Feeling a bit better, and feeling I needed to make up for some lost time with my daughter, I did what every teenage girl wants. I took my daughter shopping at the mall. It probably sounds 'un-Christmas-like', to let her pick out her own presents. It's kind of a new tradition with us, one we both like. It saves me all the agony of guessing, and allows the two of us to spend some fun time together.

She's been wanting to go to this mall for a long time. I'm touched that she has not been content to go alone. She wanted to go with me, or not at all. How 'bout that? I helped her pick things out and gave my opinion on everything she tried on. She actually valued it! It was a very successful shopping trip! She got all of her shopping done without spending an arm and a leg... and without over-exerting mine.

We then went to a discount grocery outlet that I like. We saved about 40% on our groceries while still sticking to our new way of eating. We've been doing really well in that department. My daughter, however, who is usually gung-ho on eating well, was craving a hamburger. We stopped at BK on the way home, but only after I made her promise not to share. It smelled SO GOOD, but she kept her promise.

A Christmas tree was the next thing on our list. I knew of a lot run by the boy scouts so we headed that way. They only had a half dozen crooked looking trees left but they were marked down to $20 a tree! Load 'er up! I only hoped that we could find our lights and decorations without tearing the garage apart.

By the time we got home, I had to call it quits. The decorations and such will have to wait. The few other errands will have to be done another time as well. I know when I've reached my limit. Good day, though.