Have you ever lost something for so long that when you found it, you felt like you got something new. Like an unwrapped present hidden just long enough that it gets its shine back? I love that feeling. And being horribly personally disorganized, its a feeling I get often enough. Take that and throw in a perfect, beautiful love of Where's Waldo?, and what you've got is a person just like me. I love Where's Waldo?. I don't love Waldo himself... I mean, gosh, he's never there when you need him. He's always hiding. That's not boyfriend material. But finding him is simply a delight.
In any case, I outgrew scavenger hunts a long time ago. I'm too sophisticated for them. You know, with my fine jewels, fancy dresses, perfect etiquette and fantastically decorated abode. While most of that last sentence was a lie, I still didn't want to have to push little children out of the way to participate in a scavenger hunt of some kind. So imagine my surprise and joy when I discovered that the town of Saline is hosting a month long scavenger hunt at its fine local business establishments. Not to mention that yesterday was Ladies Night. Awwww yeah.
Note the pink paper and simple map layout. For the ladies.
As a promotion of their local businesses, the Saline Chamber of Commerce set up a month long scavenger hunt, called Fairy February. They commissioned local artists to build small 3d works of art called fairy doors and place them in the various businesses. Once you locate the door in each window, you get a stamp from the businesses and if you get all the stamps you get entered to win a gift basket.
I have until February 28th to make that last stamp happen.
My initial plan was to walk from store to store, trying not to call attention to myself as an adult woman looking for little fairy doors. I assumed it was a take-your-kids-shopping situation. But as I walked around, I began to realize that I wasn't the oldest person doing this... I was the youngest. The local scavenger hunt was a town-wide event. Ladies from across the area had come to do some light shopping, take in the sights and find the beautiful works of art at each location.
I felt the joy of childhood, the power of my inner-OCD and a sense of community all at the same time. That being said, I thought to myself, this seems like a silly way to get more money for the stores. I mean, people are just going to go in, look for the fairy doors, get their stamp and head out. I thought that, with deep personal certainty and assurance, as I walked through the first store. Then I bought a lamp and a necklace.
That's just one store though, I thought to myself. Surely now that I've found a lamp and a necklace, I will not be swayed by the goods at the other stores. Then I bought a hot chocolate. But, I'd been out walking all afternoon and it was cold. That doesn't count. I was done for the day, for sure, at that point. Then I bought Valentine's Day flowers. But that doesn't count because, well, I was going to do that anyway and they were SOOOOOOOOOO PRETTTTTTTTTY. So, clearly, at that point, I was done. Then I bought a bottle of wine.
Oh come on. Seriously Kristen. That's just pathetic. Have some self-control, woman!
Needless to say, I was done at that point. Mostly because I'd hit the last store. Kudos, town of Saline, for besting me in a game of wits. You roped me into your shopping extravaganza! Probably my favorite store of the day, ironically, was a place I didn't buy anything. It was a really cool boutique called The Bling Thing. I absolutely loved the stuff there. My goal is to look good in the shirts she sells because they were gorgeous with a capital "Ooh baby" tacked right on the front. Add to that, my first treasure hunt AND the first time I've ever been served a white wine spritzer while shopping. I felt soooooooo pretty. It was amazing.
See this? Go there and buy things! Make it happen.
It was a wonderful day that I enjoyed very much. I got to have my scavenger hunt and feel like a kid again without feeling inappropriately childish. It was joyous. I genuinely mean that. I felt joy. I felt lightness and joy the whole afternoon. The fairy door hunt is going on in downtown Saline until the end of February so there is still plenty of time to go and experience it. So, ya know, do it.
But the gift basket is mine. I bought it with my sweat.
Hooray! My wonderful home town has brought you joy and gladness! :)
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