Day 8 (Thursday)

I left work a little early (shhhh, don't tell anyone!) to get my haircut. Since my follicle population has decreased over the years I don't venture off to any fancy place. I trot on over to the local Family Cuts...and for $6.95, I let some poor down-on-her-luck lady take her agression out on my head. While I'm in the chair I got to listen to one of the "stylists" griping at her husband/boyfriend on the phone. Fortunately, my children weren't with me...as she was using some colorful language.

Afterwards I dashed home and, once again, ascended to the rooftop to repair Christmas lights that had gone awry. I THINK I finally have the mystery solved -- I just pray that I haven't overloaded my outdoor electrical outlet!

I then thought I would make a "quick" trip to Sam's to pick up some items for Robin's gift. No such luck. There's no such thing as a quick trip to Sam's...thus, I was late to Christmas Party #2 of the season. This one was with my office at work. Once again, it was a White Elephant gift exchange. Fortunately the ratio of white elephant gifts was higher at this event...so I didn't feel quite as stupid when someone opened my gift (Oversized Fantastic Four "The Thing" Hands). I managed to walk out of there with the "extended" DVD version of Stripes!

Got home about 10:00. Cleaned up the kitchen and wrapped some gifts in preparation to leave Saturday morning to meet up with my family...who I miss very, very much.