Thirteen for December 22nd

Thirteen Lessons Learned by Marie, the week before Christmas 1.  My grocery store now carries Seafood Sauce, rather than Cocktail Sauce. They are the same thing. According to the seafood guy, the change has only caused confusion. This made me chuckle; he didn't think it was funny. Why change a perfectly good product name? 2. I tasted a spinach dip at the grocery store -- 18 grams of fat per 2 Tbsp. I commented on this to the taste-test lady. She very matter-of-factly responded, "Well, it's the holidays you know." Good thing I ran into her; now I know why I can barely zip my jeans these days. 3. It is very hard to coordinate a lunchtime get-together for 6 ladies at any time; it is nearly impossible during the week before Christmas. It's worth the effort though. 4. It is December 22nd, and we don't have a tree yet. I bet there will be a great selection when we go out to get one! 5. Gmail used to be my friend in the spam department. A LOT of spam has been getting through lately though.  Santa - make them stop!! 6. Life will go on after The Apprentice. Somehow.  Randal is the man! 7. A nectarine goes in the toe of the Christmas stocking (according to my husband). Fortunately we have lots of nectarines. 8. You can buy ham in every size, shape, and variety right now. I didn't buy a ham, but the ground turkey I usually buy was dislocated to accommodate a huge selection of hams. 9. Did you know that they sell orange juice at the dollar store?  It doesn't taste good. No surprise, huh? 10. I don't recommend shopping at the dollar store, at lunchtime, a few days before Christmas. At least not at the one near me. It smells like a giant fart. Every aisle. Every corner of the store. I kid you not. People, just take a moment and step outside to relieve yourselves. Everything will still be $1 when you go back in. Really. 11. This is probably our last Christmas of oblivion with our son. He'd be thrilled to get just a new Matchbox car this year. I'm guessing he'll be completely blown away by the piles of gifts. Gotta get that video camera ready! 12. Small children in snowsuits, scarves, hats, mittens, and boots are positively one of my favorite winter sights. 13. There is no official marker other than Christmas morning, that indicates the end of Christmas shopping. Have you ever noticed that you need to pick up "just one more thing?" Maybe it's just me... Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy New Year to everyone! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1.   Leanne 2.  MommaK

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Comments

[Kristi]

You'll probably be able to get a tree at a great discount now. And I'm so with you on #13.

[Chickadee]

I don't know which one I liked the most...the one where they changed cocktail sauce to seafood sauce, or the sample lady telling you "Well, it's Christmas" in response to the obnoxious amount of fat in that dip. LOL.

My 13 are up!

[Tommi]

giggle! That was too funny about the dollar store! And that is soo true!
I agree with the kids all bundeled up for outside. I love watching them sled. The expressions on their faces are priceless! Especially the little ones.

[JK :)]

Eww.. I wonder how that orange juice tastes like. And I agree with you on Gmail. Mine's not doing good on spammers too. Perhaps it's the holidays? :-)

[Leanne]

What a list! I thought about the nectarines, but all we have are oranges. Will those work? Hm.

I loved it when the girls were too little to know the difference about their gifts. Now they have to have certain things - and before long they'll drop the cheap toys and move onto the expensive widgets. Then our tree will barely have any gifts underneath. LOL We'll all be saying "those were the days" on our blogs one year!

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and have fun getting a tree! If you lived nearby I'd suggest chopping down my neighbors tree - she has a nice sized one in her yard! ;)

[Uisce]

Hmm, now you've got me thinking I *should* be using cocktail sauce in my cocktails!!

My T13: http://whiskeytalking.blogspot.com/2005/12/thursday-thirteen-days-of-christmas.html

[kenju]

Seafood sauce? A rose by any other name.....

I thought Randall was the man too, until he dissed Rebecca!

Michele sent me. Merry Christmas!

[MommaK]

There is this spinach dip that I am addicted to that is only 2 grams of fat...hang on let me run to the freezer and see if I have some...yep- It's TGIFridays Spinach, Cheese & Artichoke dip - and its only 2.5 grams of fat per serving. Mmmmmmmm:)

[Kitty]

You know it's always been called seafood sauce on this side of the pond :)

Oh and don't forget the walnuts to go in with the nectarines.

and a very merry festive season to you too ;)

[InterstellarLass]

It kind of does make sense. I mean, it goes on your seafood, not your cocktail. You can still zip your jeans? Lucky...

My Thirteen are Up!

[Lisa]

LOL at your TT! That was great! The dollar stores do tend to stink. Hmm.

Thanks for visiting my 13! Merry Christmas!

[running2ks]

It should be cocktail sauce. I dip fries in it :)

And thank you for the reminder of the video camera--I need to charge that puppy up.

My 13 are up :)

[Jennifer Thorpe]

I ALWAYS need to buy "just one more thing"! And I ALREADY can't zip my jeans!!

[Caryl]

You can make Cocktail/seafood sauce very easy - take ketchup and add horseraddish to taste. Now, everyone has ketchup and you can buy horseraddish in the dairy case - it comes in a glass jar and costs about $2.50 -this jar will last a LONG time.

Enjoy!

[Mrs. Flinger]

Hey! Thanks for the reminder I got off my arse and participated. Now, 'bout that shopping... I'll probably see you at Safeway at 11pm on Christmas Eve because DAMN, I can't seem to get this stuff done, either!

LOL @ the dollar store. Ours smells like pee.

[YellowRose]

I didn't know about #7....guess I better go to the grocery store!!

[Bluegrass Mama]

Definitely haggle over the price of that Christmas tree--we got ours half price, and that was almost a week ago!

Definitely oranges in the stocking toes here. I had to buy a whole bag of them the other day, despite having a refrigerator drawer full of tangerines. Just not the same, y'know?

[Carol]

Love your thirteen observations about this time of year. Funny - and true!

[Barbara]

Loved the comments about the Dollar Store!

Trying to Catch Up: Candy

[nat]

I, too, think this year is the last year of "oblivion" with my youngest. He's already getting wise to the Santa thing, but unwilling to totally let go. Thank goodness! I don't think I'm ready to let go of that, either!

[colleen]

Did you put your tree up tonight? Thanks for stopping by.

[Holly]

Oh... the dollar store one... TOO funny!!! My sides hurt!!

Enjoy Christmas with the little guy... it'll be magical. Merry Christmas Marie!

[Caryn]

Great list! Your part about the dollar store was cracking me up. And it's true--it feels like you never finish Christmas shopping; you simply give up.

My thirteen are up. (Have been for a while, but it's taking me a bit to visit everyone.)

http://wordplay.lastpromise.com

[raehan]

That's a very sweet list, Marie.

Now tell me. Are things really $1 in the dollar store?

[Marie]

Yes, Raehan,... yes they are! Sometimes 2/$1... You MUST check out the dollar store! It is a cultural experience!! ;-)