So, I (this person who vowed to never experience outdoors until winter had passed) decided to briefly enjoy weather and took off for a quick shopping spree; dressed in apparent Spring apparel, as I like to plan ahead.

Of course, all was decently warm, as I got into my non-heated but sheltered car, parked inside garage. Ok, so it was a little chilly. But, being brave as I am, I knew I could handle it.

Though I forget what initial temperature read, I'm thinking it might have been in upper thirties (on inside of garage). Still optimistic, upper 30's wasn't too bad; as long as I didn't stay out doors for very long.

Wow! My kids would be so proud of me, venturing out like this. And hey, roads weren't too bad; another sign of it being a warmer day.

My first stop was at Menards, to make a return and to check out any new rebate offers.

As I got out of my car, it seemed a bit more chilly than expected. So, I walked a bit briskly to get inside ... and closest door was plenty good enough for me.

There were only a couple rebate opportunities worth considering. However, Christmas decorations were now 75% off. So, I ventured over to those isles and choose 3 rolls of Christmas wrapping paper that I had previously noticed, and sort of liked; only, I hadn't liked price before.

Then, while going through check out, cashier discovered that price of these rolls had already been reduced 75% and, after inquiry to be certain, cashier took another 75% off. So, that made this nicer wrapping paper only 22 cents per roll! Oh, my stars! I had struck gold!

However, manager on duty didn't think it would be a good idea for me to return into store, with my already purchased merchandise. And, brave as I was, only once was enough for having to go outdoors again.

So, with receipt in hand, I parked my cart and grabbed another one handy, then returned to Menards' collection of 'left over' Christmas wrapping paper; no doubt 'left over' only because they had originally charged an arm and a leg for these babies. But, spendthrift as I am, I had kept my limbs perfectly in tact.

And of course, with a deal like this and me with nine grandchildren, I was quick to clean Menards out of all their nicer wrapping paper.

Altogether, it was only fifty-one rolls. Sure, some rolls only had 10 ft. of paper on them. Though, I'll have some of prettiest packages in town; ok, for maybe two, three, or four years. But, hey, who's counting?

As for remaining customers who suddenly left check out lanes, "Too late, ladies, they're all mine!"

But, as you might have guessed, being that Menards is quite frugal in bagging their merchandise, it was work getting paper to not fall out of cart. Fortunately, in my great wisdom and strategic planning, I had parked close to exit door.

Now, to face cold. (There is a reason why we call it 'bitter. It actually hurts!) I hurried to get those rolls to trunk and only dropped one as I skidded toward car.

This guy was unreal. He was a bleach-blond surfer, rowed crew, was well over 6' and very muscular (I'm 5'7" and thin), and just a total jerk. He constantly ate food belonging to rest of us, claiming that he had no money, nevermind $100 packages full of crap he'd send back to his girlfriend in CA. After two weeks or so of his constantly disrespecting other three of us, things got a bit tense. The first turning point was when he used an entire pack of my roommate's razors to shave part of his head, and from then on he seemed to be in ever-lessening contact with reality.