Don't You Hate It When ...

I try very hard to never use the word "hate" toward people. I have no problem using it according to a situation or a dilemma.

I hate it when ...

An advertised product is out of stock.

Every traffic light turns red as I approach.

Someone I love is hurting.

I put my foot in my mouth.

I can't remember a person's name.

My checkbook doesn't jive with the bank.

I spend time on my hair only to get caught in a downpour.

My favorite glasses go AWOL.

I overhear someone make a disparaging comment about a person I care about.

The phone or the doorbell knocks out my train of thought.

I hurt someone's feelings or let them down.

The dog eats my favorite slippers.

The power goes out and I have to reset every clock.

My To Do List overwhelms me.

I can't track down my parents. They are supposed to be available to me 24/7.

Clothes I love don't fit.

A date night is interrupted by a screaming child. (I think if they are allowed to bring a bratty child, I should be allowed to bring my dog and her squeaky ball.

Clutter becomes acceptable.

People don't understand how beautiful and powerful they are.

People don't stand for the Star Spangled Banner, And for Heaven's sakes, take off your hat.

People wear sandals without bothering to groom their feet. Ick!

Grown men wear Speedos.

Men date and marry women younger than their daughters.

Looks are more valued than brains.

This could go on forever so I'll stop now. What do you hate?

The Lure of Target

I love going to Target. I actually fantasize about it. I'm trying to exercise some self-control because I always get into trouble. (I have never walked into a Target without spending $100 minimum. Some trips have rivaled the national debt of small countries.) I am not a shopper but there's something about Target -- I want it all! Even the cat toys look appealing and I don't own a cat.

Yippee Yah Hoo! Today, I went to Target.

The first thing that hits you at my local Target is the dollar section. A lot of it is goofy stuff for kids but occasionally they put some good stuff in there. Forget Vegas, I hit the jackpot at Target. Readers of all strengths and multiple colors for $1. What? One dollar? I bought three pairs.

Some people enjoy buying designer shoes at $300 a pop. I bought two cute pairs of flats for $12.99 each.

I bought a pair of jeans for $22.99. I own jillions of jeans but I tried them on, liked them and made the executive decision to own them.

The rest of my list was boring: paper products, dog food, etc. I can be mesmerized in these sections too.

In the pet section, I did not escape with just food. A couple of treats, a new toy, and Oh, look at this dog cushion on sale for $12.99. Maybe I'll stick that in my office for Gabby. Yep, I bought it.

The oldies love to go to Walmart. I hate Walmart. I have had so many bad experiences with clerks, merchandise, and the clientele that I refuse to go there.

Even with my diversions, I managed to escape Target with a bill of $150. I get to back in a month and a half!

Pick Three Books

I contemplate the dumbest things. Here's one:

If you were stranded on an island and could only have three books, what would you choose? I asked the oldies this question and they looked at me as if I had just stepped off a different planet.

Two of my three choices never change. I would want a bible and I would want my combination dictionary/thesaurus. The third should be thick, engaging and something you would enjoy reading over and over. War and Peace,? Jane Eyre?

Right now, I'm going with Gone With The Wind. I read it once a year anyway. If I were on that island, I could recite it. If I'm ever stranded, I hope I would have reading glasses. Otherwise, I would be like Burgess Meredith in that Twilight Zone episode. He survives the nuclear attack and he's safely in the library. Then, he steps on his glasses and can't read a thing.

What would you choose?

Glasses

There are reading glasses in every room of my home. There are several pairs in my handbag, my swim bag and my car. Just like the gray hair, it's another reminder of aging and I hate it.

The other day I was at the lake. Ponytail and baseball cap in place. The husband returned from playing golf and started laughing. He said, "How many glasses do you need?" I had the sun glass readers propped on my nose. The regular sunglasses and the regular readers were attached to my cap. They taught us in Girl Scouts to be prepared -- I'm prepared but I look like a dork.

The father-in-law pretends to be blind but it comes and goes pretty conveniently. If I can ever get the puppy trained, I'm going to work on making her a seeing eye dog. We'll both use her.