I started off my Thanksgiving festivities on Wednesday morning. Knowing I usually feel really full on Thursday, I scheduled a run with Heather B. for 6 AM. Well I suppose I was so excited for Jules to come into town that I didn't receive the text from Heather asking for a confirmation. After all, NO ONE wants to get up at 6AM if they don't absolutely have to. I received and replied to the text at 5:50 Wednesday morning knowing that Heather B. would not be up for a run since I didn't confirm. Sure enough she called and politely told me that she could be ready in a few minutes if I wanted to wait. Now, any excuse NOT to run is usually a prize-worthy endeavor for me. As Heather B. yawned asking if I wanted to wait I told her to go back to sleep. It had been a long week for Heather B. It took all I had not to climb back into my warm bed, but I ran 3 miles all by my lonesome. It was much harder alone, but I did it and I felt great.
After my run, I decided to hit up the grocery store to gather ingredients for 2 pies, a quiche and chilli for game night taking place later that evening. In order to keep my adrenaline going I stopped in to Starbucks for my first
egg nog latte of the season. You may be asking yourself "what was the point of running 3 miles? You just wrecked it with that latte Cares!" And to that I say 2 things:
1. I pay a trainer to tell me things like that, so unless you receive a monthly check from me you are not allowed to tell me what what foods negatively affect my workouts
and
2. I had the Barista mix the egg nog with non fat milk so it's not as bad as it sounds. So there. (Do I sound defensive OR WHAT?!)
Red cup in hand, I skipped across the parking lot and into Safeway. I picked out my cart making sure I hadn't chosen one with squeaky or uncooperative wheels and started on my list. I was in the greatest mood and to my surprise so were the rest of the shoppers. I found EVERYTHING on my list which can be hard the day before Thanksgiving. Usually those shelves can be picked over by then. As I approached the Dairy section I realized they were completely out of Whipping Cream. Not cool whip, or the stuff you buy in a can, the real thing. I sighed and thought of which store would be on my way home. Instead, I found a stock person and asked her if there was any in the back. She checked and came back out to tell me that the shipment had literally just arrived and that in 30 minutes they'd be restocked. I smiled, thanked her and headed over to pick out some wine. 3o or so minutes later I walked back and was reassured to find that the whipping cream had in fact been restocked. As I chose mine I saw a different stock person through the shelves. I happily shouted "Thank you for the whipping cream sir!" He said "You're welcome! Can you believe we've already gone through a few thousand of these? They anticipate we'll go through a few million by tomorrow!" I was actually pretty shocked. One million cartons of whipping cream? I told him that was impressive and shouted "I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!" I suddenly felt like I was at a neighborhood market where the butcher lives on your block and the checker is your friend's aunt. The kind of market where you keep a tab and they know your favorite groceries.
I made my way through the aisles and headed up to check out. As the woman in front of me finished up she saw my whipping cream and I watched her eyes get as big as saucer as she said "OHH! Where did you get THAT?!" I said "Oh, they JUST restocked it. It's right next to the eggs!" I took a sip out of my red cup and smiled. I know how frustrating it is to have to make a few trips when the store runs out and it felt good to help someone else, even if it is something as inconsequential as whipping cream!
When it was my turn to pay, I looked at the checker and started telling her about the amount of whipping cream our county would be going through. I then told her "I have to apologize I get REALLY chatty when I've had caffeine" She laughed along with the 4 to 5 month pregnant lady in line behind me. Who knew coffee had such a universal effect on people? The 3 of us chatted about our favorite coffee treats and how much the prego lady missed it. I normally don't get into conversations like this at the grocery store, but it was Thanksgiving after all!
I loaded up my car and was getting ready to run the cart back up to the store when an elderly man pulled into the handicapped spot next to me. I smiled as we made eye contact and he told me to have a great Thanksgiving as he locked up his car. I love Thanksgiving. It seems to bring out the optimist in everyone. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle of it all, but this year I felt like I could really enjoy the holiday for what it is.
I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving shopping/baking/cooking experience.
xxooo
Cares
