Suz, you get me, you really get me (or at least my issues, heh). I will be over the moon if Angie finds some good rain coats with hoods this year!
You're right, I do need this coat. It's not available in a size down in this color or price--the red was a clearance option that only was available in L. I could get it in black or plum for $159. I may try it even though the price is higher. My other MEC jacket (a short rain jacket) is a size M and it fits. This is an L. I need to try it with a fleece layered underneath first, though. I will have to wear it that way some of the time for sure.
I do do the US address thing on occasion, shipping items to Point Roberts, but right now it's tough to make the trip because of baby #2's naps. Actually, come to think of it, I can't enter the US with #2 anyway. We can't get a birth certificate or passport for her and won't be able to get one until her adoption is finalized. It'll be 4-6 months unti either of those things changes. Weekends and evenings are basically never free.
My biggest problem, really, is I just don't have time to shop thoroughly. I can't really shop at all with the kids during the day, weekends are packed, and evenings are delegated for homework, writing, and housework. I can steal away once every couple of weeks for an hour or two, but that's it. Makes it tough to properly scour all the retail options. I just have to do the best I can with what I can find when I can find it. And, indeed, maybe try to get to Nordstrom's a couple of times a year... if only I could hire Angie to do it with me (maybe if I manage to make my weight loss goal--now that would be a reward!).