"She Doesn't Look Like an Axe Murderer"

The other day I was cruising the parking lot at Superstore trying to beat the other eight cars to a parking spot. Any parking spot. But apparently none were to be found. At one point I was stopped behind another waiting vehicle when a complete stranger -- a woman of about 60 -- knocked on my window. She didn't look crazy, so I rolled down my window to see what she wanted.

"I've looked everywhere and I can't find my car!", she said suspiciously. I wondered if she thought I had stolen it. There was an awkward pause while I waited for her to explain further. Then she finally added, "It's the coldest day of the year, and I'm freezing."

Catching her drift, I asked, "Oh, would you like to get in my car and I'll drive you around to look for it?"

"Yes, please." She ran around to the passenger door and hopped in.

It was at this point I wondered if I had made an unwise decision by allowing myself to be alone with a total stranger. I wondered if she was thinking the same thing.

We slowly drove up and down each aisle of the parking lot looking for her lost car. Nothing. So we circled back and looked again. I suggested she use the key fob to see if she could get her horn to honk so we could find it. Still nothing. Finally after about 10 minutes, I saw a car that fit the description and said, "I'll bet that's it, isn't it?"

"Oh, I could just kiss you!" she said enthusiastically. We both knew that was a bad idea. She quickly introduced herself as "Lorraine", jumped out of the car, thanked me again, and muttered something about her mother being worried.

I soon found a space to park, and went into the store. On my way in, I saw Lorraine getting out of her car, which was now parked right on the front sidewalk. I said "hi, again" to which she replied, "My 87-year-old mother's probably wondered what happened to me. If you see her in there, tell her she can come out now."

I walked into the store and saw an elderly woman and asked, "Are you Lorraine's mom?" She responded in the affirmative. After explaining the situation, she laughed and said, "That's my Lorrainey!"

Somehow I just knew that this wasn't the first time Lorraine had jumped in the car with a total stranger.

5:15

When The Mr. goes out of town for a few days, Daughter #3 and I go out for supper. Granted, most people call it "taste testing at Costco", but we've found a way to turn it into the full meal deal.

Here's the first thing you need to know: You need to enter Costco at 5:15. (Hint: If you want to appear that you're actually shopping, you should grab a shopping cart.) We casually make our way from table to table sampling the wares until we reach the end of the store. By that time it's about 5:30 -- and that's when the magic happens: Shift Change! Then we go back to the first table and start all over again. With a whole new line-up of taste test employees, no one's the wiser, and we get twice the amount of food. By the time we're done, we're pretty much filled up, and we've usually been able to get all the food groups. I used to feel obligated to make a small purchase while I was in the store, but I don't feel that way anymore. In fact I don't even grab a cart.

And I only feel slightly embarrassed.

Dixie

Tons-o-Fun

Recipe For a Fun Evening

Good food -- check

Hilarious games -- check

A handful of college-aged kids -- check

We haven't seen Santana since she was a cute little four-year-old, and now she's a cute (not so little) 21-year-old going to University here. She and her roommates, and one of their boyfriends, came for supper. Sons #1A and 1B also came.

All I can say is, "Ton's-o-Fun!"

Dixie

Getting Misty

For the past two weeks, Daughter #3 has been home from school because of semester-end exams. She actually spent a lot of time with me during her time off, and I loved it! We shopped, worked on a puzzle, shovelled snow, played card games, surfed you-tube, ate out, watched several old musicals (gotta love it!), and ate way too many tortilla chips with way too much salsa con queso. She just becomes more enjoyable all the time!

Yesterday she started a new semester -- her last one in high school. And I have to say, I'm a little sad. Her college plans for the fall will take her not only out of town, but out of the country. I'm getting misty just thinking about it!

I might have to console myself with some chips and salsa.

Dixie