Three Men & a Grocery Store

It’s an adjustment relearning how to be a working mom again. Although I was never taught how to cook, I enjoyed attempting the art of cooking while out of work. Like most other things in life, I thought if I worked hard enough at it the skills would come eventually. After three kitchen fires, two sets of ruined pans and failed private lessons, it was evident that cooking just wasn’t in the cards for me. I did deduce, however, that it was less a problem with lack of skill and more a problem with my natural instinct to multi-task. One cannot do three things at once while cooking. I learned this the hard way.

Planning meals and on demand shopping became a part of my daily ritual while out of work. The Friday evening weekly grocery run was no longer necessary. The habit of shopping at the designer grocery stores was not an option now that we were on a budget. ‘Bag your own grocery’ chains became familiar to me for the first time in my marriage. With more time than I’d ever had, I slowly strolled the aisles every day with the other ‘at home moms’ and senior citizens. I carefully selected the best produce and meats, ensuring that I would feed my family only the healthiest of meals.

This past weekend was a typical one for our family. Jam packed with the ten and thirteen year old boy activities, including a basketball tournament located on the other side of the city. Managing the weekly grocery shopping was sure to be a challenge. That Sunday, before the final game, I dragged my three men to the only grocery store near the basketball venue. We were on a quick mission to purchase a week’s worth of groceries in thirty minutes. Upon arrival to the Louis Vuitton of grocery stores, I had a distinct plan. I’d take the boys and grab the essentials for school lunches, dinners, healthy snacks, milk, etc. My husband was charged with gathering breakfast items and cereal for my little guy.

I noticed while examining a $6.00 box of Graham Cracker Bears that my boys disappeared. This could work to my advantage or disadvantage. At this point…I wasn’t sure. My youngest son had the attention span of a gnat as he was playing his portable video game. My 13 year old son grunted through the aisles saying, “grocery stores are stupid.” Now that they had disappeared, it was my chance to take fifteen minutes and cruise through the store like a maniac attempting to gather as much healthy food as possible. I have vowed NOT to fall back into the ‘quick fix-fast food lifestyle’.

Once finished, I looked for my husband. Up and down the aisles. Back and forth through the produce. Through the meat. Through the frozen foods. Through the produce again. No sign of the three men. Up and down the aisles again….three times. Still no sign. Ticked off as heck now I pondered, “Did they go back to the car? Did I take too long?” All three boys own cell phones, yet none would answer during my search.

Five minutes left until we needed to rush back to the basketball game. “Darn….where the heck are they?” I thought. I decided to plant myself by the check-out for my final three minutes. Mad as a hornet now, I looked up front. Sure enough, there sat my three men. Two on the iPod Touch and one surfin’ the net on his Smart Phone. “Hey hon, this place has wifi,” exclaimed my not so cute any more hubby. “Oh really? Where’s your cart? I’m ready to check out.” I said shortly. “Over there, beautiful,” attempting to charm me. I looked at the empty stranded cart. No cereal. Ugh….

One thing is for sure…grocery stores and men don’t mix. Next weekend, I’m back to the Friday evening ritual. Alone & happy.

Still the "Real Housewife or Arden Hills"

Those of you who know me best, know how much I’ve changed as a human being the past twelve months. Losing my job was truly the best thing to happen to me. It took me six months to decompress from eight years of corporate torture. I’ve finally shed my hotel snob perspective of the world and realize that the lifestyle of an executive had slowly turned me into an arrogant, self centered person. (Many of you have told me that I was never that bad…but inside that’s how I felt.) Work was the center of my life…before my kids, my health and my marriage.

I started my new job in early December. Although it’s a very demanding job, I love it. I promised myself that I wouldn’t let my work take over my life again. I’m proud to state that I’ve accomplished this goal.

It surprises me how much I miss being “The Real Housewife of Arden Hills.” I never planned on being an ‘at home mom,’ but when forced into it, I fell in love with my life. Having me working again has been an adjustment for the whole family. We’ll adjust…just like we do every time our family is thrown a curve ball.

I will miss having the summer off with my boys. Five things I learned from my time off with them:
1. Its 100% ok and normal to sleep in until 11:00 am
2. One can make it through the night without sleeping with a Blackberry
3. Sunbathing is still fun. And, I can still get a tan
4. On average, one can watch Sports Center’s Top 10 plays 5 times before looking for the remote
5. Running 10 miles a day is possible if you work hard enough...even when you can't make it to the end of the cul-de-sac when you first start. (I'll keep you posted on my TV Commercial for the Do Groove campaign.)

Jon still says that I'll always be the "Real Housewife of Arden Hills". At least until the boys are in college and I can finally move somewhere warm.

In my spare time (what’s that???), I’ve been slowly working on finishing my novel. I have it all wrapped up in my head, now to get in down in writing. Next step is to engage an editor and begin the tough process of getting it published.

Thank you all for hanging in there with me. I promise to continue writing.