I live in Wisconsin. Snow is a part of life. It may slow us done, but it does not stop us. Monday, after work, I dropped the boys off at home (knowing Daddy was only five minutes behind me with the girls) and headed to the store. I am wholly convinced the storm did not hit until late Tuesday night because I took this step. Had I told myself, "Eh - I can go tomorrow." the heavens would have opened up and we would have an additional 6 feet of snow. I took my reusable grocery bags and headed off to Woodman's - my new love.
Now, once you get over the sheer magnitude of the the place, Woodman's is awesome. I can now run-in and grab what I need, without having to stop and ask for directions or use an atlas. I have fallen in love. Monday was a rare treat - yes, going to the grocery store was a treat! Why might you ask? Simple, I did it without children. It was a pleasant 45 minutes, as I am a power shopper. Even with 4 phone calls from Daddy or one of his evil minions. I did not have to worry about who was grabbing what, who was touching whom, who needed to go potty when it is a 10 minute walk to the bathroom. It was nice!
Now, I realized how sad this was when a gentleman stopped my on my way back from the frozen food section. He asked why I was so happy. After a puzzled look, he explained. I guess I was either singing along to the elevator music or laughing at the kids who were calling for their Daddy to have me pick up something he wanted - every time he passed me. I think he was going one way down the aisles and I was going the other. He couldn't understand how I could be happy with the roads as messy as they already were, the impending blizzard and the mere fact that I was doing the tedious chore of grocery shopping. I simply replied, "I have four children and they are at home with my husband." He smiled and we exchanged some pleasantries and on our way we went.
After that discussion, I realized a simple fact of life. My life is no longer my own. I no longer have time away from the house without at least one child. I used to have at least part of my drive to school without any kids - that is gone for the next 14 years. If I run to the store, I usually have all four muppets, or at least Olivia. So, to be away from them for a mere 45 minutes, was a treat. Not to say that I don't love my children, just that I like me, and should find a way to spend more time with - me.
Be safe today.
And we are double booked today - David Seebach and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at 2pm - with the three stooges, followed by a jaunt up to Sheboygan to Blue Harbor Resort for the Boys to hang out with J's Uncle and his grandson. I can't disappoint the boys, but this is going to royally suck. I was planning on hanging out with Desi in the Splash pad for a bit, but with the roads as bad as they will be, I think I will be simply dropping them off. I may also swing by my dad's and drop off D - since he will already have Obabia. I prefer to have as few children in the car as possible.
