Brandis Allison {photoBLOG}: {Self-Indulgence} What have you done for yourself lately?

I had a fantastic meeting last night with Rachel, who was interested in being a 2011 Senior Model. I sure hope she decides to go for it - she's quiet, artistic and has a love for photography which means she and I would get along perfectly - but more about her later - if she says 'YES' of course!

See, I do get sidetracked a lot. A LOT.

After my meeting, I took back roads home and was driving through Clintonville. I suddenly remembered my post on facebook today about reading 20 books in February and Half Priced Books was right there on the left. What did I do? Well I turned into the store's parking lot of course! I could get lost for hours, even days, in that store. It's hard to find anything you are specifically looking for, if you are just browsing, but that's what I LOVE about it. I felt as if I was in a world of new and used books that had a history, that were just waiting patiently to catch my eye. And one book did.

Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison. (If you purchase through this link, I'll get credit, which will help me upgrade my camera gear!).

Not only did I fall in love with the title of the book, I fell in love with the storyline as well. In fact, I may be inclined to start my very own shoe swapping club! Size 7.5 anyone???

I'm so excited about starting it in the next few days, once my workload has tapered off a bit. I've got a lot to do, so it may have to wait until the first week in February. But atleast I know it's right here waiting for me, calling my name!

My son LOVES to read. We read 20-30 small books a day. Biscuit the yellow dog? Yea we have the entire series. LOL! I'm so happy that he loves to read, and reads by himself. Amilya Rae has also started to love looking at books too (and yes, she loves to eat them) so I never ever leave a store that has books without picking something up for my babies. Of course I went with a few classics here. Read To Your Bunny Very First Library Gift Set (Max and Ruby)

Carson J, do you love your surprise?!

I hop in my car, smiling from ear to ear and my eyes lock onto a small shop across the parking lot. Anthony Thomas. YUMMY! My mom absolutely loved the coconut dips and of course growing up idolizing her, I too had to always steal one when she wasn't looking. I didn't dare tell anyone that I had a secret passion for coconut dips too, because I wanted her to have them all to herself (except for that one of course). Well now that I am the wife and mommy of my family, it's my turn! My husband knows how much I love those things, but we honestly don't ever think about stopping to pick some up (other than when I was pregnant with Bug and craved them ALL the time!) Here's where the self-indulgence really gets good. I totally park in front of the store and go in. I speak with this super nice lady about photography and my family. I joked with her as I told her she was going to keep me chubby by offering me that customer rewards card! Did I take it? YES! I SURE DID! I ordered my coconut dips and ordered peanut butter cups for Freddie and Carson J - hey if I'm going to stay chubby, my husband is going down with me! (sorry honey, it's true). And left with an even larger smile on my face.

I immediately call the husband and say, "Oh you are never going to believe what I just bought!" Usually that means I went into Target and spent a small fortune on who even knows what. But he says, "What did you do?!" I told him and he laughed. Oh how I love that husband of mine!

I got home and quickly got everything together to snap a few photos. Carson of course opens his books and then spots the chocolate. He grabs a peanut butter cup and looks at me like, am I really allowed to have this Mommy? I give him a big smile and here's what happened: