Little old ladies slowly pushin their grocery carts down the middle of the isles--lookin at everything in sight but not seeing anybody else around'm. It was impossible to "get around'm" in the store because of oncoming traffic. You finally just give up, turn around and back out of that isle just to get behind another little old dudette lady--dressed up fit to kill--doin the very same exact thing. I call it "isle shopping" because they don't move out of the way, very seldom buy those items they so closely look over and then put back. It's rather comical to watch'm go through all those procedures but ain't no use gettin mad at'm. They are on fixed incomes and can't afford what they're lookin at I'm sure. Might as well just enjoy'm and not get all in a fuss over bein late.

Then ya'll see the young couples where both are workin and bringin in a paycheck. The young man pullin one cart, pushin another and his wife doin the same thing too. Carts absolutely loaded with "stuff" fallin off they are so full. Grub that's already cooked, boxed, frizzed, cokes, lunchmeat, fancy fiz pizza, fiz fried chicken, candy, donuts, sweetrolls, pop tarts etc etc. In another cart---non-grub stuff. Toys, videos, clothes and other non-essentials. At the checkout I heard'm say something about $250 or in that area. I was in the next checkout lane and had to look my stuff over before deciding finally if I really needed that pimento cheeze spread. Two paks of turkey breast lunchmeat [because the deli turk was $4/#] half gallon 2% milk, can of sweet taters and some other stuff. My total was over $60!!!!

I was so distraught that we didn't even stop at Caseys to get a cup of cheep coffee! What really ticked me off---the REAL reason we went to town was for some drain cleaner. Guess what? I FORGOT it!! Now, because of my inability to keep things straight--I gotta go back after it and tear the drain apart this morning, dump in the cleaner and mess with that most of the day when it could've been doin it all night long without my havin to worry with it. Who says old age is the "golden years" that should be cherished!!! Give me my youth back and I'll show ya'll how to get things done right the FIRST time!

Sweet tater pie, pecan pie, homemade choc fudge with walnuts, Christmas cookies and, and, and, and---old dead turkey lunchmeat!

Here's wishing ya'll a most joyous Birthday party of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we all live to see many more before going to celebrate them with Him in person! "God Bless us every one". "From the House of old hoot and Lil Dumplin---God's best for ya'll!" Old hoot. Matt.24:44

-- old hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), December 24, 2001

Answers

Merry Christmas, Hoot! I wish I could give you a big hug for all the smiles you've given me over the past few months, reading your wonderful posts. You and Lil Dumplin have the best holiday season ever, and give Calvin a scratch behind the ears for me, too! Thank you for the smiles!

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), December 24, 2001.

I second Cheryl's post!!! It is a wonderful gift to be able to look at the ordinary and turn it into a story. While most of us see what you see, we can't put it into words quite as well as you do. You are a masterful story-teller, a true gift from the "Master" of us all. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a Merry Christmas!!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 24, 2001.

Aging is not for the timid!!

Merry Christmas, Hoot! Hug your pretty lady for me!

-- Ardie /WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), December 24, 2001.

Merry Christmas, Hoot! If I had a dollar for all the times I've pulled a "drain cleaner" stunt like you did, I'd be rich enough for both of us. On second thought, I believe we're already rich with the stuff that really matters.

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 24, 2001.

LOL!!!! Me and mama did the grocery store waltz today...went through the same thing!!! Funny, how the folks that shop like this are needin stuff on the VERY same aisles that we were needin to go on!! :)

Hoot, did the stopped up drain dance back in the spring. Three days worth of runnin a snake through the pipe, cleaners, thrown out back....the works!! Idon't want to go through that again!!! LOL

Hope everyone has a blessed and happy time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Uncle Jake (lulafred@cs.com), December 24, 2001.

Happy Jesus Birthday! To you and lil'dumpling Hoot! We love you. In His grace, Sissy

-- Sissy Sylvester-Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), December 25, 2001.