So, I finally take the Christmas pictures on Thursday. I decided to just have a casual picture of the girls with Santa hats — something a little different. They have started to complain about sending out their picture as our Christmas card but my family would be upset if we stopped.
Yesterday, we dropped off the picture at the 1 hour photo to get it developed and then we went to lunch and shopping. Isn’t it great that you can wait to a few days to Christmas and still be able to get cards developed in under an hour? You gotta love technology, it’s the procrastinator’s friend.
After lunch, we drive to the bookstore so that Sarah and Samantha can buy stuff with their brand new gift cards that one of their aunts sent them. But as we are turning into the parking lot there is a line of cars on both sides and we can’t turn down any of the aisles and there we sat for about an hour. Yes, you read that right an hour — it was gridlock like I’ve never seen in my life. I couldn’t believe it. And guess what? The gas light came on as I was waiting there.
So, here we are, low on gas, it’s raining out and in grid lock. It can’t get any worse than that, right? Well, yes it can because I’m inches away from a spot and people would not let me in, even though they saw I wanted to turn into a parking place. Those of you who live in areas were people are actually polite might be surprised by that but it’s the norm around here — everyone is out for themselves and pretty much oblivious to the plight of others.
Finally there was some movement and some of the cars moved up but not the guy who was blocking my way, so I get out of the car and ask him to move up a little so that I can pull into the parking place and he looked started but complied and the guy behind him waited as I pulled in. The girls were so happy, we felt like we had been released from prison. Sarah said she felt like she does when she gets out of school at the end of the day.
We have one umbrella between us and we aren’t wearing rain coats but the rain isn’t a down pour so life is good. I try to call Doug but the line keeps dropping out, maybe everyone is calling to tell their loved ones they will be late because they are stuck in a stupid traffic jam in the parking lot. So, by the time I get Doug, I’m not a happy camper and he is not solicitous enough for me. I warn him we may be camping out in the store if the traffic doesn’t let up.
By the time we finished shopping, the traffic was still backed up so we walked across several parking lots to our next store (and purchased more umbrellas) and then walked even more to pick up the cards. We hit three more stores and then went back to the bookstore for Chai and hot chocolate. By then the traffic was gone and we able drive to Panera’s for soup and then home, stopping for gas along the way.
When we get home I’m exhausted and have no desire to clean or address cards. So, now I’m off to prepare for guests and resign myself to the fact that I will be sending our Christmas cards after Christmas. And you know what? I don’t even care 🙂
And yes, I’m done with my Christmas shopping and thankfully don’t have to battle the New Jersey drivers and shoppers today. Doug gets to go food shopping today because I’ve had it! Let him deal with the parking lot and the shoppers.