Today, I'm figuring out Christmas. I'm making a list of what everybody needs and passing subtle notes to Grandparents. I've got to search for things for the kids, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, and the bus driver to takes Ian to his school. We've also got to keep to a very strict budget. We're driving on fumes until Steve's bonus shows up in February.

I went to the mall yesterday and was completely overwhelmed. I haven't shopped in a few months, so I'm out of practice. Everything looks the same. I'm going to spend a few hours today pre-shopping online. I'll post highlights. I'll be adding lots of links to products on Amazon. If you have to buy something on Amazon, please do it through one of my links. I'll get a small kickback. Thanks!

Jonah reeeeeally wants a cell phone for Christmas. He's feeling left out from the volley of witty texts that his friends send to each other. "FART LOL LOL" "xljfdsajf asdfj adsjfa sdlfj a" "yur ugly."  But this is what he wants more than anything, so I think we're caving in. The phone will also help me track him down on snowy days, when I'm also dealing with Ian's school bus. It would be nice to tell him to wait under the tree in front of the school and I'll be there in three minutes.

The other kids at school have the Alias2. It's surprisingly expensive. I think we're going with the $99 iPhone for him and the $199 model for me. I would like to be Twittering at ShopRite and watching TED talks, while waiting for Ian to get out of his social skill class. Steve thinks I'm insane, but he loves me anyway.

There are cool $5 and under add-ons that will make great stocking stuffers, including this Case-Mate Screen Protector.