Anyone else go shopping today (Thursday)? More people than I ever

[old mark]

imagined, all looking for a parking space simultaneously, and all in the checkout lines!

We just got some fruit and vegies and last minute stuff from the local farmer's market...


mark

[bluesbassman]

1. I had to drop my daughter off at the mall.

Took me 15 minutes just to get through the parking lot. Thought I was try to leave a football game. It's flippin' crazy out there. :crazy:

[Moondog]

2. Yes. The Publix (local grocery chain) was mobbed. n/t

[mnhtnbb]

3. Yes. Took college son (who doesn't drive due to vision impairment)

to lunch and then to shopping area that includes Barnes & Noble. LOTS of traffic, but somehow, we got
lucky with parking place and getting out of there. Had to drive around the grocery store lot
adjacent to another mall--looking for a place to park.

[siligut]

4. The parking lot at Costco was a $#@%%&% mess

It is raining here in the NW and combined with stressed people trying to get in last minute shopping, it was actually scary.

Mr. Gut almost got run down and it looked like the guy was intentionally headed right toward him. I was with him in the car and he didn't cut anyone off like he usually does, so all we can think is the guy was an asshole and had some road (parking lot?) rage.

[Suich]

15. LOL!

I almost went to the Costco in north Seattle! I'm glad I didn't...found what I needed at a packed Fred Meyer in Ballard instead!

:hi:

[siligut]

16. The lines at the check stands were out to the racks

And there were cars at all angles, trying to maneuver into the few parking spaces available, before someone else took them, it was frustrating and dangerous.

But, the reason we went was to return a gift that I had bought for him, and then found out he had already bought one for himself. So, figuring the return lines would be long after Xmas, we went this morning. There was only one person in front of us.

:hi:

[seabeyond]

5. was out today. yesterday, lol and day before. but today is the last day i am going out.

i am done.

yes.... lots and lots of traffic. lots and lots of shoppers. tomorrow will be worse.

but lots of happy people so lots of fun with kids and niece.

tis the season

[Bunny]

6. I was in Giant Eagle, Big Lots, and Dunham Sports today and I had no trouble at all.

Parking was a breeze, I walked right up to the checkouts, and there were no real crowds. Granted, I did all this before 12:30 PM so it was somewhat early, but I was pleasantly surprised at how non-stressful everything went.

[distantearlywarning]

7. Had to make a last minute trip to the grocery store.

It was mobbed. Hard to find stuff on the shelves.

[IMATB]

8. grocery store here too

It's supposed to rain tomorrow so I thought I'd better go today.

I couldn't believe the crowd. I have never seen it so packed.

[old mark]

9. Yeah, we are done, too - have so much stuff it barely fits on the shelves...

but we won't have to buy anything else till after christmas...we are going to friends for dinner and a movie tonight (Iron Man II), and then home to bed.

mark

[MorningGlow]

10. No way in hell

I went out Monday and Tuesday, for the most part before noon, and it was pretty quiet. (After noon was another story entirely--I spent 20 minutes in line at Macy's trying to buy two damned shirts.) This morning I went to the supermarket right after I dropped MG Jr. off at school (I ran out of flour for the pie crusts--otherwise I would have skipped it altogether). Been boycotting the suburb that is retail hell ever since. It will not see the likes of me again till well after Christmas. For returns/exchanges, of course.

[csziggy]

11. Had to go get supplies for baking pies tomorrow

Making pecan and key lime - probably two of each. I'm giving one away and taking two to dinner at the in-laws. Then we get one to eat here at home!

[pokerfan]

12. Christmas shopping this early?

You must be joking. I shop Christmas Eve like real men! :)

Besides, today is Festivus, the holiest of holies!

[SoCalDem]

13. I just spent $202.00 at the store.. looking for allspice

I had some ancient spices that I finally tossed a while back ...I decided I needed to bake..so off I went.. WOWEEEEE how nutmeg & allspice have gone up.. I went to the Mexican food section & got some in cellophane packaging for about 1/4 the price....but while I was there, I also shopped for other stuff:)

[nolabear]

14. Yep, and tomorrow too!

WAY busy, having to do things between therapy sessions, so it's been a big old Christmas jigsaw puzzle this year. Tomorrow I shop for the food. I think everything else is done, or won't get done.

[pscot]

17. Amazon

And a nice man in a big brown truck drops the stuff off on my porch.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

18. Yes, and it was very busy.

The parking lot was a crowded mess, too, but that might be partly because of the ridiculous amounts of snow we've had lately -- it's in huge piles all over the place and makes parking an adventure.

[Monique1]

19. I was in stores everyday this week

they were not busy. No problem parking and no lines at check out. It was a little scary seeing so few people in the stores.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. Guess it depends on where you are. The stores I went to were packed

and the checkout lines were about as long as I've seen in awhile.

[AngryOldDem]

21. Store wasn't too crowded

But those who were there (grocery) were buying enough for 1,000 people. I got behind some guy in the checkout line who must have been planning one HELL of a party.

All I had were three boxes of cereal, and the people who were in front of me (who also had a boatload of stuff) were nice enough to let me go before them.

[spinbaby]

22. My husband just went to the grocery store

I fear I may never see him again.

[av8rdave]

23. I had to stop at Whole Foods in San Francisco today

Couldn't even get down some of aisles.

[Iggo]

24. Shoulda took the bus.

[old mark]

25. Just found out today we will have to go out on Christmas-my wife needs a Rx refill

and the pharmacy is open till noon, but I don't expect much traffic or many shoppers on Christmas day.

Have a great holiday, everyone!

mark

[MilesColtrane]

26. Hell to the No

I'm by nature a procrastinator, but shopping on Christmas Eve is insanity.

I've done it once.

There is a palpable feeling of crazed anxiety and desperation in the crowds. That and the sheer numbers get to me.

Plus, people who never drive any other time of the year are out driving around. You've got to be very careful.

Good luck.