The outside temperature registered to be 18 degrees. And, on top of that, if you haven't experienced Northern winds, you know nothing yet of cold. The inside of a refrigerator is warmer than here. What was I thinking?

Mustering all common sense that remained within me, I made conclusion it was time to put on my coat.

Being that it was only as far as next corner and fact that they carry some of my most favorite 'no brand name' junk food, next stop was Aldi's; where someone had left a cart in parking lot. No doubt, they hadn't worn a coat, either.

So, I saved another 25 cents and nice part is that cart was still warm! Therefore, it was with quick speed that I made it inside store. (Awe, warmth! We should never be without it.)

Another shopper said, "This is much warmer than yesterday," and all she wore extra were gloves. Isn't that just like people, to rub it in?

As it worked out, I guessed and managed, and didn't spend more than unplanned cash in my billfold. And with that, now I know to only put half as much in your cart and you won't run out of money.

However, with my mad dash for sunshine (which was now gone 'only God knows where'), I had forgotten to bring grocery bags (or even to grab empty boxes in store) and there was no way I was purchasing store bags and squander my savings; even if they are only 3 cents each.

Therefore, as you might have guessed, groceries were strewn, into back seat of car, quickest way they would land. But hey, I got quarter out of cart before leaving. Sure, I had spent forty some dollars there. But, I came out a quarter richer. Now, you can't beat that. Though, I sure am glad they didn't require blood!

The next stop was to get gasoline, only because hubby said I needed to. If anyone had asked me, I'd rather have strolled into garage on fumes.

And of course, this gas station just happened to be one of those with a nasty sign that says you actually have to remain outside of car until gas pump stops. The next time, I may just fill up car when gas tank is almost full ~ as I was one shrunk behind pump, hiding from wind. For real, I could have peed faster than this!

But, as they say, "All is well that ends well," and I finally made it home. However, by time I got all groceries drug from out of car, on both sides, I was beginning to have visions of grandeur.

The computer chair looked like such a cozy retreat, it was calling my name. Only, wouldn't you know, groceries still needed putting away. I declare, a woman's work is never done. I think I heard that somewhere before. But, as luck would have it, I, somehow, survived.

As for rolls of Christmas wrapping paper still in trunk, who cares?

The following day, I opened trunk of car and showed hubby my great find; and got crowned Queen Shopper for a Day. He was so pleased at savings that he took care of putting away rolls of paper.

It's a good thing that we actually have places to store these special finds. So, be forewarned, Wal-Mart, on next sun shining day, I'll be headed your way!

Though, in event you haven't guessed, moral of this story is ... even if sun is shining, as long as there is still snow on ground, it's just a mirage.

© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/

A few days later, he showed up and was hanging out in a room down hall, when someone called security, as we had been instructed to do should he return. From what I'm told of incident, he went out onto balcony (4th floor) and threatened to jump when police arrived on scene. After a tense confrontation, they charged him and were able to subdue him after he punched at least one officer. He was then carried - literally kicking and screaming - off University's property and was taken into custody. He spent about a month or so in a mental facility in Israel before he was deported back to America.

When my roommate got back to apartment, he discovered that Jason had left us a final message. Using a razor, he had cut open his finger and painted a message in his own blood on our bathroom mirror ("you all lied to me, blah, blah, blah"), then tied bloody razor to a rose and left it on kitchen table.

Now that is a roommate from hell.