Adventures in Shopping

I haven't posted in ages. Yeah....I know.
But you see, I have a good excuse for part of that time.
I broke my leg.
Well, it is a bit more complicated than that, but we'll just leave it at that for now.

This post is prompted by an experience I had today. But we'll get to that in a minute.

Shopping with a broken leg is an adventure.
I don't particularly care for it.
Before I got my cast, I was at Target. I was riding around in a wheelchair. My oldest dd was pushing me. People just stared at me as if to say... "What is wrong with you?!?!" Oh, and then they would just walk in front of you no matter what. That was NOT fun. It gives me great empathy for the handicapped.

Oh, my dd was not performing her duty to my expectations so I began pushing myself around. I was fine with this, but people began giving me odd looks and one lady even LAUGHED at me. It turned out that my hair was sticking straight up due to the static electricity I was generating. My dd was laughing hysterically and my dear Ski gave me the shock of my life when he tried to smooth my hair down.

One night, we went to the library. WHile this was not shopping, it was comparable. It is a long way from the library entrance to the nearest chair and in between, I met up with about 5 librarians who wanted to know all of the details of what had happened. I love our library and the librarians really like us, too. One of them even told us that our family is her favorite patron. Isn't that sweet?!?!?

We went to CVS one night for some things that I really needed. After shopping there and developing a major foot cramp in my good foot, I decided not to shop in stores without wheelchairs until I can finally walk. Silly me.....I broke that rule twice today. Not a good idea. CVS is really huge!! And add to that, I couldn't find what I needed easily. I had to send Ski walking all of the aisles looking for things. Poor guy!!

Now for today....
This morning I had a long awaited drs appointment with a new dr. What an impression to go with a broken leg. On our way home, I needed a few things. I happen to make my own vanilla. It isn't fabulous or anything, but I know it is safe for my kid, it's cheaper, and it lasts forever. Well, since it really doesn't last forever, I needed to make some more. I use a pint of vodka to make it and I know the brand by sight (but not name) and I basically know where in the store it is. Since Ski knows less about this than I do, I told him to drop me off and I would buy it. He went to a nearby pharmacy to pick something else up for me. My first barrier to overcome was the front door. It was not automatic and I almost fell on my way out of the store. Secondly, I knew before I entered that my vodka would be at the very back of the store. It makes me feel like it is a million miles away. The lady was nice and offered to get it for me, but I could not recall the name. Just when we found it, she had another customer come in and she had to go back to the front. Duh....I put my purse on the floor and almost toppled over trying to pick it up again. So my next challenge was walking with crutches, a purse, and a pint of vodka. I made it to the front of the store, but then there were two narrow steps. Oh my!! My leg has been really hurting and I really didn't want to bear weight, but I did for the first step. Step....grimace....and then used my crutches to go up to the top. I then paid and left.

Ski was still at the pharmacy so I went down the sidewalk and sat on the curb in the parking lot. After a few minutes, a car pulled up. A lady got out and went in the store. After a few minutes, another lady got out. She came over to me (which made me nervous). I feel really vulnerable with a broken leg. It is pretty obvious and I am soooo slow. I was ready to pick up my crutch and get ready to bash. :D Anyway, the lady stuck her hand out and had a few pennies in it. She told me it was all she had, but told me to take them. I probably looked a sight. I was very tired from my drs visit and meandering through the ABC store. I probably also looked pretty desperate to go to the ABC store with a broken leg. After I assured the lady that I was fine, she then asked me if I could give HER some money. Oh my......I could not believe it. When I said no, she asked if my dh would give her money. It was rather comical...

Being a semi-invalid is rather interesting.
Dh won't let me drive so I am soooo dependent. Not the most fun. But I understand why he wants me to refrain from driving. At Thanksgiving, I felt like Tiny Tim sitting with my crutches in the corner. And I even entered the home of someone I don't know well by sitting up the stairs. This was so humbling for me. And when I do go out -- like to church, the dr, or a store, I am utterly exhausted when I get home.

But Ski is the best!! He has served me without a single complaint. He is so cheerful and has even given up our bed to sleep near me in our den. And he cheerfully shops and even sticks to my list. He is beyond awesome!!!