Bargain Queen of all the Universe, I even I have never scored as well as that.
Posted by: Kez | 28 August 2007 at 04:56 AM
Love Rupert! And I love the pictures with him.
I miss Woolworth's soooooo much. We left S. Africa in June and hardly a day goes by that I don't wish I could go to my neighborhood Woolies. Especially when I pass the avocados here -- R14 equivalent for ONE avocado vs. R6.95 for two at Woolies. Wah.
Posted by: Scout | 28 August 2007 at 05:26 AM
Tertia, you are hilarious! I love the way you write!
Posted by: Hannah | 28 August 2007 at 05:59 AM
Aus $ 75.00, plus minus!!
Wow, Mimi, you are the best!!
(I don't do sales, I hate all those people, too many bodies in too small a space)
Still astounded - makes you wonder what it cost Woolies to start with that they can mark it down so much!
Posted by: Coral | 28 August 2007 at 09:43 AM
What a GAWGISS bear!!
Posted by: Jenty | 28 August 2007 at 01:54 PM
Rupert is one big ass bear. I love him!!
The visual of your mom? Friggin AWESOME.
Posted by: Tammy | 28 August 2007 at 05:12 PM