The Day Before Thanksgiving

Ok....so I decided to take a couple of days off this week, one of those being yesterday.  So, rather than sit and knit (pleasing activity), spin (relaxing activity) or read (exciting activity).....I ran errands near the mall.  Now most of you know by now that the mall during the holidays scares me.  I avoid it....I don't want to be upset with people who apparently want to do this to themselves.  So, I went yesterday and it wasn't too scary. 

Here is what I witnessed:

1.  Jo-Ann Etc - Christmas has exploded.  I know it did weeks ago because I was there when it happened, but it's truly out of control.  The 50% off gilded ornaments are flying off the shelves.  I had a return and purchased a picture frame....simple enough....15 minute wait in line...not too bad.  Side note.....I saw a woman leave wearing a purple and pink lame tee-shirt that read "I love (heart symbol) turkey." It had a picture of a cooked bird on a platter. Really? Seriously? Was this going too far?

2.  Half Off Books - Now I rarely go into the store, although it screams at me, being filled with books, however, they don't really have anything I'm looking for.  This time, I did find one book, talked with a very nice book store employee man who gave recommendations for some young adult books and I walked through aisles filled with books.....  Seriously,  can't be bad.

3.  Marty and Liz - Ok, periodically I have to take a turn through this store just in case there is a pair of shoes I've missed.  I know, I have plenty.  I know, I have missed plenty.  But it's the shoe game I play with myself.  This is where I saw a man and his boy child (about 2-3 years old).  The child was lying on a bench and his father was leaning over him laying down the law.  "If I let you down, you won't crawl on the floor?" Head shake no. "If I let you down you won't lick the shelves?  Because if I see one lick, we're leaving and your mother can finish without you."  How do you keep from falling out laughing when you hear this?  You pay for your one pair of shoes, just one....and how it until you make it outside.  Then you laugh and talk to yourself so everyone can stare and point.  What else?

4.  TJ Maxx - quick stop here for a pie plate.  While in line to check out (wasn't too bad), there was a man before me returning something and a Hispanic woman before him with a young boy and very small girl in the cart.  The little girl was precious....yes, precious...from her little lace socks to her pierced ears, humongous brown eyes and two little teeth.  The man before me was smiling and she had her full flirt on....then....he spoke Spanish to her.  It was amazing.  This man and this tiny child smiling at each other and laughing.  Now that was worth the wait in line.

5.  A quick stop at Jersey Mike's for a sandwich and I was on my way home.  By this time it's 3pm, the day is almost over and I still have a pedicure to look forward to.  I might add here that I usually knit or read during my pedicure....this time I chose to read (reading a wonderful book called, People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks)....and the people at the shop were disappointed because they always want to see what I'm knitting.  Actually I've started several of them knitting....lots of socks and scarves coming from those gals.

So, although my day was very busy (many uneventful stops between)....it was also happy.  I saw people being kind and connecting.  Wonderful thing to see this time of year.  To all of you....Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours....from my family to yours.  Enjoy connecting with each other all over again.