Only days into November and Christmas has been given the official green light.  We took the girls to Woodfield Mall on Saturday only to see lines thirty people deep loaded down with armfuls of stuff.  We decided to bypass the mayham at H and M and took shelter at the Rainforest Cafe.  Even the waitstaff seemed like they had already had their fill of crowds as they trudged to tables, pasted on a frozen smile and managed to clap along to a Happy Birthday number before filing back into the kitchens with scowls on their faces.  Ah, the holidays.  As I have the last several years, I will be enjoying my Christmas shopping from my couch.  Taking all present requests via Amazon wishlist.