Today is two weeks until what would have been the first Christmas in three years for all six Martins to be together. It has been an especially hard few months considering the holidays, but everyone finds comfort in different ways and mine has been in stories. I have looked through pictures and read pieces of Tom’s blog nearly every day the past two months and at first it was nearly unbearable. Every day there are more smiles and fewer tears – though both are good for the soul.

One thing that I did not expect is how it would feel to talk to people. So many (most, in fact) people where I live don’t know Tom, but there are a few – and it makes for a very different conversation. When I get to see and hug people who knew him, it’s just as hard on them as it is on me and it makes for a tough moment.

Something that makes my day and makes me cry – all at the same time – is receiving notes and letters from people about how they are remembering Tom. Prayer services and memorials, and tending to his grave. And I hear almost daily from my sisters a story or two that we know Tom would love to laugh at with us.

I received a note yesterday from a dear family friend in Cabot – and I want to share it with you. Those of you who knew Tom’s connections to Cabot High School, and to the band, and particularly to the teachers mentioned — will be especially touched.

So during the “news” on the radio this morning, I heard that TV Guide has developed a list of the top 50 WORST Television shows of all time – and that The Jerry Springer Show is #1. Now. I’m not defending anyone here, and I’m not suggesting that Jerry Springer is not the worst TV show of all time, but seriously? Upon hearing this, my first thought was “What’s the criteria for this?” I don’t know exactly how long it’s been on – but I’m pretty sure it might be most of my lifetime. Surely the worst TV show of all time would have been canceled after a few episodes, maybe a few seasons. Surely longevity and popularity counts for something.  

Other popular/long-running TV shows to make the list include The Howard Stern Show, Barney and Friends, and Baywatch. To be fair, they are sprinkled amongst gems like The Brady Bunch Hour, Homeboys in Outer Space, and The Chevy Chase Show. So at least the list is thorough. AND it lists the network and longevity of the show. I counted several that literally only aired one episode…

After further reflection, I’m glad that a TV show being “good” or “bad” doesn’t rely solely on popularity — if for no other reason than I am grateful that movies are not judged on this same criteria. Can you imagine if we gave “Best Picture” oscars to movies like American Pie and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End? Or, God forbid, “Shrek 12″ or “Spiderman 7?”

In other news, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings last night for supper — which we’ve done almost every Thursday for several months now that we discovered they have 50¢ boneless wings on Thursdays. BWW has countless issues with service, which – first of all - is a whole other rant, and second – is really easy to overlook on 50¢ boneless wing night. Anyway, if you’re a long-time reader/follower/fan of the blog you may remember an entry a while back about a rather embarassing incident involving me insulting a coworker of mine (at Outback) while out to lunch with my friend Leah. What was embarassing about it was that after we spent several minutes talking about this girl we both know – we got up to leave and noticed the booth behind us was filled with people I worked with at Outback… Open mouth. Insert foot.

So — I went several months (years?) without seeing this girl after she quit at Outback and I quit at Outback. But our paths have crossed again. She works at Buffalo Wild Wings. Life is so unfair. She has waited on us a few times and regardless of who waits on us – we see her nearly every time we’re in there. To punish me for being hateful, she has decided that she will pretend not to know who I am. She flat-out ignores my existence. I have smiled and waved at her countless times. She stares blankly. Not that I blame her….

A coworker sent this to a bunch of us this morning – and I thought I’d share as a follow-up to yesterday’s post. Enjoy.

……..In case you still have holiday shopping…below are discount codes:

ONLINE DISCOUNTS:
Alloy Coupon Code: ALYGIFT (20% off entire order til Dec. 3, 2007 )
American Eagle Outfitters Coupon Code: 64152219 (15% off from Nov. 27 – Dec. 11, 2007 )
Armani Exchange Coupon Code: STYLE20 ($20 off $100 from ? – ? )
Banana Republic Coupon Code: BRHOLIDAY (20% off from Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2007 )
Bare Escentuals Coupon Code: BEFAMILY (20% off from Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
Barnes & Noble Coupon Code: T4N3B6W (25% off Single Item on Nov 27 – Dec 10, 2007 )
Bath and Bodyworks Coupon Code: VELVET10 ($10 off $30 from Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
Bed Bath Store Coupon Code: holiday07 ($15 off $75 from Nov. 28 – Dec. 10, 2007 )
BeBe Sport Coupon Code: FAMILY25 (25% off from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
CCO – Closeout Catalog Outlet Coupon Code: CC10040 (extra 30% off your most expensive item – ends midnight Thursday, 11/29/07 )
CCO – Closeout Catalog Outlet Coupon Code: CC10042 (extra 30% off your most expensive item – ends midnight Tuesday, 12/04/07 )
Children’s Place Coupon Code: FFTAHPVAC7 (30% off from Dec. 2 & Dec. 3, 2007 )
Cloud Veil Coupon Code: 7LJ400 (45% off from ? – ? )
Crazy8 Coupon Code: C8ONLINE (20% off from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
Designer Linens Outlet Coupon Code: FRIENDS77 (50% off from Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2007 )
Disney Store Coupon Code: HOLIDAY25 (25% off from Nov 27 – Dec 2, 2007)
***Eastbay Coupon Code: EMEB72GC (20% off Giftcards from Nov 17 – Dec 20, 2007 )
GameStop Coupon Code: AFF25 (25% off Used Games from ? – ? )
Golf Smith Coupon Code: FFD07 (UP TO 30% off from Nov. 28 – Dec. 4, 2007 ) Exclusions, here’s the original post
Guess Factory Stores Coupon Code: FNF30F (30% off from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
Hasbro Toy Shop Coupon Code: FRIENDS20 (20% off from Dec 2 – Dec. 9, 2007 )
Illuminations Coupon Code: 999201329 (20% off from Nov. 27 – Nov. 30, 2007 )
J. Jill Coupon Code: FFNV25 (25% off on Nov 27 – Dec 2, 2007 )
JC Penny Coupon Code: CHAMPION (20% off from Dec. 9, 2007 )
Joann.com Coupon Code: NOVA740 (40% off 1 Regularly-Priced Item from Nov. 28 – Nov. 30, 2007 )
Levis Store Coupon Code: LOJVWYJ9 (20% off $75 from Nov 30 – Dec 2, 2007 )
Limited Too Just click link for savings (25% off from Nov 27 – Dec 9, 2007 )
Linen & Things Coupon Code: 223823997733 (20% off from Nov 30 – Dec 31, 2007 )
Liz Claiborne Coupon Code: FRIEND40 (40% off from Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, 2007 )
Macy’s Coupon Code: MACYSFRIEND or MACYSFF or CFF117 (20% off from Nov 28 – Dec 03, 2007 )
MetroStyle Coupon Code: MSTYLE50 (50% off Single Item from Nov. 28 – Dec. 31, 2007 )
New York & Company Coupon Code: 9897 ($30 off $75 from Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2007 )
Nike Coupon Code: 2PCTH7A (20% off $125 from Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2007 )
***Overstock Coupon Code: 73989 (10% off $45 from ? – ? )
***Ralph Lauren Coupon Code: HOL2007 (30% off 11/10 – 12/10)
Red Envelope Coupon Code: AMX25WISH ($50 off $200 from ? – ? )
restaurant.com Coupon Code: THANKS (60% off from Nov. 28 – Nov. 30, 2007 )
Sephora Coupon Code: FF2007 (20% off from Nov. 28 – Dec 31, 2007 )
***Sharper Image Just cick link for savings ($10 off $100 from Nov 27 – Jan 31, 2008 )
Snap Fish Coupon Code: FRIENDS07 (25% off on Nov 27 – Dec 25, 2007)
Speedo Coupon Code: FRIENDS4 (25% off on Nov 27 – Nov 30, 2007 )
Sports Authority Coupon Code: TSASAVE25 (25% off on 11/29-12/2)
Timberland Coupon Code: 3421273 (40% off from Nov 30 – Dec 2, 2007 )
Toys ‘r’ us Coupon Code: TRUFRIENDFAMILY (15% off $150 from Nov 27 – Dec 1, 2007 )
Ulta Coupon Code: 84447 (20% off Single Item from Nov 27 – Dec 1, 2007 )
Victoria’s Secret Coupon Code: FA78113 or FA78449 ($15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250, & $150 off $500 from Nov. 28 – Dec. 20, 2007 )
Victoria’s Secret Coupon Code: WARM25 (25% off Single Sweater from Nov. 28 – Dec. 1, 2007 )
Warner Bros Coupon Code: HGFFWB (20% off from Nov 27 – Nov 30, 2007 )
WinkFlash Coupon Code: G3F8E7W4 (40% off from Nov 28 – Dec 15, 2007 )
Yankee Candle Just cick link for savings ($10 off $25 from Nov 27 – Dec. 22, 2007 )
Zales Coupon Code: SAVE50FRIEND ($50 off $200 [works on 199.99] from Nov 28 & Nov 29, 2007 )

PRINTABLE INSTORE COUPON
Barnes & Noble (10% off on Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2007 )
Bath and Bodyworks ($10 off $30 from Nov. 27 – Dec. 1, 2007 )
BeBe Sport (25% off from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
BestBuy ($20 off $175 from Nov. 27 – Dec. 1, 2007 )
Borders or Waldenbooks (20% off from Nov 27 – Dec 6, 2007 )
Crazy8/Gymboree (20% off from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
Foot Locker (30% up to $100 or 30% + 10% over $100 from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
Champs (30% up to $100 or 30% + 10% over $100 from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
FootAction (30% up to $100 or 30% + 10% over $100 from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
Gordmans (20% off Single Item from Nov 27 – Dec 9, 2007 )
Guess Factory Stores (30% off from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2007 )
H&M (25% off from Dec. 7 – Dec. 9, 2007 )
J. Jill (25% off from Nov 27 – Dec 2, 2007 )
JC Penny (20% off on Dec. 9, 2007 )
Kirklands (25% off Single Item from Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2007 )
The Limited ($30 off $100 from Nov 26 – Dec 2, 2007 )
Limited Too (25% off from Nov 27 – Dec 9, 2007 )
Linen & Things (20% off from Nov. 27 – Dec. 31, 2007 )
Loehmanns (15% off Reduced Item & 20% off Clearance Item from Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2007 )
Lord & Taylor (15% off from Nov. 9 – Dec. 24, 2007 )
Macy’s (pdf)(20% off from Nov 28 – Dec 03, 2007 )
New York & Company ($30 off $75 from Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2007 )
Niketown, Nike Women, Nike Outlet – Front / Back 30% off 11/29 – 12/2 YMMV
oshKosh ($10 off $50 from Nov 26 – Dec 11, 2007)
Sharper Image ($10 off $100 from Nov 27 – Jan 31, 2008 )
Staples (12% off from Dec. 2 – Dec. 8, 2007 )
Yankee Candle ($10 off $25 from Nov 27 – Dec. 22, 2007 )

These were all live links in my email – but I don’t think that translates when you copy/paste…

I’m not a big shopper. I don’t hate it or anything – but shopping is definitely not on my list of “Things I Do To Unwind”.  It kinda all boils down to the fact that I’m really not big on inconvenience. Of any kind. I think this attitude has grown stronger since living with Jeff. We are the kind of couple that would rather get back in the car and drive to Sonic for supper than to put our name on a list for 20 minutes at a restaurant. Anything that is a potential “hassle” is simply eliminated from our routine. I’m sure those of you with children are laughing.

So this year I decided to forego the “hassle” of traditional Christmas shopping. Altogether. I have finished my shopping. That’s right. Done. AND! I was finished several days ago. My secret…. the internet. I can hardly believe it has taken me this long to embrace online shopping.

Step 1. Google the name of the item.

Step 2. You do a little price comparison to choose from among the dozen or more retailers that come up in Google.

Step 3. You Google ["Name of Retailer" AND "coupon code"] to take advantage of Free Shipping specials and other %off coupons. (This is my latest trick. I LOVE it!)

Step 4. Credit Card #. Shipping address.

Done!

It’s beautiful.

So I got an email from Wal-Mart today with the following information. This will blow your mind.

“While shoppers will camp out all night for stores to open the day after Thanksgiving, the average online shopper abandons a Web page if it doesn’t load after eight seconds… In a seven-day period that ended with Cyber Monday, JCP.com ranked No. 1 among 13 apparel retailers for its success rate, even though it was the 12th-busiest Web site on Cyber Monday, according to comScore Inc. Under book and music sellers, Wal-Mart.com ranked No. 1 for speed, and BarnesandNoble.com was No. 1 for success rate.”

There are obviously two kinds of shoppers in this world. Those who will get to a store the night before and wait in the freezing cold for a big screen TV – in the name of Christmas. And those who are not able to spare 8 SECONDS for a web page to load so that they can shop from home (or work…) with hassle-free selection and shipping.

What is this world coming to?