Old Times and Holiday Decorations

I had such a great evening catching up with a friend. Wendy & I were co-counselors in Unit A4. Cook Springs, Alabama - Alabama's WMU GA & Acteen camp. That was in 1994. We couldn't remember the last time that we had seen one another. It has been at least 12 years - at least. It was fun talking about camp and catching up with where we have been and where we are now. Two kids later for both of us. It was just a fun time for me to have dinner with her. I wish I had taken a photo and could have posted it here. We were the two women enjoying conversation with loud laughter from time to time...such fun.

After dinner, I decided to run into Hobby Lobby to get some paper that I needed to pick up. I rushed through the "holiday" or "seasonal" section of the store. The first aisle that I could see from the door was adorned with red, white and blue. Not surprising, as the 4th of July is just around the corner - right? One more aisle and I am past the VBS foam crafts. The next aisle is what took my completely by surprise - FALL DECORATIONS!!!!!! Orange & brown artificial flowers, leaf garland, pumpkins, harvest items!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then I made my way past the 80% home accent section - which by the way, I need to go back to. I didn't have time to look a lot tonight. Once past this area, I was again in a "seasonal" area that was Garden. Not too scary, right? WRONG!!! Only clearance items and then...I don't even know if I can put it here....it really couldn't have been what I saw with my eyes. CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am NOT kidding, Christmas decorations, wreaths, garland, balls, foam crafts, and various other items are already on the shelves of Hobby Lobby for you to purchase. Really?!? It is June 15th isn't it? It was 100 degrees here today - HOT, HUMID, Alabama day in June. How can one wrap their mind around Christmas when they are just trying to keep up in this heat? Well, it is there. If you want to take yourself to a place that gets you in the Christmas spirit, go to Hobby Lobby. I do not normally decorate our house for Independence Day. I am considering it this year though. Just to buy something from the filled shelves and to NOT buy something for November or December occassions. As you can tell, I am taken aback by the things I witnessed tonight. I finally made my way to the paper aisle - my original destination. At 7:45 pm someone announced that the store would be closing in 15 minutes "please make your final selection and find your way to the register". So, I found the cardstock and made my way to the front - via a different route. I didn't want to see fall foliage and Christmas again - not yet...it is too early.