So why, pray tell, are you here on the internets and not back at the freakin' Trader Joe's parking lot finding that card!? :) Just in case, I mean.

Trader Joe's is an excellent place for wine buying. Me? I'm here re-reading the warning labels on my antibiotics and cough medicine about not consuming alcohol while under the influence of this medication and looking at the $25 bottle of port I splurged on for myself for my birthday. Damn pneumonia!

I've heard the grocery is a great place to meet people...

WOOOT!! you go girl! was he cute? hehehe
Be brave, you are beautiful :)

(from a long time reader, first time commenter)

Aw. That's sweet and cute and you're not ready yet. Darn it. But you will be, and they'll be out there. :)

Right on, Laurie! I think I can feel an elevated heart rate even way up north here. So, shopping at Trader Joe's again?

I'm with Patti - if you're not ready, that's cool. But isn't it nice to know that some (smart) guy out there liked you just as you are?

There is no rush to be ready.. but I gotta tell you, I got to love that nervous stupid feeling when you don't know what to say!

I love Trader Joes.
And thats as good a reason as any to keep loving it :)

P.S.
I meant to say I "grew" to.
And you know, its hard to believe you'd ever relish feeling terrified, but it started to just feel "alive" to me after a while.

Miss Manners says you are not supposed to go to bars to meet people, you are supposed to go someplace where people are (in theory) concentrating on the task at hand (the task being presumably something other than sizing up cuties, I mean) and then, should you see a cutie, try to strike up a task-related conversation.

All of which is to say, he's probably a perfectly nice boy. Not to worry: they are out there. More than one. You didn't let the only one in the Valley escape.

Good grief, I sound more like a yenta every day.

And what in blazes am I doing up at 2:45 am? I think you are contagious.

You still got it, baybeeee!

Trader Joe's AND a cute stuttering man? I am so jelouse (eek...no spelling late at night.) We have no Trader Joe's here :( so sad.
And men? The odds are good but the goods are odd. Sooooo sad.

Laurie, not to minimize your feeling one step behind but we're all just stumbeling around out here. It's fun when life throws you a little treat. That happens when you live out loud. I like that sentiment and am working on that and hitting my stride too.

Step on out!

Sharon AK

Wow. Just wow. I've been divorced for 5 years and shop at all kinds of stores, including Trader Joe's, and not even ONE man has EVER approached me.

Go find that card!

I couldn't agree more with Sharon. We're all trying to feel our way.

But I have to say Hello Mojo! You've got it, lady, and we can all see your sparkle. You are wonderful.

Just give it some time....and well, this is just the proof that your Mojo's totally there! You go, girl!

I'm sure things will get easier in time. U'll be attracting all those single guys in the supermarket in no time... ;o)

WOOT!!! Good on you gorgeous. You will find your voice, and when you do you can call him or anyone else and move it forward.

I'll be cheering in the stands for you (and then trying to do it myself :)

Girl, someday you are going to remember you are gorgeous. It makes me sad sometimes the way you put yourself down. Enjoy the attention and flaunt that accent. Believe me, there are those that find a southern accent totally sexy. If you don't like saying where it is you grew up, just say you grew up all over the south.

And remember, you can flirt just to flirt. Who the heck said it has to lead anywhere if you aren't ready for it to.

well maybe when you're ready you'll see him again and ask for another card? ;-)

so you'll be shopping at a lot at trader joe's from now on?

honestly though, don't be afraid to be who you are.

So, Laurie, this is what you do - you knit yourself a sexy, lacy lingerie set for Paris - maybe in the round...and probably in pink. And black. Silk yarn. yyyes. oui.

Wahoo....one step at a time, one step at a time!

I think everyone who is dating feels this way!!! Chances are that your date is feeling just as awkward as you are....consider him to be good training material :-D

Hello Mojo indeed!

Just wanted to add -- there's nothing wrong with being Southern... or sounding Southern... or growing up dirt poor in the south (don't know if you did, but I sense that your roots embarrass you). A person's value is in who she is, and you are spectacular -- and from your stories about your folks, it sounds like you come from good people.

If certain Californians are so insecure and image-driven that they sneer at a Southern accent, that's their fuckin' problem. Pity them for their ignorace, and sweeten the drawl, darlin'!

I'm married so picking up guys at the grocery store isn't exactly an option, but it'd still be nice to have some hottie think I was attractive enough to follow me to my car just in case I was available, interested or whatever. It's been a while. I'd probably squoosh my blackberries!

Southern accents are charming.

blackberries + wine + the hotness that is CAP?

Dream date material.

I think that several persons have nailed it on the head. When *you* are ready, maybe you'll run into him again and you'll make the decision to accept his card and keep it. Or not.

Give yourself some breathing room here, you've been swimming in shit for so long.

And I promise, you'll feel less scared as you heal. Really.

You dropped the card?! Let that be the last time you drop the card, girl! I know what you mean about being sort of shocked that someone would approach you, though. I've completely forgotten how to flirt...guys have hit on me on occasion and I just respond like an idiot. (I've been married for eight years, so it's okay that I'm not flirting back, but still...it's kind of embarrassing.) It's like it takes you by surprise so much that you don't have any sort of a response ready, so you sit there with a dopey look on your face...or at least I do. You, my friend, are an incredibly pretty & attractive girl, so y'all better prepare to be in c'mere-&-ask-me-out mode more often.

And yeah, the accent is cute as hell. Any guy who doesn't think so is SO not worth your time. So there.

Oh, but it's so nice to know that some guys out there find you intriguing (dare I say hot?). Just run with that feeling for a while, and wait till you're ready for the rest.

And, be happy that you didn't start school mid-way through the 7th grade in So Cal with a "hick" accent. They beat the accent out of my older brother, and it was teased out of me in under six months. Even living 6 years in Texas after age 19 didn't bring back the accent. Just be happy you're old enough for people to just find it charming.

My mom's answer to "Where you from?" was always to batt her eyes playfully and say "Southern California" with the strongest accent she could come up with.

2006: The Year of Laurie

Go find that card! You may not be ready to start dating again, but you will have some tangible evidence to remind you, if you get to feeling low, how wonderful you are and that a cute smart guy thought you were TOTALLY HOT! Tuck that card in your suitcase and take it to Paris with you. Pull it out and look at it every morning just to start your mornings off with a big-ass smile.
Maybe when you get back from your vacation you might be up to calling that boy- maybe go have coffee and dessert with him- it took guts for him to do what he did.and he's obviously a man with great taste in women.

*** he may have asked you where you were from because he too ( as you and I are ) is from the South and has just masked his accent in order to fit in. If you get together with him you'll know for sure if he starts up with ' Where are you from?" ... and then immediately goes into the " Do you knows." Extra credit for sweet tea.

You may decide he isn't date material but he may be friend material, and you can never have too many friends.

Holy moly Laurie, if I didnt have to get Gaby to her theatre class in an hour, i'd be over at TJ's scouring for the card myself. Its about time you realize how terrific you are and start having fun.

:-) Debra

p.s. You should go back and have them page "Scott" on the intercom. Maybe fate will have him standing in the frozen food isle?!!

I'm so with Drew on this one. 2006 is definitely the Year of Laurie. ;)

(and this lovely tale reminds me that looking up once in a while when grocery shopping might be a good thing for me to do...)

One step at a time girlfriend, one step at a time.

Yay Laurie!! Whether you are ready or not, I bet you are going to start having loads nore experiences like that. You are a total catch!!

I hope this and every other one builds your confidence a little more until you realize that you're an incredible woman and a guy would be LUCKY to have you. I hate that that loser Mr. X destroyed your self-confidence so much... you are way cooler, smarter, amd better looking that he'll ever be and even a rando guy in the food store realizes it.

(On your previous post..) thanks for the tutorials on the circulars! The pictures are great and you explain in a way where I can actually (finally) get it. If you're taking requests (?!) for future tutorials, would you please show some of us how to "slip" stitch and knit? (ssk or ssp?) Keep up the great blogging.. and way to go on catching grocery shopping man's attention.. the "when you least expect it" saying rings so true. I'm sure there were 5 other guys that didn't have the guts to approach you as well. Have a great weekend-

Exactly! Year of Laurie!!! This is fantastic!!! Remember, we're all nervous and "goofy" when we first meet someone (especially if they're cute!)...oh! and I'm with everyone else...why didn't you go back to get that card!!!! I mean he was buying vitamins!! Need I say more! (think I put enough exclamation points in there? geesh!)

Woo-hoo, Laurie! That's very cool. I hope you went back and picked up the card. :)

Girl, please tell me you went back to the parking lot to look!!! Even just to get his email address!!!!
You need to take these chance encounters & use them. Worse case senario you get a new friend. Tell me you will now shop at TJ's daily!!!

Get thee BACK TO TRADER JOE'S and FIND SCOTT!!!!!! WOOHOOOO!!! The best way to recover from a bad relationship is to have a GOOD ONE! Go get him, sister! This man clearly has excellent taste and a SPINE! :D

Your *formerly* unmarried sister from the south,
Suzanne

this is cool!! :D how fun! too bad you dropped his card tho! :( you never know tho, he might just be around the next corner. so, new reader here, where are you from? did you tell him??

Single is hard at any time - though it also has its advantages - and we are all scared and awkward and suspicious and feel like we missed a class that everyone else took.

Next time - and there will be a next time - promise yourself that you'll take a deep breathe and consider that he might not be crazy to be interested.

Are you sure you dropped it? Maybe it slipped under your driver seat. You know?

I believe everything happens for a reason. Maybe the card got dropped because you aren't really supposed to call him, but it was a message to you that you are exuding that energy that will attract men to you. I'm happy for you. You are on the mend!

I agree with several previous entries. Go get the card. Even if you never call the number, frame it, hang it on your wall to remind you everyday that there are guys out there looking for you, they may not know it, but they are

If this were a movie or an episode of Sex and the City, he would have walked out later and saw his card lying on the ground and thought determinedly, "okay, I'll try again NEXT Friday". And so you know where you have to be at the exact same time next week, don't you? If he's there again - fate. If not, you dodged a bullet. Because, I too, am suspicious of supermarket pick-ups. Single too long and jaded, I guess. A large part of me secretly hopes he'll be there next time and that it leads to something. And that you'll continue livin' out loud and sharin' your life with strangers on the internets, so those of us who will always be single can live vicariously through you.

So, Trader Joe's. Next Friday evening. Be there.

Girl -- your mojo is BACK! ;-)

Congrats! Just remember, it's more afraid of you than you are of it. Go find that card, dang it.

As for the accent, I worked pretty hard to get rid of mine too. It still shows up when I'm drunk or very tired, though, and it hasn't really been a problem. I've experienced more sexism than prejudice based on geographical origin anyway.

I had no idea ya'll were such a bunch of romantics! LOL

I'm going yarn shopping.

I'm with the others....get the card or def. go back next Friday evening. I have too many divorced friends that can't find a decent, single, unattached man. You're young. beautiful and smart. Take time to heal but also don't let self-doubt and pity get the best of you from making the most of new (and better-YES!) relationships. I am Southern and went to school in Pasadena—everyone thought my accent was Australian!

please go to the parking lot, it's so rare when that happens

please go to the parking lot, it's so rare when that happens

You gotcher mojo workin'!

Gosh, it sounds like a moment we sometimes fantasize about--being picked up in Trader Joes. Kudos to you. You handled it just fine. There's no rush when you're living out loud.
He must've have really wanted to meet you--after all, he struck up a conversation and then followed you out to your jeep. I'm with others: Go back to the store next Friday night with no expectations other than "just to see." If course, when you get back home, have a glass of wine and tell us all about it.

OH MY GOD! You said "Buggy"!! I thought I was the only one in LA who says that! I have to force myself to say "Cart"

I once tried to strike up a conversation with a cute, cool gal at the grocery store. How did it go? In a word: HORRIBLY. Glad to hear it worked out better for you.

That's so cool! Guys in NZ are really reserved so that would never happen here. I really have no idea how to meet guys any more! It was so easy when I was at university, but now what do you do? Trader Joe's would appear to be the solution, such a pity we don't have it here!

You may not be ready yet, but you are absolutely gorgeous (and very young-looking, I have no idea how old you *actually* are!), smart, funny, have great taste in wine and can knit, what more could a guy ever want? When you are ready, they'll be lining up.

I just love reading the comments left by your supportive Crazy Aunt Purl readers! They are absolutely right - you are beautiful and smart and funny and OF COURSE you are going to approached by cute boys! Have fun with it!

As for the Southern Accent...why cover it up? As a Canadian, people always joke about my "eh's" - as in, "It's a nice day out today, eh?" The "eh" drives my husband crazy. He says it sounds rural. But you know, I LOVE that little "eh". Everyone in my family uses it, all my Cdn friends say it, it reminds me of Home. The Southern accent sounds warm, like a big hug and a friendly smile. When I think of the South, I think of down-to-earth, friendly people. There's also mystery and romance to the South. Don't EVER lose that accent!

I have a board that I pin cards to. Doesn't mean you have to call but the number is there waiting just in case you ever change your mind. It's also kind of reassuring to see the collection to know that you haven't lost it.

hey cool.....

methinks friday nights are a good time to shop at trader joe's from now on...hint,hint....(hugs)

was he cute?! did you go back to the parking lot to look for the card???!!!!
damn, now you're going to be making LOTS of trips to trader joe's, ... just "in case".

Oh my god! That's soo cool and so surreal!

I would so be back in that parking lot looking for the card. :D

Way to go!

Somewhere in the LA area there is a guy named Scott waiting by the phone. He just wants one chance, the poor guy! :) I'm sure it's just as hard for nice guys to find nice girls. It might not sound so intimidating if you think of it that way. He sounds like he is living out loud as well. He followed you out of the store! Such a bold move now days no matter how you look at it.

But if you are not ready (what's one date?) you are not ready. I totally understand (Your missing a free dinner) that. But if you change your mind (The first step is always the hardest and you will never feel totally "ready") then there is always "Missed Connections" (he was cute!) on Criagslist. hehe

Gosh, don't I know about how being nervous makes you revert back to your accent, only with me it's a lisp - which I've mostly overcome - but it always sneaks into my speech the moment I'm introducing myself to someone and I have to say my name and it comes out "Irith," making me have to say it twice and then apologize for my lisp.

Oh Good Grief! Go find that card. You don't have to call him but have it as proof that you are an attractive and interesting (including the accent) woman.

Regarding accents, I'm from the Midwest and allegedly have no accent. When I lived in Houston, Texas, I tried to adopt one but couldn't carry it off. Honey, if you've got, flaunt it.

I don't know what everyone else here has written - I've been through something very similar to you. You've retained your sence of humor and that's very important. Laugh, laugh at life, yourself and your ex-husband for being an ass.

It's hard and challenging to move on, especially when someone has ripped your heart out. I think it's awesome that 'Scott' was so forward - next time, you'll be better prepaired. You deserve to have men falling at your feet. BTW, no one is ever good at being single - just be good at being happy with who you are - then it won't matter if you are single or not!
HUGS!!

omg you dropped the card!

and like someone else said . . . I would so be back in that parking lot looking for the card!

Hi, I'm Kristin and I've been lurking since Christmas Day ;o)

Hey girl, long time lurker, first time commenter.
I remind myself all the time: nice guy talking to you doesn't mean start planning the wedding. Chill out, step back, take a breath. Be you. Be a friend first. Get your confidence back by letting someone in as a friend. You'll be surprised how that confidence will open up your world.

Lissa

what a sweet guy - it takes guts to approach someone, and he picked you! lucky girl ;) just keep whatever you were doing and it'll happen again. i was the first one to get divorced in my circle of friends, and it's devastating, whether or not things have been going well. but you'll be fine. just takes some time.

Back to the parking lot!!!!!
And southern accents are HOT, y'all.

i'm going to tj's tomorrow and i *know* i'll be looking for cards in the parking lot (even tho i'm in virginia -and- i'll be shopping with my husband.... whatevs)

Scott gave me his card too...just thought you'd like to know.....

Single girl says: you're not a step behind everyone. Maybe some people, but the only step they have is faking it well.

Laurie. You can't trust men named Scott. Jus' sayin'. Oh and- YOU GO GIRL! Obviously you'll need to start buying more wine as wine=telephone numbers.

YOU DROPPED THE CARD???? DID YOU FIND IT??????!!!!

IF, you see him again, AND he asks, you can Honestly say that you lost his card!

....great start for a cup of coffee.....

....and he sounded as nervous and cute as you....

SO COOL! I know it kind of sux you lost the card, but now you are not freaking over whether to call what to say how to lose that accent...it is just kind of nice to be in the glow of making someone stammer and find the balls to approach a stranger. And by the way, laying on a just a little of that Southern accent has always worked wonders for me with non Southern guys. They love it.

You are so cute! I am here in NOHO and finally ready to try knitting a hat after hat-related PTSD at Christmastime....

1. Yes, being single after marriage is hard.
2. Being single is hard even before you got married...it's just been a while so you forgot.
3. It gets better. :)

Take it for what it is...you got checked out by a cute guy in a grocery store. Awesome! This means that: The male species still finds you cute and just because your divorced you don't have to move to a special island before you can date again.

If nothing else this is just a baby step and practice for when you are ready to go out again.

I have to step in here with my first posting and say that I don't know if he asked you where you were from because he was put off by an accent, I think he asked it because he might of thought based on your blonde hair and blue eyes that you were from CA. He might have been pleasantly taken about when he realized that you are not. I think the fact that he followed you out into the parking lot to give you his card shows that he had NO problem with you, your looks, or anything else for that matter. I think it took a lot of guts for him to do that.
If you feel up to it in the future maybe you could go to Trader Joe's on a Friday night, he might be there hoping to run into you. If you don't feel ready for anything yet then take heart in knowing that obviously this cute guy thought you were worth pursuing! :-)

Let me add to the other 79 comments. OMG. I'm so jealous.

Sweetie - you don't need the card...you have the MEMORY!

I had something similar happen to me last year skiing...and my husband watched the whole thing from the bar.....as he was laughing so hard he was crying. His comment "you were so speechless that someone was hitting on you!"

GOOD FOR YOU Laurie!

Karma and MOJO have a way of showing up when you least expect them.

Relish that moment...it is one of MANY more to come.

Drew is the best, isn't he? Year of Laurie!

I bet he's a regular at that particular Trader Joe's. People are like that about where they shop. You'll run into him again. And then after you give him your review of the wine (follow-up, shows you were paying attention) you can tell him in all honesty that you were so flustered by his attention that you *misplaced* his card.

My husband and I first met at a grocery store. We flirted and figuratively danced around each other for MONTHS before I got up the courage to ask him to a party. The rest, as they say, is history.

Re: your accent. Isn't everybody in LA a transplant from somewhere else? As others have said, embrace it. Just another lovely part of who you are.

Laurie, don't hide who you are from anyone--especially not someone of the opposite sex. I know you aren't ready for a relationship yet, but when you are, you don't want to start off with deception and fear. Be who you are to the fullest, and any guy who doesn't like that is not who you need or want to be with!

Dude, is there anyway that maybe you *didn't* drop the card? I do hope you checked your car 20 bazillion times, and even if you have - go check once more!

OMG!! You didnt go back and get the card? I would have been back in that parking lot on my hands and knees looking for that card! I mean...for God's sake he had vitamins girl!! Some advice...after my divorce I waited 5 (yes FIVE) years before dating (so I was busy...ok), dont wait that long. Go out and live life and enjoy being you....you're so darn loveable!

What a great story. So romantic... I can just imagine you clinking glasses with Scott and laughing about this litte story a year from now. It's time to do some detective work. Do you remember what he did for a living, or the name of the company? By the way, was the wine any good?

When you are actually READY for some cute guy to chat you up, it won't happen - it's Murphy's Law.

I am living proof :)

Oh I so hope you went back to find that card! Just seems like the thing to keep, no matter what you end up doing with it! :-)

I just wanted to leave you a quick comment--I'm loving your blog! I found your blog today and have spent the better part of my afternoon enjoying your vacation pictures and notes.

The Trader Joe's guy sounds interesting...it must have took a lot of guts for him to approach you like that. Yay Laurie!

There's a lot to be said for molasses. But that is a totally different, albeit mouthwatering, topic to be discussed at a later time.

Just lurking in your blog makes me aware that you are an incredibly magnetic individual. Great sense of humour and great outlook on life.

>>I have no idea how to handle myself now.

On a grotty note, I'm sure you're probably not being 100% honest here.
On a non-grotty note, just live the moment and be yourself!! You've got the goods. It may feel alien talking to ppl without that safetynet, but that feeling will pass before you know it. I base this on nothing, but I'm sure I'm correct. (Confidence inspiring qualifications right there!)

Of course you have good Carma ;)

I do believe your mojo has woken up (I'm no convinced it ever went away I always thought it was just napping).

WORK it, sista. I'm doing a happy dance for you!

:)

woo hoo!!! you soooo deserve this!!! all that good karma is paying off!

GO BACK AND GET THAT DAMN CARD!!!!!!

Laurie,

It doesn't matter whether you have the guy's card or not. You were sending out positive vibes that nice guys are now responding to.

Mr Trader Joe's sounds like a decent guy, but there are others like him out there. The difference is that now you are emitting that "I'm nice, I'm funny, I'm cute, I've got a seriously sexy southern drawl, etc." aura that men are able to react to.

Have fun. You do not need to go out with, fall in love with, or get married to the first man that falls into your spell. Enjoy it...

I once dated a guy who I met when he dropped a can of tomatoes on my foot (he'd been following me around the store, finally worked up the nerve to ask me what kind of tomatoes to buy, and then was so nervous he fumbled *hehe*). Thank God your experience was less painful! If you're not ready you're not ready ... but I totally agree that at the very least you should find that card and put it up on your bathroom mirror, so every time you look at it you're reminded that a cute guy who even buys vitamins agrees with your readers; you DO have your mojo back ;)

Oh my Gosh! Look everywhere! You may have been so nervous that you forgot you put it in your pocket or purse! I swear, these things can only happen to you! LOL! I think you're sweet and cute and will have no problem with finding sweet and cute guys like Scott. P.S. I live in Ok., and everyone asks where I'm from. From Arkansas!

AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never had that happen and I have been single for most of my life. NEVER! Rock on. So what if you dropped the card and you never see him again, Relish in the fact that YOU ROCK!!!! I am so jealous!!!!

i don't claim to have read all comments, but karma is totally spelled with a k.

do what feels right. always. no matter what.

DAMN IT GIRL!!!!!
It's time you get back on that horse!!!!!

Next time smile that sweet southern smile and say "I'd love to go out for dinner"

You don't want to be like me!!!!!! I kept saying NO.
Now I'm 55 and will NEVER remarry. Now I only go out for dinner with girlfriends! It's great....but no sex after.
BEWARE!!!!

Excuse me, waiter? I'll have whatever she's having please.

I think you better go back to Trader Joes next Friday night...same time, same place, same sandbox. Maybe you'll see Scott again!

Purl, that rocks! You must've been lookin' h-o-t!

You don't need that card. If it's meant to be with that particular guy, you'll be facing each other in TJ's or somewhere else when you least expect it. Just keep smilin', Laurie! I'm sure that's what gave Scott the guts to follow you out to your car. Your smile says it all!

Perhaps knitting will give you clarity.....

good for you! I agree with Bad Hippie. Get yourself back to Trader Joes next friday. It might be fun just to flirt! One of my dearest friends is southern, the accent is a lot of her charm. don't give it up!

I think, here in Seattle, one of the news stations with one of those "weekend" local flavor half hour shows did a story on how *Trader Joes* is, like, THE place to hook up on Friday nights. Seriously. All manner of people apparently go shopping with their little orange baskets and try out pick up lines over the apricot Stilton (which, I must admit, is one of my favorites) or the free trade coffee.

I'd completely forgotten this as it was months and months ago, but I do remember swinging by there one Friday night after work and wondering why there seemed to be such a high percentage of pretty people pondering dried pineapple rings and Greek yogurt (which is another fav). I got completely flustered by a lovely young man who tried to strike up a convo over the incredibly loud grinding of the coffee bean smasher, and beat feet shortly after.

So, yeah. TJ's. The hot happenin' pick up spot. Who knew?

Turn on the drawl! My cousin Tom was born in Virginia and moved to Texas when he was about 10. It takes him 5 syllables to say "Hi Mag!" and it makes my knees wobbly every time. Turn on the drawl! Don't be ashamed of it; use it as a lethal weapon for reeling in men (when you're ready). I'm just sayin'.

I can't believe you got the cute guy in the grocery store and I got the gross guy who smelled like garlic, had a gravy stain on his ripped T-Shirt and tried to sell me a Ralphs gift card "worth $200" for $50 cash.
That's it. I'm shopping at TJ's from now on.

Hey.. I didn't smell that bad... and all my other tee's were in the wash...

... and exactly why didn't you turn around and drive back to the lot and get it??????

Rain in L.A.

Isn't it always so-

We mock L.A. drivers for a few drops on rain.

In New England we mock the mid-atlantic for shutting down for a few inches of snow.

In Buffalo they mock us for shutting down for a few feet of snow.

The joys of the human condition, always someone out there that makes you look more competent than you are.

Oh Laurie, you are not a native Californian. I was at one time, here is the scoop on sig alert. In the 1960's there was a radio announcer on Am 1070 they are the people who do the traffic and weather, ( at least they did when I lived in L.A. ten years ago) His name was James Sigmund I believe, he was the first one to ever do L.A. traffic for 1070, anyway he did it for like a million years, like Chick Hearn he became a L.A. institution. Anyway, he would tell people where there was a traffic problem and what to avoid and what alternate route to take. They started calling them "Sig Alerts" and the name just stuck.

Hope this helps.

Oh Laurie, you are not a native Californian. I was at one time, here is the scoop on sig alert. In the 1960's there was a radio announcer on Am 1070 they are the people who do the traffic and weather, ( at least they did when I lived in L.A. ten years ago) His name was James Sigmund I believe, he was the first one to ever do L.A. traffic for 1070, anyway he did it for like a million years, like Chick Hearn he became a L.A. institution. Anyway, he would tell people where there was a traffic problem and what to avoid and what alternate route to take. They started calling them "Sig Alerts" and the name just stuck.

Hope this helps.

Excellent to read! Go Laurie, go Laurie! And at Trader Joe's no less. Woohoo!!!