WOOF WOOF: Christmas Cheer From A Red Kettle

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

Calvin Coolidge

 Dee

  Saturday morning Maggie's grandma and I had to do a run to the local Safeway store. It was rainy and windy. Awful weather. PGE trucks were everywhere in the neighborhood restoring power lines. I pulled up to the storefront to drop my mom off. I went to park the car. When I walked up to meet my mom in front of the store there was the most cheerful greeter. She looked so Christmasy in her red coat and knitted green scarf. "Merry Christmas" resonated in the air every time a shopper walked up. She was ringing the bell for The Salvation Army's red kettle donation container. Maggie and I LOVE The Salvation Army. We believe in charities actually giving their financial proceeds and time to the people or causes needing them. Salvation Army does just that and so much more....We have called up their services many times after culling our things. Maggie and I are going for a lean attitude towards our stuff. Who needs stuff? We got each other! Maggie concurs! WOOF WOOF. But, our stuff when sold can make a big difference to someone else's life or lives.... Dee is a wonderful representative for this awesome charity that leaves no one out. Maggie and I encourage others to read all the good the The Salvation Army does in the spirit of Christmas. Click on a link here for The Salvation Army. There is still time to help others that could use a little extra help. When we shop at JCP (JC Penny's) for our last minute Christmas gifts we intend to "round up" our purchases. The extra portion ($) goes to The Salvation Army's many programs. And to Dee, The Salvation Army, and all whom they serve, we say "Merry Twigmas!" J-I-N-G-L-E, J-I-N-G-L-E, we ring the bell of hope, mercy with peace & goodwill.

MaggieMoose: Black Friday, I'll Sleep, You Shop

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day: 

"Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space."

Dave Barry

Black Friday shopping road trip

  My daughter Julie and I decided to go to JC Penny's for Black Friday. We blame the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen said there were little buttons for big gifts! It is a "Merry Christmas America" from JCP. We wanted the buttons! I discussed it with Maggie, but she kept falling asleep. Maggie eventually vetoed the idea, but gave me the green light to proceed without her. No Bow Wow Friday for her (Black Friday in dog speak). Maggie wanted to work on her beauty rest. After all, the relatives are coming over later. She wanted to look her absolute best. 

Shop on, I'll sleep.

I left the house without Maggie. It was black outside like the color on the JC Penny's Black Friday ad. Julie and I were on our way. The parking angels were with us. BAM! We had a parking spot as soon as we entered. We stood in line with the rest of humanity waiting for the doors to open at 6:00 am. We tweeted about our JC Penny's shopping trip. The temperature outside was 40F .

Julie in line.

The doors opened and we were in! We picked out some shopping goodies and we headed to the counters. Julie got a reindeer button (nature girl). I got a Santa button (love Santa). 

Julie and her reindeer button

We shopped some more. I had one melancholy moment wishing Julie's twin sister Christy was with us, but she's out of state. Miss you Christy! Back to shopping, we each received another button. An elf for Julie and black coal for me. Black coal? Really? What the heck Santa, I've been good! We were done shopping. Both of us hungry and tired. We drove home as we watched the sunrise. On the hill were two horses grazing, but the sun in the sunrise obscured their images. It was a beautiful way to wrap up our Black Friday blitz.

sunrise on the way home

When I arrived back home Maggie was still sleeping. The sun was shining. She was a happy camper I was back home. I showed her my buttons from JC Penny's. I went online and checked the numbers on my buttons. I didn't win anything. The coal button I could understand no gift, but the Santa button? What the heck? Only kidding. HO HO

My buttons

Maybe I'm like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz? I never really needed to leave home. I have everything here. I'm counting my blessings. On my Black Friday road trip I got to spend time with my wonderful daughter Julie, and I was welcomed home with lots of hugs and kisses from my sweet MaggieMoose! 

Maggie's wanting me to give her more kisses!

Happy Holidays JC Penny's, you have quality merchandise, great prices, but most of all excellent customer service. 

For the Ellen DeGeneres Show- It's OK I didn't win anything. 

I love my cute Holiday buttons!