Down time finds me doing a lot of computer seek-n-find games, as well as some Sudoku and crosswords. Occasionally, I'll tune into Jeopardy to play along (a 15-year pastime whenever I'm at home).

When I'm not at home on a typical day, I now have time to go downtown and do some window shopping (b/c regular shopping these days are dicey). I like to stop by Borders or Barnes & Noble to case out books that I will have to budget for. There is something about a bookstore that soothes me. And of course, I like the frozen java shakes (without the java; caffeine makes me jumpy).

Window shopping may also include a drop in at World Market (which has taken the place of the disappearing Pier 1 which used to be a regular hangout). The smells and colors of the WM store energize me. But even a sachet of potpourri is expensive there, so I just have to settle for a passing whiff.

There's a movie theater across the street from Borders, and if there is a good movie, I'll take in a matinee (just $5), which is a doable indulgence. My cinematic tastes lends to animation lately. The last movies I saw included Up, Cloudy with a Chance of Spaghetti, and The Princess and the Frog. I try not to be embarrassed to be the only adult without a child in tow. But then again, I'm a big kid at heart. And sometimes attitude.

My guilty habit includes looking at too much TV. My must-see shows lately include The Vampire Diaries, Medium, The Ghost Whisperer and The Big Bang Theory. I actually grew up on a diet of television and it is a hard habit to ween myself off of.

Other times, I'll get inspired to do some artwork with my Adobe Photoshop and will search pics to morph into abstracts.

--Sharon