I had a great visit this weekend with my BFF in Indiana, but getting there was terrifying. I didn't know how bad the roads were when I set out. On the tollway, I must have seen 40 cars off the road. One spun out and hit the wall right in front of me. I couldn't stop without endangering myself. The good news is that it appeared that all the accidents were minor; just fender benders and slide-offs. I just gripped the wheel and kept saying to myself, Not me, not me. My friend asked why I didn't turn around. Well, I was convinced I would drive out of it, and that was preferable to going back over the same treacherous roads again.

I got there safely, and we had a good time. Saw Black Swan ($6.50), went out to dinner at Applebee's ($17), shopped at Walgreen's and Goodwill ($44). I stopped at drive-thru restaurants there and back ($6). I bought gas ($26) and got a (badly-needed) car wash ($10).

My Goodwill and Walgreen's shopping was almost entirely gifts. Some of my good finds: an adorable "gift package" cake pan, two jewelry boxes, jeweled frames, a drawer organizer, and Christmas decorations. I'm really enjoying my Christmas-shopping-all-year strategy.

My friend also took me to a new antiques mall. I am very tempted to move my booth there, as the rent is low and and the atomosphere clean and bright. They seem to have good traffic, too. However, it's a three-hour drive away from home. Better than NC, yes, and I would have my friend there to keep tabs on it, but I would rather have it closer.