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Tuesday 8 November 2011

Bats In The Belfry!

Ta-da!

I hang sit here before you, having now collected my fecking hideously expensive glasses with their blind as a bat complex new prescription - And, guess what?

I can see you all now!

Don't you look all lovely in your jammies?  

Wait, what's that?   Is it a tinge of egg yolk on your collar?  

Naughty boys and girls!

You have soooo taken advantage of the fact that I could not see you properly...

And, this week I have also succumbed to the plague of old age, by buying a shopping trolley because I could no longer face schlepping my baggage (emotional and otherwise) back and forwards through the city, pulling my already dodgy spine out of alignment.
The Christmas season is fast upon us, and I found I was unable to contemplate buying the odd thing here and there for Grizz and GJ (who are the only folk I have left to buy for, organised little minx that I've been this year!), as I make my way through the shops on the way from the transport system to the Library to use the computers to gawp at t'Internet study...   For this would mean traipsing all my kibble about the city for hours on end while I wait for early evening collection and pick-up by GJ.

I surprised him somewhat yesterday when I turned up for my lift at dusk with a nifty, sporty trolley in tow, stowing it safely in the back of the car.   In it I had all the necessary study books for my counselling course, a few items and stocking fillers for Grizz AND my hefty handbag!   For even my beloved Patrick Cox handbag has started to pull my shoulder out of joint!  


I can't get away with minimal when it comes to being prepared.   I might swoon at itty-bitty, impossibly chic clutch bags, but cannot manage all day so far from home with one.   I need my pens and writing pads, some days I take my Kindle, yesterday I carried a paperback book which I could not stop myself buying from a charity shop *Ahem*, a can of Diet Coke, a home-made sandwich in silver foil, my Filofax, my cheque book, my two purses (one for coins and bus tickets, one for cards, notes and receipts), a large comb, a bagful of make-up (for without which I look like a witch!), Bach Rescue Remedy and all my therapy stuff, including a voice recorder, as well as other paraphernalia...  If I were to start carrying a lap-top (which I'll need to for counselling work in future), you might as well launch me as a sailing ship - H.M.S Fhina!

Most days that I spend in town, without any kind of way-station to rest at, I feel at best like a modern day, pioneering pack-horse.   Ready to rumble, but also ready to drop!


I am conscious of how I look with the shopping trolley, although it is an absolute doddle to pull around - There's no weight at all to it, but I feel it ages me.   It marks me out to predators as one of the weakest of the herd...   I sense its bulk, and its chastising of me for not looking after my body and my back well enough for all these years.  

My hubby mocked me a bit for the trolley and will undoubtedly complain about the space it takes up at home, but I'm absolutely fed up of having to decide to leave grocery shopping, or a bag of dried muesli for the rats, behind for another time, because the bags cut into my fingers and my shoulders are screaming...

I would be really interested to find out how you manage, my pets.   What floats your boat?   What gets you from A - Z in full possession of your mental faculties, when it comes to bags and baggage.   What's the solution?

A bientot, mes belles - Je vous aime!   Mwah!   


24 comments:

Bagman and Butler said...

You have such a great writing style that I was mesmerized by handbags! When I was working, I used to carry everything in a backpack -- never used anything, just carried around. Now that I am retired, I put my camera in the trunk of my car but carry nothing. Sometimes I forget my wallet.

A Woman Of No Importance said...

To hear that coming from you, oh three wise and great men is such a charm for me today! Thank you so!

I thought of a backpack, but couldn't find one big enough - Yikes! I am carrying too much!

Paula RC said...

I think Shopping trolley are a great idea. Another great way to save the planet and get people out of their cars.

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Thankyou, Jarmara, such a great way of looking at it!

A Heron's View said...

I have pockets, lots of pockets! 4 in my trousers, 3 in my waistcoat & 4 in my jacket. Don't use a wallet, threw the wristwatch as soon as I retired or it may have been months before. The shopping is done on a Friday, goods are put in carrier bags & lugged to the car at each of the three stores that we use. For two minutes my back gets compressed moving the purchases to the kitchen when we get home and then as if by magic my body reforms.
Trolleys are out tried them once before & kept tripping over.. horses for courses I guess.

Vix said...

I should really carry a backpack, they are much easier on the spine but they are just too sensible!
There's lots of younger folk with funky trollies at my hydrotherapy class, use it and be proud. x

Suldog said...

All labor-saving devices (excuse me, for you, labour-saving devices) are worthwhile and deserve whatever room they up in the house. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Suldog said...

That would be "TAKE up in the house", of course.

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Pockets? I am listening - But I eschew so many pockets as I would look as if I was off poaching and would face the farmers' gun out here in the (country) sticks, Heron! x

A backpack, Vix, I know - But how to rock a backpack that needs to be twice the size of a normal one to carry all my crapilola??! xxx

Suldog, thankyou for your sense and sensibility - You can always be relied upon - Yes, I almost posted 'relied up' there! Missing letters and words seems to be in the air today - Mwah! x

Scriptor Senex said...

Your bag's contents sound just like Partner-who-loves-tea - even down the counselling books. But somehow I think that if I suggested a trolley I'd get hit over the head with a very heavy handbag... It may logical and sensible but ... I'm proud of you - it says a lot for your self-esteem that you can use one and smile about it.

I've thought about this as I make my second trip back from the shops - I couldn't look myself in the face if I used a trolley but I have thought about taking my bike and hanging things off the handlebars.

Sarah said...

How I miss the days when the children were small and everything could be stowed under the pushchair.

Even more so the days when they started to walk and I could fill the seat up as well.

These days I really need a rucksack back and front!

Chairman Bill said...

Varifocals?

Sueann said...

I carry a large purse everywhere with all my bits and bobs!
I drive my car and park as close as I can unless I am feeling I need to stretch a bit...then I park far away and hike it. If I obtain too many bags while shopping, I simply walk out to the car and deposit into the back. Then I go back at it.
Hugs
SueAnn

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Scriptor - I know what you mean, but I was really getting fed up with myself, so a trolley it is...

Some of my 'proper' counsellor friends have wheeled cases - Maybe Tea-loving Lady might like one for Chrimbo - Just saying! x

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Sarah Mac - Me too, I miss those days, although occasionally the buggy would tip backwards! Luckily, Grizz wasn't usually in it - Normally striding out in front - LOL! x

A Woman Of No Importance said...

SueAnn - I think parking and car parks in the US are not what they are in Newcastle - I'd be exhausted dithering back and forth...

As it is, I don't have the car with me, so what I have for the day stays with me for the day - All day and into night - Hence my pack-horse and pack-rat tendencies ;) x

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Chairman, my optician did indeed suggest varifocals, but my glance froze him instantly to the spot and he turned into a swirl of snakes - It's true, so there!

samecookiesdifferent said...

the pics are so cute <3

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Marcheline said...

I carry "the bucket". It's a huge (formerly) black (now worn to brownish) leather thing that looks exactly like a bucket with a shoulder strap.

It's been with me everywhere from Scotland to Ireland to Italy and back, to work with me every day, and everywhere else too.

It holds my huge daytimer/wallet, cell phone, camera, lucky rocks, lucky buckeyes, loose coinage, folding knife, receipts, directions, shopping lists, mail, feminine hygiene products, chewing gum, makeup, hairbrush, and if you look closely I bet Jimmy Hoffa is in there somewhere, too.

It weighs about thirty pounds, fully loaded, which explains my bad neck and great thigh muscles.

8-)

ArtistUnplugged said...

Yay for you!!!! Sounds like you have much to tote so you needed a good vehicle....obviously you're not a teetotaller!!! Fortunately I do not have to haul much around, the occasional overnight trip and of course, packing up my art for shows. One of my favorite pieces was a gift from my mother-in-law, a large green bag with a logo of a hatted lady carrying a bag....a couture carrier! For trips I love my wheeled small luggage that is a beautiful red plaid trimmed with black patent leather!!! Carrying my most beloved purse that is a Tignanello. My favorite because it was not only a bargain but it has the best convenience in pockets and is a treat for the eye out of a matted bronze gold and pewter colored leather.

Bee said...

I salute you for your trolley. Whatever works, right? It's just crazy to keep lugging all that lot (and I do absolutely trust that you need it) in a handbag. I'm afraid I'm the sort that carries at least one canvas bag -- usually my green Daunt books one -- AND a big handbag. (Maybe this is why my shoulder always aches?)

I'm so glad to hear that you are studying to be a counsellor. You will be well-suited to that position as you combine warmth, humour and a chattiness that would put the shy at ease with solid, sensible advice. Duly noted by me in your very generous comment. xo

BadPenny said...

Ha ! I bought a shopping trolly too and when Mary from the Dairy
(well - the co-op now but it was the dairy) remarked on it I told her that "I have finally succumbed to the fact that I need a shopping trolly" We couldn't stop giggling.

Actually, I find the thing a bugger to pull up kerbs. I've warned the dog many times that he will be getting saddle bags soon.

Cynthia L. H. said...

Love the little pink and green floral cart for all of the emotional baggage. Hilarious.
;^)

Moannie said...

At the moment Fi I am for anything that fecks others off. How outrageous of me.Frankly the thought of cutting someone off at the knees kinda appeals to me, and if the flower one shown is THE one I approve wholeheartedly.

Something I wrote earlier...

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