I must confess I miss shopping, overindulging, overspending, manicures, ordering in, buying books, lunches and dinners with friends, cab rides, shopping in bulk, buying everything I want and wanting more.

I want to be a consumer, do my part for the economy. Life seems so dreary.

I hate summer and today I am mopey and it makes me laugh. I've been following Alexandra Penney's blog in the Daily Beast - Bag Lady - she describes herself as a PORC (person of reduced circumstances). She wrote How To Make Love to a Man and she is also a photographer. She lost all her $$$ to Madoff and I am fascinated by her story. I found it most fascinating that she has tons of crisp white shirts, at one time cared for by her cleaning lady but alas now Alexandra has mastered not only her own manicures as well as her shirts. She is living frugally and is up to date on Madoff and his wifey. She confessed to recently spending $16 on a perfect fit Bill Blass pleated skirt she found at a Palm Beach thrift shop - even she had to buy something...................

I know how she feels.