"If you've seen one mall, you've seen 'a mall'" ~ Betty K.

My grandmother loves to shop, and she loves to make up silly little sayings; hence the title of my entry....

However, it was not she that I shopped with today, but my mother in law. We shopped alllll day, but got a lot accomplished. Well, she did, I just carried bags. She got Wee one's birthday present bought and one thing for Christmas that she will let her open before she goes back to Indiana. She is going to leave money for me to buy her the rest of wee one's Christmas gifts. As for Betsy, she bought her something to open whilst she is here, and also bought her Christmas gift, so I don't have to shop for her. She told me that she will just give John and I our money before she leaves. I feel awkward taking money from her....it just doesn't feel right. I have told her time and time again that we don't expect things from her, that her visits are enough. I tell her she should enjoy her money....take a trip, buy something she likes....but she won't do it. She tells us that she and her husband (he passed away in 2000) worked all their lives so that they would have something to leave their children, and that this is what she wants to do with her money. She has set up college funds for the girls, has carpeted her sister's trailer (her sister is very poor and has mental problems), bought her a washer and dryer, food, etc. My mil is a very giving woman, and very stubborn. I have learned not to argue with her when she wants to give me something....still, I feel strange.

Anyway....as for the weekend, I'm not sure what we will do. We have a lot of ideas, but not a lot of time. We want to do the "family" things since the girls go back to school Monday. We are going to the IMAX theater, St. Augustine and possibly a Christmas parade. My mil is Catholic, so John wants to take her to the "oldest Catholic church" which just happens to be located in St. Augustine. They have services on Sunday so we will be attending. I have only been to a Catholic service two or three times in my life, and I believe they were either for a wedding or funeral. I have no idea when to kneel, or stand or sit....I guess I'll just follow the crowd!

I baked a yellow cake tonight with chocolate frosting. It was so cold outside that I put it on the porch to cool, and it only took 20 minutes! I'm so excited about the cold weather! It's much more festive when you have to put on a coat rather than sunscreen to shop. The annual Christmas boat parade is tomorrow night along the St. John's river. When you cross the bridge you can see the boats at the marina all decorated with lights and trees and big plastic Santa's. Some of them are houseboats, and they have satellite dishes mounted along the slips. I would love to live on a boat for six months. I think that would be so cool. Of course, I'd probably get seasick and be in the bathroom or hanging over the side most of the time. However, I would lose weight that way....hmmmm....

Wee one has been watching the 25 Days of Christmas on the Family Channel. She just loves that. All the old shows like "The Year Without a Santa Claus" and "Frosty the Snowman". They give me such a warm feeling when I see them. I haven't seen White Christmas yet this year....I LOVE that movie. You just can't go wrong with Bing Crosby....he's just the MOST! LOL....how 40's of me....

I bought John a Christmas present today. It's the first season boxed set of "The Family Guy". He LOVES that show. Never misses it. It's going to come back to Fox this spring, and we are eagerly awaiting it. Of course we are dyed in the wool Simpson fans, but FG is a very close second. And speaking of new releases....I am anxiously awaiting the 2005 release of "Strangers With Candy....the Movie". OMG....the most hysfreakingsterical television show ever produced. I am such a fan of Jeri Blank....

Sunday is my anniversary....okay, it's John's too, but I never remember to say that! LOL. We will be married 17 years. Man, that is a LONG time to be with ONE person. He sure is a lucky man, I tell ya what. Oh, alright, I suppose I am a lucky woman as well....he's a pretty good guy. He's taking me to dinner and a movie. He said he would rather take me to a B&B, but, well, he never said why he wasn't! I'll tell you why though....poor planning. LOL. I could have very easily planned it, but I wasn't going to. I want him to come up with the idea, make the reservations and sweep me away to a weekend of fun and romance. Of course, if I wait for that to happen I won't be "swept" away so much as "wheeled" away in my chair and the B&B will be named something to the effect of "The Happy Acres Retirement Ranch". *Sigh. That's okay though, as long as it is he and I together, I won't mind. Have a great evening everyone!