After a day of school (aced my massage practical final), I went grocery shopping to prepare for my upcoming chowder party.

Costco first, the business incarnation. They have a little bit of everything, and tonight I got milk for the chowder, dried mangoes and blueberries for breakfasts, photo paper for the 'puter, and various small kitchen items I've needed for a gajillion years. Soup ladle. Salt and sugar shakers for the stovetop. Small whisk. Pastry scraper. Tongs.

Off, then, to Top Foods, home of the fresh-baked croissant that is actually flaky, buttery and real. Yeah, got some. Finished up the soup-ingredient gathering with pine nuts, apples, and various adult beverages.

The best part was sitting in my car thinking, "when I get home, I get to unload this stuff while I watch Six Feet Under. I can put on my jammies and slippers and just clean my fridge if I want to. I can make some lists. I can nest.

I am getting old in my old age. I just want to be in my home, cats by the woodstove, TV nattering, and me, fluffy-bunny-slippering across the old fir floors.