Thursday finds me and Lacie in bed online looking for our deals. I am looking on Urban and Lacie is stalking Nordstrom Rack deals. She has already spent 200 dollars on a coat for her mom. Her blog is paying off for her.

    I only have about 400 dollars so I am finding one thing on Urban. I was thinking a new pair of Jeans. I need a good pair. I kind of want to change my style. A black pair of docs is in order today but I am going to get those at Journeys... I can get a better deal there.
     "So I am going to get you your christmas gift today." Lacie tells me.
     "I wish you could be here for Christmas!" I sigh wistfully.
     "Even if I could I would stay home. Christmas is a family holiday..."
     "Totally! I just am going to miss Boston at Christmas this year. No snow!" I exclaim.

     "GIRLS!" Laura calls from down stairs and we get up and get ready. She needs a lot of help. Being 6 months pregnant she tires easy. Lacie and her got along really well while I was at school.

    I pull my hair into a ponytail and do my everyday makeup. Pulling on my Tom Petty t-shirt and my really ripped black jeans along with red converse and it is an outfit.

    Miranda takes more time than me today. She dutch braids her hair again. But taking a lot of time on her makeup she does a peachy look with a white eyeshadow. It is very good just a lot. Finally she puts on a t-shirt and a peach button down skirt with white hightop converse.

    "Finally!" Laura sighs as we get into the kitchen. She does a double take at Lacie but smiles.
     "I need help with the potatoes, and some one to Vacuum."
     "I got the Vacuum." I say heading to the coat closet where it is kept.

* * * *
    A few hours later Kade and Mr. Mathews show up. Since Anita took the day off they were invited to our house.
Jacob shows up a few minutes later.
     "Welcome to my humble abode!" I say as he steps into the front hall.
     "Cool digs!" He says in a hipster tone. We laugh and head to the kitchen where the food is almost done.
     "Kara, could you set the table?" Dad asks me.
     "Sure." I say and head to the dining room to do so.

    I am almost done when Kade comes in.
     "You seem really happy lately." He says.
     "I am happy to have all my friends around me. I am thankful for them and you!" I chirp as he pulls me close.
     "I am thankful that I have the most gorgeous girlfriend in the world!" He whispers leaning in to kiss me.

    The kiss is searing and full of love. I am so thankful for this boy who has been my saving grace and just about only friend for the last few months.
     "I love you." I whisper. 
     "I love you too!" He returns and kisses me again.

     "Aww look at the love birds." Jacob calls to the kitchen as he brings a plate in. I blush and pull slightly away from Kade.

    While heaping my plate I ignore looks from my dad and Mr. Mathews.
     "Awkward..." Lacie mutters in front of me and then leaves to her seat leaving me even redder. Kade just smirks from behind me and keeps filling his plate.

    We say grace and dig in. I just love Thanksgiving because it is full of good food. I sigh as I finish my plate and head back for dessert. I get chocolate moose pie and a scoop of homemade ice cream. I will be ten pounds heavier by the end of this week.
* * * *
    After a much needed nap the whole house gets ready for some shopping. Laura has a binder of things she wants and I have a gallon of coffee in me. Lacie, Kade, Me, and Jacob take off for the shopping department. There are early deals going on so we head to Rue 21 and bath and body. I buy some teak wood scented stuff that Kade likes and a candle for my room. Finally we get in line at Macy's. The line is forever long but we occupy ourselves on instagram or cuddling.

    I am getting a bit bored and so try to get candid shots of everyone and have a couple of volunteers from the crowd around us. I do get some good shots and tell them I will tag them once I post them.

    The moment we get in Macy's Lacie pulls me to the dress section.
     "You need a dress for winter formal."
     "Oh I had completely forgotten about that!" I gasp and Kade looks away with a smile on his face.
     "You need to go. Go do guy stuff with Jacob, you can't see the dress." Lacie says shooing him away. He just shrugs and heads to the guys section.
     "Okay so a dark color is expected, but you can't wear black."
     "Why not?" I whine. Black as you know is my preferred color.
     " You need something different! Something to wow Kade!" She giggles.
     "How about dark purple?" I suggest.
     "Sounds good, what about the length?" She asks.
     "Below the knee. I would prefer tea length." I say and she sets to work finding me one.

    I look at all the dresses and find a gorgeous maroon velvet one. I bring it to Lacie who's arms are full but when she sees it she gasps.
     "This is so you!"
     "I do like it, but let's try them all on."
     "Alright." She says happily and we head to the fitting room.

    All the dresses are cute but not all are a dark purple. I try them all to oblige Lacie but I know I want a dark color. I quickly snap photos of all the ones I love and find my top three.
     "You look great in this one!" Lacie says pointing to a knee length dark purple dress.
     "It is pretty, but I love this one!" I say pointing to a calf length purple number that has a sweet heart neck line.
     "Is your decision made?" She asks.
     "Yes!" I say and pick up the dress I want.
     "Alright!" She says and takes the dress from me.

     "What are you doing?"
     "This is your christmas gift from me." She smiles.
     "Really? This thing is kinda expensive!" I exclaim.
     "I want to do this for you."
     "Okay..... My gift doesn't compare!" I sigh thinking of the concert tickets I got for the both of us in next June.
     "Anything from you is an awesome gift!" She chimed as she headed for the counter.
* * * *
    I fall into bed at midnight and am immediately asleep. Today was a long day and I am too tired to even remove my makeup.......

    6 hours later I am awoken by Lacie who is shaking me awake.
      "What is it?" I ask groggily.
      "We need to go to Best Buy. Your dad told me to wake you. He wants to get you a new camera and phone!" She says excitedly. This perks me up. I am so ready for a new phone. I have had the iPhone 5 for about 5 years and it sucks.

    Hurriedly I head to the shower and do all my stuff. I dress comfortably in a black sweater, my light wash jeans, and docs. I don't do my hair or make up, instead I pull on a my black headband.

    I head to the kitchen to find Lacie eating a bowl of cereal and dad making coffee.
     "Good morning!" He says looking chipper. I just groan and pull out some left over casserole.
     "Coffee?" Dad asks.
     "You know it!" I say and take the cup greedily.

    A couple of minutes later we are in the car heading for Best Buy two towns over. They open at 8 so we will be there by 7:30. It is cold and I didn't bring a coat. So the day hasn't really started well.
     "Once we are done can I go back to the house to nap?" I ask.
     "Yeah, I just want to get the phones and your camera before they are out of stock." Dad smiles.
     "Why are you getting me a new phone and a camera?" I ask.
     "You need a new phone and the camera is an early christmas gift."
     "Well thank you!" I respond excitedly and we ride the rest of the way in silence.
* * * *
    Two hours later I am picking out the I phone 8 and getting the  Canon EOS 4000D / Rebel T100 DSLR Camera with an essential accessory bundle. Dad buys himself and Laura iphone 11 pros. I chose a cheaper but still newer than what I got. It is a brand new one just a few years older than the newest one.
     "Thank you so much!" I squeal as we pay. I can't wait to get some good photos.
     "You're welcome!" Dad responds and pulls me in for a hug.

* * * *
     At noon I wake from a fitful nap and head to the kitchen for lunch. Checking my phone I find a text from Kade,
Kade: Want to take Lacie and Jake bowling tonight as a goodbye?
Me: Yeah how about 7?
Kade: Sounds good. Pizza?
Me: Yeah! You have to work today?
Kade: Yes unfortunately, but I gave Anita a list of things to get online for me. I got your present last night! 😉
Me: Idk what to get you! But I will come up with something! 😲
Kade: Something useful and cool!
Me: Alright I have an idea now. See you later.
Kade: 💗

     With that taken care of I make myself some veggie pasta for lunch and have yet more coffee. Lacie went out with Jacob earlier so I am alone in the house. Going to the computer I pull up pocket knives in an online search. Kade loves knives and has mentioned often how he wants a vintage swiss army knife. It is cool and useful!

    Some of them cost upwards of 3,000 dollars but I find a limited edition that is newer for around 50 dollars. It has a knife along with a can opener, flint starter, nail file, screwdriver, and a couple other things I can't identify. With a little money left over I head to the Journeys website and buy my docs and a pair of white chunky Fila's.

    Spending the rest of the day cleaning so Laura doesn't have to and do some laundry makes me feel fulfilled. Once I am done I play with my new camera and get some good shots with a self timer. I may need to start a website! My prints could be used for other websites and ads in the news paper.

    When seven rolls around Kade's dad pulls up and drops him off.
     "You didn't shop?" He asks.
     "I feel like last night was enough and dad got me a new phone and camera this morning! I really only wanted docs and jeans."
      "Well we have to walk to the Alley so lets get a move on." He added.
     "Right behind you..." I call and grab a jacket.

    When we've gotten our pizza and ate, Lacie looks sad.
     "You will have to come again!" I remark.
     "Yeah I've just had so much fun. I'm actually going to miss this town!"
     "I'm coming up at spring break and we may go on a small road trip then!" I tell her and she brightens slightly.
     "All in all this has been great.... Thanks for all the hospitality!" Jake says from his phone.
     "It was my pleasure, thanks for driving us everywhere!" I respond and Kade adds,
     "Next time man, you can stay with me."
     "Oh thanks. That would be great." Jake says as I jump up.

     "Who's ready to bowl? Girls v boys, you're going down!"
     "Oh you're so on!" Kade calls and heads to select his ball.

* *

    The boys lost and we tiredly head back to my house where Kade falls asleep on the couch and Lacie starts to pack. Jacob heads to his hotel and I head to bed. Kade will just be here in the morning. This week has been the best! I am so happy dad invited Lacie and that Jacob came too. It is really nice to know I have friends who will give up time with their family to come and be with me. This year I am thankful for love and friendship.

Two chapters in one day! I am feeling productive! It comes and goes. Again thanks for reading pls comment and vote if you want.
NividhaRajan thanks for following me! ❤
                                                         ---Taylor