Millenia Mauled

Apparently Christmas sales are in a slump in the "Regular People" stores, like Wal-Mart, but are booming in the high-end. Yes Republicans, courting those earnest Values Voters sure has paid off! They can't afford to do much for their own families this year, but that's okay, as long as the people who valet park the Mercedes at the mall are thriving. I watched this phenomenon in person today, as we hit the Mall at Millenia. It really is a nice mall and when you catch the sales and walk past Kenneth Cole et al., it's quite normal - more high end than a mall that has Sears and Penney's as its anchor stores, sure, but not too far out if you pick your targets. I can afford a sale at J. Jill. I can't do a sale at most of the other stores. It was mobbed, insane, you'd think Macy's was giving stuff away - but there really weren't enough sale signs for our taste. We will save our shopping energy for Boxing Day. But I saw many girls of Girlchild's age, trotting through the mall with multiple designer store bags dangling from both hands. It's a Very Merry Christmas in Rich People World! The values voters were manipulated into voting the only values that really mattered all along. I hope they remember this when the budget cuts and layoffs come.

Then we crossed the road to SuperTarget - and it was calm and quiet and not at all Christmas-frenzied. No lines, no crowded aisles, we were in and out.

Just an observation. Don't know what to make of it yet. Tomorrow we will hit Florida Mall - mostly for Sephora. It's a total tourist destination mall - they actually bring them in tour buses. Though tourists do hit Millenia too - Girl grabbed me at the last minute before we walked into a family picture of a bunch of people with kids and strollers, posing for a group shot in front of Banana Republic or some other $40 t-shirt establishment.

We did do The Bead Bar, but Girl wasn't feeling too hot and was overwhelmed by the choices AND the prices. They are in a high rent district, and business is booming, so who cares if I'd rather do mail order? We bought some cheaper stuff, but I handed her the Fire Mountain Gems catalog and that is far more her speed. I need to place an order for the basics - I'd say The Bead Bar is 40% over FMG on a lot of stuff, like Accu-flex wire and findings. It's like going to a really high-end yarn shop when you need an immediate fix.

It's going to drop to freezing here tonight, and the down throws are on the bed, over the blankets. The cats are on the down throws, over the blankets, on the bed. They barely wanted to eat dinner tonight, the tile floor was too chilly on their wittle feets. The litterboxes in the garage are really going to suck. Poor kitties. I am wearing Koigu socks and my felted clogs and my feet are still cold. Tile floors are wonderful most of the year here, but not right now.

I could do my whine about how far behind in my knitting I am, not ready for cold weather, boo-hoo...but I've done that before. I'm never going to be ready. I'm a knitter, but I'm not a Knitter.