After the trauma of my last grocery shopping experience,I made the decision to eat down almost all of my fresh ingredients before braving the stores again. This did make for some very unique meals for a few days, but I was willing given the stress of the last trip. My preparation started the night before with making a fine tuned list of staples, ingredients for meals I wanted to make and weekly sale items I needed to purchase. I went to bed early, making the effort to be rested for the big day; I had to have all of the energy possible to execute my grocery shopping mission.
I awoke early the next morning and completed my workout and breakfast before heading out. I even took the time to put on eye make up for the first time in weeks! My first stop was Target for a few pantry items and cleaning supplies. Armed with hand sanitizer and couture silk bandana, I was ready for my adventure. How foolish was I to think I may actually find any of the items on my list! Coming up empty handed from the cleaning isles I thought surely I would be able to find the pantry goods on my list. Coconut milk- non existent. Organic whole bean coffee-I took one of the last from the shelf. Honey and fruit preserves- I had to rummage through heavily shopped shelves to find the organic product, but I found them. A minor win, but I was willing to take it!
My second stop at the local market was much more fruitful. The produce was bountiful, wine shelves stocked with my favorite varietals and even a selection of meats from which to choose! However, there was the insane, and I mean unbelievable amount of people standing in line at check out. At least 10 people per line and there were four registers open. How many were wearing protective gear you ask? Maybe a quarter of them. Yes you read that correctly. Out of 40 people, only 10 had on protective coverings. I made the mental note to heavily disinfect the goods I would bring home from this store. “Leave nothing to chance” I thought! While I waited for the line to decrease I shopped the wine isles and cheese case just like old times. I will say for a brief moment, minus the bandana around my face, things felt like normal. I checked out with my normal cashier and we exchanged pleasantries through the plexiglass shield . My feelings of normal quickly dissipated.
The last stop was to Publix. This would be a very quick trip for just a few items that I couldn’t find elsewhere. Would coconut milk and eggs be on the shelf here? Fingers crossed, I geared up and headed into the entryway. This time I would say about 50% of the people in the store were wearing protective coverings and easing my nervousness by about 50% too. I made it down each isle without giving into the crackers or ice cream. The willpower I exerted was commendable given I had just purchased wine and cheese and the market. The check out lines were empty and my purchase was complete. With a sigh of relief I made it to the car and then finally on my way home.
After every item got a nice little bath of bleach water or scrubbed with soap and water I was finally ready to relax. Changing into my bathing suite I headed poolside and soaked up the beautiful spring weather. While laying on my beach towel, I reached for my phone and ordered a legit facemask with a filter pocket. The next shopping trip I would be ready.
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