Pay it UP?

Anyone who's been to Costco on a Sunday knows that it can be a little crazy....oh who am I kidding? It's a frigging NIGHTMARE! From the moment one pulls into the parking lot, chaos ensues. If you're not battling for a spot, you're waiting for one while the driver contemplates, "to put on my full face of make-up or just lip gloss?" or "to smoke this entire cigarette or should I just light it?" before backing out.
You shop, you get what you need, a few added bonuses of what you don't need, you eat a meal in samples alone...and then you hit the lines. The lines are nuts. I gave up on correlating the shortest line  with the quickest escape plan a long time ago.  In fact, I'm pretty sure it was Murphy himself you said, "If you choose the shortest line - the person at the front will forget their ID AND be a dreaded check writer, will have forgotten something at the back of the store, or insist on debating with the cashier that their coupon is really worth a $1.50, not just $1." In other words, their is no quick way out of Costco. Admit, accept, and move forward.

Speaking of moving forward....Today my PIC (partner in crime) and I chose a mediocre line. A few families in front of us. The family directly in front of us had 1 bag of chips. We moved through the entire line and were just about to put our items on the conveyer belt when the perceived father of this family, rolled up only to squeeze his cart in between us and the conveyor belt and proceeded to unload about 30 items. It was such deception! Such a trick. We were bamboozled!

I must admit we were slightly irritated but instead of starting a fight, we just chuckled and shook our heads. "Rise above" was the silent agreed upon consensus and so we did.  Despite these high-school-cafeteria-cutters, we were able to get  in and out of Costco in a reasonable amount of time and get this: Our day went on and we were just fine.

The follow up to Costco found us at our local Von's for the little items. We had a cart full and when we got in line, I noticed the older gentleman behind us had so few items, he didn't even have a hand basket much less a cart. He had but one jar of spice in his hand. Who was I to not excuse him to go in front of us and let him get on with his evening? It wasn't until he tipped his imaginary hat at us as he skipped out the door, that I realized how the day's events of line waiting had come full circle.

I'm still not convinced letting the old guy go in front of us was an act of Pay it Forward,  but rather just common courtesy. While in the moment at Costco, I was irritated and dismayed at the lack of such courtesy, but not enough so that I lost it within myself. I think it's important that we don't allow other's actions to bring us down. We should always focus on being good. On being better. On Paying it UP.

...and her life was Simply wonderful

All my very best,

Emily

Simply date night

When you're in good company - it doesn't matter what you do.

The quality time I spend with my husband is a perfect example of this. Quality time can be hard to come by but if you make a real effort I promise, it's totally possible. Tuesday has been dubbed date night in my home since last April. 

And we are religious about it. 

Life is so busy and there's that 'always something' that makes it so hard to concentrate on ourselves as a couple. So we decided to set one atypical night a week aside (thank you therapy!) for just us: Tuesday! No friends. No appointments. No parties. No RSVP's. 

Nothing but the two of us. And my favorite part of this deal is since the only stipulation is that it's just us - date night can be anything. It can be exciting and planned, like attending a concert or play or a nice dinner out at one of our favorite sit down restaurants. You know, one of those dinners where you eat at the restaurant. They seat you and bring menus. Menus which are ultimately followed with the servers bringing you several courses over a lengthy period of time; a dinner where you're not rushing and have time to explore the menu, banter with the waitress, gaze into one another's eyes...

Or date night can be as simple as agreeing to avoid the afore mentioned chaos: the dressing up, making reservations, choosing the event, getting there. As fun as those action items can be - they can be exhausting (and expensive!). Agreeing to make speedy chili together whilst watching some crappy reality show can be just as rewarding; sometimes even more so. The time saved on zipping into a tight dress is reward in itself while we pad around in slippers and elastic; with ultimate plans to end of up naked on the couch.

One of our most memorable date nights consisted of me accompanying Jimmi to Costco while he picked up some new contacts. As we were leaving the store, their pizza slices started calling my pregnant self - almost by name! And just like that: date night became all about people watching while we stuffed our faces with greasy, cheesy pizza and splurged on Costco's fro yo swirl. A date night costing some $7 and change; and we observed, giggled and enjoyed every minute of the night, proving nothing fancy, expensive or elaborate had to be done.

Taking ourselves extremely serious during a romantic Costco dinner

Just so long as we had each other, we were satisfied. More than satisfied. And it left me wanting more. 

Ah the power of good company; it really makes you see how beautiful the little things are.  I am so grateful for all of it. Are you?  

...and her life was Simply wonderful

All my very best,

Emily