12-23-08 Tuesday (Desserts at the Mall)

We made another weeks menu up and went grocery shopping. We decided to go to the Wal-Mart in Oregon instead of the one in Washington. I think they're both about the same distance, but this time it was some different scenery. We've got a nice turkey breast for Christmas dinner. It will all be similar to the Thanksgiving dinner, but that's fine because we both really enjoyed it.


The trip back and forth was strange. The local streets are still packed in with snow but the highways are mostly clear. People were driving with chains on. With chains, I think the max speed is 30-35mph. I'm no expert but that's what the packaging says. So here we are doing 60mph on a clear road, with people doing 30 in other lanes. It was crazy. It's also crazy to see piles of chain in the road here and there. At one point we were close to a truck who's chain has broken and underbody trims or perhaps mud guards flew off of it. Jim quickly slowed down and took evasive maneuvers.

Chains look like a pain in the ass. Some need them to get from their house to the highway, but if the highway is clear, then it's a matter of driving slow because of the chains. It's kind of a pro and con all in one. Bummer.

An unexpected temperature of 36 degrees today! We did a little more deicing of the RV. It was preferred to help some of the ice down off the sides of the roof, prior to them leaping off onto our heads. I hate leaping icicles, don't you?


It's already getting dark, but the campground is full of roadside lights. With all of the snow on the ground, the light really bounces off it, creating a bright park.



Jim and I are planning out our annual Christmas Eve trip to the mall. This will be our 3rd or 4th trip. With camera in hand, we go to the mall just to hang out and watch stressed shoppers run around trying to get last minute stuff. We'll walk around a while, and then we'll sit for a while, snacking on fresh baked cookies. Watching the shoppers facial expressions is a hoot. Yeah, it's mean. Yeah, we're in the way. Yeah, we love it. For us, it's become a tradition. Sometimes, it's hard to stay calm. Someone walks too slow, or the imfamous family of 6 that spread out and walk like a human moving wall, and difficult to pass. Then ya have the people who stop short in the middle of everything to tie a shoe, or look in a window. Let's not forget the family reunions right in the middle of the walkways. Wow, I'm getting stressed already! (talking to myself: you won't NEED to be there, you are simply observing.) Much better.

I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve already. It seemed to have snuck up on us, more so for me. I'm going to miss seeing friends and family for Christmas but at the same time, I feel like I have a feeling of Zen. I think it's the total lack of stress. Did I buy enough for him/her? The wrapping, the entertaining, the rushing, it's all gone. I'll call my Mom tomorrow and then again on Christmas day. She'll probably be "strong" on the phone but I think she's hurting. It's the first time in 38 years we've spent the holidays apart.