Making a list and checking it thrice

My mother is a list maker. Now, I have been known to make lists, but this lady not only makes the lists, but she marks things off them. And when she puts something on said list, she means business. Nothing stands between her and a swipe of the ink pen.

Yesterday she wanted to go Christmas shopping. It's on her list. When it comes to shopping out-of-town, I long ago (at birth in fact) signed a contract that deems me her chaperone on such excursions. She had established yesterday as her official start. Once established, there is little room for negotiation.

My heart wasn't in it, but I decided to bite the bullet and haul her from store to store. I won't go into detail, but I am certain that I will be sainted for such a measure. I also expect to earn some extra holiday cash from my siblings and their significant others, as I saved them from opening pretty wrapped boxes holding slippers shaped like the heads of sock monkeys, yet another compilation of the works of Edgar Allen Poe and a lamp shaped like a stocking clad leg.

I struck a deal where she had to allow me some quality yarn shoppe time and after some smooth negotiating, we hit the road. I sat down and scrawled some names and ideas on a sheet of paper to guide me and even though I really had no intention of coming home with a single gift, I was able to find a few things while she was distracted by shiny " 50 percent off" signs.

I don't know what it is about Christmas shopping, but it seems completely overwhelming until I purchase that first gift. The first buy is key in kicking my holiday butt into gear.

I generally try to make most of my gifts, or at least include something handmade in each package. With most of my Christmas knitting complete, I am feeling a little ahead of the game, but still a bit shocked to see my list is still quite extensive. The good news is that Christmas is weeks away. The bad news is Christmas is weeks away.

Another shot from San Antonio.