Let the count down begin...

I THINK I'm ready for Christmas Eve! I wrapped the kids presents today, knowing that they will be home tomorrow, and not much opportunity for "privacy". They were home all of 15 minutes, when they managed to get into trouble with Dad, because they started pulling presents out from under the tree! As I was sorting what went where, what was who's, and wrapped or not-- for you know who to leave-- shh, it's a secret-- I realized everything said "batteries not included". Ugh! Well, that meant a trip to Wal-Mart. Eww! Two days before Christmas, I have to go to WalMart! It wasn't as bad as I'd expected, but I also gave myself an attitude adjustment prior to going in. I'd been to the post office, and mailed our Christmas cards to family, and remembered I had a few things I had to have.. like toilet paper, so I don't have to go back before the weekend's over, and milk, and some other small things. I seem to have been in a "mexican" mood, as I picked up enchilada sauce, and salsa. I think it's because I couldn't find chicken bouillon, and knew for sure where it was on the hispanic isle. Tomorrow, I will wrap one more thing for John, his brother, his mother, my sister, my brother in law, my niece, and the Sunday school teachers. I still have to look to see if a certain baby stroller needs adult assembly! Anything to help out Santa!

Poor John, he hasn't "started" his shopping, and will have to go there tonight. I've given him a list... The big "LODGE" cast iron skillet in the camping section at WalMart, a "quilted purse", which is on sale at Bealls for 50% off... and coach lights for the front on the house. I wonder if he's got the lights in his truck, or if he's going to pick some up at WalMart or Home Depot. It's possible, he'll pass right over the lights, and concentrate on the skillet and purse. I had to explain to him what exactly a quilted purse is, and I'm not convinced yet that he really knows what one is. I think I'll tell him to let the purse slide, and I'll get myself one later. The item I especially want is the cast iron skillet! For camping, ya know! I got a "bonus gift" yesterday, when I took the dog for a walk, and our neighbor had a box of kitchen items on the curb, marked FREE. In the box was a very nice aluminum wok. Another great item to use both camping, and at home on the grill's side burner.

Yesterday, while in WalMart, I had a funny experience. Much like a "low talker" experience... when someone says something so quiet, you say.. "What?", and can't imagine they actually said something to you. I was standing in front of the paper towels, and an older gentleman was sitting in a motorized scooter. He said in a heavy hispanic accent, "can you tell me what papers are these?" What? Excuse me? I was thinking, is this a trick question? what does he mean? I said, slowly, "They're paper towels." He replied, "what about toilet papers?" Oh.. I'm thinking, this man probably can't read english, or maybe he's close to blind.. because why can a grown man not tell the difference between paper towels, and rolls of toilet paper? I simply said, "they're on the other side of this isle", and he said, "Thank you very much, ma'm'. "yes, sir, I'm glad I could help you! Merry Christmas!" If that's all it takes to make someone's day, in the middle of all the holiday chaos, I'm glad I could spread some joy!