Sunday, November 25, 2007

A Needed Validation

Yesterday Israel and Quincy were going to the video store to find something to rent, so I asked them to stop by the grocery store and pick up a few things I needed for dinner and Sunday dessert. Israel said Ok, so I made my list and handed it too him. His eyes bulged, his face paled, and he swallowed hard. You would have thought that I'd asked him to get some tampons, or nursing pads. "You want me to get ALL this?" Here's exactly what was on the list:



Heavy Whipping Cream (like 3 cups worth)

2 loaves of white bread

corn syrup (probably near maple syrup)

brown sugar

bannanas

wheat bread

bag of salad

1 loaf french bread (white bag by the bakery)



I confirmed that I wanted ALL of those things, and even showed him the kind of carton to look for whipping cream in. This man has never done any grocery shopping in his life. Well, they made it to the store, and I only got three phone calls asking for information:

"The only bread in a white bag by the bakery is called 'Italian', is that what you want?"
"Light or dark corn syrup?"
"Light or dark brown sugar?"

He arrived home exaperated with a long story that centered around Quincy escaping from the cart while he was trying to pay, and him waiting for the receipt while she attempted to commit suicide in the parking lot.

He clearly did not appreciate my laughing at him, so I explained that he was getting a tiny taste of what I deal with on a daily basis.

Originally I was going to make the theme of this story something about how my husband is obviously spoiled, and I need to have him do more grocery shopping, but the more I have thought about it the more I'm just glad that the experience was hard for him. Somehow the fact that he struggled with my daily tasks is very validating to me. Some nights I know he can't understand why I am frustrated or ornery, after all, I just played with the kids all day and made a trip to the grocery store :) Now perhaps things will be a tiny bit clearer.

I've got to get to work planning his next shopping trip now. Maybe it's time for him to try cooking a dinner....

7 comments:

Melissa said...

That psot cracked me up Rebecca. I read it aloud to Adam I thought that it was so funny! :)

Erin said...

So funny! I remember sending Paul to the store once for zuchini and he came back with cucumber!

Zanzi & Buzz said...

I feel so validated when Scott stays with the girls for a couple of hours on a Saturday while I go do errands and I come home and he and the house look like they've been through a tornado and EVERYONE needs a nap. It's pretty funny. Rock on sister.

jayne said...

Hilarious. I secretly love it when Shawn fails at "my job" too. It seems to validate me in the same twisted way it validates you. You should send him to the store next time with BOTH kids, who are hungry, and see how that one turns out.

Pattie said...

That is so funny.

Jessica said...

Crack me up. I hope to encounter Israel in HyVee in the near future Rebecca!

Lacey Guy said...

That is so funny! It reminds me of an old "I Love Lucy" episode (the one where they try to make chocolates!)