Day 280
I’d like to do today over.
I don’t like wanting that. Even thinking that – I feel like I squandered a day … that I threw away a precious gift … that I didn’t enjoy something that I should have … that I didn’t appreciate something that I will never be able to get back.
I don’t like days like this. Life is too short to have stupid days.
And it wasn’t even anything bad or awful … just time consuming and frustrating.
I started out thinking that I’d go run a few errands. But then reasoned … while out – why not just do ALL of them? So, I started out with good intentions and things went down hill quickly.
I stopped at a store to get juice glasses. A silly little thing but I have two and would like a few more. They were all gone and discontinued. So, I stopped at another store (same chain) … no luck there, either.
Traffic was horrible and so this measly errand already took up too much of my day. I was close to Menards (like a Home Depot) and thought I’d return the smoke detectors I don’t need; except I found out after waiting in an interminable return line that I didn’t buy them from Menards (or Home Depot or Ace). Where did I get them?
From there I drove north … now 90 minutes into my trip … and missed my exit so took the “scenic route” to the mall. All the street lights in that area were not working. Did I mention that traffic was horrible?
I have not been to this mall since I was about 10. And I finally made it into the parking lot but was unsure which of the seven parking garages I should park in – so circled the mall, not quite knowing what stores were where and eventually I found a parking space … 20 minutes later!
I decided since I didn’t have lunch (which probably would have made my mood better) I’d treat myself to a Starbucks (which I swore off “for good” the other day). So much for will power. I wanted it and even my deep desire for that 3 pump vanilla latte with soy didn’t diminish my disgust at the price tag which accompanied the red holiday cup. I have renewed resolve to forego SB in the future.
I decided I’d stop in at Macy’s because they were having a one day sale on boots. I’ve been looking for boots forever. I have wide feet and wide calves and well, neither is a good thing when trying to find boots. Everyone on the planet was in this store’s shoe department. It was like Filene’s basement on a special sale day. It was a madhouse! I finally found a sales clerk to pull out a few pairs of boots from the back for me. But … no 9s, no brown, no wide toes, no good soles. I think she was just going in the back and taking a break and not looking for anything. She looked pretty weary. I left empty handed and unbooted.
At every store or department there were moms on cell phones with children running rampant. I don’t understand why parents do not parent. I see it way too much and it not only bothers me … it drives me CRAZY! I want to shake the parent and say, “You have children … supervise them! And while you’re at it, teach them how to be civil human beings!”
So … after getting home much later than I wanted and after an evening of doing house projects and not liking what I made for dinner and needing too many Advil to get rid of the headache from the smell of the pumpkin cookies I baked – I’ve been thinking I’ve wasted a day. I had such high hopes for getting so much done and just enjoying the thunderstorm and the oddly warm spring-like weather and being out and about … but here I am at midnight wishing my day had gone totally differently.
So, instead of having a do-over (since it’s not possible anyway) and even though I’m really tired, I’m going to cuddle up on the couch with the animals and watch Evan Almighty because it’s one of those movies that make me laugh so hard I snort.
And I can’t think of a better way to end this day … and begin a new one!