Once Again, I Believe I May Live Through This

I saw that spider web this morning, strung and woven between two sea grape leaves, highlighted by the morning sun streaming in through the laundry room window. I had not noticed it before and I'd love to say it just sprang up overnight but I'm pretty sure that's not how it happened. 
I leaned in closer to examine it and I spotted this.

Aha! Can you see the tiny creature near the left border on the sea grape leaf? 

Here's a close-up.

I believe it is a magnolia jumping spider and they are on the good guy team, eating mites, aphids, and ants. And sometimes other, smaller jumping spiders because protein is protein. Am I right? So I will not be taking that web down but will leave it right where it is in hopes that my own personal miniature spider finds happiness and an adequate amount of nutrition in the little plant nursery in front of the window on my folding table.

I have been to town for the last time before Christmas unless someone really, really needs me for something. I needed a few things at Costco and also to return some jeans I got there that I did not like the style of although my favorite jeans at the moment I also got at Costco but a different Levi's fit and style. Both men's jeans which have always and still do fit me better than women's. I absolutely do NOT have an hourglass figure, my hips being approximately the same size as my waist, and that's all there is to it. 
Costco was so very crowded, of course, but they know how to get you in and out of there in an efficient manner so it wasn't so bad. The hardest part was trying not to block the aisle with my cart. In fact though, EVERYONE was blocking aisles with their carts and a great deal of patience was required. No one really seemed to be in a very holly, jolly Christmas mood, either. 
But that was fine. 
On to Publix where I got most of the things on my list. Because I am going to make Glen's mama's traditional Christmas chicken salad, I needed ingredients. Okay, I say it's Glen's mama's traditional Christmas chicken salad and it is close enough. There was no recipe as far as I or his sister knows so I just try to replicate it the best I can. 
Miracle whip and sweet pickles are involved. Also, red and green grapes and pecans which are used to decorate it. 
Publix too was filled to capacity and the cart blockage even worse as the aisles are far more narrow. Again, no one seemed to be experiencing the joy of the season. I tried to smile in a way that showed I cared and knew that we were all doing the best we could under the circumstances but to tell you the truth, not that many of those smiles were even acknowledged. 
One guy who was with about four other guys, all of whom appeared to be having a good time despite the crowd, did return my smile and we shrugged and I said, "But hey! It's the happiest time of year!" 
"Not for some of us," he said. 
"Is it really for anyone?" I asked, and on we went in our separate directions, me heading to the milk, he and his posse heading to the frozen food section. 
I made sure to thank the cashier and the bagger, thanking them for working so hard in this very, very busy time. They were gracious. Most Publix employees are. 
Which leads me to what happened in the liquor store when I went to visit Lily for a hug and a brief discussion about what we're doing on Christmas. 
I was standing there, waiting for an opportunity to tell her good-bye. As one can probably guess, liquor stores are doing a booming business right now, either because people are having parties and want to celebrate or people are at the end of their ropes and need some chemical assistance to get through this mess. Either way, they are busy.

So I was standing there, waiting for that good-bye when a man came in who was one of Lily's regulars, as she told me later. She had already pulled his regular purchase off the shelf and had the bottles ready for him and Lily told him that I was her mother. 
And then that man began praising my girl, calling her a sweet, kind, intelligent, cheerful, hard-working person. He praised her to the skies and I stood there and loved every second of it. 
"Go on, go on," I told him. "You know I love hearing this."

I was beaming and so was he. 

After he left, Lily told me that he is truly one of her favorite customers and I could see why. And then I teared up because I am so proud to be her mother and because I know she deserves all the praise she'd just been given by him. I have seen her help and check out people who look like they probably drive BMW's and people who look like they've probably never owned a car in their lives and she treats them all with the same respect and courtesy. Some people buy bourbon that costs up to a hundred dollars or more a bottle and some people buy two shot-sized bottles of Fireball, and Lily makes each and every one of them feel as if their purchase is as important as any other. She does not judge. She is gracious to all. 

And that was a beautiful experience. 

Another very nice thing that JUST happened was that Mr. Moon wrapped all the presents we are going to be giving. He is a much better wrapper than I am and I hate wrapping gifts and so in his doing that, he has given me a gift. 
ALTHOUGH, I will point out that he did tell me that I could clean up after him which is a little what-the-fuckish but hey- it's better than having to wrap and also clean up. 
He is good. He is not perfect. Like I say, he ain't walking on water yet. 
But then again, neither am I.

I had set aside an entire day to wrap those presents which was a vast over-estimation of the time it would take, so I feel like I have an entire stress-free day before Christmas. Perhaps Glen and I can spend some time outside with him giving me instructions on how to operate the new battery-powered chain saw he's gotten me for Christmas. I said awhile back that I sort of wanted one and he ordered me one and I opened it, thinking it was something I'd ordered for the kids. 
I am timidly excited about having my own chain saw. I bought some men's heavy duty work gloves at Costco today and I feel like perhaps I need some men's heavy duty work boots too. Not only would they make me feel powerful and protect my feet should I drop my battery-operated chain saw, they could also be a fashion statement, especially worn with a dress or skirt. 
I'm really not kidding about that either. 

I finally figured out something to get him and although it won't be here by Thursday, I think he'll like it and it's not something I believe he would buy for himself. It may not be as good as a chain saw but it's pretty okay. 

I am feeling that the stress of Christmas I always feel has lightened tremendously. A burden taken off my shoulders. 
I will make that chicken salad with a light heart, and a glad one. And I will not be going back to town. 

Love...Ms. Moon