Ok I Do Have a Secret…

I am addicted to the show, Brothers and Sisters.  I don’t know how it happened, and its way after the free-to-air showing – it just sort of happened accidentally, as do most vices.  So, I have been seen popping into Big W to pick up the next season instalment so that I can keep feeding my addiction – much to Evan’s annoyance … he says its crap. Lol

So I walk into Big W last week itching with anticipation of picking up Season 3 only to see that the store is already geared-up for Christmas!  AAArgh!   

I stop suddenly where Iam standing and unfortunately the lady with the pram and the 3 kids who are trailing up behind me come to a screaming halt as well – much to the mum’s disgust.  All I can see are aisles and aisles of trees, decorations, cards, wrapping paper – you name it, they have it. 

Surely it’s not that time already?  I have a momentary panic … surely its not… and I check my Blackberry and its 20 October  … I raise my eyebrows in mild annoyance at the fact that the big “Do” at the end of the year is approaching – and quickly – quicker than Black Caviar over the last 200m at Moonee Valley. 

But what is it about Christmas that turns normally rational, sane people into  gift-buying fanatics that turn a Shopping Mall into a place only for the very brave?  Forget about Christmas Cheer lol, as every carpark is turned into a battlezone and it’s survival of the fittest, the fastest and the biggest 4WD.  My little Pulsar doesn’t stand a chance of getting out alive!! 

Once you finally get a parking spot after a good 50 minutes of stalking around the lanes, watching the comings and goings of all the people, waiting to snatch that 1 parking space then its up into the shopping mall with all the other crazies who have been sitting on their bums thinking about Christmas for the last 3 months. 

5 hours later you have found 1 gift after walking around and around and around going in and out of stores.  Its all starting to get to you, your level of patience is 0. Your stomach is beating out a wild SOS trying to get your attention; your eyes are tired from all the air conditioning and your feet are screaming with tiredness and its as much as you can do to put one foot in front of the other back to the car park only to find that you didn’t park your car on Level3 – C …  

Breathe Helen, breath…aargh!!  Im hyperventilating just thinking about it.   

And then there are the Christmas Cards that have to be out in plenty of time … so that you can respond to any that come in that you weren’t expecting.  I won’t even go near the family newsletters that seem to be very popular at this time of year. 

*Sigh* I have had to grab hold of Ruby to get some canine therapy to soothe my savaged nerves. 

I do have a plan this year though.  It involves a cup of Merlo plunger coffee, something sweet .. my laptop, my debit card - and my lounge chair.