I DO look forward to the weekends. Although this weekend was a bit different, my weekends are usually just about as busy as my weekdays, except in a different way.
First, there is the "Honey-Do" list. Every married man has one of these - the list of things that need doing around the house. It can be "fun" things - like fixing the car. Or it can be a "not-so-fun" thing, like fixing the toilet. But the list is there every weekend, and you always seem to get at least one or two of the projects done, but then 4 or 5 are added to the list.
Then there is the weekly trip to the grocery store. Now there is a Walmart where I live. It just happens to be one of the busiest Walmarts in the country! There is also 2 Safeway stores, a Target Superstore, 3 Family Thrift stores, a Sam's Club, and numerous convienience stores. But we always seem to , regardless of how busy they are, go back to Walmart to do our shopping.
Now that can be - er - exciting? First, you have to find a place to park. I usually let the wife of at the door, and then go find a place. Sometime's I'm lucky, and there is a spot near the building. But usually not. Then you walk in the front door to be greeted by a throng of other shoppers, all trying to get the bargains bought, and get their groceries & get checked out. It is sometimes comparable to a miniature Demolition Derby, bumping into carts, displayus, and sometimes people. Then, once you find everything, which usually takes about 2 hours, hou head for the checkout, only to be met with 6-7 shoppers in every line waiting to be checked out.
So we gamble, and pick a lane that seems to have one less shopper in it. And then we figure out why - this lane has the Junior Trainee Cashier in it, or the cashier that's soooo s l o o o w w w ! So we wait.
Finally, we check out, and head for the door. You would think that's the end, right? But NOOOOO! There is always someone who invariably is blocking the asile, usually near the drinking fountains, restrooms, or near the entance to the McDonalds (yes, there's a McDonalds in our Walmart). So you FINALLY get to the door, only to have the people in front of you set off the door security alarm. So they stop them (blocking the door in the process), and go thru 1/2 the items in their cart, only to find that there was a pair of shoes that didn't get the security tag removed.
Finally, you are out the door, only to remember you have to walk a mile and a half (OK, it seems like that far) to get to your car. You get to your car, get loaded up, and proceed to exit the lot, only to have to wait in line at the exit, as the traffic is intense goung by!
And, finally, we are on our way home, worn out & frazzled from this excursion. We get home, unload the froceries, and discover we forgot to buy something! So it's back in the car, and back to Walmart.
Why. do you ask?? Why put ourselves through this torture? Well, folks, it all boils down to the almighty dollar! We save on average between $15 - 25 shopping at Walmart. So we punish ourselves for that dollar.
BUT - - not this weekend. After the week we had, we decided to use this weekend to unwind and renew ourselves. We spent some time with friends & family, we went to a few garage sales (Who can resist a good sale!)., and otherwise relaxed and spent some quality "just us" time.
I think everyone needs to take some time out of their busy schedule to relax, refresh, and renew. If you don't, you will find yourselves burned out, and almost unable to continue.
So plan a weekend. Take some time. Relax. Renew relations with friends & family. Spend some quality time with your "other half". Have some alone time. And if you can't remember the last time you did this (or if you have NEVER done this) DO IT NOW!!! You NEED it!!!
I want to share with you my 13 rules of life. I found these rules a long time ago, and feel that, although they are not the most important set of rules out there, they are pretty good ones to include in your life. Here they are:
1. Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas.
2. You need only two tools. WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't
move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the tape.
3. The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship "I
apologize" and "You are right."
4. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
5. When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to
eat crow while it's still warm.
6. The only really good advice that your mother ever gave you was,
"Go! You might meet somebody!"
7. If he/she says that you are too good for him/her--believe them.
8. Learn to pick your battles; ask yourself, "Will this matter one
year from now? How about one month? One week? One day?"
9. Never pass up an opportunity to pee.
10. If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another
chance!
11. Living well really is the best revenge. Being miserable because
of a bad or former relationship just might mean that the other person
was right about you.
12. Work is good, but it's not that important.
13. And finally... Be really nice to your friends and family. You
never know when you are going to need them to empty your bedpan
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