Lunch with the granddaughters at the commercial center, followed by shopping for Aubrey: a Bratpack bag, shoes, and new frames for her distance glasses. Now all I have to pay for are her school service, school supplies, and books, pending the opening of school. We also bought a set of knives for the kitchen and a big, Philippine flag to hang on our Cubao New Orleans French Quarter front balcony on Independence Day.

Perplexed about something: We went to EVERY place to buy boxers for Aubrey, but she liked none of them and insisted that she shop for them at some other time alone. I have no idea why. Someone, please explain.

Red flag: Walking behind my granddaughters, I noted that men, especially foreigners, have begun looking at Angelique.

It is not easy to be a protective grandparent.