Today feels strange - not bad - just strange. It doesn’t feel like a Thursday, but since I was sick-in-bed Monday through Wednesday afternoon, I’ve been a little “off” all week. Going out with the “Women of C3” last night helped a lot. We’re definitely a crazy bunch (and all of the Excedrin Migraine I had taken only added to the…fun! ) - Thanks, ladies!

I got out to do some shopping this morning. I desperately needed to buy some “bulk items”, so I went to Wal-Mart…

Nothing tires me out quite like a trip to Wal-Mart. Everything seems to weigh 60 pounds, and everything seems to take 4 times as long as it should. But, I still go because…well, I’m cheap when it comes to perishables like paper towels - you kind of have to be when you have 14, I mean, 4 children, 3 pets, and…well, one husband who has moved his office into our home. (Another blog, for another day. )

When I was checking-out (the self-checkout method - this is like torturing yourself…and paying for it!!) - I heard something that made the day seem even more surreal. I heard opera music! Not just any opera music, but one of my all-time favorites: “Nessun Dorma” (I blogged about this when Pavarotti passed away) - I’m pretty sure it was Placido Domingo - but, I’m certain it was “Nessun Dorma”. So, I stopped (I had to anyway because the check-out computer was saying - for the 5th time, “Item has been removed from the bagging area. Please return item to bagging area.” - only the “item” was still sitting there just like it had been the other four times it said that!) - Anyway, I digress.

…so, I stopped to listen to the aria that always moves me - all the while holding a bulk bag of wash cloths (18!!) conveniently priced at $3.92 - and just as I was really getting into it, the loud speaker interrupted to tell me about a “special” in the deli department…

It was surreal.

So, now I’m all stocked-up on paper towels and wash cloths, and I also got a little exposure to a beautiful Italian classic…all from one little, exhausting trip to Wal-Mart.

Thanks, Wal-Mart. Thanks, Placido. Thanks, Italian people everywhere. And thanks to the makers of bulk wash cloths conveniently priced at $3.92!

Who knew large discount chain stores could provide such enrichment?!

Don’t get me wrong - I still want to go to Italy!

Peace.