We had a pretty busy weekend (read action packed) so I’ll try to get everything in here, but forgive me if I forget something…

Friday night was the Christmas Party for work. It was a good time, but Erin got tired pretty early, so we made it an early night. Really, she did quite well, staying up well past her normal bed time. I think it’s because she took a long nap Friday afternoon. Did I mention that Erin doesn’t work any more Fridays? Her last day is Christmas eve, and she’s taken the 13th and 20th off.

Saturday afternoon, the power went out for a large section of town. I was talking to Erin’s dad on the cordless phone, and suddenly everything in the house shut off. Including the phone. Apparently he tried to call back, but because the only phone that rings in the house needs to be plugged in to the wall, we didn’t hear it. Erin did call him and explain what happened though :-)

Anyway, since we had no power, we decided to go to the mall and return some Christmas gifts - yeah, I know, like shopping in reverse. What happened was that I’d found the same thing (only better) at a different store, for less money…As we were driving to the mall, we noticed that the power was out all the way to 8th street, and as far down as Acadia Drive. I don’t know what happened, but by the time we came home, everything was back to normal.

Saturday night, I went to a friend’s place to play a highly modified version of NHL monopoly. There were some neat rules, where you could completely avoid paying rent and stuff. It was the first test of the rules, and I think they went well, and with a few minor modifications, it would be even better.

I think I got home around 2:00 or something, though I wouldn’t swear to that. I was pretty tired. Sunday we went Christmas shopping - yeah, I know, like returning in reverse. We did pretty well, I think that other than gifts for each other, Erin and I only have one gift left to come up with.

I also spent some time Sunday morning working on my crokinole board. I sanded it down, and got the lines drawn on it. Next step is to get some polyurethane and surface it, then put the pegs back in and play. I think it’s going to be a pretty good board by the time I’m done with it.

Also, this past week when we were making supper, our rice cooker conked out on us. Don’t rush out and get us one for Christmas. We had some pretty specific thoughts on a new one, so we bought it ourselves. Hopefully this one lasts a little longer than the last one. It’s hard to believe that we’re on our third rice cooker since we got married. I remember thinking that we’d hardly ever use it when we opened it at the gift opening… Was I ever wrong - it’s the rare week that we don’t fire it up at least once.

There’s more post than you bargained for.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “Come on over and strap on the feed bag. We’re going to fire up ol’ Propane Elaine and put the heat to the meat! Nummy-nummy-num!” - Flanders