Ah, yes, Christmas shopping..in the rain and traffic...why I dislike the season.

We walked with Elisa to Skipper's; the last day of school for her...first I made some muffins for her to take. I got up about 6:30 and checked my recipe for orange juice muffins--it does call for sugar, which I didn't have, but I substituted brown sugar, apparently successfully. Also left out the raisins, because she doesn't like them, and the lemon peel, because I didn't have any.

Ray and I had fried eggs when we got back. Mine didn't taste very good and I realized that I had been eating either fresh from the free-range chicken eggs or Earth Fare better quality eggs. It does make a difference. Come on, chickens! Start laying again1

A man came from Allen's Electronics and fixed the DISH system so we can now watch TV in our bedroom as well, even though it is a small black&white set. He and Ray spent almost two hours, down in the basement, in the living room, upstairs, Ray asking questions all the way, and Allen giving advice about how great DISH is (we don't need Roku, we can have access to Blockbuster's movies for $10/month; AT&T sucks). I spent the time mostly at my computer, not wishing to bathe and dress until he left, but needing to buy some groceries before I could do much in the way of cooking.

Ray and I reveiwed the items we have for Christmas presents. He is pretty miserable at that, although he wants to be helpful. I concluded I need to do some more shopping, which makes me very unhappy. What I want to do is cooking, and maybe even cleaning. In addition to my other challenges (two sons-in-law!), I have this German girl I need to buy something for, my husband, and my own two daughters--and yes, my 85-year-old father. Quite the challenge.

I met my friends Becky and Janna at a new restaurant, the Athens Bagel Company. I liked the atmosphere, but the food wasn't outstanding. We had a pleasant time, though, and I gave Becky a small present I had managed to wrap before I left.

Janna and I went to Avid Bookshop, which is fun partly because I know the owner slightly. They also have high-quality used books on the shelves with the others and I was able to pick several that may be interesting. I couldn't decide for sure who to give what, thinking particularly of Ray and Kevin and Adrian (if he could read a book in English). I have determined to play White Elephant with them, wrapping them all the same and allowing people to trade and get the book they want most. Might be a new tradition.

I stopped briefly at the Potter's House, but it was too grungy for Christmas presents. I skipped the books there. I drove to Goodwill, but it took me more than 30 minutes. The traffic was fierce and the rain had gotten heavier. I did buy one thing there.

Then I went to Aldi. I recently learned that Kroger is rated as low as Publix or Walmart, so I am trying to buy less there. Aldi is better. They only take cash, so I tried to limit my purchases. I still had to leave about half the things I wanted. Amusingly, they had some interesting and different items from Germany that will do for Christmas treats.

At home, I put things away and made some barbecued chicken for a change from pork. Ray helped and it was well recieved. We also ate some asparagus from the freezer. It had been there too long, I think, and was sadly not as good.

Then I picked up Nancy M. and headed to the Lay Ministry meeting. As usual, not very productive, but I did get some knitting done.

A little TV, reading, and bed. Slept well.