Turkey day is over and shopping has begun

Thanksgiving is here and gone already. We went to the in laws house for dinner around 6. We were a little late. The first thing that was said to me as I came in the back door was "well glad to see you could make it white woman". What was that all about? I finally told her to stop calling me that. It had been said several times within a couple of hours.


We ate and then BIL was in the livingroom watching a movie that the kids couldn't watch. So they came into Grandma's room to watch Animal Planet. When the "Incredibles" came on, G'ma turned off the TV and told the kids they couldn't watch it. Sydnee was very upset. She just kept saying this holiday was for grownups only. There was nothing for them to do. And no one would put something on the TV they were allowed to watch. So it made for a short night.

My regret about not having it at home was no leftovers. Bummer. I'm sure Mike thinks the same thing since he takes many leftovers in his dinners at work. He always has a hot meal, but it's usually leftovers of some sort.

On Friday morning I woke up early on my own for some reason. I remembered that Mike didn't have to be at work until 3, so I got dressed and took off. Everyone was still asleep. I hit a few places with no trouble at all and cleaned up. I had in my mind what I was looking for and focused. On Friday night I got online and ordered the remaining items with free shipping and I am nearly finished. I need some stocking stuffers and I will be done. I am so amazed with myself at the moment you wouldn't be able to stand me. I haven't been this well prepared in years. I used to be the one that was out in August or September and done by the end of October and wrapped. But not anymore. So this is a huge accomplishment for me right now.

Simon spent the night on Friday night with Grandma, and Sydnee asked me if we could go to the mall. I said "sure"! I love going out the day after Thanksgiving, so that is fun for me. We strolled around and didn't buy much of anything. But she had a ball. Her goal was to get pretzels from the pretzel place there (which she dropped into the water fountains there when she leaned over). And then she spotted Santa Clause and walked right in with no line. She jumped up there, gave him a hug and asked him for a light up yo-yo and that was it. He was so funny. The whole time she was talking to him he was looking at me, making hand signs and motions and winking at me to let me know what she was saying. He asked if he couldn't find one with lights, would it be ok. And she said "sure, that would be good too!" I was wanting to laugh so hard. She talked about that all night. Then she couldn't wait to call Simon to tell him all about it.

Sydnee was very affectionate. She would just hug me and thank me for taking her to the mall and to eat chinese food. And she kept telling me it was ok if she didn't get a yo-yo, because it wasn't the presents, it was about Jesus' birthday.