My parents want to go shopping. I'm going to drop them off, I think. I can't bear the thought. Hell, I tried to buy gas at Costco yesterday, and it took me more than five minutes just to get out of the parking lot after I decided not to join the huge line.

I scare easily, I admit it.

Present wrapping is done. My dad just called. They've arrived at my grandparents' house safely. So it's time for me to jump in the shower and head over there. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

Does anybody else get unreasonably pleased when you're able to use an odd scrap of paper to just-barely wrap something?

Emmett and I just got back from playing handball. We're sweatballs. I'm eating a sandwich, JZ's in the shower. Soon we go over to EM's house, and we'll be having xmas eve dinner there and staying the night. Must remember to bring coffee making stuff.

Cashmere, are you off the s-list with your sister?

Oh, definitely. When she called me yesterday, realizing just how incredibly nasty the storm here really was, DH said, "Wow, she sounds contrite." The family is having their Christmas Eve at her house and she'll tell them to come back next Saturday for New Years and Christmas, Part II.

David, I too love the perfect sized paper scrap as gift wrap moment.

ita, for a shopphobic like yourself, you should avoid costco at holiday times. The end.

Did your parents shop? Where did you take them? Better today than Sunday.

ita, for a shopphobic like yourself, you should avoid costco at holiday times.

I just wanted gas. I didn't know there'd be a seasonal run on gas.

Parents are at the Century City mall. Mother called me to say they couldn't find what I asked for (I haven't asked for anything, but mentioned jewelry's good, if they can't find a pony). They're being terribly literal. I'm just impressed my dad's in the mall.

He's probably shopping for himself, though. I told them they don't need me for shopping help, they need you, Kat.

When do stores get vaguely sane again? I'm reasonably sure I'm getting my dad a Zire.

Reasonably sane for me or for you? For me, I could go in on 12/26 without a hitch, but Kat Perez and I have a store thing.

I'd wait until Tuesday at the latest. That means the weekend people had time to return stuff as have the weekday people. But if your parents are leaving earlier, then so be it. Go on Monday.

Also, depends on where you go.

Hello, everyone! Of course, you are not here. You are off being festive, probably. Hec, if it were not to be cold and if I didn't have a Jilli-inspired fashion concept for tomorrow's "celebrations", you know what I would be wearing to them, right? It would be worth it to watch everyone freak. But me in Goth-ra-bilia handles that particular job nicely as well. Thank you, Gothic Miss Manners! I used a new product in my hair today as well, Hec, and found myself thinking "I bet Hec's mood just lifted and he doesn't know why."

Hey, Erika! We are going to a Christmas Eve dinner, and someone I really dislike will be there so I want to look great, if that makes sense. But we are broke and I am a bit too fat for any of my old fancy clothes, so not going to be too festive tonight.

Wrod, Robin, totally. It like, wounds Stepmonster physically when I look like something. Also, she really hates the Gothy clothes. I love the Gothy clothes almost as much as I love making her feel ugly and stuck in the eighties, so that is like two great tastes that taste great together. (She made me feel ugly as a teenager and as my recovering friends would say I have an Issue with that, so Morticia junior lives. )