Saturday, December 15

My Saturday


Today was quite the day. Brandon had called me last night and told me that he found his wallet. It had been missing for a few weeks. Inside he had found a $10 gift card for Toys R Us and he wanted to know if I could take him to use it because it would expire on December 31st. I agreed, so today we headed off to the store, which is about a 40 minute drive from here. There was a storm warning in effect - a Nor' Easter was moving into the area.

When we arrived, it took us 15 minutes to find a parking place. People were cutting us off, flipping fingers and doing all kinds of obnoxious things. I couldn't believe the lack of Christmas spirit. Do people not value themselves more than this? Yes, they are behind in their shopping, but whose fault is that. Usually mine is done weeks ahead of time and I don't have to face the hostile shoppers. I must write a note to myself to remind me never to go shopping this close to Christmas ever again.

Once inside the store, Brandon has trouble choosing what he wanted to spend his money on. He knows he has to stay within his price limit. Jordan had $11 and Brandon had $15 in total. So, they had to find something in that price range. Jordan made his choice fairly quickly. Brandon took about an hour. He compares the things he likes and tries to figure out which will be available at a later date when he has more money. He finally made his choice at the checkout. Maybe he just makes choices more easily when under pressure. He does this often. We were able to get out of there and make it home in the nick of time. We were just pulling in the driveway when the snow started. All in all it was okay, but not so much fun as last week because the shoppers were so rude.

The storm didn't leave as much snow as expected but apparently the Nor' Easter was delayed. We are to get dumped on heavily around 7 am Sunday morning. When I wake up in the morning maybe I will find myself looking at a beautiful world that's dressed in a gown of lovely white. I'll be sure to let you know.

After the boys were safely home, I wrapped a few Christmas gifts. I still have a few to do, but the majority are done. I enjoy wrapping gifts and making them look so pretty, but I've run out of ribbon and I need a few things to add to the beauty of them. I usually tape a candy cane to the top of each package and sometimes attach a small Christmas ornament that I find at the dollar store. These make the packages just a little more festive. So, if I can get out of the driveway in the morning and the roads are clear, I will be off to the dollar store.

This evening, I watched The Christmas Shoes. The movie was based on the book of the same name, written by Donna VanLiere. I really enjoyed it. It was a heart touching story about two families that found their lives transformed by a gift of Christmas shoes that a boy presented to his dying mother. Be sure you have a box of tissues.
Tonight I read my comments and there was one from Anni, at Hootin' Anni's . She has honored me with this very special award. When I read Anni's post, it touched my heart. Thank you, my friend. You are very special to me.


The graphic at the top of this post is one of my Christmas postcards. If you would like to take a copy of the graphic, you are welcome. Merry Christmas from my home to yours. May the Light of Christmas shine in your heart and in your home. ~Blessings, Mary~

30 comments:

  1. Congrats on your award my friend. Sorry about all of the rude shoppers, this time of the year can be really crazy. Let me know how beautiful the snow looks, I love you.

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  2. Denise,

    Yes, people were not nice. However, we didn't let them dampen our Christmas spirit. I was appalled at their behavior because I don't like the boys seeing stuff like that. Kids pick up stuff so easily.

    I will certainly let you know how much snow we get. It's supposed to be a couple of feet and I'm hoping it misses us but the wind is coming from the east, which bodes a storm.

    Love you, my friend.
    Blessings, Mary

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  3. Lamar and I went to Jonesboro with Jessica and Emmy today. Jessica had some Christmas shopping to do and we also went to my favorite catfish restaurant.

    It's cold and rainy here and there's snow just to our west and north. It just missed us this time.

    But the cold and wet day didn't keep the rude, obnoxious drivers/shoppers home today. It was a mad house and I was glad to get home. I'm glad all my shopping is done!

    Stay warm and safe, Mary. Be careful if you get out on the snowy roads.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, my friend. ;o)

    Love and hugs,

    Diane

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  4. I was just gonna ask if you could allow me to use this graphic. Isn't it just beautiful?! I love the old world charm of art from long ago. [Ha, here I'm saying "Long ago" and it's just back in the 40's and 50's...::crying:: "I'm ancient". LOL]

    Anyway, I know just your sentiments on the shoppers of the bah humbug Christmas spirit of people now-a-days. I make it a known note at my house from Thanksgiving to New Years..."If you want anything at the stores, get there at 9am and out of there by 11am...most people who are pushy and annoying are still in bed at that hour. LOL]

    Glad you liked the award dear friend.

    Happy Sunday Hugs.

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  5. How nice that you were able to take Brandon and Jordan shopping and get home safely before the snow started to fall. Like you, I'm amazed at how inconsiderate and rude shoppers can be anytime, but around the holidays when the spirit of Christmas could make everyone be a little gentler and kinder to one another ... it's harder to fathom. What are these folks thinking?

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  6. Hmmm ... I'm not sure how that happened, because I wasn't finished. To continue, congratulations on your well-deserved award from Anni. She's so clever! Sounds like the movie was a perfect way to end the day. Thanks for sharing the lovely graphic with all of us. You're one of a kind!
    Hugs and blessings,

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  7. Okay - the 3rd time's the charm right? LOL I wanted to thank you again for this nifty holiday wreath. I've used it at Ning for NaBloPoMo as my "picture" and have been trying for weeks now to add it to my Blogger profile. Yesterday my friend Kara helped me do that. Doesn't it look festive with my comments? I owe it all to you.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  8. Congratulations on the award. I know what you mean about rude shoppers, I really don't even like going to the grocery store at this time of year. Everyone is just so pushy. Oh well I usually smile and wish them a Merry Christmas anyway.

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  9. Diane,

    We are getting dumped on and I am not going to venture out for anything. Most churches are closed, but of course the stores aren't closing. This is their big time of year. I don't usually shop on Sunday, so it makes very little difference about the roads. Many will venture out and there will be a lot of fender benders. I'll stay home where it's safe and warm.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  10. Anni,

    I knew you would love the graphic and so will many others. Feel free to use it with my love. If you make something with it, be sure to show us.

    A good idea about getting to the stores early. Wal M*rt is open 24 hours right now and a great time to shop is the middle of the night when others are sleeping. The store is pretty much empty at that time.

    Blessings and hugs,
    Mary

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  11. Storyteller,

    I love your avatar. I am so glad you have used and enjoyed it. That means a lot to me.

    The boys were thrilled that they were able to spend their money and even more so when we beat the storm. I kind of made a game of it. The clouds were banked to the north on our way to the store. I told them I bet we could beat it. They were delighted when we did. It was a bit of fun, seeing if Grandma could predict the weather. LOL

    The movie was a sentimental one, which is what I like at this time of year because... well, because I'm a sentimental kind of person.

    Take care, my newly found friend.

    Blessings and hugs,
    Mary

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  12. Jackie,

    It rocks their world when they are rude to us and we wish them a Merry Christmas. I was on the phone with a company yesterday and the lady said, "Happy Holidays." I said "Merry Christmas" and she said it right back to me. I guess she was afraid to say it in the beginning in case she offended me. I am a Merry Christmas person and say it to everyone. I love the look on the face of rude people when I wish them Merry Christmas in a cheerful voice that carries the Christmas spirit.

    Blessings and hugs,
    Mary

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  13. I wouldn't mind spending Christmas at your place just to see the pretty parcels. I hope you don't get hit with that storm Mary!

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  14. Edge of Design,

    It has been snowing here since 7 am this morning and it's still coming down pretty nicely. We will see what happens this afternoon. It's to stop around 1 pm, but since it's closing in on noon and the sky is still filled with snow clouds, I doubt it will stop then. I will keep everyone updated.

    Christmas here is a lot of fun with the boys, food and love of family.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  15. Hi Mary,
    Your grandsons sound like very careful shoppers. Not all children are so wise at such a young age.
    Congratulations on your award. Most deserving of course!
    xo

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  16. Good morning dear Mary:-)

    We are having a snowstorm right now, lots of snow and very windy! I'm quite worried because Corey is heading back to Welland today and I've heard on the news that they're having quite a storm around that area as well. I won't rest until I hear from him that he made it safely back to his place.

    Isn't it unbelievable how rude people get this time of year? I always wonder where their Christmas spirit went as well!! Glad that the boys were able to spend their gift cards:-)

    Congratulations on the award from Anni...she graciously honoured me with it too:-) I just love you all so much and feel blessed for the friendships I have made through blogging!!

    Mary, you asked if I had received your email last week...I don't think so, I looked in my email and there was nothing from you. I even looked in my spam mail. Makes you wonder where our emails get to sometimes! lol

    I so love your vintage postcard, it's beautiful!! I've been buying lots of vintage Christmas cards from eBay and will have to post about them soon:-) I will always treasure the ones you sent me also!!

    Stay safe, stay warm and stay your sweet self:-) Love you! xoxo

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  17. Hi Mary,I hope you are not to snowed in this morning! We were able to get out yesterday and go down to Sarah graduation party at her Dad's church. They had a inn built for the children Christmas program this morning with bales of hays in it.... This is where we all sat down and took pictures!! I have one up on my post and I think you will love it!!
    We made it down there and back just fine even it is was snowy all day but nothing like you are to get up North!!!
    I love your old time icon and I would love to have it too!! Thank you!! Anni gave me this award to and Congrats to you!! She is a lovely lady!!
    Just like you!!
    I am so sorry it was hard with the rude shoppers!!
    Karen went really late one night last week and there wasn't any one there!! She said it was sooooo easy that night!!But it doesn't always work out for every one to go that late!!! Stay warm!
    Blessings, Carolyn

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  18. Mary,

    Catching up on your blog..
    I know what you mean about last minute shoppers, they can be arrogant and rude - but I haven't seen too much of that this year.

    It always works out best to shop in advance, I got into that habit many years ago. And it enables you to enjoy the days leading up to Christmas, (or whatever holiday) prepared and much more relaxed.

    I suppose it is snowing by now and that your part of the world is lovely!

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  19. Susie,

    Brandon has Aspergers Syndrome and it is harder for him to make choices. Aspergers comes with a bit of obsessive compulsive disorder for him and he doesn't like to let things go. He's getting better and I am very proud of him.

    Thanks for your kind comments. I will be over to visit you soon.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  20. Pea,

    Corey will be fine as long as he takes him time and is careful. It is still snowing here at 1:45, but we don't have the wind. I'm hoping Welland weather is much like ours so your Corey will arrive safe and sound. Please let me know when he does.

    Rude makes me cringe at all times of the year, but worse at Christmas. I was appalled that the boys had to witness all of that.

    I will send the email again. I wrote to a couple of other friends. When I write to Anni, the emails go into her spam folder. Not sure where the one I sent to you went.

    You are more than welcome to take a copy of the vintage postcard. When I'm out and about at auctions or fleamarkets, I will keep my eye open for other cards to send to you.

    Blessings and hugs,
    Mary

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  21. Grams,

    We are pretty much snowed in. We could go out, but it's not worth taking the risk. I used to drive taxi, so am used to driving in all kinds of weather. The secret is to use low gear or drive 1 to go up or come down hills. Also not to put too much pressure on the gas pedal. I drove in this kind of weather long before front wheel drive. It makes it so much easier.

    You are welcome to a copy of the postcard as well. I'm glad everyone likes it so well. I will be sharing others over the next few days.

    I will be over for a visit soon. I've just come in from shoveling and walking Meeko. I have something to post later on with my green thumb sunday post.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  22. Deborah,

    It's been snowing since 7 am and is still snowing at 1:45 pm. We have quite a bit and there is no signs of it letting up. However, the world is pretty as a Christmas card. I will take some photos to post later on.

    Thanks for visiting. I always enjoy hearing from you.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  23. I read your hoopla and am amazed that all your life you have been home for Christmas EVERY year. wow! I can't imagine; I've been all over the world for Christmas--in the jungle, on a mountain, on a bus, at friends', at home.

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  24. Thank you, Mama Bear! Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  25. Willow,

    I read about your Christmas adventures. I have left home just after Christmas a few times, this year included, but have ALWAYS made sure I was home for Christmas Day. It wouldn't be the same for me without being with family on Christmas.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  26. Mary,

    I'm sorry you and the boys ran into the Christmas grinches while you were out. There is no excuse for rudeness. It's sad that people who are probably Christmas shopping behave that way.

    I'm glad the boys got to use their gift cards before they expire!

    Congratulations on your award. You certainly deserve it because you are a "treasure." :-)

    Hugs,
    Tina

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  27. It's terrible how rude people are these days, especially around the holidays... *Shakes head*

    I'm so glad you made it home just in time!

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  28. I have to heartily agree. YOU are a treasure.

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  29. Good Evening Mary,
    Oh my, I love your Vintage Christmas Card. It is beautiful. "CONGRATULATIONS" on your new Award. You truly have a Treasurely Blog. I always enjoy it here and feel so relaxed and refreshed after visiting. I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with rude people. There are many rude people out in this world. But, I'm glad you didn't let them spoil your Christmas Shopping with the boys. I bet yall had a good time together. I, too, like to hear "Merry Christmas". I always tell people that as well. If it wasn't for Christ, we wouldn't be celebrating CHRISTmas in the first place. There are many people who don't understand or realize this. I'm glad yall made it home before the snow started in real good. Well, take care my friend and have a great evening. May God Bless You and Yours.

    Love & Hugs,
    Karen H.

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