The Ins and Outs of Grocery Shopping

Food shopping is something that I don't look forward [to]. I mean, I can put it off for a few days, until the cupboard runs bare..but sooner or later, it must be done. Years ago, as a newlyweds, it was fun going to A&P with my husband and buying the necessary stuff..Wise potato chips, dip, sour dough pretzels, TAB soda and a six-pack of beer. When we had children, it was decided that I would go food shopping, while he stayed home with the three cherubs. Never did I think that going food shopping would feel as if I were on vacation..until I had kids. I looked forward to Thursday nights, when I would fly solo in "paradise" a.k.a. Pathmark. As the kids got older, shopping became a family affair. I would take all three kids with me. Sure, they threw in stuff they wanted, some I kept in the cart; others I discarded. The kids, believe it or not, where very helpful; reminding me that we were out of Capt Crunch cereal and Capri Sun. The best part of shopping with the kids was the unloading the car, once we got home. Each child took a bag, and within two minutes, we were in the house, and the bags of groceries were on the kitchen table! I don't believe that I ever thanked my kids. "Thanks, kids! I miss your help." Today, sitting in the car, in my driveway, I stared at the five bags of groceries. I had my shoulder bag and my keys ready to open the front door. I planned to carry one bag in my left hand. Opening the door, I went up the five steps to my kitchen, where I dropped my handbag, my keys, and the first of the 5 grocery-filled bags. I went back down the steps, down the driveway and stopped at the opened trunk door. Four bags left. Two were heavy. I took one light bag in my right hand and a heavy bag in my left hand. I walked quickly to the front door, placed down the heavy bag, turned the knob while wondering why it had slammed shut. Relifting the heavy bag, I entered and went up the five steps to the kitchen. I placed the bags on the chairs. I had no energy to lift them.. up to the table. Walking down the five steps, my torn miniscus spasmed! Ouch! I slowed down. (It must be time for another shot!) Opening the door, I realized that the winds had stirred up and that a darkness had shrouded all of East Meadow. "Oh, geeze..what we need...a rainstorm." Walking. limping, as fast as I could, I made it to the car, as the cold raindrops began to fall. I grabbed the two remaining bags, and placed them down, so that I could close the trunk door. The cold rain, now, was coming down hard. I walked, limped, as fast as my Skechers could take me, to the front door. I placed the bags down, once more, and turned the door knob. I pushed the front door open wide using my butt, while dragging in the two bags filled with groceries. I took a deep sigh, while closing the front door. I sat on the bottom step, and stared at the two bags, that had become collosal in size. How am I to get them up these 5 steps? I wondered. I sat there for a few minutes..remembering the good 'ole days...TAB soda, Wise potato chips, Beef Jerkies, chocolate chip cookies, and a six pack of beer.