Grocery shopping with ADD

Several friends and relatives have asked me to post a blog in the last few days.
I have not been inspired!
The holidays, trying to keep our new school afloat and the daily life issues are almost too much sometimes.
I have also recently had to wrestle with a string of migraines that have knocked me out of some great opportunities for fun, such as Thanksgiving with my new nephew and his parents. Recently I had a pretty bad head cold for all my Christmas visitors to enjoy. But alas, I am feeling better.
So today just prior to the arrival of my dear friend Becky from Nashville, I decided to make a quick trip to the grocery store. The kids decided they might like to come along.
This would not be a problem for most people. But for me with a raging case of ADD aggravated by a head cold, thyroid condition and life issues it is almost too much.
I had a short list of about 15 items. Of course I came home with about 50. But that isn't the fun part.
My son who is now 11 and such a great kid, decided he wanted to push the buggy. My daughter decided to wear he clunky shoes which make it very hard for her to walk and balance at the same time.
The list was not in order of occurrence in the store, so the items were jumbled at best.
Now, I have about a 50% chance of getting all the items on a 15 item list on a great day, when I am full of energy and shopping alone with no distractions!
But today with the two arguing children, one who kept running into me with the buggy it was harder to remember what I had already found on the list and what I was still looking for. To add insult to injury I just bought a jumbo sized purse, (the reasons for that can be explained in a subsequent email), so finding a pen in this dark cave with a real trick. But I finally found the pen and marked off well over half the items. But then the sulking, staring man came along. I seemed to run into him on every isle. He was giving me that disapproving look that families like mine often get. I tried to ignore him while keeping the kids close enough not to receive any private comments from him.
The list even containing only 4 or 5 items was not in order so I kept forgetting what the 4 or 5 items were no matter how often I checked it.
All it takes is one question about cereal or incident of falling off shoes and I am totally obliviously to the items still on my list.
Finally I had one item left on my list and of course I was on about isle 15 and the item was on isle one! So we walked all the way across the store to get said item. Vinegar for those keeping track! And who do we run into right in front of the vinegar? You got it, the disapproving man! Well, I just got my vinegar and left him in the ketchup garden.
We finally made it to the check out at which point the kids ran ahead of me to get gum and I couldn't fit into the check out to start unloading my cart. The 150 year old lady didn't have a bag boy helping her and she was not in a good mood! Then she informed me that I must have a bad potato in my bag due to the smell. She asked if I had a ______ card and of course it was also at the bottom of the pit in my bag. I found it and scanned it so I could get my discount. Pulled the kids out of the lane, unloaded my cart and waited while my potato bag was inspected. I guess they didn't notice the leaking milk!
Well, this ADD store trip was completed when I started putting my groceries in the car only to find that I was parked right beside, YOU GUESSED it, the sulking, disapproving man!
I drove away knowing that we all create our own bad moods, that I have the two best kids in the world and that soon my friend would be at my home and I could relax with coffee, chocolate and conversation!
Life is full of little pit stops but having ADD makes them somehow flower and bloom in the strangest places.

Enjoy the new year. I got an email today from IMS and wanted to share their thoughts.
From The International Montessori Society

May the New Year be the year in which the realization dawns in the minds of people across the globe that there is indeed only one humanity not separate kinds of humanity, on planet Earth.

May individuals everywhere, rich and poor, in the bustling cities in the quiet countryside, from whatever station in life, no matter their color or creed - may all individuals who consider themselves members of the human family - offer their prayers for those who are suffering and in mourning.

May those who have the strength to do, help to heal those who have been hurt or who are sick. And may those who have the means to do so, become friends and caretakers of those who have been left alone, especially the children and the elderly.

May the New Year be the year in which the world comes together to cooperate in new and surprising ways.

May the New Year be the year in which the government of each country opens its heart of generosity to answer the cries of those in desperate need.

May the people of each country offer their unique talents and expertise to bring healing and renewal to the ones who are now downtrodden and without hope.

May this year be the year in which our actions are undertaken with the welfare of all beings in mind.

May our intentions be aimed more toward the expansion of happiness in our lives, and less toward the accumulation of things.

May this be the year all of us come to understand that means of defeating the enemies of world peace and progress are bonds between nations that are built of mutual respect,

May this be the year we come to know that no army can defeat the power of love in men's hearts.

May this be the year we realize that the forces of division and hatred and war are no match for the overwhelming numbers of individuals on earth who want to practice peace, if they consciously choose who choose to walk hand in hand along the path of acceptance and forgiveness.

May all those carrying enmity in their hearts and bearing arms against others this year hear the clarion call of reconciliation.

May neighbor reach out to neighbor to discover new common ground, new ways to appreciate one another, new opportunities to learn from and enjoy each other's company.

May this be the year for hope to be transformed into reality. By Andrew Kutt