Down Time

As in the kids are down (napping or for bed) and Mom is running her butt off! That kind of "down time" is the only kind I've known for the last 2yrs. When Riley is sleeping or with a grandparent I am like a woman possessed madly trying to get every errand I couldn't (or wouldn't) do with a toddler done.

Today I put Riley down for her nap, waited the obligatory 5min to make sure she had gone to sleep and ran out the door. Again, Mike works from home a lot and he was in the room next to Riley's. I had to get to the post office and the rest of the week's groceries before she woke up. On your mark get set, Go!

I went to the post office first where every handicapped space was taken. I glanced over as I walked by to see all of these spaces were occupied by people reading in the car obviously waiting for someone inside. Really, you couldn't have waited in a different space? The line was long for noon on a Wednesday. I got in line and hadn't been waiting more than a minute when a cranky old man cut me.

He had one letter and generally seemed...well, unapproachable so I let him. When my turn finally came they couldn't help me. So, frustrating, wish I would have known before the hike through the parking lot and standing in line. Jerks. When I go out during the day it is almost always with Riley so I use one crutch and hold her hand or the wheelchair. Because I was unaccompanied I had both crutches today. As I turned to leave my friend's uncle greeted me and without thinking I grabbed his hand to shake it throwing my crutch across the floor. So, embarrassing...

With part of nap time completely wasted I went to the big grocery store across the street. It reminded me of LA, my long lost home. I parked in the underground parking, just like old times. I hopped in an old lady cart and moved at a slightly faster pace than walking towards the elevator. Putt-putt-putt...

Everyone was super nice walking around counters to hand me things, offering to reach things on the higher shelf for me. When I got to the check out to my amazement they had the card swip keypad at my level. Woah. I wondered briefly if I'd accidentally gotten in the "accessible line." A quick glance to my left told me all the check outs had accessible card swips. Neat-O. Upon expressing my joy at this the girl helping me asked if I knew how to get out. She was genuinely concerned since the store was so large I'd never been there before that I didn't remember the way. I refused help out, although I shouldn't have, and went on my way.

I loaded my groceries into the car wondering when oh when curbside pickup will be available here. Again, I had flashbacks of LA as I left my space and searched for the exit. I was careful to pay close attention to the arrows on the way out so, when someone pulling in waved for me to roll my window down I assumed I'd messed up. Nope, he was informing me in a fatherly tone "your passenger side headlight is out, young lady." I guess I'm not in LA.

I made it back with everything on the list and no plastic bags. I forbid anymore of them in my house. I have at least 5 reusable canvas bags, but 3 were lost in the move somehow and I could only find one before I left today so I bought 2 new ones. I had time to put everything away and write this with Riley soundly sleeping. Go, Mom, go.