Today is Wednesday, December 23rd. I had to go out to pick up a few things like my dog’s medicine. In order to wrap my grandchildren’s Christmas presents, I had to go to Wal-Mart. What a rat race! You would have thought that Wal-Mart was giving merchandise away free with all the cars in the parking lot. I had to park quite a ways from the entrances. That’s OK, though. I don’t mind walking.
I went into the store fully intending to be done in 30 minutes; however, that didn’t happen. Even if I only needed one or two things, it would take me 15 minutes to walk from one end of the store to the other. The wrapping paper was on one end of the store and the printer paper was on the other. By the time I got into my car and was ready to leave, I looked at my purchases and realized I forgot to put the wrapping paper in the cart. That meant I had to go back in the store and get it.
While I was in the store (both times), I listened as people went from department to department either talking with one another or talking on a cell phone about what they should buy. Everyone seemed to be busy looking for last minute Christmas presents that were actually pretty reasonably priced. I shouldn’t say anything about the folks that were Christmas shopping because I was one of those folks. This year, I thought I had every present bought for everyone but I had forgotten one, no two presents. I needed one present for a man and another for a woman.
The man I had to buy a present for is pretty picky when it comes to clothes. His wife always buys him whatever he needs. On occasion, she has been known to pick up two or three different items so he can choose what he likes. Then, she returns what he doesn’t choose. I hope he likes the black faux fur-lined jacket I chose for him. From the men’s department I went to see what was on sale in the women’s night wear aisle. Fleece pajama bottoms were on sale. I think I’ll get a pair for the woman on my list. Unfortunately, there were no fleece tops, so I had to improvise. I needed something long sleeved, preferably warm to go with the fleece pants. Ah yes, a sweater! A red sweater with a V neck to go with the black patterned fleece bottom. That will be a great combination. Actually, if my friend has a warm pajama top to wear with the fleece bottoms, she can wear the red sweater with a skirt or a nice pair of black pants if she wants to. Great choice, I hope!
The people in the store were so busy trying to get all the things on their lists and the cashiers were busy trying to check out all the people standing in lines. There were very few customers smiling or sharing Christmas greetings with one another. Many of the customers were in a hurry to finish their shopping so they could get out of the store and go home. I’m sure the cashiers and stock people felt that way as well, but they were there taking care of customers and most of them had smiles on their faces.
By the time I got to the check out line, I noticed every aisle was very busy. The season was starting to show on all of the cashiers. When it was my turn to check out, the young cashier appeared harried, but she dutifully asked if I had found everything I needed. After answering her affirmatively, I asked her how she was holding up. She told me she was ready for it to be tomorrow at 6:30 pm, when she would be off. The store had been very busy and it was only 1:30 pm. She was also working tomorrow, Christmas Eve, until 6:00 pm, when the store closed for the Christmas holiday. I was surprised that a 24 hour store would close for Christmas. However, I’m very happy the personnel are going to get the holiday off. They certainly deserve it.
I’m glad my shopping is done and I won’t have to go to any stores tomorrow. Tomorrow is Thursday, Christmas Eve. I have to get Hank (my dog) ready to go to his sitter because I will be out of town on Christmas Day. Everything needs to be done before 3:00 pm so I can meet my family at Church by 3:30 pm. We’ll go to Mass and go to their house for dinner. Meanwhile, my son will be there and when supper is over, and the dishes are done, we’ll open presents. That will be so much fun.
I love watching the children open presents. Everyone gets to open one present at a time until they are all open. My son loves to shop for presents for the children. His presents are always their favorite.
Christmas Day will consist of getting up early and driving about an hour and a half to meet the children’s father and his wife at their Church. After Church, we will go to their house and have dinner and open presents again. I just love Christmas. The children get to open presents from their rich step-grandma. She always buys them the best clothes. One day, I will be able to buy the children expensive gifts too.
We will drive home about 6:00 pm or so and I will go home to an empty house. I will miss my dog, but at least I know he will be well taken care of. Hopefully, your Christmas will be as happy and full of love as I know mine will be. I wish you all a very Merry and safe Christmas.
There won’t be a Christmas Day article, but I will be back the day after. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
