Arrrgh!!!

The past week I've been putting out fires here and there. I stayed home to be present for the gutter repair man (I haven't discussed this with DH yet....and I'm not sure he knows it was done), and the plumber who came to do several small repair jobs. I also helped my Mother with her Christmas shopping, and took care of steering her to a selection of tiny gift bags for all the gift cards she had purchased.

I gave the UPS man and our mail carrier gifts, and I had something ready for the cleaning lady. But....I stalled so long that I still didn't have what I needed for the family gift exchange.

So, mid-Friday morning I warmed up the car and went out to do several errands. Of course, it was about SIX degrees F. Brrrrrrrrr.... Dear Husband was at home, all warm and comfy, and I was out shopping on Christmas Eve!
There is something seriously wrong with that picture!

I went to the bank, the post office, a department store, a bread shop and a large grocery chain. The bank was not busy, and I was the only person at the post office. I'd been there earlier in the week when it was an absolute zoo, so the quiet rather reminded me of the scene in "On The Beach" when there is no one left in the city.

I found all but one item I needed at the department store, and was helped by a lovely woman who knew what was available, knew where it could be found, and had the loveliest manner. She was delightful!

I wanted to pick up a Shea butter body lotion for one of my sisters, and it was just down the hall from the department store. How much time could it take?? So I buzzed down to the shop, found the item I needed, and got into line. There was a guy standing in line behind me, and he was fretting about how long the checkout would take. I reassured him that the line would move fast (I was fairly certain from having shopped there every Christmas) I must have asked him if he was doing all his shopping that day, and he replied that it's the only way to go! Then he pulled his hand out of his bomber jacket pocket and showed me $300 in gift cards!

I laughed, and told him that my mother had topped him with $500 at a book chain earlier in the month. Then I asked if he was shopping for his sweetie/wife/significant other. Cheeky of me, wasn't it?? *G* He nodded, yes. We were next to a display of the Shea butter items that I had come to get, and I TOLD him that he needed to get one of them in addition to his gift card! What's astonishing is that he DID! I hope the lady in his life appreciates what I did for her!

I stopped at the grocery store, found what I needed and stood in line for ages as people checked out. I was in the 15 items only line with my three items, and I really hoped the line would move faster. I refuse to use self checkout if they are unwilling to cut back on the cost of my groceries if I do all the work.

I was glad to get home. I used the rest of the day to make a goat cheese pie that was an appetizer, and finish wrapping gifts.

I PROMISE that I will get all my shopping done before Christmas Eve next year. Despite the fact that I found lots of help, and that the sales staff and clerks were all in good spirits, I think I'd rather have a relaxing day at home. Guys....enjoy your shopping!