shopping – Page 9 – The Big DumpTruck

Happy Holidays, Dammit!

Posted on December 16, 2006February 24, 2010 by The Jody

We were having a little discussion on Universal Hub about how the past 2 years people (read: those who look for things to complain about everywhere and anywhere) there have people people who throw fits when anyone mentions Christmas, and there are people who throw fits when people say “Happy Holidays.” You know, the same people who don’t give money to the poor and destitute, cut lines to get what they want first, and think the world owes them something. Obviously, anyone who says “Happy Holidays” is trying to get Christmas removed from the calendar. (I looked up Christmas on Wikipedia. VERY fascinating stuff. Did you know celebrating Christmas was against the law in Boston from 1659 to 1681?)

This bothers me. I think too many people think they should be able to control what others do and say. If a shop owner wants to put an ad in the paper about a “Christmas Sale” why should they be attacked by picketers and the like? And if another chooses to say Happy Holidays, for whatever reason, the same holds true. The link above, to the Hub, is about a customer losing her mind when someone wishes her Happy Holidays. I would have hit her with a shovel. You know what? Just because you are Christian and celebrate Christmas, doesn’t mean everyone does, you selfish, egostistical shrew. Hanukkah starts today. Shouldn’t I wish everyone I see a Happy Hanukkah today? Why not? What would the Christmas Army have to say to that? But it would be appropriate, would it not? When I worked as a cashier in a grocery store a million years ago, I used to wish folks happy holidays, because I never assumed every customer of mine celebrated Christmas. Everyone was fine with that, nobody corrected me. Happy Holidays also covers New Years, people.

Should I go back in time and apologize for all the Christmas Cards I have sent that had the phrase “Happy Holidays” in them?

Should the Christmas Army work to ban the Irving Berlin song “Happy Holiday” from the radio and record departments of the world? Obviously he’s part of the war on Christmas, anticipating what would happen in December 2006 way back in 1941 when he wrote the song for the moving Holiday Inn.

So if you want to take up a cause, people, why not try to take one up that will actually help someone. Not something that will make you look nuttier than a jar of Jif.

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More Housekeeping

Posted on December 14, 2006 by The Jody

Okay, I cleaned up some of the code in the right-hand column. I need to do more, but I’m tired. I just love being sick! Junior, who will be 9 in 3 weeks, is watching Toddler Television. So far he’s watched Elmo’s World, Bob the Builder and Thomas the Tank Engine. I’m not complaining, because other than Elmo, the voices and music are not jarring. I can completely tune it out, which I can’t do if he’s watching something more frantic like Pokemon.

I went onto Amazon to browse through some stuff – it’s just as much fun as going to the mall, and for some reason, I’m less likely to spend money. I put stuff in my cart and on my wishlist, and that makes me happy.

I have decided that I want to start collecting the North Pole Series of the Department 56 Christmas houses. I am really mad at myself for not starting that series a couple of years ago, when there were a couple of houses that I’m still obsessing about the Lego factory and the Play-doh factory are two of them. I just added a bunch of houses to my “If you loved me” wishlist, which I link to over on the right. You don’t have to buy me anything, but feel free to go look at how cute these houses are! The two I liked the most are out of stock anyway. One I couldn’t even add if I wanted to. The other was already on my list before it ran out, which is why it’s still there.

You guys need to promise me that if you have any of these houses and you decide to liquidate your collection, you will give me first shot at them, okay? Thank you, you are good people.

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Thank You For Your Attention

Posted on December 11, 2006February 24, 2010 by The Jody

I just want to thank everyone who at least attempted to stay off the roads while I shopped this weekend. Friday night we hit Eastern Boarder and there were enough people staffing the store that we did not have to wait to talk to anyone, a huge plus. Saturday we did less shopping than intended, but even though Target was busy, the lines were very very manageable. So thanks for that. We even only had a 15 minute wait for lunch at TGI Fridays. As an aside, have any of you ever tried their “Mac and Cheese for Grownups?” Holy crap is that stuff good. It’s got mushrooms and bacon (but not so much that it overpowers – just a few pieces sprinkled throughout) and some grilled chicken with peppers and onions on top. Even the chicken was delish. That is my Big DumpTruck Pick of the Week, for those of you who are hungry and near a TGI Fridays. I couldn’t finish mine, so I shared it with my step-son so I don’t know how it reheats. I think you could easily make two meals out of it, though.

We had tremendous luck with hitting the mall (Pheasant Lane in Nashua) early yesterday. I think because it was Sunday, people did not think it would be open as early as it was, but we got a primo parking spot, and in a couple of stores, we were literally the only customers. I believe I am 95% done my shopping now, so I will step back and let you all have free run of the roads and malls. Only two more weeks until people can stop obsessing about shopping. I do love when that happens.

I love shopping as much as the next 15 people. In fact, my Nano Novel was about a shopaholic this year. But I prefer to shop when I don’t have a deadline hanging over my head and a ton of people clogging the aisles. We ran into one couple yesterday who much have purchased about $400 worth of gift items at the Lindt Chocolate store. But I’ll bet they had not a single person left to buy for by the time they left. And now I’m hungry for chocolate, which apparently means I need some potassium, if something odd I read on the internet is to be believed.

Anyway, happy Monday everyone.

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Everybody Needs to Stay Home

Posted on December 8, 2006February 24, 2010 by The Jody

I am going out Christmas shopping tomorrow, so I am going to need all of you to stay home so that I am not inconvenienced by traffic or lines at the registers. I think you all understand how important this is for me, and will be happy to comply. I suggest grabbing a box of Swiss Miss (with mini marshmallows, of course) and hunkering down with a few copies of A Christmas Carol. If you don’t have the Muppet version (HEATHEN!) there is time today to run out and have a copy ready for tomorrow.

So remember, stay off the roads and out of the malls. I appreciate it.