Bag Lady

Have you ran into those "green" people at the grocery store? You know, the ones who bring their own reusable bags? The bags would be a lifesaver for me. Wanna know something that really stresses me out? What to do with all the grocery bags at home. Don't make fun. I neatly fold the paper ones and put them in their place under the sink. The plastic bags all get shoved inside one of their own and get placed somewhere else. But the problem- it doesn't take long before they're taking over and spilling into their neighbor's space. They multiply like nobody's business and I find myself in this anxious predicament of what to do with them. I feel guilty for just throwing them away but I have absolutely no chance of keeping up with them and using them. Supply and demand, baby. They're supplying a lot more than I'm demanding. The reusables would solve that small slice of anxiety. I actually have a few of those cute bags. In Santa Monica, some stores don't even have paper or plastic bags as an option; others have them to buy. But everywhere has the reusables for sale. (Sounds like an "inside job" if you ask me.) I've been in a predicament or two where my hand's been forced and I've bought one. Like the one time I was at JoAnn's with Deeter and Kaia, no stroller, and about 10 loose items. My pride was shoved in my back pocket and I shelled out my $1.99 so I wouldn't look like a circus act- a failing one at that- walking out the door, through the parking lot trying to hold my two kids and balance 10 random, odd-shaped craft items. The good news- the bag was adorable. And I think I would feel like a "designer shopper" if I took that thing to the grocery store with me. I'm sure it would be the talk of the store. But do you know what I think every time I see the reusable-bag shoppers?  It's always the same question.........."How in the world do they remember to bring those dang bags with them?" The amazement never tires and I've yet to interview one of these kind to satisfy my curiosity.


Last night I was planning out today. On my mental agenda- necessary for my very busy social calendar- I had mentally jotted down my 11:00 appointment with my girlfriends and our toddlers at Mickey Dee's Play House. That's right nothing but the best for our kids- McDonald's here we come. Now McD's is conveniently located near Target and those royal winter blue pants have been on my return list since the night I squeezed into them. This was perfect timing to take them back before lunch and while there I might as well pick up the produce that the fridge is lacking. Ooohhh, scratch that plan- the produce would be sitting in the car for way too long and the freshness would be sucked out of it. And that is when my heart skipped a beat and I was EXCITED. I had a cooler-type reusable bag that I picked up from Costco a good year ago and had yet to use at the grocery store. This was an impeccable debut opportunity. So I mentally noted to bring that produce-preserver with me.


Well this morning I was gathering, gathering, gathering, trying to get the crew out the door. I was ready to go and scrolling through my mental grocery list for the fifteenth time, making sure I still remembered the, oh 3 items on it. And I don't know what kicked into gear, but I finally stopped fighting that logical, responsible, organized voice inside of me, and I physically jotted down my list. And the last scribble was....fruits/veggies. Which triggered the plan from last night that surely wouldn't have been remembered til in the produce aisle, when there was no possibility of salvaging my missteps. That nagging voice......it might just be worth something. It saved my booty and got that bag into my car, which allowed me one-stop shopping for my health/beauty needs and produce, and then peace of mind while we frolicked away at McDonald's.


I'm convinced that the "green" people have reminders EVERYWHERE they look to make sure those bags get into the car. And then from the car to the store. And from the store to the bagger's hands. There are multiple opportunities for failure in this process. They must write down at the bottom of their grocery list- because surely these people are grocery list makers{which admittedly I usually am too}-, "BRING REUSABLE BAGS." And then on their front door a post-it, "BRING REUSABLE BAGS." And then another post-it on their steering wheel, "BRING REUSABLE BAGS." And for good measure, they bring one to post on the grocery cart handle...."GIVE REUSABLE BAGS TO BAGGER."


That must be how they remember.


More words to live by for 2012.....PULL IT TOGETHER. Why do I refuse to write things down? Why do I insist on trusting my Alzheimer's to remember details that have the potential of making my life run smoother? I'm gonna take full responsibility for this one- I got no one to blame. And I'm not talking about just remembering to bring the reusable bags to the market. I long ago threw out the notion being that put together, as appealing as it is. I'm talking about all the other floating lists I have in my head that need to make it to paper. {you know doctor appointments, dinners, meetings, volunteer days at school, etc} Although I still hold strong....I would be the best bag in the store if I ever were able to....pull it together.