Today’s been all manner of blah weather thus far. As in, blah like this.
Mixed with a little bit of this.
In my world, blah weather leads to unrelated blathering.
So you’ve been warned.
Yes, the weather leaves something to be desired today. Yesterday was similar, and Saturday was not that far removed from today either. We did venture out on the beach late Saturday and had fun walking against the wind, which was pretty strong. While the water still felt warm, the wind and the grey sky didn’t make swimming sound very appealing.
Anyway, this morning, after the boys were in school, baby-girl and I decided to have ourselves a good time getting a much-needed oil change for the minivan. I am queen of multitasking, so we headed to the automotive department at Walmart so that we could shop for plastic spoons, Drano, and toilet bowl cleaner while our oil was changed.
We’re living large.
It was either that or fall clothes shopping at Neiman Marcus. But Neiman Marcus hasn’t added oil changes to their list of services provided yet. Oh, and funny thing, they don’t appear to be targeting small islands in the Carolinas for store locations yet either. This is a prime example of a difference between Chicago living and Carolina island living. In Chicago, I had 3 locations within a half-hour of our house. Now, the closest one is hours away.
The Walmart outing was largely uneventful. It did, however, prompt me to question why employers don’t institute a speed test before offering employment. Specifically, if the job requires movement, it would seem advantageous to hire someone who moves at a reasonable speed. The lady who helped me check out was nice enough in a totally mute sort of way, but honestly, it would take seriously massive levels of concentration and restraint on my part to move that slow. Even when it’s the dreaded chore time, the small people probably move in quadruple speed.
On another totally unrelated note, we’re seeing lots of birds here on the marsh. I’ve mentioned that I’m not a bird person. I’m really not.
They tend to relieve themselves when they are around me.
But I keep seeing birds like this.
Or like this.
And it makes me fear that I could turn into one of those people with a bird reference book.
There’s a future for myself I never imagined.
Of course, I never imagined I’d end up one of those people who blathers on incessantly on a blog either.
And look where that assumption got me.
Hmmm…we hit Walmart today, too. Specifically for a patch kit for the air mattress that my parents sleep on when they are here. But we also ended up with a white sheet for The Cub’s ghost costume, a lamp for his room, a small area rug for the kitchen which I like better by the front door, and he bought (with his own money) another Cars car. Why is it impossible to go into those stores and only come out with the items on my list?
I’m not a bird person, either. My parents live on a small lake and are always pointing out the heron, etc. I’d rather watch the turtles.
Keep on blahthering. We don’t mind a bit.
Thanks for the support. Yes, we had maybe 5 or 6 items on our list, but walked away with about 5 times that. And since then, I’ve already realized I forgot napkins and paper towels. My kids always find a few small things they want, and then sit there deliberating about whether it’s worth spending some of their own money or not. They also love to point out birthday ideas, even when the next birthday is 51 weeks away. I also spent some time looking for an Indiana Jones hat and whip (no luck), because my middle son wants to dress up as him for Halloween. So yeah, I can’t even fathom just running in for a gallon of milk.
I love your blathering. Carry on! I ran to Meijer last night (sans kids) for cold meds for myself, and napkins for home. I left with chai, ice cream, and baby wipes, but no meds or napkins. Then, I realized this morning that I had already bought a jumbo box of baby wipes, and it was diapers that I needed. Maybe I need the kid distraction so that I remember what I really went to the store for in the first place?