I'm practically a celebrity...

I was walking out of Qdoba this afternoon, Queso Chicken Burrito in hand, when I heard someone call my name. I gave a only a half-hearted glance around, since I knew it most likely was not intended for me. I continued walking to my car, and someone called my name again. I looked in the direction of the sound, and saw this couple standing in the patio seating area of Qdoba. My mind raced, wondering who these people could possibly be. Someone I met through work? No. Through my knitting group? No. Someone from those game nights I used to go to? Nothing was ringing a bell. But I started walking over to them anyway, and the guy said, "You don't know us, but we follow your blog."

Holy cannoli, people!

Meet Kim and Chris from Massachusetts.


She initially found my blog by searching for a Trader Joe's in North Carolina, and then began reading all about our cross-country journey and my transition into Triangle life. She said that I became the face of NC for them, and I made it easier for them to move here! I don't think I could have gotten a higher compliment. I was so flattered--and flabbergasted! I mean, what are the chances that a) we would be in the same place at the same time, and b) that they would recognize me from photos on my blog?! I wish I could come up with something more eloquent, but all I can think of to say is, "How cool!!!"

We talked for about 20 minutes outside of Qdoba, about growth here, the weather (currently gorgeous), the job market, the housing market, etc. They live in Apex right now (Kim even said she thought of me when there was that big chemical explosion), and they're buying a house down in Holly Springs. During our conversation, they kept apologizing, I guess because they felt it would be kind of weird for me to talk to strangers who know so much about my life. But oddly, it wasn't weird at all. It was very fulfilling to meet poeple who actually found my blog helpful!

By the way, Trader Joe's opens tomorrow, and I'm going to be among the first in line. I've even told my boss I'll be in late. I drove by today and looked in the window...it looks all ready to go!

~ ~ ~

Thanksgiving was lovely. I went to my parents' house where we had the traditional meal and fixings.


Even the dogs got in on the holiday feasting.


We gathered 'round the television at 9 and watched a wrenching Grey's Anatomy. What a big mess! And when you think about it, it all comes down to Izzie. She had no way of knowing that cutting an L-vad wire would have this kind of domino effect, but if it weren't for her attempt to save Denny last season, Burke would not have gotten shot, he and Cristina would not have become an undercover "team," George would not have been forced to call in an outside doctor to perform his dad's surgery, and everyone's relationships would be less strained. In an indirect way, Izzie is even responsible for putting the Chief in a position where he cannot save his marriage. If Burke had never been forced to cover a hand tremor, he would be chief of surgery, but now the current Chief has no one to leave his post to, so he'll have to stay on.

~ ~ ~

While Thanksgiving dinner was cooking, we browsed the Black Friday ads and formed our plan of attack. We decided that Circuit City was the best place to go, so the next morning we got up at 4:15 am (!) to grab our bargains. (This was my first time attempting to brave the early-morning crowds.) We didn't get to the store until after it opened, but we managed to snag some of the things on our list. (I can't say what, exactly, because they're Christmas gifts!) It was a madhouse, though. I couldn't help but laugh, it was so crowded and people were running around all confused about where to find the advertised deals. I wonder what it was like when the doors opened. Watch out!

I have to tell you about how we managed to get two of our bargains. One was a really popular item that sold out in the first couple minutes the store was open, but I happened to spy one locked up in a glass case. Score! The other item was also gone within minutes, but while my dad waited in the incredibly l-o-n-g line, my mom and I walked around looking at other stuff in the store. I came across a guy who had like 12 of this desirable item in his hand. I looked at him, looked at his stash, and was about to say, "You know, there's a limit of 6 per person," but before I could open my mouth, he asked, "How many do you want?" Score again! A few minutes later I found another one sitting on a random shelf, and I was tempted to take it for myself, but I had already gotten enough, so I walked up and down one of the long lines and held it up asking if anybody wanted it. It was snatched in a heartbeat!

When we finally got through the line at Circuit City, it was only a little after 6, so we went to breakfast at Perkins. I love going out to breakfast! It's such a rare treat. Then we went to Tuesday Morning, which was a total bust (unlike last year where both my parents and I found tons of cool toys for the kids). We went to Kohl's next, and although all of their superbargains were gone, we did find a couple of cute outfits for the kids. Once again my poor dad got stuck waiting in the long line. What a trooper! When we got to the front, a kind person gave us a 15% off coupon so we got an even better discount! We made stops at A.C. Moore and Bed, Bath, and Beyond, but didn't make any purchases there. Lastly we went to JCPenney, where we knocked out a whole bunch of other things on our list, just in time for the noon deadline for Doorbuster specials.

I think I'm going to save my money and next year try for one of the LCD or plasma TV's. By then I'll have Time Warner cable, so I can get HD channels, which will be sweet! The bargains this year were incredible. Thousand-dollar sets for 500 bucks!

~ ~ ~

While I'm here let me just post a few random shots that have been lying around for a while.

This'll be a great shot to show Cassidy when she gets her license 15 years from now:


This was outside my bedroom window a few weeks ago. He's going to town on that pinecone!


What, you can't see him? How about now?

~ ~ ~

Man, I can't wait for someone in town to stock the Canon G7.


I think it's going to be my next camera. It has 6x optical zoom (twice as much as my current camera), fully manual everything, and image stabilization (so you can take pictures in low light without a flash). It's about twice as thick and twice as heavy as my current camera, but the photos will be about ten times better. It's a good compromise between what I have and a ginormous SLR, which would take awesome pictures, but would be too big to lug around. You can only get it online right now, which stinks, because I want to see and handle it before I shell out all that cash. Wolf Camera (aka Ritz) said they would order one for me, and if I don't like it I can return it on the spot, but they'll charge my credit card in the meantime. I doubt the problem will be that I don't want it...it'll be that I don't want to pay their full retail price when I can save over $120 and avoid sales tax by purchasing it online!