I am getting ready to leave and there's so much to do. Mostly I'm worried about getting this apartment emptied out. That shouldn't be that hard; it's just a matter of starting the process. I only wish I hadn't signed a one year lease. Then again, when I consider the state I was in when I signed the lease, I am okay.

I wish I had a job lined up for next year, however. I have really enjoyed earning money again and know that the job situation in NY is dire. I have applied to jobs in Virginia and Florida, but I don't really know how much in need teachers there really are. I just have to keep trying.

Retail therapy. Who coined this phrase? Is it real or a flash-in-the-pan?

Regardless, I did a lot of retail therapy this weekend. And, despite the amount of shopping I did, it could have been much worse. In fact, I think, all things considered, I was pretty restrained.

Let's begin on Saturday. It was hot so we began the weekend poolside chatting and sunning. Finally, we got ourselves off the lounges and into the shower and went for a late lunch. Afterwards, we stopped at Nordstrom Rack. Frankly, I am a shoe and purse person, so when I saw the high prices on the handbags (yes, despite the mark downs -- I am cheap), I figured the store would offer nothing for me. WRONG. I got to the shoe section and met much to my liking in both taste and wallet. So, I got shoes. Then I got some clothes. And earrings. Out in under a hundred. Not bad.

Sadly, the next morning I woke up with a strong desire to shop at the Dooney and Bourke outlet. There is a handbag I've been admiring for several months. Leather and beautiful. Now, I'm no stranger to outlets, so I figured what I wanted -- even a close facsimile -- would not be available. Again, WRONG. I found the handbag, marked for less than you could buy in the store and then it had a 60 percent cut from there. Really, I just had to buy it. I'm not sorry for it either.

Then we went to Old Navy. Sometimes I find stuff -- and lots of it -- but often not. So, when I found a pair of pants I liked, and then another, I figured I'd pick one of the two and call it a day. I had to bring both pairs to the register because the pair I chose had no tag. When the saleslady told me they were three bucks and change, I opted to buy both pairs. (Who can blame me?)

Thank heavens the weather is good for hiking. I will not be shopping at Red Rock Canyon.