the wknd before Christmas

The year 2012 is winding down in a hurry and this is the first of two 4 day holiday wknds to rest, relax, and enjoy Christmas and New Year 2013. We have been doing pretty good at that so far as we have all of our christmas shopping done that needs to be done and their wrapped and under the tree. Surprisingly for three people, there are quite a few under the tree.. Brian and Ashley's have been sent to them for quite awhile aalready.

Yesterday which is considered "super Saturday" for shoppers prior to Christmas, I ventured out into the land of the crazies.. I first went to Kohls in Cerritos Towne Center at 9:15 only looking for something like a "new" top to wear on Christmas Day. Armed with my already been used 30% coupon, I found nothing, that I liked! So I left.. a few stores down the way is Bath and Body Works and I had an exchange to make there, but there weren't open yet, so I hung out for 10 minutes.  I then made the decision to head to the Cerritos Mall and give Macy's a try.. Now that would seem like an insane decision, but it was quick into the mall parking lot, and I wound up finding a fairly decent parking spot. Now the store on the otherhand was packed with frantic impatient shoppers and few workers to check you out which only added to the rage of those around me, but I was calm because I was only there for ME.. I found two tops and a pair of jeans which I was so excited about... Yes, I stood in line awhile with the one elderly cashier struggling to make much headway.. those who were in front and behind me were not what could be called considerate in there huffing and puffing about there prolonged wait, but I just held my tongue when I wanted to just tell them to hold on, it will all be okay.. But in this non-stop fast food mentality of people, waiting with a patience attitude for 10 minutes of your time doesn't seem that long to me and no one had a timer on her, but they were mentally counting the seconds for sure.  come on man, just wait your turn.

Then I decided I was done and headed home (shopping for anything not on a list is not my thing)  Once I was home, I made a grocery shopping list of items needed for the Christmas item to bring and for dinner.  But then Greg came in from working on our bbq grill which is dying a slow death, he said it was now at least working with the two burners together after he moved them around but it couldn't be saved with new parts..So we headed to Home Depot and Lowes with his internet information on the type of grill he wanted for natural gas hookup.. and away we went, but I left the grocery list on the counter...  On the way home we made a stop at the grocery store with me trying to recreate the list in my head (too good to be true).. minor success and I at least got what I needed to make the Chicken Chow Mein for dinner which the chow mein was what I needed.. unfortunately we had to make a second trip today after church after we had lunch out for the rest of the items on the list and the ones that Shane left on it for his cereal requests.  So now total success and we will not be going back for anything forgotten..

I have avoided any Christmas baking of the favorite (of mine mostly) cutout cookies with frosting.  Greg will just have to get his fill at his families gathering on Tuesday from those who have been at it.. It's just to enticing and dangerous for me to have it around.. I made Greg caramel bars and he was chomping at the bit for them to cool down so he could dig into them.. I've enjoyed reading the blogs of those who have been baking away and maybe next year I will take a day off and just do baking.. that would make it more fun, than doing it after a long day at the office into the evening to get it done.

I wish you and yours a very Merry CHRISTmas with family and friends wherever you might be...

Luke 2:11-14
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”