So, you thought your Super Bowl team was going to be a shoo-in.

Maybe it was — and maybe it wasn’t — but win or lose, it was really about the party. At our house, it’s not just one night of celebration. The entire month of February is party time.

There are bowls of guacamole and chips on game night, decadent chocolate on Valentine’s Day and creme-filled birthday cakes for family and friends. By the time we finally turn the calendar, we’ve consumed enough calories to sustain us on a deserted island forever — or until the 2012 political debates end.

That’s why I decided to amuse myself this past birthday weekend with a Spokane shopping trip — and no birthday cake. Certainly, I didn’t need the extra calories.

“We’d better get a latte,” my daughter announced as we drove into the Starbucks parking lot. “And then we can just walk over to the shoe store.”

Walk? We were going to walk?

“Mom,” Tiffany assured me with a slight reprimand in her voice. “It’s practically next door.”

Steaming “mocha with whip” in hand, I trudged up the sidewalk. Together, we peered into the window of the small shop where an “On Sale” sign beckoned, and a plethora of boots and shoes adorned the walls.

The eye candy had us at hello.

“Boots and scarves are 20 percent off!” the Walk Shoppe sales assistant greeted, her face beaming with joy.

Then in a shout of instant recognition, we all joined in a spontaneous hug. And that’s when the party began.

While shoe box after shoe box appeared, Carrie and Tiffany talked about old times from when they worked together.

Their stories filled the hours as I twisted and turned, admiring each delectable boot. Clarisa, one of the owners of the local business, graciously offered butterscotch and peppermints as the minutes ticked by, my feet continually wrapped in luxury.

By lunchtime, my stacks of “maybes” and “definitely” began to slim down. Nevertheless, only a discussion over a full meal could solve my dilemma.

Refreshed and still wanting to party, Tiffany and I entertained ourselves with trendy scarves, bejeweled belts and unique handbags. Other shoppers even joined in the merriment as they offered opinions and told stories of their own.

By 3 p.m., a cell phone rang. When were we coming home to eat cake and ice cream, a small voice pleaded?

Cake? We were going to eat birthday cake?

Oh, well. What were a few more party calories when you could kick up your NEW heels to celebrate!