This damn virus has turned me into a shopaholic! Now to be fair, I have always enjoyed browsing through stores, but I can look and not buy a thing. In general, I live on a pension and usually watch what I spend and like most people, I love to find a bargain. Covid has been my undoing.

When the initial quarantine first started last March, I came to terms with the situation. I was retired, lived alone, and life wasn’t that bad. Grocery stores and the liquor stores were open, but you had to stand in line. Life went on. In the early spring, I decided this would be a perfect opportunity to paint my living room and dining room, since no one could visit. I was quite pleased with my efforts and decided I might as well make a few other updates. This led to my first flurry of purchases which included a new dining room fixture, two new, comfy chairs from IKEA, and a new white, cowhide rug to match the freshly painted walls. I had done a bit of online shopping in the past, but I am one of those people who likes to see things in person before making a decision. So much for that!

My weekly trip to the grocery store and liquor store were my only outings, and then, I discovered a winery in Niagara that was advertising on Facebook. I checked it out and ordered my first case. Delivery was free in my province and I really enjoyed the wine. I am currently on case number seven.

Spring turned to summer and restaurants were able to open their patios. It was very exciting! But alas, as we moved into fall, infections rose and shutdowns were imminent. I started doing more walking in my neighborhood and that led to the purchase of new red running shoes and some comfy hiking boots. I needed neither pair, but the red made me smile. Since then, I recently bought a pair of Croc sandals. Yes, I know it is winter, but summer will get here eventually, and I will be ready. I also purchased jeans, a winter pea coat, a woolly toque, and a pair of silver earrings just because.

As Christmas approached, I shopped for gifts using “porch pick-up”, but then my coffee maker started acting up and I knew its days were numbered. I had admired the beautiful design of the SMEG appliances, but the price always deterred me. Well, I now own a sleek, black, Smeg coffee maker. I decided that I deserved it. The gift giving season must have really gotten to me because for no apparent reason, I bought myself a Cricut machine. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it is for doing DIY projects. I justified the purchase by telling myself it would be something to do during the winter quarantine. Learning how to use it was another matter entirely. I almost returned it out of frustration. To date, I have made several tee shirts and some pillow covers.

Oh, during the Christmas season, I also ordered a portable dog ramp for my Saint Bernard with the wonky hips. It still has not arrived and I have asked Paypal to get me a refund.

After the holiday season, I came to the decision that the Covid 19 had caught up with me. My clothes were feeling snug. So, I ordered a set of exercise bands and a weigh scale. I have never owned scales because they simply depress the hell out of me. The exercise bands are currently hanging on the doorknob of my office. They did make it out of the box. The scale was scary at first, but I am now using it every day. It still upsets me sometimes, but I am determined to lose even a little.

There have been a myriad of other smaller things that I have ordered online like magnetic eyelashes, make-up, candles, soaps, stickers, books and so on. I didn’t need any of these things. I am beginning to think that I may have a problem, but I prefer to think that I am doing my part for the economy. Don’t judge!

Well, so far this week, I have bought a new curling iron and flat iron ( Hairdressers should be an essential service!) and I ordered two new pillows and a set of sheets. I can’t wait for the delivery man! Was that the doorbell???

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo