This has been a busy week. I'm getting ready to travel to Phoenix for yet anothr graduation. This time it is our second oldest grandchild Jordan who is graduating with a nursing degree from Grand Canyon University. So I'm spending a week with the family getting some quality time with them.

Yesterday I got my hair colored and cut; today or tomorrow I will get the nails done and then my body will be ready. All I have to do now is to pack and from what I read and hear, I will need summer clothes already. Good old Phoenix; what a hot place it can be.

We had a scary experience last night. It was about 9:00, and the genius and I had gone upstairs to start the process for bed. It was a little early for me but I planned to read my new book for an hour or two. I was passing by the window and noticed through the closed blinds some lights from a car outside. So I peeked through and there was a black pickup truck parked in front of our driveway, just sitting there with the motor running.

I called the genius and we doused the lights and watched. After what seemed like a very long time, a man got out from the driver's side and came to the mailbox and looked inside it. He was a very large man who walked with a limp, and when he started up the driveway toward the house we could see he was carrying something, but we couldn't see what it was.

The genius ran to get his pants on and I began turning off other lights so we could watch. By the time I got back to the window the man was back in the truck and was backing it up the street. But we didn't know if there had been anyone with him who might have gotten out.

The genius donned his clothes, turned the alarm off, and descended the stairs with a loaded pistol in his pocket. I stayed at the top watching the truck turn around in a driveway up the street and head out.

What we found on the front porch were two packages, both from Amazon, that I had ordered two days ago. They are usually sent UPS, which had been on our street late that afternoon and I was miffed that they hadn't delivered the books then (I had ordered them 2-day shipping and this was the second day). So our mystery was solved. Apparently, Amazon is committed to keeping their word even if it means the books are special-delivered by an unmarked pickup truck!

I don't know if the genius had trouble going to sleep, but I did. Especially since the new book is scary and suspenseful!!

THE FUTURE OF TARGET

I was reading in the news the other day an economic report on what to expect in the next few years. According to the article, there are several American companies that are likely to fold, but on the other hand, there are companies that are predicted to "pull" us out of the recession. I was particularly interested in those of the latter because it seems I am on board to help them out.

I thought surely Home Depot and Target would be on the list because I have personally been trying to help them show a profit, especially for the last few months. I wasn't disappointed with one of them: Target. I find that store above all others to be irresistible to me. It is virtually impossible for me to walk in there and walk out with nothing, or even just one or two items. (Unless the genius is with me, of course, and then it's straight to the item we're looking for and if they don't have it, straight back out again. The genius is not known for his shopping stamina.) When I am alone, however, it's a different story.

First of all, when shopping at Target, I try to find a parking place not only near the entrance, but also near the cart return. I can never go in there without coming out with a piled-to-overflowing cart of all sorts of things. There's just something so enticing about that store that gets me every time I go in. I really could spend hours just wandering up and down the aisles seeing things I've always wanted but didn't know I did until that moment.

I rarely ever buy anything to wear, but stuff for the house -- that's a different ballgame. I'm just a sucker for all sorts of things, from storage baskets to towels and sheets, and even whole sets of dishes. That long wall of kitchen gadgets can get me everytime; I just can't seem to walk away from them.

And then I nearly always stop by the makeup department for some little something (that ends up costing an arm and a leg). The CD and DVD sections are enticing as well as the latest books on display. And don't forget the pet department -- there's always something there to tempt me. And now that groceries are sold there, I can pick up something I forgot to get during my weekly stop at the grocery store.

It just goes on and on, and that's exactly what I do -- just go on and on until my cart is full and I realize I've been away from Rufus too long.

So I'm not at all surprised to see that Target is one of the stores that will pull America out of bad economic times. I'm certainly doing my part to help!!

GROCERY STORE ENTERTAINMENT

Usually I do my grocery shopping in one of two stores: Walmart or the neighborhood "market" Harris Teeter. The former is saved for days when I need to buy a lot and the latter for when I need just a few things to get through the weekend. Yesterday I chose Harris Teeter because it was Thursday (5% off for seniors) and because they had some good specials on. Shopping there is always an interesting experience.

This particular store is set right in the middle of the Hillsboro Village section of Nashville. It's an older "up and coming" neighborhood filled with all sorts of people. There are the elderly who have lived there for years, but more and more young-to-middle aged professionals are moving in, fixing up the houses (which were built in the early 1900's), and settling in. We live in between this area and Green Hills, a more affluent, established neighborhood that is about 30 years newer than the Hillsboro section. So shopping at this grocery store can be quite interesting if I'm in the proper frame of mind, and yesterday I was.

First thing I ran into were three college students blocking the entrance as several of us shoppers tried to enter. They were giggling over which oranges to pick out. Finally, they became aware of others and moved apologetically out of the way. They could have been students from Vanderbilt, Belmont, or Lipscomb, all of which are close by. And then there was the aging hippy woman with long gray hair who almost ran me down as I emerged from an aisle.

Then I really drew attention to myself (the kind you don't want!) when I knocked off a large bottle of crangrape juice. The top came off and that purple liquid squirted everywhere! So I reported it to the management and offered to pay, but they refused to let me.

As I was walking through the dairy department, a woman who was drawing the attention of all of us, especially the men, sauntered by. She was wearing white cowboy boots, extremely short denim shorts, a little yellow top that didn't quite reach the top of the shorts and a tight yellow and white polka dot sweater stretched over that. To top it off, she had on a pert little man's hat on her head. (I couldn't help but think of Stacy and Clinton on What Not to Wear and what a ball they would have with this one). I really got tickled at an elderly man who did a double take as she passed him. Then two men who worked at the store were laughing and talking about "looking only" as I went by them.

I finally made it to the checkout lane without spilling anything else and there was a basket full of groceries blocking the way. The cashier said, "I don't know where that lady went." And after a little wait, while I was wondering who could be so inconsiderate, here came cowboy boots, apologizing profusely, with an item she had forgotten. I just smiled and said I wasn't in a hurry. And I wasn't. Besides, I knew I would get 5% off whereas she wouldn't.

Shopping at Walmart is not nearly as much fun!!

A TIME FOR REST

The old bod is feeling its age today. It doesn't take much at this time of my life for the aches and pains to kick up a notch and I'm feeling them today!! A few days of physical labor has been enough to decide that today is a day of rest.

Sunday afternoon, taking advantage of some short periods of no rain, the genius and I did some trimming not only in our yard, but also in the areas across the street that were overgrowing to the point that we were having trouble getting the cars by them. As I've said before, that section of the street is part of the back yards of the houses on the next block and the owners don't really see what is going on back there. So we take it upon ourselves to keep it clear of the road.

So, although we did lots of cutting and hauling mostly huge pieces of dead bamboo and other junk, we were not able to cut the grass because it was too wet from all the rain. That little job I did the next day while the genius was at work.

Then yesterday I spent the day finishing up little chores around here. These involved sanding, priming, and painting some areas that needed finishing. I also went to Home Depot to get the framing for my bathroom mirror.

While there, I bought a small halogen lamp that took me hours to put together. It was obviously made in China because the English on the instructions was very poor, and it took me twice as long to straighten it all out. The lamp consisted of a round base, with a pole sticking up on it that held two lights that swivel around, if need be. What was so funny to me was that the directions called the globe that fits over each bulb a CONDOM! I was reading along and then I went back and said to myself, "Did that just say what I think it did?" And yes it did. So the Chinese have a sense of humor, or at least one does!

But today I have aches in places I didn't even know I had!!

The plan today is to take it easy and read a new book. MY BODY NEEDS REST!!

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION

Usually, the genius and I are able to understand each other pretty well. We spend time each day talking about what we did during the day, local and world news, and the conversations can get pretty deep. But we had a definite glitch this past weekend.

Our daily routine begins with his taking the dog(s) out whenever they awaken each morning. About 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning I staggered into the genius's office with Rufus in my arms and handed him over. The genius surprised me by saying, "I guess the little girl (meaning Jesse) is still asleep."

The only words I could get out at that time of day (or night!) were, "She's not here."

So he took Rufus out and in a few minutes came into the bedroom and said, "I'm ready to take her out."

I mumbled again, "She's not here!"

He said, "I've looked all over the house for her and can't find her, so she must be in here."

Again I said, "SHE'S NOT HERE!" That was still all I could think of to say.

He was getting very frustrated, but the light finally came on in his mind. "Ooooh, you mean he's out at Jim's!"

"Yes," I gasped, and pulled the covers over my head.

He exited the room more than a little miffed that I coulcn't communicate any better to him.

But what does he expect at 5:30 a.m.?!!

MA AND CHUN

As I've said before, there are many ways in which my sisters and I are different. But while we make fun of each other, we still respect each other's points of view. We are also able to laugh at our differences and tease each other. Today it's my turn to tease one of my sisters.

As I mentioned last week, MA and Chun were in town on Palm Sunday so we went out to brunch together. We had a great time talking and laughing as we always do. Here are a couple of stories to tell on them after a little background info.

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, we have a Scottish heritage passed down through our father's line. MA's ability to squeeze the most out of a dollar is indicative of that inheritance. If it weren't for Chun, who is more like me in spending money, she would still have the first dollar she earned.

This trait of hers was especially revealed when we were talking about where we had eaten lunch the day before. The genius and I had eaten at our favorite Mexican restaurant as we often do on Saturday mornings. She and Chun on the other hand had eaten at Sam's.

When she told me I said, "I didn't know Sam's had a place to eat; do they have one like Costco's?"

She answered and said that she had gotten a notice in the mail that Sam's Club was having lots of samples out for tasting, so they decided to eat their lunch there!!!

I loved it!! I can just see the genius who loves to sit down to a good meal doing that.

The other funny story was about Chun. MA wrote and asked me where I had gotten a special soap that I had given them for Christmas one year. It was a special type shaped and colored to look like uncut gems, and since they are quite large, they last for about 2 years. She said theirs was almost gone and Chun really liked it.

So I got online and ordered her a bar. That's not what she intended me to do, but I knew if she saw the price, Chun would never see that soap. So she wrote me when it came and thanked me, etc. Then she said that Chun was trying it out and said, "I don't like this one as well as the other; this one doesn't lather."

MA replied, "Well, I'll bet it would if you would take the wrapping off of it!"

The genius and I really laughed over that and we'll have fun with these stories on New Year's Eve when we all get together!!

NEW ME!

My mother would be so proud of me! And my sisters,too! I'm actually keeping the house straight and clean and enjoying it!

The first thing I do every morning is to make the beds!! ME! The woman who liked to leave the bed unmade so I could crawl back in for a nap later in the day. That's pretty amazing, but here is the miracle to top that: each time I take a shower, I wipe down the walls and tub with a towel! I don't know what has gotten into me.

I keep the kitchen clean and uncluttered. Woe to anyone who puts anything that doesn't pertain to food on the kitchen peninsula where the genius and I eat.

I'm still not crazy about cooking for two, but I manage to cook an occassional meal or two for us. Looks like tonight may be the night since we ate at church last night and at Jim IV and Laurie's the night before that.

I'm almost through with the bathroom. Yesterday I sanded and painted some places left over from the vanity top installation. Then I painted the back panels of four unassembled cubes I ordered in the mail, after which I assembled said cubes. I stacked them on top of a big awkward tiled area in the bathroom that is in reality on top of the stairs to the second floor and thus can't be altered. But the cubes really fixed this area up; I stacked towels, etc. into them and now it looks great! Just a few things to hang and I will be through with that room!

I laughingly told the genius that I was ready to start on the kitchen next and you should have seen his face -- he looked apoplectic!! I hastily assured him I was teasing. Actually, my next project is to have an electrician out to change some lighting fixtures. That will have to wait until next month at least.

Eventually, it will come together; I just hope it is all at the same time, so we can enjoy every nook and cranny of our house!!

The renovations are continuing around here. The bathroom, while not complete, is shaping up. The new vanity top was installed along with the new toilet, and now all I have to do is touch up the paint, frame the mirror (or get a new one), and put together the cube shelves to hold the towels, etc. So there is still much to be done.

My handyman has gone on to greater things (like his new job), so it is now up to me. That always makes it a little slower as I tend to plod along. But it will get done.

Yesterday was bridge club and what a great day I had with the cards! My partner and I fit well together and ended up way out in front of everyone else. I don't know what happened exactly, but we just clicked somehow. So much of duplicate bridge can be luck, but not as much as regular contract bridge. Duplicate does not depend on the cards so much as what you do with each hand. It was fun to be caught up in the experience as the day wore on. We could see we were doing well.

We had a nice Easter weekend. Much was accomplished in the yard on Saturday and on Sunday Brenda had us out to her house for a brunch. She is so sweet to continue to invite us to her parties even though we must seem like old fogies to everyone else there. But the food was great and we had a good time.

I'm looking forward to my trip west in 2 weeks. I will be attending yet another graduation for one of the grandchildren. Jordan, the second grandchild, will be graduating from Grand Canyon University in nursing. I wasn't able to attend when she graduated from high school, so I'm happy to be seeing her in cap and gown.

A week after I leave, Tom, the oldest, will be getting his Master's in Electrical Engineering, and the speaker at the ceremony will be none other than President Obama. (Can you imagine all the security involved?) I'm sorry that I will not be there but I just can't stay away from the genius and Rufus that long.

But while I'm there I will enjoy seeing the family and bask in the Phoenix sunshine!

CELEBRATION TIME

This was a very good weekend, I'm happy to say, after the week of horrors for me. We had a couple of days celebrating our new sanctuary at our church, and they were very meaningful to both of us.

On Saturday night we gathered at the church to have a celebration dinner. What a great meal for only $10.00 each: prime rib, green beans, mixed veggies, baked potato, salad, rolls, and chocolate pie for dessert. You just can't beat that price! Afterwards, we had speakers and a video that told the history of our congregation (it started 14 years ago with 38 members!).

There was a time in my spiritual journey when I would not have wanted to put my money in nor rejoice over a new building. I would rather have spent it for missions, either local or foreign. But as I said before, I have changed.

Our neo-gothic styled sanctuary sits atop a hill overlooking Green Hills and is truly a beacon of light to me (and others I hope). The inside is indescribably beautiful with its magnificent stained glass windows, wood carvings, huge organ, and stone walls. Yesterday for our first ever service there was a full orchestra and wonderful music that was truly inspirational. I felt as I sat there that the building it was not an extravagance if people are drawn in by its beauty but stay to find a place to be inspired and transformed by the Spirit.

After the service I heard someone remark that they had never seen so many strange faces so my point was proven, at least to me.

We then had a great brunch with MA and Chun, but that's another blog.

I'VE SEEN BETTER WEEKS!!

Well, let's face it -- this hasn't been a great week. First, I have been nursing a cold all week, which is never fun. And then Rufus became ill, adding to my woes.

The cold really hasn't been such a bad one but for a day or two I felt like a person in an ad for a cold medicine. You know the ones: the man or woman comes onscreen and complains of runny nose, red eyes, scratchy throat, and hacking cough. Then they take some wonderful elixer and all their symptoms just disappear. Well, that didn't happen to me. Instead, I took a pill plus Advil and I still felt like someone had dumped me in a swimming pool and hung me out to dry.

Then on Wednesday Rufus began throwing up. After he had completely emptied his stomach (on the white carpet, of course), then the diahrrea began. And that was still happening this morning. I can't count the number of times I have cleaned that up (still on the white carpet). Last night I covered the bathroom floor with puppy pads, then got up with him four times during the night and changed them. If I didn't feel so sorry for him, I would be drowning in self-pity, but having suffered through the same thing last November in Florida (remember the raw oysters episode?) I could only have sympathy for him.

So it was off to the vet this morning before I had even had my coffee (I took it with me). They couldn't find anything majorly wrong -- just gave him some meds to stop the diahrrea and some special canned food that would be easy on his stomach. And of course charged me $163.00 for my trouble. Now he is sleeping peacefully beside me as I type.

Ah, what did we do before Rufus came into our lives? How boring it was and how restful! Sigh!!!