The Art of Shopping

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The following post was written in 2008 as MJ (Married Janet)

When I was a kid, I prided myself on being able to bargain for anything. I traded baseball cards with the neighborhood boys, exchanged ugly marbles for prettier ones and swapped old toys for new. I reveled in the challenge of finding and acquiring the best deal.

Some things never change. Here I am, over 40 years later, and I still love finding a  bargain. In fact, I will often refuse to buy something I want because it’s not on sale. I ask you, what greater thrill is there than getting a $50 sweater for $14.99? (Unless it’s trading two rookies for a Willie Mays….)

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Kicking the Bucket

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Brace yourself, for I have some bad news. Ready?…. I’m going to die.

There, I said it. Like removing a band-aid, I think it’s best to do it quickly. Just get it over with. That’s not to imply I’m intending to kill myself. No, I’m too selfish for that. Besides, I still have a Southwest Rewards flight I’ve yet to use.

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What Gives Me The Willies

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I try to accept scary or creepy looking things for what they are even though they often give me the willies. And for the most part, I can do that, except when it comes to one particular species: snakes.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I hate snakes; I just don’t like ‘em. They sorta make my skin crawl and the hair stand up on the back of my neck, as the saying goes. And try as I might to accept them, I freak out whenever I encounter one. So I’m failing miserably in the acceptance department where snakes are concerned.

What brought this up, you ask? I read an article last week about a man who found a snake hiding in his sofa. Since you’re probably in shock, let me repeat that. A ginormous snake was curled up behind a cushion in this man’s sofa!

Here’s the deal in case you didn’t know…

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Lunching With Friends

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I think was born in the wrong country. Now don’t get me wrong; I enjoy being an American…wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. My ancestry is half Portuguese along with English, Irish and a touch of Welsh. That’s fine and dandy, but I have reason to believe two countries have been hiding inside me, mainly on my taste buds.

Ever since I had my first taste of Thai and Vietnamese food many moons ago, I’ve been smitten. Both are now mouth-watering favorites I wish I’d discovered way sooner. But here’s the good news…

My friend Mandy happens to live across the street from a woman from Thailand and she taught Mandy the art of cooking Thai food. Turns out it pays to know people who live across the street from a Thai cook. Lucky us!

Mandy
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Meeting Officer Allen

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Last Friday I’m driving to Forgotten Felines to deliver feral cats being relocated to new outdoor homes. On the way, I stopped to train a group of ladies who volunteered to feed cats living near the fairgrounds.

forgotten-felines

While at a stoplight, my phone pinged. I glanced at it on the passenger seat. It was Forgotten Felines. Why were they contacting me? Something must be wrong. So I picked up my phone to read the text. Damn! It said they needed to postpone until Monday but to keep driving if I’m already on my way.

Relieved, I put the phone down. Then I glanced to my left. There, staring back at me, was a policeman.

oops

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