oh yes indeed it's fun times

I must be a moron.

Thanksgiving is the day that I buy newspapers. I get the Deseret News, the Salt Lake Tribune, the Daily Herald, and USA Today. I buy them to look at the ads for the "Black Friday" sales. I buy USA Today because I forget that there are no ads in it. The others I consolidate and study to create my plan o' attack.

I saw that the Comp USA had DVD players (ours is still broken) that, after rebates 'n' such, end up being $14.99. Normally I wouldn't waste my time in a store to get just the one item, but I saw that they opened at 11:59 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, which worked out well for me since I wasn't all that busy at that time. It ended up being a waste - huge line of people, and when I finally got into the store, I asked Worker Boy where the cheap DVD players could be found. He told me, "Oh, I don't know - there was a pile over there somewhere, but it's probably gone now." "Okay," I told him, "then I'm probably gone, too." And I left. Didn't even look for the DVD player. I don't do rude.

After driving home, I knew that I needed to take the time to reprioritize the shopping venues that awaited me in the wee hours (of which Best Buy had been one but was eliminated when I saw the line of people camping outside at 12:20 a.m. - the store didn't open until 5:30 or 6). I rearranged the fliers, in order of importance, finished watching a movie, and took a nap. Cell phone #1 woke me up at 4:40, and I threw on my shoes, a vest, and ski hat (I don't use the word "cap" in this sense as most others might), emptied the van of my MK inventory from the Skin Care Class I had held the previous day (yes, I did facials & makeovers on Thanksgiving Day), and headed to Orem.

First stop: Gart Sports. One reason is that they opened at 5:30, whereas most other stores opened at 6. Also, this store contained some items that Darin had expressed interest in. This will be our 9th Christmas together, and this is the first time that he has ever expressed wanting anything in particular - a huge step for him, and so I wanted to make sure to get what he said he'd like to have. Those things were a soccer ball, a basketball, and a football. Seems simple enough - and they were half-off. He also mentioned a soccer net, but even at 50% off, they're still $50. Not for us today. Maybe in the spring.

Next stop: Media Play. Standing in line in the bitter cold outside, I noticed a guy handing out small pieces of paper to people waiting for the doors to open. When he got closer, I recognized him as my friend Phil, and we had a nice mini-reunion. I always see Phil at the most random times/places - at concerts is where I see him the most, and he's usually the only one I ever see at a concert that I know. He's quite the business man, and always seems to have his hand in any number of different things. His free paper was advertising holiday work, a little of this, a little of that. Yay, Phil.

Also waiting in this line, I started to get phone calls because of the fabulous Day After Thanksgiving Mary Kay Sale that I was having. Smart people. They got some really great deals.

Once inside I first grabbed Arrested Development Season 2, which was only $19.99. Such a great deal. I bought six other DVDs (yes, I remember that our DVD player is broken...maybe Santa will bring one for us) and a CD for li'l ~j.. She's growing up. She had told me that she wanted some CDs, "maybe Hilary Duff or Britney Spears. I like them." ug. I found a Hilary Duff CD. I hope it's the right one.

I had spent too much time in Media Play, I was really dragging, so I went to Starbucks. My ox was in the...whatever. It was a matter of safety for the other drivers on the road.

Next, Lowe's for the 6 &1/2' pre-lit tree for $25. It's a major improvement from the 3-footer we've been using since forever.

Then to Old Navy. I can't stand to go into Old Navy. It is always crowded and messy and trying to be a dance club but failing miserably. Here's where my moron-ness came into play. What was I doing there? They had the fleece blankets, which I'm a sucker for, and check out their prices: 2 for $10, or 1 for $10. I am not kidding. Now, I like fleece as much as the next guy, and I did get some really good deals. What I'm still not clear on, however, is why I

spent

two

hours

waiting

in

line

for

the

cash

register.

Yes, that's right. When and if I ever wrap my mind around why I did that, I'll let you know.

Then off to Target where I got almost all the toys I needed, as well as a few groceries, including Helluva Good French Onion Dip. Come on over for some chips-n-dip.

Last stop was in American Fork at the Recreation Outlet. Another of Darin's requests - for a sleeping bag at a really good price (he camps/scouts a lot), as well as a few other gadgets.

All in all, I was out shopping for over seven hours. That's ridiculous. But, I'm nearly finished with my Christmas shopping. Lest you think I spoil my children at this joyous time of year, I'll tell you that they only get three gifts (one from Santa, two from us, plus their stocking, and not counting gifts from grandparents, etc.). Why three? Because that's how many Jesus got.