November 25, 2005
The Twelfth Commandment
Written by Shana in Jaunty PostEvery woman knows that the day after Thanksgiving is sacred. I think it’s in the Old Testament somewhere, verse $19.99: “And God said, thy day after the Feast of Thanks shall be reserved for shopping. Thy malls will open at 5 a.m., and thy bargains and rebate offers shall be too numerous to count. And it was good.”
Well, this year, Ultimate Sportsfan (my fiancé), wants to break the covenant. He’s gone completely atheist on me and wants to go to the Texas vs. A&M football game. The game starts at 11 a.m., and it’s being played in College Station, Texas. We have to leave our home at 7:30 a.m. this morning so we can tailgate before the game.
9 a.m. tailgating?
Here’s the other thing. Ultimate Sportsfan went to Texas A&M. I went to the University of Texas. Now not only is Ultimate Sportsfan trying to corrupt The Day of Shopping, he wants me to wear A&M colors to the game. Not going to happen. So what if I don’t care about football and don’t care who wins? I support my alma mater — as long as it doesn’t interfere with shopping.
I told Ultimate Sportsfan that by attending this game we were breaking the Twelfth Commandment. I told him we were blaspheming the day God set aside for shopping, but Ultimate Sportsfan has obviously been possessed by evil spirits because he refuses to see reason.
So think of me as you run merrily through the malls, arms full of bargains and good cheer. Think of me as you snuggle in your cozy bed. I’ll be outside. In the cold. Watching grown men chase a ball. Wearing the burnt orange shirt in the maroon and white section.
P.S. Follow-up to “I Could Burn Microwave Popocorn”
I told the truth about my Thanksgiving contribution. When my future mother-in-law asked how I made my mashed potatoes, I was so tempted to talk about grating herbs and boiling potatoes and mashing until my little arms were aching. Instead, I took a deep breath and said, “I added water.” Thank God she didn’t ask about the banana bread.
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Haven Rich Says:
Well we are both missing the greatest day of shopping…ohhh the holy day.
As it turns out my husband has to work and I dont drive(blame it on the meds),plus we only have a truck and he has it.
Aside from that my husband wouldn’t take me to the mall if he was off…its against his religion I swear. Matter fact in the entire time we’ve been married he has taken me to the mall twice…once to get my x-mas ring and then again two weeks later to pick it up after being resized. Thats it.
So while many of you are smiling with glee over the major money you have saved on the various items bought I’m sitting here at home freezing…blame that one the meds too.
Eve Says:
“I think it’s in the Old Testament somewhere, verse $19.99:” LOL
This is probably a dumb question, but do you get a day off for Thanksgiving? Is it a national holiday?
Haven - I hope you feel better, and that it gets warmer, at least!
Haven Rich Says:
Oh Thank you Eve but I’m on the meds for a long long time. I’ll warm up in a bit..I have cold and warm flashes cause of the meds (odd huh? lol).
And yes Thanksgiving is a national holiday and most people do get the day off. The post office is closed and schools are out for a few days(depending on the school it could be for as long as a week). So most things shut down, with the exception of maybe a few stores (even our local wal-mart shuts down for the day).
Isabel Says:
LOL Shana! Hmmm, the DH had to work today and I had no plans to go shopping today. I just can’t do it, crowds scare me. I drove by the local mall this morning (on my way to the pet store to get some much needed cat and bird supplies), the parking lot alone was a scary sight. Absolutely not! I will not go out so I guess I am guilty of breaking the Twelth Commandment. *sigh*
Kimberly Logan Says:
I have come to the sad conclusion that men are completely clueless when it comes to the sacredness of that which is shopping, and I am firmly convinced that females are in possession of some sort of shopping gene that the male of the species somehow missed out on.
Of course, this can be a good thing. When I’m mad at a male of my acquaintance, there can be no better torture than to drag him with me from store to store, forcing him to watch me try on everything under the sun. Mwhaa-haa-haa!
Mary Says:
Ladies, I went shopping! All I can say is that the crowds are scary, the advertised items are out of stock and the lines are slow and long. I was unfortunate enough to stand in line behind a cigarette smoker I refer to as ’stinky guy’, the non-stop talker with the oversize tongue ring, hence her nickname ‘lispy girl’, and the woman who argued with the cashier for half an hour ‘problem woman’. Parking was almost impossible to locate and that whole getting up early on a day off thing should be against the law. You who stayed home on Friday are the smart ones. Bask in your glory, embrace your greatness, you should be running the world!
Kimberly Logan Says:
Sounds like you had an interesting excursion, Mary.
I can remember when I used to get out on the day after Thanksgiving just to soak up some of the Christmas spirit. I really enjoyed the store decorations and the Christmas music and special holiday displays. But that was when I was younger and those crowds didn’t get to me quite so much. Unfortunately those days are long over. I’ve found it’s a lot safer–and a lot less nerve wracking–to just relax at home on that day. And to do most of my Christmas shopping online. 
Mary Says:
You might be able to tell that I don’t really like to shop (except quilting stores; I can’t seem to stay out of those). I think my dislike stems from the many years I worked in retail. I still like Christmas music and decorations and snow so I’m not a total grinch even if I sounded like one in my last post.
Kimberly, I just finished A kiss In The Dark. Actually I finished it about half an hour ago! Nice wrap up at the end.
Anne, yesterday’s book was Masquerading the Marquess. Excellent intrigue and I Loved James!
Shana, last week, When Dashing Met Danger. Great title; great book!
Keep up the good work, ladies!
Kimberly Logan Says:
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed A Kiss in the Dark, Mary. That’s always good to hear.
Shana Says:
Hi all–I’m home from the game and visiting my parents in Dallas. I finally got to do some shopping on Saturday. The crowds were much thinner than Friday, I’m sure, and it was fun.
Also, UT won the game against A&M
Mary, so glad you liked WDMD. Pride & Petticoats is out January 31!