What's it worth to you?

So, I went school supply shopping... I have to wonder why no matter what I do to make school supply shopping pleasant whether it's having the children babysat, taking the easier children w/ me and the others (that want EVERYTHING in sight) home w/ the older sibs., shopping earlier (like in July) or using half the supplies needed from last years stash making only minimal purchases necessary, to changing locations of where they will be purchased, doesn't seem to help ease the trama of the experience each time. What seems like it could be fun and enjoyable, is anticipated with a feeling of dread and anxiety knowing that it will only result in headache, frustration and sometimes tears. How can something so simple, be so hard? Whatever the circumstance is! Couldn't they at least overstock the most essential, practical supplies such as erasers, paper, pencils and cheap colored horizontal folders? People buy these items all year long, right?

looks like it should be simple, huh?

Yesterday as we were parusing ShopKo (my least favorite store because of their return policy, however it makes sense) for basic supplies, such as the above mentioned, that were unable to be found at favorite Target location, having my two easiest children of all to shop with and by this point beside myself with frustrated muddle brain as my said "easiest child" happily kept stating he wanted such and what for Christmas or his next birthday, I found myself really grateful for the orginization and checked list that had been my 2-day companion. While jumping from great find to other coveted gifts, forgotten upon entering new store isle, a sweet and enthusiastic Justin jumped onto the side of the cart that poor baby sister, Amy, was quietly resting in attached car seat on, and all toppled over on top of him. Cart, baby, supplies and all. As I yelled his name, unfastened and picked up the car seat from the cart to make the cart possible to lift, Justin crying underneath, I decided the new taxes we are paying, effective starting next year, for more funding for the schools, could help pay for the supplies the teachers have us purchase every year. I'm in! And as I sit here relating this experience to you I'm thinking. What's it worth to you?! All the children need the same supplies in that grade level, right? So since our valuable dollars saved and collected through school fundraisers could afford an unneeded and all too expensive mascot for our elementary school, why can't they afford these extra school supplies. Seriously, it wouldn't bother me so much if every year didn't turn out like the last excruciatingly painful school supply shopping trip! So here I sit the day after, just barely recovering from the traumatic experience, while I await a happy BBQ feast of pork ribs, the children's heartwinning Mom's mimic outback steakhouse garlic mashed potatoes and sweet corn, and I wonder...was it worth it? What's it worth to you?