Oh the People You Meet

Last Friday Beloved and I made a quick stop at Walmart on our way to visit Boy. We were only going to pick up a flash drive and some toothpaste for Boy, but we were sucked into the price paradise that is Wally World. We bought cereal, fishy crackers (for Master Smiley), something else I cannot remember and then we decided to check the prices on flat screen televisions.

You may recall that we do not watch TV since the government took control of the airwaves. We have Netflix and a computer, thus we are pretty happy folks.

But those shiny, new television just draw the eye. You know what I mean. They are slick and beautiful and so far beyond the television that we all grew up with that, frankly, ya just gotta take a gander!

Beloved found one he liked, great picture, good price. The problems began when he started pressing for more information regarding the actually size of the blasted thing. The salesman, a man about my father's age, tried to help. He really did. The posted sign said one thing, while the actual box said another.

ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT

We decided not to purchase the new set since Wally World couldn't decide on the actual size of the set, what coverage it came with, and if the price stated was the actual price. The poor salesman kept looking at Beloved, waiting for him to blow his stack. He wouldn't have, of course, not over something as trivial as a television set, but the salesman didn't know that. Poor guy. He just kept apologizing while keeping a close eye on Beloved.

He finally started breathing again when he realized that we weren't angry and we weren't packing.

At the checkout I left Beloved to visit the ladies room, always an adventure at Walmart. Have you noticed that?

On my way out, I was nearly run over by a young woman who was busily reading the instructions on a pregnancy test.

Seriously.

Who takes a pregnancy test in a Walmart bathroom?

Aren't those things more accurate in the morning?

Leaving the store, I told Beloved about the possibly pregnant steam roller. He described her and said that she had been in line in front of him. He smiled and said, "She liked me." He went on to discuss how chatty she was. How friendly.

Wink wink

Nudge nudge

Rolling my eyes I retorted, "Of course she did. You probably could have bought her a kiddie meal at McDonalds after she finished checking for that pink line."

My question is, are all people who shop at Walmart so....interesting? I seldom shop there because we do not have one in our area. I've heard tales of the things you can see at Walmart and I'm starting to believe these wild tales are true.

Sigh

No wonder the rest of the world things we're idiots.

Pickles & Blessings

The economy is suckie.

Giant newsflash for you there!

I'm so thankful that both Beloved and I are still employed, but I worry about everyone else. We have family that has been unemployed for quite some time now and I wonder how on earth they are making it.

Then there's Boy. He's returned to camp after re-cooperating from Mono (of which he had a seemingly mildly case) and is now sick. AGAIN.

He's thinking maybe there is black mold in his house. He's thinking he may need to move. He's anxious, I can hear it in his voice. If he can't figure something out, he'll have to move home. Which isn't all that bad, except, he'll lose both his job.

And that's pretty devastating.

Yet, it's not the end of the world, or at least I hope it isn't.

It's a pickle. It really is.

And he's not the only one in this pickle. Lots of folks are unemployed. Lots of people are visiting the food bank for the first time in their life. More families will receive food baskets for Christmas than last year.

Which is why those of us who are employed should give of our bounty.

My place of employment puts up a giving tree every year and the tags are snatched off there so quickly I'm surprised that the branches are left in one piece. What can I say? I work with a group of fabulous women.

For my part, I chose a gift tag for a little three-year-old girl, size 4T, who wanted...

drum roll

A PRINCESS DRESS!

I do love me some PRINCESS shopping. Love. It.

There is just something about little girls all decked out in lace, silk, or velvet, that makes me giddy with joy. Sparkly shoes, white tights, colorful ribbons, it's all just so cute.

There are no more gift tags on our giving tree and I'm glad. It means that lots of folks are going to receive a lovely Christmas thanks in part to Curves Gym and our wonderful members.

This year, instead of buying yet another video game, why not help your child learn to give. A little sacrificial giving is good for the soul.

That, and it makes you feel pretty darn good too.

Support Your Local Blogger

Did you ever see those movies? The ones with James Garner; Support Your Local Gunfighter & Support Your Local Sheriff? They crack me up.

But today's post is NOT about that.

It's actually about all of YOUR feed back (feed back...no pun intended...snicker) regarding what I should serve at my Lia Sophia Party.

Finger foods won by a landslide.

As a thank you, I wrote down each of your names and had Girl draw one at random.

The lucky winner will be sent a copy of Paula Deen's Christmas with Paula Deen. You know, cause we all need more butter in our lives!

And the winner is...

Roo!

So, Roo, please drop my an email and I'll ship this pretty book which is filled with stories and recipes for Christmas.

Disclaimer: I purchased this book myself and was not paid by Paula Deen or Simon Schuster.

Massive eye roll...

Thank you to everyone else for your ideas and input.

Socks for Christmas Drawing

In the past my Christmas list has always began with a house and ended with socks. I've never gotten either one. One would think I'd be swimming in socks, since I request them for every birthday and every other gift giving holiday. Sadly, this is NOT the case.

I just really want some socks.

I'd take a house too, but I'll settle for socks.

White, black, brown. Striped, checked, with frogs. Doesn't matter. I just want socks for Christmas.

What do YOU want for Christmas?

Leave me a comment telling me what you want for Christmas and I'll draw a name and send ONE lucky winner a pair of socks!. The more you comment on my blog this week (beginning today Saturday, December 6) the more times I'll enter your name.

Make sure to include a link back to your blog or an email. I'll draw on Friday, December 12th.

Bet no one else is giving away socks. Ha! I'll take a picture of the socks I'll give away and post it this week.