It's The End Of the World As We Know It...And I Feel Fine

It's been 24 hours since I returned from 'Black Friday' shopping.  It's the first year shopping started earlier than Friday.  There were pros and cons.  For me, the night owl, late night shopping is a huge plus as opposed to trying to drag myself out of bed in the wee hours of the morning.  Unfortunately, that was the case with lots of individuals.  I'm sure the stores made bank but I felt compassion for the employees that were torn away from their families on Thanksgiving to serve complaining, irrational, and impatient people who got to be with their families.
I have three situations I want to comment on:1.  New Obstacles.2.  A Change of Heart.3.  The Apocalypse.

1.  Holy teenagers or A.K.A...space occupiers.  The problem with shopping at night is the youngin's haven't been to bed yet.  At least at 4 a.m. the youth are all snug in their beds and too lazy to be up.  The mall was horrendous.  Dodging the teenagers was adding a whole other obstacle to the mix.  Many seemed to have a confused, vulnerable virgin look in their eye, you knew it was their first 'Black Friday' experience. They tried walking around doing what others were doing.  Kinda like the teenage protesters, not really knowing why they're yelling and holding signs, only because it's 'cool' since a majority of others are doing it. Their goal wasn't to shop, it was to be out of the house.  Watch and learn amateurs but stay out of the way.

2.  Toys-R-Us opened at 9 p.m.  There wasn't really anything fabulous in the ads, but there was one item that would have saved us 50 dollars.  We arrived several minutes before opening. We knew there would be a line, but I was willing to wait until it all poured in the store to get my item.  I knew they'd have plenty left.  OMGosh, the line was wrapped around the entire store.  When the doors opened, they only allowed 20 people in and would wait 5 minutes before letting another 20 in.  Maddening.  The line grew more than it diminished.  I wanted to pay someone to let us jump in, or save the item for us.  Another couple who arrived the same time we did magically cut the line and were the third shift to be let in the store.  I was SO irritated.  People had waited roughly 10 hours in that line.  I would've been pissed if I'd been the ones behind who'd waited for hours.  But in actuality, I think I was more annoyed that they outsmarted me as they glanced and smirked my way.  I used to be amazing at cutting the line at the school lunch line and lines such as these and now I loathed the ones who did. Back in the day I would've given them a pat on the back with a 'good job, if you have the guts, then you deserve it.' Yesterday, I wanted to literally grab them, expose them and let the lynch mob take care of them... or worse, tattletale (*gasp*) to the manager before she let them in.  What has happened to me?? I've grown a conscience.  Dang that Jason.

3.  The movies and games at Walmart were strategically placed in the produce section. They had it all taped off while they were counting down and giving the crowd the 'keep calm' pep talk.  I delegated that responsibility to Jason for once as I had the pleasure of watching from a distance leaning on the potatoes.  As the 'go-ahead' was given, I saw two amazing sights.  First, I've always wondered if people would become as inconsiderate as they appear in the movies when 'the end' is near and they are stocking up on provisions.  What I saw from a distance gave me a look at how I behaved as one of them in the past.  There was the goal of getting that item that was so important, the consideration of any other human being became the furthest thing from the mind.  People were pushing carts into others while others were being shoved, cussing at employees as if it was their fault that items ran out, body odor and sweat permeating the air, the crazed look in the eyes, and complete and utter chaos.  It wasn't pretty and I became certain at that point of the importance of having a sufficient food storage supply.  Really, it scared me.  And from afar, when you see what people are willing to do to one another to save a few dollars, it's quite sad and depressing and ridiculous.  I'm 99.9% positive the apocalypse could begin at Walmart.  Yet, in all the madness was a beautiful sight, my husband moving as if in slow motion as he spun, juking his way around the craze.  It was like watching a pro NFL player on slow motion replay making the play of the game.  He did it with such grace, sophistication, and humanity...he is the prime example of why we didn't cut in line earlier in the evening.  So while some went to bed last night feeling accomplished because they got everything on their list by whatever means necessary, we went to bed knowing we kept our dignity.Damn that Jason...he'll make a lady out of me yet! 

The Truth Hurts

The day came, and I wasn't expecting it.  I'm sitting at the table while Nathan is doing homework and he says, 'Mom, everyone says the parents bring the presents.'  Me: 'What are you talking about?  (Knowing full well what he is talking about and using the extra time to process the alerts going off).Nathan:  'That parents bring the presents and not Santa!'I FROZE.  I never freeze. I'm rarely caught speechless.  I usually have some way of re-directing this stuff. And yet I sat there and struggled as I said, 'Do your homework and we' ll talk about it later.'I'm struggling because I know in my mind that it's time, but every cell of my heart is fighting it due to a mother trying to defend and hold on to her child's childhood as I see it fading fast.
 We as people have a deep desire to know the truth of things only to realize half the time we wish after knowing the truth that we wouldn't have asked or pursued it in the first place. If I were a betting person, this is exactly one of those instances Nathan will be experiencing later this evening. I know he will be bummed after our talk but I also know he is in 5th grade and I need to be grateful that it's lasted this long.  I did real well of always deflecting the question back at him, 'Well, what do YOU think, is Santa real?'  And he always came back saying he believes.  This year after I pulled the same question he shot right back and demanded, 'I want to know the truth.' For the first time the phrase:  'This is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you' finally resonated with me.  Why is the truth going to hurt me?  Because once this talk happens Christmas won't be the same for him or for me. It is yet another slap in the face of realizing how short my time is with them.  Floods of memories are filling my mind of kids in footie pajamas running down the stairs on Christmas morning with eyes big and bright, writing wish lists and mailing letters to Santa, little ones wanting to sit on Santa's lap, little hands making and leaving out cookies and milk.  Part of the magic will dim for a season. Santa, in my children's eyes will become like a Teletubby or Elmo (something cuddly, fake and commercialized) for a few years until they have their own children and resurrect the magic.  
Right now...1. I'm wishing I had about 4 more under the age of 8 to take the pain away.      2. I'm feeling extremely apologetic to my mother for wanting desperately to grow up so fast.  3.  Disturbed that I'm already posting about Christmas.
Wish me luck.  :(   
UPDATE
My conversation went like this:I sat Nathan down on the couch and asked how he would feel if he found out Santa was real.  He smiled and said he would be very happy.  I asked why.  He explained because then he would know he wasn't crazy.  He said he remembers a few years ago closing his eyes for a few seconds and when he opened them there were presents everywhere.  Brynna's been telling him for awhile, 'dude, you just fell asleep.' He swears he didn't.  He really does believe it.
I asked how he would feel if the parents bring the presents.  He said he would still be happy and understand why they would do it but didn't sound quite as happy as scenario number one.I asked what he tells kids at school when they ask if he believes in Santa.  He said I just tell them, 'I don't know.'  His next statement to me was classic:  'It really doesn't matter if Santa is real or not because it's the elves that make the presents anyway.'So precious, innocent, and naive.  I almost cried and laughed at the same time.
I proceeded to tell him, 'Nathan if you want to know the truth, I will tell you right now but I want to tell you something first.  Sometimes not knowing is more fun than actually knowing. There is something about the mystery that makes things intriguing.'  I further explained to him to think of when we read our mystery books together at night; we have so much fun trying to figure out what is going on and what is going to happen.  At the end of the book, it's wonderful to know all the answers but is also a let down because then the mystery is over. The imagination has been filled by all the details by the author that don't match our own.  On the flip side, I also said the truth is also a great blessing to have because then you know exactly what you are dealing with. That clarity can also answer more questions. You don't spend your time wondering.  Again, I said it was his decision to make of knowing the truth of Santa, all he needed to tell me was when he wants that truth. 
He turned to me, hugged me and said, 'Thanks Mom, I think I'll wait awhile longer.'My heart blew out a sigh of relief...for now.LONG LIVE SANTA and childhood.

Fall Break

I figured I needed to hurry and post something from all the 'ew, gross' comments about my below zombie post. On the plus side, I did have a couple of my friends who came out of the closet and announced they also were watching/loving The Walking Dead. 
We went to California over Fall Break and decided to take in excitement (Six Flags Magic Mountain), education (U.S.S. Midway), spiritual (Mormon Battalion Center), food and shopping (Old Town San Diego) and relaxation (Mission Bay and La Jolla Beach).  We were in California for a few short days and spent the rest of our time and energy at home getting the 'honey-do' list done.
First stop:  Magic Mountain

The crew minus two.  

We started on the moderate rides so some could get a feel and work ourselves up.  

Revolution.

I would've loved to have read her mind to know her thoughts at this exact moment.  But by the concerned look and death grip, I think I have a pretty good idea.

Tatsu.  The boys in the front row.  My biggest concern for the trip was how Nathan would do on the rides.  He rode EVERY single one the big boys did and loved every minute.  He did ones even I couldn't do...due to my fairly recent equilibrium total break down.  I can flip a thousand times, but to put me in a spinning fashion and expect vomit.

The infamous Colossus with Goliath hovering overhead.

I think the only picture that actually proved I went on a ride.

The girls were a blessing and a curse to each other.  They would either talk each other into a ride, or scare each other out of it.

Apocalypse.  The coaster they loved going on multiple times.  My hair flipping like crazy because of the speed and roughness was one of my favorite things about this ride.  

I practiced this shot multiple times to try and get the girls as they flew by...no avail.  

Men vs. Goliath

By the end, people were starting to shut down.

The explanation of this ride is 'entering the 5th dimension' whatever that means.  So, I thought it important to place Jason and Nathan on it first to test the waters.

So we waited....

...and started to snoop while we waited.

...and worked to tidy the place while we waited.

...and got approached by a family hoping as a worker that I could assist them in finding a few rides.  Rather than just saying, 'um, I don't work here' I did the next best thing, 'Do you have a map?  Maybe you should try your map.'

So X2 was freakish according to our test riders.  SO glad I didn't go.  If my husband was freaked and felt a little nauseous, I would've DIED!

Favorite picture of Six Flags:  the total randomness down to the little girl on the left.
Next stop:  USS Midway
We loved it here.  Way too much to see.  We did the headphone tour and were glad we did.  We spent a good 4 hours there and still didn't see everything.  It was definitely worth the trip and the money.  I was fascinated by knowing ALL that takes place on a ship such as this from laundry to cooking to medical.  I loved touring the kitchen (which still smelled like food) to get an idea of the work that took place to feed a ship full of men on a daily basis. I can manage to grumble about feeding myself at times. The whole tour was very educational and I highly recommend it.

I don't know where he gets it from.

Caity sleeping in the barracks.

She's always had a thing for pilots.

Hopefully receiving psychiatric help.

'The Commander' with two very small pilots.

My daughter is a perv. I gotta be honest, when I first saw this..the tall lankiness, the pale snow white skin I thought it was Tyler. No worries, it was a clone mannequin of him.

I have no idea how I ended up with so many shower scene pictures, but here is the next one.  And it wouldn't surprise me if he actually takes reading material into the shower.  

A small selection of Squadrons who served on the USS Midway.

Upon closer investigation...'Don't ask, don't tell' in effect.

Yet again, the randomness of Nathan as he appears to be on a cell phone with a Sasquatch feel as he enters the picture frame.

Poster Child for the Navy:  The 'Hero' pose.

Favorite picture from the USS Midway:  This is not meant to offend anyone, but I can't help but think this picture portrays Nathan as being 'special' as he's being buckled into his plane seat.

Next Stop:  Mormon Battalion Center

Paying particular attention to Nathan (yet again) as he ruins another shot.  A little back story to this: his favorite game as a family is playing charades.  One time I gave him the clue 'dumbbell'.  He had no idea what a dumbbell was and did his best improvising by making a stupid face while acting like he was ringing a bell.  It was comical, but now we catch him doing it in photos to be funny. 

He liked being the go-to guy for the tour guide.

Picture in picture.

As we researched names, it seems quite possible that Suzanne and Jason's family were in the same handcart companies.

My usual happy self as I do my chores.

Jason secretly dreams of going gold panning. It is on his top ten to-do list.

Finally, the man works.

I don't really know what was going on in this picture, I'm assuming it's Suzanne showing us her pathetically small piece of gold.

Out of control.

Not quite sure what I'm doing with my hand, but it ruined our picture.

If starvation or the cold/heat wouldn't have killed the kids while crossing the country in a wagon, I may have with all the whining.

Inspiration pose.

Old, gray, and lonely...complete with a rocker. 

Jason thought he was so funny casting his shadow on them during the picture, all the while not realizing he himself was in the picture looking like a doofus.

Favorite picture from the Mormon Battalion:  Jason defacing a statue. This is a long running battle between him and his brother-in-law.  We're ahead.
Next stop:  Old Town San Diego

We saw the historic area homes and went through the shopping centers.  I bought an amazing puffy llama and a head massager.  Random memorabilia.  My llama is a conversation piece and the head massager is one of the best inventions ever...I get immediate goose bumps the second it touches my scalp.  It is truly heaven for all you who love a great scalp rub.
I love the individual personalities of the homes...just one of the things I miss about the midwest:

Favorite picture:  Besides the awkwardness of Tyler, I love how Jason inserted himself again in the picture.
Final stop:  Mission Bay and La Jolla Beach.

I did a Facebook challenge on this photo to come up with a caption for this picture.

Some were:   ‎"OH MY GOSH, Mama look....that guy is whiter than I am!!!!!"

Buddy the Elf: "SAAAANNNTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 HAHAHAHAH!!! X''D HAH kid history: "MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKKE. . . IM GONNA KICK YOU IN YOUR HEAD!! MIIIKKKEEEEEEEE"

 La Jolla...I LOVE it there.

Favorite Pictures from the Beach:

The Amish at Mission Bay.  I found them fascinating because of the joy in their faces while playing in the water. For some reason, it was really moving and beautiful to me.

Great trip.  Good times. Looking forward to Spring.