By JODI RALL
In the Bubble columnist
A trip to Costco is both necessity and a social experience for me. My children will tell you, it is never a quick trip.

City Commissioner (and former BHP columnist) Jill Burgin may have been right when she shared that, “Costco contributes to our ‘shopping as a hobby." I certainly saw people on Saturday who love their hobby.

Let’s talk about the clothing/shoe shopping first. I watched as women, and men, went wild over clothing. I have to say the huge warehouse store carries some nice quality clothing with a great price point too -- especially when it comes to kids items. I watched some major boot shopping, as the fake Uggs were a big hit. Which brought a story to mind.

For the past two years I have wanted a pair of these boots. Two years ago my hubby said, “I’m going to get you those boots for Christmas.” Oh, how sweet, you shouldn’t, I tell my big romantic fool.

Christmas morning I open my boots (what a surprise!) only to see that he has bought the wrong size. Of course there are no more boots in my size when we try to exchange them.

So last fall when Costco gets the boots in again, he tells me: “This year I’ll get it right.” On Christmas morning, I open the box only to discover my gift is both the wrong size and the wrong color. No boots for me.

And none for you either, if you don’t get them soon. No kidding, they go fast.

Last week when we saw the boots at the store, my children burst into giggles. Only the second born had the nerve to speak the truth.

“Mom, just buy the dang boots 'cause you know dad will just mess it up again and we kids don’t want to hear about those boots any more.”

On Saturday I also spied the cutest Halloween costumes. Oh, do I remember those days. Have to say, miss them too. My advice: buy the costume now. Why? They are cute, cheap and you will get your money’s worth.

How do I know this?

One September day many moons ago two little boys were with me in Costco. What did they spy? Animal costumes and, in particular, dolphin costumes that were cute as a button. The boys asked if they could be dolphins for Halloween; sure, what a novel idea. The boys wore the costumes and even slept in them. Every penny spent was worth it. A side note, though. There is a difference between a dolphin and a porpoise. My third child did some “research” on his costume. On Halloween night as we headed to the door of our neighbor’s home, my youngest rang the doorbell. Sweetest lady opens the door and says, “Oh, you two boys are the cutest little dolphins I have ever seen!”

My darling son screams, “Hey, lady I’m not a dolphin, I’m a porpoise!”

A danger zone for me is the book section; great books at good prices. The gift books for the holidays are already beginning to line the tables.

I found a book written by one of my favorite authors, Patti Callahan Henry. If you have been reading my column for a while now, you may remember I described her as “my soul sister separated at birth.” So happy to say her new book, Coming up for Air, is out to fabulous reviews.

Let’s talk food sampling, shall we?

A few years ago, my Weight Watchers leader would say almost weekly, “Sample at Costco but write it down because each thing you try is one point.”

“No!” we would reply. “This food is free!”

Have you noticed that everything tastes better, too, when the Costco vendors make it? What is the secret? Do you know how many times I have bought things because the kids swore, “This is so good?”

Yea, right; apparently at home “Mom, doesn’t cook it like Costco does”.

Friend Amy Williams told me how much her boys LOVE the chicken pasta alfredo and calzones too. Oh, Amy, that pasta is addictive. But here’s the rub: my boys will eat the entire tray meant to feed a family. Not kidding.

Readers Lena Powers and Angie Roach both shared that they have their staples that they buy at Costco, however Angie pointed out, “I still comparison shop. I found that not everything was cheaper just because it was 10 times the amount. Plus I don’t have room for all of it. But, I do have my key items.”

I’m with you Angie. As a Dave Ramsey, Faithful Provisions and Ms. Cheap follower, every penny is planned when I shop. That being said, my Costco membership is redeemed within the first weeks because our large family (teen boys) go through three gallons of milk, two 18-count packs of eggs and multiple loaves of bread each week. Then there is the toilet paper …

I do try to stay focused so that we don’t go off budget.

Did you notice I said ‘we’? That is because my Ken doll is our shopper (I’m the talker). Many times as I have stood at the front of the store waiting, he is meandering up and down the isles looking at all the ‘good deals.’

Need versus want dear … Now, how ‘bout those boots babe?

Jodi Rall is a special events coordinator and publicist who lives with her husband, four children, two dogs and various other pets in Brentwood. She has been known to play tennis. Contact her at jodi@brentwoodhomepage.com. Follow her "Jodi in the Bubble" blog by Clicking here.