Office Depot Throwing off My Mommy Groove

This afternoon, Baby J and I head out in our fearless four-door ride to our local Office Depot. For those of you who aren't aware, I do not love shopping. I don't like to spend hours in stores browsing shelves & aisles. I wouldn't say I hate it, but I really really really don't like it. It's not on my top 10 fun-things-to-do list.

There are, however, a few very special stores that I do enjoy taking my time and absorbing all that the store has to offer. Office Depot is one of those special stores. Cardstock, colorful paperclips, planners, organizers of all shapes & sizes...*sigh*. My idea of heaven.

I was excited for our Office Depot adventure. I had a small list of things to purchase, and while it was very difficult to keep to that small list (yes, I did have to put some things back), I did it. I made it up to the cash register, no problem-o.

Now was the moment of truth.

Could I be the cool-calm-under-control-hip-Mom that can empty her cart, keep her baby smiling, carry the diaper bag, swipe that card, sign her name with the magic-computerized-pen, have her keys in hand, take the bags and the baby --and do it all with flawless grace before she walks out the sliding doors?

The guy at the register asked if I needed any help. (Do they do that regularly at Office Depot? Maybe so, but I was confident I could do it all by myself. After all, I am that kind of Mom, right?) I said "Oh, thank you, no...I'm fine. Thanks, have a good night!"

I walked out with two bags and my keys in my left hand, baby and bag on my ride side (sans sling)--juggling perfection, I thought to myself.

Two hours later I was reviewing my purchases and realized I did not have 3 of my items. I searched the car, the living room, the diaper bag...where did those multi-colored organizing toys go??

I called the store and guess what. My bag of goodies was sitting there in the exact spot where I said "no thanks, I don't need your help." Do you think the guy laughed at me when he realized I left one of my bags there?

I was too busy imagining myself being the can-do-it-all Mom to actually BE the can-do-it-all Mom. Perhaps sometimes to 'do it all' you have to be willing to have a little help.

Disclaimer: I do realize that going shopping with 1 baby and a small list of items is not considered HUGE to many of you. I don't know why it was today. I don't have all my brain cells built back up yet. I'm still working on getting my Mommy Groove. Baby steps. :)