It runs in the family

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

Comments

[Boulder]

That is one hell of a find, and one hell of a deal!

[angel]

oh my friggin word! you are all going to be competing for the rest of your lives to outdo rupert the bargain!!!

[Julie]

OMG his is HUGE!!!

Well done Mimi - that's going to take some beating in the bargain-hunting stakes!

[cardiogirl]

Wow, you were not kidding when you said Rupert was "life-sized." Your kids look so excited sitting in Rupert's lap!

[Jazz]

Oh my that is one BIG bear!

[sarah cool]

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.

[Kez]

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).

[Sister Mel]

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!!

[amy]

That's incredible! How amazing! I want to be a kid again... I'd FEEL like a kid again sitting against Rupert!!!

[Angie]

That's roughly $51 in America :P

[Edna B]

Australian $62.75 - fantastic!

[K.]

that is awesome!! :D

[Helen]

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.

[Dominique]

Definitely worth the R375! What a bargain. He is humungus. I'm sure kids will adore him for many years to come.

[Missie]

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". :)

[Stefanie]

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?

[sweetisu]

That's a HUGE bear! Awesome find!!!

[Sue at nobaddays]

Picture of your dad is priceless - what a sweetie!

[21stCenturyMom]

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.

[Heather]

Excellent find! My MIL has a teddy bear that size in dark brown at her house and all the kiddies love it!

[Adeleida]

Oh my goodness, that's awesome...I want one too...

[Lauryan]

Oh wow!!! That is a REAL bargain indeed!!!

*Envious that our Woolies didn't have a Giant Bear on sale!*

[thrice]

according to http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html R375~$52.

[Carrie Jo]

I want one!!!!!!!!! I was totally cheering for your mom when I read this. :o)

[kristylynne]

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!

[Kirby]

Holy shit. That's a big ass bear.

[vanessa]

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)

[Heather]

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!!

[Heather]

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!!

[Becky]

I thought you were done with Woolies after the disappointment of last year;)...
Rupert is really adorable though.

[Suzie-Q.]

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?

[Kez]

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.

[Scout]

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.

[Hannah]

Tertia, you are hilarious! I love the way you write!

[Coral]

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!

[Jenty]

What a GAWGISS bear!!

[Tammy]

Rupert is one big ass bear. I love him!!
The visual of your mom? Friggin AWESOME.