What is happening to me???

Today I decided to brave shopping for the last few things right after school. I got about 2 minutes down the road and abandoned my plans to go into the city. Traffic was maddening. SO I came home and enjoyed a bubble bath instead. It has been a long week... even though in reality it should be a short week. Last night I went to woolworths to buy candy canes for my kids. I went there because someone told me I could get them there, and I thought I would get my kids a treat while I was there... it was a usual disaster. I spent at least 15 minutes crawling around the parking lot hoping even for the most remote parking spot. Finally I stalked someone who was coming out, and parked in that most remote parking spot I was talking about. So I made my way into Woolworths dodging cars determined that it would be a quick trip. It was not. I went right to the Christmas section where I was certain there would be candy canes... and found... none. Right before Christmas in shops is really depressing. I went up and down the disheveled isles in hopes of spotting the peppermint treats. I did end up picking up a bunch of random things,and decided that I needed a cart... and so I went back to the door, put my arm load of things down under the watchful eye of the greeter (who was probably thinking to himself-- I am going to have restock all of that when she bolts) and went in search of a cart... Usually they are kept outside of stores here, so I went out, and looked all around the entrance... no carts... so I asked someone where they got their trolley (using the word cart here usually doesn't get a response) and they said they snagged it from Tesco's the grocery store only slightly farther away than my parking spot. I decided that I didn't need one that badly, and went back to debate the future of my load of stuff sitting inside the doorway. Basically the cart really deterred my shopping... I decided that I ought to at least ask about the candy canes before I left, and so I went to the Christmas stocker and tried to explain what I was looking for. He took me to a lonely package of 6 princess candy canes and a feeble display of spearmint rounds (round candy canes). I opted for the rounds and headed for the checkout. There stood a woman dressed like Mrs. Claus, and I thought to myself -- does she hate her job, as much as I have hated this shopping experience... I managed a smile, so she probably hates her job more. Anyway.. an hour and half later I had made a trip to the grocery store and was heading home- -- with a little less Christmas spirit than I had come with. Today, rather than braving downtown I opted to go to my local shopping center with a couple of stores similar to CVS and a grocery... I had about as much luck as I had yesterday... But with a lot less hassle. As I was checking out, the guy at the checkout line said don't we know each other. I said I don't think so, I don't have many acquaintances here. He said aren't you Claire from Bangor... Now this is where I thought things were weird... I had said a complete sentence to him, and he still thought that I was from Northern Ireland. I have noticed that it takes people a lot longer now to say you're not from around here are you. I sound the same to me, but I suppose that you can't tell yourself... Maybe it is just my acquisition of their vocabulary that is throwing everyone off?? Strange! Oh yeah, and at the local semi-chem, they had candy canes... could have saved a little holiday spirit had I have known!