Tangled Thoughts

Shopping Wars: 2014 Edition

Christina

December 12, 2014

Anyone who has been reading here for any length on time, knows that I have a serious aversion to shopping. I dislike going into overly crowded stores, finding things, and paying money. None of it appeals to me. Christmas shopping only multiplies my strong dislike for shopping. Not only does it involved going into overly crowded stores, and paying way too much money – there is the slight problem that comes with trying to find something that the person in question is going to like.

When Amanda was here – shopping was fun, I would follow around in amazement as she tossed things in at random, never getting frustrated with the crowds, and never paying over the certain number she had set in her head. As a bonus, the person on the receiving end always loved her gifts. It was a win win situation. Something that I could never, and can never – recreate. My shopping episodes are limited to buying the wrong items, spending too much money, and running out of the stores because they were too crowded.

If I have a list, I do ok. So long as the store isn’t too crowded, and the items on my list are in stock. If not, it’s the perfect storm.

A recent shopping trip in London.

Lets take a step back and take a look at LAST years shopping excitement:

2013:

“This year, my Christmas spirit was HIGH. Like full tilt over the moon BUY ALL THE THINGS! Kind of high. I took advantage of it, and did some late night browsing. I ordered a few gifts, and made a list.

And then my Christmas spirit took a dive. But that was ok! Because my shopping was done. I could relax.

And then last night, as I was looking through my online purchases, I noticed something. The things I bought? Were NOT the things I thought I had bought. In fact, I really have NO idea what was going through my head at the time of purchase – because I thought I was being savvy.

And then…the mail started trickling in. Ever so slowly.

I was excited.

I ripped open the package.

And stared into the face of what was supposed to be a pajama set but instead was an…

“Oil green panel”

Now I knew that things weren’t what I thought I had bought but how does one go from pjs to a curtain panel? Closer inspection showed that what I ordered – was not sent. In its place – was a single curtain. A CURTAIN! Now I don’t know about you – but I don’t know how I was supposed to GIFT a CURTAIN! ONE panel, mind you. The product I had ordered? No longer in stock. I guess this was the closest substitute they had.”

And now, for the 2014 edition of shopping vs. me.

This year, Amanda did her best to get me excited for Christmas. She almost persuaded me to turn on the Christmas music before Thanksgiving (a yearly argument we have!) but I stood strong, and just as we finished up the day, I turned on the Christmas tunes. I will even admit – I made a purchase before Thanksgiving was even over. In the days following, I had completed a majority of my shopping (yay for online shopping!) and was feeling pretty proud of myself for having all my gifts planned, sorted, and bought before November was over.

For the first time in years, I didn’t have to pay express shipping for an item I would just return. I was looking forward to doing away with the traditional “Chasing down of the UPS man to see if there is a package for me!” And was really feeling proud of myself. Probably too proud. Because none of my packages are expected to arrive before Christmas

Last night I looked up an item that was scheduled to be here in 3-5 business days. It has been two weeks. There was no tracking information. The company told me to call the post office. The post office told me (and I quote) “Call UPS or FedEx.” Confused I asked why. Which is when they informed me that they had no information – so it must be another shipping company’s fault.

Frustrated, I called the original company again – who then told me they were sorry and would redo my order. Except. ½ the items I ordered? Were no longer in stock. The promo code I used was invalid, and there was no way to guarantee that these things would arrive in time for Christmas.

Another item I had ordered has been stuck in Washington for two weeks with no hope of it arriving when promised. In fact, the scheduled delivery date has changed two times since I purchased it.

And finally, my personal favorite – an item that appears to be lost. Traveling from Washington, to Ontario Canada, to California, to BC Canada, before arriving in Florida where it currently awaits its next big adventure.

Yoshi is happy she doesn’t have to go shopping

Shopping: 3 Me: 0

Must be Yoshi

Christina

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December 7, 2014

Who’s got a nose that’s shiny and brown
Yoshi’s got a nose that’s shiny and brown

Who comes around on a special night
Yoshi comes around on a special night

Special Night, nose that’s bright

Must be Yoshi
Must be Yoshi
Must be Yoshi, Yoshi Girl

*To the tune of Must be Santa*

Turkey Enchiladas with White Cream Sauce

Christina

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December 6, 2014

This is one of those recipes I found a long time ago, bookmarked, and never reconsidered it. Mostly because it called for rotisserie chicken and since we raise our own chickens – there is no way we would ever buy a rotisserie one. But I bookmarked it nonetheless.

Insert Thanksgiving – and an entire turkey that we hardly touched = a freezer full of precooked turkey.

I was looking for an easy meal tonight, and pulled up my trusty bookmarks and came across this one. It was too plain for my liking, so I fixed it up a bit and called it dinner!

Filling:

10-12 flour tortilla shells (any size)
2 ½ cups of cooked, shredded chicken or turkey
3 cups shredded cheese
½ onion, chopped
Olives, Spinach, Green chilies (you can add any or none of these)

Combine ingredients, and roll into tortilla.

We only had large flour tortilla shells, so I cut them in ½ and it worked great, but you could opt for a smaller shell.

Sauce:

3 T flour
3 T butter
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
2 T salt
2 T chili powder

Melt butter, combine with flour. Add chicken broth, stir until thickened. Remove from heat, add sour cream.

Once enchiladas are lined in pan, top with cream sauce, extra cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

This recipe could easily be adapted and changed up with various ingredients. I also doubled it fairly easily.

Christmas Basket for $15

Christina

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December 5, 2014

I am a sucker for cheap. What can I say? I will buy the same thing, ten times if its cheap – instead of buying something of better quality for more money. What can I say? It’s not logical, but it’s my logic.

This year, I was planning to keep our gifting stunts to a minimum, but as I wrote out the list – it grew and grew, and eventually I had a nice long list of people I wanted to gift. “‘Tis the season!” I rationalized with myself. I wanted to gift nice things, but I also wouldn’t be against keeping us out of the hole this year either. And so it began: My effort to gift many people nice things, without breaking the bank.

For this basket, I cheated. In that, a lot of the things we already had on hand, from years prior. We are somewhat Christmas hoarders. Shiny, sparkly, pretty – we have it.

This basket is for a family with four kids – which made it hard, but possible!

1. We usually make an order for soaps this time of year. With free shipping, and mega sales online – I ordered a few extra for this purpose. This cost less than $2.

2. Window clings for $1.50

3. Pencils for $1

4. Basket – you guessed it! $1

5. I got these little jars for $1.50 each, and the candy inside came in a big pack for $2. I will put an even $2 on this set up.

6. I got these little snowman booklets about three years ago – and never got around to gifting them. They were a bit on the pricey side at $3 each.

7. Candles! Who doesn’t like candles! $2 for both

8. Candy canes!

The final product!

I also stuck a pack of peppermint tea in there, since the people we are gifting it to are big tea drinkers.

All in? We spent around $15. Considering there are 6 people getting gifts in that basket, I’d say it was a success!

Christmas Time is Coming…

Christina

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November 20, 2014

Christmas and I have never gotten along. I have countless posts on how my best plans have been thwarted by the hustle and bustle about. Don’t get me wrong. I love Christmas time. I love the smells. I love the cookies. I love the plays, the singing, and most times, the people. I really love the reason behind Christmas. I love giving gifts to people, and getting that reaction you hoped for. I love all of it. I love wrapping it all up in a neat package and putting a bow on it….but rarely, or ever, I should say – has that happened.

You see, a long time ago – I agreed to disagree with the perfect Christmas. You know: The one with a nice layer of snow, matching outfits, sipping coco by the tree, with smells of cinnamon. Yea. Not that I ever wanted that picture perfect Christmas, its just that me and shopping have never gotten along that well. I always (ALWAYS!) have some sort of a mishap with a gift. Last year I got an olive green curtain panel to gift someone. I mean, I didn’t ORDER that, it just came. As a replacement. For the item I had ordered. Which was not window related. Or olive green. You can read that story here: And They Call This Fun!?

Another year I searched high and low for the perfect coffee cup for my sister. I finally found one I liked, forked out the extra money, and waited. Two weeks later it showed up. It wasn’t a coffee mug. But rather a giant bowl. With a handle.

I could go on and on about my mishaps. But lets just say I try, but it rarely works out.

Since shopping and I don’t get along – I rarely get the gifts I was looking to give, and rarely get the reaction I was looking for. I mean, what can I expect really – gifting curtain panels, and giant bowls, after all.

This year, the bug has bitten me early. I tried, desperately to ward it off. I ignored. I looked the other way. I all but closed my mind to the idea. But the harder I tried, the more it pushed. And before I knew it I was off riding the wagon down Christmas alley. I tried to hang on for thanksgiving. I really did. I don’t listen to Christmas songs until the day after. Don’t decorate until the day after. Don’t give it ANY THOUGHT until the day before.

But this year? Oh this year.

This year I have ALL THE PLANS to do ALL THE THINGS.

I have already ordered our Christmas card. I have already scoured Pinterest, and pinned all the things. I have ideas that are bursting with glitter and bows and ribbon – and quite frankly, I’m worried.

You see, last year I tried to do much of the same things. I had a few simple ideas, that I thought I could make work. Anyone remember what happened? Lets recap:

Aside from the curtain panel, we had this gem:

You can read more on that disaster here: An Epic Fail (and other short stories)!

I apparently, cannot melt chocolate to save my life.

This year? I have GREAT plans. To do ALL the things, yet again. I have lists. Oh the lists. I have ideas, and bows, and scents, and candles, and thoughts, and plans, and people, and and and and….

Like I said, I am quite frankly – worried. It could go one of two ways:

The traditional way – where everything ends up a mess, and on Christmas eve I am left with an un-melted bowl of chocolate, ½ trimmed tree, unbaked cookies, and gifts that are unwrapped, unfitting, and a disaster that makes us laugh the following year.

Or, the Non-Traditional way – Things could actually go as planned.

I’m betting on traditional. Since there is nothing like a good tradition.

What traditions do YOU have? Can you melt chocolate? Have you started shopping?