Going Shopping

I am off for the next 2 days.  And I am going to go SHOPPING!

I love to shop.  I love grocery shopping.  The only thing I don't love shopping for is shoes.  I have challenged feet and it is not fun trying to find shoes to fit both feet when one ankle is 1 1/2" larger than the other.  But I digress.

It is cold and rainy outside.  Fall is here and, I am told, Winter will be right behind it.  I gave my sister my winter coats because they are too big for me this year and hers are too big for her.  She fits mine great.  So I will be heading to some thrift stores looking for winter coats and big sweaters.  I have some nice winter coats, but they are not heavy enough to walk the dog in the cold with the wind blowing.  They are great for church or when I am going from the car to a building and back again.  But not for walking the dog.

I realize the no one particularly cares about my shopping trip.  But, once a month, I get 2 days off in a row.  Count them - 2!  And I am often struggling to find something to DO on those days.  I don't know how to just hang out.  I don't want to sit downstairs and watch my recorded TV shows - it triggers eating binges.  I can't sit in my usual chair in the living room because I will work and Dad will not let my son take care of him.  So I need to be out of the house.  And, this time, I actually have things I need to shop FOR! 

Ok, it doesn't take much to make me happy.  But, today, is a ME day.  And tomorrow, too.  I am going to find someone to give me a massage.  I will find a winter coat.  I will find big warm sweaters to wear with leggings.  And some cute boots to wear with them, too.  I have been thinking about this since Friday.  Granted, I would get by just fine without buying a single thing.  But I will.I even have a coupon at the thrift store.  Happy dance!

Next month, I will be going on vacation (I get a week a year off), so I will go visit my friends in Florida.  I will stay with my former boyfriend.  Oh, yeah, that has its own advantages!  And visit my old work place, Weight Watchers meeting and old haunts.  And I will relax, and walk HIS dog, and stick my feet in the Gulf again.  And I will have cute clothes to wear, too.

AND I already have my "to go" foods in my purse.  I will be fine.  I will enjoy myself.  And on Wednesday, I will be recharged and ready to take on another week of Dad, Puffy, kids and all that entails.  I will, again, have the patience and compassion to be surrounded by broken hearts - both physical and emotional.