Thursday, October 16, 2008

Panic in the Parking Lot

I'm a creature of habit. This week, the girls were out of school for Columbus Day/State Fair Day/Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday. I knew this would throw a kink in my world. I tried to prepare myself. We had enough food on hand that I could put off grocery shopping one more day. (Even if we hadn't, I'd rather go hungry than take my children with me to the store.) On top of that, we planned to celebrate my most precious mother-in-law's birthday on Monday evening, which I'm happy to do, but that also meant moving Monday Night Supper Club to Tuesday. Again, another kink. I survived Monday...barely...and not without a horrible migraine.

Then came Tuesday. I thought to myself, "Just pretend its Monday. Its the first day of the schoolweek. Its Monday Night Supper Club. Its grocery shopping day. Its Monday." And so, I drop both girls off at their respective schools and head for Wal-Mart. (Confession: Yes, I do my grocery shopping there. I buy meat there. I even buy produce there despite the fact that I saw a bird in the shoe aisle. Judge me if you must, but so far no one in my family, nor any guests I've served, have fallen ill due to mad-cow meat or pecked-over produce.) Back to the story. When I arrived at Wal-Mart, this is what I found. (cue creepy screeching Psycho music)


If you know me, you'll understand why this was traumatic. I had to park on Row 13! I'm not superstitious about the number 13, its just NOT Row 15--where I always park. Always! As I'm circling the parking lot in disbelief, my friend Johanna pulls up next to me. Thank heavens I wasn't alone in my hour of crisis! After a pep talk, I summon my courage and park my vehicle on another row. It is closer to the door, yet still way out of my comfort zone. Johanna, on a mission for Snickerdoodles, drives on over to the other side of the store in order to dash in and dash out the doors closest to the "bakery". She parked on Row 4 (and didn't even break out in a cold sweat). Oh, how I envy her!
On the bright side, I WAS able to locate my Jeep when I finished shopping; and, the next time I go to Wal-Mart, I'll have a newly black-topped parking space with freshly painted stripes waiting for me...on Row 15.

10 comments:

Scary Mommy said...

I am the same way-- I get so pissed off when somebody takes MY spot. How dare they?!!

Thanks for dropping by, it's nice to meet you! :)

Sturgmom said...

So glad you survived to see another day. And another chance for a trip to the Walmarts.

Anonymous said...

I've never even noticed if our WalMart has row numbers...which would have been nice that time, not so long ago, that I lost my car, only because I was looking for my truck, lol

SuZ said...

My walmart isn't fancy enough (or maybe big enough?) to have numbered rows....

Meaghan said...

Stopping by to say from SITS :)

-Meg

Kimberly Carpenter said...

I am laughing so hard right now! I might wake Micah up from his nap if I don't stop, but this is hilarious. First, I've never noticed the row numbers even after you wrote about it a while back! Second, I am giddy that I had no idea the parking lot was being resurfaced. Yea, Me! I haven't had to go shopping this week. :)

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

Thanks for stopping by my BATW yesterday! Yes they still have the Passion play....and YES his job is one of the most stressful!!!

Melodie said...

Thanks for visiting my blog during the big 'thon! I am exactly the same way when I park at Walmart. I don't care how far away I have to park, but I MUST always park in the same row. It's the only way to find your car when you come back outside after 2 hours of shopping.

Heather said...

Oh, sweet row 15. It's hard when our routines get messed up. The other day I went through the Sonic drive through and ordered a sweet tea, but after I pulled away I took a sip and it was PEACH tea. Ruined my day.

Johanna said...

So, if you had to go to wal~mart today you would have seen that you couldn't even pull into the parking lot off of traders !!! The kids almost had me going home before I relized there are actually 4 entrances into @$!!. If you drive around the parking lot you will see white marks where they will be resurfacing the lot. As my going to row 4 I like to live on the edge. I am hoping that someday I will come out looking for my truck and not be able to find it because I will have finally lost my mind entirely and then it's off to glen oaks for a much needed rest.