You see, last weekend I decided to try to start my holiday shopping with a trip to the mall. I hadn't really thought about buying gifts yet, but a couple of co-workers asked me last week about Christmas shopping, so I thought, "Hey, I'll go take a look and see what I can find."

Bad idea. I arrived at the mall Saturday without a clue what I wanted to buy, but optimistic I would be inspired after I walked through the mall doors. But instead of inspiration came irritation.

The first problem was my lack of organization. I don't operate well without lists (I make them for everything: To Do Lists, Grocery Lists, Gift Lists, etc.). So I felt pretty lost without my scrap piece of paper and pen to neatly cross off items as I bought them. I thought for sure I would figure out what to buy people as I strolled past storefronts, but instead I just blankly stared at the displays of clothes, electronics, and jewlery.

I aimlessly wandered around the mall for a little while holding out hope I would get focused and get results. But that never happened. I just became increasingly more frustrated and then I focused my irritation on the crowds of people flocking to the mall. Apparently, I wasn't the only person who thought it may be a good idea to get a jump on holiday shopping. So the mall was packed with eager gift buyers and bargain hunters. They were all there strutting from store to store with their bags of goodies and gifts, and I was empty handed.

So I gave up and went home. Mission Aborted.

I'm not sure what I'll do now. I know the malls and shopping centers will only get more crowded after Turkey Day. And every time I think of holiday shopping during December I have flashbacks to being stuck in the WalMart parking lot in Altoona for 35 minutes because of the traffic from holiday shoppers.

So, I may have to turn to my trusty laptop to help me out. Although my computer's very temperamental and the connection can be slow, I think on it's worst day it's still faster than the lines and traffic at the local malls. So perhaps next weekend, instead of venturing out in my little blue Subaru, I'll sit on my couch, put on re-runs of Law and Order, and fire up the laptop. With my list of gifts and pen next to me, of course.