Ryan is at his Chinese lesson. A three-hour lesson feels a bit excessive to me, but I don't really care, because a classroom of extremely cute three year olds is adorably hilarious.

TCG ended up taking me out today because he knew I was sad about missing my shopping tradition with Mom. We started at The Christmas Tree Shop where we bought all the wrapping and such we need for Christmas and one of those mini pie makers. Then we went to Newport because it was a beautiful day. We wandered around to all the local shops and then came home for leftovers. My grandfather had leftover dinner with us because he wasn't here yesterday. Tomorrow my new little niece will be coming by; I can't wait!

We inadvertently ended up at IKEA today (we didn't intend to shop today, hating crowds and the gross consumerism of Black Friday). (How do you just "inadvertently" stumble into an IKEA, you wonder? Well, we met family for an early brunch, and were meeting friends for a late lunch in the same part of town, and had 2 hours in between to kill. And the mall was not going to happen, but IKEA was close, and we had never been there, so -- Giant Swedish Store With Hilariously Named Home Goods!)

Seriously, that damn store is overwhelming and my feet hurt.

EVERYBODY IS MAKING ME CRANKY!

Not here. Just in the, you know, world. Wonder what I can do about that?

Plus, I think I lost my Smashbox kit and the new nailpolish I bought at the hotel. Will call tomorrow, but blagh.

How do you just "inadvertently" stumble into an IKEA, you wonder?

It totally happens.

I think I may have to vertently stumble into an IKEA. We have had the lumber cut for bookshelves for...years. And still, no bookshelves. I am tired of boxes full of books I can't get to. I shall wave the threat of IKEA bookshelves as a stick, and if that doesn't motivate, then I may have to carry through on the threat.

WORLD, STOP MAKING LIESE CRANKY.

How do you just "inadvertently" stumble into an IKEA, you wonder?

One may inadvertantly stumble in, but one does not inadvertantly stumble out. I've only been to an Ikea once, I think. Totally overwhelming.

TCG ended up taking me out today because he knew I was sad about missing my shopping tradition with Mom.

Aw, yay.

D suggested having people over to watch Doctor Who to be "social." I finally figured out he was concerned that he's too "hermit-y" for me. Oh, my dear boy, the distance between introvert and hermit is a wide span. I may have to tell him the legend of KBD to give a little perspective.

I can has leftovers! D's brother brought him turkey and potato salad, and I brought over my leftover greens and some rolls. D's not here, he's at a poker game, of all things. He should be back soon and then we're headed to watch a vaudeville show down the block. YAYES.

If you don't get the absolute cheapest thing, you can get decent things at IKEA. I have pieces that have lasted several states and a decade or two.

I also have a stray piece that doesn't fit anywhere on my desk in any configuration nor could it fit in the bookcase or old entertainment center that are the same finish. I have a sneaking suspicion that, like in Jurassic Park, life finds a way. And furniture suddenly became life. It kinda freaks me out.

If you don't get the absolute cheapest thing, you can get decent things at IKEA. I have pieces that have lasted several states and a decade or two.

The Billy bookcases now have the option of glass doors. I think I might buy a couple, and then eventually add doors.

I have quite a few of the Billy bookcases with glass doors.